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.
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