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Figuring out the best possible brand of piano to purchase for a player that is just beginning can be a pretty difficult task depending on the particular situation. No one can come right out and tell you what piano to buy, it’s a decision that you must work your way to with a good bit of research.

There are a number of questions that you should ask yourself before jumping into a purchase that may be as major as buying a piano.

Has the beginner ever played before?

If the beginner that you are considering buying a piano for has never so much as played the instrument before and there is no one else residing in the house that will play, some serious thought should be put into the decision. In fact, if this is a situation that you are currently facing, it might be advisable, if possible, for the beginner to take a few lessons at a studio or to purchase a less expensive, electronic keyboard to begin with to be sure that the beginner will hold some interest in the endeavor after the initial novelty begins to wear off.

The last thing you want to do is go out and spend more that twenty thousand dollars on a very large instrument that will take up quite a bit of space in your home only to find that there is no real deep interest there. A keyboard is a good, inexpensive and portable learning tool that will help you gage if there is a real interest there, and it will still be of use later down the road after a full size piano is procured.

What fits my situation?

If you are sure that purchasing a piano is the right decision, then you’ve got some serious studying to do.

In all reality, the best brand of piano for your beginner is going to be the one that fits your particular situation, in terms of price, size and sound quality.

There are plenty of excellent manufacturers of pianos available in every imaginable style and price range: Steinway, Wurlitzer, Kawai and Yamaha each have different musical quality and each manufacturer comes with a potentially very different price tag (Steinway produces pianos that are well in excess of six figures, where as Yamaha produces a quality instrument for under twenty thousand dollars.) Each brand will have a style, sound and price that will appeal to different types of players.

Pianos come in two different “body types”, uprights and grand pianos. Grand pianos normally produce a better sound quality, but uprights are often far less expensive and easier to fit into your home.

You’ll want to visit plenty of show rooms, do a lot of testing out different brands and talking to a good deal of sales people, teachers and technicians in order to narrow down the possibilities and begin to select the piano that may be right for you. You want a brand that has good merit, a solid reputation and that offers a good warranty.

Once you’ve got a manufacturer in mind that you feel comfortable with, it’s time to pick the most appropriate model for your situation - if at all possible, try not to buy the manufacturer’s least expensive model. It’s no secret that the cheapest model in terms of cost is probably the manufacturer’s model that is also of the lowest quality, a few hundred to one thousand dollars price difference could mean a world in the difference of quality of the instrument.

Don’t despair that you can’t afford the world’s greatest piano right from the beginning, many reputable manufacturers have a “trade up” option that will allow you to upgrade to a better model when you feel that you may have outgrown your current piano.

When it comes to buying a piano, as with making any other major purchase you want to be armed with information - ask a lot of questions and buy what you can afford. Pick a manufacturer that has a trade up option so you’ll always be able to have the best possible piano for your situation.

Visit our piano stores Toronto and check out the diverse selection of pianos we offer. As well, we provide services for piano tuning, piano moving and piano rental.

There is no denying the fact that teddy bears are popular and well-loved by young and old alike. As a matter of fact they are probably the most popular toys of all times. And no wonder, they are cute, soft and cuddly. They become our loyal friends and confidants. As children we quickly learn that our teddy bear can protect us from nightmares, comfort us when we are distressed, and he will keep all our secrets.
You cannot ask for anything more from a friend. That probably has a lot to do with the popularity of these collectibles. They are adorable and they are always willing to listen to our problems and take our side anytime we ask them to.
It is no wonder then that some teddy bears have become celebrities and many are recognized by their name alone. Few humans reach that status!

Winnie the Pooh is one of the most famous teddy bears. His creator was A.A. Milne. But it is important to know that much of the inspiration for that creation came from his wife Daphne and his son Christopher Robin. It seems that a trip to the zoo prompted the ideas. You see, Christopher Robin was drawn to a small black bear. In fact, he was obsessed with the bear.

As I mentioned before, the ideas began to flow. Soon afterward A. A. Milne began writing about Christopher Robin and his adventures with his teddy bear called Pooh and their friends. The popularity of Winnie the Pooh has grown to the point that you can find clothing, bedding, cartoons, web sites, and hundreds of toys all featuring this whimsical character.

Winnie does not hold this status alone. Paddington Bear is very famous as well. Paddington was created by a British writer, Michael Bond. Michael first began writing about Paddington in 1958. He continued writing the series of books and in 1967 Bond quit his job to become a full-time writer. Paddington is a sensible sort of character. He understands right from wrong and he will share his advice.

You may have heard of Rupert. This bear was first introduced as a comic strip in ‘The Daily Express’, a British newspaper. Rupert was created by artist Mary Toutel and the rest of us were introduced to him on November 8, 1920. Rupert is still a part of the same paper today.

However, because of failing eyesight Mary was forced to give up her love of drawing the cartoon. In 1935 Alfred Bestall took over the art of drawing and writing about Rupert and he continued the work until he retired in 1965. Since then various artists have kept Rupert going. He has even been animated in cartoons.

I also want to mention Yogi Bear and Smokey The Bear. Yogi is famous for always trying to swindle campers and others out of their picnic baskets. Yogi lives in Jellystone National Park. His side-kick is Boo-Boo. Smokey The Bear has reminded us of our responsibility to prevent forest fires for over 60 years. Now that is quite a long commitment to service!

Of course there are other famous bears, probably too many for one article to cover. But I think I have touched on the most famous. It is clear that we love our teddy bears!

If you are a teddy bear collector or you simply love teddy bears you will want to visit the following site: http://www.TeddyBearWebsite.com You will find lots of information about teddy bears and teddy bear products. Check it out!

With proper care, your child’s wooden toys can last for generations. Wooden toys have a hardiness and natural appearance that plastic toys cannot match. As a natural material, wood has an advantage over plastic toys. Wood is not bacteria friendly and is considered an anti-bacterial surface. When this quality is combined with the wood’s strength, it is easy to see why wooden toys are a superior toy product when compared to plastic toys.

Wooden toys should be treated with mild cleaners that will not dry out the toy’s surface. The best way to maintain wooden toys is to avoid strong chemicals such as bleach and detergents. Both these harsh ingredients can change the appearance of the toy through whitening or drying the surface. Wooden surfaces can absorb harsh ingredients because of the wood’s porous nature. Bleach, detergents and other harsh or synthetic cleaners are typical strong chemicals that should be avoided in favor of gentler cleansing ingredients.

You can use mild cleansers such as natural soap or a vinegar solution to cleanse wooden toys effectively. Natural soap will clean the wooden toy without drying out its surface or leaving a chemical residue on the toys surface. Vinegar will cleanse the surface and acts as a mild disinfectant. Depending on the amount of soil on the wooden toy, you with either use a soft brush, damp cloth, cleansing spray or a soapy bath.

A lightly soiled wooden toy is the easiest to clean. When a wooden toy is lightly soiled, you can gently brush any dirt or debris away. If necessary, you can use a soft damp cloth to clean the surface.

For a wooden toy that has a bit more dirt on it, you can add a few drops of liquid natural soap to a spray bottle full of warm water for a cleansing spray. You could also use a 50/50 water and vinegar spray to clean the toy as well. Just spray the surface and quickly wipe the surface clean.

If a toy is heavily soiled, you can wash it briefly in a bath of soapy water. You should avoid leaving the wooden toys submerged in water for any length of time. Water can misshape wooden toys and mar the surface of the grain. Avoid steam cleaning the toy for the same reasons. After cleansing the wooden toy in the soapy bath, quickly rinse the toy and wipe it dry. You can place the toy in the rack to dry. Once the toy is fully dry, it can be used again.

Wooden toys are prone to changes in temperature and humidity. Do not leave wooden toys outside overnight or for long periods. The sun and elements can change the appearance and shape of wooden toys.

When wooden toys are properly maintained, it is possible for many generations of children to enjoy the same wooden toy. Many a grandparent’s wooden toy has survived time to land in the happy hands of a beloved grandchild or grandchildren. Wooden toys are valued in many households for their durability and natural beauty.

If you are looking for baby toys to help your child’s learning process check out these education toys.

Calendars provide an effective and efficient way of organising time around the world with people of all nationalities. There have been many versions in many cultures over many years, and all have differed in the way they have segmented the seasons. The official version in use at moment is the Gregorian, or Christian calendar. It is a globally accepted way of delineating time in a way that is most fitting with the natural cycle. However, the connotations with Christianity pose a problem with some cultures, and rather than using the term BC and AD, BCE and CE are used instead; representing Before Common Era and Common Era respectively. Incredibly, there are still an additional forty calendars currently in use by various countries and cultures alongside the western Gregorian version.

We take this system of organisation for granted in our daily lives, from applications like Outlook Express, organisers on our mobile phone and even settings on the TV. Despite this digital leap, the traditional paper versions adorn walls in kitchen and bedrooms, and desks in offices around the world. We use them to plan our every move and barely consider what a great feat it is and what we might do without such a time tool. Sometimes even the practicality is overlooked, and the common calendar is a novel way to give a personal gift.

Around Christmas time, specialist shops pop up selling every permutation under the sun, whatever your hobby or fancy there will be a calendar to suit your taste; Johnny Depp, an Andrex puppy, Johnny Depp with an Andrex puppy… really, anything you could desire!! The latest trend has been to create personalised versions for friends and family from stocks of digital stills on hard drives the world over. This has massive potential for creativity, on a par with the finger painted calendars children bring home from playschool. You can create a year’s worth of embarrassing photos from drunken nights out, make a montage of children growing up or simply show off your own photography skills.

There are many types of planner available and the process of making your own is actually quite simple. Most online print studios will have their own version of a Photoshop style software available to download. This will work with their exclusive templates so that your digital photos can be uploaded and dropped into the relevant sections before editing. Layering, cropping and contrast can be adjusted, and the real beauty is that you can see the results on your computer screen before you decide to buy. The possibility to play all day creating personalised presents for friends and family is crazily tempting, especially if you have access to a great stock of photos. The proliferation of the photographic medium means that even the most random and surreptitious shots can be obtained for a great gift idea if you don’t already have what you want.

It really is a great gift for all the family and for your friends, and the pictures can be saved once the year is over. So pack away the finger paints and get out the memory stick to get creative the digital way; there’s no excuse not to, creating your own unique work of art is not as challenging as constructing a calendar system!

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the printing industry.
Find out more about Calendar and other products that can be customised with your photos at Cewe Photo World.

Birdwatching is a wonderful pastime that can be enjoyed by all the family. It is low cost and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. If you enjoy watching wildlife programs on television, then why not go out into the countryside and experiencing the fascinating world of birds for yourself.

Here are ten tips to help you get started with birdwatching:

1. Purchase a good field guide.

Don not buy the encyclopedia of birds in hardback as you will need to carry the field guide with you. A pocket sized book that identifies all the main species and has good illustrations is ideal. When joining the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) you can receive an excellent field guide as a free gift.

2. Wear camouflage clothing.

Wear clothing that match your environment. An orange jacket in a green field is not a good idea. Try to avoid materials that make a load rustling noise. When approaching your target make use of natural features such as trees and keep low.

3. Get a good pair of binoculars.

Keep your binoculars around your neck as it is difficult to remove binoculars quickly from a case without disturbing a bird. Don not allow them to swing from your hand as they can soon get damaged.

4. Keep your eyes on the bird.

Do not look down when you have spotted a bird. Keep looking at it and raise the binoculars to your eyes. It is easy to loose sight of your target if you look away, especially if the bird is in flight.

5. Take a notebook with you.

Use the notebook to record the bird’s size, shape, colour and markings. Focus on the beak and tail shape. These notes can then be used to identify the bird in your field guide, after it has flown away.

6. Learn to recognise bird calls and the tracks they leave in sand or mud.

You will probably hear the bird before seeing it so being able to recognise its call is a great help. Also the tracks the bird leaves in wet sand or mud will give you a good clue to its identity.

7. Put a bird feeder up in your garden.

It will attract a wide variety of birds to your garden and is good for identification practice from the comfort of your armchair.

8. Birdwatch early in the morning or at dusk.

These are the best times to watch birds. Some birds, such as starlings, gather in large numbers when returning home to roost. It is a spectacular display.

9. Use a telescope for long range viewing

The enhanced magnification of a telescope is a great help if viewing birds at a long distance. You will need a tripod to keep the telescope steady. Again think lightweight when choosing your equipment. It may need to be carried a long way to your birdwatching location.

10. Join the RSPB.

Members have access to over 100 nature reserves maintained by the RSPB. You will also receive a quarterly magazine packed full of advice and interesting features. Most importantly you will be helping the RSPB protect endangered birds and habitats for future generations to enjoy.

Whether searching for the rare Golden Eagle, watching Red Kite in Wales or enjoying the company of a Red Robin while doing the gardening, birdwatching is a very rewarding activity. So pick up your binoculars, grab a notebook and head out into the countryside. It’s a great day out and you never know what you might find.

James Todman is a web content editor and keen supporter of the RSPB.

Cigars have been with us for thousands of years - far too long for any historian, however dedicated, to trace. Tobacco may have grown on this planet (according to current speculation by paleontologists) for as long as eight thousand years, and archaeological data suggests it’s been smoked for at least four thousand. Ancient pottery unearthed in present-day Guatemala shows us a man smoking tobacco through a tube made from dried leaves - AKA, a cigar, tenth-century style.

And of course it was this method of smoking tobacco that Europeans learned to use when they “discovered” tobacco. On October 28, 1492, two of Columbus’s sailors were exploring the area now known as Cuba when they witnessed natives of the area inhaling tobacco in the same way as depicted on that Guatemalan jar - through a dried-leaf tube. In the natives’ language, the smoked portions were called cohiba (now the name of a successful cigar brand) and the tube, tobacco. In misunderstanding sailors called the smokable plant itself tobacco, and thus an industry, a hobby, an entire culture was born.

With such an ancient lineage, the cigar has left its imprint on history - so it’s no surprise that the attentive traveler, visiting parts of the southern United States and Central and South America, will discover all sorts of historic landmarks that have some connection to the history of tobacco farming and smoking on these shores. Here are some places that a reverent cigar smoker might decide to visit - if she or he wanted to see, firsthand, the ash-like traces that the cigar has left on the history of the United States.

In Florida, there’s Key West - long a bastion of cigar culture. In its prime, the Key West cigar industry was among the largest in the world, with more cigar factories per capita than any other city. As with many centers of cigar production - Honduras and the Dominican Republic come to mind - this one owed its dominance, in part, to unfortunate conditions elsewhere. In the 1860s and 1870s, Cubans fled their native country to escape the civil war between Cuba and Spain, much as they would later flee (in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s) to avoid the Castro regime, making other Latin American countries (Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Honduras) into cigar powerhouses rivaling Cuba. In this case, what had been before 1868 a little town - no more than five hundred people - suddenly became a large city, and an important one, thanks to Cuban emigres and their talents at cigar-making.

As with many booming industries during the nineteenth century, the factories had to build their own dwellings to contain all those who were working or wanted to work. Key West’s cigar factories left bungalows all over the area, built with elevated porches (so the chickens that workers and their families raised had someplace to scratch) and durable wood, and these have survived long after cigar-making in the US went into decline. Nowadays the places sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, mostly to artists and rich retirees with an eye for the quaint, the durable, and the historically important. And they’re there to see, like any historically important property, for cigar lovers who feel like walking by.

While you’re in the panhandle-shaped state, consider a visit to St. Augustine, one of the oldest European settlements in the nation - and the home of the Solla-Carcaba Cigar Factory, which belongs to the US National Register of Historic Places. You’ll find the rugged brick building at 88 Riberia Street.

And finally, of course, you’ll want to travel northeast of downtown Tampa to visit historic Ybor City. This neighborhood was built, beginning in the late 1880s, by the cigar companies - particularly namesake Vincente Martinez-Ybor, maker of the successful Cuban Prince of Wales brand cigar - and it provided a home to social experimentation that was nearly unexampled elsewhere in the United States at that time. Ybor took the idea of the company town - that depressing feature of late nineteenth-century capitalist life, in which everything, from homes to services, was owned by the company that employed the workers living there - and generously revised it: his vision was to have workers own their own homes, enjoying a more pleasant environment, helping each other.

Workers and Ybor himself benefited, since the prospect of home ownership gave skilled tabaqueros a reason to stick around. And the neighborhood thus built still stands, long after the cigar factories fled - a popular tourist and nightclub district, and an officially recognized National Historic Landmark.

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