Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Rumored Verizon iPhone release date true?

When the iPhone was first offered in 2007, non AT and T cell customers have been hoping for get payday loans to cover the price of your new gadget, or are all these rumors just that — unsubstantiated?

Network compatibility determines Verizon iPhone release date

The Wall Street Journal report quotes several unnamed sources that are “close to Verizon” in saying how the Verizon iPhone release date can be in fall of this year. A thinner, faster iPhone is also supposedly in the works. Both of these rumors are grounded on the belief that Apple is working on a CDMA wireless network processor.

Qualcomm affirmed they’re designing an Apple CDMA chip, but additionally told CNN they would be “very hard pressed” to finish it by the end of 2010. No amount of easy cash loans can speed up the manufacturing process for a chip that has been in development for years. Even if Qualcomm has a functioning CDMA or multi-network chip, Apple would need to re manufacture the iPhone to handle the new chip manufacturer.

Verizon iPhone release date may be 2011

There are technology difficulties with the possibility of a Verizon iPhone release date, yes. On top of this, though, there is also the fact even the Wall Street Journal article statese that Apple “appears to be” working on a Verizon-compatible iPhone. It is no secret that Apple has been developing a CDMA chip for the iPhone, and is in fact working with Qualcomm on WCDMA multi-channel chip that would allow the phone to work across most cellular networks.

Just because Apple “appears to be working on” something and admitted to be working on doesn’t make the Verizon iPhone release date immanent. The best guess of most industry analysts and stock analysts is that the Verizon iPhone release date will most likely be sometime in 2011, depending on the type of chip they choose to use.



Sued over alleged assault - Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes

<p>As if the Pittsburgh Steelers needed additional problems right now, USA Today reports: <a title=”Pittsburgh Steelers Santonio Holmes sued for alleged assault” href=”http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2010/03/29/santonio-holmes-assault-suit/”> Santonio Holmes gets slapped with a civil suit</a> for assault. True, it isn’t a criminal case, which could mean there was a lack of evidence to proceed there, but it’s enough to get the blue collar fans of the Steel City upset. Word on the street is that star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not be present at the team's off-season workout program due to a pending case against him for possible criminal sexual assault. Of course, star wide receiver Santonio Holmes' drink-throwing action on Anshonoe Mills may appear tiny in comparison, but the Pittsburgh Steelers could certain fair better without these types of distractions.</p>
<h3>Santonio Holmes passes catcher, becomes a drink thrower</h3>
<p>Anshonoe Mills is alleging that on March 7, Santonio Holmes “ordered her to get up” off a couch in the Rain Night Club in Orlando, Florida in the VIP area. Apparently the two had a musical chairs-style tussle, and according to Mills, Santonio Holmes then threw his full drink in her face and the broken glass cut her. Whether Mills paid her ER bill <a title=”Instant Cash Loans” href=”http://personalmoneystore.com/payday-loans/instant-payday-loans/instant-cash-loans/”>using instant cash loans</a> is uncertain at this time, but she is claiming that Holmes, along with the Orlando PD, attempted to get her to not press any charges. Evidently, the famed wide receiver also tried to give her an undisclosed sum of money in exchange for her silence, which could very much have prevented the need to seek <a title=”Payday Lenders” href=”http://personalmoneystore.com/payday-lenders/loan-lenders/payday-lender/̶! 1;>help from payday lenders</a>.</p>
<h4>From Super Bowl XLIII MVP to trouble man</h4>
<p>This isn’t the first time Santonio Holmes has been involved with the law and caused the Pittsburgh Steelers embarrassment. The wide receiver has been charged with marijuana possession in the past, plus the cherry on the sundae is the Santonio Holmes nude photographs that made the rounds online in 2008. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, of the latest alleged scuffle between Holmes and Anshonoe Mills, no discussion has been released from the Holmes camp.</p>
<h4>How will these men be viewed in Steelers history?</h4>
<p>Everyone knows the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Rooney family have an considerable, storied history of success. The Rooney family is one of character, and while the on-the-field, take-no-prisoners war conducted by players like Jack Lambert was tolerated, it is off-the-field embarrassment how the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes have brought the team that is particularly galling.</p>
<p>It's obvious that the media spotlight today is much brighter than it was throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers’ heyday of the 1970s. If TMZ and Bleacher Report had existed then, Pittsburgh fans would likely have a really different view of their sports heroes today. Neither Ben Roethlisberger nor Santonio Holmes has been convicted of late, but the air of bad decision-making obviously stinks.</p>



Dwight Gooden had his five year old son within the vehicle when he was arrested for a DWI

Baseball fans with memories that date back to the 1980s know how the New York Mets’ Dwight Gooden was one of the most untouchable pitchers of all time. Dr. K (aka Doc Gooden) combined an amazing 95 mph fastball with an excellent movement and a wonderful curveball that buckled bather’s knees. Sadly, the four-time All-Star’s playing career and life after baseball was marred by alcohol and drug abuse. According to the New York Daily News, Dwight Gooden’s recent DWI arrest in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey came after “three-and-one-half years” of sobriety. Dylan, his five year old son, was s! adly within the car.

Dwight Gooden, 45, faces a number of charges

In addition to driving when intoxicated, Dwight Gooden has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, DWI with a child passenger, leaving the scene of the two-car accident and reckless driving. The accident was reported via a 911 call.

It was reported by the Daily News that Gooden was released eventually on his own recognizance. The drug involved has not been revealed by the New Jersey Police, although Gooden has had troubles with cocaine and alcohol within the past. Financial struggles went with the territory. Hopefully Dwight Gooden would use installment payday advances appropriately if he did use them.

Missing life – and the Hall of Fame

There is no doubt that Dwight Gooden would are in the Hall of Fame had he not been battling with substance abuse through his career in baseball. Time spent in five separate rehab stints and in court also as battles with the bottle and cocaine shortened his career. That doesn’t even show anything Gooden lost in his life because of addiction. This is a struggle he has with his and his family and it is private, one that might have even involved no credit check personal loans during times of hardship.

The evidence is sufficient in his play day. He finished with a 194-112 record as well as a 3.51 ERA. His 162-game average, according to Baseball Reference, was a 16-9 season with 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings, both of which are excellent. Yet even those stats fail to represent his early-career magnificence. He set the Major League rookie record of 276 strikeouts and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the 1984 national Rookie of the Year. Of course we are assuming you don’t count rookie “Matches” Matt Kilroy’s 513 strikeouts for Baltimore American Association in 1886 because the rules were too different then and the American association is less than major league caliber.

Dr. K’s best year was 1985

Dwight Gooden got even better after a great rookie season. All he did in 1985 was go 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and league-leading 268 strikeouts. Major League record, it was one of probably the most dominant pitching seasons. Dr. K played a key role the following season with the New York Mets’ first world series triumph since 1969. However, red flags began to show. He was arrested after fighting police in his hometown of Tampa, Florida by December 13, 1986 and missed his team’s victory parade because he’d been on a cocaine binge. There were a few great things that happened after but nothing that lived up to his previous greatness. He played for the New York Yankees, a team that won titles in 1996 and 2000, and threw a no hitter on May 14, 1996.

How is it possible to let someone who endangers a young child walk?

That is a question the New Jersey Police can answer, but they won’t talk. Gooden obviously needs help, but he shouldn’t be allowed to put his five year old in danger again. Hopefully skating on fame wasn’t the situation.



Celebrate Doctors Day 2010 and keep away from going to the hospital

Even on Doctors Day, there are few professions made the butt as often for jokes as doctors. Despite the jokes, the 2010 rendition of the 77-year-old honorary holiday is yet another reminder that doctors are deserving of our respect and a vital part of society. Across the United States, March 30 has officially been Doctors’ Day since 1990, when Congress designated the holiday. Doctors' Day 2010, however, has also been dated all the way back to March 30, 1933. According to the Huffington Post, that's when Dr. Charles Almond's wife, Eudora Brown Almond began honoring physician in Winder, Georgia.

Doctors Day 2010 is the day to thank your doctor

For the doctors who have saved or improved the life of yourself or a loved one, Doctors Day 2010 is a fantastic day to thank them. It’s a day to recognize that despite the razzing jokes and the need for payday loans to pay their bills, there are more telling insights on the noble profession. Doctors are vital to the human race. As the Web site DoctorsDay.org puts it, Doctors Day 2010 is “a day to celebrate the contribution of physicians who serve our country by caring for its citizens.” On an everyday basis, doctors handle our well-being and take on the weight of that responsibility. Without them, the average lifespan of human beings would be significantly shorter. Not needing quick payday loans to fund the expense of a doctor's visit is not a good trade-off.

Doctors Day 2010 – How to honor your doctor

Today is Doctors Day 2010, so it is too late to send your card by mail, but even if it's just a little late, the thought assuredly counts. You are able to get flowers like the red carnation (associated with the National Doctors Day Holiday), which are definitely appropriate. Creative gift ideas can be found anyway, like the squeezable stress ball or Rx chocolate bar ideas suggested by the Huffington Post. Since that card by mail idea is out of the picture, you should sign up for a service like Jib Jab or any other free E-card services. If you are a doctor yourself, there’s a Doctors Day 2010 poster you might like, plus more fun Doctors Day stuff.



Risks Associated with Auto Buying

In case you are planning to buy a vehicle, it becomes imperative for you to understand all the risks that are involved with any kind of auto buying. You’ll need to consider a lot of things while buying a vehicle.

You will encounter a lot of interesting incentives provided by the dealers in order to attract a lot more customers. However, it is vital for you to understand if such incentives are really viable for you within the long run. Some risks that a customer faces while purchasing a vehicle are listed below.

Care

Buying a car is obviously not going to be inexpensive, and therefore, you may want to maintain your automobile for a long time to come, probably even fetch a good price if you were to sell it sometime down the line. Maintenance of a automobile will reflect on its actual value at any given point. A good automobile company should have a sufficient number of service centers with your vicinity, so that if you have any problems with the vehicle, you are able to get it fixed up easily. The maintenance cost should be low also, and ideally it is the dealer who should provide you servicing facilities and even the spare parts if required.

Phony claims

Several car companies use unrealistic and false claims in their product propaganda, and hence the customer should not blindly believe on the claims of the company or even the dealer. The false claims can be about mileage, power, etc. They usually provide us information of tests conducted in controlled conditions and these results aren’t true on the road. A test drive is very helpful in these cases. It will give you a correct idea of what the vehicle is, and also you need not pay attention on the claims of the manufacturer. You are able to choose yourself.

Warranty and cost-free care

Each manufacturer should provide the client with at least some warranty lasting for a minimum period of 1-2 years. One should not be too much attention to the seller’s warranty and should ideally go for autos where the manufacturer provides warranty. Although, in the case of free servicing, it is just the opposite. Lots of companies claim to provide servicing, but they will have their own set of terms and conditions. If the dealer does not provide free servicing, then you need to completely abandon the idea of purchasing a vehicle from them.

Finance Choices

Currently, financing is available in most auto buying deals. However, there are some risks involved in this financing.

Various dealers claim to provide zero interest loans but usually all such claims are false as they include various hidden costs hence customer discretion is very important. It would be wiser for you to negotiate with the dealers in order to reach the situation which is favorable to both the involved parties.

Credibility

Purchasing a new vehicle is all about authenticity. It is always a good idea to purchase an auto from the dealers who have proven their credibility within the market. The dealer is a point of contact for both the manufacturers and car buyers. Therefore, you may want to do just a little research about the dealers in order to discover the ones who have proven their honesty over a certain time frame.



As Gilbert Arenas avoids jail, all average people will scratch their heads

After taking guns to the Verizon Center and threatening Javaris Crittenton, his teammate, after a fight over a card-game debt that definitely didn't involve guaranteed loans, the Washington Wizards' guard Gilbert Arenas avoided jail. The prosecution is labeling Gilbert's "self serving, ever-evolving" story a phony attempt to try and hide a pattern of "thuggish" intimidation and bullying while Arenas and his defense attorneys say it was just "a prank gone wrong," according to the Washington Post. D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Morin at first sentenced “Agent Zero” to 18 months in jail, but that part of the sentence was suspended. In Morin's mind, 30 days in a halfway hou! se, 400 hours of community service, two years probation, and $ 5,000 donation to a crime victim's fund are all that Gilbert Arenas owes to the community.

Arenas gets $ 16.2 per season

So of course the $ 5,000 donation is appallingly low. Payday loans would do the crime victims just as well. But what about the lack of jail time since he will continue to be with the NBA as well as with the Washington Wizards? Even with guns being unloaded as Gilbert Arenas says his guns were, your average person who brings a gun to work is going to serve jail time and be fired.Saying it was a practical joke wouldn't make no never-mind at all. Not serving in jail is an affront to justice, whether Arenas is a joker who doesn't know when to stop or is a common gang-banger with more money than brains.

Is it possible that Judge Morin asked for Wizards season tickets? This is unclear

The Post says that he said he "weighed several factors in issuing his sentence." First of all, the firearms in question were registered in Virginia. The probation bell might have been rung since this occurred in D.C..Secondly, Arenas has no background that was documented of violence, and it wasn't established that the guns were loaded. Start up Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an American!”

Gilbert Arenas faced gun charges before.

In 2003, while leaving the Golden State Warriors as a free agent, Arenas was arrested outside of San Francisco when police discovered a gun in his car during a traffic stop.It was registered in Arizona, but not California. “Agent Zero” pleaded no contest to illegal gun possession and served two years of probation.



Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Is it best to Conserve The Clunker?

Advantages of the Maintenance

As a result of current recession, consumers are holding out on buying or trading in their cars, because they are scared of getting into additional debt. Many people are getting their cars fixed, instead of buying new. A later model auto with low miles could be repaired easily, which makes this a good idea. Trying to keep your car running should only go up to a point. Be it used or new, you’ll then need to purchase a different auto. In spite of this economy, for those who have a clunker that just needs to die, then let it.

Clues You should Let it go

When is the right time to get rid of that old clunker? This may rely on the vehicle and the owner, but here are some basic clues that you should let go now. When it strands you somewhere at least three times, this is the first warning. Whenever you have to ride a taxi home because it won’t start no matter what you do, this is what this means. If it does this at least 3 times, you need to look at letting it go.

The following sign is when a section of your muffler comes off while you’re driving. This isn’t a good sign. There was a service station that I stopped at once when on a trip and “Honk if parts fall off” was on a bumper sticker they were selling inside the gas station. Let it go if this describes your vehicle.

Another sign that you need to let go of your clunker is if you are adding oil every day. This may be indicative that your automobile is either burning too much oil or is leaking it out. There really isn’t any point in keeping it if it is doing this.

As you are driving down the highway and the tire comes off, this should be the last hint to get rid of it. There better be snow around to put out any fires that may result from this. The cause might be from keeping the bolts too loose or even the rod broke off. There is no way this can be fixed if the latter happened.

Consider Vehicles to Buy

So, you have decided that you need to buy a different vehicle and let your old clunker die. It is a good idea, because you will only end up making a lot additional costly repairs in the long run. This is no reason to purchase a new auto though. At numerous dealerships, you are able to choose from a wide variety of decent late model used cars. A new auto can price as much as twice the amount of a decent used car. While a new auto would be nice, it is not economical, and it will waste more money within the long term. You are able to, if you’ve the resources, purchase a vehicle that is only a year old for a little less than half the cost of a new automobile. A late model automobile might nevertheless have a warranty, and also you will have the benefit of not having various problems for a while.

You Last Word

Whether you’ve decided to get rid of the old automobile or make repairs on it, the primary point to remember is to do what is best for you. Should you know how to keep your car running a long time, then go for it. If you cannot fix the old one, be sure that you can afford to purchase another car. At the very least, limp the old one along until you’ve enough money saved to buy a car outright. Have fun with that, and make sure you’ve the taxi company’s phone number on your cell phone!



Line 2 App creates iPhone VoIP

At a particular former job of mine, there were days I’d end up carrying four cell phones, each with a different number and a different purpose. small cash loans won’t be needed to double your phone’s functionality. Line2 will now face the task of keeping momentum going. The iPhone app store saw Line2 shoot to No. 1 after the company showed off at the CTIA conference. Friday morning, Talktumi faced a denial of service attack and had to place the App offline.

Line2 App utilizes two data networks

The functionality of Line2 Application is that users can make and receive calls with WiFi or the 3G network. If you travel between 3G and wireless networks, Line2 will effortlessly switch between the two.

The cell phone network minutes that could be very costly won’t be employed if you’re using the dual-mode functionality. Much like Skype or Google Voice on your computer, long-distance international calls are also much less costly. You won’t have to inquire into payday lending to pay for this app – Line2 charges only $15 a month and $1 for the app.

Line2 makes more than just calls

More than just routing your calls through an internet connection, Line2 provides extra functionality. Instead, the application creates a virtual second phone on your handset. A home and business line could be routed through the very same handset with Line2. You are able to set up a virtual phone tree in case you are a business owner (or busy person) trying to keep everything in order. Line2 also offers conference calling, visual voice-mail, and a choice of how to take incoming calls. Put simply, Line2 puts a second iPhone on your iPhone.

DNS Attacks on Line2

The iPhone app store saw Line2 shoot to No. 1 on March 25. When Line2 got approved by the iPhone app store, many were surprised – Apple had rejected Google voice for having the potential to compete with the iPhone “core business”.

The Line2 app was not available on March 26. At 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Talktumi was forced to take Line2 offline because of a coordinated DNS Denial of Service attack. The company is providing up-to-the-minute updates on the Talktumi Twitter account, and hope to have Line2 up and running again soon.



Monday, March 29, 2010

The California Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act: Part 1

Yesterday evening, the California Secretary of State affirmed that the voter initiative to legalize marijuana received an estimated 523,531 valid signatures – well more than the 433,971 signatures needed to get on the November ballot. The California legalization initiative has supporters that argue pot legalization will not only save the cash-strapped California economy cash, but will bring in the instant cash of tax revenue. Some detractors of the bill argue that legalizing the drug will lead to a rise in crime and health impacts. Other detractors worry that legalizing gray-market marijuana will reduce the quality of marijuana and significantly harm the budding marijuana industry. Part 1 of this article covers the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act in California and the arguments for its passage. Part 2: Arguments against Marijuana Legalization in California covers the arguments against marijuana legalization in California.

History of marijuana legalization in California.

In 1913, the first state law criminalizing marijuana in the United States was passed in California. Other states quickly followed suit. By 1937 the federal law has made the transfer and possession of "Marihuana" illegal for everything except industrial and medical uses.

In 1969 this act was declared unconstitutional; however, the US Federal government kept marijuana in the controlled substance act of 1970. The national controversy was reignited when California legalize medical marijuana with proposition 215 in 1996. The federal government nevertheless considers marijuana an illegal Schedule I narcotic and considers it to have "no valid medical use."

California measures to legalize marijuana.

The voter initiative to legalize marijuana, known as the Regulate, Control, and Tax Cannabis Act, has many limitations on the use to legally use marijuana. Anyone 21 or older would be permitted to "possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use." Governments though all of California would be able to tax and manage commercial sale or production of marijuana. It would be illegal still to drive when under the influence of marijuana, have the drug on school grounds, to smoke in public, to give it to any underage persons, or to smoke while any minors are present.

Marijuana legalization cost-savings argument

Supporters of the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act argue the legalization of marijuana would conserve the State of California a significant amount of money. California has been using payday cash advances on the state budget to cover all their costs because they’re in a huge budget deficit.

The savings estimates are anywhere from $ 156 million to $ 1 billion. Supporters claim that once the currently-stretched-thin law-enforcement system ceases prosecuting individuals for growing, possessing or selling marijuana, they can focus on crimes and criminals that are more violent or dangerous. A lot of of the proponents point out that few deaths in California are due to marijuana while alcohol is the contributor of hundreds of deaths every year.

The discussion on taxation for cannabis legalization.

In addition to saving the state of California millions of dollars in law enforcement, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act also gives local governments the ability to tax marijuana. Proponents of the act estimate that $ 15 billion worth of gray-market and black market marijuana is sold each year in California.

$ 1.3 billion a year or more in income would be brought in with an excise tax on the retail sales. Some counties and cities within California currently tax medical marijuana dispensaries. $350,000 per dispensary is what is brought in by these city and county taxes.

The jobs argument for legalizing pot

Humboldt county also as other areas in California have already a large marijuana tourism industry. With services from medical marijuana dispensaries to schools focused on how to grow marijuana, the area brings in several million dollars a year in tourism revenue. Supporters of legalizing cannabis point out that if the marijuana tourism industry in California grows to just one-third the size of the wine industry, it would produce more than 50,000 jobs. If marijuana were legalized, it would also become legal to produce hemp in the state, which could add to the agricultural base of California.

The Californian's Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act can be on the November ballot. To see the arguments in opposition to the legalization of marijuana in California, see Part 2: Arguments against Marijuana Legalization in California.



Today's IPO stars: Calix, MaxLinear, First Interstate

Original public offerings are the birthdays of Wall Street – hotly anticipated and closely watched. Three IPOs on Wall Street today have done better than expected. MaxLinear, Calix Networks, and First Interstate BancSystem all did better than they had expected. Both focusing on internet infrastructure, Calix and MaxLinear are doing well since the announcement of the National Broadband Plan. First Interstate, on the other hand, is a bank that has shown strength within the difficult economy, its IPO is providing instant cash to inject into their growth.

Calix Networks creates infrastructure equipment

Situated in Petaluma, California, Calix Networks started trading on the NASDAQ exchange today under the ticker symbol CALX. Calix specializes in designing and manufacturing equipment for fiber-based networks, including telephone, television and internet. One of Calix’s largest customers is independent service provider CentryTel, and the company is banking on the new National Broadband Plan in advance to help increase sales. Calix got the $200 million for start-up from private equity firms and venture capital investors. The $16 a share price is above and beyond what Calix had estimated for their IPO. Most industry watchers are estimating that Calix will continue to improve its stock price as broadband becomes even a lot more important to national infrastructure.

MaxLinear saves network power

Carlsbad, California based MaxLinear also had their IPO today peform well. On last check, NYSE shares of MaxLinear, on the exchange as MXL, were at $18 a share. MaxLinear is within the business of designing and manufacturing processing chips that go into small mobile devices. MaxLinear claims that the technology it uses saves significant amounts of power, which helps extend battery life. MaxLinear also raise initial start-up costs with quick payday loans through venture capital firms. One of probably the most hotly anticipated IPOs of the day, MaxLinear stocks quickly passed the $13 per stock estimates. The chips that MaxLinear designs are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics.

First Interstate BancSystem

When high technology got most of the headlines today, the NASDAQ also hosted the IPO of First Interstate, a regional bank. First Interstate BancSystem Inc. is a regional banking system with branches in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Early morning trading sent this bank’s stocks past $16. First Interstate is the first U.S. bank to go public since July of 2007. Trading under the symbol FIBK, First Interstate Bank was able to show an improved net interest income and total assets while lots of other banks were being taken over by the FDIC.

Sources:

The Associated Press

Wall Street Journal

Red Herring

24/7 Wall Street



Saturday, March 27, 2010

Student Loan Bill: saving students cash

Built into the health care reform bill that was passed Sunday was a radical reform of how student loans will work. Centered mainly on how student loans are administered, the student loan bill will create $ 61 billion in savings over 10 years. $ 30 billion of those estimated savings could be going back into education, when one-third of that could be used to reduce the national debt. Banks and financial institutions will no longer act as the money lender on these loans – instead, the Department of Education will administer the loans.

Student loan bill focuses on administration

The student loan bill makes significant changes to the process that administers student loans. Currently, Congress sets eligibility rules, interest rates, and many of the rules about how student loans are administered. Students get a low rate personal loan through lenders who work with the Department of Education to fund the student loans. The lending institution then distributes money to the school. The lending institution will get subsidies from the government for providing this service. The student loan bill cancels these subsidies out of the spending budget. Instead, the Department of Education will act as the lending institution. In just ten years, cutting out these subsidies will conserve $ 61 billion.

The student loan bill increases education funding

Because of the savings the student loan bill, the Department of Education can be reinvesting $ 30 billion into college education. The student loan bill says how the $ 30 billion will be used in part to increase the low-income Pell grant. The bill will even reduce the monthly payments that some students have to make on their loans, which will help make college more affordable for more people.

Arguments against the student loan bill

Even with the reinvestment in education, there are criticisms of the student loan bill. Each year, tuition and costs rise by a double-digit percentage, and the student loan bill doesn’t increase Pell grants enough to cover this inflation. The loan industry also maintains that by cutting out their part, the government could be cutting jobs. However, the government will need to hire people to administer the loans for the Department of Education, which will balance out some job losses. Finally, there is concern the interest rates on each unsecured personal loan students take out through the D.O.E. will go up. However, the student loan bill doesn’t change the fact Congress sets the rules, eligibility, and interest rates for student loans.



Buying a new vehicle made easy

Purchasing a automobile or auto buying can be an costly affair and some good research and proper calculation is required before choosing the vehicle of your dreams.The appearance of a vehicle are the aspects which normally appeal to people and in that, the excitement. They tend to neglect the performance aspects from the automobiles. However, the perfect vehicle could be the one that has a perfect balance of performance and looks depending upon the needs you have and fuel budgets.

Your needs

Buying a vehicle will depend mostly on your requirements and needs. The type of vehicle you choose must completely suit your travel requirements.

For instance: If you are single and have to travel across long distances for work frequently, purchasing a six seater vehicle wouldn't make any practical sense. You can instead search for a vehicle which gives you good mileage and fuel efficiency.

If you’ve a large family you cannot do with a mini cooper obviously. Hence the first thing you do is choose a vehicle that fulfills your needs.

Power and fuel performance

Power and fuel efficiency is very important factors and should always be closely considered while buying a vehicle. Why I am mentioning them together is because a good vehicle will give you a perfect balance between power and mileage? Both these factors go hand in hand. If you need a vehicle that can handle tough terrain as well as carrying a large load, you need to make certain that it is fuel efficient so you’ll not be left stuck on a mountain range or the side of the road with an empty fuel tank.

Concept

With numerous developments in automobile technology auto buying has literally become a race for the newest technology. A new and proclaimed fuel technology will give you a fantastic mileage with the best of power. Other recent technologies make your engine sound free, which is a necessity for long journeys. They also make your smoke emissions low, and hence you need not worry of emission norms. Therefore you must surely go for cars with new technologies rather than high power 60's vehicle.

Perks

You'll have to look at lots of additional things in a automobile other than looking at only the basic features. A good music system is one of them. You might think that you can even purchase a music system separately, but actually it will cost you almost twice to buy it separately than buying it pre-installed in the car. A good air conditioner will make your journey very comfortable. The good here means that it should use new technology and not eat a lot of fuel as well. The central locking security system may also come very handy to you during your everyday usage of your vehicle.

Cost

The fact that it has been mentioned last by no means indicates that this factor is not important. In fact, it is the most important thing that you'll have to bear in mind when auto buying. A calculated spending budget will allow you to choose the best available options. More importantly the budget must be realistic as well.



Friday, March 26, 2010

Devon James and pictures join the Tiger Woods mistress parade

Devon James, porn star and professional escort, FINALLY spilled all of the dirty details of her two-and-one-half-year affair with Tiger Woods on the “Bubba the Love Sponge” Florida radio program. On the program and at Radar Online- if you were fortunate enough to be trawling for grease – you heard from Radar Online that in 2006 Woods paid Devon James and another adult female $ 2,000 for a “two-girl party.” Then there were the explicit texts, a la Tiger’s courtship of Joslyn James. CBS is on top of this mounting action, and makes everyone wonder whether or not women will start bursting out of the sand traps of Augusta National with even a a lot more twisted Tiger tales.

Oh the things Devon James must have seen and done

It just seems like it would be wrong not to tell the story of the victimized porn star and escort, if for no other reason than to help her create the steady income she needs to apply for short term installment loans.

But wait… could this actually be a Tiger tale of consenting adults, one blinded by dollar signs and a taut body, the other by what appears to be an addiction? That never is an excuse to whether or not Tiger is addicted to something – Women less attractive than his wife? Medication? Sex in General? – he should be feeling the firestorm of criticism. Any sympathy was killed off by her convenient times, whether or not Devon James’ situation was wrong.

Tears … will make typing … difficult

Devon James deserves some applause for not instantly publishing her Tiger sexts on a classy Web site. Veronica Siwik Daniels – aka Joslyn James – is just letting it fly on line a Shakespearean sonnet for the new generation – challenged. It can be exciting to get frisky in public but the desire to expose it all publicly to prove that the relationship is “hot” speaks of frigid immaturity. Tiger evidently loves them Otter Pops, and he never needs bad credit installment loans to indulge. Fame keeps the fur flying.

Devon, you didn’t do that

Oh yes she did. The texts from Tiger Woods she received, according to CBS, are a guide book to all the slaps, chokes, and BDSM playacting that AAA forgot to say. Reports also indicate Tiger liked additional than one caddy at a time to help him out of the rough. Who would ever know that “very sexy and playful” companions such as Devon James (words taken from her online service advertisement, says The Huffington Post) would be so wonderful at finding the green.

Tiger will golf while mistresses try to cash in

Seems like an entertainment career path now – the cashing in part anyway. Tell your sons and daughters to not take notes. Be the good parent you are and teach them well. Tiger told the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman he was “living a lie” and was the only one responsible for the sex scandal. Evidently Devon James and her pictures are just an innocent link in the chain. Hogwash, Tiger.



Thursday, March 25, 2010

Sarah Palin: Reality show picked up by Discovery

Sarah Palin and producer Mark Burnett are buying for buyers for a Sarah Palin reality show, and Discovery network has taken out low interest loans to be the highest bidder. There are no official press releases, but several sources are reporting this Discovery reality show could be an “Alaskan Travelogue” style show. Before purchasing Sarah Palin’s reality show, Discovery’s most expensive show had been their $25 million “Earth” series.

The plans for Sarah Palin’s reality show

As one of probably the most controversial women in American right now, Sarah Palin’s reality show is certain to draw viewership. Reportedly, the reality show on Discovery networks will draw over $1 million per episode for Sarah Palin and her family. Sarah Palin is not entirely new to reality TV – she did make a cameo appearance in a 2008 documentary on the Iditarod race. A release date for the as-of-yet-unnamed Sarah Palin reality show has yet to be announced. The few reports that have come out about this reality show say it “will center on interesting characters, traditions and attractions in the 49th state – with the ex-VP candidate as a guide”.

Reality shows are not Sarah Palin’s favorite

Sarah Palin has not always had a cozy relationship with the media. Sarah Palin called the media “intrusive” and “difficult to handle” in her best-selling book “Going Rogue”. When asked about the possibility of a reality show in previous interviews, Palin has always reacted by saying she wanted the media to stay away from her family. Sarah Palin herself does not shy away from media attention, though – she is now a FOX news commentator. Sarah Palin’s celebrity has certainly helped her get guaranteed payday loans on books, TV shows, and media frenzy.

Sources:

People Magazine

AFP News

NPR News



Earth Hour: Because change is hard

The second annual Earth Hour will be observed Saturday, March 27, 2010, at 8:30 p.m. local time. The official website for Earth Hour suggest that as people turn off their lights during a scheduled time, a blackout “will once again cascade around the globe, from New Zealand to Hawaii.” The Los Angeles Times calls Earth Hour “the world’s largest global climate change initiative.” Earth Hour, says the Times, is a “global call to action . . . a call to stand up and take responsibility.”

Earth Hour is easy for all

Within the most basic sense, Earth hour’s call to action is the least we can do. Taking part in Earth Hour doesn’t mean we have to actually take responsibility for the environment by changing any part of the way we live or use. All that is needed is for us to switch off the lights for an hour.

Shop, donate, borrow cash

It won’t cost you anything; however, anyone who thinks buying merchandise will stop Global Climate Change can shop for Earth Hour gear on their website. Additionally, if you believe it will make the environment better, you may donate money directly to Earth Hour online also. At the time of this writing, Earth Hour Gear was not yet available, but donations can be made now, so it’s not too early to fill out a personal loan application if you need a loan to do your part for Earth Hour.

Climate Change in a basic form

The Earth Hour website implies that effects of climate change are shown in all of the US. Alaska has warmed two times as quickly as the rest of the United States. Spring snowmelt is earlier, sea ice is reduced, glaciers are retreating and permafrost is thawing. In the Northwestern states, winters are wetter and summers are drier, water supplies are strained and erosion is increasing. In the Southwest, droughts are becoming additional of a concern because water supplies are additional scarce.

Within the Midwest, downpours are twice as frequent as they were a hundred years ago when lake ice is being reduced. The Northeast has less snow and more rain. In the Southeast there are additional huge storm surges, increased rainfall, higher winds, increased air temperatures, and additional hurricanes. On the coastlines and islands, which are particularly sensitive to effects of climate change, sea levels are rising, shorelines are eroding, wetlands are drowning and the man-made environment is threatened.

Taking a real stance doesn’t need to be hard

It is good to take a stance on climate change, but responsibility for the problem is going to take a lot more than an annual hour-long blackout. It also doesn’t mean you have to live in a teepee without electricity or running water.

One might ride a bike instead of driving a couple of times, purchase less wasteful products, or eat things that will use less fossil energy to produce.There is no reason why you can’t turn off your lights for an hour when also making other real changes; however, it is good to bear in mind change won’t be as easy as the flip of a switch.



Crystal Bowersox Bobby McGee: American Idol and big plans

Last night’s American Idol seemed to be channeling karaoke at the local bar down the street. Miley Cyrus actually offered surprisingly good advice, and the theme of Billboard Top Hits promised a decent show. Crystal Bowersox singing Bobby McGee turned out to be one of the very few bright spots in last night’s karaoke-like show, though. Friends that usually love the show started going online just to research same day payday loans just to pay for their drinks.

Crystal Bowersox blows away the judges with Bobby McGee

The American Idol Top 11 were instructed to choose a Billboard Number 1 hit for this week’s show. Given such a large pool of songs, most performers chose to sing what you would hear any given night at the karaoke bar. The majority of the American Idol Top 11 did not do the Billboard Number 1 hits true justice, though. The one exception to this was Crystal Bowersox – she did what the producers probably intended with this theme. With a disarmingly relaxed attitude and powerful voice, Crystal Bowersox really seemed to channel Janis Joplin. Joplin’s version of “Me and Bobby McGee” hit the top of the charts after her death in 1970, even though it was the third recording of the song. On American Idol, the judges seemed to be under the spell of the song and Crystal Bowersox, offering almost nothing but good reviews. The only judge that had anything bad to say was Ellen, saying she has yet to “feel a connection” with Crystal Bowersox.

American Idol’s Top 11

As good as Crystal Bowersox’s Bobby McGee was, there were 10 other performances on American Idol last night. The judges seemed unusually harsh last night, with Randy channeling Simon to actually say that was terrible to Paige Miles. 16-year old Aaron Kelly revealed a crush on Miley Cyrus and sang “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” and even though Simon repeated his “too old” criticism, he will have another week on the show. Big Mike’s “Power of Love” bordered on loungey and corny, but he is most definitely safe for next week.All lovers of 1980’s music got a treat when Casey sang “The Power of Love”.”Superstitious” rendered with Siobahn’s signature screaming also earned good marks from the judges. The rest of the performers? It’s pretty obvious they are all holding on just long enough to get on the American Idol tour next summer so they can get installment loans for bad credit.

American Idol Top 11 mentored by Miley Cyrus

Before Crystal Bowersox sang Bobby McGee, she had “official mentor” Miley Cyrus sign her guitar. Surprisingly for most, Miley Cyrus actually offered decent mentoring for the American Idol Top 11. Miley actually managed to keep this otherwise dull episode interesting at parts, with her inside tidbits about the music industry.

Next weeks’ big plans

It’s very clear that Crystal Bowersox could be safe on American Idol until next week, even to her. At the end of her judging last night, Crystal Bowersox claimed to have “Big plans for next week”. The possibilities run far and wide, given that next week’s theme on American Idol could be “Teen Idols”. FOX hasn’t said yet if “Teen Idols” will mean teen artists or artists teens love. Nobody but Crystal Bowersox knows for certain what her big plans are, so we will just have to tune into American Idol next week.



Monday, March 22, 2010

Ten money-saving tax reminders

Upper part of 1040 tax form with pencil and pencil shavings lying on itIf you haven't already filed, it's time to get started on your 2009 tax return. These 10 money-saving tips might save you so much on taxes that you can hold off applying for short term installment loans or payday cash advances.

1. Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers may be entitled to a credit of 10 percent of the price, for a maximum credit of $8,000. The homebuyer credit is not limited to first-time buyers. Buyers who owned homes and bought new ones after Nov. 6, 2009, may be entitled to a credit of 10 percent of the purchase price, for a maximum credit of $6,500. Buyers must have lived in their previous homes for five consecutive years in the past eight, must have a house under contract by April 30, 2010, and must close by June 30.

2. Energy-saving improvements

For 2009, homeowners may be entitled to credits worth 30 percent of the amount spent on energy-saving windows, water heaters and other qualified improvements, up to a combined limit of $1,500 for 2009 and 2010. Installation of solar, wind, or geothermal energy systems may entitle homeowners to 30 percent credits with no limits.

3. Vehicles

Sales taxes on purchase prices of to $49,500 for new cars, light trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, can be deducted on 2009 returns. Vehicles purchased through the Cash for Clunkers program are included. Taxpayers do not have to itemize deductions to claim the credit, although in some states, it may sometimes be more advantageous to include sales taxes in itemized deductions. The credit is limited to certain income amounts, and depending on income, some taxpayers may receive only partial credits. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Ten money-saving tax reminders"



Saturday, March 20, 2010

Former child legend Corey Haim Dead at 38 from probable drug overdose

Kid superstar Corey Haim dead at 38. He was discovered unconscious at the Oakwood Apartments around Burbank, California. He was taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where he was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday. The cause of his passing away has not yet been confirmed, but police specialists believe he might have died in a drug overdose.

Read More Here



Friday, March 19, 2010

Smaller businesses are Scrambling to manage the Estate Tax

Congress is in the midst of debates over the estate tax. Within the mean time, smaller businesses are left to hope the tax is manageable.

The small business tax

Small Businesses are having difficulty managing within the current economic climate. The recession was difficult on them and most are still trying to find ways of returning to old ways of operations. The real estate tax debate is not making it easier to manage. Currently, this tax is caught up within the Senate. That makes things difficult for small businesses because they have no idea what is going to happen in long term. Studies are projecting that up to eight times as various businesses might be taxed next year with the estate issue. That elevates concerns for businesses and owners are pondering how they will cope.

The key elements from the tax

There are two things affecting the real estate tax. First, the limit on assets that are transferable to the next generation at tax-free status and second, the rate from the tax are both up for debate. In 2001, Congress increased the exemption from $675,000 to $3.5 million and decreased the tax rate from 55% to 45%. There is a loophole however that rescinds the tax for the coming year and causes it to revert back to pre-2001 rates. That rate is set at $1 million in exemptions and a tax rate of 55%. In 2009, over 5,500 estates paid death taxes, according to Tax Policy Center in Washington. Of that number, about 10% may be taxed again this year if Congress doesn't make moves to change the tax laws in time. That could put an added stress on smaller businesses that are already suffering because from the recession.

Strategies to manage the tax

If the law changes, business owners could be able to rest, but until that happens, many are taking pains to prepare for the huge expense. They are already strategizing ways to handle the issue. Some owners are taking out hefty life insurance policies. The goal is to bring enough money to the company after the owner passes away so how the remaining owners won't have to sell the company to afford the estate taxes. Another strategy is for business owners to transfer some assets to their children. There is a gift tax that has a $1 million exclusion and that means married couples can hand down $2 million to their children tax-free. Anything over $1 million per person has a gift-tax rate of 35%. Though that sounds high, it's nevertheless considerably lower than facing the estate tax.

Finally, some business owners are establishing trusts that let them pass tax-free money to heirs. This would allow business owners to deposit assets to the trust and then pay ago the owner for a certain number of years. The assets would earn interest and eventually pass tax-free down to children named on the trust. The problem with the strategies though is that they apply to companies with millions of dollars in assets to move around. Most smaller businesses don't qualify for the possibilities above and are left hanging on what Congress is going to do.

Managing the estate tax

Handling the estate tax is proving to become difficult. Small business owners see it as a threat to render their businesses bankrupt if they die. Though there are some ways to handle the issue, it still is causing much concern in the business world. Everyone is hanging on Congress, waiting to see what it will do to help business owners, or hinder them.



Thursday, March 18, 2010

Google in China shutting down - Standing up for net neutrality

Google in China may possibly no longer be available, according to several on the web news reports. Google had originally decided to censor search results in China to be able to meet using the Chinese government’s requirements. Despite differences between Google and China, Google saw an opportunity to get their “foot within the door” to the extremely large Chinese market encouraged Google to work with the requirements of the government in China. Nonetheless, on January 12, Google announced a “New approach to China”, a movement that was initiated after multiple cyber attacks occurred on Google, in addition to on Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists and advocates.

To find out more click here



Properly File Insurance Claims

Policy Understanding

Not reading all the way through health insurance policies is a huge mistake carried out by many people. Before buying health insurance, you’re required by the company to know what you really are buying before making the purchase. The details may not be explained to you as they should be. Having your name on the policy makes you the responsible one who may face consequences should something go wrong. The insurers are within their right to deny a claim if the policy says so. When you make a claim, make sure to know your policy backwards and forwards.

Thoroughly Read the Document

Insurance policies are full of language that could best be referred to as legal. Buying an insurance policy is really a large investment, so take some time to read the full policy thoroughly. Jot down anything you do not get. Next, take advice from your agent or consultant. You must remember that you will be the only one responsible for the policy, once you have signed on the dotted line. The policy’s terms and conditions must be understood before putting your name anywhere on the document.

What the Policy Won’t Allow

Every insurance plan differs from the others and this is just the situation with health insurance as well. Exclusions are built into any policy that you choose. You will see some policies that will cover some illnesses without covering others. You will need to understand the facts before buying the policy. When the policy does not specifically identify a condition, your claim might be denied. Save the trouble to begin with by understanding the exclusions.

Tell the Truth

Insurers selling health insurance know well about the kind of contract they are getting into with you. The answers you give to their questions will eventually be verified. Be honest with your answers as they’ll be documented. Any pre-existing illnesses you may have must be mentioned. It will be better for you, even though you will end up paying more. By telling the truth now, you can save yourself loads of trouble later.

Gather All Documents

Should you ever encounter the misfortune of making a claim, begin with getting the documents for the same. Gather up every single report from your time in the hospital, including all costs of everything, and any reports that they give you. You will possess a strong case when you forward your claim to the insurance company. Be sure you answer any questions the insurance company may have. If your claim is legitimate, you then must convince them of this. Failure to take action may lead to losses that you may find hard to bear.



Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Be Cautious of Debt Consolidation Loans

Many Available Offers

A number of advertisements for debt consolidation loans all promise to help you get you out of the debt trap you are in. Tempting those who are swimming in debt, these offers seem like a godsend. Carefully examine the offer before signing up for the program. Getting out of the debt trap is what you should be concerned with. The first offer that comes your way may not always be the best deal for you. Before signing up for any offer, here is what to look for.

Credentials of the Lender

One of the first things that many people who are in debt do is jump at the first offer that comes their way. It is only natural for them to do this, considering the anxiety they feel. If they do not understand the program, they should not be signing anything whatsoever. With many debt consolidation companies, you are required to fill out another one to two page form that will be sent along with your application to their network of banks. Once this happens, you will receive several offers. Any debt consolidation company that asks you to pay a fee to fill out this form is nothing but a scam. You should not have to pay any fees for this part. There are certain other charges that may be applicable, but you must watch these closely.

Amounts Offered

The debt consolidation program basics are the same across the board. From bank to bank, there will be slight differences and fees charged. Every bank will give you differing amounts of time to pay back the loan. The finance charges you will have to pay is the interest on the loan. You must watch out for any scams with these type of loans. Below are some of the scams that have infiltrated the market.

Keep Your Application Fees

Application fees are the biggest scams of all. Loan application fees are strictly not allowed. Taking your money just to get your basic information is unacceptable. Any company that does this should be avoided.

Loan Product Fees

Some companies charge well in excess of 15% of the money offered as loan product fees. Each month, your payments will reflect an additional 15%. Renegotiate with the lender or go elsewhere if they are doing this.

Offered Advice

Ask questions from those who have been in such situations and learn from their experience. This advice should not be ignored. Avoiding scammers or getting out of debt will result from this information. Gaining your own experience can happen if you make the right decisions.



Italian Art Can Help Provide Joy In Your House

There are many pressures and stresses people tend to be suffering from these days, and it’s no wonder that a lot more people haven’t uncovered the healing and soothing effects that Italian art can give. For some people, doing everything perfect is not always enough to break out of the suffering that the problems in life can make. You will find there’s psychological phenomenon that a majority of people are usually completely ignorant of.

Enhance your health using a little Italian art

Have you saw a messy desk or table and felt a feeling of aggravation? Have you ever been in a negative frame of mind simply because your office or home is simply filled along with an excessive amount of stuff? You usually are not alone. Huge numbers of people suffer the identical dilemma. Clutter is an example of how visual shapes and colors may cause your subconscious mind to be overburdened with information. Exactly the same problem with clutter is magnified in relation to much more pervasive elements, like wall color, drapes, and various other large features of your house.

Each person’s perspective is shaded through the colors surrounding them

It appears to be common knowledge that some specific colors cause you to feel one way or another. The overstated example may be the saying "I was so upset I could see nothing but red." Bull fighters for instance seem to have been aggravating bulls for centuries with the color red. Using red in your house can be a a positive or negative thing, depending on your personality.

Behavioral controls which use color

Doctor’s offices and government institutions have been using color like a behavior modification strategy for many years. Have you ever asked yourself why large facilities have effectively synchronized color schemes? Most institutions use shades of green, blue, and earthy tones so that they can create a relaxing atmosphere this is especially true in locations where people perhaps may be in a stressful predicament and may be easily irritated. Many medical professionals and health administrators believe environmental settings can boost the pace of recuperation after injury or surgery and color performs an important part in that process.

The reason why Italian Art may bring people more fulfillment in life

There’s no debate that Italian artists know how to really encourage joy and emotions of health through their outstanding use of color. You can’t usually see Italian art which is full of colors that clash. A persons vision desires to understand of the world and too some contrasting color combos repel many people. Italian painters possess the art of mood-altering enhancement using colors right down to a science. It can be no wonder that people are usually ready to pay a very high price to get this terrific type of mood enhancing art inside their homes.



Monday, March 15, 2010

Working for money now isn't as fulfilling as it once was

Making money now is coming with a hefty dose of dissatisfaction. New surveys are showing that job satisfaction hit an all-time low last year. According to the Conference Board, only about 45 percent of employees in the country are content with their current jobs. The recession is mostly to blame for the negative feelings toward employers. Millions of workers were laid off during the economic downturn and existing employees had to pick up the slack, with no extra bonus or pay raise.

Conference Board survey is telling

Job satisfaction has been on a decline since 1987, which is when the Conference Board first began keeping track. Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's Consumer Research Center, (see http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/212163) said, "What we've seen over the last 22 years is that irrespective of whether the economy is boom or bust, the overall level of satisfaction expressed by the U.S. workers has been steadily declining across every single aspect of the job." Those aspects include job responsibilities, benefits, security, promotions, bonuses, communication, recognition, wages and potential for growth.

The reason for a decline in job satisfaction

One of the main reasons why workers are no longer satisfied with their jobs is that people feel they can't get ahead. Franco said, "Household incomes, adjusted for inflation, have stagnated since 2000. Meanwhile, out-of-pocket costs for health insurance have risen sharply." The added strain of health care has put pressure on workers to expect more from their employers in terms of pay and benefits, neither of which are flourishing. Some people are opting for better-paid but less-rewarding jobs to keep up with the cost of living. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Working for money now isn't as fulfilling as it once was"



Rielle Hunter Pictures | GQ spread unsafe for Sesame Street

Kermit and Barney may want to be more than friends with Rielle Hunter. Who can understand the workings of a mind in felt?

Rielle Hunter and two fuzzy guys who want her number. (Photo: jimtreacher.com)

Rielle Hunter pictures have been splashed across our consciousness ever since her affair with presidential candidate John Edwards was exposed. Not only did Personal Money Store cover the John Edwards/Rielle Hunter shenanigans then, but Ms. Hunter is still apparently on tour – as this recent GQ article proves.

First impressions are very important, in that they can make or break the relationships we form with others. If that was our first impression of videographer and new mother Rielle Hunter, then things didn't go so well, although John Edwards has just as much pie on his face (if not more for allegedly paying Rielle Hunter off). But for those of us who hadn't formed an impression the first time, we have the GQ article "Hello, America. My name is Rielle Hunter." That chance at a "first impression" has also been blown, as Hunter is complaining that the photographer somehow tricked her into posing in risqué fashion ! with Barney and Kermit. I think all she could see was the quick cash. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Rielle Hunter Pictures | GQ spread unsafe for Sesame Street"



Katie Spotz becomes youngest ever to row an ocean solo

Katie Spotz appears to be a normal 22-year-old woman. But inside her beats the heart of a survivor.

Katie Spotz, before her Atlantic mission. (Photo: Picasa)

"Endurance is patience concentrated." – Thomas Carlyle

Katie Spotz, 22, knows something about endurance. After 2,817 miles of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, she endured all that the elements and her body could throw at her. Now she is the youngest person ever to row across an ocean solo. Her 70-day, five-hour, 22-minute journey from Dakar, Senegal, to Georgetown, Guyana, is complete, and while Katie Spotz reaps the rewards of her momentous achievement, the real winners are those in need of clean water. According to the New York Times, Katie Spotz' "Row for Water" raised more than $70,000 for The Blue Planet Run, a San Francis! co-based non-profit committed to providing safe drinking water for people in need. These dollars aren't unsecured loans; they're gifts of life.

'You really have to dig deep,' said Katie Spotz to the Times

Considering that ocean currents forced her to change course – a move that added about 400 miles to her trip – there's no doubt that Katie Spotz had to tap into an inner strength and determination. Yet her view of it was very pragmatic: You're trapped in that boat, so what else are you going to do? Wind, currents, 20-foot waves, exposure and difficulty sleeping come with the territory. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Katie Spotz becomes youngest ever to row an ocean solo"



Friday, March 12, 2010

Covelli Center : Tickets selling out quickly

Concert tickets

Getting tickets for some Covelli Center events can be difficult. Image from Flickr.

Halfway between Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Covelli Center is a new $42 million events center that can hold up to 7,000 people. Today, tickets for a planned Elton John concert went on sale at 10 am and were almost entirely sold out by 10:03 am, except for some very expensive seats that people in line were not going to get instant cash loans to pay for.

Covelli Center sells out of Elton John tickets

As reported by WYTV, the Elton John tickets that went on sale this morning were in very high demand. The Covelli Center has tickets available through the Ticketmaster system as well as in their box office. Though it took 30 minutes for the box office tickets at the Covelli Center to entirely sell out, tickets online were gone in as little as 3 minutes. However, at about 10:15 tickets began appearing on resellers websites.

Other events at the Covelli Center

The Elton John concert at the Covelli Center is the highest-profile event to be scheduled. However, the new Covelli Center has been working hard to improve its bookings. With local hockey and some rock concerts, such as Breaking Benjamin, the center is getting local use. However, for debt relief of the $11.9 million of debt from building the Centere, general manager Eric Ryan tells WFMJ news that they are trying to book even bigger acts. What these acts may be remains a mystery, though, as the Covelli Centere website calendar goes only a few months into the future. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Covelli Center : Tickets selling out quickly"



Conan O'Brien tour sets out the following month!

The Conan O’Brien Tour – “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” – begins in barely 30 days! Conan will start out his tour in Eugene, Oregon, make his path to Canada, then onto Washington state, California and Arizona. He will keep on his tour across the United States from there and finish in Atlanta, Georgia. Tickets to Conan O’Brien Tour might be redeemed at TeamCoco website or TicketMaster.

Want to find out MORE?



Thursday, March 11, 2010

Home Sellers Should Use Small Personal Loans to Fund Shortfalls

Many people trying to sell their homes end up having to use small personal loans to fund shortfalls. The main post-recessionary reason people have shortfalls is due to the loss of value on their property. Although the recession has been deemed officially "over" by experts, the market is far from returning to normal.

The problem of negative equity

In fact, economists are predicting that many homeowners will be in worse shape within the next two years than they have been in previous. Studies are showing that almost half of the US's 52 million borrowers will have negative equity by the beginning of 2011. According to the report done by Deutsche Bank, the number of borrowers with negative equity is telling of a huge pool of owners who will either default or go into foreclosure.

Down payments valued at zero dollars

Negative equity happens due to various factors, but the most common is the decline of home values. Since the recession, that has been a chronic problem within the housing market. According to real estate website Zillow.com, home values throughout the country have declined by 22.3% since mid-2006. To the average home owner who put down 20% of their mortgage, that means their down payments have lost their complete dollar value. Karen Weaver, research analyst at Deutsche Bank, said, "The continued decline of US home prices will contribute to rapidly rising rates of negative equity. The most obvious implication is for mortgage defaults." ... click here to read the rest of the arti! cle titled "Home Sellers Should Use Small Personal Loans to Fund Shortfalls"



Cities are Finding Cash Now by Charging Additional Sales Taxes

Finding cash now that the recession is over may prove to be more difficult than previously hoped. The reason is because state and local governments have been elevating the taxes charged to consumers and little has been done to publicize it. Other issues have taken precedence in the media. Heath care policies, federal income taxes and changes in retirement planning have all become high priorities in the world of finance. The Obama administration has made waves with its focus on the above challenges, and that's where media attention has fallen.

A study done by Vertex, Inc.

Almost without notice, state and local tax rates have gone up. Vertex, Inc. is a company that calculates sales tax for internet sellers, and it recently released its findings. The general sales tax rate nationwide was 8.6% at the end of 2009. That's the highest it has been since the company began tracking the rate in 1982. That percentage translates into a nickel of additional tax for every $100 purchase over the past year. In 2009, seven states raised sales tax rates. Back in 2008, only four states used the tactic to bring in additional revenue, and the year before only one state made an increase. That is indicative of the state of the economy today and how desperate state legislators are to bulk up coffers. In addition to the changes in sales taxes, income tax rates for the wealthy and small businesses are also on the rise.

Cities with the highest sales tax rates

When it comes to finding places to make purchases, there are certain states that, according to Vertex, Inc., are the highest in charging sales tax. Here are the number one highest taxing locations: ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Cities are Finding Cash Now by Charging Additional Sales Taxes"



Wednesday, March 10, 2010

An Uncut Diamond, Riviera Maya

This is a Hot Destination

If you are planning on going out for a vacation, the Riviera Maya is perhaps one of the best places that you can choose. Located as it is within the Mexican Gulf coast, the spot is excellent for a romantic getaway, extreme sports and the best in nightlife experiences. The place focuses on offering you the best in Gulf coast adventure. A memorable sight awaits the traveler as hotels are not difficult to find. Riviera Maya invites you to take a look at some of the places they have available. You won’t be disappointed at any stage of your vacation.

Playa Del Carmen is recognized as the Center of Riviera Maya

Playa Del Carmen is known as the center of the Riviera Maya. It is a town that has changed itself into an energetic city that boasts with the highest urban growth in Mexico. It’s also known as a magnet for tourists who are searching to spend time with nature at its best. This place is really a destination to behold with its long stretches of gorgeous white sandy beaches and a combination of oceans and jungles. This place has something for anyone and not just lovers of nature. People can enjoy activities like the nightlife, bars, restaurants and hotels to their hearts content if they are looking to have a good time. There’s something for everyone out here including water sports, which involve diving, snorkeling and boat trips. You will also find golf for the avid golfer. Displeasure is the one thing that one cannot find in this place.

A Paradise for Divers of all Kinds

Diving is a sport followed by lots of individuals around the world. Cozumel is one place where you will discover you fill of this sport. Tourists can indulge in scuba and look forward to seeing over 250 species of fish in these waters. Better still is the visibility that exists in these waters, which could exceed 250 feet sometimes. The unique yellow and blue queen angelfish can be found in these waters.

Touring the Eco Archeological Park of Mexico

If the Myan culture is one thing you are looking to explore, Xcaret is the place to visit. This is known as one of the most valuable eco archeological parks of Mexico. The sort of attractions available in Xcaret are countless. One can get to see beautiful flora and fauna as well as take in a guided archeological tour. For those enthusiastic about water sports, snorkeling is available here as well. People can get an opportunity of swimming along with dolphins and this will be a good experience.

Hotels abound in the Area

Should you be worried about finding lodging in the region, you can lay your fears to rest. Grupo Mayan Hotels have a presence in the area and are known to provide the best amenities around. There is something out here for budget travelers, as well as for individuals who want to make their visit a luxurious one. Start with the Riviera Maya, if you want to visit an exotic destination. You will be sure to have an amazing vacation.



Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Haven Homes does good business within a bad economy

Haven Homes, a leader in prefab or custom modular (pre made) homes is one of the rarified few still actually selling houses. Haven Homes makes customized mansions that are less expensive and are completed in a fraction of the time it takes to finish a traditional home. There’s reasons why buyers are looking at manufactured, modular houses from Haven Homes.

Haven Homes are less expensive

The idea behind Haven Homes is just like typical manufactured homes. The homes are assembled in a factory, shipped and developed at a build site. Haven Homes simply makes bigger houses, like the six-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom modular home recently constructed in Bethesda, Md.

This concept is not going to amount to struggling families who rely on quick payday loans being able to afford huge houses. The aforementioned 6 bedroom home cost $ 2.5 million. However, a similar sized home built in a traditional manner would have cost a lot more.

Haven Homes are easy to design

"Computer-driven drafting is mapping out prefab rooms with the ease of a Lego game," says The Washington Post. Home buyers can even customize their home. Part of the draw of Haven Homes is that, within certain limitations, buyers can get exactly what they want faster and easier than they would otherwise.

Modular homes are getting more and more popular. My guess is that the recession is causing people to worry less about the stigma that many associate with prefab homes and more about saving money where they can. The photos on the Haven Homes site do not look like typical manufactured homes. After they're complete, these high-end prefab homes are indistinguishable from "regular" homes.

Hasty homes

Part of what makes Haven Homes' modular homes less expensive is decreased labor costs. Their modular mansions take only a few weeks to assemble in the factory, and days to complete on the job site. Everything – wiring, staircases, the outer finish, and plumbing- takes only a couple weeks to finish.

Typical houses take months to assemble. Easier customization, lower prices and faster construction amid an industry fraught with peril and mortgage loan modification, are seeing more Haven Homes move than others not able to sell vacant homes laying derelict to desolation of the marketplace.