Tag Archives: Review

Benefits of Dash Cam

July 25, 2015 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Why use a Dash Cam?
Benefits of Dash Cam.

What are the benefits of dash cam? Lately we see more and more in the news videos captured on dash cam. A driver on the bridge in Taiwan became a witness of a horrific plane crash. Drivers in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk caught what appeared to be a meteor falling from the skies, and many other YouTube videos of wrecks are caught on tape.

Why get a dash cam?

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video from dash cam can tell a whole story. A little device mounted on your windshield may prove your words if you get involved in accident and help you avoid insurance scam.

A couple of years ago I was making a left turn when a sedan ran a stop sign and T-boned me on the driver’s side. She drove away, but minutes later came back. After police arrived, I told them what happened, but she made up a different story, like I cut a sharp turn and hit her vehicle. Since there were no witnesses, police officers wrote down our stories, without even closely looking in the details. My car was totaled, I end up with the medical bill and her insurance refused to pay the claim. I decided there was a better way to protect myself against that kind of fraud, and I started browsing the Internet to find a solution. Then I stumbled upon some videos on YouTube.

Why Do Russian Drivers Have Dash Cams?

One of my Russian friends told me this joke:
The passenger is asking a cab driver in Russia
– Why do you look at both sides? There is one-way traffic only.
– Dude, that’s Russia – I would have looked upward, too!

More than one million motorists in Russia have dash cams on the board, because sometimes this is the only way to protect from road rage crazy drivers or possibly corrupt police. These are the main reasons why we see more and more disasters caught on video, or crashes caught on dash cam by Russian motorists.

But not only Russian motorists realized the importance of dash cam, because lately more and more Americans start mounting a dash cam on windshield.

How to make a dash cam

I’ll tell you from the beginning: Don’t even bother yourself and waste your time. There are some suggestions from different websites on how to use old point and shoot digital cameras, or some videos on YouTube trying to convince you than you can use your cellphone as a dash cam so you can have a GPS and dash cam recording at once. Avoid both for the following reasons:

1. Many states have restriction laws of using television screen on windshield, even the use of GPS may get you in trouble with the law, so mounting a digital camera or cell phone won’t be a good idea.

2. Digital cameras make very good videos, but most of them have limited memory and don’t erase the old footage automatically like the dash cam does.

3. Assembling and disassembling a cell phone will take some time, and you will not remember to do that every time. What about if you’re getting a phone call? Even if you have a Bluetooth or Bluetooth equipped stereo in a car, your phone will not be recording during the phone call. Long story short, cell phone usage is not a safe option.

You need to assemble the dash cam only once, and shooting starts and ends by simply turning your ignition key on or off; for digital cameras or cell phones, you have to perform that manually.

Is it legal to have a dash cam?

Yes, there is no law to prohibit dash cams in your personal or commercial vehicle. However, there are some restrictions you need to know: you can cover only a 5 inch area on the left side of the windshield on the driver side, or a 7 inch area in the right side of the passenger side. The same restrictions apply to GPS devices too. In some states, it’s illegal to mount an external device to the windshield. Check your state Law and call the state DMV office to get more details on regulation and local laws.

One law that you need to know is the Federal Wiretapping Act, which makes it illegal to record an oral communication that you’re not a party to. So, if someone else drives your car and got pulled over by the police, it’s better to notify about the dash cam to the officer.

Currently insurance companies don’t offer any incentives or discounts for the dash cam in the car, but there is a positive effect of having one in the car: it changes the driver’s behavior, and you don’t drive recklessly when you’re recording yourself.

Another major reason is that if you’re a parent of teenage driver who does not have enough experience yet, then a dash cam is a highly necessary equipment to have in the car. You can check for mistakes they did, and teach them how to avoid those mistakes. Also they will know that you’re in the car while you’re not really in the car, and it makes them drive responsibly. You can say it’s an invasion of privacy, but I’m not a control freak; as a responsible parent, I need to know the driving habits of my kids, where they go, and with whom.

Where to buy Dash Cam?

About 70% of dash cams sold in US have been purchased by truck drivers, who have been first to acknowledge the importance of having documented evidence in case of an accident or possible fraud claim. After truck drivers, this is a common gadget for cab drivers, who prefer to use Dual Lens Dash Cam with Rear View Camera to record the interior of the vehicle too.

Bikers prefer to use GoPro Cameras mounted on helmets; however, for a car, buying GoPro camera is not efficient. They are pretty expensive and you will face the same problems like with the digital camera or the cellphone. Most popular dash cams have a price range from $20 to $150. There are some expensive ones with GPS functions too, which could cost you $200 and up.

Most of the dash cams are sold by Chinese websites, like AliExpress, Everbuying and Focalprice. They are the most common retailers, where you can buy the dash cam directly from China.
Also there are a lot of options available on Amazon.com and eBay. Walmart also offers a few types of dash cams, but they are not available in every store; on the other hand, you will be able to get on Walmart.com with free shipping to your local store.

Since the product is getting more popular, the market starts flooding with lot of knock offs, and low quality dash cams even start popping up on Amazon.com and eBay. In the next article I will be reviewing two dash cams, which are most popular and are in big demand, and I will tell you how to avoid buying a fake one.

Computers

How to Save Money on Printer Ink Cartridges

April 26, 2015 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Save Money by Refilling Printer Ink Cartridges

Why is ink so expensive?

For companies that produce printers for use in homes and small offices, their greatest profit doesn’t come from the sales of the printers themselves, rather their greatest source of income come from ink cartridges. Many consumers often think they have found a great deal for a printer, only to find out that they have to pay double or triple for the cartridges. One way around that is to purchase ink cartridges that are remanufactured for use in common printers like HP, Lexmark, Canon, Brother and other popular companies.

When you start to see the color fade on your printed out pages, you might decide to immediately run to Wal-Mart to make your purchase, but those black and tri-color multipacks can cost you anywhere from $45 to $100 each, which for some, is a hard commitment to make. It is for that reason that companies like Clickinks.com!, 123 Ink Cartridges, Carrot Ink, CompAndSave.com, Concord Supplies and many others have moved into that market to offer the same ink cartridges at a fraction of the cost.
In 2005, there was more than 1.3 billion ink cartridges purchased around the world bringing in sales exceeding $30 billion. In 2009, the market was split with about 29 percent of ink sales coming not from HP and Canon, rather from the companies that refill and remanufacture cartridges. In 2005, that percentage was 23 percent, showing the new trend and popularity of saving money through the years.
One might wonder how important it may be to get their printer ink cartridges at a discounted rate when they seemingly last for months, for small business owners and those with home offices that do a lot of printing, the money saved can add up quickly. According to Hewlett-Packard, those that use HP 98 black ink will only get about 420 standard pages of printing, meaning that for just about every ream of paper you go through, you will need to buy a new cartridge. The print page totals for those using HP 92 black cartridges are even less. The company estimates only 210 pages of standard printing per cartridge. With individual HP 92 cartridges selling for close to $30 at Wal-Mart, a simple search of Carrot Ink will see that same ink cartridge at half the price.
The other good place is to buy cheap ink cartridges is Amazon.com. Amazon usually offers original cartridges from manufacturers for less than you can get from your local retail store. Almost all the companies mentioned above have their own presence on Amazon.com, and once when my Amazon order of printer ink cartridges arrived, I was surprised to see it was shipped by Clickinks.com. When you compare the prices on Amazon and online retailers sites, then usually the retailers will have better deals, where you will be able to use coupon codes to get discounts.

For those looking to save the environment, refilled and remanufactured ink cartridges can help alleviate your negative effect on the world. By using these printer ink cartridges instead of brand new units purchased directly from the manufacturer, you are helping to keep the industrial grade plastic that is used to make the ink cartridges from turning up in landfills.
One of the biggest misconceptions about these discount cartridges is that they won’t provide you with the quality of printing as official ink toners. That is not the case. Not only will these remanufactured units cost anywhere from 30 to 50 percent less than brand new units, they will offer you the same amount of printed pages and the same crispness that most desire from their printers.
With printer manufacturers giving away $100 units for next to nothing, as long as you are prepared for their tricks, you can save money across the board by purchasing re manufactured and/refilled ink cartridges.

Do you have your own way to save money on printer ink cartridges?
Share with us your own tips and ideas: comment below, or share on social sites.

Printer Ink and Toner Deals and Offers.
Coupons, Special Promo Codes and Discounts on Remanufactured Printer Ink Cartridges.
Find all the best offers and deals in one place.

Automotive, Travel

Tips for renting a car

April 7, 2015 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Top ten tips for renting a car in USA

Things to know before renting a car

Car rental has now become a common practice for most travelers. If you value convenience, then you know that renting is the best decision when going on holiday or business trip. This makes it cheaper for your wallet as opposed to using your own car, and you have the option of selecting the type of car that will be appropriate for your trip. It will also give you the opportunity of getting a different feel from what you are used to. Renting a car comes with more advantages than using your personal vehicle: you will not have to incur any maintenance costs, and it’s the responsibility of the rental company to ensure that the car is in a perfect condition. Renting a car for long trips will spare your personal car from getting old just a few months after purchase, and help you to avoid putting the cost of mileage and wear and tear onto your shoulders.
Now the other very important factors are how you can go about the whole process, and make everything very convenient for you and stress free. Here are tips for renting a car that you should consider before walking into the doors of a car rental company, and ensure that you get the best deal and the best ride to fit your needs.

The following guidelines will protect you from rip offs, and will come in handy no matter whether you want the car for a business trip or for pleasure.

1. The size and the budget.

First determine your budget and the size and type of car that you intend to use for your trip. These are factors that will make the whole process easy for you to decide what type of car you will choose to rent. Important things to consider are costs, and the size of the group that you will be traveling with. If you travel alone or with one companion, then booking a smaller car will be a good idea. It’s a double saving by cutting the cost of the rental, and later at the pump. Usually economic cars are in high demand and sometimes rental companies won’t have them in stock.

If you change your mind and want to upgrade to midsize or premium, than an agent will be more than happy to do it for you, likely without additional charge.
Alamo Rent a Car will give you a free upgrade from compact to midsize, when you book online.
If your budget allows, you can go for a luxurious car, or SUV, but get prepared to pay a higher price at the pump too. Sixt Car Rental offers luxury cars like BMW 5, or Mercedes C class, and prices are rather affordable.

2. Check out the prices and car types online before you walk to the office.

To cut down your costs, it is wise that you go for a package deal, or use online promo codes to get a better deal. Most companies have special deals for their customers, such as weekly rentals, weekend rentals, discounts for loyal customers and packages when you bundle your car rental with flights, or hotel booking. If you have AAA membership, then you may get a discount on car rental and hotel booking as well.
Subscribe to our email list to get emails with all current offers on travel, hotels, and car rental.

3. Pick up and drop off location

Try to pick up the car and drop it off at the same location to avoid any extra fees. If you pick up the car in one location, but drop it off in another, then for vehicle transfer between locations Rental Company may charge you an extra fee, sometimes several hundred dollars. Not every rental agency is open on Sundays, and working hours vary by location. Enterprise Rent a Car offers a pick-up and drop off service, but once I found out the hard way that this service was not available at all locations; it was not offered on weekends, and it had a limited radius of approximately 3 or 4 miles. So take all the facts into consideration in order to avoid any surprises at the end.

4. Age restrictions and Extra driver.

Almost all companies have an age limit. Drivers 18 to 21 will have a harder time to find a rental car than for people with a different demographic. Most states have a minimum age requirement to rent a car, which is usually 21, and if you’re between ages 21-25, prepare to pay a higher price. It’s usually not stated on companies’ websites, but for drivers above 70 years of age, the price might be higher, too. This goes by insurance statistics due to the fact that those age groups are more likely to be involved in accidents than are others.

If you are planning to drive with other people in the car, which was not stated in your rental agreement, then you need to add an extra driver and pay an additional driver fee. Fees may wary from $3 to $10 per day for every additional driver. Do not trick the rental company by not reporting an extra driver; if he or she is involved in an accident, then you will be the one responsible for paying the bills for the damage. In some states, some companies will waive the additional driver fee if he or she is a spouse or a domestic partner who will pass the age restriction and have a valid driver license. Always verify these details before you sign the agreement.

5. Use the best Credit Card you have got.

Go through your wallet and find the best credit card to pay for the rental. Not all credit cards are the same. Usually banks offer better benefits on travel credit cards, and if you have reward credit cards and enough miles or points, then you can cut a big chunk of the bill by cashing out those points. Remember you need to pay for every day you’re going to have a car in your possession and, also, the rental company will place a hold on your card for usually $100, like a security deposit. Make sure you have enough credit limits on the card. It’s not a good idea to use a debit card because the rental company will put up to $500 hold on your card, and usually it takes a week or two after you return a vehicle before they will take a hold away.

6. Opt out Rental Company offered insurance.

One thing that you should always remember to do is to read the contract carefully. Avoid falling into the hands of tricky salespersons. They usually work on commission and will try to push you to buy insurance through the rental company, but the following reasons will help you avoid buying a costly coverage, and instead save some money. If you have an insured car, you will not have to take out any extra liability insurance. This is because most companies normally extend their coverage to any other car that you will drive, even when your rental car is newer and more valuable than your car, but it never hurts to call your insurance agent and ask for all the details. Remember to ask about the deductible because this will be the portion you have to pay if you wreck the rental car. When you are planning to take passengers with you during your trip, then don’t forget to inquire about Umbrella insurance in case of an accident.

To get coverage from a credit company, then you have to use their credit card for the rental, and it’s better to use one card, not two, to avoid any problems later on. Use the card which gives you a better coverage. Most of the credit companies will provide you with the insurance coverage on your rental; furthermore, some of them will cover the deductible in case of the accident. Check your credit card agreement, or even better, call your bank and ask a customer service representative to go through the details with you. Also remember to ask if your card covers “loss of use”. This is the relatively new fee imposed by rental companies: when you are involved in an accident and the car is off the road during the repair, the rental agency will try to extend the expenditure costs by not renting out the vehicle. Almost all major credit cards will cover “loss of use”. Even better, when you combine your insurance with a credit card to get full coverage: insurance would cover the repair, and the credit card will take care of deductibles and “loss of use”.
A few minutes on the phone with an insurance agent and the bank will help you avoid wasting your money for the service you already have.

7. Opt out Extras.

At the beginning, the clerk will explain to you the convenience of prepaid gas service, and how you can return a car with almost empty tank without a hustle to go to the gas station. This is typically the other way to get more money from you. Simply opt out this service, and do it yourself. When time comes to returning the vehicle, just find the closest gas station and fill the car up to the point where it was when you picked up the vehicle, otherwise the rental company will charge you for the refill price, which might be up to twice more per gallon than you pay at the pump.
Always use your own GPS, child seats, satellite radio (unless it comes preinstalled and without extra charge). The cost of the rent of the GPS is $13 to $20 per day; you can buy a brand new one from Amazon.com for less than $100 , or simply, you can use your smartphone. Using a GPS is always better than a smartphone app because in case of a loss of cell phone reception in some areas you may get lost, whereas this is impossible when you’re using satellite reception of GPS, unless you’re passing through a tunnel or navigating in a concrete garage. Having a GPS with life traffic alert can save you money by calculating a detour to avoiding traffic and finding local routs to avoid paying tolls.

8. Make a detail inspection of the vehicle before signing an agreement.

Before taking the car and signing an agreement, carry out a thorough interior and exterior checkup to be certain that there are no damages. Make sure the car is clean inside and out. Don’t hesitate to ask an agent to take a car to carwash before inspection; many dents on the exterior are not visible when the car is not clean. Don’t be shy and point out all the defects, dents, scratches, stains, and the loose parts you found before you get behind the wheel. Check the odometer reading with the records on the contract. The best way to insure yourself is to slowly walk around a car and take a video with your smartphone, while pointing out all of the above mentioned details, if any. Take a picture of the odometer, tires and any questionable parts inside and outside of the vehicle.

Pay attention to any unpleasant odor such as that of cigarettes. Don’t smoke and don’t allow anyone in the car to smoke; some companies may charge you for cleaning, and if you accidently damaged the interior, then you may end up with a costly bill for repair.
Upon return, once again, take a video and several pictures of the vehicle, and then ask an inspector or an agent to get the final inspection completed before you leave.

9. Unlimited mileage and state borders.

The other important aspects are mileage and crossing the border whether it be state or country. While some car rentals will offer unlimited miles throughout the US, others will restrict you only by instate or neighboring states and impose mileage caps. You won’t be allowed go farther and cross the boundaries that are stated in the contract, and you will be charged by mileage for every additional mile you drove above the limit. Shop around to get the deal you need if you need to take a car for a long ride, or across the borders.
If you are taking the car for a trip and planning to cross the US border, then you need to mention that in advance because not all rental companies will rent you a car for it. In this case is better to take insurance offered by a rental company, even if it’s more expensive, because it might have a special coverage for this case, which your insurance might not offer. Read the fine print and ask the agent to walk you through the all details, before you sign the agreement.

10. Early or late fees. Other fees.

Plan in advance the time of pick up and drop off. If you need to return the car a day or more earlier, call the agency and ask if they will credit you for unused time, but even if they do, you may be charged extra fees on rental equipment, such as GPG, child seat, or satellite radio.
Most companies have a grace period on returns, which is usually 30 minutes, but if you’re late more than an hour or more, then they may charge you by the hour, or even a one day extra rental. If you’re running late, it’s always better to notify the agent by calling the number on the car keys, or on the rental agreement. Ask the agent which of the mentioned options will be cheapest for you, and remember: drive safe, even the most expensive option is not worth it if you get in trouble on the road.
Usually all rental companies offer a roadside assistance. For example, if you have a flat tire, or you locked the keys inside, it’s usually better if you have club subscriptions, like AAA, which will be a lot cheaper than using a rental company offered service. I’m always taking with me a tire inflator everywhere I go; it’s better than any roadside assistance, or even spending quarters at the gas station to pump air in the tire. Be very careful with your car keys because if you lose them, they can cost up to $400 to replace, not to mention a great waste of time.
Follow these tips for renting a car and be safe from stress and headaches, and enjoy the ride. If you have any other tips on how to save money on car rental, or disagree with the above mentioned advices, please let us know in the comments below.

Image Credit: flickr.com/photos/nrmadriversseat/

Travel

Brookstone Lodge Asheville North Carolina.

February 12, 2015 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

The Brookstone Lodge Review.
Explore Asheville, Visit Biltmore Estate.

With famous North Carolina landmarks, such as The Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Mountains and Chimney Rock State Park, Asheville is also famous for its best restaurants, breweries, music festivals and relaxation places to play golf.
There are more than 50 hotels in Asheville NC, and it’s a bit of a challenge to choose the right one to fit your needs.

If you want to spend a time with luxury and comfort, then Omni Grove Park Inn will be the one that will satisfy all your high standards. It has a large golf course, subterranean spa, outdoor Jacuzzi, gigantic stone fireplaces in the lobby, 3 indoor and 3 outdoor tennis courts and many other amenities.

On the other hand, if you want to explore Asheville or the surrounding North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains and stay in the hotel without breaking your budget, then let me suggest to you the Brookstone Lodge Asheville.
The hotel is conveniently located near Highway I-40, just minutes from the Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway and Biltmore Village Shopping Center. Those facts played a major role when I was browsing Hotels.com to find a place to stay during my business trip in Asheville. The location looks like an industrial part of the town and nothing interesting in walking distance, except the Fun Depot with all games and rides, that will entertain the whole family for the day.

The Brookstone Lodge: Explore Asheville, Visit Biltmore Estate. — Main Entrance

The entrance of the building is on the back of the hotel, and the first thing that catches your eyes are cool sculptures of kids at the entrance. The outdoor area looks a little small for the size of the hotel, but there is a small sitting area on the side and back of the building.
The hotel is a four-story building with impressive stonework and exposed timbers which look remarkable for 3 star hotels. The lobby area is pretty small and there is only one elevator, so we had to take the stairs sometimes, especially on mornings during breakfast hours. The breakfast area is located right next to the lobby. The breakfast included in the price is one of the best once I’ve ever had served in hotels: it’s tasty, plentiful and has a little of everything include fresh fruits.

Rooms are clean, comfortable and 100% non-smoking, which is one of my top choices when I’m booking a hotel. Everything you need is in the room: flat screen TV with variety of channels, coffee maker, small fridge, and a microwave, which is very helpful when you have leftovers from the yesterday’s dinner at downtown Ashville. The bathrooms have granite countertops, and what’s brought to my attention is that the soap and hair conditioner are already filled into the plastic dispensers in the shower. Some people may not find that as a good option, but to me it was very convenient rather than having to keep fighting with small tubes and thinking “does the service personnel replace the bathroom supplies after morning cleaning, or do they forget?”

Soap and Hair Conditioner in the plastic dispensers in the shower.

Rooms are clean, comfortable and 100% non-smoking.

We didn’t have a chance to use the indoor pool, but from a basic observation it looks a little small in size, which is typical for this class of hotels, but having a Jacuzzi during the whole season is a big plus.
As I mentioned above, Brookstone Lodge Asheville is located a couple of miles from the Biltmore Village, the ideally designed shopping and dining destination. Here you can find both national retail outlets, as well as locally independent shops where you can find everything from custom made jewelry and original artwork to clothing and home decor. The Biltmore Village is just across the street from the entrance to the famous Vanderbilt’s mansion, The Biltmore Estate.

Let analyze all the pros and cons of Brookstone Lodge Asheville.
Pros:
1. 100% non-smoking rooms, Mini refrigerator, Microwave, Coffee maker, Granite tub and vanity, Free Wi-Fi.
2. Free breakfast, free parking, clean rooms, and helpful staff.
3. Easy to get to/from highway, within 5-7 minutes driving range to closest shopping and dining center and Biltmore Estate.
4. Excellent rating on hotel booking sites.
Cons:
1. The hotel is located close to the major highway, and some noise is unavoidable, except if you ask for a room on other side of the hotel.
2. The distance is about a 10-12 minute drive to downtown Asheville.
3. The hotel’s parking lot is filled up very quickly at night, but additional parking is available in business next door.
4. The ground area of hotel is faced to the street, but it’s isolated with trees.
5. The lobby and breakfast area a little small for lodge.
The Brookstone Lodge is one of the best ways to save your hard earned dollar, and enjoying Bohemian Asheville and Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you are traveling alone, with your family or with a group, this is one of the best hotelss under $100 a night to stay in Ashville.

Travel, U.S.

Best of Asheville NC

February 11, 2015 David Balasanyan 1 Comment

Best of Asheville:
Best things to see and do in Asheville NC

When you Google the best places to visit in North Carolina, or fun things to do in North Carolina, then the beautiful mountain city of Asheville will come to the top.
A heaven of hikers and hippies, artists and alternative-types, musicians, free-thinkers and those looking for a city break a little more on the wild side; Asheville, North Carolina is a hotpot of cultural interest and the rugged outdoors. Framed from above by the rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains that weave their way round the city’s edge, there are few cities more.

The Biltmore Estate

But it’s not all nature in Asheville. North Carolina plays host to the majestic 19th century estate of one of capitalist America’s most prolific protégés, George Vanderbilt. His palatial home is just a short ride to the south of the city center, and sprawls over 8,000 acres of beautiful countryside. Take a tour to America’s most-visited winery and book your stay in the largest privately owned house in the United States.
Tickets to the extensive collection that’s on display there are available online in advance.
Visit Biltmore Americas Largest Home. Your self-guided visit includes gardens, Americas most visited winery, Antler Hill Village and the farm village

Omni Grove Park Inn

After Biltmore Estate Omni Grove Park Inn is the recognizable landmark of Asheville. The historic resort sits on a slope of a mountain with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Downtown Asheville. Omni Grove Park Inn is more than 100 years old, and was recently renovated for 25 million dollars; it offers a golf course and a 43,000-square-foot full subterranean spa with an underground grotto with mineral pools, water falls, underwater music, dry and wet steam rooms.
The hotel hosts many events, such as Arts & Crafts Conference, Comedy Classic Weekend and the famous Heritage Classic Ballroom Dance Championship.

Asheville Botanical Garden

Escape from everyday stress and get lost in the paradise. If you like plants, shrubs and wildflowers, then this is the place for you. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville is a home of Southern Appalachian Mountains native plants. Here you can also find an outstanding collection of Bonsai trees. Admission is free.

Chimney Rock State Park

The Chimney Rock State Park is part of Blue Ridge Heritage Are and located 25 miles from Asheville. This is a perfect place to spend time with family and friends. Beautiful state park with hiking trails for all ages, 404-foot waterfall and spectacular view on gorge and Lake Lure. This is the place where key scenes for the movie “Last of the Mohicans” were filmed.
The ticket price for ages 5-15 is $7 and $15 for adults.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Most first-time visitors simply can’t resist the call of the wild, and before long they are cruising down the Blue Ridge Parkway or weaving their way round the forest mountain trails in search of the panoramic views that exist here in excess.

Free things to do in Asheville

The Blue Ridge Parkway is easily accessible from Interstate I-40. With a short distance from Asheville you may find so many hiking trails with the picnic areas so grab a blanket and pack your lunch and enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are restrooms on many major stops, but make sure you have enough gas, otherwise you need to take an exit to go to the nearest gas station.
Downtown Asheville is famous for its local boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and antique shops. Park your car and take an exploration of “Paris of the South”.

North Carolina Breweries, beer specials and popular places to drink.

Asheville is one of the best places to visit for a single person or family vacation. There are around 100 hotels and Bed & Breakfast in the Asheville area, from two star motels to luxury hotels. You can find a nice place to stay and spend your time.

Entertainment, Travel, U.S.

New Year in New York

December 20, 2014 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

New Year in New York; the world’s most watched celebration

There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.
Simone Beauvoir.

In 2007, the official broadcasters of the New York New Year’s Eve celebrations announced that for the first time more than 1 billion people worldwide had tuned in to watch the iconic glowing ball make its 141 foot descent from atop the One Times Square building in Midtown Manhattan at 12 o’clock.
Since 1907 the picture of a lit up Times Square at night has been one of the most enduring images of New Year celebrations, and it is perhaps not surprising that more and more people from across the globe are choosing to visit the Big Apple every December to join in with the party and usher in the New Year in style.

With so much weight often put on New Year celebrations, visiting one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities can perhaps been seen as something of a sure bet. Whether you’re after a traditional all-nighter with a countdown at 12, a sunset champagne and midnight fireworks, a romantic getaway with world-class food and a great view, or a little more of a quirky eve, filled with alternative activities like late-night exercise sessions or meditation classes that abound here in true New York style, a late-December trip to the heart of the Big Apple is sure not to disappoint.
For the hedonists among us, the super clubs and underground joints all around the city’s center come alive on the 31st December, with many staying open well into the morning hours of New Year’s Day. Amongst the best known places to party, Madame Tussauds hosts an annual New Year celebration that brings revelers and wax-works together for the night. Ticket prices include a buffet, some drinks and access to the on-site ‘4D’ movie.

There are loads of other places where visitors can party the night away in similarly quirky shindig. Movie lovers should check out Ward III, where an annual movie-themed night is one of the best attended fancy dress events of the year. Nearby the beer house at Bar Hop hosts one of the biggest parties in Midtown, while there’s a melange of other bars just a stone’s throw from the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebrations.
While ticket prices will almost always be upwards of $100, there are plenty of places where open bars, food and entertainment will come part and parcel, so check what you’re buying before reserving your place. For those who don’t want to party and are keen to avoid the bustle of Times Square at night, there’s a myriad of other options that come with a lower price tag.

4-star hotels. 2-star prices. Save up to 50% with low Hotwire Hot-Rates!

Why not try out one of the city’s new ecotourism attractions, where New Year in New York is more about losing some calories than drinking them down? With cups of warming hot chocolate gratis and the compulsory midnight champagne toasts included, the late-night walking tours across Brooklyn Bridge or the bike rides in Prospect Park are becoming a favorite New Year activity of the visitor in search of an entirely unique experience.

Image credit: Flickr/Anthony Quintano

Entertainment, Travel

Viva Las Vegas

October 26, 2014 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Viva Las Vegas.
Best Entertainment in Las Vegas Nevada.

If you are trying to decide where to take a well-earned vacation, check out Las Vegas for entertainment plus!
People who visit Las Vegas with its glittering, fast paced casinos and world class shows often describe it as a yearlong Mardi Gras. You can find entertainment galore, along with internationally acclaimed cuisine, luxury accommodation, opulent spas, trendy boutiques and enough fun filled activities to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Naturally, when you think of Las Vegas, your thoughts probably turn to gambling, and you can certainly do plenty of that in this resort city. That being said, this is a place that promises and delivers top notch entertainment for everyone.

If the allure of the casinos starts to fade, it is nice to know that you won’t lack for entertainment and can have lots of fun being entertained to the max by some of the many shows and attractions. Many big name stars such as Celine Dion and the renowned magician David Copperfield appear in Las Vegas.

Who could resist the dazzling entertainment of the Circus du Soleil, Penn and Teller or Elton John?
Here is a sampling of the types of fantastic shows and performers that are apt to be appearing in Las Vegas during your visit:

Comedy—If you love having a laugh a minute, you’ll be ecstatic with the comedy line-up in Las Vegas. Famous stars such as Roseanne Barr, Brad Garrett, Andrew Dice Clay, Laugh Factory, Carrot Top, Eddie Griffin and lots more will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Dinner and Show Packages—LOVE Cirque du Soleil, Marriage Can Be Murder, Absinthe, Terry Fator, the Voice of Entertainment, Peepshow and others will provide you with excellent entertainment while you enjoy a delicious dinner.

Headliner Shows—Boyz II Men, Gordie Brown, Santana, Rod Stewart, Frankie Moreno, Taylor Hicks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain and other first class entertainers.

Magic Shows—David Copperfield, Criss Angel Believe, Mac Hammer Comedy Magic Show, Illusions starring Jan Rouven, Nathan Burton Comedy magic and others.

Adult Shows—Chippendales, Night School 4 Girls, iCandy, Crazy Girls, Fantasy, American Storm, PinUp, Shades of Temptation, Stripper 101, Men of Sapphire and more in this category of adult entertainment.

In addition to the Las Vegas entertainment listed above, you can also find Las Vegas Tribute shows, Hypnosis, mind reading and psychic shows, afternoon shows and a lot of other fascinating entertainment.
If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, be prepared to have the time of your life!

Computers, Internet safety

Protect Children from Internet Dangers

July 30, 2014 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Tips To Help Protect Children from Internet Dangers

The internet is a great source of information for both adults and children. Children can use it when carrying out research and when they are doing their homework. They can also use it to advance their personal interests. However, this is not always the case. More often than not, it exposes them to certain dangers. All parents should know the dangers that the internet exposes their children to. Computers are a new technology that we cannot do without but one that should be handled with care.

Here a few tips to help protect children from internet dangers:

No underage child should be allowed to surf the internet unsupervised. Browsing the web unsupervised is more serious for a child than leaving them to go to the dark on their own. These are acts of irresponsibility that no parent should be accused of committing.
The following are some of the reasons why you need to give your child maximum supervision whenever they get connected to the internet. The first and most serious danger that children are exposed to is that of sexual predators. These are human beings who go on the internet to exploit young children sexually. They do this through the services that are available online. Word has it that at least 1 in every 5 children who go to the internet receive sexual solicitation that is unwanted. Cyberbullying is yet another danger that you should protect your child from. This is where a child is embarrassed, tormented, humiliated, threatened or harassed by another through the use of mobile phones or the internet. These problems in most cases result to teen suicide and murder.

As a responsible parent, it is your duty to supervise what your child does when they go to social networking sites. These sites are becoming increasingly popular with people of all age groups but it is not always that they are used in the right manner. Parents should know that it is not always that their children go to these sites to chat with their friends. There is a danger that comes with charting and socializing in these social networking sites. There are people who post words, pictures and videos that are hurting.
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to talk to their child about sex and its victimization and about other internet dangers. They should not be left to learn these things on their own or from strangers on the internet. The truth is that when this happens, they will definitely not get it right. It is good to spend time online with your young children. Let them know the dos and don’ts. Tell them with authority of all the no go zones. The computer should be kept in a common room. Avoid keeping it in your child’s bedroom because you will give them an opportunity to cross boundaries.

Discourage your children from visiting sites that are most visited by sexual predators. In most cases they use instant messaging, forums and chat rooms. To reduce the effect of internet dangers you as a parent should get educated and involved in all that your child does especially when they are surfing the internet. Let them learn as much as possible about the internet from you because this is your responsibility.

Gift ideas

Flowers Make Fantastic Gifts!

July 7, 2014 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Consider this tip: Flowers make fantastic gifts!

If you have a special someone with a birthday or other noteworthy occasion coming up soon, you may want to consider this tip: Flowers make fantastic gifts!

There are few things as lovely in this world as flowers.

Masterpieces of Nature’s art, flowers come in all colors, sizes and types. Their beauty rarely fails to rouse admiration from all who see them and giving flowers as gifts makes a statement to recipients–telling them that they’re special to you and that you wanted to gift them with something beautiful.

History of Flowers as Gifts

Giving flowers as gifts is nothing new. In fact, this is a tradition that began centuries ago and has never fallen out of fashion.

Long ago, in ancient Greece, flowers were dedicated to the gods and people of notoriety were often crowned with garlands of leaves and flowers. Later, during the 1700s, French and English travelers brought home the practice of using flowers as a sort of language.

Floriography, which the Victorian era brought into vogue, literally means communicating with flowers and herbs, normally as a sort of coded message. This unique language of flowers was sometimes spoken through giving “tussie-mussies” or small flower bouquets. Tussie-mussies are still in use today and are a charming way to send a message with flowers.
In the language of flowers, certain blossoms hold a particular meaning. Here are just a few of the flowers that were given as gifts during this time period to express a sentiment without words:

Lilacs–these flowers symbolize a new found love.

Stephanotis–frequently used in bridal and wedding bouquets even today, these pretty flowers mean marital bliss.

Roses–The most famous of all romantic flowers, roses stand for love.

Daisies–these simple flowers send a message of love and loyalty.

Gardenias–A gift of these fragrant flowers means that the sender is secretly in love with the recipient.

Down through history, and enduring to this day, flowers as gifts send a message of love and caring!

Flowers as Gifts for All Occasions

Flowers make ideal gifts for all occasions. Valentine’s Day, Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, illness….these are but a few of the special times when people traditionally send flowers. However, many people delight in sending flowers to someone for no special occasion at all; merely to express feelings of affection, gratitude, love, congratulations, sympathy, or just to say “I’m thinking of you.”

With the advent of the internet, sending flowers has become much easier!

You can get online and find florists who will send flowers virtually anywhere in the world, often with same day delivery. Browsing through the various choices, an internet shopper looking to send flowers to someone can compare prices, selections and delivery times of different merchants who specialize in online floral gifts.

Besides the many breathtakingly beautiful fresh cut flowers you might like to send someone, there are also potted flowers, such as African Violets or lilies, which will be more of a lasting gift.

Whichever type of flowers you decide on, you can be sure that their arrival will be met with pleasure by the person receiving them.

Regardless of the occasion and the sentiment you wish to express, you can’t go wrong when you say it with flowers!

Share with us your opinion and advice on what type of flowers to buy on a particular occasion, or how to get a flower bouquet without breaking a budget.

Cell Phones

Pass on new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy Note 3

November 6, 2013 David Balasanyan Leave a comment

Compare new iPhone 5S(iPhone 5C) or Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with older models

It is always great for the consumer when new products come out. For the most tech savvy people, or those with money to burn, the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy note 3 might be “must have” items.
The reality of the situation is that they are minor upgrades on already excellent products. However, as the newest products become available, that means retailers will discount older models from companies like Samsung mobile and Apple.
If your phone is three years old, and you buy a product that has been around for six months or a year, the technology you are acquiring is vastly superior to what you have, and because you opted against spending the cash on the newest of new phones, you get a huge break in price.

It is very logical to get the new iPhone in stores with plenty of time to sell millions of them to holiday shoppers. For Samsung mobile, it is important not to get beaten to the punch and avoid being too far behind the iPhone 5 or Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Again, this benefits smart shoppers. The day that the new devices come out, the slightly older ones become less popular despite the fact that they still perform exactly as they did before the new model showed up. Because they are no longer the newest phone available, they are discounted and available to consumers at a fraction of the cost of the newest phone particularly at online retailers.

If you read about the new iPhone, and study information on the Samsung Galaxy note 3, it easy to find technologically oriented people who gush over their slightly improved cameras, bright new colors that they are available in, fingerprint scanner, and switch from plastic to leather like material on the Note. There is little doubt that the newest technology is solid and maybe even spectacular. However, the slightly older technology, the phones that have suddenly become affordable and discounted, are also excellent. How much is
having a yellow, pink, or blue phone really worth? Is a relatively tiny piece of leather instead of a plastic case a $500 investment? Surely the fingerprint scanner is cool, but haven’t we successfully used phones forever without one? Buying the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy note 3 is more about being in the club of people that have them than is truly improving your everyday life. If you have an older model from Samsung mobile, or one of their competitors, the step up between something you’ve had for a few years and a phone released within the last 12 to 18 months will be much greater and less expensive than jumping on the latest iPhone 5.

The new products will be “old” in six months or a year. By being a consumer who is slightly behind the craze, and upgrading to a newer phone but not the latest version, you benefit by acquiring excellent and modern technology without paying a premium to be the first on your street with a pink phone or a leather case.

Why use a Dash Cam? Benefits of Dash Cam.