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James R Shaw - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
English but moved to Atlanta, GA in 1998 with his wife and 3 kids. Professional Computer Programmer since 1984, now Community Architect during the day and Entrepreneur at night. Passionate about the fifties, hot rods, tiki and anything retro..
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- The Island of O'ahu
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] The royal palace of Hawaii is the only restored US palace anywhere in the United States. Built in 1882 for King Kalakaua, The Palace offers a unique glimpse into the world of mystique and grandeur of Hawaii's regal royal past. The Palace is located just a short stroll from the Hawaii State Capitol in downtown Honolulu.
- How to Use a Sharpening Stone
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] Sharpening stones are made of very hard stone or a manufactured material, such as ceramic or diamond stone. Usually in the form of a block that you hold in your hand or set on a flat surface, although they can also be found in the form of bench stones, wheels, or rods, these blocks are also called whetstones or waterstones.
- Fire Truck History 1900 - 1960
[Automotive] By the turn of the century, fire trucks became more and more necessary as many towns switched from volunteer to professional fire departments. Crowded cities required newer technology with efficient water pumps that were more mobile than previous steam-driven fire engines. Still, many smaller fire departments continued to use steam powered fire engines until as late as 1920
- Electric Sharpeners Explained
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] An electric sharpener can be used to sharpen both straight and serrated knives, as long as they fit in the knife guides. Many electric sharpeners have two or even three stages so that the same machine can be used for sharpening and honing the blade, going from coarse to fine grit in just one stroke.
- The History of Hawaii
[Reference-and-Education] Famed British explorer Captain James Cook landed on Waimea Bay on the island of Kauai in early 1778 and named the islands the Sandwich Islands, in tribute of his patron, John Montagu, The Earl of Sandwich. A Year Later, Captain Cook was killed at Kealakekua Bay on The Big island of Hawaii.
- How to Build a Skateboard Ramp
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] If you're ready to start "ramping" up your skateboarding skills, then it's time to build your very own ramp. Sure, you could just go to the skatepark, but what if there isn't one close by? Besides, how cool would a skateboard ramp look in your back yard?
- Tiki Culture
[Reference-and-Education] The Polynesian idea of the tiki is said to have originated in the Marquesas Islands. According to Polynesian mythology, tiki refers to a male figure. Sometimes tiki is identified as a first man. The word 'tiki' can also refer to a wooden or stone image of this male god. The tiki figures are said to represent either the ancestor or creator of humans.
- Skateboard Ramps
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] Skateboard ramps refer to the apparatus created for street style competitions, skateparks, and perhaps your backyard. Skateboarding while using ramps is referred to as street style skating because ramps can emulate a "street" environment.
- Pedal Toy Styles
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews] Choosing a pedal toy can help stimulate your child's imagination. When buying one, don't just automatically choose the classic hotrod car, although this style remains a very popular choice for good reason. Instead, consider your child's interests. Would they have more fun with an airplane? How about a farm tractor?
- Tiki Bars and How to Make One
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] To make your own tiki bar, start with wooden posts and plywood. Screw the wooden posts together to form a box. The exact size of your tiki bar will, of course, depend on the space you have. You can make a small bar for your living room, or a large hut for a backyard party.
- Types of Skateboards - Short and Longboards Explained
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] If you're into skateboarding, you're obviously familiar with the standard short skateboard, but have you ever seen someone ride a longboard? Other than the difference in length, I bet you wonder how these two types of boards are different. Keep reading to learn the similarities and differences of the skateboard and the longboard.
- Pedal Car and Soapbox Racing
[Kids-and-Teens] If you're looking to introduce your child to a world of excitement, consider pedal car or soapbox racing. Both involve the construction of a small car, powered either by pedals or by gravity. If you choose pedal car racing, your child will pedal the car down the raceway.
- Hot Rods and Pedal Cars
[Automotive] Popular car models, like the '55 Chevy, have long been turned into child-size pedal car versions. In fact, those based on real cars have stayed the most popular style of pedal car for several generations. Manufacturers discovered that popular cars made for popular toys.
- Parts of a Skateboard
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] Learning about the different parts of a skateboard is almost as important as learning how to ride. When you know about each part, you'll be able to take better care of your board, and make better decisions regarding purchasing parts.
- Polynesian Vacations
[Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] The island of Mooreas is known to be one of the most casual Polynesian islands, although all of the islands are generally relaxed. There, you can visit a Tiki Village to learn about the myths and traditions of the Polynesian tiki culture.
- Pedal Car - Educational and Developmental Toys
[Kids-and-Teens] Playing is an essential part of every child's development. Fun toys like pedal cars are a great way to aid your child's development while you get the pleasure of watching them have a lot of fun on their new toy. Ride-on toys provide both physical and mental exercise.
- Hawaiian Vacations
[Travel-and-Leisure] When visiting Hawaii, be sure to partake in the local culture. Besides attending a luau and learning how to surf, you should also learn about the Polynesian tiki culture. In Hawaiian folklore, tiki statues play a large role.
- Disney Tiki
[Home-and-Family:Holidays] While visiting Disneyland, consider staying at the Polynesian Resort. This unique hotel features tiki decor, which is fun for kids and adults alike. Tiki decor has been popular on the mainland since the 1940's, and the Polynesian Resort offers a beautiful take on this decorating style.
- Fifties Nostalgia and Retro Trends
[Home-and-Family:Baby-Boomer] It has long been said that history repeats itself. Nowhere is this truer than in popular aesthetic styles. Whether in clothing styles, home decor, or even toys, every few decades "retro" or "vintage" looks from a certain decade or era rise in popularity.
- Outdoor Toys For Exercise
[Kids-and-Teens] For your child, outdoor toys can be a great option to get them off the couch and doing exercise. Anything from bikes and pedal cars to pogo sticks, jump ropes, swing sets and trampolines can get your child's heart racing.
- Pedal Car Safety
[Kids-and-Teens] Today, pedal cars are loved by children and adults alike. Reproduction metal versions are very durable, so they can be passed from generation to generation. Most replicas have been built with safety in mind, but even with these modifications, safety should be your first priority when your children are playing with any toy.
- Skateboarding Clothes and Shoes
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] When you're out there showing off your skateboarding tricks, it's important to "look the part" by rockin the latest skateboard clothes and shoes. But what's hot?
- Hawaiian and Polynesian Tiki Masks - History and Meaning
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] Tiki Masks are carved wooden masks that represent deities or gods from the Hawaiian and Polynesian Culture. They are used as home decor and they also serve various purposes such as warding off evil spirits and increasing the owners fertility!
- Pedal Cars For Children
[Kids-and-Teens] If you have fond memories of the pedal car you had as a child, consider purchasing one for your own children. These cars, with a stylish and classic look, are loved by every generation to play with them. Steel pedal cars are built to last for generations, so you can even pass them on to your grandchildren.
- More Advanced Skateboard Tricks
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] So you've mastered all the basic skateboard tricks like: the ollie, kickturns, 50/50 grinds, rock n rolls, board slides, truck stands, manuals and maybe even the kickflip (which could be considered an intermediate trick). Are you ready to kick it up a notch and start learning some serious skateboard tricks?
- Hawaiian Tiki Signs
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] There are various types of Tiki Signs from simple Aloha Signs to the more detailed Vintage Hawaiiana Signs. These signs are used for spaces that are meant to have a Tropical atmosphere. These places are usually Tiki bars, resorts, hotels and other places that have a laid-back and exotic atmosphere. Tiki signs are also popular with shops and other places that promote the surfer lifestyle.
- The History of Pedal Cars
[Kids-and-Teens] In the 1890's, the first pedal cars were introduced, modeled after the first automobiles to appear on the roads. Nearly as soon as the Model T was introduced, children's pedal car versions of these real cars were created.
- Skateboarding Icons
[Recreation-and-Sports:Skateboarding] You've probably heard every one of their names before. They're the reason you first picked up a skateboard. Pro skateboarders, famous skateboarders - Skateboard icons. If you're an avid skateboarder, or you plan to be one someday, you should get familiar with these guys.
- Skateboarding History and Culture
[Kids-and-Teens] In the 60's, skateboarding became popular when companies started making and selling skateboards - now everyone could tryout skateboarding, not just the surfers who created their own skateboards. Fast forward to today and skateboarding is a serious sport.
- Pedal Car Restoration
[Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] Restoring a vintage pedal car is a great way to bring your stylish pedal car back to its former glory. It is a time consuming, yet very rewarding, process. Pedal car restoration for collectors can mean everything from replacing a missing hubcap to completely overhauling the entire car. This, of course, will depend on the original condition of the pedal car, and your goals.
- Hawaiian and Polynesian Tiki Statues
[Home-Improvement:Interior-Design-and-Decorating] The Tiki is one of the most defining symbols of the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures. Today, Tiki sculptures remain popular among the Central Eastern Polynesian cultures. They are also growing in popularity outside of the aforementioned culture, as art and also as functional sculptures.
- Exotic Tiki Culture
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] Hawaiian statehood in 1959 brought about the golden era of Tiki popularity in the US. Americans love the exotic culture from the faraway islands that was romanticized in restaurants, bars, music, Broadway and Hollywood.
- Tiki Care - How to Take Care of Your Tiki Statues Totems and Masks
[Home-Improvement:Cleaning-Tips-and-Tools] The best quality tiki statues, tiki totems and tiki masks are hand-carved from Acacia wood, otherwise known by its Hawaiian name, Monkey Pod. Monkey pod became popular in the United States after the second world war when soldiers returned carrying souvenirs of tiki art back to their families.
- Tiki Gods
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] All over the South Pacific, ancient traditions woven into songs and stories speak of gods who had the strengths and weaknesses of men and controlled nature's forces. The natives of Polynesian islands worship and fear these deities, for the good and bad things that the gods may inflict on them. In Hawaii, ancient creation myths usually highlight four great gods: Ku, Kanaloa, Kane and Lono.
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