http://www.insurance-plus.com/blog/View Insurance Plus Agencies Inc's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.insurance-plus.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:5038079d-8636-4a7e-a9f4-b8ed6338ad90urn:uuid:4b82ef8f-bbae-412a-a756-634b121cb0e8Collector Car - Add on's Vehicle Under Construction Endorsement Is your client restoring a vehicle? This add-on keeps up with a vehicle's value as more work is done. We'll automatically increase a vehicle's value by 10% every three months, ...Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:08:48 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;">Collector Car - Add on's<br /> <br /> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li><strong>Vehicle Under Construction Endorsement</strong><br /> Is your client restoring a vehicle? This add-on keeps up with a vehicle's value as more work is done. We'll automatically increase a vehicle's value by 10% every three months, saving the hassle of updating us on value and saving money in the long run by avoiding the minimum fee typically charged for every value change. </li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li><strong>Traveling Collector Endorsement</strong><br /> A must-have for clients who travel to car shows out of town, this add-on provides up to $1,500 of trip interruption coverage, including motels, food, car rentals other costs resulting from a covered accident while traveling.</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li><strong>Automobilia, Spare Parts and Tools Coverage</strong><br /> We can protect the memorabilia, spare parts and tools that go along with the collector car lifestyle. At a very reasonable price.</li> </ul> </span>urn:uuid:2d5b8dbf-5edb-4817-8120-79eb62b86d80Where are you on Retirement?&nbsp; Talk to us &bull;50% of American households don't have a retirement account. &bull;40% of working Americans are not saving for retirement. &bull;25% of households have no savings whatsoever. &bull;7.7% of people...Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:05:13 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;">Where are you on Retirement?&nbsp; Talk to us<br /> </span><br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">&bull;50% of American households don't have a retirement account. <br /> &bull;40% of working Americans are not saving for retirement. <br /> &bull;25% of households have no savings whatsoever. <br /> &bull;7.7% of people don't even own a bank account<br /> <br /> Why not take a little time and talk to us about a savings - Retirement plan. <br /> </span>urn:uuid:3972ecb6-cbe3-439c-ab9c-695efe535907 Top 25 Social Security Questions on Social Security: Confused about when to claim or whether you're eligible for benefits? We have answers by: Stan Hinden | from: AARP Bulletin | December 1, 2010 En espa&ntilde;ol | Here are the most frequently aske...Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:15 -0600<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><a name="pd_a_5340680" target="blank"></a><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 24pt;">Top 25 Social Security Questions on Social Security:</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Confused about when to claim or whether you're eligible for benefits? We have answers</span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">by: Stan Hinden | from: <a href="http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">AARP Bulletin</span></a> | December 1, 2010</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.aarp.org/espanol/trabajo/seguro-social/info-12-2010/preguntas_respuestas_seguro_social.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">En espa&ntilde;ol</span></a> | Here are the most frequently asked questions about Social Security that AARP has received from you.</span></p> <p style="background: white;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Social Security benefits are calculated on the amount of money you earn during your lifetime. &mdash; iStockphoto</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. I am about to turn 62 and plan to file for Social Security. How do I get started?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">You should apply three months before you want to start collecting. <a href="https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/iClaim/rib" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">Sign up online</span></a> or call 1-800-772-1213. Here are some documents you may have to produce: your <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">Social Security</span></a> card or a record of the number; your birth certificate; proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status; military discharge papers if you served before 1968; and last year's W-2 tax form or tax return if you're <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/self-employment/" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">self-employed</span></a>. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. How is my Social Security benefit calculated?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Benefits are based on the amount of money you earned during your lifetime &ndash; with an emphasis on the 35 years in which you earned the most. Plus, lower-paid workers get a bigger percentage of their preretirement income than higher-paid workers. In 2010, the average monthly benefit for retirees is $1,172.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. If I remarry, can I still collect Social Security benefits based on my deceased first husband's record?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">You can &mdash; subject to several rules. In general, you cannot receive survivor benefits if you remarry before age 60 unless that marriage ends, too, whether by annulment, divorce or death of your new husband. If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse's record. After you reach 62, you may get retirement benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher. <br /> <br /> <b>4. Why won't retirees get a cost-of-living adjustment for 2011? Many of us count on this for food, medicine and other bills.</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">COLAs are based on the consumer price index, which tracks inflation. Because inflation has been flat, according to the CPI, there will be no benefit increase &mdash; for the second year in a row. <span style="color: blue;">AARP is calling on Congress</span> to provide beneficiaries with financial relief. <br /> <br /> <b>5. I am 56 and receive Social Security disability benefits. At what point will I switch to regular Social Security? Will the monthly amount change?</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">When you reach full retirement age, your disability benefits will automatically convert to retirement benefits. The amount will <a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10153.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">remain the same</span></a>. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next: <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-12-2010/top-25-social-security-questions.2.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">What if someone dies before applying for benefits? &gt;&gt;</span></a></span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">6. My friend died at 66. She worked full time and had not applied for benefits. What happens to the money she contributed to Social Security? Can her children claim benefits?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The money people contribute goes into a fund from which benefits are paid to eligible workers and their families. These include a widower, a surviving divorced husband, dependent parents, disabled children, and children if they have not aged out. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">7. My husband and I are getting a divorce. He wants the settlement agreement to say I will not get his Social Security benefits. Can he do that?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">No, he has no control over your future benefits. You can qualify for a <a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/yourdivspouse.htm" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">divorced spouse's benefits</span></a> if you were married at least 10 years, are now unmarried, are 62 or older, and if any benefit from your own work record would be less than the divorced spouse's benefit.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">8. Cleaning out my mother's home after her death, we found Social Security checks from the 1980s. Can we cash them?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">No. The checks are negotiable for only 12 months after issue. <br /> <br /> <b>9. My man and I have lived together for over seven years. If he dies, can I collect his Social Security benefits?</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If your state recognizes your common-law marriage, then you'll likely be eligible for survivor benefits. But you'll have to provide evidence that includes sworn statements, mortgage or rent receipts, or insurance policies. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">10. Do my Social Security contributions go into a personal retirement account for me and earn interest?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although many people think so, the answer is no. Social Security operates under a pay-as-you-go system, which means that today's workers pay for current retirees and other beneficiaries. Workers pay 6.2 percent of their wages up to a cap of $106,800; employers pay the same. The money that younger people contribute will pay for our benefits when we retire.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next: <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-12-2010/top-25-social-security-questions.3.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">Will Army pension affect your Social Security benefits? &gt;&gt;</span></a></span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">11. How much money does the U.S. government owe to the Social Security trust fund, and will it be repaid? </span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">To prepare for the boomers' retirement, Social Security has collected more in taxes than it pays in benefits. Surplus funds go into the trust fund and are invested in U.S.-guaranteed Treasury bonds. In 2009, the trust fund held $2.5 trillion in bonds and earned 4.9 percent in interest. These bonds are just as real as U.S. Treasury bonds held by mutual funds or foreign banks. Ultimately, it's up to the American people to ensure the government keeps its promise to retirees, just as it would to other investors.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">12. I have a pension from the Army. Will that affect my Social Security benefits? </span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">It will not. You can get both your Social Security benefits and your military pension. If you served in the military before 1957, you did not pay Social Security taxes, but you will receive <a href="http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10017.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">special credit</span></a> for some of that service. Special credits also are available to people who served from 1957 to 1967 and from 1968 to 2001.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">13. I didn't work enough to qualify for Social Security. My husband gets it, but he is ill and may not live much longer. Will I be able to collect benefits?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, but your benefit will depend on your age and situation: If you are at full retirement age or older, you'll get 100 percent of your deceased husband's benefit. A widow or widower between 60 and full retirement age receives a <a href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ww&amp;os2.htm" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">reduced benefit</span></a>.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">14. Is it true that some people are collecting Social Security benefits who never paid into the system?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Social Security is an earned benefit. In order to collect a retirement benefit, a worker must pay into the system for at least 10 years. In some cases, nonworking family members, such as a spouse, may be eligible for benefits based on the worker's record. Tough rules in place assure that only legal residents can collect Social Security benefits.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">15. I filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy after being laid off. Do Social Security benefits count as income in bankruptcy, or are they protected?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Your benefits are protected. Social Security is excluded from the calculation of disposable income when setting up a debtor repayment plan.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next:&nbsp; <span style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;">Can you receive Social Security in a foreign country? </span></span></b></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">16. My husband died recently. Can I choose between my own benefit and that as a widow? Can I collect both?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eligibility for a widow's benefit begins at age 60, or 50 if you are disabled. If you are full retirement age, your survivor benefit will be 100 percent of his benefit; if you take it early, the amount will be reduced. You can switch to your own benefit as early as 62. In any event, you can only get one benefit, whichever is higher. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">17. I began drawing Social Security at age 62 in 2006, but I'm still working. Since I'm still paying Social Security taxes, will my benefits increase?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If your latest work years are among your highest-earning years, the SSA refigures your benefit and pays you any increase due. This is automatic, with new benefits starting in December of the following year. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">18. My wife is 62 and collects Social Security based on her own work record. Can she receive spousal benefits based on my record when I retire in a few years?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If she is eligible for both benefits, yours and hers, Social Security will pay her own benefits first. If she is due additional benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spousal benefit.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">19. Why would changes in Social Security be considered as a way to help balance the federal budget?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some policymakers say all spending, including Social Security, should be cut. Social Security has not contributed to the deficit. In fact, the trust fund is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2023. <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-08-2009/keeping_Social_Security_strong.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">AARP believes that Social Security benefits</span></a> should not be targeted to reduce the deficit. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">20. If I retire to a foreign country, can I have my Social Security benefits sent there?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your benefits in most foreign countries, usually by check or direct deposit. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the answer is more complicated, with certain rules applying to certain countries. For specifics, see the Social Security publication "<a href="http://ssa.gov/pubs/10137.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States</span></a>." </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next: <a href="http://www.aarp.org/work/social-security/info-12-2010/top-25-social-security-questions.5.html" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">Can you collect Social Security and unemployment? &gt;&gt;</span></a></span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">21. I started collecting Social Security at 62. I heard that if I changed my mind, I could pay back the amount I'd collected and get a higher payment. Is that possible?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">That used to be true, but the Social Security Administration just published <a href="http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=SSA-2009-0073-0001" target="blank"><span style="color: blue;">new regulations</span></a> that curtail this option. Now, if you want to suspend your benefits, you must do so within 12 months after first receiving them. According to Social Security, 85 to 90 percent of beneficiaries who withdraw their applications do so within this time frame anyway. The new rules, which became effective Dec. 8, 2010, also specify that beneficiaries are limited to one refiling in a lifetime.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">22. Can I collect Social Security and unemployment compensation at the same time?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes. Unemployment benefits aren't counted as wages under Social Security's annual earnings test, so you'd still receive your benefit. However, the amount of your unemployment benefit could be cut if you receive a pension or other retirement income, including Social Security and railroad retirement benefits. Contact your state unemployment office for information on whether your state applies a reduction.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">23. I am 63 and collecting Social Security. If I work, will my benefit be cut?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">It depends on your income. Between age 62 and the start of the year when you reach full retirement age, $1 in benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above a limit, which is $14,160 in 2010. In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 is withheld for every $3 above another limit, $37,680 in 2010. In your birthday month, the limits go away &mdash; and your benefit will be recalculated upward to compensate for the money that was withheld.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">24. I'm 50. Will Social Security be there when I retire?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Social Security trust fund, where accumulated assets are held, currently contains about $2.5 trillion. According to the system's board of trustees, that money and continuing tax contributions will allow payment of all benefits at current rates until 2037. After that, there still will be enough tax revenue coming in to pay about 78 percent of benefits. Congress is being urged to make financial fixes to Social Security to ensure it will be there for you.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">25. I know I can start collecting Social Security at age 62. But should I?</span></b> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">That depends. If you're healthy and can afford it, you should consider waiting until you reach your full retirement age of 66, or even 70. Here's why.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">By law, the age when workers can qualify for full benefits is gradually increasing, from 65 to 67. (It will be 67 for anyone born after 1960.) If you claim benefits before reaching full retirement age, they'll be reduced. That's because the goal set by Congress is to pay the same lifetime benefits to an individual regardless of when they're initially claimed.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">So let's say you claim benefits at age 62 and get $1,000 a month. If you can wait until you're 66, you'll get at least 33 percent more ($1,333). And if you can wait until you're 70, you'll get at least 75 percent more ($1,750).</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Social Security determines the amount of your benefits based, in part, on your highest 35 years of earnings. So you may get a larger monthly benefit if your extra years of work are your top earning years.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; background: white;"><i><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stan Hinden, a former columnist for the Washington Post</span></i> </p>urn:uuid:bac4c8ac-f343-4a34-9ff6-ade89ec61a2aElections in this country : from steep and cheap I've met people who are more prepared for zombie uprisings than local elections. It's probably not a good sign for our country, but if we're being honest, I think it's okay to admit that zombie uprisin...Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:33:36 -0600<p style="line-height: 155%;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Elections</span></strong> in this country : from steep and cheap<br /> I've met people who are more prepared for zombie uprisings than local elections. It's probably not a good sign for our country, but if we're being honest, I think it's okay to admit that zombie uprising scenarios are much more imaginative and fun than local politics. Of course, zombies probably affect your life quite a bit less. For all the media coverage of national elections, it's the local things that affect our lives most in the day-to-day, and the things that are easy for us to change though local action. I'm not really a resolution kind of person, but this year I'm going to challenge myself to become someone regarded as an annoying person by phone-answering assistants of my local politicians. "We want our bike lanes! No zombies! Tell state senator so-and-so to call me back."</p>urn:uuid:3da3e9e4-d1bc-45eb-abd5-8f403e908c9cVolunteer's live longer.&nbsp; Just heard the report on the radio today that a study done revealed that volunteers live longer from getting out and helping in their community.&nbsp; If you are looking for a place to release some of that energy let me...Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:03:07 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Volunteer's live longer</span></strong>.&nbsp; Just heard the report on the radio today that a study done revealed that volunteers live longer from getting out and helping in their community.&nbsp; If you are looking for a place to release some of that energy let me know and I can suggest some organizations that are always looking for help.&nbsp; Whether it's an hour or more it will be appreciated.urn:uuid:596657e0-000f-473e-b78a-3fc82e02f003I knew it when I woke up.&nbsp; Yep today Earth is closest to the Sun.&nbsp; You could just tell by the 22 degree temp outside.&nbsp;Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:45:35 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">I knew it when I woke up.&nbsp; Yep today Earth is closest to the Sun.&nbsp; <br /> You could just tell by the 22 degree temp outside.</span></strong>&nbsp;urn:uuid:2dbf00d0-8841-42f0-b834-6bdb535a953dHave a Very "MERRY CHRISTMAS" From everyone at Insurance Plus - Hoping you have a Joyous and Merry ChristmasFri, 23 Dec 2011 15:55:43 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;">Have a Very "MERRY CHRISTMAS"<br /> <br /> From everyone at Insurance Plus - Hoping you have a Joyous and Merry Christmas</span>urn:uuid:10dc5502-d41a-41e0-b694-b1d2a4bdd909DID YOU KNOW? 32% of Claims Denied by Insurance Companies Are a result of Unreported Property or Vehicles and 29% are a result of Unreported Changes in Your Household A Quick Review can Protect You and Can Eliminate 61% of Claim Problems Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:28:30 -0600<span style="font-size: 16px;">DID YOU KNOW? </span> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">32% of Claims Denied by Insurance Companies<br /> Are a result of Unreported Property or Vehicles and<br /> 29% are a result of Unreported Changes in Your Household<br /> <br /> A <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Quick Review</strong></span> can <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Protect You</strong></span> and Can Eliminate</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>61%</strong> of Claim Problems<br /> </span></div>urn:uuid:bd3bc820-e06a-400e-bfd9-cc6aab75d1b1Wall street and your Retirement: Occupy Wallstreet - What do they want?&nbsp; Security? More people are getting arrested, more parks are being destroyed, and more chaos is created every day. Hey. I am fed up with Wall Street and their propaganda mac...Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:39:33 -0600Wall street and your Retirement:<br /> Occupy Wallstreet - What do they want?&nbsp; Security?<br /> <br /> More people are getting arrested, more parks are being destroyed, and more chaos is created every day.<br /> Hey. I am fed up with Wall Street and their propaganda machine like the rest.<br /> I know with absolute certainty that Wall St. does not have our best interest at heart.<br /> <br /> The current path the ivory towers on Wall Street has paved for the past few decades to achieve financial security doesn't<br /> seem to be working.&nbsp; Seems a "Smart" investor can make a fortune - but who lost the money to make that happen?<br /> <br /> Banks - savings accounts - less than 1%<br /> 401K - lost money over the last 5 years<br /> Wall Street - need I say more. <br /> <br /> In fact, according to the Federal Reserve Board, <br /> "Half of all households headed by workers aged fifty-five to sixty-four have less than $88,000 in retirement accounts."<br /> How long is someone going to be able to live on $88,000 in retirement?&nbsp; <br /> Not long.&nbsp;&nbsp; They will outlive their money.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Our missions is to help people avoid this catastrophe.<br /> We want people to have their money work harder for them, than they work for it...and create a cash flow for life...<br /> never outliving their money.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Don't sell your soul to the "Suits"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Talk to us about guarantees,&nbsp; Safety, Security. <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Safe - Sound - Secure<br /> </span></strong><br /> It's your money - you have it now - how about having some later.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Call or Stop in TODAY!</span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong> It is not to late to start - even a little can be important later</strong>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:2b2500ee-4fdc-43d3-8d73-45e1658b38aa by Laura Mazzuca Toops Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal: From the Start, a Risk Management Nightmare In spite of its stellar reputation as an educational institution, Penn State failed to communicate and execute the most rudimentary risk management pro...Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:04:15 -0600<div class="article-header"> <h1 class="article-title"><span style="font-size: 10px;">by </span><a href="http://www.propertycasualty360.com/author/laura-m-toops" rel="author">Laura Mazzuca Toops</a></h1> <p><strong>Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal: From the Start, a Risk Management Nightmare<br /> </strong><br /> In spite of its stellar reputation as an educational institution, Penn State failed to communicate and execute the most rudimentary risk management protocols in the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-sex-scandal-spreads-texas-alleged-alamo/story?id=14932340" target="_blank">Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal</a>, risk management experts say.</p> <p>With a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/penn-state-scandal-timeline-jerry-sandusky_n_1084204.html?ref=mostpopular" target="_blank">timeline dating back to 1994</a>, when Penn State defensive line coach Jerry Sandusky launched The Second Mile nonprofit program for at-risk boys, multiple incidents of alleged sexual abuse went unreported to the appropriate authorities, resulting in a situation where liability escalated from potentially damaging to devastating&mdash;with the university and even third parties now potentially liable.</p> <p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s shocking that somehow the real values professed by the institution&mdash;which after all, is in the business of kids&mdash;weren&rsquo;t followed,&rdquo; said Kevin Ribble, executive vice president of management liability specialists&nbsp;<a href="http://www.edgewater.net/" target="_blank">Edgewater Holdings Ltd.</a> and president of <a href="http://www.complyamerica.com/management.htm" target="_blank">Comply America Inc.</a></p> <p>&ldquo;Many organizations refuse to believe their colleagues are capable of such heinous acts so they won&rsquo;t see the signs. They start out with denial but when confronted with reality, start to get defensive,&rdquo; said Melanie Herman, executive director of the<a href="http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/" target="_blank"> Nonprofit Risk Management Center</a>, a national resource organization that advises nonprofits on a wide array of risk and liability issues, including child abuse prevention. &ldquo;The best organizations recognize that the better course is to confront it and think about they could do to prevent it in the future.&rdquo;</p> <p>A key risk management tenet&mdash;whether an incident involves sexual abuse, sexual harassment or a dangerous condition in a facility&mdash;is to investigate any allegations, Herman said. &ldquo;Everyone in the organization must take it seriously, and every organization has an obligation to look into allegations. If you see something and it&rsquo;s ignored, an organization is&nbsp;far more likely to be held personally liable in the long run because you ignored the condition or report.&rdquo;</p> <p>And because The Second Mile is a nonprofit that is technically not sponsored by Penn State, the organizations directors and officers, and even its corporate sponsors, might now be held liable, Ribble said.</p> <p>The common thread in all the reported incidents is that none of the witnesses seem to have known where and how to legally report them, Ribble said. According to the timeline, Sandusky had been caught in sexually compromising positions with underage boys in 1998, when a boy&rsquo;s mother reported her suspicions to university police; in 2000, when a school janitor witnessed Sandusky with another boy; and in 2002, when a graduate assistant witnessed yet a third incident.</p> <p>In the latter two incidents, which witnesses reported to their supervisors and ultimately to Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, university employees should have known that under law they are required to report suspected incidents of child abuse to the appropriate family services authority, Ribble said. &ldquo;If you see something that might lead to the harm of a child, you&rsquo;re obligated by law to report to family services or the police, and if it&rsquo;s an emergency, to dial 911. So nobody followed the rules, but from bottom up, reporting requirements that should be insisted upon were violated.&rdquo;</p> </div>urn:uuid:8856d462-bc09-404c-919e-7ba9a35a0d72Fate of President Barack Obama&rsquo;s healthcare law Reuters:&nbsp;&nbsp; The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide the fate of President Barack Obama&rsquo;s healthcare law, with an election-year ruling due by July on the U.S. healthcare system&rsq...Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:59:38 -0600<p class="reuters"><strong>Fate of President Barack Obama&rsquo;s healthcare law<br /> </strong>Reuters:&nbsp;&nbsp; The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide the fate of President Barack Obama&rsquo;s healthcare law, with an election-year ruling due by July on the U.S. healthcare system&rsquo;s biggest overhaul in nearly 50 years.</p> <p>The decision had been widely <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/09/27/217526.htm">expected since late September</a>, when the Obama administration asked the nation&rsquo;s highest court to uphold the centerpiece insurance provision and 26 states separately <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/09/28/217768.htm">asked that the entire law be struck</a> down.</p> <p>The justices in a brief order agreed to hear the appeals. At the heart of the legal battle is whether Congress overstepped its powers by requiring that all Americans buy health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty, a provision known as the individual mandate.</p> <p>The law, aiming to provide more than 30 million uninsured Americans with medical coverage, has wide ramifications for company costs and for the health sector, affecting health insurers, drugmakers, device companies and hospitals.</p> <p>The law, Obama&rsquo;s signature domestic achievement, will be a major issue in the U.S. elections in November 2012 as he seeks another four-year term. Republican presidential candidates oppose the law and Republicans in Congress want to repeal it.</p> <p>A Supreme Court spokeswoman said oral arguments would take place in March. There will be a total of 5-1/2 hours of arguments.</p>urn:uuid:35c4023e-f04c-4aac-86d9-d965f3a7c4b1The Six Most Common Mistakes Skippers Make When Winterizing Boats By Bob Adriance &nbsp; Why boats get damaged during winter, and how to protect them. A BoatU.S. member in Rye Beach, New Hampshire, reports that whenever he winterizes his boat, he a...Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:49:03 -0500<h2>The Six Most Common Mistakes Skippers Make When Winterizing Boats By Bob Adriance</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="clear"></div> <p><em>Why boats get damaged during winter, and how to protect them.</em></p> <div class="clear"></div> <p>A BoatU.S. member in Rye Beach, New Hampshire, reports that whenever he winterizes his boat, he always feels a mixture of regret and apprehension. Regret because he must bid adieu to yet another boating season. Apprehension because he always has a vague feeling he&rsquo;s forgotten to do something &ndash; something important that could wreck the boat.</p> <p>Winter isn&rsquo;t kind to skippers who are absent-minded. Engines get ruined. Boats sink. Seaworthy examined 40 BoatU.S. Insurance claim files to discover the most common mistakes skippers, absent-minded or otherwise, make when they winterize their boats. Hopefully, the list will jog a few memories and avoid a lot of unnecessary anxiety.</p> <h5>Failure To Drain The Engine Block</h5> <p>Of the 40 claims that made up the survey, which state would you guess had the most freeze-related claims? New York? Maine? Vermont? Guess again. Balmy California had more winterizing claims than any other state, including any of the &ldquo;deep-freeze&rdquo; states. While winters may be much colder in the deep-freeze states, the bitter temperatures are a fact of life and preparations for winter are taken very seriously. But in more temperate states, such as California, Florida, Texas, and Georgia, winter tends to be relatively comfortable with only an occasional cold spell. As one Sacramento, California, skipper said, &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t think much about freezing weather because it never happens. Well, almost never.&rdquo; </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It&rsquo;s interesting to note that all of the claims in temperate states involved boats that were being stored ashore. Water retains heat longer than air, so boats surrounded by air are more vulnerable to a sudden freeze than boats surrounded by water. Even in temperate states, boat owners must winterize engines, especially when boats are stored ashore. In deep-freeze states, boats stored ashore must be winterized earlier than boats stored in the water, lest an early cold spell crack the block.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Failure To Drain Water From Sea Strainer</h5> <p>Seven of the 40 insurance claims were related to an often overlooked piece of hardware down in the boat&rsquo;s bilge called a sea strainer. A sea strainer is located in the engine&rsquo;s raw-water intake line to filter out debris before it gets to the engine. If the engine is winterized by opening petcocks to drain water out of the block and manifold, the strainer must also be drained or residual water could freeze and rupture the watertight seal. In three of the strainer-related claims, the boats sank when the seacocks were opened in the spring and water began trickling in through the ruptured strainers. In the remaining four claims involving sea strainers, the boats began sinking as soon as the ice thawed because the intake seacocks had not been closed. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Failure To Close Seacocks</h5> <p>Open thru-hulls below the waterline left unprotected either caused or contributed to the sinking of seven boats in the sample group. Leaving a boat&rsquo;s seacocks open over the winter is like going on an extended vacation without locking the doors in a house. Neglecting to &ldquo;lock&rdquo; even one &ldquo;door&rdquo; is a significant risk. If a thru-hull below the waterline can&rsquo;t be closed, either because it&rsquo;s broken or mechanically frozen open, a boat should be stored ashore for the winter. The sole exception is cockpit drains, which must be left open and should be inspected to make sure the hose clamps (two at each connection is recommended) are in good shape. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It should be noted that thru-hulls above the waterline are not required to have seacocks, and most don&rsquo;t. That doesn&rsquo;t mean that these thru-hulls aren&rsquo;t vulnerable. One boat sank and another had its engine wrecked when thru-hulls near the waterline were submerged by the weight of snow and ice in the cockpit. Plastic thru-hulls deteriorate &mdash; become brittle &mdash; in sunlight. If a fitting just above the waterline has cracked, the boat should be hauled out for the winter and all of the plastic fittings should be replaced with bronze or Marelon. Check to make sure that hoses near the waterline have loops, which are necessary to prevent back-siphoning.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Clogged Petcocks</h5> <p>Two claims involved engines whose petcocks, which are used to drain water from the engine, had been clogged by sand or other debris. In one of the claims, the boat had grounded shortly before it was winterized and the surveyor discovered the engine&rsquo;s cooling system was full of sand that had been sucked up through the intake. In the other claim, the petcock had apparently been blocked by rust. In both cases, water remained in the engines and froze, which cracked the blocks and ruined the engines. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A petcock that doesn&rsquo;t drain properly when opened should be probed with something like a coat hanger. If that doesn&rsquo;t work, you can unscrew the petcock and try again. If all else fails, you can call a mechanic or use the engine&rsquo;s intake hose to flush nontoxic antifreeze through the engine&rsquo;s cooling system.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Leaving Open Boats In The Water Over the Winter</h5> <p>Boats with low freeboard are also vulnerable to the weight of snow and ice in the cockpit. One boat sank and another was damaged when the sterns were shoved under by accumulated snow. While a well-supported cover would certainly help, the most effective solution is to store boats with low freeboard ashore for the winter. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Using Bimini Covers As Winter Storage Covers</h5> <p>There seems to be a common misconception that a cover that protects the crew from glaring sun will also protect the boat from freezing rain and snow. Quite the contrary; Biminis tend to get ripped apart or, more likely, age prematurely from the effects of winter weather while doing absolutely nothing to protect the boat. A bona fide winter cover, on the other hand, is terrific protection. Three of the 40 claims involved expensive Biminis that were destroyed over the winter. Biminis should be stored inside the boat over the winter or, better yet, taken home for cleaning and safekeeping. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Other Common Mistakes</h5> <p>Some &ldquo;unusual&rdquo; claims speak for themselves. One was for a hose in the dockside water system that froze and split, eventually sinking the boat. Why, you might ask, would someone leave the fresh-water system hooked up over the winter? Good question. The owner didn&rsquo;t have a good answer. Another boat was &ldquo;pushed&rdquo; underwater by a combination of slack dock lines and rising tides when it got caught under the dock. This can happen anytime, but is more likely to happen in the winter when tides can be exaggerated by blustery winds. Dock lines, spring lines, and fenders should be used to keep the boat well away from a dock. All lines should be protected against chafe. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h5>Boatyards</h5> <p>While the 40 winterizing claims involved mistakes made by the skippers, the problem of boats blocked incorrectly by boatyards is certainly in evidence in the BoatU.S. Insurance claim files. Boats stored ashore should be supported by a cradle or by jackstands tied together with chains and supported with plywood bases so they won&rsquo;t sink into the mud or asphalt. Jackstands (at least three on each side for boats longer than 26 feet) should be positioned at the bulkheads, with blocks used beneath the boat to support the engine and keel. Some boats have specific requirements for support of things like keels; if the marina manager isn&rsquo;t familiar with your boat, check your owner&rsquo;s manual or contact the manufacturer. In all cases, boats stored ashore should always be level. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two claims were filed by skippers who stored their boats on trailers. The trailers were cocked forward and both boats were damaged by pooling water. A similar problem occurs when leaves block cockpit drains. In two other claims, precipitation found its way below, wrecking cushions, woodwork, and even an engine. The best defense against any type of damage is to visit your boat periodically over the winter, even if it is stored ashore. Make arrangements with friends to watch out for each other&rsquo;s boats so that someone will be checking on your boat regularly<br /> <br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:885dbce2-b12e-4fef-9a40-f2599801a2e030 jobs that pay $30 per hour&nbsp; By&nbsp;Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder A well-paying job can be easier to find than you think. In fact, people such as medical technologists, social workers and store managers all earn about $30 per hour. ...Tue, 06 Sep 2011 10:46:31 -0500<h1><span style="font-size: 24px; text-decoration: underline;">30 jobs that pay $30 per hour</span>&nbsp; <div class="cbmsnViewArticleByline"><span style="font-size: 10px;">By&nbsp;Alina Dizik, Special to CareerBuilder </span></div> </h1> <p>A well-paying job can be easier to find than you think. In fact, people such as medical technologists, social workers and store managers all earn about $30 per hour. A full-time job that pays around $30 per hour can equal roughly $62,400 per year, which means a comfortable living, and above the national average. Are you eager to earn an above-average wage? Consider these 30 jobs that pay around $30 per hour and see how your own job stacks up: </p> <p>&nbsp;<b>2011 Ohio Minimum Wage is as follows:</b></p> <p> <div _rdEditor_temp="1"><b></b></div> </p> <b> <p>$7.40 per hour for non-tipped employees&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $3.70 per hour for tipped employees (plus tips)</p> </b>$7.40 per hour for non-tipped employees&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $3.70 per hour for tipped employees (plus tips) <p style="text-align: left;">The Ohio Minimum Wage is $7.25 per hour (tied to the federal minimum wage)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">for:&nbsp;&nbsp; Those employees whose employers gross $271,000 or less per year&nbsp;&nbsp;or 14 &amp; 15 year olds</p> <p><b>1, </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/anthropology/"><b>Anthropologist</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.81<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Anthropologists never stop learning about the natural history of the world. The job is challenging yet fun. </p> <p><b>2. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/school+psychologist/"><b>School psychologist </b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.71<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Helping children resolve conflicts can be a rewarding career, especially if you're interested in human behavior.</p> <p><b>3. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/medical+technologist/"><b>Medical technologist</b></a><b> <br /> </b><b>Hourly wage</b>: $29.87<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working with different disease states, most medical technologists work in hospital laboratories.</p> <p><b>4. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/financial+services/"><b>Financial services representative </b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $32.35<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Financial services reps sell various bank services</p> <p><b>5. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/technical+writer/"><b>Technical writer</b></a><b> <br /> </b><b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.80<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Writing anything from dense technical manuals to textbooks calls for a deep expertise in the specific subject matter. </p> <p><b>6. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/executive+assistant/"><b>Executive assistant</b></a><b> <br /> </b><b>Hourly wage</b>: $31.85<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Providing administrative services to corporate executives can be a high-pressure job.</p> <p><b>7. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/registered+nurse/"><b>Registered nurse</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $34.47<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working directly with patients can make nursing a rewarding career path.</p> <p><b>8. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/branch+manager/"><b>Branch store manager</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.14<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Managing retail stores and working with executives at the corporate headquarters help open other doors in the retail industry.</p> <p><b>9. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/budget+analyst/"><b>Budget analyst</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $34.16<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Helping departments adhere to their budgets is a perfect role for the math whiz. </p> <p><b>10. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/account+representative/"><b>Account sales representative</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $32.17<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working to sell products or services, account reps must have stellar people skills. </p> <p><b>11. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/social+worker/"><b>School social worker</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.89<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working with children to iron out behavioral or emotional problems is a key role within a school system.</p> <p><b>12. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/statistician/"><b>Statistician</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $35.28<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> With plenty of number crunching, statisticians help companies make sense of their data. </p> <p><b>13. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/communications+analyst/"><b>Communications analyst</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $34.64<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Analysts work to communicate the company's corporate image through all types of media.</p> <p><b>14. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/electrical+engineer/"><b>Electrical research engineer</b></a><b><br /> Hourly wage</b>: $33.32<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working to improve electrical systems, engineers must possess superior technical skills. </p> <p><b>15. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/network+security/"><b>Network security officer</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.87<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> People who deal with computer networks to prevent security breaches are frequently in demand. </p> <p><b>16. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/police+detective/"><b>Police detective</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.30<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Protecting people and property, police detectives help to solve crimes in cities and towns.</p> <p><b>17. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/CPA/"><b>Certified public accountant </b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $34.40<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> People who look at financial data to ensure fair and consistent tax practices are always in demand.</p> <p><b>18. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/ER+nurse/"><b>Emergency room nurse </b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $35.02<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> A high-pressure job in the medical profession, working in the ER also has great rewards. </p> <p><b>19. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/sales+supervisor/"><b>Sales supervisor</b></a><b> <br /> </b><b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.42<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working on the sales floor to help maintain consistency can make for a fun retail career.</p> <p><b>20. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/aircraft+machanic/"><b>Aircraft mechanic</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.33<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Mechanics work on airplanes to ensure that each one meets safe flying standards and to fix anything in nonworking condition. </p> <p><b>21. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/quality+assurance/"><b>Quality assurance engineer</b></a><b> <br /> </b><b>Hourly wage</b>: $33.51<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Testing new products and processes to maintain the needed level of quality.</p> <p><b>22. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/computer+programmer/"><b>Micro computer programmer</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $29.76<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working to develop software, programmers have the flexibility to work on a project basis. </p> <p><b>23. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/tax+agent/"><b>Tax agent</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $32.97<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working with businesses and individuals to collect taxes. </p> <p><b>24. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/political+advisor/"><b>Political adviser</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $32.86<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Understanding how world events affect a company or industry is a job for politics buffs. </p> <p><b>25. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/animal+scientist/"><b>Animal scientist</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.66<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Using biology know-how to study animals can be a dream job.</p> <p><b>26. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/human+resources+analyst/"><b>Human resources analyst</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.37<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Most analysts are generalists who work in an HR department and search for many different types of positions. </p> <p><b>27. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/production+manager/"><b>Industrial production manager</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $31.17<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Perfecting the production process, industrial production managers possess plenty of technical skills.</p> <p><b>28. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/grant+writer/"><b>Grant writer</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $30.72<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Working with nonprofits to raise money by submitting grant proposals.</p> <p><b>29. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/landscape+architect/"><b>Landscape architect</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $34.81<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Landscape architects help design green outdoor spaces.</p> <p><b>30. </b><a href="http://msn.careerbuilder.com/jobs/keyword/fashion+designer/"><b>Fashion designer</b></a><br /> <b>Hourly wage</b>: $31.78<br /> <b>What it's like:</b> Most use their creative spark to design clothes and accessories for men and women.</p> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:bdc399c9-9039-4c7b-8bd6-83526caec20f<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/damaged%20home.jpg' align='left' />Do I Have to Rebuild for My Insurance to Pay? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most of the time, homeowner's insurance pays to repair or rebuild a damaged home so its owners can continue to live there as they did before the loss occurred. Sometimes, though,...Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:27:21 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Do I Have to Rebuild for My Insurance to Pay?<br /> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/damaged%20home.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most of the time, <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8447420_do-rebuild-insurance-pay.html">homeowner's</a> insurance pays to repair or rebuild a damaged home so its owners can continue to live there as they did before the loss occurred. Sometimes, though, you may prefer to take the insurance money and move somewhere else instead of rebuilding. Several factors determine whether this is possible and how much money you receive.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">1.&nbsp; Mortgage</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you have a mortgage on your home, you are not the only owner. Your homeowner's insurance company must represent all the owners, including the lender, on settlement checks. You will not be able to cash any check with the lender's name on it unless the lender endorses it, which is unlikely. The lender has invested money in your home and wants to ensure it is repaired so its <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8447420_do-rebuild-insurance-pay.html">investment</a> is secure.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Total Loss</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If your home is destroyed and the settlement amount you receive from your insurer exceeds the outstanding balance on the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8447420_do-rebuild-insurance-pay.html">mortgage</a>, you may be able to sign the check over to your lender to pay the balance due. If there is any settlement money left after satisfying the mortgage, the lender will issue you another check for your portion. Some lenders may not do this; they may insist on rebuilding the home. You must do what the lender demands.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">No Mortgage</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you own your home without a mortgage, the settlement money is entirely yours. You may want to repair partial losses to your home to keep it safe and functional and retain its value, but if you prefer to take the money after a total loss instead of rebuilding, you can. Your local government may insist you clean the debris from your old home off your parcel, but otherwise you can take the money and run, so to speak.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Actual Cash Value</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you choose not to rebuild your home, you may receive a smaller settlement amount than if you were to rebuild. Homeowner's insurance is settled as actual cash value, meaning settlements are diminished according to depreciation, unless you have a replacement cost endorsement. However, many insurers don't pay replacement cost unless you actually replace the damaged property. Therefore, if you choose not to rebuild your home, you may only get an actual cash value settlement.<br /> <br /> </p> <p>By Stephen Hicks, eHow contributor</p>urn:uuid:5d5e6483-71f3-4c1f-a428-b857ff85b218Why Did My Home Owner's Insurance Go Up? Homeowner's&nbsp;insurance provides coverage for your house and contents. In states like Texas, homeowner's coverage starts high and goes higher. Texas had the highest homeowner's insurance in the nation in 2...Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:18:57 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Why Did My Home Owner's Insurance Go Up?<br /> </span> <p><a href="https://668c0652-bb12-46fc-976d-eee7741c40e3.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/homeowners/insurance_quote.aspx" target="_blank">Homeowner's</a>&nbsp;insurance provides coverage for your house and contents. In states like Texas, homeowner's coverage starts high and goes higher. Texas had the highest homeowner's insurance in the nation in 2010, according to Shawn Nordstrom in a November 2010 article at Live Insurance News. States regulate homeowner's insurance, approving the policy language and rates. One solution to rate increases suggested by Forbes.com and similar money-management websites is to shop around for your homeowner's coverage. High price does not necessarily give you better insurance.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Type of Policy</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Homeowner's insurance comes in three basic types. HO-1 is too basic, and some states and companies no longer use the form. It covers 11 items or perils and no others. HO-2 includes the 11 basic perils and 6 more for a total of 17 perils. HO-3 provides better coverage for the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8136888_did-owners-insurance-go-up.html">home</a> and contents and is more expensive than the HO-2. HO-3 covers 17 perils and any others it does not specifically exclude. Exclusions might include flood, earthquake, war and nuclear accident. Some states use variants of these numbers, with form policies approved by the state insurance commission. The more inclusive the policy, the more it costs.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Risk Factors</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Your homeowner's policy costs will go up based on certain risk factors. Premium calculations are based on location, sometimes down to the county or city, and the distance from a fire hydrant. So, if those risk factors changed in the past year, you could see a premium hike. The Federal Trade Commission reports that auto and homeowner's insurers use <span style="text-decoration: underline;">credit scores</span> for determining insurance costs too, because better credit scores represent more stability and less risk, according to Realtor.com. If your credit scores have decreased, your homeowner's insurance premium may increase.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Inflation and Replacement Costs</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Most policies increase the policy limits based on inflation rates. Your premium cost goes up each year, but so do your coverage limits. If you have a replacement cost insurance policy instead of actual cash value, premiums will increase with the cost of construction materials. Actual cash value considers depreciation and age of the home and contents; replacement cost considers only the cost of replacing the item in today's market.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">C.L.U.E.</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange database retains records of information about any claims you make and sometimes even your telephone calls to your agent asking about a claim. Homeowner's insurers use C.L.U.E. reports for your claims history to evaluate your likelihood of making a claim. If you have made a claim in the last seven years, C.L.U.E. has it in the database, and the insurer rates your policy premium based on the report. A recent claim will cause your homeowner's insurance to increase.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Action</p> <p style="margin: 7.5pt 0in 7.5pt 0.5in;">o&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If your premium increased, and you don't know why, your insurer may have requested and received a rate increase from your state of residence. Check with your state insurance commission online, or call the office, to see if your insurer has an approved rate increase. Also, compare your policy with last year's insurance for additional coverage limits. <strong>Increased limits</strong> may explain part of the increase. If you're still not sure, call your insurer and ask why your premium increased, and if you are not satisfied, you may want to begin shopping for other coverage. Call our office and request a quote in writing to compare prices. Review policy terms and check with your state insurance office for tips for purchasing homeowner's insurance in your state.<br /> <br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:53c1bcec-879d-4a88-98b0-316c6aabe25cFirefighter Dad and Teacher Mom Use Permanent Life Insurance to Provide Stability, Security and Peace of Mind for their Family Life Insurance is not a matter to take lightly - there is a difference - it's not just price but what you get when the fami...Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:37:22 -0500<h1>Firefighter Dad and Teacher Mom Use Permanent Life Insurance to Provide Stability, Security and Peace of Mind for their Family</h1> <p>Life Insurance is not a matter to take lightly - there is a difference - it's not just price but what you get when the family needs it.<br /> <br /> Let's talk</p>urn:uuid:3cd52354-8d0f-46e6-8b9e-f3201fec4c25Keys to your Castle! How many people do you know that have the same keys to their home that they had 20 years ago?&nbsp; Or even better kept the keys that the prior owner used.&nbsp; Did you even think that someone may have the key to your home.&nbs...Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:17:26 -0500Keys to your Castle!<br /> <br /> How many people do you know that have the same keys to their home that they had 20 years ago?&nbsp; Or even better kept the keys that the prior owner used.&nbsp; Did you even think that someone may have the key to your home.&nbsp; That they can just walk in anytime they want - go though your belonging - borrow things.&nbsp; <br /> If you have not checked your locks it is time.&nbsp; <br /> Had a contractor at my home some time back and he forgot the key I loaned him.&nbsp; He used a piece of plastic to get in.&nbsp; He then suggested new locks be installed - which they were.&nbsp; <br />urn:uuid:41ed92b9-06be-475d-9020-82f88807411c Don&rsquo;t Let Them Wipe Your Computer! One horror story I hear&nbsp;too often is that they took their computer somewhere to get a virus removed or to &nbsp; get some other service ...Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:13:41 -0500<table width="100%" class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td valign="top" style="padding-bottom: 0in; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;border: #d4d0c8;"> <p><strong><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: #63ab16; font-size: 13.5pt;">Don&rsquo;t Let Them Wipe Your Computer!</span></strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">One horror story I hear&nbsp;too often is that they took their computer somewhere to get a virus removed or to<br /> &nbsp;<br /> get some other service performed and the service company decided to wipe their computer and re-<br /> <br /> install Windows.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This means they lost all of their data and settings. Wiping and re-installing a computer is ALWAYS a <br /> <br /> last resort, it&rsquo;s the easy way out and should never be performed without backing up your PC first.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">My advice is to stay away from the big PC service chains or some kid that really has no idea &hellip;their <br /> <br /> goal is to get your PC in and out in the least amount of man hours so they can make the most profit. <br /> <br /> Too many times their resolution to a problem is to wipe and reload the PC.<br /> <br /> <br /> </span></p> <a name="2" id="2"><b><span style="font-family: 'verdana','sans-serif'; color: #63ab16; font-size: 15pt;"></span></b></a>urn:uuid:b21f5359-fce7-46c7-8f5d-3e7342aa83daTropical Storm Arlene Makes Landfall in Mexico By Associated Press VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) &mdash; The Atlantic season's first tropical storm hit Mexico's central Gulf coast Thursday, hurling heavy rains over a wide swath of the country. The heart of ...Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:13:17 -0500<h1 class="article-title"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Tropical Storm Arlene Makes Landfall in Mexico</span> <span style="font-size: 13px;">By </span><a href="http://www.propertycasualty360.com/author/associated-press">Associated Press</a></h1> <div> <p>VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) &mdash; The Atlantic season's <a href="http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2011/06/29/tropical-storm-arlene-is-first-named-storm-of-seas">first tropical storm </a>hit Mexico's central Gulf coast Thursday, hurling heavy rains over a wide swath of the country.</p> <p>The heart of Tropical Storm&nbsp;Arlene&nbsp;struck land near Cabo Rojo, a cape just off the mainland between the cities of Tampico and Tuxpan. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving inland at 8 mph (13 kph), said the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.</p> <p>Coastal towns appear to have escaped serious damage from the initial storm. Tree branches fell, water accumulated on some streets and a neighborhood of Tuxpan lost electricity, civil protection authorities reported.</p> <p>"There aren't any major problems, (and) we hope 'Arlene' will be out of sight by midday," Veracruz Governor Javier Duarte tweeted Thursday morning. He credited preparations ahead of the storm.</p> <p><strong>RELATED:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2011/06/01/forecaster-consensus-atlantic-storm-season-will-be">Forecaster Consensus: Atlantic Storm Season Will Be A Busy One</a></strong></p> <p>Officials in the states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosi had guarded against possible flooding by closing schools, mobilizing emergency medical units and preparing evacuation shelters as rain fell on coastal and mountain regions.</p> <p>Rain was accumulating in the mountains, where authorities were on guard for possible landslides and flooding. Schools in parts of Veracruz remained closed and heavy machinery and dump trucks have been brought into the area in case they are needed.</p> <p>Tropical storm force winds from the storm extended as far as 205 miles (335 kilometers), but mainly east of the center, over the Gulf and away from land.</p> <p>Mexico's national weather service said 6 inches (150 millimeters) of rain had fallen over a 24-hour period in northern Veracruz state. Some isolated mountainous areas inland could get up to 15 inches (375 millimeters) of rain, the hurricane center said.</p> <p>Forecasters said extreme south Texas also could get rain.</p> <p>Arlene&nbsp;was projected to weaken later Thursday and dissipate on Friday.</p> <p>The main threat to Mexico comes from heavy rains that could cause flash floods and mudslides in 13 states, the government said.</p> <p>Rains could be welcome in Tamaulipas, where they would fall on soil dried out by the most severe drought to hit the area in 50 years. There is still unrepaired damage from Hurricane Alex, which struck the area as a Category 2 hurricane last year.</p> </div> <hr class="article-meta" />urn:uuid:5af53dc4-858c-4f4c-9dd9-67dab96b02afATV's in Ohio! The Ohio legislature enacted a statute in 2009 which affects the registration requirements for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).&nbsp; As a recap, all ATVs were required to be registered with the State of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles eff...Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:09:30 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">ATV's in Ohio!<br /> <br /> </span></strong> <p>The Ohio legislature enacted a statute in 2009 which affects the registration requirements for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).&nbsp; As a recap, all ATVs were required to be registered with the State of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles effective July 1, 2009.&nbsp; In addition, ATVs were required to display a license plate and validation sticker effective July 1, 2010.&nbsp; The only exemption to this legislation was for ATVs used <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>strictly for farming.</strong></em></span></p> At the time this legislation was announced, guidelines from the BMV indicated that financial responsibility requirements did not apply unless the ATVs were operated on public roads.&nbsp; However, we have recently verified that the BMV has reversed this stance and is requiring owners to complete an affidavit of financial responsibility when they register and license an ATV.urn:uuid:cd374c2a-7920-45eb-a1be-0f99633f0831Raise Taxes, but Not Tax Rates By MARTIN S. FELDSTEIN&nbsp;&nbsp; Published: May 4, 2011&nbsp;&nbsp; Cambridge, Mass.&nbsp; &nbsp; REDUCING the budget deficit and stopping the explosion of our national debt will require more tax revenue as well as ...Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:31:36 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Raise Taxes, but Not Tax Rates<br /> </strong></span> <h6 class="byline">By MARTIN S. FELDSTEIN&nbsp;&nbsp; Published: May 4, 2011&nbsp;&nbsp; Cambridge, Mass.&nbsp;</h6> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="articleBody" sizset="1" sizcache="0"> <p>REDUCING the budget deficit and stopping the explosion of our national debt will require more tax revenue as well as reduced government spending. But the need for more revenue needn&rsquo;t mean higher tax rates. </p> <p>As the bipartisan fiscal commission appointed by President Obama<a href="http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/sites/fiscalcommission.gov/files/documents/TheMomentofTruth12_1_2010.pdf" title="Text of Simpson Bowles report" target="_blank" re_target="null"><span style="color: #000080;"> stressed last year</span></a>, tax revenues can be increased substantially by limiting the deductions, credits and exclusions that are essentially government spending by another name. </p> <p>Tax credits for buying solar panels or hybrid cars are just like government spending to subsidize those purchases. Similarly, the exclusion from employees&rsquo; taxable incomes of employer payments for health insurance is no different from subsidizing the purchase of those insurance policies. The deduction for interest on residential mortgages, probably the best-known tax expenditure, amounts to a giant subsidy for homeownership. </p> <p>At their worst, such tax expenditures create incentives for wasteful borrowing and spending; they have been factors in the mortgage crisis and the rising cost of health care. </p> <p>Tax expenditures collectively increase the budget deficit by more than all other nondefense spending combined, other than Social Security and Medicare. And unlike those direct outlays, these tax expenditures are not subject to annual review as part of the appropriations process. Once they are part of the law, they automatically continue and become more costly with time. </p> <p>Despite the strong case for limiting tax expenditures, it is politically difficult to do so because no one wants to give up benefits. </p> <p>So here is a way to curb this loss of revenue without eliminating any individual deduction: limit the total tax saving for any individual to a maximum percentage of his total income. Daniel Feenberg of the National Bureau of Economic Research, Maya MacGuineas of the New America Foundation and I <a href="http://www.nber.org/papers/w16921" title="Link to paper on limiting tax expenditures" target="_blank" re_target="null"><span style="color: #000080;">have been studying a reform</span></a> that would cap the tax reduction that each taxpayer could get from tax expenditures to 2 percent of his adjusted gross income. </p> <p>What&rsquo;s the result? Taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 to $50,000 would pay about $1,000 more in taxes; those with incomes of more than $500,000 might pay $40,000 more. </p> <p>The cap would affect more than 80 percent of taxpayers. Although they would continue to benefit from the mortgage deduction, the health insurance exclusion and other tax expenditures, their tax savings would not increase if they took out a larger mortgage or a more expensive insurance policy. Similarly, they would not be penalized and get a lesser tax benefit if they scaled back their mortgage or their health insurance premium by moderate amounts. </p> <p>A key point to stress about this proposal is that the 2 percent cap refers to the reduction in an individual&rsquo;s taxes, not to the size of the tax deduction or exclusion. </p> <p>Consider a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 who faces a 25 percent marginal tax rate and has total deductions (for mortgage interest, state taxes and other items) of $30,000 and a $10,000 health insurance premium provided by his employer. </p> <p>The deductions and exclusion together reduce taxable income by $40,000 and the tax liability by 25 percent of that, or $10,000 &mdash; well above the 2 percent cap of $3,000. This calculation (which would appear on a modified version of the current tax form, reflecting insurance premiums reported by employers) would seem to imply a tax increase of $7,000. </p> <p>But if he switched to the standard deduction, the only tax expenditure benefit he would get would be from the health insurance exclusion. That $10,000 premium implies a tax expenditure of $2,500, which is less than the 2 percent cap. The result is an increase in taxable income by $18,400 (the difference between the $30,000 in itemized deductions and the $11,600 standard deduction) and a tax increase of $4,600. </p> <p>With the 2 percent cap, individuals would continue to benefit from all of their current deductions, exclusions and credits. It is the total tax benefit and not any particular tax reduction that is limited. </p> <p>To estimate the macroeconomic effects of this proposal we used the tax simulation model of the National Bureau of Economic Research, as well as a sample of nearly 150,000 anonymous tax returns for 2006 provided by the Internal Revenue Service, adjusted to approximate the total taxes and tax expenditures for 2011. </p> <p>We found that a 2 percent cap on tax expenditures in 2011 would raise tax revenue by $278 billion &mdash; nearly 30 percent of total projected income tax revenue for this year. The extra revenue would increase over time, reaching nearly half of the projected future fiscal deficits. </p> <p>The tax expenditures that we cap in our analysis include all itemized deductions, the health insurance exclusion and the child tax credit. We do not limit the tax expenditures associated with saving and investment like the individual retirement account deduction, the interest accumulating in I.R.A. accounts, and the reduced rate on capital gains. </p> <p>The 2 percent cap would also simplify tax payments by inducing some 35 million taxpayers who itemize their deductions to shift to the standard deduction method. That is about three out of four of those who now itemize their deductions. </p> <p>It would be possible, of course, to start with a higher ceiling on the tax expenditure benefit and gradually reduce the cap to 2 percent. A 3 percent cap would raise $208 billion, while a 5 percent cap would raise only $110 billion. Our list of tax expenditures could also be modified &mdash; to exempt charitable contributions from the cap, for example. </p> <p>Federal revenue must be raised to deal with our very serious fiscal problems. But it would be far better to do so by capping tax expenditures than by raising marginal tax rates. </p> <nyt_author_id /> <div class="authorIdentification" sizset="21" sizcache="0"> <p>Martin S. Feldstein, a professor of economics at Harvard, was the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from 1982 to 1984 under President Ronald Reagan.</p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:1c91e8a5-01ad-40d3-b850-63bece00ff36 Did You Know? --Agriculture is Ohio's No. 1 industry, contributing more than $98 billion worth of economic activity to our state each year. --Each farmer in America produces enough food to feed 155 people. In 1940, each farmer in America provided ...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:02:35 -0500<div> <h2><strong>Did You Know?</strong></h2> </div> <div>--Agriculture is Ohio's No. 1 industry, contributing more than $98 billion worth of economic activity to our state each year.<br /> <br /> --Each farmer in America produces enough food to feed 155 people. In 1940, each farmer in America provided for approximately 19 people.<br /> <br /> --Corn is grown in more countries than any other crop, yet still the United States produces 41.56 percent of the world&rsquo;s corn. <a href="http://www.ethanolfacts.com/" target="_blank">Ethanol</a>, made from the sugars in grains, is being used as an alternative fuel.<br /> <br /> --It&rsquo;s expected that farmers will need to produce more food in the next 50 years than was produced in the previous 10,000 years combined.</div> <br /> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:5e8842a8-cf57-44f8-8568-d484a3dc1963little seeds, big tractors Experience big farm fun at COSI. The 7th annual Farm Days: Little Seeds, Big Tractors runs Aug. 17 to 21. More than 20 pieces of farming equipment including a huge combine will be on display downtown on COSI&rsquo;s English...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:01:35 -0500<h1>little seeds, big tractors</h1> Experience big farm fun at COSI. The<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> 7th annual Farm Days: Little Seeds, Big Tractors runs Aug. 17 to 21</span></strong>. More than 20 pieces of farming equipment including a huge combine will be on display downtown on COSI&rsquo;s English Plaza and Washington Blvd. <div><br /> Farm Bureau members get $3 off COSI general admission plus other 10 percent family membership discount offers during Farm Days. A coupon will be featured in the July/August issue of <em></em><a href="http://ourohio.org/resources/feature-article-archives/misc-archives-2/little-seeds-big-tractors/magazine"><em>Our Ohio</em> magazine</a>; discount tickets can also be purchased online at <a href="http://www.cosi.org/store/" target="_blank">www.cosi.org</a> using code COSI181 or by showing your OFBF membership card during Farm Days.</div> <div><br /> During this event, more than a dozen pieces of huge farming equipment - including a combine, a track drive tractor, antique tractors and more - will be arranged downtown on COSI&rsquo;s English Plaza and Washington Boulevard. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Visitors can climb into the cabs of tractors, a combine, and more. Kids can test their driving skills on a pedal tractor obstacle course, try a cow milking simulation, and make a seed necklace to take home.<br /> <br /> The heart of Farm Days is COSI's "Path of a Farmer" game. Visitors get a game card and try their hand at the business of farming. They can take out a loan, buy crops and livestock, and then spin a wheel to see how the weather and market affect their farm profit (or loss!). Throughout the game, activities at each station&mdash;such as testing the pH of soil&mdash;help visitors understand the skills and knowledge needed to farm and the many resources and partners that farmers have.<br /> <br /> Video stations will highlight the stories of local farmers who raise everything from sheep to soybeans. Get a brief look at the operations on a real farm and the people who work it.<br /> <br /> Visitors can also collect a set of five free Farm Days trading cards while supplies last. Each card represents equipment, crops, and more that an Ohio farmer would use.</div> <div><br /> <a href="http://www.ofbf.org/counties/franklin" target="_blank">Franklin County Farm Bureau</a> created this event and sponsors it. Other sponsors are <a href="http://www.bobevans.com/" target="_blank">Bob Evans</a>, <a href="https://www.asgrowanddekalb.com/Pages/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Dekalb </a>and <a href="http://www.uproducers.com/" target="_blank">United Producers, Inc</a>.</div> <br /> Insurance Plus also sells memberships to Farm Bureau.&nbsp; Discounts are available on your insurance - Talk to us about it. <br />urn:uuid:ae908092-0f86-47c3-8e54-9acd722edb88Joplin Tornado Aftermath: A Reporter's Notebook and Video Diary The magnitude of damage that a massive tornado left across Joplin, Missouri last month cannot be described with words&mdash;it needs to be seen to believed. PropertyCasualty360.com Edi...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:58:31 -0500<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><b><a href="http://list.sbmedia.com/t/3568387/72882302/394363/0/">Joplin Tornado Aftermath: <br /> A Reporter's Notebook and Video Diary </a></b></p> The magnitude of damage that a massive tornado left across Joplin, Missouri last month cannot be described with words&mdash;it needs to be seen to believed. PropertyCasualty360.com Editorial Director Bryant Rousseau spent a day observing and filming the damage alongside a local State Farm agent, two catastrophe claims specialists, and an auto-lines specialist last week. <a href="http://list.sbmedia.com/t/3568387/72882302/394363/0/"><strong>Watch the video now</strong></a> to experience the aftermath of the devastation and take a firsthand look at how the insurance industry is responding.<br />urn:uuid:65afcae9-d728-4ff1-9a5e-d558bfa4ceb2Travel Insurance &amp; Assistance &amp; why we offer coverage through our office. Travel is one of life's great joys. But even the most carefully planned trip can be complicated by unforeseen events. Whether it's lost luggage, cancelled flights, or ...Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:03:24 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Travel Insurance &amp; Assistance &amp; why we offer coverage through our office.<br /> <br /> <p>Travel is one of life's great joys. But even the most carefully planned trip can be complicated by unforeseen events. Whether it's lost luggage, cancelled flights, or a medical emergency, an unexpected mishap can turn a relaxing vacation into a taxing experience. Access America's travel insurance is designed to keep your travel on track. Our goal is to save you money, safeguard your journey, and make your vacation memorable for all of the right reasons.</p> <div id="whybuy">&nbsp;<a name="nancy1" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Her Child Got the Flu</a></div> <div style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%;"> <p>Of all the times for Nancy's daughter to get the flu, it had to be before the big trip to Florida. Nancy was stuck by the bedside of a sick and disappointed child. </p> <p>Luckily, Nancy purchased&nbsp;travel insurance plan with <a class="genericAnchorTag" id="A2" target="_blank" re_target="null">Trip Cancellation coverage</a>. Nancy was fully reimbursed for all her non-refundable travel expenses including plane tickets and theme park passes. </p> <p>When her daughter was feeling better, the two rebooked their trip to the big amusement park.</p> <h3><a name="nancy2" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">She Had to Work</a></h3> <p>A 60-hour work week is the norm for Nancy, an executive whose personal digital assistant buzzes throughout the day. So, it wasn't surprising when the CEO called the night before her trip to Maui. He had scheduled a meeting with their biggest client and he needed her to make a presentation. Knowing that she was counted on, Nancy cancelled her vacation and got to work. </p> <p>Nancy knew her vacation investment wouldn't be lost because she had purchased&nbsp;travel insurance plan with <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx?001002028&amp;Product=001002045" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A4" target="_blank" re_target="null"><strong>BizPack extended coverage</strong></a>. BizPack, an Access America exclusive, enhances Trip Cancellation coverage by adding work-related <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">covered reasons</a> including Required to Work. </p> <p>Nancy's presentation wowed the client, and the CEO rewarded her with an extra week off. </p> <h3><a name="nancy3" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">She Missed Her Cruise Departure</a></h3> <p>Nancy couldn't wait to set sail on her long-awaited cruise, but first she had to fly to the port-of-call in Galveston. Eager to get going, she arrived at JFK International Airport in plenty of time. Then, Mother Nature changed her plans. A snow storm in New York shut down the airport and Nancy's flight to Galveston was cancelled. </p> <p>Fortunately, Nancy purchased Access America's <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx?001002028&amp;Product=001002023" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A6" target="_blank" re_target="null"><strong>Classic</strong></a> travel insurance plan and not the insurance offered by her cruise line. Their plan would not have covered Nancy's flight because it was purchased separately from her cruise. </p> <p>A quick call to Access America's <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">24-hour assistance hotline</a> put her directly in touch with a personal travel representative. He worked, on her behalf, with the airline and got her on the next available flight, this time to Cozumel, to meet the ship. Unlike everyone else who was standing in line at the gate scrambling to get a new flight, Nancy was enjoying dinner at an airport restaurant (and got reimbursed later for the unexpected meal). </p> <h3><a name="nancy4" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">A Snowstorm Closed the Airport</a></h3> <p>As the snowflakes fell over Chicago, Nancy knew her vacation to Aruba was on hold. Flight traffic at O'Hare International Airport was suspended for a day and left weary travelers spread out around the airport, waiting for the storm to pass. Nancy didn't have to wait around because she purchased <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx?001002028&amp;Product=001002023" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A9" target="_blank" re_target="null"><strong>Classic</strong></a> from Access America. </p> <p>The plan came with <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Travel Delay</a> protection which provided her with $150 a day, just enough to get a hotel room and a meal. Instead of lying across the floor of the airport, Nancy stretched across a queen-sized bed, waiting out the storm. </p> <h3><a name="nancy5" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">A Typhoon Blew it Away</a></h3> <p>One hundred mile-an-hour winds whipped through Tahiti, knocking down trees, smashing out windows and felling power lines. A strong storm surge washed away everything that wasn't tied down. Nancy found herself in a hospital far from home, unable to manage her own care. </p> <p>Access America representatives sprang into action to provide Nancy with the care she needed. Doctors and nurses from our parent company, <a href="http://www.mondial-assistance.com" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Mondial Assistance</a> (pronounced mawn dyaal), the world's largest travel insurance and assistance company, were dispatched to Tahiti from operation centers in the region. They found Nancy, and other customers injured in the storm, and arranged the complex process to evacuate them to a better-equipped facility in another country. The $100,000+ evacuation and the hospital bills were covered by Nancy's travel insurance allowing her to focus on her physical recovery. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mondial-assistance.com" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Mondial Assistance</a> physicians have personally evaluated thousands of hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals around the globe.</p> <h3><a name="nancy6" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Her Bags Got Lost</a></h3> <p>After stepping off the plane in Galveston, Nancy made her way to baggage claim and waited for her luggage. But after 45 minutes and no sign of her bags, she checked in with her airline and found that her bags were misrouted and wouldn't arrive for at least another day. </p> <p>Without a change of clothes, or even shampoo and toothpaste, Nancy needed to shop for a few essentials. Fortunately, her Access America <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx?001002028&amp;Product=001002023" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A12" target="_blank" re_target="null"><strong>Classic</strong></a> travel insurance plan included <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Baggage Delay</a> protection, allowing her up to $300 to purchase what she needed until her luggage arrived. </p> <p>Thanks to Access America, Nancy's tardy luggage didn't put a damper on her first day of vacation. </p> <h3><a name="nancy7" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Her Passport was Stolen</a></h3> <p>Walking the crowded streets of an island paradise, Nancy stopped to buy some souvenirs to remember her Caribbean getaway. But when she reached for her wallet it was gone. Nancy was the victim of a pickpocket. Even worse, she lost her passport which she needed to re-board her ship and reenter the United States. Stuck without her passport and unable to speak a foreign language, Nancy didn't know where to turn for help. </p> <p>Luckily, her Access America <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx?001002044&amp;Product=001002043" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A14" target="_blank" re_target="null"><strong>Basic</strong></a> plan included <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">24-hour emergency assistance</a>. Within minutes, she was on the phone with an Access America representative who quickly put her at ease. Access America helped expedite the process for replacing her passport and pay for a new one. </p> <h3><a name="nancy8" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">She Got Malaria on a Safari</a></h3> <p>Nancy imagined gazing out at the sunny Saharan horizon when she booked an African safari, but instead she found herself staring at the four walls of a hospital room. She contracted malaria from a mosquito bite. The safari was over for Nancy but she got the care she needed without paying up front, out-of-pocket costs. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mondial-assistance.com" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Mondial Assistance</a> (pronounced mawn dyaal), Access America's parent company and the world's largest provider of travel insurance and assistance, had previously sent a doctor to the hospital and evaluated the facility where Nancy was a patient. Access America was able to assure Nancy and her family back home that the hospital would be able to provide excellent care, and if her condition worsened, <a class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">emergency medical transportation</a> could be arranged to move her to another facility. </p> <p>While Nancy recuperated, Access America arranged for Nancy's trip home and reimbursed her for the unused portion of her vacation. </p> <p><a href="http://www.mondial-assistance.com" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Mondial Assistance</a> is a member of the <a href="http://www.allianz.com" class="genericAnchorTag" target="_blank" re_target="null">Allianz</a> family of companies with operation centers in 26 countries. </p> <div class="highlight" style="margin-bottom: -20px; height: 150px;"> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <p>When traveling, you never know what sort of emergency or unexpected event can occur. Access America has <a href="SelectAPlan.aspx" class="genericAnchorTag" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_cphIntro_A10" target="_blank" re_target="null">travel insurance plans</a> available so that regardless of what comes up, you will be looked out for during your vacation or trip.</p> </div> </div> <div id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_pnlPrint1"> <div id="col_b"> <div id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_pnlMasterAd"><a href="PolicyWiz.aspx" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_A2" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a><br /> <br /> <a href="ClaimWiz.aspx" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_A3" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a><br /> <br /> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <a href="AccessAdvisorWiz.aspx" id="ctl00_ctl00_aaMaster_A1" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a></div> <div id="insurance"> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /> &nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </span>urn:uuid:c948b3b4-32c7-46f5-a0b5-b635dc80e47aCancer Costs Highest For Individually Insured June 1, 2011&nbsp;&nbsp;(Reuters Health) - One of every seven cancer patients spends more than 20 percent of his income on health care and insurance, according to a new study from federal researchers. Am...Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:10:54 -0500<h1>Cancer Costs Highest For Individually Insured</h1> <div class="published-date">June 1, 2011&nbsp;&nbsp;(Reuters Health) - One of every seven cancer patients spends more than 20 percent of his income on health care and insurance, according to a new study from federal researchers.</div> <br /> <p>Among these patients, those who buy private insurance on their own - instead of through an employer - pay the most out-of-pocket for their health care, compared to patients who have other forms of insurance or none at all.</p> <p>"Looking at this," patients insured privately, and not through a group plan, have "an underinsured problem," said Dr. Didem Bernard, a senior economist at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the lead author of the study.</p> <p>Using surveys of about 4,200 people with cancer and roughly 149,000 people without, Bernard and her colleagues looked at incomes and out-of-pocket health care spending - including the cost of insurance premiums - among adults under the age of 65.</p> <p>"It turns out that (people with cancer) have significantly higher burdens than not only people without cancer, but other chronic conditions," Bernard told Reuters Health.</p> <p>The researchers found that 13 percent of cancer patients spent at least a fifth of their income on health care and insurance, compared to roughly 10 percent of people with chronic conditions and four percent of people without cancer or chronic diseases.</p> <p>"This paper confirms previous reports that the out-of-pocket burden of cancer care can be substantial," said Dr. Neal Meropol, the chief of the division of hematology and oncology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University.</p> <p>Meropol said that newer cancer-fighting agents can be extremely expensive.</p> <p>Bernard also said that expenses for cancer patients might be higher than for people who have chronic diseases because of the myriad other issues that can be associated with cancer treatment.</p> <p>For example, some patients might require plastic surgery after a procedure to remove cancerous tissue, or a patient might be treated for depression, sparked by the stress of dealing with cancer. However, the study did not dig into the causes of cancer patients' higher out-of-pocket burdens.</p> <p>The study, which is published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, included health care spending from 2001 to 2008.</p> <p>Within the group of cancer patients, the research team also compared spending between people with different types of health coverage, including employer-sponsored group insurance, non-group insurance paid for by the individual or family, government-funded insurance for the poor (Medicaid), and no insurance.</p> <p>Of people who had non-group health insurance, 43 out of every 100 spent more than 20 percent of their income on cancer treatment and insurance premiums.</p> <p>In comparison, 26 out of every 100 people without insurance had high out-of-pocket costs, as did nine out of every 100 people whose employer paid for their insurance.</p> <p>The finding that people without insurance didn't have the highest financial burden for cancer care "doesn't surprise me, because the uninsured are probably getting less treatment," Bernard said.</p> <p>Meropol, who was not involved in this study, said that people tend to use less health care when they are paying for it.</p> <p>His concern is that high out-of-pocket costs could lead to people delaying or avoiding treatments.</p> <p>The actual dollar amounts of the out-of-pocket costs for some treatments were lowest for people who had employer-sponsored health insurance.</p> <p>Those with employer-sponsored group insurance paid an average of $545 for ambulatory care, for instance, while those without any insurance paid $925, and people who bought their own non-group insurance paid $1,925.</p> <p>The Affordable Care Act, which passed in 2010, mandates that citizens have insurance by 2014, and states will manage competitive health insurance "exchanges," aimed at making private non-group insurance more affordable.</p> <p>The law has already established "high risk pools," which offer insurance to people with pre-existing conditions - including cancer - at relatively affordable rates.</p> <p>Bernard says the law is likely to benefit people with cancer.</p> <p>"For those who are uninsured currently or who have private non-group coverage, it should improve their situation, because those without insurance will be covered and those with non-group coverage can go into the exchanges, which will be more generous" than current coverage, Bernard said.</p> <p>Critics of the law have said that an insurance requirement could be too burdensome for people who can't afford to pay the insurance premiums.</p> <p>SOURCE: bit.ly/kcv2sT Journal of Clinical Oncology, online May 31, 2011.</p> <p>&copy; Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved</p>urn:uuid:fc0c3817-5e55-4be2-a660-7c9079d28b6f Regular Brisk Walks May Protect Prostate Cancer Patients Study found those who took them lowered chances of disease progression, death By Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter&nbsp; MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Prostate cancer patients who take bris...Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:02:39 -0500<div class="maine"> <div id="wto_title"> <h1>Regular Brisk Walks May Protect Prostate Cancer Patients <br /> <h2><span style="font-size: 16px;">Study found those who took them lowered chances of disease progression, death</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>By Alan Mozes</strong><br /> HealthDay Reporter&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Prostate cancer patients who take brisk walks on a regular basis fare better than those who don't, a new study suggests.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">They not only lower their risk for disease progression, they lower their chances of dying from the disease, the researchers reported.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">The finding builds on earlier research from the same group of scientists that had indicated that "vigorous physical activity" reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Men who engaged in brisk walking, defined as three miles per hour or faster, after a diagnosis of clinically localized prostate cancer, had a reduced risk of prostate cancer progression compared to men who walked at an easy pace [less than two miles per hour]," said study author Erin L. Richman, a research associate in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Men who engaged in three hours per week or more of brisk walking had the greatest benefit," Richman added, "with a 57 percent lower risk of disease progression compared to men who walked less than three hours per week at an easy pace. These results were independent of clinical prognostic factors, dietary factors and lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Richman's report appears in the June 1 issue of Cancer Research.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">The study authors pointed out that about 2.2 million men now struggle with a prostate cancer diagnosis in the United States, and the disease is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among American men. In 2010, approximately 217,000 new cases were diagnosed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">To explore how lifestyle might impact disease progression following a diagnosis, the study team focused on 1,455 prostate cancer patients who were enrolled at one of 40 urology clinics in 2004 and 2005.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">At the time the study launched, all the men had localized cancer, meaning that their disease had not yet spread beyond the prostate.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">All the men completed a survey to assess their physical activity routines. Richman noted that most of the men had initially undergone "curative therapy," including radical prostactectomy and/or radiation treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">The researchers observed that walking accounted for about half of all the physical activity exerted by the patients, and that those who were observed to walk in a so-called "brisk" manner tended to be younger and more fit than those who walked more slowly. Brisk walkers were also less likely to smoke.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">By stacking up exercise regimens against telltale signs of disease progression (such as PSA levels, the spread of the disease, and/or death), the research team found that patients who walked briskly for a minimum of three hours per week had a significantly lower rate of disease progression (57 percent lower) than those who walked at an easy pace for less than three hours per week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">In fact, the pace of walking seemed to be more important than the amount of time spent walking. Walking at an easy pace conferred no particular protective benefit against prostate cancer progression.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Richman's team cautioned that more research is needed to confirm the findings. She also suggested that other types of exercise might also prove helpful.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Dr. Lionel L. Banez, an assistant professor in the division of urologic surgery in the department of surgery at Duke University Medical Center, agreed that further research might find that other forms of exercise convey a similar protection.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">"It is very reasonable to extrapolate these findings to include other forms of physical activity," he noted. "Our own previous study did show that moderate exercise, which included various forms of physical activity, was associated with lower risk for aggressive prostate cancer among veterans."</span></p> </h1> </div> </div>urn:uuid:d504eb4b-f2bb-48fb-92e1-f533131c84d7AIR Estimates Insured Losses from the U.S. Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak of May 20-27 at between USD 4 and 7 Billion BOSTON, June 6, 2011 &ndash; Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates that the outbreak of severe thunderstorms that struck ...Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:54:21 -0500<a href="http://www.insurancebroadcasting.com/news/AIR-Estimates-2714209-1.html?ET=broadcasting:e1683:2257325a:&amp;st=email" title="This external link will open in a new window" target="_blank"><strong>AIR Estimates Insured Losses from the U.S. Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak of May 20-27 at between USD 4 and 7 Billion</strong></a><strong> </strong><br /> BOSTON, June 6, 2011 &ndash; Catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide estimates that the outbreak of severe thunderstorms that struck the United States from May 20th to the 27th this year will result in insured losses to residential, commercial, and industrial properties and their contents, and to automobiles of between USD 4 billion and USD 7 billion.<br /> <br /> Now&nbsp;you know so when your insurance bill increases this is one of the causes.urn:uuid:a1b581db-82f5-47e5-a2ac-76e09ee7990eWhy Social Media Can't Stand Alone In our unending quest to master all of the aspects of social media &mdash; so we can, at the very least, keep in touch with our kids and our friends, much less our clients &mdash; sometimes the classic approach get...Tue, 24 May 2011 20:10:38 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Why Social Media Can't Stand Alone<br /> </span></strong><br /> <p>In our unending quest to master all of the aspects of social media &mdash; so we can, at the very least, keep in touch with our kids and our friends, much less our clients &mdash; sometimes the classic approach gets overlooked.</p> <p >A new study by the <a href="http://pm.updatesagentmedia.com/c.asp?957021&amp;903fc381eaea5e8f&amp;38">Inter-Company Marketing Group</a> helps to remind us that while social media tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are important in attracting and enticing a new generation of clients, you&rsquo;re still going to have to get some old-fashioned face time if you want to succeed.</p> <p >According to <a href="http://pm.updatesagentmedia.com/c.asp?957021&amp;903fc381eaea5e8f&amp;39">the study</a>, nine out of 10 insurance marketing and sales executives say that social networking is good for business, but even they rely on Web searches and personal contacts, especially when establishing a background on a potential client.</p> <p >Keep in mind that your prospects are probably conducting similar searches as they think about doing business with you, highlighting the absolute importance of developing solid referrals.<br /> Despite the proliferation of instant communication and the broad connections possible through social media, those surveyed said they still rely on search engines and personal references when trying to research a peer or a company they&rsquo;d like to work with.</p> <p >&ldquo;Technology is adding opportunities for contact, but person-to-person communication is still vitally important,&rdquo; said David Burke, ICMG president and vice president of agent services with Universal American Corp.</p>urn:uuid:6d5a2349-0c9e-468b-9ed8-d8a3f628494bAre you part of&nbsp; the &ldquo;Sandwich Generation&rdquo; ? Some advice and suggestions The Thirty-Something crowd of the 80&rsquo;s is rapidly becoming the Sandwich Generation. We hear the plight of these clients day in and day out. This unfortun...Fri, 20 May 2011 12:14:00 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Are you part of&nbsp; the &ldquo;Sandwich Generation&rdquo; ? Some advice and suggestions<br /> </span></strong> <p>The Thirty-Something crowd of the 80&rsquo;s is rapidly becoming the Sandwich Generation. We hear the plight of these clients day in and day out. This unfortunate sector of the population is responsible for three generations: First, aging parents require financial and emotional assistance. Children approaching college require financial and emotional support. And the generation stuck in the middle has to juggle all of these demands and their own financial and emotional needs. Sound familiar?</p> <p>To top it off, these clients are also burdened with trying to squeeze every penny out of their income in order to adequately save for their own retirement security. In today&rsquo;s difficult economic climate, this can be a daunting task for even the most aggressive savers. However, it&rsquo;s important to let Sandwich Generation clients know that they are not alone.</p> <p>Advisors, analysts and economic gurus have all taken notice of this trend. There is plenty of advice available to clients in this situation. Heavy hitters like MetLife, AARP, Merrill Lynch and Charles Schwab &amp; Co., have all provided some very insightful and useful information we can share with our clients.</p> <p><strong>The surprising statistics</strong></p> <p>Here are just a handful of eye-opening numbers from some of the recent sandwich generation studies:</p> <ul> <li>According to Merrill Lynch Affluent Insights Quarterly, 31 percent of baby boomers ages 51-64 are currently providing some form of support for both their children and parents. More than 45 percent of these people have had to make lifestyle sacrifices to support the needs of their families, and 26 percent are saving less for retirement. Another 19 percent have invited their adult-age children or parents to live with them to cut down on expenses.</li> <li>Half of the Middle Boomers (the 28 million Americans ages 52 to 58) still have children living at home. And 43 percent of them still have at least one parent alive, according to MetLife&rsquo;s Mature Market Institute.&nbsp; Almost three in four Middle Boomers have been providing financial assistance and support to their children <em>and</em> grandchildren, which adds up to average of about $38,000 over the past five years. About 14 percent of Middle Boomers are providing care to older parents.</li> <li>4 in 10 sandwich generation parents continue to provide at least some financial support to their young adult children, according to a Charles Schwab &amp; Co. survey.</li> </ul> <p>Because the Sandwich Generation parents are often financially stretched to the breaking point, many of them have little left to put towards retirement savings. The long term implications of this could be devastating.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Easing the financial strain</strong></p> <p>What are some things we can do for our Sandwich Generation clients to help ease this incredible financial pressure? For those clients caring for elderly parents, encourage them to do some soul-searching. In order to break the cycle, they must carefully and objectively analyze their financial obligations. Work with your clients to identify and prioritize financial goals. It is imperative that a proper plan be put in place before your client&rsquo;s situation escalates out of control.</p> <p><strong>Don&rsquo;t Neglect Retirement</strong></p> <p>Clients who may be shouldering all of the financial responsibilities of parents may need to scale back and re-allocate some of those funds into much needed retirement savings. By boosting their own retirement accounts, they can ensure that they will not burden their own children with the same difficult situation in the future.</p> <p><strong>Teach Your Children</strong></p> <p>Sandwich Generation clients also face the dilemma of having to make tough choices with their own children. If your clients are supporting adult children, encourage them to teach their sons and daughters money skills and proper budgeting. Although many of your clients&rsquo; adult children are likely overwhelmed with college debt, it&rsquo;s important to advise your clients that their children must take responsibility for these debts.</p> <p><strong>Provide Resources</strong></p> <p>Offer your clients some financial tools, guides and resources that they can share with their children. Inform them of various avenues available to their families to help them pay down any outstanding debt. And remind them that they must not sacrifice their own retirement at the expense of their adult children.</p> <p><strong>Help Clients Be Strong</strong></p> <p>If your clients have unemployed children at home, push their hand to tough love. As much as mom might want to bake cookies for little Johnny every night after she comes home from work, she still has to take care of Nana, report to her boss, make dinner, pay off Johnny&rsquo;s debt, and perhaps even take care of her grandbaby. Being a loving parent does not always mean caving. Remind your clients of this and help them understand the value of fiscal responsibility at any age.</p> <p>The Sandwich Generation is squeezed indeed. If you are working with a client in this situation, remember that you are their lifeline. They often times cannot see the forest for the trees, and it is your job to clear the way for a safe and stress-free retirement for them.</p> Agent E News<br />urn:uuid:ade16fce-9487-4afb-8f31-8c0bc67abe9cWhy did we invent Rollbars &amp; Seat Belts THE&nbsp;SE DRIVERS HAD TO BE CRAZY....LOOK AT ALL OF THEM THAT WERE THROWN OUT OF THEIR CARS! What! No cages or air bags? NO SEAT BELTS?&nbsp; Click on arrow in lower left to start; runs 4 minutes. http:...Thu, 19 May 2011 12:19:35 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Why did we invent Rollbars &amp; Seat Belts<br /> </span></strong><br /> <p>THE&nbsp;SE DRIVERS HAD TO BE CRAZY....LOOK AT ALL OF THEM THAT WERE THROWN OUT OF THEIR CARS!</p> <p>What! No cages or air bags? <b><i>NO SEAT BELTS?</i></b>&nbsp;</p> <p>Click on arrow in lower left to start; runs 4 minutes. </p> <p><a href="http://devour.com/video/vintage-race-car-crashes/" title="http://devour.com/video/vintage-race-car-crashes/" target="_blank" re_target="_blank">http://devour.com/video/vintage-race-car-crashes/</a><br /> <br /> No safety measures back in the old days &hellip;</p> <p>And they would still be doing it today if the safety standards were not put into place.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:f482be2a-ef3b-456e-9a8d-8c2ceae6279cGas Price Hypocrisy or High Gas Prices Save Lives! This is interesting........ Little did I know the benefits to high gas prices!!!!! http://youtu.be/qKdScVerrBU or&nbsp; &nbsp; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKdScVerrBUThu, 19 May 2011 08:54:12 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Gas Price Hypocrisy or High Gas Prices Save Lives!<br /> <br /> </span></strong> <p><strong>This is interesting........</strong></p> <p><strong>Little did I know the benefits to high gas prices!!!!!</strong></p> <br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/qKdScVerrBU">http://youtu.be/qKdScVerrBU</a><br /> <br /> or&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKdScVerrBU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKdScVerrBU</a>urn:uuid:20154071-a5ce-4323-8d89-ec2acb14cbc8<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/New-Housing-Crash-150x150.jpg' align='left' />Written on May 9, 2011 at 8:56 am by V2A&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Housing Crash is Getting Worse It&rsquo;s worse. New data just out from Zillow, the real-estate information company, show house prices are falling at their fastest rate sinc...Mon, 09 May 2011 08:44:24 -0500Written on May 9, 2011 at 8:56 am by <a href="http://visiontoamerica.org/author/admin/" title="Posts by V2A" target="_blank" re_target="null">V2A</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://visiontoamerica.org/534/housing-crash-is-getting-worse/" title="Permanent Link to Housing Crash is Getting Worse" target="_blank" rel="bookmark" re_target="null">Housing Crash is Getting Worse</a> <p>It&rsquo;s worse.<img alt="" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/New-Housing-Crash-150x150.jpg" /></p> <p>New data just out from Zillow, the real-estate information company, show house prices are falling at their fastest rate since the Lehman collapse.</p> <p>Average home prices are down 8% from a year ago, 3% over the quarter, and are falling at about 1% every month, according to Zillow.</p> <p>And the percentage of homeowners in negative-equity positions &mdash; with a home worth less than its mortgage &mdash; has rocketed to 28%, a new crisis high.</p> <p>Zillow now predicts prices will fall about 8% this year and says it no longer expects the market to bottom before 2012.</p> <p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no way we can get to flat, from these depreciation levels, in the last nine months of the year,&rdquo; says Zillow economist Stan Humphries. &ldquo;Demand is a lot more anemic than we had previously thought.&rdquo;</p>urn:uuid:a7f10a1a-3e21-4430-98d4-a7ea7fb65166<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/When_Its_Hot_clip_image001.gif' align='left' /> Every Drop Counts Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks? Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak fro...Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:11:39 -0500<img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/When_Its_Hot_clip_image001.gif" /><br /> <br /> <h2>Every Drop Counts</h2> <p>Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?</p> <p>Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That's why WaterSense reminds Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.</p> <div class="pledge_header_fixaleak" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Pledge to be for water during <br /> Fix a Leak Week. It's as easy as 1-2-3<br /> </span><br /> </span></div> <p>WaterSense is teaming up with the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) to promote the third annual Fix a Leak Week, March 14-20, 2011. The week&rsquo;s activities will be topped off by <em><a href="http://www.fixaleakweekaz.com/" target="_blank" re_target="null">We&rsquo;re for Water&mdash;Join the Chase!</a></em><a href="http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a>, a 4 mile road race and informational educational fair in Peoria, Arizona.</p> <p>For all the latest on Fix a Leak Week events happening across the country, be sure to follow us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/epawatersense" target="_blank" re_target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/epawatersense" target="_blank" re_target="_blank">Twitter</a>!&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a> </p> <p>Being handy around the house doesn't have to be difficult. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.</p> <p><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/resources/como.html" target="_blank" re_target="null">Repare goteos y fugas alrededor del hogar (En Espa&ntilde;ol)</a></p> <table width="378" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100px;"><img width="100" height="103" style="border: 0px solid;" alt="Picture of Flow holding a wrench" src="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/images/flow_fixleak.jpg" /></td> <td style="width: 262px;"> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#leaks" target="_blank" re_target="null">Checking for Leaks</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#toilets" target="_blank" re_target="null">Toilets</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#faucets" target="_blank" re_target="null">Faucets</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#showerheads" target="_blank" re_target="null">Showerheads</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#outdoors" target="_blank" re_target="null">Outdoors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water_efficiency/howto.html#overboard" target="_blank" re_target="null">Leaks Still Flowing Overboard?</a></li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <a name="leaks" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a> <h2>Checking for Leaks </h2> <p>To check for leaks in your home, first you need to determine whether you're wasting water, then identify the source of the leak.</p> <ul> <li>Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks. </li> <li>Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak. </li> <li>Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 15 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.) </li> <li>Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks. </li> <li>The Regional Water Providers Consortium has a <a href="http://www.conserveh2o.org/video-library" target="_blank" re_target="null">video on detecting household leaks</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm" target="_blank" re_target="null"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;that you may find helpful.</li> </ul> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:e09f9869-09cf-4a03-b681-d3a5eda91b84Did you every get a virus on your computer? Well it proves the reason to have good backups- Not just one you do occasionally but everyday you use your computer.&nbsp; We got the nasty in our system and had to take the server out of the office to get...Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:44:40 -0500Did you every get a virus on your computer?<br /> <br /> Well it proves the reason to have good backups- Not just one you do occasionally but everyday you use your computer.&nbsp; We got the nasty in our system and had to take the server out of the office to get it fixed.&nbsp; But while we were at it we upgraded our hardware and software.&nbsp; Did not lose anything but proved how valuable a good backup can be.&nbsp;urn:uuid:9931812b-619e-4916-8b2b-1aa9f9142a54 For those of us who remember the original "General Purpose" vehicle, or Jeep (GP)! Six soldiers pull up on a main street in a standard issue WWII type Willys Jeep. In the span of LESS THAN 5 minutes they completely disassemble the vehicle and rea...Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:08:50 -0600<div> <div> <div> <div> <p>For those of us who remember the original <span style="font-size: 18px;">"General Purpose" vehicle, or Jeep (GP)</span>!<br /> Six soldiers pull up on a main street in a standard issue WWII type Willys Jeep. In the span of LESS THAN 5 minutes they completely disassemble the vehicle and reassemble it and drive off fully operable! The idea was to show the genius and basic simplicity that went into the design of the Jeep. Click below&nbsp;and prepare to be amazed. <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=lgwF8mdQwlw&amp;feature=player_embedded" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=lgwF8mdQwlw&amp;feature=player_embedded" target="_blank"><b title="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=lgwF8mdQwlw&amp;feature=player_embedded">Willys Jeep</b></a>&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> </div> </div> </div> </div>urn:uuid:6687e19b-aeb2-41df-b806-082392fc7591CONFUSED and DID NOT UNDERSTAND Immediately after U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson's ruling in January that ObamaCare was VOID because it forced every American to purchase health insurance, Justice Department lawyers filed a "motion of clarification...Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:44:54 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">CONFUSED</span></strong> and </span><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">DID NOT UNDERSTAND<br /> </span><br /> </span>Immediately after U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson's ruling in January that ObamaCare was VOID because it forced every American to purchase health insurance, Justice Department lawyers filed a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">"motion of clarification,"</span> which means they were <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>CONFUSED</strong> and <strong>DID NOT UNDERSTAND</strong></span> Vinson's language<br /> <br /> Now that really scares me<br /> <div style="text-align: center; padding-bottom: 10px; background-color: #e5b8b7; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><strong>"because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void."</strong></div> <br /> </strong>urn:uuid:337b22e2-cb4f-4197-a781-bcd1e638c08fFlying and cushions? It's common to explain something to someone and then have them ask several questions that were covered in your initial explanation. This is because they were not paying attention. I was thinking about this when watching a stewar...Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:16:08 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;">Flying and cushions?<br /> </span><br /> <p>It's common to explain something to someone and then have them ask several questions that were covered in your initial explanation. This is because they were not paying attention. I was thinking about this when watching a stewardess explain the emergency exit protocol for my flight, and I realized that if there ever was an emergency, I was going to have a lot of questions. So, I paid attention. What I found was troubling. On my flight we were going over water, and I learned that, "Most seat cushions can be used as a floatation device in the event of a water landing." What's with this loose "most" talk? I'd like to know if my seat's going to float before I'm bobbing in 4-foot waves next to a flaming airplane. If there's ever an emergency and I ask, "Will my seat cushion float?" they'd better have an answer.&nbsp; Just sayin. </p>urn:uuid:f6baaa00-29c9-4781-8c41-f97bc1fb5070THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your&nbsp;carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 2. Hey, thanks for lett...Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:29:57 -0600THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <span style="font-size: 10px;">1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your&nbsp;carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in&nbsp;your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back&nbsp;window to make my <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; return a little easier.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste&nbsp;means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave&nbsp;out always make me <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; wonder what type of gaming system they have.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And&nbsp;I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it&nbsp;takes you to remove<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; it..&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car&nbsp;and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a&nbsp;dead giveaway.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your&nbsp;alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set.&nbsp;That makes it too <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; easy.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the&nbsp;windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom -&nbsp;and your <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up&nbsp;there too.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget&nbsp;to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take&nbsp;a day off because <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; of bad weather.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions&nbsp;somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always&nbsp;check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> <br /> 12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe&nbsp;where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take&nbsp;it with me.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> 13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm&nbsp;system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of&nbsp;town, you&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates&nbsp;the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it&nbsp;athttp://</span><a href="http://www.faketv.com/" title="http://www.faketv.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10px;">www.faketv.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: 10px;">)&nbsp;<br /> </span>urn:uuid:06f19f79-e773-47b5-9261-c805cc2fde9cCar dealers and Gap or Lease coverage! DO NOT let some car dealer sell you or demand you add Gap or Lease coverage.&nbsp; You can purchase that on your personal auto policy at a far better price.&nbsp; You will be really upset if you sign the papers...Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:11:51 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Car dealers and Gap or Lease coverage!<br /> </span></strong><br /> DO NOT let some car dealer sell you or demand you add Gap or Lease coverage.&nbsp; You can purchase that on your personal auto policy at a far better price.&nbsp; You <span style="text-decoration: underline;">will be really upset</span> if you sign the papers and find you financed that coverage when you can buy it on your personal auto policy.urn:uuid:c28aed6a-1556-4fb2-88a1-e79dfca72dd4Buy online - save money - Need help? Who cares then? Just had a girl call in that needed some important info about her policy.&nbsp; All she got from their website was contact an agent.&nbsp; Sorry to have to tell her - when you purchased online y...Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:56:50 -0600Buy online - save money - Need help? Who cares then?<br /> <br /> Just had a girl call in that needed some important info about her policy.&nbsp; <br /> All she got from their website was contact an agent.&nbsp; <br /> Sorry to have to tell her - when you purchased online you cut the agent out - <br /> 1. Of the satifaction&nbsp;of correct coverage.&nbsp; <br /> 2. Just being able to ask some what if questions <br /> 3. Am I covered for this loss?&nbsp; You call them you automatically have a claim wheather you get paid or not. <br /> 4. You loss that connection to your local community (sponsorships etc.)<br /> <br /> Is it really worth it?<br />urn:uuid:6b677df1-5e33-4c2e-afc0-d3c4ebaf3b49What is Life - Time - Friends Worth? It's so easy to lose perspective on things when we get bogged down in life's distractions. http://www.TheRealizeMovie.com is only two minutes long, but the impact will stay with you much longer. I hope you enjo...Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:56:01 -0600<p><span style="font-size: 18px;">What is Life - Time - Friends Worth?<br /> </span><br /> It's so easy to lose perspective on things when we get bogged down in life's distractions.</p> <p><a href="http://www.therealizemovie.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.TheRealizeMovie.com</span></a> is only two minutes long, but the impact will stay with you much longer.<br /> <br /> </p> <p>I hope you enjoy and share it with others that you think need a little boost today.</p>urn:uuid:874aa94c-eb04-4a34-b082-fe2d565a3e4cWhat Does Renters Insurance Do Anyway? When renting an apartment or house, sometimes figuring out the uses of renter&rsquo;s insurance can be complicated. Although a&nbsp;renters insurance&nbsp;policy often comes at a low cost to you that does not me...Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:30:19 -0600<p dir="ltr"><b>What Does Renters Insurance Do Anyway?</b></p> <p dir="ltr">When renting an apartment or house, sometimes figuring out the uses of renter&rsquo;s insurance can be complicated. Although a&nbsp;renters insurance&nbsp;policy often comes at a low cost to you that does not mean that the coverage is low. A common misconception of renters insurance, or any policy with a low rate for that matter, is that less cost to you means less coverage. This is absolutely not the case.</p> <p dir="ltr">Renters insurance is less expensive than homeowners insurance, for example,&nbsp;there is typically less property (structure) &nbsp;and possessions to cover in a rental. There a lot more expenses that go into owning and maintaining a home, which is something one living in a rental property does not need to worry about. Since the owner of a rental property is responsible for keeping up with maintenance of a building, they have their own insurance policy. A renter only needs insurance for their personal possessions and property, what they have inside their apartments/rental property.</p> <p dir="ltr">If something catastrophic, like a hurricane or fire, should happen to your apartment building or home, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">only person responsible for your belongings is you</span>. The owner of the building that your apartment is in will most likely have their own insurance policy to cover the damages to the actual structure, but they are in <span style="text-decoration: underline;">no way liable to cover damages to your personal property</span>. Having a&nbsp;renters insurance policy&nbsp;will make sure that these things are protected.</p> <p dir="ltr">Renters in Ohio should&nbsp;contact Insurance PLus Agencies for more information on renters insurance and a FREE QUOTE. <br /> Please stop in (across from the Courthouse or visit our virtual insurance office <br /> (<a href="http://www.123quoteonline.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.123quoteonline.com</span></a>) today!&nbsp; Or Call 740-992-6677</p> <br />urn:uuid:250373c7-2955-46b0-b2b2-5ee59d777d25<img src='http://www.wnd.com/images/misc/B1172c.jpg' align='left' />Elected officials flunk U.S. Constitution quiz Select group clueless on basic questions over Electoral College, who declares war By Drew Zahn &copy;&nbsp;2011&nbsp;WorldNetDaily &nbsp; In a su...Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:27:13 -0600<h1>Elected officials flunk U.S. Constitution quiz</h1> <h2>Select group clueless on basic questions over Electoral College, who declares war</h2> <p>By Drew Zahn &copy;&nbsp;2011&nbsp;WorldNetDaily </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="KonaBody"> <table border="0" align="right"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 190px;"><a href="http://superstore.wnd.com/The-Constitution-of-the-United-States-Pamphlet"><img width="190" height="386" alt="" style="border: 0px solid;" src="http://www.wnd.com/images/misc/B1172c.jpg" /></a><br /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>In a survey of thousands of Americans, one subset &ndash; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">elected</span> officials &ndash; proved particularly clueless on questions about the U.S. Constitution. </p> <p>In fact, fewer than half could correctly answer such basic questions as "Who can declare war?" and "What are the three branches of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">government</span>?" </p> <p>The Intercollegiate Studies Institute reports it conducted the&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">quiz</span> of over 2,500 adults, asking 33 basic civics questions, many taken from nationally recognized instruments like the U.S. Citizenship Exam, including 10 questions related to the U.S. Constitution. </p> <p>Of the sample size, 164 identified themselves as having been successfully elected to government office &ndash; whether federal, state or local positions &ndash; but the subset performed even poorer than the national average on questions about the government. </p> <p><em><a href="http://superstore.wnd.com/Search?search=constitution">Get a better education on the Constitution in the WND Constitution store than anywhere else!</a></em> </p> <p>For example, only 15 percent of officials answered correctly that the phrase "wall of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">separation</span>" appears in Thomas Jefferson's letters &ndash; not in the U.S. Constitution &ndash; and only 57 percent knew the purpose of the Electoral <span style="text-decoration: underline;">College</span>. </p> <p>Twenty percent of the officials, reports Richard Brake in AOL News, thought that the Electoral College was a school for "training those aspiring for higher political office." </p> <p>"The fact that our elected representatives know even less about America's history and institutions than the typical citizen (who doesn't know much either) is troubling indeed," writes Brake, who is co-chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute's National Civic Literacy Board, "but perhaps helps explain the lack of constitutional discipline often displayed by our political class at every level of our system. </p> <p>"Given this dismal performance," he continues, "it would seem that last week's House reading of the Constitution shouldn't be described 'presumptuous and self-righteous' [as a New York Times editorial dubbed it], but as a necessary national tutorial for all elected officials." </p> </div> <p>Brake reports that the surveyed group, including a random sample of adults from all educational and demographic backgrounds but focused primarily on college students, outscored the elected official subset by five percentage points and topped the government officials on every constitutional question. </p> <p>For example, only 49 percent of elected officials could name all three branches of government &ndash; legislative, executive and judicial &ndash; compared with 50 percent of the general public. </p> <p>Similarly, only 46 percent of elected officials knew that Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war, while 54 percent of the general public identified the correct answer. </p> <p>Overall, the average score for officeholders on the civic literacy test was 44 percent, compared to 49 percent for those who have not held an elected office </p> <p><a href="http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/2008/additional_finding.html">The compiled results</a> show the general public proved significantly more knowledgeable than officeholders on the Cuban Missile Crisis (with a 14-percent <span style="text-decoration: underline;">difference</span> in average score on a related question), Sputnik (an 11-percent difference) and the ability to identify the "inalienable rights" of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness named in the Declaration of Independence (13-percent difference). </p> <p>ISI reports the elected officeholders came from the ranks of Democrats (40 percent), Republicans (31 percent), Independents (21 percent), and those who indicated no affiliation (8 percent). None were asked to specify what office they held, so the proportion in which they held local, state, or federal positions is unknown. </p> <p>Overall, 74 percent of officeholders failed the exam, compared to 71 percent of those who had not held office. </p> <p>You can <a href="http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx">take the exam yourself</a> at <a href="http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/index.html">ISI's website</a>. </p> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=251081#ixzz1BJo51QuD" style="color: #003399;">Elected officials flunk U.S. Constitution quiz</a> <a href="http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=251081#ixzz1BJo51QuD" style="color: #003399;">http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=251081#ixzz1BJo51QuD</a><br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:317a5ffa-045a-4299-9d20-e3cbb512e59e<img src='http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LW523_0116hu_D_20110116083716.jpg' align='left' />China calls US currency " Product of the Past"&nbsp; Hu Highlights Need for U.S.-China Cooperation, Questions Dollar By&nbsp;ANDREW BROWNE BEIJING&mdash;Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized the need for cooperation with the U.S. in areas from n...Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:23:22 -0600<h3 class="byline" done6="145">China calls US currency " Product of the Past"&nbsp; </h3> <h3 class="byline" done6="145"> <h1>Hu Highlights Need for U.S.-China Cooperation, Questions Dollar </h1> By&nbsp;<a href="http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=ANDREW+BROWNE&amp;bylinesearch=true">ANDREW BROWNE</a> </h3> <p done6="147">BEIJING&mdash;Chinese President <a href="http://topics.wsj.com/person/j/hu-jintao/5422" class="topicLink">Hu Jintao</a> emphasized the need for cooperation with the U.S. in areas from new energy to space ahead of his visit to Washington this week, but he called the present U.S. dollar-dominated currency system a "product of the past" and highlighted moves to turn the yuan into a global currency.</p> <div class="insetContent insetCol3wide embedType-image imageFormat-D" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <div class="insetTree" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <div id="articleThumbnail_1" class="insettipUnit insetZoomTarget" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <div class="insetZoomTargetBox" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <div class="insettipBox" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <div class="insettip" done6="148" done1="50" done2="50" done3="50"> <p done6="148"><a>View Full Image</a></p> </div> </div> <a><img width="262" height="174" style="border: 0px solid;" alt="0116huchina" src="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-LW523_0116hu_D_20110116083716.jpg" /></a></div> <cite>Associated Press</cite> <p class="targetCaption">Chinese President Hu Jintao delivers a speech at a plenary session of the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in Beijing on Jan. 10. Mr. Hu's state visit to Washington begins Wednesday.<br /> <br /> "We both stand to gain from a sound China-U.S. relationship, and lose from confrontation," Mr. Hu said in written answers to questions from The Wall Street Journal and the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&amp;symbol=WPO" class="companyRollover link11unvisited">Washington Post</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <a name="U401752072469I8D"></a> <p>Mr. Hu acknowledged "some differences and sensitive issues between us," but his tone was generally compromising, and he avoided specific mention of some of the controversial issues that have dogged relations with the U.S. over the past year or so&mdash;including U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that led to a freeze in military relations between the world's sole superpower and its rising Asian rival.</p> <a name="U401752072469CX"></a> <p>On the economic front, Mr. Hu played down one of the main U.S. arguments for why China should appreciate its currency&mdash;that it will help China tame inflation. That is likely to disappoint Washington, which accuses China of unfairly boosting its exports by undervaluing the yuan, making its products cheaper overseas. The topic is expected to be high on U.S. President Barack Obama's agenda when he meets Mr. Hu at the White House on Wednesday.</p> <a name="U401752072469GPH"></a> <p>Mr. Hu also offered a veiled criticism of efforts by the U.S. Federal Reserve to stimulate growth through huge bond purchases to keep down long-term interest rates, a strategy that China has loudly complained about in the past as fueling inflation in emerging economies, including its own. He said that U.S. monetary policy "has a major impact on global liquidity and capital flows and therefore, the liquidity of the U.S. dollar should be kept at a reasonable and stable level</p>urn:uuid:2fc2fe9f-2524-48e8-94e4-920adac02cb0Fake Lottery winning tickets from Safeco &nbsp; Safeco Insurance Company (a member of the Liberty Mutual Group) has become aware of an increasing number of fraudulent letters claiming that the recipients have won a lottery. The letter is accompanie...Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:18:57 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Fake Lottery winning tickets from Safeco<br /> </span></strong><br /> <div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Safeco Insurance Company (a member of the Liberty Mutual Group) has become aware of an increasing number of fraudulent letters claiming that the recipients have won a lottery. The letter is accompanied by an official-looking Safeco check. These are counterfeit checks and should NOT be deposited or cashed. The lottery letters often ask the recipient to call an international phone number and to submit personal and banking information.</p> <br /> <br /> <p>Safeco does not sponsor, promote or engage in lotteries. Our business is insurance, not lotteries.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div>urn:uuid:da761eec-97f1-42cc-aaaa-a319358ec57e Should I lease or purchase an auto? What would my auto payments be? Auto loan - Accelerated payoff Credit Calculators ...Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:13:05 -0600<table id="calcTable" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/aut01');return false;">Should I lease or purchase an auto?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/aut03');return false;">What would my auto payments be?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/aut05');return false;">Auto loan - Accelerated payoff</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <table id="calcTable" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Credit Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/det01');return false;">How long will it take to pay off my credit card(s)?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/det02');return false;">How long until my loan is paid off?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/det03');return false;">What would my loan payments be?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Insurance Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins01');return false;">How much life insurance do I need?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins02');return false;">What is my life expectancy?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins05');return false;">What are the chances of becoming disabled?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins06');return false;">What are my long-term care insurance needs?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins08');return false;">What are the tax advantages of an annuity?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ins11');return false;">Which is better, comprehensive plan or high-deductible plan with HSA?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Investment Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/inv05');return false;">What is the value of compound interest?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/inv10');return false;">Certificate of deposit (CD) analyzer</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Home &amp; Mortgage Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/hom02');return false;">Should I refinance my home mortgage (breakeven)?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/hom03');return false;">Mortgage calculator</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/hom04');return false;">Comparing mortgage terms (i.e. 15, 20, 30 year)</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/hom05');return false;">Should I pay discount points for a lower interest rate?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/hom07');return false;">Should I convert to a bi-weekly payment schedule?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Paycheck &amp; Benefits Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/pay07');return false;">What may my 401(k) be worth?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Qualified Plan Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/qua04');return false;">Should I convert to a Roth IRA?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/qua10');return false;">What is the impact of borrowing from my 401(k) plan?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Retirement Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ret02');return false;">How much will I need to save for retirement?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ret03');return false;">Are my current retirement savings sufficient?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ret04');return false;">Social security retirement income estimator</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/ret07');return false;">When should I begin saving for retirement?</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Saving Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/sav08');return false;">Calculate rate of return</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" class="subTitle">Taxation Calculators</td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/inc02');return false;">2010 federal income tax estimator</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a style="padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 20px; cursor: pointer;" onclick="javascript:calcPopup('http://www.calcxml.com/do/inc12');return false;">2009 tax refund estimator</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>urn:uuid:5e5a59bd-b44c-4f4d-806a-963b2a6f764eGeotagging, Your Smartphone, and Personal Safety... This is something everyone with a smartphone should be aware of and tell their loved ones. I wasn't fully aware of th implications for personal safety. While this is a US Army document, the briefi...Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:10:15 -0600Geotagging, Your Smartphone, and Personal Safety...<br /> <p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">This is something everyone with a smartphone should be aware of and tell their loved ones. I wasn't fully aware of th implications for personal safety. <br /> <br /> While this is a US Army document, the briefing is interesting and applicable to your personal security.&nbsp; The first two slides are eye opening.<br /> <br /> Stay safe.</p> In August of 2010, Adam Savage, of &ldquo;MythBusters,&rdquo; took a photo of his vehicle using his smartphone. He then posted the photo to his Twitter account including the phrase &ldquo;off to work.&rdquo; <br /> &bull; Since the photo was taken by his smartphone, the image contained metadata reveling the exact geographical location the photo was taken. <br /> &bull; So by simply taking and posting a photo, Savage revealed the exact location of his home, the vehicle he drives and the time he leaves for work.<br /> <br /> <p style="text-align: left;">Geotagging is the process of adding geographical identification to photographs, video, websites and SMS messages. It is the equivalent of adding a 10-digit grid coordinate to everything you post on the internet.<br /> <br /> &bull;Geotagsare automatically embedded in pictures taken with smartphones.Many people are unaware of the fact that the photos they take with their smartphonesand load to the Internet have been geotagged.<br /> <br /> &bull;Photos posted to photo sharing sites like Flickrand Picasa can also be tagged with location, but it is not an automatic function.</p> Geotagging is the process of adding geographical identification to photographs, video, websites and SMS messages. It is the equivalent of adding a 10-digit grid coordinate to everything you post on the internet. <br /> <br /> &bull; Geotags are automatically embedded in pictures taken with smartphones. Many people are unaware of the fact that the photos they take with their smartphonesand load to the Internet have been geotagged.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> &bull; Photos posted to photo sharing sites like Flickrand Picasa can also be tagged with location, but it is not an automatic function. Photos have used geotaggingfor quite some time. Certain formats like the JPEG format allow for geographical information to be embedded within the image and then read by picture viewers. This shows the exact location where a picture was taken. <br /> <br /> &bull; Most modern digital cameras do not automatically add geolocationmetadata to pictures, but that is not always true. Camera owners should study their camera&rsquo;s manual and understand how to turn off GPS functions. <br /> <br /> &bull; On photo sharing sites, people can tag a location on their photos, even if their camera does not have a GPS function. A simple search for &ldquo;Afghanistan&rdquo; on Flickrreveals thousands of location tagged photographs that have been uploaded Tagging photos with an exact location on the Internet allows random people to track an individual's location and correlate it with other information. ? <br /> <br /> Soldiers deploy to areas all over the world. Some locations are public, others are classified. Soldiers should not tag their uploaded photos with a location. Publishing photos of classified locations can be detrimental to mission success, and such actions are in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> If you want the whole slide set send me an email. <br /> Bill<br />urn:uuid:0e2dc25a-5a0d-43e9-89de-f3488f9d57d7<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/caramel_popcorn2.jpg' align='left' />Baked Caramel Corn 6 quarts popped corn 1 cup butter 2 cups brown sugar, packed firmly 1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Coat bottom and sides of large roast...Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:49:58 -0600Baked Caramel Corn<br /> <br /> <img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/caramel_popcorn2.jpg" /><br /> 6 quarts popped corn<br /> 1 cup butter<br /> 2 cups brown sugar, packed firmly<br /> 1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup<br /> 1 teaspoon salt<br /> 1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br /> 1 teaspoon vanilla<br /> <br /> Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Coat bottom and sides of large roasting pan with vegetable coating spray. Place popped corn in pan. In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Gradually pour over popped corn and mix well. Bake 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break apart and store in tightly covered container.<br /> <br />urn:uuid:cb9616d0-8a72-4e27-9d8a-f488d7ae131aGet smart on contents claims&nbsp; Think about everything you have in your home&mdash;from your TV to that antique roll-top desk, to all of the clothing and shoes and accessories for you and everyone else in the home&mdash;then figure out how much it...Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:44:44 -0600<p><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Get smart on contents claims&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p style="background: white;">Think about everything you have in your home&mdash;from your TV to that antique roll-top desk, to all of the clothing and shoes and accessories for you and everyone else in the home&mdash;then figure out how much it&rsquo;s all worth. Sound daunting? It is&mdash;and it&rsquo;s something a policyholder shouldn&rsquo;t have to deal with in a time of strife, but all too often they do.&nbsp; </p> <p style="background: white;">Consider this: According to Insurance Services Office&rsquo;s Property Claim Services unit and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. endured 28 catastrophes in 2009. The losses for these catastrophes totaled $10.6 billion. For your clients, getting back the contents of their home after a loss is one of the most important aspects of picking up the pieces and putting their lives back together. &nbsp;Most people don&rsquo;t think to prepare for the unthinkable, but Insurance Plus can arm our clients with tips and shortcuts so they will be ready should the unthinkable ever occur, whether it&rsquo;s a catastrophic loss or a few inches of water in the basement of their new home. </p> <p style="background: white;">Take photos of every room in your house, including the basement. Capture clear images of furniture, appliances and electronics.&nbsp; When photographing the basement, get images of the water heater, heating and air conditioning systems. This is an easy yet important step for both homeowners and renters to be optimally prepared. </p> <p style="background: white;">Insureds can even go the extra mile by taking photos of specific items that are sentimental, particularly valuable or unique. Then they can upload all these photos to&nbsp;Insurance Plus&nbsp;agency file or onto a Web-based photo sharing site, such as Shutterfly.com, where they can be housed for safekeeping. By providing clear, photographic evidence of all your insured belongings, much of the guesswork will be taken out of the inventory process in the event of a loss. &nbsp;</p> <p style="background: white;">For small losses, there are self-service websites where the you can simply enter a list of missing or damaged items and quickly receive valuation assessment for replacing the lost items.&nbsp; For larger losses, some carriers offer services to dispatch contents field agents who go directly to the property and work closely with the insured, walking them through the creation of a detailed inventory of the missing or damaged items. This promotes accurate valuation and swift replacement so people can get back to their lives as quickly as possible. Some carriers even offer services and field experts for handling fine art, collectibles and unique items that are hard to value and can tie up the entire claims process.</p> <p style="background: white;">Here&rsquo;s a checklist for homeowners to keep in mind on contents:</p> <p style="background: white;">1. Take photos of:&nbsp;</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Furniture</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Appliances </li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Electronics </li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Basement</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Water heater</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Heating/air conditioning systems</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Sentimental items</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Valuable items - Jewelry, furs</li> <li style="background: white; color: black;">Unique items - guns, Antiques, colletibles</li> </ul> <p style="background: white;">&nbsp;2. Upload photos to&nbsp;Insurance Plus&nbsp;agency file or web-based sharing site (ie: shutterfly.com)</p> <p style="background: white;">&nbsp;3. Get smart: <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Do IT now</span></strong>!&nbsp; Write down serial numbers</p> <p style="background: white;">&nbsp;4. We can provide clients with contents claims resources.</p> <p style="background: white;">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:6e34b5ea-716c-4cc9-b365-448fcc06ed17Getting ready for the Big Announcement! Stay tuned - we are making some changes that will be great for you as an insurance buyer.&nbsp; No not free insurance but it will be very exciting.&nbsp; It will have a major effect for our office. Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:17:35 -0600<span style="background-color: #fffeff;">Getting ready for the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Big Announcement</span></strong>!<br /> <br /> Stay tuned - we are making some changes that will be great for you as an insurance buyer.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> No not free insurance but it will be very exciting.&nbsp; It will have a major effect for our office. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </span>urn:uuid:7a58e998-aead-45ce-9475-d43b2fc61561Liberal vs. Conservative - Great comparison! A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. &nbsp;Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very liberal, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher ...Fri, 19 Nov 2010 09:26:45 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">Liberal vs. Conservative - Great comparison!<br /> </span><br /> A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. &nbsp;Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be very liberal, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words&nbsp;redistribution of wealth.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch conservative, a feeling she openly expressed. &nbsp;Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.</strong><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs.</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. &nbsp;He responded by asking how she was doing in school.</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. &nbsp;She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;Her father listened and then asked, &ldquo;How is your friend Audrey doing?&rdquo;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;She replied, &ldquo;Audrey is barely getting by. &nbsp;All she takes are easy classes, she never studies and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. &nbsp;She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. &nbsp;She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over.&rdquo;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;Her wise father asked his daughter, &ldquo;Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. &nbsp;That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.&rdquo;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, &ldquo;That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair! &nbsp;I've worked really hard for my grades! &nbsp;I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! &nbsp;Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. &nbsp;She played while I worked my tail off!&rdquo;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, &ldquo;Welcome to the conservative side of the fence.&rdquo;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;</b></b><br /> <b><b>&nbsp;If anyone has a better explanation of the difference between conservative and liberal or progressive or neocon I'm all ears.</b></b><br />urn:uuid:bef21f3c-1747-4da7-a468-c0660e518eddSolar power - I'm on the cutting edge now! On a whim I bought a solar kit from Northern Tools - Ok it was on sale.&nbsp; It's a 40 watt unit.&nbsp; No - I don't think I will cause flags to raise at AEP but I wanted to see what&nbsp;it could do.&nbsp...Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:23:51 -0600Solar power - I'm on the cutting edge now!<br /> <br /> On a whim I bought a solar kit from Northern Tools - Ok it was on sale.&nbsp; It's a 40 watt unit.&nbsp; No - I don't think I will cause flags to raise at AEP but I wanted to see what&nbsp;it could do.&nbsp; Just got it in and looking forward to seeing the two 40 watts bulbs come to life.&nbsp; It can also charge a battery or recharge a cell phone - may be able to run the whole house - if i disconnect everything.&nbsp; Already bought an inverter after the last big ice storm a few years back.&nbsp; <br /> So if you see a mushroom cloud in the middle of Meigs county you'll know I crossed wires.&nbsp; <br /> <br />urn:uuid:4abe572e-7e91-4513-b2a6-1f2e9406c7a2More Adults are Now Texting by Steve Anderson According to a new report from &nbsp;Pew Research Center&rsquo;s Internet &amp; American Life Project, 72% of American adult cell phone users now send and receive text messages, up from 65% last September...Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:01:35 -0600<h2>More Adults are Now Texting <span style="font-size: 10px;">by Steve Anderson</span></h2> <p Mc="63">According to a new report from &nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pew%20Research%20Center" class="aptureLink snap_noshots" Mc="61" aptureized="true">Pew Research Center&rsquo;s Internet &amp; American Life Project</a>, 72% of American adult cell phone users now send and receive text messages, up from 65% last September.</p> <p>Teens continue to text more than adults with 50 messages a day &ldquo;on average,&rdquo; in contrast to the &ldquo;typical 10 text messages sent and received by adults&rdquo; every day, Pew said. The non-profit organization compared the results of its May survey of 2,252 adults with a survey it did previously on the cell phone habits of teens ages 12 to 17.</p> <p>According to Pew, reasons for the increase include reaching &ldquo;a point where enough other people are texting that (adults) are drawn into using it because they can finally use it to communicate with a substantial number of their friends and family.&rdquo; Also, &ldquo;it may be that folks have been pushed by pricing into unlimited texting plans, which has the effect of encouraging people with those plans to text more, because they no longer think of the cost, and then text more people more often.&rdquo;</p> <p Mc="67">Some of that texting is done from behind the wheel. In a recent study, <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Cell-Phone-Distractions.aspx" class="aptureLink snap_noshots" target="_blank" Mc="66" aptureized="true"><em>Adults and Cell Phone Distractions</em></a>, Pew said that 27% of adults say they have texted while driving. The same proportion of driving-age teens (26%) also admit to doing so</p>urn:uuid:7086c4b0-0969-4bb7-bdb5-e4832b787ada<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/66382_1649744006501_1323995339_1679447_1918587_s.jpg' align='left' />Meigs Marauder Marching Band hit the end of the road&nbsp;Saturday night Nov. 6th at the Marshall University Tri-State Band Festival in Huntington, WV. placing first in class AA and 5th overall out of 32 bandsMon, 08 Nov 2010 16:06:50 -0600<span style="font-size: 16px; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/66382_1649744006501_1323995339_1679447_1918587_s.jpg" />Meigs Marauder Marching Band</span> hit the end of the road&nbsp;Saturday night Nov. 6th at the Marshall University Tri-State Band Festival in Huntington, WV. <strong><span style="font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">placing first in class AA and 5th overall</span></strong> out of 32 bandsurn:uuid:b91d8f6c-a644-41e2-a9e6-a06927e41c97<img src='https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/pgr_sigagent.gif' align='left' />Meigs County Insurance Agent Bill Quickel &amp; his staff - Recognized by Progressive Insurance for Top Performance. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&...Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:57:06 -0500Meigs County Insurance Agent Bill Quickel &amp; his staff - Recognized by Progressive Insurance for Top Performance.<br /> <img alt="" src="https://www.insurancewebsitebuilder.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/pgr_sigagent.gif" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/SignatureAgent2_thumb.jpg" /><br /> Based on his history of providing excellent customer service and consistently meeting established sales goals, Bill Quickel, of Insurance Plus has been recognized by Progressive as a Preferred Signature Agent... in the Progressive Preferred Program.<br /> Preferred Signature Agents comprise the top One percent of the company&rsquo;s 30,000 independent insurance agents from across the country. <br /> <br /> These leading agents have consistently grown their businesses through expert knowledge of the industry and a dedication to serving customers. Quickel joins<br /> this group as a top performer who constantly strives to match the specific needs of Southeast Ohio &amp; West Virginia area drivers with a wide variety of products and services. As a part of this group, Insurance Plus enjoys Signature Agent benefits including: special recognition, additional Progressive product offerings, and<br /> enhanced marketing support.<br /> Unlike some agencies that only represent one insurance company, Insurance Plus is an independent agency offering products from different companies. These products include: AUTO, BOAT, RV, MOTORCYCLE, HOMEOWNERS, UMBRELLA, LIFE INSURANCE from several carriers, including Progressive.<br /> Insurance Plus Agencies in business since 1956, is located at 114 Court Street, Across from the Courthouse or online at <a href="http://www.114court.com/" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), &quot;07e95&quot;, event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.114Court.com</a>. <br /> The experts at Insurance Plus provide advice and personal service. For more<br /> information, call 740-992-6677 or send an email to insplus@hotmail.com.<br /> <br /> <br /> Picture - Will Kelley - Progressive Ins. Carol Tate - Operations Mgr. Doug Edwards - CSR-Agent <br /> Back Samantha Carroll - CSR &amp; Bill Quickel - Agenturn:uuid:4d10a2a9-c125-4fa0-ad8a-cb3e62eae699How will the new CSA system work? by AA&amp;B Marketwatch CSA 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new enforcement and compliance program, has been implemented in pilot states and will soon be rolled out nationwide. While the most...Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:49:46 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">How will the new CSA system work? <span style="font-size: 13px;">by AA&amp;B Marketwatch<br /> </span><br /> <div id="Pagination"><span style="font-size: 13px;">CSA 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new enforcement and compliance program, has been implemented in pilot states and will soon be rolled out nationwide. While the most comprehensive information about the FMCSA&rsquo;s rollout of its Comprehensive Safety Analysis initiative is available on </span><a href="https://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/" target="_blank">FMCSA&rsquo;s website</a><span style="font-size: 13px;">, for those agents, insurance underwriters and motor carriers who don&rsquo;t have time to wade through all the details, here is what you need to know. </span> <p><a href="http://www.property-casualty.com/Issues/2010/September-20-2010/Pages/How-Exactly-Will-The-New-CSA-System-Work.aspx"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.property-casualty.com/Issues/2010/September-20-2010/Pages/How-Exactly-Will-The-New-CSA-System-Work.aspx" target="_blank">Read more about CSA 2010 at National Underwriter.</a></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>What is CSA?<br /> </b>The new model has three components:<br /> 1) Measurement<br /> 2) Evaluation<br /> 3) Intervention</span></p> <div id="bodyAd"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><noscript></noscript></span></div> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>How does the measurement system work?<br /> </b>Contained in the CSA model is a Safety Measurement System (SMS) that uses on-road performance data. This new system actually has two systems&mdash;CSMS for motor carriers, and DSMS for drivers. While driver evaluations will not result in the assignment of safety ratings (fitness determinations defined below) under the evaluation component of the model, they will impact carrier ratings. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">SMS replaces SafeStat, the measurement system of the old operational model. SafeStat did not contain a separate driver evaluation comparable to DSMS and relied on data from out-of-service violations and selected moving violations only.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The SMS summarizes data on all safety-based violations indicated on roadside inspections reports and data from state-reported crashes. CSMS includes two years of data, and DSMS uses three prior years. The data is sorted into seven buckets or Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>What are the BASICs? <br /> </b>&bull; Unsafe Driving BASIC, which looks at speeding, improper lane change and other violations indicating that drivers are operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in a dangerous or careless manner.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">&bull; Fatigued Driving BASIC, which includes violations of regulations related to the complete and accurate recording of hours of service in logbooks and other indications that drivers are operating CMVs while ill or fatigued. In general, a truck driver cannot drive more than 11 hours per day, or work for 14 hours without an eight-hour rest period.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">&bull; Driver Fitness BASIC, which includes violations such as the lack of a proper driver&rsquo;s license&mdash;violations indicating that drivers lack training, experience, or are unfit for medical reasons.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">&bull; Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC, which includes violations related to driver possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">&bull; Vehicle Maintenance BASIC, summarizing violations for blown lights, bad brakes, or other mechanical defects</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">&bull; Cargo-Related BASIC, summarizing violations for issues such as those for improperly secured loads or unsafe handling of hazardous materials</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>How are the results evaluated?&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> </b>Details of the formula used to convert the violation and crash data into seven numerical measures&mdash;one for each BASIC and one for the crash indicator&mdash;are included in a </span><a href="http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/SMSMethodology.pdf" target="_blank">94-page document</a><span style="font-size: 13px;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">The document explains that violations and crashes are weighted based on the severity, and that the time elapsed since the violation or crash is also considered&mdash;giving less weight to events occurring further back in the past.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">After a measurement is determined, results are &ldquo;normalized&rdquo;&mdash;in other words, the motor carrier is placed in a peer group. For motor carriers, percentiles from zero-to-100 are then determined by comparing the BASIC measurements of the carrier to the measurements of other carriers in the peer group. A score of 100 indicates the worst performance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b>What are the interventions?<br /> </b>FMCSA and its state partners will use measurement results to identify motor carriers that need CSA interventions, ranging from recommendations for corrective action to strong penalties. There are no driver interventions under CSA. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">Carrier interventions CSA are broken into three categories: <br /> 1) Early contact <br /> 2) Investigations <br /> 3)Follow-ons </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 13px;">While the most comprehensive information about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration&rsquo;s rollout of its Comprehensive Safety Analysis initiative is available on FMCSA&rsquo;s website, for those agents, insurance underwriters and motor carriers who don&rsquo;t have time to wade through all the details, here are the &ldquo;basics.&rdquo; </span></p> </div> <br /> </span></strong>urn:uuid:d676ee67-bb08-4843-b8eb-1ef4a93fc40dPresident Obama Signs 1-Year Flood Insurance Bill It's official: the federal flood insurance program will be around for at least one more year. President Obama yesterday signed into law S. 3814, the bill that will extend the National Flood Insurance ...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:25:52 -0500<h1>President Obama Signs 1-Year Flood Insurance Bill</h1> <p>It's official: the federal flood insurance program will be around for at least one more year.</p> <p>President Obama yesterday signed into law S. 3814, the bill that will extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until Sept. 30, 2011.</p> <p>Without the measure, the program would have expired last night. It has been allowed to <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/07/01/111226.htm">lapse</a> three times this year.</p> <p>Insurance agents and companies welcomed the news, hoping it will buy time for Congress to address <a href="http://www.mynewmarkets.com/articles/94730/fixing-the-nfip-the-most-inefficient-insurer-in-the-world">reforms</a> of the program.</p> <p>"Today's signing will come as a relief for millions of Americans who could be affected by floods or just wish to buy or sell a home," said Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. "However, the extension only maintains the program 'as is.' The NFIP is in serious financial trouble, and a simple extension such as this one will not help make the program self-sufficient or sustainable.</p> <p>"The Big 'I' hopes that this one year extension will provide much needed stability and security for the NFIP and its five and a half million policyholders, but it's also important to note that our work with this program is far from over," said Robert Rusbuldt, president and CEO, the Independent Insurance Agents &amp; Brokers of America (Big "I"). His group supports an increase in maximum coverage limits and the addition of optional business interruption insurance.</p> <p>David Sampson, president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, noted that the NFIP is currently saddled with more than $18 billion in debt. "While this bill was an important first step, Congress will still need to address meaningful NFIP reforms in 2011," Sampson said.</p> <p>American Insurance Association President and CEO Leigh Ann Pusey said that Congress now has the opportunity to tackle the "larger, more fundamental reforms" including NFIP premium subsidies and the mapping of flood plains.</p> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:02e68e5f-ea59-4f17-8f00-e58cde40c91aU.S. Judge Upholds Individual Mandate in Obama Healthcare Law A U.S. judge Thursday upheld a key part of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law that requires Americans to obtain coverage, rejecting a challenge by a conservative interest gr...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:16:53 -0500<h1>U.S. Judge Upholds Individual Mandate in Obama Healthcare Law</h1> <p>A U.S. judge Thursday upheld a key part of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law that requires Americans to obtain coverage, rejecting a challenge by a conservative interest group.</p> <p>The Thomas More Law Center filed a lawsuit in Michigan the day Obama signed it into law. It argued that the provision requiring Americans buy coverage by 2014 under threat of penalty was beyond Congress' authority and an unconstitutional tax.</p> <p>U.S. District Judge George Steeh ruled that Congress had the authority to enact the law under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution and therefore could also impose a penalty for those who failed to obtain health insurance.</p> <p>Steeh said Congress adopted the minimum coverage provision to address the growing costs of healthcare coverage and provide an avenue for more Americans to be covered.</p> <p>"The minimum coverage provision, which addresses economic decisions regarding health care services that everyone eventually, and inevitably, will need, is a reasonable means of effectuating Congress's goal,'' he wrote in a 20-page decision.</p> <p>Steeh dismissed two of six claims the Thomas More Law Center brought against the healthcare law and refused to issue an injunction it sought. The other four claims are still pending. The group also said the law violated its constitutional rights because federal tax dollars would be used to fund abortions.</p> <p>The Justice Department hailed the decision and said it would continue to defend the law, which is facing numerous legal challenges.</p> <p>"This ruling marks the first time a court has considered the merits of any challenge to this law and we welcome the court's decision upholding the healthcare reform statute as constitutional,'' said Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler.</p> <p>A lawyer for the Thomas More Law Center vowed to appeal the ruling. "I think we have a very strong argument on appeal and quite frankly I like our chances,'' said Robert Muise, senior trial counsel.</p> <p>The challenge is one of many against the healthcare law. Twenty states joined forces to sue in Florida to block the overhaul of the $2.5 trillion healthcare system, arguing it violated their rights and would force huge new spending by them.</p> <p><em>(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky; Editing by Peter Cooney)&nbsp; Reuters</em><br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:de0876d0-1844-439b-bb6e-b8c135b205bbPower Points from Peter Lowe A wise person once said, "Worry is like a rocking chair&mdash;it gives you something to do but it doesn&rsquo;t get you anywhere"&mdash;except maybe sick, exhausted, and demoralized&mdash;and often about things that never...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:12:36 -0500<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Power Points</span> from Peter Lowe</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">A wise person once said, "Worry is like a rocking chair&mdash;it gives you something to do but it doesn&rsquo;t get you anywhere"&mdash;except maybe sick, exhausted, and demoralized&mdash;and often about things that never come to pass anyway. Worry is a thief. It steals your joy and robs you of today because of something tomorrow that might not even happen, and which you cannot even control anyway. As a leader, you&rsquo;re constantly striving for excellence in yourself first and then in those you lead. You&rsquo;re involved in important things&mdash;and as in any high-stakes endeavor, you may succeed or experience a temporary setback. If you&rsquo;re not careful, those setbacks can cause worry. As you read these techniques on how to win over worry by the Dale Carnegie, the man who taught us how to win friends and influence people, I hope that you&rsquo;ll particularly note that:</p> <dir> <p style="text-align: justify;">&bull; If what you fear is inevitable&mdash;cooperate with it. Resisting won&rsquo;t help, but there may be a way to come out strong if you start examining your situation and look for new ways to learn the lessons and win. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&bull; It&rsquo;s important to analyze instead of agonize. Think about how the situation came to be, the worst possible outcome (because it almost never happens), what you will do differently next time, and how you will start to solve the problem right now. As Harold Stephens said, "There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem."</p> </dir> <p>&bull; Physiology can change reality. If you act out "symptoms of being radiantly happy," you will become radiantly happy!</p>urn:uuid:b2329d28-8778-4c93-af8b-c32998755b67Allstate Hits Toyota With Subrogation Lawsuit&nbsp; By CHAD HEMENWAY NU Online News Service, Oct. 5, 2:50 p.m. EDT Allstate Corp. has filed a subrogation lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp. which seeks compensation for the more than $3 million the i...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:01:52 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Allstate Hits Toyota With Subrogation Lawsuit</span>&nbsp; By <a href="http://www.property-casualty.com/Pages/Property-Casualty-Magazine-Author.aspx?key=CHAD HEMENWAY">CHAD HEMENWAY</a><br /> <br /> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleWithPagination1" WebPart="true" __WebPartId="{f294abb0-7b40-41b8-b411-7dee65a29e9a}" __MarkupType="vsattributemarkup"> <div id="Pagination"><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 5, 2:50 p.m. EDT</b> <p class="BodyCopy">Allstate Corp. has filed a subrogation lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp. which seeks compensation for the more than $3 million the insurer said it paid out on accident claims related to the auto manufacturer&rsquo;s allegedly faulty accelerator pedals and other defects.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Toyota should be held accountable for the financial impact of these accidents,&rdquo; said Allstate spokeswoman Christina Loznicka.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Allstate filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in an effort, it said, to benefit policyholders.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;If Allstate&rsquo;s subrogation efforts are successful, policyholders may receive all or part of their deductible back,&rdquo; Ms. Loznicka said. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said the company had not seen the complaint but believes the &ldquo;unfounded allegations in this suit have no basis.&rdquo;</p> <div id="bodyAd"><noscript></noscript></div> <p class="BodyCopy">According to the lawsuit, Allstate alleges the defects which led to massive recalls by Toyota &ldquo;were substantial contributing factors in bringing damage&rdquo; to the insurer&rsquo;s policyholders and that Toyota knew about the problems regarding sudden acceleration in its vehicles for some time. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Instead of recalling the vehicles and changing their design to improve safety, [Toyota] essentially hid the problem,&rdquo; Allstate alleges in the lawsuit. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">The insurer cited data from Safety Research and Strategies Inc. that shows the sudden acceleration defect in Toyota vehicles is to blame for at least 725 accidents, 304 injuries and 18 deaths.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Mark Bunim, chairman of the mediation firm, Case Closure LLC, said Toyota likely has multiple layers of insurers in excess of its self-insurance. Allstate must prove Toyota is to blame for each of the accidents alleged to have been caused by mechanical problems in Toyota vehicles. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;There will be a multiplicity of accident data presented in the mediation process to follow,&rdquo; Mr. Bunim said. This is where the two large corporations could squabble, as Toyota attempts to dwindle down the accidents alleged to have been caused by vehicle defects, he said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm sent a letter in 2004 to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pointing out a trend in sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Since then, the insurer has asked for reimbursement from Toyota on claims related to the defect but has stopped short of filing litigation, said State Farm spokesman Phil Supple. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm continues to speak with the auto maker about these claims, Mr. Supple said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">On Oct. 4 Toyota updated the media on its efforts to fix the sudden acceleration problem. About 80 percent of the sticking pedal modifications have been completed on the 2.3 million vehicles that have been recalled, Toyota said.</p> </div> <div class="print-article"><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 5, 2:50 p.m. EDT</b> <p class="BodyCopy">Allstate Corp. has filed a subrogation lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp. which seeks compensation for the more than $3 million the insurer said it paid out on accident claims related to the auto manufacturer&rsquo;s allegedly faulty accelerator pedals and other defects.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Toyota should be held accountable for the financial impact of these accidents,&rdquo; said Allstate spokeswoman Christina Loznicka.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Allstate filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in an effort, it said, to benefit policyholders.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;If Allstate&rsquo;s subrogation efforts are successful, policyholders may receive all or part of their deductible back,&rdquo; Ms. Loznicka said. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Toyota spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said the company had not seen the complaint but believes the &ldquo;unfounded allegations in this suit have no basis.&rdquo;</p> <p class="BodyCopy">According to the lawsuit, Allstate alleges the defects which led to massive recalls by Toyota &ldquo;were substantial contributing factors in bringing damage&rdquo; to the insurer&rsquo;s policyholders and that Toyota knew about the problems regarding sudden acceleration in its vehicles for some time. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Instead of recalling the vehicles and changing their design to improve safety, [Toyota] essentially hid the problem,&rdquo; Allstate alleges in the lawsuit. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">The insurer cited data from Safety Research and Strategies Inc. that shows the sudden acceleration defect in Toyota vehicles is to blame for at least 725 accidents, 304 injuries and 18 deaths.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Mark Bunim, chairman of the mediation firm, Case Closure LLC, said Toyota likely has multiple layers of insurers in excess of its self-insurance. Allstate must prove Toyota is to blame for each of the accidents alleged to have been caused by mechanical problems in Toyota vehicles. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;There will be a multiplicity of accident data presented in the mediation process to follow,&rdquo; Mr. Bunim said. This is where the two large corporations could squabble, as Toyota attempts to dwindle down the accidents alleged to have been caused by vehicle defects, he said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm sent a letter in 2004 to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pointing out a trend in sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Since then, the insurer has asked for reimbursement from Toyota on claims related to the defect but has stopped short of filing litigation, said State Farm spokesman Phil Supple. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm continues to speak with the auto maker about these claims, Mr. Supple said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">On Oct. 4 Toyota updated the media on its efforts to fix the sudden acceleration problem. About 80 percent of the sticking pedal modifications have been completed on the 2.3 million vehicles that have been recalled, Toyota said.</p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:794c421a-df37-4eb9-80bb-4f20ae836711Contractors May Be Unaware Of Environmental Risks&nbsp; By ARTHUR D. POSTAL NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 2:37 p.m. EDT Contractors venturing into areas outside of their proven expertise, while seeking work in a weak economy, should be aware tha...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:56:49 -0500<h1>Contractors May Be Unaware Of Environmental Risks&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 13px;">By</span> <a href="http://www.property-casualty.com/Pages/Property-Casualty-Magazine-Author.aspx?key=ARTHUR D. POSTAL">ARTHUR D. POSTAL</a></h1> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleWithPagination1" WebPart="true" __WebPartId="{f294abb0-7b40-41b8-b411-7dee65a29e9a}" __MarkupType="vsattributemarkup"> <div id="Pagination"> <p class="BreakingNewsDateline"><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 2:37 p.m. EDT</b></p> <p class="BodyCopy">Contractors venturing into areas outside of their proven expertise, while seeking work in a weak economy, should be aware that strict enforcement of environmental laws is on the increase and they should be taking steps to mitigate a huge potential risk, according to a recent report.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report released today by the insurer ACE, titled &ldquo;ACE Progress Report: Contractors and Consultants Face Increasingly Strict Environmental Laws,&rdquo; said that given the expensive remedial work, project delays and lost revenues that could result from inexperience, there is a growing trend in both public and private projects to require substantial environmental insurance coverage&mdash;even on jobs for which it was not previously required.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report notes that as regulations have evolved, so have the insurance coverages available for contractors&rsquo; pollution liability.</p> <div id="bodyAd"><noscript></noscript></div> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;These coverages provide vital insurance protection against liability from pollution incidents for which contractors, subcontractors, and consultants may share legal responsibility,&rdquo; the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The paper authored by Barbara Deas and William P. Hazelton, and released today during the National Association of Surplus Lines Offices conference in Atlanta, says the risk is greatest for contractors looking to work on infrastructure projects.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Today, virtually any contractor or consultant faces a growing array of environmental risks and liabilities,&rdquo; the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">As a result, the report continued, contractors are vulnerable to both new and newly-enforced regulations and potentially costly liabilities stemming from pollution incidents at job sites.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report said that to deal with the issue, contractors and consultants should address potential environmental liabilities with thorough pre-planning.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Indeed, while a project is in progress, &ldquo;environmental impacts should be mitigated by taking the correct steps to manage and lessen the impact,&rdquo; the report said. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Moreover, even when a project is finished, environmental concerns are likely to remain, the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Because of all these exposures, the environmental impact of a project should be considered at every phase, from start to finish,&rdquo; the report suggests.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Contractors and consultants that ignore these concerns can expose themselves to significant legal risks and large fines,&rdquo; the paper warns.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Specifically, the report points out that construction projects must pass a series of regulatory hurdles before gaining local, state, or federal approval. These hurdles range from air quality issues to so-called &ldquo;riparian concerns&rdquo; for projects bordering streams and waterways, in other words, soil and run-off issues where grading is involved, the paper said.&nbsp; </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Environmental specialists face even greater challenges with projects that involve so-called &ldquo;brownfield&rdquo; sites, where hidden pollutants may be present, as well as operations at sites that are known to be contaminated, the paper observed.</p> </div> <div class="print-article"> <p class="BreakingNewsDateline"><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 2:37 p.m. EDT</b></p> <p class="BodyCopy">Contractors venturing into areas outside of their proven expertise, while seeking work in a weak economy, should be aware that strict enforcement of environmental laws is on the increase and they should be taking steps to mitigate a huge potential risk, according to a recent report.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report released today by the insurer ACE, titled &ldquo;ACE Progress Report: Contractors and Consultants Face Increasingly Strict Environmental Laws,&rdquo; said that given the expensive remedial work, project delays and lost revenues that could result from inexperience, there is a growing trend in both public and private projects to require substantial environmental insurance coverage&mdash;even on jobs for which it was not previously required.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report notes that as regulations have evolved, so have the insurance coverages available for contractors&rsquo; pollution liability.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;These coverages provide vital insurance protection against liability from pollution incidents for which contractors, subcontractors, and consultants may share legal responsibility,&rdquo; the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The paper authored by Barbara Deas and William P. Hazelton, and released today during the National Association of Surplus Lines Offices conference in Atlanta, says the risk is greatest for contractors looking to work on infrastructure projects.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Today, virtually any contractor or consultant faces a growing array of environmental risks and liabilities,&rdquo; the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">As a result, the report continued, contractors are vulnerable to both new and newly-enforced regulations and potentially costly liabilities stemming from pollution incidents at job sites.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The report said that to deal with the issue, contractors and consultants should address potential environmental liabilities with thorough pre-planning.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Indeed, while a project is in progress, &ldquo;environmental impacts should be mitigated by taking the correct steps to manage and lessen the impact,&rdquo; the report said. </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Moreover, even when a project is finished, environmental concerns are likely to remain, the report said.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Because of all these exposures, the environmental impact of a project should be considered at every phase, from start to finish,&rdquo; the report suggests.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">&ldquo;Contractors and consultants that ignore these concerns can expose themselves to significant legal risks and large fines,&rdquo; the paper warns.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Specifically, the report points out that construction projects must pass a series of regulatory hurdles before gaining local, state, or federal approval. These hurdles range from air quality issues to so-called &ldquo;riparian concerns&rdquo; for projects bordering streams and waterways, in other words, soil and run-off issues where grading is involved, the paper said.&nbsp; </p> <p class="BodyCopy">Environmental specialists face even greater challenges with projects that involve so-called &ldquo;brownfield&rdquo; sites, where hidden pollutants may be present, as well as operations at sites that are known to be contaminated, the paper observed.</p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:55724085-d09d-450f-b8bf-ef0125d07184Deer &amp; Vehicle Accidents Increase In Ohio &amp; Nationally&nbsp;&nbsp; by MARK E. RUQUET NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 3:40 p.m. EDT With deer breeding season in full swing, state officials and insurers are warning motorist to be aware of in...Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:54:22 -0500<h1>Deer &amp; Vehicle Accidents Increase In Ohio &amp; Nationally&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 13px;">by </span><a href="http://www.property-casualty.com/Pages/Property-Casualty-Magazine-Author.aspx?key=MARK E. RUQUET">MARK E. RUQUET</a></h1> <p><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 3:40 p.m. EDT</b></p> <div id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleWithPagination1" WebPart="true" __WebPartId="{f294abb0-7b40-41b8-b411-7dee65a29e9a}" __MarkupType="vsattributemarkup"> <div id="Pagination"> <p class="BodyCopy">With deer breeding season in full swing, state officials and insurers are warning motorist to be aware of increased activity as figures indicate the number of collisions between deer and vehicles is on the rise.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">In Ohio, officials are warning drivers to be on the watch for increased activity as the state recorded a 2.3 percent increase in deer-vehicle crashes in 2009.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Nationally, Bloomington, Ill.-based insurer State Farm said its data shows that the number of collisions between deer and vehicles has increased 10 times over the 2 percent increase in miles driven by U.S. motorists in the past five years.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Ohio Insurance Institute, along with three other state agencies, said the risk of colliding with a deer is greater during the deer-breeding season, which runs from October through January.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Ohio Department of Public Safety reported that there were 25,146 deer-vehicle crashes in 2009, up from 24,590 the previous year. Both figures are down from 26,304 in 2007.</p> <div id="bodyAd"><noscript></noscript></div> <p class="BodyCopy">There were four fatalities and 1,004 injuries from such crashes in the state last year, compared to six fatalities and 979 injuries in 2008. In 2007 there were 10 fatalities and 1,022 injuries.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">According to State Farm, the company estimates there were 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles during a two year period&nbsp;ending June 30,&nbsp; 2010, which was a&nbsp;21.1 percent increase over the earlier five years.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm said that for the fourth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a driver is most likely to collide with a deer.&nbsp;A driver&nbsp;in that state has a 1 in 42 chance of colliding with a deer over the next 12 months. Iowa is second on the list with a 1 in 67 chance of a driver striking a deer. Michigan is third with 1 in 70; South Dakota fourth with 1 in 75, and Montana fifth with a 1 in 82 chance.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The least likely place for a motorist to hit a deer is Hawaii where the chances are 1 in 13,011.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said deer-vehicle collisions in the U.S. cause about 200 fatalities a year.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Among the things drivers can do to avoid hitting a deer are to be aware of signs indicating deer crossings; remember that deer are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.; use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night; and if you see one deer there may be more because they travel in herds. </p> </div> <div class="print-article"> <p class="BreakingNewsDateline"><b>NU Online News Service, Oct. 11, 3:40 p.m. EDT</b></p> <p class="BodyCopy">With deer breeding season in full swing, state officials and insurers are warning motorist to be aware of increased activity as figures indicate the number of collisions between deer and vehicles is on the rise.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">In Ohio, officials are warning drivers to be on the watch for increased activity as the state recorded a 2.3 percent increase in deer-vehicle crashes in 2009.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Nationally, Bloomington, Ill.-based insurer State Farm said its data shows that the number of collisions between deer and vehicles has increased 10 times over the 2 percent increase in miles driven by U.S. motorists in the past five years.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Ohio Insurance Institute, along with three other state agencies, said the risk of colliding with a deer is greater during the deer-breeding season, which runs from October through January.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Ohio Department of Public Safety reported that there were 25,146 deer-vehicle crashes in 2009, up from 24,590 the previous year. Both figures are down from 26,304 in 2007.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">There were four fatalities and 1,004 injuries from such crashes in the state last year, compared to six fatalities and 979 injuries in 2008. In 2007 there were 10 fatalities and 1,022 injuries.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">According to State Farm, the company estimates there were 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles during a two year period&nbsp;ending June 30,&nbsp; 2010, which was a&nbsp;21.1 percent increase over the earlier five years.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">State Farm said that for the fourth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a driver is most likely to collide with a deer.&nbsp;A driver&nbsp;in that state has a 1 in 42 chance of colliding with a deer over the next 12 months. Iowa is second on the list with a 1 in 67 chance of a driver striking a deer. Michigan is third with 1 in 70; South Dakota fourth with 1 in 75, and Montana fifth with a 1 in 82 chance.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The least likely place for a motorist to hit a deer is Hawaii where the chances are 1 in 13,011.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said deer-vehicle collisions in the U.S. cause about 200 fatalities a year.</p> <p class="BodyCopy">Among the things drivers can do to avoid hitting a deer are to be aware of signs indicating deer crossings; remember that deer are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.; use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night; and if you see one deer there may be more because they travel in herds. </p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:ff7788fc-5fce-4509-b3cb-5f09cc9dd361Standardized septic-system rules on tap State panel starts working today on guidelines Thursday, September 30, 2010 &nbsp;02:54 AM By Josh Jarman THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Ohio Department of Health is working on new rules governing home septi...Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:30:38 -0500<h1 class="hed">Standardized septic-system rules on tap</h1> <h2 class="subhed">State panel starts working today on guidelines </h2> <div class="date">Thursday, September 30, 2010 &nbsp;02:54 AM </div> <h4 class="byline"> <div>By <a href="mailto:jjarman@dispatch.com">Josh Jarman</a><br /> </div> </h4> <h4 class="srcline">THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH </h4> <div class="ptr"> <div class="freeform"> <h3>The Ohio Department of Health is working on new rules governing home septic systems that would eliminate the current county-by-county guidelines.</h3> </div> </div> <div class="body"> <p>State legislators enacted a law this year to create statewide regulations. An earlier set of state rules was suspended six months after they went into effect in 2007 after people complained that meeting the standards would be too expensive.</p> <p>Individual county boards of health were then left to write guidelines as they saw fit. Many, including Franklin County, adopted the 2007 rules as their own.</p> <p>Although the statewide rules are still a couple of years away, some details of how they will be implemented were fixed in state law this year.</p> <p>A key change is that counties cannot require homeowners in low-risk areas to have more than</p> <p>18 inches of soil between their septic-system drainage field and the underlying bedrock, although homes in areas at a higher risk of contamination would be required to have between 24 and 36 inches of soil separation.</p> <p>A commission set up by the state health department will determine what constitutes low risk, such as one house on a large lot, or high risk, such as a subdivision of homes more closely packed together.</p> <p>Franklin County requires at least 12 inches of soil between the leach bed and the bedrock that overlies the water table.</p> <p>Systems installed before the new rules go into place - sometime after Jan. 1, 2012 - will be grandfathered in unless they are causing a public-health nuisance that is not being addressed by the owner. The new rules also will create a statewide appeals process for owners who have been denied a permit to install a septic system or ordered to replace an existing system.</p> <p>The health department's commission will meet for the first time from 1 to 4 p.m. today in the department's offices at 35 E. Chestnut St. in Columbus.</p> <p>The commission will keep the process open to the public, said Rebecca Fugitt, manager of the Residential Water and Sewage Program. "Our goal is to build a consensus. We need to protect the public health and yet balance that with the cost to homeowners."</p> <p><a href="mailto:jjarman@dispatch.com">jjarman@dispatch.com</a> </p> </div>urn:uuid:3c6adaf0-32fc-44fc-bb5d-3d87e3e30716<img src='http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2010/09/30/septic-speculators-art-grqa3d40-101-septic-speculators-clh-jpg.jpg' align='left' />Development sales scuttled by soil, water conditions Thursday, September 30, 2010 &nbsp;02:54 AM By Elizabeth Gibson THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Courtney Hergesheimer&nbsp;|&nbsp;DISPATCH Joseph Dandrea wants to sell land he bought in the '90s, but ...Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:19:37 -0500<h2 class="subhed">Development sales scuttled by soil, water conditions </h2> <div class="date">Thursday, September 30, 2010 &nbsp;02:54 AM </div> <h4 class="byline"> <div>By <a href="mailto:egibson@dispatch.com">Elizabeth Gibson</a><br /> </div> </h4> <h4 class="srcline">THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH </h4> <div class="ptr"><a href="http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2010/09/30/septic-speculators-art-grqa3d40-101-septic-speculators-clh-jpg.jpg" class="lightbox" title="Joseph Dandrea wants to sell land he bought in the '90s, but it's deemed unsuitable for a septic system." jQuery1285942655093="2"><img style="border: 0px solid;" alt="Joseph Dandrea wants to sell land he bought in the '90s, but it's deemed unsuitable for a septic system." src="http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2010/09/30/septic-speculators-art-grqa3d40-101-septic-speculators-clh-jpg.jpg" /></a> <div class="credit">Courtney Hergesheimer&nbsp;|&nbsp;DISPATCH</div> <div class="cutline">Joseph Dandrea wants to sell land he bought in the '90s, but it's deemed unsuitable for a septic system.</div> <div class="freeform"> <h3>Related Item</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/30/standardized-septic-system-rules-on-tap.html">Standardized septic-system rules on tap</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="body"> <p>John Bobb has been holding on to 21 woodland acres just outside New Albany for 30 years as a retirement investment.</p> <p>Three years ago, he decided it was time to cash in. He had a buyer for $400,000, and plans had been drawn up for a house. Then, everything fell apart.</p> <p>"They said I'd just have to sit on the property and forget it," Bobb said. "And it's going to affect when I can retire by 10 years."</p> <p>Across the street, Joseph Dandrea also is stuck with a property, one he bought in the 1990s as a potential place to retire that he now wants to unload.</p> <p>The Franklin County Board of Health has told both men that their properties don't meet the soil and water conditions for installing a traditional septic system.</p> <p>Much of Ohio has a high water table, making traditional systems likely to fail. Human waste could flow into streams and infiltrate the groundwater from which homeowners are pumping their drinking water.</p> <p>The state tightened regulations for septic systems in 2007 but then backed off because of a backlash from property owners, but Franklin County and several other governments in the area adopted the stricter rules.</p> <p>A Plain Township zoning law that takes effect Oct. 15 will make it illegal to build a house in the township on less than 2.5 acres. Township Administrator Ben Collins said one of the goals is to stop speculators from thinking they can build subdivisions on small, soggy plots where they're unlikely to get permission for a septic system.</p> <p>Franklin County requires the water table to be at least 12 inches below ground if someone wants to build in an area without city sewer and water service. Dandrea said that on his property, the water table is 11 inches below ground.</p> <p>The county can grant a variance if the developer provides detailed plans for an approved septic system.</p> <p>Such systems can run about $20,000, plus the cost of a lifetime service contract, compared with $5,000 to $8,500 for a more-traditional septic system. The developer also must explain a hardship that would result without a variance.</p> <p>"Because you buy a piece of ground and didn't do your due diligence to research it, that's not a hardship," said Jim Lynch, an inspector for the Franklin County Board of Health.</p> <p>Many of the people buying land near New Albany are out-of-town speculators who don't bother to call the county health board and ask why a property is for sale at $10,000 an acre in an area where most land goes for $50,000 an acre, Lynch said.</p> <p>But he said he feels bad for people who inherited land or bought it long before the stricter regulations went into effect.</p> <p>"You're trying to protect public health, but you're also telling people not to develop a lot when that is their livelihood or retirement," he said.</p> <p>Even professionals have been frustrated by the rules.</p> <p>William Fannin Jr., vice president of William Fannin Builders, said he lost a $1.5million house deal because of the regulations.</p> <p>"Here I am trying to do whatever I can, and the family is getting emotional because this is their dream," Fannin said, "and the county is standing between me and work."</p> <p>Fannin estimated he put in 50 hours working on designs and talking to soil engineers.</p> <p>But Lynch said the land wasn't fit for any kind of septic system yet invented.</p> <p>"It was heartbreaking seeing that family standing out in that field crying," Lynch said. "We spent hours in that field and on the phone, but we have rules for good reasons, and we have to follow them."</p> <p>egibson@dispatch.com</p> </div>urn:uuid:0d5c467f-7d6b-4f38-a6b2-e58c1c6c3d7c5 best sentences you may ever read: 1.&nbsp;You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity. 2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. 3. The governmen...Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:36:51 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">5 best sentences you may ever read:<br /> <br /> 1.&nbsp;You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.<br /> 2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.<br /> 3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.<br /> 4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.<br /> 5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.</span></strong>urn:uuid:3d6c1826-7697-4cad-b66d-087529a6b26bOf Mosques and Men: Reflections on the Ground Zero Mosque http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFzFIDbKpgWed, 29 Sep 2010 17:26:07 -0500<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFzFIDbKpg"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Of Mosques and Men: Reflections on the Ground Zero Mosque</span></strong><br /> <br /> <br /> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFzFIDbKpg</a>urn:uuid:57d40485-69ae-4be7-9ba7-aa061d757dc9"My home has been on the market for awhile.&nbsp; If I take it off the market and relist it with a new MLS number, will the number of days on the market carry over from the old MLS listing?" &nbsp; "Freshening up" an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) nu...Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:02:23 -0500<p style="text-align: justify;" class="style10"><b>"My home has been on the market for awhile.&nbsp; If I take it off the market and relist it with a new MLS number, will the number of days on the market carry over from the old MLS listing?"</b></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="style138">&nbsp;<br /> "Freshening up" an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) number by taking your home off of the market and then relisting it is a common tactic. The reasoning behind relisting is this: By removing your listing and then re-listing it, you&rsquo;ll get a different MLS number and the number of days on the market will reset to zero. In other words, your home will appear to be a new listing and the stigma of a home languishing on the market will be removed. As to your question about whether or not the number of days on the market carries over to the new listing, the answer to that depends on how long your home is going to be off the market. Since each local MLS has different policies regarding how long a home has to be withdrawn before it&rsquo;s considered a "new" listing, you may need to have your home off the market for one month, two months or even several months. Also, as a side note, relisting should be a last alternative. If your home hasn&rsquo;t sold, you should revisit the basics of selling&mdash;staging, continual maintenance, aggressive marketing, etc.&mdash;and talk to your real estate agent before relisting.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:8de09ea2-5e2d-4ca3-98e7-e5103bf8e8d0 Is an ARM the Right Loan for You? Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM's) aren&rsquo;t for every borrower in every situation, but an ARM may be a viable solution for many borrowers. When deciding between a fixed-rate mortgage and an ARM, you&rsquo;ll need...Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:01:38 -0500<p style="text-align: justify;"></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="style12"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Is an ARM the Right Loan for You?</strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM's) aren&rsquo;t for every borrower in every situation, but <b>an ARM may be a viable solution for many borrowers</b>.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">When deciding between a fixed-rate mortgage and an ARM, you&rsquo;ll need to look carefully at each loan&rsquo;s pros and cons. With a fixed-rate loan, a borrower will have a set payment each month for the life of the loan and will not have to worry about future interest rate increases. However, peace of mind will cost more as fixed-rate loans do have higher rates and fees in most cases. In contrast, adjustable-rate mortgages have lower initial interest rates, but there is a potential for higher monthly payments if interest rates go up.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">So when is an adjustable-rate mortgage a good option? Usually, an ARM may be a good choice in one of two scenarios: One, if you don&rsquo;t plan to be in your home for a long time (for less than ten years, usually) or two, if you expect an above-average increase in your income in the near future. If you&rsquo;re not going to be in your home for a long time, an ARM can be a smart short-term solution because it can function as a fixed-rate loan at a less expensive rate and you won&rsquo;t need to worry about the loan resetting or interest rate fluctuations affecting your monthly payments&mdash;as long as you no longer have that loan when the initial rate period ends. As for an increase in income, if you know you&rsquo;ll be able to afford the higher payments if and when your loan adjusts&mdash;even if interest rates rise&mdash;an adjustable-rate mortgage might be a good money-saving tool.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">However, if you&rsquo;re not sure how long you plan to be in your home or you&rsquo;re not sure that your income will be increasing in the near future, a fixed-rate loan may be a better choice for you. Also, keep in mind that you&rsquo;ll need to have good credit to qualify for many types of adjustable-rate loan products and many lenders will require a larger down payment.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">As with all mortgage products, be sure to consult with your mortgage professionals before making a decision on which loan is right for you.&nbsp;&nbsp; Elite Financing Group </p>urn:uuid:8d53c685-476d-4eaf-aa05-8e2849471d5fInstant Messaging Proves Useful In Reducing Workplace Interruption ScienceDaily (June 4, 2008) &mdash; Employers seeking to decrease interruptions may want to have their workers use instant messaging software, a new study suggests. A recent study by ...Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:57:25 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Instant Messaging Proves Useful</span> In Reducing Workplace Interruption</strong><br /> <p id="first">ScienceDaily (June 4, 2008) &mdash; Employers seeking to decrease interruptions may want to have their workers use instant messaging software, a new study suggests. A recent study by researchers at Ohio State University and University of California, Irvine found that workers who used instant messaging on the job reported less interruption than colleagues who did not.</p> <br /> <p>The study challenges the widespread belief that instant messaging leads to an increase in disruption. Some researchers have speculated that workers would use instant messaging in addition to the phone and e-mail, leading to increased interruption and reduced productivity.</p> <p>Instead, research showed that instant messaging was often used as a substitute for other, more disruptive forms of communication such as the telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face conversations. Using instant messaging led to more conversations on the computer, but the conversations were briefer, said R. Kelly Garrett, co-author of the study and assistant professor of communication at Ohio State.</p> <p>&ldquo;The key take away is that instant messaging has some benefits where many people had feared that it might be harmful,&rdquo; Garrett said.</p> <p>&ldquo;We found that the effect of instant messaging is actually positive. People who used instant messaging reported that they felt they were being interrupted less frequently.&rdquo;</p> <p>The study involved 912 people who worked at least 30 hours per week in an office and used a computer for at least five hours in a workday. Randomly selected participants from 12 metropolitan areas took a telephone survey between May and September 2006. The results were published recently in the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication.</p> <p>The key to unlocking the effects of instant messaging lies in how people are using the technology, Garrett said.</p> <p>Instead of dropping in unexpectedly, many are using the technology to check in with coworkers to see when they are available. Many also use the technology to get quick answers to general questions or to inquire about current work tasks instead of engaging in longer face-to-face conversations.&nbsp;</p> <p>&ldquo;We find that employees are quite strategic in their use of instant messaging. They are using it to check in with their colleagues to find out if they&rsquo;re busy before interrupting them in a more intrusive way,&rdquo; Garrett said.</p> <p>Because of its unique setup, instant messaging allows users to control how and when they communicate with coworkers. The technology gives people the ability to flag their availability or postpone responses to a more convenient time, and because it is socially acceptable to ignore or dismiss a message, many use the technology to put off more disruptive conversations, he said.</p> <p>&ldquo;People see a new technology and they are innovative in how they use it. They will tailor their use of the technology to their needs and their expectations. And with IM, people had enough time to learn about the technology at home and to find ways to use it productively,&rdquo; Garrett said.</p> <p>&ldquo;It is not the case that people are engaging in extensive conversations or trying to resolve complex problems over this very limited medium. Instead, people are using the technology to solicit answers to quick questions from colleagues and coordinate their conversations at more convenient times,&rdquo; he said.</p> <p>Ease of use and similarities to e-mail could foster greater acceptance of instant messaging in the workplace. And while the study provides clear evidence that instant messaging can be used successfully in the workplace, Garrett said the technology will not likely be as widely used as e-mail.</p> <p>Garrett conducted the study with James N. Danziger, a professor of political science at the University of California, Irvine. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations at University of California, Irvine.&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:c2216b12-2284-494f-874e-b0ae6670de1dReflections on Motherhood If you could go back to before having your first child, what would you tell yourself? It's been seen almost 90,000 times already. The photos are of real moms who volunteered to pass along their thoughts and tips for new mom...Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:53:03 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Reflections on Motherhood</span></strong><br /> <br /> <p>If you could go back to before having your first child, what would you tell yourself?</p> <p>It's been seen almost 90,000 times already.</p> <p>The photos are of real moms who volunteered to pass along their thoughts and tips for new moms everywhere.</p> <p>Please enjoy and send/share with others.</p> <a href="http://www.reflectionsofmotherhood.com/">http://www.reflectionsofmotherhood.com/</a>urn:uuid:3f4aa0f0-9ac2-433c-970b-6a9a0189f9a6I really think this is a Great piece of Music. "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music." It's a composite audio/video from the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music." Multiple tracks were laid in by different singers a...Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:48:59 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">I really think this is a Great piece of Music</span></strong>.<br /> <br /> <p>"Playing For Change: Peace Through Music."</p> <p>It's a composite audio/video from the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music."</p> <p>Multiple tracks were laid in by different singers and musicians from different places around the globe.</p> <p>The song is a cover of the Ben E. King classic "Stand By Me."</p> <p>Turn up the speakers, grab the spouse, kids orv co-workers and enjoy! This is very cool stuff.</p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741</span></a></p> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:684e1fb0-78a8-48c9-9acd-c6a449812cbcTen Commandments - Tennessee style (1) Just one God (2) Put nothin' before God (3) Watch yer mouth (4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin' (5) Honor yer Ma &amp; Pa (6) No killin' (7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal (8) Don't take what ain't ...Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:39:41 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Ten Commandments - Tennessee style</span></strong><br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">(1) Just one God<br /> (2) Put nothin' before God<br /> (3) Watch yer mouth<br /> (4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'<br /> (5) Honor yer Ma &amp; Pa<br /> (6) No killin'<br /> (7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal<br /> (8) Don't take what ain't yers<br /> (9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'<br /> (10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff<br /> &nbsp;<br /> Now that's plain an' simple.&nbsp;&nbsp;Y'all have a nice day!</span></strong>urn:uuid:06909bef-5eee-4c7c-85ae-eb662092abb8How can you cut your mortgage, car loan, School Loans? How does it work? Easy, we electronically debit half of your loan payment every time you get paid. Our set-it-and-forget-it plan pays down your loan faster and reduces interest charges. You'...Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:19:23 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">How can you cut your mortgage, car loan, School Loans?<br /> <strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">How does it work?</span></strong> <ul> <li>Easy, we electronically debit half of your loan payment every time you get paid. Our set-it-and-forget-it plan pays down your loan faster and reduces interest charges. You'll enjoy the convenience and easier budgeting while reducing your debt faster. </li> </ul> <strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">What bills can I pay with your service?</span></strong> <ul> <li>Any loans - home mortgages, car loans, school loans, boat loans, personal loans and credit cards. Any other fixed monthly bills such as rent, cable, daycare, cell phone - as long as the monthly amount due does not var</li> </ul> <strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">How much does it cost?</span></strong> <ul> <li>Absolutely ZERO upfront cost. Your debit amount NEVER changes. A <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">$1.95 transaction fee</span></strong> is included in each debit. Consider your savings on stamps, checks, your time and late fees. If you are satisfied with the program, a fully refundable lifetime enrollment fee is retained from your accelerated debits. Includes payment of any additional home, car or school loans. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. </li> </ul> <a href="http://www.smartpaymentplan.com/pages/videos_spp.php">http://www.smartpaymentplan.com/pages/videos_spp.php</a><br /> <br /> Or you can take these principles and apply them yourself. <br /> </span>urn:uuid:eca56a94-7183-4f36-ab36-32c483292701WOW! What a Great video! Embrace Life http://embracethis.co.uk// This is the new&nbsp;"wear your seatbelt" ad in the UK -- started by some&nbsp;dude not hired&nbsp;to do it, but because the cause is important to him, he&nbsp;came up with this&nbs...Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:54:12 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;">WOW! What a Great video! <br /> Embrace Life <br /> </span><br /> <a href="http://embracethis.co.uk//" title="http://embracethis.co.uk//" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://embracethis.co.uk//</a><br /> <br /> <p>This is the new&nbsp;"wear your seatbelt" ad in the UK -- started by some&nbsp;dude not hired&nbsp;to do it, but because the cause is important to him, he&nbsp;came up with this&nbsp;idea, and now it's being hailed across the world as&nbsp;a &lsquo; beautiful'&nbsp;commercial.</p>urn:uuid:dc535799-253c-4080-af87-b8787499b4b3"I'm considering buying a piece of property and having a new home built.&nbsp; What are my financing options?&nbsp; Can I get one loan for both the construction and the future mortgage?" &nbsp; You have several different options in terms of loans, pa...Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:32:02 -0500<p style="text-align: justify;" class="style10"><b>"I'm considering buying a piece of property and having a new home built.&nbsp; What are my financing options?&nbsp; Can I get one loan for both the construction and the future mortgage?"</b></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="style138">&nbsp;<br /> You have several different options in terms of loans, payment schedules, locking in a rate, etc. Most lenders offer two basic types of loans for new construction. The first is a sort of two-loan system in which the borrower has one short-term loan for the construction and then a long-term loan for the actual mortgage. Usually, the borrower pays only the interest on the construction loan and then gets a second loan to pay off the construction loan. Although having two loans&mdash;and two closings&mdash;can be a bit much to deal with, the borrower is able to use two different lenders and possibly get a better deal on the second loan if the rates drop. The second type of construction loan is called a construction-to-permanent loan and is more of a two-in-one loan. Unlike the first type, a construction-to-permanent loan has only one closing (and only one set of closing costs) and often costs less overall. Nowadays, construction-to-permanent loans are extremely popular due to the flexibility of when a borrower can lock in a rate and the fact that most lenders allow borrowers to not make payments during construction. Since both types of construction loans can vary from lender to lender, you should always consult with your mortgage pro @ your local Bank.</p>urn:uuid:9d1644c9-5a0e-4a7c-b9d2-545ed45b2d1bAre You Ready to Buy? The 10 Basics of Buying and Borrowing&nbsp;&nbsp; Monday, August 30, 2010 If you&rsquo;re planning to take advantage of the low interest rates, here are ten things to keep in mind as you begin the buying process: 1) Enlist the...Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:30:59 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Are You Ready to Buy? The 10 Basics of Buying and Borrowing&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> </strong><span style="font-size: 10px;">Monday, August 30, 2010<br /> </span><br /> </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">If you&rsquo;re planning to take advantage of the low interest rates, here are ten things to keep in mind as you begin the buying process:<br /> <br /> 1) Enlist the help of professionals. In this volatile housing market, a good real estate agent and a good mortgage professional are vital to the home-buying process. Before you do anything else, make sure you have qualified professionals on your side.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> 2) Do your research. Make sure you thoroughly research different neighborhoods, school districts, types of homes, comparable sales, crime statistics, etc. Your real estate agent is your best source for information.<br /> <br /> 3) Make a housing budget. Although any budget you make will more than likely change over time, you&rsquo;ll want to have a good idea of what you can afford in terms of a mortgage, general housing expenses, and other unexpected expenses.<br /> <br /> 4) Get a pre-approval. If you know ahead of time exactly how much you can afford, you&rsquo;ll be much better prepared. Also, the seller will see that you&rsquo;re ready to buy and that you have the backing of a lender.<br /> <br /> 5) Make sure your credit is good. Credit scores are more important now than ever. Consult with your mortgage professional to see how you can improve your credit before you buy.<br /> <br /> 6) Don&rsquo;t change your financial situation. Major changes in your financial status&mdash;such as buying a new car or changing jobs&mdash;will affect your credit profile so try to maintain your current spending and cash inflows.<br /> <br /> 7) Look for what you can afford. As a general rule, your monthly mortgage payment shouldn&rsquo;t exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income. Don&rsquo;t get in over your head by taking on a mortgage that you may not be able to afford.<br /> <br /> 8) Don&rsquo;t overbuy. Don&rsquo;t buy a house that is larger than you need. Not only will your monthly mortgage payments be higher, but your housing expenses&mdash;cleaning, upkeep, repairs, landscaping, etc.&mdash;will be higher as well.<br /> <br /> 9) Location is the key. The old saying about location is still true today. Location should be at the top of your list when you start your home search. Think about how specific areas will change in the next 10-20 years and how those changes will affect your home and its resale value.<br /> <br /> 10) Don&rsquo;t try to wait out the market. Don&rsquo;t gamble on interest rates and home prices because the experts are often wrong. If you&rsquo;re ready to buy a home, don&rsquo;t wait around. Interest rates and housing prices are affordable right now.<br /> <br /> Although these ten basic guidelines are very general, if you take them to heart, you&rsquo;ll be much more likely to have a relatively pain-free home-buying experience.</span>urn:uuid:6977ad65-9878-4b2b-bb59-657cbdc40e35Ever wondered why it is that the conservatives are called the right and the liberals are called the left? &nbsp; The Bible makes it very clear: &nbsp; Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV) The heart of the wise inclines to the right, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbs...Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:42:10 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Ever wondered why it is that the conservatives</span></strong> <strong>are called the right and the liberals are called the left?</strong><br /> <b></b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>The Bible makes it very clear:</b><br /> <b></b>&nbsp;<br /> <p style="margin-left: 4pt;"><b>Ecclesiastes 10:2 (NIV)</b> </p> <p style="margin-left: 15.4pt;"><b><i>The heart of the wise inclines to the right, <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;but the heart of the fool to the left</i></b><b>.</b></p>urn:uuid:28d23312-e031-44a5-853e-4e409dfd80f4Smart Ride - Helping Teens Drive Smarter! As an Allied agent we like to bring things you can use. Free Tools and resources to help develop safe drivers &amp; reinforce smart behavior. http://www.nationwidesmartride.com/Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:02:16 -0500<a href="http://www.nationwidesmartride.com/"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Smart Ride - Helping Teens Drive Smarter!<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: 18px;">As an Allied agent we like to bring things you can use.</span><br /> </span><br /> <br /> <p><em>Free Tools and resources to help develop safe drivers &amp; reinforce smart behavior.</em></p> <br /> http://www.nationwidesmartride.com/</a>urn:uuid:3d58bcdb-22d9-4592-9f2d-b529bd84e940Conduct has Consequences!Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:35:54 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Conduct has Consequences!</span></strong>urn:uuid:ca66e304-1266-4a1e-89dd-73e8b7ad61a8Online Gaming - Don't Make yourself a Target! Online games offer the perfect environment for a cybercriminal&rsquo;s scams to flourish, despite the close-knit community of users. There is both anonymity and trust, which can...Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:31:10 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Online Gaming</span> - <span style="font-size: 24px;">Don't Make yourself a Target!<br /> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="410"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #666666; font-size: 12px;" colspan="2">Online games offer the perfect environment for a cybercriminal&rsquo;s scams to flourish, despite the close-knit community of users. There is both anonymity and trust, which can lead people to engage in risky behavior. Similar to the mentality behind the phishing attacks that work so well on Twitter and Facebook, gamers are more likely to click on links to external sites that steal personal information if these links are sent by a fellow participant.<br /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="410"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="height: 10px;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="background-color: #ffffff; width: 410px; height: 25px; color: #666666; font-size: 12px;" valign="top" align="left"><strong style="color: #1a5dae; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;">In the most common forms of exploitation, cybercriminals do the following: </strong><br /> <br /> <table style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="410"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 10px;" valign="top">&bull;</td> <td style="width: 5px;"></td> <td valign="top">Seed pirated copies of popular games with malware. Most recently, cybercrooks abused public interest in StarCraft II, targeting gamers downloading from a BitTorrent site. Several .exe files were malicious, and contained the ability to inject code, log keystrokes, and capture passwords. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 5px;" colspan="3"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">&bull;</td> <td></td> <td valign="top">Attempt to gain access to a gamer&rsquo;s personal information (usernames, passwords, even credit card information) by pretending to share a common interest. Take advantage of known vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to spread various forms of malware (viruses, worms, trojans, and the like). Once one computer has been infiltrated, an entire network could be next. </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">&nbsp;</td> <td></td> <td valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Gamers are exposed to more online threats than most simply due to the amount of time they spend online: greater connectivity equals a greater chance of becoming a victim. In addition to following standard online security practices, like investing in top-notch antivirus and antispyware software, gamers should constantly backup their personal data. <a href="http://email.pctools.com/servlet/cc6?iJltkQSRYBQUVujIpttCUxohluHptQJhuVaVR" style="color: #1a5dae;" title="http://email.pctools.com/servlet/cc6?iJltkQSRYBQUVujIpttCUxohluHptQJhuVaVR">PC Tools Simple Backup</a> offers the perfect solution, dynamically adjusting the amount of space used for backups as you add or remove files, ensuring that you always have a complete backup of your system. PC Tools Simple Backup is easy, continuous, and complete, backing up files moments after they are created, modified or deleted, and even saving versions of files along the way. <strong style="color: #1a5dae; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold;"><br /> <br /> PC Tools&rsquo; Gaming Tips So You Don&rsquo;t Lose </strong><br /> <br /> <table style="color: #666666; font-size: 11px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="410"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 10px;" valign="top">1.</td> <td style="width: 5px;"></td> <td valign="top"><strong>Don&rsquo;t get zapped:</strong> Get both signature-based and behavior-based anti-malware protection. Signature-based antivirus software proactively screens incoming and outgoing emails, Internet downloads, zip files and hard drives. Behavioral-based protection provides efficient and proactive protection against Internet threats such as viruses, keyloggers, rootkits and trojans, as well as new and unknown threats.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 10px;" colspan="3"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">2.</td> <td></td> <td valign="top"><strong>Turn on your shield:</strong> A firewall will prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or a network and will also make sure that unauthorized programs don&rsquo;t take up your bandwidth while you play.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 10px;" colspan="3"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">3.</td> <td></td> <td valign="top"><strong>Play smart:</strong> Don&rsquo;t supply other players with your personal details or click on any links they offer you, limit the amount of personal information you supply the game&rsquo;s administrator server, and don&rsquo;t share your game password or your account credentials with other gamers &ndash;- fellow gamers and hackers can cheat!</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 10px;" valign="top" colspan="3"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">4.</td> <td></td> <td valign="top"><strong>Do your homework before you play:</strong> Research the game&rsquo;s hacking history on the Internet before you subscribe to an online game to identify the security risk.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> </span>urn:uuid:8de56b04-c5a2-4386-906f-b84331826e02Stop the Mosque! 29% of Americans think the Ground Zero mosque should be built in its planned location. That number is roughly the same percentage as those who think Barack Obama was a foreign born Manchurian candidate and those who think 9/11 was an...Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:53:29 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Stop the Mosque!<br /> </span></strong>29% of Americans think the Ground Zero mosque should be built in its planned location. That number is roughly the same percentage as those who think Barack Obama was a foreign born Manchurian candidate and those who think 9/11 was an inside job.<br /> <br /> The media has called the latter two groups fringe, but instead of calling the first group fringe has resorted to calling the 70% of Americans opposed to the mosque racists and bigots. The reason is simple - the media and political elite are in the 29% who think the mosque is a good idea.<br /> <br /> As G. K. Chesterston said, "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without conviction." The only conviction this fringe elite have is in their own self-righteousness. They label mainstream America fringe and racist. But in November, mainstream America will strike back.<br /> <br /> By the way, if any of you think Barack Obama is a foreign born Manchurian candidate, these past few weeks have hopefully convinced you otherwise. Surely if some country or group had taken the time to train him up as a sleeper cell one of them most certainly would have taught him competence.<br /> <br /> If you haven't already signed the petition, don't forget to join more than 38,000 people who are standing up to <a href="http://content.eaglepub.com/?JaPX.xW2CUgG.dtkorsSUirdiuWqANgRJ&amp;http://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=MSQ100&amp;time=20100805921" title="http://content.eaglepub.com/?JaPX.xW2CUgG.dtkorsSUirdiuWqANgRJ&amp;http://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=MSQ100&amp;time=20100805921" target="_blank">Stop the Mosque</a>! <strong>&mdash; Erick Erickson</strong><br />urn:uuid:7013d03a-1493-4318-a638-3b27d07bddd7The Secret of building your own Solar Energy Panels for less than $200 Make your own Solar Panels Over the last few years the "DIY Solar Industry" has changed a lot.&nbsp; When DIY Solar kits were first introduced to the market critics said it wasn't...Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:50:27 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">The Secret of building your own Solar Energy Panels for less than $200<br /> Make your own Solar Panels<br /> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Over the last few years the "DIY Solar Industry" has changed a lot.&nbsp; When DIY Solar kits were first introduced to the market critics said it wasn't possible to build your own solar panel and create usable energy.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Since this time, thousands of users of various DIY Solar kits have successfully made their own solar panels for a fraction of retail costs.&nbsp; The technology and design of a Do-It-Yourself solar panel has changed a lot over the last 2 years and is now more popular than ever. </span></p> <br /> <a href="http://greendiyenergy.com/">http://greendiyenergy.com/</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://greenecoclub.com/earth4energy/?id=83">http://greenecoclub.com/earth4energy/?id=83</a><br /> </span>urn:uuid:6b1c2de6-1fc3-4dc7-96a3-c8b287b61e5d &nbsp; Best analogy I've seen in quite a while......... &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a &nbsp; banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a &nbsp; monkey will go to t...Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:16:30 -0500<blockquote style="border-left: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; padding-left: 5px; margin-left: 5px;"> <div id="yiv1626254462"> <div>&nbsp; Best analogy I've seen in quite a while.........<br /> <br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp; Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a<br /> &nbsp; banana on a string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a<br /> &nbsp; monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all the other monkeys with cold<br /> &nbsp; water. After a while another monkey makes the attempt with same result,<br /> &nbsp; all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon when<br /> &nbsp; another Monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to<br /> &nbsp; prevent it.<br /> <br /> &nbsp; Now, put the cold water away. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace<br /> &nbsp; it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the<br /> &nbsp; Stairs.<br /> <br /> &nbsp; To his shock, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and<br /> &nbsp; attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a <br /> &nbsp; new one.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes<br /> &nbsp; part in the punishment with enthusiasm.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, <br /> &nbsp; then the fifth.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs he is attacked.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> Most of the monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they were not<br /> &nbsp; permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the <br /> &nbsp; beating of the<br /> &nbsp; newest monkey.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; After replacing all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys<br /> &nbsp; have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again<br /> &nbsp; approaches the stairs to try for the banana.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Why not?<br /> <br /> &nbsp; Because as far as they know, that is the way it has always been done <br /> &nbsp; around here.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; And that, my fellow monkeys, is how Congress operates.<br /> &nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; We need to REPLACE _all_ the original monkeys this November.<br /> </div> </div> </blockquote>urn:uuid:50faa3e9-b2ec-4f33-8f1a-95511e1b9a93Use a Timer to Stay Focused Having a timer running while you work can drastically heighten your awareness and allow you to notice quickly when you deviate from a given task. Setting a countdown timer for 40 minutes (or whatever period you choose) c...Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:04:53 -0500<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/tips/archives/2010/08/use_a_timer_to_stay_focused.html"><span style="font-size: 24px;">Use a Timer to Stay Focused</span> </a><br /> <br /> <p>Having a timer running while you work can drastically heighten your awareness and allow you to notice quickly when you deviate from a given task. Setting a countdown timer for 40 minutes (or whatever period you choose) can have significant implications. Here are five reasons why buying a timer may be one of the best investments you can make: </p> <p><strong>1. The timer creates purpose.</strong> The timer helps you put a stake in the ground and declare that you have officially started the task at hand. Without a clear signal, it is easy to stay noncommittal, starting one task but then casually withdrawing from it to start another. Such task-hopping enables you to escape from the tasks that are more difficult or less desirable and sneak into ones that are easier (and likely less crucial). A timer puts an end to unproductive task-hopping and it forces you to spend your time more purposefully on the task you&rsquo;ve selected. </p> <p><strong>2. The timer creates accountability.</strong> Now that the timer has started, you are going to know clearly, in 40 minutes, whether you have accomplished what you intended. The timer also helps you estimate time better in the future. Knowing how long it takes to accomplish any given project in such a time-crunched era is a desirable skill.</p> <p><strong>3. The timer prompts you to move things forward.</strong> During the focused session, the timer improves the quality and efficiency of your work. It prompts you to face the issues, make decisions, and move things along, as opposed to staying indefinitely in analysis mode. A timer accelerates your pace and helps you equal or even beat the speed at which things are happening around you.</p> <p><strong>4. The timer serves as a stress relief mechanism.</strong> A timer signifies that you have given yourself permission to be where you are for the time period you have chosen. Now you can more easily give up the guilt you would otherwise experience for not being somewhere else and not handling all the other things that need to be handled. </p> <p><strong>5. The timer is an official seal of approval for your choice.</strong> With a timer, you feel challenged to complete your mission. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you are now taking on 40 minutes and feeling hopeful. You are fully engaged and facing issues with a bright light shining at the end of tunnel. What a relief!</p> <p><strong>Pierre Khawand<br /> Founder and principal<br /> People-OnTheGo<br /> San Francisco </strong></p> <br /> <br />urn:uuid:e71b4b6d-d5d1-4b4f-b232-101fe00aaa59The Truth Behind Hidden Fees in 401(k) Plans As G.I. Joe used to say "Knowing is Half The Battle" Well, in this video post you'll discover what most Americans&nbsp; don't know about... ... what's really going on with your retirement money! Go check...Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:00:57 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">The Truth <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Behind <em>Hidden Fees</em></span> in 401(k) Plans<br /> As G.I. Joe used to say "Knowing is Half The Battle"<br /> <br /> Well, in this video post you'll discover what<br /> most Americans&nbsp; don't know about...<br /> ... what's really going on with your retirement money!<br /> <br /> Go check it out here: <a href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LFCeF&amp;m=JQ69DbqSCH1PJt&amp;b=ZaRw5701A3wi17eBlcoL0A" title="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=LFCeF&amp;m=JQ69DbqSCH1PJt&amp;b=ZaRw5701A3wi17eBlcoL0A">www.truefinancialage.com/category/blog</a><br /> <br /> </span></strong>urn:uuid:61a6b3f3-8a1a-4725-a651-927485d32d0bWhat the &lsquo;Amnesty Memo&rsquo; Means By Rosemary Jenks, Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 9:00 AM EDT Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are facing a dilemma: Although they publicly bemoan the fact that Republicans won&rsquo;t help them...Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:39:35 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">What the &lsquo;Amnesty Memo&rsquo; Means<br /> <span style="font-size: 16px;">By </span><a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/blog/jenksr" title="View user blog."><span style="font-size: 16px;">Rosemary Jenks</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">, Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 9:00 AM EDT<br /> <br /> <p>Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi are facing a dilemma: Although they publicly bemoan the fact that Republicans won&rsquo;t help them pass an unpopular amnesty . . . er, <a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/hot-topics/comprehensive-amnesty-threat.html" target="_blank">comprehensive immigration-reform bill</a>, they don&rsquo;t want to force vulnerable Democrats to vote on amnesty this close to the November elections &mdash; especially not with <a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/stats/jobless-numbers.html-0" target="_blank">unemployment at 9.5 percent</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/july-27-2010/sen-grassley-and-11-senators-again-press-administration-answers-executive-action-a" target="_blank">Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)</a> may have uncovered the answer to their dilemma last week: an internal <a href="http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/july-29-2010/update-uscis-memo-details-obama-administration-plan-executive-action-amnesty.html" target="_blank">U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services memo</a> that outlines steps the Obama administration can take &ldquo;in the absence of Comprehensive Immigration Reform&rdquo; &mdash; that is, lawfully enacted amnesty &mdash; to &ldquo;reduce the threat of removal for certain individuals present in the United States without authorization.&rdquo;</p> <p>The four authors of the memo, titled &ldquo;Administrative Alternatives to Comprehensive Immigration Reform,&rdquo; are political appointees USCIS chief of policy and strategy Denise Vanison (a former immigration attorney and partner at Patton Boggs) and USCIS chief counsel Roxana Bacon (former general counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association), and two career employees of USCIS director Alejandro Mayorkas, another Obama appointee.</p> <p>The U.S. Constitution gives Congress &mdash; and only Congress &mdash; the authority to decide federal immigration law, but the Obama administration has come up with an extensive list of ways to ensure that a majority of the illegal aliens in the United States are allowed to remain here.</p> <p>Here are just three examples of the outrageous proposals in the memo:</p> <ul> <li>USCIS could grant &ldquo;parole-in-place,&rdquo; which comes with a work permit and the ability to obtain a green card, to certain classes of aliens who entered the country illegally. Such classes would include those who entered as minors and those who &ldquo;have lived for many years in the U.S.&rdquo; A nice reward for those who have successfully violated the law for the longest period of time. </li> <li>For those who overstay their visas, the memo recommends granting &ldquo;deferred action,&rdquo; which means that deportation is deferred indefinitely and the illegal alien can apply for a work permit. The memo suggests two particular categories of illegal aliens for deferred action: those who might benefit if Congress were to pass the DREAM Act amnesty (of which there are 2.1 million, according to the Migration Policy Institute) and those &ldquo;who have resided in the U.S. since 1996 (or as of a different date designed to move forward the Registry provision now limited to entries before January 1, 1972).&rdquo; The &ldquo;Registry provision&rdquo; referred to is an actual federal law, not that it matters to the memo&rsquo;s authors. </li> <li>To make sure no illegal alien is left behind, the memo suggests that DHS could simply stop issuing &ldquo;Notices to Appear&rdquo; (the document that starts the removal process for illegal aliens) unless the alien has a &ldquo;significant negative immigration or criminal history.&rdquo; Apparently, violating immigration law once or twice is acceptable. These folks wouldn&rsquo;t be able to apply for a work permit, but since the Obama administration isn&rsquo;t conducting worksite enforcement against illegal aliens much anymore, that shouldn&rsquo;t matter. </li> </ul> <p>No wonder Reid, Pelosi, and Obama seem content to avoid a legislative battle over immigration; the Department of Homeland Security is hard at work on ways to implement its own amnesty.</p> <p><em><br /> <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/242187/what-amnesty-memo-means-rosemary-jenks" target="_blank">Blog originally posted on National Review Online<br /> </a></em></p> <p><em><strong><br /> ROSEMARY JENKS is the Director of Government Relations for NumbersUSA</strong></em></p> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <h4></h4> <p>NumbersUSA's blogs are copyrighted and may be republished or reposted only if they are copied in their entirety, including this paragraph, and provide proper credit to <a hef="http://www.numbersusa.com/">NumbersUSA</a>. NumbersUSA bears no responsibility for where our blogs may be republished or reposted</p> </span></strong>urn:uuid:159ddff7-dea5-4e83-9645-fcfd4794f0a1<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/Library/Fun%20Images/Flying%20Gas%20Can.jpg' align='left' />Junk Mail&nbsp;or Those wonderful credit card offers! Don't&nbsp; you just love that offer for a credit card!&nbsp; Pay no attention to the nearly 30% default interest rate!!&nbsp;&nbsp;Another thing that so impresses me is the line that "I DESERVE...Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:21:37 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Junk Mail&nbsp;or Those wonderful credit card offers!</span></strong> <br /> <br /> Don't&nbsp; you just love that offer for a credit card!&nbsp; Pay no attention to the nearly 30% default interest rate!!&nbsp;&nbsp;Another thing that so impresses me is the line that "I DESERVE" never mind that I may not have earned it - I just deserve it. What I love the most is the postage paid envelope they send with the offer.&nbsp; After throwing them away over the years I've changed.&nbsp; The US Postal System is running low on money.&nbsp; I don't want to see my costs go up - so I&nbsp;stuff the junk back in the envelope and send it back.&nbsp; The way I figured it cost the 44 cents plus handling.&nbsp; Someone has to open and look at the contents - I would see about one to two dollars being spent to find out it is their junk back.&nbsp; If everyone did the same the USPS would get a big bump in fees - I would not have so much trash and the credit firm that sent it to me would go nuts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> Talking to a guy at the post office - I asked if I wrapped a brick and taped the postage paid envelope what would happen.&nbsp;The answer - and I love it - "we would send it".&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> WOW how much would that cost?&nbsp; Maybe the credit card company could build a building to keep the junk mail. <br /> <img alt="" src="/img/Library/Fun%20Images/Flying%20Gas%20Can.jpg" />urn:uuid:4cb9660c-d477-4cee-a72f-15ffa2cff309Gas Prices - Why not shop! Just looking at the price of gas at the pump.&nbsp;We shop for everything so why not comparison shop for gas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes I have heard the same old tired story that "my car will only run on this brand or this grade - BUL...Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:46:08 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Gas Prices - Why not shop!<br /> <span style="font-size: 18px;">Just looking at the price of gas at the pump.&nbsp;We shop for everything so why not comparison shop for gas.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes I have heard the same old tired story that "my car will only run on this brand or this grade - BULL".&nbsp; In all the gas I have bought for all kinds of vehicles I buy what is recommended by the manufacturer.&nbsp; Stop wasting money and look around. </span><br /> </span>urn:uuid:acbe48cf-a76a-46a3-ab3b-ee4e172aa9e5What is it with Texting? Why do you or your friends want to text everything?&nbsp; Are your language skills failing? What is so important that you must constantly be in contact with someone?&nbsp;How much time is lost in your life by pressing all th...Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:57:27 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>What is it with Texting?<br /> <br /> </strong>Why do you or your friends want to text everything?&nbsp; Are your language skills failing? What is so important that you must constantly be in contact with someone?&nbsp;How much time is lost in your life by pressing all the little buttons and then waiting for that all important reply.&nbsp; I was setting at the resturant the other night and a group came in and sat at the table beside us.&nbsp; Seems the whole group spent more time texting than enjoying the moment with friends. <br /> Why?&nbsp; Just a thought!<br /> </span>urn:uuid:789ffd74-a88d-4c72-8fbe-8e53916d66a6<img src='http://www.speedway.com/Images/home/RecallNotice/LighterPics.gif' align='left' />Product Recall - ATTENTION U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission For Immediate Release March 31, 2006 Release #06-DRAFT Speedway's Recall Hotline (800)643-1948 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800)638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301)504-7908 CPSC, Speedway...Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:18:32 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Product Recall - ATTENTION</strong></span> <br /> U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission<br /> <br /> For Immediate Release<br /> March 31, 2006<br /> Release #06-DRAFT<br /> <br /> Speedway's Recall Hotline (800)643-1948<br /> CPSC Recall Hotline: (800)638-2772<br /> CPSC Media Contact: (301)504-7908<br /> <div style="padding-right: 10px;" id="Section4"> <div id="Section"> <h4>CPSC, Speedway SuperAmerica LLC Announces Recall of "Speedway" Cigarette Lighters</h4> <p class="PageText">&nbsp;</p> <p>WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. (To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's Web site at <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/">www.cpsc.gov</a>.)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <br /> <img alt="Lighter Pic" src="http://www.speedway.com/Images/home/RecallNotice/LighterPics.gif" /> </div> </div> <div id="Section5"> <div id="Div3"> <p class="PageText">&nbsp;</p> <div id="RecallProperties">Name of Product Units: "Speedway" Cigarette Lighters<br /> <br /> Importer: About 500,000<br /> <br /> Retailer: Golden Star Group, of Walnut, California<br /> <br /> Hazard: The flame can flare up or the lighter can catch fire when ignited, posing risks of unexpected fires and burn injuries.<br /> <br /> Incidents/Injuries:Speedway SuperAmerica LLC has received six reports of incidents involving flare-ups on these lighters. Burn injuries to the head, hair, face and hand have been reported. <br /> <br /> Description: The affected lighters have the Speedway logo on the front, "Acculite" embossed on only one side of the silver metal windscreen, and the warning information on the back is only in black type (no red type).<br /> <br /> Sold at: Speedway, SuperAmerica and Rich convenience stores from July 2005 through October 5, 2005 for about 99 cents each.<br /> <br /> Manufactured in:China<br /> <br /> Remedy: Consumers should stop using these lighters immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.<br /> <br /> Consumer Contact: For more information, contact a Speedway representative at (800)643-1948 between 8:30am and 5:30pm EST, Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's website at <a href="http://www.speedway.com/">www.speedway.com</a>.<br /> <br /> Media Contact: Linda Casey, (419)421-3262; or Angelia Graves, (419)421-2703.<br /> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:af145b54-2667-469a-af2a-bd3f98a514eaWhy do you need my credit history? Insurance companies use many factors to underwrite an insurance policy. In addition to factors like age, marital status, driving record and type of vehicle, many insurance companies, including Progressive, use cre...Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:28:26 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 48px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Why do you need my credit history?</span><br /> <br /> <blockquote> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Insurance companies use many factors to underwrite an insurance policy. In addition to factors like age, marital status, driving record and type of vehicle, many insurance companies, including Progressive, use credit information to evaluate a consumer's financial responsibility. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">Insurance companies have found a strong correlation between financial responsibility and insurance losses. The credit information that we review focuses primarily on bill-paying behavior, not credit-worthiness. Using credit information allows us to assess risk more accurately. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">We will not see your actual credit report during the underwriting process. The information will be ordered through an automated system and interpreted by our quoting system in the form of an insurance credit "score." The score will then be used in our underwriting process. When we use credit information as an underwriting tool, we are only concerned with the risk grouping into which a consumer falls, which will ultimately influence the consumer's rate. </span></p> </blockquote><b><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp; Will it affect my credit score? </span></b><blockquote> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">No. The inquiry from Progressive will appear on your credit report as an insurance inquiry. Insurance inquiries are only reported to you, so they will not be included in credit score calculations by other parties. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </span></p> </blockquote></span></strong>urn:uuid:376a7640-cc7d-4adf-84a2-243a3cd3bc12Outdoor grilling and summer go hand-in-hand. To keep you safe this holiday, below are few facts and tips. Enjoy! Did you know that.......?&nbsp; * Thirty-three percent (33%) of home grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or &nbsp; &nbsp...Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:22:45 -0500<span style="font-size: 24px;">Outdoor grilling </span><strong>and summer go hand-in-hand. To keep you safe this holiday, below are few facts and tips. Enjoy!</strong> <br /> <br /> <b>Did you know that.......?</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b> </b><b>Thirty-three percent (33%) of home grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or &nbsp; &nbsp; enclosed porch</b><b>¹</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;June and July are the peak months for grill fires</b><b>¹</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire departments respond to an average of 7,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues each year, including&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5,000 outside fires and 2,900 structure fires</b><b>¹</b> <br /> <br /> <b>Grilling Safety Tips</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.</b><b>¹</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Never leave your grill unattended.</b><b>¹</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Charcoal Grills: If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; liquids to the fire.</b><b>¹</b>&nbsp;<br /> <b>*</b><b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.</b><b>¹</b> <br /> <br /> <b>¹</b><b>www.nfpa.org/education</b>urn:uuid:3772ccc5-6ecf-4657-bdf7-37156f8c705bTexting - is it really a social network? Had my friends son miss out on his first year of college. Oh he was there but due to his cell all the people he was social with was his high school friends.&nbsp; His entire freshman year at college was spent ...Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:18:36 -0500<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Texting - is it really a social network?</span></strong><br /> Had my friends son miss out on his first year of college. Oh he was there but due to his cell all the people he was social with was his high school friends.&nbsp; His entire freshman year at college was spent like he was still in High School.&nbsp; No new friends. no new contacts that are so important for career advancement just an extended Senior year.&nbsp; <br /> Such a shame.&nbsp;&nbsp;urn:uuid:302ef902-12c6-4bdc-aee1-eb1bd3eb665fSupreme Court nominee Elena Kagan The Dean of Harvard Law School and banned military recruiters there because she does not agree with the military policy regarding sexual orientation. Oh no, how can we win a war without Harvard lawyers? Her way of su...Tue, 11 May 2010 15:38:36 -0500Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan<br /> The Dean of Harvard Law School and banned military recruiters there because she does not agree with the military policy regarding sexual orientation. Oh no, how can we win a war without Harvard lawyers? Her way of supporting the troops is to look like the Marine Corps mascot. I'm just saying... <br /> <br /> The next time some California state official says their town is going to boycott Arizona because of the illegal immigration policy, please understand what they are really saying is that they support illegals staying in Arizona and staying out of California. Be a patriot and mow your own lawn. <br /> <br /> In the Crosshairs <div style="text-align: left; color: #ff0000; font-size: 14px;">Mike Piccione, Editor <em>Guns &amp; Patriots</em></div> <br />urn:uuid:3d3d7430-6fdf-436c-b69f-dd70c8bb162fRedbox - Video rental WOW! I love a deal and Redbox has my attention.&nbsp; $1.06 and you get a DVD to view till 9PM the next night.&nbsp; All I needed to do was use may credit card which has a low limit (delibertly) and out pops the DVD.&nbsp; Wat...Tue, 11 May 2010 15:31:03 -0500<span style="font-size: 18px;">Redbox - Video rental</span> <br /> <br /> WOW! I love a deal and Redbox has my attention.&nbsp; $1.06 and you get a DVD to view till 9PM the next night.&nbsp; All I needed to do was use may credit card which has a low limit (delibertly) and out pops the DVD.&nbsp; Watched it that night&nbsp;and returned it the next afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even got a confirmation email that it was returned.<br /> <br /> I love a Deal!urn:uuid:07ac0254-0458-4c3d-ac89-27bb85cffaedTennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Feeding Units Activated; Assessors and Chaplains to Begin Work Next Week May 5, 2010 Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) State Feeding Unit will arrive at Judson Baptist Church, Nashvi...Tue, 11 May 2010 15:27:04 -0500<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief Feeding Units Activated; Assessors and Chaplains to Begin Work Next Week<br /> </strong>May 5, 2010</p> <p>Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. the Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief (TBDR) State Feeding Unit will arrive at Judson Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee, to begin preparing meals in partnership with the American Red Cross.&nbsp; More than 10,000 meals will be distributed to different shelters from Franklin to Gallatin to victims of the torrential rainfall and flooding last weekend.&nbsp; </p> <p>Hardeman County TBDR Feeding Unit has been deployed to Pocahontas, Tennessee, and has already begun preparing meals.&nbsp; Another West Tennessee group of TBDR volunteers, who is being recruited to set up their kitchen in Jackson, Tennessee, is expected to prepare more than 7,000 meals each day.</p> <p>In addition, TBDR is recruiting chaplains and assessors to begin work in mud out and flood recovery next Monday.&nbsp; &ldquo;This was a no respecter of persons, no respecter of homes type of flood.&nbsp; Assessments can begin once the water begins to recede,&rdquo; states David Acres, TBDR State Director.</p> <p>TBDR has 14 specially trained flood recovery units (commonly called mud-out units) in the state.&nbsp; These units have the trained volunteers and equipment to assist homeowners in cleaning and removing damaged walls, carpets and furnishings from houses flooded with contaminated water.</p> <p>A special fund has been created to assist with Disaster Relief efforts in response to this past weekend&rsquo;s events.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.tnbaptist.org/page.asp?page=99">Individuals may give online</a> or by sending a check made payable to TBC, P.O. Box 728, Brentwood, TN 37024.&nbsp; Be sure to include the designation &ldquo;TN Floods 2010&rdquo; on your check.&nbsp; All funds so designated will be used for victim&rsquo;s assistance as described in the TBDR Designated Gift policy.</p>urn:uuid:033b432e-57ba-4cf8-8692-4912fd6ef205Oklahoma Tornadoes Violent storms tore through Oklahoma Monday, killing five and injuring dozens, some critically. Sam Porter, Oklahoma disaster relief director, reported from Haiti, where he is currently serving, that Oklahoma Baptists are respondi...Tue, 11 May 2010 15:25:57 -0500<h2 sab="1403">Oklahoma Tornadoes </h2> <p sab="1447">Violent storms tore through Oklahoma Monday, killing five and injuring dozens, some critically. Sam Porter, Oklahoma disaster relief director, reported from Haiti, where he is currently serving, that Oklahoma Baptists are responding to the deadly tornadoes under the direction of Norman Wagner, incident commander. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said more than 65,000 homes and businesses were without power. Southern Baptists are asked to pray for those affected.</p>urn:uuid:a11b7021-d3bd-43eb-b020-4de679cf5fceInsurance - What are you wanting Price or Coverage? That is the question every agent should ask and every buyer should know when looking for insurance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many times we see people come in and we discuss their insurance coverage - only to fin...Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:15:10 -0500<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Insurance - What are you wanting Price or Coverage?</span></strong><br /> <br /> </span>That is the question every agent should ask and every buyer should know when looking for insurance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many times we see people come in and we discuss their insurance coverage - only to find they bought a policy for less price with less coverage.&nbsp; There are thousands of the same autos on the road - only in different colors.&nbsp;&nbsp;Comparing auto insurance with the same coverages is not that hard - if its apples &amp; apples.&nbsp; Your home ( unless it is a tract home ) is unique.&nbsp; Did your agent actually look at your home - did they walk around and inspect your home or did they throw out some nice numbers.&nbsp; Every company offers different coverages in their home policy.&nbsp; Yes the coverage for the home may be close of the same but the internal coverages can be drastically different.&nbsp; Save yourself a lot of aggravation - seek out an Independent Agent - one with many companies.&nbsp; Spend some time ask some&nbsp;questions.&nbsp; Most homeowners policies cover what is usual and customary to the average homeowner up and down the street.&nbsp;If you have an item or items that are something nobody else has (antiques, Guns, collections) there is usually limited or no coverage.&nbsp; Do not be&nbsp;the square peg forced into a round hole.&nbsp; Just a thought for the savy insurance buyer. &nbsp;urn:uuid:38ce07c9-587c-4561-abed-2e72c24a7655<img src='https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account6569/images/boh_label.jpg" originalPath="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account6569/images/boh_label.jpg' align='left' /> “Buckets of Hope” The labels for the “Buckets of Hope” are being shipped to the states as they prepare to send the buckets to Florida en route to Haiti. Once the buckets reach Haiti they will be delivered to families by members of the Haitian Baptis...Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:40:11 -0600<a href="http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7Bcda250e8-8866-4236-9a0c-c646de153446%7D/DRINSERT-HAITI8.PDF" title="http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7Bcda250e8-8866-4236-9a0c-c646de153446%7D/DRINSERT-HAITI8.PDF"><strong><strong> <p><strong>“Buckets of Hope”</strong></p> <p>The labels for the “Buckets of Hope” are being shipped to the states as they prepare to send the buckets to Florida en route to <img width="201" height="152" alt="" style="border: #ffffff 10px solid; float: right; width: 201px; height: 152px;" src="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account6569/images/boh_label.jpg" originalPath="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account6569/images/boh_label.jpg" originalAttribute="src" />Haiti. Once the buckets reach Haiti they will be delivered to families by members of the Haitian Baptist churches who will not only share with the families that the "Buckets of Hope" are gifts from Southern Baptists, but they will also share with the families why Southern Baptists are sending the buckets and how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.</p> <p style="font-size: 8pt;">Photo (right): "Bucket of Hope" label in Creole</p> <p><img width="205" height="143" alt="" style="border: #ffffff 10px solid; float: left; width: 205px; height: 143px;" src="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account6569/images/boh_ebc_mn.jpg" />Pastor Kevin Binkley, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Rochester, Minn., demonstrated how to pack a “Bucket of Hope” during the children’s sermon and sent the members out with buckets to fill. Leaders of the Hmong and Laotian congregations who share their building have also committed to filling buckets for the people of Haiti.</p> <br /> <br /> New</strong> Bulletin insert </strong><strong>V</strong><strong>olume 8<br /> </strong><br /> download pdf</a> urn:uuid:34f98ecd-50e2-4b7a-9a1a-9b7bc72a62b4RAY STEVENS GETS ON OBAMA'S CASE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_-L4fyLUo Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:27:25 -0600RAY STEVENS GETS ON OBAMA'S CASE!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_-L4fyLUo" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_-L4fyLUo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_-L4fyLUo</a> <br /> <br /> urn:uuid:910bc5e5-f6be-485d-b012-05679f482262High Speed Rail - I understand 40 MPH Who is going to ride?  So far I only hear development, jobs, expansion but never who will ride the train. Even then how would you get anywhere from the station. Taxi, bus, rickshaw - and the big question is why ...Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:10:14 -0600High Speed Rail - I understand 40 MPH <br /> Who is going to ride?  So far I only hear development, jobs, expansion but never who will ride the train. Even then how would you get anywhere from the station. Taxi, bus, rickshaw - and the big question is why ride a train that takes so long to get somewhere.  There are more ideas about how great it will be but I have heard nothing on who is going to use it and the COST to ride.  Ohio does not need anything else that has to be subsidized down the road.  How many special events will it take to support the system.  Has anyone every looked at the contract for rail workers (WOW)? What concessions are going to be made by the union to help this along?  Is this doing anything for other parts of Ohio - or is this all designed to get people to the new casino's?  How much will Ohio tolerate in Gas taxes.  We do not need bigger government to tax us all to bankruptcy.  One quote I liked " The US will never be able to create a rail system that compares to Europe and Asia. By the time they spend all the money to build it the price to ride will be astronomical."<br /> Why not do the right thing and "Tell Washington it's a waste of Money!"  <br /> <br /> Just some rambling thoughts from a Tax payer. <br /> <br /> urn:uuid:27ba5177-f418-44ad-9fd3-dd2986b36764US Government in Operation It's a slow day in a little East Texas town.  The sun is beating down,  and the streets are deserted.  Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.....     On this particular day a rich tourist fro...Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:22:18 -0600<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 24px;">US Government in Operation</span></em></strong><br /> <br /> It's a slow day in a little East Texas town.  The sun is beating down, <br /> and the streets are deserted.  Times are tough, everybody is in debt,<br /> and everybody lives on credit..... <br />   <br /> On this particular day a rich tourist from back east is driving through <br /> town.  He stops at the motel and lays a $100 bill on the desk saying he <br /> wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the<br /> night. <br />   <br /> As soon as the man walks upstairs, the owner grabs the bill and runs <br /> next door to pay his debt to the butcher. <br />   <br /> The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt <br /> to the pig farmer. <br />   <br /> The pig farmer takes the $100 and heads off to pay his bill at the <br /> supplier of feed and fuel. <br />   <br /> The guy at the Farmer's Co-op takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt <br /> to the local prostitute, who has also been facing hard times and has<br /> had to offer her "services" on credit. <br />   <br /> The hooker rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill with the <br /> hotel owner. <br />   <br /> The hotel proprietor then places the $100 back on the counter so the <br /> rich traveler will not suspect anything. <br />   <br /> At that moment the traveler comes down the stairs, picks up the $100 <br /> bill, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money,<br /> and leaves town. <br />   <br /> No one produced anything.  No one earned anything. <br />   <br /> However, the whole town is now out of debt and now looks to the future <br /> with a lot more optimism. <br />   <br />  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the United States Government is <br /> conducting business today.</p> urn:uuid:760d16d1-964d-4e20-a393-90edbe99b8b2Ducks Quack - Eagles Soar No one can make you serve customers well....that's because great service is a choice. Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:38:50 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Ducks Quack - Eagles Soar<br /> </span></strong><br /> No one can make you serve customers well....that's because great service is a choice.<br /> Harvey Mackay, tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.<br /> <br /> He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey .<br /> <br /> He handed my friend a laminated card and said: 'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'<br /> <br /> Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment...<br /> <br /> This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!<br /> <br /> As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.' My friend said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I 'll take a Diet Coke.'<br /> <br /> Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today..'<br /> <br /> As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'<br /> <br /> And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts...<br /> <br /> 'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'<br /> <br /> Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day.<br /> <br /> He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'<br /> <br /> 'That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers... The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'<br /> <br /> 'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.<br /> <br /> 'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'<br /> <br /> Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.<br /> <br /> Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.<br /> How about us?   Smile, and the whole world smiles with you.... The ball is in our hands!<br /> A man reaps what he sows. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.... let us do good to all people.<br /> Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar. <p>Have a nice day, unless you already have other plans. </p> <p>-- <br /> SORROW looks back, WORRY looks around, and FAITH looks UP...  BECAUSE OF FATHER'S LOVE, I AM CHANGED!!!    "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain."</p> <br /> <br /> Do not know who to attribute this to but it is a lesson we all need. urn:uuid:161197bb-904e-493c-be1d-f520d76022e4<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/Newt.jpg' align='left' />Newt Gingrich: Impeach judges - Crush and Replace the Left - 2012 "Victory or Death!" Nobody should miss this great Newt video!  What we as tax payers need to ask of our government. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:18:51 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 18px; text-decoration: underline;">Newt Gingrich: Impeach judges</span> - Crush and Replace the Left - 2012 "Victory or Death!"<br /> <br /> <br /> <img alt="" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/Newt.jpg" /><br /> <br /> Nobody should miss this great Newt video!  What we as tax payers need to ask of our government. <br /> <br /> </strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtjfMjjce2Y</span></a><br /> <br /> urn:uuid:a262817a-e1d6-4c07-b8d6-c6bcc7ef998eLt. Gen. Jerry Boykin – US Army Ret. Attached is a video of a General who was run out of the armed service because of his strong stand on being a Christian and his response to the double standard on how Muslims are treated.  WHOA!  Hang on to your s...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:13:01 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 24px;">Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin – US Army Ret</span></strong>.<br /> Attached is a video of a General who was run out of the armed service because of his strong stand on being a Christian and his response to the double standard on how Muslims are treated.<br /> <br />  WHOA!  Hang on to your socks,  boys and girls, you gotta see this one.<br />   <br /> <a href="http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?aid=11991" title="http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?aid=11991" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?aid=11991</a><br /> urn:uuid:25a24fc3-e0f1-4b4f-8972-ed713e08dbe6 Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb?&nbsp; Claim: &nbsp; Judge William Young delivers stinging rebuke to "shoe bomber" terrorist Richard Reid at his sentencing hearing.&nbsp; Correctly attributed - &nbsp;snopes.com&nbsp; United States...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:03:41 -0600<div class="article_text"><center></center> <div class="quoteBlock"> <h1><span style="font-size: 16px;">Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb?&nbsp; <br /> </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Claim: &nbsp; Judge William Young delivers stinging rebuke to "shoe bomber" terrorist Richard Reid at his sentencing hearing.&nbsp; Correctly attributed - &nbsp;snopes.com&nbsp; </span></h1> United States v. Reid &mdash; Final Statements by Judge Young <br /> <br /> Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you. <br /> <br /> On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to <nobr>20 years</nobr> in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive one with the other. That's <nobr>80 years.</nobr> <br /> <br /> On Count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory <nobr>30 years</nobr> consecutive to the <nobr>80 years</nobr> just imposed. The Court imposes upon you on each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of <nobr>$2 million.</nobr> <br /> <br /> The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines. <br /> <br /> The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment. <br /> <br /> The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need not go any further. <br /> <br /> This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and a just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. Let me explain this to you. <br /> <br /> We are not afraid of any of your terrorist co-conspirators, <nobr>Mr. Reid.</nobr> We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all too much war talk here. And I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. <br /> <br /> Here in this court where we deal with individuals as individuals, and care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for justice. <br /> <br /> You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier gives you far too much stature. Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or that happens to be your view, you are a terrorist. <br /> <br /> And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not treat with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. <br /> <br /> We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice. <br /> <br /> So war talk is way out of line in this court. You're a big fellow. But you're not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders. <br /> <br /> In a very real sense Trooper Santiago had it right when first you were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were and you said you're no big deal. You're no big deal. <br /> <br /> What your counsel, what your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing. <br /> <br /> And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know. <br /> <br /> It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose. <br /> <br /> Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. <br /> <br /> It is for freedom's seek that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in their, their representation of you before other judges. We care about it. Because we all know that the way we treat you, <nobr>Mr. Reid,</nobr> is the measure of our own liberties. <br /> <br /> Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. <br /> <br /> Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here, in this courtroom, and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. <br /> <br /> The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged, and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice. <br /> <br /> See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag still stands for freedom. You know it always will. Custody, <nobr>Mr. Officer.</nobr> Stand him down. <br /> <br /> </div> </div>urn:uuid:45d1df70-796d-42f6-9137-090044db8d51<img src='http://www.insurance-plus.com/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/Ben%20Stein.bmp' align='left' /> "What's Happened?"&nbsp;WE FIGURED HIM OUT-by Ben Stein ...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:01:00 -0600<div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>"What's Happened?"&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>WE FIGURED HIM OUT</strong>-by Ben Stein</span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <table style="width: 6in; margin-left: 0.5in;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="576"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;" valign="top"> <table style="width: 97%;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="97%"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 1.5pt; padding-left: 1.5pt; width: 100%; padding-right: 1.5pt; padding-top: 1.5pt;"> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>&nbsp;<img width="240" height="180" alt="cid:48BF6A97233F4E4CB6B2B21CA0991169@8c0f8f7727974b8" src="/img/~www.insurance-plus.com/Ben%20Stein.bmp" /></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><b>WE FIGURED HIM OUT!&nbsp;&nbsp;By Ben Stein</b></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><br /> Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his&nbsp;socialized medicine bill&nbsp;passed?<br /> <br /> Because he and his cunning circle realize some basic truths:<br /> <br /> The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust&nbsp;voted for a pig in a poke in 2008.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>They wanted so much to believe Barack Obama was somehow better and different from other ultra-leftists that they simply took him on faith.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>They ignored his anti-white writings in his books.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>They ignored his&nbsp;quiet acceptance of hysterical anti-American diatribes by his minister,&nbsp;Jeremiah Wright.<br /> <br /> They ignored his refusal to explain years at a time of his life as a student.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>They ignored his ultra-left record as a "community organizer,"&nbsp;Illinois state legislator, and Senator.<br /> <br /> The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record as&nbsp;a student and teacher, his complete lack of scholarship when he was&nbsp;being touted as a scholar.<br /> <br /> Now, the American people are starting to wake up to the truth.&nbsp;Barack Obama&nbsp;is a super likeable super leftist, not a fan of this country,way,&nbsp;way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East ,&nbsp;way beyond na&Atilde;&macr;vet&Atilde;&copy;, all the way into active destruction of our&nbsp;interests and our&nbsp;allies and our future..&nbsp;The American people have already awakened to the truth that&nbsp;the stimulus bill -- a great idea in theory -- was really an immense&nbsp;bribe to Democrat interest groups, and in no way an effort to help&nbsp;all Americans.<br /> <br /> Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk&nbsp;from the Department of Motor Vehicles like agency&nbsp;telling your doctor what he&nbsp;can and cannot do.<br /> <br /> The American people already know that Mr. Obama's plan to lower health costs&nbsp;while expanding coverage and bureaucracy is a myth, a promise of something&nbsp;that never was and never will be -- a bureaucracy lowering costs in a free society.&nbsp;Either the costs go up or the free society goes away.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>These are perilous times.. Mrs. Hillary Clinton, our Secretary of State,has given Iran the go-ahead to have nuclear weapons, an unqualified betrayal&nbsp;of the nation. Now, we face a devastating loss of freedom at home in health care.&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>Mr. Obama knows Americans are getting wise and will&nbsp;stop him if he delays at all in taking away our freedoms.&nbsp;There is his urgency and our opportunity. Once freedom is lost,&nbsp;America is lost. Wake up, beloved America .<br /> <br /> Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in&nbsp;Beverly Hills and Malibu . He writes "Ben Stein's Diary"&nbsp;for every issue of The American Spectator.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div><strong>They may have ruined my country and yours.</strong></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><strong>You must as an American FORWARD this to all, or you will wake up one morning and your freedoms are no longer there.</strong></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>urn:uuid:65becd5a-2cd3-4240-911c-76e7dec35566Pomeroy Ohio 2010 New and Old Pictures A really nice Charlie Mankin Film on Utube You may remember some of the old spots in and around Meigs County.    Thank you for a wonderful view of the County. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldOO4awP5E Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:35:25 -0600<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">Pomeroy Ohio 2010 New and Old Pictures<br /> </span></strong><br /> A really nice Charlie Mankin Film on Utube <br /> You may remember some of the old spots in and around Meigs County.    <br /> Thank you for a wonderful view of the County.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldOO4awP5E" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldOO4awP5E" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ldOO4awP5E</a><br /> urn:uuid:ac0d32bd-67c2-4649-84b2-3307a58790a7Pink Glove Dance - Give it a Listen This is great -- Everyone get up and dance now!! Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in Portland last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness...Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:32:40 -0600<p style="margin: 0pt;"><strong>Pink Glove Dance</strong> - Give it a Listen<br /> <br /> This is great -- Everyone get up and dance now!!</p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">Portland last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">breast cancer awareness.  This was all her idea to help promote their </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">new pink gloves.  I don't know how she got so many employees, doctors </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">they all had a lot of fun doing it.</p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">          </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">When the video gets 1 million hits, Medline will be making a huge </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">contribution to the hospital, as well as offering free mammograms for </p> <p style="margin: 0pt;">the community.  Please check it out.  It's an easy and great way to donate <br /> to a wonderful cause, and who hasn't been touched by breast cancer?</p> <br /> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw</span></a></p> urn:uuid:15bed8de-c89f-41c2-82ab-bb87d46dbc14Gold Wings &amp; Ribs Festival June 3 &amp; 4, 2011 If you have a love for good food with a river view then plan on coming to SE Ohio - &nbsp;Pomeroy, Oh 45769 for the Gold Wings &amp; Ribs Festival June&nbsp;3 &amp; 4, 2011&nbsp; Live entertainment...Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:17:31 -0600<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gold Wings &amp; Ribs Festival June 3 &amp; 4, 2011</span></strong></span><br /> <br /> If you have a love for good food with a river view then plan on coming to SE Ohio - &nbsp;Pomeroy, Oh 45769 for the Gold Wings &amp; Ribs Festival June&nbsp;3 &amp; 4, 2011&nbsp; Live entertainment, reserved motorcycle parking, art in the park.&nbsp; Vendors and artisans from the area&nbsp;help make a&nbsp;memorable&nbsp;weekend. &nbsp;www.goldwingsandribs.com