How It All Got Started
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.
The ancient Egyptians worshipped a god called Ra, who had the head of a hawk and wore the sun as a blazing disk in his crown. At the solstice, when Ra began to recover from the illness, the Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes which symbolized for them the triumph of life over death.
Early Romans marked the solstice with a feast called the Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fruitful. To mark the occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs. In Northern Europe the mysterious Druids, the priests of the ancient Celts, also decorated their temples with evergreen boughs as a symbol of everlasting life. The fierce Vikings in Scandinavia thought that evergreens were the special plant of the sun god, Balder.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.
It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims's second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event." In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.
In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
17 November 2011 -- Top 10 Songs of the Week
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Residential Mortgage Rates
Rates on effective October 4, 2011.
All rates are subject to change without notice.
for mortgage options. Rate discounts may apply. All rates are subject to change without notice.
| 1st Mortgage Variable 5 Yr. Closed as low as... | 2.850% |
| 3 Year Protected Prime* | 3.250% |
| 6 Month Open* | 5.100% |
| 6 Month Closed* | 4.000% |
| 1 Year Closed* | 3.400% |
| 2 Year Closed* | 3.600% |
| 3 Year Closed* | 4.100% |
| 4 Year Closed* | 4.300% |
| 5 Year Special* ** (regular posted = 4.70%) | 3.900% |
| 7 Year Closed* | 5.200% |
most wanted games
10 most wanted games of 2011
Dead Space 2
The gist: Electronic Arts’ sci-fi horror sequel starts the year with doom and gloom. There are superb special effects in store, however, so not all depressing. It is three years after the Necromorph virus transformed the crew of the Ishimura space ship into cannibalistic mutants. Our unwilling but capable hero Isaac Clarke awakes in a space-colony hospital to find, yet again, that all is not well.
The gameplay: New weapons and a wider variety of protective suits help Isaac to tidy up this mess. He can use his environment to battle the Necromorphs, the vacuum of space can swiftly evacuate a room full of enemies. On top of that, Isaac uses telekinesis to control objects with his mind.
Killzone 3
The gist: Can PlayStation Move enable Sony’s flagship first-person shooter to belittle its biggest rival, ‘Halo: Reach’ for Xbox 360? Accurate motion-controlled targeting is just one of the ideas touted for this second outing of ‘Killzone’ on PlayStation 3. It will also display in 3D if your telly is capable. We rejoin earth’s Interplanetary Strategic Alliance troops versus the alien Helghast Empire. Hua!
The gameplay: Expect jetpacks to take advantage of the huge environments explored vertically and horizontally. Higher vantage points will prove a great place to launch the multi-firing rockets of the new WASP ordinance. ISA troopers have learned mean and dirty close-quarter combat techniques.
Marvel vs Capcom 3
The gist: Heroes from the Marvel universe, e.g. Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, take on well-known characters from Capcom classics that include ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Resident Evil’. The last time this happened was 10 years ago, and the explosive potential of today’s gaming consoles is several times that of PlayStation 2. This ought to be a comic book fan’s idea of console gaming nirvana.
The gameplay: One of the series’ trademarks is linking moves that take place in the air. Capcom will introduce an Air Combo button to launch aerial moves consistently, keeping Light, Medium, and Heavy attack buttons from previous games. ‘Marvel vs Capcom 3’ is all about the crazy combos.
Gears of War 3
The gist: Return of the overtly violent creature feature, in which mankind battles a subterranean race dubbed the Locust Horde. The original ‘Gears of War’ introduced the infamous Lancer, a high-calibre machine gun plus onboard chainsaw designed to rip the Locust Horde into shreds. We’ve already seen weapons for ‘Gears of War 3’ that make the Lancer look like a feather duster.
The gameplay: New female characters join the fray, toting the same weapons as the blokes-built-like-bulldozers that include: The Digger (a gun that fires a creature that burrows underground), One Shot (sniper-rifle meets cannon), and Incendiary Grenades for those who like to see things burn.
L.A. Noire
The gist: Boasting new technology that precisely captures the nuances of an actor’s performance, ‘L.A. Noire’ combines the open-world elements of ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ with movie directorial smarts of ‘L.A. Confidential’. Present-day Hollywood talent has been recruited to depict the 1940s heyday of the American film industry. The designers have faithfully recreated L.A. from that era.
The gameplay: This is a crime thriller, and as Detective Cole Phelps of the L.A.P.D. you’ll be firing questions at suspects as readily as your side-arm and shotgun at the villains. Cases are solved by paying attention to crime-scene detail then skilfully reading facial expressions and body language.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
The gist: A ‘Bladerunner’ vibe runs through the digital veins of this futuristic action adventure, spectacularly pushing the technical limits of the latest consoles and gaming PCs. Lead protagonist Adam Jensen is a biotechnologically enhanced security specialist at the centre of an industrial conspiracy. Ultimately this leads to mind-blowing set-piece shoot out against monstrous villains.
The gameplay: You might be pleased to know that it’s not all shooting, in fact there are special rewards for completing the story without harming anyone other than the linchpin adversaries. As Adam, your approach can be stealthy or go-getting, and different routes open up accordingly.
Doom 4
The gist: Original ‘Doom’ can be considered the godfather of first-person shooting games, and was certainly genre-defining up to and including ‘Doom 3’. So with ‘Doom 4’ the gaming world, including the console guys, is rightly expecting to be shocked to the core by cleverness… and gore. As you can tell, we know next to nothing about it, however. That’s because it’s shrouded in secrecy.
The gameplay: “Gosh, that's actually an excellent question,” said id Software’s CEO in 2009. “It's not a sequel to ‘Doom 3’, but it's not a reboot either. ‘Doom 3’ was sort of a reboot. It's a little bit different than those.” Although details were promised for August this year, nothing surfaced. Ah well.
Crysis 2
The gist: The second chapter of the sci-fi series that features a man wearing a military prototype Nanosuit. This doesn’t shrink our guy down to the size of a gnat; rather it bestows upon him superhuman capabilities in a most spectacular fashion. With the original ‘Crysis’, the producers maxed out performance of PCs at the time. The same is being said of ‘Crysis 2’ for consoles too.
The gameplay: Events take place in New York City, with our super soldier tackling aliens boasting superior artificial intelligence. They’ll hunt you in organised packs, requiring great ingenuity in your use of the Nanosuit plus all available weapons and gadgets to bring them down.
The gist: The other big first-person shooter from the makers of ‘Doom’, of which hard information is scarce but it will feature driving and racing gameplay in addition to blasting. There is also indication that there will be a role-playing type experience system, applying to the development of the hero alongside his weapons and vehicles. It is set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic world.
The gameplay: Shooting stuff is id Software’s forte, but the driving sections will take their influence from the likes of ‘Burnout’ and ‘MotorStorm’. Since this is a post-apocalyptic wasteland the races are off-road affairs, most likely strewn with debris allowing for crazy stunts and improvised shortcuts.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
The gist: We admit to this being pure speculation at this stage, but come on. Just as sure as there will be a new FIFA in the autumn, a gangbusters shoot-’em-up from Activision is almost certain to arrive with military precision. When and where it’ll take place is anyone’s guess. Pick your conflict zone, and opportunity for covert soldiers with unique skill sets and tools. It’ll be one of those.
The gameplay: Community support and incremental rewards are becoming par for the course in today’s best-selling games. ‘Call of Duty’ remains hugely popular on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network, and we expect it will extend the bragging-rights concept of badges, medals and trophies.
Find out what you should be most looking forward to playing at some stage, fingers crossed, between now and Christmas 2011. Oh, it will soon be here.
The gist: Electronic Arts’ sci-fi horror sequel starts the year with doom and gloom. There are superb special effects in store, however, so not all depressing. It is three years after the Necromorph virus transformed the crew of the Ishimura space ship into cannibalistic mutants. Our unwilling but capable hero Isaac Clarke awakes in a space-colony hospital to find, yet again, that all is not well.
The gameplay: New weapons and a wider variety of protective suits help Isaac to tidy up this mess. He can use his environment to battle the Necromorphs, the vacuum of space can swiftly evacuate a room full of enemies. On top of that, Isaac uses telekinesis to control objects with his mind.
Killzone 3The gist: Can PlayStation Move enable Sony’s flagship first-person shooter to belittle its biggest rival, ‘Halo: Reach’ for Xbox 360? Accurate motion-controlled targeting is just one of the ideas touted for this second outing of ‘Killzone’ on PlayStation 3. It will also display in 3D if your telly is capable. We rejoin earth’s Interplanetary Strategic Alliance troops versus the alien Helghast Empire. Hua!
The gameplay: Expect jetpacks to take advantage of the huge environments explored vertically and horizontally. Higher vantage points will prove a great place to launch the multi-firing rockets of the new WASP ordinance. ISA troopers have learned mean and dirty close-quarter combat techniques.
Marvel vs Capcom 3The gist: Heroes from the Marvel universe, e.g. Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk, take on well-known characters from Capcom classics that include ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Resident Evil’. The last time this happened was 10 years ago, and the explosive potential of today’s gaming consoles is several times that of PlayStation 2. This ought to be a comic book fan’s idea of console gaming nirvana.
The gameplay: One of the series’ trademarks is linking moves that take place in the air. Capcom will introduce an Air Combo button to launch aerial moves consistently, keeping Light, Medium, and Heavy attack buttons from previous games. ‘Marvel vs Capcom 3’ is all about the crazy combos.
Gears of War 3The gist: Return of the overtly violent creature feature, in which mankind battles a subterranean race dubbed the Locust Horde. The original ‘Gears of War’ introduced the infamous Lancer, a high-calibre machine gun plus onboard chainsaw designed to rip the Locust Horde into shreds. We’ve already seen weapons for ‘Gears of War 3’ that make the Lancer look like a feather duster.
The gameplay: New female characters join the fray, toting the same weapons as the blokes-built-like-bulldozers that include: The Digger (a gun that fires a creature that burrows underground), One Shot (sniper-rifle meets cannon), and Incendiary Grenades for those who like to see things burn.
L.A. NoireThe gist: Boasting new technology that precisely captures the nuances of an actor’s performance, ‘L.A. Noire’ combines the open-world elements of ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’ with movie directorial smarts of ‘L.A. Confidential’. Present-day Hollywood talent has been recruited to depict the 1940s heyday of the American film industry. The designers have faithfully recreated L.A. from that era.
The gameplay: This is a crime thriller, and as Detective Cole Phelps of the L.A.P.D. you’ll be firing questions at suspects as readily as your side-arm and shotgun at the villains. Cases are solved by paying attention to crime-scene detail then skilfully reading facial expressions and body language.
Deus Ex: Human RevolutionThe gist: A ‘Bladerunner’ vibe runs through the digital veins of this futuristic action adventure, spectacularly pushing the technical limits of the latest consoles and gaming PCs. Lead protagonist Adam Jensen is a biotechnologically enhanced security specialist at the centre of an industrial conspiracy. Ultimately this leads to mind-blowing set-piece shoot out against monstrous villains.
The gameplay: You might be pleased to know that it’s not all shooting, in fact there are special rewards for completing the story without harming anyone other than the linchpin adversaries. As Adam, your approach can be stealthy or go-getting, and different routes open up accordingly.
Doom 4The gist: Original ‘Doom’ can be considered the godfather of first-person shooting games, and was certainly genre-defining up to and including ‘Doom 3’. So with ‘Doom 4’ the gaming world, including the console guys, is rightly expecting to be shocked to the core by cleverness… and gore. As you can tell, we know next to nothing about it, however. That’s because it’s shrouded in secrecy.
The gameplay: “Gosh, that's actually an excellent question,” said id Software’s CEO in 2009. “It's not a sequel to ‘Doom 3’, but it's not a reboot either. ‘Doom 3’ was sort of a reboot. It's a little bit different than those.” Although details were promised for August this year, nothing surfaced. Ah well.
Crysis 2The gist: The second chapter of the sci-fi series that features a man wearing a military prototype Nanosuit. This doesn’t shrink our guy down to the size of a gnat; rather it bestows upon him superhuman capabilities in a most spectacular fashion. With the original ‘Crysis’, the producers maxed out performance of PCs at the time. The same is being said of ‘Crysis 2’ for consoles too.
The gameplay: Events take place in New York City, with our super soldier tackling aliens boasting superior artificial intelligence. They’ll hunt you in organised packs, requiring great ingenuity in your use of the Nanosuit plus all available weapons and gadgets to bring them down.
The gist: The other big first-person shooter from the makers of ‘Doom’, of which hard information is scarce but it will feature driving and racing gameplay in addition to blasting. There is also indication that there will be a role-playing type experience system, applying to the development of the hero alongside his weapons and vehicles. It is set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic world.The gameplay: Shooting stuff is id Software’s forte, but the driving sections will take their influence from the likes of ‘Burnout’ and ‘MotorStorm’. Since this is a post-apocalyptic wasteland the races are off-road affairs, most likely strewn with debris allowing for crazy stunts and improvised shortcuts.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
The gist: We admit to this being pure speculation at this stage, but come on. Just as sure as there will be a new FIFA in the autumn, a gangbusters shoot-’em-up from Activision is almost certain to arrive with military precision. When and where it’ll take place is anyone’s guess. Pick your conflict zone, and opportunity for covert soldiers with unique skill sets and tools. It’ll be one of those.
The gameplay: Community support and incremental rewards are becoming par for the course in today’s best-selling games. ‘Call of Duty’ remains hugely popular on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network, and we expect it will extend the bragging-rights concept of badges, medals and trophies.
2012 cars :)
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8While we've heard reports that the SRT (or SRT8, depending on whom you trust) will get as much as 500 hp from its new 6.4-liter Hemi V8, we're at least certain that the SRT is actually coming, and likely to arrive late this summer. If it's anything like the already deeply impressive Grand, the SRT8 is going to be both refined and scary fast, with a predicted eight-speed transmission and at a price (roughly $45,000) that deeply undercuts the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and other performance crossovers.
Hyundai is pulling a very neat trick with its Veloster. It's a slightly larger car inside than the Scion tC (and Mini Clubman or Honda CR-Z hybrid). Yet thanks to a very low 2,600-pound curb weight—400 pounds less than the tC— it's said to get up to 40 mpg from its directly injected, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. That would best Honda's CR-Z numbers without necessity of hybrid technology, and with the benefit of a bigger cabin. One oddity: Access to the interior is a bit quirky, with one door on the driver's side, but both front and rear doors on the passenger side. Remember that weight? Fewer doors allow a carmaker to reduce structural reinforcements, and that keeps down bulk. And a low weight allows an increase in fun factor—indeed, Hyundai is promising greater sportiness than its rivals. Can the Veloster "out-fun" a Mini? Hmm, we're not sure, but Hyundai is promising a tighter turning circle than even a base Mini Cooper and a sophisticated, buttoned-down-sounding suspension. Transmissions include Hyundai's first dual-clutch six speed (hopefully with paddles) or a six-speed manual. Pricing should be in the $20,000 range.
Angry Birds
Angry Birds
As expected, the latest Angry Birds Seasons update is here, one week before Halloween. The Ham’O’Ween episode debuted a few days ago and is featuring 30 brand new levels for you to enjoy. But be careful, you will encounter skeletons, jack-o-lanterns and an eerie atmosphere throughout the levels. This Halloween episode marks the beginning of the game’s 2012 Seasons.
Rovio released Seasons for the first time last year, before Halloween. Since then, we have seen eight episodes based on different holidays, such as Christmas (the episode called “Season’s Greedings”), St. Patrick’s Day (“Go Green, Get Lucky”), or Easter (“Easter Eggs”).
Don’t Let Angry Birds’ Newest Cast Member’s Looks Deceive You
In addition to the new, spooky 30 levels, Rovio had another surprise for the fans: they released a new “angry bird”. This new bird, known for now as The Orange Bird, doesn’t look too dangerous at first sight, but don’t let this fool you. The pigs won’t know what hit them when this bird uses its special ability to smash their structures. To access the Orange Bird’s “angry side” you will need to aim the bird between two pig structures, let it drop, and then wait about 2 seconds for the bird to inflate into a huge orange balloon that will wipe out buildings. You can also trigger the bird’s ability by tapping the screen of your device, but as with the black bird, it work better and does more damage if you allow it to auto-inflate.Besides the Orange Bird, Angry Birds’ Ham’O’Ween brings fans 6 achievements (iOS only), 1 hidden Golden Egg, a bonus level, plus the Mighty Eagle was released for Seasons as well. Here’s a tip, too: the black pumpkins scattered throughout the levels explode, while the pumpkins will yield 3,000 points.
You might think that this is all that Rovio has to offer for this holiday, but you’re wrong. If you are still undecided what you’re going to be this year for Halloween, then this info is sure to make you happy: the Angry Birds Halloween costumes are now on sale on Rovio’s website. If you purchase now, you will probably get the costume just in time for Trick-or-Treating. There are two different offers on their website, one allows you to purchase 3 costumes for the price of 2 (3 for $99.99), while the other offer is buy one costume, get a free plush toy.
Some fans hope for a Thanksgiving update as well, but it might be a little too soon to release another episode, thus a more realistic expectation would be Christmas. The Christmas update would be the second episode of Angry Birds Seasons 2012, and we can only hope that it’s going to be just as good as the Halloween episode.
Top Multiplayer Games.
Multiplayer has given gamers a much needed break from the linear machinations of repetitive in-game AI.
Playing against the computer can be great, no doubt about it, but there's nothing quite like the satisfaction you get from humiliating friends and relatives to the point of them throwing a temper tantrum.There are a lot of multiplayer games that were brilliant in their time. But only a few multiplayer experiences have been so unimaginably awesome, that people are still playing them today.
Without wanting to limit ourselves to a specific genre or platform, here are 11 gaming names that we think represent true multiplayer classics.
Actually, we tell a lie. You're actually getting more bang for your non-existent buck here because we think some franchises have been so damn consistent in their multiplayer offering, we thought it a crime not to mention a couple of iterations under the series name. What can we say? You deserve it.
Don't forget to give us your picks in the comments section below.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Despite having an undeniably solid campaign, multiplayer was where the real party was at in COD 4.
The gameplay was simply incredible, but the sheer wealth of multiplayer options moved COD 4 into an even higher echelon. Smooth, responsive, fast-paced gameplay made for exhilarating battles online but it was Infinity Ward's smart use of XP that kept people coming back.
Supporting up to 32-player online gameplay with minimal lag. Modern Warfare was as addictive as it was epic, that's why people are still logging on to it today despite being given plenty more Call of Duty since its release. Truly a classic!
Super Smash Bros 64
With special weapons ranging from magic stars to baseball bats and stages that are massive death traps waiting to strike, How could it not be?
Luckily the aim of the game is simple enough; beat up your competitors until they have a high enough damage percentage to be booted off the screen. If you're the last man standing, you win.
Taking control of some of Nintendo's most beloved characters is a blast. Watching Mario beat the crap out of Luigi just doesn't grow old and there no better feeling than Falcon punching a dearly loved mate into the next world.
Essentially Super Smash Bros is everything a multiplayer game should be and Smash Bros 64 is the series' peak for our money; action-packed but simple, well balanced, highly enjoyable and immensely playable. A true classic.
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike divides players into teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists. Depending on your respective class, the game modes include assassinating/protecting a VIP, planting/defusing a bomb, liberating/holding hostages and escaping from/guarding an area.
The great thing about the game is that once you're dead, you're out. This makes for some really tense multiplayer gameplay that's quite unlike most other FPS titles.
Safe House is an upcoming action thriller movie directed by Daniel Espinosa based on a script written by David Guggenheim (the script sparked a bidding war, and was finally purchased by Universal). The film is set to star Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington and Tim McGraw. The release date is tentatively scheduled for February 10, 2012.
coming soon :) Safe House is an upcoming action thriller movie directed by Daniel Espinosa based on a script written by David Guggenheim (the script sparked a bidding war, and was finally purchased by Universal). The film is set to star Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington and Tim McGraw. The release date is tentatively scheduled for February 10, 2012.
Plot:
"Set in South America, Safe House follows a young U.S. intelligence agent (Ryan Reynolds) who must go on the run with a newly arrived prisoner (Denzel Washington) after his titular safe house comes under attack."
With Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington and Tim McGraw on board, the movie Safe House can boast a really interesting cast. I'm quite impatient to see how it will turn out.
Plot:
"Set in South America, Safe House follows a young U.S. intelligence agent (Ryan Reynolds) who must go on the run with a newly arrived prisoner (Denzel Washington) after his titular safe house comes under attack."
With Ryan Reynolds, Denzel Washington and Tim McGraw on board, the movie Safe House can boast a really interesting cast. I'm quite impatient to see how it will turn out.
Top 10 Cell Phones
10 best smartphones available
 | 1.Samsung Epic Touch 4GThe slim and speedy Samsung Epic Touch 4G is excellent for gaming, Web browsing and watching video, but the plasticky design feels a bit on the cheap side. | ||
 | 2.HTC Evo 3DUneven call quality doesn't stop the Evo 3D from being the best phone currently available on Sprint. | ||
 | 3.HTC Sensation 4GThe Sensation delights with a gorgeous display, a beautiful design, and dual-core power, but possible “death grip” issues are worrisome. | ||
 | 4.T-Mobile MyTouch 4G SlideThe MyTouch 4G Slide has one of the best cameras we've ever tested--and the rest of the phone is pretty amazing as well. | ||
 | 5.Samsung Galaxy S II (T-Mobile)Like the rest of the Galaxy S II series, the Galaxy S II on T-Mobile is one of the best phones currently available, hands down. | ||
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 | 6.Apple iPhone 4S 16GB (AT&T)The iPhone 4S might not be the most exciting update, but the improved camera, faster performance and the addition of Siri make it a top-ranking smartphone. | ||
 | 7.HTC ThunderBoltThe well-appointed ThunderBolt is the phone to buy if you want to see what 4G can do. | ||
 | 8.Motorola Droid BionicThe long-awaited Droid Bionic is blazing fast and has a slew of great entertainment and business features, but the high price might make it a hard sell. | ||
 | 9.T-Mobile G2x (with Google)The T-Mobile G2X is a no-frills powerhouse that excels at gaming, multitasking and video. | ||
 | 10.Samsung Galaxy S II (AT&T)The Samsung Galaxy S II pretty much has it all: a dual-core processor, HSPA+ speeds and a gorgeous display. But a current security flaw with the lock screen causes some concern. | ||
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So if you don't know where to go for christmas vacation
So if you don't know where to go for christmas vacation
Ten Popular Christmas Destinations
Caribbean Islands
Caribbean Islands is undoubtedly one of the best places to go for Christmas. The destination boasts of having 2500 mile-long chain of islands, in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea and some of the best beaches of the world. Celebrating Christmas in Caribbean will surely be an experience for the lifetime.
Goa (India)
Do you want the best of sun, sand, sea and sumptuous sea food? You get all this and more at one of the hottest destinations in India - the state of Goa. The small state is a mesmerizing blend of modern life and historical legacy that is sure to give you a high on Christmas. Go to Goa and let loose all your tensions of everyday life!
Holland
Situated in Netherlands, Holland is a beautiful place that boasts of rustic lifestyle, which is blended with the chic urban living of the local people. Large fields of colorful tulips, picturesque countryside, huge farm lands, etc. make Holland very peaceful and ideal to spend a cozy Christmas with your family.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers its tourists the best of everything that is needed to have a memorable Christmas vacation. With almost everything being larger than life, your Christmas is sure to be an event in itself, if you spend the vacation in Las Vegas. This trait makes it one of the top ten destinations for Christmas.
New York
The Times Square at New York is one of the favorite places of tourists, to be on the wonderful occasion of Christmas. You would get to party literally every minute of life, when you are in New York. In fact, touring the busy streets of New York is one of the best ways to spend Christmas and do a lot of shopping.
New Zealand
The beautiful country of New Zealand is located in the Pacific Ocean. The country comprises several small islands, thereby offering its tourists entirely a different experience during the holiday season of Christmas. It is the best place to relax and welcome Christmas with a relaxed attitude.
Paris The city of lights, Paris, is the ultimate destination to be with your beloved, for Christmas. Sip French wine as you relax under the night sky lit with fireworks and city lights and have a memorable time in Paris! You can shop for almost anything under the sun, in the markets of Paris. The destination would be a visual treat for the urbane lot.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is beautifully decorated on the festive occasion of Christmas. The celebrations of Christmas are marked by extravagant fairs and parades along the streets of this ethnic place. Women, men and children actively participate in the celebrations of the festival, which makes it one of the best destinations to celebrate the festival.
Rome
Rome offers traditional Christmas celebrations to its visitors. The churches are beautifully decorated during the festive season. Special prayers are offered at the churches, to mark the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. If you want to celebrate Christmas in genuinely religious way, then set your trail towards Rome, the capital city of the European nation of Italy.
Sydney
During the festive season of Christmas, Sydney, the largest city in Australia, offers its visitors, superb beaches, amazing countryside, beautiful Christmas decorations and delicious food. It is a great place to be, if you want to a rocking and pulsating Christmas.
Ten Popular Christmas Destinations
Caribbean Islands
Caribbean Islands is undoubtedly one of the best places to go for Christmas. The destination boasts of having 2500 mile-long chain of islands, in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea and some of the best beaches of the world. Celebrating Christmas in Caribbean will surely be an experience for the lifetime.
Goa (India)
Do you want the best of sun, sand, sea and sumptuous sea food? You get all this and more at one of the hottest destinations in India - the state of Goa. The small state is a mesmerizing blend of modern life and historical legacy that is sure to give you a high on Christmas. Go to Goa and let loose all your tensions of everyday life!
Holland
Situated in Netherlands, Holland is a beautiful place that boasts of rustic lifestyle, which is blended with the chic urban living of the local people. Large fields of colorful tulips, picturesque countryside, huge farm lands, etc. make Holland very peaceful and ideal to spend a cozy Christmas with your family.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas offers its tourists the best of everything that is needed to have a memorable Christmas vacation. With almost everything being larger than life, your Christmas is sure to be an event in itself, if you spend the vacation in Las Vegas. This trait makes it one of the top ten destinations for Christmas.
New York
The Times Square at New York is one of the favorite places of tourists, to be on the wonderful occasion of Christmas. You would get to party literally every minute of life, when you are in New York. In fact, touring the busy streets of New York is one of the best ways to spend Christmas and do a lot of shopping.
New Zealand
The beautiful country of New Zealand is located in the Pacific Ocean. The country comprises several small islands, thereby offering its tourists entirely a different experience during the holiday season of Christmas. It is the best place to relax and welcome Christmas with a relaxed attitude.
Paris The city of lights, Paris, is the ultimate destination to be with your beloved, for Christmas. Sip French wine as you relax under the night sky lit with fireworks and city lights and have a memorable time in Paris! You can shop for almost anything under the sun, in the markets of Paris. The destination would be a visual treat for the urbane lot.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is beautifully decorated on the festive occasion of Christmas. The celebrations of Christmas are marked by extravagant fairs and parades along the streets of this ethnic place. Women, men and children actively participate in the celebrations of the festival, which makes it one of the best destinations to celebrate the festival.
Rome
Rome offers traditional Christmas celebrations to its visitors. The churches are beautifully decorated during the festive season. Special prayers are offered at the churches, to mark the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. If you want to celebrate Christmas in genuinely religious way, then set your trail towards Rome, the capital city of the European nation of Italy.
Sydney
During the festive season of Christmas, Sydney, the largest city in Australia, offers its visitors, superb beaches, amazing countryside, beautiful Christmas decorations and delicious food. It is a great place to be, if you want to a rocking and pulsating Christmas.
World’s 50 Safest Banks 2011
| 1 | KfW (Germany) | 26 | Credit Suisse (Switzerland) |
| 2 | Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC) (France) | 27 | Nordea (Sweden) |
| 3 | Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (Netherlands) | 28 | Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona (Spain) |
| 4 | Zuercher Kantonalbank (Switzerland) | 29 | Svenska Handelsbanken (Sweden) |
| 5 | Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank (Germany) | 30 | BNY Mellon (United States) |
| 6 | Rabobank Group (Netherlands) | 31 | Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (Singapore) |
| 7 | Landeskreditbank Baden-Wuerttemberg - Foerderbank (Germany) | 32 | United Overseas Bank (Singapore) |
| 8 | Nederlandse Waterschapsbank (Netherlands) | 33 | Pohjola Bank (Finland) |
| 9 | NRW.Bank (Germany) | 34 | Barclays Bank (United Kingdom) |
| 10 | Royal Bank of Canada (Canada) | 35 | Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy) |
| 11 | National Australia Bank (Australia) | 36 | Bank of Montreal (Canada) |
| 12 | Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia) | 37 | CIBC (Canada) |
| 13 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia) | 38 | National Bank Of Kuwait (Kuwait) |
| 14 | Banco Santander (Spain) | 39 | Deutsche Bank (Germany) |
| 15 | Toronto-Dominion Bank (Canada) | 40 | JPMorgan Chase (United States) |
| 16 | Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (Australia) | 41 | Société Générale (France) |
| 17 | ASB Bank (New Zealand) | 42 | Wells Fargo (United States) |
| 18 | BNP Paribas (France) | 43 | Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel (BFCM) (France) |
| 19 | HSBC Holdings (United Kingdom) | 44 | Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany) |
| 20 | Credit Agricole (France) | 45 | Credit Industriel et Commercial (CIC) (France) |
| 21 | Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) (Spain) | 46 | Nationwide Building Society (United Kingdom) |
| 22 | Scotiabank (Canada) | 47 | U.S. Bancorp (United States) |
| 23 | DBS Bank (Singapore) | 48 | Shizuoka Bank (Japan) |
| 24 | Banco Espanol de Credito S.A. (Banesto) (Spain) | 49 | Northern Trust (United States) |
| 25 | Caisse centrale Desjardins (Canada) | 50 | National Bank of Abu Dhabi (UAE) |
Auto Insurance Companies USA
Best Auto Insurance Companies
Choosing an auto insurance company is a huge financial decision we all have to make at some time or another. If you’re fortunate enough to sign on with a reputable, helping company, then you’re in luck. Selecting a good auto insurance company gives you peace of mind, so if you are in accident, you know you are in good hands. You want to be able to know that if you make a claim, you won’t have to worry that it won’t be accepted. You don’t want to find out too late that your car insurance company isn’t reliable.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. Far too often people will get car insurance without doing research on the company they choose to work with. They just go with the cheapeast, the most convenient, or even go through a friend… only to find out that they should have done their research.
Working with some auto insurance companies can turn out to be a real life nightmare. After an accident, when you need your auto insurance the most, they aren’t there for you. They make it a hassle to do something as simple as file a claim, and their customer service is absolutely terrible.
You’re paying a lot of money for your auto insurance, and you deserve nothing short of the best. Finding a great auto insurance company isn’t always easy, but it is possible.
Get Quotes from a Reputable Source.
The Internet has made it easy to get dozens of auto insurance quotes in just a few minutes, but not all companies let you choose from the best of the best in auto insurance.
4AutoInsuranceQuote.org is different. We don’t just recommend any auto insurance company to you, we recommend the best auto insurance companies in the industry.
Top 10 Best Auto Insurance Companies
The following ten auto insurance companies have been chosen for a number of different reasons, but they do have a few things in common. The customer services is top-notch, the rates are low, and they have insanely high customer satisfaction rates.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. Far too often people will get car insurance without doing research on the company they choose to work with. They just go with the cheapeast, the most convenient, or even go through a friend… only to find out that they should have done their research.
Working with some auto insurance companies can turn out to be a real life nightmare. After an accident, when you need your auto insurance the most, they aren’t there for you. They make it a hassle to do something as simple as file a claim, and their customer service is absolutely terrible.
You’re paying a lot of money for your auto insurance, and you deserve nothing short of the best. Finding a great auto insurance company isn’t always easy, but it is possible.
Get Quotes from a Reputable Source.
The Internet has made it easy to get dozens of auto insurance quotes in just a few minutes, but not all companies let you choose from the best of the best in auto insurance.
4AutoInsuranceQuote.org is different. We don’t just recommend any auto insurance company to you, we recommend the best auto insurance companies in the industry.
Top 10 Best Auto Insurance Companies
The following ten auto insurance companies have been chosen for a number of different reasons, but they do have a few things in common. The customer services is top-notch, the rates are low, and they have insanely high customer satisfaction rates.
- Geico – This company is much more than geckos with funny accents and disgruntled cavemen. Their customer service is second to none, and their large customer base makes it possible for them to charge low premiums.
- Allstate – As there slogan says, with Allstate “you’re in good hands”, and that is the honest truth. Their customers love them, so there’s a pretty good chance you will too. Allstate was one of the first to offer accident forgiveness, and they continue to add new features that change the way we’re used to paying for auto insurance.
- State Farm – State Farm is another auto insurance provider that is sure to please. They have grown to become the largest insurance provider in North America. Claims agents are always super-friendly, and they provide you with a lot of coverage for not much money.
- Esurance – Like the others, you are probably familiar with Esurance’s clever TV ads. Esurance offers more than hot cartoon girls though. With 24/7 support and friendly agents, Esurance’s customer service is hard to beat. Their prices are top notch too!
- Amica – Amica doesn’t spend on Superbowl ads or flashy commericals, they let their work speak for itself. Amica thrives on referrals and word-of-mouth. The customers love Amica, with good reason too. No hassles on claims seems to be their most popular feature.
- USAA Auto Insurance – The USAA or the United States Automobile Association gets excellent ratings from all the most trusted publications. Unfortunately, it’s only open to former military personnel and their children. With such good ratings though, you might want to consider joining the military just to take advantage of this great auto insurance company.
- American Family Auto Insurance – Although smaller than the other companies on our list, American Family aims to please. They pay claims promptly and get high reviews from all major publications. Unfortunately, they are only available in 19 states. If you are lucky enough to be in a state that has American Family insurance, you might want to give them a try.
- Liberty Mutual – An old, conservative insurance company, Liberty Mutual prides itself on reputation. They are personal, competitively priced, and have short wait times when it comes to claims.
- Progressive – Progressive is another company you might recognize from TV. Getting started with them is simple and easy (and cheap too). Dealing with Progressive is incredibly stress free. You will never have a problem with a claim.
- AAA – Triple A is more than just roadside assistance and travel accommodations. Their auto insurance is also top notch. If you get into an accident, they will be by your side every step of the way.
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