Wednesday, October 3, 2007
CelebStaff Magazine Work (2 Samples)
-I have also edited several articles for many issues of the magazine.-
Full Article
Full Article
NFLRush.com Content
(3 Samples)
Facemasks
Facemasks, designed to protect a players face while they are in the game, are structured differently depending on a player’s position. Many people wonder why some facemasks have two bars, while others have three or more. Quarterbacks in the NFL usually wear helmets that have two bars. Defensive backs and wide receivers also use this design, known as a box cage. Kickers, who very rarely are involved in hits on the field, usually wear helmets that only have two bars. They can also see their target better without too many bars getting in the way and blocking their view. Up until 2004, most punters and kickers wore one-bar facemasks. For safety reasons the NFL decided to ban these. Outside of kickers, most position players, from linebackers to running backs wear facemasks that have four bars laid along the basic “U” shape design. Over the “U” are bars that offer players different forms of protection. Three bars across with a fourth down the middle is perfect for protecting the nose, jaw and mouth and is generally worn by players looking for more protection when hitting and blocking up close. A different helmet facemask, worn by linemen on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, is the six bar design. It has a “U” bar at the top and protects players against injuries to the mouth and jaw. It offers ultimate protection but can limit vision. It is also called a full mask.
Coffin Corner
A Coffin Kick or Coffin Corner Kick is the most important weapon in a punters arsenal. Punters are key in giving their team a field position advantage after an offense has failed to score any points or get a needed first down on their drive. The best way for a punter to help his team is to pin the other team’s offense deep in their own territory. A Coffin kick is only possible for most punters if they are not too far away from the target. Somewhere on or before the fifty yard line is best. The name comes from that area of the field known as a Coffin Corner located within ten yards of the receiving teams goal. Kicking into the corner in such a way that the ball bounces first inbounds then out, is what every punter is trying to do. The new offense is then forced to start their drive anywhere from the 1-yard line to the 10-yard line. It is a strategy that gives the defense a great chance to stop the opposing team’s offense from really moving the ball up the field. Once the defense stops them they will have to punt from deep within their own territory setting up great field position when their offense retakes the field. This is all thanks to the punters’ first kick into the Coffin Corner.
The First Super Bowl
The first Super Bowl was played on January 15th, 1967. It took place in historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum not far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It featured the first world championship matchup between an AFL and an NFL team. Legendary Coach Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers defeated the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Some 61,946 people attended the game live and millions more watched at home as the game was shown by both ABC and CBS television stations. The game was part of the merger between the rival American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). That first Super Bowl led to the full merger between the two leagues into one incredibly successful professional football league. In 1970 the old AFL teams, plus three NFL teams would form the American Football Conference or AFC. The remaining NFL teams became the National Football Conference, or NFC. Following the attention and success of that first Super Bowl matchup, the game has gone on to become a worldwide sports phenomenon like no other. What was once just a game, has become a week, sometimes two weeks long celebration of the best two teams in the NFL. The name “Super Bowl” comes from the college football tradition of naming big games “bowls.”
Facemasks
Facemasks, designed to protect a players face while they are in the game, are structured differently depending on a player’s position. Many people wonder why some facemasks have two bars, while others have three or more. Quarterbacks in the NFL usually wear helmets that have two bars. Defensive backs and wide receivers also use this design, known as a box cage. Kickers, who very rarely are involved in hits on the field, usually wear helmets that only have two bars. They can also see their target better without too many bars getting in the way and blocking their view. Up until 2004, most punters and kickers wore one-bar facemasks. For safety reasons the NFL decided to ban these. Outside of kickers, most position players, from linebackers to running backs wear facemasks that have four bars laid along the basic “U” shape design. Over the “U” are bars that offer players different forms of protection. Three bars across with a fourth down the middle is perfect for protecting the nose, jaw and mouth and is generally worn by players looking for more protection when hitting and blocking up close. A different helmet facemask, worn by linemen on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball, is the six bar design. It has a “U” bar at the top and protects players against injuries to the mouth and jaw. It offers ultimate protection but can limit vision. It is also called a full mask.
Coffin Corner
A Coffin Kick or Coffin Corner Kick is the most important weapon in a punters arsenal. Punters are key in giving their team a field position advantage after an offense has failed to score any points or get a needed first down on their drive. The best way for a punter to help his team is to pin the other team’s offense deep in their own territory. A Coffin kick is only possible for most punters if they are not too far away from the target. Somewhere on or before the fifty yard line is best. The name comes from that area of the field known as a Coffin Corner located within ten yards of the receiving teams goal. Kicking into the corner in such a way that the ball bounces first inbounds then out, is what every punter is trying to do. The new offense is then forced to start their drive anywhere from the 1-yard line to the 10-yard line. It is a strategy that gives the defense a great chance to stop the opposing team’s offense from really moving the ball up the field. Once the defense stops them they will have to punt from deep within their own territory setting up great field position when their offense retakes the field. This is all thanks to the punters’ first kick into the Coffin Corner.
The First Super Bowl
The first Super Bowl was played on January 15th, 1967. It took place in historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum not far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. It featured the first world championship matchup between an AFL and an NFL team. Legendary Coach Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers defeated the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. Some 61,946 people attended the game live and millions more watched at home as the game was shown by both ABC and CBS television stations. The game was part of the merger between the rival American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). That first Super Bowl led to the full merger between the two leagues into one incredibly successful professional football league. In 1970 the old AFL teams, plus three NFL teams would form the American Football Conference or AFC. The remaining NFL teams became the National Football Conference, or NFC. Following the attention and success of that first Super Bowl matchup, the game has gone on to become a worldwide sports phenomenon like no other. What was once just a game, has become a week, sometimes two weeks long celebration of the best two teams in the NFL. The name “Super Bowl” comes from the college football tradition of naming big games “bowls.”
Boulevards.com: Web Content Writer
General City Website Content (3 Samples)
Santa Monica
Living in Santa Monica puts one in the heart of a bustling hub of activity, beautiful beaches, beautiful people and hip entertainment.
A romantic stroll along the moonlit boardwalk of Santa Monica Pier serves as the perfect compliment to any young lover’s evening by the beach.
During the day, the shops and walkways of the Third Street Promenade are teeming with visitors looking to indulge themselves in everything this particular part of the city has to offer. The Promenade and surrounding streets tender delights for the eyes, wallets, and senses to consume. The restaurants one will encounter along the way offer delicacies and feasts for the palate arguably unrivaled throughout the coastal region of Southern California. From sushi to Thai, Italian cuisine to pizza or crepes on the go, there are a plethora of different dining choices available to suit each individual taste. Street performers also offer a different form of entertainment for the passerby as they ply their crafts. From musicians to magicians, balloon blowers to balladeers, peace activists to environmentalists there is never a dull moment under the Santa Monica sun. In fact this sort of kitschy entertainment adds flair of unpredictability to the atmosphere that defines this slice of Southern California life.
If films are more your thing, art-house independent theaters and general movie houses are generously located throughout the city.
Venice
As eclectic as it is scenic, Venice Beach has a personality unlike any other city in southern California. Still home to artists, musicians and hipsters galore, Venice seems to attract both the odd and adventurous to its shores. An almost daily ritual consists of walking along the extensive boardwalk and partaking in the sights and sounds of the many people that visit it daily. From dozens of tattoo parlors, sunglass and clothing huts, to get-it-on-the-go food joints, the bustle of activity is always evident. There is never a dull moment as one walks past snake charmers and gold-plated mimes or stops to take in the superhero-like proportions of the weightlifters pumping iron at Muscle Beach.
Basketball games on the local beachfront courts always seam to draw a large crowd especially on Saturday afternoons. Another favorite are the musical performers who bravely get up to share their music on the beach’s main stage. You can often also run into the very same musicians, artists and their friends hawking their latest CD or painting as you stroll along the scenic route by the water.
Further away from the sand lies a part of town replete with cool restaurants and after-dinner lounges. The local pizza is of the mouth-watering variety and some of the more established haunts even let customers bring in their own bottles of wine, corked by the house for a small fee of course. Around each corner are streets filled with stylish houses jutting out from beyond walls of ivy and flowery bushes dressed in the deepest green. Grass lined streets turn into dog parks and recreational areas for skaters and families alike. Apartments in then area are at a premium as many seek to live in the thriving jungle of activity and eccentricity that is Venice Beach.
Toluca Lake
Scenically located in the San Fernando Valley region of southern California, exclusive Toluca Lake resides in close proximity to similarly affluent Burbank. Visitors with stars in their eyes can try to gain entrance into one of the two major movie studios located nearby. Once the home to A-list Hollywood comedians such as W.C. Fields and Bob Hope, the city has maintained a rich tradition of attracting the crème-de-la-crème of the Hollywood set. Taking up residence in this idyllic community, they have contributed to its becoming the upscale haven that it is today. It is not rare to see a film crew or two setting up shop around town. The pristine charm and small town-in-a-big-city scenery of Toluca Lake has been used to depict the serenity of suburban lakefront life on film for decades.
Whether one is seeking a picturesque weekend getaway or are in the midst of a lifetime of residence, Toluca Lake can be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life. With the Santa Monica Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop, many residents and visitors alike take advantage of the various activities the city is best known for. Mountain climbing here is a particular must for those in the know. Some of the best swimming spots, boating areas, and fishing locations can be found along the lake. After spending a day among nature, many take a trip to one of several high-quality restaurants or bistros to indulge themselves in the catch of the day or other, less sea-faring meals.
Real estate is, of course, at a premium here. With exclusive pricing designed to match the exclusive home seeker, the houses in the area are often truly a work of art. The area is also known for having some of the best lodging in the region.
Torrance
Part of Los Angeles County’s South Bay area, the city of Torrance was founded on May 31st, 1911 by the noted real estate developer one Jared Sidney Torrance. Today, Torrance is one of the largest cities in the county and home to one of the United State’s largest mall complexes in the form of the Del Amo Fashion Center. This massive structure houses over three hundred retail options to satiate any consumer fancy. It has opened it’s doors for films such as Jackie Brown and the increasingly popular cult favorite Bad Santa to be set within its’ walls. Of note to nineties teen drama fans is Torrance High School, whose frontage served as the celluloid representative for West Beverly High in Beverly Hills 90210. It has also been shot to represent various other fictional American high schools in other television shows and films as well.
Close to Redondo, Manhattan and Hermosa beaches, Torrance boasts hundreds of acres of prime park and recreational facilities. Apartment and home seekers alike duke it out for the best spots available here in the home of “Rat Beach”, a stretch of beachfront shared with neighboring Redondo Beach. Serving as the U.S. corporate headquarters of Honda and Toyota, the area is also well known as a significant oil-producing region.
Torrance also gains considerable distinction in that it contains one of the nation’s few remaining urban wetlands in Madrona Marsh now a natural reserve. It is also the home to annual ethnic festivals and an Armed Forces Parade. Couple that with its many museums and art centers, and diverse citizenry, and you have a community that lives up to its stated goal of being a balanced city. Many restaurants in the area are also noted for their diversity of choices and taste-bud-pleasing dishes.
Denver Mortgage articles (1 Sample)
Denver Mortgage
Young or old, just starting out or starting over again, the story is the same wherever you go. Many people with bad credit are seeking to purchase homes in Denver by the thousands every year. The first thing they want to know is whether or not their poor credit history will even allow them to secure, refinance or get approved for a loan. Several banks specializing in Denver home loans offer programs that make both financing and refinancing as painless as possible.
A good Denver mortgage company will make available to its customers options that will allow even those with the most questionable of credit scores eligible for a loan. Most institutions in and around the area will sit the prospective home seekers down, setting them up with a personal Denver mortgage broker whose goal will be to ease them through the pre-approval process and explain to them the range of financing options available to them. These are all of course based on the prospects’ budget, as well as past credit challenges.
Often referred to as bad credit loans, these aids to the homebuyer are offered by many Denver mortgage lenders at a fixed rate and with built in benefits particularly for those who are already pre-existing customers. Home equity loans including little to no down payment fees, the extension of quality credit lines, and even incentives such as reduced initial rates for new patrons are available through several home consultants. An experienced, full-service lending center will prepare a package that best suits the individual customer whether they are a first-time buyer or a family seeking Denver refinance choices for an existing property. Bad credit or not, there is no reason that anyone in the area should be left out in the cold when it comes to securing homeownership.
City Restaurant Content (2 Samples)
Bel Air Restaurants
Posh, upper crust Bel Air is known for the elegant dining found most particularly in its many excellent restaurants. The restaurants of Bel Air range in size as well as in the diversity of their menus. If your palate has a particular craving for a dinner with a touch of class, then Bel Air is the destination for you. Boasting cuisines from all over the world, prepared by some of the best chefs the upper echelon of Southern California society can attract, the restaurants here are on par with many of the best dining houses in the world.
Many a resident and visitor to Bel Air expects a touch of panache to enhance their dining experience. It is not uncommon to find yourself sharing space in your favorite restaurant with A-list Hollywood celebrities or an heiress out for a quick bite before taking the town by storm. Reservations are key of course as they allow you to move to the head of the line and avoid being shut out. If you just show up and expect to get a seat, most often than not you will find yourself out of luck. Calling at least a couple of hours ahead, a day or two earlier if possible, will more likely guarantee you a chance to woo your true love without pause at the romantic restaurant of your dreams.
Beautiful arrangements and place settings, complimented by the perfect mood lighting and congenial ambiance make Bel Air restaurants the perfect draw for your dining dollars.
Beverly Hills Restaurants
The restaurants of Beverly Hills, similar to those of its nearby cousin Bel Air, cater to the rich and famous as well as those of us simply looking for a night out in the company of Hollywood royalty. Beverly Hills restaurants welcome those fresh from the shops of swank Rodeo Drive. After a day of high-end buying
Ideally situated near several Beverly Hills landmarks, restaurants abound to satisfy you whether you are craving a particular dish or dying to try the latest, much-heralded chef’s cuisines. Perhaps you’ve just attended a wedding in the adjacent park of historic Greystone Mansion and just can’t wait for the hours to pass between ceremony and reception. There are dozens of doors just waiting for you to pass through and begin your midday meal. From the couches, chairs, drapes and table settings, everything about the majority of Beverly Hills restaurants screams class. Also located here is the Museum of Television and Radio. So, after a day of shopping, sight seeing, and living the glamorous life, go for a bite at a place that values style as much as it does the quality of the food served. Even the hotels in Beverly hills are well known for the meals prepared with sophistication in the kitchens of their in-house restaurants. In the comfort of elegance you can also find some semblance of practicality as well. While Beverly Hills is not known for discounts and bargains, restaurants providing good deals for your pocketbook are out there. Amidst the glamour and glitz there are Beverly Hills restaurants that have filled a particular niche for generations. Grilled sandwich shops that have been around since the days of Marylin Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack still bring in the popular crowds. Chic locations like these are often the prime gathering spots for locals, even more so than the expensive brethren they share the same streets with.
City Hotel Content (2 Samples)
Long Beach Hotels
Overnight or longer-term stays in Long Beach hotels places visitors in the center of one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities. Thousands of visitors flock to Long Beach each year. What they find there are hotels that have become landmarks, lodging houses that have become as much a sight to behold as the other major attractions of the city. Downtown Long Beach hotels are situated in the heart of a bustling city well known for its nightlife. Clubs, restaurants, and bars doubling as lounges, dot the landscape of the city and are a short walk or scenic drive from the area hotels.
The luxury hotels of Long Beach have a dedicated staff payroll. All rooms are elegantly fashioned and are designed with ultimate comfort in mind. Beds are of the highest quality, with daily maid and cleaning service provided to maintain their spotless charm. More boutique size hotels in Long Beach pride themselves on making guests feel as though they have come to stay with friends. Neither cold nor impersonal, these establishments they are class residences whose orientation is focused on customer satisfaction.
Very close to the Long Beach airport, these hotels provide a convenient stopover for cross-country travelers. Long Beach hotel buses travel to and from the airport with some frequency and are just a quick desk call away once passengers have successfully exited baggage claim.
Malibu Hotels
Malibu is home to a accumulation of five star lodging establishments offering the finest beachfront views on the west coast. What exactly should a top-of-the-line hotel have to offer? While there are a myriad of possible answers to this question, the ultimate answer is a simple one. The perfect Malibu hotel, whether it is a Malibu beachfront hotel, a luxury Malibu inn, or a boutique dwelling located along the mountainside, should be exactly what you, the client, need it to be. It should be staffed with individuals who are expert at servicing the requests of guests whether they happen to be celebrated in film or as the head of their household. Movie stars and soccer moms on holiday for the weekend should be treated with equal care and awarded like service during their stay. There should be no task too complex or impossible to meet, no request considered too out of the ordinary.
Quite a good number of these Malibu hotels are a part of larger chains. With that association comes a need to uphold the reputation of the parent corporation. Many pride themselves on their dedication to making their guests stay a more than memorable one. To that end, they employ professionals skilled in the art of going beyond mere room cleaning and valet parking. Need tickets for a sold out show set to take place in when you arrive? Should be no problem. Left home before you could iron your best suit for the meeting? Again, no problem as rooms come equipped to help solve your dilemma. Daily tailoring and laundry services are also at your disposal in the best hotels Malibu has to offer.
Santa Monica
Living in Santa Monica puts one in the heart of a bustling hub of activity, beautiful beaches, beautiful people and hip entertainment.
A romantic stroll along the moonlit boardwalk of Santa Monica Pier serves as the perfect compliment to any young lover’s evening by the beach.
During the day, the shops and walkways of the Third Street Promenade are teeming with visitors looking to indulge themselves in everything this particular part of the city has to offer. The Promenade and surrounding streets tender delights for the eyes, wallets, and senses to consume. The restaurants one will encounter along the way offer delicacies and feasts for the palate arguably unrivaled throughout the coastal region of Southern California. From sushi to Thai, Italian cuisine to pizza or crepes on the go, there are a plethora of different dining choices available to suit each individual taste. Street performers also offer a different form of entertainment for the passerby as they ply their crafts. From musicians to magicians, balloon blowers to balladeers, peace activists to environmentalists there is never a dull moment under the Santa Monica sun. In fact this sort of kitschy entertainment adds flair of unpredictability to the atmosphere that defines this slice of Southern California life.
If films are more your thing, art-house independent theaters and general movie houses are generously located throughout the city.
Venice
As eclectic as it is scenic, Venice Beach has a personality unlike any other city in southern California. Still home to artists, musicians and hipsters galore, Venice seems to attract both the odd and adventurous to its shores. An almost daily ritual consists of walking along the extensive boardwalk and partaking in the sights and sounds of the many people that visit it daily. From dozens of tattoo parlors, sunglass and clothing huts, to get-it-on-the-go food joints, the bustle of activity is always evident. There is never a dull moment as one walks past snake charmers and gold-plated mimes or stops to take in the superhero-like proportions of the weightlifters pumping iron at Muscle Beach.
Basketball games on the local beachfront courts always seam to draw a large crowd especially on Saturday afternoons. Another favorite are the musical performers who bravely get up to share their music on the beach’s main stage. You can often also run into the very same musicians, artists and their friends hawking their latest CD or painting as you stroll along the scenic route by the water.
Further away from the sand lies a part of town replete with cool restaurants and after-dinner lounges. The local pizza is of the mouth-watering variety and some of the more established haunts even let customers bring in their own bottles of wine, corked by the house for a small fee of course. Around each corner are streets filled with stylish houses jutting out from beyond walls of ivy and flowery bushes dressed in the deepest green. Grass lined streets turn into dog parks and recreational areas for skaters and families alike. Apartments in then area are at a premium as many seek to live in the thriving jungle of activity and eccentricity that is Venice Beach.
Toluca Lake
Scenically located in the San Fernando Valley region of southern California, exclusive Toluca Lake resides in close proximity to similarly affluent Burbank. Visitors with stars in their eyes can try to gain entrance into one of the two major movie studios located nearby. Once the home to A-list Hollywood comedians such as W.C. Fields and Bob Hope, the city has maintained a rich tradition of attracting the crème-de-la-crème of the Hollywood set. Taking up residence in this idyllic community, they have contributed to its becoming the upscale haven that it is today. It is not rare to see a film crew or two setting up shop around town. The pristine charm and small town-in-a-big-city scenery of Toluca Lake has been used to depict the serenity of suburban lakefront life on film for decades.
Whether one is seeking a picturesque weekend getaway or are in the midst of a lifetime of residence, Toluca Lake can be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life. With the Santa Monica Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop, many residents and visitors alike take advantage of the various activities the city is best known for. Mountain climbing here is a particular must for those in the know. Some of the best swimming spots, boating areas, and fishing locations can be found along the lake. After spending a day among nature, many take a trip to one of several high-quality restaurants or bistros to indulge themselves in the catch of the day or other, less sea-faring meals.
Real estate is, of course, at a premium here. With exclusive pricing designed to match the exclusive home seeker, the houses in the area are often truly a work of art. The area is also known for having some of the best lodging in the region.
Torrance
Part of Los Angeles County’s South Bay area, the city of Torrance was founded on May 31st, 1911 by the noted real estate developer one Jared Sidney Torrance. Today, Torrance is one of the largest cities in the county and home to one of the United State’s largest mall complexes in the form of the Del Amo Fashion Center. This massive structure houses over three hundred retail options to satiate any consumer fancy. It has opened it’s doors for films such as Jackie Brown and the increasingly popular cult favorite Bad Santa to be set within its’ walls. Of note to nineties teen drama fans is Torrance High School, whose frontage served as the celluloid representative for West Beverly High in Beverly Hills 90210. It has also been shot to represent various other fictional American high schools in other television shows and films as well.
Close to Redondo, Manhattan and Hermosa beaches, Torrance boasts hundreds of acres of prime park and recreational facilities. Apartment and home seekers alike duke it out for the best spots available here in the home of “Rat Beach”, a stretch of beachfront shared with neighboring Redondo Beach. Serving as the U.S. corporate headquarters of Honda and Toyota, the area is also well known as a significant oil-producing region.
Torrance also gains considerable distinction in that it contains one of the nation’s few remaining urban wetlands in Madrona Marsh now a natural reserve. It is also the home to annual ethnic festivals and an Armed Forces Parade. Couple that with its many museums and art centers, and diverse citizenry, and you have a community that lives up to its stated goal of being a balanced city. Many restaurants in the area are also noted for their diversity of choices and taste-bud-pleasing dishes.
Denver Mortgage articles (1 Sample)
Denver Mortgage
Young or old, just starting out or starting over again, the story is the same wherever you go. Many people with bad credit are seeking to purchase homes in Denver by the thousands every year. The first thing they want to know is whether or not their poor credit history will even allow them to secure, refinance or get approved for a loan. Several banks specializing in Denver home loans offer programs that make both financing and refinancing as painless as possible.
A good Denver mortgage company will make available to its customers options that will allow even those with the most questionable of credit scores eligible for a loan. Most institutions in and around the area will sit the prospective home seekers down, setting them up with a personal Denver mortgage broker whose goal will be to ease them through the pre-approval process and explain to them the range of financing options available to them. These are all of course based on the prospects’ budget, as well as past credit challenges.
Often referred to as bad credit loans, these aids to the homebuyer are offered by many Denver mortgage lenders at a fixed rate and with built in benefits particularly for those who are already pre-existing customers. Home equity loans including little to no down payment fees, the extension of quality credit lines, and even incentives such as reduced initial rates for new patrons are available through several home consultants. An experienced, full-service lending center will prepare a package that best suits the individual customer whether they are a first-time buyer or a family seeking Denver refinance choices for an existing property. Bad credit or not, there is no reason that anyone in the area should be left out in the cold when it comes to securing homeownership.
City Restaurant Content (2 Samples)
Bel Air Restaurants
Posh, upper crust Bel Air is known for the elegant dining found most particularly in its many excellent restaurants. The restaurants of Bel Air range in size as well as in the diversity of their menus. If your palate has a particular craving for a dinner with a touch of class, then Bel Air is the destination for you. Boasting cuisines from all over the world, prepared by some of the best chefs the upper echelon of Southern California society can attract, the restaurants here are on par with many of the best dining houses in the world.
Many a resident and visitor to Bel Air expects a touch of panache to enhance their dining experience. It is not uncommon to find yourself sharing space in your favorite restaurant with A-list Hollywood celebrities or an heiress out for a quick bite before taking the town by storm. Reservations are key of course as they allow you to move to the head of the line and avoid being shut out. If you just show up and expect to get a seat, most often than not you will find yourself out of luck. Calling at least a couple of hours ahead, a day or two earlier if possible, will more likely guarantee you a chance to woo your true love without pause at the romantic restaurant of your dreams.
Beautiful arrangements and place settings, complimented by the perfect mood lighting and congenial ambiance make Bel Air restaurants the perfect draw for your dining dollars.
Beverly Hills Restaurants
The restaurants of Beverly Hills, similar to those of its nearby cousin Bel Air, cater to the rich and famous as well as those of us simply looking for a night out in the company of Hollywood royalty. Beverly Hills restaurants welcome those fresh from the shops of swank Rodeo Drive. After a day of high-end buying
Ideally situated near several Beverly Hills landmarks, restaurants abound to satisfy you whether you are craving a particular dish or dying to try the latest, much-heralded chef’s cuisines. Perhaps you’ve just attended a wedding in the adjacent park of historic Greystone Mansion and just can’t wait for the hours to pass between ceremony and reception. There are dozens of doors just waiting for you to pass through and begin your midday meal. From the couches, chairs, drapes and table settings, everything about the majority of Beverly Hills restaurants screams class. Also located here is the Museum of Television and Radio. So, after a day of shopping, sight seeing, and living the glamorous life, go for a bite at a place that values style as much as it does the quality of the food served. Even the hotels in Beverly hills are well known for the meals prepared with sophistication in the kitchens of their in-house restaurants. In the comfort of elegance you can also find some semblance of practicality as well. While Beverly Hills is not known for discounts and bargains, restaurants providing good deals for your pocketbook are out there. Amidst the glamour and glitz there are Beverly Hills restaurants that have filled a particular niche for generations. Grilled sandwich shops that have been around since the days of Marylin Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack still bring in the popular crowds. Chic locations like these are often the prime gathering spots for locals, even more so than the expensive brethren they share the same streets with.
City Hotel Content (2 Samples)
Long Beach Hotels
Overnight or longer-term stays in Long Beach hotels places visitors in the center of one of America’s most ethnically diverse cities. Thousands of visitors flock to Long Beach each year. What they find there are hotels that have become landmarks, lodging houses that have become as much a sight to behold as the other major attractions of the city. Downtown Long Beach hotels are situated in the heart of a bustling city well known for its nightlife. Clubs, restaurants, and bars doubling as lounges, dot the landscape of the city and are a short walk or scenic drive from the area hotels.
The luxury hotels of Long Beach have a dedicated staff payroll. All rooms are elegantly fashioned and are designed with ultimate comfort in mind. Beds are of the highest quality, with daily maid and cleaning service provided to maintain their spotless charm. More boutique size hotels in Long Beach pride themselves on making guests feel as though they have come to stay with friends. Neither cold nor impersonal, these establishments they are class residences whose orientation is focused on customer satisfaction.
Very close to the Long Beach airport, these hotels provide a convenient stopover for cross-country travelers. Long Beach hotel buses travel to and from the airport with some frequency and are just a quick desk call away once passengers have successfully exited baggage claim.
Malibu Hotels
Malibu is home to a accumulation of five star lodging establishments offering the finest beachfront views on the west coast. What exactly should a top-of-the-line hotel have to offer? While there are a myriad of possible answers to this question, the ultimate answer is a simple one. The perfect Malibu hotel, whether it is a Malibu beachfront hotel, a luxury Malibu inn, or a boutique dwelling located along the mountainside, should be exactly what you, the client, need it to be. It should be staffed with individuals who are expert at servicing the requests of guests whether they happen to be celebrated in film or as the head of their household. Movie stars and soccer moms on holiday for the weekend should be treated with equal care and awarded like service during their stay. There should be no task too complex or impossible to meet, no request considered too out of the ordinary.
Quite a good number of these Malibu hotels are a part of larger chains. With that association comes a need to uphold the reputation of the parent corporation. Many pride themselves on their dedication to making their guests stay a more than memorable one. To that end, they employ professionals skilled in the art of going beyond mere room cleaning and valet parking. Need tickets for a sold out show set to take place in when you arrive? Should be no problem. Left home before you could iron your best suit for the meeting? Again, no problem as rooms come equipped to help solve your dilemma. Daily tailoring and laundry services are also at your disposal in the best hotels Malibu has to offer.
Taylor Companies: Examples of work
- Corporate Writer and Editor, created the majority of the copy for www.tay.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
WH Freeman and Worth Editorial Work
Rayner-Canham, Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry, Third Edition, Developmental and New Media and Supplements Editor
Baird, Environmental Chemistry, Third Ed., Developmental Editor
Wink, The Practice of Chemistry, Developmental Editor
Review Work
Nova #1
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Sean Chen
Inker: Scott Hana
Colors: Guru EFX
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Adi Granov
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Bill Roseman
“S-so, I guess I’m alone now…with powers I’ve only yet to learn about. But I’ve learned one thing. My powers must always be used for justice…no matter what the risk…no matter what the danger. For that is the destiny of…NOVA!” A weak spirited kid spoke these words named Richard Rider who felt that he would always be just another loser. That Nova is far from the powerful, class-A galaxy defender that we are introduced to here in the inaugural issue of Nova’s new series. Post Annihilation, the universe is in chaos, with whole worlds devastated and civilizations suffering the consequences of the most devastating war to hit the galaxy in ages. In steps Nova, confident and infused with the power of the entire Nova Corps answering distress call after distress call in an effort to save as many lives as possible. Under the pen of Abnett and Lanning, Richard Rider has become the hero he was always meant to be, finally living up to the destiny set forth way back when. Yes, I’m a Nova fan from way back, but never before have I liked him as much as I have in the past year plus. Going all the way back to his solo Annihilation miniseries, Abnett and Lanning have quite possibly established themselves as the definitive Nova writers. These guys are really taking the character to new heights. This issue is a non-stop sci-fi adventure ride with a final page that is going to make any fan begging to see a certain Shield Director get what’s coming to him, smile with anticipation. We see here that while Nova may be the last Centurion, he is indeed the most powerful one to ever live thanks to the influence of the Xandarian Worldmind, which in some panels even takes on a Professor Stein – like appearance, and sadly, the destruction of Xandar. ‘Planetfall’, an adversary that might have given a younger Richard Rider a two-issue run for his money, is dispatched with quips, well thought out attack strategies, and the requisite powerful punches. The war has forced Rider to grow up and become a true hero.
Powerful as he may be though, he is pushing himself way too hard and the Xandarian Worldmind, both out of a sense of self-preservation as well as concern, suggests that Richard Rider return home for some much needed rest. His decision to do just that is where we end essentially, after following Nova frantically trying to answer every distress call addressed to the now decimated Nova Corps.
Sean Chen’s artwork really captures the spirit of Rich Rider. We not only feel the anguish and survivors guilt he is dealing with, but it’s clearly visible in every strained expression thanks to Chen’s vivid attention to detail. He also nails the heck out of the various shots of Nova living up to the nickname The Human Rocket. This Nova’s not going to get pushed around the halls of Harry S. Truman high. Chen’s Nova looks like he’s ready to kick some serious intergalactic bad guy behind.
Nova is written here with a purpose. He is strong-willed and determined to save as many lives as possible in the wake of the devastation unleashed as a result of the Annihilation. Abnett, Lanning and Chen present a Nova that is not merely one part Spiderman and one part Green Lantern (nod to the GL Corps not withstanding). In issue number one, he comes across as his own character able to stand toe-to-toe, shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most powerful in the Marvel Universe.
While, at times the dialogue can feel a little forced, the overall back and forth between characters is rather enjoyable to read. At times witty and equal parts tragic and inspiring, Nova #1 is one of the better debuts to come from Marvel in a good long while. In both dialogue and art it stands up to the debuts of two of the years other surprisingly good reintroductions, Iron Fist and Moon Knight. Nova #1 is that good. Richard Rider is not some punk kid anymore. Here he’s one of the best the Universe has at its back. Several cool moments happen in this book, but to tell more would be spoiling what should be a must buy for any fan of exciting superhero sci-fi.
9 out of 10
Unique #1 of 3
Writer: Dean Motter
Art and Colors: Dennis Calero
Letterer: Scott O. Brown
Cover: Dennis Calero
Editors: Paul Cibis and Jim Mclauchlin
Created By: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Publisher: Platinum Studios Comics
The premise of this new offering from Platinum Studios is incredibly interesting. While the story moves slowly in the beginning, it really starts to pick up the pace midway through and rockets to the cliffhanger sequence that ends issue one. Diving right into it, there are parallel worlds. Each world has a you, a me, there is a counterpart on multiple earths. Now this is nothing new to any reader of DC’s vast library of comics, but here it is handled in a more real world X-files type of setting. If you die on an alternate earth, you die here as well. There are exceptions to the everyone has a counterpart rule. People that exist soley in one reality with no other versions of themselves are called Uniques. This premise unfolds in the background and leads to the spiraling mystery that takes over the main protagonist’s life.
Following a surreal prologue that sets up the strangeness to come, things kick off in a doctor’s office, where Jon Geoffries is trying to come to grips with the strange dreams that seem to be plaguing him of late. Troubled and mentally fragile, John returns to his ho-hum job as Without spoiling things, events soon spiral out of control as
The artwork is reminiscent of Bryan Hitch and, in some spots similar to what Salvadore Larrocca is currently doing on Marvel’s New Universal title. The latter similarity has a lot to do with Calero’s color-use I suspect. Basically, this book sports some pretty good art…..overall. Unfortunately, there are several instances of over-photoshopped images that don’t always mix in well with the finely detailed pencil art. Some panels look less refined than others, the main problem arising when certain experiments to mix media through photo manipulation come across as jarring and effectively takes the reader right out of the story. Reading the story, and I’ll speak more on that in a minute, you get the sense that the team is going for something surreal as two worlds start to blend in and out of the same moment in Jon Jeffries mind (fix…). The problem is that certain backgrounds look empty and flat. Some panels sport colors that look oversaturated and others that appear blurry. There were a few instances where I couldn’t quite tell what was going on. The biggest problem results, however when it appears that photos were dropped in and reworked to fit the tone of the book. In itself not a bad thing, but when falling into sequence side-by-side with panels that look more naturally hand drawn it just doesn’t seem to work. Make no mistake, these issues aside, Dennis Calero is one talented artist. The experimentation in some places just doesn’t work for me.
As far as the story goes, it is a compelling one that presents us with an intriguing premise of a man caught up in the drama of two worlds. There’s a Neo-like moment that takes place in Jon’s normal Earth office that fans of the first Matrix films will no doubt get a kick out of. Let’s just say it’s amusing watching him try to avoid two well-dressed auditors in dark sunglasses who, as the story progresses, will continue to show up shadowing the steps of our unlikely hero. In fact, other men of equal fashion sense pop up on both worlds seemingly out of nowhere, lending credence to what I assume is a slight homage. Some scenes do get a little derivative, but mostly I’m willing to let that go to see how far the authors are going to take this concept of the Uniques.
In all, Unique is a good first issue that is all about experimenting with the medium. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The payoff comes when Jon Geoffries makes the jump to another world. People in the world he knew exist in the new, but they are significantly changed, leading lives alien to our protagonist. Two worlds, the same but different. The jumps back and forth show us what’s really behind his somnambulism and hallucinatory dreams. When it works best, you’ll feel like you’re taking this crazy ride with Jon. Hopefully the next two issues will have more good than bad. It should be noted that Platinum is offering the reader 48 pages for $2.99 with no real ads until after the story concludes. Not bad at all in today’s market. There’s enough here to make me pick up the next two issues, if only to see if this book can really live up to it’s name by pulling all the concepts laid out chaotically in this first issue into something truly different and unique.
JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER # 230
“In at the Deep End” Part One
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist/Inker: Leonardo Manco
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Lee Bermejo
Editor: Casey Seijas
It’s been about three years since I last picked up a Hellblazer book. I’d heard there was going to be a new team on the book, but hadn’t really given much thought to it until I saw the Lee Bermejo cover standing out on the racks. It perfectly captures the distinctive charm that is pure John Constantine. From the cocky smirk and devilish eyes, to a smoke pentagram that hangs in the air taunting the reader to take a chance, I was drawn off the fence right away.
Things kick off with John bound and on the wrong end of what seems to be a simple case of straight up payback. I won’t spoil the story, but suffice it to say that part one of “In at the Deep End” is a deep tale of lowlife crime and manipulative magic. There is payback, but not the kind we’re presented with to start. The story read like crime-horror with a double shot of Jim Beam-laced mysticism. It mixes genres without coming across as contrived. Diggle weaves a smooth tale filled with unique characters, genuine emotion, and enough twists to keep you in suspense until the very end. His dialogue snaps with an energy that beats along perfectly to the moody realism of Leonardo Manco’s visuals.
Manco’s work has grown more subtle and streamlined since his days on Marvel’s Hellstorm title. He renders each character in vivid detail, making each panel move with a certain cinematic pacing. There is a life to his art. One splash in particular screams off the page in a creepy tone that makes the reader feel uncomfortable in the way good horror is supposed to make you feel.
All in all, this first dip into Diggle’s opening tale works on many levels. Hellblazer #230 is a good jumping on point for both new readers and returning fans alike. It’s not the most original Constantine story ever written, but if you’re new to the book or coming back after a long hiatus, it is a cool story that definitely delivers a decent mystery. It will put a smile on the face of anyone with a wry sense of humor and a taste for subtle manipulations and magical one-upmanship. The last two pages set up a finale well worth checking out in thirty days.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by: Guy Copes
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Art: Sean Chen
Inker: Scott Hana
Colors: Guru EFX
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover: Adi Granov
Assistant Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor: Bill Roseman
“S-so, I guess I’m alone now…with powers I’ve only yet to learn about. But I’ve learned one thing. My powers must always be used for justice…no matter what the risk…no matter what the danger. For that is the destiny of…NOVA!” A weak spirited kid spoke these words named Richard Rider who felt that he would always be just another loser. That Nova is far from the powerful, class-A galaxy defender that we are introduced to here in the inaugural issue of Nova’s new series. Post Annihilation, the universe is in chaos, with whole worlds devastated and civilizations suffering the consequences of the most devastating war to hit the galaxy in ages. In steps Nova, confident and infused with the power of the entire Nova Corps answering distress call after distress call in an effort to save as many lives as possible. Under the pen of Abnett and Lanning, Richard Rider has become the hero he was always meant to be, finally living up to the destiny set forth way back when. Yes, I’m a Nova fan from way back, but never before have I liked him as much as I have in the past year plus. Going all the way back to his solo Annihilation miniseries, Abnett and Lanning have quite possibly established themselves as the definitive Nova writers. These guys are really taking the character to new heights. This issue is a non-stop sci-fi adventure ride with a final page that is going to make any fan begging to see a certain Shield Director get what’s coming to him, smile with anticipation. We see here that while Nova may be the last Centurion, he is indeed the most powerful one to ever live thanks to the influence of the Xandarian Worldmind, which in some panels even takes on a Professor Stein – like appearance, and sadly, the destruction of Xandar. ‘Planetfall’, an adversary that might have given a younger Richard Rider a two-issue run for his money, is dispatched with quips, well thought out attack strategies, and the requisite powerful punches. The war has forced Rider to grow up and become a true hero.
Powerful as he may be though, he is pushing himself way too hard and the Xandarian Worldmind, both out of a sense of self-preservation as well as concern, suggests that Richard Rider return home for some much needed rest. His decision to do just that is where we end essentially, after following Nova frantically trying to answer every distress call addressed to the now decimated Nova Corps.
Sean Chen’s artwork really captures the spirit of Rich Rider. We not only feel the anguish and survivors guilt he is dealing with, but it’s clearly visible in every strained expression thanks to Chen’s vivid attention to detail. He also nails the heck out of the various shots of Nova living up to the nickname The Human Rocket. This Nova’s not going to get pushed around the halls of Harry S. Truman high. Chen’s Nova looks like he’s ready to kick some serious intergalactic bad guy behind.
Nova is written here with a purpose. He is strong-willed and determined to save as many lives as possible in the wake of the devastation unleashed as a result of the Annihilation. Abnett, Lanning and Chen present a Nova that is not merely one part Spiderman and one part Green Lantern (nod to the GL Corps not withstanding). In issue number one, he comes across as his own character able to stand toe-to-toe, shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most powerful in the Marvel Universe.
While, at times the dialogue can feel a little forced, the overall back and forth between characters is rather enjoyable to read. At times witty and equal parts tragic and inspiring, Nova #1 is one of the better debuts to come from Marvel in a good long while. In both dialogue and art it stands up to the debuts of two of the years other surprisingly good reintroductions, Iron Fist and Moon Knight. Nova #1 is that good. Richard Rider is not some punk kid anymore. Here he’s one of the best the Universe has at its back. Several cool moments happen in this book, but to tell more would be spoiling what should be a must buy for any fan of exciting superhero sci-fi.
9 out of 10
Unique #1 of 3
Writer: Dean Motter
Art and Colors: Dennis Calero
Letterer: Scott O. Brown
Cover: Dennis Calero
Editors: Paul Cibis and Jim Mclauchlin
Created By: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Publisher: Platinum Studios Comics
The premise of this new offering from Platinum Studios is incredibly interesting. While the story moves slowly in the beginning, it really starts to pick up the pace midway through and rockets to the cliffhanger sequence that ends issue one. Diving right into it, there are parallel worlds. Each world has a you, a me, there is a counterpart on multiple earths. Now this is nothing new to any reader of DC’s vast library of comics, but here it is handled in a more real world X-files type of setting. If you die on an alternate earth, you die here as well. There are exceptions to the everyone has a counterpart rule. People that exist soley in one reality with no other versions of themselves are called Uniques. This premise unfolds in the background and leads to the spiraling mystery that takes over the main protagonist’s life.
Following a surreal prologue that sets up the strangeness to come, things kick off in a doctor’s office, where Jon Geoffries is trying to come to grips with the strange dreams that seem to be plaguing him of late. Troubled and mentally fragile, John returns to his ho-hum job as Without spoiling things, events soon spiral out of control as
The artwork is reminiscent of Bryan Hitch and, in some spots similar to what Salvadore Larrocca is currently doing on Marvel’s New Universal title. The latter similarity has a lot to do with Calero’s color-use I suspect. Basically, this book sports some pretty good art…..overall. Unfortunately, there are several instances of over-photoshopped images that don’t always mix in well with the finely detailed pencil art. Some panels look less refined than others, the main problem arising when certain experiments to mix media through photo manipulation come across as jarring and effectively takes the reader right out of the story. Reading the story, and I’ll speak more on that in a minute, you get the sense that the team is going for something surreal as two worlds start to blend in and out of the same moment in Jon Jeffries mind (fix…). The problem is that certain backgrounds look empty and flat. Some panels sport colors that look oversaturated and others that appear blurry. There were a few instances where I couldn’t quite tell what was going on. The biggest problem results, however when it appears that photos were dropped in and reworked to fit the tone of the book. In itself not a bad thing, but when falling into sequence side-by-side with panels that look more naturally hand drawn it just doesn’t seem to work. Make no mistake, these issues aside, Dennis Calero is one talented artist. The experimentation in some places just doesn’t work for me.
As far as the story goes, it is a compelling one that presents us with an intriguing premise of a man caught up in the drama of two worlds. There’s a Neo-like moment that takes place in Jon’s normal Earth office that fans of the first Matrix films will no doubt get a kick out of. Let’s just say it’s amusing watching him try to avoid two well-dressed auditors in dark sunglasses who, as the story progresses, will continue to show up shadowing the steps of our unlikely hero. In fact, other men of equal fashion sense pop up on both worlds seemingly out of nowhere, lending credence to what I assume is a slight homage. Some scenes do get a little derivative, but mostly I’m willing to let that go to see how far the authors are going to take this concept of the Uniques.
In all, Unique is a good first issue that is all about experimenting with the medium. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The payoff comes when Jon Geoffries makes the jump to another world. People in the world he knew exist in the new, but they are significantly changed, leading lives alien to our protagonist. Two worlds, the same but different. The jumps back and forth show us what’s really behind his somnambulism and hallucinatory dreams. When it works best, you’ll feel like you’re taking this crazy ride with Jon. Hopefully the next two issues will have more good than bad. It should be noted that Platinum is offering the reader 48 pages for $2.99 with no real ads until after the story concludes. Not bad at all in today’s market. There’s enough here to make me pick up the next two issues, if only to see if this book can really live up to it’s name by pulling all the concepts laid out chaotically in this first issue into something truly different and unique.
JOHN CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER # 230
“In at the Deep End” Part One
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist/Inker: Leonardo Manco
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Cover: Lee Bermejo
Editor: Casey Seijas
It’s been about three years since I last picked up a Hellblazer book. I’d heard there was going to be a new team on the book, but hadn’t really given much thought to it until I saw the Lee Bermejo cover standing out on the racks. It perfectly captures the distinctive charm that is pure John Constantine. From the cocky smirk and devilish eyes, to a smoke pentagram that hangs in the air taunting the reader to take a chance, I was drawn off the fence right away.
Things kick off with John bound and on the wrong end of what seems to be a simple case of straight up payback. I won’t spoil the story, but suffice it to say that part one of “In at the Deep End” is a deep tale of lowlife crime and manipulative magic. There is payback, but not the kind we’re presented with to start. The story read like crime-horror with a double shot of Jim Beam-laced mysticism. It mixes genres without coming across as contrived. Diggle weaves a smooth tale filled with unique characters, genuine emotion, and enough twists to keep you in suspense until the very end. His dialogue snaps with an energy that beats along perfectly to the moody realism of Leonardo Manco’s visuals.
Manco’s work has grown more subtle and streamlined since his days on Marvel’s Hellstorm title. He renders each character in vivid detail, making each panel move with a certain cinematic pacing. There is a life to his art. One splash in particular screams off the page in a creepy tone that makes the reader feel uncomfortable in the way good horror is supposed to make you feel.
All in all, this first dip into Diggle’s opening tale works on many levels. Hellblazer #230 is a good jumping on point for both new readers and returning fans alike. It’s not the most original Constantine story ever written, but if you’re new to the book or coming back after a long hiatus, it is a cool story that definitely delivers a decent mystery. It will put a smile on the face of anyone with a wry sense of humor and a taste for subtle manipulations and magical one-upmanship. The last two pages set up a finale well worth checking out in thirty days.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by: Guy Copes
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