CigarFox

Cigar smoking is all about shared pleasure. After all, it swept Victorian England and became a national pastime in part because it gave men something to do with their hands while they talked after dinner. And it took off during the so-called “cigar boom” of the 1990s in part because new publications, online forums, cigar clubs, and other social venues allowed cigar smokers to talk about their passion.

So it’s no surprise to find cigar-related events all over the social calendar of smokers around the world. In addition to the lavish, expensive Big Smoke conventions put on by Cigar Aficionado magazine – at least two a year, in Las Vegas and New York City – there’s the Ybor City festival in Tampa, Florida, free and open to the public. And that’s just November. Check out a few other, more-exotic possibilities from all over the globe.

The Dominican Republic is the world’s largest source of premium cigars, surpassing even Cuba (from which many of the country’s cigar-making families and technologies emigrated during the years after Castro). La Aurora, Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, and La Gloria Cubana, among many others, all operate there, and as of 2007, it has its own yearly cigar festival as well! Taking place in Santiago, the two-day Procigar Festival (the first of which took place March 5-7, 2008) featured cigar factory tours, visits to tobacco fields, chances to hobnob with some of the world’s greatest cigar makers, and cigar-and-liquor matchups. Companies such as La Aurora, General Cigar Co., and Tabacalera de Garcia, among others, participated, and the inaugural bow was successful enough to motivate a second – to be held February 16-20, 2009.

While you’re there, if you go, you may want to check out some of the other sights offered by this important Latin American cultural capital. The Dominican Republic was the first place permanently settled by Europeans anywhere in either American continent – the oldest cathedrals, universities, and European-made roads can all be found there. Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, butts up against its southern coast, offering breathtaking views (the Procigar Festival takes place far further north, in Santiago, but the country is not super-large in total area). Four mountain ranges decorate the country; the Cordillera Central (“Central Mountain Range”) approaches Santiago, so visitors to the Procigar Festival could also schedule a day trip to see Pico Duarte, the jewel of the Cordillera Central and the highest peak in the West Indies (over 3000 meters). And, of course, Santiago is itself located in the Cibao valley – between the Cordillera Central and Corillera Septentrional (“Northern Mountain Range”), which run parallel to each other – and it’s this rich and fertile area that houses most of the country’s farms, including its tobacco farms.

Or you could follow in author James Joyce’s footsteps and visit Zurich, Switzerland, where the expatriate Irish modernist polymath-writer completed large sections of his surreal novel Finnegans Wake, and where the Whiskyship sails every November. (What is it with November and cigar events?) This whisky-tasting event, which also offers three hundred premium cigars for the sampling, allows those with sharp noses and tastebuds to enjoy single malt whiskies from all over the world, and to enjoy the companies of folks with similar tastes. The 2008 Whiskyship will be the tenth such event. Switzerland, of course, features all sorts of other attractions – among other things, there’s the James Joyce Foundation, but also, you know, mountains and pristine lakes and thousands of years’ worth of European scenery – and would be worth a visit regardless.

Another possibility – albeit somewhat closer to home, at least for North American smokers – is the Nebraska Cigar Festival in Lincoln. Taking place in late November (which pits it against the Ybor City Festival and the two CA Big Smokes in drawing the attention of Midwestern cigar fanatics who don’t feel like going to Zurich), the one-evening event brings in cigars, munchies and a pair of drink tickets for those willing to shell out the admission fees and deal with early-winter Midwestern cold.

About the Author:

CigarFox provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Cigar Destinations: Festivals That Cater To Dedicated Smokers

Cigar and Cognac Pairing

Marbles

Gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931 but it took until the 1940s that the pointspread came into being. Charles McNeil, a Connecticut bettor and bookmaker, generally is credited with the invention of the pointspread though, like so much in the history of wagering, the facts are murky at best and open to interpretation. At any rate, sports betting still was in its infancy, barely able to take its first baby steps before the federal government applied its heavy handed child rearing tactics.

In 1951, Congress imposed a 10 percent tax on sports wagering, all but stuffing the sports betting baby back in the womb. Then, in 1974, largely through the efforts of Senator Howard Cannon (D-Nev.), the tax was dropped to two percent. Nine years later it was cut again, to .025 percent, effectively launching the now burgeoning era of sports betting.

Indeed, in 1973, the year before the federal tax was dropped from 10 percent to two percent, there were 10 sportsbooks in Nevada and the handle was a paltry $2.8 million.

“There was one black-and-white TV set at the old Churchill Downs book, and if the picture fluttered, a guy would whack it with a broom,” remembered oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough, the seminal figure in the rapid growth of the sports betting industry.

Twenty years later, Nevada boasted over 100 sportsbook outlets with a handle of over $2 billion. The numbers in the Silver State have tailed off a bit since the mid-nineties, Nevada’s loss the result of the proliferation of off-shore and Internet wagering outlets. The overall growth of sports betting remains staggering, with ESPN the Magazine estimating in a 2003 article that $63 billion is wagered annually on sports over the Internet. Other estimates run as high as $200 billion annually.

The explosion of sports betting in the mid-eighties largely was the result of a daily double of good fortune; the lowering of the federal tax and the emergence of Roxborough, who everyone calls “Roxy,” as the face of sports betting.

Roxy got his wagering feet wet betting baseball totals. In fact, he may have been the first player to regularly check local weather reports, chronicling the velocity and direction of the wind, a factor which influenced how many balls left the ballpark and, by extension, game totals.

Lured to the other side of the counter by management at the Club Cal-Neva in Reno, it wasn’t long before Roxy, armed with little more than a few hundred dollars and an idea, founded his then fledgling company, Las Vegas Sports Consultants, on his kitchen table. In time, LVSC’s client list grew to include 90 percent of Nevada’s licensed casino sportsbooks.

With a boost from Vic Salerno, the owner of dozens of wagering outlets under the Leroy’s banner and the man who developed the computer system now de rigueur in the industry, LVSC effectively helped transport sportsbooks from the hand-written betting slip Stone Age into the technologically savvy modern sports betting era.

Roxy’s company not only supplied odds, but information on injuries and weather conditions as well. Later, the service added data that tracked line movements, including unusual wagers, alerting sportsbooks to possible betting anomalies that had the potential to devastate their bottom lines.

Well-dressed and well-spoken, Roxy was equally influential in helping to obliterate the pejorative image of the oddsmaker/bookmaker as some sleazy, poorly educated garish figure in a hound’s tooth jacket with a diamond pinky ring and a cigar. Appearing on television shout-fests such as “Crossfire,” Roxy would vanquish the opposition, which included now NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, with a series of well-argued points.

Roxborough has retired from the business of pluses and minuses and no one knows for sure what the coming years will bring, but if the future of sports betting is only half as imaginative and innovative as its glorious past, neither bet makers nor bet takers have reason for concern.

About the Author:

This article was written by Karol Lucan for http://www.thegreek.com
-The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering sports betting
on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Sports Betting Has Come a Long Way, Baby, and Roxy Roxborough Gets Much of the Credit

Classic Cigars – Clay Pigeon Shooting – 1990 – UK Advert

The V & A Waterfront is a microcosm of all of the best parts of Cape Town life. It started as a simple extension to the harbor, but has now grown into one of the number one attractions in the city. If you were not the out-and-about type, it would be possible to rent a hotel room and never leave the V & A Waterfront at all! Attractions include luxury accommodation, restaurants, pubs, theater, live music (especially jazz) throughout the day and a large mall packed with a mixture of designer stores and local crafts.

If you are thinking of staying at the V & A Waterfront, remember that when a development goes up in such a small place on the water, you pay a premium. Still, the hotels and apartments that are available are some of the finest in the city, and you definitely get what you pay for. Both the Victoria & Alfred Hotel and the Cape Grace have worldwide reputations as two of the finest places to stay in Cape Town. Both offer five star accommodation and direct access to all of the attractions that the waterfront has to offer.

At the Victoria & Alfred, expect to pay around $100 – $200 per night per person sharing, and at the Cape Grace expect anywhere from $200 – $1000 for the same deal. If you don’t want to stretch your budget this far on your accommodation, but would still like to stay in a Waterfront apartment, the Breakwater Lodge offers luxury accommodation at a reasonable rate. Rooms here are available from $25 – $75 per night, and the hotel is just as close to all of the attractions as the others.

The V & A Waterfront is extremely tourist friendly, and the Tourism Center that operates here provides info about not only the Waterfront, but about any and all Cape Town tourist destinations. Open top buses and private taxis can be booked from here, and an information booth can be found just about anywhere in the Victoria and Alfred Mall or around the Waterfront.

If you find yourself hanging around the V & A Waterfront by night, don’t despair – there is no need to go anywhere else! Tourists and locals alike mingle in one of the many restaurants and pubs. For relaxing cocktails overlooking the water, try the Alba Lounge. If you like the finer things in life and you want them at low local prices, the Bascule Whiskey and Wine bar (voted best bar in the Waterfront, 2007) offers anything from cocktails to imported cigars and fine cognac.

For the young at heart there is also a lot to do at the V & A Waterfront after sunset, and everyone will enjoy the legendary Paulaner Brauhaus situated near the Clock Tower. This German-style beer restaurant serves excellent, hearty German cuisine, and they brew their own delicious beers (for only $2 each!) Ferryman’s pub is always popular with the locals, and Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House and Brewery are responsible for the Mitchell’s draft you will find anywhere around the Waterfront.

About the Author:

We are your source for Cape Town Self Catering, Camps Bay Hotels, Somerset West Bed & Breakfasts, and more.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The V & A Waterfront – So Much To Do And See

Ben Prestage – No Overdubs

B&M Wine, any other better cigars/ flavors?

B&M wine is my current favorite,
whats urs?

Have a look at cigar reviews blogs – lots of cigars get regularly reviewed and it will definitely help you choose. See the link below for an example.

A Master Class in Burgundy Wine and Cigars | Wine Spectator

Tatiana Cigars?

Where online (or store in New Jersey) can you CALL to order Tatiana Cigars due to the fact that I do not own a credit card?
Thank you and have a pleasant evening

Buy a Visa giftcard and use it to order the cigars off the website. Even if you would call, you would have to use a card. The Visa giftcards can be purchased with cash from grocery stores, convenience stores, and malls that are owned by Simon. There is a handling fee for the card that ranges from $2 (at the mall) to $5 (from the grocery store) to, I think, $8 at a convenience store (such as CVS).

Princess, save your commentary for someone else. The asker did not request your opinion on smoking.

Visions of War on the New Jersey Turnpike

What is a great mild cigar, dominican, ect?

I’m looking for a gift cigar for approx. 10-20$, something mild and sweet, don’t give me any of those gas station cigars.

Wait I want to play also.

Just click on one.

http://www.cubancrafters.com/mild.php

Baseball Great’s Cigar Company

If stress, booze and tobacco is bad for you, then how come Winston Churchill lived to 91yrs?

It’s difficult to find a photograph of Churchill without a cigar in hands. The memoirs of his aides and colleagues all mention his constant smoking – even in the hot tub.
Then there was the drink – brandy mostly. Starting early each day. he would drink it constantly through the day, followed by champagnes and wines.

Easy-

Cigars don’t have all the additives, chemicals, etc. that today’s cigarettes do. Plus, you don’t inhale a cigar like you do a cigarette. Even cigarettes of the WW1/2 eras didn’t have the chemicals that today’s do.

He was not living the sedentary lifestyle many live today. It’s amazing what being active, having to walk, etc. does for you.

His food didn’t have all the chemicals, hormones, steroids, and other stuff (collectively called s**t) that food today is chock-full of. Plus, it’s called portion size; he wasn’t eating a hubcap-sized plate piled high.

No high fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated (trans) fats. Two things that, frankly, will shorten your life and kill you.

The other half of the equation is heredity. Some people live longer than others.

Cigar, Brandy and Whiskey

Whether you are shopping for your father, boyfriend or brother they are a mystery on what to get them for Christmas. Try personalized Christmas gifts for him for a unique item that will show your caring attitude.

You may be shopping for your father. Many fathers have all they need and they are a mystery on what to get them for Christmas. Boyfriends can be just as difficult to figure out what to buy for Christmas. Your brother may or may not be as hard to find a gift for. Whether you are shopping for your father, boyfriend or brother you are sure to find at least one of the unique and personalized Christmas gifts for him.

You may want to give the man a personalized liquor flask for one or more of the men on your Christmas list. Each flask can be engraved to make the gift even more personalized. You can choose from modern looking circular flasks, the traditional stainless steel flask or a leather flask. One of the traditional flasks is designed to look Scottish with the plaid design whereas other flasks have vibrant colors to them.

Other Christmas gifts for him include a personalized stainless steel cigar flask with a cigar case. What a cool concept that is going to impress any one of the men that you have to shop for. There are many smoking accessories that you can personalized for Christmas gifts. Zippo lighters or cigar humidors are some very popular items for him.

One of the Christmas gifts for him that you will like is a desk clock. Keep him on time getting home if he tends to work too late. This will put the clock right in front of him to remind him it is time to leave and get home to you. Enjoy more dinners together when your spouse or significant other makes it home on time more frequently. Not only will he be home on time, he will like the personalized desk clock that is given to him. You can choose from a variety of styles which include marble or crystal.

Keep him organized with a day planner as one of the Christmas gifts for him from you. He will be less stressed out trying to remember meetings, important appointments, birthdays, your anniversary, etc. You will notice his demeanor change when he knows where he is going and he is not late or worse yet forgets to go to an important meeting with his boss or a very important client.

Another one of the great Christmas gifts for him is a personalized name plate for his desk. Let clients know his name right off the bat and not feel like they have to strain to try to remember his name. Also, the name plates for his desk are very stunning in marble, crystal or epoch.

No matter what you choose to give your favorite guy, personalized Christmas gifts for him should lead the top of you Christmas shopping list for all those guys who have been nice this year. Well, maybe even for those boys who have been naughty, too.

Article Source: RSCGH Personalized Christmas Gifts for Him

About the Author:

Mary submits articles to help shoppers find gifts, provides shopping tips and explains how to benefit from
personalized gifts
. Her work is sponsored by Wealthwood Gifts, Inc.
Christmas Gifts Him
and Wealthwoods Blog and Article website
Personalized Christmas Gifts for Him
.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Personalized Christmas Gifts For Him

Macanudo Crystal Cigar Review cigarobsession.com

The history of Bingo in North America dates back to 1929, but the true origins of the game can be traced back as far as the 16th century.

Playing a form of Bingo was first recorded in Italy in the year 1530. The people enjoyed a Lottery style game known as “Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia”. The game was extremely popular from the start, evident by its continued appearance in Italian society. “Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia” is still played every Saturday to this day.

France was introduced to the game in the late 1770’s. In those days, it was the aristocrats of society who had all the fun, which explains why only members of French Nobility took part. This form of Bingo was known to the French simply as “Le Lotto”.

Eventually, in 1929, a historical event occurred. A New York toy manufacturer by the name of Edwin S. Lowe made a trip to Atlanta, Georgia where a great carnival was to take place. Edwin Lowe attended the affair and while browsing the multitude of fantastic booths, tents and fanciful amusements, came across a large tent where the raucous crowd inside was evidently having a fabulous time.

Upon entering the tent, Lowe made a monumental discovery. There was a game being played with numbered cardboard cards and dried beans. Each card had a 5×5 diagram, with each box containing a number. A caller stood at the front, drawing random numbers from a cigar box and calling them out. Each card that contained the number would have it covered by a dry bean, giving the game its name, “Beano”.

The game continued on into the wee hours of the morning for the simple fact that its players did not wish to stop. Finally, the man running the game of Beano told everyone to go home. With some disappointment, the crowd dispersed, and Edwin Lowe went on his way.

Overwhelmed by the pure fascination players experienced during the Beano game, Edwin returned to his home in New York and began devising his own Beano game. He created several randomly numbered cards, with numbers ranging from 1 through 75. He then invited a group of friends to his home to try it out.

The experiment went off without a hitch as all of Lowe’s friends had the same fantastic experience playing Beano; so much so that one of them jumped up from his seat and accidentally exclaimed, “Bingo!” That slip of the tongue was as historic as Lowe’s stumbling upon the game itself, resulting in the title of the game we all know today – Bingo.

In order to market the game, Lowe knew he would need more materials. He called upon the expertise of Carl Leffler, a math professor at the University of Columbia. Leffler was asked to develop 6,000 Bingo cards, each with a different, non-repeating number pattern. Leffler completed the task in 1930. It is widely believed, though not proven, that Carl Leffler went insane immediately thereafter.

Edwin Lowe marketed the game as “Lowe’s Bingo” and found instant success. Other companies wishing to market their own game paid Lowe $1 per year to use the name, “Bingo”.

One last piece to the puzzle of the history of Bingo remains. How did it become so popular as a religious charity event? As you probably know, Bingo is played at thousands of church halls in North America, especially on Friday nights. Here’s how it happened…

A pastor in Pennsylvania was forced to hold his congregations in a dilapidated building because there were no extra funds to restore the church. He had the brilliant idea to hold Bingo games for his members to raise funds for the restoration. Phenomenal success caused a whirlwind effect that has grown to massive proportions over the years.

And that, our dear readers, is the history of Bingo

Visit http://www.play-bingo-uk.co.uk

About the Author:

Bingo! Play all your favourite UK Bingo Sites and win real cash prizes. Find the best bingo sites that offer up to 150% match bonuses as well as online discounts to new players. Before you play, search here at Play Bingo UK for the latest deals!

http://www.play-bingo-uk.co.uk

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The History of Bingo

Roger Waters – ‘Have a Cigar’ June 5, 2006 Verona, Italy