Otto of the Silver Hand By Howard Pyle

Otto of the Silver Hand was originally published in 1888 - and I am amazed that the content within this novel continues to be relevant in today's society. This story is set in medieval Germany when castles, feuds, barons, knights, kidnapping, soldiers, and rescues were common. Violence, revenge, hatred are all themes that continue to permeate within our society. Yet, in both the past and present we can also find humility, gentleness, love, sacrifice and forgiveness. The traits that little Otto possesses will encourage children to see the good and evil in their world and strive to have a positive outlook on life, even when experiencing turmoil within ourselves. Otto's gracious and forgiving nature will inspire the best in all who read this novel.

Otto of the Silver Hand
By Howard Pyle
Publisher: Yesterday's Classics
ISBN: 1599151979

Petfinder - 12 Million Adoptions since 1995

The temporary home of nearly 250,000 adoptable pets, from cats and dogs to sheep and potbellied pigs. When you're looking for a best friend, look no further than Petfinder.com.

Before heading to the pet store or breeder, head to Petfinder.com and discover hundreds of thousands of loving animals who need your help finding a good home. Why should you adopt? Well, for one, many Petfinder pets have no adoption fee, or one that costs much less than buying the animal from a breeder or store. Then there's always the lifetime of unconditional love and appreciation that can only come from a rescued pet (and who can resist that?). Not to mention the great feeling you get knowing you gave a caring dog/cat/bird/ferret/degu/snake/whomever a second chance at life. Aw.

But Petfinder.com isn't only for locating adoptable pets. You can also check out helpful cat and dog training videos, get animal care sheets, tips and tricks, post free pet classified ads, submit and view videos and talk with other animal lovers in the Petfinder forums.

Since the site was founded in 1995, Petfinder.com has facilitated over 12 million adoptions. But there are many more animals out there looking for a loving home - and they're looking to you!

Visit Petfinder

Retail Me Not

An impressive database of coupon codes for more than 13,000 online stores. With discounts at sites from Amazon to Zappos, RetailMeNot will save you money.

Who doesn't like shopping with coupons?

On RetailMeNot.com, you'll find over 70,000 coupon codes redeemable for savings like free shipping, money off your order, and free products when you make a purchase (to name a few). To find codes, just enter the site you're looking to shop on or check out the most popular coupons on the main page. Each one lists the success rate other people have experienced using it, so you'll know what to expect when you enter the code at checkout.

You can also stop by the RetailMeNot Shopping Community for additional coupons and tips pointing you towards the best online offers and deals. The people on this site are serious about saving money!

When you're shopping online, you don't have to buy less to spend less - let RetailMeNot.com help you out with the savings.

Visit Retail Me Not

The Word of Mouth Manual Volume II by Dave Balter - Free Download

The Word of Mouth Manual, Volume II is the ultimate illustration of how Word of Mouth actually works. Each element of the book (including the free distribution) was carefully crafted as an example of how you can make Word of Mouth work.

What do Falco and the Grateful Dead have in common? How did Joey Chesnut unseat "Tsunami" Kobayashi in the Coney Island hot dog eating contest? From Tickle-Me-Elmo and Casey Kasem to Crocs and those terribly annoying HeadOn commercials, the book is packed full of real-world examples of what makes people recommend products and services to each other.

The Word of Mouth Manual, Volume II is a free download and the second book from BzzAgent founder and CEO, Dave Balter. His first book, Grapevine, was released in December 2005.

Click on the following link to download this free eBook: The Word of Mouth Manual, Volume II

OurStage - music discovery stop for the best new emerging music (and film)

OurStage.com is the music discovery stop for the best new emerging music (and film). Our fan-powered, 100% fair voting takes your honest judgment to drive the best to the top. No more celebrity judges, meaningless 5-star ratings, or annoying popularity contests where the guy with the biggest extended family wins. You, the fan, decide and rank the artists based on the quality of their art.

No pressure, but a lot is riding on your vote. Each month, your judgment powers the OurStage Charts across over 40 genres giving the best artist their shot at being discovered.

So go on, be judgmental! Sign up with OurStage.com today and you'll get 30 free MP3s of the best new music from top-charting OurStage artists upon activating your account.

OurStage helps you be the guy or girl who is always on the cutting edge of music. You get VIP access to our Music and Video Charts covering every major genre: Like Alternative Country? It's there. Indie Pop: Check. Death Metal: You bet. Peruse our charts, meander through the archives of past winners, and discover fresh, ear-gasmic music to store on your profile, download, or share with others.

Visit OurStage.com

Personality Not Included by Rohit Bhargava

When was the last time you heard a business book described as fun? The author, Rohit Bhargava, works at one of the largest marketing agencies in the world, and is a frequent speaker on the topic of marketing with authenticity. He believes that personality is the key to building a successful business and career. His new book, Personality Not Included (PNI), is a guidebook and collection of stories every businessperson, entrepreneur or consumer should read, including...

• Why a small restaurant outside Barcelona is rated "Best in the World" despite being closed 6 months of the year


• How the Death of Superman comic book series led to the rise of authenticity in marketing


• Why a small cartoon from the back of a business card is changing the corporate culture at Microsoft


• The secret of where to get a $7 steak in Las Vegas and why you won't find it on any menu


• How a travelling salesman in 1872 changed the face of American retail forever


• And more than 100 other stories of personality from brands like Trader Joes, Timbuk2, Dyson, Bugaboo, Apple, Moleskine, Subway, Virgin America and lots more!

Here's what Jono has to say about the book:

"Rohit definitely nails it. He's right on when it comes to what brands need to do to connect with consumers and his hands-on tools and guides are a pretty sweet bonus that help bring his concepts home. Plus, he's witty, conversational and insightful - all things I can relate to!"

Personality Not Included has been taking the marketing world by storm since its release just last month, with more than 100 positive reviews on blogs and in media around the world. Get an exclusive inside look at Personality Not Included:

"Do not eat iPod": Read the first story of the book...
Download the full introduction

Exclusive Download: The Story of BzzAgent's Personality Download an exclusive excerpt from Chapter 1

Dave Balter Retells How the Bee Logo Was Created Read Dave's story on The Personality Project

Give The Book As The Ultimate Father's Day Gift! Buy the book for Dad

AVEENO® AGELESSTM Lifting & Firming NIGHT CREAM - Free Sample and Coupon

AVEENO^® POSITIVELY AGELESS^TM Lifting & Firming products are actually part of a proud lineage. Back in 1945, when AVEENO® launched its first product - Soothing Bath Treatment - in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, they used colloidal oatmeal as one of the product's key ingredients. Mother Nature certainly has a few tricks up her sleeve!

You can learn more about AVEENO^® POSITIVELY AGELESS^TM Lifting & Firming by visiting

AVEENO Sample and coupon offer

To receive a coupon for $1.50 off AVEENO® facial care products and a free sample of POSITIVELY AGELESS^TM Lifting & Firming NIGHT CREAM, simply complete the required information fields and check the boxes selecting your preference. And be sure to visit the site often, as AVEENO® will have even more information and offers for POSITIVELY AGELESS^TM soon!

I absolutely love the AVEENO product line - tell me what you think of their products :)

From the Top at Carnegie Hall

Experience the Emmy-nominated PBS series that gives you a backstage pass to meet the country's most talented and inspiring young classical musicians in performance at Carnegie Hall (most of whom aren't even old enough to drive).

At pbs.org/fromthetop you can stream and download full episodes of From the Top at Carnegie Hall, subscribe to video podcasts, access music education resources and learn more about these amazing young artists.

From the Top at Carnegie Hall offers an intimate, and often funny, glimpse at the lives of young people who pursue life with passion, dedication and joy. These kids deserve all the Buzz they can get.

Based on the wildly popular NPR radio program, From the Top at Carnegie Hall is hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley and is a co-production of WGBH, From the Top, and Don Mischer Productions in partnership with Carnegie Hall. Emmy Award-winning director Gary Halvorson directs the second season. With a combined list of credits including Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the venerable production team of Halvorson and Don Mischer Productions represents an unprecedented collaboration for public television, and a rare one for the entertainment world at large.

Visit From the Top at Carnegie Hall

Kids Can Earn a Free Book This Summer from Barnes and Noble

Here's How It Works:

1. Kids read any 8 books.

2. Kids use the Summer Reading Journal to tell us their favorite part of each book. A parent/guardian signs it when it's complete.

3. Children bring their completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 29th & September 2nd, 2008.

4. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE book! They choose from a list of exceptional paperback titles.*

* Eligible books will be listed on the coupon. Choices must be made from eligible stock. No special orders. Limit of 1 form per school-age child (grades 1-6), please. Incomplete forms will be ineligible for free books.

Steve Winwood - Talented, Warm and Personable Musician

Steve Winwood has been an influential musician who has contributed greatly to the classic rock/blues genre over the past forty years. He is a renowned solo artist and a key member, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for Traffic, the Spencer Davis Group, and Blind Faith. Now you can connect with Steve Winwood on Stevewinwood.com, order his new album, revisit his extensive discography, find local tour dates, and celebrate the art and life of a talented personality and treasured songwriter and musician.

Steve's new single "Dirty City" is a free download on his website. Download and listen to the song and tell us what you think.

Steve began his musical career in the 1960's at age nine, playing guitar in his father's band in Birmingham, England. Since then, he has evolved into one of classic rock's timeless guitarist and songwriters. His long and prosperous career has exposed him to millions of devoted music fans of different ages, backgrounds and genres. Now, those fans can log on to Stevewinwood.com and share thoughts and stories with each other on any Winwood related topic. Fans that visit Stevewinwood.com now can preview songs from Nine Lives, his newest and most progressive album to date. Nine Lives paints a musical portrait of spiritual transformation through the exploration of soul, rock, blues and world music.

When visiting Stevewinwood.com you will find the elegant and minimal design, streaming audio and video player, and extensive history section informative, intuitive and easy to use. In the full discography section you will be able to dive into Steve's memorable career by reading and viewing photos and lyrics from every single album he has released up to date (both as a solo artist and in his collaborative projects with others). Visit the tour section to check up on live dates and buy tickets to any of his upcoming shows and then share your live experience by posting your fan photos on the site.

You can also connect with Steve Winwood through other features on the site:

• Order his new album Nine Lives


• Purchase the first single "Dirty City" featuring Eric Clapton


• Participate in the Mozes mobile voice mail campaign - leave personal messages for Steve and comment or ask him any question you'd like.


• Visit the timeline section - a year by year timeline of Steve's musical career.


• Shop for any Steve Winwood merchandise in the fully integrated merchandise section.


• Browse through the discography section to read the liner notes, view the album art, and listen to clips from Steve's previous albums.

After visiting Stevewinwood.com you will discover the talented, warm and personable musician that millions have come to love. He has become an ageless musical treasure that continues to push beyond the artistic and creative boundaries of classic rock.

Visit Steve Winwood's Website Now

So, what are you eating?

Everything you ever wanted to know about the things you eat (and probably a few things you didn't want to know, too). Learn how foods affect your health and the simple changes you can make to maintain a healthier diet.

NutritionData.com has everything you need to help you watch what you eat - nutrition facts for over 1000 foods and meals (including information on protein quality, nutrient balance, glycemic load, and fullness factor), sensible diet advice, tips on supplements, healthy alternatives and an e-pantry where you can store, analyze and create recipes or meal plans and track your daily consumption.

Start by completing the Daily Needs Calculator to determine your Body Mass Index and recommended minimum consumption of calories, vitamins, minerals, carbs and proteins. Then find the foods that best suite your needs by searching for items sorted by their nutritional characteristics (like the ones highest in fat, lowest in carbs, or the best choices for weight loss). To get a little more in-depth knowledge, check out the Topics section, where you'll find info on fatty acids, dieting and weight loss, food additives and plenty of delicious, wholesome recipes.

Next, stop by the Pantry and save your favorite foods to study their nutritional value and compare them to some NutritionData.com-recommended alternatives. You can also check out a pre-loaded pantry, stocked with items great for special dietary needs such as low-carb, heart healthy, and super nutritious.

So, what are you eating? Visit Nutrition Data.com

Remote Disasters Videos

Check out these "Remote Disaster" videos from Logitech and help get them featured on YouTube - view before May 22^nd!

Looking for a fun way to kill a few minutes? Why not help Logitech earn a place on YouTube's "Daily Most Viewed List"? Just watch these videos about the amusingly disastrous consequences of managing too many remote controls and, if they get 50,000 views by 9am on Wednesday, May 22^nd, they'll make the main page!

If you like the videos, share them with friends, too and help save them from their own Remote Disasters.

Highlighted videos:

• Babysitter Gets Ambushed by Kids & Boyfriend
• Mom Flips Out
• Rube Goldberg Remote Control Contraption

Here are a few ways to spread the Logitech love:

• Use the link provided by YouTube to email the videos to friends
• Use the links provided by YouTube to post the videos to an Aggregating Service such as Del.icio.us, Digg, Reddit, StubmpleUpon, or furl
• Use the coding available on YouTube to embed the videos into comments on topic appropriate blogs or forums
• Rate the videos 5 Stars on YouTube!
  

Visit Logitech Remote Disasters Videos

checkMD - Share your healthcare story - make a difference

Share your healthcare story today, to make a difference tomorrow.

checkMD is a unique web site that unites a vast array of people and provides them with a voice. The answers to every healthcare problem are held within that collective voice. checkMD encourages the general public, patients, physicians, pharmacists, health plans, pharmaceutical companies, nurses and other healthcare professionals to participate together as People Healing Healthcare^TM.

Built on community participation, checkMD fosters the idea that when people are informed, they make wise choices. No matter who you are, or what you have to contribute, your participation on checkMD will provide new insight, a different perspective and perhaps a helping hand to someone in need. Someone who is searching for answers you may have already found.

By simply rating your doctor, participating in community discussions, sharing healthcare success stories or voicing your concerns about healthcare, you are contributing to the greater good. You are taking an active role in the healing process. And who better to do it, than you?

If you just think about it for a moment, you'll realize that you've had a healthcare experience that needs to be shared. checkMD gives you the opportunity to do just that. The more information sharing that occurs the more informed people will be. Visit checkMD

checkMD Services are intended to provide useful, transparent information about your health, medical issues, and the healthcare provider selection process. We are not, providing medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or advice about what providers or insurance services to use. The Services are not a substitute for the advice of your health care providers or for reading your insurance policy carefully. We do not warranty the reliability, accuracy completeness, quality, performance or the suitability of this site, the information or products found on the checkMD site.

TasteSpotting - photographed dishes - make them

Design blog, meet food blog. Find some of the most beautifully photographed dishes on the Web - then find out how to make them.

TasteSpotting.com is deliciously aesthetic (or is it aesthetically delicious?). Either way, it's a place for people to share the articles and products that inspire them the most when it comes to good eating. Each stunning photograph on the site is a link to a recipe, an article on a dish, a post about an ingredient, more delectable images or whatever on- or offline muse they have for great taste(s). Raspberry and chocolate dream bars, lamb with sage and rosemary in a red wine reduction, Pike Place Market in Seattle - you'll find these and more than 10,000 other things that motivate food-lovers around the world.

And when you're done drooling over your monitor, why not submit your own? Just register for free, upload your image and submit your link.

Go ahead - find and share some inspiration! Visit TasteSpotting

Visit OVGuide.com — the Online Video Guide

Founded in 2006, OVGuide.com is the Internet's most comprehensive guide to online video sites, including those containing TV shows, movies, user-generated content and video games. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the privately-held company delivers an innovative, user-friendly way to search and browse relevant, high-quality video content on the Web. OVGuide.com currently indexes more than 1,600 online destinations, offering both short- and long-form video integrated into an intuitive and categorized directory. The site offers a very relevant, powerful search engine, receiving more than 10 million visitors, 50 million page views and over 10 million searches per month. OVGuide.com's team of experienced editors review all video sites prior to listing them, ensuring all content listed is valuable and categorized appropriately.

OVGuide.com receives video site submissions from people throughout the world, and in their attempt to remain complete and comprehensive, they have launched a contest for users to be eligible to win $1000 if their site is placed on OVGuide. OVGuide encourages all users to submit new video sites for a chance to win $1,000! In addition to the cash monthly drawing, all users who submit sites are entered to win one of 25 FREE OVGuide.com t-shirts. Submit a great video site today @ www.ovguide.com/contest.

There is a human behind all editorial decisions at OVGuide.com, and they remain to be the only site on the web that truly sifts through the noise of the Internet to deliver the BEST sites in online video to our users.

OVGuide has a very powerful video search. Their video search is currently utilized over 400,000 times per day-delivering very relevant results-because we only index the best sites in online video.

Visit OVGuide.com — the Online Video Guide

King John and the Writing of the Magna Charta

My 13 year old and I have read “The Magna Charta” together and both learned an enormous amount of information concerning not only the Magna Charta but the history surrounding this document and the rulers who opposed or were forced into the signing of this Charta.

This book is written for the Middle School level and my son needed some help with pronunciation, definitions and discussion as we read. Many new concepts were introduced including how Kings ruled their lands during the Medieval time period, relationships between the Pope and King, the transfer of lands and dictatorship, relationships and fighting between rulers of different lands, the development of laws to protect the Kings people, and the progression and refinement of Charters which lead to the Magna Charta.

Although the focus of this book is primarily on King John’s life and his influence on the Magna Charta, this book is highly recommended for middle schoolers who would also like to learn about past rulers including King Henry, King Richard, King John, Stephen Langton, and other interesting subjects such as the Crusades, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Castles, Runnymede, the Siege of Rochester, the Pope, Hubert de Burgh, the Treaty of Lambeth, and very early American History related to the Magna Charta.

“The Magna Charta”
By James Daughery
Publisher: Beautiful Feet Books
ISBN: 0-9643803-5-8

Educate your children about safety and crime prevention

A fun and entertaining way to educate your children about safety and crime prevention.

Drugs, bullies, gangs, strangers - the potential dangers facing kids these days are numerous. You want them to be safe, but it's not always the easiest thing to sit them down and give them advice they're going to want to listen to (or remember). So why not try teaming up with McGruff the Crime Dog?

Parents and kids have been looking to McGruff for almost thirty years for facts and tips about safety and crime prevention - now you and your family can look to McGruff.org. The site is loaded with fun interactive games and stories, videos, downloads and advice, all featuring McGruff and his nephew Scruff, helping show your children how they can stay safe. There's even a section with information for parents and educators, so you can reinforce everything your kids are learning from the crime-fighting hound dog.

You don't have to teach your kids about safety alone - let McGruff give you a hand!

Visit McGruff.org

Sick of Automated Recordings? Get a Human!

Stop pandering to automated recordings! When you call a company, you want to get right to a real person. Now you can.

Looking for customer support? Before gethuman.com, we'd probably have told you to enjoy the wait. These days, it seems most companies are set up to keep you from ever reaching a human when you call for assistance — instead, they've got you pressing every button on your phone. It was out of this phone call frustration that gethuman was created.

Just as its name suggests, this site provides callers with the best way to "get a human" when calling a company. Whether it's an insider's trick (like pressing *## for Western Union), just hitting 0, or doing nothing at all (they'll think you have a rotary phone), you'll be spending a lot more time getting your problem solved and a lot less time in automated purgatory. And with hundreds of companies listed — from AAA to Yahoo! — chances are you'll find the human you're looking for.

You'll also find Caller Tips and a Discussion Board on gethuman.com, so you can share your discoveries with (or ask for help from) other users and find the best way to locate the phone numbers you're looking for.

Next time you need to get in touch with a business, don't go through another button-pushing marathon — get a human. Visit gethuman

GameStop/Grand Theft Auto IV

If there's one thing gamers hate, it's being the last to know the scoop on their favorite game. They've analyzed and reanalyzed Grand Theft Auto IV trailers and leaked footage, hoping to discover a cool new feature they can brag about in gaming circles for at least the next 15 minutes. That is, until someone trumps them with a cooler, newer find.

How would you like to be that "someone?" GTA IV maker RockStar Games and exclusive partner GameStop are set to level the playing field all over again, making this the perfect time to jump in and impress everybody. With the highly anticipated release of GTA IV on April 28 still weeks away, they're throwing gamers a really meaty bone with GameStop's new feature-rich commercial, now on YouTube.com.

To sweeten the pot, GameStop is also sponsoring a sweepstakes with a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to "Liberty City" for the winner. And, naturally, everybody can preorder in-store and online now, too. If there's another thing gamers hate, it's standing in lines with the masses.

Visit GameStop/Grand Theft Auto IV

Warning: Mature Content. You must be 17 years of age or older to view the YouTube video.

Wherever you're headed, don't be a stranger.

With CitySearch.com, there's no reason you shouldn't live like an insider anywhere you go.

Whether you're new to the area, only visiting or just looking for the best of the best (or the hidden gems) around your home, CitySearch can help you get to the right places in over 130 cities. With categories ranging from restaurants, hotels, and shopping to pets, religion and alternative medicine, the local expertise on this site is bound to get you some positive results.

Many businesses on CitySearch have an editorial review followed by user reviews and ratings, so you can get a good idea of the place before you head out. They also show any awards and nominations the business has received, their hours, accepted payment types, maps and directions — as well as a list of other featured places nearby your search. And each one is linked to a Yellow Pages directory listing, so you know the information is correct and up-to-date.

So whatever it is you're looking for, check with the experts at CitySearch.com for 14.5 million business listings, more than 600,000 user reviews and ratings on over 2 million business locations nationwide. Wherever you're headed, don't be a stranger. Visit City Search