The Hubbie Award

Fun HubPages Traditions

Get ready for the Hubbie Awards and be sure to fill out our feedback survey!

HubPages' sixth birthday is just about a month away, which means we are preparing to celebrate our second annual Hubbie Awards. Hubbies are the first and only Accolades that are awarded based on community votes. They are given to the best Hubs and Hubbers in our community. All the Hubbie Award categories are listed in the Pro Tips section of this week's newsletter. Have a look at them before voting opens next week.

Yet another tradition is rolling around this week- quarterly feedback! We would greatly appreciate it if you shared your opinion in this one-question survey, as it helps us better understand whether or not we're moving in the right direction with new site features and community initiatives. Submitting your response should take no more than 30 seconds.

Since this newsletter's theme is all about HubPages and its community, we're also giving you a chance to better acquaint yourself with our site in the Hubber-to-Hubber interview. If you thought you knew HubPages really well, you may be surprised by what you read!

Happy Hubbing,

Simone H Smith
Head of Outreach

American Gothic (Grant Wood): Painting Parody

by Daisy Mariposa published 8 days ago

In the 1920s in the United States, there was a small group of painters who didn’t agree with the art establishment that abstract was "in" and realism was "out." They believed that realism was far from dead, and that it was America's answer to a search for a native style of painting. Read about Grant Wood, one of the proponents of establishing an American style of painting.

Towing: Cheat Sheet

by adjkp25 published 6 days ago

Trailers can increase what you can get done with your vehicle but do you know how to connect one or operate one safely? It isn’t too tough to learn what are the good and bad ways to work a trailer, here are some tips.

Dating Rules, Farting, and Library Etiquette (Limericks)

by josh3418 published 4 days ago

This will provide you with a humurous look at basic manners and etiquette in the form of Limericks.

How to Run a One-Person Business

by SidKemp published 5 days ago

More and more people are starting - or trying to keep going - as solopreneurs, as one-person businesses. Learn how to make it fun and achieve great success from a best-selling author and solopreneur who's been doing it for 20 years.

Blackbeard the Pirate

by cclitgirl published 4 days ago

Blackbeard the Pirate had made his mark during the last 18 months of his life. Not much is known about his life before that. But his reputation and antics spread along the eastern seaboard and throughout the Caribbean. Watch the video of his legendary prowess.

50 Things To Do In Walmart When You Are Bored

by josh3418 published 45 hours ago

Are you bored? Head over to your local Walmart and try some of these things out!

Raising Your Child: The Art of Negotiation

by kingmaxler published 5 days ago

Start young letting your child make choices and negotiating for those choices. The art of negotiation is a powerful tool to master.

How Do You Get Glowing Skin

by MargaritaEden published 5 days ago

Top tips for naturally healthy, beautiful and glowing skin. Secrets that will help improve and clear your complexion.

How to Make Perfect Toast!

by RealHousewife published 6 days ago

Make the perfect piece of toast or learn about some exciting ways to top your toast! Instructions for the new cook or the non-cook. Everyone can learn to cook even the Real Housewives - so lets start with simple cooking basics!

Adorable Baby Shower Games With Printable Templates

by Sharyn's Slant published 4 days ago

Fun games played at a baby shower help make it a memorable experience. Here you will find adorable game ideas with some templates that you can print too.

The Proper Care And Feeding Of A Cowboy

by TToombs08 published 37 hours ago

They might appear to be sweet talking and oh so gentleman like, but what is really hidden in those tight fittin’ Wranglers? (No, not that, get yer mind out of the mud!) If you decide to head down to your local Honky Tonk to pick out a cowboy of...

Overcoming Shyness and Social Anxiety

by denisemai published 5 days ago

There's shyness and then there's social phobia. Learn the difference, share my experience and learn how to overcome it.

How to Host a Cookie Baking Party

by Sharyn's Slant published 6 days ago

Hosting a cookie baking get together can be so much fun if organized properly. Whether you are baking for the holidays, a bake sale, or some other event, planning this day in advance will ensure everything goes smoothly.

What to Do Legally When Your Landlord Won't Make Repairs to Property

by tammyswallow published 6 days ago

How to legally fight a landlord who will not make repairs to a rental property and how to get around other bad Landlord behavior.

A HubNuggets Woodland Hike

by Enelle Lamb published 6 days ago

After a series of exciting though potentially perilous adventures, the HubNuggets Team was ready for a rest. Monday found them gathered in the Minna Street offices, making plans for the coming HubNuggets round-up hub. "Let's just stay home and...

How to Save Money Shopping for School Supplies

by twinstimes2 published 2 days ago

Shopping for back to school supplies can be expensive. Find out three ways I used to get ours for as little money possible.

The Saber Tooth Tiger

by Wesman Todd Shaw published 4 days ago

For about two million years the America's were dominated on land by one of the most powerful mammalian predators of all time, the Smilodon populator, otherwise known as the saber toothed tiger. Now those up to eleven inch long teeth get all the...

Why the Supreme Court Ruling on Arizona v. United States is Not a Victory for the United States or For Immigrants

by tammyswallow published 42 hours ago

A discussion on how the Supreme Court ruling on Arizona v. United States was decided for the Hispanic vote and harms both immigrants and the State of Arizona.

Are You a Good Samaritan?

by unknown spy published 2 days ago

You have two hands: One to help yourself, the second to help others.

Natural Insect Repellent Recipe with Essential Oils

by Jean Rogers published 4 days ago

Natural bug spray recipes use essential oils to ward off unwanted insects. Make your own natural insect repellent to deter mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and flies. You will be free of bugs and smell wonderful too.

Games on the iPad for the Elderly

by GoodLady published 3 days ago

Playing games on the The New iPad is a fun way for the elderly to constantly be in touch and connect with family and friends. Just two fingers tapping on a light portable screen is all it takes, it's so easy! Through playing games with apps like 'Words with Friends' or drawing pictures apps like 'Brushes' as David Hockney did, older people can live spontaneously again and really be a part of it all.

Things to do in Colonial Williamsburg without a Ticket

by Natashalh published 5 days ago

In an ideal world, every visitor to Colonial Williamsburg could afford the price of a multi-day ticket and the time needed to explore every trade shop and historic site on the property. For many people, this is not a realistic option. Luckily, a little panning can help you have a fantastic experience at Colonial Williamsburg without breaking the bank.

See a good Hub? Be sure to vote for it next week!

Hubbie Award Categories to Consider

When voting for the Hubbies opens up next week, it will be much easier to cast your votes if you have an idea of the Hubs and Hubbers you would like to nominate for each award. As you go about your business on HubPages, keep an eye out for Hubs and Hubbers that deserve Hubbies in these Categories:

Hubbie Awards: Top:

• Best All-Around Hub
• Best All-Around Hubber

Hubber-Based:

• Most Likely to be Banned in the Forums
• Most Likely to Become a HubPages Employee
• HubPages Class Clown
• Best Avatar
• Best Community Activist
• Most Helpful Hubber
• Most Supportive Hubber
• Most Cheerful Hubber
• Best Teacher
• Most Likely to Go Viral
• Best Fiction Writer
• Best Poet
• Funniest Hubber
• Most Political Hubber
• Most Religious Hubber
• Most Likely to Become a Millionaire
• Forum King
• Forum Queen

Hub-based:

• Most Interesting Hub
• Most Useful Hub
• Most Beautiful Hub
• Most Informative Hub
• Most Awesome Hub
• Funniest Hub

To see who won these prizes last year, stop by our blog post in which we named the champions.

Not sure what makes a good Hub or Hubber? See if they follow the advice we provide in our Learning Center!
http://hubpages.com/learningcenter/contents

This Week's HubNuggets

We highlight promising new Hubbers on a weekly basis through the HubNuggets Competition, a special program in which 18 Hubs from three different Topics are nominated by an expert team and presented to the community for voting. The top nine Hubs that win the most votes are featured in the HubPages newsletter and given special HubNuggets Accolades (amongst the most rare Accolades on our site).

This week, Enelle Lamb showcased HubNuggets nominees from the Technology, Personal Finance, and Food and Cooking topics in a HubNuggets woodland hike. As the community has finished voting, I can now proudly present you with the latest HubNuggets winners. Enjoy!

Simone

Living Healthy on a Budget

Are you struggling to find a balance between being healthy and not breaking the bank? It is possible and this hub will show you how to achieve it.

Understanding The 4 Cs of Credit

Understanding the 4 Cs of Credit: Character, Capacity, Capital and Credit Rating can assist you in obtaining a consolidation loan from your financial institution.

How to Live without a Car - and Not Hate the Experience

Living without a car is a great way to get in better shape and cut your carbon footprint. But if you just wake up and start walking or biking, you'll be miserable in no time. These tips will help you plan your car-free lifestyle and live in comfort and convenience instead of a constant state of sweaty angst.

Reuse and Recycle Your Old Beer Bottles

I had recently brewed my own beer and had been saving beer bottles for the next batch of brew. I just moved and don't have the space to brew any new beer at the moment so I'm left with a huge box of empty beer bottles. I've been wondering of things...

Five Interesting And Cool Samsung Galaxy SIII (S3) Features Everybody Should Know About

The Samsung Galaxy SIII is the new leader of the Android pack challenging every other smart phone out there including the iPhone 4S and the HTC One X. As far as specifications go, this smart phone has a top of the line processor, an astounding 2GB of RAM (more than my old laptop), and a wide range of features. But there are some cool software features that Samsung has hidden under its hood that should not go unnoticed, so here is an unsorted list of the best five.

Page Rank: Don't become obsessed.

It easy to become obsessed with page rank when starting your SEO campaign, I for one can account for this sin. I am aware that some of you reading this may not be aware of what page rank actually is, so here's a short explanation: Page rank is a...

Schezwan Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

This recipe is for those people who like spicy chicken.It is very easy to make and relatively lesser time consuming.It is a Chinese cuisine but very popular among Indian also.You can easily find this in menu of every Indian restaurant. So now...

Raspberry & Ginger Refresher

Raspberry Ginger Refresher. Raspberries and summertime are high on my list of favorite things. This fresh tangy fruit combined with the heat from the sun takes be back to some of the best times of my life. My fondest memories are of summer with...

The Best Spinach Lasagna

This recipe is a favorite my family and friends like for me to cook for them. One story behind this recipe is that one friend of mine could not get her kids to eat spinach at all. So, I cooked this lasagna dish for her and her family. The next day,...

HubPages, From San Francisco, CA, 1020 Fans, 116 Hubs, Joined 5 years ago

An Interview with HubPages

Get to know the site behind the community!

HubPages is a lot of things to a lot of people. How do you describe yourself?

I think of myself as an open community of passionate people: writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, and conversation starters. I'm where people go to interact and share information, questions, answers, words, pictures, and videos. I offer a rich and rewarding experience with a unique set of tools and resources to help Hubbers find and build an audience, easily create articles, and earn all sorts of rewards, from accolades to ad revenue.

What is your purpose?

My purpose to open up your world; to inspire you to discover, create, and connect.

Why do you want to be a place of discovery? Isn't it all about writing?

Writers play a huge role in our community. After all, every fascinating find on our site has been created by them. But this is precisely why HubPages is such a great place for discovery. Hubbers have created so many amazing things worth exploring!

It's important that writers and visitors alike take a look around. A huge aspect of Hubber life revolves around fnding, reading, learning from, and commenting on others' work. You definitely don't have to be a prolific writer to be a first rate Hubber.

Thanks to our vibrant community, you’ll always discover an interesting take on what you were looking for, no matter how simple it seemed when you started your search. You might even find a new favorite person to follow, or a whole host of topics to explore, from how to grill a steak to the top 100 songs of the ‘80s, our Hubs, Videos, Questions, Answers, and Forums are full of engaging perspectives and inspired people. Over 50 million discover amazing things within our community each month. You should, too!

There are many publishing platforms and writing sites out there... what makes you different?

I am a place where people write for the joy of it. But writing is just the beginning. At HubPages you can create. You can inform, interact, converse. You can share and show your knowledge and experiences in a myriad of ways: from words to pictures, from Videos to Forums, and from Answers to Questions, you can build a strong presence and following as an online writer all in one place. I offer one of the easiest to use and most comprehensive platforms around.

I also have a unique set of tools and resources to help you find and build an audience, easily create articles, and earn a wide variety of rewards, from accolades to ad revenue. Nobody else offers so many options and opportunities.

What are the people who work at HubPages like?

We have all sorts of different people working at HubPages who come from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines. The one thing they all have in common is, (1) they're very smart, and (2) they're very passionate about making HubPages the ultimate place to discover, create, and connect. If you'd like to learn more about each individual employee, I recommend reading on the HubPages Blog.

What do you think of other websites? What is your role in the larger scheme of things?

I see myself as playing a complementary role within a rich ecosystem of amazing communities and websites. As one of the top visited websites in the world, I am in very good company, and love interacting with as many of my 'peers' as possible. I even have profiles on some more popular social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Feel free to connect with me on those sites. It's always a pleasure to see Hubbers when posting abroad.

Within the larger scheme of things, I see myself serving as the ultimate place for people to discover, create, and connect. Nobody else offers the opportunity to at once browse through a site filled amazing content while also actively shaping its substance, making new friends, building an online brand and following, learning new skills, earning rewards, and making money.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

In six years, I've come along way. Thanks for joining me on this journey and turning our community into the mind-opening world it is today.