Weddings
Sun ,27/09/2009Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), August 17, 2009
Mr M Lowe – Miss J Singh Miss Jessica Singh and Mr Martin Lowe were married in Gibraltar. wedding photographer long island The bride is the daughter of Mr and Mrs J Singh and the bridegroom is the son of Mr and Mrs L Lowe. The best man was Simon Christopher and the groomsman was Michael Hutchington. The bridesmaid was Jasmine Singh
Corrosion protector for glassware in dishwashers
Sat ,26/09/2009Household & Personal Products Industry, Feb, 2009
> * U.S. Patent No. 7,456,142 B2: Reckitt Benckiser N.V. has patented a process for the inhibition of corrosion of glassware in an automatic dishwashing process
C.A.R. Launches Mortgage Protection Program for First-Time Home Buyers
Fri ,25/09/2009Business Wire, April 02, 2009
Quick Facts
-
C.A.R. is the first statewide association in the nation to offer a
mortgage protection plan for consumers -
Approximately 3,000 households expected to receive assistance in first
year -
C.A.R.âs Housing Affordability Fund is dedicating $1 million toward
program
LOS ANGELES — The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) today launched the
C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program
(C.A.R.H.A.F. MPP) for first-time home buyers.
Through the Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program,
first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be
eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month, for six months, to help make
their mortgage payments. A qualified co-buyer also can participate in
the program, and receive a monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to
six months
Accessories for the Bathroom
Fri ,25/09/2009Qualified Remodeler, Jun 2009 by Jacobs, Susan
Careful planning early in design can result in a coordinated, functional and beautiful bathroom
When designing a bathroom, always consider client lifestyle. Think about grooming habits, bathroom size, room style, i.e., traditional, contemporary, rustic or cottage style. Will the bathroom be for daily maintenance or used as a place of retreat? And what about accessories that make it personal? Those are the icing on the cake.
Bathroom accessories are available in a myriad of options, from specialty hand showers to matching components to fixtures and faucets, towel warmers, specialty mirror frames, mirrored medicine cabinets, matching lighting fixtures and specialty shelving.
Bathroom safety
Another consideration when planning the bathroom is safety. Many products designed to meet ADA specifications have also been styled with great care. Grab bars are now offered in a variety of popular finishes and specific styling to meet any bathroom style. Shower seats now move away from the clinical institutional designs to the beautiful built-in tile, granite or solid surface materials designed as corner seating or bench-style seating. Wooden seats can be quite comfortable, as well as functional, yet stand up to everyday use. A wooden shower floor insert extends comfort to the feet while allowing for proper drainage.
Designer hand grips that affix to the side of the tub by a strong suction system are ideal for assistance getting in and out of the tub/shower. Some hand-held showerheads by Alsons are designed to be used as safety grab bars as well. Moen’s Securemount grab bar systems allow for easy grab bar installation not involving studs. Utilizing the principles of physics, its D-shape anchor is precision engineered for optimal bracing behind the wall. This design offers flexibility so the decorative bar may be placed to meet an individual’s need.
Whatever type of grab bar is used, follow National Kitchen and Bath Association planning guidelines to ensure proper placement. Grab bars in the tub/shower area should be placed at least 33 to 36 in. above the floor and must be 1 1/4 to 2 in. in diameter and extend 11/2 in. from the wall. Grab bars should be at least 24 in. in length and support a minimum of 250 lbs. of pressure. And be sure to design proper wall structure in early planning stages to support grab bars that mount through the wall.
Proper planning
Bathroom accessory planning needs to begin at the onset of room design. By planning early, a decisive design can be created without looking mismatched or making the room appear cluttered. Begin by asking clients to select their favorite products to understand their tastes, wants and needs. As the design progresses, a complete package of products, placement, functionality and aesthetics develops into a vision from which the bathroom, with all its amenities, becomes a reality.
The most popular and common practice used in the bath is matching hardware to the fixtures such as toilets, tubs and faucets. Accessories range from single, double and triple towel bars, robe hooks, valet hangers, tooth brush holders and soap dishes. Toilet tissue holders are available to match by using the standard spring form, pivot style or open-ended, vertical or floor-stand options. Pivoting mirrors, cabinet hardware, lighting sconces and shelving have also been added to the collections. Many options in styles and finishes are available, including some “out of the box” designs such as a jewelry collection by Edgar Berebi.
For bathroom retreats, heated towel bars are wonderful additions. This is one product that definitely needs to be considered at the onset of the design. If a heated floor is in the planning, a hydronic towel warmer can be connected to that system with 3/4-in
National briefs: ‘Use prison cash for hostels’
Fri ,25/09/2009Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), July 3, 2008
BILLIONS of pounds earmarked for massive new jails would be better spent on other projects such as hostels, charity-funded organisation Rethinking Crime and Punishment said today. The pounds 2.3bn due to be spent on “Titan” prisons should go to projects more effective in cutting offending, it said.
It proposed spending pounds 300m on hostels, half-way houses and other supervised accommodation.
Pupils brush up on their dental health
Fri ,25/09/2009Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 28, 2007
Byline: By Jane Picken
In the treatment and waiting rooms at Westerhope’s Dental Care Clinic, in Newcastle, eager seven and eight-year-olds are brushing up on their oral health.
From lessons in good and bad foods with the tooth fairy, to chances to try out the dentist’s chair, the children, from Simonside Primary School, in Newbiggin Hall, are learning why you are never too young to take care of teeth.
Last Tuesday the practice, on Stamfordham Road, put patient appointments on hold and threw open its door to the 24 school children in a bid to promote better dental health.
And every child was sent home with goody bags including a free toothbrush.
“The idea behind this is to remind children and parents what they should be doing to keep their teeth healthy,” explained clinic owner and dentist Dr Shabin Chohan.
“It’s important to catch the kids while they are young and teach them the importance of brushing twice a day and eating the right type of foods.
“This is a chance to come to the dentist and see things from a different, fun perspective. We want children to feel comfortable being in a dental surgery.”
During the open day, children could visit three rooms all set to help them discover a different aspect of dental health.
One was a typical dentist’s room, where the children could have their mouth examined by an inquisitive fellow pupil while lying in the adjustable chair or play with giant toy teeth and fillings.
Next door children could find the tooth fairy and listen to experts tell them how sugary drinks and sweets can damage teeth, while calcium rich foods including cheese can build strong gnashers.
And finally, a third room was dedicated to the art of keeping teeth clean, with activities and brushing exercises overseen by hygienist Keeley Ross.
“It’s really important for everyone to brush twice a day for at least two minutes and that’s what we’ve been telling the children,” said Keeley.
“We’ve also shown them the consequences if they do not brush their teeth properly with pictures of rotten teeth. This really shocks the children. At this age it’s important to get the message across because they will be moving from baby brushes to inter-mediate brushes before they go on to adult ones.”
The visit was arranged as part of National Smile Month, which runs until June 12, and aims to promote better oral health with simple advice.
“The kids understand about oral health but at this age it’s mostly still the parents who make sure they brush their teeth properly so it’s good to take part in open days like this,” said Simonside head teacher Kath Held.
“We do a lot in school about keeping health generally and looking after teeth is just one of the areas we cover
Journal, The – Smile
Wed ,23/09/2009Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Feb 8, 2007
Kansas dentists clearly are willing to put their money where their mouths are – or other mouths, for that matter.
Last weekend, the Kansas Charitable Foundation held its fifth annual Kansas Mission of Mercy in the Kansas Expocentre’s Landon Arena.
It wasn’t the first time orthodontics az the Kansas dentists were so generous. Similar events have been held in Garden City, Salina, Kansas City, Kan., and Wichita. The event in Topeka was second to none.
Topeka dentist Dr. Kevin Cassidy is president of the foundation, so bringing the mission of mercy to his hometown was special.
More than 150 dentists joined Cassidy, along with 320 hygienists and dental assistants and 500 non-dental volunteers.
More than 2,000 people were treated during the two-day event. The total dollar volume of the services provided was estimated at $1 million to $1.2 million.
No family income guidelines were required. People seeking dental care were admitted each day on a first-come, first-served basis.
A mother and son from Grove, Okla, got in line at 7 p.m
Doctor gives suggestions for health-care reform
Mon ,21/09/2009Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 12, 2009 by Rebecca Palmer Deseret News
Johns Hopkins University neurosurgeon and professor Benjamin Carson told hundreds of Utah’s municipal leaders Wednesday that catastrophic health-care coverage should be turned over to the federal government.
The doctor found a sympathetic audience in those attending the Utah League of Cities and Towns autumn conference in the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.
Leaving catastrophic care to the government would leave private insurances companies to cover only routine care, making costs predictable, Carson said. Eventually, individuals would be able to carry their own policies.
The doctor, author and motivational speaker also suggested common- sense solutions such as tort reform and computerization of medical records, supplemented by harsh punishments for medical fraud and a 5 percent tax on insurance-company profits.
Carson’s remarks were spiced with jokes and encouraging stories about the value of education, teamwork and courage.
“The key to making progress in medicine or in anything else is learning from the things that didn’t work and being able to move forward,” he said. “There are logical ways to deal with these problems, and I think everybody needs to have a seat at the table.”
Enterprise City Councilman Bart Merrill said, overall, Carson was right on.
“These things need to be looked at closer,” Merrill said.
Farmington Mayor Scott Harbertson also agreed with the doctor, especially when Carson said the government can do some things right.
Beyond discussing health-care reform, Carson said the education of America’s children has become a matter of national security.
Carson has set up a scholarship fund that gives $1,000 to elementary school children for getting good grades. The rags-to- riches neurosurgeon, plastic surgeon and oncologist said the country needs to change its priorities and fully utilize God-given intelligence.
“The human brain is just such a phenomenal organ,” he said after rattling off the many neurological steps necessary to raise one’s hand. “It is the most spectacular organ system in the universe
O’Neal Distributing supplies Pep Boys.(DISTRIBUTOR REPORT)
Mon ,21/09/2009Powersports Business, June, 2005
Pep Boys, the $2.2 billion automotive parts retailer operating 593 retail locations across the country, now carries product from O’Neal Distributing, Inc., the California-based supplier of powersports apparel and accessories also doing business as O’Neal USA.
While prototypical Pep Boys Supercenters have featured an extensive assortment of parts, accessories, tires and batteries for the automotive aftermarket, the company now appears to be carrying an increasing number of brands traditionally found only at power-sports retailers.
Pep Boys’ current powersports vehicle lineup includes 90cc and 250cc APC and Panterra brand ATVs; Panterra and Yerf Dog 49cc, 90cc, 125cc and 172cc off-road cycles; three Panterra 49cc gas-powered scooters; Yerf Dog 150cc…
Subprime mortgage tremors: an international issue
Mon ,21/09/2009International Advances in Economic Research, Feb, 2009 by Gerald H. Lander, Katherine Barker, Margarita Zabelina, Tiffany A. Williams
Abstract The subprime mortgage crisis has negatively affected individuals, investors, lenders, and economies worldwide. This paper first examines contributing factors of the crisis: predatory lending, predatory borrowing and mortgage fraud, unethical practices, unregulated mortgage brokers, off-balance-sheet activity, and the infusion of capital from Asia that provided the fuel for subprime mortgage activity to continue. International markets have both suffered from and contributed to the crisis. Legislation that has been enacted or recommended in the U.S. and the European Union is reviewed. We then make recommendations which could begin to restore confidence of consumers and investors worldwide; however, it is clear that laws and regulations must be enacted quickly to correct the situation and bring stability to investment markets.
Keywords Subprime * Mortgage * Lending
JEL F30 * F39 * G10 * G15
Introduction
The current subprime mortgage crisis has caused much concern internationally as homeowners, lenders, financial institutions, and investors worldwide have felt the negative effects of the crisis (Greenspan 2007; Kuttner 2007; Bernanke 2008). A wide array of factors including but not limited to predatory lending practices, predatory borrowing and mortgage fraud, unethical practices, unclear or lax rules and regulations, and conflicts of interest have caused this international crisis. The various causes must be examined and understood in order to formulate protective measures against future occurrences.
Causes of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
Predatory vs. Subprime Lending Practices
To begin, subprime lending practices must be defined and distinguished from predatory lending. Subprime lending involves loans offered at rates greater than the prime rate to individuals who do not qualify for prime rate loans due to poor credit and who therefore are viewed as high risk (Smith 2007), Subprime lending is viewed as ethical since it gives those with lower credit ratings the opportunity to obtain loans and mortgages–although at higher interest rates. However, as lenders apply unethical or illegal procedures to subprime loans, the classification changes from subprime lending to predatory lending (Bond 2002, p. 34). Predatory lending is abusive lending “targeting the elderly, people of low income, minorities, and individuals with limited understanding of financial transactions” (Bond 2002, p. 34). The predatory loan market is comprised not only of home mortgage loans, but extends to consumer credit cards, “payday” loans, rent-to-own loans, loans by phone, and loans solicited through the Internet (Bond 2002). As of 2002, the federal and state governments had not clearly defined predatory lending practices, nor determined penalties for engaging in it.
Predatory lending also includes offering subprime loans to individuals who qualify for prime loans. Fannie Mae estimated that up to 50% of the subprime refinanced loans could have been prime loans–saving the borrowers thousands of dollars in fees and interest rates (Christie 2007a, b). Minorities have also been hard hit as evidenced by a government study in an African-American neighborhood showing over 51% of the refinanced mortgages being subprime, compared to only 9% in predominantly white neighborhoods (Bocian et al. 2006).
In the early 2000s, interest rates were low and mortgage money was available, which helped raise real estate values across the country. With values escalating, lenders felt more comfortable making mortgages to customers whose poor credit histories had prevented them from buying homes in the past. As home values, rise borrowers are less likely to default since they can sell their homes and have enough to pay off the mortgage if they face financial hardship. That put more buyers into the market, helping to raise home ownership rates to a record 69% in 2004 (Arnold, May 5, 2008), which pushed housing prices to double digit growth in some areas. This lured real-estate speculators, creating even more demand and driving the cycle further. Lenders used “creative financing” to attract this growing pool of borrowers. At the same time Subprime Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS), because of their higher returns, were becoming more popular for U.S. and international investors, providing more funds for the lending agencies. With more funds, too little attention to the risk of MBS, and the expansionary policy of the Federal Reserve, the rapid growth continued.
As risky loans proliferated, among the most popular were variations on the adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM