Posts made in March 2021

The Best Spots to Visit in Cheltenham

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In the UK, the county of Gloucestershire is known for its docks, ancient Roman history, and of course, Double Gloucester cheese! However, one of its most popular spots for both tourists and locals is Cheltenham. A large spa town on the edge of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham is an affluent and beautiful area with lots to offer for anyone traveling to the UK. Due to its popularity, there are a few places that have become iconic to the area, and this list is a great starting point for anyone looking to have a memorable journey.

Restaurants

Thanks to the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival, there is no shortage of culinary delights to explore in the town. In terms of restaurants, Cheltenham is home to a varied selection that is sure to satisfy any diner. However, our pick would have to be Lumiere. Opened in 2009 and located just off the famous Promenade, Lumiere showcases the best of British with menus that change to match the best ingredients of each season. It’s tucked away from the bustle of the town and provides a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere as well as its 3 AA Rosette Award-winning food.

Activities

One of Cheltenham’s most famous events is their annual Festival which is centered around the iconic racetrack. A place for royalty and regulars to come together and enjoy the sport, the racecourse is a fantastic venue for social events in its own right. If you are a newcomer to horseracing, you needn’t worry because Cheltenham betting is very accessible now, with odds, tips, and racecourse information all available at the click of a button. The prestige of the racecourse will guarantee that you have a day out that’s fit for the Queen, and you may even get lucky with some wins too!

Historical Sites

Cheltenham is rich in its history, being first recorded in 803, and in 1226 was awarded a market charter that solidified its status as a town. The discovery of the mineral springs in 1716 transformed Cheltenham into a spa holiday and health town, which means there are plenty of historical sites that would pique the interest of tourists. The Pittville Pump Room is probably the best place to take in the atmosphere of the Regency Era heyday that Cheltenham experienced thanks to its spa status. It also overlooks Pittville Park, home to beautiful grounds and lakes that are perfect for summer picnics with family or just lounging in the sun.

Shopping

In more recent years, Cheltenham has become famous for its shopping – in particular, its high-end brands and luxury boutiques. It has five main shopping districts, including the pedestrianized Promenade which is home to a bi-monthly Farmer’s Market where you can sample local delicacies and buy art and jewelry from local creators. In December, the market is extended to ten days and is a winter wonderland that is certain to get you in a Christmassy mood!

Whatever you are interested in, this historic British town has something for you, and its central location means that there are plenty of places to visit once you’ve had your fill!

Medical illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Top 5 YouTube Doctors

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Since YouTube was founded in 2005, it has become something we take for granted as a source of information. If you want a taste of other ways of life, search YouTube. If you need to know how to do something, watch a YouTube video. If you need advice, find an expert on YouTube.

When it comes to the medical profession, however, YouTube experts need to walk a delicate line. Giving general advice regarding medical treatments can put undiscerning viewers at risk. At the very least, it can cause the doctor tremendous legal and career issues.

The best YouTube doctors have found that balance and give information and tips without crossing over into medical guidance. Here are the 5 doctors who do it best.

1. Doctor Mike

Dr. Mikhail Varshavski is a Russian-born American medical expert. He became popular online when he was named People Magazine’s Sexiest Doctor Alive. However, he is far more than a pretty face (with an adorable dog). Doctor Mike has millions of followers, to whom he provides health tips (but not medical advice). He explains different medical conditions and terms as well, along with lifestyle changes for improved health.

During the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, he used his channel to debunk false information, providing a clear vision of the real risks of the virus.

2. Dr. Joseph J. Allen

In the realm of eye care, there is no one better than Joseph J Allen OD. Dr Allen dispenses information via his YouTube channel, Doctor Eye Health. He is also the CEO of Vision Excellence Eye Consulting LLC.

In his videos, Dr. Allen shares interesting facts about the eye, important eye health tips, and insight into both common and rare eye conditions. He also recommends some of the best eye care products available. With over 250,000 subscribers to his channel, he is extremely influential and uses his platform carefully and responsibly.

Go to GlassesUSA.com to read some of the latest health articles, with whom Dr. Allen collaborates.

3. Dr. Dray

There is one type of health care that is a basic responsibility of each and every person. Skincare. Not everyone takes skincare as seriously, but proper care is not only important for aesthetic reasons but for general health as well. Skin issues may be a sign of illness, and overexposure to sun can contribute to skin cancer.

Dr. Dray is a dermatologist who uses her channel to dispense tips and review various skincare products. Considering that the variety of skincare products is huge, it is great to get a professional opinion on which actually work.

4. Dr. Robert Morsand

Dr. Morsand differentiates himself from the other doctors on this list because he doesn’t just provide general tips. He posts extensive Q&A sessions in which he answers people’s questions about a myriad health issues in depth.

There is a lot to learn from Dr. Morsand’s decades of experience, and you’ll find more specific information on his channel than on most others.

5. The Junior Doctor

Dr Ezgi Ozcan is a junior doctor in the UK who records vlogs about her life. Rather than providing medical advice, she shows what the daily life of a junior doctor is like. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, junior doctors are essentially the British equivalent of American residents.

Having recently given birth, she is portraying what it is like to be a mother in this line of work as well. Her channel is entertaining, informative, and she is incredibly personable.

Low Mode illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Rolls-Royce Low Mode

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ROLLS-ROYCE LOW MODE

The Rolls-Royce driving experience is characterized by the feeling of one imperceptible and endless gear. However, there are occasions when the driver requires more immediacy or a different dynamic profile in response to terrain and conditions. For these moments, Rolls-Royce has engineered ‘Low Mode’.

On pressing a button conveniently located on the inside of the gear lever, the transmission will shift gears up to 25% faster. This delivers more immediate acceleration and amplifies the effect of engine braking. The result of increased RPM in a lower gear, when faced with steep gradients, is a greater sense of control of the car’s speed, particularly in descents.

Low Mode

  • Transforms character of a Roll-Royce at the touch of a button
  • Low Mode augments steep descent by shifting gears 25% faster
  • For Black Badge Low Mode enables gear shifts 50% faster and a bolder aural character

 ROLLS-ROYCE BLACK BADGE LOW MODE

Black Badge represents an amplification of the Rolls-Royce driving experience in response to demand for more urgency to match a bold, darker, more engineering-led aesthetic. Once the Low button is depressed, the full potential of Black Badge is unleashed, amplifying a purposeful character within the motor car. It achieves this by holding gears longer when accelerating, and when braking downshifts are made faster to ensure the full spectrum of power is made available from the Black Badge’s characteristic V12.

Rolls-Royce has engineered a highly responsive suite of technologies to create an experience that responds to the intent of the driver. This means, when the throttle is depressed to 90% with ‘Low Mode’ engaged, gearshift speeds are increased by 50%, delivering power with more immediacy.

AURAL CHARACTER

Every Rolls-Royce represents a profound collaboration between brand and customer. In Black Badge’s conception, this was extended from the design atelier to the engineering studio. This bold, new sub-set of clients demanded a more prominent expression of the engine’s aural character.

Rolls-Royce’s engineers worked exhaustively in the knowledge that this meant so much more than simply more noise. This approach – the result of more than two years of careful tuning – yielded a baritone sound that perfectly communicates the character of Black Badge as a subversive statement without betraying the sovereignty of the Rolls-Royce experience.

For clients who wish to enjoy the full Black Badge soundscape when stationary, the exhaust flaps remain open in ‘Park’ and ‘Neutral’ when ‘Low Mode’ is selected, allowing them to showcase the aural character of the car through the enthusiastic depression of the throttle pedal

Computer illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

VC Pitch Deck Advice

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­­14 words to take out of your VC pitch deck

By: May Habib

170 seconds. Weeks or even months of working on your pitch deck could come down to the 170 seconds (on average) that investors spend looking at your deck. “Investors see a lot of pitches. In a single year, the classic general partner in a venture firm is exposed to around 5,000 pitches…and ends up doing between zero and two deals,” writes VC and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

With all that pressure to make an impact quickly, founders spend an incredible amount of time on the design of their slides. Less consideration, however, is usually spent on the words on the slide. That’s a mistake, especially when you only have 170 seconds. When not used intentionally, the words in your deck can be distracting or downright off-putting. We used what we know about language and healthy communication from the millions of documents we’ve processed at Writer to come up with 14 words and phrases to remove from your VC pitch deck:

Negative Association

“Runway”

  • Pitching VCs is a balancing act: you want to position your idea in the best light, but also show that you’ve thought things through. However, volunteering for certain types of information can have the opposite effect. Don’t write: I’m seeking $X in funding to provide Y months of runway. You certainly need to show how you’re going to use the funding you’re asking for, but you don’t want to frame things in terms of runway in a pitch deck. The word is associated with a looming cash-out date, which can put an investor in a negative state of mind.

“Exit strategy”

  • Don’t write: Our exit strategy is…Yes, thinking through your business means knowing how you’ll handle worst-case and best-case scenarios. But putting exit strategy in your deck can only get investors thinking about the inherent risks. You want them focused on the opportunity. You need to know what to say when the topic comes up — just don’t volunteer the information on a slide.

Cliches

“Just one percent”

  • A pitch deck is a tool to show VCs why your idea merits an investment. Using cliches can work against that goal. Don’t write: If we could capture X% of the market… It’s not only a cliche but also wishful thinking rather than a plan. Keep the text on your slides grounded in relevant facts and figures. Other cliches to cut include: the Amazon of X, imagine a future, and moving Y to the blockchain.

 Absolutes

“Everyone”, “always”, “never”, “no one”

  • A great pitch requires nuance. Using absolutes to talk about your idea fails on that count. And, if you look closer, chances are there will be exceptions to the absolute that’s being set up. When discussing your TAM, target customer, or product value, your words need to reflect a thoughtful and measured approach. Using absolutes, such as everyone likes X falls short of that goal and casts doubts about the validity of your plan.

 Imprecise Language

“Unique”

  • Precise communication makes it easier to bet that a business has the potential to succeed. But imprecise language is one of the top no-no’s we see in pitch decks. Take the word It may seem like an ideal word to show differentiation, but it’s imprecise as to the nature of the uniqueness. Just describe the uniqueness directly, or better yet, the plan to execute on the uniqueness. Ideas are important — but the plan is what gets companies funded.

“Intend”

  • Good intentions aren’t the same as a plan. Using the word intend in your pitch deck makes the discussion conceptual and somewhat nebulous. An intention is easier to reject than a plan backed up by compelling storytelling.

“No competition”

  • Don’t write no competition anywhere in your deck. Like, anywhere. At best, it will be seen as an exaggeration: if there isn’t direct competition, there may be indirect competition to consider. And, at worst, it could make investors think that you haven’t fully explored the market, meaning your entire premise could be flawed.

“Good”

  • Investors don’t want good ideas; they want the best Using the word good to describe any part of your plan (for example, good growth) lacks specificity and lowers your pitch’s believability.

Qualifiers a.k.a Intensifiers

“Very”, “so”, “quite”

  • Brevity is key when you’re working with a visual format, like a pitch deck. Qualifiers not only clutter your slides with unnecessary text, but they’re also less precise. Don’t write: very, so, and quite. Ask yourself one question: What does very fast growth look like? Your answer would likely be different than someone else’s. Instead, you might say the growth of X% a year so there isn’t confusion. Again, you want to be as precise and fact-based as possible.

Other things to keep in mind:

Readability

  • In an analysis of successful decks, we found an average readability level of Grade 10 or 11. For unsuccessful decks, that number was higher — Grade 12 or college. Never use jargon, keep your sentences simple, and include a maximum of 1-2 sentences per paragraph. To analyze your own deck’s language, try out Writer’s readability

Humor: Just don’t

  • Cracking a joke on a slide can easily backfire. The last thing you want is to have a failed joke make your pitch awkward or throw you off. That could derail the entire process. So, it’s best to skip the deck humor and get to what really matters: your plan.
Book illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Idris Elba × HarperCollins

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Iconic and multi-award-winning actor, musician, filmmaker, and activist Idris Elba has signed a global multi-book deal with HarperCollins to publish a range of children’s books launching in 2022.

In a major UK/US co-publication deal, world rights were acquired by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher, HCCB UK, and Suzanne Murphy, President, and Publisher, HCCB US, from Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT! Entertainment Ltd.

Publishing will include picture books and fiction featuring a character and world imagined and developed by Idris and his writing partner Robyn Charteris, who has written numerous live-action drama, pre-school and animation programs for BBC, Channel 4, the Jim Henson Company, and Endemol as well as educational theatre for schools. Idris Elba said, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life with my incredible partner Robyn Charteris, and the powerhouse team at HarperCollins.”

Executive Publisher HCCB UK, Ann-Janine Murtagh said, “Idris Elba is one of the most iconic and multi-talented creatives of his generation and I am delighted that he is joining the HarperCollins Children’s Books list. From the outset, Idris had a very clear vision of the characters and stories he has imagined and is passionate about creating books that will appeal to all children. Robyn Charteris has a fantastic track record in writing for children, working with some of the biggest producers of children’s entertainment, and I am hugely excited to also welcome her to the world of children’s books. I feel privileged that Idris has entrusted us to bring his stories to life and I cannot wait to share them with children across the globe.”

President and Publisher HCCB US, Suzanne Murphy said, “Idris Elba is a creative force, who has many wonderful stories to tell. We are honored to be working with him and with Robyn Charteris to bring Idris’s rich and imaginative storytelling to the world of children’s books, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the HarperCollins family.”

IDRIS ELBA

Golden Globe and SAG winning Idris Elba captivates audiences as an actor, producer, and director, and continually secures his position as the one to watch in Hollywood. He is the first actor to receive dual SAG awards in one evening.

Idris’s career skyrocketed on the small screen in some of the UK’s top-rated shows. Soon after, he landed the role of Stringer Bell in HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire (NAACP Image Award nomination). In 2010, Idris landed the title role on the BBC mini-series Luther, which earned him a Golden Globe, SAG Award, and four Emmy nominations. In 2005, he began his film career; his credits include American Gangster (Golden Globe nomination), Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom (Golden Globe nomination), Beasts of No Nation (SAG Award, Golden Globe nomination), and the Oscar-nominated film Molly’s Game.  He can be seen this April in the Netflix film Concrete Cowboy, which he also produced, and this summer will be starring in The Suicide Squad 2.  Other upcoming films include The Harder They Fall and Three Thousand Years of Longing.

Behind the camera, Idris made his feature-film directorial debut at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival with Yardie. In 2013, he founded his production company, Green Door Pictures, to champion diversity of thought. With Green Door, Idris released the documentary Mandela, My Dad and Me, produced the TV mini-series Guerrilla for Showtime, and created, produced, and appears in the Sky comedy series In the Long Run. He also created, produced, and starred in the Netflix comedy series Turn Up Charlie.

ROBYN CHARTERIS

Robyn began her career writing educational theatre for schools and charitable organizations internationally before graduating to television. For television she has written on numerous live-action drama, pre-school, and animation programs for the BBC, Channel 4, the Jim Henson Company, Channel 5, Initial Kids (Endemol), Carlton TV, Gullane, Hit Entertainment, Granada, SABC, Urban Brew, Disney, and M-Net.

Her credits include a BAFTA-winning children’s drama series for CBBC, creating and writing one of the first original 52-episode pre-school series for the launch of the digital channel CBeebies, creative consultancy for Mattel Toys and Lego, and a master’s degree in Playwriting.

ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS
HarperCollins UK is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 17 countries, and was named Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards 2018. With over two hundred years of history and more than 120 unique imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year, in 16 languages, and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals, and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins UK has offices in London, Glasgow, Honley, and Manchester and can be found online.

HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS, UK 

HarperCollins Children’s Books, unprecedented three times winner of Children’s Publisher of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016), is one of the leading publishers of children’s books, recognized for nurturing new talent as well as boasting a reputable list of established bestselling authors. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, Mary Poppins, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat, and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature past and present, including Judith Kerr, David Walliams, Lauren Child, David Baddiel, Oliver Jeffers, and Michael Morpurgo.

HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS, US: 

HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Where the Wild Things Are and The Hate U Give; series including the Chronicles of Narnia, Ramona, Warriors, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Pete the Cat, Fancy Nancy, Divergent and Red Queen; and graphic and illustrated novels such as Nimona, Invisible Emmie and New Kid. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling across a variety of formats and platforms, including the largest young adult (YA) book community, Epic Reads. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollinsPublishers, which is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 17 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp.

You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at HarperCollins Children, Epic Reads, and at HarperCollinsPublishers.

Cherry Blossom illustration by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

Cherry Blossoms Celebrated

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FROM HUMAN CHESS TO PADDLEBOARDING:
UNIQUE WAYS CHERRY BLOSSOMS ARE CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT JAPAN

With the much-anticipated arrival of their delicate pink flowers, the cherry trees blossoming in Japan is a yearly spectacle. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, cherry blossoms in Tokyo are expected to bloom on March 15th this year. Associated with renewal and the coming spring, the cherry blossoms (or sakura) spur a variety of unique celebrations and experiences throughout the country, with many cities and towns forming their own yearly traditions and unique ways to see the cherry blossoms.

Cruise the Matsukawa River, Toyama Prefecture

Travelers can enjoy hanami (the custom of flower viewing in Japan) as well as the beautiful landscapes of Toyama Prefecture on a special cruise along the Matsukawa River. During cherry blossom season, cruises on the river drift along with the relaxing current and make their way through tunnels of cherry blossom trees. Cruises begin and end outside of the Matsukawa Tea House, so travelers can enjoy a nice cup of tea after a peaceful afternoon of hanami.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride Through Kitakami Tenshochi Park, Iwate Prefecture

A massive park spanning over 700 acres, the Kitakami Tenshochi Park has been a favorite for hanami among both locals and travelers for decades. 2021 is the 100th anniversary of the park’s opening and there is a myriad of ways for travelers to see the cherry blossoms, such as taking a riverboat cruise, or taking a ride on a horse-drawn carriage underneath the “tunnel of pink.” Cherry blossom branches stretch out from the trees on both sides of the walkway and form a floral tunnel that travelers can traverse

Human Chess Match at Tendo Sakura Matsuri, Yamagata Prefecture

Ninety percent of Japanese chess pieces, or shogi, are produced in the city of Tendo. Every April, as over 2,000 cherry blossoms bloom, locals and travelers gather to watch a human chess match, or shogi battle, in Maizuru Park, where two professional chess players compete with humans dressed as samurai and servants in place of chess pieces. The festival also features taiko (Japanese drum) performances and delicious festival food like yakisoba noodles and takoyaki balls.

Stand-up Paddleboarding in Shiga Prefecture

In Kyoto, travelers who want to partake in hanami can go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Biwa to see cherry blossoms bloom along the coast. Shirahage SUP at the Shirahige Beach Campsite offers travelers the opportunity to see the cherry blossoms directly from the crystal blue waters of Lake Biwa.

Moka Railway Ride in Tochigi Prefecture

The city of Moka in Tochigi Prefecture is perhaps most known for the Moka Railway, which has been operating for over 100 years. During the spring when cherry blossoms begin to bloom, the railway line becomes a popular attraction since its track is almost completely surrounded by cherry blossoms and rape flowers. Travelers can book a trip on the scenic railway between Mogi station and Shimodate station for an unforgettable hanami ride.

Boating Under Hirosaki Castle, Aomori Prefecture

Hirosaki Castle is well-known as a top destination for hanami. Since local apple farmers prune the cherry trees the same way they do apples, the trees end up with two to three times more flowers than normal. To see the lush, pink flowers, guests often rent a rowboat and sail it out on the river surrounded by cherry blossoms. The sparkling river coupled with the towering castle and the bright petals makes for a fairy tale to come to life.

Noh Plays at Night, Tokyo

Under the lovely cherry blossoms of Yasukuni Shrine, a stage is set and traditional plays called noh are performed. These plays often date back to the 14th century and include kyogen (comedic spoken dramas) and maibayashi (a shorter version of noh with music). Performed, under the yozakura (cherry blossoms at night), the plays are enhanced by the atmosphere of the lit-up blossoms and the bonfire, two integral elements of this experience. Japan’s top actors and actresses are known to take the stage.

Events and experiences above are subject to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For updates on travel restrictions to Japan, please visit the website.

 

Do you need a sports tipster?

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Why do your sure bets keep losing? Many sports bettors constantly grumble that they don’t find as much luck as they expected. How many times have you wagered on a ‘strong’ bet only for the team to lose? There is a lot that goes to winning a game. The players could be fatigued or they could quarrel with the coach. This inside information is what a tipster offers. 

There are many sites with eSports betting and lucrative odds, but developing a winning strategy proves to be a different ballgame. A losing streak can be very discouraging if you are new to sports betting. Can a tipster service change your fortunes and put you on a winning streak? Maybe so. There are many tipster services offering improved winning rates. Do you need their services? 

Tipsters Have Deep Game Insight 

Tipsters are bettors with deep experience in the sport, leagues and teams they study. They have spent a long time studying games and have deep insights and inside information. A professional tipster has all the valuable information at their fingertips. They know what team is strong in the first half or second half. They know how teams perform historically against each other. 

A good tipster can tell when a team is priced appropriately, underpriced, or overpriced. They can compare the odds against different strengths and weaknesses they have sniffed about the team.  

Tipsters Supplement Betting Apps

There are many betting apps and software analysis tools which have made sports analysis very easy. They use Artificial Intelligence for statistical analysis into huge volumes of historical data. These apps have made sports betting easy, even for novices. 

The disadvantage with these apps is that they cannot make the deductions that a human can. For example, they cannot tell that a coach has a bad relationship with his players, or that a new player is having difficulties adapting.

A tipster is useful for supplementing what you see on sports betting prediction apps. Combining the two sources will give a richer data set to help you make a betting decision from an informed point. 

Tipsters Balance Out Your Views 

In sports betting, you will often have a nagging doubt at the back of the mind. Is this the right call? Is this the right betting option or do I pick another? It is normal to have self-doubts when you are new to sports betting, or when you have suffered a string of losses. You could make the right call but lose an opportunity because of self-doubts. 

A tipster is useful for comparisons. What are his recommendations and views against yours? These comparisons are very useful in identifying the weaknesses of your analysis. You become better at sports analysis and improve your betting skills in the long run. 

Tipsters Can Improve Your Profits 

A tipster can be of help in finding quicker financial success in sports betting. The truth is that a good tipster will make more correct calls than you can. You will have a higher win rate and build up your bankroll quicker. 

How to Identify a Good Tipster 

Stay away from tipsters who promise ‘fixed matches.’ The only way to pick a good tipster is by doing a good review of a tipster’s past performance. There are several sites for reviewing tipsters, where you can also find out about the reputation of a tipster. Any credible tipster will give you a trial period to help you assess his performance. Start with several trials and compare performances to pick the best. 

A good tipster can boost your wins and change your betting fortunes, even if you don’t find overnight success. You can use these services to enrich your sports analysis skills and turn into an expert relying on your own tips. 

Container House by Heather Skovlund for 360 Magazine

How to Find a Reliable Home Contractor

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Most homeowners go through a hard time finding a reliable contractor even though there are hundreds of contractor companies. If you are looking for a contractor, you certainly don’t want one that is going to take longer than the agreed period, to finish your project. 

On the contrary, you want a contractor that can do an awesome job within your stipulated budget and time. You may want a contractor for the construction of your home or for its renovation. Whatever your need, the following tips will help you pick a reliable home contractor.

Ask For References

The best thing about the internet is that you can get online references on various services. However, personal referrals are way more credible than online reviews and you should prioritize them over online referrals. Besides Google, other websites where homeowners can get reviews of contractors include Home Advisor, AngieList, and Yelp.

You can get personal referrals from sources like your friends and family, and the workers at your local hardware shops. You can also approach a homeowner who recently built their home to give you details about their contractor.  

The best scenario is by combining online reviews and personal reviews. Remember to have an open mind when seeking referrals and be sure to do background checks on as many contractors as possible.

Be Specific About Your Project

It is not advisable to hire a contractor for home projects that are not clearly identified. For instance, hiring a contractor who specializes in roof to renovate your home interior is a bad idea. The unqualified contractor is likely to turn out unreliable as you may end up having to look for another contractor who is fit for the job. 

Treat your home as you would treat your body and go for specialized services from a qualified contractor. You wouldn’t see an ophthalmologist when you have a broken arm, would you? Your home is made up of various areas that a general contractor may not know how to fix as well as a specialized contractor.

Get Proposals from Various Contractors

Once you reach out to your potential contractor, be ready to conduct interviews and ask lots of questions. Request t each of the contractors you are interviewing to write a proposal with their estimated prices for the entire project. The estimates should also include the prices of the materials to be used and any the costs. 

Ensure every contractor makes their bid and then take your time to compare the bids. To widen your scope, experts recommend you reach out to as many as ten contractors. Hiring a contractor for your home project is a crucial part of your home project to answer important questions like shower waste and what to do with it, so take your time.

Go For the Busy One

When you are looking for a contractor you may find it easy to choose the available one since you want to start on your home project as soon as possible. However, going for the contractor who has lots of time on their hands may not be a good idea. Such a contractor is likely to be less experienced and may not be reliable, thus their low demands.

A reliable contractor is likely to be engaged in other projects already since they are on high demand. Therefore, you may have to wait for you to get on their schedule. Considering you want a well done job, you definitely can wait a few weeks or months for a perfect job. 

Finally, be sure to pick the contractor with whom you have a good rapport as this will go a long way in ensuring you two communicate better. You may pick a contractor who is experienced but if you cannot communicate effectively with them, you may end up disappointed.

Big Sean shot by the Chamber Group for use by 360 Magazine

BIG SEAN STUNS IN ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA TUXEDO

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On March 14, Big Sean attended the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on in Los Angeles, California. Big Sean wore Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo and Loren Nicole jewelry.

Big Sean attends the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California wearing Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo and Loren Nicole jewelery (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy for use by 360 Magazine

3 of the best casino scenes in popular movies

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Bursting with atmosphere, thrills, and suspense, it’s no wonder that casinos make such an appearance in popular culture. There has even been a whole range of songs, books, and TV programs written about the gambling experience. But some of the best casino moments definitely come from films. All it takes is one clubhouse act in a picture and the whole thing comes alive.

Here are just three of the moments that encapsulate that casino feeling.

Casino Royale (2006)

Mirroring the first of Ian Fleming’s 007 books, Casino Royale centers around James Bond’s first mission to overpower a private banker during a high-stakes game of poker. The most famous part in the film focuses on Bond playing a tense game of Texas hold ‘em and the whole scene is filled with jeopardy and skill, making poker a real highlight of the film.

Fans of the special agent will be able to tell you that James Bond has become a massively influential part of popular culture. While we can’t jump in and play poker with Bond himself, we can find Interac Casinos that host poker games for us to play safely online. Using a transfer system like this is undoubtedly easier than swapping cash for chips! Doing this means there are even options to play live casino and table games to get that real Casino Royale experience. Now all you need is a bottle of martini and a cocktail shaker.

The Hangover (2009)

How could one of the funniest films about Las Vegas not be on the list? Starring some of Hollywood’s best comedy actors, the movie is about a group of friends that spend a typical night in Sin City for a bachelor party. However, after waking up with memory loss, the feature takes on a different spin and focuses on the guys trying to piece together what happened the night before.

After finding a book about blackjack in their hotel room, the friends decide to go back to the casino to play some cards. As expected, the scene is a mixture of funny and exciting as Zach Galifianakis’s character enjoys a game of twenty-one whilst simultaneously putting on Chapstick. The rest of the film is spent trying to find the groom, meeting Mike Tyson, and wondering how the dentist of the group lost a tooth. The film has been so popular over the years that it now has its own set of Etsy Merchandise. That means you can forever remember the best lines of the picture through t-shirts, posters, and cards.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Although famously not a film about gambling, there are plenty of scenes in this weird and wonderful movie that take place in clubhouses. It is about an eccentric journalist and his friend who take a trip to Vegas to report on a car show. However, they decide to mix things up along the way and find themselves experiencing some unusual escapades instead.

Of course, the best scene from the film is when the men enter a casino hotel and, naturally, odd things start to happen. For example, the journalist spends his time walking around with a typewriter, talking nonsense whilst trying to book himself into a room. For fans of unconventional films, it will come as no shock to learn that the movie was made by director Terry Gilliam, a member of Monty Python known for his ways of bringing the surreal to life.

With their electric atmosphere and interesting characters, it’s no surprise filmmakers choose to set so many features in the exciting world of casinos.