This is a sponsored guest post written by Memphis Travel on behalf of Memphis CVB. Post powered by Sponzai.

More than just the home of the blues and barbeque, Memphis gives you plenty of ways to play around, with fun things to do no matter who you are or what you like. Of course, if you’re into Elvis, rock-and-roll and mouth-watering ribs, you’ve got to check out Graceland, Sun Studios, and the Rendezvous. But Memphis has much more to offer than this holy trinity of southern culture, with enough to see, do and eat to make it the perfect location for your next long weekend getaway.

The families out there (or the wild at heart) should be sure to check out the Memphis Zoo, one of only four U.S. zoos with giant pandas. Recently ranked the #1 zoo in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com, the Memphis Zoo lets you get up close and personal with the animal kingdom. And with the recent addition the Northwest Passage, home to Polar bears in a see-through underwater exhibit, and the zoo’s newest section, Teton Trek, kids and adults alike are certain to have a blast.

Don’t let your midtown experience stop at the zoo; the Cooper-Young and Overton Square neighborhoods are just down the street. Ask a local Memphian where to find a tasty bite to eat, great local music and ice cold beer, and they will probably direct you here. Speaking of beer … the environmentally conscious visitor can enjoy a locally brewed beer by Ghost River Brewing or walk through the natural landscape and educational facilities at the Lichterman Nature Center.

Memphis has museums for just about everything. From the Civil Rights Museum, Cotton Museum and Fire Museum in downtown to the Brooks Museum, Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Pink Palace Museum further east, the number of places to have fun while you learn are as bountiful as the barbeque restaurants. Families, friends, sports fans, history buffs, self-proclaimed food critics – Memphis has everything you need to keep everyone happy.

So when you visit Memphis, stay a few extra days. Even the locals don’t run out of things to do. And to make it easy, memphistravel.com is launching a new travel guide to help you plan your next vacation. Simply choose from a list of interests and you’ll be given a sample itinerary with lots of great ideas. You can also register for a chance to win one of twelve trip packages that include tours, gift certificates to Memphis’ favorite restaurants, hotel stays and more. Go to itinerary.memphistravel.com to get started.

You will find over 50 different items and ideas to choose from when you start shopping for kitchen products to add to your kitchen. The look of stainless steel seems to be big today but the look of a dark wood spice rack or wine rack can add flavor and character to any kitchen.

These 3 products alone can spice up any kitchen and you will start to welcome guests in your kitchen more frequently; when you have these nice wooden products that can enhance any kitchen. Anyone that loves to spend time in the kitchen will love the looks of these products; while getting the benefits of their uses. I believe everyone can find something where you can find herbs and uses that will fit-in nicely to their kitchen space.

I know our household could use a good cutting board and I saw several I would like to have for my kitchen. I’m just not sure which one to get with so many great selections and you will probably have this problem too. I think the products that are now available in granite is the motivation we need to remodel our kitchens, so we can display these items proudly. With so many simple ideas that can add a splash of color to your kitchen you can make the area where many families spend much of their time. Impress your guests at your next get together and add something new to your kitchen and show off your herbs and spice collection with a new stainless steel rack.

In this ever changing market of real estate do you wonder what your house value is today. Interest on Friday had dipped down to 4.99% which is a good sign for buyers and sellers. When you are going to put your house on the market is always a good idea to get a few sources on the value of your home. Your buyers will be looking online, so you need to be fair in your asking price, but still able to get a return on equity. You can receive house support in financial terms to help get the price on the market while helping you look at the long term value of your home.

You can search online to find updated information daily and pull information for 70+ million homes. Some of the resources online now offer zip code views to help understand what the overall neighborhood looks like. This is a great feature if your buying into a neighborhood, and want to see what is nearby. All you need to do is put in your address and zip code and it will produce a range of house values. The you can zoom in on the neighborhood. This way you can make sure your prospective neighbor is not raising livestock. Some of the sites are even offering great tips and forums to help people connect and share ideas and thoughts.

I really like watching the videos from the past and especially those that were made in the 1980′s. All of my favorite bands and artists look great back then and that’s not the case now. Many of those bands and singers were known as the hair bands because of the outrageous hair styles. I am sure that many of them were not to concerned with hair loss during those days but seeing them now some of them do not have that full head of hair. The guys that had the long hair back then, have gone to a much shorter look today. The people that were in shape and looked strong in the 80′s would probably be better off taking some weight loss products now. It seems like all of the women that we adored in videos from the 80′s decade are overweight now. It’s natural for our bodies to change and adding a few pounds on the waist line happens to everyone; I’m just surprised that so many changed their look. I guess when the money stops rolling in from the concert tours, the rockers of yesterday do have to get a hair cut and adapt to modern times.

Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne changed a lot from the way they use to look in those music videos. The mall queen known as Tiffany isn’t really that attractive today and she was a school boy fantasy in the 1980′s. I think we all know how Michael Jackson has changed and he went from being black to a white man today. Well that isn’t totally true, but you know what I mean. His sister Janet aged well but she added some extra weight too. Her famous Super Bowl performance changed the way the game is delayed now, but I think most still find a chunky Janet Jackson attractive. Is there anyone from that era of music that comes to mind when you think about them changing? I really like watching the videos of yesterday and they do bring back a lot of memories. I just wished a few of my idols would have took better care of their self and looked the way they did in the 1980′s.

Sylvester Stallone has played many roles. He’s been in some really good movies. Perhaps you know him best as John Rambo or Rocky Balboa. I know those are the first two characters I identify him as. Just what exactly is the best Sylvester Stallone Movie?

They are many to choose from. You have Capone (1975), Rocky (1976), Paradise Alley (1976), Rocky II (1978), Rocky III (1982), First Blood (1982), Staying Alive (1983), Rhinestone (1984), Rocky IV (1985), Rambo: First Blood Part 2 (1985), Cobra (1986), Over the Top (1986), Rambo III (1988), Lock Up (1989), Tango and Cash (1989), Rocky V (1990), Oscar (1991), Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), Cliffhanger (1993), Demolition Man (1993), The Specialist (1994), Assassins (1995), Cop Land (1997), Antz (1998), Get Carter (2000), Spy Kids 3D Game Over (2003).

He’s been in some really good movies. I didn’t even list all his movies, cause he’s be in over 60 of them. I think personally my favorite would have to be Rocky II. I loved the part where they were trying to get him to be a spokes person for different products and he just couldn’t do it. You could just see him talking about itchy scalp and you can knock it out with Product Y.It wasn’t just the USA against the USSR, but it was during a time that was the peak of the Cold War. There was a lot of tension from the two super powers during this film. The USSR was even upset over the movie, cause of the alleged steroid doping that Dolph Lundgrens Character was using during training. The Soviets felt that was a message of accusing them of giving their athletes steroids.

Of coarse you can’t go wrong with the first Rocky Picture either. The first one’s always the best. Also, no doubt First Blood was one of the best pictures of all time. I guess the only question now remains, who would win? If Rocky Balboa and John Rambo got in a tangle? Hey, it could happen.

Some types of purchases offer you a better chance to score a deal online, like diamonds. Buying diamonds and jewelry online is far superior to buying them at a local retail store, as long as you are dealing with a reputable company. You will have a much wider selection of diamonds to browse online, as retail stores can’t possibly match the inventory online. The prices are better because online jewelers have managed to cut out the middleman. You also have time to think about your purchase without being hassled by a salesperson working on commission. All this leads to a better buying experience, and better deals also.

Start With the Budget

One of the nicest things about shopping online is that it is far more convenient and budget-friendly than shopping at a retail store. It can be intimidating to shop a retail jewelry store on a budget because they deliberately hide all the price tags. That way you must ask the salesperson the price, and then they remove the item out of the showcase and try to get you to buy it by letting you handle it, even if it really doesn’t fit your budget. You won’t have that problem online.

When you are looking for jewelry or diamonds online, the website will typically have a way to sort their selections by a number of features, including price. If budget is your primary concern, you can ask to see diamonds only in a certain price range or ask to sort the jewelry from lowest to highest cost. You can browse and search much quicker online, exactly to the criteria you specify, without ever having to bother another person.

Get What You Want

Even if budget is your primary concern, there’s no sense in buying a piece that you don’t love. Jewelry and diamonds should have a “wow” factor, no matter what the budget. When you can’t find what you want in one style, in your budget, it’s nice to know that you can easily shift the criteria to get something a little different that you love, and that fits in your budget too!

Is it really necessary to go all out on someone’s wedding day? I mean isn’t there some where you can cut corners and save a few bucks? Maybe a smaller cake, less flowers or perhaps saving a little money with those wedding invitations, is a corner you can cut? You can even hire companies like the Los Angeles Catering outfit from The Bashful Butler to help plan your catering needs. I’m sure if the grooms had a vote it would be fine with them, but you might not want to ask your bride-to-be this question in person. There is no such thing as cutting corners where the bride is concerned. However, you really don’t want to cut corners with the wedding invitations. Getting 1st Class Wedding Invitations is the only way to go. This is the first signal to many that you’re even getting married. Uncle Joe and Aunt Betty might have not even heard the news yet and their first knowledge of your wedding event will be with a wedding invitation.
You don’t have to write an academy award speech on it, but just make it sound sincere. I also think it’s a good idea if you add a personal touch to each wedding invitation. Saying something like “you know you have always been my favorite cousin”, “your good cooking won’t be needed at my wedding grandma”, or “be sure to be there Uncle Joe and I’m sure we can slip off to find a little trouble”. Your wedding invitation is going to have all the standard things on it like time, place and date, but taking out the pen and jotting a little something extra on it, shows the person getting it, that you really do want them to be there. Just make sure you don’t get them mixed up and send that Uncle Joe card to grandma’s house! You might not be getting anymore of those good home cooked meals anymore! So if you’re a little tight on cash for your wedding, make sure you don’t take it out of the wedding invitation budget!

I love that series with Norm Abrahms, this guy is after my own heart. This guy know about woodworking. He takes his time and makes sure everything is right when he starts a project. I love woodworking and have made a few pretty pieces my self but I am no Norm Abrahms. He makes everything he does look so effortless and natural, I am always struggling and messing thing up. I have learned a lot from my mistakes and I am sure Norm has from his as well. Plus his shop is for woodworking only and mine is piled with everything and room for woodwork is a thing of the past. It’s my own fault and it will never be a workshop again unless I build another building or two for all the different tools and projects that I love to do.
I do get some great ideas on how to gather contractors for home renovation projects like finding a plumber to a french drains contractor you will want to make sure you have all your bases covered when taking on a home renovation that will change the landscape or total property structure. It always looks easier when you see it on TV and Norm never seems to get upset but I have been a part of some home building projects and there is usually some yelling and arguing because nothing ever goes as planned.

Companies spend millions on business trips in many cases so that managers, salespeople and executives can introduce potential clients to their products and services. In many ways, these trips cost more than just the money spent in that particular time period. There is an opportunity cost when salespeople are out in the field and not in their local area. When a salesperson travels and is not able to get a new client, the company loses money, so it is especially important for companies to find ways to cut down on expenses for those who travel. By cutting expenses, companies can save money that they can use for more trips in the future or offer more compensation to their employees through profit sharing. In this economy, it is important to save as much money as possible as profits are lower in a down economy than when it is thriving.
One great way to save money on business trips is to fly coach rather than business class. The savings are great and the inconvenience is very small. Business class does offer more room, but the cost is great on a small airplane. A sales representative should understand the need to cut travel expenses and traveling in coach class is usually not a concern on short intercontinental flights. If you have a large sales force, the savings can truly add up and you may be able to give the sales force more opportunities for bonuses using these savings.
Renting economy cars when needed instead of large, more expensive models can also save money in the long run. Although this savings will not be as obvious as air travel savings, the amount will add up over the year and will raise the bottom-line of a struggling firm. Also, when out-of-town, use a hotel finder service that will allow you to get the best deal in that city. Orbitz, Priceline and Hotwire are all online services that can get you very low rates on quality rooms in towns you will be visiting for work. All of these cost-savings tips will increase the profits from sales at little to no inconvenience of your employees, who must understand that saving money is also a top priority and help small business avoid the use of a merchant cash advance for funding such trips.

For many schools and universities keeping their students safe is their number one priority. One of the steps that they have taken is to have ID badges for all their students and staff. They have them wear neck lanyards so that the badges can be seen clearly and you are better able to tell who should be on campus and who are the visitors. They have even started to use them at sporting events so that organizers can use customize name badge holders and straps to know which authorized personnel can enter certain areas.  While having the identification of those in the event is made much simpler there is still the issue of being able to authenticate each badge.

These new name badges can also be keyed to access keyless doors or access to various parts of the campus so that on site security can better track the where about of students and identify earlier those that are not where they should be. They are printed locally on laserjet and inkjet printers depending on the application. Since most of the printers out there in the schools are HP using a HP laser cartridge the transition to this new form of ID has become rather simple. These new measures are easy and convenient to help school officials enhance safety and lessen the possibility of any possible events. Plus with onsite plastic card printers the schools can help reduce costs and replace lost badges much easier and control the inventory and access to the badges. As the devices become more common place and the ability to link the badges to student accounts in a safe non-intrusive manner this could help to become a means by which students pay for their books, check into their mid-terms, and attend their schools sports. Having a simple secure device that identifies the student, staff and visitor and even color coding the badge holders so that you can spot a person of authority right away can only help ease fears of new students and parents alike.

Our pets are like parts of the family. When we lose one, it’s like someone has robbed a family member from us. I know everybody has their favorite type of pet that they like the best. Some people choose birds, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, or maybe just get an aquarium and throw some fish in it. A pet is a good way to give a child responsibility by feeding them, cleaning up after them, and making sure they have a good supply of water. This is especially true with the fish, don’t let them run out of water!

Since we love our pets so much, we should award them with the best things possible. If you own a cat, then you want your cat to have a broad range of toys and a nice liter box if you are keeping it indoors. You can give the dog Premium dog food so you can be sure they stay healthy and have a nice shinny coat by getting pet food supplies at a discount online. Maybe with the rabbits you can treat them to nice head of lettuce every once in awhile. I have found that rabbits really like the lettuce; I think it’s like the steak in a rabbit’s vegetarian diet. Just make sure if you own a pet that you do everything possible to insure it has a long and healthy life. Kids naturally like pets, show them some simple routines to help keep the pets happy and clean!

I took a trip to New Orleans to attend the Mardi Gras festivities and because of a group of friends had been talking about making the trip , and I was ready to party. I left Seattle, WA. at 10:00 PM and I was in New Orleans the next morning at 9.30 AM. One of my buddies who books travel online all the time was even able to find some Expedia Promo codes that allowed him to book the hotel and flight and save additional dollars above their already low fares. I found where my Hotel was located and I was ready to see the Big Speak Easy, Nawleans as the locals call it. I wound up on the wrong side of town and I prayed that I would get out of there alive. Some of the people gave the appearance that they did not care if you were dead or alive. If I had taken a tour of the city I would never have been subjected to that kind of Fear.

If you take a tour of a city you can find out a lot of the history of the town and a lot of important people that were responsible for shaping the town into what it is today. I know New Orleans has a lot of repair to do at this time because of hurricane Katrina, but I think the great city will be back stronger than ever before. It’s French Creole culture are made up of some of the finest eating in the world.

The recent CMT Awards had many winners but it may have been Sugarland that was the most impressive entertainers of the night. This country music duo did very well and racked up a lot of awards for their great country music songs. One of these awards was for Duo of the Year in country music. This was impressive because the former winners of this award had won it 6 times in a row. This famous duo is known as Brooks and Dunn and this was an award they have defended very well over the last few years.

I guess they had to lose sometime and it turns out that 2009 was the year for that. You will find the words to some of the songs inside the printed cd sleeves that will help you understand the meaning and inspiration behind some of their work. Brooks and Dunn is no longer America’s favorite country music duo and the new duo of the year is Sugarland. Do you like Sugarland or Brooks and Dunn more? It should be interesting to see how the 2010 CMT Awards play out next year and if Sugarland can defend their duo award as well as Brooks and Dunn have done.

There are numerous procedures available today to enhance your looks. There are elective surgeries like breast enhancements to injectable solutions to decrease wrinkles or eyes that will give you a younger more appealing lure. The simple solution that many use are the Crest Whitestrips to help enhance your smile which is a simple cosmetic fix. There is a growing trend for men to have some type of plastic surgery done. Primarily those that are getting back into the dating scene after a divorce and looking to get rid of those love handles. There are certain risks with any surgery and this is why when looking for cosmetic surgeons you should always check to see their board qualifications and whether or not they belong to any professional associations.

When considering any type of plastic surgery you should always check their credentials and make sure that they are board certified in the field that they are working in. This can be done through local professional associations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. These large professional groups have a code of ethics and standards that Dr.’s must adhere to be part of the organization and can help patients when questions arise. With the rise in little boutique shops you would be surprised who is behind the scalpel.

This Christmas will be the first time in 6 years that we will not be traveling to in-laws to celebrate the holidays. We would travel across the country and drag our Christmas presents with us to show our love and appreciation. We will also be able to take in the amazing Christmas Lights displays that have become a family tradition on top of the hill where we used to live. It is amazing the simple things that you started when you were young can be passed on your to kids. With the holidays fast approaching now is the time to start planning for those special family gatherings so that you are able to enjoy time with family and not busy rushing around. The world is changing and making time for the family to enjoy and create new traditions is going to be more important than ever.