/PRNewswire/ -- In response to reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to push back the expected date for a final rule on airline passenger "protections" until February of 2010, the nation's leading flyers rights groups renewed its call for Congressional action. DOT had planned to publish its new rule, which deals with issues such as tarmac delays and chronically delayed flights, before the end of this year. This development would allow Congress to be the first to act on this important issue, but represents yet another delay in the fulfillment of airline passengers rights in the U.S.
"We think allowing Congress to act first, before the Administration does its part is appropriate," said CAPBOR Executive Director, Kate Hanni. "Providing airline passengers with a Bill of Rights, including a 3 Hour limit whereby airlines must return stranded passengers to the terminal, should be established by federal legislation, not and not simply by regulation."
The FAA bill, which contains a Passengers Bill of Rights that includes a 3 Hour Rule in the U.S. Senate version, has been bottled up in Congress for many months now and is overdue. As such, Congress has been forced to pass a series of short term extensions to fund the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) continued operations. The latest extension passed by Congress expires on December 31, 2009.
"Given this most recent delay by DOT, which follows a series of delays in Congress, it is essential that legislators work to pass this legislation as soon as possible before the holiday travel period begins," added Hanni. "Establishing basic enforceable standards in how airlines treat passengers will be one of the most significant consumer protections in recent history -- we need and deserve action now."
FlyersRights.org is the largest airline passengers rights group in the country committed to the Safety, Health, Well Being and Dignity of airline passengers. With 27,000 dedicated members and a hotline at 1-877-359-3776 or for employees of airlines 1-887-877-2678.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Flyers Rights Renews Call for Congressional Action on Passenger Bill of Rights in Light of DOT Delays
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
U.S. Postal Service Announces 2010 Shipping Prices
/PRNewswire/ -- The simpler way to ship -- with convenient Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes from the U.S. Postal Service -- will be just as simple in the New Year, when new prices take effect.
Prices for Priority Mail, a product familiar across America through popular television and online advertisements featuring Al the Letter Carrier, will change on Jan. 4, 2010. Customers also can look forward to several Priority Mail innovations.
In a first for the shipping industry, the Postal Service is introducing cubic volume-based pricing for large volume commercial Priority Mail shippers. Customers who ship small, dense, space-efficient packages will receive a financial incentive through a new, tiered pricing option. This encourages greener, more efficient shipping and is one more way the Postal Service is eco friendly.
Other benefits for Priority Mail customers effective in January include a decrease in the domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope retail price from $4.95 to $4.90. The popular Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box will continue to be one of the best consumer values in the domestic shipping market at under $5. Its 2010 price will remain at $4.95.
Cubic volume-based pricing will not be the only first in January for customers who qualify to ship at Commercial Plus prices. A Priority Mail half-pound price, based on distance, will be added only in the Commercial Plus pricing category. And, a new Priority Mail Flat Rate padded envelope measuring 9.5 x 12.5 inches will be available exclusively for Commercial Plus shippers. This envelope is specially designed for jewelry, electronics and other delicate goods.
"We have put together a range of creative and innovative products and services for our customers," said Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services. "With these new offerings, the Postal Service is reinforcing the value of Priority Mail as the right product at the right time," he said.
In addition to an overall price increase of 3.3 percent, on average, for Priority Mail, there will be new prices for Express Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service, also effective Jan. 4.
Prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Parcel Post and other mailing services products will not change in 2010, with the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp remaining at 44 cents.
"The Postal Service is the best buy in the market, whether you're watching your budget or gearing up as the economy starts to rebound," Bernstock said, noting that other shippers have announced price increases of nearly 6 percent for 2010, excluding fuel surcharges. Most shippers add extra fees for fuel, rural delivery, Saturday delivery and other items to a customer's final bill. The Postal Service has no comparable surcharges.
Customers who pay for their shipping services online will continue to save compared to retail prices. Online costs will be, on average, 5 percent less than retail for Express Mail and 5.7 percent less for Priority Mail. Online savings for international shipping will be 10 percent less than retail for Global Express Guaranteed, 8 percent less for Express Mail International and 5 percent less for Priority Mail International.
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Prices for Priority Mail, a product familiar across America through popular television and online advertisements featuring Al the Letter Carrier, will change on Jan. 4, 2010. Customers also can look forward to several Priority Mail innovations.
In a first for the shipping industry, the Postal Service is introducing cubic volume-based pricing for large volume commercial Priority Mail shippers. Customers who ship small, dense, space-efficient packages will receive a financial incentive through a new, tiered pricing option. This encourages greener, more efficient shipping and is one more way the Postal Service is eco friendly.
Other benefits for Priority Mail customers effective in January include a decrease in the domestic Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope retail price from $4.95 to $4.90. The popular Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box will continue to be one of the best consumer values in the domestic shipping market at under $5. Its 2010 price will remain at $4.95.
Cubic volume-based pricing will not be the only first in January for customers who qualify to ship at Commercial Plus prices. A Priority Mail half-pound price, based on distance, will be added only in the Commercial Plus pricing category. And, a new Priority Mail Flat Rate padded envelope measuring 9.5 x 12.5 inches will be available exclusively for Commercial Plus shippers. This envelope is specially designed for jewelry, electronics and other delicate goods.
"We have put together a range of creative and innovative products and services for our customers," said Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services. "With these new offerings, the Postal Service is reinforcing the value of Priority Mail as the right product at the right time," he said.
In addition to an overall price increase of 3.3 percent, on average, for Priority Mail, there will be new prices for Express Mail, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service, also effective Jan. 4.
Prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Parcel Post and other mailing services products will not change in 2010, with the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp remaining at 44 cents.
"The Postal Service is the best buy in the market, whether you're watching your budget or gearing up as the economy starts to rebound," Bernstock said, noting that other shippers have announced price increases of nearly 6 percent for 2010, excluding fuel surcharges. Most shippers add extra fees for fuel, rural delivery, Saturday delivery and other items to a customer's final bill. The Postal Service has no comparable surcharges.
Customers who pay for their shipping services online will continue to save compared to retail prices. Online costs will be, on average, 5 percent less than retail for Express Mail and 5.7 percent less for Priority Mail. Online savings for international shipping will be 10 percent less than retail for Global Express Guaranteed, 8 percent less for Express Mail International and 5 percent less for Priority Mail International.
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State Income Taxes Push Many Working-Poor Families Deeper Into Poverty
/PRNewswire/ -- Sixteen states taxed working-poor families deeper into poverty last year, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Income tax bills on poor families in those 16 states ranged from a few dollars to several hundred dollars, which is a significant amount for a family struggling to make ends meet, the report said.
"Undermining families' efforts to work their way out of poverty is never a good idea," said Phil Oliff, the report's co-author. "But it's especially harmful in the current recession, when people are already struggling just to get by."
The report measures the "tax threshold" in each state -- the income level at which families begin owing income taxes. In 16 of the 42 states that levy an income tax, the threshold for two-parent families of four was below $22,017, the 2008 poverty line for such a family. The remaining states as well as the federal government do not tax working poor families.
Two fewer states taxed poor families than in 2007. Michigan adopted an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that pushed its threshold slightly above the poverty line. Oklahoma made changes to its income tax deductions and rates, and expanded a credit for families with children, lifting its threshold above the poverty line for two-parent families of four. Although Hawaii and Louisiana made significant improvements to their tax systems, they remain among the 16 states that tax poor families. A number of other states made significant improvements.
In several states, income-tax treatment of the poor worsened as inflation eroded the value of provisions intended to protect the poor from taxation. This erosion coincided with a rising level of poverty and joblessness resulting from the recession.
Among the report's findings:
-- Sixteen states, out of the 42 with an income tax, taxed working-poor,
married couples with two children in 2008: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and West Virginia.
-- Michigan and Oklahoma stopped taxing poor families in 2007, and eight
other states implemented changes to reduce low-income families' tax
bills. Hawaii and West Virginia, both of which in 2007 had levied
some of the highest taxes on low-income families, also made
improvements in 2008.
-- On the other hand, in 23 states the value of provisions that protect
low-income families from taxation eroded, in large part due to a
failure to adjust them for inflation. As a result, poor and/or
near-poor families' tax bills in those states rose.
-- The number of states taxing extremely poor families of four - those
with incomes below three-quarters of the poverty line ($16,513) -
decreased from nine in 2007 to six in 2008. Three states that
previously taxed such families began exempting them: Hawaii,
Michigan, and West Virginia. States still taxing extremely poor
families are: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, and Ohio.
Over the last two decades, state policymakers increasingly have viewed the exemption of poor families from taxation as a straightforward way to reduce poverty and support work. The number of states levying income tax on poor two-parent families of four decreased from 24 to 16 between 1991 and 2008. The federal government has exempted poor families from tax since the mid-1980s.
Even in a time of widespread state budget shortfalls, there are a number of relatively inexpensive, effective solutions for state policymakers to consider. These include state EITCs and other low-income tax credits, no-tax "floors" (an income level below which a family owes no tax), and adequate personal exemptions and standard deductions.
"Dire economic conditions are already reducing states' tax revenue. This makes it harder for states to enact new tax cuts targeted to poor families," said Oliff. "But doing so should still be a priority. Taxing people deeper into poverty runs counter to the goal of helping families achieve self-sufficiency."
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"Undermining families' efforts to work their way out of poverty is never a good idea," said Phil Oliff, the report's co-author. "But it's especially harmful in the current recession, when people are already struggling just to get by."
The report measures the "tax threshold" in each state -- the income level at which families begin owing income taxes. In 16 of the 42 states that levy an income tax, the threshold for two-parent families of four was below $22,017, the 2008 poverty line for such a family. The remaining states as well as the federal government do not tax working poor families.
Two fewer states taxed poor families than in 2007. Michigan adopted an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that pushed its threshold slightly above the poverty line. Oklahoma made changes to its income tax deductions and rates, and expanded a credit for families with children, lifting its threshold above the poverty line for two-parent families of four. Although Hawaii and Louisiana made significant improvements to their tax systems, they remain among the 16 states that tax poor families. A number of other states made significant improvements.
In several states, income-tax treatment of the poor worsened as inflation eroded the value of provisions intended to protect the poor from taxation. This erosion coincided with a rising level of poverty and joblessness resulting from the recession.
Among the report's findings:
-- Sixteen states, out of the 42 with an income tax, taxed working-poor,
married couples with two children in 2008: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and West Virginia.
-- Michigan and Oklahoma stopped taxing poor families in 2007, and eight
other states implemented changes to reduce low-income families' tax
bills. Hawaii and West Virginia, both of which in 2007 had levied
some of the highest taxes on low-income families, also made
improvements in 2008.
-- On the other hand, in 23 states the value of provisions that protect
low-income families from taxation eroded, in large part due to a
failure to adjust them for inflation. As a result, poor and/or
near-poor families' tax bills in those states rose.
-- The number of states taxing extremely poor families of four - those
with incomes below three-quarters of the poverty line ($16,513) -
decreased from nine in 2007 to six in 2008. Three states that
previously taxed such families began exempting them: Hawaii,
Michigan, and West Virginia. States still taxing extremely poor
families are: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, and Ohio.
Over the last two decades, state policymakers increasingly have viewed the exemption of poor families from taxation as a straightforward way to reduce poverty and support work. The number of states levying income tax on poor two-parent families of four decreased from 24 to 16 between 1991 and 2008. The federal government has exempted poor families from tax since the mid-1980s.
Even in a time of widespread state budget shortfalls, there are a number of relatively inexpensive, effective solutions for state policymakers to consider. These include state EITCs and other low-income tax credits, no-tax "floors" (an income level below which a family owes no tax), and adequate personal exemptions and standard deductions.
"Dire economic conditions are already reducing states' tax revenue. This makes it harder for states to enact new tax cuts targeted to poor families," said Oliff. "But doing so should still be a priority. Taxing people deeper into poverty runs counter to the goal of helping families achieve self-sufficiency."
-----
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Dillard’s Offers Exclusive Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities®
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dillard’s, Inc. (“Dillard’s”)(NYSE:DDS) is pleased to announce its continuing commitment to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) with their 16th annual Holiday fundraiser. Since 1994 Dillard’s has assisted RMHC with fundraising campaigns designed to support the Ronald McDonald House® program which provides families with seriously ill children a home away from home while their children are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
For the second time Dillard’s will offer a beautiful Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC. This exclusive, 288 page special custom edition hardbound cookbook is filled with color photos and fabulous holiday recipes, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas. This “must have” cookbook is available for only $10. “Ronald McDonald House Charities has been serving families for 35 years and we are so thankful to Dillard’s for being a great partner and for their continued support,” said Marty Coyne, Vice-President of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The cookbooks will be available in over 300 Dillard’s stores as well as online at www.dillards.com. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks will benefit local Houses operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters in Dillard’s markets.
Now in its 16th year of support, Dillard’s has raised more than $4.5 million to benefit RMHC.
“Our continued partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities gives all of us at Dillard’s an enormous sense of pride. We look forward to another successful fundraiser this year and are honored to support the Ronald McDonald Houses in our communities,” said Denise Mahaffy, Vice President of Advertising for Dillard’s.
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For the second time Dillard’s will offer a beautiful Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC. This exclusive, 288 page special custom edition hardbound cookbook is filled with color photos and fabulous holiday recipes, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas. This “must have” cookbook is available for only $10. “Ronald McDonald House Charities has been serving families for 35 years and we are so thankful to Dillard’s for being a great partner and for their continued support,” said Marty Coyne, Vice-President of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The cookbooks will be available in over 300 Dillard’s stores as well as online at www.dillards.com. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbooks will benefit local Houses operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters in Dillard’s markets.
Now in its 16th year of support, Dillard’s has raised more than $4.5 million to benefit RMHC.
“Our continued partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities gives all of us at Dillard’s an enormous sense of pride. We look forward to another successful fundraiser this year and are honored to support the Ronald McDonald Houses in our communities,” said Denise Mahaffy, Vice President of Advertising for Dillard’s.
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Leading Event for People With Disabilities on November 6-8 Features Latest Technologies, Products, Services, and More
/PRNewswire/ -- The anticipation for Abilities Expo Atlanta (www.abilitiesexpo.com) has been building for months. Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals are expected to attend this free, three-day expo and conference taking place Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8, 2009 at the Cobb Galleria Convention Center (Event hours: Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm).
Abilities Expo has put together an impressive line-up of exhibits, workshops and special events to appeal to the full spectrum of people with disabilities, from children to seniors and everyone in between.
"Abilities Expo's distinguished 30-year track record of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology, education and networking continues in Atlanta," said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. "Between the adaptive sports demonstrations, the sneak peek at the future of assistive technology, the dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display...this is a must-attend for everyone in the Community."
Attendees will find:
-- Cutting-edge products and services for people with disabilities
-- Brand-new assistive technology prototypes that are still in
development and the latest commercially available AT products at the
Assistive Technology Pavilion
-- Hundreds of low-cost daily living aids at the Retail Pavilion
-- Free compelling workshops
-- Free career-boosting CEU-seminars (for healthcare professionals)
-- Artist Market where Georgia's most-celebrated artists with
disabilities will display, demonstrate and sell their artwork
-- Interactive, adaptive sports
-- A fashion show featuring contemporary and accessible clothing and
accessories
-- Dance performance and instruction
-- Canine assistance demonstration
-- Fun activities for kids of all ages
-- The opportunity to donate used disability equipment
-- And much more
For more information, schedules and pre-registration, visit www.abilitiesexpo.com/atlanta.
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Abilities Expo has put together an impressive line-up of exhibits, workshops and special events to appeal to the full spectrum of people with disabilities, from children to seniors and everyone in between.
"Abilities Expo's distinguished 30-year track record of enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology, education and networking continues in Atlanta," said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. "Between the adaptive sports demonstrations, the sneak peek at the future of assistive technology, the dynamic workshops and the thousands of products and services on display...this is a must-attend for everyone in the Community."
Attendees will find:
-- Cutting-edge products and services for people with disabilities
-- Brand-new assistive technology prototypes that are still in
development and the latest commercially available AT products at the
Assistive Technology Pavilion
-- Hundreds of low-cost daily living aids at the Retail Pavilion
-- Free compelling workshops
-- Free career-boosting CEU-seminars (for healthcare professionals)
-- Artist Market where Georgia's most-celebrated artists with
disabilities will display, demonstrate and sell their artwork
-- Interactive, adaptive sports
-- A fashion show featuring contemporary and accessible clothing and
accessories
-- Dance performance and instruction
-- Canine assistance demonstration
-- Fun activities for kids of all ages
-- The opportunity to donate used disability equipment
-- And much more
For more information, schedules and pre-registration, visit www.abilitiesexpo.com/atlanta.
-----
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Monday, November 2, 2009
Millions of Americans have a sleep debt to repay - Do you?
(ARA) - You're paying down your credit cards and making smart decisions about your home and auto loans. But are you overlooking the most important kind of "debt," a debt that you owe yourself to pay off in order to maintain good health? This is one kind of debt that will have a huge impact on your life if ignored, but is easy to pay off with minimal effort.
More than 75 percent of Americans are sleep deprived, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In fact, many have incurred a "sleep debt," says Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist and diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. "Many people deprive themselves of sleep during the work week, losing an hour or more a night, and try to make up for it on the weekends," says Dr. Breus. "But while you may be able to replace some of that lost sleep each weekend, you can still be sleep deprived, and your 'sleep debt' will just keep growing."
One quarter of the world's population is subject to a one hour time change twice per year. One study by Ludwig-Maximilian University in Germany shows that it is easier for people to adjust to the time change when we gain an hour rather than when we lose an hour. The majority of people, however, do not use that extra hour in the fall for sleep, and this occurs during a season when schedules get even busier for many Americans.
"Unlike our ancestors, who let the sun delineate between the hours of rest and work, we let the demands of everyday life choose when we can sleep, eat and work," Dr. Breus says. "And all of this has an effect on our bodies - we are more stressed, sleep less, and pack away more fat and calories. All this directly relates to our risk for illness and disease."
Repaying your sleep debt is relatively easy and can be one of the most healthful things you do for yourself, Dr. Breus points out. Here are a few tips to help decrease your sleep debt:
* Wake up to the light. Our brains are hard-wired to want to sleep when it's dark and waken with the sunlight. The shift in seasons and our busy modern schedules have many of us trying to wake up in the dark. Dr. Breus recommends sleeping with the shades open and allowing natural light to enter your room and wake you at an appropriate time.
* Once you get up and begin your daily routine, make sure you turn on all the lights. This will help stimulate the optic nerve to reduce the production of sleep-inducing melatonin.
* Go to bed when your body tells you you're tired. Don't waste the extra hour of sleep we gain when we shift our clocks back in the fall. Additionally, don't add to your sleep debt in the spring when shift our clocks ahead one hour.
* Sometimes, even if you get enough sleep, puffy eyes and dark circles can make you look sleep deprived. Even if you improve your sleep habits, it can take a while for your appearance to catch up. Looking well-rested will help you feel more rested, so try Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to brighten and depuff. The potent cream uses a combination of natural ingredients, including Panax Ginseng, Caffeine, Vitamin B Complex and Magnolia Extract to combat puffiness and dark circles and help provide radiant, clear skin in the delicate eye area. Visit www.Origins.com to learn more.
* If your sleep/awake cycle is truly healthy you shouldn't need an alarm clock, but you may need the psychological comfort of having a backup wake-up system. In that case, position your alarm clock so that you can't see it once you're in bed. Look for a clock that has an LED time display that can be turned off or on, an adjustable volume control for the alarm, and the ability to have music or an MP3 player connected so you can wake to the sounds of your choice.
* Avoid napping the day before and three days after the seasonal time change. Napping can actually make it harder to fall asleep. Parents, keep in mind that your children will probably take longer to adjust to time changes than adults do.
* Stay active. Studies show that regular exercise helps the body better adjust to time changes, so continue your workouts throughout the seasonal transition. However, exercising too close to bedtime can have an over-stimulating effect, so schedule your workout several hours prior to turning in.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
-----
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More than 75 percent of Americans are sleep deprived, according to the National Sleep Foundation. In fact, many have incurred a "sleep debt," says Dr. Michael J. Breus, a clinical psychologist and diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. "Many people deprive themselves of sleep during the work week, losing an hour or more a night, and try to make up for it on the weekends," says Dr. Breus. "But while you may be able to replace some of that lost sleep each weekend, you can still be sleep deprived, and your 'sleep debt' will just keep growing."
One quarter of the world's population is subject to a one hour time change twice per year. One study by Ludwig-Maximilian University in Germany shows that it is easier for people to adjust to the time change when we gain an hour rather than when we lose an hour. The majority of people, however, do not use that extra hour in the fall for sleep, and this occurs during a season when schedules get even busier for many Americans.
"Unlike our ancestors, who let the sun delineate between the hours of rest and work, we let the demands of everyday life choose when we can sleep, eat and work," Dr. Breus says. "And all of this has an effect on our bodies - we are more stressed, sleep less, and pack away more fat and calories. All this directly relates to our risk for illness and disease."
Repaying your sleep debt is relatively easy and can be one of the most healthful things you do for yourself, Dr. Breus points out. Here are a few tips to help decrease your sleep debt:
* Wake up to the light. Our brains are hard-wired to want to sleep when it's dark and waken with the sunlight. The shift in seasons and our busy modern schedules have many of us trying to wake up in the dark. Dr. Breus recommends sleeping with the shades open and allowing natural light to enter your room and wake you at an appropriate time.
* Once you get up and begin your daily routine, make sure you turn on all the lights. This will help stimulate the optic nerve to reduce the production of sleep-inducing melatonin.
* Go to bed when your body tells you you're tired. Don't waste the extra hour of sleep we gain when we shift our clocks back in the fall. Additionally, don't add to your sleep debt in the spring when shift our clocks ahead one hour.
* Sometimes, even if you get enough sleep, puffy eyes and dark circles can make you look sleep deprived. Even if you improve your sleep habits, it can take a while for your appearance to catch up. Looking well-rested will help you feel more rested, so try Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to brighten and depuff. The potent cream uses a combination of natural ingredients, including Panax Ginseng, Caffeine, Vitamin B Complex and Magnolia Extract to combat puffiness and dark circles and help provide radiant, clear skin in the delicate eye area. Visit www.Origins.com to learn more.
* If your sleep/awake cycle is truly healthy you shouldn't need an alarm clock, but you may need the psychological comfort of having a backup wake-up system. In that case, position your alarm clock so that you can't see it once you're in bed. Look for a clock that has an LED time display that can be turned off or on, an adjustable volume control for the alarm, and the ability to have music or an MP3 player connected so you can wake to the sounds of your choice.
* Avoid napping the day before and three days after the seasonal time change. Napping can actually make it harder to fall asleep. Parents, keep in mind that your children will probably take longer to adjust to time changes than adults do.
* Stay active. Studies show that regular exercise helps the body better adjust to time changes, so continue your workouts throughout the seasonal transition. However, exercising too close to bedtime can have an over-stimulating effect, so schedule your workout several hours prior to turning in.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
-----
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Friday, October 30, 2009
Alcohol Conference Debate Changes Minds About Minimum Drinking Age
/PRNewswire/ -- Health Communications, Inc. (HCI), provider of the TIPS program and host of the Alcohol Responsibility Conference 2009 (ARC 2009), posted the pre- and post-survey results from one of the conference sessions, a debate entitled Should the Minimum Legal Drinking Age Remain 21? Dr. John McCardell, founder and president of Choose Responsibility and former President of Middlebury College, presented the case in favor of reducing the minimum drinking age. Mr. James Fell, Senior Program Director at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), presented the case for continuation of the minimum drinking age of 21. Observed by 75 conference attendees, the debate took place on October 1, 2009. Conference attendees represented a cross section of people from diverse sectors of the community, including law enforcement, community coalition groups, alcohol retailers, university and college administrators, and independent consultants.
Debate observers were asked to complete a survey prior to the debate and another survey immediately following the debate. All attendees completed the surveys. "The most resounding result was that 31% of the attendees claimed that the debate changed their opinions about the current drinking age of 21," said Trevor Estelle, debate moderator and Vice President of Health Communications, Inc. "I was shocked that a 90-minute debate could have that kind of sway."
The survey results indicated that the debate triggered a change in attitudes and opinions regarding the issues that were discussed. In every case, the percentage of observers who were not sure of their position about an issue was smaller after the debate than before. Hearing both sides present their cases apparently allowed individuals to form more informed opinions about the age at which persons should be allowed to drink and about the effects that the current drinking age has had on behavior as it relates to alcohol consumption in this country.
Some of the results suggested that attendees were more influenced by Dr. McCardell's arguments. When attendees were asked if they thought the minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18 in the U.S., 16% of the pre-survey respondents checked "yes," compared to 29% of the post-survey respondents. When asked if they thought 21 was an appropriate minimum drinking age, 64% of the pre-survey respondents checked "yes" as opposed to 55% for the post-survey respondents. In addition, the pre-survey indicated that 33% were in favor of a drinking age lower than 21, while 44% of the post-survey attendees favored lowering the drinking age.
Other results suggested that Mr. Fell had a greater impact. When attendees were asked if they thought the minimum drinking age of 21 has reduced high-risk binge drinking by underage youth, 28% of the pre-survey respondents answered "yes" as opposed to 31% of the post-survey respondents. When asked if they thought that the lower minimum drinking age in European countries was the reason for the lower incidence of alcohol-related problems among European youth, 47% of the pre-survey respondents answered "no" compared to 65% of the post-survey respondents. Mr. Fell commented, "While a small minority of ARC 2009 attendees changed their minds about the drinking age, still only 29% were in favor of lowering it. The majority of the audience still thought 21 was the appropriate drinking age (55%). Apparently the life-saving effects and common sense of the 21 drinking age still resonates with the public."
If nothing else, the survey results confirm that a national discussion on the legal drinking age is desired. As one attendee commented, "This debate is really needed. I am definitely open to more information."
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Debate observers were asked to complete a survey prior to the debate and another survey immediately following the debate. All attendees completed the surveys. "The most resounding result was that 31% of the attendees claimed that the debate changed their opinions about the current drinking age of 21," said Trevor Estelle, debate moderator and Vice President of Health Communications, Inc. "I was shocked that a 90-minute debate could have that kind of sway."
The survey results indicated that the debate triggered a change in attitudes and opinions regarding the issues that were discussed. In every case, the percentage of observers who were not sure of their position about an issue was smaller after the debate than before. Hearing both sides present their cases apparently allowed individuals to form more informed opinions about the age at which persons should be allowed to drink and about the effects that the current drinking age has had on behavior as it relates to alcohol consumption in this country.
Some of the results suggested that attendees were more influenced by Dr. McCardell's arguments. When attendees were asked if they thought the minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18 in the U.S., 16% of the pre-survey respondents checked "yes," compared to 29% of the post-survey respondents. When asked if they thought 21 was an appropriate minimum drinking age, 64% of the pre-survey respondents checked "yes" as opposed to 55% for the post-survey respondents. In addition, the pre-survey indicated that 33% were in favor of a drinking age lower than 21, while 44% of the post-survey attendees favored lowering the drinking age.
Other results suggested that Mr. Fell had a greater impact. When attendees were asked if they thought the minimum drinking age of 21 has reduced high-risk binge drinking by underage youth, 28% of the pre-survey respondents answered "yes" as opposed to 31% of the post-survey respondents. When asked if they thought that the lower minimum drinking age in European countries was the reason for the lower incidence of alcohol-related problems among European youth, 47% of the pre-survey respondents answered "no" compared to 65% of the post-survey respondents. Mr. Fell commented, "While a small minority of ARC 2009 attendees changed their minds about the drinking age, still only 29% were in favor of lowering it. The majority of the audience still thought 21 was the appropriate drinking age (55%). Apparently the life-saving effects and common sense of the 21 drinking age still resonates with the public."
If nothing else, the survey results confirm that a national discussion on the legal drinking age is desired. As one attendee commented, "This debate is really needed. I am definitely open to more information."
-----
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wal-Mart Price War Sets Grim Tone For The 2009 Holiday Season
/PRNewswire/ -- American retail chains panicked last holiday season as they stared at overstocked shelves and wondered, "How will we sell all this stuff?" Their response to the collapse of the economy--namely, to markdown everything in sight and cross their fingers--was a last-minute act of desperation. Because they spent the past year ruminating about worst-case scenarios, however, many retailers now face a new problem as the holidays actually approach, says Stevan Buxbaum, executive vice president of Agoura Hills, Calif.-based Buxbaum Group, the consulting and turnaround investment firm.
"Retailers were so nervous they over-constricted their inventories," explains Buxbaum, who looks for comparable store sales to be in the flat to negative 1% range for the season. "They are now scrambling to stock up. The problem is that we have a worldwide supply chain. Much of the inventory comes from Asia and can sit on a boat for up to six weeks before it gets here. Beefing up inventories in time for the holiday season will be virtually impossible."
And that means parents hunting for hot-sellers like Disney's Netpal laptop or the Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters might have a tough time fulfilling their kids' holiday wishes. "The best inventory--all the stuff that turns out to be the most desirable this year--will be gone by December 7," Buxbaum predicts. "From then until Christmas, shoppers will be picking through all the remaining merchandise."
Amid dismal holiday sales forecasts, meanwhile, Wal-Mart has embarked on a price war in which it plans to slap discounts on new groups of products every week until the season is over. The world's largest retailer is now selling 100 different toys for $10 each, and will make especially aggressive markdowns on books, DVDs, video games and other entertainment products. "The online price-war in best-selling books between Wal-Mart, Amazon and now, Target, speaks volumes about the cutthroat nature of retail in 2009," Buxbaum says. "Wal-Mart has fired the first shot across the bow and it is only October.
"In general," he continues, "consumers are still focused on price and value. The winners will be those chains that have the guts to slash prices the most. Eking out a profit in this environment requires highly rationalized SG&A (selling, general and administrative) costs and lower overhead. Wal-Mart is No. 1 in that regard, followed by the warehouse clubs and Target. Everybody else is in the rearview mirror."
The top 1% of richest Americans might unwrap a MacBook Pro or find a Lexis SUV parked in the driveway. But the vast majority of shoppers will not be maxing out any credit cards this year at the likes of Nieman Marcus, Buxbaum says. "We have gone from the 'aspirational' shopper--people who spent beyond their means for the sake of status or the sheer thrill--to the 'desperational' shopper," he observes. "Now, most people are just trying to find value."
That said, certain trends hint at the types of products that will go over best with budget-constrained and newly circumspect shoppers, Buxbaum says. Rave reviews of the new Windows 7 operating system, which Microsoft radically simplified after consumers railed against its feature-packed Vista predecessor, show the rising importance of simplicity and practicality in consumers' harried lives.
"Wired magazine talks about the rise of 'Good Enough' tech," he says. "Take digital cameras. People don't want another $1,000 camera. They're saying, 'Heck. I never figure out what 90% of these features do anyway, and I'm not Ansel Adams.' Personally, I use about 1% of the features on my Blackberry. People's lives are so complex, they want to simplify them. They don't want all this stuff that they neither need nor understand."
Even though devices like Apple's all-in-one iPhone or Amazon.com's Kindle e-book reader are expensive, they continue to sell because they help people reduce clutter and bulk. "If you simplify my life by putting four different devices, or thousands of books, into one device, that's convergence," Buxbaum says. "People are interested in convergence, not complexity."
Nor are American parents interested in short-changing their kids. They will continue to spend as much as they can on children and younger adults, and retailers focused on these segments will see stronger sales, especially if they have somehow managed to find a niche that enables them to avoid direct competition with Wal-Mart, Buxbaum notes. "People won't take out their frustration with the financial system and Wall Street on their nieces and nephews," he says. "But they will cut back on spending for themselves."
Sustainable or "green" products might have bright longer-term futures, but they won't set any records this year with the broad base of the American economy. "The extra cost of green doesn't fit the proposition of getting the best price," Buxbaum says. "The overwhelming thing right now is not whether something will disintegrate in a landfill--our economy is disintegrating in a landfill. You could call it the biodegradable economy. It will take a resurgence of that broad base for us to rebuild a new economy that doesn't break down."
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"Retailers were so nervous they over-constricted their inventories," explains Buxbaum, who looks for comparable store sales to be in the flat to negative 1% range for the season. "They are now scrambling to stock up. The problem is that we have a worldwide supply chain. Much of the inventory comes from Asia and can sit on a boat for up to six weeks before it gets here. Beefing up inventories in time for the holiday season will be virtually impossible."
And that means parents hunting for hot-sellers like Disney's Netpal laptop or the Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters might have a tough time fulfilling their kids' holiday wishes. "The best inventory--all the stuff that turns out to be the most desirable this year--will be gone by December 7," Buxbaum predicts. "From then until Christmas, shoppers will be picking through all the remaining merchandise."
Amid dismal holiday sales forecasts, meanwhile, Wal-Mart has embarked on a price war in which it plans to slap discounts on new groups of products every week until the season is over. The world's largest retailer is now selling 100 different toys for $10 each, and will make especially aggressive markdowns on books, DVDs, video games and other entertainment products. "The online price-war in best-selling books between Wal-Mart, Amazon and now, Target, speaks volumes about the cutthroat nature of retail in 2009," Buxbaum says. "Wal-Mart has fired the first shot across the bow and it is only October.
"In general," he continues, "consumers are still focused on price and value. The winners will be those chains that have the guts to slash prices the most. Eking out a profit in this environment requires highly rationalized SG&A (selling, general and administrative) costs and lower overhead. Wal-Mart is No. 1 in that regard, followed by the warehouse clubs and Target. Everybody else is in the rearview mirror."
The top 1% of richest Americans might unwrap a MacBook Pro or find a Lexis SUV parked in the driveway. But the vast majority of shoppers will not be maxing out any credit cards this year at the likes of Nieman Marcus, Buxbaum says. "We have gone from the 'aspirational' shopper--people who spent beyond their means for the sake of status or the sheer thrill--to the 'desperational' shopper," he observes. "Now, most people are just trying to find value."
That said, certain trends hint at the types of products that will go over best with budget-constrained and newly circumspect shoppers, Buxbaum says. Rave reviews of the new Windows 7 operating system, which Microsoft radically simplified after consumers railed against its feature-packed Vista predecessor, show the rising importance of simplicity and practicality in consumers' harried lives.
"Wired magazine talks about the rise of 'Good Enough' tech," he says. "Take digital cameras. People don't want another $1,000 camera. They're saying, 'Heck. I never figure out what 90% of these features do anyway, and I'm not Ansel Adams.' Personally, I use about 1% of the features on my Blackberry. People's lives are so complex, they want to simplify them. They don't want all this stuff that they neither need nor understand."
Even though devices like Apple's all-in-one iPhone or Amazon.com's Kindle e-book reader are expensive, they continue to sell because they help people reduce clutter and bulk. "If you simplify my life by putting four different devices, or thousands of books, into one device, that's convergence," Buxbaum says. "People are interested in convergence, not complexity."
Nor are American parents interested in short-changing their kids. They will continue to spend as much as they can on children and younger adults, and retailers focused on these segments will see stronger sales, especially if they have somehow managed to find a niche that enables them to avoid direct competition with Wal-Mart, Buxbaum notes. "People won't take out their frustration with the financial system and Wall Street on their nieces and nephews," he says. "But they will cut back on spending for themselves."
Sustainable or "green" products might have bright longer-term futures, but they won't set any records this year with the broad base of the American economy. "The extra cost of green doesn't fit the proposition of getting the best price," Buxbaum says. "The overwhelming thing right now is not whether something will disintegrate in a landfill--our economy is disintegrating in a landfill. You could call it the biodegradable economy. It will take a resurgence of that broad base for us to rebuild a new economy that doesn't break down."
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The scary waste of 'vampire power'
(ARA) – Vampires may be hot right now in the entertainment world, but “vampire power” – the slow, invisible energy drain caused by leaving electric devices plugged in – simply sucks.
Every electrical item you leave plugged in, from your home computer to your high-def, flat-screen TV, draws power even while it’s turned off. This “vampire power” drain adds up, costing consumers about $10 billion a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing Vampire Power in your home is an easy way to do your part, both helping the environment and reducing your family’s carbon footprint – plus it could save you 10 percent of your family’s electric bill, according to the Intrusive Residential Standby Report.
Vampire power – or “standby power” – refers to the power many electric and electronic items draw while in “stand by” mode, when they are plugged in, but not turned on. Virtually every item you plug in draws some standby power, but major electronic items like PCs and TVs are the biggest power-sucking culprits.
You can reduce vampire power drain with a few simple steps:
* Buy ENERGY STAR rated products. These products are designed to not only use less power when operating, but to draw less standby power as well. Items ranging from dishwashers to laptops carry the rating. Log on to www.ENERGYSTAR.gov to learn more about the product rating program.
* Don’t leave your laptop, cell phone, iPod or other chargers plugged into the wall outlet. Even these innocent-seeming cords draw vampire power. Instead, plug chargers into a product designed to halt vampire power, like the iGo Laptop Charger. The device uses up to 85 percent less power than standard chargers and you never have to turn it on or off. You can purchase a range of adapters that allows you to use the charger with virtually any electronic device that requires one. Visit www.iGo.com to learn more about this product.
* Streamline the number of devices you have to plug into the wall. Like most of us, you probably can’t live without your PC or DVR and need to leave it plugged in. But do you really need a TV in every room of the house and three game consoles – one for each kid? Reducing the number of devices in your home will reduce the amount of standby power you use and possibly help you to streamline your life a bit.
* Unplug your appliances when they are not in use. And when it’s not practical to unplug some devices, like the PC, Wii game system or flat screen TV, you can keep them plugged in using a power management device that halts vampire power, like the iGo Power Smart Tower. With an instant wake-up button and four always-on outlets, the iGo Power Smart Tower ensures that you’ll always have power for your devices as soon as you need it without wasting energy.
To learn more about vampire power, how it impacts the environment and consumers’ wallets as well as additional tips to minimize its effect, visit www.VampirePowerSucks.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Every electrical item you leave plugged in, from your home computer to your high-def, flat-screen TV, draws power even while it’s turned off. This “vampire power” drain adds up, costing consumers about $10 billion a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing Vampire Power in your home is an easy way to do your part, both helping the environment and reducing your family’s carbon footprint – plus it could save you 10 percent of your family’s electric bill, according to the Intrusive Residential Standby Report.
Vampire power – or “standby power” – refers to the power many electric and electronic items draw while in “stand by” mode, when they are plugged in, but not turned on. Virtually every item you plug in draws some standby power, but major electronic items like PCs and TVs are the biggest power-sucking culprits.
You can reduce vampire power drain with a few simple steps:
* Buy ENERGY STAR rated products. These products are designed to not only use less power when operating, but to draw less standby power as well. Items ranging from dishwashers to laptops carry the rating. Log on to www.ENERGYSTAR.gov to learn more about the product rating program.
* Don’t leave your laptop, cell phone, iPod or other chargers plugged into the wall outlet. Even these innocent-seeming cords draw vampire power. Instead, plug chargers into a product designed to halt vampire power, like the iGo Laptop Charger. The device uses up to 85 percent less power than standard chargers and you never have to turn it on or off. You can purchase a range of adapters that allows you to use the charger with virtually any electronic device that requires one. Visit www.iGo.com to learn more about this product.
* Streamline the number of devices you have to plug into the wall. Like most of us, you probably can’t live without your PC or DVR and need to leave it plugged in. But do you really need a TV in every room of the house and three game consoles – one for each kid? Reducing the number of devices in your home will reduce the amount of standby power you use and possibly help you to streamline your life a bit.
* Unplug your appliances when they are not in use. And when it’s not practical to unplug some devices, like the PC, Wii game system or flat screen TV, you can keep them plugged in using a power management device that halts vampire power, like the iGo Power Smart Tower. With an instant wake-up button and four always-on outlets, the iGo Power Smart Tower ensures that you’ll always have power for your devices as soon as you need it without wasting energy.
To learn more about vampire power, how it impacts the environment and consumers’ wallets as well as additional tips to minimize its effect, visit www.VampirePowerSucks.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Votes Are In, Spiders Win
/PRNewswire/ -- Results from Orkin's first-ever "Scariest Pest Halloween Poll" reveal spiders, one of Halloween's quintessential icons, are the scariest pests of 2009. According to Orkin experts, the pests people consider (and voted) the scariest are not necessarily the most dangerous.
From October 1 - 23, the Atlanta-based pest control leader invited people to vote online at Halloween.Orkin.com for one of six spine-chilling pests. Following are the scariest pest rankings and percentages from the online poll:
1. Spooky spiders (30 percent)
2. Hair-raising rodents (27 percent)
3. Creepy cockroaches (23 percent)
4. Terrifying ticks (10 percent)
5. Freaky flying/stinging insects (6 percent)
6. Menacing mosquitoes (4 percent)
Similar to plastic spider rings and cotton web decorations that run rampant this holiday season, most of the 3,500 spider species found in the United States - even if they bite - cause little harm to humans. However, the following few spider species rank among the most dangerous pests in North America because of their potentially harmful and even deadly bites:
-- Black widows
-- Brown widows
-- Brown recluses
-- Hobo spiders
According to Ron Harrison, Ph.D., technical director for Orkin, Inc., the few dangerous spider species like the black widow and brown recluse are so well known that people overlook the great benefit spiders provide. "Their food sources - moths, flies, cockroaches, bees and other bugs - are the same insects that pester us. Because of that, their presence in or around our homes is a good indicator that we have a larger pest issue that needs attention."
Harrison does not ignore the fact that most people consider spiders scary, or that they should protect themselves against spider bites. He offers these tips to make homes less attractive to spiders:
-- Target their food source. Contact a licensed pest management
professional to first control the insects that are attracting spiders
to your home.
-- Sweep, dust, clean and remove clutter to make areas uncomfortable for
spiders, which often like to hide.
-- Seal off potential entries like cracks and crevices, spaces under
doors, holes in screens, etc.
Harrison also warns that homeowners should understand the risks posed by rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ticks and flying/stinging insects. Although not voted the scariest, these pests are some of the world's most dangerous because of the diseases they can carry and health threats they pose.
Following are Harrison's rankings for the most dangerous pests:
1. Blood-Suckers: Mosquitoes top Harrison's list as they pose a
significant danger to public health throughout the world - transmitting
West Nile virus, malaria and yellow fever. Harrison warns that ticks -
associated with Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and
Lyme disease - are actually the number one transmitter of disease in
the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), over 28,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported in the
U.S. in 2008.
2. Creepy Crawlers (including poll-topping spiders): In addition to
eliciting a scream, rodents can transmit numerous diseases - including
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and LCMV - through their urine, feces and
bites. Cockroaches can cause more than the chills, transferring
pathogens from the decaying matter they live and breed in to food and
food-preparation areas. With their cast skins producing allergens,
cockroaches have been proven to cause allergic reactions and even
asthma.
3. Stingers: Some species of flying and stinging insects are known to
protect their nests aggressively and inflict painful stings on
intruders. Stings from yellow jackets, hornets and wasps can cause
swelling, become infected easily and also aggravate skin conditions and
allergies.
According to Orkin, Halloween's cold weather often sparks an increase in activity from the creepy crawlers, but whatever the season, people should protect themselves and their homes from these scary and potentially dangerous pests. For more facts about frightful pests, visit orkin.com.
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From October 1 - 23, the Atlanta-based pest control leader invited people to vote online at Halloween.Orkin.com for one of six spine-chilling pests. Following are the scariest pest rankings and percentages from the online poll:
1. Spooky spiders (30 percent)
2. Hair-raising rodents (27 percent)
3. Creepy cockroaches (23 percent)
4. Terrifying ticks (10 percent)
5. Freaky flying/stinging insects (6 percent)
6. Menacing mosquitoes (4 percent)
Similar to plastic spider rings and cotton web decorations that run rampant this holiday season, most of the 3,500 spider species found in the United States - even if they bite - cause little harm to humans. However, the following few spider species rank among the most dangerous pests in North America because of their potentially harmful and even deadly bites:
-- Black widows
-- Brown widows
-- Brown recluses
-- Hobo spiders
According to Ron Harrison, Ph.D., technical director for Orkin, Inc., the few dangerous spider species like the black widow and brown recluse are so well known that people overlook the great benefit spiders provide. "Their food sources - moths, flies, cockroaches, bees and other bugs - are the same insects that pester us. Because of that, their presence in or around our homes is a good indicator that we have a larger pest issue that needs attention."
Harrison does not ignore the fact that most people consider spiders scary, or that they should protect themselves against spider bites. He offers these tips to make homes less attractive to spiders:
-- Target their food source. Contact a licensed pest management
professional to first control the insects that are attracting spiders
to your home.
-- Sweep, dust, clean and remove clutter to make areas uncomfortable for
spiders, which often like to hide.
-- Seal off potential entries like cracks and crevices, spaces under
doors, holes in screens, etc.
Harrison also warns that homeowners should understand the risks posed by rodents, cockroaches, mosquitoes, ticks and flying/stinging insects. Although not voted the scariest, these pests are some of the world's most dangerous because of the diseases they can carry and health threats they pose.
Following are Harrison's rankings for the most dangerous pests:
1. Blood-Suckers: Mosquitoes top Harrison's list as they pose a
significant danger to public health throughout the world - transmitting
West Nile virus, malaria and yellow fever. Harrison warns that ticks -
associated with Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and
Lyme disease - are actually the number one transmitter of disease in
the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), over 28,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported in the
U.S. in 2008.
2. Creepy Crawlers (including poll-topping spiders): In addition to
eliciting a scream, rodents can transmit numerous diseases - including
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and LCMV - through their urine, feces and
bites. Cockroaches can cause more than the chills, transferring
pathogens from the decaying matter they live and breed in to food and
food-preparation areas. With their cast skins producing allergens,
cockroaches have been proven to cause allergic reactions and even
asthma.
3. Stingers: Some species of flying and stinging insects are known to
protect their nests aggressively and inflict painful stings on
intruders. Stings from yellow jackets, hornets and wasps can cause
swelling, become infected easily and also aggravate skin conditions and
allergies.
According to Orkin, Halloween's cold weather often sparks an increase in activity from the creepy crawlers, but whatever the season, people should protect themselves and their homes from these scary and potentially dangerous pests. For more facts about frightful pests, visit orkin.com.
-----
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You can get it all done before the holidays ... even learning to play the piano
(ARA) – Shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking ... not to mention untangling those dratted lights – does it seem like there’s no way you can get everything done that you need to accomplish before the holidays?
Actually, a little smart scheduling and some stress-relieving techniques are really all you need in order to check off everything on your “to do” list this holiday season. In fact, you probably already know what you need to do. Sometimes, it just helps to have a reminder or two of how to use your time wisely:
* Take the time-eating bite out of holiday shopping by doing it online. Secure Web sites, great deals and free shipping incentives from many sellers make online the easiest way to do your holiday shopping. Just keep in mind shipping times, and shop as early as possible to allow yourself extra time in case you need to return something before the holiday.
* Use laundry baskets to organize gifts by recipient. Have one basket of small, generic gifts that can be used for unexpected gift-giving occasions that may arrive – like the surprise last-minute gift from a co-worker or acquaintance.
* Set aside one afternoon a weekend for several weekends prior to the holidays and bake and freeze holiday goodies that you plan to serve or give as gifts. Or, organize a few baking parties with family and friends, and have each person bring a few dozen of a specific type of cookie to exchange during the party.
* Don’t forget to do something for yourself, like learn to play the piano. Seriously ... you can learn how to play some favorite Christmas carols in the weeks leading up to the holidays, even if you’ve never played the piano before. And it will probably take a lot less time than untangling last year’s lights.
“The trick is learning to play the way the pros play, learning a few simple chords rather than tackling the time-consuming task of learning to read sheet music well,” says Scott Houston, host of the Emmy-winning Public Television how-to show, “The Piano Guy.”
"It's much easier for people to focus on chords and interpretation, rather than spending years trying to figure out how to read notes," Houston says. He teaches people how to play piano in a flash by reading a "lead sheet," which is like the shorthand professional musicians use to follow a tune's melody line – matching the chords that work with the tune.
You’ll find three free lessons, teaching you how to play “Silent Night,” at www.scotthouston.com/freelessons/. So dust off that piano or keyboard, and, with a little help from the Internet, learn to play at least one favorite carol in time for this year’s family gathering.
* Dedicate one area of your home – which will be off-limits to potential gift recipients – where you can create a gift-wrapping center. Over-the-door towel racks – the kind with arms that swing out – make great holders for rolls of gift wrap. Store decorative supplies like ribbon, bows and mini ornaments in clear plastic bins. Invest in a new pair of scissors and only use them to cut wrapping paper or ribbon so they stay sharp and swift.
Wrap as you go. If you wait until Christmas Eve to wrap gifts, you not only run the risk of wandering eyes getting a preview of their holiday gifts, you’ll stress yourself trying to get everything done at the last minute. Plus, it’s much easier to purchase extra wrapping supplies two weeks before the holiday, than it will be if you run out the night before the big day.
As for untangling last year’s lights, consider how much time and effort – and aggravation – the chore will cost. If it’s going to raise your stress level and take hours, it’s probably better to toss last year’s tangle, buy new and do a better job of storing them when the season’s over this year.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Actually, a little smart scheduling and some stress-relieving techniques are really all you need in order to check off everything on your “to do” list this holiday season. In fact, you probably already know what you need to do. Sometimes, it just helps to have a reminder or two of how to use your time wisely:
* Take the time-eating bite out of holiday shopping by doing it online. Secure Web sites, great deals and free shipping incentives from many sellers make online the easiest way to do your holiday shopping. Just keep in mind shipping times, and shop as early as possible to allow yourself extra time in case you need to return something before the holiday.
* Use laundry baskets to organize gifts by recipient. Have one basket of small, generic gifts that can be used for unexpected gift-giving occasions that may arrive – like the surprise last-minute gift from a co-worker or acquaintance.
* Set aside one afternoon a weekend for several weekends prior to the holidays and bake and freeze holiday goodies that you plan to serve or give as gifts. Or, organize a few baking parties with family and friends, and have each person bring a few dozen of a specific type of cookie to exchange during the party.
* Don’t forget to do something for yourself, like learn to play the piano. Seriously ... you can learn how to play some favorite Christmas carols in the weeks leading up to the holidays, even if you’ve never played the piano before. And it will probably take a lot less time than untangling last year’s lights.
“The trick is learning to play the way the pros play, learning a few simple chords rather than tackling the time-consuming task of learning to read sheet music well,” says Scott Houston, host of the Emmy-winning Public Television how-to show, “The Piano Guy.”
"It's much easier for people to focus on chords and interpretation, rather than spending years trying to figure out how to read notes," Houston says. He teaches people how to play piano in a flash by reading a "lead sheet," which is like the shorthand professional musicians use to follow a tune's melody line – matching the chords that work with the tune.
You’ll find three free lessons, teaching you how to play “Silent Night,” at www.scotthouston.com/freelessons/. So dust off that piano or keyboard, and, with a little help from the Internet, learn to play at least one favorite carol in time for this year’s family gathering.
* Dedicate one area of your home – which will be off-limits to potential gift recipients – where you can create a gift-wrapping center. Over-the-door towel racks – the kind with arms that swing out – make great holders for rolls of gift wrap. Store decorative supplies like ribbon, bows and mini ornaments in clear plastic bins. Invest in a new pair of scissors and only use them to cut wrapping paper or ribbon so they stay sharp and swift.
Wrap as you go. If you wait until Christmas Eve to wrap gifts, you not only run the risk of wandering eyes getting a preview of their holiday gifts, you’ll stress yourself trying to get everything done at the last minute. Plus, it’s much easier to purchase extra wrapping supplies two weeks before the holiday, than it will be if you run out the night before the big day.
As for untangling last year’s lights, consider how much time and effort – and aggravation – the chore will cost. If it’s going to raise your stress level and take hours, it’s probably better to toss last year’s tangle, buy new and do a better job of storing them when the season’s over this year.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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Monday, October 26, 2009
CVS/pharmacy Rewards Shoppers For Passing on Plastic Bags
/PRNewswire/ -- According to The Wall Street Journal, approximately 100 billion plastic shopping bags are used in the U.S. each year, and only roughly one to three percent of those bags are recycled. To encourage shoppers to cut down on the use of single-use plastic bags, CVS/pharmacy has introduced a new product and program called GreenBagTag which rewards members of the company's ExtraCare loyalty program for declining plastic bags when making a purchase. As of today, GreenBagTag is available for purchase at any of CVS/pharmacy's 7,000 convenient store locations nationwide and all store locations now accept GreenBagTag.
CVS/pharmacy's GreenBagTag: How the Program Works
Available in-stores for 99 cents, GreenBagTag is made with corn-based material, an annually renewable resource, as well as 100% recycled silicone, and is packaged in 100% recycled paper. Shoppers can purchase GreenBagTag for themselves or as a gift for environmentally-conscious friends and family; each tag must be used with an ExtraCare card. Whether they are using re-usable bags or simply carrying out their items, customers who choose not to take a plastic bag, benefit each time they shop at CVS/pharmacy and scan both their GreenBagTag and ExtraCare card at the register. On every fourth scan, GreenBagTag cardholders receive a $1.00 Extra Buck on the bottom of their receipt. Extra Bucks are like free CVS/pharmacy money that can be used on nearly anything in the store.
The GreenBagTag program is a new feature of CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare Rewards program, the largest retail rewards program in the U.S. Now more than 62 million existing cardholders (and shoppers who register for a new ExtraCare account) can receive incentives for choosing not to take a single-use plastic bag when shopping, in addition to the various other money-saving benefits associated with participation in ExtraCare.
"CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of the people and communities we serve, and that includes helping all our customers adopt more eco-friendly practices," said Bari Harlam, Vice President of Marketing for CVS/pharmacy. "We have a long history of rewarding our customers with incentives that are both convenient and beneficial to their well-being. Our new GreenBagTag program provides an easy way for shoppers to take a small step in going green, while also receiving Extra Bucks as a 'Thank you!' for joining us in making an impact in the fight to reduce waste from disposable plastic bags."
How ExtraCare works: Quarterly and Instant Extra Bucks
Beyond the Extra Bucks earned through the GreenBagTag program, CVS/pharmacy customers save money through the ExtraCare Rewards program all year long. Registering for an ExtraCare account is free and takes less than two minutes in-store or online. ExtraCare cardholders receive 2% back on nearly every dollar spent in the store, every time they shop, regardless of whether or not they participate in any sales or special offers. Additionally, for every two prescriptions filled at CVS/pharmacy, ExtraCare cardholders automatically receive $1 Extra Buck. At the end of each quarter, these Extra Bucks are printed on the bottom of cardholder's receipts during their first visit. Cardholders can also register their ExtraCare accounts on CVS.com, so they can print out Extra Bucks at home before shopping.
In addition to the automatic quarterly rewards all cardholders receive, each time a shopper visits CVS/pharmacy, certain items are marked with instant Extra Bucks offers. These special discounts are listed in the weekly sales circular and are marked on store shelves. To take advantage of these instant offers, shoppers earn additional Extra Bucks simply by purchasing the qualifying items. These Extra Bucks coupons print immediately on the bottom of the receipt after the transaction is completed.
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CVS/pharmacy's GreenBagTag: How the Program Works
Available in-stores for 99 cents, GreenBagTag is made with corn-based material, an annually renewable resource, as well as 100% recycled silicone, and is packaged in 100% recycled paper. Shoppers can purchase GreenBagTag for themselves or as a gift for environmentally-conscious friends and family; each tag must be used with an ExtraCare card. Whether they are using re-usable bags or simply carrying out their items, customers who choose not to take a plastic bag, benefit each time they shop at CVS/pharmacy and scan both their GreenBagTag and ExtraCare card at the register. On every fourth scan, GreenBagTag cardholders receive a $1.00 Extra Buck on the bottom of their receipt. Extra Bucks are like free CVS/pharmacy money that can be used on nearly anything in the store.
The GreenBagTag program is a new feature of CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare Rewards program, the largest retail rewards program in the U.S. Now more than 62 million existing cardholders (and shoppers who register for a new ExtraCare account) can receive incentives for choosing not to take a single-use plastic bag when shopping, in addition to the various other money-saving benefits associated with participation in ExtraCare.
"CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of the people and communities we serve, and that includes helping all our customers adopt more eco-friendly practices," said Bari Harlam, Vice President of Marketing for CVS/pharmacy. "We have a long history of rewarding our customers with incentives that are both convenient and beneficial to their well-being. Our new GreenBagTag program provides an easy way for shoppers to take a small step in going green, while also receiving Extra Bucks as a 'Thank you!' for joining us in making an impact in the fight to reduce waste from disposable plastic bags."
How ExtraCare works: Quarterly and Instant Extra Bucks
Beyond the Extra Bucks earned through the GreenBagTag program, CVS/pharmacy customers save money through the ExtraCare Rewards program all year long. Registering for an ExtraCare account is free and takes less than two minutes in-store or online. ExtraCare cardholders receive 2% back on nearly every dollar spent in the store, every time they shop, regardless of whether or not they participate in any sales or special offers. Additionally, for every two prescriptions filled at CVS/pharmacy, ExtraCare cardholders automatically receive $1 Extra Buck. At the end of each quarter, these Extra Bucks are printed on the bottom of cardholder's receipts during their first visit. Cardholders can also register their ExtraCare accounts on CVS.com, so they can print out Extra Bucks at home before shopping.
In addition to the automatic quarterly rewards all cardholders receive, each time a shopper visits CVS/pharmacy, certain items are marked with instant Extra Bucks offers. These special discounts are listed in the weekly sales circular and are marked on store shelves. To take advantage of these instant offers, shoppers earn additional Extra Bucks simply by purchasing the qualifying items. These Extra Bucks coupons print immediately on the bottom of the receipt after the transaction is completed.
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Older Adults Want Robots that Do More than Vacuum, Researchers Find
Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered that, contrary to previous assumptions, older adults are more amenable than younger ones to having a robot “perform critical monitoring tasks that would require little interaction between the robot and the human. The findings will be presented at the upcoming HFES 53rd Annual Meeting, Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, October 22.
Despite manufacturers’ increased development of in-home robots, it’s unclear how much interaction people would be willing to have with them. Robots can perform routine tasks such as cleaning, the Roomba vacuum cleaner being the best-known example. Studies have found that individuals think of robots as advanced appliances, but there is not much research on why this is so. Robots could perform more critical tasks, such as reminding a person to take medications, teaching a new skill, providing security and reducing social isolation.
To gauge how willing people might be to have a robot perform these kinds of more interactive tasks, Neta Ezer (now at Futron Corporation), Arthur D. Fisk and Wendy A. Rogers sent a questionnaire to 2,500 Atlanta-area adults ages 18 to 86 and received 177 responses. One of their questions addressed respondents’ level of experience with technology and robots that do things like mow, clean, guard and entertain. Older adults (ages 65 to 86) had significantly less experience with technology than younger ones (18 to 28), but younger adults had only slightly more experience with robots currently on the market.
When asked about their willingness to have robots perform 15 tasks in the home (categorized as entertainment, service, educational and general health/self-care), respondents of all ages preferred that robots stick to noninteractive tasks (such as “Help me with housework” or “Bring me things I need from another room in my home") rather than interactive ones (for example, “Have a conversation with me” or “Help motivate me to exercise"). Infrequent critical tasks, such as “Warn me about a danger in my home” or “Inform my doctor if I have a medical emergency,” were seen by more older adults than younger ones as important for robots to perform.
Both younger and older respondents reported positive attitudes toward a robot in their homes. They thought a robot would be useful, but were less confident that it would be easy to use. Given a choice between receiving care from a robot in their homes and moving to a care facility in the event of illness or injury, 67 percent of younger adults and 77 percent of older adults chose the former option. (This finding is not reported in the paper to be presented in October.)
The researchers say their results “suggest that both younger and older individuals are more interested in the benefits that a robot can provide than in their interactive abilities.” Furthermore, the results discredit the stereotype that older adults would be less willing than younger ones to accept new technology such as a robot in their home. Manufacturers: Take note.
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Despite manufacturers’ increased development of in-home robots, it’s unclear how much interaction people would be willing to have with them. Robots can perform routine tasks such as cleaning, the Roomba vacuum cleaner being the best-known example. Studies have found that individuals think of robots as advanced appliances, but there is not much research on why this is so. Robots could perform more critical tasks, such as reminding a person to take medications, teaching a new skill, providing security and reducing social isolation.
To gauge how willing people might be to have a robot perform these kinds of more interactive tasks, Neta Ezer (now at Futron Corporation), Arthur D. Fisk and Wendy A. Rogers sent a questionnaire to 2,500 Atlanta-area adults ages 18 to 86 and received 177 responses. One of their questions addressed respondents’ level of experience with technology and robots that do things like mow, clean, guard and entertain. Older adults (ages 65 to 86) had significantly less experience with technology than younger ones (18 to 28), but younger adults had only slightly more experience with robots currently on the market.
When asked about their willingness to have robots perform 15 tasks in the home (categorized as entertainment, service, educational and general health/self-care), respondents of all ages preferred that robots stick to noninteractive tasks (such as “Help me with housework” or “Bring me things I need from another room in my home") rather than interactive ones (for example, “Have a conversation with me” or “Help motivate me to exercise"). Infrequent critical tasks, such as “Warn me about a danger in my home” or “Inform my doctor if I have a medical emergency,” were seen by more older adults than younger ones as important for robots to perform.
Both younger and older respondents reported positive attitudes toward a robot in their homes. They thought a robot would be useful, but were less confident that it would be easy to use. Given a choice between receiving care from a robot in their homes and moving to a care facility in the event of illness or injury, 67 percent of younger adults and 77 percent of older adults chose the former option. (This finding is not reported in the paper to be presented in October.)
The researchers say their results “suggest that both younger and older individuals are more interested in the benefits that a robot can provide than in their interactive abilities.” Furthermore, the results discredit the stereotype that older adults would be less willing than younger ones to accept new technology such as a robot in their home. Manufacturers: Take note.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
My Identity Has Been Stolen - What Should I Do?
/PRNewswire/ -- It could be as simple as an unexplained charge on your credit card statement or a debit from your checking account that you don't recall making or have a receipt for. Many victims of identity theft don't recognize small transactions as symptoms of a larger problem. In fact, many victims do not realize their identity has been stolen until months, or even years after the theft. The average victim of identity theft will spend close to 200 hours and $1,200 repairing damage done by an identity thief.
"Even one unexplained transaction on your account could be a sign of identity theft," said Suzanne Boas, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta (CCCS). "Quick action can minimize the impact and reduce the amount of time and money spent repairing the damage."
If you are the victim of identity theft, take the following steps:
Notify the Credit Bureaus
Contact the fraud departments of any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-888-766-0008; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
Once you call one credit bureau, they are required to notify the other two. Once you place the fraud alert on your file, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each. Request that only the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number appear on the report. Review the reports carefully, looking for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain.
Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
If you suspect that your accounts have been tampered with or see new accounts that may have been opened fraudulently, close them immediately. Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Be sure to document each conversation, including dates, times and who you talked to. Keep copies of all supporting documents and if you send correspondence, do so by certified mail, return receipt requested.
When you open new accounts, use new passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs). Avoid easy to crack codes such as birth dates, phone numbers, your mother's maiden name or your house number.
Once you clear up your credit report, check them periodically to make sure no new activity has occurred.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them.
File a complaint with the FTC using the online complaint form (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/); or through their toll free Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338). Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
File a Police Report
File a report with your local police department and get a copy. You may need to submit this report to creditors and others to prove the theft.
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"Even one unexplained transaction on your account could be a sign of identity theft," said Suzanne Boas, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta (CCCS). "Quick action can minimize the impact and reduce the amount of time and money spent repairing the damage."
If you are the victim of identity theft, take the following steps:
Notify the Credit Bureaus
Contact the fraud departments of any of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Equifax: 1-888-766-0008; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
Once you call one credit bureau, they are required to notify the other two. Once you place the fraud alert on your file, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each. Request that only the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number appear on the report. Review the reports carefully, looking for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain.
Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
If you suspect that your accounts have been tampered with or see new accounts that may have been opened fraudulently, close them immediately. Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Be sure to document each conversation, including dates, times and who you talked to. Keep copies of all supporting documents and if you send correspondence, do so by certified mail, return receipt requested.
When you open new accounts, use new passwords and personal identification numbers (PINs). Avoid easy to crack codes such as birth dates, phone numbers, your mother's maiden name or your house number.
Once you clear up your credit report, check them periodically to make sure no new activity has occurred.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop them.
File a complaint with the FTC using the online complaint form (https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/); or through their toll free Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338). Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have any additional information or problems.
File a Police Report
File a report with your local police department and get a copy. You may need to submit this report to creditors and others to prove the theft.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
Attorney General Announces Formal Medical Marijuana Guidelines
/PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Eric Holder today announced formal guidelines for federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The guidelines make clear that the focus of federal resources should not be on individuals whose actions are in compliance with existing state laws, while underscoring that the Department will continue to prosecute people whose claims of compliance with state and local law conceal operations inconsistent with the terms, conditions, or purposes of those laws.
"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal," Holder said. "This balanced policy formalizes a sensible approach that the Department has been following since January: effectively focus our resources on serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws."
The guidelines set forth examples of conduct that would show when individuals are not in clear and unambiguous compliance with applicable state law and may indicate illegal drug trafficking activity of potential federal interest, including unlawful use of firearms, violence, sales to minors, money laundering, amounts of marijuana inconsistent with purported compliance with state or local law, marketing or excessive financial gains similarly inconsistent with state or local law, illegal possession or sale of other controlled substances, and ties to criminal enterprises.
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"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate drug traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal," Holder said. "This balanced policy formalizes a sensible approach that the Department has been following since January: effectively focus our resources on serious drug traffickers while taking into account state and local laws."
The guidelines set forth examples of conduct that would show when individuals are not in clear and unambiguous compliance with applicable state law and may indicate illegal drug trafficking activity of potential federal interest, including unlawful use of firearms, violence, sales to minors, money laundering, amounts of marijuana inconsistent with purported compliance with state or local law, marketing or excessive financial gains similarly inconsistent with state or local law, illegal possession or sale of other controlled substances, and ties to criminal enterprises.
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