Tonight I am going to dinner with my fiance Michelle, a few friends and some family for my brother in-law Kevin’s 40th birthday. My sister mentioned we were going to Central Steakhouse in New Haven. I read some decent reviews on the place and will be giving my own when I get home or first thing in the morning. I have never done a review before but know I love some steak; medium rare is my choice for cooking.

From Yelp…

Carlene of Albany, NY

For the food, the price is generally around $25-30 per entree.  I had the NY Strip steak and it was very good.  My side of asparagus was super salty, so ask them to hold the seasoning if you’re sensitive to sodium.  Other than that, our salad, salad dressing, and the homemade bread were all delicious.

I want to see what the ambiance is supposedly like if I have to wear these dress pants and shoes.

UPDATE: Don’t have to dress up. My fiancee spent 2 days shopping and hours of getting ready for nothing. I am sure we are going to have fun. Later!!!

• Food:

• Ambiance:

• Service:

• Prices:

UPDATE!!!

To start I mentioned before leaving that I could wear jeans and sneakers I get there and everyone is in button downs with shoes. The man of the night had jeans and work boots on. I had nothing to think about.

I noticed right away we were in the wine cellar of the restaurant. Being from New Haven it was cool to know I was in a wine cellar in the center of the city. The lights were dimmed, candlelight flickering, appetizers didn’t stop and the Heinekens for myself and soda for my beautiful fiancee were there before we could ask. Being in the wine cellar it flowed throughout the time we were there. Service was good for what it was. The servers were very polite. I am a natural tipper. Nobody else tipped besides another brother in-law that was there; Joe.

My sister invited a party of about 20. The dining table where we were seated seemed to be better for 14-16 people. My girl mentioned it right away once we all sat down for dinner. I have only seen plates like we had on TV. I never understood the plates I see on TV that seem to be only for show. I had swordfish with artichoke in some type of sauce. It was Alright. I had never had swordfish before and can’t say I am looking forward to it in the future. I do know I was at a steakhouse and not a seafood joint.

Over all if asked to go back to Central Steakhouse on Orange St. in New Haven I would say yes only to try something else. It would be different, too because I would be upstairs in the restaurant rather than in the banquet room. I am probably too much of a simpleton. Oh yeah, prices ranged between 31-50+ dollars a head.

In the end IT IS worth a try.

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The new website; Stumpbusterllc.com is up and running. The new logo says it all. With easy navigation, big pictures, a cool slide show and an elegant overall design. Included are individual pages for the towns of North Haven, Wallingford, Cheshire and Hamden in CT. Woody and his crew primarily work in these communities.

There is and will be more individual pages showcasing past and recent jobs in chronological order; from start to finish. Get information about the different Connecticut tree services offered by Stumpbuster LLC., see them At a Glance from the homepage, check them out on Twitter and Facebook or follow their soon to be regularly updated blog connected directly to the website.

Woody has been in the tree services game for over 25 years. His expertise and dedication to customer care and satisfaction will come out of him as he talks to you during the first visit. Depending on the service you need; stump grinding in Cheshire, North Haven tree pruning or yard makeover in Wallingford. Woody will make sure to guide you on the best but least expensive path while not taking away from what Could Be. You’ll get a free estimate, too.

Be sure to check out the new website; Stumpbuster LLC. Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Woody will be updating the blog and his social media accounts as much as he is able. He would love to hear from you, too. Contact them with your opinions, suggestions, like or dislike. A Hamden Tree Services company.

Stumpbuster LLC
Woodward Harding (Woody)
cell: (203) 824-0000
office: (203 288-8733)
44 State Street
North Haven, CT. 06473

One of the most known waterways in the area; the Rogue River is a preferred choice for many visitors. You have the 14 mile Gold Hill section and the Recreation section that flows 16 miles from where it flows with the Applegate River in Grant’s Pass to Galice. Go on a 2-3 day trip and you can hike through the Rogue River canyon. Watch animals run in their natural settings while areas that seem uninhabited can be found everywhere.

Get picked up at your hotel, motel or bed & breakfast to be on your way to take a run on the Upper Klamath class IV+ run from Spring Island to Copco Lake. The first spot to maybe run you off the raft is Hell’s Canyon Gorge that is said to be the start of an 80fpm drop. From there you run into another 40+ sections of rapids from one called ‘Caldera’ to none other than the ‘Bermuda Triangle’. That is not to say that you don’t have time take in the natural wonders that you will surely pass throughout your trip whether on the water or on the road.

The Lower Klamath River according to National Geographic Adventure Magazine in 2008 was considered one of the top 10 family adventures. You get Class III whitewater, waterfalls, unending natural wonders on all sides and plenty of history to go around. The staff will surely provide you with answers to all of your questions about the area. Moving 184 miles from the Irongate reservoir to the Pacific ocean, the Lower Klamath is long, long, long. Take advantage of all of it.

You can check out the Owyhee River, too. This is a high desert canyon trip that consists of a true ‘wild and scenic’ river. 8 hours from Portland, 2 hours from Boise, Idaho and 4.5hrs from Reno, NV you get to enjoy the experience of a lifetime in what seems like the middle of nowhere.

That was 3 rivers to get you started in terms of choice. The people of Rogue Klamath River Adventures to also introduce you to the 19 mile Class V Cal-Salmon river and another 18mile Class IV section on the Scott River. The Scott drains from both Marble Mountain the Salmon-Trinity Alps.

If I had the time or ever appreciated whitewater rafting I would surely take the trip with my fiance and the kids. If you are a nature buff or are tired of only seeing it on television or in the movies Medford, Oregon has this little company named Rogue Klamath River Adventures that is waiting to provide you the experience of a lifetime in terms of natural surroundings while having a blast. They also have salmon and steelhead fishing trips available. Make your reservation today by visiting Rogueklamath.com.

205 Garden Row | Gold Hill, OR 97525 | 800.231.0769

Submitted by Dawne Morrison: Owner of Bright Spot Children’s Playplace of Vernon, CT

The Bright Spot Children’s Playplace is the perfect place to play for your young child!  It’s a clean, safe indoor play space especially for children under 6.  We have fun active play equipment, pretend play, arts & crafts, and science & discovery areas all in space designed especially for young children.  It’s big enough for your children to be happy and engaged and small enough for you to see them from anywhere in the space.  Come in for open play, unique classes taught by an early childhood professional, and one-of-a-kind birthday parties for children 5 and under!

The Bright Spot was created by Dawne Morison, a mother of 2 young children and former teacher.  Dawne is the owner and director and has a Masters in Early Childhood Education.  The design of the space, the class curriculum, and even the birthday parties are based on sound early childhood practice and what works for children under 6. Dawne has taught toddlers to second graders over the years and was a stay-at-home mom before opening The Bright Spot.

The Bright Spot Children’s Playplace, LLC
520 Hartford Turnpike (Rt. 30)
Vernon, CT 06066
(860) 871-9334

www.brightspotplayplace.com

I want the new deck. Daddy, we still need the pool. A fire pit would look good and be a great place to hang out. Sorry kids and wifey but times are tough, those things are going to have to wait.

YEAH RIGHT.. you may get away with ditching one of the mentioned projects but ALL 3; nah, I don’t think so. There are countless companies out there in the same position as the rest of us no matter how you think. There is overhead, insurance, payroll and countless other expenses not thought of from those on the outside looking in. At the same time the deals being thrown around for everything from a kitchen/bathroom renovation to a new look landscape that will give you a lifetime of serenity and good times are growing in abundance.

I am in Connecticut personally and have to throw a shout to a couple I know of working in towns like, New Haven, Hartford and Wallingford to Norwich, Plainfield and Kent, CT. Have windows replaced, roof repaired, plumbing brought up to code or the lawn razed and seeded for something fresh and new anywhere in CT. Connecticut offers a variety of great choices with great reviews and references for those searching for a Connecticut home improvement contractor. That is not saying there are not new companies out there that may outshine the companies with 100 5 star reviews.

Advantage Contracting out of West Hartford is a provider of some of the finest custom homes found in the state of Connecticut. Be sure to go to Advantage-contracting.com to check out their portfolio showcasing work they have done. From the ground up have a home created from your dreams with Advantage Contracting here in CT. The times are not great for most custom home builders in CT. Their reputation has carried them through and they are waiting to help you live in the home of your dreams. Custom home builders in CT can be found. Check them out at Advantage-contracting.com.

Home improvement in CT at its best. Clear Choice Exteriors is another great choice for those looking for exterior help to get the outside to match the interior that has been finished up. In Wallingford and beyond its borders Clear Choice Exteriors has claimed a spot amongst the best in the business when it comes to creating or repairing the exterior of any home. Have windows replaced using only the best products from popular manufacturers for all budgets. Roofing done the right way, siding installation as well as door replacement from the garage to the shed door, they have something for you and your budget. Check them out at Clearchoiceexteriors.com.

So yeah, the economy is a bit crazy for many of us these days. Know though that any home improvement dreams can still be had after choosing a Connecticut home improvement contractor with you on their mind. The 2 companies mentioned above are in no way a part of my life. I do know of them on a great scale due to services rendered on their website. Check them out though. Many say we live in a small world. They may become a part of yours.

Backcountry skiers have to contend with the dangers of nature on the slopes and trails, but with the right backcountry tools, they can put their minds at ease. Brooks-Range avalanche and backcountry tools are designed by and for outdoorsman. Their backcountry shovels, snow saws, field organizers and outdoor map tools allow users to determine and avoid dangers for a safe trip.

Putting Brooks-Range Backcountry Tools To Work Avoiding Avalanches

Even the best back country shovels aren’t much of a help without proper technique. An Avalanche Awareness class is one of the best ways to spend two hours before heading out into the back country. The course is designed to teach how to recognize and avoid hazards. In addition, you will learn how to use essential gear like avalanche probes, backcountry shovels and avalanche transceivers. Put that knowledge to use with premier backcountry tools from Brooks-Range.

Staying Safe On A Mountain – The Avalanche Transceiver

When the worst happens, preparation is a key to survival. Taking an AIARE Level 1 avalanche course will show you how to avoid and respond to an avalanche incident. Tools back country shovels, snow saws, slope meters, snow crystal cards are demonstrated for predicting and avoiding avalanches. In addition to running a mock rescue with avalanche transceivers to learn how to save yourself or a buried victim this course may demonstrate constructing a rescue sled using skis, poles, ski-straps, and a backcountry shovel to transport victims to safety.

Positive NatureMill Composter Reviews Indicate High Customer Satisfaction

Customers who provide NatureMill Composter reviews are very pleased with the entire product. From the look and style of the unit to the rich, organic compost it creates, the easy to use NatureMill Composter is a popular choice among home composters. Priced competitively to traditional backyard composters, the NatureMill Composter makes composting accessible to everyone. Even those with small spaces or minimal kitchen waste can now make their own compost quickly and easily.

NatureMill Composter Reviews Demonstrate Composting Is Not Limited to the Backyard

The small size, automated system and odor-control technology consistently appear as positive points in NatureMill Composter reviews. It is exactly these features that allow composting to come indoors. No longer relegated to a corner of the backyard, compost can be made at its point of origin; no hauling the kitchen scraps outside in inclement weather. Unlike backyard composting, there is no manual aeration involved and the energy efficient automation ensures the appropriate amount of heat is applied to speed up the composting process.

Search engine optimization has come a long way in the time of spamming all your tags, content spammed out with links, link pages with the same links found on 1000s of other websites covering a variety of industries. Compared to today where reciprocal linking is shunned by many, the keywords tag means nothing anymore, the coding necessary for appropriate SEO to work has changed, social media is HUGE!!!

With the expo in Hartford we are looking to get our name out there a bit to a new crowd and industries we have not explored yet. During the early years we focused mainly on out of state clients as well as international clients. In the past couple of years and with a few more connections we have focused many resources on the local market and have done pretty well.

It is nothing like building your name in your local community and being appreciated. I have definitely felt the fruits of our labor watching clients succeed due to proper internet marketing techniques consisting of but not limited to meta data development, unique content development, directory development, blog development, posting and maintenance, social media marketing through twitter and facebook and a bunch of other useful  services.

At the Connecticut Business Expo our founder and President Thomas Lee will be on hand to promote the company as well as educate those who are willing to listen. I am sure he will also be doing some q & a. Our Social Media manager Jon Taylor will be on hand to talk about his department. Kevin McLaughlin our lead content writer will talk about the creative side of unique content writing and its effect on SEO in general.

If interested yourself in reading a bit about Keyword Performance, LLC. Or maybe you have some SEO questions you would like answered. Check out our blog at http://keywordperformance.com/seo-blog for up to date postings and an archive loaded with useful articles. Our website at http://keywordperformance.com is being worked on behind the scenes. That does not take away from the tons of useful information available on the site. Check it out.

Hopefully after the expo more of you will know of Keyword Performance, LLC. We are a Connecticut SEO company and base a lot of our success on customer service. Give us a call some time or visit our website at one of the above URLs, thanks for stopping through. Maybe we’ll see you at the expo.

Being a guy I just don’t have it in me to sit and search for coupons for anything. At the same time I am admitting now that couponing is definitely the way to go in these tough economic times for so many. You can get mobile coupons where you can have coupons you choose be sent to you via text message. You can have the emailed to you, sent to your house, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone called and reminded you to check your email.

Google shows that the below sites are some of the “top references” for “coupon sites” at the moment for their search engine:

• Couponcabin.com
• Couponmom.com
• Retailmenot.com
• Smartsource.com

I am not suggesting these sites to you but I have seen, after looking at many websites that the above 4 ARE something to be reckoned with in terms of visitors and deals offered for everything from groceries, rental cars and gifts to electronic equipment and bird seed. With this surge in coupon deals online, websites from across many industries are offering their own form of coupons or monthly deals for you. This isn’t just about retailers you can visit at your local mall. This is about retail in general from all avenues available to you.

Not that I am all of sudden going to start checking for coupons associated with things I might buy but I can advise those reading who have not tried it out to give it a try and maybe let me know about it. I will post your results here. Thanks for stopping through. Happy couponing Ladies and Gentleman.

We have all heard of (for those who haven’t, you will) there are a few different types of link exchanges associated with the ‘popularity building’ aspect of a give SEO campaign. Of course we all heard of the infamous ‘reciprocal’ link exchange where site A places a link to site B on their website and site B places a link to site A on their website in turn giving them a reciprocal link exchange. “reciprocating links” Then there is the “3 way” link exchange. I call it a 1 way link for both parties.

1 way links to many are the way to go and it makes sense. If looking to avoid showing the search engines that you are in cahoots with any of the websites listed in your directory or ‘links’ section having 1 way links gives no indication and leaves no trace that there was a communication between website parties in agreement on affecting search results through reciprocal linking.

A “3 way” link as they call it is when site A places a link to site B and site B places a link to site C. This way there is no connection between any of the 3 websites. What does site C get out of it? Nothing really, usually the site is only active for placing links agreed upon in the webmaster’s “3 way” link exchange request. On most occasions (98%) I stay away from these types of link exchanges. NOW, if our link is placed on the blog associated with the website or a mini site relevant to their main site I will in most cases hook up. To me the sites created specifically for links aren’t worth much in terms of ‘weight’ and can be blacklisted at the drop of a hat. (Granted I have heard the stories I have never seen a site blacklisted or banned in my 6 years) Free sites used for 3 way exchanges are a no-no for sure in my book. Those types of sites I have seen taken down by the Blog companies themselves for breaches in their ‘terms of service’ agreements because of the link games webmasters play.

For the most part though and as much as there are so many who will talk junk about ‘links’ and any type of ‘link exchange’ it is true that in the end no matter where the link is or how it was attained if the search engines recognize the link then a “link is a link”. I have seen and witnessed firsthand highly regarded companies with their businesses online associated in all kinds of paid linking practices. Whether through ‘blog reviews’ or ‘pay per posts’ or through 3rd party linking companies, it seems like so many continue to pursue the highest amount of links to their website in hopes of somehow altering search results over time for their biggest keywords. It is the way it is and there is nothing at the present time that shows it will slow down.

Being in SEO myself for 6 years I have plenty of positive experiences with client websites getting up to the top for some of the most general terms imaginable of course because of the various steps taken as part of given SEO campaign but in the end the amount of links and where they were located has definitely impacted the majority. Whatever, anything I say is arguable, I am in no way an expert and am always open to someone else’s ideas. I have a few directories I do use for reciprocal link exchange opportunities as well as a ’1 way’ link playground for many cool website owners I meet through emails at my day job. If looking for your own reciprocal link exchange or you have a 3 way opportunity you want us to hear about be sure to contact us and let us know what you have or what you feel after reading this article.

Submitted by: Someone who still believes in Reciprocal Linking.