Monday, May 31, 2010

Dancing With The Stars 2010 Award Goes To Nicole Scherzinger

When Dancing With The Stars 2010 started, theories about who the DWTS winner might be abounded, and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was always near the top of that list. Who won Dancing The Stars 2010 isn’t surprising at all, given that Nicole Scherzinger has had good scores for the entire season.

Nicole Scherzinger wins Dancing With The Stars 2010

The list of possible DWTS winners has always had Nicole Scherzinger as one of the possible winners. Her jive in the final dance got a perfect score of 30 – enough to beat Evan Lysacek’s 28-point quickstep. Nicole’s scores have always been in the top three of the competition. During week three and four Evan and Anna took that title, but Nicole and Derek again dominated for the rest of the series.

DWTS winner isn’t the only one with drama

Many fans didn’t watch DWTS to find out who won Dancing With The Stars 2010, they watched for the drama. The drama of each week was what made the show especially exciting to watch. The drama queen of the show, Kate Gosselin, may have even gotten low interest loans from the producers just to stay on the show. There was a rumor that third-place Erin Andrews was dating her dancing partner. Just in general, though, Buzz Aldrin was the most awesome competitor to watch.

The real performance – after DWTS winner was announced

Competitors got a chance to perform after the DWTS winner announcement. Buzz Aldrin reprised his role on the show, complete with a shiny space-man outfit. In an homage to the judges’ comments, Niecy Nash and Pamela Anderson dressed up in not-much, had a routine where they could really “shake their jiggly parts.” The finale that answered who won Dancing With The Stars 2010 was fun – but not just because of the DWTS winner announcement. Nicole Scherzinger may be the DWTS winner, but all the stars were part of a great season.



Sunday, May 30, 2010

Evan Longoria Allegedly Texts A Naughty Pic

Evan Longoria is mentioned by some in the exact same breath and Mike Schmidt and George Brett, despite the fact that the Tampa Bay Rays 3rd baseman has only played a few seasons. This can maybe be attributed to his highly marketable combination of ability and good looks, both of which have made him an in-demand product endorser. But if anything within the Barstool Sports post “Hey Evan Longoria; Stop Sending Me Pictures of Your @$&%…Sincerely Jenna” is true, then this young man may have to answer to his sponsors, his team and also the league offices.

Article Resource: Evan Longoria allegedly leaks dirty picture online By Personal Money Store

Evan Longoria supposedly was Jenna’s Facebook stalker

Jenna (that’s all we know of her name) claims Evan Longoria found her on Facebook a few years back and tried to no fax cash advance on her. That conversation, according to Jenna, ended with the Rays slugger allegedly sending a nude photo of himself from the waist down. Not only that, but she claims he integrated the completely non-enticing caption “Like that, babe”? Jenna’s response to all of this was “If I wanted to see gross (expletive) d!@$#, I would spend my entire (expletive) day on Chat Roulette”.

Evan Longoria was the Cape League MVP at the time

Evan Longoria was already forging a trail before he hit the large time. Yet all of that didn’t make a grand impression on Miss Jenna. On Barstool, she writes the whole sordid affair “isn’t as entertaining as I’d like it to be.

Why now, Jenna?

It could possibly be that you are really a staffer for Boston-based Barstool Sports and you are trying to mess with the Rays’ mojo so the Boston Red Sox can get back within the American League East race. But she claims that an office conversation with co-workers wandered to the topic of sending nude photos, and Jenna revealed that she’d received just such a photo from a man she claimed to be Evan Longoria. Judging by the tone of her Barstool Sports post, she is less than enthused by the whole concept. Athletes and other celebrities should come away from this with the knowledge that sending those kind of pictures through cyberspace never turns out well. It’ll be interesting to see if this causes a spike in the sale of the MLB 2k10 video game, for which Evan Longoria is a cover model.



Will the electric car kill the Interstate Highway System?

As The United States shifts increasingly toward efficiency standards that require that all vehicles to achieve 35 mpg or better, there may be a hidden peril lurking for the Interstate Highway System. As Keith Crain points out in a recent op-ed piece for Automotive News, the funding mechanism for building the IHS – the Highway Trust Fund – depends heavily upon gasoline tax. When drivers consumer a lot more gasoline, more and a lot more tax dollars are being put into the Highway Trust Fund. Eventually, the new breed of efficient internal combustion and electronic autos will require no gas to operate. Thus, Crain calls for Congress to find option means of maintaining the Highway Trust Fund.

Source for this article: Will the electric car kill the Interstate Highway System?

The Interstate Highway System’s short-term stimulus

During President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration, the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956 (which established the Interstate Highway System) was considered a landmark public works law. The network of highways is nevertheless the largest system of its kind in the world, and the ways in which it has furthered commerce, travel and defense in The United States can’t be discounted. Sadly, lawmakers at the time weren't able to predict how much money would be needed to maintain the IHS. Through various means, Congress has found solutions to keep the Highway Trust Fund operational after its key provisions to back up the IHS had initially expired. Of course, this has only been short term. President Obama’s green initiatives may look good on paper, especially considering expansions of green public transportation, but transitioning the American public to using public transport instead of private automobiles for daily tasks may be a difficult go! al.

The debate on Highway Trust Fund is complicated

C-Span recently posted a three-plus hour debate on funding the highway system. Part of the problem, according to Senators Tom Coburn and John McCain, is that Congress too often “raids the cookie jar,” taking money out of the Highway Trust Fund in order to finance unrelated pet projects. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has proposed a tax on automobile miles traveled (VMT) to help make up for gasoline tax shortages. According to the Washington Post, this idea is exremly unpopular because numerous fear the government will use mileage counters to monitor drivers.

Where is they money going to come from?

There is no answer acceptable to all. Crain advises that Congress seriously consider solutions instead of waiting until the last moment and deciding hastily. A 2009 study published by Tobbits.com indicates that the number of hybrid automobiles on America’s roads grew by nearly 1.6 million. If the trend continues, the Interstate Highway System and Highway Trust Fund difficulties will only increase.

Sources

American Trails

The Washington Post



Saturday, May 29, 2010

Ampyra Release Marred By High Cost And Low Effectiveness

The first drug designed to help MS patients improve their ability to walk, Ampyra received FDA approval early this year. Acorda Therapeutics, the maker of the drug, has presented numerous studies about the effectiveness of Ampyra. The effectiveness of Ampyra has been questioned both before and after its release into the general U.S. market.

The uses of Ampyra

Ampyra is a sustained-release Fampridine SR pill. The drug works by blocking some potassium receptors, which restores impulses between nerves. Though Ampyra has been studied for spinal cord injuries, it has been approved to help patients with Multiple Sclerosis walk more easily and more quickly. Depending on the insurance a patient may or may not have, Ampyra could cost up to $ 15,000 per year. That is a cost that goes above and beyond the no faxing payday loans many patients could qualify for – so what are the risks and rewards of the drug?

What Ampyra is used for

Ampyra is a drug that has shown to help improve walking speed in MS patients. Ampyra works for only about thirty-five percent of patients who take it. The original studies used by Acorda Theraputics to get the drug approved relied on twice-a-day doses. Ampyra in the United States is sold as a single-dose, sustained-release drug. Ampyra is supposed to be taken in addition to other MS drugs that treat symptoms.

The numbers behind Ampyra

While studies have shown that Ampyra is effective, the percentages in the study appear to be only barely statistically significant. The patients who took Ampyra in the study did improve their walking speed by a bit. Patients were able to walk 25 feet between half and .88 seconds more quickly. The statistical significance of this change is just barely above chance. For MS patients that may be declining, though, that improvement could be very helpful.

Dangers of Ampyra

Ampyra is sold with significant side effect warnings. Infections, dizziness, and insomnia are all reported between nine and fifteen percent of the time. Patients taking Ampyra also reported relapses in symptoms almost twice as often as patients taking a placebo. The drug in Ampyra, Fampridine, is actually a bird poison that can cause severe human seizures.

Sales of Ampyra

In the first quarter that Ampyra was FDA-approved for sales in the United States, Acordia reported $ 3.4 million in sales. On March 1, Acordia sent the first Ampyra to pharmacies. About 2,000 prescriptions for Ampyra were written between March 1 and April 29. Many patients are now wondering if the health care costs of Ampyra are, on balance, worth the 35 percent chance they might walk a tiny bit faster.



Taking On IPhone Is Kindle For Android – Is Android Tablet Next?

Kindle is going Android, Amazon has announced. Amazon is teaming up with Google to give the iPhone a run for its money in e-reader functionality. Amazon already offers Kindle software for the iPhone, the iPad, Windows, Mac OS X and BlackBerry devices. The Android already sells Amazon streaming moves and music with built in apps. Except that it took so long to happen, Kindle on the Android isn't any kind of surprise. Some say an Android tablet might be next.

Article Source: Kindle for Android takes on iPhone – Is Android tablet next

Kindle for Android downloads

Downloads are a key advantage of Kindle for Android. Fortune reports that Google’s Android environment, as open as no fax payday loans compared to Apple’s, allows continuous Kindle downloads. Into Android the Kindle bookstore was built by Amazon into seamlessly. Kindle books could be read on iPhone, but when users want to purchase an Amazon book on an iPhone, they have to leave Kindle, open the web browser, then buy the book with an Amazon account. Only then is the purchase transferred wirelessly to the iPhone.

Kindle for iPhone

With Kindle for iPhone, Apple forces a workaround because it doesn’t allow in-app purchases through an iPhone from any person besides Apple. Amazon could sell e-books in Kindle for iPhone, but Apple would have to take a 30 percent cut. Android let Amazon build a storefront inside Kindle for Android, so Amazon can sell products directly, without Android users leaving Kindle.

Features of the Android Kindle

Kindle for Android can be used on Droid Incredible, Google Nexus One, HTC MyTouch, Motorola CLIQ, Motorola Droid and most other Android phones. Optimized for the Android phone with wireless delivery, users can buy e-books from the kindle store. Before purchasing a book, the beginning of it is accessible to try as a sample. Kindle newspapers, magazines and blogs won’t be available on Kindle for Android.

Is an Android tablet next?

Beginning May 19, the Kindle for Android announcement precedes the Google I/O conference. Clint Boulton at eWeek reports that most of the buzz leading up to the event centers on Android. One thing certain to launch at Google I/O is Android 2.2 which will give Kindle for Android a speed increase from previous operating systems. Google officials also want to talk about Android depending tablets. Verizon actually confirmed that they’re working with Google on Android based upon tablets.

Read more on this topic here

Fortune reports

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/05/18/kindle-android-app-goes-beyond-iphone

Clint Boulton at eWeek reports

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Android-22-Google-TV-Expected-at-Google-IO-This-Week-819819/



Make your Chick-fil-A Spicy chicken reservations

Does a free Chick-Fil-A spicy chicken sandwich sound like a good deal? Chick-Fil-A is offering a few free spicy chicken sandwiches, but only with a reservation. In order to get your free Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich, you have to add your name to the reservation list. Before it goes on the official menu, you can get a "preview taste" of the Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich.

Resource for this article: Make your Chick-fil-A Spicy chicken reservations By Personal Money Store

What's the Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich

The week before the spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A goes live, you can get a preview taste with an invitation. In order to reserve your sandwich, go to GetSpicyChicken.com and choose which Chick-fil-A store where you want to pick up your free spicy chicken sandwich. Between May 31 and June 5, take your reservation invitation in to the Chick-fil-A store that you chose when making your reservation.

Chick-fil-A won't sell stock

Chick-fil-A has been a company since about the 1940s, and the first Chick-fil-A store opened its doors about 20 years later. The company has been privately held from the first day it was created. Even Warren Buffett has offered payday cash advances if the company would go public, but the company said no. With revenue of about $ 3 billion in 2009, the company is proving a good investment for the owner and three generations of family that continue to operate the business.

Chick-Fil-A reservation system not working perfectly

Some people trying to make reservations for the free spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A have been encountering problems on Monday morning. Hundreds of thousands of people have tried to sign on to the free Chick-fil-A spicy chicken sandwich, which has sent the website into a tailspin. This spicy chicken sandwich reservation is Chick-fil-A’s way of avoiding a KFC-like disaster and running out of free product. Chick-Fil-A may be courting disaster if they don't get the website working again soon.

The Chick-fil-A chicken secret

The spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A will most likely be a standard Chick-Fil-A sandwich with spicy breading. High-pressure frying the chicken in peanut oil is the special secret of Chick-fil-A chicken. This same high-pressure method is used in most deli stores now as well.



Friday, May 28, 2010

Does ZabaSearch Make Your Private Information Public?

The sticky issue of internet privacy is again in the headlines, thanks to public records search engine ZabaSearch. Some worry that ZabaSearch may be used to share information they don’t want shared. ZabaSearch results aren’t always accurate, however.

Source for this article: Does ZabaSearch make your private information public By Personal Money Store

How Zabasearch gets its information

ZabaSearch operates much like Spokeo or other public-records search programs. Information that is available in public records is crawled by a computer program. When you enter a name into ZabaSearch, it returns the information it has compiled. If you want to pay for extended information, you can get it – but basic results are free.

What all is compiled by ZabaSearch?

When you type a name into Zabasearch, it will return a phone number, an address, and the Google Maps view of the address. If a customer pays for a Zabasearch report, they can get information that ranges from tax resolution records to average home value in the area. When you pay for a Zabasearch result, you will be paying the company Intelius.

Could you remove your information from ZabaSearch?

It can be eye-opening to see all your public information in one area. Public record information isn't new – just the ability to crawl through it all automatically. The information ZabaSearch returns is not always even 50 percent accurate. Humans are not used to connect the dots with the ZabaSearch program. There are two records created if there are two different names on public records – for example, John Doe will create a different record than John A. Doe. Because ZabaSearch relies on public records, it can be very tough to remove your results from all public search engines. You can opt out of ZabaSearch results by faxing the company proof of your identity. To get your information permanently removed from all listings, you have to ask for your public records to be permanently and legally sealed.



Thursday, May 27, 2010

Google Froyo - Android 2.2 Operating System

The Froyo version of the Android, unlike Google's original Android, will work with much more than just cell phones. It sounds like an update called Gingerbread, along with faster processing and Flash support, is on the horizon. Sounds like Google could be serving up quite the delicious buffet of Android.

Article Source: Google Froyo – Android 2.2 operating system

Google Froyo features Flash

When Apple continues to refuse supporting Flash on their phones, Google Froyo will support Flash 10.1. The feature is creating quite the buzz as there are concerns Froyo's Flash support might use many battery power. Although Flash can be used to get some work done, individuals are more excited to be able to create games for the Froyo using Flash. That’s an online personel loans that will pay back for talented developers.

Froyo isn’t really tasty enough for Hulu

The multi channel TV service, Hulu, doesn't appear to be playing nice with Froyo. The Flash 10.1 support on Froyo phones won’t consist of Hulu only because of content support issues. Hulu will work with Google TV, which will be running on a modified Froyo system, as outlined by the announcement at the Google I/O conference.

Prettier, faster, smoother Froyo

Flash isn’t the only update included in Google’s Froyo. With a faster operating system, the Android 2.2 can have a smoother browsing experience. Froyo will allow users to transfer apps they download to their MicroSD card – removing the necessity of downloading them multiple times whenever you purchase a new handset.

In Winter, Froyo will melt

In just a couple of weeks, Froyo will be available for download and updates. However, don’t get too comfortable with your new Google Android operating system. Within the fourth quarter of 2010, Gingerbread, or version 2.3, will be released. Froyo will only be the system you use in the summer months.



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Making A Point About Free Speech With Everyone Draw Mohammed Day

Making A Point About Free Speech With Everybody Draw Mohammed Day

May 20 is now “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day,” thanks to Facebook. We can officially add this "holiday" as one a lot more odd non-official holiday. Some individuals, such as the organizers, see this day as a way to spark debate. This "holiday", though, really runs more of a risk of anger than understanding.

Article Source: Everybody Draw Mohammed Day – Making a free speech point By Personal Money Store

Everybody Draw Mohammed Day – the context

The essential questions that lie behind Everybody Draw Mohammed Day are building for years. A tenant of the Muslim religion bans showing images of God or the prophet Mohammed. The controversy over non-Muslims drawing the prophet really started in about 2005, when a Danish newspaper printed 12 images of Mohammed. Most recently, the creators of “South Park” have faced death threats for their episode that satirizes the prohibition on showing Mohammed. Some estimates blame this five-year controversy for as much as 200 deaths, and it has led to lawsuits in and outside of the United States that have costs running into the millions of dollars. Rather than hide or hire bodyguards, numerous people are choosing cash until payday loan to face threats of personal injury head-on.

The point of Everyone Draw Mohammed Day

On April 23, Everybody Draw Mohammed Day was announced on the Portland Mercury site. This "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" was created as a way to respond to the death threats against "South Park" creators. The informational page on Facebook for Everyone Draw Mohammed Day says the creators hope to "spark severe debate in international forums.”

Everyone Draw Mohammad Day – the effects

An incredibly wide variety of groups, organizations, and people have responded to Everybody Draw Mohammed Day. At one point, the page was deleted by Facebook, though it was eventually restored. Free speech advocates are calling Everyone Draw Mohammed Day a way to exercise the right to free speech. Some religious tolerance groups are concerned that the “celebration” of the day could very easily turn into mockery of all Muslims, not just the extremists that are the intended target. Some countries have actually blocked access to Facebook and YouTube.

What is your opinion? Is this "celebration" dangerous or offensive? Or is Everybody Draw Mohammed Day a way to spark debate and peacefully express free speech?



Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Jimmy Kimmel features Lost alternate endings and Lost finale explanation

For anybody who has spent the last year waiting for the “Lost” finale explanation, the “Lost” alternate endings on Jimmy Kimmel were maybe slightly less satisfying than the real “Lost” finale – but not by much.

Source for this article: Lost alternate endings on Jimmy Kimmel and Lost finale explanation

Jimmy Kimmel offers up alternate endings to 'Lost'

On a post-”Lost” wrapup party of a show, “Lost” alternate endings on Jimmy Kimmel featured 3 of the “best” ideas of the two show writers. Because it was Jimmy Kimmel, these "Lost" alternate endings are not so much on the serious side. It could even be said that these three endings were some of the best "Lost" endings on the market.

‘Lost’ finale explanation

Unless you’ve been following” Lost,” a comprehensive “Lost” finale explanation might be incredibly confusing. The past and also the future took hundreds of liberal cheap pay day loans from itself – and it got confusing easily. So, to make a six-year, alternate-reality, time-traveling story short: it was all purgatory. This explanation for the "Lost" finale isn't quite the same as the "dream sequence" on Jimmy Kimmel alternate "Lost" endings. Before heading on to the afterlife, this alternate reality was evidently just a way for "Lost" characters to meet up and have a pow-wow before moving on. All the questions that you still have? Sorry, but the answers will never be found.

Future plans after ‘Lost’ finale?

Will the end of "Lost" really be this series finale explanation, or will there be more. With so numerous questions and character stories left unexplained, “Lost” seems a rich storyline to mine for movies, spin-off series and a lot more. The creators of the series, though, have simply said no. As long as the creators stick to their guns, there can be no "Lost" comic or movie. Legions of Lost fans may choose to do their own fan fiction. This may be disappointing to fans, but in the end, was there really any way "Lost" finale explanation could involve anything and anything the six years brought up?



Critics Not Entirely Blown Away By MacGruber

A feature film of MacGruber had been rumored for some time. The Saturday Night Live parody of MacGyver was a hit with fans, and it made for some great commercials, but it is not much of a hit with critics. It can be competing at the box office with the fourth and final installment of the Shrek franchise, Shrek Forever After. The reviews for both are lukewarm.

Source for this article: MacGruber hits theaters, fails to blow minds of critics By Personal Money Store

MacGruber on the big screen

After all the television shorts and Super Bowl spots, MacGruber is now a feature film. It will compete for box office payday advances with a film starring an SNL alumnus, that being Mike Meyers. The MacGruber character parodies action heroes from the 1980s, complete with mullet. Granted, the target audience may be too young to remember MacGyver, or John Carpenter's masterpiece They Live. Rotten Tomatoes gives MacGruber a score above 50 percent, but Kurt Loder of MTV is non-plussed.

Shrek Forever After will do, donkey

There could be no Shrek sequels forever after Shrek Forever After. It is another sequel, and Rotten Tomatoes gives it just over a 50 percent rating also. Sequels tend to run out of steam eventually, and some film franchises run out of steam instantly because they just stink (Transformers comes to mind.) It does have 3D going for it though. It may be at least interesting visually.

Scene-apsis

We’ve all seen the MacGruber trailers and TV spots, so we know what we’re getting. It won’t be a thinking persons’ film, but it should be amusing. It seems SNL movies just aren't what they used to be, but considering that they've had various flops to every success, a quality SNL film is a rare bird. The new Shrek film, like many other movies these days, is relying on 3D to sell it. Something can look great, but if it's a lousy movie, it is nevertheless a lousy movie. However, many people sure are convinced that it does.

A lot more information on this topic

MacGruber

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/macGruber/

Kurt Loder

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1639736/20100521/story.jhtml

Rotten Tomatoes

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shrek_goes_fourth/



Monday, May 24, 2010

Was Ken Griffey Hr. Asleep At The Ballpark?

Did Ken Griffey Jr. Fall Asleep At The Ballpark?

Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners was supposedly asleep during a game which is the reason he wasn't used to punch hit. On Saturday, the Mariners played the Anaheim Angels and lost 3-4. It has been denied by Griffey and Mariners' manager Don Wakamatsu . If the reports were false, hopefully the source didn’t get a cash til payday loan for the erroneous info.

Asleep at the game is Ken Griffey Jr.

On Saturday, the Seattle Mariners were playing the second of a three-game series against the Anaheim Angels, and supposedly Ken Griffey Jr. went into the locker room around the fifth inning An anonymous source says he was found two innings later within the clubhouse, asleep. The original story ran Monday in the Tacoma Tribune and was written by Larry LaRue, quoting two anonymous Mariners players as his sources. The mariners, Ken Griffey Jr., and Wakamatsu deny it.

Other people slept watching the game

Wakamatsu denied that it happened, and he has told the press the reason Griffey did not pinch hit was because he was not picked to pinch hit, as outlined by MLB.com. The Mariners lost anyway so apparently it didn't make a difference. They also lost to the Angels in the game before that. The game in question, on Saturday, May 8, was the closest loss of the 3 game series, 3-4. The game before was a 0-8 shutout, but the Mariners really fought back impressively on Sunday, May 9, in Anaheim, winning with 8-1. The Mariners are now 13 – 19 for the season, which is not their best but not their worst either.

Calls for the slugger to retire

Ken Griffey Jr. isn't young. He’s 40 years old, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s done for, or that he can’t contribute. (Take a look at Brett Favre that came within one game of the Super Bowl just late year.) This last year he had an average of .214 with 57 RBIs and 44 home runs. This year he has averaged .200 with 5 RBIs and 5 runs. That isn't bad so maybe calls for retirement are a bit premature.

Sources for the article

MLB.com

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100511&content_id=9965914&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb



Cash For Gold Scams Rise, Stock Market Tanks, Cash F Or Gold Scams Soar

Cash For Gold Scams Rise, Stock Market Tanks, Cash F Or Gold Scams Soar

Recently, all the action has been within the gold market. As a neurotic stock market and the European debt crisis spur predictions of a global financial meltdown, a vault full of gold is like a dose of Valium for stressed out investors. On Wednesday, the spot gold price was a lot more than 1,200 dollars an ounce as fears of investors drive stock lower. Gold is wanted by European investors and banks as the Euro tanks and the dollar flutters. And investment gurus like Richard Russell are telling individuals to avoid the stock market like the plague and purchase gold stocks instead.

Source for this article: Gold price soars, stock market tanks, cash for gold scams rise By Personal Money Store

Get cash for your gold

The soaring gold price and prolonged economic downturn have brought cash for gold scam artists out of the woodwork. MarketWatch reports that as cash-strapped consumers who rely on best payday loans sell their gold to pay for necessities, complaints against gold dealers are rising rapidly. The biggest offenders, according to the Better Business Bureau’s website (BBB.org), are companies saying they’ll buy gold jewelry and advertising heavily on cable television channels.

The gold market soars in price

The gold spot price set a record high on May 12 of $ 1,241–a jump of 2 percent six days after the stock market Flash Crash. Since May 2009, the gold price has risen 34.2 percent. But Fortune reports that the current gold market price, after it is adjusted for inflation, pales from the true peak in 1980, when the gold price hit $ 825.50 an ounce — $ 2,180.27 in 2010 dollars. The gold spot price is expected to continue rising as gold stocks provide a hedge against risk in volatile markets. Managing director of American Precious Metal Advisors, Jeffery Nichols, told Fortune the gold market price could reach $ 1,500 an ounce or higher by the end of the year.

Scams of cash for gold

Scam artists within the cash for gold business are just taking advantage of the soaring gold price. There are some cash for companies that use "scam" in their website address and then say they are honest. Other sites seek to protect consumers. On cashforgoldscams.com, one consumer complaint says a couple went to pawn shops and got offers up to $ 350. They wanted more and went to Cash4Gold, which offers a “fast cash” option where the customers waive their right to dispute the amount they receive. The couple received a check for $ 67.70 two weeks later. With a little over half an ounce of 14k gold, these rings would have been worth around $ 500.

Cash for gold scam law

WXPI.com reports that Anthony Weiner, US Rep., believes that Cash4Gold, one of the biggest advertisers on TV, is systematically ripping off customers. Weiner is proposing legislation that would require companies to give customers bids on the jewelry and force them to return gold by insured mail.

The Gold market really raises with inflation

The ultimate hedge against rising prices are gold stocks. Inflation is added to the current batch of investor fears by trillions of dollars in government bailouts in the US and Europe. The Daily Reckoning reports that not just inflation, but hyperinflation is the monster under the bed as the Federal Reserve floods the economy with free money. The U.S. National debt is already 12.8 trillion, but it rises to $ 19.1 trillion when it includes the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac balance sheets. Throw in all of the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the debt is $ 79.1 trillion — 5.5 times the U.S. GDP of $ 14.2 trillion.

Expect run on gold to continue

In his latest Dow Theory Letter prediction Tuesday, Richard Russell forecasts a stock market crash. Russell says that all investors need to get out of the stock market, pay down any debt had, and convert wealth into liquid assets. Richard Russell's Dow Theory Letter is taken quite seriously by investors. Chances are his prediction of a stock market crash will encourage a stock market sell-off and a run on cash and gold.

Citations

MarketWatch reports

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gullible-consumers-may-get-gored-on-gold-price-sellers-beware-2010-04-22

Fortune reports

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/14/markets/gold_record/index.htm?postversion=2010051413

cashforgoldscams.com

http://www.cashforgoldscams.com/scam2.htm



Sunday, May 23, 2010

Law And Order Gets No New Order For Episodes

The original Law and Order has been canceled after two decades. It marks the end of an era; the cop and prosecutor procedural show that takes place in and around New York City has been around since 1990. After this season wraps, that will be it according to producer Dick Wolf. The spin off shows will continue, nevertheless, along with a new one for the fall. The original show is over, but syndication and the spin off series mean the producers won’t be hurting for instant money.

Source for this article: Law and Order has been canceled By Personal Money Store

Dodgers inspire Law and Order

It was announced that though Law and Order the original is facing the firing squad, hope springs eternal. According to the New York Times, a new spin off will debut called Law and Order Los Angeles. Just like the Dodgers, they are closing the New York offices and heading to California. The longest running TV drama on primetime is nevertheless Gunsmoke, and producer Dick Wolf was known to have wanted to put it out of first place.

Spin offs abound

Hardly any other show has produced as many spin offs as Law and Order. There is Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: UK and now Law and Order: LA. There were others that did not fare also. A movie is rumored to be within the works, also as a trademark infringement suit brought by Chuck Norris, as Law and Order are the names given to his left and right boots.

Other TV Shows that fell under the axe

Spring brings April Showers, May Flowers, and canceled TV Shows. Widely popular shows are no exception, as both Lost and 24 were booted from production. The Ghost Whisperer will now become a ghost itself, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Numb3rs aren't being renewed, among others.

Read a lot more on this topic here

New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/15/arts/television/15law.html?pagewanted=1



Tulsa Public Schools Label 286 Teachers Non-tender

Tulsa Public Schools, much like Rhode Island schools before it, are now removing scores of teachers from their jobs. The sad words of the Tulsa World tell the tale: Tulsa Public Schools are sending home 286 teachers for the summer and asking them not to return. That’s about 10 percent of the total number of teachers who work for Tulsa Public Schools . It doesn’t even take into account the 125 office and support staff who had already been released. These were good employees, not under performing driftwood. Good teachers are being cast away.

Media says Tulsa Public Schools will try to recall half

Half of the Tulsa Public Schools teachers who have fallen may come back. Yet as the World indicates, the Oklahoma legislature would have to come to a favorable budget agreement. The legislators must approve that as part of the spending budget, otherwise there could be no such positive action. The teachers will discover themselves in need of the installment payday loans if things continue to go south.

The cost-cutting worth isn’t really worth what the children have to face

No number-crunching can hide that $15 million in savings on the school system’s budget pales in comparison to the human casualties. Teachers may have to pick up the pieces and make an effort to steer their own families in a financial boat with a broken rudder; similarly, the kids could have to try to learn when being stuffed into leftover classrooms like sardines. Tulsa Public Schools Director of Human Capital Roberta Ellis talked about sensitivity and kindness when crying herself about how tough the times are, writes the Tulsa World. Did Roberta Ellis or any similarly officious administrators do their part to keep teachers in Tulsa Public Schools by sacrificing personal salary, one wonders. The peons are almost always the victims, rarely the top brass.

Baby boomers’ claws do not retract

Baby boomer teachers in large numbers did not accept early retirement packages offered by Tulsa Public Schools. Cash bonuses for early retirement had been offered before, but the older teachers largely balked. This, unfortunately, was not enough to prevent the layoffs.

Fallout of the layoff explosion

The Eugene Field school principal within the Tulsa Public Schools system told the World that some of the teachers shown the door had just purchased new dwellings. One of those teachers is a single mom. While some would play the world’s tiniest violin over that image, others might say that it is infinitely a lot more sorrowful to look at administrators go on paid retreats and make golf arrangements. The kids of Tulsa Public Schools should know that even if they learn nothing else that will prepare them for the world, at least they can learn from this ordeal that being a mediocre administrator is inexcusable.

Sources

Tulsa World

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=332&articleid=20100513_19_0_TulsaP94353



Nashville Rising Concert To Benefit Flood Relief

Nashville Rising Concert To Benefit Flood Relief

Right following the flood waters started to recede, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have organized Nashville Rising. This concert involves more than 14 prepared performances from big names in music and is set to raise money to help Nashville and Tennessee recover from the flooding disaster. You get to see an amazing concert when giving instant cash loans to the recovery.

Nashville Rising organized by McGraw and Hill

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, country music’s power couple, organized the Nashville Rising concert. To produce the concert, they worked with Outback Concerts, AEG Live, and Live Nation. Bravado, Ticketmaster and Outback Steakhouse have also signed on as corporate sponsors of the Nashville Rising. Tickets go on sale today, May 14, and also the concert can be June 22.

More than 14 acts features by Nashville Rising

The stars who have signed on to perform at Nashville Rising cover a wide gamut of styles. It still is very country music heavy which is good for the country music capitol of the US. The performers contain Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Leann Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Nashville Rising to benefit Tennessee

At the Bridgestone arena in Nashville is where the Nashville Rising concert could be held. Tickets can be anywhere from $ 25 to $ 75 to benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The mayor in Nashville thinks flood costs might be as high as $ 1 billion. The hope is that the impact is noticeable to raise that much money. Profits won't just go to flood cleanup, the influx of music fans traveling to town, supporting the hotels, restaurants and tourist activities may also have a optimistic economic impact on the area. Would you like to go to the concert? Ticketmaster has tickets available. Get more data at Nashvillerising.org

Citations

Nashvillerising.org

http://www.nashvillerising.org/



Saturday, May 22, 2010

Guerdwich Montimere, 22, Nabbed For Posing As High Schooler

Guerdwich Montimere, 22, Arrested For Posing As HS Student

Guerdwich Montimere clearly is a subscriber to the notion that patrolling the halls of high school equals the best of times. The 22-year-old graduated from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2007. The young man was a skilled basketball player during his reign at Dillard, and more than likely wanted another taste. Perhaps he couldn’t pay tuition without an installment payday loans. Once 2009 rolled around, the young man from Haiti made the decision to pretend to be a high school student again so he could dominate the competition on the court. His next brilliant leap of logic was to pretend to be 15 and enroll at Permian High School out of Odessa, Texas. As the Odessa American reports, Guerdwich Montimere (aka Jerry Joseph) has been arrested for his little game.

Guerdwich Montimere charged with using false identification

Guerdwich Montimere's fake documents proved to be enough to fool head basketball coach Danny Wright, with whom he lived after enrolling at Permian. The news threw Wright for a loop, particularly since Montimere/Joseph was close enough to be considered “a family member” by coach and family. ”The whole school of Permian embraced that kid. He deceived us and played on every person involved’s emotions,” the crestfallen hardwood coach exclaimed to the Odessa American publication.

Leon Fuller, Permian’s athletic director, was equally stunned: “I feel like I was hit by a ton of bricks. In my 50 years in education, I’ve never heard of anything like this”.

Blame it on Florida

According to the American, Odessa authorities received an anonymous tip from someone in Florida, where Montimere attended high school legitimately. Might that are a friend of family member of Montimere’s? Whatever the case, that tip is what led immigration to Jerry Joseph’s door. Their investigation led to Joseph’s unmasking as Guerdwich Montimere.

At least they have football

Odessa’s Permian High School is famous for its football program, so much so that it inspired the book “Friday Night Lights,” which in turn inspired a popular television series of the same name. Guerdwich Montimere went for the half-court shot with his dangerous dame, and the Permian Panthers will have to forfeit their basketball season because of it.

Article Sources

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/05/22-year-old-texas-high-school-basketball-star-arrested-for-posing-as-16-year-old-/1



Friday, May 21, 2010

In Q1 1020, Droid Outsells IPhone – Android Vs. IPhone

In Q1 1020, Droid Outsells IPhone - Android Vs. IPhone

The Android vs. iPhone battle got more entertaining as the Android underdog phone outsold the Apple iPhone in first quarter 2010. Apple is winning the war, even if the Android did win one small battle. Apple enjoys a huge lead in total smartphone sales over Android. Blackberry, of course, dominates the field. While Apple iPhone and Blackberry sales are down, the Android market is trending upward. Some analysts think the trend will continue making the iPhone vs. Android margin smaller.

Milestone of Android vs. iPhone

The Android vs. iPhone hit a milestone when the Android caught 28 percent of smartphone sales last quarter reports the NPD group. NPD reports that Apple’s iPhone won 21 percent of all the smartphone sales, while Research in Motion’s Blackberry took 36 percent. According to ComScore, which is a digital market research firm, a key stat in Android vs. iPhone is that Google’s Android operating system had just nine percent of the market as of February 2010, in contrast to the iPhone’s 25.4 percent.

Others falter with Android phone gains

In winning the latest round of iPhone vs. Droid, PC World explains that Google’s OS is the only smartphone OS whose share of sales grew over the previous quarter. Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and WebOS sales are falling like a mortgage loan modification, and iPhone sales are flat. If this trend continues, PC World’s J.R. Raphael said Android will catch up to its competitors for total market share in a very short time.

How did Android beat iPhone?

Android phone sales may have overtaken Apple’s iPhone, as outlined by the Los Angeles Times, because of Google’s freewheeling partnering tactics that have gotten the Android operating system onto as many phones as possible. From 12 manufacturers, there are a lot more than 30 Android powered devices now. These devices contain Sprint, AT and T, T-mobile, and Verizon.

Is iPhone Verizon on the horizon?

The much speculated iPhone Verizon offering looms larger as Google wins the latest round of the iPhone vs. Droid scuffle. Apple and AT and T are tied in a partnership that is very exclusive. An analyst with Technology Business Research, Ezra Gottheil, told Computerworld, “That’s your classic technology acquisition curve. Of those within the U.S. who are interested in an iPhone and willing to put up with AT and T, fairly much all have already bought one. What’s left for Apple — as long as it’s tied to AT and T in its exclusive partnership — is largely the iPhone replacement market”.

iPhone worldwide soars

Apple won't say when but it is expected that the iPhone Verizon deal will happen. Apple is continuing the iPhone vs. Droid matchup everywhere else. Last month Apple announced Worldwide iPhone sales were up 131 percent in the first quarter compared to the same three-month stretch in 2009.

Resources

NPD reports

http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100510.html

PC World

http://www.pcworld.com/article/195958/android_outsells_apple_iphone_at_last_says_npd.html

Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/05/google-android-overtakes-iphone-npd-research.html



Thursday, May 20, 2010

Houston Teacher Beats Student And Gets Caught On Tape

Houston Teacher Beats Student And Gets Caught On Tape

Before it got really and truly serious, students thought they were witnessing a joke when they saw a teacher beating a student. By causing outrage across the country, this teacher beating a student has launched police and school district investigations. Because she has been fired, the teacher will have to useinstallment payday loans to pay for her defense. Across the country, the video and story are causing disgust and disbelief.

Teacher beating student caught on cell-phone video

The so-called “teacher beating” caught on tape by a cell phone shows an incident where a teacher beats a student. In the video, the teacher beating shows a young adolescent being backed into a corner, then hit, slapped and kicked by an adult woman. The charter school in Houston where this beating took place employed Sherri Davis, the alleged aggressor, as a science teacher. The entire teacher beating caught on tape began, evidently, since the 13-year old boy had teased one more student. Though he had been misbehaving, it certainly seems like there might be no justification for a teacher beating a student.

Will the teacher beating a student lead to legal charges?

When the school district was informed of the teacher beating student event, they placed teacher Sherri Davis on administrative leave. Sherri Davis has been fired now that the teacher beating video has been posted to YouTube. The teacher and student were not the only people within the room – there were multiple other school employees and students within the room. Given the fact teachers tend to be overworked and underpaid, one might wonder why more teachers do not “just snap. Both the school and the Harris County Sheriff’s Department are looking to the allegations. It is possible that Sherri Davis will be charged with assault, among other things, for her treatment of Isaiah Johnson. A conviction for assault can lead to a fine of $ 10,000, which is a full three months of an average teachers' salary .

Resources

CBS News

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20004788-504083.html

L.A. Times

http://www.latimes.com/kiah-charter-school-student-beaten-story,0,6024071.story

UK Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7717790/US-teacher-sacked-after-being-filmed-beating-student.html



Who'll Take The NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote – Koli Or Daris?

All fans of "The Biggest Loser" listen up – the NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is now left up to you. In order to choose the third finalist for the May 25 finale, the NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is asking the viewers to weigh in. What's your opinion about "The Biggest Loser" finale 2010 showdown? Should it be Daris or should it be Koli?

Article Resource: NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote – Daris or Koli By Personal Money Store

Put your opinion in on the NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote site

NBC.com Biggest Loser vote gives you a chance to put in your two cents about who should win the grand prize on the show. On the season finale show, May 25, this grand prize of $ 250,000 could be handed out, as well as a $ 100,000 “at home” prize – quite the payday loans no fax for taking time off work and life to lose weight.

Getting involved on NBC.com Biggest Loser vote

The NBC.com Biggest Loser vote is just one of the many reasons individuals visit the Biggest Loser website. The TV show has spawned every little thing from workout videos to Biggest Loser recipes – bringing a lot more than $ 50 million in to NBC. Fifty million is a heck of a lot of money – even within the sixty billion dollar weight loss industry where "The Biggest Loser" is one of the most popular weight loss shows.

NBC.com Biggest Loser vote – going too far?

NBC.com Biggest Loser Vote asks for viewers of "The Biggest Loser" to help choose who gets to compete for the final prize on the TV show. While it could be encouraging to individuals trying to lose weight, some wonder if "The Biggest Loser" goes way too far. The weight-loss strategies shown on the Biggest Loser are, to be put simply, not realistic. Competitors on the show starve and dehydrate themselves for weigh-ins, and are known to try over a gain of a pound.

It is done unrealistically and unhealthily, but "The Biggest Loser" does help people lose weight. Taking a number of months out of one’s life to lose weight is great, but not something many of us can do. Losing weight on your own is, simply, nothing like "The Biggest Loser". There is no Calorie Commando, Jillian Michaels workout video, or secret recipe that will give you the ultimate simple answer you've never heard of. Eat less than you work off. Period.

Additional information at these websites

NBC.com Biggest Loser vote

http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/vote/register.shtml



Fighting For Business Is Dealer Service Departments

Dealer Service Departments Fighting For Business

The recession forced numerous consumers to have to hold onto their cars for longer than they’d prepared, which is both a blessing and a curse for dealer service departments, says Wards Auto. Car sales and warranty jobs are down quite a bit (also as the market for auto loan financing), which has prompted dealer service departments to intensify their efforts to market their services to the public. Increases in ad spending – by as much as 30 percent for some dealers, as reported by Wards– carry the hope that the market will begin to show a lot more optimistic returns.

Numerous dealer service departments see short term gains

Consumers who keep their cars for a longer time frame will inevitably run into a lot more situations where auto repair and more extensive vehicle maintenance are necessary. To put it simply, “If individuals keep their cars longer, there is business to be had,” says DriverSide CEO Jad Dunning. AutoMD reports that nearly half of drivers in a recent poll have driven their current cars a lot more than 100,000 miles. The short-term added repair costs that tends to go hand-in-hand with such increased mileage is estimated to be about $ 2,500 per car owner, said AutoMD President Shane Evangelist.

Dealer service departments are predicted to lose out within the long term

J.D. Power and Associates estimate that dealer service departments could lose as much as 20 percent of their expected business between now and 2013, Wards reports. This is also an area dealers have to improve in: keeping their customers instead of losing them. Better customer service is the primary tool dealerships will attempt to use to stop the bleeding. Expanding service to seven days of the week and making contact with customers more often are also some ideas. Pre-paid maintenance plans and upselling extended warranties might also be necessary.

Instead of warranty work, focus on maintenance

Since there aren't as numerous new automobile sales today, it pays to shift from business models that depend on warranty work. Old cars that aren't covered by warranty anymore will need repair and service frequently changing the business model for service departments. Also, expanding dealer service departments’ inventory to include a lot more accessories is a goal dealers like Sid DeBoer of Medford, Oregon’s, Lithia Motors have in mind. He told Wards that he is “frustrated we don’t do better in accessories.” The same chain has a Sacramento, Calif., store that leads the way with accessory sales, so DeBoer hopes his dealership can follow suit.

Sources

Wards Auto

http://wardsauto.com/home/auto_dealers_serious_100513/



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Rob Lowe Ended Up Being Killed On The Brothers And Sisters Season Finale 2010

Rob Lowe Ended Up Being Killed On The Brothers And Sisters Season Finale 2010

TV shows often have their final episode until fall as spring draws nearer to a close, and also the large question about the ”Brothers and Sisters” season finale 2010 was what is going to happen with Rob Lowe. Evidently Brat Packer no longer wanted to be on the show since he didn't like the series. Off the show is what he got, as his character Robert McCallister was presumably killed off. However, it isn’t as though Rob Lowe will need a cash until payday loan because he’s already landed a gig on Parks and Recreation.

Season Finale 2010 of 'Brothers and Sisters'

The 2010 season finale of Brothers and Sisters was sad considering Rob Lowe's character died. He did, and also the next season of “Brothers and Sisters” will not feature Senator Robert McCallister, except perhaps in flashbacks. The other news within the show was the the brother of Nora Walker, Saul Holden, is HIV optimistic. I am certain that a lot more drama is to follow next season. The show will pick up again in 12 months.

Rob Lowe off for ‘Parks and Recreation’

Reportedly, Rob Lowe had been dissatisfied with his role on “Brothers and Sisters” and is departing for greener pastures. He made his first appearance on May 13 on Parks and Recreation as he will now be a part of the cast. It isn’t known whether he could be joining as a recurring guest or as a regular character. This comedy, modeled after the Office, was picked up for a third season. He appears to be one of the few Brat Pack alumni that is left standing, as others have almost fallen off the map or settled for occasional roles. He can hold his own in comedic roles, as he featured in some very funny films like “Wayne’s World,” the Austin Powers series and “Thank You For Smoking.”



Ronnie James Dio Dies At 67

Ronnie James Dio Dies At 67

Ronnie James Dio, the singer, has passed away at 67. In 2009, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He was a legend of hard rock and heavy metal music. He had been the singer for Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and was successful in his own right with solo works. Along with the recent passing of Peter Steele, this has so far been a bad year for metal.

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio was born in 1942, in New Hampshire as Ronald James Padovona. In his earlier years, he played various brass instruments, which is what he attributed to his vocal prowess to. He formed the band Elf in the early 70s, after more than a decade of grinding out a living around New England. The band was discovered by Deep Purple, who took hired Elf numerous times as an opening act.

Rainbow

After Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple, he hired Elf as his backing band, recording and releasing a record with that lineup as Rainbow. He was also instrumental in popularizing the “metal” or “devil horns,” which he got from his Italian immigrant grandmother. The gesture is called a “malocchio,” though it is now called “the horns." It was adopted as the sign of The Metal.

Black Sabbath

Dio left Rainbow after having creative differences with Ritchie Blackmore, and auditioned for Black Sabbath as they had fired Ozzy Osbourne recently at the time. Ronnie James Dio was hired almost right away, and recorded the albums “Mob Rules” and “Heaven and Hell." Despite the firing of the legendary original singer, the albums were quite successful. Dio quit Black Sabbath after the live recording "Live Evil" and embarked on a solo career.

Holy Diver

Ronnie James Dio assembled a band for a solo record, which was called “Holy Diver,” long considered a classic. The album had two stand out hits with the title track and “Rainbow in the Dar,” which are still played on rock radio stations. He continued releasing solo albums until 2006 and briefly reunited with Black Sabbath in 1992 for the "Dehumanizer" album.

Heaven and Hell

Ronnie James Dio and Black Sabbath crossed paths yet again, when Ozzy Osbourne wasn't working with the band. To avoid conflicts with Ozzy, they decided that they would work under a different name. The band was redubbed, Heaven and Hell, and Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice hit the road, playing numerous dates and releasing a live album of old hits and “The Devil You Know” in 2009, a brand new studio album. After Dio was diagnosed with cancer, the band went on hiatus. On May 16, his wife Wendy posted that he had passed away on the Dio website. Ronnie James Dio could be sorely missed as one of the greats of the last 30 years, a man of myth and legend.

Resources

Dio website

http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/

The Horns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns



Arrested Was Food Network Chef, Juan-Carlos Cruz

Arrested Was Food Network Chef, Juan-Carlos Cruz

When a Food Network chef is arrested, the situation is ripe for humor, but the arrest of Juan-Carlos Cruz is no laughing matter. The Food Network chef arrested no longer works for the Food Network, which may explain why he was “very cheap” when he allegedly hired three individuals to kill his wife. Maybe he used no faxing payday loan to pay for it?

Arrested in Santa Monica is Food Network Chef

The Food Network Chef arrested, Juan-Carlos Cruz, is due to appear in a Santa Monica courtroom this morning. His plot of hiring 3 homeless people to kill his wife didn't work out so well when one of them turned him in. Identified as “Big Dave,” “Little Dave” and “Shane,” these three men said Cruz was “very meticulous” and “very cheap.” He is being held on $ 5 million in bail.

Low calorie cooking is what the arrested chef specializes in

The Food Network chef arrested, Juan-Carlos Cruz, made his public celebrity chef name on low calorie cooking. After he appeared on a Discovery Channel Body Challenge show, Juan-Carlos Cruz lost a bunch of weight. A previous pastry chef, Cruz changed his cooking focus to low-calorie meals. The Food Network chef arrested starred in Calorie Commando, a show dedicated to “replacing the junk in food with healthy alternatives.”

Watch the Food Network Chef arrested demo reel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOOCqtB7NyI

Part of weight loss industry was Food Network chef being arrested

The U.S. weight loss market is estimated to be worth more than $ 65 billion. The Food Network Chef who was arrested has been a part of this industry most recently with his cookbook. The $ 7.49 cookbook, "Juan-Carlos Cruz Calorie Countdown Cookbook" got 4 ½ star ratings. Juan hired himself out as a speaker and consultant as this cheap cookbook probably isn't paying the bills.

Article Resources

Boston Herald

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view/20100517tv_chef_juan-carlos_cruz_to_face_la_judge_over_alleged_murder_plot/srvc=home&position=recent

Wire Update

http://wireupdate.com/wires/4796/food-network-chef-juan-carlos-cruz-arrested-and-to-make-courtroom-appearance-today/

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Juan-Carlos-Cruz-Calorie-Countdown-Cookbook/dp/1592402585



Tuesday, May 18, 2010

YouCut Combines Social Networking With Government Finance

YouCut Blends Social Networking And Government Finance

A new project has been launched called YouCut. The idea is to alert voters to some of the spending cuts before Congress and get them to sound off about them. It was launched by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor from Virginia. Visitors can vote online or by text message on which cuts they think are best. The government has been running for installment loans for people with bad credit enough already, and it is no surprise financial reform is a big issue.

YouCut wants your input

When the government spends a lot more than it earns, it is troublesome to many individuals, including Rep. Eric Cantor. He wants public input, so the website has gone up looking for individuals to sound off online (sadly for Luddites) as to what spending cuts they think are best. Five new spending cuts will be offered each week, and you can choose which ones are the most egregious. Eric Cantor is, after all, the House Minority Whip, and he is lending the public his ear regarding what they want cut from the budget.

So how do i vote?

Simply go to the YouCut website. You can vote online or by text message. There will be five choices, or rather, five spending cuts that the House is considering. Simply choose the cut you’d like to see happen. For now, there’s cuts to the Presidential Election Fund, taxpayer subsidies for federal employee union activities, HUD research grants, certain welfare programs, and Community Development and Block Grants to rich neighborhoods.

Really not a bad idea

One of the amazing things about the internet is that individuals everywhere can connect and have their voices heard. One of the horrible things about the internet is it allows people to communicate with others and voice their opinions. Government spending is a large issue these days, and it probably should be. It isn’t as though it is all chump change. The government has been running a deficit for the last 19 months straight, as outlined by Reuters.

Sources

YouCut

http://www.republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/

Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64B53W20100512

Luddites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite



Cash For Caulkers - 168,000 Jobs, $ 9.2 Billion In Energy Savings

168,000 Jobs, $ 9.2 Billion In Energy Savings - Cash Of Caulkers

Cash for Caulkers 2010, which is known as the Home Star bill also, gives homeowners rebates from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 for energy-efficient improvements to their homes. The Cash for Caulkers 2010 bill, which was passed by the House, will dole out $ 5.7 billion over two years for a program aimed to stimulate the construction industry, which has been gutted severely by the recession. Republicans were nearly united in being against the Cash for Caulkers bill which needs Senate approval still before Obama can sign it.

Cash for Caulkers and details

With Cash for Caulkers 2010, homeowners may not need quick cash for thousands of dollars in energy-saving home improvements. The name of the bill is word-play inspired by the 2009 Cash for Clunkers bill that encouraged vehicle buyers to get rid of their gas hogs. CBS News reports that Cash for Caulkers information consist of two programs: There is the Silver Star program that provides upfront rebates of up to $ 3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors. A Gold Star program entitles individuals to up to $ 8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce their energy used throughout their homes by more than 20 percent.

Rules in Cash for Caulkers

To prevent fraud, Cash for Caulkers rules require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects could be inspected. The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates for renovations such as insulation, improved windows and doors and water heaters at the time of purchase. This credit is worth up to $ 1,500 per improvement and capped at $ 3,000 or 50 percent of the total project cost. Following an energy audit, the Gold Star program can provide $ 3,000 for energy savings of 20 percent, with an additional $ 1,000 for each and every additional 5 percent energy savings. This can be capped at $ 8,000 or fifty percent of the cost.

Home energy audit in Cash for Caulkers

Cash for Caulkers information about the Gold Star home energy audit requirement can be found on the web. A home energy auditor can help home owners assess how much energy their homes use and evaluate what measures will improve efficiency. Five minutes and the last 12 months of utility bills are all it takes to do an at home energy audit using energystar.gov. A professional home energy auditor will tell you a lot more energy savings. A professional home energy auditor could be using a variety of equipment a lot more effective for testing such as blower doors, which measure the rate heating or cooling escapes the home, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Cash for Caulker's impact on economy

Cash for Caulkers moves to the Senate now that it has passed in the house. CBS News reports that the Senate will likely attach Cash for Caulkers to the next jobs bill. Supporters of the Cash for Caulkers bill say it could create 168,000 jobs. They also estimate that 3 million households could take advantage of its programs, which would end up saving $ 9.2 billion in home energy costs over 10-years. It should create 168,000 jobs. The Cash for Caulkers bill would approve $ 600 million over two years for grants to states for replacing mobile homes with a lot more energy efficient models.

Article Resources

CBS News reports

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/06/politics/main6467175.shtml

energy audit

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11160

energystar.gov

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits



First The Betty White SNL And Next Is Global Domination!

Betty White SNL And Next Is Global Domination!

A Betty White SNL episode had finally happened after a long campaign to have it happen. Now individuals want more. A new Facebook campaign aims to get Betty White picked to host the Oscars. The octogenarian is having a career renaissance, having had several large successes over the last few years, and after her turn within the Proposal with Sandra Bullock, she has become increasingly popular with the younger crowd. The Academy may really benefit by fronting the cheap payday loans for Betty White by getting a ratings bump.

Betty White SNL gets ratings boost

The Betty White SNL was a riot. (Did you see the skit where she yelled “Wizard of …” never mind.) She was hilarious, and amusing and Saturday Night Live are things that are thought to not coincide anymore. (Oh,, face up to it. The show has been sliding.) The ratings got an remarkable bump too. Her monologue thanked her Facebook fans, and then promptly eviscerated them for using Facebook, as she put it “a huge waste of time.” Now a Getting Betty White to Host the Academy Awards is a growing Facebook group.

The Betty White Renaissance

Betty White was a career actress, having slogged it out in the television and Hollywood trenches for decades before appearing as host of SNL. In the '80s she was on Golden Girls, and she has appeared on other television series as well as films since then. Her stellar turn in the Proposal, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, was particularly well received and may have been behind her surge in popularity. Over the last few years, she had a recurring role on Boston Legal and was in numerous skits on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Facebook a force to be reckoned with

These Facebook campaigns are becoming quite the phenomenon. The Betty White SNL episode probably had a lot to do with it, and there was the whole Team Conan thing. You’ve to wonder if will work. She would probably be a riot.

Sources

Getting Betty White to Host the Academy Awards

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Getting-Betty-White-to-Host-the-Academy-Awards/115984301773436?v=wall



Sunday, May 16, 2010

Vehicle – Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell By 2015?

Automobile - Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell By 2015?

Most automobile industry estimates, just a couple of years ago, were that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would cost $ 1 million or even more. Toyota motors say they can offer a $50,000 MSRP hydrogen car as early as 2015. How is it that Toyota can cut the price so it is only 5% of the original estimate? Even if the price does drop by that much, will a hydrogen fuel cell powered automobile make economic sense?

Cars with Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuel cell cars are under research and development for many years. There were numerous different carmakers that ended up giving up their hydrogen fuel cell car programs. Hydrogen fuel cell electric autos convert hydrogen to electric power. It is expensive to make because hydrogen fuel cells require platinum.

Hydrogen automobile by Toyota

The automobile that by Toyota powered with hydrogen should be on the market by 2015. This wouldn't be the first HFCV on the road although it would be the first for mass market sale. In LA, the Honda FCX could be only leased. Toyota explains that the hydrogen fuel cell automobile they have can have a range like gas engines. The 95% drop in price will come from better mass-manufacturing processes and reducing the amount of platinum needed by two-thirds.

Infrastructure questions that are for Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

The biggest challenge with hydrogen fuel cell cars is the lack of infrastructure. Most carmakers have decided to invest resources in electric cars for the simple fact that a recharging or refueling infrastructure is much a lot more accessible. Fossil fuel is also what makes hydrogen. Fossil-fuel based hydrogen is not the only type of hydrogen available, but it is currently the least expensive source. The only carmakers that are continuing research into mass market HFCV's are Honda and Toyota. A hydrogen infrastructure would have to look much like a petroleum fuel infrastructure, with fueling stations around the country.

Article Resources

Wired.com

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/05/toyota-50000-fuel-cell-vehicle/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: wired/index (Wired: Index 3 (Top Stories 2))

Edmunds Blog

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2010/05/toyota-fuel-cell-vehicle-costs-to-fall-95-between-2005-and-2015-executive-says.html



Saturday, May 15, 2010

Box Office Set To Be Pillaged By New Robin Hood

Robin Hood Poised To Raid The Box Office

The new Robin Hood film, starring Russell Crowe and helmed by Ridley Scott, will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. May 14 is when it will be released in theaters. However, given that it isn't the first take on the legend of Robin Hood, one wonders if it will conquer the box office. Ironically, considering the pay scales of studio heads and actors, the no faxing payday loans generated from the grosses will really be doing the exact opposite of Robin Hood.

Slightly different take on Robin Hood

The Ridley Scott Robin Hood has most of the normal elements there. Robin returns from the 3rd Crusade, having fought for Richard the Lionheart, and finds King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham terrorizing the populace. Robin rebels, fights the evil forces of the king, robs the rich and gives to the poor with the help of the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest. It promises to be a rollicking good time, and also the new version tries to be just a little a lot more faithful to the period than previous versions.

Cannes Premiere

The film will be premiering at the Cannes Film Festival. Sadly, Ridley Scott won’t be there. According to USA Today, he recently had knee surgery and hasn’t recovered enough to travel. The cast must walk the red carpet without the director. It's actually the fifth time he and Crowe have worked together, so their partnership has indeed been a fruitful one.

Robin Hood does not seem to have really existed

There isn’t really any evidence for an actual Robin Hood, though the story is a wonderful tale of rebellion against an evil government. None of the famous American outlaws really did anything for the common folk either. King Richard actually spent little time in England. He also spoke barely a word of English. Furthermore, the actual rebellion against King John was in the interests of the nobles, not actually the commoners. Nevertheless, the result of that rebellion, the Magna Carta, was a step within the right direction.

Citations

USA Today

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/05/robin-hood-director-to-miss-cannes-opening/1



UVA Lacrosse Death Cast A Pall Over Close Of Semester

UVA Lacrosse Death Darkens Mood Of Campus

Reports of the UVA Lacrosse death have shattered the expectant wave University of Virginia students had been riding within the final weeks before graduation. Women’s Lacrosse standout Yeardley Love, 22, was a much loved daughter, friend, lacrosse player and student, according to CBS News. The young woman was a key player on a UVA Lacrosse team that appeared headed for a national title, but unfortunately she did not live to see the fruits of her team’s labor. Local police found the body of Yeardley Love lifeless in her apartment and a suspect is at the moment in custody. While previous rumors had hinted at death by alcohol poisoning, it has been determined that head trauma may have really been the cause of death.

Suspect George Huguely has been named within the UVA Lacrosse death investigation

The UVA Lacrosse death investigation has nabbed UVA Men’s Lacrosse standout George Huguely. He has been hit with the charge of first-degree murder. Further information of the investigation can be released once the police are ready. Yeardley Love’s body is still at the autopsy stage, while police plan to question George Huguely’s friends and teammates.

George Huguely has been a model of cooperation

Just how cooperative he’s been is not yet clear, but you will find indications that Huguely may realize he’s made a terrible mistake and is owning up. This is quite different than the standard lawyer-up and shut-up routine most clearly guilty perps take – does Huguely even have a lawyer involved?

Yeardley Love inspired love in many

Craig Littlepage, the UVA AD who knew Love well, told CBS News that the young woman brought out the best in others. He proudly exclaimed that she was almost considered angelic by everybody she met. John Casteen, the president of the University of Virginia, wrote on the university website that the UVA Lacrosse death had cast a dark pall over the entire community. Yeardley Love was a humble star in all aspects of her life on the University of Virginia campus. “She deserves to be remembered for her human goodness, her capacity for future greatness,” exclaimed a clearly emotional Casteen.

George Huguely also appeared to be a gem of a young man

According to CBS News, Huguely was an All-American who starred in both lacrosse and football at Landon School in Bethesda, MD. Huguely co-captained his high school’s lacrosse team. Numerous media reports indicate that an act of violence like the one that may have caused the death of Yeardley Love would be outside George Huguely’s normal character. As the investigation continues on, the sordid information will become more clear.

Article Resources

UVA Lacrosse death

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20004073-504083.html



Bret Michaels Press Conference Show That Doctors Say He Will Recover

Bret Michaels Press Conference Show That Doctors Say He Will Recover

Many juicy details were given to media within the Bret Michaels press conference on Tuesday. Michaels' prognosis is supposedly good despite having suffered a massive brain hemorrhage on April 22. In the Bret Michaels press conference that was held at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., his doctor told all the reporters that Michaels is expected to make a 100 percent recovery.

Bret Michaels and his condition

The former Poison frontman and reality TV regular has been released from the hospital. Rumor has it that Bret Michaels’ condition could improve fast enough that he’ll make enough to pay his tax debt by appearing in the finale of Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice” on May 23. He’s one of seven finalists, although people are getting axed weekly during his hospitalization.

Bret Michaels and his press conference

Michaels, 47, ended up in intensive care in critical condition after an excruciating headache was diagnosed as a massive brain hemorrhage. When Dr. Joseph Zabramski, Barrow’s chief of cerebrovascular surgery, talked to reporters about Bret Michaels’ prognosis, he explained, “He’s just one of those lucky people, the 20 percent or so who have a subarachnoid hemorrhage who make a complete recovery and are able to resume all of their normal activities”. Doctors say they nevertheless don't know what caused the brain hemorrhage as the Aniograms failed to show an aneurysm.

Bret Michaels and a brain hemorrhage

Michaels had just had an emergency appendectomy only two weeks before being afflicted with a massive brain hemorrhage putting him back to the hospital. The New York Daily News reports that doctors don't think the appendectomy could have caused the condition. Dr. Ezriel Kornel, a neurosurgeon and member of the board of directors for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, explained to the New York Daily News that “It is highly uncommon for a prior surgery to produce a brain hemorrhage”.

Bret Michaels prognosis

At the Brett Michaels press conference, his doctor said the blood clot around his brain will take another seven to 10 days to dissipate. It’s a painful process called chemical meningitis that brings severe back pain and spasms, the doctor said. In addition to his other health issues, Michaels is diabetic. Steroids won't be used to kill pain as it interferes with glucose management. Although there has been a lot of gossip circulating about Bret Michaels’ return to “Celebrity Apprentice,” his doctor told him not to make any promises of a return to the show.

Sources for the article

Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice

http://www.nbc.com/the-apprentice/

subarachnoid hemorrhage

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/794076-overview

The New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2010/05/04/2010-05-04_bret_michaels_press_conference_poison_frontman_walking_and_talking_expected_to_m.html



Friday, May 14, 2010

Faisal Shahzad Arrested For Times Square Car Bomb

Authorities made an arrest in connection with the Times Square vehicle bomb, 30 year old Pakistan born Faisal Shahzad. He is due to appear in court today, Tuesday, May 4. Thankfully, he didn’t know very much about bomb making, as the device failed to go off, and no one was injured. Authorities picked him up later. With the charges he’s likely to face, he’s going to need some hefty no faxing payday loans to get decent lawyer.

Faisal Shahzad arrested in attempted flight

Faisal Shahzad was attempting escape when caught. At John F. Kennedy International Airport, he had boarded a plane bound for Dubai, and the plane was recalled to the runway. The automobile that had the bomb in it was traced to the original owner, which is how he was tracked down according to the Los Angeles Times. The bomb, according to authorities, appeared to be the work of two individuals.

Referred to as quiet type

Neighbors of Faisal Shahzad described him as being very private. Nobody knew what he did as a living, and he rarely was seen outside the house. According to CBS, one neighbor thought he worked on Wall Street, and one more believed he worked in nearby Norwalk, close to his previous residence in Shelton, Connecticut. Neither saw him outside of the house much. The house he resided with his wife and kids in was later foreclosed on.

The President weighs in

The President praised the police force officials that acted, and also the citizens that alerted them. He promised further investigation and that justice would be done.

Why did he do it?

So far, the motives of Faisal Shahzad’s Times Square car bomb haven’t been identified. It is known he had recently become an American citizen. He had also purchased a home with his wife, which was foreclosed on, and afterward she and their children returned to Peshawar in Pakistan, where he had visited them. He purchased a 1993 Pathfinder with cash and didn’t complete the necessary registration. Authorities used the VIN on the motor to find the previous owner. Further insight might be gained soon, as he is due in court soon.

Article Resources

Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-naw-times-square-bomb-201000505,0,3797615.story

CBS

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/04/national/main6459360.shtml



Verizon, Sprint snub Nexus One - Is Google phone a failure?

Is the Google phone a failure - Verizon, Sprint snub Nexus One?

The Nexus One which is Google's overhyped Android phone, is in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Verizon was the first to prick the Nexus One bubble when it announced last month it wouldn’t make the Nexus One available. Earlier this week, the Sprint and Nexus One pairing vaporized. After saying they would carry the device, Sprint severed ties with the Nexus One. Depending on who is talking, Verizon and Sprint snubbing Nexus One is either one of technology’s greatest failures, or a trivial misstep that does not really matter.

Google web store Nexus One

The Nexus One failure is apparently clear. Google wanted to limit availability of the Nexus One exclusively to Google’s web store. As reported on eWeek, Some experts do think the Google web store Nexus One model is clear evidence that carriers aren’t interested in supporting a device that can’t sell in their own retail stores. Others argue the Nexus One was just eclipsed by better Android phones.

Sprint Nexus One

Just a couple of months ago, things were looking for Google's Nexus One sales. PC World reports that in mid-March, Sprint said they would carry a CDMA version of Google’s Nexus One sometime later this year. On Monday, Sprint decided to drop the Nexus One. Sprint has decided to instead support the HTC EVO 4G Android phone. Sprint may have chosen the HTC EVO 4G because it has a larger display than the Nexus One, runs on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network and also features the HTC Sense UI. It probably didn't help that you couldn't use installment loan to purchase a Nexus One from Sprint.

Verizon Nexus One

The Nexus One/Verizon deal has totally flopped thanks to the HTC Incredible Android phone. Both the Incredible and Google Nexus One have the exact same specs. Both phones also run Android 2.1. What is the main difference between the two devices? The Droid Incredible actually runs HTC's revised Sense UI. Informationweek.com reports that the newest version of Sense makes using the Android platform a lot more enjoyable experience.

The Nexus One and also the Android advantage

Everybody likes a winner, and even before the Sprint and Verizon defections, the Nexus One reputation suffered from initial 3G connectivity bugs and low sales figures. PC World said the only advantage Nexus One has over Incredible and EVO is its direct tie to Google’s speedy OS update process. On the HTC Sense UI, a manufacturer version of Android, updates can take numerous months to reach users.

Android thriving without Nexus One

Is Nexus One a failure? Analysts seem to think that Google would be better off without the Nexus One. After being rejected by major carriers, the Nexus One is likely to be done. But its rivals all run on Android, which is just fine with Google. And all the media commotion about smartphone competition, of all things, has raised the profile of Android to the point that Android phones really outsold Apple’s iPhone last month.

Sources for the article

eWeek

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Nexus-One-Not-a-Failure-Despite-Slights-By-Sprint-Verizon-409079/

PC World reports

http://www.pcworld.com/article/196022/why_sprint_and_verizon_nixed_the_nexus_one.html

Informationweek.com

http://www.informationweek.com/newshome/index.jhtml;jsessionid=1U2VTTNH0NJJRQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN