Getting Out Of Debt

1) Anniston Museum of Natural History Dinosaurs, African elephants and other wonders of the natural world all under one roof! Must stop in Anniston, AL for all kids young or old.

2) Old Alabama Town of Montgomery displays the magnificent collection of well-restored 19th and early 20th century structures in the heart of Montgomery. Don't miss the Saturday Jam Session for top-draw home-grown sweet music.

3) U.S. Huntsville Space Center is proof positive that Alabama still counts when it comes to cutting-edge science and space exploration. Join a tour and marvel at the best of 21st century technology.

4) The Rosa Parks Museum is a historic landmark of monumental importance as it keeps alive the memory of one brave American who sparked off the civil rights movement by her civic courage and peaceful resistance.

5) Alabama Music Hall of Fame welcomes all music lovers from around the world with open arms! The exhibit halls, frequent concerts and Walk of Fame are perfect for long-lasting memories.

6) The Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic at Point Mallard Park in Decatur is a colorful outdoors event marveled at by scores of spectators every Memorial Day weekend. Multi-color hot-air balloons dot the sky for the whole the family's enjoyment. Perfect event for kids.

7) Cathedral Caverns near Grant, Alabama is for all bat and adventure lovers! Once you step into the darkness of these underground caverns you are transported to a different time and reality with its own eerie splendor and silent beauty. The best collection of awe-inspiring stalagmites and stalactites in the region.

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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a senior writer and web content consultant with 20 years of experience.

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AP - Michelle Wie finished the third round of the State Farm Classic alone in second on Saturday - then was disqualified for failing to immediately sign her scorecard a day earlier.

My very first job was working for the department store chain J.C. Penney. I worked for them for several years, during the summers, and on my breaks from college. While most of my classmates were flipping burgers or slaving over deep fryers, I was honing my early sales skills, and thoroughly enjoying a shopping mall setting - my own little "retail nirvana."

Most of my breaks found me working in fairly comfortable surroundings - the shoe department, apparel, or the occasional stint in bedding and bath. While I may have lacked the level of expertise a full-time employee may have had, my basic knowledge of the departments, coupled with a more extensive knowledge of the store policies and procedures was more than adequate to get me through a 5 hour shift.

But all that changed when they moved me to sporting goods.

The width and breadth of my sporting goods knowledge wouldn't fill a thimble. I had been to plenty of sporting events, but those were mainly to scope out good-looking athletes. Were they not dressed in our school colors, I can't say with certainty that I would have even known the difference between the teams. Let it suffice to say that a die hard fan I was not.

During this time, the stores still carried a fair amount of sporting goods - things outside of clothing (an area in which I had considerably more experience).

Things went rather well for the first week or so, all things considered. I discovered a whole new world...one filled with batting gloves, cleats, and various and sundry equipment. I was starting to feel more confident, and the department lead left me on my own while he took a fifteen minute break.

It is fifteen minutes of my life that I will never forget.

A gentleman came into the department, and after a few moments, he came over to me to ask for assistance. I asked what he was looking for, to which he replied, "an athletic support." Puzzled, I asked him to repeat it. He did. I still didn't know what he was talking about. Clearly agitated, he finally said, "I need a jock strap. Do you carry them?"

Suddenly, the light went on. Why didn't he say that in the first place?

I led him to the rack where they were, and pulled one off of the peg, and presented it to him, clearly pleased with myself. "Here you are, sir."

After reading the package over, he angrily thrust it back to me. He left me standing there, confused, as he stormed out. I didn't even have a moment to reply.

Moments later, my department lead returned, and I recounted my story. He asked me to show him the package I had given to the customer. I took him over to the rack, and retrieved the same package from the peg.

First he smiled. Then he began to laugh. The next thing I knew, he had tears rolling down his face. Once he was able to breathe again, he explained the reason for his laughter.

Who knew these things came in different sizes? Obviously not yours truly.

So, ladies and gents - the moral of the story is this - know your product. Know it inside and out. That knowledge gives you confidence. It builds enthusiasm. It helps you overcome objections. It helps you meet the competition effectively.

In short, it is your single most supportive sales tool.

Traci Hayner Vanover, aka The Promo Diva, is the owner of The Creative Concept, http://www.TheCreativeConcept.com - a freelance firm specializing in the unique writing, publicity, and marketing needs of small businesses. She is also the publisher of Create the Dream! Magazine, a bi-monthly digital magazine for small businesses. To request a free sample issue and two other promotional gifts, visit the website, located at http://www.CreateTheDream.com

AP - Visits with U.S. troops and Afghan officials in a war-weary region marked Barack Obama's first day in Afghanistan, the focal point of his proposed strategy for dealing with threats to the U.S. if elected president.