Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Greenspan "keep your eye on men's underwear "
The stock market is up, foreclosure filings are leveling off, but men’s underwear are down. That has more implications than you might think. Major news outlets like Newsweek magazine may have declared the recession over, but it ain’t really over until men’s underwear says it’s over.
Yes, according to none other than dean of the financial markets Alan Greenspan, the sale of men’s briefs is one of the most accurate predictors of economic conditions. If sales are too tight, the economy is likely in a pinch.
Men’s Briefs Tell the Tale
In a 2008, National Public Radio (NPR) report it was revealed that Greenspan believed that men’s briefs were among the most accurate predictors of an economic crisis. “If you look at sales of male underpants, it’s just pretty much a flat line, it hardly ever changes” reported Robert Krulwich. “But on those few occasions where it dips that means that men are so pinched that they are deciding not to replace underpants.” And so Greenspan says “that is almost always a prescient, forward impression that here comes trouble.”
According to Matt Hall, a spokesman for Hanes brand, “They (sale of men’s underwear) tend to be later going into a recession and earlier coming back.” Once men feel more comfortable with their finances, they will spend money on the inexpensive things that no one sees.
Yes, according to none other than dean of the financial markets Alan Greenspan, the sale of men’s briefs is one of the most accurate predictors of economic conditions. If sales are too tight, the economy is likely in a pinch.
Men’s Briefs Tell the Tale
In a 2008, National Public Radio (NPR) report it was revealed that Greenspan believed that men’s briefs were among the most accurate predictors of an economic crisis. “If you look at sales of male underpants, it’s just pretty much a flat line, it hardly ever changes” reported Robert Krulwich. “But on those few occasions where it dips that means that men are so pinched that they are deciding not to replace underpants.” And so Greenspan says “that is almost always a prescient, forward impression that here comes trouble.”
According to Matt Hall, a spokesman for Hanes brand, “They (sale of men’s underwear) tend to be later going into a recession and earlier coming back.” Once men feel more comfortable with their finances, they will spend money on the inexpensive things that no one sees.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
PB Post Historical Facts
Al Capone tried to settle in Boca
John Dillinger Gang Shot Machine Guns into the air in Palm Beach
Al Capone Jr was arrested in Miami for shoplifting
Hoagy Carmichael was a law clerk in West Palm
Gershwin while in Palm Beach wrote Porgy & Bess
Thomas Sperry owned a mobile home park in Jupiter before creating S&H green stamps
John Dillinger Gang Shot Machine Guns into the air in Palm Beach
Al Capone Jr was arrested in Miami for shoplifting
Hoagy Carmichael was a law clerk in West Palm
Gershwin while in Palm Beach wrote Porgy & Bess
Thomas Sperry owned a mobile home park in Jupiter before creating S&H green stamps
Friday, September 25, 2009
Garage Sale Depot West Palm Beach
Welcome to the up-and-coming site of The Garage Sale Depot, where you'll find for the first time ever
thousands of garage sales under one roof and more than 16,000 square feet of shopping heaven.
Our doors will officially open on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 with a fun-filled family day of
activities and savings on a huge selection of merchandise from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Until then, we are
working diligently on this website to make sure your experience here is as great as it is in the store.
In the meantime, we are accepting consigned items as well as donations to help fight cancer through
our partnership with The Cancer Federation. Plus we'll pick up your items for FREE! If you would like to
know more or schedule a free pickup please give us a call.
(561) 667-0345
2231 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409 • (1 mile west of I-95)
thousands of garage sales under one roof and more than 16,000 square feet of shopping heaven.
Our doors will officially open on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 with a fun-filled family day of
activities and savings on a huge selection of merchandise from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Until then, we are
working diligently on this website to make sure your experience here is as great as it is in the store.
In the meantime, we are accepting consigned items as well as donations to help fight cancer through
our partnership with The Cancer Federation. Plus we'll pick up your items for FREE! If you would like to
know more or schedule a free pickup please give us a call.
(561) 667-0345
2231 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409 • (1 mile west of I-95)
PB Post Food Stamps Requests Soar
By JOHN LANTIGUA
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 25, 2009
As the unemployment rate soared in the past year, the number of people signing up for food stamps in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast also skyrocketed, by nearly 50 percent.
The figures were released this week by the Department of Children and Families, which administers the federal program in Florida.
"The increase in Palm Beach County was 49 percent, but we have seen other counties in Florida that have gone up 75, 80, 90 percent," said Perry Borman, DCF regional director for Southeast Florida. "I would guess that the state has never seen such a dramatic increase in the past."
As of August, 48,236 households in Palm Beach County were receiving food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. That compares with 32,299 households last year.
The dollar amount distributed in stamps increased even more sharply, in part because federal stimulus funds were used to augment benefits. In July 2008, food stamp aid distributed in the county was $6.7 million per month. It climbed to $12.98 million this past August.
Borman said the food stamp program's traditional clientele — people mired in long-term poverty, including the homeless — have been joined by people who never asked for assistance before.
"We're seeing an increase in a different kind of people applying — the working poor," Borman said. "People have lost their jobs, they own a house, money has dried up and they turn to public assistance."
In Martin County, the number of households receiving food stamps increased from 3,077 in August 2008 to 4,937 in 2009, a rise of 60.4 percent. Benefits totaled $1.25 million.
In St. Lucie County, assistance was distributed in August to 17,337 households, up from 12,151 in 2008, an increase of 42.7 percent. The total distributed was $4.66 million.
"This is pretty unprecedented," said Cheri Sheffer, DCF spokeswoman in the two counties. "But here on the Treasure Coast we have some pretty tremendous unemployment statistics."
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 25, 2009
As the unemployment rate soared in the past year, the number of people signing up for food stamps in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast also skyrocketed, by nearly 50 percent.
The figures were released this week by the Department of Children and Families, which administers the federal program in Florida.
"The increase in Palm Beach County was 49 percent, but we have seen other counties in Florida that have gone up 75, 80, 90 percent," said Perry Borman, DCF regional director for Southeast Florida. "I would guess that the state has never seen such a dramatic increase in the past."
As of August, 48,236 households in Palm Beach County were receiving food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. That compares with 32,299 households last year.
The dollar amount distributed in stamps increased even more sharply, in part because federal stimulus funds were used to augment benefits. In July 2008, food stamp aid distributed in the county was $6.7 million per month. It climbed to $12.98 million this past August.
Borman said the food stamp program's traditional clientele — people mired in long-term poverty, including the homeless — have been joined by people who never asked for assistance before.
"We're seeing an increase in a different kind of people applying — the working poor," Borman said. "People have lost their jobs, they own a house, money has dried up and they turn to public assistance."
In Martin County, the number of households receiving food stamps increased from 3,077 in August 2008 to 4,937 in 2009, a rise of 60.4 percent. Benefits totaled $1.25 million.
In St. Lucie County, assistance was distributed in August to 17,337 households, up from 12,151 in 2008, an increase of 42.7 percent. The total distributed was $4.66 million.
"This is pretty unprecedented," said Cheri Sheffer, DCF spokeswoman in the two counties. "But here on the Treasure Coast we have some pretty tremendous unemployment statistics."
Thursday, September 24, 2009
VA behind in making GI Bill Payments
Thousands of veterans attending college on the new G.I. Bill are having to take out loans, put off buying textbooks or dig into savings because of delays by the Department of Veterans Affairs in issuing benefit checks, veterans groups and college officials say.
The bill, which took effect Aug. 1, provides money to cover much, and often all, of the costs of attending college — including tuition, housing and books — for veterans who served in the military after Sept. 10, 2001.
As was anticipated, the new benefit enticed more than 277,000 veterans and their eligible relatives to apply for assistance. But the veterans department, with its antiquated technology, has struggled to keep up with the flood of claims.
This week, the department reported that it had made tuition payments to colleges on just 20,000 of those applications, and had made another 13,000 payments directly to veterans for various expenses. The department said that it was taking an average of 35 days to process claims, but that the wait could stretch to eight weeks and possibly longer.
“Taking into account the complexity of this bill, we’ve done about as well as could have been done,” said Keith Wilson, the department’s education service director. “That doesn’t alleviate our concern that we’re not meeting everybody’s expectations.”
So far, colleges around the country appear to be allowing veterans to enroll in classes even though they have not received tuition payments.
But many veterans who had expected to begin receiving assistance for housing, books and other expenses by Sept. 1 are having to pay out of their own pockets. The department now says it never intended to send checks for housing until October, though many veterans say they were not aware of that.
“We’re discouraged by what we’ve seen and how it’s affecting veterans in the field,” said Ryan Gallucci, spokesman for AmVets, a veterans’ service organization. “It is national in scope.”
Christen DeNicholas, 23, said the benefit persuaded her to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. But after putting down a deposit for an apartment and enrolling in classes, Ms. DeNicholas was notified at orientation that the college had not received her $8,000 tuition payment.
The bill, which took effect Aug. 1, provides money to cover much, and often all, of the costs of attending college — including tuition, housing and books — for veterans who served in the military after Sept. 10, 2001.
As was anticipated, the new benefit enticed more than 277,000 veterans and their eligible relatives to apply for assistance. But the veterans department, with its antiquated technology, has struggled to keep up with the flood of claims.
This week, the department reported that it had made tuition payments to colleges on just 20,000 of those applications, and had made another 13,000 payments directly to veterans for various expenses. The department said that it was taking an average of 35 days to process claims, but that the wait could stretch to eight weeks and possibly longer.
“Taking into account the complexity of this bill, we’ve done about as well as could have been done,” said Keith Wilson, the department’s education service director. “That doesn’t alleviate our concern that we’re not meeting everybody’s expectations.”
So far, colleges around the country appear to be allowing veterans to enroll in classes even though they have not received tuition payments.
But many veterans who had expected to begin receiving assistance for housing, books and other expenses by Sept. 1 are having to pay out of their own pockets. The department now says it never intended to send checks for housing until October, though many veterans say they were not aware of that.
“We’re discouraged by what we’ve seen and how it’s affecting veterans in the field,” said Ryan Gallucci, spokesman for AmVets, a veterans’ service organization. “It is national in scope.”
Christen DeNicholas, 23, said the benefit persuaded her to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. But after putting down a deposit for an apartment and enrolling in classes, Ms. DeNicholas was notified at orientation that the college had not received her $8,000 tuition payment.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
PB Post on Florida Income Levels
Florida incomes take biggest hit in nation, and they’re nearer to Mississippi’s than Maryland’s
by Jeff Ostrowski
Florida incomes lagged the national average in 2008 and fell well below those of other large states, the Census Bureau says.
A sampling of median family income from the Census’ American Communities Survey:
* 1. Maryland: $70,545
* 9. California: $61,021
* 17. Illinois: $56,235
* 18. New York: $56,033
* United States: $52,029
* 25. Pennsylvania: $50,713
* 28. Texas: $50,043
* 34. Florida: $47,778
* 51. Mississippi: $37,790
In more grim news, Florida had the biggest decline in income of any state:
State 2007 income Inflation-adjusted 2007 income 2008 income Change
Florida $47,804 $49,641 $47,778 -3.9%
Indiana $47,448 $49,271 $47,966 -2.7%
Michigan $47,950 $49,792 $48,591 -2.5%
California $59,948 $62,251 $61,021 -2.0%
Arizona $49,889 $51,806 $50,958 -1.7%
Tags: Census Bureau, Florida income
by Jeff Ostrowski
Florida incomes lagged the national average in 2008 and fell well below those of other large states, the Census Bureau says.
A sampling of median family income from the Census’ American Communities Survey:
* 1. Maryland: $70,545
* 9. California: $61,021
* 17. Illinois: $56,235
* 18. New York: $56,033
* United States: $52,029
* 25. Pennsylvania: $50,713
* 28. Texas: $50,043
* 34. Florida: $47,778
* 51. Mississippi: $37,790
In more grim news, Florida had the biggest decline in income of any state:
State 2007 income Inflation-adjusted 2007 income 2008 income Change
Florida $47,804 $49,641 $47,778 -3.9%
Indiana $47,448 $49,271 $47,966 -2.7%
Michigan $47,950 $49,792 $48,591 -2.5%
California $59,948 $62,251 $61,021 -2.0%
Arizona $49,889 $51,806 $50,958 -1.7%
Tags: Census Bureau, Florida income
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
5 richest 5 poorest neighborhoods
The 5 Richest Neighborhoods in the US
1. Los Angeles, California 90067 (Century City, to be exact)
2. West Atherton, California 94027 (in the San Francisco Bay Area)
3. Palm Beach, Florida 33480
4. Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
5. Weston, Massachusetts 02493 (near Boston)
The 5 Poorest Neighborhoods in the US
1. El Paso, Texas 79901 (Chihuahita area)
2. Cincinnati, Ohio (English Woods area)
3. Anapra, New Mexico 88063
4. St. Louis, Missouri 63106 (St. Louis Place area)
5. San Antonio, Texas 78202 (Harvard Place / Eastlawn area)
One interesting difference between the rich and the poor listed here: the poor's mortgage balances are generally 2-4 times their annual income, while the mortgage balances of the rich barely exceed their annual income. Also, most of the rich neighborhoods have higher average credit scores than the poor, but not by much. No one on this list comes close to an 800 credit rating. Just goes to show that good planning and discipline (not the amount of money you have) is what's needed for a stellar score.
1. Los Angeles, California 90067 (Century City, to be exact)
2. West Atherton, California 94027 (in the San Francisco Bay Area)
3. Palm Beach, Florida 33480
4. Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
5. Weston, Massachusetts 02493 (near Boston)
The 5 Poorest Neighborhoods in the US
1. El Paso, Texas 79901 (Chihuahita area)
2. Cincinnati, Ohio (English Woods area)
3. Anapra, New Mexico 88063
4. St. Louis, Missouri 63106 (St. Louis Place area)
5. San Antonio, Texas 78202 (Harvard Place / Eastlawn area)
One interesting difference between the rich and the poor listed here: the poor's mortgage balances are generally 2-4 times their annual income, while the mortgage balances of the rich barely exceed their annual income. Also, most of the rich neighborhoods have higher average credit scores than the poor, but not by much. No one on this list comes close to an 800 credit rating. Just goes to show that good planning and discipline (not the amount of money you have) is what's needed for a stellar score.
Monday, September 21, 2009
PB Post Man Driving Naked on I 95
BUNNELL, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say a Georgia man was driving naked on the highway in Flagler County, where he repeatedly flashed a woman and her 11-year-old son.
A woman driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 with her son in the cab Thursday reported that a naked man in a sport utility vehicle had been keeping pace with her and performing lewd acts. She told authorities that the man followed her for about 8 miles, but she was eventually able to get away by pulling into a weigh station.
The woman reported the man and vehicle to the Florida Highway Patrol, and troopers say the caught up with 45-year-old Mark Duffus about 20 miles to the north on the highway.
Duffus was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition and indecent exposure. He was released Friday on $2,000 bail.
A woman driving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 with her son in the cab Thursday reported that a naked man in a sport utility vehicle had been keeping pace with her and performing lewd acts. She told authorities that the man followed her for about 8 miles, but she was eventually able to get away by pulling into a weigh station.
The woman reported the man and vehicle to the Florida Highway Patrol, and troopers say the caught up with 45-year-old Mark Duffus about 20 miles to the north on the highway.
Duffus was charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition and indecent exposure. He was released Friday on $2,000 bail.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
PB Post State of Unemployment
Unemployment rates dropped slightly in 53 of Florida’s 67 counties, contributing to a dip in the state’s overall rate of out of work citizens, unemployment numbers out today show.
Click here for more about our local unemployment rates. And go here for more detailed statewide information.
Florida counties with highest unemployment rates in August (change from July):
1. Hendry: 16.4% (-1.8%)
2. Flagler: 15.7% (-3.1%)
3. Indian River: 15.3% (-0.7%)
4. St. Lucie: 14.7% (-1.3%)
5. Lee: 13.5% (+1.5%)*
6. Hernando: 13.3% (-0.7%)
24. Martin 11.5% (0%)
27. Palm Beach 11.3 (-0.9%)
Florida: 10.9% (-1.8%)
*Other Florida counties where unemployment increased last month were Collier, Gulf, Lake, Lee, Marion and Osceola.
States with highest rate of unemployment:
1. MI: 15.2%
2. NV: 13.2%
3. CA: 12.2%
3. OR: 12.2%
5. SC: 11.5%
6.Fl 10.7%
Click here for more about our local unemployment rates. And go here for more detailed statewide information.
Florida counties with highest unemployment rates in August (change from July):
1. Hendry: 16.4% (-1.8%)
2. Flagler: 15.7% (-3.1%)
3. Indian River: 15.3% (-0.7%)
4. St. Lucie: 14.7% (-1.3%)
5. Lee: 13.5% (+1.5%)*
6. Hernando: 13.3% (-0.7%)
24. Martin 11.5% (0%)
27. Palm Beach 11.3 (-0.9%)
Florida: 10.9% (-1.8%)
*Other Florida counties where unemployment increased last month were Collier, Gulf, Lake, Lee, Marion and Osceola.
States with highest rate of unemployment:
1. MI: 15.2%
2. NV: 13.2%
3. CA: 12.2%
3. OR: 12.2%
5. SC: 11.5%
6.Fl 10.7%
Friday, September 18, 2009
PB Post Drivers License Scam!
DELRAY BEACH — In the end, prosecutors say, it was sloppiness and vanity as much as anything that tripped up state examiners who investigators believe took perhaps millions in bribes to issue driver licenses to at least 1,500 illegal immigrants.
Ten people - four examiners at the license office in Delray Beach and six others who conspired to recruit them - have been or soon will be arrested, including two examiners who were charged when the ring was broken in May and who now face new conspiracy counts, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's office said.
Special video report
Video First appearances in court
Arrested in May
Maggie Nelson, 46, of Delray Beach, worked for the agency since 1997.*
Jashonda Kaliha Scott, 25, of Palm Springs, worked for the agency since 2007.
Patreese Harvey, 28, of Palm Springs, worked for the agency since 2006.
Debbie Collins, 42, of Belle Glade, worked for the agency since 2005.*
Melita Dera Zilea, 28, of Coral Springs, worked for the agency since 2008.
Adrien Alex, 42, of Delray Beach, being held for possible deportation to Haiti.
Note: Maggie Nelson and Debbie Collins were arrested again and are in jail this morning.
Debbie Collins
Debbie Collins
Chenita Byrdmosley
Chenita Byrd-Mosley
Osie Carter
Osie Carter
Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson
Jonex Moise
Jonex Moise
At least five were brought into court this morning for bond hearings.
Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson, Palm Beach County's public corruption prosecutor, said the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is now working to invalidate the illicit licenses.
Examiners took fees ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 per license, witnesses told investigators.
An affidavit produced by the Florida Highway Patrol, which investigated the alleged conspiracy for the department, doesn't give the total take, but the math suggests more than $1 million and as much as several million dollars.
Investigators flagged 6,600 transactions that involved immigration forms and passports, reviewed three-fourths of those, and found 1,503 fake licenses had been issued.
Johnson said investigators hope to study the remaining transactions in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, according to the affidavit, conspirators would generate counterfeit immigration documents and supply them to applicants, often handing paperwork to them in the parking lot of the office at Military Trail and Atlantic Avenue.
Ten people - four examiners at the license office in Delray Beach and six others who conspired to recruit them - have been or soon will be arrested, including two examiners who were charged when the ring was broken in May and who now face new conspiracy counts, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's office said.
Special video report
Video First appearances in court
Arrested in May
Maggie Nelson, 46, of Delray Beach, worked for the agency since 1997.*
Jashonda Kaliha Scott, 25, of Palm Springs, worked for the agency since 2007.
Patreese Harvey, 28, of Palm Springs, worked for the agency since 2006.
Debbie Collins, 42, of Belle Glade, worked for the agency since 2005.*
Melita Dera Zilea, 28, of Coral Springs, worked for the agency since 2008.
Adrien Alex, 42, of Delray Beach, being held for possible deportation to Haiti.
Note: Maggie Nelson and Debbie Collins were arrested again and are in jail this morning.
Debbie Collins
Debbie Collins
Chenita Byrdmosley
Chenita Byrd-Mosley
Osie Carter
Osie Carter
Maggie Nelson
Maggie Nelson
Jonex Moise
Jonex Moise
At least five were brought into court this morning for bond hearings.
Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson, Palm Beach County's public corruption prosecutor, said the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is now working to invalidate the illicit licenses.
Examiners took fees ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 per license, witnesses told investigators.
An affidavit produced by the Florida Highway Patrol, which investigated the alleged conspiracy for the department, doesn't give the total take, but the math suggests more than $1 million and as much as several million dollars.
Investigators flagged 6,600 transactions that involved immigration forms and passports, reviewed three-fourths of those, and found 1,503 fake licenses had been issued.
Johnson said investigators hope to study the remaining transactions in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, according to the affidavit, conspirators would generate counterfeit immigration documents and supply them to applicants, often handing paperwork to them in the parking lot of the office at Military Trail and Atlantic Avenue.
VA Warns Vets of Prescription Scam!
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is warning Veterans not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.
"America’s Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."
Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number.
"VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines," Cross said. "Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation’s Veterans."
Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.
"America’s Veterans have become targets in an inexcusable scam that dishonors their service and misrepresents the Department built for them," said Dr. Gerald Cross, VA’s Under Secretary for Health. "VA simply does not call Veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone."
Veteran Service Organizations have brought to VA's attention that callers are misrepresenting the VA to gain personal information over the phone. They say VA recently changed procedures for dispensing prescriptions and ask for the Veteran's credit card number.
"VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines," Cross said. "Nor has VA changed its long-standing commitment to protect the personal information of this nation’s Veterans."
Veterans with questions about VA services should contact the nearest VA medical center or call, toll-free, 1-877-222-8387.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Huffington Post:Home Owners Last Resort
Buying a new house last December was an easy decision for Brad and Melanie Juarros.
They had been eyeing foreclosed properties for months in their Sacramento, Calif. neighborhood just north of the American River. The house the couple wanted to buy was bigger, the $140,000 price within budget and the interest rate low (five percent for a fixed-rate mortgage). Even though they hadn't yet sold their present home, the Juarroses bought their dream house.
But there was a problem. Like millions of Americans, the couple owes more on their present home than it's worth. More than 15 million homes are mortgaged for more than their value, according to an August report by real estate research firm First American CoreLogic. About one in three homes with a mortgage fall into this category. The Juarroses owe about $83,000 on their home and they say they are worried that they won't be able to sell it for that much.
Rather than selling at a loss, they decided to rent out their old home to tenants. In doing so, the Juarroses join a growing number of homeowners who have become landlords, often reluctantly, as they struggle to sell during one of the worst housing markets in recent memory. The most prominent example may be U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who after failing to sell his $1.6 million home in a New York City suburb found tenants instead.
They had been eyeing foreclosed properties for months in their Sacramento, Calif. neighborhood just north of the American River. The house the couple wanted to buy was bigger, the $140,000 price within budget and the interest rate low (five percent for a fixed-rate mortgage). Even though they hadn't yet sold their present home, the Juarroses bought their dream house.
But there was a problem. Like millions of Americans, the couple owes more on their present home than it's worth. More than 15 million homes are mortgaged for more than their value, according to an August report by real estate research firm First American CoreLogic. About one in three homes with a mortgage fall into this category. The Juarroses owe about $83,000 on their home and they say they are worried that they won't be able to sell it for that much.
Rather than selling at a loss, they decided to rent out their old home to tenants. In doing so, the Juarroses join a growing number of homeowners who have become landlords, often reluctantly, as they struggle to sell during one of the worst housing markets in recent memory. The most prominent example may be U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who after failing to sell his $1.6 million home in a New York City suburb found tenants instead.
Monday, September 14, 2009
PB Post article on Bus Driver
Monday, September 14, 2009
TALLAHASSEE — A Palm Beach County School district employee who put herself in harms way to keep a bus fill of children safe from a gunman was honored today as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 2009 School Bus Operator of the Year.
Kendra Hankerson, 29, was driving about 50 students home on March 13 when a black SUV pulled in front of her. Two men, including one with a rifle, jumped out and began yelling for the students to get out of the bus.
Hankerson, the mother of two girls, maneuvered the bus to block the children, putting herself between the students and the gunman who was pointing the weapon at the bus.
She then ignored the usual drop-off stops and instead drove each child to his or her home.
Later the same day, Shorn Reckley, 21, was arrested for his involvement in the incident.
The charges against a second man were eventually dropped.
Reckley was eventually sentenced to 6 months probation, 100 hours of community service and 12 hours of anger management classes.
He was also forced to pay a $250 fine and write a letter of apology to Hankerson, according to the Delray Beach Police Department.
Hankerson was honored Monday at the state Capitol for her "quick thinking."
"Ms. Hankerson, thank you for your courageous actions," FDLE Criminal Justice Information Services Director Donna Uzzell said.
Hankerson has been a school district employee for five years.
She received a community service commendation from the Delray Beach Police Department in June.
Here's to Palm Beach County Justice,a Judge actually gives this clown probation and community service. Did He or She not think it was a serious Crime!I would agree to sentence the judge back to elementary school.
TALLAHASSEE — A Palm Beach County School district employee who put herself in harms way to keep a bus fill of children safe from a gunman was honored today as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 2009 School Bus Operator of the Year.
Kendra Hankerson, 29, was driving about 50 students home on March 13 when a black SUV pulled in front of her. Two men, including one with a rifle, jumped out and began yelling for the students to get out of the bus.
Hankerson, the mother of two girls, maneuvered the bus to block the children, putting herself between the students and the gunman who was pointing the weapon at the bus.
She then ignored the usual drop-off stops and instead drove each child to his or her home.
Later the same day, Shorn Reckley, 21, was arrested for his involvement in the incident.
The charges against a second man were eventually dropped.
Reckley was eventually sentenced to 6 months probation, 100 hours of community service and 12 hours of anger management classes.
He was also forced to pay a $250 fine and write a letter of apology to Hankerson, according to the Delray Beach Police Department.
Hankerson was honored Monday at the state Capitol for her "quick thinking."
"Ms. Hankerson, thank you for your courageous actions," FDLE Criminal Justice Information Services Director Donna Uzzell said.
Hankerson has been a school district employee for five years.
She received a community service commendation from the Delray Beach Police Department in June.
Here's to Palm Beach County Justice,a Judge actually gives this clown probation and community service. Did He or She not think it was a serious Crime!I would agree to sentence the judge back to elementary school.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
NYT The Tiniest Plot in NYC
The tiniest plot of private property in New York
By wildnewyork
Or at least until the 1930s, anyway. At the corner of Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue South in the West Village, in front of the iconic Village Cigars store, lies this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mosaic embedded in the sidewalk.
HessestateplaqueIts tough-talking message: “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has Never Been Dedicated For Public Purposes.”
What’s the backstory? In the 1910s, when the city was expanding the IRT subway line, officials tore down a nearby apartment building owned by the estate of a New Yorker named David Hess.
A small triangle of land was left over, and officials wanted the Hess family to donate it so the city could extend the sidewalk.
Nothing doing. The Hess Estate fought it out in court, won the right to preserve their little plot, and embedded the tile plaque as kind of a victory symbol. In 1938, however, they sold it to the Village Cigar owners.
Tags: " building the New York City subways, "Property of the Hess Estate, Christopher Street, David Hess estate, Sheridan square, Village Cigars, West Village old signs
By wildnewyork
Or at least until the 1930s, anyway. At the corner of Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue South in the West Village, in front of the iconic Village Cigars store, lies this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mosaic embedded in the sidewalk.
HessestateplaqueIts tough-talking message: “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has Never Been Dedicated For Public Purposes.”
What’s the backstory? In the 1910s, when the city was expanding the IRT subway line, officials tore down a nearby apartment building owned by the estate of a New Yorker named David Hess.
A small triangle of land was left over, and officials wanted the Hess family to donate it so the city could extend the sidewalk.
Nothing doing. The Hess Estate fought it out in court, won the right to preserve their little plot, and embedded the tile plaque as kind of a victory symbol. In 1938, however, they sold it to the Village Cigar owners.
Tags: " building the New York City subways, "Property of the Hess Estate, Christopher Street, David Hess estate, Sheridan square, Village Cigars, West Village old signs
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
50 Fun Things to do in Las Vegas
1 See the White tigers at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden: The Mirage
2 Lake of Dreams at Wynn. 140 foot mountain covered with 1500 trees, waterfall and three-acre lake.
3 Get face to face with sharks at Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay
4 Animated birds and animals: Sam's Town atrium
5 One of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas: Be entertained by strolling mimes: Canal Shoppes, Venetian
6 Classic car collection: Imperial Palace
7 High impact motion simulator rides at Luxor.
8 Don't miss the $70 million Fremont Street Experience, downtown.
9 See "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the Tropicana
10 Visit the Dolphin habitat at The Mirage
11 See the world's largest atrium: Luxor
12 Visit the glitziest museum in the world: Liberace Museum (1775 E. Tropicana)
13 1,200 feet off the ground roller coaster: on top of the Stratosphere Tower
14 View an exquisite collection of fine art: Bellagio
15 Love hamburgers and Harley's?: Harley-Davidson Cafe
16 There are Flamingos and African penguins at the Flamingo Hilton
17 X-Scream thrill ride 900 feet above the strip at Stratosphere.
18 Visit Madame Toseau's wax museum: Venetian
19 Watch the dragon battle against the magician: Excalibur's moat
20 Ride the roller coaster: New York-New York
21 Submerging yourself in a magnificent garden of fragrance and color at the Bellagio is another of the things to do in Las Vegas.
22 Visit the Guinness Book of World Records Museum (2780 Las Vegas Blvd. S.)
23 See the New York City skyline: New York-New York Hotel/Casino
24 Watch the dancing fountains: Bellagio Hotel/Casino
25 Circus style performances every 45 minutes at Circus Circus
26 Take a paddlewheel cruise on Lake Mead: Desert Princess (293-6180)
27 See one of world's largest gold nuggets: Golden Nugget
28 Ride a runaway train (Excalibur's Magic Motion Machines)
29 See the world's largest collection of gambling books: Gambler's Book Club (630 E. 11th)
30 Stroll under a changing simulated sky: Forum Shops at Caesars
31 See the only pyramid-shaped hotel in the world: Luxor
32 One of the typical things to do in Las Vegas: Swim-up blackjack table at the Tropicana
33 Carnival Midway, over 200 games at Circus Circus
34 Witness a volcano eruption: The Mirage
35 Fountain sculptures come to life: Forum Shops at Caesars
36 See the largest Coke Bottle at the Coca Cola Store, Showcase Mall.
37 Visit the Eiffel Tower: Paris Hotel & Casino
Click Here To Play At Superslots Online Casino
38 Cheapest way to get around: Shuttle bus
39 Best place to visit small town America: Boulder City, where gaming is still illegal
40 Watch the surf at the wave pool: Mandalay Bay
41 Best casino for covering large bets: Binion's Horseshoe
42 Biggest poker room on the Strip: The Mirage
43 Best sports books for style: Las Vegas Hilton
44 Best get-away from the Strip: Red Rock Canyon
45 Best place for people watching: Caesars Forum Shops
46 Ride in a gondola: Venetian
47 Eat the largest hot dog: Slots-A-Fun, next to Circus Circus
48 Best reason to rise early: to see the sunrise over the desert
49 Tour the cactus garden and sample chocolates: Ethel M Chocolate Factory
50 The best of all the things to do in Las Vegas: Gamble! Gamble! Gamble!
2 Lake of Dreams at Wynn. 140 foot mountain covered with 1500 trees, waterfall and three-acre lake.
3 Get face to face with sharks at Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay
4 Animated birds and animals: Sam's Town atrium
5 One of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas: Be entertained by strolling mimes: Canal Shoppes, Venetian
6 Classic car collection: Imperial Palace
7 High impact motion simulator rides at Luxor.
8 Don't miss the $70 million Fremont Street Experience, downtown.
9 See "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" at the Tropicana
10 Visit the Dolphin habitat at The Mirage
11 See the world's largest atrium: Luxor
12 Visit the glitziest museum in the world: Liberace Museum (1775 E. Tropicana)
13 1,200 feet off the ground roller coaster: on top of the Stratosphere Tower
14 View an exquisite collection of fine art: Bellagio
15 Love hamburgers and Harley's?: Harley-Davidson Cafe
16 There are Flamingos and African penguins at the Flamingo Hilton
17 X-Scream thrill ride 900 feet above the strip at Stratosphere.
18 Visit Madame Toseau's wax museum: Venetian
19 Watch the dragon battle against the magician: Excalibur's moat
20 Ride the roller coaster: New York-New York
21 Submerging yourself in a magnificent garden of fragrance and color at the Bellagio is another of the things to do in Las Vegas.
22 Visit the Guinness Book of World Records Museum (2780 Las Vegas Blvd. S.)
23 See the New York City skyline: New York-New York Hotel/Casino
24 Watch the dancing fountains: Bellagio Hotel/Casino
25 Circus style performances every 45 minutes at Circus Circus
26 Take a paddlewheel cruise on Lake Mead: Desert Princess (293-6180)
27 See one of world's largest gold nuggets: Golden Nugget
28 Ride a runaway train (Excalibur's Magic Motion Machines)
29 See the world's largest collection of gambling books: Gambler's Book Club (630 E. 11th)
30 Stroll under a changing simulated sky: Forum Shops at Caesars
31 See the only pyramid-shaped hotel in the world: Luxor
32 One of the typical things to do in Las Vegas: Swim-up blackjack table at the Tropicana
33 Carnival Midway, over 200 games at Circus Circus
34 Witness a volcano eruption: The Mirage
35 Fountain sculptures come to life: Forum Shops at Caesars
36 See the largest Coke Bottle at the Coca Cola Store, Showcase Mall.
37 Visit the Eiffel Tower: Paris Hotel & Casino
Click Here To Play At Superslots Online Casino
38 Cheapest way to get around: Shuttle bus
39 Best place to visit small town America: Boulder City, where gaming is still illegal
40 Watch the surf at the wave pool: Mandalay Bay
41 Best casino for covering large bets: Binion's Horseshoe
42 Biggest poker room on the Strip: The Mirage
43 Best sports books for style: Las Vegas Hilton
44 Best get-away from the Strip: Red Rock Canyon
45 Best place for people watching: Caesars Forum Shops
46 Ride in a gondola: Venetian
47 Eat the largest hot dog: Slots-A-Fun, next to Circus Circus
48 Best reason to rise early: to see the sunrise over the desert
49 Tour the cactus garden and sample chocolates: Ethel M Chocolate Factory
50 The best of all the things to do in Las Vegas: Gamble! Gamble! Gamble!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Goldberg on Bachman
President?
by Michelle Goldberg
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
BS Top - Goldberg Bachmannalia Paul Sancya / AP Photo America’s craziest member of Congress has hinted at running for the nation’s highest office, and who can blame her? Even her latest outbursts haven’t threatened her bulletproof status, Michelle Goldberg reports.
Michele Bachmann has always been on the far right of her right-wing party, but for the past year, her lunacy has been particularly vigorous. First was the McCarthyite demand for an investigation of “anti-American” members of Congress. Then came her fear that Obama was creating “re-education camps” via the AmeriCorps program (a program her son has since joined). There was her call for Minnesotans to be “armed and dangerous” revolutionaries against cap-and-trade legislation and her paranoid opposition to the Census. And on Monday, railing against health-care reform in Colorado, she implored a crowd “to make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not pass.”
All this raises a question: Will Bachmann ever pay a political price for her fevered outbursts? In today’s GOP, is there such a thing as too crazy?
In 2008, “You had her demonstrating her embarrassing nuttiness repeatedly. And she still won.”
Obviously, the Democrats hope so, which is why there’s already lots of energy around Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District's primary race. “An extraordinary amount of money is pouring into this race very early,” says Brian Melendez, chairman of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, as the state’s Democratic Party is called. Bachmann, he says, “is not just America’s craziest congressperson, she’s also one of the least effective members of Congress. She does nothing for her district, she brings nothing home, she has no legislative accomplishments she can point to.” He adds, “I’m confident that her true colors have been displayed since the last election in a way that they have not been before.”
At first glance, Melendez’s statement seems quixotic. Last time around, Bachmann’s challenger, Elwyn Tinklenberg, raised $1 million in the days after Bachmann’s outburst about anti-American congressmen. If Bachmann could be beat, 2008 should have been the year to do it.
by Michelle Goldberg
Michelle Goldberg is the author of The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World and Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism. She is a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, and her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Nation, the Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many other publications.
BS Top - Goldberg Bachmannalia Paul Sancya / AP Photo America’s craziest member of Congress has hinted at running for the nation’s highest office, and who can blame her? Even her latest outbursts haven’t threatened her bulletproof status, Michelle Goldberg reports.
Michele Bachmann has always been on the far right of her right-wing party, but for the past year, her lunacy has been particularly vigorous. First was the McCarthyite demand for an investigation of “anti-American” members of Congress. Then came her fear that Obama was creating “re-education camps” via the AmeriCorps program (a program her son has since joined). There was her call for Minnesotans to be “armed and dangerous” revolutionaries against cap-and-trade legislation and her paranoid opposition to the Census. And on Monday, railing against health-care reform in Colorado, she implored a crowd “to make a covenant, to slit our wrists, be blood brothers on this thing. This will not pass.”
All this raises a question: Will Bachmann ever pay a political price for her fevered outbursts? In today’s GOP, is there such a thing as too crazy?
In 2008, “You had her demonstrating her embarrassing nuttiness repeatedly. And she still won.”
Obviously, the Democrats hope so, which is why there’s already lots of energy around Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District's primary race. “An extraordinary amount of money is pouring into this race very early,” says Brian Melendez, chairman of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, as the state’s Democratic Party is called. Bachmann, he says, “is not just America’s craziest congressperson, she’s also one of the least effective members of Congress. She does nothing for her district, she brings nothing home, she has no legislative accomplishments she can point to.” He adds, “I’m confident that her true colors have been displayed since the last election in a way that they have not been before.”
At first glance, Melendez’s statement seems quixotic. Last time around, Bachmann’s challenger, Elwyn Tinklenberg, raised $1 million in the days after Bachmann’s outburst about anti-American congressmen. If Bachmann could be beat, 2008 should have been the year to do it.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Minn. Rep. Bachman Flake Supreme
Wackiest Moments“You had an election with a strong trend away from Republicans toward Democrats,” says Norm Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (and Minnesota native). “You had a reasonably attractive, not terribly weak challenger against her, who ended up, because of the notoriety that she achieved, getting fairly well funded. You had her demonstrating her embarrassing nuttiness repeatedly. And she still won.”
Nevertheless, some think Bachmann’s Palin act might be wearing thin. In July, Roll Call reported that the National Republican Congressional Committee had added her to a program meant to boost fundraising for vulnerable incumbents. Physician Maureen Reed, who is battling state Senator Tarryl Clark for the Democratic nomination, recently raised $230,000 in eight weeks, according to Jason Isaacson, her campaign manager. Clark won’t reveal how much she has raised, but says, “We’re going to be competitive. Things are going quite well.”
“The bottom line is that the 6th District isn’t as conservative as [Bachmann] is,” says Isaacson. It’s certainly the most right-wing district in the state—it went for John McCain by almost nine points in 2008—but Isaacson insists that a challenger who is seen as a moderate, rather than a liberal, can “make Michele Bachmann pay for her political craziness.”
Even in 2008, Clark points out, most people in the district voted against Bachmann—but 10 percent of them went for a third-party candidate. (Bachmann won 46 percent, while 44 percent went for Tinklenberg.) Meanwhile, Clark adds, the district has the highest foreclosure rate in the state, something she says Bachmann has done nothing to ameliorate—the congresswoman has voted against every major foreclosure-relief bill and called struggling homeowners “irresponsible
Nevertheless, some think Bachmann’s Palin act might be wearing thin. In July, Roll Call reported that the National Republican Congressional Committee had added her to a program meant to boost fundraising for vulnerable incumbents. Physician Maureen Reed, who is battling state Senator Tarryl Clark for the Democratic nomination, recently raised $230,000 in eight weeks, according to Jason Isaacson, her campaign manager. Clark won’t reveal how much she has raised, but says, “We’re going to be competitive. Things are going quite well.”
“The bottom line is that the 6th District isn’t as conservative as [Bachmann] is,” says Isaacson. It’s certainly the most right-wing district in the state—it went for John McCain by almost nine points in 2008—but Isaacson insists that a challenger who is seen as a moderate, rather than a liberal, can “make Michele Bachmann pay for her political craziness.”
Even in 2008, Clark points out, most people in the district voted against Bachmann—but 10 percent of them went for a third-party candidate. (Bachmann won 46 percent, while 44 percent went for Tinklenberg.) Meanwhile, Clark adds, the district has the highest foreclosure rate in the state, something she says Bachmann has done nothing to ameliorate—the congresswoman has voted against every major foreclosure-relief bill and called struggling homeowners “irresponsible
Friday, September 4, 2009
HUD Housing Assistance For Vets
HUD-VASH Vouchers
Overview
The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (the Act) (Public Law 110-161) enacted December 26, 2007, provided $75 million dollars of funding for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program as authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United Stated Housing Act of 1937. The HUD–VASH program combines HUD HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Veterans Affairs at its medical centers and in the community.
The 2008 Appropriation required HUD to “make such funding available…to public housing agencies (PHAs) that partner with eligible VA Medical Centers (VAMC) or other entities as designated by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on geographical need for such assistance as identified by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, public housing agency administrative performance, and other factors as specified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Based on this language, the VA identified 132 VAMCs that will participate with the program. In doing so, the VA took into account the population of homeless veterans needing services in the area, the number of homeless veterans served by the homeless programs at each VAMC during FY 2006 and FY 2007, geographic distribution and VA case management resources. There will be at least one site in each of the 50 states and in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Overview
The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (the Act) (Public Law 110-161) enacted December 26, 2007, provided $75 million dollars of funding for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program as authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United Stated Housing Act of 1937. The HUD–VASH program combines HUD HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Veterans Affairs at its medical centers and in the community.
The 2008 Appropriation required HUD to “make such funding available…to public housing agencies (PHAs) that partner with eligible VA Medical Centers (VAMC) or other entities as designated by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, based on geographical need for such assistance as identified by the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, public housing agency administrative performance, and other factors as specified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Based on this language, the VA identified 132 VAMCs that will participate with the program. In doing so, the VA took into account the population of homeless veterans needing services in the area, the number of homeless veterans served by the homeless programs at each VAMC during FY 2006 and FY 2007, geographic distribution and VA case management resources. There will be at least one site in each of the 50 states and in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
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