Filling Gaps in Business
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Sometimes Dr. Sue Wendling will be excavating a tooth, drill whining like a horde of angry mosquitoes, when her patient abruptly starts twitching, then explodes with laughter. Not because of nitrous oxide, but because the scene playing behind the patientâs virtual reality glasses, on a miniature movie screen that helps put the drill out of mind.
Comedy is the biggest genre in Wendlings 100-title video library â most requested, Chis Farleyâs Tommy Boy â which is one of the many amenities at her 1000 patient dentistry practice.
Since 1997, the practice has been in at Oswego Point office with an expansive view of the Willamette River. Her web site promises boat-gazing from the operatory, a Brookstone massage chair, heated neck pillows and blankets, lavender scented towels, paraffin hand dips, digital before and after smile portraits and door to-door town car service.
âI get a lot of my ideas from day spas,â says Wendling, a West Linn resident, who teaches comedic dentistry at the Las Vegas institute for Advanced for Dental Studies. âIâm a dental-phobic myself, so Iâm always looking for things I can use. Itâs also how I promote my practice,â she says. âMost of my patients come to me by referral. They go back to work and say, âYouâre not going to believe this,â and talk about the experience of having a warm pillow put at the base of their neckâ¦Weâve created a culture.â
Itâs an elite culture thatâs being replicated across the nation. The June issue of Dental Practice Report, a trade journal that focuses on the business side of dentistry, carried a six-page cover story, âDental Spas: Fad, Niche, or Emerging Trend?â
According to the article, the practice of luring patients in with an elaborate array of creature comforts has blossomed in the last six months. Itâs being driven largely by cosmetic dentists attempting to build practices in a down economy and to differentiate themselves from the competition â not only other dentists, but also do-it-yourself kits for teeth whitening, one of the most common cosmetic procedures.
Meanwhile, the Madison, Wisconsin based American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry offered a discussion on âSpa Dentistryâ at its annual conference last spring.
According to Eric Nelson, a spokesman for the academy, its membership has expanded in recent years as more general practice dentists are offering cosmetic procedures. Many are trying to supplement a death in revenues from once-common maladies like cavities, which have become increasingly rare and needed to be refilled less often because filling have become more durable. Although a fraction of the academyâs 5,500 members have incorporated spa-like amenities into their practices, Nelson says the trend is catching on, especially as the recession lingers.
âThe days of drill-and-fill dentistry are over,â says Nelson. âOur dentists arenât just competing with each other, theyâre competing with all the electives things people do in their lives. Right now people are stuck between, âDo I want a new car, a trip to Paris or a smile make-over?â A full mouth of veneers can cost between $3,600 and $20,000.â
Nelsonâs not kidding. Wendling charges $1,200 a tooth for veneers. For a full mouth whitening, she charges $460 to $900, and for a full mouth restoration, the bill is between $36,000 to $40,000.
At the Art of Smile Making in Lake Oswego, a cosmetic dentistry practice owned by academy member Steve Lind, the chair â which at the flick of a switch offers a full body massage â is rarely empty. Lind supplements his services with virtual reality goggles, surround sound headphones and heated towels and blankets. He orders doughnuts for his morning patients and pours wine for his afternoon patients.
And at Paramount Dental Care in West Linn, which opened in Cascade Summit in October, Grant Smith offers freshly baked bread and cookies. Gardenia-scented aromatherapy candles burn in the waiting room, which, with its overstuffed chairs and couches, looks more likeâs someoneâs living room.
More candles burn in the operatories, where the lights are dim and patients listen to James Taylor on Bose headphones or watch âHappy Gilmoreâ or âForrest Gumpâ on ceiling-mounted flat panel displays. Even the sound of the drill is missing because Smith has switched to an air abrasion tool that works like a miniature sand-blaster, eliminating the whine and need for Novocain. All is quiet except for the occasional guffaw.
âWithout a doubt, this is increasing our client base,â says Smith, a Lake Oswego resident whoâs already invested $50,000 in his new office and is planning to add a full time masseuse.
âTo have a patient laugh during a root canal is a really neat experience.â
Sue Wendling
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/filling-gaps-in-business-140226.html
Ideas For Wedding Keepsake Gifts For Guests
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Finding wedding keepsake gifts for guests of the wedding is somewhat easier with a theme in mind. For sea themes there are several wonderful gifts for the guests of the wedding such as sea shell shaped tea light candles, name card holders that come in many fun shapes like buckets of sand and sea shells, heart shaped sails on a boat, or various sea shell shapes.
There are also several different kinds of soap in different shapes like palm trees, hearts, wedding cakes, sea shells, or many other shapes to compliment any wedding theme. One gets many wine stoppers to compliment any theme, as well as coasters, or clear boxes to hold candy coated almonds in several colors to compliment the wedding theme.
Photo albums make wonderful wedding keepsake gifts that the guests of the wedding can use to store their treasured photographs of the big day. To pamper the guests after they leave the wedding a scented sachet in many shapes or bath salts also in nearly any wedding themed shapes are available as wedding favors.
For the bride or groom who loves to cook, there are wedding keepsake gifts to suit that too, such as measuring spoons, whisks, ice cream scoops, and butter knives. These items can all add something unique to the favor bags of the wedding guests. For the bookworms several bookmarks are available in several styles.
Candles make fantastic wedding keepsake gifts. They are available in all styles; clear candles with submerged wax flowers, unusual votive holders in any themed shape, and even more shapes to suit any theme.
Even more wedding keepsake gifts would include salt and pepper shakers shaped like hearts, miniature potted plants, incense in specific scents, miniature jars of honey, bottle openers, heart shape tea steeper, coin purses, and sewing kits. Manicure kits, personalized mints, lip glosses, compact mirrors, note books, and personalized pens are always appreciated by wedding guests.
Finding wedding keepsake gifts is not as hard as it might seem at first glance. The options are virtually limitless. All it takes is picking a theme, a little creativity, and spending time to search for different wedding keepsake gifts that fit in with your theme.
Chrystal Holman
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/ideas-for-wedding-keepsake-gifts-for-guests-122590.html
What is an easy way to make Wine flavored with Apples?
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I have never made wine before, but am very interested in starting too. I want to make one that has a strong apple flavor to it, not like hard cider.
why would you want to do that, any way it will not be called wine any more, simply add yeast and some sugar to some fresh apple juice and let it ferment, and you have an apple spirit, but it has no tannins so i dont know how it will turn out, give it a try and let us know
What Is Teeth Whitening?
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Teeth whitening is a very common procedure now in general dentistry, especially within the field of cosmetic dentistry. Also referred to as teeth bleaching, dental whitening, or dental bleaching, it is a procedure that attempts to improve the color (shade) of the tooth’s surface (enamel). Typically, there are two ways a tooth can be whitened. First, there are products that bleach the tooth, which means that it actually changes the tooth’s color with products that contain peroxide(s). These peroxide(s) help remove deep and surface stains. Second, non-bleaching whitening products contain agents that work by physical or chemical action to help remove surface stains only.
ARE YOU EXPERIENCING DISCOLORATION OF YOUR TEETH?
According to Dr. Maria Lopez of the American Dental Associations’ “ADA Dental Minute”, smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or wine, as well as the food you eat and the medications you are on, can cause discoloration of your teeth. Some things are under your control, but other things are not. As you age, changes in the mineral structure of your teeth take place and the enamel (surface of the tooth) becomes more susceptible to discoloration. Your gene make-up can also determine the amount of discoloration in your teeth.
LEADING CAUSES OF DISCOLORATION IN YOUR TEETH:
* Foods & Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Cola, Wine, Certain Fruits and Vegetables
* Age: Layer of Enamel (Tooth Surface) Wears Away and Reveals Tooth’s Yellowish Dentin (Underneath Tooth Surface)
* Poor Dental Hygiene: Not Brushing or Flossing Regularly
* Genes: Some People are Genetically Prone to Having Whiter Enamel than Others
* Medications: Some Antibiotics, Mouthwashes, and Other Medicinal Drugs
* Tobacco: Cigarettes, Pipes, Cigars, and Chewing Tobacco
* Environment: Water that’s High in Fluoride or Excessive Use of Certain Tooth Pasts, Rinses, etc.
* Trauma: Falls, etc. Can Damage and Affect the Enamel (Tooth Surface)
* Disease: Certain Diseases and Treatments Affect Enamel (Tooth Surface) and Dentin (Underneath Tooth Surface)
With the amount of teeth whitening products and teeth whitening systems available to consumers today, such as porcelain veneers, laser tooth whitening, tooth pastes, whitening strips, whitening gels, etc., it’s no wonder why so many are confused and frustrated.
WHY CHOOSE TEETH WHITENING?
Whether you are willing to admit it or not, your smile is usually the first thing people notice about you. Some consider it to be an extension of your personal wardrobe. Unfortunately, because people tend to judge you by your smile, it also leads them to make false conclusions about your character and personality.
So, when was the last time you honestly looked at yourself in the mirror? Do you see what others see? In addition to rapid discoloration of your teeth due to food, poor hygiene, age, smoking, etc., there are others reasons why you should consider teeth whitening now.
Everywhere you go, people notice your smile. Stop worrying about the discoloration of your teeth. Brushing regularly, flossing daily, as well as using whitening strips, whitening gels, and tooth pastes may improve your teeth whiteness by a few shades, but to experience life-changing results, you should consult a qualified, professional dentist soon.
In addition to reversing the discoloration of your teeth, the obvious benefits of teeth whitening are an improved smile and enhanced appearance, allowing you to stop worrying about your smile and instead focus on enjoying life, relationships, and career goals.
For example, imagine that you are heading to that all-important job interview. Hiring specialists admittedly reveal time and time again that they make a special point of looking for people who have a positive attitude and are prone to compulsive smiling. What if you went to the job interview and didn’t smile simply because you were conscious of your teeth? What about the wedding in the next few months, a special date coming up, or that family portrait you’ve been putting off? Get back those whiter teeth, a great smile, and enjoy life once again!
TEETH WHITENING RESULTS:
Within the field of cosmetic dentistry, there isn’t one definitive system or chart that measures and determines tooth color. However, when deciding a proper course of action with teeth whitening a professional dentist will first refer to what’s known as a shade guide. Most shade guides represent 4 basic shade ranges: A – reddish brown, B – reddish yellow, C – gray and D – reddish gray. Within each range, there are usually several levels.
When you consult a professional dentist regarding teeth whitening they will begin by matching each tooth to a shade on the guide. Then, they will make an assessment as to your possible shade improvement based on a several areas, such as dental hygiene habits, severity of the stains, age, etc.
According to an earlier report by WSBTV in Atlanta, GA, teeth whitening is becoming increasingly popular, but it is still rather expensive, costing upwards of $400 to $600, sometimes even higher.
It’s important to understand that there are no exact answers as to exactly how white your teeth can actually become. Results typically depend on such things as your natural tooth color, your dental hygiene habits, how stubborn the stains are, if you are on medications, past trauma to the tooth, etc. As with any medical procedure, don’t take the chance with over-the-counter kits. It is ALWAYS best to first consult a qualified, professional dentist to determine a proper course of action based on your situation so it is done safely.
Robert Regnerus
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-teeth-whitening-96265.html
How can I make a fake red wine?
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I need to make red wine for a prop. I have to use water and food coloring. I’d like some suggestion regarding the proportions of water and various food colors needed to make a good red wine color.
It will be used as a prop for a play. It will be fairly visible. Small sips will be drank onstage. It is preferred that we not use juice or any other product with sugar. It seems colored water is the only choice. I am just not getting the right shade.
Cranberry Juice looks just like red wine lol
it’ll make a great prop and delicous drink
30 Business Brainstorming Ideas – Part 2
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Sometimes you just get stuck for ideas. Your mind is a blank. It makes it even harder to come up with the goods if your present or future business rests on your ideas. A little help and inspiration for a new article, a new product, or a completely new business wouldn’t go amiss in these circumstances.
The purpose of the ideas in this series of articles is to get your brain thinking. The ideas may seem a bit crazy and unrealistic – almost too simple. But…. the intention is for these ideas to act as a trigger, making you say something like: “That idea’s ridiculous, but if I change it around a bit I could…” So, use one or more of these ideas as your starting point and brainstorm your way to a new opportunity.
1. Begin an enterprise which deals in new and old American and British comics. This business might: 1) sell comics by post from a catalogue; 2) operate a comics of the month club for specialised collectors; and 3) run a comics stall at fairs and antique markets.
2. Write to overseas publishers of English language newsletters and offer to act as the distributor for their newsletter in this country. In your letter to the publishers outline the benefits they will gain if they let you distribute their newsletter.
3. Start a service which cleans wire baskets and supermarket trolleys. Wire baskets and trolleys often spend most of the day on a dusty floor or outside in a street open to the elements. This combined with the net-like quality of the wire encourage the accumulation of dust and germs.
4. Use wooden jigsaw pieces to make earrings and necklaces. Add a hand painted design to the side of the jigsaw not covered by a part of the picture. Call your goods jigsaw puzzle jewellery. Sell this jewellery from a stall at fairs or get it stocked at trendy shops.
5. Take metal rods and tubes of different diameters and cut into slices. Arrange the slices to make pictures and patterns. Mount these pictures and sell as craft work. Or produce kits for making pictures with slices of rods and tubes. Use mail order to sell these kits to craft workers.
6. Earn an income from writing articles or books about starting a business and making money. Sell the manuscripts to publishers of business opportunity books, newsletters, magazines and newspapers. For a start, the publisher of this book will welcome any manuscripts.
7. Set up a business which produces a quality audio cassette library of nursery rhymes. Alternatively, produce a series of cassettes which feature X-rated versions of nursery rhymes. Sell these cassettes by either getting them stocked at book shops, or starting a monthly club.
8. Compile and publish a monthly bulletin which informs subscribers of poetry competitions they are eligible to enter at home and abroad. Target your campaign at practising poets for recruiting subscribers to this bulletin.
9. Bring out a series of plans for woodworkers, soft toy makers, leather workers and other craft workers. Either sell printed copies of these plans at wholesale prices, or sell the reproduction rights. So now any craft worker or hobbyist can start a mail order business selling plans.
10. Publish a ‘Which?’-type of newsletter about newsletters. As the number of newsletters and subscribers is ever increasing, there is a gap in the market for a newsletter which comments on and judges the value of other newsletters.
11. Begin an enterprise which makes model paper products for dolls and dolls’ houses. The model products might include: newspapers, money, stationery, serviettes, paper hats, Christmas cards, etc. Sell these products by mail order to doll makers and collectors.
12. Write a non-fiction book which may, for example, be about a hobby. Pay a book printer to produce copies of the book. Sell these books to the people who would be interested in the contents. You might, for example, place ads in hobby magazines.
13. Give personal tuition in your own home on how to write good English. Advertise your teaching service by placing cards in the windows of local newsagents. In your advertising, point out the advantages of taking your course, such as getting a better job and helping children with homework.
14. Start a singles contact magazine or newsletter. Each issue might include both small ads from people looking for partners and editorial to interest single people. Use press and magazine advertising to build up a list of subscribers.
15. Set up a holiday companion introduction service. Your service matches and introduces single people who do not have anyone to go on holiday with. Place classified ads in numerous publications to attract clients. Or produce a publication which lists people looking for holiday companions.
16. Write and publish a newsletter for those who want to start a successful business. The newsletter might, for example, discuss effective ways of: selling, managing, generating ideas, locating suppliers and finding customers. Use your local library service to research these topics.
17. Begin a craft enterprise which turns out wire craft ornaments. These ornaments are free-standing, 3-D objects which consist entirely of wire: the wire makes the outlines. These ornaments might look like aeroplanes, helicopters, men, animals, boats, bicycles or people’s first names.
18. Start a mail order business which promotes the craft of making ornaments and models from shaping wire. Design and make up a complete introductory kit for beginners. Include this kit in your catalogue as well as tools, design ideas and raw materials for wire craft workers.
19. Make football rosettes and get them stocked at newsagents and sports shops. Each rosette might be placed in a cellophane packet or polythene bag.
20. Produce a series of storytelling videos. An actor or actress reads classic novels directly to the camera. Hire out these videos by post. For example, a person might borrow videos of an actor reading ‘War and Peace’, ‘Wuthering Heights’ or ‘Treasure Island’.
21. Start a venture which organises river or coastal boat trips for: business parties, wedding receptions, anniversaries, birthday parties, etc. Your service does things like: organises transport to the boat; books the caterer; hires entertainers and waiting staff, etc.
22. If you can play a musical instrument, earn money from providing background music at: restaurants, pubs, wine bars, tea rooms, hotel breakfasts, amusement arcades or ice skating rinks. Also play during the intervals at theatres or cinemas.
23. Sell copies of theatrical plays by post. Put together a wide range of new and second hand publications and produce a catalogue. Advertise your catalogue in both the theatre press and theatre programmes.
24. Buy and sell second hand compact discs. Buy collections of discs by post and use local ads to find sellers in your area. The discs you acquire can be sold: by post, from market stall, or get them stocked at local shops.
25. Have a stall which sells fashionable clothes. Your staff might be a full time business working at street markets, or it might be a part time venture which appears at craft and antique fairs.
26. Set up a sheet music of the month club. Each month send club members a selection of sheets of the latest popular songs. Club members will include: musicians who play at clubs and pubs, record companies and keen amateur musicians.
27. Sell by mail order Beatles or Elvis memorabilia. Conduct your own research to discover what memorabilia you can produce yourself For example, reprint photographs and duplicate press cuttings. Also buy goods from collectors and trade sources at home and abroad.
28. Put together a mail order catalogue of children’s educational audio cassettes. The cassettes might cover subjects such as spelling, reading, rules of English, grammar, geography, history, etc. Produce some of the cassettes yourself and buy others from cassette publishers.
29. Do your own research to discover the secrets of conjuring. Write a manuscript about your findings and publish it yourself. The novel and sensational nature of this book means you can sell it from ads in magazines and newspapers.
30. Write and record personalised songs. Produce songs for all occasions such as engagements, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, new births, homecomings and congratulations. Use classified ads in the personal columns to attract orders.
Nick Summers
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/30-business-brainstorming-ideas-part-2-135188.html
How to make wine out of boiled paddy rice?
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First make a bowel of boiled paddy rice and wait till it cool down to suitable temperature and then mixed with a certain kind of ferment. After one day or so the rice will turn to be a tasteful sweet wine. I wish to know what kind of ferment I should use and where to get it.
First off, if it is whole grain brown rice, you should have it ground a little to expose the center. If you are using white rice, you should be fine. Boil the rice for a wile, to let all the starches seep out into the water. Then you will have to bring the temperature down to about 160f if I remember correctly. Then you will have to add enzymes or malted barley (which contains enzymes) to convert the starch into sugar. At that point, cover it, and let it sit for about an hour to give the enzymes time to convert. After that is done, strain or syphon the liquid into a fermenter. Add whatever yeast you desire, bread yeast will work, or you can use champain yeast. Each yeast has its own unique flavor. Make sure that the liquid is lower than 90f or it can kill the yeast. Let it ferment for about 4 days. Run it through a coffee filter or a wine filter.
Stop by a local beer and wine making store, they should be able to walk you through it and help you get the right equipment.
Shopping for Gifts on a Budget
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Holiday shopping is seldom easy. Whether youâre just hopping around department stores or just surfing the net, the limitless choices made available by advertisers can actually be more of a detriment for someone who is in a real hurry. This can be quite problematic if youâre on a budget and have such a long shopping list. Time constraints do not really provide you the benefit of thoroughly comparing every item in each store in an effort to find yourself the best bargain. One who has been shopping for hours can quite easily succumb to the pressure and end up buying gifts beyond a planned budget.
If youâre caught in this very familiar predicament, all is not lost. When shopping for holiday gifts it sometimes makes more sense to look for items that are simple yet meaningful. While a sophisticated electronic gadget could surely get a friend excited, simple inexpensive gifts like personalized mugs or engraved pens may just elicit the same amount of appreciation.
Nothing is perhaps more appropriate than a gift that actually captures the holiday spirit. As holidays bring sentimental moments, youâd want to give something you would be remembered for. Embroidered pillows and blankets would be good choices. Collectibles like cdâs and personalized caps should also do the trick. Listed below are some gift items worth considering:
⢠shirt of a home team
⢠cross stitching kit
⢠bottle of a local wine
⢠personalized notepad
⢠stationary
⢠photo album
⢠memo holders
⢠tool kits
⢠carpentry kits
⢠versatile pocket knife
While youâll surely be showered with praises by giving a fancy cellphone or notebook, it sometimes makes more sense to go for something more practical yet thoughtful. You donât really have to dent your budget to please a friend. People tend to get appreciated more for the amount of effort theyâve exerted in looking for that meaningful gift that touches the heart. Whether itâs Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a major school reunion, thereâs really no reason to panic. All it takes is just a little imagination and a touch of creativity.
For more information on unique gifts and specialty items, please visit www.levelpromogifts.com.
cyrus
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/shopping-for-gifts-on-a-budget-140351.html
Modern Weddings Are Based Upon Customization
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Modern wedding planning trends are based upon “customization.” You will want to first decide upon a theme for your wedding. Consider the following 5 reception themes as a start:
 Garden Weddings
 Country Weddings
 Moroccan weddings
 Asian-Style weddings
 Beach weddings
For garden weddings you might use illustrated seed packets to mark tables, cover a table with cool green moss and decorate with small potted herbs.
Country wedding themes could include serving your guests with hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks during dessert and sending your guests home with gifts of mason jars filled with peach preserves.
Moroccan wedding themes may include filling wicker baskets with fruit pates and exotic candy. Decorate with hanging colored-glass lanterns.
Beach weddings – decorate with fish bowls filled with water and floating candles.
Other ideas for your customized wedding may include:
ÂSend out your invitations in picture frames
ÂHave a candlelit dessert reception
ÂGreet your guests with welcome baskets
Welcome baskets have now become a big part of the wedding weekend. Be creative. Think about what makes your town unique. Gather contents early and order containers. Label each basket with the guests’ names and them a basket in their hotel rooms.
Examples of welcome baskets might include:
ÂGourmet baskets filled with wine, cheese, biscuits and a corkscrew
ÂA beach tote with lip balm, sunscreen, flip flops
Planning a wedding can be one of the most time-consuming and “expensive” tasks there are. One way to help you cut costs is to use easy-to-print wedding invitation kits. These kits usually contain about 25 invitations, 50 fold over note cards and coordinating envelopes and available in several different designs. The kits come with step-by-step easy to follow instructions.
Resources online are Masterpiece Studios, and refer to their etiquette guidelines and product templates to help you create invitations that have proper wording and perfect layouts. They also can provide you with matching bulletins, place cards, programs, and stationery.
The most traditional type of a wedding invitation is:
ÂA vertically folded sheet today measures 5 1/8″ X 7 ¼” most common, which signals a formal occasion
ÂThe most traditional engraving style in America is English Script. Antique Roman is also very popular.
How about something not so traditional?
Especially for the Indian bride is a new way to announce wedding news online at http://iWedCards.com. This is the first interactive multimedia Indian wedding card experience. The collection features interactive invitations with vibrant designs and stunning animation even with traditional Indian music.
If family and friends live all over the globe, traditional paper cards are not always the easiest, fastest or most cost-effective way to reach those you wish to attend your wedding.
Although the iWedCards.com invitation collection is inspired by Hindu traditions, brides and grooms from any culture looking for something different, something cool, or a new and funky way to announce their upcoming marriage are encouraged to take a look at these magically entertaining cards.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Connie Limon
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/modern-weddings-are-based-upon-customization-174801.html
how to make home made wine in saudi arabia?
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I want to make wine with local ingridients in Saudi Arabia. We are not allow to bring in alcohol and they dont sell either.
very quietly i would think