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Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets Protects Your Invention!

Patent numbers are issued sequentially, beginning with the number one. Patent number one was issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1790. It took 75 years for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to issue patent number 1,000,000. Patent number 7,000,000 was issued February 14, 2006. It took only seven years for the USPTO to move from issuance of patent number 6,000,000 to 7,000,000.

What does this mean? Simply, there is more creativity now that at any time in history. The old saw that “there is nothing new” is completely wrong. There has never been so many people and entities creating novel, unique products, technology and services, and so driven to commercialize these inventions. More patents and entrepreneurs attempting to market their products is indicative that there is more competition for successful placement.

It is essential that entrepreneurs protect their inventions. This is a form of insurance. To attempt to market an invention without covering the work with the shield of patent, trademark, copyright or trade secret protection indicates a frivolous approach that will not succeed. Investors, licensees, and investors demand the protection that these intellectual property products afford. Even if the entrepreneur is going to self-market the invention, protection is essential in order to fend off competition.

A pharmacist in Atlanta, at the beginning of the 20th century, created a formula for syrup that he sold at the soda fountain in his pharmacy. John Pemberton mixed the syrup with soda water and sold drinks of the concoction as a wellness beverage to cure aches and pains. Mr. Pemberton had created Coca-Cola. He never anticipated that Coke would become an international comfort product, the soft drink. The smartest thing John Pemberton ever did, besides inventing Coca-Cola, was to handle the secret formula for the syrup as a Trade Secret. To this day, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company zealously protects the ingredients and chemistry involved in producing the base syrup that is the essence of classic Coca-Cola.

Big Boy Restaurants protects the recipe for the tartar sauce that goes on their sandwiches, and that many customers buy by the bottle and take home. McDonalds doggedly protects the process their restaurants utilize to cut, cook and season their French-fries. William Wrigley was just as manic in keeping secret his technique for delivering powerfully flavored, long lasting, chewing gum.

Trade Secrets typically are not able to secure patent protections. The novelty of the Trade Secret is in the blending, chemistry or chronology utilized to deliver the finished product. If you have such a recipe you will want to keep this knowledge very near, as it can become very dear. If the public knew the formula for Coca-Cola, quite possibly there would be a lot of consumers keen to blend their own drink at home. Coke would not like that!

If your product has the potential and necessity to become a Trade Secret you will want to follow several very basic steps. First, write down every event related to the development of the formula. Keep a logbook with the data, dates and details of your work. As you finalize your development work memorialize all of the steps essential to delivering the finished product you wish to keep secret in a recipe or summary document. Then store in a very secure place (a safety deposit box, or safe) all of the work product and the recipe or formula.

The Trade Secret gains incredible asset value when your product becomes a market success. Selling a business built around a fully protected Trade Secret exponentially increases the value of the company. Coca-Cola, Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, Oil of Olay, Schlitz, Dom Perignon, Ben and Jerry’s and Estee Lauder’s Youth Dew are only a few examples of famous brands built around a Trade Secret.

A Trademark is important in developing brand awareness for a product. Use a Patent Attorney when approaching the highly specialized area of seeking Trademark protection. I have never seen an entrepreneur successfully navigate the very complex workings of the USPTO. I HAVE seen many attempts to handle the process, all resulting in complete failure.

The content of a Trademark can include a customized, identifying icon, stylized brand name and a branding statement. Nike uses the famous slash (icon) the Company’s name (recognizable stylized font) and “Just Do It!” (branding statement). Include all of the elements that the public will recognize in your Trademark application. 

Look around at local, regional, national and international companies and brands that you see every day. Pat’s Cheese Steaks in Philadelphia is a local business that has gained great fame and brand recognition and protects their brand with a trademark. It is a destination for visitors to Philly. Chanel, the French haute couture brand, is internationally revered and the classic “C” that adorns every unit of Chanel product is one of the most recognized brand icons in the world. Truly Nolen, the national pest removal service, trademarks the mouse ears seen on every piece of sales collateral, advertisement and service vehicle the Company uses.

Owning a Trademark confers an obligation to police and protect the assigned mark. The inclusion of ™ on every unit of product is essential. Again, consult an attorney. Trademarks can inadvertently become vacated and lost. 

Copyrights are utilized to protect intellectual property. Movie content, poetry, music, books and plays are copyrighted. We have worked with clients on a number of video and board games. We always copyright the rules and/or the play features of the game.

Recently, Dan Brown, the writer of the wildly successful book the “The Da Vinci Code”, was suited for plagiarism by the British authors of a book about the search for the Holy Grail. The search for the Holy Grail is central to the plot of the “The Da Vinci Code”. There are full library shelves devoted to the search for the mystical Holy Grail. And yet, during the run-up to the movie release of “The Da Vinci Code” a legal action involving this intellectual property was commenced. Brown and his publisher vigorously defended their rights under their Copyright protection. They won full vindication from the court.

Producers of intellectual content properties (movie studios, record labels, book publishers) are very hesitant to accept unsolicited proposals for review. “The Da Vinci Code” saga is the reason. Legal action is rife in the area of intellectual property. We all remember things that we saw, heard or experienced from the distant, but dim past. Regurgitating a variation of that experience may find its way to the written page. Voila, was this material plagiarized? 

Mattel and Hasbro will not review ANY outside toy submissions. Is it not coincidental that there has not been a breakthrough toy introduction in years from Hasbro or Mattel? This is one of the unfortunate byproducts of a litigious society, the limits placed on needed innovations. Protect your intellectual property with a Copyright.

I recommend to my clients, before spending a dime on a patent attorney, that they perform a cursory search at the USPTO.Gov web-site by providing all obvious key words applicable to their invention. If a number of patented products come up, and they are spot-on their idea, the item might not be a candidate for a filing. If the field seems open and clean, then I advise hiring the patent attorney to conduct a professional, thorough search. The in-depth search will confirm the potential for successfully obtaining patent protection.

Patents are the preferred style of protection for most inventors and entrepreneurs. Patents (utility) are very powerful agents of defense against predators, thieves and knock off artists. Not to be a boor, but, again, utilize the services of a patent attorney. I am always amazed and amused at how many people think they can successfully write, provide highly specific 3-D CAD art, file, handle USPTO objections and move the patent through the labyrinth of a Federal Government bureaucracy. Go Figure! They waste time and money, and usually negate any opportunity to have a re-filed patent successfully obtain a patent number. 

The Provisional Patent filing is basically a letter that is placed on file with the USPTO. The Provisional filing advises the USPTO of the description of the product you are attempting to develop. The letter has a one-year life cycle and must be extended with a formal patent filing (Utility or Design) or the product is vacated forever. 

We utilize the Provisional Patent as a fully legal way to state that a product in early stage development is Patent Pending. This filing is also very inexpensive relative to a design or utility patent. A Provisional Patent filing also enables the entrepreneur to have a one year time window to test and gauge market response to the invention. If reaction is positive, then it reinforces the necessity of continuing to devote assets to further development of the opportunity.

The Design Patent simply covers art features noted in the application. This is the weakest form of patent protection. A competitor only needs to change a design element, cosmetic feature or add an artisan variant to overcome a Design Patent. However, for products that have real commercial potential, but cannot overcome prior, existing product art to obtain a Utility Patent, the Design Patent offers one potentially important benefit: the option to keep a product suspended in ongoing Patent Pending status.

We have done this on a number of occasions. A simple amendment to the initial filing means that a bureaucrat at the USPTO must find the file, pick it up, insert the amended filing detail and re-log the filing. As a result the filing goes to the back of the line and we gain months more Patent Pending protection. 

Why go through all of this? When a product is in Patent pending mode it has ultimate protection. When a patent number is issued the clock starts ticking on the effective life of protection and details of the novelty of the patented product become public knowledge. Your product is obviated. It can be amazingly simple for the less than scrupulous knock off artist to engineer around your inventions unique features and benefits. 

By keeping a product in Patent pending limbo we keep the features shrouded from any public awareness. This often leads to a first to market advantage and competition is only aware that there is a Patent pending. The added time that the product obtains, to build and extend sales traction, and begin the branding process is exponentially more valuable than the legal fees required to keep adding elementary addenda to the Design filing. You want to be first to market, and have as much time as possible to stand-alone in a market. 

The Utility Patent is exceedingly valuable, both as a protective shield against competition and as a business asset. The invention that receives a Utility Patent number from the USPTO is potentially of interest to licensees, partners, investors and venture capital. Most patented products (Utility), however, never make it to market. We often see inventions that are novel, and thus patent possible, but not commercial, or needed, or beneficial. We all know a mad scientist or two, with endless designs, inventions and patents, none of which are ever going to be a market success.

The Utility Patent protects the novel features and benefits that the application describes in great detail. The patent attorney will narrate the unique aspects of your invention. They will also mention other patents near your space but painstakingly note the differences inherent to your invention. In addition, a great deal of effort will be devoted to creating 3-D Computer Assisted Design art that portrays your product from every possible angle and graphically depicts the uniqueness of your product.

Utility Patent filings rarely sail though the USPTO without being challenged. A competent patent attorney often anticipates the weakness in a filing and has a sheath of retorts ready to address the examiners concerns and questions. This re-directs the file back into the bureaucracy at USPTO. I tell my clients that they can expect up to an 18-month wait before receiving notice of the USPTO decision. However, on several complex filings, I have seen the process take up to six years.

Believe me, it is worth the work, the wait and the investment if a successful outcome from the USPTO is achieved. A Utility Patent conveys gravitas. The invention has stood up to the most stringent scrutiny and been accorded the most highly desired verdict: this invention has import. 

About the Author

Geoff Ficke has been a serial entrepreneur for almost 50 years. As a small boy, earning his spending money doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, he learned the value of selling himself, offering service and value for money.

After putting himself through the University of Kentucky (B.A. Broadcast Journalism, 1969) and serving in the United States Marine Corp, Mr. Ficke commenced a career in the cosmetic industry. After rising to National Sales Manager for Vidal Sassoon Hair Care at age 28, he then launched a number of ventures, including Rubigo Cosmetics, Parfums Pierre Wulff Paris, Le Bain Couture and Fashion Fragrance.

Geoff Ficke and his consulting firm, Duquesa Marketing, Inc. (www.duquesamarketing.com) has assisted businesses large and small, domestic and international, entrepreneurs, inventors and students in new product development, capital formation, licensing, marketing, sales and business plans and successful implementation of his customized strategies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Page Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Business School, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

Tags: classic, coca cola classic soccer tournament

Coca Cola Coupon - Free Printable Coca Cola Coupons

Print Your Free Coca Cola Coupons Here

Grocery products are so expensive for people now that any savings are welcomed.

People everywhere are finding that drink prices and groceries are rising in price and many are using grocery coupons to save money on their housekeeping bills.

It'sgreat to save money by using coupons on your weekly shop and you can get your coca cola coupons by clicking on the link above or below and entering your zip code to match the area you live with the coupons.

With the credit crunch well and truly upon us people are looking for ways to save money and this can be achieved by cutting down on your outgoings.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by using drink coupons to reduce your final bill at the checkout of your grocery store.

Print Your Free Coca Cola  Coupons Here

Unemployment is at an all time high at the moment and by using printable coupons you are able to save money every day when you go shopping at your grocery shop.

If you have a computer and internet connection you can freely print free grocery coupons directly from your computer.

Coca Cola coupons are very popular because coca cola is a fizzy drink that is loved by all and is high on everyone's shopping list. They give you a superb discount off the in-store price.

Printing coupons from your computer is very easy and then all you have to do is take them along to your grocery store. Hand the coupons over when you pay your bill and the amount will be deducted.

What better and easier way is there to saving money, cutting down on your expenses and enjoying your favourite soft drink at a cheaper price.

About the Author

==> Get Coca Cola Coupons Today

Coupons and Samples

Your identity for the price of a can of Cola!

Tags: price, red bull cola price

The Background of Scripophily

Stock certificates have not always been considered collectibles. Although they have existed for over 200 years now, they did not become collectible until the 1960's and 1970's when other forms of ephemera, including restaurant menus, maps, and other papers, also rose in popularity.

According to one story, the word "scripophily" was the result of a contest in the London Times in 1978. Most collectors agree that scripophily took hold in the late 1970's; collecting stock certificates has continued to grow in popularity over the past few decades.

Originally, stock certificates were issued for a very practical use. Like other forms of ephemera, they were not produced to be collected, but as a way to record an ordinary event, the investing in a company. Although often incorporating beautiful engravings and vignettes, this was quite common on many other forms of paperwork, and so stock certificates were not collected for their aesthetic beauty. Plus, when issued, each stock certificate held actual monetary value, making it impractical to collect them for their aesthetics.

Today, it is possible to collect antique stocks because the vast majority of antique stocks no longer hold value as representation of a share in a particular company. These stocks are perforated, hole punched, stamped, or otherwise canceled, or were issued by a company that is simply no longer in existence, rendering their stock shares worthless and therefore available as paper collectibles.

In the present day, estimates vary from 20,000 to over 100,000 active collectors worldwide.
The internet has made finding old stocks easier, leading to larger and better-known collections by many of the hobby's top collectors. Today, many Scripophily-related websites aid stock certificate collectors in their search; thousands of different certificates can be found online at any given time.  On the other hand, it has also caused a demise in the production of new stock certificates, leading to increased rarity of certificates for scripophily.

Because the hobby is still quite new, bargains are still available; most antique stock certificates with beautiful engraved vignettes still cost well less than $100. These older certificates are prized by collectors for their nostalgic properties. Today, a new generation of collectors seeks out not only the popular antique stocks from the mid- and late- 1800's, but also those of modern, recognizable companies. Stock certificates from well-known pop culture icons, varying from Walt Disney to Coca-Cola to Ford Motors, are rising in popularity thanks to this new generation of collectors.

About the Author

Visit www.RealStockCertificates.com for high quality antique stock certificates at lower prices. Find Professional Authors at:
www.Article-Writing-Services.com

Coca Cola Collector Interview in Longman HK Education Book

Tags: design, collector

Aviation News Worlwide,Airlines news,Bussinness News,General Aviation News Including Africa

Aviation industry  has made the air transport  the most reliable means of communication for quick parcel delivery,cargo and passengers.The air news also keeps the investors in aviation industry aware of the new plans and strategies,so as to ensure proper contigency plans are put in place.

There are air news on the following,

AIRLINE NEWS

Global Aviation Tours Africa with FIFAs soccer world cup.OR Tambo Airport -based fleet operator,Global Aviation, waved farewell to its newly refurbished Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Africa Tour Mcdonell Douglas DC9 32 ON sUNDAY Septembete r 19. The aircraft departed for Zurich to collect the famous FIFA World Cup Trophy to begin an African continent wide,76 day trophy tour.

Mr Daniel Rosenzweig, Global Aviations Commercial Director,issued a statement saying that Global Aviation is delighted to  participate in a small way in this exciting event.

Sponsored by Coca -Cola and FIFA ,Global Aviations DC9  jet will be calling at  most African nations to meet representatives of Coca-Colas extensive African distribution network as well as government and national soccer team members.First stop after collecting the trophy in Zurich will be Cairo in Egypt,where the DC9 will stop for two days. Atotal of 52 countries will be visited and the aircraft will fly a distance of over 31000 miles . Total flight time is expected to be 76 hours. Coca-Cola has purchased carbon dioxide permits to ensure that the tour is carbon neutral.

The aircraft has been specially configured to carry 24 passengers in  a First class layout.The cabin  has been divided into three sections with  the forward  compartment laid out as a VIP area for TV interviews and to host both FIFA and Coca-Cola  delegates andd guests. A central section has been configured for passengers and a rear compartment will be used as a team changing room.

Mr Daniel Rosenzweig,Global Aviations Commercial Director ,expressed his appreciation to the South Africa Civil Aviation Association (SA  CAA) for their help andd assistance in the preparation of this tour.Global Aviation was founded in 2001 tpo provide aircraft on a contractual basis to world airlines in need of temporary capacity.The company also provides the acquisition,heavy maintenance,refurbishment and specialized passenger charter services both in Africa and other parts of the world.Global Aviation presently owns nine Douglas DC9 aircraft,three DC 10s and one McDonnell Douglas MD 82.Also Global Aviation is proud to have been chosen to operate Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy Africa Tour.

QANTAS GETS THE 75TH BOEING 737

On September 22, Boeing and Qantas celebrated as the Australian airlines 75th 737, adorned with a special decal to commemorate the milestone,arrived in Auckland,New Zealand.Qantas named the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 in honour of Jean Batten,a spirited New Zealand aviator who broke numerous flying records in the 1930s .Qantas has been flying Boeings 737s since 1986. This latest Next-Generation 737-800 features Qantas-specified ,2.5 meter-high blended winglets ,which reduce fuel burn,thereby which increasing range and payload.Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said Qantas was pleased to be able to offer customers a new trans-Tasman product.The new Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 will offer international bussiness and leisure customers a state-of -the -art product.With the spacious Marc Newson inspired cabin design and the array of  on board technology features.Qantas are delighted to be adding six of these aircraft,the first three before end of this year.

BOEING 787 DREAMLINER  FAST FACTS.

The Boeing board of directors approved offering the 7E7 Dreamliner airplane for sale in sale in late 2003.On April26,2004 Japan-based All Nippon Airways (ANA) launched the 7E7 Dreamliner programme with an order for 50 airplanes-the largest launch order in Boeing Commercial aviation history.

On January 28,2005,Boeing announced that it  gave the 7E7 Dreamliner an official model designation number of 787 .The airplane became known as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The model  designation  followed the company -announced orders from the peoples Republic  of China for 60 Dreamliners.Boeing incoporated the eight at the time of the China order because in many Asian cultures ,the number eight represents good luck and prosperity.

To build the super-effiecent airplane,Boeing has partnered with more than 40 of the worlds top-tier suppliers. An international team is developing the airplane,led by Boeing at its Everett,Wash,facility.

With the introduction of the Dreamliner which is more spacious and with the carrying capacity of over 500,travel around the world will make flights cheap and affortable as the cost per ticket will reduce with almost half and the fuel consumption of the Dreamliner will reduce by 20%.

BUSINESS AVIATION NEWS

Gulfstream Aerospace rolls out new flagship aircraft ,the all-new Gulfstream G650.

This jet is the largest ,fastest and most technologically advanced aircraft in the Gulfstream fleet.

On September 29,20009, Gulfstream  Aerospace , a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) rolled out its new flagship business jet,the all-new Gulfstream G650, at company headquarters in Savannah.The aircraft rolled out under its own power.First announced in March 2008,the ultra-large-cabin,ultra-long-range G650  remains on schedule for customer deliveries in 2012. This aircraft is ideal for long haul flights like, private executive jet flights,air ambulance & medical evacuation flights and emergency evacuation flights. Flying in these aircraft will give you a privacy and personalized service.Approximately 7000 people gathered at the new G650 manufacturing building for the aircrafts debut.

The G650 offers the longest,fastest spedd,largest cabin and the most advanced cockpit in the Gulfstream fleet.It features all- new fuselage cross sction, allowing a wider and taller cabin than the previous top-of -the -line G550 model.The G650 is capable of travelling 7000 nautical miles at 0.85 mach and has a maximum operating speed of 0.925,which will make it the fastest civil aircraft flying .It can climb to an altitude of 51000 feet, which allows it to avoidd traffic and inclement weather.

The G650 features a cabin that measures 102 inches wide and 77 inches high, the largest purpose-built cabin in bussiness aviation.The extra space allows  for larger galleys and lavatories, and increased storage.The aircraft , which seats 11-18 passengers ,also features 16 panoramic windows that measure 28 by 20.5 inches, the largest in the industry,improved sound levels, a vacuum toilet system,and in -flight access to 195 cubic feet of usable volume in the baggage compartment. The aircraft is on schedule for its first flight later this year and is expected to be certified i 2011 .Entry -into-service is planned for 2012.

JET FUEL BY TYE.

The various formulations of jet fuel over the last 70 years include: Military designated JP-1 ,JP-2,JP-3,JP-4,JP-5,JP-6,JP-7 AND JP-8 and Commercially designated Jet-A ,Jet-A1 andd Jet -B . All are kerosene blends. The designation letters 'jp' stand for Jet  Propellant.

- JP-1 .The standardized formulation for JP-1 was created in 1994 for the first jet aircraft.It was designed to operate at an extremely low freezing point of -76degrees f. There is only very limited availability of this fuel owing to cost to formulate it.

-JP-2 ,-3,-4 : All are blended kerosenes that use naphtha derivatives at their cutting agents giving varying flash and freezing points.These are obsolete fuels.

-JP-5 and -6 : Both are kerosene fuels that have been blended with AVGAS. A derivative is still used primarily by the United States Navy,while a JP-6 derivative is still used by extremely high-altitude military jets.

-JP-7: Was specifically developed for Lockheed SR-71

-JP-8 (in the US) and F-34(in Europe);Now the universally required jet fuel used by the worlds military forces.It is a blended kerosene that has an antioxidant,metals deactivator and static electricity dissipater additives blended into it.

 

GENERAL AVIATION NEWS,AVIATION SPORTS.

Wanaka Airshow Australia.

Visitors to next years Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow will be able to take home a helicopter, light plane or even a boat along with the usual souvenirs, thanks to anew initiative by the shows organisers.

With the global recession putting pressure on aircraft owners,many more were being put up for sale here and overseas, according to airshow Manager ,Mandy Deans. A special aviation sales lot will be set up at the 2010 international airshow andd Ms Deans said there were already helicopters and light planes being put forward for inclussion before the plan had even be advertised. If you will be in attendance at this airshow you will an opportunity for helicopter flight, scenic flight and aerial survey & photography flights.

It is the second new  initiative  from  the Warbirds  Over Wanaka Community Trust for the Easter Holiday event, which has in the past attracted around 100000 visitors.  Afood andd wine expo, showcasing local produce , will also be held as part of the airshow and Ms Deans said this idea was also  attracting considerable interest.

The show begins on April,2 ,2010 with aircraft practice day. The main airshow will be held on April,3 and 4 . Tickets sales continued  to be strong.

With news one is able to know which events are happening and plans on if to attend or participate especially the airshow aviation sports where aircrafts of different types will be on display and you can choose to order one.The Air News updates both the manufactures on the new trends and new products in the market and their addvantage over the ones in use. 

About the Author

Anthony A Juma Editor/Manager at Wings Over Africa Aviation Limitedd for aviation news worldwide,airline news,business news,aviation sport ,cheap flights to east africa,scenic flights east africa,helicopter flights kenya,tanzania & uganda,Private executive jet flights and for more information visit www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com or email editor@wingsoverafrica-aviation.com ,info@wingsoverafrica-aviation.com

Coca Cola, Japan, WorldCup2002

Tags: coca colas, coke

The Non-news

It is a damn good thing for the press that I am an ardent supporter of a free press. If I were not, being as incensed and livid at what passes for a "press" in this country as I am right now, I would probably be calling for their regulation to ensure that they actually cover things that are really news in their so called newscasts. As many of you know, although many of you may not care, Sunday is the NFL Championship. This event is either referred to as the Super Bowl (if you do not fear that the NFL will sue you for daring to use the name) or "The Big Game" (if you do fear that the NFL will sue you for daring to use the name). The contest will pit the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals and is the focus of a great deal of coverage here in my home city of Pittsburgh.

There does however get to be a point where the "news coverage" of the Super Bowl (yes, it is true, I do not fear the NFL), the teams, the players and the events surrounding it become a little absurd and no longer borders on newsworthy. At that point, when coverage of the event trumps legitimate news, is where I get upset with the media and the press. I can understand ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPN4 and FOX Sports covering every little thing related to the Super Bowl, including what color cars the fans are driving, in an attempt to fill a twenty-four hour broadcast day because that is what those stations do. Those stations cover sports and they do it wall to wall. I can even understand legitimate coverage of the event during the five or ten minute segment normally dedicated to sports during the local news. This week we have, I believe, officially reached the tipping point with our local Pittsburgh news.

Why? Remember the Mean Joe Green Coke ad from 1979? You know the one where the kid gives Mean Joe a Coke as he is hobbling off the field and he then reciprocates by tossing the kid his jersey as a souvenir? Well, the ad is back, but this time with Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and the Pittsburgh media was all over it like flies on poop, white on rice, Bill Clinton on an intern, Gov. Blagoyovich on a Senate appointment, Teddy Kennedy on a bottle of Chivas Regal, Barack Obama on tax hikes for the rich and Rep. Murtha on our troops for being murderers all in one fail swoop.

The hype over a mere ad from Coca-Cola was used on Monday and Tuesday to get viewers to tune in as promos for the discussion of it were run prior to the local newscasts to persuade people to tune in. They were also run during the broadcasts to make sure you remembered why you tuned in to the local news in the first place even though the coverage was buried way behind the lead story that would not have sold as much soap and therefore was not enough of a reason to tune in I guess. By Tuesday morning, after hearing once again more promos touting the new Coke ad with Troy Polamalu and the sneak peak that the news and Coca-Cola was graciously giving us, I had had enough of the mindless pandering and Coliseum like mentality that was being used to distract from real issues that needed coverage. All I needed at that point was a window out of which to yell, "I’m mad as Hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!"

Luckily for my neighbors I was not near a window.

I like sports. I love the Steelers. I even think that Troy Polamalu seems like a swell enough guy. Even though Dan Rooney is a loon who has fallen in love with the Messiah, Barack Obama, now resting at the right hand of God, I am not holding that against the team. But a new Coke ad is not news, much less news that warrants two full days of coverage even in Pittsburgh. It does not even come close to being classified as such.

Ok, perhaps I might be willing to concede that it is "news" the day after Barack Obama leads us all to the promised land and our every want and need is fulfilled and the rivers each run freely with three kinds of chocolate, when gumdrops grow from the trees and when those lovable, free-range marshmallow peeps live a life free of fear from hungry little children with ravenous sweet teeth craving their soft, puffy innards. Maybe, on that day, after all other problems have been solved, it might be news. Maybe, that is, if we can hope that someone will not claim to be a victim of discrimination because the gumdrop trees are not producing enough of their favorite flavor. But that is ok! Because President Obama will magically make the correct flavor appear in quantities sufficient enough to satisfy the discontented with a wave of his hand. You know he will. And even if he does not, his followers will still give him credit for doing it.

But since that day has not happened, a full day plus of "coverage" of this "news" is a bit much. Especially considering that it is a commercial. Are there not more serious things that we should be covering other than giving Coca-Cola some free publicity when they could just buy air time to hype their own commercial? And yes, I know that I am also giving them publicity too by discussing this. But unlike the mindless newscasts I actually have a point in about it whereas they are just looking to pander to swooning Steelers fans and fill up space because hard news would be too hard to cover.

What would happen if, say, that sixty second segment discussing the oh so important implications of the new Coke ad were replaced by a serious discussion of all the unconstitutional pork in the so called "stimulus" bill currently being fawned over by politicians in Washington looking to buy votes? It is just a thought you know.

What we have here is a prime example of a phenomena I have talked about before and where, much like in the Roman Empire, the populace was distracted with lavish displays of competition that were made the focal point of everyday life. They would fill the Coliseum with subjects to watch sport and distract them from caring about politics. Today, more people in Pittsburgh could tell you that Troy Polamalu is the star of a new Coke ad and could name the starting defensive line-up of the Steelers defense than they could tell you who Gov. Blagojevich is much less that he is just the latest in a long line of corrupt Illinois Governors. They could name Ben Roethlisberger’s stats more quickly than who President Obama’s Treasury Secretary is and that he has not been able to figure out the tax code himself but will be in charge of making sure you do. They could tell you that James Harrison won defensive player of the year honors but not know that one of President Obama’s most pressing matters, that just needed to be solved upon entering office, was to make sure that the U.S. taxpayer funds the murder of unborn children in every country around the world. They could certainly tell you that Ken Whisenhunt is a former Steelers coach now leading the Cardinals but probably not that politicians in Washington are feverishly trying to find a way to get ACORN millions of taxpayer dollars as political payback for their activities in the past election. And they could even give you their learned prediction on the final score more readily than discuss the hypocrisy of how Democrats who constantly referred to President Bush as a failure at everything he did for eight years are now complaining that Rush Limbaugh dared to say that he hopes Obama fails at implementing the biggest socialist agenda in American history.

So get your seat in the Coliseum and mindlessly watch the sport if you want and turn on the nightly non-news. Meanwhile those of us with a clue will be out here trying to put out the fires that are slowly destroying this nation from within.

About the Author

J.J. Jackson is the owner of American Conservative Daily Blog. He is also the lead designer for The Right Things - Conservative Political T-shirts and his weekly articles and exclusive content can be found at Liberty Reborn.

Coca-Cola Invisible Bottle TVC

Tags: bottle, coke

Why are Logos Important?

That’s a question that big companies pay millions and millions of dollars to advertising companies to help bolster their branding so that consumers like you and me will remember who they are and to buy their products.  Logo’s are like good slogans or good jingles.  Everybody tends to remember them if you got a good one.  I’m sure if you ask every guy what the theme song to ESPN is, most guys would know how it went.  That’s how effective a good jingle is on the minds of consumers.  The use of slogans are important as well, I recently played a game where it listed 10 slogans and it was amazing how most people recognized them because of how effective their advertising works.

Logo’s may be just as recognizable as say a slogan or a jingle but they also provide a great way to make your company recognizable.  The logos can be shapes of objects or just the words of the company.  Some prominent examples of logos using just words are, Microsoft, Coke, IBM and 3M.  Some great examples of companies using shapes can be Apple, AT&T, McDonalds, and Nike.  Nike is probably most recognized of the bunch since so much advertising is done using the Nike “swoosh”.  It has become implanted into not only sports fans, but anybody who buys a shoe.

Therefore it is important to find a logo that is simple and easier to recognize.  What can be more simply than just the name of the company.  It is easily recognizable since the logo is the name of the company.  Some companies do a mixture of the two and can be just as effective.  Pair this up with a great slogan and it all adds up to a company that has great brand recognition and is easily remembered.  Brand recognition is important when you’re trying to make a buck.  Therefore logo design is as critical as any part of your business.

About the Author

Coca-Cola Logo Drawing

Tags: coke, coke logo vector

Grandma Hystad Recipes©, Bar Mixes, Food Information

CONTENTS

ASTA RECIPES

CRUSTY CHICKEN BITES

STRAUBERRY, RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE

VEGETABLE FRIED RICE

LIGHTSIDE

FIESTA BURGERS

VEGAN MIXED BERRY MUFFINS

FOOD INFORMATION

FOOD THERMOMETERS

CHINA WARNING

E-COLI OUTBREAK IN ONTARION

CRIME WEBSITE

BEVERAGES, BAR MIXES

   PASTA RECIPE

4 cups (1 L) cherry tomatoes, halved 

12 cloves garlic, halved 

1/4 cup (50 ML) extra-virgin olive oil 

1 tsp (5 ML) dried basil 

1/2 tsp (2 ML) salt 

1/4 tsp (1 ML) each hot pepper flakes and pepper 

1 lb (500 g) bucatini 

1/4 cup (50 ML) chopped fresh parsley 

1/2 cup (125 ML) shaved Parmesan cheese

In 13- x 9-inch (3.5 L) metal cake pan, toss together tomatoes, garlic, oil, basil, salt, hot pepper flakes and pepper; roast in 400°F (200°C) oven until tomatoes are shrivelled and garlic is tender, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until tender but firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Add tomato mixture and parsley, tossing to coat. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan.

CITRUSY CHICKEN BITES

1 tsp (5 ML) grated lime rind 

2 tbsp (25 ML) grated orange rind 

1 tbsp (15 ML) orange juice 

2 tsp (10 ML) packed brown sugar 

1 tsp (5 ML) each paprika and chilli powder 

Pinch salt 

1 lb (500 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts

In bowl, whisk together lime rind and juice, orange rind and juice, sugar, paprika, chilli powder and salt.

Cut chicken into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes; add to bowl and toss to coat. Place on foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for about 5 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

Preparation time: 30-35 minutes, cooking time 5 minutes

STRAUBERRY, RASPBERRY, SMOOTHIE

1 cup (250 ML) raspberries 

1/2 cup (125 ML) cranberries 

1/2 cup (125 ML) strawberries 

1 cup (250 ML) orange juice 

1 cup (250 ML) yogurt 

1 tsp (5 ML) honey 

ice cubes

Wash the fruit. Place all the ingredients in a blender. Mix well for a runny puree. Serve chilled in a tall glass.

SQUASH APPLE CASSEROLE

This dish is high in vitamin A, a good source of vitamin C, cholesterol free, and almost sodium-free.

2 1/2 cups fresh winter squash, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 1/2 cups cooking apples, pared and cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 tea spoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Alternate layers of squash and apples in an 8"x 8" pan, ending with apples on top layer. Sprinkle spices over top layer. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake in 350 degree F oven for approximately 45-60 minutes until squash is tender. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes to remove any excess liquid that might have accumulated. Cool slightly before serving.

Serves 4.

Vegetable Fried Rice

1/2 cup celery, sliced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup peas
1/4 cup carrots, chopped
1/4 cup corn, broccoli, peppers or mushrooms, chopped (optional)
2 cups boiled rice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire or soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Dash of pepper

Heat oil. Add celery, onion, and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add peas and carrots, and any optional ingredients. Stir-fry again, turning pieces all the time until they are tender, about 4 minutes. Add rice, Worcestershire or soy sauce and pepper. Stir-fry about 2 minutes.

LIGHTSIDE

Can you rearrange ELECTION RESULTS?

I get lies, lets recount.

My wife got a bill from the computer service man the other day.

She asked the service man to let her know what the problem was so she could let her husband know.  He replied “An ID ten T error”. So I wouldn’t forget I wrote it down. ID10T.

Fiesta Burgers

1 ½ pounds ground beef
¼ cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely chopped
3 tablespoons salsa
2 teaspoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
4 sesame seed hamburger buns
leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes

Preparation Directions

Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before handling the meat.

In a bowl, mix ground beef with onion, red pepper, picante sauce or salsa, mustard, horseradish (if desired), salt and pepper.

Form into four burgers, about ¾ inch thick.

Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds after handling the meat.

Using utensils, place burgers on grill that has reached medium-high heat.

Check each burger with a food thermometer after approximately 10-15 minutes. Turn burgers as needed. A hamburger is done when it reaches 160 °F.

Clean the thermometer between uses with hot, soapy water.

Place burgers on buns and top with condiments and garnishes of choice.

After checking the final temperature, remember to clean the food thermometer with hot, soapy water.

SERVES 4

VEGAN MIXED BERRY MUFFINS

Flour, white, 1.75 cup
Raw sugar, 4 tsp
Baking Powder, 2 tsp
So Good 'Trim’ Soymilk, 1.25 cup
Egg Replacer, 1 serving
Applesauce, unsweetened, 25 grams
Strawberries, frozen, unsweetened, 0.125 cup,
Blueberries, frozen (unsweetened), 0.125 cup,
Blackberries, frozen (unsweetened), 0.125 cup,
Raspberries, 0.125 cup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with non-fat cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
In a smaller bowl- combine applesauce and soymilk.

Chop the frozen berries into a manageable size.  Add wet ingredients to the dry, and stir to combine, adding berries as you mix. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop into prepared muffin tin (they should be about 2/3 full), bake for 20-25 minutes (when a toothpick inserted comes out clean). Cool in tin for 5 minutes, then turn out to cooling rack.
serve warm.

Number of Servings: 12

FOOD INFORMATION

Many people assume that if a hamburger is brown in the middle, it is done. However, looking at the color and texture of food is not enough—you have to use a food thermometer to be sure! According to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown before it reaches a safe internal temperature. The only safe way to know if meat, poultry, and egg dishes are "done" is to use a food thermometer. When a hamburger is cooked to 160 °F, it is both safe and delicious!

MADE, PRODUCED IN CHINA GET WARNING

Public confidence in the Made in China label has been rocked in recent years by a series of product safety scandals.

Most recently, tainted milk claimed the lives of four children in China and sickened tens of thousands, and triggered import bans of Chinese-made dairy products across the globe.

The United Nations released a report Wednesday urging China to set up a single regulatory agency to monitor the safety of food products from the farm to the table.

The report says China's oversight of food products is split between numerous agencies and their tasks complicated by numerous laws and regulations.  

WHO food Safety Chief Jorgen Schlundt says the cumbersome system resulted in a slow response when the tainted milk scandal emerged in September.

Chinese milk producers added the industrial chemical melamine in their products to make them appear richer in protein. Melamine can cause kidney stones, and even life-threatening kidney failure in some cases.

On October 20, 2008, Confirmed cases of E.coli were linked to a Harvey’s Restaurant in North Bay Ontario. 

More confirmed cases rose to 35-health officials claim. Health officials also said they know of a total of confirmed case of E coli 0157:H7 in the outbreak, involving eight health units in Ontario.

The out break was likely caused by human error rather then undercooked hamburger meat, a professor of food sciences, University of Manitoba, who has worked for Agriculture Canada.

NEW WEBSITE FIGHTING CRIME

The B.C. Crime Prevention Association has just launch a new website. Originally set up to support law enforcement, now available to everyone.

 Information on cyber bulling, resource guides, blogs,     printed materials including copyright law, staking, fraud awareness, I.D.theft, senior safety, and crime-proofing property.  Check out:  www.bccpa.org/library

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

If you have teenagers, or in fact any adult, impress on them the risks of driving while intoxicated. Statistics demonstrate drunk drivers cause many fatal road accidents.

It should be known that like any other drug, addiction is a potential hazard.  Excess of alcohol will affect organs such as the brain, heart, and liver.

BEVERAGES, BAR MIXES

EGGNOG

4 eggs, 4 cups milk, 4 tablespoons lemon juice ½ cup cream. 

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup sugar.

Beat eggs until thick and lemon colour

Add sugar, nutmeg, and lemon juice

Add ice-cold milk and cream

Beat with rotary beater until frothy

Makes: 6 large glasses.

GRAPE JUICE

10 pounds grapes

2 cups water

3 pounds sugar

Add sugar and stir until dissolved.

Bring juice to boiling point

Pour in bottles and seal

Makes: 4 quarts of juice.

BAR MIXES

Monte Carlo

1 jigger rye

½ jigger Benedictine

2 dashes bitters

Shake with cracked ice and strain.

Rum and Coca-Cola

1 ½ jiggers Puerto Rican White Label Rum

Juice of one small lime

Cola drink

In tall glass, 3 ice cubes and fill with cola. Stir.

About the Author

Article Source: Bruce Chambers sold his printing, publishing, mail order business and retired in 1980. He came on the Internet in 2003. He researched for 1 year, and then started a free monthly Internet marketing report, plus free monthly recipes, bar mixes, tips newsletters. At present he resells from his website.

You can subscribe to either or both free newsletters by going to his web site. Please visit: http://www.cbestbuys.com

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