- Darusha’s Network » archive for March, 2009
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Basketball’s Favorite Teams – New York Knicks
- March 4th, 2009
The New York Knickerbockers (more widely known and referred to as the New York Knicks) are a team in the National Basketball Association based out of New York City. Besides the Boston Celtics, they are the only team still based out of their original home city. The team played its first game on November 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies, in Toronto. During their early years, the Knicks were consistently seen in the playoffs. Their team remained steady but never spectacular.
Then, from 1960 to 1966, the Knicks became the bottom of the barrel, finishing last in the NBA Eastern Division every year. One giant loss during this time was to the Lakers on November 15, 1960, with a pathetic score of 162-100. In another game in March of 1962, Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA record of 100 points against the team.
In 1964, the Knicks drafted Willis Reed, who became the Rookie of the Year in 1965, and in 1967, the franchise made the playoffs for the first time since 1959. At this point, they hired a new coach (Red Holzman) and continued their trips to the playoffs, making it past the first round in 1969. The following season saw the best win-loss record for their team since it came into existence (60-22). This time around, they managed to defeat the Bucks to win the division finals and the Lakers to win the NBA finals. This began a road to success for the Knicks, with a return to the Finals in 1972. They again defeated the Lakers to win the championship.
After this the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals one last time in the 1973-74 season, after an impressive regular season, only to be knocked out of the championship run by the Boston Celtics. Following this loss, the team began to retreat to its previous condition in a slump. The Knicks have consistently been an up-and-down team, but their fan base have been faithful followers through the good times and the bad. This is one of the perks of being a team that has stayed in one place throughout its rich history.
Peter Portero writes for easybaseballbetting and much more his articles can be found there.
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Interior Design Ideas with Fun on the Floor
- March 3rd, 2009
Craft Queen, DIY fanatic, busy Mum and interior designer – Danielle Proud, is on a mission to breath new life into the country’s love of carpet with ‘Fun on the Floor’, a fresh campaign, that redefines the art of carpeting, through showing the very latest fresh ideas in fluffy flooring in a completely new light .
By using more classic carpet, as well as the latest new technologies and designs, Danielle is innovating a new movement with ‘Fun on the Floor’ by curating and designing a astonishing, five floor house to exhibit modern, super-stylish and luxurious applications for carpeting. The designs are not prohibitively expensive and the range of textures style and colour mean there will be something to everyones taste.
To mark the resurgence Danielle is creating a quirky, themed, styled space that features six differently themed rooms. The Fun on the Floor house will demonstrate how carpet as a material can transform a home without costing the earth through a combination of texture, style and colour. Visitors can expect to explore the sensorial nature of carpet, appreciate its luxurious look and enjoy the fluffy feeling underfoot – not to mention appreciate its sound absorbing qualities.
2008 has seen a resurgence of 70’s style across the board. High-waisted, wide leg trousers and floaty, floral maxi dresses litter the fashion magazines, while Eagles and Led Zeppelin concerts are selling out nationwide. In terms of the home, Shagpile carpet flooring and deep shades of Biba-esque purple are becoming top trends in interior design.
Leading carpet manufacturers have announced a huge 400% increase in sales of Shagpile carpet over the past few years and the main focus in new carpet sales is in new-style, textured flooring – from jumbo yarns and irregular hand knotted styles, to carpets made to look like pom poms.
In regards to colour, on trend customers and interior designers have been requesting classic 70’s shades such as deep purple, tangerine orange, and forest green.
The Fun on the Floor house will be open in July exclusively to media and then as a working showcase to consumers to explore options for their own home with on-hand expert advice.
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Ski Vacations for the Carbon Conscious Traveler
- March 2nd, 2009
Countless keen skiers will before long be trying to find their salopettes and darting away hunting for the heaviest snow conditions. And beyond any doubt the impact of your carbon footprint will be nearly as far down the list of holiday essentials as a Christmas cracker after Christmas. Only last winter, a sluggish snow made the the headlines and holidaymakers were terrified about the bits of snow disappearing almost as soon as they put down.
Skiing company Chalet 1802, located at the base of Monte Bianco in Chamonix village in the Alps, is one of the first independent businesses to go carbon negative and give skiers an environmentally friendly option while reserving their ski trip. Chalet1802 founder Ferehar stated: Last year was quite a surprise with the warmest wintertime in 60 yrs in France. French skiing areas like Isola 2000, Super Besse and Tignes has difficulty.It was balmy and the snowfall didnt last so much of the early snowboarding season in the Alps was limited. We determined to go carbon negative to help preserve the ski resort.
Ferehar said: We are not seeking to dictate to guests only I consider it is crucial to give the clients the alternative without increasing the price of the trip. When the client book with us and takes his annual leave in our skiing chalet they can more than off-set their carbon output and we take in the extra costs. Naturally we still have a sauna and a hot tub – people desire opulence but not at the expense of the alps mountains, so we looked at ways of reducing the affect of someone traveling over here for a winter holiday.”
The firm have moreover joined with charity Climate Care, who deals with global warming by making C02 deductions on behalf of individuals and firms.
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The Bunco Game – Ingraned in America’s History
- March 2nd, 2009
You’ve heard the term “bunco squads” on TV and movie police shows. Could this term have anything to do with the fun, fast and furious dice game that is taking the country by storm? The game of bunco is deeply ingrained into the history of America. The game, originally called 8-dice cloth, began in 18th century England. It was introduced in the San Francisco, California area in 1855 by a gambler who made his way across North America, including multiple visits to California during the gold rush. Along the way he changed a few of the rules, and renamed it banco. A few years later the name evolved to bunco or bunko.
Around the same time that bunco was being played, a Spanish card game called banka was also making its rounds within gambling communities. The combination of bunco dice and banka cards soon showed up at the gambling facilities. These locations soon became known as bunco parlors. Since many gamblers found themselves parted from large quantities of money at these parlors, the word “bunco” became synonymous with scammed and swindled.
After the Civil War and into the new century, bunco thrived as the economy recovered and the population grew. Nearly all the large cities in the U.S. had bunco games in operation between 1870 and 1880. All levels of society took to the parlor game … some located in plush, lavish surroundings, and others in more stark surroundings, or offices.
A wonderful and fun way to promote social interaction, the traditional family or parlor game of bunco flourished throughout the Victorian Era and prior to World War I. Groups generally consisted of 8-12 people, with as many as 20 people enjoying an evening of friendly competition, as well as drink, food, and conversation.
Bunco gambling parlors resurfaced in various regions of the U.S. during the prohibition period and the roaring 20s. Chicago, Illinois had the most gambling parlors and speak-easy’s. And, who were detectives who raided these parlors? You guessed it … they were called the “bunco squads.”
When prohibition ended, bunco activity declined in the major cities around the country; but spread to the suburbs as a family activity, or social event. From the 1940s to the early 1980s, not much is known about where, how, or if the game was even played.
In the early 1980s, bunco games and parties began to reemerge all over the country. Women occupied with work, family and overly busy lifestyles were looking for something new and fun to do with their families, friends and neighbors. Bunco has become a great alternative to back yard barbeques and plain old visits. Many have found that the game has enabled them to stay connected with their friends, meet new acquaintances, and have a lot of fun at the same time! As time becomes even more valuable, many people are starting their own bunco groups, and enjoying weekly or monthly bunco parties.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to schedule some fun, family and friends into your life, check out http://www.buncogameshop.com where you will find bunco rules, games, and bunco party supplies to help you get your own bunco group started. You’ll soon be hooked on the game, and become part of the continuing history of bunco.
About the Author: Elle J. Miller is a freelance writer under contract with http://www.buncogameshop.com, where you will find helpful information about bunco, the bunco rules, bunco games, bunco supplies, bunco party favors, and bunco gifts. Copyright © 2006 Bunco Game Shop. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached. You can write to Elle J. Miller at Elle@BuncoGameShop.com.
