Varieties of Cookie Jars

Any outsider would think this to be crazy, but only the people who have grown up eating those special cookies cooked by grandma would appreciate the real value of that glimpse of a cookie jar. It is almost magical - the effect that brings water to your mouths like in the case of that classical conditioning experiment with the dog. It seems like a lot of Americans especially and other kids around the world have had this special experience with cookies which has till today the cookie jar industries. Some of the most amazing products are seen below:

- Company name: Vandor
- Jar Specialty: Musicians, especially pop like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Betty Boop etc. Later also joined by other famous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Scooby doo, Uncle Sam etc.

- Company name: Quaker Oats
- Jar Specialty: Commonly found boxes in market, Aunt Jemina etc.

- Company name: McCoy
- Jar Specialty: Marilyn Monroe, Marvin Martian, Maxine Series, M and M etc.

- Company name: Nightmare Before Christmas
- Jar Specialty: NBC Peacock, Nestle Bear, Nabisco etc.

- Company name: Keebler
- Jar Specialty: Little Red Riding Hood

Here we can see the great influence of American tradition, myths, stories, legends and even pop culture clearly visible on the cookie jars. It is like an untold story. These treasured items even today remain a very impressive antique collection. Like the collection of Andy Warhol that was sold for $250,000.
Other items listed in the most valued list may include Superman, Batman, James Dean, Felix the Cat, The Three Stooges, Amazing Grace, Ragtime, Jazz Player, Babe Ruth, Animals, basketball, American Bisque, Animal Crackers, Brush Pottery Jars, Coca Cola, Easter, Entertainment Logos, Encore's Buddies, Flying saucer, Flamingo, Frog, Football, Foo God, Ghosts, Grant Howard, Halloween, Hearts, Howdy Doody, IGA Circus, Hopalong Casidy, Leprechauns, Mickey Mouse, People, Penguins, Planet Hollywood, Sports themes and so many more.

The awesome variety of designs and ideas is just staggering. Nothing more beautiful could be imagined than what the artists inspired from. This whole collection stares right back at you with all the historic themes and stories that come with it. Imagine if you are looking at an ancient inscription on an old cave's walls. What would you have seen? Their stories, their lives were written on those walls. How they dressed, how they played, how they danced and how they loved is all brought to us by their paintings. There are no words involved as words leave far lesser to your imagination.

The cookie jar undoubtedly are one of these remains of the earlier times when we set on our paths of economic progress, learnt our heavy lessons from the world wars and economic turmoil. They will tell the future generations about the themes and decorations of our lives. When a kid born in 2020 will eat his favorite cookie from a jar carved with Mickey Mouse and Elvis Presley, will he not wonder who these famous personalities are? Perhaps this is our way of writing our stories.

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Where to Learn Sequence and New Vogue Dancing

The first time is always the hardest and even though private instruction is just that, private, group classes are not really that intimidating. Most people you'll find in these sorts of groups are extremely encouraging and friendly. However if you're really shy then private instruction is the way to go. With all the TV coverage it's really got people saying I want to do that.

Sequence and New Vogue dancing is easy to learn. You start with easy ones and then progress to the more difficult amalgamations. Since the exposure of dance in the media dancing in all types and styles has really taken off. Classes have increased dramatically and people want more. There are over one hundred sequence dances and more are being created and published via the UK, finally reaching the Australian shores. Here in Australia we have tended to take on British dancing from our early origins and have taken their dance styles through to today. Sequence dancing has taken on the same rhythms from the ballroom such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Jive or Swing. Some of the sequences dances to name, just a few, Georgella Blues, Saunter Together, Glen Roy Foxtrot, Georgella Blues, Mayfair Quickstep, Melody Foxtrot, Ragtime Swing, Rumba One.

There are many places around Australia to learn all these dances many of these are non-profit organizations and have been going now for more than 30 years or more. They are successful in promoting the events and most attended sequence balls. Many couples drive long distances to enjoy great nights out and spend the weekends away in these beautiful cities and towns (like Ulladulla), and catching up with all their friends from Canberra, Sydney Melbourne, Brisbane Adelaide and Perth. All areas offer recreational activities and these friendly people make it a great get away for dancers to visit for the weekend after they dance their feet off at this fabulous dance balls. Other activities may include a Friday night class before their big events, this gives many people time to catch up on there busy lives before the major functions. The attendance at these events have been stronger than ever, with great music from a great bands and organized with the best leadup work, which is why so many people repeatedly book every year.

You can scout around in all cities for dance studios that teach these styles, your local area may have a studio. They may also include other styles of dance and this is quite common because of the variety people demand. Every studio may offer different styles so it's best to contact them before making any commitments, each business will have different priced dance programs. Enjoy!

Brian Akers is the owner of the Greatlife Dance Club website, which has information on Ballroom Dancing Classes in Sydney

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Get Foxy With the Foxtrot!

Many of the popular styles of ballroom dancing are European in origin, but the Foxtrot, with its fun and fast movements, is one style of dance that is as American as apple pie!

The Foxtrot is normally, like swing dancing, is danced to the sounds of the big bands, and is said to have been started by a vaudeville performer named Harry Fox in 1914. He and his dance partner would perform their dance to ragtime tunes, and the dance quickly became known as the Fox's Trot. Later, the dance became even more popular when it was performed by Vernon and Irene Castle, as well as Arthur Murray.

There are a number of reasons why people love dancing the Foxtrot. It's fast, fun, exciting, and the music is terrific! There is absolutely no way that one can be unhappy when they are doing the Foxtrot. The health benefits are amazing, and you will even improve your balance and coordination. Your cardiovascular system will be healthier, and you will, at the very least, end up with really great muscle tone!

Today's Foxtrot consists of fast and slow movements, and of course, you will be paired with a partner for this style of dance. This is a style of ballroom dancing that really lets you show off your fun and outgoing nature. Also, since it is a partner dance, it is an excellent way to meet new people, and you might even just meet that special someone!

There are five basic steps you will learn when you take Foxtrot lessons:

• Basic Forward
• Basic Backward
• Rock Left Turn
• Forward Progressive
• Promenade

Once you have learned these steps, you will move on to the following:

• Right and Left Walks
• Quarter Turns
• Progressive Step
• Left Turn
• Twinkle Step
• Box Step

The Foxtrot involves smooth, fast walking movements. There are actually two types of Foxtrot: American Foxtrot and International Foxtrot. The main difference between the two is that in International, danced positions are closed, while the American style of Foxtrot utilizes both open and closed positions.

If you have been thinking about learning ballroom dancing, you've got to try your hand at the Foxtrot. It's loads of fun, for you and your partner, the fast movements provide plenty of exercise, and at the very least, you will learn a new skill that will impress your friends (and probably make them jealous that they can't dance like you).

Have you ever wanted to learn to foxtrot dancing? Then visit my learn ballroom site where you can learn the Foxtrot and every other ballroom dance style.

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Croquet: A Gentleman's Sport?

George Gershwin, an early American musical genius, transformed public opinion on a style of music that was up until that time found mainly in such “unrepeatable” places as bars and speak-easies. The uniquely American sounds of early jazz received a broad new audience with the advent of Gershwin’s phenomenal hit orchestration, Rhapsody in Blue. Almost single-handedly he brought a “tavern sound” of ragtime to the mainstream public and can now be found in high-brow music collections.

Like pre-Gershwin jazz, Croquet [http://www.playcroquet.com] in its early days kept some unruly company. In the 1890’s Croquet at the Boston Common, one of the United State’s oldest public parks, gathered gambling, drinking and licentious crowds. Boston clergymen decried this filthy behavior, which tainted Croquet’s image as a public sport.

Croquet in the United States began as a watered-down version of the courtlier British Commonwealth 6-wicket Croquet. This posh sport was and is still played among the Brits on neatly cut greens similar to those found on golf courses. Heavier wooden mallets and balls are necessary to obtain high accuracy. Intense skill and strategy were aspects of 6-wicket Croquet that the US version did not contain at first. Garden Croquet, as it is known (among other aliases), has remained popular in the US since its introduction over a hundred years ago. US players though, considered it more of a light hearted game than a sport and thus failed to maintain the high status of the English 6-wicket.

It was not until the late 1970’s that the United States began to capture on a widespread basis the original essence of Croquet. Finally it had regained it standing and elegance as a refined sport through a bit of effort by Jack Osborn in 1977. Despite its small beginnings, Osborn’s United States Croquet Association has grown to include nearly 10,000 croquet players playing across the US and Canada on over 600 well-groomed lawns. While Croquet the garden game still enjoys a large following in the U.S., there is also now room for players who are passionate about the more competitive type of croquet that includes deep skill and focus.

Both versions of the game can be purchased and participated in by those interested in this British construction. The milder form of Croquet is great for family reunions, company parties, birthday parties and other get-togethers. The classy 6-wicket Croquet is typically played in clubs where membership fees can pay to maintain the manicured greens. With well documented rules for both versions one can easily learn how to play Croquet at any level, although it may be preferable for beginners to start with a more basic set of rules. A simpler version of the game called Golf Croquet can be easily learned and game time can be as short as 30 minutes. Domestic and international rules apply to club and tournament play and slightly differ from one another.

Croquet has truly transformed into a gentlemen’s, and for that matter, a lady’s sport, requiring physical skills similar to those found in billiards and golf, yet the strategic mind of a chess player. George Gershwin would be proud to see the progress of Croquet in America and perhaps even respect the mainstream attention that it has received, I’m sure he was a croquet enthusiast.

Ryan Mendenhall is a yard game enthusiast with http://www.Kubbin.com – “The place for the Swedish Game. For more about Croquet and Croquet Sets [http://www.playcroquet.com/croquet_sets.htm] please visit Play Croquet.

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Learn & Master Piano by Will Barrow - An In-Depth Review of the New Course on DVD

Learn & Master Piano with Will Barrow was recently released in November of 2007. The course was developed by Legacy Learning Systems. This is the same company that developed the highly successful guitar training course Learn & Master Guitar. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Learn & Master Piano course in the mail. Originally the course was to be released in October but the shipping date was pushed back a month so that Legacy Learning Systems could finish pressing all of the DVD's.

I finally received the course in early December and couldn't wait to check it out. Upon opening the packaging I found a small crack in the included binder. This had me a bit concerned that the DVD's and CD's included with the course might be scratched or damaged as it was apparent that the shipping company didn't handle the package with care. I'm glad to say everything was fine. No scratches or scrapes on any of the disc's.

The course includes:

14 DVDs,

5 Play Along CDs

104 Page Lesson Book

The 14 DVD'S are organized into 28 sessions:

1. First Things First

2. Major Progress

3. Scaling The Ivories

4. Left Hand and Right Foot

5. Minor Adjustments

6. Upside Down Chords

7. The Piano as Singer

8. Black is Beautiful

9. Black Magic

10. Making The Connection

11. Let it Be

12. Breaking Up's Not Hard to Do

13. Rockin' the Piano

14. A Bit of Beethoven

15. Pretty Chords

16. The Dominant Sound

17. Getting The Blues

18. Boogie-Woogie and Bending

19. Minor Details

20. The Left Hand as Bass

21. The Art of Ostinato

22. Harmonizing

23. Modern Pop Piano

24. Walkin' the Blues & Key Shakin'

25. Ragtime, Stride and Diminished

26. Jazz Piano

27. Hot and Cool Piano

28. Building Bridges

The course starts out with a brief introduction by the course instructor Will Barrow. Will explains what will be needed for the course (basically just an 88 key piano or workstation) and talks briefly about how the course will move along.

I noticed that the production quality is excellent right from the start. Having taught piano, guitar and bass I was curious to see how they would film the course in a way that the student could always see what keys or chords were being played. Legacy Learning Systems has done a great job with this. Whenever Will is playing the piano a virtual keyboard shows up on the screen above the normally shown camera angles of the keyboard. I really love this feature because not only is it very easy to see what notes are being played but students will have the added benefit of seeing the actual names of the notes and the chords on the screen.

In addition to the visual help from the virtual keyboard, the course also included little tid bits of information for the student to remember. Mr. Barrow refers to these as "nuggets" and they appear from time to time when they apply to what is currently being taught. I think it's really smart way to get really important details across without having the student overwhelmed by too much information at once.

The course isn't really designed for children but I think any young adult would be comfortable going through the lessons. I would like to state the course is really aimed at teaching adults, so if your thinking about buying it for anyone under the age of 14 you might want to look else where.

Learn & Master Piano isn't cheap. It's $249 the last time I checked for the full course. Legacy Learning Systems often has sales on their products so if you see it at $249 check back in a day or so because they are known for having weekly sales.

Thanks for reading!
Jason

Jason Ericson has been a musician for over 25 years and has played professionally and taught students of all ages over the last 10 years. Learn about Learn & Master Piano here: http://www.pianocoursereviews.com/Learn-and-Master-Piano-Reviews.htm

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Jazz Images

From photographs of jazz artists (famous or otherwise) to abstract art representing the jazz concept, from the word "jazz" in graphic design to T-shirts, posters, postcards, bumper stickers, other products etc. Great images for anyone who loves jazz!

What is jazz? The word "Jazz" was first used in about 1915 in Chicago. Jazz is a musical style which began to appear from about the beginning of the 20th Century in the Southern United States, and had influences from both Africa and Europe.

Jazz is a very popular form of music around the world today, and has sub-styles including swing, trad. jazz, be-bop, cool jazz, jazz-fusion, ragtime, jazz-rock, new cool, stride, and many others. Jazz has been a huge influence on many other musical styles including classical music, with composers such as Stravinsky, Gershwin and Copeland being obviously influenced by jazz to varying degrees.

What is jazz imagery? Jazz images represent jazz in various ways, such as photographs of jazz artists or abstract representations of the concept of jazz, or the word "jazz" used in graphic designs. They can vary from intense images representing the nervous energy of be-bop, to cool relaxed images representing the more laid-back jazz styles, from old black-and-white photographs of famous early jazz artists, to pure abstract art relating to the concept of jazz.

The word jazz is a great word to use in imagery as it is fairly short and has interesting shapes.

Jazz performers have been widely photographed, from early trad-jazz greats to little-known fusion artists and everything in between. Photographs of jazz artists can be processed to change them in various ways.

Jazz abstracts:- abstract or semi-abstract art somehow representing the concept of jazz in some way, sometimes including recognizable elements such as jazz performers, instruments or notation, or sometimes purely abstract.

To see lots of great Jazz Imagery, and buy them if you wish as posters, cards, T-shirts, bumper-stickers, etc. and to learn more about jazz imagery . . . Jazz images

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Piano Buying Guide - Two Tips

Over the years of working on pianos (I have been a registered piano technician and a performing pianist for over 25 years) and in talking with my customers I have seen over and over again that buying a quality piano can be a challenging and daunting task. So I finally decided to put together this information together - to share with you the essential keys I have learned over the years to make sure you buy a quality instrument that will bring you pleasure for a lifetime.

Buying a Piano - You Get What You Pay For

Never get a piano simply because it is cheap or free. In the absence of an accurate appraisal, you may succeed at first with an inexpensive front end acquisition that soon after turns into a rear end headache. I have seen too many people under such circumstances giving up on their excitement and enthusiasm towards playing the piano simply because they made a poor buying choice. You should consider the purchase of your next piano to be a major acquisition that requires careful consideration. As with most major purchases, you do get what you pay for. If you want to buy a piano that will work well and last for many years, you should to expect to pay at minimum $3,500 to 5000 for an entry level console/studio piano and $10,000 to 12,000 or so if you are looking for an entry level grand piano. Of course you can expect to pay a lot more if you are looking to get a more precious brand like Steinway, Bosendorfer or Sauter but this gives you a basic range to start with. If you see a new piano for less than this, chances are that it just won't measure up to your needs over time.

A Piano's Design Is the Blueprint for What a Piano Will Be

Pianos are still essentially an old world technology. Bottom line - the sound quality, playability and durability of a piano begins with the following three factors. It's design, materials and the craftsmanship in assembling it. On the outside pianos can look to be very similar. But there are many intricacies that go into constructing a piano that affects how it plays and sounds. Some of these include scaling, action design, and the tension resonant structure (the soundboard, the pin block, plate, and rim or back of the piano).

I know that this area can get kind of technical, so I want to give you some easy guidelines on picking the right design for the kind of use you intend for your piano. Generally speaking, it is always optimal, if you have the resources, to go for a grand piano. Grand pianos just have a superior design over an upright and the action and sound is just better. But if you do not have the space or want to spend the money for a grand piano, then you should look for a larger upright (a studio to a full size upright). Consoles can be ok if you are a beginner or beginning intermediate player. But if you want an instrument with more sound and resonance a full or studio upright is something you should consider. I would generally recommend staying away from spinet style uprights - they just do not have the action or sound that will measure up to any type of players' needs.

Eben Goresko is a Classical, Ragtime and Stride Pianist. Eben studied classical piano at Temple University as a Piano Performance Major and has studied Jazz Piano with several notable Jazz Musicians. He also has extensive experience tuning and servicing pianos and has been qualified for over 25 years as a Registered Piano Technician of The Piano Technicians Guild.

Piano CO
http://www.ACenturyPiano.com/

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