Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Real Estate Buying Ideas You Can Use | Buy Property Overseas

Purchasing property is becoming popular today, whether as a hobby or for a career. The popularity of purchasing real estate without being defrauded is increasing. So, if you?ve been thinking about getting into the game, there?s no better time than the present to begin looking at property to purchase. Here are some tips that you can use to get you started with your property purchases.

If the home you are buying has been foreclosed on, it?s probably best to assume that it might need some repairs. A home that have been foreclosed may have been left unattended for a while before it was listed. Many foreclosed homes that are on the market will need to have new HVAC systems put in, and may also have pests.

You want to avoid buying homes that face or back busy roads. You might save a bit by purchasing the less appealing lot, but remember that the savings comes at a cost. While having a busy roadside home may not be a bother to you, there will be little resale value in the property when it comes time to move on.

Before putting your money in a home, make sure that you investigate the neighborhood and its surroundings. If the neighborhood isn?t any good, then you will be miserable, even if the property itself is fine. It?s essential to research the neighborhood, so you truly understand what you are buying into.

If you want to purchase a new home, you should first find a good real estate agent. The real estate agent you select also needs to be trustworthy. An experienced real estate agent who has a proven reputation will normally be a good choice. Make sure you take your time in finding yourself the perfect agent, one who has your interests at heart and cares about your needs.

Make sure any home you are interested in purchasing is large enough for your growing family, whether you already have children, or intend to have them while living in the residence. Steep stairs or swimming pools are items to closely examine if you have children in the home. Purchasing a home from someone who raised their own children in it can give you some peace of mind about its safety for your own kids.

Don?t give up even if your offer is turned down, as many sellers will search for ways to make it work. Sellers will often cover repairs or closing costs, in order to help a buyer afford the property.

You can find a calculator online that will help you determine a reasonable price range when you are ready to purchase a house. These types of calculators let you put in your income, your expenses, and any debt you might have. You will then have a idea of what price you can afford to pay for a home.

When looking for a new home, don?t buy it for what it has inside it. Smart sellers hide their house?s flaws with decorative items, so you need to learn how to look past the decor and analyze a home based on its architecture and structural condition. You might overlook something that will cause you a serious problem if you buy a home for its decor.

When you are in real estate negotiations, be sure to keep your approach moderate. Many people want to be aggressive and get the best deal, and they wind up shooting themselves in the foot. It?s best to tell your real estate agent what you want, and let them handle the negotiations themselves. They have experience.

It?s easy to see why people find this job so appealing. The opportunities are endless. There?s a lot of information out there on how to get started, research, and purchase with the best of them. Using these tips can help you get the property you need or want.

VN:F [1.9.18_1163]

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

VN:F [1.9.18_1163]

Related Posts

No related posts.

Source: http://www.buy-property-overseas.com/general-news/real-estate-buying-ideas-you-can-use

university of kentucky ncaa oakland news alec baldwin alec baldwin college basketball oakland

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

PFT: Panthers ship lineman Otah to Jets

Test+Pattern

The NFL recently responded to mounting political pressure regarding the outdated blackout rule by punting the hot potato to the teams.

On the surface, there was cause for celebration.? The league now allows teams to reduce their minimum percentage of non-premium tickets from 100 to 85 in order to allow games to be televised in the local market.

The fine print, in a word, sucks.? Each team must use the same percentage for every game, and the percentage must be selected for the full year by August 9.? And if the team does better than expected, the league?s share of each ticket goes from 34 cents on the dollar to 50.

As a result, various teams who would otherwise be tempted to consider the rule have said, ?No thanks,? including the Chargers, Bills, Browns, Colts, and Jaguars.? Only the Buccaneers have to date embraced the new rule.

Now, some of the same politicians who pushed the league to relax the blackout rule are now seeking a relaxation of the relaxation.

Recently, Congressman Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell suggesting that each team receive two waivers per year, to account for games in which ticket sales exceed the selected minimum.

The league has yet to make any changes to the changed blackout rule, but Representative Higgins believe that change eventually will come.

?You look at the changing economic model, the blackout just doesn?t make sense,? Higgins said, via WIVB.? ?I?ll tell you something, you mark my words, in five years there won?t be a blackout rule because the economic model is changing, and continues to change.?

Higgins may be right, but it will happen only if pressure continues to be applied to the league by politicians, fans, and the media.? The fact that the league relaxed the rule proves that the pressure, to date, is working.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/23/panthers-ship-disappointing-jeff-otah-to-jets-for-a-pick/related

long island serial killer wizard of oz jeff green saturday night live aortic aneurysm minnesota timberwolves jr martinez

Harley Wives | Burberry Bags CrossbodyReal Estate Agent Website ...

eBay has probably one of the largest selection of discount Burberry scarfs in one market place and the competition fo.Leather Bags For Menr sales is fierce, that??s why you can find some excellent authentic Burberry scarfs at very cheap prices. Just remember to ask questions abou.Burberry Outlet Onlinet the scarf you want to buy, it??s in your best interest to check around the Ebay forum??s with item numbers in hand and simply ask if the scarf you want to bid on or buy now is au.Women Bags Salethentic, trust me, you will get a solid answer very quickly.burberry bagThus,Burberry outlet online and then Hermes were being the handful of high end models that produced a financial gain as opposed to hurting a loss during thie financial doom and gloom. k . Burberry purses and handbags include develop that should be the etalon of higher level of quality. This stylish combination of incompatible tactics and even variables is just one of Burberry acknowledged amazing benefits.
comparable to Biba vogue types, burberry purses sale seemed to be started out.Burberry Store??during nineteen eighties and is also labeled provides root base inside preferred stone lifestyle which had been common inside Uk inside individuals functions. Particularly, woven synthetic leather luggage, cloth sacks as well as sneakers sequence, streamlined style and design in addition to a unique option to day-to-day with increased future. While adult males whorrrre taller in addition to Burberry Handbags narrow<a ><u>burberry handbag on sale</u></a>These produce similar products with famous designers such as Gucci, Prada or Louis Vintton. There have been discussion upon the subject and reputed designers have repeatedly criticized this industry. Despite all this,? Burberry Sling Bag designer women handbags and purses are more popular than ever, due to the varied collections presented online and in.fmbhq120702credible prices.
Burberry Clothing for every woman and it to come up with daring and trendy creations, helping women to feel and look more than great. The modern age brought a lot of changes in the field of fashion and women started to search for more affordable alternatives to different types of handbags.In early days, Louit Vuttion handbags is the only selection for women.burberry bags for saleWhite bags, brown designer handbags, white shopping bags, azure totes, also, the record passes by. It can be distressing if you should covered an honest in addition to obtained typically the fictitious a particular rather. Good thing Burberry outlet totes do not ever just need all of these consequences. The skillfullness to your real designs can be irrefutable; no certain sewn with the handbag would be out-of-place.The actual Twist set Burberry outlet online purses may very well be distinguished using a label identify innovative braided holders which might wind up being knitted with set. Caused by this financial crsis which unfortunately set about at the beginning of 2008, several expensive models a break down loss. additionally may possibly named simply by newer kind of hold. once you used to be when it comes to monetary phrases well-off.They?re now able to get these products and solutions by using web stores or other suppliers which sells personalized programs. All object from ModaQueen. o . We repeatedly contribute new products to selection, so check lower back sometimes for all of your designer brand device requirements.Nonetheless the awful ambition includes all ended up as being the urgent situation will be bottoming away.

Source: http://www.harleywives.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/216435/

undercover boss barbara walters tupelo honey limp bizkit stations of the cross nike foamposite galaxy bill maher

Monday, July 23, 2012

July 22, 2012 Para-Equestrian Dressage Athlete Mary Jordan Leaves

?Para-Equestrian Dressage Athlete Mary Jordan Leaves Lasting Impression at Official USA Olympic Day

Olympic Day logo Property of USOC

Saco, Maine ? July 22, 2012 ? As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), there were more than 700 events taking place across the United States including multiple locations in Maine. U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage rider Mary Jordan of Wells, Maine traveled to Saco, Maine where over 400 campers were awaiting her arrival.

As Jordan described and showcased Olympic and Paralympic athletes around the world, the previously hot and tired campers became captivated by Jordan. ?The children were fascinated when they saw a Paralympic Swimmer without legs winning the gold for their country. They asked so many wonderful questions and two hours flew by as if it were 20 minutes,? noted Jordan.

During Jordan?s presentation she spoke about many topics including personal and family values, sportsmanship, goal making, how each child may become involved in a sport, and the value of perseverance. She introduced what makes her a Para-Equestrian athlete and showcased a video of her training for her Dressage Freestyle with her horse prior to the Paralympic Selection Trials. Jordan explained, ?As an alternate for the United States Para-Equestrian Team, perseverance is a subject I work towards every day.? I explained to the campers that as an alternate you don?t give up your ideals, you keep training, you keep working, you move forward, you stick it out because if I get called to fulfill the team?s need I want to be ready.?

As an experienced public speaker who travels the country, Jordan enjoyed the unique impact the Paralympic sport had on these children. ?This was such a powerful experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat,? smiled Jordan. ?I truly enjoyed informing these young campers about the Olympic and specifically Paralympic sports. I want to thank the USOC, Saco Parks & Recreation, and everyone involved who was instrumental in creating this event. GO TEAM USA!?

For more information about the United States Olympic or Paralympic Teams please visit http://www.teamusa.org

For more information about the London Paralympics please visit http://www.london2012.com

All logos and trademarks in this press release are copyright of their respective owners. All references to London 2012 Paralympics, Olympics, or London 2012 are copyright the 2012 London Olympic Games Organizing Committee. All references to Team USA are copyright the United States Olympic Committee.

Mary Jordan at 2012 Olympic Day

Mary Jordan at 2012 Olympic Day Photo Courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation

Source: http://uspea.org/july-22-2012-para-equestrian-dressage-athlete-mary-jordan-leaves-lasting-impression-at-official-usa-olympic-day/

biggie smalls lyrics azores emmylou harris disco inferno b.i.g 1000 words ron white

Frozen Sperm Offer a Lifeline for Coral

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Scientists hope that building what is essentially a sperm bank for the world?s corals will someday help restore and even rebuild damaged reefs.

Source: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=5aa793f1f9276d17b1c8db96ee019ec3

howard johnson blackhawks real housewives of new jersey levon helm firelight world peace elbow kevin love

Sweet Sorrow Reservation

Sweet Sorrow Reservation

The human race is nearly extinct. You are one of many species who have suffered the same fate, death due to greedy scientists and overpopulation. Welcome to Sweet Sorrow Reservation. Enjoy your stay.

Owner:

Game Masters:

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Sweet Sorrow Reservation?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.


So whats this RP about really? I'm still a little confused on everything and I think it would help to have the races explained in here. Since they can all be different types from different fictions. Like Warhammer Elves and Lord of the rings Elves being different.

Asper knocked,
at the castle keep;
but the gates were barred!
The Gods asleep!

User avatar
Asper
Member for 0 years


I've slightly updated things, to maybe ease the confusion a bit.

User avatar
MsLoveBug
Member for 0 years


I used that same sight when looking at different races :o so im guessing any race on there is playable?

User avatar
Asper
Member for 0 years


Yep, and if there is a race that you don't see but would like to use, feel free to PM me.

User avatar
MsLoveBug
Member for 0 years


This looks pretty cool so I'm going to get into this. Will take a while to make a character but you can count on me being in this

User avatar
Asper
Member for 0 years



Post a reply

RolePlayGateway is a site built by a couple roleplayers who wanted to give a little something back to the roleplay community. The site has no intention of earning any profit, and is paid for out of their own pockets.

If you appreciate what they do, feel free to donate your spare change to help feed them on the weekends. After selecting the amount you want to donate from the menu, you can continue by clicking on PayPal logo.

Who is online

Registered users: AceofSpade*, Angel's Whisper*, Animality Opera, Armageddon, AshleighC*, Asper*, Belynta*, Bugbuster*, BunnyLove*, CaesarTheSeventh, Calvazara*, candykitten*, ChaosBlade*, ChildOfNone, Choclate~Pyrus*, ColorMeCrimson, D.Angel*, dealing with it, DemonDante*, Digital_Muse*, dream cast soul*, Erlanis*, Evangeline_Taylor, Exabot [Bot], FamishedPants*, Fencer*, Finalhazard3*, Flexar*, flickery, FollowerOfDarkPaths, ForeverFruitCake, Freimeier*, Fruity_Loopsxx*, Gluttony, GoodGracious, GoodJobDino*, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], Google Feedfetcher, GreenSweatshirtGal*, Hazezon, HeroOfAwesomeness*, Hinasil*, holothewisewolf*, ichiro [Crawler], Imagine That!, jackrules158*, Jadeling Hawkins*, kaze04, KILLERZARIC*, Kirbness*, KulasLightShadow*, Lady_Blood92243*, Lainpinky131*, Laseu*, LittleMissGeorgia*, Lord Saladin*, Lucentfir*, Lufia*, madisontaylorjb*, Majestic-12 [Bot], MaliceInWonderland, Marcus*, Mariofox*, masato22*, mechanimated*, Mela, Metal4Life*, Morvenrocks123, Mr_Doomed*, MrJuon, MSNbot Media, Nekohina*, Nikolai*, NorthernSoul, onetrickpony, OpalePhantasmagoria*, Patcharoo*, Penfold, PoorImpulseCtrl, Popuph8r*, Porecomesis*, Princess Awinita*, raindrops_autumn, RedWolfe*, Sabimaru*, Saiyan Princess*, Sarifa, Shadetree76*, ShadowsoftheNine*, Shanatos, Shaodow*, Shiva*, Sneakyrio*, Solo Wing Pixy*, Sora112112*, Sorella, souloe, Starsailor, StitchSaysHi, stormwolf321, Tainted Twinkee, Talisman, TaniaSoulEater, Tanman*, TemplarWarden*, The Adversary*, The Protagonist*, The*Lucky*Teacup*, The_Fallen_Ones, TheFinalOne*, TheStrange29, throne*, Tiko*, tornadofan2*, True Grave, Valor*, Vestiline*, VitaminHeart, Wake*, Whispers..x*, Wing06Twilight, X64*, xKyrie, XOXOHannah*, Yahoo [Bot], yamada*, zody

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/PQcrdAS-_gw/viewtopic.php

grok cirque du freak eric cantor eric cantor pope joan pope joan paul pierce

Sunday, July 22, 2012

11 Books About Health and Nutrition to Add to Your Reading List

Whether you?re off to the beach for Memorial Day weekend or just in the mood to learn something new, the following books are sure to be a captivating read. Need some new recipes to add to your cooking repertoire? Want the answers to all of your burning fitness questions? These expert-recommended books have got you covered.

?

Read the rest of this article,
to find out what book Errick recommends,?here.

Source: http://www.errickthetrainer.com/2012/07/21/11-books-about-health-and-nutrition-to-add-to-your-reading-list/

halftime super bowl 2012 super bowl score madonna super bowl performance superbowl commercials best superbowl commercials madonna half time m.i.a

Sen. Feinstein: 'Bad Time' to Press Gun Control

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sen-feinstein-bad-time-press-gun-control-160954558--abc-news-politics.html

red hook romney tax return the tree of life movie academy award nominees 2012 2012 oscar nominations kyle williams florida debate

KRISARU.com ? Homeschooling is Better for Children and Families ...

Kids might not need to sit quietly in their desks, raise their hands, and follow a strict schedule to end up with a decent education: A study from the Canadian Journal of Behavior Science suggests that homeschooled students outperform public school-educated kids.

Researchers administered standardized tests in math and reading to the two groups of students; The homeschoolers who followed a structured, curriculum-based program scored as much as 2.2 grade levels above their public school peers. (Homeschooled students who followed an unstructured or a curriculum-free learning plan scored lower than both structured homeschoolers and traditionally-educated students.) With a very small group of subjects ? just 74 kids ? the results are hardly conclusive, but they do follow the pattern of previous studies that showed the success of homeschooling methods.

The most comprehensive academic homeschool study ever completed ?? the Progress Report of 2009: Homeschool Academic Achievement and Demographics released by the National Home Education Research Institute ? concluded that homeschooled students score an average of 34 to 39 percentile points higher than their peers on standardized achievement tests. Unlike the Canadian study, the researchers for the NHERI study included more than 11,000 students from all 50 states, and included three well-known tests? California Achievement Test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, and Stanford Achievement Test.

How are results like these possible? Sandra Martin-Chang, a professor at Concordia University and the lead author of the recent Canadian study, said that the structure of homeschooling ?may offer opportunities for academic performance beyond those typically experienced in the public schools [including] smaller class sizes, more individualized instruction, or more academic time spent on core subjects such as reading and math.?

Still, at the very core of these findings is a major flaw: standardized testing. Are the tests that the results are based on really a true measure of how smart, well-educated, creative, or talented our children really are? I think most parents would agree with me when I respond with an emphatic, ?No!? But in a numbers-driven educational system, it is difficult for parents to separate true learning from results on a test. All parents, homeschoolers or not, have a tough choice to make? do I want my child to be passionate about learning, or do I want her to ace her tests? And is it ever possible for kids to do both? Read more ??

More reference links:

Source: http://krisaru.com/homeschooling-is-better-for-children-and-families-than-a-traditional-classroom/

best cyber monday deals best cyber monday deals cyber monday grover norquist grover norquist nfl week 12 picks nfl week 12 picks

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Select the Right Birdhouse for the Bird Lover and the Birds

North America is home to over 75 different species of cavity nesting birds that seek shelter and security as they start their families. Some of the better known cavity nesters include woodpeckers, purple martins, bluebirds, titmice, wrens, nuthatches and the chickadees. These birds look for natural cavities created where branches break off of trees or perhaps those already created by woodpeckers and other animals. Unfortunately, humans contribute to the limited availability of these natural cavities through construction projects and seemingly innocent removal of fallen trees. The result is fierce competition among the birds that need them most.

Otherwise known as nest boxes, bird houses provide artificial shelter for cavity dwelling birds throughout their annual brooding season. Nestling birds typically spend 16-22 days in the nest ? just long enough for the young to gain strength and learn to fly. Bird houses provide protection from rain, heat, cold and even predators. Because access to bird houses is limited to those animals and birds that can fit through the opening, smaller birds instinctively seek the protection afforded by homes with the possible opening.

Your primary consideration for selection of your birdhouse should be the species of bird that you want to attract. This is important because size matters. Most bird houses have openings that range from 1-1/8 inch to 2-1/2 inches. Minor differences in opening size of even 1/8 of an inch can impact the type of bird it attracts. For example, an opening of 1-1/8 inch is ideal for chickadees and wrens, but too small for most titmice and nuthatches which prefer a 1-1/4 inch opening.

Once you have decided what species of bird that you want to attract, you should consider style and budget. Birdhouses come in all different colors, sizes, shapes, themes, construction materials, mounting mechanisms, opening sizes and access features. Many are just downright functional works of art that can be enjoyed indoors as part of a decorative birdhouse collection as well as outdoors providing protective shelter for a family of nesting birds. In addition, the cost of a birdhouse can range from $15 all way up to several hundred dollars for the most elaborate pieces. Of course you can choose a bare bones unfinished nest box that will make the birds perfectly happy and add little aesthetic appeal to your yard. However, you should consider a home that will complement the landscaping and existing construction of your yard if you wish to indulge your own taste as well.

Other features that should be considered include mounting, ventilation, drainage and access for cleaning and inspection. Birdhouses can be hung from a tree, mounted on a tree or fence post or some of the larger and more elaborate pieces come ready to mount on a permanent 4?4 post or pedestal. Keep in mind that certain birds prefer homes that are mounted at heights consistent with their natural habitats. All functional birdhouses should be complete with ventilation holes near the top to allow the heat to escape in the summer and have adequate drainage holes in the bottom to allow water to escape. Finally it is important that homes can be accessed for inspection and removal of old nests if they are truly to be used as nest boxes. In the end, you can choose a birdhouse that provides a welcome refuge for our feathered friends and provides you with sheer enjoyment as a truly unique and functional work of art.

Check out our awesome selection of bird houses and bird feeders that will please you and your feathered friends.

Source: http://toddsblogs.com/referenceandeducation/2012/07/20/select-the-right-birdhouse-for-the-bird-lover-and-the-birds/

sam shepard sam shepard johnny knox johnny knox monday night football monday night football bonjovi

Colorado shooting unlikely to spur changes in gun laws

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Denver Mayor Michael Hancock is a member of a coalition called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, but when he issued a statement expressing shock and horror on Friday after a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater, he had nothing to say about gun control.

Neither did President Barack Obama nor his Republican rival Mitt Romney, though both canceled campaign speeches on Friday and expressed sorrow for the victims of the shooting rampage.

The killing of 12 people at a midnight screening of the new Batman movie in the Denver suburb of Aurora may spark a fresh round of soul-searching on America's relationship with guns but few predict any real change in the law.

That's because gun control advocates have largely lost the argument against the much more powerful gun lobby, and politicians know the issue is toxic with voters.

One of the few politicians who has long taken a stand is New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire backer of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, a coalition of mayors advocating for stricter rules on gun sales and ownership.

Speaking on WOR Radio on Friday, Bloomberg called on Obama and Romney to tell the public what they would do to reduce gun violence.

"Soothing words are nice, but maybe it's time that the two people who want to be president of the United States stand up and tell us what they are going to do about it," he said.

"I don't think there's any other developed country in the world that has remotely the problem we have," Bloomberg said. "We have more guns than people in this country."

Most Americans, however, do not believe that tougher gun laws would be the solution. Gallup polls over the last two decades show the percentage of Americans who favor making gun control laws "more strict" fell from 78 percent in 1990 to 44 percent in 2010.

The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the largest and oldest of America's gun-control groups, is a fraction of its peak size. The center and an affiliated political arm had revenue of $5.9 million in 2010, the most recent year for which information is publicly available - down 27 percent in three years.

In the same year, the powerful pro-gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and its various components took in $253 million from individuals, gun makers and sellers and other supporters.

Even Democratic supporters of efforts to keep a tighter rein on weapons were relatively mum after the shooting.

Democrats in conservative and rural states fear alienating gun owners and the NRA, and crucial presidential battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, Iowa and North Carolina have large populations of enthusiastic gun owners.

"We're in the summer before a presidential election and I really don't foresee any serious discussion of gun control," said Kristin Goss of Duke University, the author of "Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America."

Some supporters of Democrat Al Gore still believe his support for gun control laws played a role in his loss of the 2000 presidential election, and "memories of lost elections loom large for politicians," Goss said.

Evan Bayh, a former Democratic senator from the conservative state of Indiana, described the dilemma facing Democrats who favor gun control and live in Republican-leaning states.

"You have a lot of people who feel passionately about that issue. ... So, many members of Congress are faced with the decision: Do they sacrifice all the other good they hope to accomplish for this one issue? And do they sacrifice their own careers for this one issue?"

Congress has not approved any major new gun laws since 1994, and a ban on certain semiautomatic rifles expired in 2004. Some states have loosened gun laws to allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons or adopted "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws.

A Reuters-Ipsos poll in April found most Americans supported the right to use deadly force to protect themselves, and two of every three respondents had a favorable view of the NRA, which marshals thousands of activists to oppose even small-scale gun regulations and punish lawmakers who challenge them.

'STRONG FORCES'

"There are strong forces in American politics, led by the National Rifle Association, that have prevented any real changes in gun control laws in years," said Cal Jillson, a political analyst at Southern Methodist University in Texas.

"In the short term, this incident will give some liberal Democrats an opportunity to talk about gun control in an environment where people are listening, but in the long term it doesn't change anything," he said.

Other high-profile gun-related mass shootings in recent years - the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007 and the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and others in Arizona in January 2011 - also sparked some short-term debate but little action.

Opponents of stricter gun control point to events such as last year's killing of 77 people in Norway, which like the rest of Europe has much tighter controls on guns than the United States, as evidence that gun laws don't stop such tragedies.

The NRA said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the community. NRA will not have any further comment until all the facts are known."

Mayor Hancock of Denver, a Democrat, issued a statement saying it was a tragic day and pledging support for those affected by this "senseless, senseless" act. "Our hearts are broken but we are determined to move forward together," he said.

Obama, who supported the lapsed assault weapons ban during the 2008 campaign, has made no effort as president to curb gun rights and has rarely discussed the issue.

Many gun enthusiasts still distrust him, however, and the NRA uses the specter of a potential second term for Obama - when he would be unrestrained by the demands of re-election - to raise money and keep its conservative base on edge.

The NRA spent at least $40 million in 2008 to try to defeat Obama, who famously told the audience at a California fund raiser in April 2008 that it was not surprising that small town and rural residents in states like Pennsylvania "get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them."

Romney, a former governor in liberal Massachusetts, has courted the NRA and its followers in recent years with promises to support their rights but has offered few details and earned little enthusiasm.

He got a tepid response at the NRA convention in April, when fewer than 200 of his 2,600-word speech was devoted to gun rights or gun issues.

Some gun enthusiasts remember Romney's 2007 quote during his first run for president that he was "not a big-game hunter, I've always been a rodent and rabbit hunter. Small varmints, if you will."

Jim Kessler, former policy director for Americans for Gun Safety, said guns owners far outnumber victims of gun crime, so the odds are stacked against gun control advocates. Some 32 percent of households owned a gun in 2010.

Moreover, it often isn't immediately apparent what gun laws would have made a difference in specific cases.

"When there's a crime such as this, it often takes a few days of police work to figure out if a gun loophole has been evaded to cause the crime or if there has been a hole in the gun laws to allow someone to get the guns," he said.

(Additional reporting by Emily Flitter, Jeff Mason, Thomas Ferraro; Editing by Claudia Parsons and Jim Loney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-colorado-shooting-unlikely-spur-changes-gun-laws-125134429.html

kevin costner whitney houston whitney houston funeral live pat buchanan slither slither chris christie naacp

Chiropractic Business Success | SOCIAL NETWORKING

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://kashwealthsystem.com/biz/2012/07/21/chiropractic-business-success/

rick neuheisel andrea bocelli john hughes panasonic lumix dmc lx5 ucla football deliverance pentatonix

Injury Law Firm in Los Angeles | Personal Injury News, Lawyers ...

A personal injury is an injury to an individual?s body, or mind and is the most common type of legal claim. ?Injury law handles the physical harm a person has suffered or endured due to another person?s negligent actions, or failure to act. ?This suffering can be both physical and emotional. ?An experienced personal injury attorney helps personal injury victims recover the proper compensation for a full recovery. ?The more serious a personal injury is the more likely it is that the victim will recover higher compensation. ?Some of the most common types of personal injury cases include but are not limited too:

  • Brain Injuries
  • Truck Accidents
  • Car Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Burn Injuries
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Construction Accidents
  • Bicycle Accidents

Estey & Bomberger, LLP is a Los Angeles personal injury law firm with some of the best and most experienced injury attorneys in the entire state of California. ?The California personal injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP have over 40 years of combined experience practicing injury law and have successfully handled hundreds of injury cases. ?These injury attorneys offer all victims of personal injuries free legal consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis.

Source: http://personalinjurylawyers360.com/injury-law-firm-in-los-angeles/

lotto winners mega ball winning numbers baltimore county current tv megamillions ncaa basketball tournament 2012 megamillions winning numbers

Source: http://griffiesstvilma88.typepad.com/blog/2012/07/injury-law-firm-in-los-angeles-personal-injury-news-lawyers.html

jordans prometheus movie posterior michelle obama adam lambert arrested barkley beltran

Friday, July 20, 2012

Harvard Kennedy School - Making Property Taxes Less Taxing

July 19, 2012

By Doug Gavel

The process by which nations and municipalities attempt to reform their property tax codes can be incredible complex, politically charged, and oftentimes fruitless. In a new Working Paper, Harvard Kennedy School Lecturer Jay Rosengard outlines potential strategies for making property tax reform efforts more simple, transparent and effective.

"The property tax is the tax everyone loves to hate," Rosengard writes. "Countries can seldom live with the tax as initially designed, yet neither can they live without the tax at all."

Rosengard lists the many common obstacles that often impede reform efforts -- including political landmines, technical shortcomings and miscalculations.

"Although much tax policy is actually made in implementation, administrative reform is often neglected, leading to the frequent unintended negative consequences of conceptually sound but poorly executed property tax laws and regulations ? something might look good on paper, but simply cannot be credibly implemented as designed," Rosengard writes. "Tools to improve administrative cost-effectiveness include simplification, rationalization, standardization, and automation of property taxation."

Rosengard identifies four fundamental principles of property tax reform which he argues must be followed in order to succeed:

  • Simple in practice trumps optimal in theory.
  • Revenue generation trumps social engineering.
  • Economics of taxation trumps political mathematics.
  • Behavioral change trumps paper tigers.

"The challenge [facing property tax reform efforts] is to strike a balance between two conflicting sentiments," Rosengard concludes. "The first sentiment is well-articulated by former U.S. President James Madison: 'The power of taxing people and their property is essential to the very existence of government.' The second sentiment is reflected in this rueful observation by the political philosopher and statesman Edmund Burke: 'To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is not given to men.'"

Jay Rosengard, Lecturer in Public Policy, has 35 years of international experience designing, implementing, and evaluating development policies in: public finance and fiscal strategy, tax and budget reform, municipal finance and management, intergovernmental fiscal relations, banking and financial institutions development, microfinance, SME finance, and public administration. He has worked for a wide variety of multilateral and bilateral donors, as well as directly for host governments and private sector clients.

The Working Paper, titled "The Tax Everyone Loves to Hate: Principles of Property Tax Reform," will be published as a chapter in a forthcoming book, "A Primer on the Property Tax," edited by Gary Cornia, William McCluskey and Larry Walters (Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell).

Source: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/news-events/news/articles/making-property-taxes-less-taxing

jose canseco zimmerman derek fisher lyrid meteor shower hippocrates andrew breitbart red wings

Brand New Highlights Pinterest Board - Feedgrids

Computer Arts, the UK-based magazine for digital artists and designers, has published what they call the Computer Arts Collection, comprised of six, new, 200-plus-page annual issues, each devoted to their core topics: graphic design, typography, illustration, branding, photography, and advertising. Editor Nick Carson was kind enough to send me a sample of the branding annual and it's pretty fantastic. While it covers some of the same things we do on Brand New ? like the EDP, More4, and DC

Source: http://feedgrids.com/source/BrandNew/p75469

lebron james magic mike trailer Alan Turing brave Stephanie Rice Meet the Pyro Karen Klein

MEWS ? Montclair Editors and Writers ? Blog Archive ? Marketing ...

Richard Polton writes:

I have completed a six year effort and have written an absolutely spectacular book (if I say so myself).

The book is about an architect who practiced in Paterson, NJ from 1888 to the 1920s and incorporates the history of the city. It is beautifully laid out with lots of absolutely incredible images. Its about 140 pages. The book is at the printer and will be ready for promotion in the Fall. I want to be ready.

I have formed a publication firm (Pine Hill Architectural Press, LLC) and have contracted with Rutgers University Press for distribution and order fulfillment. That is resolved.

Now, I need a smart, sophisticated and thoughtful person to let the world know about this book and help get it sold. This is a part time consulting position. I will engage someone who will:

- Create and manage social media operations.
- Coordinate with me and the distribution folks at the university press on marketing.
- Track book fairs, speaking and sales opportunities and lectures where I can speak and get the story out. Arrange and confirm these events.-
- Arrange articles that will get the book reviewed, talked about in the news and keep my name
- Do things I havent thought about to help get the book talked about and ultimately sold.
- Meet with me to get the project started. Report to me regularly on progress. Work from wherever you want, whenever you want.

I do not have a lot of money to spend on this effort. But I don?t think it needs a lot of money.??Just effort well spent and focused.

  1. Develop a basic publicity package about the project.
  2. Help with thinking about a launch party. I will handle most of the details.
  3. Organize a pre launch publicity campaign with copies to NY Times, Newark Star Ledger, Record- Herald News, and other papers that cover NJ. Attempt to get reviews, interviews, etc. I would love to get on WNYC or other radio spots regarding the story. .
  4. Advise on social media sites and ways to tap into it.
  5. Identify and send copies to organizations, scholars, societies, professional publications that might review or write about the project.
  6. Identify any awards, contests, on local history, architecture, etc that might be productive.
  7. Research any conventions or meetings where I could participate or speak

Richard Polton

Contact me by email with a way to get in touch with you?repolton@gmail.com

l

Source: http://mewsie.org/2012/marketing-advisorconsultant-needed/

hoodie hoosiers temperance world bank kim kardashian flour bomb hunger games box office xavier

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Israel blames Iran for Bulgaria bus bomb that kills six

BURGAS, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Six people were killed in a bomb attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists at a Bulgarian airport on Wednesday and Israel accused Tehran of carrying out the attack, promising a strong response to "Iranian terror".

Body parts were strewn across the ground and mangled metal hung from the bus's torn-back roof. Its windows were blown out and surrounded by scorch marks, as clouds of dense black smoke billowed above the airport.

"We heard a very strong blast. The bus was full with people and children. Flesh and blood everywhere," a Bulgarian witness told TV7 television. "I saw another bus catching fire from the one that exploded. It was complete chaos."

The tourists had arrived on a charter flight from Israel and were on the bus in the car park outside Burgas airport when the blast ripped through the double-decker. By late evening, the airport was still sealed off and closed as authorities tried to pin down exactly what had happened.

"We sat down and within a few seconds we heard a huge boom and we ran away. We managed to escape through a hole on the bus," Aviva Malka told Israeli Army Radio from the scene.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolai Mladenov told Reuters by telephone after visiting the airport: "The explosion was caused by a bomb in the bus."

The Interior Ministry declined to comment on whether it might have been a suicide attack, as some witnesses had speculated, and said it was questioning people who had been close to the blast.

The blast comes on the 18th anniversary of a 1994 bomb attack on the headquarters of Argentina's main Jewish organization by an Iranian-backed Hezbollah suicide bomber, which killed 85 people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran and said Israel would respond.

"All the signs lead to Iran. Only in the past few months we have seen Iranian attempts to attack Israelis in Thailand, India, Georgia, Kenya, Cyprus and other places," Netanyahu said in a statement.

"Eighteen years exactly after the blast at the Jewish community centre in Argentina, murderous Iranian terror continues to hit innocent people. This is an Iranian terror attack that is spreading throughout the entire world. Israel will react powerfully against Iranian terror," he said.

VULNERABLE TARGET

Israeli officials had previously said that Bulgaria, a popular holiday destination for Israeli tourists, was vulnerable to attack by Islamist militants who could infiltrate via Turkey.

The incident was not reported by Iranian media and there was no immediate Iranian reaction to the Israeli accusation.

Israeli diplomats have been targeted in several countries in recent months by bombers who Israel said struck on behalf of Iran.

Although Tehran has denied involvement, some analysts believe it is trying to avenge the assassinations of several scientists from its nuclear program, which the Iranians have blamed on Israel and its Western allies.

Israel has threatened air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomatic efforts fail to rein in its program. Israel and Western powers accuse Iran of working towards a nuclear bomb, but Tehran says its research is strictly for peaceful ends.

Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said the bomb could have been stuck on the side of the bus - the way an attack on an Israeli embassy car in India was carried out in February.

"The Revolutionary Guard are behind the attack ... I don't want to say unequivocally, but they are behind it directly or indirectly," Lieberman told Channel 2 television, without elaborating on the Iranian military unit.

Bulgaria raised security at all airports, bus and railway stations after the explosion. Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova also boosted policing at public places linked to the Jewish community in Bulgaria's capital.

The blast damaged several other buses in the car park outside the airport at Burgas, where they were waiting to ferry tourists to resorts along the Black Sea coast. Stunned travelers hugged one another in shock at the carnage and passengers were kept away from the scene with a police cordon.

"COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS"

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry said six people had been killed, including one who died in hospital. Thirty-two people were in hospital, three of whom were in intensive care.

Israel said seven people had been killed. Bulgarian Police have declined to give the nationality of the dead. A TV station in Bulgaria said a Bulgarian may have been killed.

Israeli Rabbi Haim Tverdovich based in Burgas told Israeli Channel 2 some of the wounded had suffered severe burns.

U.S. President Barack Obama called the attack "completely outrageous". "The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack," he said.

In a telephone call with his Israeli counterpart, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov vowed to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Israel has sent security officials to help with the investigation and its military was sending two planes to Burgas, one with medical crews to provide assistance to the injured and fly them home and another with forensic experts. A third plane with medics from the emergency services was also on its way.

Burgas is Bulgaria's fourth largest city and lies on the Black Sea coast some 60 km (40 miles) from the border with Turkey. It is at the centre of a string of seaside resorts which are popular for their sunshine and low cost compared with many parts of the Mediterranean.

With a population of about 200,000, it is also an important industrial centre and has Bulgaria's sole oil refinery.

"Such a terrifying act on the territory of a sovereign country, member of the EU, is a provocation to the efforts of the democratic community for achieving world peace," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov.

The chief mufti of Bulgaria's Muslims, who account for about 10 percent of the Balkan country's 7.4 million population, also condemned the attack, as did the EU and British and French foreign ministers.

Burgas airport was closed after the incident and flights were redirected to the airport of Varna, police said. Tourists were stranded at the airport as it was checked for other explosive devices, Focus news agency reported.

Israel's flag carrier El Al canceled its flight from Tel Aviv to Sofia that was due to leave at 1600 GMT a spokeswoman told Reuters. Nothing had been decided about Thursday's flights.

(Additional reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia; Ori Lewis in Jerusalem; and Matt Spetalnick and Alister Bull in Washington; Writing by Sam Cage; Editing by Alison Williams)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blast-bulgaria-bus-carrying-israeli-tourists-3-dead-155253238.html

victor martinez alcatraz cruise ship martin luther king jr. zappos john elway john elway

Allergy.: Google Alert - food allergies

News5 new results for food allergies
?
Weird Food Allergies
Everyday Health
Intolerance to wine is more common than expected, suggests a new study.
See all stories on this topic ?
US Appetite Grows for Gluten-Free Foods
Voice of America
"I made cookies with these recipes at home for my son who has food allergies and can't eat gluten, milk or egg, peanuts and tree nuts," Gibney says. What began as tasty recipes for her son developed, in four years, into a company that expects to earn ...
See all stories on this topic ?
Fast Food: Universities pair up for food/med initiative
Fall River Herald News
"Our collaboration with Tulane will address many aspects of culinary medicine, including mitigating the risks of food allergies and preparing culturally sensitive nutritious meals, with the long-term goal of improving public health. We will also ...
See all stories on this topic ?
Govt needs to upgrade food safety standards: YLKI
Jakarta Post
A 1988 Health Ministry regulation, for instance, approves sulfite additive substances, which could trigger allergies, as acceptable items in the food manufacturing process. "If other countries have stricter regulations, it is not possible for Indonesia ...
See all stories on this topic ?

Blogs2 new results for food allergies
?
Best Diaper Rash Cream | Babys First Year Blog
By Molly Thornberg
He has food allergies and folks, it ain't purty. At the first sign of a red bottom, we lather the baby up with Burt's and let it do it's thing. A doctor once told me to ice the baby's bottom like I was icing a cake. Bad visual, but hey it's always worked for ...
Babys First Year Blog
Poor sleep may age your brain - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge ...
Composting food waste is safe for people with food allergies if they take some basic precautions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.More >>. Composting food waste is safe for people with food allergies if ...
WAFB - Latest Health News

Web8 new results for food allergies
?
Delaware kids suffer from more food allergies than peers nationwide ...
Once considered rare conditions, food allergies now affect nearly one in ten children living in Delaware, a rate that surpasses the national average by nearly 20 ...
www.wdde.org/28427-delaware-kids-suffer-food-allergies-pee...
Safe composting tips for people with food allergies - WMBB News 13 ...
Panama City's news leader and your source for the latest ...
www.wmbb.com/.../safe-composting-tips-for-people-with-foo...
Elle's Team - FAAN Walk for Food Allergy
Elle's Team. We are walking on September 8 to support the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). They provide food allergy awareness, advocacy, and ...
www.foodallergywalk.org/site/TR/.../2012Walks?team...
Safe composting tips for people with food allergies - NewsOn6.com ...
NewsOn6.com is your local source for information in Tulsa, delivering breaking news, weather, sports, lifestyle and classifieds.
www.newson6.com/.../safe-composting-tips-for-people-with-f...
Detecting Food Allergies In Your Child - ABC36 News WTVQ ...
Food allergies can cause serious reactions, especially in children. So, it's critical to pinpoint what foods may present a problem to your son or daughter as ...
www.wtvq.com/content/.../YEkoRbDjEUysrb58-gwitw.cspx
Types Of Food Allergies | Plasma Donation! Enter the 'money for ...
You have a food allergy when you experience unusual immune reactions to a food product that is ... Below are the types of allergies and the food that cause it: ...
bloodbanker.com/plasma/tag/types-of-food-allergies/
Safe composting tips for people with food allergies - KHQ Right Now ...
KHQ provides local news, breaking news, weather, sports and information for the Inland Northwest including Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Deer Park, ...
www.khq.com/.../safe-composting-tips-for-people-with-food-a...
Safe composting tips for people with food allergies - WKOW 27 ...
WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsSafe composting tips for people with food allergies. Member Center: Create Account|; Log In ...
www.wkow.com/.../safe-composting-tips-for-people-with-foo...


Tip: Use site restrict in your query to search within a site (site:nytimes.com or site:.edu). Learn more.

Delete this alert.
Create another alert.
Manage your alerts.

Source: http://allergyrus.blogspot.com/2012/07/google-alert-food-allergies_18.html

geraldo rivera supreme court health care joe oliver joba chamberlain new york mega millions jetblue jetblue

Tech earnings lift Wall Street again

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/tech-earnings-lift-wall-street-again-155807322--sector.html

bcs standings bcs standings douglas fir jim boeheim jim boeheim bill of rights toys r us

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Auto loans break from lending norms - NWautos

WEB-car_keys.jpg

(File photo)

Around the country, banks and other lenders are still being stingy in providing credit to ordinary consumers. Only the most financially stable of Americans can secure mortgages. Small businesses are having trouble getting loans. Credit card access is restricted.

But there's one notable exception, an area where lending has been surging: autos. Millions of Americans have found that it's becoming surprisingly easy to borrow money to buy a car.

New bank loans for autos totaled $47.5 billion in the first quarter of 2012, higher than at any point in the past seven years, according to Equifax. Interest rates are getting cheaper by the month. And even Americans with relatively poor finances can get auto loans: The average person financing a new car purchase had a credit score of 760, down six points from the previous quarter, according to data from Experian. For a used car, the average credit score was down to 659.

"The spigots are being opened," says Peter McNally, an analyst at Moody's. "The finance companies are really stepping in to fill a need."

There are a few reasons why auto loans are booming in an economy where credit is remarkably clogged. Vehicle sales have surged this year, as Americans are finally starting to trade in their aging cars and trucks. The auto industry sold 7.3 million units in the first six months of 2012, up 14.8 percent from the previous year. The market for, say, houses hasn't been nearly as robust.

But there's another, less-noticed factor: Investors and private-equity firms are rushing to buy securities made up of bundles of car loans, seeing these assets as both safe and lucrative. In the first six months of this year, the nation's largest auto lenders, such as GM Financial and Santander Consumer USA, have pawned off $10 billion of their subprime auto loans on investors, a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.

That gives these lenders more capacity to loan to consumers with questionable credit histories and, in turn, helps drive auto sales even higher.

It may seem surprising that private-equity firms and other investors are willing to pour billions into auto-backed securities after getting burned by similar mortgage-backed securities when the housing bubble burst. But, analysts say, the auto market is different than housing in several key respects.

For one, Americans appear to be less willing to default on their car payments than to walk away from their houses -- even in the depths of the recession, auto loans performed better than most. And, in the event of a default, it's easier for a lender to repossess a car and sell it off, especially right now, when prices for used cars are so high.

Yet the fact that the subprime auto market is expanding so rapidly -- with some buyers paying interest rates in excess of 10 percent -- has led to some concern.

"Subprime lending creates both benefits and risks for consumers. ...Consumers need to recognize that subprime auto loans are expensive because of their high interest rates and fees," says Jen Howard, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). "And the repayment periods for some subprime auto loans may actually exceed the useful life of the car."

The auto loan market, which involves many smaller independent operators, remains lightly regulated. The CFPB has not yet stated any plans to oversee nonbank lenders in auto finance. And car dealerships, which frequently offer credit, were explicitly exempt from oversight in the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill.

It's possible that the influx of outside money into the sector could eventually have adverse consequences -- with lenders relaxing their standards too far and ultimately suffering big losses. A recent report from Moody's noted that a similar frenzy and bust happened in the mid-1990s.

For now, however, that doesn't appear to be the case. Losses on subprime loans have dropped of late, according to Barclays, and delinquencies are "in keeping with pre-crisis trends."

For the time being, the market for cars and trucks is one of the few spinning gears in an economy that's otherwise grinding slowly.

Source: http://blog.nwautos.com/2012/07/auto_loans_break_from_lending_norms.html

dan marino david lee roth joe bodolai ben nelson extreme couponing taylor lautner sinead o connor

Oregon man recovering from rare case of plague

This photo supplied by the Gaylord family taken July 6, 2012, at a hospital in Bend, Ore., shows Paul Gaylord as he recovers from the plague. Gaylord contracted the disease when he tried to pull a mouse out of the mouth of his cat, Charlie, because it was choking on the rodent. The disease, a version of the medieval scourge that wiped out at least a third of Europe, took away the 59-year-old welder's fingertips, his toes and his ability to make a living. He faces an arduous recovery surrounded by constant reminders of his misery, the infected cat died, and the trailer he's living in has a mouse problem. (AP Photo/The Gaylord Family, ho)

This photo supplied by the Gaylord family taken July 6, 2012, at a hospital in Bend, Ore., shows Paul Gaylord as he recovers from the plague. Gaylord contracted the disease when he tried to pull a mouse out of the mouth of his cat, Charlie, because it was choking on the rodent. The disease, a version of the medieval scourge that wiped out at least a third of Europe, took away the 59-year-old welder's fingertips, his toes and his ability to make a living. He faces an arduous recovery surrounded by constant reminders of his misery, the infected cat died, and the trailer he's living in has a mouse problem. (AP Photo/The Gaylord Family, ho)

This photo supplied by the Gaylord family taken July 11, 2012, at a hospital in Bend, Ore., shows the blackened hand of Paul Gaylord as he recovers from the plague. Gaylord contracted the disease when he tried to pull a mouse out of the mouth of his cat, Charlie, because it was choking on the rodent. The disease, a version of the medieval scourge that wiped out at least a third of Europe, took away the 59-year-old welder's fingertips, his toes and his ability to make a living. He faces an arduous recovery surrounded by constant reminders of his misery, the infected cat died, and the trailer he's living in has a mouse problem. (AP Photo/The Gaylord Family, ho)

This undated photo supplied by the Gaylord family shows Paul Gaylord at his Prineville, Ore., home. Gaylord contracted the plague when trying to pull a mouse out of the mouth of his cat, Charlie, because it was choking on the rodent. The disease, a version of the medieval scourge that wiped out at least a third of Europe, took away the 59-year-old welder's fingertips, his toes and his ability to make a living. He faces an arduous recovery surrounded by constant reminders of his misery, the infected cat died, and the trailer he's living in has a mouse problem. (AP Photo/The Gaylord Family, ho)

This photo supplied by the Gaylord family taken June 16, 2012, at a hospital in Bend, Ore., shows Jake Gaylord, left, with his father, Paul Gaylord, as he recovers from the plague. Gaylord contracted the disease when he tried to pull a mouse out of the mouth of his cat, Charlie, because it was choking on the rodent. The disease, a version of the medieval scourge that wiped out at least a third of Europe, took away the 59-year-old welder's fingertips, his toes and his ability to make a living. He faces an arduous recovery surrounded by constant reminders of his misery, the infected cat died, and the trailer he's living in has a mouse problem. (AP Photo/The Gaylord Family, ho)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) ? One look at Paul Gaylord's hands shows why the plague is referred to as "Black Death."

The welder's once-strong hands have been withered by the cell-killing infection and darkened to the color of charcoal. Doctors are waiting to see if they can save a portion of his fingers, but the outlook is grim for the man who needs them for his livelihood.

"I don't think I can do my job," Gaylord said in a phone interview from a Bend, Ore., hospital. "I'm going to lose all my fingers on both hands. I don't know about my thumbs. The toes ? I might lose all them, too."

Gaylord, who turns 60 next month, contracted a rare case of the plague trying to take a mouse from the jaws of a choking cat at his home in Prineville, in rural Oregon.

He faces a difficult recovery now that he's out of intensive care. His family is trying to raise money to get him into a new house, because the manufactured home he was living in has a leaky roof, a moldy bathroom and mice ? dangerous living conditions for a man with a weakened immune system.

"We didn't even know the plague was around anymore," said his sister, Diana Gaylord. "We thought that was an ancient, ancient disease."

The bacterium that causes the plague is carried by fleas, which can infect people and animals. The disease that killed millions in the Middle Ages is extremely rare in current times ? an average of seven cases occur in the U.S. each year.

Gaylord's illness began after he saw a stray cat ? who he'd named Charlie ? with a dead mouse jammed in the back of his throat. The cat appeared to be choking, so Gaylord and a friend attempted to dislodge the mouse.

The distressed cat bit his hand. Unable to remove the mouse, Gaylord shot Charlie to end his suffering and buried him in the yard.

Two days later, he awoke with a fever and chills.

An Army veteran who rarely visits a doctor, Gaylord felt sick enough to go to the Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in nearby Bend. But the clinic had so many patients that doctors couldn't see him for more than a week.

The next day, Gaylord, who doesn't have private health insurance, went to an urgent care clinic. The doctor diagnosed cat scratch fever, provided him with medicine and told him to return if his condition worsened.

He was back a few days later. Diana Gaylord said her brother dripped with sweat and his lymph nodes swelled.

"He had a lump under his arm swollen almost as big as a lemon," she said.

A doctor at the urgent care clinic sent him in an ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Redmond. There, a doctor diagnosed the plague, and Gaylord was taken to a larger hospital in Bend.

Gaylord spent nearly a month on life support and only recently left the intensive care unit. At one point, doctors thought he was going to die, said Debbie Gaylord, his wife.

A hospital chaplain baptized the unconscious patient and Gaylord's son, Jake, arrived from Austin, Texas, to say goodbye.

Hours later, doctors told his family that he had improved.

"Jake got here and all of sudden the next morning he started getting better," said Andrea Gibb, Gaylord's niece. "The doctors were like kids in a candy store. They were so excited."

Gaylord's case is Oregon's fifth since 1995. None has been fatal.

The cat's body was dug up, and tests confirmed it had the plague. Other cats and dogs in the area were tested and none had the disease, said Karen Yeargain of the Crook County Health Department.

Several of Gaylord's relatives were given preventive antibiotics and will have blood drawn for further tests.

Gaylord is slowly getting better. He is now able to take strolls through the hospital with the aid of a walker, and the family hopes he can return home by October.

The family intends to build a small house on the spot where the manufactured home now stands, using donations.

Debbie Gaylord said she and her husband have never been churchgoing types, but that might change when he comes home.

"We do our praying the way we do it. But now, I don't know. We might have to rethink the church," she said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/bbd825583c8542898e6fa7d440b9febc/Article_2012-07-17-Oregon%20Plague/id-f8ff235bba754748956d34e2c40ff566

st louis weather guinea bissau google stock google stock gawker hayden panettiere china gdp