Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Book Nook - The Adventures of Ty

 Receiving reviews from readers that many new authors would give their eye teeth for, The Adventures of Ty is an impressive launch pad to this determined young author’s newly launched literary career.

Bursting with fantastical worlds, heroes, villains and an intriguing mix of inhabitants (including humans, half human, half animal hybrids, elves, dragons, stand-up birds that that can talk and more), it is the author’s well-constructed storyline that propels this genre mixing adventure into the literary limelight.

With words like ‘amazing’ coming thick and fast in Amazon reviews, The Adventures of Ty is a standout read,

with a legion of readers already eager andwaiting to see what C T A Richards delivers next.

 

Synopsis:

The Adventures of Ty takes place on a world called Eden! Where dragons, demons and many kinds of monsters live. Like most fantasy worlds there are a few races that live in this world. Humans, Sanwain (Super strong warriors that live in the deserts of the world) Elves, Dwarves, Beastkin (Half human half animal hybrids) Zumoks (Highly intelligent birds that can talk and stand up like humans) and Fairies that live deep in forests and are known as guardians of mana. 

 

Eden, is known as the light realm and is full of magical power and resources. The forces of Darkness mainly made up of strange creatures and demons are always trying to take the light realm for themselves. To do this they need to revive their King, Lucifer, lord of Darkness. On Eden when the forces of darkness invade a hero of light is chosen to repeal their forces and keep the light realm safe. This has been going on since the beginning of time where the first hero of light who belonged to the ancient beings known as Angels, that are no longer found on Eden. 

 

Xilef, what's to bring his master King Lucifer, back to life. After tracking down the current hero of light called Ty, to a small place called Greensvile, he finds that Ty, has a darkness inside him that transforms him into a powerful demon called Taneebris. Seeing the power of darkness for himself Xilef, decides he wants to revive the powerful demon known as the Granuk and use its power take over Eden for himself

 

Ty is thrown into the deep end as the new Hero of Light. It would be an honour but, the darkness inside him stops him from being able to use the power of light to its full extent. Ty must travel around Eden, stopping Xilef's evil plans. While Ty, can't use the power of light, he does have excellent leadership skills and an amazing team of friends on his side to do it. 

 

The author says:

“The angle I came from when writing the book, was trying to get people who love animé to read one as they have their eyes glued to screens most of the time. However, anyone can enjoy it if they are into fantasy. I also designed the cover myself.”


 

Published by Olympia Publishers, The Adventures of Ty is available on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/445st87a and https://tinyurl.com/3z5dw5cz

It is also available at Waterstones / WH Smith and the publishers website

See author interview at https://youtu.be/hDljVjQXfA4?si=W-ccwAbzw_DeyB_i

 

About the author:

C T A Richards was born in the year nineteen-ninety in Bristol, England where he was brought up solely by his mother with the help of his grandparents. At three years of age, Chris’ life took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, which has continued to have a significant impact throughout his life.

Due to his illness, this affected him throughout his school life which ultimately stopped him getting the same education as the rest of his classmates. This did not stop Chris from pursuing his dream of becoming an author. “Our greatest weakness lies within giving up!”

Fun Freetime - 2023's Best Cities for Golfers

 

Which U.S. cities are like a second home to the avid golfer?

To mark National Golf Lover’s Day on Oct. 4, LawnStarter ranked 2023's Best Cities for Golfers.

We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on 6 categories. More specifically, we factored in public and premium course access, course quality, golfer groups, and climate, among 25 metrics.

See the 10 birdies and 10 bogeys of golf cities below, followed by key stats from our report.
 Best Cities for Golfers
RankCity
1Scottsdale, AZ
2Orlando, FL
3Las Vegas, NV
4Cincinnati, OH
5Savannah, GA
6
7
8
9
10
Tucson, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Birmingham, AL
San Francisco, CA
San Antonio, TX
Worst Cities for Golfers
RankCity
1Pasadena, TX
2Paterson, NJ
3Bridgeport, CT
4Warren, MI
5Miramar, FL
6
7
8
9
10
Santa Clarita, CA
Anchorage, AK
Garden Grove, CA
Orange, CA
Lancaster, CA

Key Insights:

  • Scottsdale Is King: For the second year in a row, the low round of the day goes to Scottsdale, Arizona, which ranked top 5 in 5 of 6 categories. Scottsdale blew away the competition, scoring a hole-in-one in Public Course AccessPremium Course AccessTraining Access, and Course Quality. It also ranked No. 2 in Community

  • The Perfect Storm: Florida-based golfers might feel they missed the fairway with only 2 Florida citiesOrlando and Tampa, appearing in our top 25. That’s a bit of an eyebrow raiser for those familiar with Florida’s reputation as the “golf capital of the world,” thanks to legend Arnold Palmer. Florida cities were dinged for their Climate scores.

  • The Home of Golf: At No. 2 overall, Orlando, Florida, was the only city apart from Scottsdale, Arizona, with a top-3 ranking in at least 2 categories (No. 2 in both Premium Course Access and Training Access). Orlando also ranked top 10 in Public Course Access (No. 6) and Course Quality (No. 8). Orlando really is one of the most magical places on Earth — for golfers.

  • Golden Statement: California and Arizona each have 5 cities in the top 25, making them the most golf-friendly states on our list. California golfers will feel they won the match, however, with a total of 9 cities in our top 50 compared with Arizona’s 6.

  • Biggest Movers: St. Louis was the top-25 city that jumped highest since 2022. The Gateway to Golf shot 57 spots up the leaderboard from No. 68 to No. 11 thanks to a new metric, amateur golf contests (No. 9). Sacramento was the biggest overall mover, climbing 125 spots — from No. 157 to No. 32 — after scoring an ace in Community.

  • Putting Golf at a Premium: The best cities on our list make top-tier golf a priority. Every city in the top 10 ranks 34th or better in Premium Course Access, with 8 ranking 15th or better. They also score highly on Course Quality, with only 3 ranked lower than 26th and 5 ranked in the top 10.
     

Helpful Links:


We can do more than just tell you where to find the best greens in town. On National Golf Lover's Day, park the riding lawn mower, hire a local LawnStarter pro, and go hit the links.
 
More from LawnStarter: 

Enriching Education - Wreaths Across America: Hispanic Heritage Month

 In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week to honor and celebrate the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month, from September 15 through October 15. Wreaths Across America’s (WAA) “Teach” program Curriculum Developer Cindy Tatum is excited to share new, free-to-download educator lesson plans for grades K-12 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

 

This curriculum is designed to teach the next generation about the value of their freedom. Retired educator and Gold Star Mother Cindy Tatum encourages you to “Celebre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana” (Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month) by sharing these free lesson plans with the teachers, homeschoolers, and young people in your life!

“Being a part of helping Wreaths Across America teach younger generations about the value of freedom and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms is something I know I am supposed to be doing, and I know my son Daniel would want me to do,” said Tatum, a Gold Star Mother who lost her son on Christmas Eve while serving in the U.S.M.C. “I want America’s youth to learn that as citizens of this world, there are things they can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, free, and that they can do every day.”

Since the introduction of the WAA “Teach” program, it has become wildly popular with professional educators and homeschoolers, resulting in thousands of downloads of these lesson plans, which are consistently updated to celebrate and embrace American holidays and other important events.

The lesson plans for the “Teach” program consist of stories of courage focusing on character development and service projects for young people of all ages. This program is FREE to download from www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach.

This service-based curriculum is designed to share educational materials from philanthropic and patriotic organizations like The United States of America Vietnam War CommemorationRandom Acts of Kindness FoundationThe Congressional Media of Honor Society, and IKEducation at the Eisenhower Foundation.

To learn more got to https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Home/News/1016 

or to download WAA’s TEACH materials for FREE here www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/teach.

This curriculum is also available to all educators and homeschoolers on the website Teachers Pay Teachers.

“As a volunteer, founding family member, and mother of six kids and grandmother to nine, whose lives have been greatly impacted by the opportunity to meet so many in the military community, I know that the teaching aspect of our mission is the most important,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America. “Finally, this long-standing desire to develop a more robust education program took a giant step forward with the launch of this expanded program. I am thrilled that so many educators are already seeing value in the materials and hope that more will be able to utilize these important lesson plans in their classrooms.”

National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 16, 2023. For more information on volunteering locally or sponsoring a wreath for an American hero, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

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About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington and thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Caring Causes - SA Gaming

  Several Salvation Army service centers have introduced a groundbreaking program, "SA Gaming," aimed at bringing together children, parents, and community members in a safe and welcoming environment, following the challenges posed by the global pandemic. SA Gaming is set to revolutionize the way families engage with Salvation Army service centers while fostering a sense of camaraderie, fun, and connection through the medium of video games.

 

Because the pandemic has dramatically altered the dynamics of how families interacted and connected with their communities, safety concerns have limited social interactions and gatherings. The Salvation Army recognized the need to adapt and evolve its services to cater to the changing needs of its constituents. Enter "SA Gaming"—a program that not only revitalizes the spirit of togetherness but also aligns with The Salvation Army's commitment to serving and empowering the community.

 

SA Gaming is designed to combine the allure of video gaming with the warm embrace of community engagement, and aims to draw families back into the service centers, rekindling connections that may have been strained during the pandemic. The Lakewood Salvation Army service center was one of the first to jump on board the new program.

 

"We understand that the pandemic has left a void in how families connect and engage with their community," said Lieutenant Adam Hines, who co-manages the service center with his wife Amanda. "SA Gaming is not just about playing video games; it's about creating a safe space where families can come together, bond, and create lasting memories. We believe we can help bridge the gap that the pandemic may have caused."

 

In addition to food and drinks, the SA Gaming program will feature state-of-the-art gaming consoles, a diverse range of family-friendly video games, and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers trained to ensure a positive and inclusive gaming experience for everyone. The program, which meets twice a month and requires pre-registration, has proven to be so successful that Hines has requested more consoles and screens.

 

The Salvation Army service center locations on Central and Lyndale Avenues in Minneapolis and Noble Parkway in Brooklyn Park have also launched SA Gaming programs, and are seeing similar outcomes. For more information on the full range of social service programs offered by The Salvation Army, please visit SalvationArmyNorth.org.

 

 

 

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The Salvation Army Northern Division last year helped 300,000 people overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardship through a range of social services, meeting human needs without discrimination. This year, new struggles caused by food shortages, inflation, increased energy costs and the threat of eviction have elevated the numbers of those seeking assistance.

 

By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army Northern Division is #DoingTheMostGood at 77 operation centers in Minnesota and North Dakota. For more information about The Salvation Army Northern Division, please visit SalvationArmyNorth.org.

Caring Causes - Baribault Jewelers

 Baribault Jewelers is reminding breast cancer fighters, survivors, and supporters to “B Strong” in their battle with the disease that affects 326.7 million people in the United States.  Specifically, the third generation, family-owned jewelry company is hosting a monthlong campaign in its Glastonbury store and online that benefits both the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative (CTBHI) and Breast Friends Fund (BFF), two local charities in which every dollar raised directly assists people diagnosed with the disease. 

“Nearly every person in America has been affected on a personal level by breast cancer,” said Christina Baribault-Ortiz, co-owner of Baribault Jewelers.  “This cause is very near and dear to our heart, this is the ideal time to up the ante and raise as much money as possible to hopefully and finally find a cure!”


Baribault-Ortiz explains that the company will host two Think Pink Fundraising Nights in October during which 20% of the proceeds will be donated to local breast cancer charities.  The first on Thursday, October 19th from 5 to 7 p.m. will benefit the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative and inventory sold on Thursday, October 26th from 5 to 7 p.m. will benefit Breast Friends Fund.  Additionally, the company is offering an exclusive “B Strong” bracelet in its popular  The Power to B.com collection in which 20% of proceeds raised throughout the entire month of October will support the Breast Friends Fund.

“As a family which has been in business for 75 years, we always heed the call of customers, friends and neighbors in need,” adds Raeann Baribault-Schwartz, co-owner of Baribault Jewelers.  “We are happy and grateful to use the power of this line to shine a spotlight on the urgency to find treatments and a cure for breast cancer.”

Baribault-Schwartz explains that it was BFF’s Founder Sandy Cassanelli, a metastatic-or stage 4 breast cancer survivor for the past eight years, who was the inspiration for the jeweler to create the “B Strong” bracelet. 

“We stand by and support Sandy’s commitment to find a cure for metastatic breast cancer and wholeheartedly admire her constant, positive spirit and unwavering determination to raise awareness for this particular type of breast cancer,” said Baribault-Ortiz.

The Power to B bracelets encourage its wearers to B Strong, B Fierce, B Badass, B Limitless, B Fearless, B Grateful, Be Blessed, B Brave, B Present, B Kind and B You by linking the cursive phrases with a black cord or chain.  The bracelets, which retail at an affordable $88 are available at Baribault Jewelers’ store located at 81 Rankin Road in Glastonbury, online at The Power to B website and at Water Street Jewelers in Guilford and Madison, CT.

For more information, visit www.baribaultjewelers.com or www.thepowertob.com.

About Baribault Jewelers

Since 1948, Baribault Jewelers has been guided by its core values of authenticity, integrity, service, gratitude, courage, trust and respect in providing sterling service to its local, statewide and national clientele.  While styles come and go, the mission of the family business has always been to help its valued customers create beautiful memories with the people they love.  Visit www.baribaultjewelers.com.

About the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative

The Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc. is a statewide non-profit organization making a significant impact in the quest to find a cure for breast cancer by providing grants to support education and research in Connecticut.  Founded in 2004, the group’s underlying goal is to find answers with 100% of the money raised remaining in Connecticut.  To date, CT BHI has awarded $4.3 million in 107 grants to fund important breast cancer research and education projects in Connecticut. Each year, it strives to surpass this milestone with the help of its supporters, sponsors, and fundraising efforts.

About Breast Friends Fund

Sandy Cassarelli, a metastatic breast cancer survivor, created Breast Friends Fund (BFF) in 2016 as a fundraising initiative for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a goal of finding a cure for the Stage 4 disease.  All donated funds are earmarked "restricted" for Dr. Eric Winer, an internationally renowned metastatic breast cancer researcher, who is currently serving as Director of Yale Cancer Center and Physician-in-Chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.  Year to date BFF has raised over to $1,000,000 and growing each day.  To ensure that a cure is found, BFF is volunteer-run, and operating costs are personally funded by Craig & Sandy Cassanelli. Sandy and her family feel a sense of urgency when it comes to supporting Dr. Winer and his team in their effort to find treatments and a cure for breast cancer for the future of our daughters, sisters, nieces, mothers, aunts, and friends.  Visit www.breastfriendsfund.org for more information.

Healthy Habits - Inner Thigh Fat

 

  • Achieving slimmer inner thighs requires a holistic approach involving diet, exercise, and debunking common myths about spot reduction.

  • Sustainable dietary changes, low-intensity cardio, and targeted resistance exercises are the keys to successful inner thigh fat reduction.

  • Choosing the right exercises and adopting long-term habits are essential for attaining and maintaining slimmer inner thighs.


Different individuals have unique body types with specific "problem areas" where losing fat can be particularly challenging. For many people, particularly women, the inner thighs are one such stubborn region. Despite investing in exercise programs promising thigh-targeted results and diligently following them, you might not see the desired results, and following them can sometimes result in your thighs actually getting bigger.


Rachael Attard, a certified personal and group trainer and nutritionist, and the founder of rachaelattard.com, reveals the most effective ways to help you slim down your inner thighs and achieve the results you've been striving for.



What Causes Inner Thigh Fat?


The accumulation of fat in specific areas of the body is influenced by several factors: 


1. Calorie Imbalance: When you consume more calories than your body uses through daily activities and exercise, the surplus calories are stored as fat. This fat storage is not under your direct control, and where it accumulates depends on your gender, genetics, and body type.


2. Gender Differences: Women typically have a higher percentage of body fat than men. Evolutionarily, higher body fat in women has been advantageous for ensuring survival of the species during times of food shortage.


3. Genetics and Body Type: Your genetic makeup and body type also influence where your body tends to store excess fat. For many women, the inner thighs and lower belly are the primary areas for excess fat storage, so these can be particularly stubborn areas when it comes to fat loss.



Why Is Inner Thigh Fat So Hard To Lose?


As previously mentioned, women tend to store more fat in the lower parts of their body, such as hips, glutes, and thighs. These areas are among the first to accumulate any excess fat, and they can be particularly resistant to fat loss.


Unfortunately, there are numerous misconceptions surrounding weight loss, and one of the most persistent ones is the concept of spot reduction. It's crucial to understand that we cannot selectively choose which areas of our body lose fat. Just as we have no control over where our bodies store excess fat, we cannot pinpoint specific spots for fat loss. 


Be wary of anyone who claims that a set of thigh-targeting exercises alone will magically slim down your thighs. Such promises often oversimplify the complexities of fat loss and may lead to disappointment and frustration.



How To Lose Inner Thigh Fat?


Just because there is no one or two exercises that will magically reduce your inner thigh fat doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do if you want to slim down your thighs. A combination of the following two tips is the best and fastest way to achieve your goal:



1. Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet


Having a well-balanced diet should be the foundation of any fitness goal you put in front of yourself. In this case, you should incorporate all the macronutrients in your diet (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) while making sure you are in a caloric deficit. 


I recommend eating 250-500 calories less than what you need to maintain your weight (you can calculate this number for yourself by using any calorie calculator).


Moreover, switching to a low-carb diet will ensure quick results, as it can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce overall calorie intake, which is beneficial for fat loss. When you eat a low-carb diet, you are reducing the primary source of energy in your body. In the absence of carbohydrates, your body will start to burn more fat and protein for energy. This means that your body will rely on stored fat for energy, which will result in significant fat loss.


Remember that sustainable, long-term dietary changes tend to be more effective for achieving and maintaining your fitness goals than seeking quick fixes. These lasting changes not only contribute to gradual and steady fat loss but also help you develop healthier eating habits that can support your overall well-being and weight management in the long run.



2. Avoid Exercises That Can Make Your Thigh Muscles Bigger


The most popular resistance training exercises like squats and lunges work very well if your goal is to tone and strengthen your thigh muscles. However, these exercises will only make your inner thigh muscle bigger, but they won’t get rid of the fat, which will result in your thighs getting bigger. 


Again, if that is your goal, exercises like squats, lunges, weighted leg machines, and CrossFit are perfect for you, but if your goal is to slim down your legs and thighs, you should avoid them. 


Similarly, cardio exercises like cycling, elliptical, and stair or uphill running build muscle, which will make your legs bigger rather than slimmer.



Best Exercises To Lose Inner Thigh Fat


The best combination of exercises for inner thigh fat is effective cardio and the right type of resistance exercises.



1. Low-intensity Cardio


In my experience, the best type of cardio for achieving slimmer inner thighs is often the most overlooked—walking. Walking is a highly effective exercise for reducing excess fat in general, including inner thigh fat. 


Unlike running, cycling, or dancing, walking provides a low-impact workout that is gentler on your joints while still helping you burn calories and fat. It's a sustainable choice that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine, but you will need to do a lot of it. The goal is to get to at least 10,000 steps every day.


It may sound like a lot, but it doesn’t need to be done all at once. My advice would be to start your day with 5km and then try to do as much walking throughout the day as you can. 


Use little tricks like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking farther from your destination, or going for a short walk during your lunch break. These small changes can add up and help you reach your daily step goal, ultimately contributing to your inner thigh fat reduction.



2. The Right Type of Resistance Training


There are numerous benefits of resistance or strength training: it can tone up your body, help you lose weight faster, and it can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and arthritis. If, however, you want to focus your fitness goals on slimming down your legs, specifically thighs, you will need to focus on lower impact pilates style training. 


Here are some exercise suggestions:


Resistance Band Deadlifts


Begin by stepping on a resistance band with your feet hip-width apart. Hold the band's handles or grip the band itself, and while keeping your back straight and knees slightly bent, hinge at your hips and lower the band toward the ground. Stand up straight, squeezing your glutes at the top, to complete one repetition.


Single Leg Deadlifts 


Stand on one foot while holding a dumbbell in one hand (opposite to the standing leg). Keeping your back straight, hinge at your hips and lower the dumbbell toward the ground while extending your other leg behind you. Return to the starting position to complete one repetition.


Prone Leg Lifts


Lie face down on a mat with your legs extended. Lift one leg off the ground while keeping it straight, then lower it back down. Switch to the other leg to complete one repetition.


Frog Bridge


Lie on your back with your knees bent and the soles of your feet together, forming a diamond shape with your legs. Lift your hips off the ground as high as you can, squeezing your inner thighs and glutes at the top, then lower them down to complete one repetition.


Donkey Kicks to Fire Hydrants 


Begin on your hands and knees in a tabletop position. Lift one leg behind you, keeping it bent at a 90-degree angle, in a donkey kick motion. After a few reps, transition to a fire hydrant by lifting your bent leg out to the side. Alternate between these two motions to complete the set.


Three-Legged Dog Press 


Start in a plank position with your wrists under your shoulders. Lift one leg off the ground and press it upward toward the ceiling, keeping it straight. Lower it back down to complete one repetition.


45 Degree Leg Lifts


Lie on your side with your legs straight and your body at a 45-degree angle to the ground. Lift your top leg as high as you can while keeping it straight, then lower it back down to complete one repetition.



Attard concludes: “Achieving slimmer inner thighs involves a multifaceted approach. To reach your fitness goals, it's essential to focus on sustainable dietary changes that encompass a balanced diet with controlled calorie intake. Combine this with low-intensity cardio, particularly walking, which is often underestimated yet highly effective. Aim for at least 10,000 steps daily, and try to incorporate walking into your daily routine. 


By following these recommendations and doing the right resistance exercises, you can work toward your goal of slimmer inner thighs while fostering a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Remember, the journey to achieving and maintaining your desired results is about consistency, patience, and making choices that support your long-term well-being.”



Post courtesy of https://www.rachaelattard.com/