www.norwichbulletin.com ■ The Bulletin ■ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ■ BIG BOY TOYS
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April 21, 2012
www.NorwichBulletin.com
Designing the perfect TV space By DEBBIE ARRINGTON Scripps Howard News Service
Thinking of a television purchase? Or dreaming of a complete home theater? Either way, take these steps into consideration. This advice comes from Leon Soohoo, owner of Paradyme Sound and Vision in Sacramento and Roseville, California: 1. Plan your space. Family rooms often double as media rooms, but those spaces also likely will have other activities going on at the same time the TV is on. That means the TV will need to have a high-quality display in a well-lit room. Your TV should be in a place where it won't have bright lights or sunlight from windows reflecting directly on the screen; that cuts down on viewability. Will viewers be watching the screen at an angle? That also impacts your TV choice. Want a wall-mounted screen? Although lighter than sets in years past, today's flat-panel TVs still are heavier than a painting. A 32-inch flat-panel set ranges from 25 to 60 pounds, depending on model. That weight needs sturdy wall studs and a special mounting bracket. And that flatpanel set needs to be connected to a cable or satellite box, DVD player and other components; those wires will have to go somewhere — such as inside the wall. 2. Screen size impacts viewing distance. Today's flat-panel LCD TVs can be viewed much closer than their big-screen rearprojection counterparts without losing picture quality. But you still want your eyes and neck to feel comfortable while watching. As a general rule, seating should be at a distance at least 1-1/2 to 2 times the diagonal width of the screen. For example, seating for a 60-inch TV should be 7-1/2 to 10 feet away from the screen. Optimum placement of the screen should be eye level while
seated. A TV above the fireplace looks impressive, but it is best viewed while standing. 3. Consider sound as well as screen. What good is a great picture if the audio is awful? Most flat-panel TVs have tiny speakers and need some sort of boost. That may come from sound bars (attached to the TV), thin surface-mount speakers, in-wall speakers or traditional stand-alone speakers. Remember: A room's acoustics will impact your video experience. If you're inclined to play late-night movies loud, think about soundproofing, too. 4. Get connected. Today's (and tomorrow's) TVs do a lot more than channel broadcasts. They're interactive home-media hubs with instant access to the Internet to download movies and shows. Manufacturers are making models that operate like smartphones with downloadable apps. While wireless television is beginning to become available, most consumers will need to keep their TVs wired — at least for now — to get that access while maintaining high-quality video performance. 5. Don't forget the remote. That all- important clicker can do more than change channels; it can control all the other components of your media system. Consider a smart universal remote that can control the works — not just the TV. TV SHOPPING GLOSSARY Some terms to learn before heading to the store or browsing for bargains online: 3DTV: Similar to 3-D movies in theaters, 3DTV is expected to be the next wave in home theaters. Like its theater counterparts, 3DTV requires special glasses to see its full effect. The video uses two full-resolution images — one for your left eye, one for your right — that flash back and forth rapidly. Wireless, battery-powered “active shutter” glasses have lenses that darken
and lighten in coordination with the screen's flashing images, controlled by an “emitter” usually built into the TV. Diagonal: How screens are measured. A 32-inch HDTV is 32 inches measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. Its actual dimensions are 28 inches wide by 15.7 inches high. For the actual dimensions of other sets, click on www.screenmath.com. Flat panel: Any ultra-thin, relatively lightweight TV. HDTV: High-definition television. Although this term is often used to describe all digital TVs, true HDTV broadcasts are defined as 1,080-line interlaced (1080i) or 720-line progressive (720p). A popular format for Bluray discs, 1,080-line progressive (1080p) now is an established standard for HDTV screens. LCD: Liquid crystal display, one technology used in flatpanel TVs. A liquid crystal solution is sandwiched between two transparent panels to form the display screen. When backlit, a pattern of transparent and dark crystals forms the picture. LED: Lightemitting diode. Used in some LCD TVs, this technology allows for more energy efficiency and provides better color accuracy than fluorescent-backlit LCD TVs.
SHNS PHOTO COURTESY OF NELL HILL’S The secret to decorating effectively with flat-screen TVs is to incorporate them into existing displays so they become just another element in a lovely roomscape.
Plasma: Another technology used for flat-panel TVs, the plasma is ionized gas. Two transparent glass panels sandwich a thin layer of thousands of pixels, made up of gas-filled cells. An electrical current makes the gas
glow, creating a picture. A typical plasma screen may contain 2 million pixels. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.
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BIG BOY TOYS ■ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ■ The Bulletin ■ www.norwichbulletin.com
Road trips: A mature guy’s guide to the open road ARA CONTENT — The classic American road trip is no longer just for cashless college kids; men of all ages are taking to the road for a unique vacation where driving is just as much a part of the trip as the destination itself. If you work hard every day, maybe it's time to exchange that button-up for a casual T-shirt and gather your crew to experience the freedom and adventure of the open road. If you’re wondering if a road trip is right for you and your more mature friends, a few practical measures can help ensure it is fun for everyone: Steady goes a finely tuned machine — When you were younger, you probably drove through the night to rack up as much mileage as possible. The mature road trip is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. You and your friends will appreciate a more relaxed pace, which includes resting, eating right and enjoying all the road has to offer. To make sure you stay on course without any problems, get your vehicle tuned up before you head out. It's a good idea to change the oil and check the tire pressure and coolant system before you get on the road. If your vehicle is due for some routine maintenance, have it done before you start your trip. The right vehicle for a memorable trip — Your days of cramming six guys in a small, rusty car are over. A reliable yet fun-to-drive pickup is perfect for your grown-up road trip with the guys. And since your stuff is probably going to be worth more than what you toted around during your college days, be sure to protect it. A lockable roll-up cover, like the tonneau cover line by Access Cover, will keep your belongings protected from the elements - both weather and criminal - while you're on the road. Plus, a truck bed cover can help improve your vehicle’s gas mileage.
MLB At Bat 2012 for iPhone, iPad, Android and other devices.
CONTRIBUTED
It’s also important to protect your gear and reduce it from shifting all around with a Truck Bed Mat from Access Cover made from marine-grade carpet. Finally, even if your eyes aren't what they used to be, you can still quickly access all supplies with a Truck Bed LED Light which can be mounted at the front or the rear of the truck bed. With age comes wisdom to pack smart — As for what to pack, be sure to include an emergency roadside kit, first aid kit and any medications that you regularly need. Bring along a GPS device and your trusty mobile phone so you can stay on track and in touch. In regard to food and supplies, you might also consider a set of dressier clothes if your dining tastes have matured since your fast-food days, but you'll also want some comfy clothes for your time spent in the vehicle. Bring a couple pairs of shoes, one dressier and one comfy for walking. And if you're not as keen on convenience store snacks as perhaps you were when you were younger, you'll want to pack a small cooler of food and beverages. Plan ahead for a great trip — Meandering can be fun, but having a plan can be rewarding too, especially when you're older and prefer to know what to
expect. Your taste in destinations has probably matured, so consult with your traveling partners and consider spots that appeal to your current interests and finances. Has wine tasting become a hobby as you grew older? A tour of wine country may be in order. Perhaps you've discovered an interest in history? Consider taking the guys to a civil war reenactment or to one of the country's great historic cities. Having a plan doesn't mean that there won't be moments of spontaneity, but it will provide you with a good course to follow so everyone can enjoy their time together.
Downloading the app on Apple’s iPhone or iPad won’t cost you anything, but be forewarned: The free version won’t get you very far. It doesn’t offer much more than a scoreboard and limited news about baseball. You’ll be tempted to spend $14.99 to unlock the expanded features this year, or if you prefer you can pay $2.99 a month. It’s less than the cost of good seats at a game, and you won’t be sorry you did. For that fee, you get access to the app’s full offerings on both your iPhone and iPad. The app is also available on Android, BlackBerry and Windows devices, though it’s a separate fee for each system. Unlike the app for Apple devices, though, there’s no free version or monthly payment option. Access to the mobile apps is also available through MLB. TV’s premium package, which costs $124.99 and lets fans watch live games on their mobile devices, desktops and Internet-connected TVs for that one price.
The price of admission gets you a flurry of features. You get all the staples you’d expect, including box scores, video highlights and statistics from around the league. You also get CONTRIBUTED Gameday, a graphical $2.99 per month tool for tracking the for the app. game pitch by pitch. One glimpse at the Gameday screen lets you know who's on base, what happened the past few plays, who's pitching, who’s at bat and, of course, what’s the score. You get a cartoon view of the stadium from where the umpire is standing behind home plate, complete with a generic batter standing on the correct side of the plate depending on whether he's left or right handed. The batter is even wearing the team’s uniform. — Associated Press
www.norwichbulletin.com ■ The Bulletin ■ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ■ BIG BOY TOYS
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Enjoy the great outdoors with new gear From SPRY MAGAZINE GateHouse News Service
OSPREY TALON 4 DAYPACK
KEEN BUTTE FOR MEN AND WOMEN Breathable and cushioned with super support in the heel, this shoe is 
perfect for a spring hike. $90 each; www.keenfootwear.com. Pair them with Teko Men's and Women's Light Hiking organic socks.
PRIMUS IGNITION STEEL
KELTY ECLIPSE 30
A spark from this durable starter will help get your campfire roaring in any weather condition, even rain or snow. Plus it's small enough to stow in your pocket. $9, $10, $12 for small. medium and large.
www.ospreypacks.com
With multiple pockets and space for two water bottles, this pack will hold everything you need for a day hike.
www.primuscamping.com www.mosquitorepellent.com
ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS® MOUNTAIN SERIES DAY TRIPPER Weighing less than a pound, this compact first-aid kit is ideal for an all-day hike or short overnight camping/hiking trip. The kit contains supplies and detailed instructions for treating blisters, burns, bleeding and sprains/strains.
PRIMUS ETAPACK LITE STOVE www.tekosocks.com
COLUMBIA MOBEX TRAIL PACK This lightweight pack won't weigh you down on summer hikes. Interior cargo net compartments keep your snacks and other essentials organized, and a special material on the back of the pack deters moisture and dirt.
This small propane stove is packed with clever, space-saving features: The lid on the 1.2 liter pot can act as a colander and all of the components - base, burner, windscreen and igniter - fit into the pot, making it easily portable.
THERMACELL MOSQUITO-REPELLENT OUTDOOR LANTERN Keep your campsite free of mosquitoes with this handy lantern. A butane cartridge on the lantern's base heats a small "mat" that contains insect repellent, fending off bugs in a 15 x 15 area for up to four hours.
www.kelty.com
This sleeping bag features a polyester- cotton liner, integrated pillow and an external storage pocket for snacks. $89.95; www.kelty.com. Add the selfinflating foam Kelty Camper Sleep Pad for extra cushioning. It comes with a stuff sack for storage and a repair kit.
www.primuscamping.com
www.adventuremedicalkits.com
www.tekosocks.com
KELTY GUNNISON 2.1 With two-pole set up and colorcoded clip instruction, this durable and light two-person tent is easy to set up and take down. Also comes in larger sizes for three and four people.
www.kelty.com
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BIG BOY TOYS ■ Saturday, April 21, 2012 ■ The Bulletin ■ www.norwichbulletin.com
Teach a child to fish for lifelong enjoyment
A more stylish life jacket By CHRIS YOUNG GateHouse News Service
Personal flotation devices, aka life jackets, have the reputation of being bulky and uncomfortable. That's probably one reason most people don't wear one when they should. Scott Tucker, who works in sales, parts and accessories at Lake Springfield Marina in Illinois, says new life jacket styles are more comfortable, allow greater freedom of movement and look a bit more appealing. “This year, we’ve sold quite a few of the Jet Pilot vests,” he says. “It is a side-entry vest, but the arm cutouts are a little bit wider, and it fits the body a little better. They are especially popular with people that own personal watercraft.” Jet Pilot is a wakeboarding company that is expanding into other markets. Neoprene vests are also popular, but they cost a bit more. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber. “The price is going to go up with the Neoprene vest and the more stylish designs, but they are much more comfortable than the old vinyl vests that crack and get into your skin,” Tucker says. “They weren't comfortable at all.”
CHRIS YOUNG/ THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER The Super Soft children's swim vest, courtesy of The Boat Dock.
Tucker says people do care about how they look when wearing a vest. “And that's kind of something all the manufacturers are looking at. They CHRIS YOUNG/ THE STATE are looking for JOURNAL-REGISTER something The Bass Pro Shops manual or automatic stylish.” inflatable life jacket, Other comcourtesy of The Boat Dock. panies are getting into the game, including Liquid Force, Body Glove and O’Brien. “Some distributors have their own brands that are pretty appealing to the eye,” he says. Making life jackets more appealing has even spawned a contest. The Boat Owners Association of the United States sponsored a competition to develop a better personal flotation device focused on merging practicality with style. The winners recently were announced. The winner of the Innovation in Life Jacket Design Competition, Jeff Betz of FloatTech Inc. based in Troy, N.Y., took home a $5,000 first prize. To watch short videos of the winning designs, go to www.boatus.com/foundation. Mike Miles, owner and general manager of The Boat Dock in Springfield, Ill., says the type of life jacket or personal flotation device depends on the type of boat in use. “Ski boat buyers buy a ski life jacket with two three or four buckles, and it fits over the body pretty tightly,” he says. “It’s not the most comfortable thing in the world to wear, but if you are skiing or tubing in the water, you want more flotation.” Fishermen are turning to an inflatable version that can be activated manually or automatically after a few seconds in the water.
“They are very small, and it looks like you are wearing a set of suspenders,” Miles says. “They go down the front of you about 3 inches wide, and they tie in the back with a piece of loop webbing. You can pull a lever and inflate them, or you have them inflate when you hit the water.” Miles says he has found the neoprene vests are growing in popularity. “They are a lot more comfortable and a lot better fit for the body,” he says. “And there are hybrids that are part neoprene and part regular nylon vest.” And any life jacket people will wear is better than one they won’t. Freedom and common sense Being on the water is a kind of freedom. “You can drive your boat 3 mph or 30 mph,” says Mike Miles, owner and general manager of The Boat Dock in Springfield, Ill. “Generally, you can drive here and there and back and forth, wherever you want.” But with freedom comes responsibility. Miles says when it comes to wearing life jackets, common sense rules. “Everybody believes children should wear them,” he says. “And adults wear them when they are
in the water skiing or tubing, and fishermen wear them when the water is rough.” The law in Illinois requires one personal flotation device on board for each passenger. “Just like everything, common sense will prevail in almost every situation,” Miles says. “By that, I mean non-swimmers should wear one all the time. If you encounter rough water or storms, for example, just put it on.” Anglers in bass boats or other “low-freeboard” boats should be wearing one when the big motor is running. Low-freeboard means the sides of the boat are relatively low and would come up only about to a boater's knee.
CHRIS YOUNG/ THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER The Jet Pilot Apex side-entry life jacket, courtesy of Lake Springfield Marina.
“But when you are standing in a ski boat, it hits you about the waist or above it,” he says. “That’s a high-freeboard boat that is hard to fall out of.” Matching the boat to conditions is key. “When we take the average group of people out boating on a Saturday afternoon on a boat that is sized right for the lake and with the right number of people on it, then they are perfectly safe,” Miles says. CHRIS YOUNG/ THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER The Airhead men's neoprene life vest, courtesy of Lake Springfield Marina.
By STEPHANIE MALLORY GateHouse News Service
“Mom, Dad, I’ve got one,” Ethan, 6, yelled as he tugged at his pole. “It’s a big one — a really big one.” We’d heard that claim before, yet the fish he caught were always fairly small in size. As Ethan reeled his fish in closer to the bank, we realized this time, he actually had a big one. My husband jumped up from his chair and ran to the bank, encouraging Ethan to reel it in quickly. When the fish hit the bank, neither one of us could believe what we saw. Ethan had indeed caught a giant 8 lb. bass. He was thrilled! We got the fish mounted, and it's now hanging on the wall in our family cabin. We explained to him that he may never catch a bass of that size again, and we worried that catching smaller fish would disinterest him. Two years have passed since that day and he still loves to fish, even when he comes up empty-handed or only catches small fish. Like most children, Ethan just loves the experience. He loves being outside and spending time with his friends and family around the water. As we’ve discovered, fishing is the perfect way to enjoy the wild outdoors with your children. We’ve also learned a few tips for making the fishing trip fun for everyone. If your children don’t have a good time the first time they go fishing with you, most likely they won’t want to go again. The pressure is on, but a successful trip is possible if you keep a few things in mind. 1. When teaching children to fish, simple is best. Start off fishing for pan fish, because they're easier to catch. When they're young, children don't care as much about the size of the fish as they do about the number of fish they catch — the more they catch, the more fun. 2. Start off fishing from shore. Young children are less likely to get bored while on land than in a boat because they can run and play when they need a break. 3. Use live bait. It’s more interesting for children. 4. Start off using light tackle with a bobber. Watching the bobber get pulled under the water adds to the excitement. 5. Provide plenty of praise. The more encouragement you give your children, the more they will enjoy the experience. 6. Patiently teach skills. If you get frustrated with your children, you lessen their enjoyment. 7. Don’t do everything for your children. Teach them skills they need to make them proficient and confident. 8. Remember that safety and comfort are essential to everyone’s good time. Bring snacks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, drinks, bug repellent and a first-aid kit. Have life vests for everyone on boats and from the bank, make sure young children have life vests. Keep these tips in mind for safety and enjoyment. To find out about kids' fishing events in your state, check with your state's Fish and Game Department.