Tuesday, April 14, 2009

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) Profile by TerePharmacy



Active Life: 64 hours
Drug Class: Leutenizing Hormone (LH) - Gonadotropin
Average Dose: debatable
Acne: Yes
Water Retention: Yes
High Blood Pressure: Yes
Liver Toxic: No
Aromatization: No, but it will raise testosterone levels and increased aromatization may occur.

HCG, is not an anabolic/an-drogenic steroid but a natural protein hormone which develops in the placenta of a pregnant woman. HCG is manufac-tured from the urine of pregnant women since it is excreted in un-changed form from the blood via the woman’s urine, passing through the kidneys. The commercially available HCG is sold as a dry substance and can be used both in men and women. in women injectable HCG allows for ovulation since it influences the last stages of the development of the ovum, thus stimulating ovulation. In a man HCG stimulates pro-duction of androgenic hormones (testosterone). For this reason athletes use injectable HCG to increase the testosterone produc-tion. HCG is often used in combination with anabolic/androgenic steroids during or after treatment.

Since the body usually needs a certain amount of time to get its testoster-one production going again, the athlete, after discontinuing ste-roid compounds, experiences a difficult transition phase which often goes hand in hand with a considerable loss in both strength and muscle mass. Administering HCG directly after steroid treat-ment helps to reduce this condition because HCG increases the testosterone production in the testes very quickly and reliably. In the event of testicular atrophy caused by mega doses and very long periods of usage, HCG also helps to quickly bring the testes back to their original condition (size). Since occasional injections of HCG during steroid intake can avoid a testicular atrophy, many athletes use HCG for two to three weeks in the middle of their steroid treatment. It is often observed that during this time the athlete makes his best progress with respect to gains in both strength and muscle mass. Those who are on the juice all year round, who might suffer psychological consequences or who would perhaps risk the breakup of a relationship because of this should consider this drawback when taking HCG in regular in-tervals. A reduced libido and spermatogenesis due to steroids, in most cases, can be successfully cured by treatment with HCG.

Most athletes, however, use HCG at the end of a treatment in order to avoid a “crash,” that is, to achieve the best possible transition into “natural training.” A precondition, however, is that the steroid intake or dosage be reduced slowly and evenly before taking HCG. Although HCG causes a quick and significant increase of the endogenic plasma- testosterone level, unfortunately it is not a perfect remedy to prevent the loss of strength and mass at the end of a steroid treatment. Although HCG does stimulate endogenous testosterone production, it does not help in re-estab-lishing the normal hypothalamic/pituitary testicular axis. The hypothalamus and pituitary are still in a refractory state after prolonged steroid usage, and remain this way while HCG is being used, because the endogenous testosterone produced as a-result of the exogenous HCG represses the endogenous LH production. Once the HCG is discontinued, the athlete must still go through a re-adjustment period. This is merely delayed by the HCG use.” For this reason experienced athletes often take Clomid and Clenbuterol following HCG intake or they immediately begin an-other steroid treatment. Some take HCG merely to get off the “steroids” for at least two to three weeks.

HCG package insert states clearly that HCG “has no known effect of fat mobilization, appetite or sense of hunger, or body fat distribution.” It further states, “HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity, it does not increase fat losses beyond that resulting from caloric restriction. 6000 I.U. of HCG in a single injection resulted in elevated testosterone levels for six days after the injection. At a dosage of 1500 I.U. the pharmatestosterone level increases by 250-300% (2.5-3fold) com-pared to the initial value. The athlete should inject one HCG ampule every 5 days. Since the testosterone level remains considerably elevated for several days, it is unnecessary to inject HCG more than once every 5 days. The effective dosage for ath-letes is usually 2000-5000 I.U. per injection and should-as al-ready mentioned-be injected every 5 days. HCG should only be taken for a few weeks. If HCG is taken by male athletes over many weeks and in high dosages, it is possible that the testes will respond poorly to a later HCG intake and a release of the body’s own LH. This could result in a permanent inadequate gonadal function.

HCG can in part cause side effects similar to those of injectable testosterone. A higher testosterone production also goes hand in hand with an elevated estrogen level which could result in gynecomastia. This could manifest itself in a temporary growth of breasts or reinforce already existing breast growth in men. Farsighted athletes thus combine HCG with an antiestrogen. Male athletes also report more frequent erections and an increased sexual desire. In high doses it can cause acne vulgaris and the storing of minerals and water. The last point must especially be observed since the water retention which is possible through the use of HCG could give the muscle system a puffy and watery appearance. Athletes who have already increased their endogenous test-osterone level by taking Clomid and intend subsequently to take HCG could experience considerable water retention and distinct feminization symptoms (gynecomastia, tendency toward fat de-posits on the hips). This is due to the fact that high testosterone leads to a high conversion rate to estrogens. In very young ath-letes HCG, like anabolic steroids, can cause an early stunting of growth since it prematurely closes the epiphysial growth plates. Mood swings and high blood pressure can also be attributed to the intake of HCG.

HCG’s form of administration is also unusual. The substance choriongonadotropin is a white powdery freeze-dried substance which is usually used as a compress. Each package, for each HCG ampule, includes another ampule with an injection solution containing isotonic sodium chloride. This liq-uid, after both ampules have been opened in a sterile manner, is injected into the HCG ampule and mixed with the dried substance. The solution is then ready for use and should be injected intra-muscularly. If only part of the substance is injected the residual solution should be stored in the refrigerator. It is not necessary to store the unmixed HCG in the refrigerator; however, it should be kept out of light and below a temperature of 25* C. HCG is a relatively expensive compound. It costs approx. $36 -45 for 3 ampules of 5000 I.U



The Concept of Fertility Treatment



The Concept of Fertility Treatment

The term fertility treatment suggests a treatment to improve the fertility or egg production in women who would like to bring a new child into the world. This term originated from a condition known as infertility, where, a man and woman who are in a loving relationship are unable to reproduce naturally. However, this is the scientific aspect; the social implications of infertility are very drastic and tend to cause major problems within a relationship. Infertility often creates high levels of stress within relationships. The inability of the female in the relationship to conceive or give birth to a healthy child, more often than not creates very stressful conditions for both partners. This results in an adverse change in behaviour in both partners and also creates great upheaval in both personal and working life of both parties.

The Situation at Present

Infertility is no longer a new issue for couples who are planning to start a family; however the progress in the field of fertility treatment has been rather sporadic and slow even by the modern standards of advanced health
treatments. The advances or lack of, are not unrelated to the ever increasing cases of infertility among people today. We are just unable to gather enough information to help us calculate the precise situation; this is because of the huge amount of cases of infertility which are never reported. However, the amount of cases of infertility in people today appears to be on the increase. Major lifestyle changes make people more susceptible to being plagued by infertility: quite often this illness, and it is an illness, is self-inflicted. The foods which many couples eat are just one problem; they do not eat enough nutritional content which is required for healthy living. Our bodies are under enormous threat from a great deal of outside influences, pollution throughout the world is on the increase, habit forming problems such as alcohol consumption and drugs, also work related stress, all of which contribute to the causes of infertility and other life changing illness.

Infertility from a Medical Point of View.

Infertility can affect either or both parties in any relationship. The treatments required for infertility, are gender specific and will vary with each patient’s case history. There are a number of tests which can be carried out, such as hysterosalpingogram or (HSG) which is an important basic test for infertility, or postcoital test (PC test) which is also known as (sims) and must be carried out within one to two days of ovulation, each of which will help to give clear analysis of the patients illness.

After the tests have been completed, the treatment for infertility will consider any and all cures, any of these can entail a number of different procedures which will depend on the requirements of the patient and the analysis gained from the tests. Drugs such as Clomid which is used to induce ovulation and is usually the first choice of any doctor in the treatment of infertility, it will also usually be suggested to the male partner to use cold packs to help cool the testicles. These are just a few basic examples, however, only a professional infertility expert can suggest exact fertility cures.

Exercise and other complimentary treatments

Apart from the use of medical fertility treatments there are also other things which will be suggested to compliment the ongoing treatment. These complimentary suggestions will be things such as, daily nutrition intake, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stress is a major contributing factor to a lot of illness not least infertility, therefore stress must be dealt with immediately.

The Broader Outlook

Infertility is quite an emotional experience for all concerned and deserves to be closely scrutinised by everyone concerned with the subject. Many people are afraid to admit to be suffering from infertility, which is a real shame as there is treatment and support available from many outlets. Having to experience infertility treatment is quite a difficult exercise and entails quite a stressful and emotional time for both partners; the process can be made more difficult by people’s ignorance of the facts, and the lack of medical research.
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James McLean Bowie is an author and book dealer who resides in East yorkshire England. He owns a number of web sites which offer articles and resources to writers, collectors and the hobbyist. Two of these sitres are http://jamesbowiebooks.com and http://bowiebooks.com .

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Do Ovarian Cysts Define PCOS?



PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) was at named “Stein-Leventhal Syndrome” after the two doctors who classified this disease back in the 1930s, having found polycystic ovaries to be the issue one symptom in their patients. It was considered the defining symptom to diagnose what is now called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Medical enquiry has come a long way since then. New discoveries are made everyday and improved technologies surface to help us find answers.

Orthodox symptoms of PCOS are menstrual issues, lack of or inconsistent ovulation, ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalances, shell conditions, excess hair growth and/or loss of hair, depression, mood swings, infertility and changes in burden – just to name a few. As you see, PCOS is properly categorized as a “Syndrome” meaning “a complex of symptoms that together tell the existence of an undesirable condition or disease.”

Having said that, a woman can have all, some or even none of these symptoms present to unexploded with PCOS.

You may be thinking “How can that be if Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome indicates cysts on the ovaries? It implies polycystic ovaries fact in the name! Wouldn’t that mean I would have to have cysts to have PCOS?”

Absolutely not. Remember, the term “PCOS” has been tolerant of for decades – before we knew that PCOS begins in the endocrine system and that reproductive issues are only symptoms of the underlying provoke, insulin resistance.

Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovaries or PCO is a symptom and in many cases, its own diagnosis, not the defining climax of PCOS. In fact, a female at any age can have PCO – regardless of their medical conditions or lack thereof. Cysts are genius and are not always considered alarming. The cysts become of medical concern when they are long-lasting and problematic.

You may be the victim of an unknowledgeable doctor if (s) he dismisses PCOS because you don’t suffer from polycystic ovaries.

PCOS is diagnosed using, at the very nadir, two tools. Blood work and medical history are absolutely vital. In some cases, a pelvic or abdominal ultrasound is employed, and some doctors perform a laparoscopy. Whatever approach your doctor decides to use, make sure they are using more than one medical method for diagnosing.

If a doctor looks at you, without doing any investigation, and tells you that you do or do not have PCOS, seek another opinion. I would encourage you to find an Endocrinologist or a Reproductive Endocrinologist for this particular disease as PCOS is linked with insulin intransigence.

If you are a woman with PCOS, with polycystic ovaries, you have several treatment options available to you.

1) Treating the PCOS – This is always a must, not impartial for the cysts but for your body as a whole. I strongly recommend a health care protocol including the basic needs: nutrition, employment and support to help the process and remain focused. Many, including myself, have also used or needed supplements to help the organize along. Let’s face it, our bodies do not function properly and usually need something to tell our system “hey, this is what you are supposed to do.” That said, I immensely suggest the very popular system called the Insulite PCOS System at www.pcos.insulitelabs.com.

2) Ovarian Drilling – This is a medical methodology performed with a laparoscopy and you do not have to have cysts to have it done. The purpose is to burn away any cysts and/or part of the ovary with hormonal build-up. The benefits can last up to 2 years - if not more! I had this advance done in 2001 and will do it again if necessary. Before my ovarian drilling, I was lucky to have my menstrual period every 3 to 4 months. With the surgery, Metformin, eating healthily and exercising, I have been steady and ovulatory ever since.

3) Medications (i.e. Clomid, injections) – If you are trying to conceive, this is another option. These medications can assistant you ovulate. You can also use medications even if you do not want children; just make sure you use other methods of birth control such as condoms, diaphragms or abstinence. For some, once you ovulate, it’s like punt starting your body into motion. The benefits can last up to 6 months or more.

4) Having a baby
– Yes, believe it or not, this is an selection. The same applies as the previously mentioned but the lasting effects can be much longer - for some women, it has been said up to two years!

I belief you feel more confident about dealing with ovarian cysts. For some women, it can be utterly painful, others might not even know they have them. Dealing with them is actually frustrating, I’m sure. Knowledge is power!

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What To Do When You’re Not Getting Pregnant



Let’s phiz it, getting pregnant is not always as easy as it sounds. As many
stories as you have heard about unplanned pregnancies, getting pregnant should
be untroubled right? You learned sex ed around the 5th grade, but what they didn’t
tell you is approximately 1 in 10 couples will experience infertility for one
case or another and that most couples do not get pregnant the first month
of trying. If you are finding it more difficult than you thought to get pregnant,
we have some suggestions for you.

1. Try a plan for sex

There are quite a few of them out there. A recipe for sex is basically a list
of days to have sex on to try to get pregnant. My personal favorite is having
sex on days 9, 11, 12, 14, & 16 of your pattern. Of course if you don’t have
a 28 day cycle this one probably won’t work for you. Another plan is having
sex every other day starting about day 10 of your cycle.

2. Try fertility

Fertility charting involves taking your temperature at the same time every
morning before getting out of bed. You also observe for signs of ovulation and
table your cervical mucous pattern. Charting can help determine if you are ovulating
and help you to pinpoint when ovulation is occurring.

3. Use ovulation intimation kits (OPKs)

You can buy ovulation prediction kits at your local pharmacy or you can find
them even cheaper if you purchase them online. A day or two before you ovulate,
your fullness produces a surge of luteinizing hormone, LH. OPKs work by detecting
this LH surge. Follow the directions that succeed with your kit to determine how
to read the test strips, what time of day to test, and also what day of your
cycle you should begin testing. OPKs cannot sustain ovulation, but they can
help you predict ovulation before it occurs. Used in combination with fertility
charting, they are very effective in determining ovulation.

4. Get to an nonpareil principles weight

Many women do not want to hear this one, but being overweight or underweight
can affect your fertility. Women who are significantly underweight or performance
excessively often lose their period all together. It makes perfect sense then
that if you are significantly overweight your fertility would be affected as
well. Losing bias if you are overweight is one of the best things you can
do to improve your fertility. Sticking to a sensible diet and increasing your
weight if you are underweight will also assist. Weight issues can also affect

your partner’s sperm, so if your partner is over or underweight encourage him
to reach his example weight.

5. Check out your medicine cabinet

Certain medications can affect fertility. Talk with your doctor about the medications
that you and you mate take. Even over the counter medications can cause problems.
For example, medications such as tetracycline, erythromycin, and cimetidine
can reduce a man’s fertility.

6. Try In preference to Softcups®

Although no formal research has been done on it, many women have claimed success
from using them. Instead Softcups® are inserted and placed near to the
cervix after intercourse to help hold semen close to the cervix.

7. Try a supplement

There are many over the bar supplements now that may aid in fertility including
Vitex, FertiliAid, and FertiliTea. Vitamin B6 may also be helpful with improving
your chances of getting heavy with child. Men should take a daily multivitamin and women
should start taking prenatal vitamins when they begin trying to conceive.

8. Corroboration your position

The best sexual position for trying to conceive is with the woman on the bottom.
It may also be helpful for her to lay on her back after intercourse with her
knees to her box for fifteen minutes.

9. Talk to your doctor

Although many doctors will not investigate infertility until you’ve been trying
for a full year, many will and even those that are more reactionary with treatment
may be able to offer you valuable insight and suggestions. Your doctor can give
you and your partner a full workup to check for potential causes of infertility.
There are many treatments handy including Clomid, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination),
and more. Your doctor can also look at related health issues that may be affecting
your fertility such as thyroid disorders and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Even infections and viral illnesses can precipitate problems getting pregnant. Your
doctor can work with you to come up with a plan for you to get pregnant.

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Winchester Coldwell real estate educator earns national ‘Green Designation’



Fitzgerald completed extensive training to meet NAR’s qualification to train REALTORS better understand what makes property green, to help their clients evaluate the cost/benefit of green building features and practices, to distinguish between industry rating and classification systems, to better list and market green homes, to discuss financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and to help homeowners see a property’s green potential.

“As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,’” said Fitzgerald. “It is my goal to assist Realtors to become more familiar with green real estate concepts so that they can better serve their clients.”

NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits for resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is the largest residential real estate brokerage company in New England. With more than 4,000 sales associates and staff in more than 90 office locations, the organization serves consumers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy’s company-owned real estate brokerage offices.



Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cruise Into Recycling



Folks who enjoy vacations at sea should be pleased to note that some luxury liners are stepping up efforts to protect the planet. Though a cruise is by no means the most eco-friendly vacation type, if you are going to go on one, taking the time to look at the line’s environmental policies is a must. Many are choosing to not just pamper their passengers, but also sort their recyclables, lower energy use, reduce waste and boost water efficiency. “Ship to Shelter” Program Ever taken home those tiny bottles of lotion or shampoo from your state room? Holland America Line is putting leftover toiletries and other excess shipboard items to good use in various parts of the world. Along with mini-packets of bath gel and shampoo, the donations from Holland America’s Ship to Shelter program include such items as towels, bed sheets and kitchen utensils. Among the recipients is a social-service organization in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that provides hot showers and food to financially strapped families. Marti Forman, who runs the Cooperative Feeding Program, is delighted to distribute the much-appreciated bounty. Even simple items like disposable packets of soap are a luxury, Forman said, for some of the people served by the programs. Sometimes, the ships’ loot includes offbeat items like exercise weights and silver-plated ice buckets. Those, she said, are great for fundraisers. Taking Advantage of Sunshine Celebrity Cruise’s ship, the Solstice, is equipped to create its own energy from the sun’s rays. Its 216 solar panels produce enough power to handle 7,000 LED lights, or to run the cruise ship’s passenger elevators throughout the trip. Other ships with the Celebrity Cruises fleet are also enjoying some green modifications. They include: * Replacing halogen and incandescent light bulbs with more efficient sources of light, like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and fluorescent bulbs. * Adding higher-efficiency appliances. The ice makers, for example, use 65 percent less water and about half the energy of previous equipment. * Conserving water in various areas, from efficient shower heads to the use of river rocks, rather than ice, in buffet displays. * Painting hulls (the body of the ship, part of which is underwater) with an environmentally safe product that creates a smoother surface, aimed at improving fuel efficiency. * Teaching crew members to work toward reducing air-conditioning waste in areas that are not in use. Zero Waste Overboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises are two lines that are going above and beyond: They exceed environmental regulations and do not permit any type of disposal at sea, according to Tim Rubacky, director of corporate communications for Prestige Cruise Holdings, which owns both the lines. Some of the wastewater that’s treated on-board is reused for such things as washing the decks or cooling the engines, Rubacky said.

France’s PM Pushes Financial Reform Ahead of G-20 Meeting



French Prime Minister François Fillon is in Washington to garner support for tougher international financial regulations ahead of the April 2 Group of 20 economic summit in London. While the Obama administration wants Europe to increase its fiscal stimulus to solve the global economic crisis, the French prime minister says financial reforms must first be addressed.
French Prime Minister François Fillon says it is the duty of the G-20 group of the world’s largest developed and emerging economies next month to achieve concrete results in resolving the global economic crisis. He says the best way to do this is by agreeing to stricter oversight of international financial institutions.
In a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington on Monday, Mr. Fillon listed four key issues that France wants to top the agenda at the economic summit.
Mr. Fillon said the four pillars for lasting recovery are reforming financial regulations, supporting economic growth, rescuing banks and providing aid to the countries suffering most from the economic crisis.
In addition, he said hedge funds must be subject to real oversight. Ratings agencies, which Mr. Fillon said helped fuel the crisis, must adopt rules for dealing with conflicts of interest and offshore banking centers, which often allow clients to evade paying taxes in their home countries, need to be vigorously regulated.
Mr. Fillon also struck back at critics in the media and within the Obama administration who say Europe needs to spend more on government economic stimulus.
The French prime minister said the crisis was created by an excess of public debt and that it will not be solved by creating even more. He says European Union member states already have implemented large stimulus packages that account for more than three percent of Europe’s gross domestic product.
Mr. Fillon expressed confidence in U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s newest initiative to help stabilize the banking system by providing guarantees and low-interest loans to investors willing to purchase toxic assets from banks.
Mr. Fillon said he prefers the idea of a public-private partnership to buy up the bad assets, and that this will prompt European countries to consider similar measures.
While in Washington, Mr. Fillon also met with Vice President Joe Biden and Lawrence Summers, the head of President Barack Obama’s National Economic Council. 



Sunday, March 15, 2009

Cute and Essential Dog Clothes



It’s still cold outside and not spring quite yet so your dog still needs quality and cute dog clothes such as this dog parka. More and more pet owners are realizing that their pets get cold too and so you might be thinking about getting your special dog something warm to wear. Now you can keep your dog warm and stylish at the same time.

With several different types of dog apparel to choose from you are sure to find the perfect dog sweater, dog jacket, and even dog pajamas. Since we all know we are in hard economic times SuppliesJust4Pets.com is offering tiered coupons for customers. You can now save $5 on orders of $50, $10 on orders of $100, or $15 on orders of $175. Find these coupon codes at http://www.suppliesjust4pets.com/coupons.html.

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From the Pets - breeding, nutrition, health weblog



Dental practice caused patient an uneven bite, suit claims



By Kelly Holleran

A Madison County man has filed suit against an Alton dental practice, alleging the dentists did not properly diagnose him with TMJ and performed a procedure that made his bite worse.

Gene Silveus claims he visited Humbert Road Dentistry on March 16, 2007, where dentists grinded down the teeth and crowns of the left side of his jaw, causing him to have an uneven and unbalanced bite.

In the suit filed March 6 in Madison County Circuit Court, Silveus claims Dr. Terry Ortman and Dr. Timothy Pranger improperly worked on his mouth, causing him to suffer acute and prolonged physical and mental pain and suffering.

They also failed to initially diagnose Silveus’ TMJ and bi-lateral click before they grinded on his teeth, the complaint says.

The two dentists failed to render dental services consistent with Silveus’ needs, failed to adequately evaluate his condition, failed to diagnose and treat him, failed to take a proper history before grinding on his teeth and failed to fully explain the procedure to him, the suit states.

“After assuming the care and treatment of plaintff, Gene Silveus, the defendant, Dr. Timothey Pranger, D.M.D., through his authorized agent, employee or partner, co-defendant Terry Ortman, D.D.S., committed battery against the plaintiff by intentionally grinding down his teeth and crowns on the left side of his jaw without plaintiff’s consent,” the suit states.

Silveus claims they also failed to properly equilibrate the left and right side of his teeth on the same day.

As a result, Silveus has incurred dental expenses, according to the complaint.

In the 13-count suit, Silveus is seeking a judgment in excess of $650,000, plus costs.

He is represented by Jeffrey A. Kopis of the Kopis Law Office in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0220.



Sunday, February 22, 2009

What Does Travel Insurance Cover me For?



Many travelers ponder whether or not getting travel insurance is a necessary expense that they should shell out to protect them for a scheduled trip. Some travel insurance plans can be pretty pricey, and the fact that you may not even have to use it makes potential travelers leery about purchasing extra protection.

To determine whether or not investing in travel insurance is the right move, you need to be aware of what is covered under the typical travel insurance plan. Keep in mind that each individual plan from separate providers will be different, so each plan should be examined thoroughly before making a final decision on purchasing a plan, but here are a few key elements that should be present in most standard travel insurance plans.

Trip Cancellation

This is probably the biggest reason of all to get travel insurance, whether any unforeseen circumstance arises or not - the piece of mind that you’ll have when you know you are protected is enough for a lot of people to shell out the money. Unexpected things happen every day that could possibly have a serious impact on your travels - sudden illness, a death in the family or an act of god (tornado, earthquake, etc.) could all cause you to cancel or delay your trip. If you had purchased a travel package or non-refundable tickets you could conceivably be out quite a bit of money, but with the purchase of a travel insurance plan you could be protected for at least the majority of the cost of your trip.

Medical Expenses

Many medical providers don’t cover expenses incurred on international travel, with the purchase of an appropriate travel insurance plan you and your fellow travelers could be covered for most emergency medical treatments while on vacation due to accidents illnesses or other injuries. Emergency medical care costs can very easily run into the thousands of dollars, so if your regular insurance provider won’t extend coverage during travel or if you don’t have a regular medical insurance provider, travel insurance that covers medical expenses can be a necessity.

Lost or Delayed Baggage

Most travel insurance plans provide reimbursement for necessities like clothing and toiletries in the event that your bags are lost or delayed. This can be especially important to those travelers who have plans or business meeting shortly after they are scheduled to land. Rather than worry about what they are going to do in order to get ready for whatever their schedule has in store for them, travelers can quickly get the items they need and feel secure that they will be reimbursed for their purchases.

Accommodations Incurred during Unexpected Delays

If your trip is delayed due to an illness or injury to yourself or a travel companion, or for any number of other unexpected reasons covered by your selected plan you may be eligible for reimbursement for accommodations and expenses for other necessities during your extended stay.

Depending upon what company you choose to go with and which level of coverage you decide to opt for there may be many other ways to customize the coverage to suit your particular needs.

If you’ve never had a single problem on a business trip or vacation and you feel totally confident that your future travels will all go off without a hitch then you don’t necessarily need to purchase travelers insurance, but if you want the piece of mind that you’ll be protected against many of the unfortunately and unforeseeable problems that could occur and inhibit your travels then purchasing a plan is a sound investment. It may not be something that you’ll have to use, but if you need it you’ll be very grateful that it’s there.



Sunday, February 15, 2009

The 2009 Property Investors



When the effects marketing was booming prior to August 2007 many new property investors entered the buy-to-let market, buying one and two bed properties with light-to-get mortgages. The market has now dramatically changed and here we look at the predictions for the buy-to-let market in 2009.

Firstly there is a new type of hotelier - homeowners who are unable to sell their properties are renting them out. The homeowner may set their rental cost at only the amount that they need to cover the mortgage rather than on furnish rates and also at a rate that will as good as guarantee a tenant. The condition of homeowner property is also generally of a very high beau id and as a result this new competition drives down previous market rates. This generally affects larger, family properties rather than smaller flats.

Availability of invest in is dramatically reduced and as a result the profile of a property investor has changed. Prior to the credit crunch no set aside was needed - a mortgage could be given on the expected yield provided the rental yields were 125% of the mortgage repayments. Now, a touchstone 25% deposit is required and the applicant must have a good credit history. When mortgages were easily obtainable, buyers could form around a property quickly i.e. buy, renovate and sell on at a profit, and then repeat the process, cashing in not only on the price increase due to the renovation calling but also on the cash increase from the rising property prices. Now, the profile of the property investor will be someone who has cash for a sizable part, a good credit history, and someone who is willing to hold onto the property for a few years waiting for the property market and thrift to turn around.

And for the newer property developers? Well, for some who kept securely on top of the figures or those that did not overstretch themselves then they should survive the downturn. But for those also fledgeling property developers who perhaps bought property without fully researching the possible pitfalls, well, they could be in trouble. If they were assuming to offer on their property quickly and at a profit, they are likely to be selling it at a loss, if they can sell it at all. Or, possibly they are unable to rent out their real estate and need to cover the mortgages themselves. Or they have taken on too many properties and find that their own employment is at risk and their main source of income will not be the shelter it was. Or they were keener to buy a set number of properties rather than buying property that met strict criteria i.e. properties that would yield a set positive coin of the realm flow each month. Or they have come to the end of a mortgage deal and now the mortgage rates for buy-to-let are less favorable. The list could go on…

However, for the hallmark investor who ticks all the right boxes 2009 could be a good year. The key is that you are credit safe in order to fix a mortgage. If you can secure a mortgage or have enough cash, then you will be able to find some bargains, particularly in the latter half of the year as the recession continues to bit. If you are thinking of buying an investment property you need to consider the five following points:

1. Consider it to be a mid-protracted term investment - the property market is likely to fall and then stabilize for a few years before rising again.
2. Your expected rental cede has to be realistic and has to cover the costs of the mortgage, insurance, maintenance costs and void periods.
3. Although interest rates have fallen again, they will go back up at some apex - you need to factor this into your costs, or choose a mid to long term fixed rate mortgage to avoid unfavorable notwithstanding changes.
4. Research and know where you want to buy property and be sure to stay within this patch - your rental throw in the towel depends on it.
5. Always make a low offer when purchasing, stick to your figures and know your limits.

2009 could be a huge year for property investors providing you research, plan and take care at every turn.

Tags: property developers, property investors



If You’re Staying In Britain



If you are wealthy to stay in sunny Britain for your holiday then you would be forgiven for assuming that there is no need for you to consider travel insurance. A lot of people only hassle anyway because they are aware that if anything medical occurs then they are going to have to part with a great deal of money should they fail to procure travel guarantee. This is a rather narrow perspective as there are a host of other calamities that can occur whilst vacationing in the UK.

For it is not just the risk of fracas or accident that you are pitted against when you holiday now, is it? In Britain you are in the same boat when it comes to having your luggage stolen-and you are going to be using the same high-priced Sony XP97-I wherever it is that you are going, right? I mean it’s not like people have a cheaper camera for when they go on a less expensive holiday, do they? And in credentials to actually becoming sick or injured, if you have travel insurance then subsequent to any emergency treatment you can be transferred to a hospital close to to your home.

If you are going to be traveling to another part of Britain in a plane then you run the same risk of delay or cancellation as when you travel far, so this also has to be given heed when you are traveling. You will not be wanting to have to pay for another flight, irrespective of how cheap they are internally.

people often blithely scamper to another part of the island assuming that any problems that may occur will be dealt with by home-contents insurance. this is often the case, but for the sake of £20-£40 pounds do you Non-Standard real want to be losing your no claims bonus on your contents insurance by making a claim on it for some calamity in relation to a sortie to Margate?

Exhort big savings with your travel insurance. Use a comparison website for savings that will allow you to do more with your travel-funds.

If you miss to make the wise move whilst traveling around Britain today then you need to get yourself travel insurance, but where? Well you need to be getting yourself globe-trotting trips insurance via the InterNet of course where it is the cheapest that you are going to get it and where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to the companies that you can choose from. Use a match site if you want to save yourself plenty of time.



Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bugatti Veyron production run nearly sold out?



When Bugatti started production of the Veyron back in 2005, it was supposed to build 300 examples. For a long time, that total seemed pretty ambitious considering the seven-figure price tag on the most super of contemporary supercars, but according to Molsheim, all but 50 have been built and sold. Add to that another 150 examples of the Grand Sport roadster version and you’ve got 450. Whether special editions like the Pur Sang, Sang Noir and Hermes are counted as part of the original production figures or considered supplemental specials is insignificant, considering that only a handful of each are to be built.

The one wrinkle that has us wondering about all of these million-dollar supercars is that it was only last March when it was announced that Bugatti had sold 220 cars (of which only 132 had been built). Given how long it took them to get to 220, that seems like one heck of an order ramp-up, particularly given the state of the global economy.

The bottom line is that if you’ve been dragging your feet over whether to spend that extra million on a Bugatti or not, better make your mind up fast. Like, Veyron fast.

Permanent link to this post: http://blog.automoton.info/2009/02/bugatti-veyron-production-run-nearly-sold-out/



Secrets to Get Cheap Tickets to Las Vegas Including Last Minute Travel



Hundreds of thousands of travelers are visiting Las Vegas every year. Before they drawing to travel to Las Vegas, one question always comes into mind, and that question is “How to get cheap airline ticket to Las Vegas?” Some people govern to get cheap airfare and rest of people doesn’t get luck with it. For those who are not lucky enough to get cheap airline ticket or poor Las Vegas vacation packages, don’t worry this article will give you tips to help you make your trip budget oriented without compromising your fun in Las Vegas.

Eminence of cheap airfare to Las Vegas is high, reason is simple. Everyone goes to Vegas for party and gambling. Wouldn’t it be charming if you get more money to party or gamble? If you try to do some research on getting cheap airline ticket deal to Las Vegas, you can question save around $150 to $200 on average.

Right Time to Visit Las Vegas: First thing everyone should over is the right time of the year for Las Vegas trip to get the cheapest deals. Cheapest deals to Las Vegas can be found during winter after Halloween until Christmas. Around Christmas hour one week before or after it will be hard to find the cheap airline tickets as travelers will be planning for New Year eve party. Avoid those two weeks. Excluding from those winter months, usually Las Vegas is occupied with conventions and meetings organized by small business to top indentation companies. If you have pending vacation days, then you can plan for weekdays travel during January to September. During weekdays airline tickets are second-rate.

Planning Las Vegas Trip: If you are looking for cheap airfare to Las Vegas then try planning your trip in front of time. Try to keep your travel dates flexible and you will be on top to get the best vacation deal. Last minute airfare to Vegas is minute challenging but not impossible to save some money as well. All you need to do is follow research techniques and you will crack the best.

Into on Internet: Thanks to internet technologies. Today’s modern age, there are major online travel merchants readily obtainable. Compare airfare or vacation deals on at least 3 to 5 travel merchant websites. Do not forget to checkout their destination deals pages. If you are listless visiting those websites even then it’s not a big deal. There are travel deals aggregator websites available. Travel deals aggregator website displays deals from worst travel merchants at one place. They also provide tools to compare rates from one place without entering your trip details again and again. You may get some inspiration codes to save even more through online sites. Also try search engines for cheap ticket to Las Vegas.

Booking Vacation Containerize: If you are planning on booking hotel, airline ticket and renting a car then buying everything as a package is the best way of getting at airline ticket, best hotel deal & car rental in one shot. You will be able to save up to $350 to $500 on commonplace through cheap vacation packages deals.

Read full article: Secrets to Get Cheap Tickets to Las Vegas



Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Garden Tool Organizers



Are you dead beat of wearing yourself out by walking back and forth to your tool shed or the garage looking for your gardening tools that are no where to be found because they are so unorganized ? If you are then a garden utensil organizer is a must have for your storage space. Garden tool organizers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, some a re alert making them easily transportable from one spot to another with very little effort.

Organizers can also be life savers when your lacuna is limited and organization of some sort is essential. Here are a few suggestions on ways to organize and store your gardening tools whether you are using them or not.

Garden Tool tear at with Wheels: This nifty rolling rack will hold over 30 tools depending upon their size, from 20 unrestrained b generally tools to 10 or 15 smaller ones. Tools need to be positioned down in the slots which has clips too clasp them in place, this also adds to the cart stability since it is on wheels.

Get Organized: This upright standing rack holds rakes, hoes, shovels and brooms, keeping them truly neatly organized.

Garden Scooter with Hopper: This handy seat with wheels has easy ambulant storage under the seat for small hand garden tools and work gloves keeping them neatly organized and within reach.

Rolling Garden Aid Organizer Cart: This rolling garden tool cart features six storage pockets for small tools and has larger slots on the top shelf for larger big handled tools. It has a side caddy for a garden hose. This cart will help keep tools neat and organized while you labour. It is made of heavy duty plastic and sits on four rolling coasters for mobility.

Read full article: Garden Tools



Compare Cheap Car insurances



Question: Is there a way to compare cheap car insurances without spending the whole day on the phone? Thanks for the help.

Answer: There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of web sites that offer cheap car insurances. The problem with them is that they are not always reliable. It is your lucky day though because we have a foolproof way to compare cheap car insurance policies.

  1. Call several car insurance companies. Get as many as possible even if you wind up on the phone all afternoon.
  2. Make sure you get actual quotes and not estimates. Also ask for coverage limits you get for the prices quoted.
  3. Line them up and compare the pluses and minuses to each policy.
  4. Choose the least expensive one with the highest coverage.
  5. Call them and ask for a discount.
Also check around and see if your employer offers a discount with a certain company. Leave no stone unturned when looking for a discount on your policy. Also don’t hesitate to make a counteroffer when negotiating your insurance premiums.
This is truly the best way to compare cheap car insurances. We know you wanted a quick and easy way to do it, but this is actually the best way to find the policy that you need.

Permanent link to this post: http://blog.yourfinancelink.com/2009/02/how-can-i-compare-cheap-car-insurances/



Valentine Roses



Drying and Preserving Valentine Roses

Valentine Roses are a popular flower for giving at any time of the year but none more so than on Valentines Day for which the Red Rose has become an expression of love.

The Rose, in all it’s shapes and sizes, is well worth the trouble of drying although the flowers do tend to shrivel a little and the color tends to turn darker especially with the true red roses.

To preserve your roses try one of the following methods.

Air Drying Valentine Roses

The best results are obtained when all the petals of the bud can be seen.

Pick Valentine roses only on a dry day after any dew has evaporated.
Roses with firm buds that are just about to open are are best for air drying, To air dry hang the roses in a dark, dry, cool place with good ventilation. The buds will open
up over a few days the the whole process takes couple of weeks.

Read full article: Preserving Valentine Roses



Friday, January 30, 2009

Virginia Beach Real Estate



Queen Elizabeth - the Virgin Queen, the state of Virginia is named after her. Virginia, one of the earliest British Settlements in America, is also the birthplace of none less than eight US presidents. Apart from being a state with great historical importance, it also offers one of the most scenic and friendly places to live in the county of Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach, the only beach resort in the state and the biggest city is located at the southeastern edge of the state. Nestled amidst the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic and the river James, it is one of the most sought after vacation destinations in the country. And in the last few years, Virginia Beach real estate has really surged. There is a consistent demand from property buyers for condos, villas and beach houses. As a result, there are quality homes for sale in the market.

The right deal

Several first time homebuyers decide to buy a home in Virginia Beach and often rush things too much. The result, they end up with a deal that doesn’t really suit their requirements. It is very important to find the best place to live in and that too at the right cost.

You can start your quest on the internet. Log on to any search engine and look for Virginia Beach Real Estate and you will find numerous websites that offer many types of properties, from ranches to colonial villas in several districts in Virginia Beach. You can also buy undeveloped land and then build your own home on it. So you see, there is no dearth of options in Virginia Beach Real Estate.

Choose an agent

Hiring a Virginia Beach real estate agent is one of the best ways to find the right place to move into. However, you must be careful while hiring an agent for there are several inexperienced agents who are looking to make the most of the real estate boom here. So always hire an agent with a great track record behind him/her.

Permanent link to this post: http://usa.theestateinfo.info/2009/01/virginia-beach-real-estate/



St. Louis real estate deals



Author: seobeyzek

I finally had the chance to visit St. Louis to look at all the excellent , St. Louis real estate deals I had been hearing about, and now I feel like a kid in a candy store. There are so many excellent real estate deals in St. Louis, that I am almost giddy about how much money there is to be made in St. Louis. Picture this, find a property for $65,000 that is worth $130,000 after you make the repairs. We find a source for you to use hard money, which is private money disguised in corporate clothing. You don’t have any money to put out of pocket, fix up the property, then get a conventional loan on the property and pull some cash out. Is that crazy? You can find all the St. Louis deals in the area and do this on each one of them, and make yourself a nice little return. We are currently analyzing a deal in St. Louis that after a three year hold on the property, will net us a profit of $53,000 and will give us a 385% return on investment. What stock will give you that return?
People all over the country are in a frenzy over this recession, but now is the best time to invest in, St. Louis real estate deals, so why not invest in St. Louis? I am not a guru or anything, but I do have a Power team in place that consists of contractors, loan officers, real estate agents, and property managers, and before I forget, our hard money lenders. All the pieces of the puzzle that we have put together for you will make us all very happy at the end of our deals and give us each a nice payday.
St. Louis real estate deals are in abundance right now. These rock bottom deals will not be around very long, so when you think of real estate deals, think of St. Louis and you will have all your investment dreams come true.
Eric Vasques - Contributing to this article about , St. Louis real estate deals is our very own Eric Vasques. Eric is an investor, writer, and most important, great person.

This article is free for republishing
Permanent link to this article: http://usa.theestateinfo.info/2009/01/st-louis-real-estate-deals-your-real-estate-pot-of-gold/

From the management09.myloger.com blogging

UK Property Market Prospects



With the UK property market ending 2008 showing significant falls in both prices and number of sales attention has turned to the prospects for the coming year. Opinion is divided on what we can expect for 2009. Some property experts predict that the market will stabilize or even begin to recover whilst others less optimistically expect things will continue to decline further. For anyone involved in UK property from home owners to estate agents and mortgage lenders the future prospects of the housing market is clearly of great importance.

In a recent survey major UK estate agents and lenders were asked to make predictions for property sales and valuations in 2009. The bad news for home owners is that there is little hope that house prices will recover over the next twelve months. On average it is expected that property values will drop a further 10-15 percent this year. None of the property experts questioned predicted a general increase in prices. For number of property sales predictions were a little more optimistic. Whilst some experts estimate that the number of house sales will fall others more confidently predict that sales will increase by as much as 10 percent.

The above predictions represent the UK housing market as a whole. Of course the market is much more complex and diverse than this. Although the overall picture may not be great there are some sectors and locations where significant signs of recovery are expected. For example there is some confidence that the property market in London will ‘bottom out’ in 2009 and begin to recover by the end of the year.

Similarly it is hoped that the number of first time buyers in the market will increase. The rising property prices of the last decade have left many first time buyers unable to afford to get a foothold on the property market. With prices now falling and a high number of people waiting to buy it is predicted that this sector of the housing market will contribute to a large part of sales in 2009.

Read full article: UK property market

From the businesstour.unblog.fr articles site



Monday, January 26, 2009

Investing in Real Estate



We all are thinking about it and some of us are actually taking action and getting their hands on real estate investment properties. The longer the NY Stock Exchanges doesn’t produce desirable returns the more people are starting with real estate invesments.

For most of us the obvious choice of properties are single family homes. Although you can invest in real estate without owning a home, most people follow the experience they made while purchasing their own home. This is familiar ground and the learning curve for doing a real estate deal of this type is pretty slim.

Of course there’s a drawback with this approach. The competition is fierce and there are markets where investors are artificially driving up the cost of the properties while completely discouraging first time home buyers. If this is the case, the burst of the real estate bubble is just a matter of time.

How do you avoid these situations and still successfully invest in real estate? How do you get ahead of the competition and be prepared for bad times in real estate investments as well? The only answer I have is commercial real estate.

Why commercial real estate you might ask? Commercial real estate is a solid invetment in good and bad times of the local real estate market. The commercial real estate I’m referring to are multi unit apartment buildings.

Yes you will become a landlord and No you don’t have to do the work by yourself. You are the owner and not the manager of the apartment building. The cost of owning and managing the building is part of your expenses and will be covered by the rent income.

Apartment buildings are considered commercial real estate if there are 5 or more units. To make the numbers work you should consider to either own multiple small apartment buildings or you should opt for bigger buildings. This will keep the expense to income ratio at a positive cash flow. Owning rental
properties is all about positive cash flow.

With investing in single family homes it is easy to achieve positive cash flow. Even if your rent income doesn’t cover your expenses 100%, the appreciation of the house will contribute to the positive cash flow. With commercial real estate the rules are different.

Read full article: Beat the Crowd when Investing in Real Estate

From the chocola.freehostia.com weblog

Mortgage Banking



Do you want a rewarding career that will make some descent money? Are you good with numbers? Are you good with paperwork? Do you like anything that has to do with money? If you answered yes, you may be interested in a career in mortgage banking. The best place to get an education on mortgage banking is at The American School of Mortgage Banking. They guarantee success to all of there students.

The American School of Mortgage Banking can teach you all there is to know about mortgage banking. They have several courses that teach you all aspects of mortgage banking. The American School of Mortgage Banking offers a variety of courses at varying times. Some are as short as a few hours, and some are as long as a few days. Upon completion of their courses, The American School of Mortgage Banking also offers job placement and job assistance for as long as you need it. They will also write you a letter of recommendation for future possible employers. Lastly, you are offered free re-attendance to any courses you have completed, for those of you who would like a refresher to any courses you have completed

One of the first mortgage banking courses you should take is in loan origination and loan processing. The first part of this course is an introduction to mortgage banking. It then moves to how to figure the total loan amount and loan payment. Next is buyer approval and qualifications. Finally, this course goes over the different types of loans available and how to do the paper work for them. At the end of the course you will receive a loan origination and loan processing certificate of completion.

The next mortgage banking course you should take is conventional underwriting. This mortgage banking course will teach you the art of underwriting a conventional loan, appraisals, loan approval, liabilities, loan approval amount based on income, and the figuring of a down payment. Upon completion of this course you will receive a conventional underwriting certificate of completion.
Read full article: Career in Mortgage Banking

From the atnews.07x.net blog

Sunday, January 25, 2009

7 Myths About Real Estate Investing That Are Costing You Tens of Thousands of Dollars



Did you know that real estate investing has created more millionaires that ALL other industries combined? The question, then, is why are more people not invested in real estate? Even with the increased awareness in real estate investing, more people are still familiar with other forms of investing such as stocks and mutual funds.

In this article, I will discuss 7 myths that about real estate investing that are costing you tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars). These myths persist because most people invest in real estate using conventional financing, which often requires 5% or more as a down payment. Assuming that $150,000 is average price of a house in your area (in most cities, it's significantly more than that), you would need $7,500 as a down payment (and this doesn't even include other fees such closing costs). The purpose of this article is to share techniques of creative real estate investing that debunk these common myths about real estate investing.

1. Myth #1: To create wealth, you have to invest stocks and mutual funds.

Fact: Real estate investing has created more millionaires that ALL other industries combined incluing Internet marketing, stock investing and mutual fund investing. In fact, according to the CEO of FNMA, in the hottest bull market in history, more people ended up creating wealth through home ownership than through stock ownership.

2. Myth #2: Real estate investing requires a lot of money.

Fact: Once you learn how to buy undervalued properties, you can find all types of people who will lend you their cash. You can find these people at your local real estate investor association or by contacting us. Additionally, you can use an option (typically $10 to $100 for the option fee) to control the property and not even need to raise any capital.

3. Myth #3: Real estate investing requires good credit.

Fact: This is related to Myth #1. Again, once you learn how to find undervalued properties, you can find all types of people who will lend you their credit, especially if the property has significant equity.
Read full article - 7 Myths About Real Estate Investing That Are Costing You Tens of Thousands of Dollars

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Low Carb Diets Revealed



If you’ve touch about dieting at least once any time in the past couple of years, there’s a good chance that the diet you went on was one of the many low carb diets that are ready now days. Although the very first of these low carb diets, the Atkins diet program has been about for at least 30 years, the craze for low carb diets has only infatuated off very recently.

This can probably be by specific broadcasting propaganda along with a number of genuine success stories. And when you bounce jilt in a personality
or two into the mix, you’ve the makings of a latest fashion. Every one then leaps on the bandwagon which in this case turned out to be low carb diets.

What you want to ask is if you’re thinking of taking a crack at one of these low carb diets as if the Atkins diet is so trendy at the present, and really gives brook to help you in minimising your weight, why didn’t it increase in popularity long before this?

After all it has been around for as long as 30 years. That’s a long-drawn-out time for a diet to be around without anybody noticing it until the later stages of those 30 years. And if these low carb diets are as movables for you as all these books and practitioners of the diets will tell you, then why is there so much disapproval to these diets from health specialists and medical sources?

After all it has been around for as prolonged as thirty years. That’s a extended time for a diet to be around without any person noticing it until the later stages of those 30 years. And if these low carb diets are as complimentary for you as all these books and practitioners of the diets will tell you, then why is there so much disapproval to these diets from health specialists and medical areas?

Read this full article: Low Carb Diets Revealed

From the Low Carb Diets article

Friday, January 16, 2009

Classic cars worth $106,000 stolen in Loudon County



Three vintage cars with a combined value of more than $106,000 were stolen early Thursday morning from a classic car lot in Loudon County, authorities said.

The break-in at Smoky Mountain Traders, 11840 U.S. Highway 321, took place about 5 a.m. when a group of thieves disabled the gate and drove the vehicles off the lot, according to Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Detective Charlie Cosner.

“It took about a minute or less,” Cosner said.

The cars were described as an orange and white 1972 Pontiac GTO Judge convertible, a red and black 1971 Chevelle Super Sport convertible, and a red and white 1972 Super Sport Chevelle, said business owner Keith Bledsoe.

“I’m sure they loaded them into an enclosed car trailer after they drove them off,” Bledsoe said. “I’m hoping that someone was on U.S. 321 (Thursday) morning and saw something.”

Bledsoe said he used to build houses for a living but decided to open the car lot in May when the construction industry slowed. “I put my life savings into these old cars,” he said.

Bledsoe said he was able to determine the time of the break-in using a security camera but it was too early to say whether the camera’s images will be useful in identifying the three suspects.

He is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the cars and the convictions of those responsible for the thefts.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to the Sheriff’s Office at 865-986-4823 or the business at 865-988-8088.

J.J. Stambaugh may be reached at 865-342-6307.
Permanent link to this post: http://blog.automoton.info/2009/01/classic-cars-worth-106000-stolen-in-loudon-county/

From the gotoread.freehostia.com blogs



Inaugural Politics



On Sunday, V. Eugene Robinson of New Hampshire, the Episcopal Church’s first openly gay bishop, will deliver the invocation at the kickoff event celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States. His part in the inaugural festivities is appropriate symbolism in light of Mr. Obama’s choice of anti-gay Pastor Rick Warren, leader of a Southern California mega-church, to deliver the invocation at the swearing-in ceremony Tuesday at the Capitol.

Mr. Warren was a high-profile supporter of California’s Proposition 8, which won at the polls last November and repealed the state’s same-sex marriage rights. Mr. Obama’s supporters in the homosexual community and other civil rights advocates have been justifiably disappointed that Mr. Obama would give an anti-gay fundamentalist such a visible stage. Bishop Robinson’s appearance will ameliorate some of that sting.

Symbolism is helpful. But if Mr. Obama is the “fierce advocate” of equal rights for gays that he says he is, it will be followed soon by concrete action. That would include repeal of the unjust “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which forces homosexuals in the military to deny their true nature or be thrown out. Polling shows that the public has come around to supporting gays serving openly in the military. The new president and Congress should repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” this year.
Permanent link to this post: http://blog.adorafresh.com/2009/01/inaugural-politics/

From the allnews.net46.net site

Monday, January 12, 2009

15 important credit card terms to consider before buying a credit card!!



By Thomas Lindstrøm

A credit card is a form of borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms and conditions affect your overall cost.
So it’s wise to compare terms and fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card account. The following are some important terms to consider that generally must be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no application. You also may want to ask about these terms when you’re shopping for a card.

If you don’t understand the language, credit card offers and statements could lead you to deep debt — or at least furious frustration. For the big scoop on the fine print, here’s what these frequently used credit card terms mean.

1.Average daily balance — This is the method by which most credit cards calculate your payment due. An average daily balance is determined by adding each day’s balance and then dividing that total by the number of days in a billing cycle. The average daily balance is then multiplied by a card’s monthly periodic rate, which is calculated by dividing the annual percentage rate by 12. A card with an annual rate of 18 percent would have a monthly periodic rate of 1.5 percent. If that card had a $500 average daily balance it would yield a monthly finance charge of $7.50.

2.APR(Annual percentage rate) — A yearly rate of interest that includes fees and costs paid to acquire the loan. Lenders are required by law to disclose the APR. The rate is calculated in a standard way, taking the average compound interest rate over the term of the loan, so borrowers can compare loans.

3.Balance transfer — The process of moving an unpaid credit card debt from one issuer to another. Card issuers sometimes offer teaser rates to encourage balance transfers coming in and balance-transfer fees to discourage them from going out.

4.Cash-advance fee — A charge by the bank for using credit cards to obtain cash. This fee can be stated in terms of a flat per-transaction fee or a percentage of the amount of the cash advance. For example, the fee may be expressed as follows: “2%/$10?. This means that the cash advance fee will be the greater of 2 percent of the cash advance amount or $10.
Read full article here - 15 important credit card terms to consider before buying a credit card!!

From the unsbloggers.freehostia.com blogs

FEATURE-Broadway finds show fundraising tougher amid crisis



By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Broadway producers are finding it tough to attract investors for new productions as the global financial crisis begins to take a toll on the Great White Way.

And sluggish tickets sales have caused the closure of shows, adding to the sense of gloom on Broadway.

While several shows traditionally close at the start of the year to make way for new productions ahead of the Tony Awards, more than usual are taking their final bow — 12 shows have finished and another four are due to close by Feb. 28.

The economic turmoil “certainly had an impact on my show and on a number of shows that might have made it through this coming summer,” said producer Margo Lion, whose show “Hairspray” closed on Jan. 4 after more than six years on Broadway.

Several shows could not secure the financing needed to open in the coming months — “Godspell,” “Vanities” and “For Colored Girls” — and producers blamed the economy, said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of trade group The Broadway League.

“It’s not uncommon for shows not to get financing if they’re not sure-fire hits in tough economic times,” St. Martin said. “Even in great times, a lot of shows don’t get financed.”

“Hair” was a hit on Broadway and London’s West End in the 1960s, but Andrew Hamingson, executive director of New York’s Public Theater, which will bring “Hair” back to Broadway in March, said lining up investors for the show was difficult.

“At the time we were out looking for investors for the show it was at the same moment … when all those companies (like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch) either disappeared or they were acquired by other companies,” Hamingson said.

Permanent link to this post: FEATURE-Broadway finds show fundraising tougher amid crisis

From warling.net78.net weblog

Thursday, January 8, 2009

How To Lose 60 Pounds in 3 Months



In order to lose 60 pounds in 3 months you will need to shock your body into losing a lot of weight fast. Just so you know, to lose 60 pounds in 3 months isn’t the easiest thing in the world and will require you to commit to this process heart and soul. However, with the right will and determination, it can be done.

In order to lose 60 pounds in 3 months, I suggest that you begin by cleansing your body. What this does is get rid of a lot of undigested pounds which have accumulated inside your body and which are weighing it down and damaging your health. Each person carries around some undigested weight. By using a detox diet, you can quickly flush out of your system all those pounds, lose a lot of weight fast and be ready for the next step of the process. This detox phase takes 10 days tops and you will see a great reduction in your weight. I suggest using the Master Cleanse detox diet (I provide a link to a review of this diet at the end of this article so read the whole thing through).

After you finish with the detox diet, you should take a few days to a week off any dieting and eat regularly (but healthy). Then the next phase of your process to lose 60 lbs in 3 months will commence. In this phase you will choose one of 2 courses:

1. Follow a Calorie Shifting diet (namely the Fat Loss 4 Idiots diet)
2. Follow a fitness oriented fat loss program (I suggest the Turbulence Training program)

Again, I provide a link to a review of all these 3 programs at the end of the article so you can read more about each of them.

You should follow either of these 2 programs for 2 months. These will provide a slower weight loss rate than the Master Cleanse, but they’re more healthy to use for a long time straight. They should bring you closer to achieving your goal of losing 60 pounds in 3 months.

About 10 days before your 3 months are over, you should go on the Master Cleanse again to give your body the final push it needs to shed the last of those 60 pounds. If you do everything right, you have a good chance to lose 60 pounds in 3 months.
Read full article: How To Lose 60 Pounds in 3 Months

From the gotoread.freehostia.com blogs

Friday, January 2, 2009

Americans Turn to Complementary, Alternative Medicine for Pain Relief



By Faith Lapidus
Washington
02 January 2009

Complementary and alternative medical practices - which include health products and therapies that aren’t generally considered part of conventional medicine - are frequently a part of Americans’ health care regimens. That’s the finding of a new survey released this month by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Thirty-eight percent of American adults are using some form of complementary and alternative medicine, known as CAM, to help with their health.

NCCAM Director Dr. Josephine Briggs says the new survey provides the most current, comprehensive and reliable source of information on Americans’ use of unconventional remedies such as medicinal herbs, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, massage and chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation.

Most of these patients, Briggs says, hope to alleviate pain.

“The most common reason why people turn to complementary and alternative medicine in our survey results is chronic back pain - far and away, the leading reason to use complementary and alternative medicine,” she says. “Neck pain, joint pain, headache: All these other conditions are also given as common reasons. But chronic back pain is the leading reason, a very common and difficult condition to treat.”

As the federal government’s lead agency for scientific research into CAM therapies, the center funds hundreds of projects and trials, supports training for researchers and encourages integration of proven CAM therapies into conventional practice.

Another important part of NCCAM’s mission is to publicize news and information about complementary and alternative medicine, and promote discussions about it between patients and their health care providers.

Briggs notes, “It is very important that people talk to their physicians and other health care providers about their use of complementary and alternative medicine.”

Read full article: Americans Turn to Complementary, Alternative Medicine for Pain Relief