ROLLING DAILY FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY
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ISSUE 06 APRIL 2018
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUGARLAND WHO KNEW that a town developed around a sugarrefining plant...
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THE BEST WAY TO PACK A SUITCASE Your Clothes Step 1: Gather all the garments you anticipate...
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15 SMALL TEXAS TOWNS YOU NEED TO VISIT “I saw miles and miles of Texas, all the stars up in the sky, I saw miles and...
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TOP 10 ROULETTE TIPS Roulette just may be the most exciting game in the casino, but for...
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THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM HOUSTON
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Planning a family reunion requires one to plan, organize, and coordinate..
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WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.
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NINE TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A BIG GROUP
Less than an hour from the coastline and a short drive from the Texas...
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HOW TO PICK A WINNING SLOT Unless you play for fun, the only reason you play online slots is to...
PLANNING A FAMILY REUNION FOR THE FIRST TIME? HERE ARE THREE STARTER TIPS
A DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE BEST, HOTTEST, HIPPEST, COOLEST, DOWNRIGHT AWESOME GROUP TRAVEL IDEAS THIS SIDE OF... WELL ANYWHERE!...
When you’re vacationing with an entourage, there are a few things to keep...
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EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
SUGARLAND
BY: HOUSTONIA STAFF 6
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WHO KNEW that a town developed around a sugar-refining plant would eventually become the cultural and communal hub that is Sugar Land today? It’s one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, not to mention one of the most affluent, and we understand why: There’s never a shortage of things to do here. Below, a primer on what you can find when you travel south on 59. The Top 5 Spots for Family Fun in Sugar Land From broomball to digging for dinosaurs, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained in Fort Bend County. Constellation Field Located at Imperial Sugar Land, this www.firstclasstours.net
is the Goldilocks of ballparks—small enough to feel intimate, but large enough to offer a satisfying baseball experience to all types of fans. Hang out at the Bud Light Ice House in right-center field for a lively evening watching the hometown Skeeters face off against other Atlantic League teams, or bring the family and let the kids loose in the Memorial Hermann Play Land, featuring a merry-go-round, splash pad and playground. And when the team’s not playing, there’s still plenty going on, including high-school playoffs and concerts. “Baseball is just a part of it,” says Imperial general manager Shay Shafie. “There’s always something happening on weekends during the off-season.” HMNS at Sugar Land The Sugar Land campus of the Houston Museum of Natural Science offers 7
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permanent exhibitions that will wow the kids—a massive paleontology hall with everything from triceratops to trilobites, a living frog collection that includes the Giant African Bullfrog, a virtual ride into outer space in the Digital Dome Theater, and more—while the special attractions keep things fresh. The Sugar Land campus likes to keep things hands-on, too: the “dig pit” will let your little ones unearth “dinosaur bones” from a giant sandbox, and the microscope lab invites you to bring in your own “discoveries” from home. Oyster Creek Park Just as Houston has started taking advantage of its existing green spaces, Sugar Land has turned this boomerang-shaped greenbelt into a popular park, offering lovely landscaping, water features, hike-and-
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bike trails, grills and picnic tables—even public art. Enter via Highway 6 to cross the main walking bridge entrance over the creek and into the park, where kids post up to watch hundreds of turtles and even the occasional alligator, then pick a trail to explore—most of the route hugs the creek, with thick flora adding much-appreciated shade. Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center Whether you’re trying to get in that holiday mood or escape the summer heat, this action-packed ice rink will sort you out, with everything from skating lessons, figure skating sessions, hockey leagues, broomball games and more—including its annual Nutcracker on Ice performance each December. The rink is open for public skating from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday nights, and 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday nights. Admission
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is $12 and includes skate rental. And on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Dips n Chips cafe, kids eat for only 99 cents. Sugar Land Town Square This walkable, livable urban center has been Sugar Land’s beating heart for over a decade. The bustling development offers plenty of parking and strollable sidewalks, all of it anchored by the impressive City Hall building, whose plaza features an open-air concert, free movie night, car show or family-friendly festival nearly every weekend. Little ones will love the kids-only Padawans menu at Guru Burgers & Crepes and the children’s options at sister restaurant Jupiter Pizza & Waffles, which include the irresistibly named “Moose Poop” (akaushi meatballs filled with mozzarella, topped with tomato sauce, and served with sweet potato fries). Walk a Block, Taste the World in Sugar Land! Send your tastebuds on a trip around the globe without leaving Texas
French Quarter-inspired decor and a 14-foot raw oyster bar! There are so many mouth-watering choices, such as blackened salmon, Parmesan-crusted mahi mahi topped with lump crab meat, and chicken or pork topped with bayou sauce. If you’re looking for an even more classic taste of New Orleans, try the restaurant’s famous chargrilled Rockefeller oysters or savory shrimp creole. Or find out for yourself how they won Houstonia magazine’s 2017 Gumbo Smackdown. Finish off the evening with a delectable crème brulee, a tribute to New Orleans’ French roots. Pork lovers will feel right at home at local favorite Bacon Bros. Public House. The pig is center stage in every dish served, from potater tots made with pork shoulder, sharp cheddar cheese, pig ears and sorghum vinegar; to their B.E.T. sandwich, which stands for Bacon (pork belly pastrami), Egg (duck egg) and Tomato. The restaurant sources local ingredients, with some veggies harvested less than ten miles from their location.
Dive into the cuisine of the Mediterranean at Turquoise Bar & Grill AS THE SWEETEST CITY IN TEXAS, and enjoy fresh tabbouleh and mouthSugar Land is nestled in the most watering gyros and shish kebabs. For ethnically diverse county in the United the vegans in your party, Turquoise Bar States according to the New York & Grill offers a delectable vegan platter Times–and the cuisines offered in of hummus, falafel and dolmas. You Sugar Land directly reflect its global can also enjoy brunch every Sunday population. In Sugar Land Town Square, between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with the heart of the city, residents and drinks and an array of appetizers, visitors have the unique opportunity to breakfast items and entrée selections. taste the flavors of the world within a half-mile radius! If sushi is more your style, order an assortment at the trendy Japaneiro’s Step onto Bourbon Street when you Sushi Bistro & Latin Grill, with quirky enter The Rouxpour, complete with names like Black Mamba, The Kraken
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and Tropic Thunder. Not a big sushi fan? Not to worry, this trendy Japanese-Latin fusion restaurant offers empanadas, pollo milanesa and seafood platters. If you want to settle in with a nice drink, try one of their oversized margarita cocktails. Go exotic when you dine at Songkran Thai Grill, where the menu features an array of curry and savory noodle dishes. You can also enjoy Tom Yum Goong, a savory traditional Thai broth made with lemongrass, shrimp, cilantro and a little red pepper flake for spice. A Thai iced tea can help you cool off your palate. Delight in the cozy atmosphere and Zen-like vibe, with a larger-than-life mural of Buddha, and wrought iron light fixtures.
This sprawling suburb is known for its diverse dining scene and ample attractions, including a brand-new, high-profile concert venue, a champion minor league baseball team, and even its very own Houston Museum of Natural Science campus. Below, your itinerary for making the most out of a Sugar Land staycation. The Sugar Land Experience Stay
Before heading home, take in some live entertainment and grab a nightcap at the Sugar Refinery Grub & Grogs. This unique bar takes you back in time to Sugar Land in the Prohibition era. They serve up classic cocktails like Whiskey Sours and Hemingways alongside specialty cocktails like the Oyster Creek Dredge, which is a mixture of Jagermeister, Bols Strawberry, fresh squeezed lemon juice and club soda.
You could probably rent a palatial suburban home in Sugar Land via Airbnb, but we prefer staying in the thick of things at Sugar Land Town Square. There, the Marriott Town Square offers a rooftop pool, free shuttle service within three miles of the hotel, and walkability the likes of which you wouldn’t expect to find outside the city. Bonus: All participating Sugar Land hotels—including this one— are offering discount cards to visitors through August 8, which gets you $2 off the ticket price at four popular area destinations. Rates start at $132/night.
Visit a New Side of Houston: Sugar Land
Do Friday
From the best bakery in Texas to the largest Hindu temple in the state, this sprawling suburb has it all.
6 p.m. Check in at the hotel, then walk across Sugar Land Town Square for a pre-show dinner at Bacon Bros. Public House. A carnivore’s dream, this restaurant cures all of its own charcuterie in-house; chef Anthony Gray even makes his own hot dogs. Other can’t-miss dishes: smoked catfish dip with dill pickle potato chips and trout caviar and the homemade
THE INFAMOUS “SELFIE STATUE” may have drawn the nation’s attention to Sugar Land when it debuted last year, but there are plenty of other reasons to head southwest down Highway 59 than snapping your own selfie with
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the statue (which is conveniently located right in the middle of the Town Square).
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pimento cheese. 7:30 p.m. Grab the hotel shuttle or an Uber for the 2-mile ride to Smart Financial Centre. The brand-new concert venue has already hosted headliners from Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal to Sting and Tony Bennett. This summer, look for Hank Williams Jr., (Jul. 28), Rod Stewart (Aug. 12), The Avett Brothers (Aug. 18), Todd Rundgren and
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Yes (Aug. 23), Mary J. Blige (Aug. 25) and much, much more heading into September. Shows usually kick off at 8 p.m., and parking can be rough, so plan ahead. Saturday 9 a.m. The unassuming Anonymous Cafe was recently honored by Buzzfeed as the best bakery in Texas (according
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to Yelp reviews). See why for yourself over a lovely latte and a fresh-baked croissant stuffed with scrambled eggs, Gruyere cheese, bacon and more. 10 a.m. Grab your canvas tote bag and head down Highway 90 to the Farmers Market at Imperial, which takes place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the shadow of the towering Imperial Sugar refinery from which Sugar Land gets its name. The red-brick building and bright white sugar silos make a compelling backdrop for the busy market, which boasts plentiful produce in addition to baked goods and prepared foods to take home for the
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week ahead. 11 a.m. Settle into one of the top tea rooms in Texas (according to Southern Living) for a relaxing lunch at Serenitea. Scones, dainty sandwiches and soups are served alongside your choice of tea, the latter of which you can purchase at the adjoining gift shop if you want to host your own afternoon teas at home. 12:30 p.m. Head back to the hotel for some pool time. When you can’t take the sun any longer, walk (or take the hotel shuttle) across Lexington Blvd. for something even cooler than the pool.
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2:30 p.m. Keep beating back the heat at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center. The rink is open for public skating from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday nights. Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. 4:30 p.m. Disco nap at the hotel! 6 p.m. Walk downstairs for dinner at Guru Burgers and Crepes, one of the most beloved burger joints in the area. The crepes are great too, but we have a hard time tearing ourselves away from The Astrodome (basically a Frito pie on a burger) or The King, which includes all of Elvis’s favorites under one bun: peanut butter, sweet plantains (in lieu of bananas), grape preserves and bacon, all atop an Akaushi beef patty. 7:05 p.m. Make sure you get to Constellation Field in time for the opening pitch. The Sugar Land Skeeters, who won last year’s Atlantic League of Professional Baseball championship, play in the type of old-school American stadium that’ll have you nostalgic for Ebbets Field and Comiskey Park—when you’re not cheering wildly from the stands, that is. Sunday 9 a.m. Anonymous isn’t the only buzz-worthy bakery in town. Head to Cinnamon’s for the biggest, most beautiful cinnamon buns you’ve ever seen, served in a wonderfully retro 80′s setting. The kolaches are unconventional, but also worth checking out. 10 a.m. Powered by carbs, paddle out at Sugar Land Memorial Park, where you can rent kayaks or stand-up
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paddleboards by the hour. All rentals are $20 and include a life vest; no reservations are needed. If you’re a fan of fishing or mountain biking, you can do both here as well—provided you bring the gear. Noon You might be a little sweaty and gross from all that paddling, but no one will care on the patio at Live Oak Grill. Sprawl out over a restorative lunch of chicken-fried steak and buttermilk pie at this casual, take-all-comers spot with a Texas flag painted on the roof. 1:30 p.m. On your way back to Houston, visit one of the great wonders of greater Houston, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (which is technically located in Stafford, a 10-minute drive from Sugar Land Town Square). The stunning Hindu temple, which sits on 22 acres of land, is the largest in Texas, painstakingly assembled using 33,000 pieces of hand-carved Italian marble and Turkish limestone. Visitors are welcome from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and a free tour is offered at the entrance, but you’ll have to make sure you’re dressed appropriately before going inside: no shorts, no tank tops or short-sleeved shirts, no dresses above the shins, and no shoes. Before you go, make sure to grab a few goodies from the adjoining Shayona Sweets & Snack Shop. 3 p.m. Head home, and start planning that next staycation! ¦
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Just a short 2 hour drive from Houston, Golden Nugget Lake Charles combines the glitz and glamour of
WEEKLY TRIPS AS LOW AS $17.00 Las Vegas withDAY the hospitality and charm of the South – creating an exceptional one-of-a-kind gaming and entertainment destination in Louisiana.
Since it’s unveiling in December 2014, the 242-acre casino and resort has attracted guests from all WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & SUNDAY! neighboring states. The Golden Nugget name is synonymous with exceptional service and luxury, including TICKETS START AT $17 deluxe accommodations, 15 restaurants and lounges, a private beach and marina, a championship golf FRIDAY & SATURDAY! TICKETS START AT $18 course and an innovative casino floor.
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$
Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles departing Terminal and Eastex Terminal Located off of interstate 210, Lake Charlesfrom is theFM fifth1960 installment of the iconic Golden Nuggeteach brand which Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday! is owned and operated by Houston-based restaurant, hospitality and gaming group Landry’s Inc. The
Perk
craftsmanship and attention to detail is evidence of money well spent. The luxurious rooms and suites feature plush bedding, premium amenities like idocking stations and picturesque lake and pool views.
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PROPERTY FEATURES • 1,600 of the newest slot machines WITH PERKS • World-class spa, salon and barbershop OVERNIGHT TRIPS • State-of-the-art fitness center • 70 table games • • • • • •
• Pool complex with swim-up bar, lazy river Poker room and waterslide 740 luxury rooms and suites, with a tower addition in 2017 JUNE 6-7, 2018 • Shopping promenade 18-hole championship golf course 30,000 square-feet of meeting and convention space $74 PP - DBLE OCCUP • Arcade • A-list entertainment Wedding gazebo $149 PP - SINGLE OCCUP Marina with dockage up to 206 feet
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Ride with First Class Tours to The Golden Nugget Lake Charles, departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminals
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Package A • Golden Nugget will pay $10 per passenger • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *No minimum passenger count required.
Package B • Golden Nugget will pay $500 for Bus Transportation • Receive $5 Free Slot Play or $10 Food Credit
GOLDEN NUGGET TRIP • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 40 passenger counter required.
Package C
• Golden Nugget will pay $1,000 for Bus Transportation • Group leader receives $15 Free Slot Play or $25 Food Credit *Minimum 50 passenger count required.
*All passengers must be 21 or older. No deposit required. Any payment made by Golden Nugget will be sent to the approved motor coach company. Group leaders are not eligible to receive payment.
From upscale to casual, Golden Nugget Lake Charles also boasts a collection of Landry’s, Inc. awardwinning and nationally recognized restaurants that cater to every palate. Grotto Ristorante, Saltgrass Steak House, Landry’s Seafood House, Claim Jumper, Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar and the crown jewel of steakhouses – Vic & Anthony’s – are just a few of the impressive selections. Guests can also peruse through a shopping promenade featuring all of the latest fashions from designers like Tommy Bahama and Michael Kors, catch a game of golf, or bask in the sun at H20 – an opulent Vegasstyle pool, swim-up bar and lounge. To learn more about available Bus Tour Packages to Golden Nugget Lake Charles, please call 337.508.7221 or email BusTours@gnlcm.com. 2550 GOLDEN NUGGET BLVD.
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As a local, it is not at all uncommon to be asked “What is there to do in Galveston?” To me, it seems like such an odd question. The question really should be more like “What ISN’T there to do in Galveston?”
THE BEST WAY TO A SUITCASE Galveston Island has a diversity of entertainment and leisure options that has made it one of the top beach destinations along the Gulf Coast. I think it’s the fact that Galveston has so much more than just sand and water to lure people across The Causeway. Let’s look at just Downtown Galveston – the epicenter of entertainment, food, drink and social activity in the city. So if you’re looking for something fun to do and need a little nudge for ideas, here’s a quick list of the top 10 things to do in Downtown Galveston.
BY: THERESA O’ROURKE And I offer this one disclaimer – this is in no way intended to be inclusive. It is not the result of any survey. This is merely my list of top 10 things I recommend to folks based on living here 21 years and visiting the island city my entire life.
1. Shop If you’re fond of unique and interesting items for yourself or gifts for others, downtown Galveston is where you need to spend some time with Hendley Market as your first stop. Be sure to check the store for current hours – they tend to change from time to time. But it is worth the effort for the spectacular collection of unusual items you’ll find. Nativity scenes
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O PACK
Your Clothes Step 1: Gather all the garments you anticipate needing. Then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you’ll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt, says Kathleen Ameche, author of The Woman Road Warrior ($15, amazon. com). The average 22-inch checkin bag fits roughly two pairs of jeans, three sweaters, two dresses, and five shirts. Step 2: Choose knits, wools, and cottons. These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile (some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas). Step 3: Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won’t wrinkle when rolled tightly, says Judy Gilford, author of The Packing Book ($13, amazon.com). Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts, should be carefully folded. Step 4: Arrange rolled items in the bottom of the bag. Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer. Step 5: Place folded garments next. For your (cream filling)
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middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won’t be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends
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over the handles. Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in. Step 6: Cover the pile with a dry-cleaning bag. It’s like Botox for your clothes. Because of the bag’s slippery surface, folded clothes don’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on
either side. Step 7: Top the pile with the clothes you’ll need first. Anything goes with your top layer―a bathing suit or pajamas. Step 8: Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. This cradles your three layers. Your Shoes Step 1: Follow the rules of three. Consider one casual
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sandal or loafer, sneakers, and an evening shoe to be your holy trinity. “Because of their shapes and heels, shoes take up the most room,” says Marybeth Bond, author of 50 Best Girlfriends Getaways ($16, amazon.com). Wear the heaviest pair and pack the other two. Step 2: Stuff shoes with sunglasses and electronics chargers, says Anita Dunham-Potter, a cruise columnist for MSNBC.com. Step 3: Slip shoes into one-gallon-size resealable bags. Then set them along the sides of the bag, says Gilford. Your Beauty Products Step 1: Opt for travel-size multitaskers. Choose a tinted moisturizer that serves as foundation, a soap, and shampoo in one, and wipes that clean hands and face. (If you’re flying with a carry-on, check current regulations for liquids at tsa.gov.) Step 2: Fill empty bottles with your favorite brands. Evelyn Hannon, creator of journeywoman.com, a travel-advice website, swears by Japonesque’s Gotta Go Weekend Travel Bag ($20, amazon.com). A mere four inches high
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by four inches wide, it’s stocked with eight clear containers for lotions, contact-lens solution, and the like. Fill them threequarters full. “The storage department on a plane is not pressurized, so items filled all the way to the top will overflow,” says Bond, who learned that the hard way when a sample of Pepto-Bismol exploded all over her clothes. Step 3: Protect your belongings from ugly mishaps. Denise Boyd, a flight attendant for JetBlue, slips socks over her coarsely bristled brushes that “can tear into clothes and cause snags.” Step 4: Group similar products in sealed resealable bags. Designate one sack for your cosmetics, one for your hair products, and one for skinrelated items. Tuck the bags in the side corners of your suitcase or in a zippered outside pocket. Your Jewelry Stow inexpensive pieces in a seven day plastic pillbox. Or store them in a 35-millimeter film container lined with tissue. If you must take precious gems, wear them during your travels to reduce the risk of loss or theft,
suggests Gilford. Your Breakables Wrap fragile items in sturdy clothing. Place them in the center of your bag surrounded by a buffer, says Laura McHolm of NorthStar Moving, a Los Angeles–based company that relocates 5,000 people (and their precious porcelain) each year. If you’re carting liquor bottles, secure them in the bottom center of your bag. Your Dirty Laundry Shrink it. Jessica Ellis, a graphic designer who travels between New York City and Chicago every other week, piles clothing into Eagle Creek PackIt Compressor bags ($10 to $26, rei.com). “Zipper them, and they take out 80 percent of the volume.” Warning: This can have wrinkly consequences, so if the clothes don’t yet require laundering, lay them flat and place fabricsoftener sheets between them. Consider your fresh-smelling clothes a welcome-home present. ¦
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15 SMALL TEXAS TOWNS YOU NEE TO VISIT BY: ELIZABETH ABRAHAMSEN 20
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“I saw miles and miles of Texas, all the stars up in the sky, I saw miles and miles of Texas, gonna live here ’til I die,” — “Miles and Miles of Texas” by Bob Wills Traveling the state of Texas you can see the skyscrapers of Houston, the music of Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, the beaches all along the Gulf of Mexico, visit the “Big D” (that’s Dallas to you non-Texans), get a taste of Mexican culture in San Antonio or get weird in Austin.
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But if you’re only hitting the big cities, you’re missing a lot of what Texas is really about. Don’t drive out to El Paso without taking a detour to Marfa, Alpine or Terlingua. Don’t head to Waco without getting a kolache at the Czech Stop in West, and if you must go to Oklahoma, don’t pass up Seymour on the way. Check out these 15 tiny Texas towns you don’t want to miss on your next road trip.
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15. Granbury Granbury, Texas is full of old Texas history. The Granbury Opera house was established just after the Texas revolution, and if you’re interested in old west outlaw history, you probably thought Jesse James was buried in Missouri. But a Granbury legend says the outlaw survived until 1954 and is buried in Granbury. If you want to go a little further back in history, check out Dinosaur World, a 20-acre attraction that features life-sized models of dinosaurs where you can take your own hilarious pictures like this one: 22
Granbury is also home to the family-owned Revolver Brewing company, one of Texas’s fastest growing microbrews. The brewery is open to customers for tours and tastings.
small town that is anything but quiet. Every Friday night for as long as most folks can remember, Wimberley has hosted what they call “Bluegrass Jam” in a vacant parking lot, as is true Texas small-town style. Bluegrass Jam is just what it sounds like, an informal gathering of incredible bluegrass musicians and bluegrass lovers who sit, pick and sing together late into the night. You can also catch some live music and incredible views on the patio at Ino’z:
14. Wimberley Nestled deep in the lush greenery of the Texas hill country sits Wimberley, a
Wimberley is also home to Blue Hole, a particularly picturesque swimming hole surrounded by a beautiful
If you’re looking for accommodations in Granbury, why not stay in the Nutt House? No straight jacket required. While you’re there take the ghosts and legends tour, or maybe go fishing in Lake Granbury or the Brazos River.
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park where you can spend all day in the shade of bald cypress trees swinging into the cool water from a hoop and chain. 13. Shiner “The little town that beer built” is mostly known as the home of the Spoetzl Brewery, makers of Shiner beer. The brewery is certainly something to see, but there is more to Shiner than just beer. The historic Gaslight Theatre hosts local productions three times a year, and if you don’t get your fill of
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history there, you can check out the cigar factory or the Wolters Museum. And, like any self-respecting small Texas town, one of the local hangouts is a gas station. Howard’s isn’t just any gas station however, it offers Shiner historical memorabilia, live music, and has nine beers on tap.
designed and ornate statuary.
12. Schulenburg Situated on I-10 half way between San Antonio and Houston is the small town of Schulenburg. Schulenburg is home to the famous “painted churches” with their intricately
11. Chappell Hill Located along Highway 290 between Brenham and Hempstead, the historic town of Chappell Hill is home to only about 600 residents. Don’t let its size fool you though, Chappell
While visiting, check out the supposedly haunted Von Minden Hotel and theatre. Schulenburg was settled mainly by German and Austrian pioneers, and is the location of the Texas Polka Music Museum.
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Hill is rich with history and industry. Situated not far from the Brazos River, Chappell Hill was part of Stephen F. Austin’s original colony. Today, the tiny hamlet boasts a meat market called Chappell Hill Sausage Company that sells incredible sausage and homemade canned goods. Every April the town bursts into activity for the Bluebonnet Festival, which includes live music, antiques, crafts and every good thing small town Texas has to offer. 10. Seymour Just about an hour south of the Texas/Oklahoma border is the tiny town of Seymour. This blink-and-you-missedit whistle stop is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss if you’re interested in paleontology. Seymour and the surrounding area of Baylor County are a hotbed archeological activity. “Seymour and Baylor County is the best place in the world to find lower Permian reptiles and amphibians,” said Paleontologist Chris Flis. Flis is also the Museum Director for the Whiteside Museum of Natural History in Seymour. The land around Seymour is currently being excavated
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by Flis and Anthropologist Mallori Hass to unearth a Dimetrodon they’ve christened “Mary”. Seymour even has a Permian reptile named after it, Seymoria, a small, reptilian, lizardlike creature. The first one discovered (found in 1875) is currently on display at the Smithsonian. 9. Liberty Want to see the best live music show in Texas? Of course, you do! The tiny town of Liberty, northeast of Houston claims to have just that at the Liberty Opry on the Square. The Liberty Opry in a traditional old opry house and hosts a variety style show, including several music acts and some wholesome country comedy. Liberty is also the location of some other interesting attractions, including a fullsize replica of the original Governor’s Mansion and a few other homes with historical significance that were built in the 1800’s.
school student as its mayor in an uncontested election. Archer City is now also almost as well-known for the two labyrinthian bookstores that surely house more volumes than the library at Alexandria. If you’re looking for a rare first edition of any particular book, this would be an ideal place to start. 7. Fredricksburg Georgia doesn’t have a monopoly on peaches; we have plenty right here in the lone star state. Just a short trip down Highway 290 west of Austin, you can walk through verdant orchards picking your own peaches when they’re in season. While you’re in town, check out Wildseed Farms to get your hands on some beautiful native Texas flowers and plants. Far from a one-trick pony though, Fredericksburg is also home to many historical museums including the National Museum of the Pacific War, which commemorates the heroes and events of World War II in the Pacific Theater. You can also visit several wineries in and around the Fredericksburg area.
8. Archer City Made famous as the inspiration behind the book “The Last Picture Show”, Archer City is still as captivating as it was when renowned Texan author Larry McMurtry was growing 6. Gruene up there. In 2014, the town The tiny hamlet of Gruene elected an 18-year-old high sits on the eastern edge
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of the Texas Hill Country along the Guadalupe River. Gruene is home to the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall. They regularly host some of the best national and regional country and American music talent. The picturesque dance hall is surrounded by quaint shops and restaurants like the Gristmill, which has delicious German food and an unbeatable view of the river. 5. Marfa “Tough to get here, tough to explain, but once you get here, you get it,” say residents of Marfa, Texas. To most, the tiny west Texas town might seem an odd choice for an art installation, much less several art installations by world-renowned artists. Yet there they stand for all to see. 4. Gonzales If you ever want to achieve any real sense of understanding of what makes Texans the way we are, study the Texas revolution. It’s a fascinating history, and part of it took place in this small south Texas town. Even if you’ve never heard of Gonzales, chances are you’ve seen its historical flag, or heard the phrase made famous
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when Gonzales became the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution, “Come and take it!” Gonzales still has its original jail, built in 1887, that is now a museum open for tours. In addition, Gonzales has several Texas-themed annual events such as the Come and Take it Day, the First Shot Cook Off and color run, and the Come and Pull It tractor pull. 3. West If you’re wondering about the Czech heritage many Texans claim, a great place to learn more about it is in West, Texas. Located about half an hour north of Waco on I-35, West has an incredible culture handed down from its original settlers that still endures today.
ghost town, Terlingua bursts into life every November to host one of Texas’s biggest chili cook-offs. Every year hundreds of people descend upon the tiny town en masse to prove their chili is the best in the state. 1. Luckenbach “Population: 3” reads the famous city limits sign in Luckenbach, Texas. Immortalized by Waylon Jennings in his song “Luckenbach, Texas”, the town is really not much more than a general store, post office and a dance hall. What more do you really need in Texas? ¦
SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
CLICK HERE.
West is home to the Czech Stop, a local bakery famous for its kolaches. Also, every year the town hosts “Westfest” which is a celebration of Czech culture and heritage. 2. Terlingua Out west, settled near the Rio Grande and just a stone’s throw from Big Bend State Park lies the little community of Terlingua, Texas. Home to fewer than 60 residents and the location of a storied
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TOP 10 ROULETTE TIPS
Roulette just may be the most exciting game in the casino, but for many players, it can be difficult to actually make a profit at the tables. We’re going to give you some great roulette tips to help you beat the odds. Read carefully the following top 10 roulette tips and with a little luck, you just may
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come out on top! Roulette Tip #1: Betting System The best piece of advice we can offer is to play roulette with a betting system. The Martingale Betting System, for example, is a great way to all but guarantee a profit. The idea is to
start with a lowest table limit bet size, placing your wager on an even-odds payout like Black or Red, High or Low, Even or Odd. Keep making the same bet, but double your wager every time you lose. When you do win, you’ll be up by one bet unit. Start back at the lowest bet size, rinse and repeat...
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Roulette Tip #2: European Roulette Avoid playing American Roulette if the European version is available. European Roulette has slightly better odds because it lacks the 00. Any way to decrease the house edge is an essential strategy in any casino game, and this is
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certainly one of them. Roulette Tip #3: Worst Bet (0-00-1-2-3) If you do play American Roulette, never place a bet on the 5-number combination of 0-00-1-2-3. It carries the worst odds, with a 7.89% house edge.
Roulette Tip #4: Make Your Money Last If you want to make your money last, enjoying the experience of playing Roulette for as long as possible, stick to wagers that pay even money. These include the Black/Red, Odd/ Even and Low (1-18)/High (19-36) betting options.
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They carry a payout percentage of just over 47%, and that’s as good as it gets in Roulette! Roulette Tip #5: Combination Bets (Red + top Row)
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be sure your bankroll is going to last. By this, we mean don’t bring $200 and place $50 bets. Instead, divide your bankroll by at least 20, and make this your standard bet size.
A little known fact about Roulette is that everything is not laid out as evenly as you might think. If you look at the 1st 12, 2nd 12 and 3rd 12 blocks, they each have 6 red and 6 black, 6 even and 6 odd. But if you look at the rows of 12, you’ll notice a slightly different angle. The bottom row is evenly displaced, but the middle row has 9 black and 7 red, the top row 9 red and 7 black. This presents a small roulette strategy you can exploit.
Roulette Tip #7: Save Profits
Basically, if you want to make a bet on 1/3 of the board, select the top or middle row. Whichever color appears most often, make an equal bet on that color. If you win the row bet, odds are in your favor that you’ll also win the color bet. If you lose the row bet, you still have a 47+% chance of winning the color bet and breaking even.
The golden rule of any gambling experience is to never bring more money than you can afford to lose. Only bring extra spending money. It’s best to have a separate fund saved up just for the casino bankroll. If you lose your bankroll playing roulette, do not attempt to recover losses with money you can’t afford to lose.
Roulette Tip #6: Extend Your Bankroll
Roulette Tip #9: Winning Big
To make the most of your roulette experience,
If losing doesn’t matter so much, but you really
As you go, it’s a good idea to save half of every win. If you win bet $10, and win $10, save $5 - half of the profit - and don’t spend it. If you keep doing this, you’ll have a much better chance of ending with a profit, or at least some leftover spending cash to get a nice dinner. Roulette Tip #8: Affordable Losses
want to win big, place bets on the largest payouts and cross your fingers. It may sound a bit cynical, but in the long run, it’s the most realistic way to leave the roulette table with substantial winnings. The best payouts are on singlenumber bets (35:1), twonumber bets (17:1) and 3-number bets (11:1). Roulette Tip #10: Enjoy the Experience Truth be told, Roulette is easily one of the most exhilarating games in the entire casino, but it is not the most playerfriendly in terms of house edge and odds. Following the roulette tips above, you can increase your chances of winning at roulette, but most of all, consider it an evening of entertainment. Instead of going to the movies, where you’re sure to spend a chunk of money anyway, you’re playing roulette, where you might actually walk out with more money than you came with! How many theaters can advertise that kind of entertainment? ¦
SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
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Retirement
sets you free.
A MOTORCOACH
helps make it
The best it can
possibly be. The Good Life Starts Here!
Welcome to the next generation of retirement! A retirement designed for those who have a passion for living, for fun and for spending their best years with those they love the most. Nothing compares to the experiences available on a motorcoach. From local sightseeing to a week on the road, motorcoaches offer the flexibility, comfort, and amenities that will make your next trip the best trip. Motorcoaches are a great way to make the most of your golden years and we look forward to the chance to welcome you aboard one of our modern coaches and wow you with all we have to offer.
GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun
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THE BEST DAY TRIPS FROM HOUSTON BY: ALLISON BAGLEY 30
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Less than an hour from the coastline and a short drive from the Texas Hill Country, Houston is the perfect launching point for a the day trip. Here, six escapes from the city—some less than an hour away. 1. Eat brunch at a private ranchturned-resort (70 miles from Houston) The only Forbes five-star restaurant in Texas is located in Brenham, a town halfway between Houston
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and Austin. At luxury hotel The Inn at Dos Brisas, you don’t have the be a guest to make a meal reservation. The property’s restaurant offers views of the expansive on-site organic garden, working farm, and greenhouse. While the menu is American, the restaurant heralded for its European technique, seasonal menu, expert presentation, and 7,000-bottle wine cellar. The hotel, owned by a Houston couple, is an expansive 313 acres with only nine
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guest suites. Sunday brunch is $65 for a three-course menu. At dinnertime, a four-course dinner menu is available. Daily lunch is priced a la carte. 2. Pick your own pumpkin—or strawberries, blackberries and blueberries (48 miles from Houston) Family-friendly Blessington Farms has a bounty of pumpkins beginning in late September each year— head to the patch to pick yours through Halloween. At other times of year, vineripe fruit is available for picking for $5 a pound and up. The farm provides the baskets and the admission fee also includes fishing, a petting zoo, hay rides, and other activities. Also near Houston, Atkinson Farms in Spring draws crowds for its seasonal strawberry picking. 3. Take a dip in Hamilton Pool (188 miles away) Dripping Spring’s natural swimming hole Hamilton Pool is carved from limestone and features a dramatic 50-foot waterfall and a collapsed canyon. The breathtaking preserve is beloved for its relatively cool temperature and because it doesn’t dry up even in times of drought, which is common in the area. Plan ahead—half-day paid online reservations are now
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required—about $26 per carload. 4. Hit the beach (50 miles away) Native Houstonians can’t help but brag that a beach getaway is always just an hour away. It’s easy to waste away a day on Galveston’s public beaches, charming pocket parks, or along the bustling Strand (and the surrounding historic downtown homes). Tourists tend to flock to Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens, which offer plenty of entertainment. Feel like going off the beaten path? The tony resort community of Beachtown has a small number of charming restaurants and shops open the public, like Porch Cafe.
Baylor University (such as Castle Heights and Sanger Heights) to try to spot the couple’s finished fixeruppers that have been featured on the show. 6. Float in a lazy river (60 miles from Houston) Lake Conroe’s La Torretta Lake Resort offers monthly memberships to access their pools, slides, and lazy river. (There is both a kidfriendly pool and one only for adults.) As a bonus, the hotel will help you arrange kayak and paddle board rentals to experience the lake. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
CLICK HERE.
5. Shop the silos, HGTV style (180 miles away) Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” series have put Waco, Texas on the national map. Visitors travel from far and wide to patronize their massive Magnolia Market home goods shop at the site of old grain silos, where expansive greens, corn hole, and food trucks beckon customers to stay a while. Next door, lines queue daily at their new Magnolia Bakery. From there, super fans of the show can drive through the Waco neighborhoods near
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2NIGHT TRIPS WITH PERKS
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$
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MAY 14-15, 2018 $44 PP - DBLE OCCUP $68 PP - SINGLE OCCUP Ride with First Class Tours to Paragon Casino Resort departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal and receive unbeatable hotel deals on your trip!
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PARAGON RESORT
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HOW TO PICK A WINNING SLOT BY: GIOVANNI ANGIONI
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How to Win at Slots Unless you play for fun, the only reason you play online slots is to win some money.
T
But, this is how it goes: You launch an new game You win some You lose it all At the end of this article, you find a series of tips on how to win on slot machines that help you fix this mistake. From bankroll management to game selection, you are probably doing it all wrong. And if you are serious about winning at slots, you need to a. analyze your behaviour, b. recognise your problem and, c. fix it. I’ll help you fix the problem and become a winner. To win at slots isn’t easy - and it sure require a lot of luck. But so does getting a green light when you drive home or picking the right line when you pay your groceries at the supermarket. It all starts with luck… …then, you only need to recognise some patterns and apply common sense to what you see.
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This is what my guide to winning at slots is about: patterns and common sense. I can’t promise you will make millions. Nobody can. But if you want to know how to beat slot machines and what slot machines payout the most, this is the slots guide you need. The first part of this article is dedicated to loose slots. In the next paragraph, I am going to show you how you can pick the loosest slots. At the same time, I am also going bust the most common myths and misconceptions on how to choose casinos and games. Picking the best slot machine to play is key. If you don’t play at a slot machine that is about to pay, you are almost guaranteed to lose your money. Find Out How to Beat Slot Machines and Win Big I’ve never seen such a bunch of apple-eaters. J.D. Salinger Casinos promote flashy and loud games. Ask yourself why - and learn to stay away from them.
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Whether you are at a brick and mortar or at an online room, the casinos try to lure you in with loud games and numbers. Lots of numbers. Jackpots are everywhere. A million here, two million there. Five million over there. But can you really win all that money at slots? Can you really take home the glorious jackpot win that will let you buy what you want, get you in the winner’s circle, and tuen you in a superstar? Can you, really? Over the years, I met a lot of people who try to figure out a pattern of some kind to win at slots. The truth is that slots are powered by Random Number Generators, meaning there is no pattern that can be used or taken advantage of. There is, however, a pattern when it comes to how casinos place their slot machines or, if you play online, the way they are positioned on the casino websites. Beat the Casino System: How to Choose the Best Slot Games to Play
Beat the Casino System: How to Choose the Best Slot Games to Play Casino floor planners spend years to understand what game should sit where and be sure they put in so much hard work because they have only one clear goal in mind: your money. What’s your goal when you play? Generally speaking, casinos place the tight machines with large payouts right at the centre of the floor because they want everyone to be looking at the jackpot number while they walk around to choose what slot to play. These slot machines are the most popular ones, but not necessarily the best one to play if your goal is to win at slots. Online is the same: Log in at your favourite site and be sure that the first rooms you find there are those with the lowest payout - aka. the slots where you don’t win. Learn to scroll to the bottom of the bpage or to browse through the site because that’s where the loose slots are.
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Hold on. What are the loose slots? And where do I find them?
are
The next time you pick a slots game at a casino, think about these points:
For how long do they play at the same slot machine
Is the slot machine in the middle of the floor or at the end of a row? Is it next to the buffet, or is it in a corner where nobody goes? Does it feature a largerthan-life jackpot, or is it a simple penny slot game? With all the science that goes behind the placement of games at the casino, you’d be crazy not to question why you see what you see. The casinos want to push you to play the higher risk games, while you want loose slots that pay out the most often. How to Pick the Loosest Slots by Looking at…the Players! Sometimes, the best way to tell if a slot machine is ready to pay is to look at the other players. You need to know: What kind of players they
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How much did they win
Winnings sizes are crucial. Did they just score a small win or did they cash out a significant amount of money? Do you know why this matters? Small wins are what pros refer to as a “taste”. A pre-programmed sum the machine pays out to encourage gamblers to play for longer times. Tasters are a gambler’s bait: The moment the machine pays you a bit, you are inclined to think that you almost made it, you almost broke the bank. You only need to play for a little longer to strike it big. Sadly, this is not true. The machine resets after every game. The tasters are created to make you believe you found a loose slot machine - when you didn’t. What do you need to look out for then?
Look for the people who look a little wary. I don’t mean those sad gamblers that look like they hate every single spin (and yet they are at their tenth hour of slots grinding) or the exuberant kind who is high on sodas and alcohol. Look for the slightly rumpled but generally welldressed players who look focused and committed while they play. These are the nondesperate but not overly cocky gamblers you need to pay attention to. These slot players will generally play for a set amount of time and then leave. They’ve surveyed the machines FOR YOU: Usually, they do not play on the machines with the biggest payouts. You can find them in the darkest and least attractive sides of the casino floor. Do you know why they do so? They know where the slots with the best payouts are and they are ready to fight for them.
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They won’t sit to kill time at Book of Ra or Kitty Glitter: they have a clear goal in mind and a set plan to reach their goal.
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These are the Slot Machines with the Best Odds of Winning With the information I just shared with you, you can
finally find the slots with the best odds. In more general terms, the loose slots:
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In addition to these basic guidelines, there are quite a few other tricks and cheats to spotting the loosest of the loose and winning those massive slot jackpots. Loose Slots Games to Play Online Since I know most people are here just to pick a winning slot machine and play slots with the highest chances of winning, here’s a list of the best games to play at the time of writing. All these loose slots are available at 888casino - and that’s good news, since they offer a deposit free bonus. To secure the free money, make sure you get to play by clicking on the link included in the table:
6. The Glorious 50s 7.9 PLAY NOW 7. Twin Spin 7.7 PLAY NOW 8. 7.3
Once Upon a Dime PLAY NOW
9. Leprechauns Luck 6.8 PLAY NOW 10. Casino Reels PLAY NOW
6.7
Slot Machines Winning Strategy: Tricks and Cheats As I anticipated in the opening of this article about winning at slots by picking the winning slot machine, this last section of the guide is dedicate to tips that will make you a better slots player.
# GAME RATING If you want to know how to pick a winning slot PLAY machine, you should consider to be exactly like 1. Freaky Fruit 9.8 the grocery store next door. PLAY NOW 2. Zuma Slots 9.4 PLAY NOW 3. Ramesses Riches 8.7 PLAY NOW 4. Ultimate Universe 8.7 PLAY NOW 5. 8.1
Diamonds Delight PLAY NOW
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Slot Hack #1: Cheat the Casino Grocery Store System When you go to the meat cooler, you reach for the back of the shelf to get the freshest package of hamburger meat. A casino is the same. You don’t want to be where everyone is. You don’t want to pick the first slot machine you find just because…the casino made you find it there. You want to reach for the fresh hidden burger. You want to play at the unknown and hidden slots. Look for the machines that don’t promise the biggest and flashiest prizes. You need the middle-of-theroad ones, the lesser shiny slots that will eventually make you leave the casino in the black.
It all comes down to this:
The Slots Golden Rule: Avoid the Blockbusters
Have you ever noticed that most shoppers go around the grocery store the same direction as everyone else?
As far as VLTs go, don’t sit at the machine advertising Hollywood’s latest blockbuster.
This analogy is the key to the very first hack to getting to those winning slots with loose million dollar jackpots.
Those will take all your money with their superexpensive spins and promises of exciting bonus rounds that will never
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come.
It’s a marketing “law”.
games.
Check out the older machines with the consumed buttons and a slightly cracked screen.
However, people don’t generally like to stop when shopping so they’ll grab what is easiest.
Scroll or walk past the most popular slots when you play online.
Like a dented can at the grocery store, you have a much, much better chance of getting a better bargain when you pick those ones!.
Put something with a bright package in the middle aisle and - boom goes the dynamite! People will buy that product as if there was no tomorrow.
Slot Hack #2: Break Your Usual Shopping Pattern! Let’s continue with the grocery store analogy. Food shoppers are loyal and, except for the odd person who is just running it for a quick somethingsomething, they tend to go to the same store every week and walk around in the same pattern.
Look for the black sheeps, be critical. Ask yourself all the whys you need and check out the payout table and the bet sizes before you out your money in.
What does this have to do with slots?
Not after you lost your first $10.
Consider walking around the opposite direction the next time you do your shopping.
How Can You Tell if a Slot Machine is Ready to Pay
First you will feel like a salmon going up stream. Then, you’ll notice things you’ve never seen before. The higher price items are at eye-level and the bargains are below them.
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The same applies to the games. Don’t settle for the ones that happen to be where people are and happen to look exactly how people like.
Based on all the cheats, hacks and words of advice on how to choose a winning slot machine, the following shortlist is your go-to guide to navigating through any casino floor, app or online platform!
Pick one of the loose slots in our table Look for games played by calm, focused, and flighty players. Choose “bottom shelf” games! Best Slot Bonuses for Slot Machine Players Why go to the casino when you could be picking your winning slots right from the comfort of your home? We selected for you some of the loosest online casino rooms around. Have a look at their offers, get yourself a free account, and get ready to win BIG playing the easiest slots online! ¦
SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
CLICK HERE.
Don’t go for the flashiest
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YOUTH
SPORTS Transportation
Is our
specialty
Game Day starts here!
Ready, Set, Travel! It seems that every season there are more games, seasons are longer and the travel commitment gets more and more complex. Imagine taking the entire team on one motorcoach, arriving at the game together ready to play, with plenty of space for players, families, and gear. With full sized motorcoaches that accommodate up to 56 passengers, have video capabilities, an onboard restroom and more. The possibilities are endless, often with prices less than driving in separate cars. Call us today and let our team of professionals put your team transportation in the fast lane!
GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun
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DAILY TRIPS WITH PERKS
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OVERNIGHT TRIPS! MAY 7-8, 2018 $74 PP - DBLE OCCUP $149 PP - SINGLE OCCUP Ride with First Class Tours to L’auberge Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal!
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PLANNING A FAM REUNION FOR TH FIRST TIME? HERE ARE THREE STARTER TIPS Planning a family reunion requires one to plan, organize, and coordinate well ahead of the actual event. In successfully doing so, your family will have the opportunity to catch up, rekindle old relationships, and create new memories. If you have ever planned a backyard barbecue with 46
family, a weekend full of activities, or even a camping trip for your extended family, then you are familiar with the basics of planning a family reunion. They can be as simple as a gathering of 25 people in someones backyard to as complex as a week long group cruise to the Caribbean.
Planning a family reunion can seem very intimidating at first After all, it does take a lot of patience, time, and commitment to get people (who have not seen each other in years) to come together as a family. Regardless of how many wwwfirstclasstours.net
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MILY HE
steps are involved in planning your first family reunion, there are certain things to keep in mind that will help you get through it. But before you read the steps, you should know why you are planning a family reunion. Why plan a family reunion?
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In today’s day and age, it’s become extremely tough to keep in touch with our families. With e-mail, Facebook, our work lives, and our personal lives, it seems almost impossible to maintain close ties with distant relatives. A family reunion gives us the opportunity to rekindle those relationships with relatives who we may have not
spoken to in years. Time spent with family members will provide a sense of belonging, and perspective on our own history and lineage. It’s a great way to reconnect with our past not just for ourselves but also for our children. In addition to catching up, 47
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family reunions tend to be a lot of fun. Planning and participating in activities, special events, talent shows, or even genealogy is a great way to spend a vacation. One that you won’t forget for years to come. So What Are The Three Guiding Principles Plan At Least A Year OutIf this is the first time that you are planning a family reunion, then give yourself at least a year to get things organized. Many new family reunion planners give themselves 18-24 months just to be on the safe side. You will need this much time to get the word out, take surveys, and organize committees to do things the right way. Anything less will require too many shortcuts (And shortcuts lead to long delays!!!). Giving your family members this much lead time will also let your family members plan their vacations around the family reunion, thereby increasing the number of people attending the actual event. Don’t plan alone Getting together a team to help you sort through, plan, and organize the event will not only take some of the stress off your shoulders, it will also create a great buy-
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in factor for those helping you.The more people you involve, the easier it will be for you to organize everything. One of the easiest ways to get a team together is to create committees that are responsible for different parts of the reunion. To learn more, read What Are The Most Common Family Reunion Committees. If you are the one that is leading the charge, then remember to delegate the work instead of trying to do everything else yourself. If you need help in planning a family reunion, we would suggest that you read our guide How To Plan A Family Reunion. Start Small When Planning A Family Reunion For The First Time
As the number of reunions grow, so will your attendees. Eventually, you’ll need to create committee’s to handle tasks like selecting a hotel for the family reunion. You’ll need to enlist a few family members to get group hotel rates, negotiate amenities and block hotel rooms and report back to you for final approval. But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Just get the first one out of the way. And don’t try to grow too fast. Slowly growing the number of attendees every year will keep your planning smoother and your event successful. ¦ SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
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Simply invite close family members to a park that is central to everyone. Instruct people to bring one food item as their contribution to the family reunion (Free Download : Family reunion picnic flyer). By keeping it small, you will learn the simple steps that require successful execution of a family reunion at a larger scale. Once your first family reunion is complete, then start widening the circle to invite additional family members that may live further out.
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APRIL 2018
Nothing BRINGS A
Family
TOGETHER
Better Than a Motorcoach. We’ll Show You Why!
One of the biggest challenges with any large family reunion can be transportation. How do you move that many people around town? How do you get from the destinations to the hotels? How do you spend your time together without spending hours stuck in traffic, in separate rental cars? We understand family reunions and know that transportation can be the difference between an extraordinary event and just another few vacation days wasted. Call us today and let us help you put your family reunion in the fast lane to fun!
GoMotorcoach Make the Smart Move! Safe | Green | Efficient | Affordable | Fun
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FIRST CLASS
TOURS | CHARTERS | CASINOS
DAILY TRIPS WITH PERKS
10
$
Perk
EVERY DAY! TICKETS START AT $18 Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Day! Free play Monday – Friday AM only.
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OVERNIGHT TRIPS WITH PERKS
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$
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OVERNIGHT TRIPS! TICKETS START AT $49 PP/DBL
Ride with First Class Tours to Coushatta Casino departing from FM 1960 Terminal and Eastex Terminal Every Sunday!
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COUSHATTA RESORT LUCKY 7 SUNDAYS...
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FIRST CLASS
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WHERE TO GO. WHAT TO DO.
m e M
A DEFINITIVE LIST OF THE BEST, HOTTEST, HIPPEST, COOLEST, DOWNRIGHT AWESOME GROUP TRAVEL IDEAS THIS SIDE OF... WELL ANYWHERE!
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s e ri
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FIRST CLASS
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WORLDFEST: HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
HOUSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
PASADENA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
COMICPALOOZA
TACO LIBRE
JUNGALBOOK
April 20-29, 2018 @ The AMC Studio 30 at Dunvale
May 18-20, 2018 @ Pasadena Fairgrounds
April 28, 2018 @ Dallas Farmers Market
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May 5, 2018 @ Allen’s Landing
May 25-27, 2018 @ George R. Brown Convention Center
May 4-26, 2018 @ Dallas Children’s Theater
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USA VOLLEYBALL OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
2018 RACE FOR THE CURE SPONSORED BY H-E-B
CULINARIA FESTIVAL
MEMORIAL DAY ARTISAN SHOW
AUSTIN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
May 25-30, 2018 @ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas
May 5, 2018 @ Alamodome
May 25-28, 2018 @ River Walk near Shops at Rivercenter and the Chamber of Commerce
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May 27, 2018 @ American Airlines Center
May 17-20, 2018 @ La Cantera Resort & Spa
April 27-29, 2018 @ Auditorium Shores and Fair Market
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FIRST CLASS
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THE 41ST ANNUAL SPRING PECAN STREET FESTIVAL
FINDING EUPHORIA FEST
LIFE TIME TRI CAPTEX
CELTIC WOMAN
ZURICH GOLF CLASSIC
CRAWFISH MAMBO 2018
May 5-6, 2018 @ 6th Street
May 28, 2018 @ Lady Bird Lake, Downtown Austin
April 23-29, 2018 @ Tournament Players Club
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May 12, 2018 @ Carson Creek Ranch
May 4, 2018 @ Raising Cane’s River Center Arena
May 12, 2018
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NEW ORLEANS WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE
BAYOU COUNTRY SUPERFEST
MARC COHN WITH THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
JAMBALAYA FESTIVAL
May 23-27, 2018
May 16, 2018 @ Manship Theatre
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Memorial Day Weekend 2018 @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome
May 26-28, 2018 @ Gonzales Civic Center
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NINE TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH A BIG GROUP BY: MELISSA LOCKER 58
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APRIL 2018
When you’re vacationing with an entourage, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure everyone has a smooth (and relaxing) trip. In theory, embarking on a group trip means you’ll get to explore the world with some of your favorite people. In practice, it can devolve into fights over itinerary, haggling over hotels, and bickering with your siblings in front of your parents, even though you may all be fullgrown adults. Luckily there are ways to avoid those situations and ensure that your group vacation results in photo albums full of incredible memories. Whether you’re planning a big family
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reunion, a bachelor party, or a getaway with friends, there are two main rules: be patient and be flexible. In addition to those mainstays, here are a few extra pointers to ensure that your group vacation won’t make you want to take a vacation from your vacation. Consider Renting a House If you’re planning a family reunion or a bachelorette blowout, renting a house can both save money and stress. Having a house also means a more convivial environment, because no one can hide out in their hotel room. Renting a house has other perks, too, like breakfast together, the ability to cook
if you want, easy access to snacks, and parents will definitely appreciate the opportunity to tuck kids into bed at 7 p.m. and not have stay in the hotel room with them. Sites like AirBnb, HomeAway, and VRBO make it very easy to find homes to rent anywhere in the world. If you do rent a house, buy groceries in advance via PeaPod or Amazon Pantry and have everything you need delivered right to your door. Head to a Resort If renting a house isn’t an option, consider booking your next group adventure at a resort. Resorts are designed to have something for everyone whether you
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want to spend the day in the spa, at the golf course, kite-sailing, or doing nothing at all. Most resorts also offer kids clubs, which gives parents the chance to enjoy some quality adult time. Plus, resorts make meal time easy with large dining rooms and tables big enough for everyone. For some great options, check out T+L’s list of Best Family Resorts or Best Caribbean Resorts. Be Democratic When it comes to group travel, the math is simple: if there are 12 people and you’re on vacation for five days, there’s a very good chance that not everyone will get to do what they want to do. The easiest way to solve this is by voting. Have everyone choose one must-see item or one must-
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do activity and then vote on what takes place—majority rules. Also, if it’s an option, divide up. One group can head to the local theme park, while the rest hang by the pool. Don’t Be Overly Ambitious While they say that herding cats is the dictionary definition of a difficult task, trying to get an entire group of people out the door and to a destination and then back home again is a very close second. Managing the itinerary for a large group—particularly one with children in the mix—is trying at the best of times and the last thing you want to add to your vacation is a lot of stress. Instead, limit big outings or activities to one per day, be it museum trips or a visit to the Blue Lagoon.
Plan for a Lot of Downtime On a similar note, make sure there’s time for resting during the day. Most people in the group will appreciate the chance to do their own thing whether it’s lounging in bed, reading by the pool, or simply getting some quality alone time. Eat breakfast solo, but join up with the group for dinner, or visit an historical site in the morning, but don’t plan anything for the afternoon. Your fellow travelers will appreciate it. Plan, Plan, Plan Need to rent a car? Minivans tend to sell out quickly. Want adjoining hotel rooms? Make sure you reserve them as early as possible. Reservations are your friend, especially if you want a
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APRIL 2018
dinner table for 10 at 7pm on a Saturday. Also, consider making reservations for your group at a local attraction or historical site and set up a guided tour, hopefully with a group discount rate. Focus on the Details How will your group of 12 get from the airport to the hotel? Consider a bus or airport shuttle and make sure everyone has the hotel address. How will you get from the beach back to the house? (Walking? Taxis? Uber? Bike rental?) How will you handle snack runs? Do you want a local babysitter to come watch the kids? There are a lot of details to consider, which is why some large groups work with a trip planning service or a vacation consultant to help sort out the logistics, which
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frees the group up to relax on vacation. Communicate If your group will be divided up between several cars, or spending the day heading to separate activities, communication is key. Make sure everyone in the party has the full itinerary. Make sure they all know the name of the hotel and have a plan if the group is separated by choice or by accident. Consider setting up a group text or go old school and write up a phone list or some other means of ensuring that the group can stay in touch with each other. Similarly, if your group is tech savvy consider setting up a Google Doc with all the hotel or house information, itineraries, grocery lists, phone numbers, etc.
Tour Groups While you may enjoy jetting out on your own with nothing but your GPS and a sense of adventure to guide you, that doesn’t always work particularly well when traveling with large groups. Instead, if you are traveling with a large, adventurous group, consider signing up with a tour group who will manage the logistics for you, while you and your loved ones enjoy the wonders of Italy, Finland, or Machu Picchu. Œ
SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
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FCT NEWS UPCOMING OVERNIGHT TRIPS AUGUST 5-11 2018 TWENTY YEARS STRONG FIRST CLASS IN EVERY WAY
Las Vegas Trip
$549 $729 PER PERSON – DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
PER PERSON – SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Includes: Transportation 6 nights hotel accommodations (4 nights in Las Vegas, NV)
DEPARTING/RETURNS EASTEX TERMINAL
DEPARTS: AUGUST 5, 5:00 AM RETURNS: AUGUST 11, 4:30 PM
HOW TO BOOK BOOK ONLINE AT FIRSTCLASSTRIPS.NET OR BY CALLING OUR OFFICE AT 281.590.8800