DIY Home Improvement Recommendations to Help you b - Grace

You will need a list of equipment, tools and materials, before you start working on your renovations or repairs. You will save yourself a lot of problems when you do the planning stage correctly. When you are clear about exactly what you will need, you can plan your budget and figure out what you already have and what you still need to purchase. It will also help you stay organized when you actually begin the work. It can be very distracting to have to constantly run out and buy items in the middle of the job. It is best to have everything you need in place, so once you begin the project can proceed smoothly. It can be very expensive, but remodeling your kitchen will definitely transform the look of your home. Low-cost DIY improvements can be made to your kitchen, if you can?t afford to remodel the whole thing. For example, rather than replacing your cabinets, you could simply home remodeling get new doors, door knobs and hardware for them. If your countertops are looking faded, there are attractive but low-cost laminate countertops that could make a big difference. Some of your kitchen appliances may also need replacing, especially if they are not energy-efficient. Repainting your kitchen in a new color can also have a dramatic effect, and make your cabinets look new.

This entry was posted on May 25, 2012 at 6:51 am and is filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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What kinda tropical fish can u have in a 2 Gallon tank? | PetHot.com

Hi there:)
I?m afraid with a 2 gallon your options are pretty much limited to a betta fish- and I wouldn?t even keep a betta in a 2 gallon, but that?s my own personal preference.
Someone recommended angelfish- please don?t put an angelfish in a 2 gallon tank LOL they need at bare minimum to start, a 20 gallon, and that would need to be upgraded.
But a betta fish- especially from a pet store- would definitely appreciate a 2 gallon home, just make sure you buy one that looks healthy from one of those horrible tiny bowls. -_-
Do the poor animal a favor and give it a nice little home to stretch it?s fins out And if you have a filter and pump provided, you?ll see your betta come to life.
I bought a very unwell looking lone fish from a display ?cup? in Wal Mart. Brought him home, put him in a filtered 5 gallon- voila! Came right to life, what a beautiful fish he is. A lot of people say they?re boring fish- wouldn?t you be boring to watch in a cramped up little box?
Anyway, happy searching!
Hopefully you?ll find a lovely patterned fish to take home:)
I hope I?ve helped you.

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Will Texas Rangers Nelson Cruz rebound?

Nelson Cruz had a game to remember in a 14-3 victory for the Texas Rangers over the Toronto Blue Jays, as Cruz drove in eight runs while going 4-5 with two runs. He hit a 428 foot Grand Slam and also had a three-RBI double in the first inning as the Rangers chased Brandon Morrow out of the game after just 0.2 innings.

However, Nelson Cruz is coming off of a 1.6 WAR season in 2011, and it was a disappointing campaign for the right fielder who had his worst season since 2007. Back then, Cruz was an unknown player who was below replacement level. That changed in 2008, when he was worth 1.8 WAR in just 133 plate appearances and tore it up as a hitter.

The Rangers gave him a chance to show his stuff in 2009, and Cruz broke out with a 3.3 WAR season and a solid 116 wRC+. He had a UZR of 8.5 and managed to do that with a .278 BABIP.

May 20, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz (17) hits a two-RBI single against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

A year later, Nelson Cruz established himself as one of the best hitters in the game with a 5.1 WAR season that saw him adding ten runs with his defense, according to UZR. DRS, however, always saw him as merely above-average and a few runs above zero. In any case, Cruz had a fantastic 151 wRC+ and got on base at a .374 clip, but quite a bit of that was fueled by a .348 BABIP.

In 2011, his BABIP dropped to .288 as did his defense (-6.1 UZR) and base-running. He stole 20 and 17 bases in 2009 and 2010, but that total dropped to just nine in 2011. It might have something to do with injuries, as Cruz has been suffering from quad and hamstring injuries and missed 36 games in 2010 with hamstring injuries. In 2011, he missed 31 games due to quad/hamstring injuries.

That could also be the cause for a drop in UZR, because his usually great range fell into the subpar zone. His DRS value dropped by nine runs as well, so a drop in range could be the case. His UZR is back in the positives early on this year, but Cruz?s range is around ?zero?, which means that the decline in defensive value is legit due to those hamstring injuries. He is stealing less often and has much worse range because his legs aren?t the same as they were due to those injuries.

The drop in defensive value is important, because that loss of 14.6 runs from his 2009 and 2011 UZR totals pretty much halved his WAR total. In both seasons, he had a 116 wRC+, but the difference in defensive value contributed to an overall drop in WAR that was quite significant.

As far as hitting goes, Cruz walked just 6.4% of the time, after walking 8.5% of the time the previous season and 9.5% in 2009. His power (29 homers, .246 ISO) was about the same, but his BABIP fell to .288 and contributed to a meager .312 OBP (along with his low walk rate).

There?s a reason for all this, because the free-swinging right fielder was even more free-swinging than usual. The results, as one would expect, weren?t pretty. He chased a pitch out of the zone 32.9% of the time and, when he swung, he would manage to make contact on a pitch out of the zone 63% of the time. This helped to contribute to the lower walk rate, the drastically lower line drive rate, and a .288 BABIP that was about 20 points below his career average.

Pitchers took note and once again started throwing even less first-pitch strikes, because Nelson Cruz was swinging at pretty much anything and making weak contact. He had a career-high 41.4 GB%, and there are similarities in his 2009 and 2011 seasons.

He had low line-drive rates in both years, and his batted ball statistics and BABIPs were similar. It?s just that he hit for more power in 2009 and walked more to overcome that dip in BABIP. He was more patient that year and had a higher wOBA by 16 points (same wRC+ due to different leagues).

Cruz?s approach changed in2010 to the free-swinging way, and it worked due to his high BABIP. He ended up having an 11.9 SwStr%, which is below his career average of 13.4%. That helped him achieve a low 18.2 strikeout percentage (for him, at least).

The more the numbers are examined, the more it seems like Nelson Cruz will never approach his 2010 season, and that it may have been an anomaly due to a ?high amount of luck. He?s still a quality hitter, but Cruz is 31 and has lost his wheels in the outfield and on the bases. He?s still a good power hitter, but his free-swinging ways make him a .320-.330 OBP guy at this point.

Through 187 plate appearances and 44 games this season, Cruz has had a disappointing 87 wRC+ which has bumped down his ZiPS offensive projection from .351 to .336 wOBA. That is a pretty significant jump, but UZR likes his defense again and bumped up his ZiPS WAR projection from 1.9 WAR to 2.3 WAR, even with the depressed wOBA projection.

Before the season, most tabbed Cruz as having somewhere between a 3.5-4 WAR season. The batted ball statistics have climbed back to better levels, but he has a low 87 wRC+ even with a .339 BABIP.

He may be swinging and chasing less, but his BB% has stayed constant to last seasons?s poor 6.4% mark. It is too early to tell, but the current stats are troubling. He has whiffed 15% of the time and is making much less contact than usual.

His most recent performance against the Blue Jays could be a catalyst for better times ahead, but I?m skeptical. I think his offensive value does bounce back to around a 116 wRC+, but it seems like his 2011 offensive performance was the right estimation of his value.

Nelson Cruz is still a very good power hitter, but his OBP will cause him to have a wRC+ somewhere around 120. The better plate approach will pay off as the season goes on, even if the 25.7 K% is troubling. He will still have subpar defensive value, but expect a 2.5 WAR season from him, with 3.5 WAR being his upside and another 1.5 WAR-ish season being his basement. Cruz is still a solid player, but he will never be worth 5 WAR again and probably won?t reach the 4 WAR total.

The change in his approach at the plate is common with older players who have been significantly affected by recent leg injuries. His power will keep him going, and I would honestly rather see him swing a little more than he has so far this season. I hope his recent game is a sign of things to come, but I can?t see Cruz being worth more than 3 WAR this season. This isn?t going to be a rebound year for him, and last season was the beginning of a decline that will be slow. He will still have value due to his ability to hit for power (around a .225 ISO with 20-25 homers), but Cruz?s time as an elite outfielder was brief.

In essence, this will be rebound year for him based on his low 1.6 WAR total last season, but it isn?t a rebound year when looking at his 2009 and 2010 WAR totals. He is rebounding from last season, but the sad thing is that Cruz?s best days are definitely behind him (by the way, this is one of those times when I hope I?m way off).

Follow Joe Soriano on Twitter?here. Check out Nolan Writin? for everything on the Texas Rangers.

Tags: Brandon Morrow, featured, Nelson Cruz, popular, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays

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voip-phone-service-provider | TravelBuddies.us ? Travel Tips

voip phone service provider

VoIP Phone Service Providers, Giving You Great Value for Your Money

The telephone is considered as the primary tool used for communication. Almost every homes and businesses in the United States has a telephone installed. The convenience it offers is unsurpassed and many people consider it as one of the most important piece of technology ever invented by man. Besides, with a phone, you will be able to constantly keep in touch with your family and friends at a much efficient and faster way.

Another tool used for communication is the internet. Like the telephone, this is also considered as a breakthrough in communications technology. The internet allows people to communicate freely through emails and instant messenger programs. Another great thing about the internet is you will be able to share your digital files from your computer to another user.

The internet today is also used for other purposes. Your kids can use it to research for their term papers, you can use it to purchase products and services and you can even use it for entertainment by playing online games, listen to streaming music or watch streaming videos.

However, the primary use for the internet is for communication.

Today, another kind of technology is available in the market. This too is considered as a breakthrough in the communications technology. In fact, with all the benefits it can offer, many people are now subscribing to this service and are canceling their subscription on their conventional landline phones.

This communication tool is called VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol or sometimes referred to as internet voice. Many people ask why more and more people are now subscribing from VoIP service providers for this service and are getting rid of their conventional landline phones. Some even asked what is so special about VoIP.

First of all, VoIP is very much like your conventional telephone. However, VoIP uses the internet to transmit and receive audio data. Also, your voice is converted to digital audio data. What this means for you is that it will enable you to transmit and receive digital audio data at a much faster rate with clearer quality.

The fact that VoIP uses the internet to transmit digital data, long distance and overseas call is much cheaper than conventional landline phones. Imagine calling overseas using a conventional landline phone, you will see that a simple 5-minute call can cost a lot of money. With VoIP, calling the same destination at the same duration, you will see that it only cost a fraction of what landline phones will charge you. Some VoIP providers offer free long distance and overseas call.

Another great benefit that VoIP can offer you is that it will throw in extra phone features, such as three-way calling, caller ID, audio conferencing, video conferencing, call waiting, return call and other features as standard. In conventional landline phones, you will see that each of these features are considered as extra feature and they will charge extra monthly fees for using a specific service. With VoIP, all these features are free.

So, if you are interested in getting VoIP installed in your home, you should consider getting in touch with your nearest VoIP service provider. As you will notice, there are quite a number of VoIP service providers out in the market today offering their services and claiming to be the best.

However, you can never really be sure if a particular VoIP service provider is really capable of providing great quality service unless you try out their services.

This is why many VoIP service providers today are now offering a trial period, usually 30 days, for clients to test the quality of their services. If you are not satisfied with their services, you can simply inform your service provider that you are no longer interested in using their services. If you do this within the trial period, you will be refunded.

Look for a VoIP service provider that is able to offer maximum benefits for their clients. Some VoIP service providers also offer free ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), free or low cost IP phones and other great offers.

It is recommended that you should apply for a service provider that is already trusted by the community and offers a broad range of great incentives for their clients, such as free long distance calls, unlimited calls to specific countries and other things like that.

By getting the best VoIP service provider, you can be sure that you can definitely benefit a lot and get great value for your money.

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Computer Solutions of America and Workers Compensation ...

Computer Solutions of America

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http://www.csa4u.com/

In the span of a few days, Shelly Osterhout?s business was shut down, leaving employees without pay and the computer company without revenue ? all thanks to an anonymous tip.

In April, the Florida Division of Workers? Compensation visited her business, Computer Specialists of America, to see if it was misclassifying workers as independent contractors rather than employees. At first the division launched an investigation while the business remained opened, but later issued a stop-work order, which forced Osterhout?s business to close for a week and three days. She lost roughly $10,000 to $15,000 in revenue, she said.

?During the whole process your office is shut down, your business is shut down and unfortunately in this community the word starts, and you don?t know what that word is,? she said. ?Meanwhile your reputation is just being mutilated out there.?

Although the stop-work order was revoked and Osterhout?s business was cleared, some companies in Southwest Florida face hefty penalties for not having workers? compensation insurance in place for employees ? whether it?s on purpose or by accident. Some employers try to skirt the law and hide employees as independent contractors to cut their costs. And the businesses that check out OK still have to contend with the impact it has on their reputation and the loss of revenue.

?I don?t know how prevalent it is, but I do know that employees are often misclassified as independent contractors with the purpose of not paying taxes or not paying workers? compensation insurance,? said Christina Harris Schwinn, an attorney with Pavese Law Firm in Fort Myers.

The main reason employers try to hide employees as independent contractors are to avoid tax and other benefit liabilities, she said.

There is also a lot of gray area in the law, which can be confusing for employers, Harris Schwinn said.

Having a written contract that a person is an independent contractor can be meaningless. Investigators often look at the relationship between the independent contractor and the employer to determine what the true business relationship is.

She recommends employers use a standard ?economic realities? test as a starting point to evaluate whether a person is an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act, but also suggests they seek out legal advice.

The test looks at a variety of different points ranging from whether the employer furnishes the equipment used to do the work to whether the work is a key service of the business of the employer, such as an IT person who does work for an engineering firm or law office.

?There?s no brightline test,? she said. ?That?s one of the things that can complicate this area.?

State investigations

The Division of Workers? Compensation conducts investigations regularly to make sure employers are in line with the law and are supplying workers compensation, said Robin Delaney, the bureau chief of compliance for the division.

?More often than not, the employers do have the proper coverage in place,? she said.

Still, the agency investigates on a regular basis ? through random checks or referrals ? to make sure that employers follow the law. It also offers seminars on a quarterly basis to educate business owners about the law and offers some seminars online as well, she said.

In the 2010-11 fiscal year, the division conducted 34,252 investigations throughout the state, but only issued 2,174 stop-work orders, which are issued when the division determines a business isn?t in compliance, Delaney said.

In Lee County, there were 140 stop-work orders issued in the 2010-11 fiscal year, compared to 117 stop work orders issued in the previous fiscal year. In Collier, 65 stop-work orders were issued in 2010-11, and 51 were issued the previous fiscal year.

While a stop-work order may have been issued to a business, it doesn?t mean the employer was trying to hide employees or misuse the law.

Ways to stumble

Terry Henderson, owner-operator of Greater Graders Inc., got a stop-work order in February, when he brought a job candidate on a job site to see if he could run the grading equipment.

?Me, being new to hiring people, I didn?t know you had to have workers comp on somebody who is just trying out the machine,? he said.

But the law finds that not having workers? compensation insurance in place poses an immediate danger to public health, safety, and welfare, said Alexis Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Financial Services.

Henderson faced other issues when his liability insurance provider told him he couldn?t underwrite workers compensation insurance for only one person at a salary of about $35,000. As Henderson understood it, he?d need at least three employees to get the coverage, but he only needed one at the time, he said.

When an employer is in violation, the penalty is typically one-and-a-half times what the premium for workers? compensation insurance would have been if the employer had paid it, and can go back up to three years, Delaney said.

The division will also fine the employer $5,000 per employee, if regulators find an employer has misclassified an employee as an independent contractor.

?When people think that they are saving money by classifying someone as an independent contractor, or misclassifying someone as an independent contractor, they may be saving money in the short term,? Harris Schwinn said. ?But if they get caught it?s going to cost them significantly more than it would have in the first place.?

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012305200011

Computer Solutions of America

239?728-2721

http://www.csa4u.com/

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Comparing Trouble-Free AutoResponder Web Marketing Secrets

Effective email marketing can be the life-blood for an online business. But using email marketing effectively involves many other factors that online businesses may not realize. How many people buy a product the first time they visit your website? A very small number. Probably, they are not convinced enough about your product in one go and they need more information about it before making a purchase. This is why it always pays to educate your prospects about your product through email so they can easily make a buying decision. Emailing them by hand will take the whole day. So what?s the solution? The solution to this problem is using an autoresponder service. An autoresponder is a simple program that sends out emails automatically to your list of subscribers. This article will discuss how your business can benefit from the many uses of autoresponders.

An important aspect of this kind of service is the knowledge that you can depend on them for such an important part of your business. All autoresponder providers are extremely aware that your email marketing is crucial to your business. So you can safely bet they?ll take care of you. Their equipment is heavy duty and will be able to take care of any volume of mailing. You?re free to grow your list as huge as you want. You?ll always be able to mail to them as often as you want. You can choose from different formats depending on your needs. You?ll also find a test function so you can send a test email to anyone, including your self. You never know what kind of mistake you made, so it?s really a good idea to send your self a test email. Nip over to nuvo h2o reviews for quality data.

Email autoresponder services maintain strong, credible relationships with the major Internet Service Providers or ISPs. Spam filters don?t usually block emails sent out via these kinds of services. For this reason, you?re able to gain a higher delivery rate as compared to some other ways to send out emails. This means using an autoresponder service means you?re able to gain better results in a shorter time. As an extra bonus, your autoresponder service will also take care of any bad addresses or bouncing emails for you. Having your technical issues taken care of for you means you?re free to work on other areas of your business.

Investing in an autoresponder service is a wise decision and will help your online business grow automatically. Getting sales/leads on autopilot is no longer a dream and is possible when you include autoresponders among your business tools.

Visit our web-site for the best guidance now: www.smtpserverlist.com/SMTP-Relay.aspx or Debt Consolidations and Loans online.

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Fit Celebs of tellywood share their mantra on how stay fit. | 11815

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Santander UK branch downgraded after Cameron warning

Fears over Spain's economy impacted Britain on Thursday as Santander UK's credit rating was downgraded just hours after David Cameron warned fellow European leaders that the eurozone must take "decisive action" to ensure stability.

Moody's credit ratings agency downgraded the bank to an A2 rating - one notch higher than its parent institution in Spain.

The agency said the rating was appropriate given the bank's "general funding independence" from Banco Santander, the fact that it was "a systemically important bank in the UK" and that it had "no direct exposure to the Spanish government (or regional governments)".

"Moody's believes there is a low likelihood that the FSA would allow Santander UK to substantially weaken itself in order to support the parent," it concluded.

The downgrade came just hours after Cameron issued his starkest warning yet of the dangers posed by the debt crisis in Greece during a speech in Manchester on Thursday.

Cameron urged core countries in the 17-member eurozone, of which Britain is not a member, and the European Central Bank to support demand and cut deficits.

He admitted that his message would be unpopular in Europe where he angered many leaders by delaying a fiscal treaty last year, but said his priority was to protect Britain.

"The eurozone is at a crossroads," Cameron said in the speech to business leaders.

"It either has to make up or it is looking at a potential break-up," he said.

"Either Europe has a committed, stable, successful eurozone with an effective firewall, well capitalised and regulated banks, a system of fiscal burden sharing, and supportive monetary policy across the eurozone -- or we are in uncharted territory which carries huge risks for everybody."

The Prime Minister said he would do "whatever it takes to keep Britain safe from the storm", but made clear that the UK would not be immune to the consequences of a euro collapse.

Cameron also took part in a 45-minute conference call with German chancellor Angela Merkel, French president Francois Hollande and Italian prime minister Mario Monti to discuss the eurozone crisis on Thursday.

It was arranged by president of the European Council Herman van Rompuy ahead of the G8 meeting in the US which starts tomorrow and which all of the leaders will attend.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said it was a "constructive discussion" about the priorities for the talks among some of the world's wealthiest nations in Camp David.

"He discussed with the others their priorities for G8: the eurozone - including Greece, growth and the importance of expanding trade relations between the US and the EU.

"The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of Greece and the Eurozone taking decisive action to ensure financial stability and prevent contagion," she said.

"He repeated what he had said in his speech earlier today: that there is a need for monetary action to stimulate growth, for structural reform to increase competitiveness in the EU, that the right governance arrangements had to be in place and that countries throughout the Eurozone should take the necessary action to tackle unsustainable deficits.". Chancellor George Osborne told MPs that the Treasury was "making the necessary contingency plans" to protect the UK as far as possible from the shockwaves of any Greek euro exit.

"But above all we will go on with the progress we have made in the last two years in reducing our structural deficit, keeping our credibility in the bond markets and our interest rates low," he said as he defended Mr Cameron's decision to talk publicly about a potential collapse.

Earlier this week, Mr Osborne warned that "open speculation" about the future of some eurozone members was damaging the European economy, but today he accepted the "genie is out of the bottle".

He said: "When eurozone central bank governors and finance ministers openly speculate on the possibility of Greek exit, then the genie is out of the bottle.

"That, and the Greek elections, make this a perilous time."

Speaking ahead of the talks, Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mr Cameron was part of the problem, not part of the solution, and accused him of failing to show leadership.

"The Prime Minister should be showing leadership, not looking like a man who is a bystander to events, shouting from the rooftops," he told the BBC.

"He is one of Europe's leaders, he should have been getting in there in the first place and getting these problems sorted out, and crucially he should have been saying to Europe's leaders 'We have failed over the last two years to sort out this problem. Unless we get a growth plan, unless we see Europe growing, it is not going to work'."

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INTERNATIONAL COUNSELORS ADD TO THE FUN ...

LINCOLNVILLE, MAINE- Multiple international staff members will be returning this summer to lead educational programming at Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center. Counselors from Russia, Columbia, Finland and the UK will work with our American staff members to educate campers at Tanglewood?s residential camp about sustainable living through fun and creative activities. With new games, cultural traditions, dances and recipes of favorite foods campers and staff make discoveries on how big the world is and how small it can be.

Tanglewood offers weekly residential programs throughout the summer starting on June 27th with a three day Mini-Camp for campers looking for a shorter camp experience. Mini-campers enjoy two nights of exciting traditional Tanglewood programming including creative arts, hiking, swimming and group games. A highlight for many of the mini campers is the campfire that brings all campers together for an unforgettable evening program with music, skits and fun.

Children interested in a full week of activities at Tanglewood can enjoy any of the residential programs that begin the first week of July. Campers have the opportunity to choose how they spend their time at Tanglewood, ranging from the food they eat to the activities that fill their days. Afternoon ?electives? provide residential campers the opportunity to participate in educational and recreation activities, including court and field sports, swim instruction, creative art projects, cultural activities, woodworking, music, cooking, and water games.

The diverse background of Tanglewood staff brings a variety to the programming offered during daytime and evening activities. International and American staff working at Tanglewood this summer bring a unique opportunity for campers to learn how different cultures can work together to create experiences that build memories lasting a lifetime. Check out our Facebook page to see bios of many of our 2012 staff! Tanglewood began its summer camp programs in 1982 and is celebrating being thirty with special events all summer. Camp registration is open and spaces are filling, so sign up today!

Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove 4-H Camps strive to create, live, and teach a model of sustainability and balance that includes the physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. This goal embraces our core values and defines who we are. Summer day camps, discovery trips, teen leadership programs and school programs are offered at sites in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor. For a complete list of programs and more detailed information, visit our website at www.umaine.edu/tanglewood/.

-

For more than 90 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine?s land-grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county.

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Getting older and going, or going back, to work

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office

By Allison Linn

The tough job market has been so hard on some Americans that they have dropped out of the running altogether.

But here?s a surprising twist: Generally, that?s not been true of older Americans.

The labor force participation rate, or the number of Americans who are working or looking for work, has declined in recent years for every age group except those who are 55 and older, according to a report released this week by the Government Accountability Office.

Older Americans generally have a lower labor force participation rate than other age groups, and for good reason: That?s the point in life when most people retire.

But the percentage of older Americans who are choosing to remain in the labor force, or to get back in it, has steadily been rising over the past 20 years and even continued to increase over the course of the recession and recovery.

About 40 percent of workers age 55 and over were working or looking for work in 2011, the GAO analysis found, compared to about 30 percent in 1990.

That?s in contrast to young and prime-age Americans, who have seen declines in labor force participate rates in recent years.

Ninety-two-year-old May Lee has been working for the State of California for more than 70 years, has served under 10 governors, and has no plans to call it quits. Early TODAY's Lynn Berry reports.

A closer look at the data shows that the real increases are coming from some of the oldest workers. Phillip Levine, an economics professor at Wellesley University, noted that labor force participation among 55- to 64-year-olds has generally been flat in the last five years, at about 64 to 65 percent.

But for workers 65 and over, labor force participation has increased from 15.5 percent in 2007 to 18.4 percent now. Levine?s analysis was based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

There are a number of potential reasons why the labor force participation rate has increased for people who we traditionally think of as being in retirement age.

One explanation may be that older workers are choosing to work longer to make up for investment losses and other financial woes as a result of the recession. Some people age 65 and older also may be getting back into the labor force because they can?t make ends meet on Social Security and retirement savings.

The GAO report said other factors keeping older workers at work may include better health and life expectancies, the increasing number of older women in the labor force and the need to stay at work to retain health benefits.

That a larger chunk of older people are working doesn?t diminish how tough the recession has been on people aged 55 and over, Levine notes.

Although the unemployment rate for older workers has generally been lower than the broader population, a job loss in that age range can be particularly devastating. That?s because it generally takes older workers longer to find a new job, and that long gap in employment just before retirement age can have a harsh impact on their retirement plans.

The GAO report to the Senate?s Special Committee on Aging focused mainly on the effect of long-term unemployment on older workers.

For many Americans, the dream of a worry-free retirement remains elusive. NBC's Anne Thompson explains why.

In testimony before the committee last week, the National Employment Law Project noted that many older workers face the double-whammy of a big employment gap and a resume that gives away their age. Both can be a turnoff to some potential employers.

Levine, who has done extensive research into older workers and the recession, said?many people in that age range are ?limping across the finish line.?

?They find some way to make ends meet from whenever they lose their job at 58 or whatever, and finally when they get to 62, Social Security provides them with a lifeline,? he said. ?It provides a means of getting by.?

Related:

Americans expect to work longer, retire later

Long-term unemployed losing benefits as job picture improves

Out of work, out of options, into retirement?

{"contentId":"11747233","totalVotes":"5515"}

In an ideal world, when would you want to retire?

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9/11 families upset over Ground Zero museum delays

NEW YORK?? They were promised a place to mourn their loved ones, display their photographs and educate their children and the children of strangers about exactly what was lost on 9/11. But today, family members of those killed have no completion date for the museum that is to be built alongside the Sept. 11 memorial at ground zero ? and many are upset.

"The memorial is open, but that's only half the tribute to those who were killed," said Patricia Reilly, who lost her sister in the attacks. "The museum is the place where they're going to tell the story about the people ? who they were, where they were, what they were doing and what happened to them that day."

Construction of the museum ? originally scheduled to open on the 11th anniversary of the attacks ? has largely ground to a halt amid a financial dispute between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site, and the foundation that controls the memorial and museum. After months of little obvious progress, some family members are increasingly worried that the powers that share control of the area are backsliding into the kind of politically driven dysfunction that once paralyzed the site.

"They shouldn't allow disagreement to get in the way," said Reilly, who especially wants the museum to be completed so she can go there to visit the thousands of fragments of human remains too damaged to identify with DNA testing. No trace of her sister, Lorraine Lee, who worked on the 101st floor of the World Trade Center's south tower, has been identified.

Related: PhotoBlog: Newseum exhibit marks 10th anniversary of Sept. 11

"We were supposed to get a contemplative area nearby where we could sit and pray, visit," she said. "I'm waiting for the remains to find their final resting place."

Work has been slowed since late last year, when the subcontractors at the site stopped getting paid. The Port Authority claimed the Sept. 11 memorial foundation owed it $300 million for infrastructure and revised project costs, while the foundation argued the port instead owed it money because of project delays. Three powerful political figures have been entangled in the dispute: The governors of New York and New Jersey control the port, while New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the foundation's chairman.

Last month, Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye said there had been "significant progress" toward a resolution, but any deal has yet to materialize. On Thursday, a spokesman for the port would say only that discussions were continuing. A spokesman for the foundation declined to comment about the families' concerns.

Officials have said publicly there is no way to complete the museum by this year's anniversary of the attacks, but no formal communication has gone out to the families to inform them of the delays and keep them apprised, some family members said.

Related: Sept. 11 exhibits go beyond Ground Zero

In the meantime, personal items and mementos that families have donated to the museum are in a sort of limbo, with many wrapped and packed away in storage spaces that hold everything from damaged fire engines to children's drawings.

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"There are people out there ... who hold these items as very, very precious," said Debra Burlingame, a foundation board member whose own family's donation has been put on hold until the dispute is resolved. They will donate a prayer card that her brother was carrying when his plane flew into the Pentagon. Somehow, the small card survived the fire, inscribed with the words "Blessed are those who mourn."

Burlingame wants to make sure her brother's story survives.

"You have children who were very young on 9/11 or maybe not even born yet who have no idea what actually happened that day," she said. "That story needs to be told, and it needs to be preserved for future generations."

The subcontractors at the site were recently paid $15 million that had been owed to them, but they won't return to the job until there's an agreement on future payment and a new schedule is adopted, said Ron Berger, the executive director of the Subcontractors Trade Association. Berger said this week his union is meeting with officials about future plans and he's expecting a new completion date of June or July 2013 ? a decision that would raise project costs further because of the overtime required. But no deal can be made until the port and the foundation come to an agreement.

For some family members, the problems at the 16-acre site feel like an unpleasant flashback. In 2005 and 2006, bitter negotiations between the Port Authority and private developer Larry Silverstein stalled construction on all the office towers planned for the site, with port officials calling Silverstein greedy for demanding givebacks on the rent he paid, and Silverstein saying the agency had never turned over buildable land for his office towers. In 2006, the memorial was redesigned after its projected cost rocketed and some began to question whether the project could move forward.

"It's all politics, and it's ridiculous," said Jim Riches, whose firefighter son died in the trade center. "They should put politics aside and get down to business."

Riches has given the museum the crushed helmet found next to his son's body when it was unearthed six months after the attacks. He can ask for it back at any time, he notes, but he won't ? despite his frustration with the delays.

"Maybe 20 years from now, 50 years from now ? they won't know who I am, they won't know who my son is," Riches said. "But you know what? Some little kid is going to go in there and say, 'Look at this, this fireman went in there to help people, and then he was crushed to death by these terrorists.' ... It's a powerful message."

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Japan bank freezes Iran accounts after court order

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Virgin Atlantic's Dream Suite Takes to the Skies | Business Travel Blog

?

The skies have a new addition as of the weekend of April 22 thanks to the new Upper Class ?Dream Suite? in Virgin Atlantic?s aircrafts.? For all those interested flyers that haven?t been able to wait to get a peek at the new design of the business class cabin and seats, we?ve got the snapshots right here from the airline?s virginatlanticplaneview.com interactive tour.

Throughout 2012 Virgin Atlantic will be adding their A330s, as well as, their Boeing 787 to the fleet, adding more destinations. Sydney-Hong Kong-London service? with the new Dream Suite has not been announced.

While the design of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class may be the same previous designs, it is definitely upgraded and stylish and classy.

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At one look, you?ll see that the airlines trademark purple seat decked in leather has been replaced with a rich ?espresso chocolate? leather seat with sharp brushed metal and wooden veneer. Virgin hasn?t ditched their trademark purple completely, you still see Virgin?s purple as highlights in the cabin which compliments the aubergine carpet in a dusky tone. The update is a classy, contemporary look of elegance and definitely all style.

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The bar is still a ?stand-out? factor with attractive Swarovski crystals that accent the curtain walls that are LED backlit and the bar.? The seat arrangement is quite comfortable and the layout, for the most part, is in a one-two-one setup the width of the? business cabin, but, staggered, somewhat.

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Compared to the layout that now exists which is a one-one-one layout on Virgin Atlantic?s Airbus A340s, this is a much better design, as Virgin creates more seats to offer with the space available.? Each business class flyer has a sense of privacy with a divider that opaque patterned Perspex and separates the seat yet provides an overall open cabin atmosphere.

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The newly designed seats add an addition 3.8 cm to the width of the seat, and fold out to a nicely sized 218 cm flat bed.? For the measurements in feet and inches, that is a bed that is 7?2? long, definitely long enough for the average adult.? Compared to the current design for Upper Class, that?s an extra 16 cm.? As for the seat recline, flyers will enjoy a 50% increase in recline than they experience in the current seats for business class.

?

The bed in the Dream Suite is the same design with the seat flipping over to a more cushiony underside for comfort.? Steve Griffiths, chief operator of Virgin Atlantic says that the airline has really pushed to have their frequent flyers involved with right around 1,200 taking part in workshop sessions, surveys, and a night sleeping on the plane in the new seats. ?We have a great understanding of what flyers want out of their personal space and what they want on their time aboard the plane.? The result? Well-tuned design.

?Just as in the old design of the Upper Class, the newly designed Dream Suite features a USB port so that flyers can keep their smartphone and / or laptops powered during their time in the air.

?There is also the added benefit for flyers that would like to utilize their iDevice to plugin to the large 12.1? touchscreen, provided they have the appropriate adaptor plug.?and flyers will find, nestled within the seat, a touchscreen controller.

?The entertainment system that each is tapped into?? JAM. For flyers that enjoy bringing along their books on flights, a new ?pocket for literature? exists plus a LED reading lam which snakes down from the wall?s top divider.?? There is also a convenient tray for cocktails. Virgin?s cocktail bar ? new look? The bar a definite makeover in itself, still at the entry to Upper Class and still serving excellent cocktails.? The backlighting, hip, and an eye catcher from the moment passengers board, and separate from the cabin.

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At the bar?s rear, passengers will have access to a liquor cabinet for DIY delights or straight shooting.

The Dream Suite is not solely for an upgraded business cabin and seats.? It is about new in-flight entertainment, new products and a dedication to service.? The new design, to put Virgin ahead of its competitors and at the top of the class.? Each seat features the addition of a multi pin international AC power socket so there is no more need to pull out your adaptor plug out

Dream Suite also features Virgin?s Aeromobile system for in-flight mobile text messaging, phone calls, and limited data. As for the limited data, Blackberry is the device that should be used over Android devices iPhone.

For mobile phone use overseas, Aeromobile is perfect and passengers won?t notice much of a difference in charge, provided that their local carrier has a roaming agreement with Aeromobile. Aeromobile is ideal for mobile phone overseas and acts just like a roaming service.? Passengers that have a local carrier with roaming agreement with.

To receive texts, make calls and on Blackberry receive email on the plane, provided your mobile phone is activated for international roaming.? If your smartphone is some other type, it is wise to turn your roaming off to avoid the expensive roaming data charges.? Data is used on some Smartphones even when an app is not being utilized.

As for food on flight, that has also been updated and the ?fine dining? menu of Virgin Atlantic has been refreshed and the Dream Suite also now features an express supper menus for quicker service and lighter meals, which allows passengers to get back to what they were doing. The ?whispering coach? in the Upper Class cabin helps to keep the noise down as the coach teaches flight attendants how to keep noise at a low during flight

When you?ll see the DreamSuite

As of April 21 the Dream Suite will be in the air.? The new design fitted into a new Airbus A330 will be in service for London-New York (VS003/004) flights six days a week.? Fridays, the Upper Class Dream Suite will be off and passengers will be in flight on an older A340 with the original design.

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Video: Merkel Determined to Keep Greece in Euro Zone

CNBC's Silvia Wadhwa reports German Chancellor, Angela Merkel tells CNBC that growth and austerity go hand-in-hand and Europe must have more integration.

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Business & financial news headlines from msnbc.com

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Donna Summer Dead at 63

Donna Summer died this morning after a battle with cancer. She was 63.

The singer was in Florida at the time of her death, according to reports.

Known as the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer was said to be trying to keep the extent of her illness under wraps. Just a few weeks ago, people close to her say she was focused on trying to finish up an album she had been working on.

Summer was a five-time Grammy winner who rose to fame with hits - "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls" - that were synonymous with the 1970s.

Donna and her producer Giorgio Moroder defined the dance music era of the '70s, influencing acts like Duran Duran, David Bowie and many others.

Summer married Brooklyn Dreams singer Bruce Sudano in 1980. The couple had two daughters together. R.I.P. to one of the greats.

Donna Summer - Last Dance

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ChunaBhatti Bhopal Property, Real estate, Flats in Bhopal , House ...

ChunaBhatti Bhopal Property, Real estate, Flats in Bhopal , House, Land for sale or rent in India see more at aawas.in

ChunaBhatti Bhopal Property, Real estate, Flats in Bhopal , House, Land for sale or rent in India see more at aawas.in

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China to North Korea: Don't You Dare Test That Nuke

Displaced 'at the crossroads of life and death'

(NEWSER) - Torrential rain has flooded the Yalu River that lies along the China/North Korea border, forcing thousands to evacuate, the LA Times reports. In North Korea, Kim Jong-Il deployed air force and navy units to aid in the evacuation of roughly 5,000 people, as flash-floods submerged houses, farms, and roads. State-run media described the displaced as ?at the crossroads of life and death.? More?

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Kyneton Home ? Tara Pearce and Family ? The Design Files

The Kyneton home of photographer?Tara Pearce and family. ?All photos ? Lucy Feagins, styling assistant ? Marni Kornhauser

Tara?s workspace

Details from Tara?s workspace / master bedroom

Dramatic dining room! ??Photos ? Lucy Feagins, styling assistant ? Marni Kornhauser

For a teeny tiny country town, I have to say, Kyneton is totally punching above it?s weight in the interior design departament. ?Today we have another beautiful home to share, again belonging to a clever local creative who made the decision to move to Victoria?s Macedon Ranges region in search of a tree change, a slightly more relaxed way of life, and a proper family-sized home for her family!

Tara Pearce moved to Kyneton from Yarraville in Melbourne four years ago with husband Taras, and kids Yorke (daughter ? now 11 yrs) and Mak (son, now 6 yrs). ? They?re now joined by crazy pups Buzz and Boris (because really, you can?t be living in the country without some animals running about).

After moving in, Tara says the first addition to their new home was the construction of a half pipe skate ramp in the backyard. ?Nice to know they?ve got their priorities sorted! ?I think this fact alone says so much about Tara and Taras ? their busy family home is super stylish but relaxed and unfussy, and it?s clear this is a space created for family and for fun first and foremost! ?In addition to the all important skate ramp(!!), Tara says there was also a lot of painting to be done inside and out, and they also installed bi-fold doors and a timber deck at the rear of the home to link the loungeroom to their generous new backgarden.

Favourite aspects of the home for Tara include the indoor / outdoor living space, and the fireplace ? ?in winter it is the centre of our home? she says. ?She also loves the amazing views of the beautiful trees surrounding the property, and of course the half pipe in the yard ? ?hours of entertainment for the kids and Taras!?

Tara also has lots of reasons to love her newfound hometown. ?We have some of the top places to eat, great coffee, creative local folk and most importantly it?s a much slower pace ? it?s a peaceful lifestyle?.

The move here has also kicked off a new career opportunity for Tara ? after quitting her desk job, Tara was inspired to pursue her love of photography, and she now works on a variety of photographic projects both in town and in the country. She is particularly awesome at photographing kids and weddings! ?Do take a moment to check out her?website and peruse her beautiful shots! ?(For weddings Tara shoots with her pal Erin Neale under the name?Erin + Tara).

Massive thanks to Tara and family for sharing their beautiful home with us today..! ? If you love Tara and Taras? style I am thinking you will love their side project ? The Vintage Yard Sale. ?Previously the pair ran a sweet retail shop in Kyneton, but the shop nows lives exclusively online, and is full of beautiful vintage / industrial finds?! ?Well worth a visit!

Dining room ? LOVE those dramatic deep inky blue-almost-black walls, and mismatched chairs. ?The 50?s industrial factory fan is a favourite find for Tara ? ?very handy in Kyneton?s extreme summer? she says! ?The 1879 Victorian Board Room dining table was a steal for $100(!!) ? saved from a local farmers bonfire pile!

Dining room

Dining room details

Kitchen details

Kitchen looking through to loungeroom

Breakfast bench

Loungeroom opening out to rear deck. ?&? cushion by Aunty Cookie!

YELLOW details in the loungeroom? wall decoration made by Tara ? it?s just pieces of butchers paper, woven through a circle of chicken wire, spraypainted yellow! ?Do not ask me how. ?Amazing.

Loungeroom. ?Sweet two-legged leaning side table designed and handcrafted in Kyneton by Tara and Chris Roberts. ?Blue screenprint top right by Tara, based on vintage signage.

Master bedroom. Bedside lamp Taras made from a log found in the countryside.?Simple beautiful perfect.

Taras? extensive shirt collection!

Another view of loungeroom -??&? cushion by Aunty Cookie

View from living room / deck across garden to cubby house

I think basically having a half pipe in your backyard is the best ever advertisement for moving to regional Victoria ? these guys really should be in those commercials.

View back to house

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