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"The United States is the single largest market for the world's exporters, especially of consumer goods," explained Mark Lange, National Cotton Council vice president, policy analysis and program coordination. Lange spoke to the NCC board of directors in late September.
"If the U.S. consumer reduces spending, the economies of the Asian exporters will face economic troubles perhaps as severe as the credit crisis of 1997-98," he said. "Such a downturn in economic fortunes would impact textile and apparel demand in foreign markets. With the expectation of a record or near-record world cotton crop, any weakness in demand will press further on already low world raw cotton prices."
Simply put, the world and the United States are sitting on too much cotton. And now, demand for cotton may be slacking off.
The situation was decidedly different a year ago, Lange noted. With world production forecast at 88.3 million bales and mill use at an estimated 91.8 million bales, world textile mills drew down stocks during the 2000-2001-crop year.
The latest estimate of world production is 96.2 million bales, a world record surpassing the 95.7 million-bale crop of 1991-92. The large crop results from generally favorable growing seasons across much of the Northern Hemisphere and increased acreage in most of the major cotton-producing countries.
Mill use of cotton is forecast to reach 92.6 million bales, also a world record, exceeding the previous record of 91.9 million bales for 1999-2000. But the numbers still translate into larger supplies and, as Lange pointed out, "the demand side of the market is the most worrisome."
The latter is reflected in USDA's recent raising of last year's carryover to an estimated 6 million bales, some 500,000 bales higher than estimates as late as August 2001. "It's likely that much of the unexpected stock estimate could be attributed to overestimates of mill use for the past 6 months," noted Lange.
Meanwhile, imports of cotton textiles and apparel are surging due to the strength of the U.S. dollar, noted Lange. "In calendar year 2000, imports of cotton textile and apparel products amounted to the equivalent of 15.7 million bales and are on a path to reach 16.2 million bale equivalents in 2001.
"When importers see what the U.S. dollar will buy in the overseas market, U.S. textile interests lose. Just since the first of the year, 84 U.S. textile mills have closed their doors and over 29,000 jobs have been lost."
The poor state of U.S. textile mills means that the United States must export more cotton. Indeed, this year may be the first time in 17 years that exports exceed mill use in the United States.
With the increase in stocks and a record U.S. crop of 19.99 million bales expected, U.S. supplies are pegged at 26 million bales. Mill use is now forecast at 8.3 million bales, down from a high of 11.4 million bales in 1997-98.
Adding mill use and exports, which USDA predicts will reach 9 million bales, and subtracting the total from supply would produce ending stocks of 8.7 million bales and a 50.3 percent stocks to use ratio.
To reach 9 million bales in exports will take some doing, according to Lange. Basically, raw cotton importers or competing raw cotton exporters must be induced to hold more stocks.
In order to do that, "U.S. raw cotton exports need to be very competitively priced. The USNE (price of U.S. cotton delivered Northern Europe) continues to approach the "A" Index with the gap now standing at less than 4 cents. To displace further competition or encourage speculative buying, the USNE will likely need to be part of the "A" Index. This implies that U.S. futures prices could erode several cents more from the current level of 36 cents."
Lange also emphasized the importance of government payments in averting financial disaster for the U.S. agricultural sector. Farm income is actually higher in 2001 according to Lange, but much of that is due to increases in the receipts from sales of livestock products.
"These may be the most trying times facing any U.S. post World War II generation," Lange said. "Uncertainty is heightened in every sphere of our lives. Actions in Congress over the next several months will be crucial to insuring the cotton industry's economic future."


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With the average cost of IVF around $12,000, fertility treatments can drain your savings, even putting parenthood out of financial reach for many. But now some couples are asking friends and family to pitch in. Deposit a Gift lets you set up a registry to crowd-fund anything that's important to you, and couples struggling to conceive have started using it to fund-raise among their network of family and friends. Sign up to donate toward the IVF procedure itself, meds, or even storage of eggs or embryos. Some couples are also using it to fund an adoption. Resolve, the National Infertility Association, lists it among its list of recommended fertility financing programs.
Plus: How Stress Affects Fertility
The site lets couple share their TTC story, keep givers posted on progress, tracks donations and thanks supporters, taking what used to be a very private matter public, although you can password-protect your site. It also opens up a very personal decision to judgments about money choices and the morality of assisted reproduction.
Indiegogo.com and giveforward.com are similar sites that can be used for the same purpose, but like Deposit a Gift, takes a percentage of the funds raised.
Would you crown-fund fertility treatments or an adoption? Leave a comment.

subset: commoncrawl


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NEW YORK (AP) — Former brokerage customers of MF Global could fully recover cash that was frozen when the trading firm collapsed, according to the bankruptcy trustee in the Chapter 11 case.
The projection is based on the latest analysis of recoverable assets available in MF Global's bankruptcy, versus pending claims, the trustee, former FBI Director Louis Freeh, said in a court filing Saturday.
The report outlines a potential range of recovery for brokerage customers, depending on various scenarios, from a shortfall of $6 million to a surplus of $120 million. Those figures are based on calculations that recoverable assets range from about $6.857 billion to $6.983 billion, versus claims of $6.863 billion.
If there's a surplus, customers whose money was frozen when MF Global collapsed in October 2011 could get a full recovery of their losses.
That does not include other classes of creditors, such as lenders with unsecured claims, which are not expected to fully recover their claims. For example, one such group of lenders is expected to receive a distribution ranging from 14 percent to about 34 percent, according to the filing, with potentially no recovery for other groups.
Freeh's update was filed with Judge Martin Glenn in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for New York's Southern District. Freeh is a former federal judge who served as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1993 through 2001. He's now chairman of Freeh Group International Solutions LLC, a global risk-management firm.
His filing came after an agreement was reached in December that could speed up payment to customers of MF Global. That agreement resolved competing claims filed against MF Global's main brokerage unit and the company's United Kingdom operations.
New York-based MF Global, which specialized in trading futures and options, was headed by former New Jersey Governor and U.S. Senator Jon Corzine. It collapsed in Oct. 2011 after making a disastrous bet on European debt.
Regulators have been investigating whether MF Global tapped money from clients' accounts as its financial condition worsened. That would violate securities laws because brokerages are required to keep customer money separate from the firm's money.
Much of the money that went missing belonged to farmers, ranchers and other business owners who used MF Global to reduce their risks from fluctuating prices of commodities like corn and wheat.


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NO MILAN, BUT MAYBE PARIS: After making front-row appearances at several New York Fashion Week shows, Ingrid Sischy and Sandra Brant have decided to skip the collections in Milan this season. It makes sense, since the deal for Brant to sell her stake in Interview magazine to her ex-husband, Peter Brant, is expected to close on Feb. 22, toward the end of Milan Fashion Week. "We are not attending the Milan shows this season because we are thoroughly engaged in doing our work for the transition involved in the sale of the company," Sischy told WWD.
Looking back, Sischy estimates she's spent a total of three years staying in either the Hotel Le Bristol in Paris or the Hotel Principe de Savoia in Milan, to view the men's and women's collections. She always stays in the same room, in both hotels, to make the trip more comfortable for her cat, Cassidy. "He's part Milanese, part Parisian," she added. "He's speaking Italian right now!" So will Cassidy get to stay in his favorite Parisian hotel in a few weeks? At this point, Sischy and Brant have not decided if Paris is in their travel plans. However, she teased that "we do love it in the springtime." — Amy Wicks
RUPERT'S NEW CULTURE: Media observers already are noticing the changes in a Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal — a British editor for the glossy magazine launch, talk of a sports section, a move to Midtown. Now word around the Journal newsroom is that a prototype is being developed for a culture section, possibly to run weekly. The project is in the very early development stages, and a spokesman for The Journal declined comment Tuesday.
Former House & Garden editor in chief Dominique Browning, who is said to be overseeing the prototype, confirmed she was consulting at The Journal but said she could not discuss further details. Sources said she was holding meetings internally to brainstorm for the section.
If given the green light, the culture section would be another move toward Murdoch's stated goal of competing with The New York Times. As Journal managing editor Marcus Brauchli told The Times on Monday: "In the news department here, we believe there is no reason that people should have to go to another news source beyond The Journal to find news of consequence to them in any sphere — politics, economics, even culture and the arts."
The Journal's arts criticism is currently overseen by the editorial page editor, and it is unclear how this would change if an culture-oriented section went ahead. — Irin Carmon
CARLA SPEAKS!: The French magazine l'Express is likely to sell out quicker than hot croissants in Paris today. That's because it rushed its latest issue to newsstands one day early headlined by an exclusive interview with Carla Bruni — the first given to the press by the new first lady since her marriage to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The magazine's editor in chief, Christophe Barbier, conducted the interview, but has kept a tight lid on its contents. — Miles Socha
BARACK'S BULLIES: Despite the Clinton campaign's reputation for being an intensely loyal and disciplined operation, leaks are rampant, owing in part to long-standing internal divisions among senior staff, according to New Yorker Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza. It's Obama's campaign, he said in a panel Tuesday hosted by the magazine, that is "close-knit and, in some ways, Bush-like" in figuring out who reporters' sources were.
When New Yorker editor and panel moderator David Remnick asked whether that vigilance was to "a frightening degree," Lizza replied that he found it "a little worrying," recalling a call he got from a friend on the campaign after publishing an Obama story: "They think I told you that." Lizza said he assured the person it was obvious he wasn't the source. "They will find out who it is," Lizza said the person replied.
Fellow panelist Hendrik Hertzberg revisited his recent comment in the magazine expressing a preference for Obama. "I've been getting e-mails since I wrote the piece saying, 'Well, you're in love with the guy.'" He paused. "And I think there's some truth to that." When it comes to policy, Obama and Clinton show "very little difference. It's not about the words, it's about the music."
Remnick alluded to a piece Lizza has in next week's New Yorker about the Republican race, saying he was confused on a point. "It'll be much better in the second draft," Lizza replied, to laughter. The McCain campaign, he said, was so underfunded that it did not have its own pollster. "They would ask the press for the internals on their polling data," he said. And even if McCain's securing the nomination shifts the dynamic, said panelist, New Yorker staff writer and CNN commentator Jeffrey Toobin, "the list of Republican problems is so long, I don't think even Democrats can screw this up." — I.C.
BEHIND THE SCENES: Diane von Furstenberg's collaboration with artist François-Marie Banier and model Natalia Vodianova for her ad campaign is making its debut in select March magazine issues. Those wanting a peek into the creation of the images, which combine photography, painting and words, can do that from today on dvf.com. The designer's official site will offer a link to an online art gallery, which presents images from the campaign, as well as information on the making of the project, including Banier's artistic process, and biographies of the artist and Vodianova. In addition, there is a five-minute-long video clip documenting the project, which evokes the mood of the photos.
Von Furstenberg is likely to build on the concept of an online art gallery for future initiatives. "I loved the idea of telling the story in an online art gallery," she said. "It shares the experience as an insider and preserves the integrity of the project….The film and the images reflect the story beautifully and show the emotion." — Marc Karimzadeh
TWO TITANS: After three seasons providing the off-field looks for the AC Milan soccer club, Dolce & Gabbana is firming up its relationship with the Champions League-winning team. The Milan-based fashion house will become the premier, or, Gold sponsor of the team, which is owned by media magnate and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The designers declined to disclose the cost of the top sponsorship, but said it was worth the investment. "AC Milan is one of few companies worldwide that has a real sense of image and fashion," said Domenico Dolce.
As part of the deal, the Dolce & Gabbana logo will appear prominently during and after AC Milan matches. "I have to admit that Domenico is much more of a soccer fan than I am," said Stefano Gabbana. "However, when you go to a game and see an architect, a politician, a lawyer, a worker — young and old together — you realize how important soccer is culturally and thus it's something that interests me and something I need to be involved in."
To mark the sponsorship, the designers produced a calendar, shot by Mariano Vivanco and filled with AC Milan starters. Furthermore, the designers have extended their reach to the youngest generation of players. Starting this season, kids at the AC Milan Junior Camp will kick the ball around in uniforms sporting the D&G Junior logo. "We are two Milan companies and we both care very much about our Milan roots," said Adriano Galliani, executive vice president and chief executive officer of AC Milan. "There are few things that work very well inside Italy and I believe Dolce & Gabbana and AC Milan are two of them." — Courtney Colavita


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First Look
First Look: Apple HDMI to HDMI Cable (1.8 m)
Company: Apple Inc.
Website: www.Apple.com
Model: HDMI to HDMI Cable (1.8m)
Price: $19
Compatible: Apple TV 1G/2G, Select Macs
After three years of letting XtremeMac and Belkin provide the "official" HDMI cables for the Apple TV, Apple has now released its own version -- the HDMI to HDMI Cable ($19), which was quietly teased in early Apple TV promotional images but not announced until Apple's Back to the Mac event in October. Billed as a 1.8-meter or 5.9-foot way to get high-definition digital video and multi-channel audio from the Apple TV to a connected television set or receiver, the cable has nothing fancy relative to same-priced Belkin options and less expensive third-party ones, using a device-matching black glossy plastic and matte rubber color scheme with plain connectors rather than the gold-plated ones some companies offer for the price. Apple's HDMI to HDMI Cable works with all HDMI devices, including recent HDMI-equipped Mac minis.
Editors' Note: iLounge only reviews products in "final" form, but many companies now change their offerings - sometimes several times - after our reviews have been published. This iLounge article provides more information on this practice, known as revving.


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Columbia sociologist goes 'rogue' in New York City
"Floating City: A Rogue Sociologist Lost and Found in New York's Underground Economy" (The Penguin Press), by Sudhir Venkatesh
A crack dealer. A madam. A porn store clerk. Those are just some of the characters that sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh introduces in his latest book, "Floating City."
Studying society's fringes isn't new for Venkatesh. As a doctorate student at the University of Chicago, he studied a city gang, and his research got a boost from its inclusion in the 2005 uber-best-seller "Freakonomics." Venkatesh followed up with his own book, "Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets."
In "Floating City," Venkatesh has moved from Chicago to New York, where he's now a sociology professor at Columbia University. But New York City is no Chicago, Venkatesh learns. The distinctions between race and class blur in this city.
He promises to show readers connections between the worlds of the elite and the poor in the city's underground economy. There is some of that, but less than readers might imagine. And the narrative thread can feel a little forced.
Still, for the price of the book, what readers get is an invitation. We get to hang out with Venkatesh as he travels and meets with sex workers and socialites, immigrants and madams, johns and drug dealers. And we get access to those experiences without sideways looks or the risk of getting a rap sheet.
Readers are there as a crack dealer from Harlem circulates at an art party as part of an attempt to break into the more upscale cocaine market, one with wealthy white clients. We observe as a group of prostitutes rents an apartment to attract a better clientele than they were getting when working in cars and motels. And we sit alongside Venkatesh as he shares drinks with businessmen who describe why they frequent prostitutes.
At the same time, it seems like Venkatesh is writing "Floating City" because he owes a debt. He told people their stories would be in a book and now has to pay up. That's OK. It just doesn't seem like Venkatesh is enjoying the process.
There's one more thing that's irritating: Early on, Venkatesh tells readers that some sociologists at his Ivy-League institution look down on writing a book for the masses. And he describes being caught between wanting to be taken seriously as an academic and telling stories and reaching a larger audience. But that internal torture sounds hollow, and it seems pretty clear that Venkatesh, well-known already, likes the spotlight of mass appeal. So why not just drop the pretense and write?
Follow Jessica Gresko at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko


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Parenting Q&A: My Son Doesn't Care About Consequences
Parenting Q&A: My Son Doesn't Care About Consequences
Q. There's no disciplining my two-year-old son. He does not care about consequences. If I threaten him with time out for hitting his sister, he walks up, whacks her and then walks in his room and sits in time out. We have taken away his toys and nothing works —why doesn't he care?
A. The self-imposed exile is always an interesting move. What does this tell you? Your son needs to be in control and have power. That's what he cares about and that is what you will give and take away. He needs to learn how to earn control rather than maniacally reign over the entire family and eventually, school.
Never threaten—simply do. Make very firm statements such as, "You hit your sister. Hitting is dangerous and unacceptable. The next time you want to do something the answer will be no." You then make him care for his sister's tears and he will play with her in a kid way.
To see the rest of Lonna's answer,
Now, this next step is tricky; he will have a request, something he will want to do, it doesn't matter what it is — watch a show, take a long bath — you must say, "Oh, you made the choice to hurt your sister. Because you hurt her you will not be able to watch your show. Hopefully tomorrow you will make better choices". This will give you the power to be in charge, but also gives your clever boy the power to choose his future behavior and subsequent consequences. After a few weeks of being very watchful of what he values and taking those privileges away without emotion, simply as a matter of consequence to his poor behavior, he will begin to care and his behavior will improve.
Also important to note: Do praise him as soon as you notice he tries to change poor choices. For example, if there is another time he walks away from hitting his sister say, " I noticed you controlled your behavior and I really love that!" The praise for the authentic and good behavior will be something he cares about.
— Lonna Corder
Parenting expert and Montessori school director, Lonna Corder has been doling out advice for 25 years as a teacher, parent/child consultant and on television. For more information, visit lonnacorder.com.
If you're at your wit's end about an issue and want another take on the situation, private message your question to lilsugar. We'll be running this feature all week!


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"This conference helps bring the Commonwealth's economic picture into focus," said Jefferson Institute President Mike Thompson, "and it provides some thoughts on policy changes that can help stimulate the kind of economic growth all Virginians want."
Speakers offered national, state and regional economic analysis, capped by a prediction of what the presidential election might mean for private investment outcomes. Copies of the powerpoint presentations are available below.
Dr. J. D. Foster, Incoming Chief Economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. See powerpoint here.
Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist of the National Association of Manufacturers. See powerpoint here.
Dr. Fletcher Mangum, President of Mangum Economics in Richmond, VA. See powerpoint here.
Keith Martin, Vice President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. See powerpoint here.
Brett Vassey, President of the Virginia Manufacturers' Association. See powerpoint here.
Nicole Riley, State Director of the Virginia National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). See powerpoint here.
Dr. Terry Clower, Director of George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis. See powerpoint here.
Private Investor Perspective:
Stephan Cassaday, President of Cassaday & Company, ranked #1 Advisor in Virginia. See powerpoint here.
June 2015
These and other questions will be considered at a special Business Leaders Roundtable on Virginia's Economic Future to be held on Monday, June 22, on George Mason University's Fairfax Campus. Among the confirmed speakers participating in the Roundtable --
Registration for the event is free. For a full list of cooperating business associations, more information, or to register, click here.
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By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
February 7, 2007
The Hood River City Council will soon review plans to add about 100 more parking spaces to the downtown business corridor.
All three sets of conceptual designs also include some type of new commercial and/or residential development.
"The thing that I am excited about is that we have three firms with a vested interest in Hood River because they are also located here," said Bob Francis, city manager.
On Feb. 12, the elected body will have 20-minute presentations by: Naito, Meyer and Irving; Fischer Development; and Pickhardt Dickinson Development LLC. The forum begins at 6 p.m. in the municipal courtroom and also includes a brief question and answer period.
Francis also noted that each of the parties vying to alleviate the parking challenge focused on a different city property. He said the council could open the door for the city to work with all of the contenders instead of just selecting one idea, or devise a fourth alternative that goes in another direction altogether.
The following plans have been brought forward by the local firms:
* Fischer Development is asking to erect a small boutique hotel on the west side of the city's Cascade Avenue parking lot across from the post office. Forty-four parking spaces would be provided on site and the company would help the city seek out another 56 spaces, possibly on land owned by the Mt. Hood Railroad.
* Naito, Meyer and Irving are asking for new commercial/residential development on the city's State Street lot between Front and First streets. The firm anticipates that construction along the hillside would create 100 new parking spaces on that parcel.
* Pickhardt Dickinson Development, owner of a building adjacent to the city's administrative parking lot, also wants more commercial and residential opportunities. Its suggestion is to utilize the city's lot, across from the courthouse, for 51 spaces and seek another 49 spaces through agreements with neighboring landowners.
Francis said last fall the council decided to scout out all of the available options. That move followed a parking study that highlighted the need to alleviate congestion, especially during the tourist season.
The council immediately adopted some of consultant Rick Williams' ideas to provide a short-term remedy.
For example, the city limited the number of monthly off-street permits that could be used by one business or individual. And the number of on-street employee parking permits was restricted along the south side of State Street, on Sixth Street between Sherman and Cascade avenues, and between Oak and Columbia streets along Seventh Street.
In addition, commercial developers are now required to create 1.2 parking spaces for every 12,000 square feet of construction. If site plans make that impossible, they can pay into a special fund for a public parking structure.
Efforts were also made to keep people from parking all day just outside of the downtown blocks, areas within easy walking distance. Francis said Williams believed that, if more of these spaces were metered, it would increase the turnover.
So, parking meters were installed along the entire length of Sixth Street. Meters with four-hour parking limits were also installed along the north side of Oak Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.
The existing one-hour non-metered time zones located on Oak Street between Fifth and Seventh streets were converted to three-hour meters.
Francis said the new parking recommendations will be scrutinized to see if they blend well with the "unique character" of downtown. Discussion will also center on the overall economic benefits of each proposal and the level of financial risk each pose to the city.
"Council will have a choice of not one but multiple projects," he said.
Francis said no decision is expected to be made at the Feb. 12 meeting. He said all of the data collected will be studied by staff and brought back to the council table before a planning process is initiated.
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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A year after Josh Powell killed himself and his two sons in an explosive house fire in Washington state, his brother has committed suicide.
Kiirsi Hellewell, a friend of Powell's estranged sister, said Powell's brother jumped to his death from a Minneapolis parking garage Monday. The Hennepin County medical examiner's office confirmed Wednesday the victim was 30-year-old Michael C. Powell.
Josh Powell was the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, who vanished in Utah in 2009. The sensational case took an even more bizarre turn as Powell's father, Steve, went on national television and claimed he and Susan had been falling in love, and as Susan Powell's parents fought for custody of their grandchildren.
Josh Powell was living in Pierce County, Wash., on Feb. 5, 2012, when he locked a social worker out of his home, attacked his two young sons with a hatchet and set the house ablaze. Days earlier, a court had ordered Powell to undergo an intensive psycho-sexual evaluation as part of the custody dispute.
Michael Powell's suicide came a week after dozens of relatives and supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil to mark the anniversary of the boys' death.
Before his death, Michael Powell had been involved in a court fight with Susan's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, over the proceeds of a life insurance policy Josh Powell took out on himself and the boys, 7-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Braden.
Steve Powell is in prison after being convicted of voyeurism for secretly recording neighbor girls as they showered and used the bathroom.


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'Every Tweet Ever' Thinks You Should Be More Creative on Twitter [IMAGES]
A brand new Twitter account called @EveryTweet_Ever is offering up a steady stream of messages in 140 characters or less that mock the banality of the typical Twitter user.
You know, tweets like 'I don't want to go to the gym today," or 'Sleep is the best' or messages to a favorite celebrity that is more or less the same message that everybody sends to that celebrity.
If you're up for some pointed criticism of your own Twitter habits, you should follow @EveryTweet_Ever. Or check out some of our favorite Tweets below.
[via Every Tweet Ever]


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When a male attempts to perform the act of urination and suddenly a turtle head approaches the end of the cave. Immediately rendering the urinater to pinch it off resulting in failing to push out the pee. This creates the same effect as stop and go traffic battling to push out urine and simultaneously pinch off a loaf.
Example 1: Damnit, i can't piss cause i'm too busy clenching cheek, stupid stop and go traffic.
by Cam_shaft January 01, 2012
buy the domain for your cat vlog


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Study: Credit card debt causes people to forgo medical care
Credit card debt may not make you sick, but new evidence suggests that it could slow your recovery -- or worse.
A study conducted by sociologists at the University of Michigan found that people who are ill and do not seek treatment because of the cost are more likely to have credit card debt than any other form of debt.
More than 64 percent of those who were ill but had not seen a health care provider because of the cost reported that they were indebted to credit card companies. In second place: Those who already shouldered medical debts. Nearly 58 percent of respondents who were sick and did not seek medical care said they already were dealing with medically related indebtedness.
"We found that having credit card debt or medical debt was associated with forgoing medical care, as opposed to having student loans, housing loans or car loans," said Lucie Kalousova, Ph.D., a co-author of the study, "Debt and Forgone Medical Care," published in the April 2013 Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
"The odds of forgone medical care for a person with credit card debt were 1.89 times those of the odds of a person without any credit card debt, and the likelihood of forgoing care increased with the magnitude of the credit card debt," she said. "This remained the case even after we took into account other assets in the household and income."
The consequences could be dire.
Debt's downward health cycle
To state the obvious, people who forgo or significantly delay the treatment of illness can slow their recovery or become increasingly ill as their condition deteriorates. They also could end up paying much more to regain their health. Their productivity -- and, consequently, their income -- can be diminished. They also tend to put more strain on hospital emergency rooms and other public health facilities.
"In our article, we call for a more comprehensive understanding of the concept of financial resources in relation to health-care-seeking," Kalousova said. "When researchers or policymakers talk about the amount of money or assets people can use to take care of their health care needs, they rarely consider the nature of other expenditures people are responsible for."
She and co-author Sarah A. Burgard, Ph.D., emphasized that they found no significant association between other forms of debt -- student loans, mortgages, car loans, etc. -- and delays in seeking treatment for ill health. They believe the differences reside in the nature of the debts.
Debts differ
"Our data cannot directly speak to why that is the case, until we can examine how debt portfolios and seeking health care change for people over time in relation to one another," Kalousova said. "At the moment, we can only speculate that some debts, sometimes colloquially thought of as 'good' debts, have traditionally been a signal of creditworthiness, and probably do not influence decisions to consume needed medical care."
Those "good debts" can include student, housing and car loans, which tend to carry relatively low interest rates, lengthy payback terms and a certain degree of social acceptance. These loans can improve career achievement and generally lead to enhanced standards of living.
Credit card and other 'bad debts' tend to carry higher interest rates and are borne during times of personal distress, the researchers noted.
"Other debts generally thought of as 'bad' debts, such as credit card debt, may have been less planned for some people and may quickly accumulate beyond their ability to repay," Kalousova said. "Holders of such debts may be under more pressure to repay them to avoid interest and stress, and they may forgo medical care to save money under this kind of pressure, even if they really need it."
We found that having credit card debt or medical debt was associated with forgoing medical care, as opposed to having student loans, housing loans or car loans.
|-- Lucie Kalousova
Study co-author
The sociologists' study examined responses in late 2009 from 914 residents of southeastern Michigan and included adjustments for the socioeconomic and medically related characteristics of those studied. The researchers said they believed the results were reasonably representative of Americans as a whole. "We have no reason to believe that this relationship would only play out in Southeast Michigan and not in other parts of the country," Kalousova said.
Builds on prior studies
Previous studies have found that people who delayed going to the doctor when ill had lower household incomes and were less likely to have health insurance than other people, which is not surprising. Other studies reported significant links between credit card debt and smoking, excessive alcohol use and other risky health behavior.
In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that about 11 percent of working-age Americans declined to see a doctor in 2010 because of the cost, even though those people were ill at the time.
The University of Michigan researchers decided to dig deeper -- exploring for specific links between forgone medical care and financial distress. In the end, they found the strong association between delayed medical care and credit card debt, and much weaker associations between forgone care and most other forms of debt.
The 64 percent of respondents who carried credit card debt and needed but had not sought medical care owed an average of $8,541 to credit card companies, the study reported.
"The results were very clear ...," the report concludes, "credit card debt and medical debt were strongly and positively associated with having forgone care in the past 12 months."
Impact on health not understood
Importantly, the study's authors did not issue a blanket condemnation of credit card balances or any other form of debt.
"Taking on debt has become a critical part of how many individuals achieve valued social statuses, such as becoming a homeowner or a college graduate, as well as how they may obtain material goods and services, including health care, when the costs exceed their immediate financial resources," the study said. "Debt is a fundamental part of financial lives in the United States, but we have only a very limited understanding of what debt means for well-being ...
Debt is a fundamental part of financial lives in the United States, but we have only a very limited understanding of what debt means for well-being ...
|-- Excerpt from the study,
"Debt and Forgone Medical Care"
"Debt become problematic when it exceeds the holder's ability to service it and causes difficult spending decisions" such as seeking medical care when necessary, the study said.
Marshall B. Kapp, director of Florida State University's Center for Innovative Collaboration in Medicine and Law, said that all of this will come into play as the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, increasingly takes hold and more people -- including those with credit card debt -- gain access to health insurance.
"The Affordable Care Act, at least theoretically, should provide a stronger and more socially accepted safety net for even heavily indebted people who avoid seeking medical care today because they lack good health insurance," Kapp said. "The theory is that between federal subsidies for families making up to 400 percent of the federal poverty line and the proliferation of insurance choices through the exchanges, everyone can, and is indeed required to, get coverage.
"It seems to me that this is exactly the kind of situation that the ACA needs to address if it hopes to be considered a success," Kapp said.
Kalousova agreed, though she also expressed a wait-and-see attitude.
"Our study is only the first step in this direction and more comprehensive research is needed to address these questions," she said.
"However, particularly in light of the current health care debate, it is important to stay aware that even comprehensive health insurance may not always help people who have high expenditures in other areas, such as those who have accumulated high levels of debt," she added.See related: 7 ways card debt impedes health, Tips for paying high medical bills, Medical credit cards: treatment today, payment headaches tomorrow
- Being too nice could cost you money over time – A new study shows people who score high for agreeableness are at higher risk for bankruptcy and other financial problems. Nice people also tend to have lower credit scores and less money ...
- Rising rates, bigger card balances cripple millennials' home buying ability – A new study shows nearly three quarters of millennials rate homeownership as a "top priority." But rising interest rates and high card balances could keep many of them from making down payments on their first homes ...
- 2018 Credit Card Fee Survey: Fees freeze as rates rise – Cardholders are most likely to pay fees if they pay late, take out a cash advance or carry a balance, according to the 2018 CreditCards.com Credit Card Fee Survey ...


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Reading the forum on your cell phone? There's an easier way. We've enabled a Tapatalk app that makes browsing the forum a whole lot easier. Check it out in the iPhone or Android store if you don't own it already.
That picture would be just as impressive a shot had it been framed properly IMO.
Damn, it must be a slow news week or a lack of bolt controversies for us to get worked up over the pic which was sent to Al. How about bitching about the bad weather predicted for this weekend instead? Darn it, I was hoping to get a good couple of days in .....
.... gotta grab the action when you can
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Those fears gain more momentum when as Bloomberg News reported that -- Commodity Weather Group LLC said December may be colder than predicted in its initial seasonal outlook, which would mean greater demand for energy to heat U.S. homes and businesses this winter. Temperatures for the month are expected to be lower than last year and below the 10-year average, according to the Bethesda, Maryland-based company's new forecast.
The EU agave the Euro a hiccup as well as the Eurozone's finance ministers could not agree to another Greek bailout. This comes ahead of more rough negotiations of an upcoming battle of EU fiscal spending over the next few years. Buckle up as the EU merry-go-round will spin. It is amazing the Euro held up as well as it did.
Perhaps it is because of the looming fiscal cliff. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke begged the Obama administration to strike a budget deal to avert tax increases and spending cuts that could trigger a recession next year over what he called the "so called fiscal cliff". Hey Ben , you named it the fiscal cliff!
We should also be very thankful for fracking that has the potential to reinvigorate our economy, create jobs and lead us to energy independence. Yet, Reuters News reports that "Governor Andrew Cuomo said New York will probably miss a Nov. 29 deadline to issue regulations on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, restarting a public review that may delay drilling for months. The state, which has been studying fracking for more than four years, issued a moratorium in 2010 so regulators could conduct an environmental survey and develop rules.
In September, the Cuomo administration said Health Commissioner Nirav Shah would further analyze the issue with the help of an outside panel, whose members were chosen last week. "We want a proper process," Cuomo said today on Albany radio station Talk 1300. "We want it as expeditiously as possible. I don't see how we get it done by next week." Cuomo, a 54-year-old Democrat who has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate in 2016, has been under pressure from energy companies and some municipalities in the state's Southern Tier to allow drilling. They say it would encourage the type of economic development seen in states from Wyoming to Pennsylvania. Environmental groups and residents opposed to fracking sent 80,000 messages to the Environmental Conservation Department during the last comment period. It may already be too late for New York to cash in on the boom that led natural-gas companies to spend $20 billion on leases, drilling rigs and royalty payments in Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2010, and the $5 billion in additional economic output that Ohio is forecast to get by 2014."


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SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) – There were many side effects to hurricane Katrina's damage, we quickly realized while covering it that gas was one of them.
"Price gouging," said one woman while sitting in her car waiting to pump gas.
Before Katrina's rains had even cleared in Laplace, her effects were felt at the pump.
"When you need it, you need it," said another woman while pumping gas into several gas cans.
And it wasn't long after Katrina made landfall that everybody wanted it.
While working on another story, we heard complaints of a nearby gas station charging $5.50 a gallon, when we arrived at the gas station, it had been changed to $3.09.
We asked the attendant who was standing at the customer window why the price had been so high, then changed again. She said she didn't know, so we asked for a manager. The attendant said that she wasn't available.
The heat combined with the desperation seemed to raised the level of tension several notches.
One woman chimed in on our questioning and yelled "Who changed the price!"
While interviewing evacuees who were pumping gas, another evacuee appeared to misinterpret our presence as an impediment to the flow of gas.
"Y'all finished pumping gas?" he asked. " No, we're pumping baby! We ain't going to hold up traffic baby, as soon as we pump this gas we're out of here; you ain't got to move us along," responded the men.
Hoping to avoid being between an angry mob, and it's gas, we moved along.
But the issue wasn't over.
Weeks later, the state's authorities would go after gas stations all over the state for price gouging.
©2010 KSLA-TV. All rights reserved.


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Business is good in the Sauk Valley, if you believe recent headlines in this newspaper.
During the past few weeks, several retailers and service providers have reported they are setting up shop in this area or expanding their existing operations with new offices.
In Dixon, RadioShack has announced it will put a store in Presidential Parkway Plaza off South Galena Avenue, not far from where Hibbett Sports plans to open a new store. Hibbett already does business in Northland Mall in Sterling.
On the north end of Galena Avenue, a new bakery and café is planned by the owner of Folsom's Bakery in Rock Falls. Nearby, a Liquor 'N' Wine store will open on the site of the former Premier Car Wash, where owner Manesh Patel will set up his fourth store (one of them in Rochelle).
Motorists along East Lincolnway in Sterling have noticed a 6,500-square-foot building going up on the east end of the Northland Mall parking lot, where Advance Auto Parts hopes to be in business by October.
A few blocks east along Lincolnway, Cellular Connection of Rock Falls will open a second store, and a financial adviser with Edward Jones will do business from the investment firm's fourth local office.
And this coming Friday is the scheduled premiere for the "brew and view" in the downtown Sterling Theater, where beer and wine will be served with a light menu to enhance the local movie-going experience. Break a leg!
Amid a lingering national mood of economic uncertainty, why are businesses so willing to invest their time and money in the Sauk Valley?
Obviously, they are confident they can succeed. They see a region that has taken some big hits over the past decade, one that has seen more than its share of change, and yet has continued to be a good place to do business.
The Sauk Valley rates well in many of the qualities that attract new employers and encourage existing businesses to expand: an available workforce, a strong transportation system, good schools, abundant recreational opportunities, and reasonably low taxes, among them.
But the Sauk Valley can remain an attractive place for business only with a stable or growing population. A steady decline would erode the employee and customer base that businesses need to succeed.
While the 2010 Census showed the local population had not changed dramatically since 2000, it continued a trend in lower numbers of Caucasian residents and growth only among non-whites. Obviously, the Sauk Valley community is adapting well to an increasingly diverse population mix, and it must continue to do so to ensure our region's future.
In that vein, we note that one morning last week, business, law enforcement and faith leaders gathered downstate for a forum organized by the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce to discuss immigration reform. The event continued an "Illinois Road to Recovery" campaign in which the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition is hosting events around the state.
The forum was co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Region of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Bibles, Badges & Business for Immigration Reform network to "emphasize why Illinois businesses and communities urgently need common-sense immigration reform."
The immigration coalition promotes reform to support economic recovery in Illinois, works to provide Illinois companies with both high-skilled and low-skilled workers, and urges the integration of immigrants into the state's economy "as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs and citizens."
Immigrants are already a major factor in the Illinois economy, and our corner of northwestern Illinois is no exception. Despite the cries of "amnesty" from those who oppose any path to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally, we must recognize that immigrants contribute far more to the economy than they take.
As an immigration reform bill grinds its way through Congress this fall, folks in the Sauk Valley should understand what is at stake – for their community as well as the country. Several complex issues are involved, but at the heart of the matter is that the nation's more diverse workforce and customer base is a reality we cannot change but must continue to adapt to.
That's just good business – here and everywhere.


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2 days ago
Wales cop back to back beltings as Kiwis crush
NEW Zealand have demolished Wales to get their Four Nations campaign back on track, the Kiwis defeated Wales 36-0 at Wembley Stadium.
The Kiwis were given their first opportunity in the opening minute courtesy of a Welsh mistake. Benji Marshall looked to have a try in the third minute but was denied by the Welsh defence.
New Zealand continued to mount pressure on the Welsh defence and Welsh defence and nobody could stop Jason Nightingale in the fifth minute when he grounded a Marshall grubber to score. Marshall missed the conversion, keeping the lead to four.
The Kiwis scored their second less than ten minutes later, with Kevin Locke strolling over the try line in the 13th minute after some clever footwork by Marshall. Marshall's conversion attempt was unsuccessful again.
Wales were given an opportunity to get on the board in the next passage of play, however some silly errors and disjointed attack saw their chances go begging.
New Zealand did not have the same problems when it came time to capitalise on their possession, with Sika Manu muscling his way through the tackles of four defenders to score in the 21st minute. Marshall kicked his first successful conversion of the night to extend the lead to 14.
Manu was over for his second ten minutes later, after New Zealand spread the ball out wide again. Marshall's conversion was successful again to give the Kiwis a 20-point-lead.
Stephen Kearney's side added another try to their total just before half time, this time it was Broncos winger Gerard Beale who strolled over the try-back on the back of penalty against Wales. Marshall added the extras again giving the Kiwis a 26-point-lead going into the break.
The Welsh team came back from the break with a fresh approach as they lifted in attack and defence while the intensity from the New Zealanders dropped significantly.
Desperation defence and some courageous plays in attack, saw Wales keep the Kiwis out for most of the second half before the Kiwis piled on two late tries.
After holding the Kiwis out for the opening 20 minutes of the half, it was one mistake too many in the 62nd minute when the Kiwis capitalised on a Welsh error to create a try for Gerard Beale to extend the New Zealand lead to 30.
The Kiwis were given an opportunity to add to their total moments late after Wales were trapped with the ball on the last tackle only 30 meters out from their own line. However, a knock on by Alex Glenn saw the chance go begging.
It was the Welsh who were butchering their opportunities in the 70th minute, failing to score despite three repeat sets at the New Zealand try line.
A break by Thomas Leuluai from his own in the 75th minute was enough to get the Kiwis over again, with Leuluai passing to Nathan Fien who dove over the tryline. Marshall kicked the conversion.
A mistake on the back for the tries handed the Welsh possession 30 out from the try line. However, once again Wales failed to capitalise and the score remained unchanged.New Zealand, who currently sit on the same points as England on the Four Nations ladder but are two-points behind them on difference will ruing their lost opportunities.
Match Details
Wales 0 were defeated by New Zealand 36
Four Nations - Four Nations Week 2 - Saturday November 5, 2011 11:00pm
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Video Referee:
Touch Judges:
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Wales 0 New Zealand 26
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Benji Marshall (4 Conversions)
2 Points - Thomas Leuluai
1 Point - Ross Divorty
Wales (0)
New Zealand (36)
Tries: Kevin Locke, Nathan Fien, Sika Manu (2), Jason Nightingale, Gerard Beale (2)
Conversions: Benji Marshall (4/7)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Wembley Stadium, for the first of the double header this afternoon; Wales facing New Zealand. Both teams are out for the anthems.
We've had both anthems and New Zealand have done the haka, here we go!
1 min: Marshall has the ball on the tee and we're underway. No knock on, on first tackle this afternoon.
2 min: Wales made an early error trying to spread the ball. NZ almost barge over via Marshall but they retain possession, trapping Wales in goal.
3 min: New Zealand try to isolate the wingers with a sweeping play but it breaks down after a forward pass.
6 min: TRY
Kiwis keep the adventure going, Marshall grubbering through for Nightingale to dive over untouched. Marshall from wide out, misses.
New Zealand 4-0
7 min: NZ just building the pressure here. Marshall weights the kick perfectly to trap Jones in goal, for a second drop out.
9 min: Marshall just toying with the Welsh, grubbering through again and forcing another dropout.
10 min: New Zealand looking to the fringes again but it goes forward off Kevin Locke.
15 min: TRY
The pressure tolls on the Welsh. Leulaui passes to Marshall who draws the man, passing inside to Locke who just strolls through for the Kiwi's second try. Marshall hooks his second attempt.
New Zealand 8-0
16 min: Craig Kopzcak has been immense for Wales in their two games thus far. He charges down the last tackle kick, forcing a knock on from Blair.
16 min: We have a penalty.. to Wales! Leulaui holding down too long.
18 min: Wales try the power play with Frizell but he wasn't on the mark, so it's knocked on.
19 min: An unnecessary forward pass by Wales, gifts NZ possession. While the scrum is packing, Frizell goes off holding his wrist.
Possible try to Sika Manu but it looked like he just broke free.
22 min: TRY
It was all power from Manu, he was seemingly held by three Welsh defenders but breaks free, to score. Marshall puts it right over the black dot.
New Zealand 14-0
22 min: Another forward pass from NZ, they haven't looked too slick thus far.
24 min: Wales made some inroads in this set but a knock from Webster trying to plant a Briers kick ends that raid.
26 min: 4-0 penalty count to Wales, with the latest finding Jeremy Smith on report for attacking the thigh.
27 min: Just too big, the kick from Briers. Twenty metre restart for NZ.
33 min: TRY
The Kiwis spread it out wide ten out an Sika Manu dives over in the right corner. Benji nails the conversion from the sideline.
New Zealand 20-0
36 min: Kevin Locke almost gets away from the Welsh defense after fielding the ball 15 out from his own line, he makes it five meters short of halfway before being tackled.
38 min: The Kiwis receive their first penalty of the match and will look to sneak in another try before half time.
40 min: TRY
Gearad Beale scoots over for the Kiwis after some nice footwork and a clever pass from Alex Glenn. Marshall adds the extras.
New Zealand 26-0
41 min: The second half is underway. Let's see if Wales can mount a comeback.
43 min: Both sides get through their first sets of the second half without any trouble.
44 min: Great defensive set by Wales, they keep the Kiwis in their own forty and put pressure on Marshall as he gets the kick away. Danny Jones fields the ball on his own 20 and runs it back to 40 out from his own line.
46 min: The Kiwis get their second penalty of the match, exactly what the Welsh don't need.
47 min: New Zealand will get a goal line dropout after Fien puts up a cross field kick from 15 out, Manu is there to challenge for the ball and Elliot King is forced to ground the ball.
47 min: Wales concede another penalty.
48 min: Lewis Brown is pinned for a forward pass and Wales are off the hook.
51 min: Wales will get a piggyback up the field after Marshall concedes a penalty.
52 min: Lloyd White is pinned for a knock on only ten out just as his side is looking dangerous.
53 min: Jones spills the ball trying to diffuse a bomb 30 out from his own line.
54 min: Marshall is pinned for a forward pass and Wales are off the hook again.
58 min: Briers chips the ball a few meters short of halfway but it beats him over the sideline and the Kiwis will get a scrum 30 out.
59 min: The Wales defense holds strong.
60 min: Another Welsh error gives the Kiwis prime field position and they'll go on the attack 30 out.
62 min: TRY
Beale strolls over for his second after a beautiful pass from Thomas Leululiai. Marshall's sideline conversion is unsuccessful.
New Zealand 30-0
66 min: Wales are caught with the ball on the last on their 30 meter line and the Kiwis will go on the attack.
66 min: Alex Glenn loses the ball on the first and the Welsh breathe a sigh of relief.
68 min: Wales get a penalty and will get six tackles from 10 out.
68 min: Dudson loses the ball for Wales and an opportunity goes begging.
73 min: The Welsh defense is holding strong at the moment as Kiwis fail to come up with the goods.
76 min: TRY
Leuilai makes a break from his own half and makes it to the Welsh 20 before offloading to Nathan Fien who scores. Marshall adds the extras
New Zealand 36-0
77 min: Wales will get a scrum 40 out from the New Zealand line after an error by Beale.
79 min: Wales get a penalty from 15 meters out and will get another six tackles.
80 min: The ball goes to ground a Beale bounces on the loose ball as the full-time siren sounds.


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AMHERST, Mass. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that environmental health scientist Richard Peltier of the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) will receive a three-year, $700,000 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant to measure indoor air quality in tents used by Native subsistence hunters in subarctic North America to determine possible health effects of wood smoke exposure and to provide culturally-relevant recommendations for mitigation.
Peltier, who will lead one of the few environmental health science teams qualified to do this research, says the research has observational and intervention components, and partners with First Nation members in community-based participatory research. The study, which starts in September, aims to provide information on the effectiveness of various emissions mitigation methods and to improve understanding of multipollutant emissions from burning various types of biomass indoors.
The UMass Amherst researcher, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University, Toronto, will recruit study participants from among First Nation Omushkego Cree members who live at Fort Albany, Ontario, on the shores of James Bay. Whole families may travel hundreds of kilometers to remote areas as they follow the wild ducks and geese, where subsistence harvesting for James Bay Cree remains an integral part of their culture and tradition. Men hunt waterfowl in both fall and spring, and the harvested game are smoked in tents by community members.
There is a social component to the smoking process, which can last from hours to days, Peltier says. Families socialize in the tents and elders teach younger people their traditional food preservation methods. In addition to the meat smoking process, the family groups burn wood to heat their tents and are exposed to "extraordinary levels" of air pollution for the two- to six-week hunting periods twice each year, he adds.
The researcher says, "It is important to recognize the importance of these culturally-relevant activities to these community members, but we also recognize that some of these activities may lead to significant health concerns. We hope our efforts identify relatively easy-to-use techniques to reduce exposures to indoor air pollution, while protecting traditional life ways."
The scientists will not only analyze particulate matter and trace gases in the indoor air, but will collect lung function and blood pressure data from the people. They will also carry out blood tests for inflammation markers and urine tests for metabolites of wood smoke in study participants at three points: baseline as the study begins, during both fall and spring hunting seasons while the people are using traditional wood and biomass fuel, and finally during fall and spring hunting with the people using propane to heat their tents.
Switching to propane is not the only option for reducing indoor air pollution the scientists will be exploring with the native hunters, Peltier explains. Their own traditional practices include burning downed trees first and removing bark from trees before burning the wood, both of which lead to cleaner burning and could be re-adopted by family groups hunting today.
And, while the study will be based in Canada, the activities involved are qualitatively very similar to living conditions and food preservation techniques used by Native Americans in the United States, Peltier says. "Our results should very much be translatable," he points out.
SPHHS Dean Marjorie Aelion says, "Rick Peltier is a unique researcher. He is an excellent environmental chemist who uses advanced and innovative analytical instrumentation, and applies his research to real-world public health settings. As a result his research will have direct positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities with whom he works. This type of research is at the core of the mission and vision of UMass Amherst's School of Public Health and Health Sciences."
The other five EPA grant recipients are Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage; Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, La Conner, Wash.; Yurok Tribe, Klamath, Calif.; Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency, Mont., and University of Tulsa.


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I enjoy discovering secret information — stuff most people don't know about. And I love spreading the word. Here's an example: My supermarket, like most, offers a "rain check" if it runs out of a product that is on sale. This is really great, in my opinion, because my store's rain checks have no set expiration date.
Here's another secret: There's no limit on how many of that item I can get later — at a more convenient time — with my rain check.
Case in point: Last summer, my supermarket advertised its London broil cut of beef for $3.99 a pound. That's a bargain where I live. And sure enough, they sold out before noon on Sunday, the day I was shopping. No problem. Because my goal was to load up my freezer, I asked for a rain check. A full two months later, when London broil was at its regular price of $7.99 a pound — quite plentiful in the butcher's case and, I believe, a nicer selection — I bought 10. And, yes, I got the $3.99 per pound for the lot. I smiled all the way home.
I am excited to have just learned another secret. Don't we all believe Starbucks has four sizes of drinks? Tall, Grande, Venti and the new Trenta size. Well, we're wrong. There's a secret size for those who know to ask: Short. All hot Starbucks drinks come in an optional short size. It's cheaper — and just the right size, at least for me.
Here's a bonus: The "short" cappuccino from Starbucks is 8 ounces but has the same amount of espresso as the tall, meaning that your coffee-to-milk ratio is much higher. So, if you just want more coffee in your cappuccino or you prefer to spend as little as possible at Starbucks, there are a few reasons to give the short cappuccino a try.
Here's another secret: The large size of some products in the supermarket is actually more expensive per unit than the smaller size. No kidding! You have to look carefully at the shelf label that indicates the unit pricing (or just figure it out if you're some kind of math wizard). This is not true of all products — you have to know to check.
Want another? I can't represent this to be true nationwide, but at the Walgreens drugstore close to my office, milk is $2.99 a gallon — about half the $4.69 supermarket price.
Who would ever think to buy milk at the drugstore? Smart people who've figured out that secret, that's who!
Another place for really cheap, fresh milk in my neighborhood: the Mobile gas station's mini-mart. They soak you at the pump, but offer a deal inside for those in the know.
Got secrets? Come on. 'Fess up! Our curious minds want to know.
Mary Hunt is founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com
You can email her at mary@everyday
cheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630.
To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
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Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories
Schneiderman: New Yorkers should never have to worry that they won't be able to afford their heating bills
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is offering tips to those who have been affected by increased electrical bills. According to media reports and data collected from customers, electric rates for National Grid have gone up, on average, 60-75 percent this winter and spring, compared to the same timeframe last year. The attorney general's office continues to receive numerous consumer complaints about high electric bills.
"Hardworking New York families have enough to worry about, without having to wonder whether they'll be able to afford their high heating bills," Schneiderman said. "By arming themselves with these tips, New Yorkers will be able to avoid becoming financially drained during long and brutally cold winters like the one we just experienced."
The following are tips on how consumers can alleviate the pressure of dealing with increasing electricity rate hikes:
•Know your rights. New York's Home Energy Fair Practices Act entitles you to spread out unpaid bills in monthly installments for up to 12 months.
•If you are having difficulty paying your utility bill, call the number on your bill to request a deferred payment plan. Your power company is required to negotiate a deferred payment agreement with you based on your actual monthly income and expenses.
•If you believe National Grid is failing to provide you with a deferred payment plan, call the Public Service Commission's Consumer Services Division (800-342-3377).
•Your power company may not terminate your service for non-payment of arrears while you are working out a deferred payment agreement with the utility and the PSC.
•Once you enter into a deferred payment agreement, you must pay the installment plus the new monthly bill amounts to prevent termination of your service.
If you have any questions or would like to file a complaint, call the attorney general's consumer hotline at 800-771-7755.


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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren says President Barack Obama is a fighter for the middle class. And she slams his Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, as someone who wants to cut taxes for the rich and big corporations.
Warren spoke during a prime-time address at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday.
Warren says that for years America's middle class "has been chipped, squeezed and hammered."
Obama "gets it," Warren says, because he's spent his life working for the middle class. She says he will continue to do so.
Warren says that's a contrast with Romney. The Senate candidate says Romney's economic plans will hammer the middle class by pulverizing financial reforms, changing Medicare and vaporizing the Obama's health care law.


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About the UC CalFresh NEP
The University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program (UC CalFresh NEP, or just UC CalFresh) operates through a joint agreement among the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food and Nutrition Service (USDA/FNS), the California Department of Social Services, CalFresh and Nutrition Branch, and the University of California Cooperative Extension. UC CalFresh consists of Adult, Family-Centered and Youth program components, and operates throughout various California counties.
The Adult and Family-Centered nutrition education programs enroll CalFresh recipients, applicants, and eligibles on a voluntary basis at the local county welfare department and other sites. Nutrition education lessons focus on the following topics:
The Youth nutrition education program targets schools and community programs with large numbers of children from CalFresh households. Teachers, youth program leaders, and other extenders at the sites are trained to deliver a nutrition education program targeted to youth audiences on the following topics:
Objectives of UC CalFresh
The general goal of UC CalFresh is to improve the diet and nutrition-related skills of CalFresh recipients and their families. UC CalFresh also has the following specific objectives:


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This blog has gone through changes over the years but I am now using it as a place to gather together my published haiku, tanka, haibun and the occasional piece of writing that fits none of those categories. The appeal of these forms is that they help me stay grounded and remind me of the power of simplicity.
Stunning work.Alan
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Considering beer is
Not only is Savage surrounded by suds and innovation every day, but also with "laughter, high fives, pranks, and hugs." Savage, 34, has been the vice president of brand marketing at the
Worst pet peeve?
I hate when people don't walk on moving walkways. Walking is one of the easiest things we do, and that is coming from a lazy person.
What's on your
I just downloaded "The
What songs are you hating/loving right now?
"Fallin' Rain" by Link Wray has been hitting me pretty hard this week.
Favorite part about working at Flying Dog?
Every day I am surrounded by people with ideas and creativity, and we all have the freedom to share them with our fans.
Last concert/gig you went to?
of Montreal
Your worst habit?
Trend that has exceeded its natural lifespan?
Favorite/least favorite band?
I have a mild obsession with the Band. And though I have tried, I still can't seem to listen to
Last movie you liked/disliked?
I really liked "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy." I thought "My Week With Marilyn" was a big pile of excrement.
Last video that made you snort with laughter?
I showed our marketing team the classic "Doc Ellis and the
Favorite Flying Dog beer?
Raging Bitch
TV shows you can't get enough of?
"Tim and Eric," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and
Favorite book you recently read?
My wife just read the "Fifty Shades" trilogy, and I had her bookmark all the sex scenes so I could just read those parts when she was done.
Last great meal you had?
The burger I had last week at Hamilton Tavern is still etched in my mind.
Food you hate?
Favorite place to get a drink?
Brewer's Art
Favorite and most loathed fashion statements?
Favorite quote/saying?
"With all due respect …," because after you say that you can pretty much say whatever the hell you want.
Favorite thing about Baltimore?
The neighborhoods


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Register for the European FTTH forecast webinar!
|Apr 3, 2017
|Latest News
|FTTH CE, Graham Finnie
The webinar "European FTTH forecast, 2014-2019: Behind the numbers" will be held on 16 May 2017.
This webinar will discuss the latest forecast on the European FTTH market. Heavy Reading Analyst at Large Graham Finnie will give a detailed analysis of the further development of FTTH networks in the greater European region, including Russia and Turkey. The webinar will explain the thinking behind the forecast, setting out the key indicators used to generate the data. It will look at both the overall region covering 44 countries, and the EU region, explaining why the EU will have reached only 14% penetration at 2019, against 19% in the region as a whole. It will also look at developments in some key individual countries such as France, Germany, Russia and Spain, and analyse the differing contributions we are likely to see from incumbent telcos, competitive telcos and muni/utility operators in the different nations.
< back


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We are a community of people who are committed to Free Software. Please join us in our work! There are many ways to do so and you will find a way that fits your interests and skills.
If you're not sure where to start or want to get in touch with our volunteer coordinators, you can email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Spread the word
Give leaflets, stickers or posters to your friends and colleagues, or distribute them to the public; use our online graphics.
Participate in our discussions
Most of our work is coordinated via mailing lists. Participate in the discussion, learn from others, and shape FSFE's positions.
Become a supporter
Donations are critical to our strength and autonomy. Become a supporter and enable us to continue fighting for Free Software wherever necessary.
Translate and Proofread
Parts of our website are available in around 30 languages while others are not. Help us to reach as many people as possible by translating our articles, press releases, and newsletters into a language you know.
Meet us
If you want to meet us in person, join us in an event taking place near you, including speeches, booths, or local FSFE meetings.
Improve our website
For many people our website is the first impression they get from us. As a webmaster you determine the effectiveness of our communication with the world.
Help as designer
The FSFE and the Free Software community are often in need of designers for printed and digital material. Join our team and see your designs spreading around the globe.
Become an intern
Learn to work in a pan-European organisation operating at an international level. While working for software freedom, we deal with social, political and legal issues every day, and so will you.


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Now he knows — keep a Sharpie in his holster at all times.
Because if Sean Monahan had been wondering at all about Calgary's status as a hockey market, he got certain validation this week.
The Flames' top choice at the recent National Hockey League draft, Monahan has already been rattling off autographs for the team's keen boosters — and they're everywhere.
On the plane ride to Calgary — "There were people on the flight who knew who I was . . . it was pretty cool."
Upon his arrival at the airport — "There were a few fans that wanted pictures and stuff. It's pretty awesome how much support (the Flames) get."
Meaning, for the 18-year-old, it has started. For signatures and beyond.
"They're obviously supportive and loyal hockey fans," said Monahan. "It's really cool. I love being around those kinds of fans and doing things for them.
"It's going to be a blast to play here in the coming years."
On June 30, the rebuilding Flames had grabbed the Ottawa 67's captain sixth overall. The highly regarded Monahan will get a long look at main camp in the fall.
But right now, the young centreman's focus is the team's development camp. Fitness testing took place Wednesday at the University of Calgary. Monahan — and 43 other prospects — will be on the ice Thursday at WinSport's Ice Complex.
"I'm really looking forward to it," said the six-foot-two, 187-pounder. "I want to make the team . . . so I want to make an impression. I think getting to know the guys here, I'm doing everything I can to show that I'm a good player and a good person. I'm just excited to be able to do that here."
Monahan's group is scheduled for a morning session.
And for all his confidence, he acknowledges that there may be butterflies.
"I guess I'm a little nervous," said the Brampton, Ont., native, who's wearing No. 23. "I don't really know what to expect right now. But I think I'll be fine, come (Thursday), when I step on the ice."
Camp features six days of team sessions, including a pair of scrimmages (Saturday and Monday).
"It's just showing your commitment — being early, being the hardest worker," Monahan said. "I try to be the hardest worker at whatever I do. By doing that, that makes a big impression and leaves a big statement. Being an all-around good person and getting along with everyone — obviously, the team wants a character guy. And that's what I try to do."
The Flames' track record in the first round isn't so hot. But it had been 15 years since they'd picked as high as No. 6, so the city has lofty hopes for Monahan.
"I think you have a little bit of pressure," he said, "but I just try to be myself. That's what got me here. So I'm just going to work hard and be the person I am and the player I am. That's my goal."
For Ottawa, Monahan had collected 78 points in each of the past two seasons. All told, through three winters, he put nearly 200 OHL games in the bank.
In other words, he's ready to move on. That first step took place in Newark, N.J.
"It was crazy — come draft day, I didn't know what to expect," said Monahan. "Getting drafted by Calgary was pretty special. It was a place I wanted to play. Playing in a Canadian city is awesome. It doesn't really sink in for a while, so it hasn't really felt real. But I guess it's starting to sink in now. I want to make an impact — so a lot of hard work."
C-NOTES: C Mark Jankowski becomes the Flames' third forward prospect to be invited to Canada's world junior selection camp this summer. Monahan and RW Emile Poirier are also attending . . . The Flames, according to RDS, have offered a contract to LW Steve Begin, 35. He skated in 36 games last season, garnering eight points. His salary last season was $525,000 . . . Bodog.com has set the over-under for Boston RW Jarome Iginla's production this season — 27.5 for goals, 61.5 for points . . . Toronto signed C Joe Colborne, of Calgary, to a one-year (one-way) deal worth $600,000.


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Ski resorts, a treat you can enjoy in Autumn too
Turismo-Castilla La Mancha
Visiting a ski resort in the Autumn can be a unique experience. From the Pyrenees to Sierra Nevada, Spanish ski resorts are some of Europe's top tourist destinations during the winter. In Autumn too, however, there is a broad range of leisure, sports and adventure activities on offer, making use of the resorts' quality facilities and modern hotel infrastructures. Mountain biking, fishing, canoeing or hiking are some of the alternatives to skiing in these stunning enclaves.
Sierra Nevada , in Granada; the Pyrenees peaks; the mountains of the Iberian Range, the Picos de Europa... They are all singularly beautiful mountains that swap snow for ochre forests, deep lakes and fast-moving rivers in the Autumn. These are exceptional places with unique flora and fauna. They are crossed by beautiful tracks and trails, ideal to explore from any one of the more than thirty Spanish ski resorts, located in privileged natural settings, ideal for all kinds of adventure sports.
Deportes y cursillos
There are many alternatives catering to all tastes and ages. They go from simple rest and relaxation to a huge variety of sports, such as tennis, horse riding, boating, archery, pelota court and golf. The more intrepid can choose from climbing, canyoning, bungee jumping, white water rafting, hydrospeeding, windsurfing, quad-bike trips, death slides, kayaking or caving.
If you do not suffer from vertigo and you want to experience some unforgettable sensations, you can even enjoy these unique landscapes with a bird's-eye-view - paragliding, microlighting, hang-gliding or hot-air ballooning.
Эта информация оказалась для вас полезной?


text:
February 08. 2013 5:56PM
Court upholds negligent homicide in cellphone case
By PAT GROSSMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader
New Hampshire drivers may want to put down those cellphones after the State Supreme court on Friday upheld a negligent homicide conviction of a cellphone-using motorist who struck and killed a woman in a crosswalk.
Court upholds negligent homicide in cell phone case
By PAT GROSSMITH
New Hampshire Union Leader
CONCORD — New Hampshire drivers may want to put down those cell phones after the State Supreme court on Friday upheld a negligent homicide conviction of a cell phone-using motorist who struck and killed a woman in a crosswalk.
It is not illegal to use a phone while driving in the Granite State, but the court said in the case of Lynn Dion of Franklin, who admitted being on her cell phone prior to the 2009 accident that killed 36-year-old Genny Bassett of Franklin, the issue is one of carelessness and inattention. "... the issue is whether inattention caused by cellphone use or any other 'legal' activity, resulting in the failure to avoid a pedestrian in a crosswalk, demonstrates a level of carelessness the seriousness of which should be 'apparent to anyone who shares the community's general sense of right and wrong.' (Shepard, 158 N.H.) Here the jury, whose judgment best reflects 'the prevalent sense of the community, ' (Cloutier v. A. & P. Tea Co.) unanimously determined that the defendant's conduct constituted criminal negligence," according to the unanimous decision written by Justice Carol Ann Conboy.
The case was the first time the court had taken up the issue of cell phone use in which a driver was held criminally responsible for a death.
Assistant County Attorney George Waldron said prosecutors were pleased with the court ruling and always believed it was a clear case of negligence. Evidence at trial, he said, showed Dion was on her cell phone when she reached the crosswalk and that she had plenty of time to avoid the accident had she been paying attention.
Attorney Allison Ambrose, who represented Dion, did not immediately return a call for comment.
Dion testified she never saw the women, that she made her last call when she was about a quarter of a mile away from the accident site and that her phone was on the passenger seat when it happened.
According to the court decision, the collision occurred a little after 9 p.m. on June 28, 2009. Bassett and her friend, Elsa Gonnella, 60, had been at Bassett's home in Franklin for the evening. Bassett was accompanying Gonnella, who used an umbrella for support, on her walk back home.
After crossing the Ward One Bridge on Central Street, they stopped at a crosswalk, which was recently repainted white, was well lit by streetlights and was marked with a yellow and black pedestrian crossing sign. They checked both ways for oncoming traffic and then began to cross the street.
Dion, in the meantime, was driving home to Franklin from Sutton where she had visited a friend. She just turned onto Central Street at the western side of the bridge as the two women stepped off the curb into the crosswalk.
The women had gone 54 feet when Gonnella heard a "bang" and "went down." When she regained consciousness a few minutes later, she saw Dion on the sidewalk with a cell phone in her hand. Bassett, who was wearing white pants and a light colored denim jacket, was unresponsive in the road nearby.
The right front bumper of Dion's car had hit her, resulting in a fatal brain injury.
Dion told Franklin police Sgt. Richard Carlson she did not see Bassett and Gonnella in the crosswalk. She said just before reaching the end of the bridge, she heard a loud "pop" and felt glass coming into her car. She admitted to making prior calls on her cell phone but denied she was on the phone at the time of the collision.
Dion was sentenced last year to 1 1/2 to 3 years in prison, but it was not imposed because of the appeal. Her license will be revoked for seven years from the date she is released from prison.
Waldron said the sentence will be imposed at a hearing to be set at the court's discretion.


text:
Your current filters are…
by Brad Stone, Owais Farooqui, Kris Soumas, David Luner and Noah Hawley
For decades, TV show fans have sought ways to extend their connection to their favorite show characters with things like branded cereals, toys, board games, music or the like. Fans often can't wait for the next episode and especially dread the time between seasons. They want to interact and even play along with their favorite shows. This is a reality that TV networks are creating through branded online games and social games. This panel, consisting of online gaming experts and digital leaders at TV networks, will explore how TV networks are keeping fans engaged between episodes and seasons with quality online games that extend the show's brand and interactivity with fans - taking TV entertainment to the next level. The session will sample real case studies from experiences over several seasons with shows and branded games like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Biggest Loser, Survivor, and others. Panel members will also explore how games enable an additional channel for TV networks to reach global fans via social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Hi5 and Bebo, especially as we're seeing games being the number one used applications on many social networks.
LEVEL: Intermediate
United States United States, Austin
11th–15th March 2011


text:
Dannii Minogue found love in Adrian Newman
Sydney, Jan 6 (IANS) Singer Dannii Minogue and songwriter-producer Adrian Newman were spotted walking hand-in-hand at a cafe here, sparking dating rumours.
The two were seen together at a cafe on Friday before spending the day at a beach with Minogue's four-year-old son Ethan, reports dailymail.co.uk.
Minogue, currently in Australia working on her new album, looked happy and relaxed in a floor length black and white print halter dress and golden strappy sandals. She was carrying a large canvas bag.
Newman wore ripped jeans, trainers, slogan T-shirt and a flat peaked cap.


text:
» Career Center
BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Rockville, MD is located just 17 miles North of breathtaking Washington, D.C. Are you an optimistic leader, eager to join a fantastic team of clinicians and staff in a beautiful, state-of-the-art hospital? We are seeking a board certified surgeon, dermatologist, internist, oncologist, ophthalmologist, radiologist, criticalist, or an emergency clinician, with several years clinical experience, looking for the next level of leadership opportunity as the Medical Director at our Rockville, MD hospital.
The successful candidate will partner in leadership with hospital administration and the ER Clinical Team Lead to create a sense of community and interact globally with the hospital and all clinicians. Using excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the medical director will exemplify the pdvm relationships and enhance an engaging work environment for all. Proven strengths in leadership and mentoring of colleagues, resident's and technicians, as well as, teaching and training of interns in both clinical and didactic settings, will facilitate excellence in patient care and optimize clinical culture and quality of medicine.
Our 33,000-square-foot Rockville hospital was built in June 2014 and houses many diagnostic and therapeutic tools, including an MRI, ultrasound, minimally invasive scoping equipment, an isolation unit in the ER, an in-house Idexx reference lab and are in the process of adding a 64 slice CT scanner to the practice. This location has plenty of free parking and easy access to major commuting routes. We hold monthly doctor informal topic rounds and other in-house CE opportunities. An intern program will be added to this facility this year!
Working together with Mars Petcare, BluePearl Rockville has access to a rich supply of resources to further our mission: Enriching lives through remarkable care for pets. We are dedicated to transforming the delivery of veterinary care through specialty and emergency medicine. We are able to attract the finest clinicians by offering:
Rockville is ranked the #1 City in Maryland by Money Magazine for 2017! Bloomberg Business Week and U.S. News & World Report named Rockville a great place to live, work and start a business, making it the only mid-Atlantic city to receive all three distinctions! Rockville boasts over 60 parks within walking distance and Washington D.C. is only minutes away, accessible by underground transit. Want to learn more about nearby cities, including Washington, DC? Click here: https://bluepearlvet.com/careers/why-washington-dc/
BluePearl is committed to a diverse work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or affectional preference, or gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
Phone: 866.Macomb1 (toll free)
Phone: 586.445.7999 (local)
Email: email@example.com


text:
Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) in flower
C035/9255 Rights Managed
530 pixels on longest edge, unwatermarked
Request/Download high-res file
Uncompressed file size: 34.9MB
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Credit: MARIA MOSOLOVA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Release details: Model release not required. Property release not required.
Keywords: angiosperm, angiosperms, annual phlox, biological, biology, botanical, botany, close-up, detail, flora, flower, flowering, flowers, horticultural, horticulture, nature, no-one, nobody, phlox drummondii, plant, plants, red, wildlife
Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.


text:
Pictured: Leeks
Poisonous to: Cats, Dogs
Level of toxicity: Generally mild to moderate
Common signs to watch for:
- Drooling
- Nausea
- Oral irritation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Elevated heart rate and respiratory rate
- Weakness
- Exercise intolerance
- Collapse
- Pale gums
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are of the Allium family, and are poisonous to both dogs and cats. Garlic is considered to be about 5X as potent as onions. Certain breeds and species seem to be more sensitive: Japanese breeds of dogs (e.g., Akita, Shiba Inu) and cats. Onion and garlic poisoning results in oxidative damage to the red blood cells (making the red blood cells more likely to rupture) and gastroenteritis (e.g., nausea, oral irritation, drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea). Other clinical signs of anemia may be seen, and include lethargy, pale gums, an elevated heart rate, an increased respiratory rate, weakness, exercise intolerance, and collapse. Onion and garlic poisoning may have a delayed onset, and clinical signs may not be apparent for several days.
If you suspect your dog or cat have onion poisoning or garlic poisoning, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for treatment recommendations.
Poison type: plants
Alternate names: Allium, Alliaceae, chives, garlic, disulfides, thiosulfates, anemia, onions