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It’s what every writer’s dream is, earn a living doing what he/she loves best, writing. Edgar Allen Poe, Baltimore’s beloved writer did just that, although his first piece was written and published anonymously. He was brother to William and Rosalie Poe. Edgar Poe would later adapt the full name Edgar Allen Poe, taking the Allen name given to him by the family that would raise him after his parent’s passing at a young age. Poe attended the University of Virginia, a school founded by Thomas Jefferson. His stint in the university would not last long as vices such as gambling and drinking would catch up to him. Poe would come to blame his foster family for not continuing his education, claiming they did not support him, but his addictions were probably that which did him in. Following these accusations he and the family would become estranged. It was because of those addictions, that the troubled Poe would lose his soon to be wife, the beautiful Sarah Elmira Royster.

A series of gigs kept him a float for a while, but not long enough and the discouraged Poe became a soldier, under the pseudonym Edgar A. Perry. His time in the United States Army served as inspiration as he published a collection of poems “Tamerlane and Other Poems”. He was not credited for this collection, as Edgar Allen Poem, which may have been a blessing in disguise, as it was a flop. It sold just over an embarrassing forty copies. Poe made a living in the service, but ultimately was not happy there. He would enlist the help of his estranged foster father, who did not respond until the passing of his wife finally allowed him to forgive Poe.

Trying to find himself Poe would take shelter in Baltimore with some distant family. Bitter family feuds finally led to the end of any relationship Poe would hold with his father. He would serve in West Point for a bit, before heading back to Baltimore, to tend to his dying brother. Perhaps a broken heart caused Poe to dive into his writing despite strife in the publishing field. He bobbed up and down in the poetry waters for a bit, before returning to prose (stories rooted by actual events). It was here he started to achieve some acclaim, as a Baltimore newspaper awarded his piece “MS Found in a Bottle”. A Big Shot helped him get a job with the “Southern Literary Messenger”, so off to Richmond he set, but not for long.

Once again Poe shot him self in the foot as he was found polluted on the job several times. Poe would try again to clean up his act and received his job back, promising to stay sober. Things started to look up for Poe, as he would marry his much younger cousin Virginia Clemm, in Baltimore. The “Southern Literary Messenger”, was flying of the stands under his watch. Numerous publications beckoned his writing and he succeeded at each task. The next few months he would reside in Maryland, Philadelphia and New York.

As his wife fell ill, he fell to the bottle again, but still managed to get work out there and the “Raven” came to life. Despite the “Raven’s” success Poe remained a fixture at local bars in Baltimore. It was on a Baltimore street that Poe was found stumbling around intoxicated, just before he died. He is buried in Baltimore at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Although he moved about in his career, Baltimore seems to have embraced his legacy, thus naming their football team the Baltimore Ravens.

For more information on Baltimore, Maryland, visit http://www.baltimoremicroblog.com and http://www.microblogbaltimore.com.

In the brothels and slums of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, a fusion of Spanish, Uruguayan, and African dance and music styles created the tango, the famous and sensual dance of Argentina.

It was a social dance, based heavily on improvisation and formed around close, almost intimate interaction; the communication between partners must be impeccable, because the dance has no set patterns and no “basic step” from which to build. However, it was not necessarily a sensual or sexual expression; there were men-only tango clubs.

European immigrant communities in Argentina in the 1890s picked up on the music, which was initially just one of many styles that went by the name “tango.” It swiftly became the fad of the underclass, who danced in crowded halls, leading to a close-contact and casual dance style. The tango music became the most popular in Argentina, comprising more than a third of all the gramophone records and sheet music sold between 1902 and 1920.

By 1912, the music and dance had begun to spread from the barrios to the middle-class and even upper-class dancing establishments and nightclubs across Argentina. From there the craze spread swiftly to Paris, London, and Berlin, where they were danced with less intimate contact between the partners. In Finland, the dance found a new home and expression, played in minor keys and performed in flowing, horizontal patterns, now known as Finnish Tango; it grew to the height of its popularity in the 1950s. In English Tango the dance evolved into a competitive ballroom style, heavily structured and with strict codes that introduce a more staccato movement not seen in Argentina, as well as the head-snap movement often seen in film. New York tango performers modified the dance to a wider embrace as well.

Meanwhile in Argentina, the dance became heavily associated with Carlos Gardel’s Mi Noche Triste, a song of tragic love. The music in the 1920s was taken up by classical musicians who gave it a more complex and elegant flavor, and slowed the tempo. Then it fell out of favor during the 1930s and 1940s, only to revive again along with the nationalist fervor of Argentina’s Per?n years. Rock and Roll music, along with economic struggles in Argentina, dealt it another blow, and it steadily declined in popularity until finally enjoying a resurgence in the 1980s.

In the 1990s, the emergence of electronic and world music gave the tango a new twist. Combining jazz elements with popular music from artists such as Gotan Project, Tom Waits, and Portishead, Tango Neuvo has appealed to an entirely new generation of dancers. This style was the result of a structured analysis of the physics and kinesiology of tango, which emphasized the axis of turn and directional changes. Practitioners of this style, as well as the more traditional forms, have brought the dance from Argentina to new dance hubs such as San Francisco and Chicago. Today in Buenos Aires, there are dance competitions that host Argentine Tango performers from all over the world.

For more information on Buenos Aires, Argentina, visit http://www.buenosairesmicroblog.com and http://www.argentinamicroblog.com.

I’m not sure if the people in Cape Coral, Florida are aware of this, but one of Cape Coral’s citizens has a very, very dark mind. I’m not sure of where he lives in Cape Coral, but if people of Cape Coral want to take a deep look into his mind they need to turn on Showtime and find out.

Whenever discussing my favorite television shows, I cannot go without mentioning the Showtime series Dexter. It involves one of the most vile, brilliant concepts on television today.

Dexter is about a serial killer, who only murders the bad guys. It is a topic often brought up in vigilante stories, but usually the stories involve heroes in comic books and movies. Dexter works for the police department as a blood splatter expert and sees the flaws in the judicial system.

Without giving too much away, Dexter was a victim of the system and that experience heavily influences the person he has become today. Dexter humanizes these actions and you can not help, but applaud him for it. He is careful, he’s tedious; he’s funny and extremely likeable.

Author Jeff Lindsey, who lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with his family, came out with the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, which the first season of the show was based on. The novel and the series take place not too far from Cape Coral, in Miami FL. In the first season many taboo topics are prevalent in story lines. The topic of sex, in which Dexter has intimacy issues with his girlfriend. She, herself, was a victim of sexual abuse. Murder is of course chronicled; judging if it’s morally right to kill someone; if in turn, it saves a multitude of lives. It covers family life and how far individuals will go to protect one of their own? It talks about the failures of the judicial system and watching criminals fall through the cracks, only to kill again.

Lindsey seems to invoke the inner killer in all of us and humanizes it. It brings up an interesting topic as an audience member watching Dexter. Dexter is a character, that although he does the most vile of things, we root for him. We don’t care if he is from Cape Coral, FL or Timbuktu. We root for him to succeed at his job, in his personal life, as well as getting away with committing these horrific crimes. When the police say not to take the law into your own hands, there is an exception to every rule and he is the exception.

We don’t want to see him fail or pay for his crimes. He does things, that when push comes to shove, most of us could never do. It’s not in our DNA. It’s not something you are born with; it is something that is made. The show goes into Dexter’s history and how someone could develop just a dark side. And watching the show and being a fan of the show I find it amazing at some of the things humans are capable of doing and the depths that they will go to hide their dark and twisted secrets.

I don’t know how many people in Cape Coral watch the show, but the citizens of Cape Coral can rest assure, they have one brilliant, dark and twisted mind living in their city and he calls Cape Coral home.

For more information on Cape Coral, Florida visit http://www.capecoralmicroblog.com and http://www.floridamicroblog.com.

Having a Hawaiian luau party is a great way to celebrate a joyous occasion. Seeing people in different costumes are always exciting and are memorable when pictures are taken. Since luaus are associated with summer, many theme shops are offering items to help in the decorations. Those who wish to have this kind of event can get summer party supplies from different shops around the country. These shops offer Hawaiian luau party supplies to those who have this particular theme in mind. These items are not very expensive and can even be bought at a discounted price if bought in bulk.

The famous luau skirts can be found in shops that sells Hawaiian luau party supplies. It can be donned by both men and women but for the purpose of party costumes, it is best worn by women. Men however will need to wear them for performing the traditional Hawaiian dance. The skirt is originally made from grass but the ones commonly found in shops are usually made from plastic or cotton strings. Children will look very cute in the luau skirt especially when they too are performing the traditional dance during the party.

Hawaiian luau party supply shops also sells customized flowers that makes great accessories for guests. Since men are usually clad in brightly colored shirts, they can add on the flowers to further tune up to the party theme. Although flowers are more suitable to be worn by women, for the sake of Hawaiian party, they make great accessories for men too. The flowers can be attached to the collar of the shirt or pocket. These flowers can be in shades of yellow, blue or red.

To go with the shirts, floral shorts are best for bottom attire. You can also find them at Hawaiian luau party supplies shops. They are very comfortable too considering that the party will most likely be held during the hot summer time. Ladies too can don these floral shorts underneath their luau skirt should they feel uncomfortable with wearing swimsuits or bikinis. For men though, they can also wear slacks should it be allowed for the party.

Flip-flops are the best footwear to be worn with the attires mentioned for this party. However, just because flip-flops are fairly simple looking footwear, you should also make sure that you choose one that compliments your outfit. You have a choice between designer flip-flops or the common ones that can be bought from stores. Even the Hawaiian luau party supply sells them for a pretty cheap price. Designers are more expensive and they would have their company or designer logo on the flip-flops. You can also find flip-flops that are drawn and designed by popular artist.

One last accessories to complete the look for Hawaiian luau party. Leis are absolute must haves because without it, the party just doesn’t look Hawaiian enough. Choose from the many colors available but some popular choices are blue, red and violet. You can buy leis at summer party or Hawaiian luau party supply stores and they must be worn for both men and women. You should also take note of the material the leis as they can develop irritations for your guests that have sensitive skin for they will be worn on the neck throughout the event.

Hawaiian themed parties should be an exciting one filled with fun events for the guests. Therefore, to make it work, you should be encouraging your guests to join in the fun. There are also souvenirs in which can be bought from the Hawaiian luau party supplies that can be given to the guests. Don’t forget to have tropical food and drinks to further make the theme come to life.

With years of experience under his belt, Raymond Plona is a natural when it comes to planning a party using birthday party supplies. His store provides plenty of merchandise to suit all needs such as children’s educational toys, clearance party supplies, Hawaiian Luau party supplies, summer party supplies and many more.

Samuel Eto’o, although he seems to have been playing at the top level for such a long time, was, in fact, born in March 1981 in Nkon, Cameroon. Seemingly followed by controversy, Eto’o signed for Real Madrid as a 16 year old and had, to put it mildly, a strange relationship with the club from then on.

Firstly, upon his arrival at Madrid airport, young Samuel was famously forgotten about – a young black African with no Spanish hanging around an airport; an inauspicious beginning. After uneventful loan spells at Legan?s and Espanyol, the coltish-looking Eto’o found himself loaned out to Mallorca, where he really began to show off his credentials.

Scoring 54 goals, Eto’o became the islanders’ highest league goal scorer and developed a real affinity with the supporters there – and he famously scored a spectacular individual goal against Madrid in the Bernabeu! Eto’o enjoyed his relationship with Mallorca so much that, when they reached the Copa del Rey final in 2003, he paid out ?30,000 on a meal for them!

At the end of his loan spell, the Real Madrid supporters were almost unanimous in their desire for Samuel to return to the capital and compete for the forward positions with Raul and Ronaldo. What followed was a summer of continuous speculation and argument and eventually, for ?24 million, the player signed for Barcelona – something that still annoys many Real Madrid fans.

Since then, Eto’o has scored goals galore for the Catalan giants. In his first, championship-winning season, Eto’o scored 25 league goals, including the title-clinching strike at Levante. He reached 50 goals in just 67 matches – a club record.

In addition to wining African Footballer of the year a record three times in succession from 2003, Samuel was part of the Cameroon side that won the African Cup in 2000 and 2002 and was runner-up in 2008. Previously, he had been the youngest player, at 17 years and 3 months, in the 1998 World Cup. He was the pichichi, top goal scorer, in La Liga in 2005/06, when, of course, he scored an equalising goal in the Champions’ League final against Arsenal.

Controversy has never been far away, however. After winning the league in 2005, Eto’o made the mistake of singing an abusive song about Madrid during the on-pitch celebrations. He has also been famously outspoken in his denouncements of racial abuse chanted in grounds – even threatening to walk off during one league game at Zaragova. Furthermore, there were times during 2007/08 season when Samuel Eto’o seemed a very forlorn figure, when his relationship with some of the other players was not at its best. At the end of the season, it seemed that the club were determined to transfer Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o, the perceived bad influences at the club. Eto’o, though, with typical determination, was adamant that his future was still with Barcelona – and he has proved to be absolutely correct.

Samuel Eto’o is fast, two-footed, brave and a totally committed team player and arguably the best centre forward in modern football.

Samuel Eto’o and the rest of the squad can be seen at FC Barcelona’s home matches played at the world famous Nou Camp. Make sure you buy FC Barcelona match tickets online to beat the queues and avoid disappointment on your trip to this magnificent city.

Fishermen trek the seas at daytime. Some do it during daybreak, especially if they are into catching rare fish. But fishing in the dark? Isn’t that a little too inconvenient? Well, fishing in the dark is quite possible. You can do all the fishing you want during the night and there’s no one’s to stop you. There are a lot of professional fishermen that do this. They prefer fishing a nighttime because are fewer crowds and lesser distractions. However, only the knowledgeable and talented angler will be able to haul prize catches at such an hour.

Fish are similar to land animals, in a way. There are species that comes out at night and not during the day. However, that doesn’t leave you with catching only exotic fish during the night. It is possible to catch trout and bass at night too. You see, fishing in the dark isn’t impossible. Just learn the proper techniques and you should be good.

But don’t get it wrong. Fishing in the dark doesn’t necessary mean trekking the waters at midnight. The best time is right after the sun sets. This is when you can take prize catches home, perfect for your dinner plate. And as far as seasons are concerned, the best time of the year for night fishing would be in autumn. In fall, night fishing season is at its beast because this is the time when trophy bass do some late dining. As such, they swim near the surface at sunset. This could be due to the water temperature during this particular hour. Plus, there are lesser people on the surface in fall. Rarely do people swim and perform water activities this time of the year because the water is already cold. Therefore, the fish are less spooked and would tend to come out in the open.

Fishing in the dark can take you a 12-pound bass any day. Use the correct lures and you won’t have to wait long in the boat to catch a big fish after dark. Take home the biggest catch of your fishing career. Try it one day after the sun has gone down. Prove the theory right. And you’ll never set foot in the waters during high noon anymore. Why should you, when the night time is cooler and your skin is protected from the sun’s harmful rays?

Schedule your next bass fishing spree on the next full moon. Make sure that the water is a little cold too. To get the bass you want, lower your lure slowly. And the big fish that would surpass your personal record will draw near. Bass are directly affected by water temperature. And when the moon is full, they use only their senses to find food. So don’t agitate them or they’ll go far away from you.

Fishing in the dark is not just an old adage. Nor it was the song that the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band sang. Fish do bite at night and they don’t necessarily sleep tight. Anyway, you can always catch them in their sleep, right?

Part 2 – For part two of this article, head on to http://www.fortlauderdalefishingonline.com where you can also find more information about fort lauderdale sport fishing and fort lauderdale deep sea fishing.

Online gambling laws in Indiana are quite complicated they require an individual to undertake hours of study to have a thorough understanding of them so as to ensure that they are followed correctly. However, don’t be alarmed as there are a couple legal websites which are set up to provide you with the necessary information you may want – the basics of the gambling laws in plain English that anyone can understand. One point that we need to keep in mind though, there are federal laws which are set as a general basis from which all the states create their own laws, like for instance the online gambling laws in Indiana. This article is based on highlighting the advantages of the online gambling laws in Indiana that make them different from other states.

The online gambling laws in Indiana lie firmly in favor of the government. Even though the majority of the online gambling services are provided by private institutions, the rules set up by the government on Indiana leave the Indiana government with a certain degree of control over the entire system. Thus, there would be order, and once the online casinos as well as the online gamblers make themselves aware of the rules and regulations that they need to follow everyone would be able to enjoy the exciting world of online gaming peacefully and more important – legally.

Gambling laws in Indiana concerning internet gambling make it almost impossible for individuals to gamble legally online in Indiana. This is a good thing in the eyes of the government as it of course would reduce the chances of individuals becoming addicted to gambling as if you are gambling online you can participate in this in a much easier fashion than having to go out to a casino to gamble, it can be done at any time day or night and anywhere so a person wouldn’t even have to leave their home to gamble and so could secretly develop an addiction. Also it would be beneficial to the government as they would not have to spend money on setting up programs to help these individuals with their addictions. The third advantage of online gambling laws in Indiana would be in favor of the online casino itself. See there are specific procedures and regulations in which these online casinos need to follow in order to establish themselves, operate, even to advertise, therefore those adhere to these specific laws would not be able to operate once they are discovered. The fourth advantage of online gambling laws in Indiana would be to protect online gamblers from online fraud. This simply means that information is made available via websites which educate individuals on the various scams that are occurring at various casinos or which casinos don’t pay up when you go to cash out.

All of these supposed benefits however ignore the right to the pursuit of happiness underlined in the constitution and a well policed online gambling establishment could be the key to happiness for dozens of individuals in Illinois who are being denied it. Allowing online gambling would increase income in the state of Illinois which would be beneficial to the businesses all around. The most important part to consider though is that people are going to find ways to get around gambling laws and as such may get taken for all they’re worth by immoral online gambling casinos if online gambling weren’t outlawed we could protect all these unwary gamblers.

In closing we need to keep in mind that rules are put in place for our protect and they all serve a very important purpose no matter how small it may be, but some rules need to change with the times. Think about this when you vote for your laws.

Sarah Harrigan is a professional casino player and reviewer. For straight talking honest advice on online casinos be sure to visit her website for comprehensive reviews on the most secure online casinos and winning casino strategies.

On the surface, the differences between black tea vs green tea may seem numerous – and indeed they are! However, there are countless similarities between the two as well.

Let’s learn a bit about what these similarities and differences are and just how they can help start you on the path to a healthier, more energetic lifestyle.

Both black tea and green tea come from the leaves of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. However, it is the way the leaves are processed that determines the outcome of the final product.

Green tea is very high in antioxidants and out of the two, it’s processed the least. Unlike its darker, more full-flavored cousin, it isn’t allowed to ferment or oxidize at all.

This part of the process ensures the final product still retains most of its beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols.

The phytochemicals present in tea leaves are highly sensitive to the oxidation process.

During oxidation, the leaves are exposed to air which allows “fermentation” or oxidation to take place. This increases caffeine levels as well tannins, whilst lessening some of its other phytochemical components such as catechins – the antioxidant powerhouses responsible for green tea fame

Fret not, even though black tea is fully fermented, all of its free-radical scavenging antioxidants are not lost. It still has a variety of health benefits associated with its consumption as well and studies have shown the theaflavins found in a fermented leaf may be just as powerful an antioxidant as those inherent in unfermented leaves.

The catechins found in fermented leaves are simply converted into theaflavins during the oxidation process. This means that black tea, although offering different beneficial properties than green tea, still delivers a wealth of healthful properties.

Aside from processing, these two possess two different flavor profiles and brewing methods.

Due to its minimal handling, green tea has more of well, green flavor. It has been described as having a flavor profile ranging from a grassy and herbaceous taste to light and slightly sweet. Indeed, green tea came from different countries, hence, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnamese.

Be aware that green tea from different parts of Asia varies as far as the quality, taste, and benefits are concerned. It is because of the soil, climate, and processing that makes the huge difference.

The flavor of a fully fermented black tea is cherished the world over. In fact, outside of Asia, this beverage is enjoyed second only to the consumption of water!

It is full-bodied, yet also described as sweet or even nutty.

Its robust taste, rich, dark color and moderate caffeine content makes it the perfect choice for coffee drinkers seeking a healthier alternative to their morning cup of coffee.

As an added bonus, the caffeine found in the fully fermented leaves not only gives your body a much needed midday energy boost, but you won’t endure that jittery coffee feeling afterward.

So now you see, whether you’re in the green corner or the black corner, there is no loser in the Black Tea vs. Green Tea battle!

Rose is a tea enthusiast and a health advocate. Find out more about green tea and black tea. Visit her online store at www.theteaavenue.com where you can find organic tea and fine tea accessories. She also would like to share with everyone her passion and knowledge on tea and its effects on your overall well-being.

Bringing tapas back to their “purest state”

Sure, Madrid’s smoky tapas bars filled with old men have their appeal. But for some really posh tapas, check out the new spot in the NH Hotel Paseo de Prado. Paco Roncero, winner of the 2006 Best Future Chef award from the International Gastronomy Academy and chef at La Terraza del Casino in Madrid, has opened Estado Puro to bring tapas back to their “purest state.” Roncero, who studied with Ferran Adri? and is considered the most outstanding of the famous chef’s prot?g?s, opened Estado Puro to combine classic tapas using the highest-quality ingredients and his signature creative touch. He hopes to open more, similar bars throughout Spain and internationally.

The place is decked out with upscale, cosmopolitan d?cor from architects and designers James & Mau featuring 1,000 kitschy white peinetas, decorative hair combs, covering the ceiling and a wall, adding a bit of an ironic twist to touristy tapas traps. Estado Puro also features an area where patrons can see the chefs cooking, a merchandising area with cookbooks from Roncero and aprons along with a selection sauces from the tapas to take home. There’s even a terrace with a tree surrounded by a small garden of tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. The menu features cold and hot tapas such as croquettes, potatoes with alioli sauce and mini hamburgers as well as sandwiches, salads, desserts and some bigger dishes of rice, meat and fish.

Dinner with a side of celebrity

Javier Bardem, Hollywood’s latest It Boy, comes from a very talented family of directors, producers, artists and actors. But what they should be most famous for are their croquettes. That’s right, La Bardemcilla, owned by the venerable acting7/producing/directing family, cooks some of the best melt-in-your-mouth, falling-apart-at-the-touch croquettes in Madrid. Aptly named “Jam?n, Jam?n,” a plateful of these will cheer you up on the coldest of Madrid winter days.

The cozy place also offers delicious entrees such as Huevos de Oro, scrambled eggs with chorizo and potatoes, and Entre Las Piernas, scrambled eggs with morcilla. The grilled vegetable plate is also scrumptious. On a weekend night, it’s best to call ahead for a reservation. The menu del d?a is a cheaper alternative to enjoy some of their house specialties. Make sure to bring your camera, it’s a great place for celebrity spotting!

A Taste of Home

Burger bars don’t necessarily mean junk food — something that’s abundantly clear at Home Burger Bar. The wood-paneled diner boasts booths, little frilly lamps at each table, authentic chunky cutlery, and menus printed on brown-paper grocery bags, like the ones you see in American movies — all that’s missing are waitresses in gingham aprons. The menu features creative choices such as La Especial, with cream cheese, nuts and onions and the Caprese, with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese as well as staples such as La Cl?sica, a burger served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, bacon and cheese.

The 100 percent organic meat is fantastic, and is perfectly accompanied by the extras. This month, they are expanding from Malasa?a into Chueca with a second location. Good thing, too, because during lunchtime the place is bursting with hungry diners.

Get your just desserts

It’s a venerable Madrid tradition: stay up all night dancing, then refuel with some sickly sweet churros con chocolate. There’s no better place than the Chocolater?a San Gin?s, where madrile?os have been going since 1894, right in the center and open all night. Order a few cups of the thick, rich chocolate to share among a group and a few plates of churros, which are basically sticks of fried dough, and lean back in the plush green velvet chairs to watch the hordes come in about 4am when the clubs close. Chocolater?a San Gin?s, Pasadizo de San Gin?s 5, (Metro: Sol)

Brunch in Style

Madrile?os are just now catching on to the amazing concept that is brunch. And though it’s taken a while to catch on, new spots are springing up all over the city and established restaurants are moving away from the traditional to try something new. Some of the best options include Bristol Bar, (c/Almirante, 20), which is a hip gin bar by night but a relaxing brunch spot on Saturdays and Sundays, when you can choose from a traditional English breakfast to an American-style brunch, complete with eggs, sausage, toast and mimosas. Or head over to Toma, (c/Conde Duqe, 14) where American owner Mack Kern certainly knows what he’s doing.

It’s often cited as the best brunch in Madrid, because it combines tasty Spanish ingredients with classic brunch recipes. Try eggs Benedict, or omelets stuffed with your choice of delicacies ranging from asparagus to goat cheese. Wash it all down with a tasty Bloody Mary. For a buffet-style brunch, try Nina (c/Manuela Malasa?a, 10) which offers bagels alongside classics like bacon and eggs.

This and lots more are among the hundreds of restaurants that madrid has to offer, its often said, to test it, you have to visit the spanish capital!

The Author is a contributing writer a travel guide to madrid. We carry a lot of useful information about Madrid restaurants, bars, nightclubs, Hotels, and shopping centers. Visit us today and bookmark us for your return visits!

Winter is an important time for micro- and craft-brewers. The colder months mean that the heavier beers sell better, and beer aficionados love their holiday-themed beverages. The heavy ales and porters — beers that warm the drinker — lead to sales spikes in the winter. For one of their special holiday beers, Ridgeway brewers had Gary Lippencourt paint them a Santa.

Lippencourt painted a warm image of Claus; the jolly man is sitting atop a large beer barrel (or “butt” in industry lingo) with his back to the viewer, a stein in one hand, and his famous list in the other. The painting wasn’t meant to cause controversy. No, it was meant to be a clever visual pun, perhaps bringing a chuckle, and hopefully sell some beer. The man’s face had been synonymous with Christmas and giving and holiday cheer for decades. Santa, or his visage, would be everywhere and on everything following Thanksgiving. It seemed like everything from Coca-Cola to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade would have a Santa in 2006. Well, everything except for one of the Ridgeway beers that Dan Shelton of the Shelton Brothers was trying to import into a pair of American states. The label for Ridgeway’s Santa’s Butt Winter Porter, which had the Lippencourt Santa, was officially banned by the state liquor authorities of New York and Maine.

For Dan Shelton, and for the Ridgeway beers he imports from England, this wasn’t the first holiday beer that he’d had blocked. A year prior, Connecticut had barred him from selling two Ridgeway ales which had a mischievous elf on the label. Connecticut’s reasoning, the same reason which was paraphrased by New York and Maine, was that depicting such images appealed to children, and could lead to an increase in underage drinking.

Though he had acquiesced in 2005, Shelton was not going to let two states ruin Christmas in 2006. According to his logic, the iconic images of Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer appealed to smaller children, not those likely to buy his beer. Dan stated firmly that his beer wasn’t even remotely marketed at underage drinkers, nor many of those of legal age. To put it bluntly, Dan’s beer is expensive, with the importer quoting in a press release that the average prices are “about five or six bucks a bottle.” No, what seemed to be happening was various state liquor authorities were picking on the proverbial little guy. As Shelton himself put it, banning his beer due to Santa being on the label was “just an easy way to appear to be doing something about [underage drinking] without actually doing something about it.”

While the Shelton Brothers distribution company let Connecticut slide previously, New York and Maine would not be so lucky. Dan Shelton retained Albany-based attorney George Carpinello to bring suit against New York. Carpinello was a sound choice; less than a decade ago he had championed a similar case all the way to the Federal Court of Appeals. The ruling from that case set the precedent Dan was banking on — beer labels were protected as artistic statements under the First Amendment. Though states were granted the right to regulate alcohol sales, denying a product based simply on the label was constitutional infringement.

In Maine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU) helped the Shelton Brothers file suit against the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement (MBLE) on those very same grounds. Through the course of that December, it looked like Dan Shelton and Santa would have a pair of very hot court cases on their hands. Or would have, if Carpinello’s case hadn’t been so sound the first time around.

New York, the first to ban the beer label that year, was also the first to fold. The state’s official statement came out on the heels of a press release by the Shelton Brothers after retaining Carpinello. New York State Liquor Authority stated that the label had originally been banned at a “staff level”. When it was reviewed by the New York State Liquor Authority General Counsel, it passed without issue.

Maine took a bit longer, perhaps waiting for the lawsuit to be fully filed, perhaps examining the evidence, or maybe they were just waiting for fallout from New York’s reversal. Either way, on December 22, 2006, the Maine Bureau of Liquor Enforcement mailed Shelton to inform him of their decision to reverse the ruling against Santa’s Butt Winter Porter. Dan was out of the country at the time, so he didn’t receive the news until after the holiday season, but it did prove his point. While beer lovers consider what’s in the bottle to be art, the federal government considers the art to be the outside.

Written by Lawrence Reaves. Article provided by http://MaverickLabel.com, providing online label printing quotes, online proofs and online ordering to make quick work of your label projects.