Kathryn Lively

The best of Atlanta is yours to explore, at a great price! As thoughts on vacations turn to worry with finances in flux, rest assured you can enjoy a day of fun in this classic southern city for fifty dollars. You can absorb the city’s history and experience global cultural phenomena which originated right here. A day in Atlanta provides not only a learning opportunity, but the chance to have some fun.

How can see Atlanta on $50 a day? Here is our suggested itinerary for exploring the cultural icons synonymous with Georgia’s state capital.

Early Morning – Visit the Gone With the Wind Museum.

After seventy years, the image of Scarlett and Rhett locked in a passionate embrace amid the chaos of the Civil War is still one of the most recognizable in cinema. Though the movie was not filmed on location, Atlanta nonetheless plays a significant role in the film’s conception. You’ll see original props and costumes from the sets, and personal memoirs from the film’s actors and the author of the book, Margaret Mitchell. A must for movie buffs. Price: $7; Total: $7

Lunch – The Varsity

“What’ll you have? What’ll you have?” asks the cashier. For over eighty years this Atlanta institution has served up hot dogs, burger, and the best onion rings in the South. No visit to the city is complete without lunch at The Varsity. Most combo meals, like two chili dogs with fries or rings and a soda ($6.99) go for seven dollars and under. Price: $6.99; Total: $13.99

Late Afternoon – Visit the World of Coca-Cola

Pop quiz: where was the most famous soft drink in the world invented? Atlanta! A century later, the city remains the headquarters of the Coca-Cola Company, and you can experience the history and flavor of this and other soda created by the beverage king at the World of Coca-Cola. This interactive museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and a great place to sample Coke and other exotic soft drinks for free. Price: $15; Total: $28.99

Dinner – Williamson Brothers BBQ

What’s a day in the South without a succulent barbecue dinner? Williamson Brothers is known for serving up the juiciest cuts of pork, chicken, and beef in their signature sauce. It’s a favorite among local celebrities, and it can get busy so be sure to budget your time in Atlanta well so you can enjoy dinner. A pork plate with two sides, iced tea, and a slice of homemade pecan pie for dessert will fill your stomach and keep you within your spending limit. Price: $20.97; Total: $49.96

For just fifty dollars, you can have a wonderful time in Atlanta, embrace the local culture and savor the taste of the South. A vacation here is more affordable than you think.

A quiet garden of azaleas, a lazy sunset over the Castillo de San Marcos, a leisurely stroll down the hidden alleyways of the historic district…the idea of a romantic weekend in St. Augustine evokes many desirable images. If work has you down and stressed, and you’re eager for a few days to recharge and renew an intimate relationship with your partner, a getaway to the nation’s oldest city just may be the cure. More affordable than other Florida destinations, St. Augustine provides couples with an endless itinerary of relaxing activities, perfect for celebrating a second honeymoon or anniversary, or simply to celebrate love and life.

What is the best way to enjoy St. Augustine? Here are a few ideas to make your weekend a romantic and memorable experience:

Stay in a Bed and Breakfast! The historic district offers blocks and blocks of B&B inns, each unique in style and amenities. Booking a weekend at a small inn gives you the cozy atmosphere of home and the added exuberance of Florida hospitality. Keep an eye out for couples’ packages and specials offered by the inns, and let your hosts act as concierge for your trip by recommending the best attractions and dining in the area.

Share a Bottle of Wine! Local San Sebastian Winery offers free tours of their facility, complete with a tasting of their latest vintages. Splurge on a few bottles – one for a cozy night at the inn, the other to take home – and take in some lively jazz music at their upstairs wine bar.

Enjoy a Spa Day! The resort area of Ponte Vedra is known for luxury accommodations and amenities. Take a day and be pampered with a full couples’ treatment of massages, facials, and pedicures.

Take a Carriage Ride! Hire a horse-drawn buggy to gently guide you down the historic streets of St. Augustine. A romantic ride makes a perfect prelude to dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants, like 95 Cordova or Columbia Restaurant.

Walk the Beach! The advantage to a weekend in Vilano Beach, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine Beach is that the crowds are lighter than one will find further south. This makes the sunsets more intimate and shores peaceful, so you can reconnect with your partner on a leisurely walk in the sand.

For a romantic escape, St. Augustine and the beaches of North Florida provide the luxury of a high-end resort without the high prices. Consider your next weekend away at the heart of this historic and sunny area.

So the work week has left you stressed and exhausted – it’s time for a breather! Perhaps you and your other half have contemplated going away for the weekend, but are put off by high costs and travel hassles. If you live in the South – or, pretty much anywhere in the country – an extended weekend in Atlanta may be the ticket to reviving romance and refreshing yourself before returning to the grind of the workaday world. Impossible? Expensive? Absolutely not!

The Romance of the South, the Luxury of the Big City

Moonlight and magnolias, delightful summer breezes, and lush foliage may come to mind when contemplating an intimate trip to Atlanta for a few days. The beauty of staying in Cobb County allows you to experience everything the city has to offer – upscale dining, fascinating historical interests, and Georgia’s natural beauty. Whether looking for a honeymoon destination or just a weekend of quality time with the one you love, here are few suggestions to make your Atlanta vacation a memorable, enjoyable time.

Enjoy a Spa Day! You’ll find a number of resorts in the area which offer extended menus of relaxation and rejuvenation treatments for men, women, and couples. Indulge in a couples massage, then be pampered with individual facials and manicures. We recommend Renew Day Spa and Wellness Center and Euro Spa Body Care, both of Marietta, and Bella Dia in Acworth.

Celebrate Romance in the Arts! Nothing typifies romance in the South more than the iconic image of Rhett and Scarlett locked in a passionate embrace. The Gone With the Wind Museum is a must-see for all cinema enthusiasts – you’ll see artifacts from original movies sets in addition to author Margaret Mitchell’s personal copies of her book.

Afterward, snuggle up at the Cobb Energy Centre and enjoy a performance by the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, or any of a number of shows presented by the Atlanta Broadway Series.

Soak Up the Sun! Who say you can’t enjoy the shore in Atlanta? Spend a day splashing around Sun Valley Beach in Powder Springs and you’ll think the coast has shifted a bit closer. A beautiful, woodsy area surrounds a nearly two-acre pool bordered by man-made beach. Relax on a lounge chair, or slip down the twisting waterslides for a day of fun.

Toast Many Happy Years to Come! For elegant, gourmet dining, Atlanta gives you – literally – the world on a platter. Try JOEL Restaurant for an eclectic French taste, Fusco’s via Roma for the best of Italy in Cobb County, or the nationally renowned Canoe with splendid views of the Chattahoochee River. Share a bottle of wine and toast the perfect weekend getaway.

For exploring the great outdoors or settling on the balcony to savor the warm spring and summer nights, Atlanta offers couples endless varieties for a romantic trip.

Take a look at your resume, is everything in place? You have the education, the requisite skills, and have detailed your job history and outlined the pertinent duties for your search. On the outset it appears you have a polished vitae guaranteed to wow any personnel director or recruiter, but take a closer look. Does it seem like something is missing from your list of accomplishments?

If you have not devoted any time to volunteer work in your community, you may wish to consider looking into what is available for you. While volunteer work doesn’t pay monetarily, the benefits you stand to receive may come to yield a steady paycheck.

You might ask, “Why should I devote time to volunteering somewhere when I need to find a job?” Think on this: it is not uncommon for a major company to offer manpower and other services to neighborhood non-profit organizations in order to foster a sense of community. The next time you attend a town festival or charity event, take note of the sponsors - local businesses dedicated not only to succeeding, but helping those around them thrive. Volunteering for a local shelter, service group, or church may put you in touch with valuable business contacts, which can lead to future employment.

It’s no secret, either, that HR and staffing directors look at volunteer work when screening candidates. Your efforts not only display a strong drive to do good, but it let employers know you have a generous nature and a willingness to foster positive relations in the community.

As you move forward with your job search, budget time to explore volunteer opportunities that match your skills. Volunteerism could mean a few hours a week answering phones or handling correspondence, light manual labor, or even assisting an organization with its website. The time you put in is as valuable to the community as it is to your future.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach jobs and Virginia Beach condos.

Go fly a kite! Seriously! In the Outer Banks, the saying isn’t a dismissal, but rather an invitation to a day of family fun. While the area on the coast of North Carolina is known primarily for its beautiful beaches, wild mustangs, and various water sports and fishing, kite flying is an especially popular pastime for residents and visitors. Several events staged in Dare and Currituck County throughout the season provide hours of entertainment for the novice and expert flyer. Next time you’re vacationing in the Outer Banks and feel you have “beached” out, take a break and grab the lead on a beautiful flying wonder.

Where to Buy Kites

Have you come to the beach without something to fly? No worries! The convenience of the many available surf and sailing shops in the area allow you to stock up on the gear you need for a day of fun. String, bling, the whole flying machine…you can find it at either of these recommended spots:

Kitty Hawk Kites (several locations around the Outer Banks) – Largely regarded as the first name in kites on the Carolina shore, this popular chain has everything you need to soar through the sky! Whether you want to lead a simple single line flyer down the beach, or are interested in something more extreme like kiteboarding, this should be your stop. All manner of flying toys are here for your – leisure and competition styles, and tools for hang gliding, too.

Flying Smiles Kites (1159 Austin Street, Corolla) – This shop is all smiles! Located across the street from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club, Flying Smiles is a recent addition to the Outer Banks. Here you will find kites of many colors – single line, dual line and quad line – as well as a “kite hospital” for repairs. Lessons on helping your nylon “birds” to sail in the clear blue are also available.

Where to Fly Kites

There’s always the beach, but in the summer the sands are likely to be occupied with many sun worshippers. It wouldn’t do to trip over a multitude of bodies in order to keep your kite aloft, so where else can you go? The expansive lawn of Currituck Heritage Park, home of the Whalehead Club, is one alternative, as is the more secluded Knotts Island area. Most visitors, too, prefer to indulge in their hobby at the original site of flight, the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kitty Hawk.

For a soaring great time, be sure to pencil in an afternoon of breezy kite flying on your next trip to the Outer Banks. When the sky is clear and sunny, you won’t find a more beautiful site than a series of strings slanting upward, supporting a flock of colorful kites.

So you have decided it’s time to embark on a pay per click campaign to advertise your website and business. Wonderful! PPC has proven to be a cost effective, highly visible method of marketing products and services. Depending on the scope of your business, it is possible to bid for high positions in Google Adwords and Yahoo! Search Marketing for pennies a day. The question of whether or not Internet users will click through your ads, however, depends on a number of factors - the primary being the name you wish to present to visitors.

Do a search in Google, and take a look at the ads that appear on the right hand side. Let’s say somebody is looking for baseball cards and uses that exact phrase to find a dealer. The results that show in search may range from strict card dealers, to collectibles shops that buy and sell all types of card, to even major auction sites like eBay. A look at the URLs presented is a good exercise in determining whether or not you should use a generic URL name - one that utilizes you preferred keywords - as opposed to a more business-oriented domain.

A recent PPC study on URLs found that users are more likely to click through an ad with a generic domain. The repeated use of the keywords, in the ad text and URL, may be factor in a user’s decision to explore said sites. That the click-throughs eventually convert visitors to buyers remains to be seen, but in order to have buyers the site must bring in the traffic.

Businesses may buy generic domain names as a means of improving organic SEO, and use of said URLs in pay per click advertising can prove beneficial. Even if the URL is not connected to your main page, but set up as a satellite site for the purpose of catering to PPC traffic, you have the opportunity to gauge the success of your campaigns. If you sell baseball cards, or offer accounting or housecleaning services, purchasing a domain name relevant to your line of work can help improve the performance of your online advertising.

If your business targets a local or regional audience, the addition of localized keywords may especially boost interest of the people you want visiting your site. The accountant interested in serving clients in his immediate area may want to purchase a domain that combines his city and job. He might find a boost in his PPC traffic in addition to organic SEO efforts.

Before you implement your PPC ads, take the time to consider the name you’ll present to potential clients and customers. If you have a brand not yet as recognizable as major companies, defining yourself with a keyword-driven URL may be the ticket to bring traffic to your site.

Attending a recent keynote address at a writers convention, an author friend was impressed by the advice of the marketing expert chosen to speak. MySpace, this speaker stressed, didn’t have the clout other social network and media sites have - in her opinion.

From an SEO standpoint, this does make a bit sense, considering how MySpace toys with outbound links to make it difficult to track inbound referrals. This speaker recommended alternatives: Squidoo, a helpful tool if one uses it constantly, and bookmarking sites like Digg. By conference’s end, my friend and others had set up several lens and created account to “dig” blog posts about their books.

Thinking about these sites from the perspective of an SEO agent working for various clients, I considered the effectiveness of these tools for the purpose of building rank relevancy. Is it worth the time and effort to post your site and blog links to a multitude of bookmarking sites, given the chance the links will simply languish under the weight of more popular entertainment and news blogs? If you choose the bookmarking route, which sites do you use? To look at the names of these sites: Digg, Diigo, Reddit, Sphinn, Yigg, Mixx, and so forth, one might think he’s stepped into a bizarre spelling bee. What can these sites do to help your SEO progress?

Depending on the purpose of your site, using news bookmarking networks may be useful in attracting local and regional interest. Many of these social media sites track top stories in entertainment, technology, and sports, so very likely you’re going to see the same players at the top - national and global sites like CNN and Reuters and Yahoo! News. If by some stroke of luck you are able to create something viral - a crazy video for Youtube, for example - you may be able to bring in traffic.

To look at Digg, you’ll realize you have a lot of competition for the top spot. Whether you are writing about new technologies or opining on college sport regulations, there are certain to be hundreds of articles similar to yours jockeying for attention. Attracting attention via Digg and similar sites could be helpful if you befriend other Digg users and arrange some schedule of mutual “digging” - scratch a few backs, get scratched in return. With enough persistence, you may be able to produce a submission that catches fire. Depending on how often Diggs user take advantage of the search function, if you make your submissions keyword specific you could gain viewers that way.

If you are unsure whether or not such a site would be helpful to your main site rankings, try an experiment. If your site doesn’t feature a blog, choose a page and create an article relevant to your site. Include embedded video or audio if applicable, then submit it to Digg. Establish friendships with like-minded people on the site, or recruit friends to register and help “dig” you story - one can argue whether or not this is “gray hat” SEO, but word of mouth remains the strongest form of marketing. Friends and family have mouths, or in this case, mouse buttons.

Pay close attention to your stats. Do you see many views for that particular page? Are people entering your site there? If you find the traffic is valuable enough to continue, then “dig” away. If not, don’t worry. Given the climate of SEO and social media optimization, another site is bound to come along that can help.

Get to know the Church Hill community! If you lived here, you’d be home now. If not, now is the time to take a weekend trip to downtown Richmond and see the historical architectural influence of the neighborhood, and experience the beautiful renovation progress of early 20th buildings into luxury condo rentals. Nolde Condos, for example, were constructed from within the legendary Nolde Bakery warehouse, turning a once industrious area into a haven for Richmond residents, grad students, and professionals. You can almost smell the bread baking here!

What’s the best way to see Church Hill? The Richmond History Center offers a series of walking tours that cover the various neighborhoods in town, including this historic district. You can walk through Church Hill and see our condos near the many points of interest. RHC also offers Segway tours if you feel the urge to roll past.

Concerned about where to send your kids to school if you move here? Richmond prides itself on a strong education system, and the Church Hill community is blessed with a number of great public institutions like Armstrong High School and Bellevue Elementary. Franklin Military School is also nearby, as is Central Montessori School if you are interested in alternative options for education.

Church Hill also offers many opportunities to get involved with the greater community and to network with neighbors and make new friends. The Church Hill Association, Friends of Chimborazo Playground, and Friends of Jefferson Park are just three organizations designed to improve the quality of life in the historic neighborhoods of Richmond. Don’t forget, too, the annual Richmond’s Original Italian Street Festival brings the best of the old country home, with lots of great food and music.

So before you decide to make that move into a luxury Richmond condo, pay a visit to the friendly community of Church Hill and see for yourself the lively atmosphere and historic grace of this area. It’s one place you’ll definitely want to call home.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in travel and real estate articles, particularly on condos for rent in Richmond and Virginia Beach homes for sale.

In creating a website for the purpose of selling products or services, content is the key to high search rankings. Your text must be concise and precise as far as keywords and phrases go, and with clear links to supplemental information and a working contact form. When using social media to promote your site and encourage click-through traffic, you are allowed to be more verbose, as you must create searchable content that encourages third-party sites to use your content – and in turn display the obligatory links to your main site. The rise of social media as a means of promotion can help establish relevance for your website.

As you create content to point to your site, you will find several options for promotion, many of which interlink to create a steady routine one should follow. It is said the best way to sell products or advertise services is to be an expert on said subject. As you write, it is necessary to become an expert on social networks and social bookmarking, so you will know the best avenues for distributing your information.

What do you plan to achieve with your website? Do you sell clothing, promote real estate for sale, or offer accounting services? Think of an article you could write that is relevant to your site’s content – 250 to 300 words on average is a good length, but be careful not to overload on one particular keyword as that may trigger spam filters of some sites where you plan to submit. Once your article is written and the necessary keywords and links to your site are in place, here is a suggested plan of attack. As this schedule of submissions becomes routine, take note to check your site’s stats and referral links as they relate to your SMO efforts.

Submit the article to an article bank – Hosts of content-driven websites tend to look for supplement writings to their sites in order to draw traffic. When a site owner uses such content, they are obliged to link back to the author. As you write articles, find a reputable online article database and submit your content. As others use your work, you gain the opportunity to have your site links from several third-party sources.

Blog your articles – Create a weblog for the purpose of archiving your expert articles. Because Google and other engines hold blog content with high relevance in search, you increase the chances of click-throughs to your main site. Set up a simple blog account through Blogger or Wordpress or another source, and link your articles to your main site. If the blog has an RSS feed, take advantage of it. Apply the RSS feed to any social networks that allow implementation. Facebook, Squidoo, and Twitter are just three networks that can feed such content into their respective profiles.

Bookmark your articles – Once your articles are live, use social bookmark sites to promote your work. Sites like Digg and Delicious are constructed to collect links of relevant content. As you create accounts, save the various blog links and article links to these sites, and as people search the social bookmarks for this content they just may find you.

The more content you create and distribute, the better the opportunity for exposure. Considering the millions of people who use the Internet daily, the more sources available to you for placing content can help bring more awareness to your main website, and in turn drive traffic directly to you.

No trip to St. Augustine, Florida is complete unless you stay in one of the town’s many bed and breakfast inns. Accommodations are plentiful in the nation’s oldest city, and B&B accommodation not only offers guests a comfortable place to sleep and relax, but many inns are located close to the best attractions, shopping, and restaurants in town.

For extended vacations, the versatility of a bed and breakfast allows guests to take advantage of local concierge services (as many innkeepers offers special packages for holidays and honeymoons) and luxury amenities like wireless Internet and central air. If you’re thinking of coming to North Florida, consider making a reservation at one of these great inns:

Bayfront Wescott House (146 Avenida Menendez) - Surrounded by swaying palms, this 16-room inn boasts balconies on both floors and spacious sleeping quarters. Wake each morning to a beautiful view of Matanzas Bay and check the inn’s website for holidays packages and specials.

63 Orange Street (63 Orange Street) - You’ll know the inn by its name! 63 Orange Street is convenient to St. Augustine’s historic downtown, Flagler College, and other area attractions. Five bedrooms offer queen-sized or larger beds at great rates, along with private baths and wireless access.

Peace and Plenty Inn (87 Cedar Street) - Stay in the elegant main house and enjoy a good night’s rest in a canopied bed, or enjoy the secluded comfort of either of the Carriage House suites. The Peace and Plenty Inn provides a desired respite after a long day of sight-seeing, with afternoon wine and a beautiful garden.

At Journeys End (89 Cedar Street) - Five rooms, each decorated in a theme like Egypt and French Boudoir, guarantee a unique and pleasurable experience. Linger for an afternoon in the shade of the front porch and book a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the inn’s concierge service.

Our House Bed and Breakfast and Garden Studios (7 Cincinnati Avenue) - Located in the heart of the antiques district are two renovated Victorian-style homes offering a total of five rooms, each with full baths and luxury amenities. Join fellow guests for breakfast in the sunlit dining room before setting out for a day of shopping.

Still undecided? There are plenty more inns in St. Augustine to choose from. Part two of this series of articles will explore more great B&Bs waiting for your reservations.

Kathryn Lively