Saturday, December 19, 2009

This Weeks Postings have been Updated!

Thank you for your patience during the Holiday Season!

The Blog site is current with this weeks postings!

Enjoy :)

Why Women Shouldn't Take Men Shopping

Another good one passed on by Trudi!

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to
Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and
preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like
most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the
following letter from the local Target.

Dear Mrs. Samuel,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in
our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban
both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr.
Samuel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance
cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other
people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute
intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the
women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,
'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee
to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her
Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing
management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on
layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the
children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and
blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying
and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were
called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a
mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 24: While handling guns in the hunting department, he
asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming
the 'Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look'
by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through,
yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he
assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile,
then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.'

Check out Christmas cookies | Dispatch Kitchen

Click here: Christmas cookies | Dispatch Kitchen

Cookies for the holidays

It's time for holiday baking

Nothing says holiday season quite like cookies.

Whether sweet and simple or elegant and sophisticated, such treats are a year-end tradition.

To help us compile this collection of cookie recipes, we asked you, our readers, to send us your favorites. You responded with more than 250 suggestions.

We narrowed those recommendations to 25, which we tested and share today in this special section. Included are some recipes we'd never heard of (Ishki Kishki, Page 8) as well as many familiar types prepared with a twist (Cream Stars, below).

In addition, the section boasts 25 Dispatch classics -- gems we've published in the Food section.

Whether you're young or old, a novice or an experienced baker, there's surely something for everyone here.

Happy experimenting. --- Robin Davis

The recipes

We asked. You answered. In fact, when we requested your favorite holiday cookie recipes, you sent in more than 250. We weren't able to put them all in print, but we've added some of them here. Please be aware, these recipes are as they were sent in from readers. We have not tested them. We'll also be adding more reader recipes in coming days so be sure to check back frequently.

Thanks to all who contributed to our special holiday section. If you want a copy, please call our back copies department 614-461-8539.

Web-extra recipes

Details matter
Most successful bakers adhere to the finer points of recipes

The Greatest Christmas Decoration Ever

Thanks to Trudi!

The Greatest Christmas Decoration Ever

Fantastic. Greg sends along this DIY FYI:

"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

Nap time is over ~ Wake Up !!

How many times did you watch this??? I lost

Husband Down

Thanks to Milda for this funny one!

Husband Down

A husband and wife are shopping in their local Wal-Mart.

The husband picks up a case of Budweiser

and puts it in their cart.

'What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife.

'They're on sale, only $10 for 24 cans,' he replies.

'Put them back, we can't afford them,'

demands the wife, and so they carry on shopping.

A few aisles further on along the woman picks up

a $20 jar of face cream and puts it in the basket.

'What do you think you're doing?' asks the husband.

'Its my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,'

replies the wife.

Her husband retorts:

'So does 24 cans of Budweiser and it's half the price.'

On the PA system:

'Cleanup on aisle 25, we have a husband down.'

Check out Christmas Light Hero Puts Your Decorations to Shame

Click here: Christmas Light Hero Puts Your Decorations to Shame - Holidays News - Holidash

Email this| Posted Dec 14th 2009 7:00PM by Josh Loposer

Filed under: Music + Entertainment, Weird

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Sick of those geeky Christmas lights displays choreographed to Manheim Steamroller? Wanna see what happens when you combine twinkle lights, Guitar Hero, and a ridiculous amount of time and effort?

According to Cnet, former Disney special effects guru Ric Turner has taken front yard Christmas light extravaganzas to a mesmerizing new level. Using a Nintendo Wii and few high tech lighting controllers from Light-O-rama, Ric has rigged up his very own neighbor-terrorizing, virtual guitar challenge: Christmas Light Hero.

Set to the tune of Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover," this LED sorcerer has transfixed over a hundred thousand viewers on YouTube (which aside from visiting this guy's house, is the best way to appreciate Christmas Light Hero) in only a few days.

Reportedly, Turner found a way to plug his trusty Nintendo Wii into the inputs of these magical lighting controllers, which in turn allowed him to convert his 21,268 lights into a playable (albeit highly challenging) version of the insanely popular video game. No kidding.

Challengers can step up to the guitar and attempt to shred while looking at nothing but the lights on Turner's garage door. The game is apparently set to "easy," but of course the Christmas light graphics are a bit more difficult to interpret.

An optional TV screen is available for those who need it. However, if you use the screen you're disqualified from the list of high scores and will never be remembered in the Christmas Light Hero hall of fame. Thus far, no one has made it through the entire Eric Johnson wail-a-thon error free.

Could you put your neighbors' uninspired Christmas decorations to shame with a similar interactive lighting display? Obviously it takes some expertise ... and a lot of guess work. According to Turner's interview with Make Online, "If the game and the lighting sequences start together, they will stay in very good sync through the length of the song ... I have some ideas to automate the initial show/game sync, but for now you have to push doorbell buttons at the right moments."

For those of you out there wondering if this was some kind of viral marketing campaign, this guy doesn't appear to have any relation to Activision (the game company that created Guitar Hero). Will he be forced to develop a relationship with Activision's copyright attorneys? Let's hope not.

As long as he's not charging admission, I bet he's OK. In fact, he probably should get paid for the free advertising.

Check out U.S. Census Bureau Hiring For Local Positions

Click here: U.S. Census Bureau Hiring For Local Positions | NBC4i.com

U.S. Census Bureau Hiring For Local Positions

By Angie Price
Published: December 16, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The U.S. Census Bureau is currently hiring staff to work in the Columbus, Newark and Springfield areas.

Currently the Bureau is hiring clerks, administrative assistants, office operations supervisors and recruiting assistants.

The Detroit Regional Census Center, which supervises hiring for Ohio, West Virginia and Michigan, has a goal of recruiting approximately 247,000 in the three-state area to secure an applicant pool of 177,840 from which to hire.

Details about the available positions are now posted on the Census website, http://www.2010censusjobs.gov. Interested applicants should call the toll free number, 1-866-861-2010, to schedule a test, the first step in the application process for a job with the US Census Bureau.

For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at .

Check out Jobless benefits key for Ohioans

Click here: Jobless benefits key for Ohioans | Columbus Dispatch Politics

Waiting on U.S. Senate

Jobless benefits key for Ohioans

Thursday, December 17, 2009 3:22 AM

By Catherine Candisky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Without another extension of emergency unemployment compensation, tens of thousands of jobless Ohioans will exhaust their benefits each week, beginning next week, a top state official warned yesterday.

"As public awareness of this problem continues to grow, so does public desperation," Douglas Lumpkin, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, wrote to Ohio's congressional delegation.

Lumpkin is urging Congress to extend emergency unemployment compensation by the end of the week to avoid any lapse in benefits.

Yesterday, the House voted to pay for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and included in the same bill an extension of jobless benefits.

The $636 billion Pentagon bill includes $128 billion to pay for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Senate is expected to vote Friday or Saturday on the bill, which passed by the House, 395-34, with almost no debate.

Defense measures generally enjoy bipartisan support, although this year Republicans objected to using the legislation as the base bill to which less-popular measures are attached.

Those included two-month extensions on several acts that are to expire at the end of the year. There are continued unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless, a 65 percent health-insurance subsidy for the unemployed, highway and transit funding, three provisions of the anti-terror USA Patriot Act and an act that shields doctors from a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments.

Lumpkin said the state agency is receiving 2,600 e-mails daily about the status of the extension and has logged more than 300,000 phone calls since Dec. 1.

"These workers rely on the financial support of unemployment benefits to pay for ongoing basic needs," Lumpkin wrote.

Ohio's unemployment rate is 10.5 percent, up from 6.9 percent a year ago.

According to an analysis by the National Employment Law Project, 1 million workers nationwide will become ineligible for unemployment benefits in January unless Congress reauthorizes emergency unemployment compensation programs by the end of December.

By March, that number will grow to more than 3.2 million workers, including an estimated 145,461 in Ohio, the report found.

The 2009 Stimulus Act included up to 73 weeks of federal unemployment-benefit extensions, an additional $25 per week of compensation and a subsidy to cover 65 percent of COBRA premiums for unemployed workers. Those provisions end Dec. 31 unless extended by Congress.

In Ohio, if emergency benefits are not extended, 200,000 current claimants will be eligible for no more than the traditional 26 weeks of benefits.

"By contrast, Ohioans who became unemployed earlier in 2009 or in 2008 will receive anywhere from 46-93 weeks of benefits, depending on when they began collecting," Lumpkin said, referring to federally funded extensions.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this story.

ccandisky@dispatch.com

11 Tips for Surviving Your Spouse's Unemployment

Click here: 11 Tips for Surviving Your Spouse's Unemployment - Careers Articles

Filed under: Work/Life Balance, Unemployment Solutions Print Article

Posted Nov 26th 2009 6:00AM

CareerBuilder

unemployment Has the loss of your spouse's job put your ''for better or for worse'' vows to the test? Coping with the emotional and financial strains of having an unemployed mate is difficult; yet at the same time, your spouse very much needs your support. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that a spouse's attitude toward job hunting strongly influences the mental state of the unemployed mate.

What can you do to help your partner while at the same time maintaining domestic tranquility? Couples counselors, as well as couples who have successfully weathered unemployment, offer these tips:

1. Do have a plan and a routine. Early on, sit down with your partner and devise a strategy for the job hunt that includes managing through reduced financial circumstances. If your spouse will be conducting most of his search from home, work together to create a schedule that respects everyone's space and needs.

2. Don't push or second-guess. Unless asked, resist the tendency to offer your opinions or point out how your mate should be doing things differently. It's not only that you risk being obnoxious, but that without your knowing the entirety of a situation, you may be urging your spouse to do something inappropriate.

3. Do give encouragement. Boost your spouse's morale and confidence by reminding her of her strengths, accomplishments and contributions. Help her see what she has to offer to a new employer.

4. Don't hide it from the kids. Explain to your children in simple terms what has happened. Let them know the family will need to temporarily cut back on expenses, and challenge them to find creative ways to pare the budget. Tell them that the most important thing is that you love and support each other.

5. Do communicate. Talk is a major coping tool. Harvard psychologist Gerald Kaplan says people who express their fears and seek help from others deal with crisis more effectively. At the same time, when approaching your spouse, know when the right time is and what kind of talk she prefers.

6. Don't interrogate. Don't force your spouse to recount every detail of his search or interview. Instead, ask for the highlights or how he felt about an interview. Focus on his reactions and impressions, not on your need for information.

7. Do keep an open mind. Depending upon the job market, your spouse (or you) may have to take a temporary job until something more permanent comes along. Your spouse may also need to broaden the scope of his search to another region or state or consider taking a position with a long commute. Be open-minded about your options.

8. Don't be a catastrophist. Treat unemployment as a temporary and manageable situation. Expect rejection, but don't let either of you become immobilized by it. Worry, fear and negativity are unproductive emotions. Keep a healthy outlook and have faith that -- if the two of you remain focused and deliberate in the search -- a new job will eventually surface.

9. Do have fun. Laugh, hug and take walks together. Keep the romance alive by serving a special dinner for two on the patio or in front of the fireplace once a week. Simple rituals will give you and your loved one a much needed boost no matter how the job hunt is progressing.

10. Don't keep asking, ''Have you found anything yet?'' Instead, schedule weekly meetings where your spouse can share his progress and bounce thoughts and ideas off of you.

11. Do count your blessings. Focus on all that is right in your life and encourage your spouse to do the same. Try to think of this time as a gift and see what you can learn from it. Remembering that life isn't all about work will help you and your partner keep perspective and make the search a shorter, more pleasant (and possibly enriching) journey.

Check out Unemployment In Detroit Pushing 50%?

Click here: Unemployment In Detroit Pushing 50%? - Careers Articles

Unemployment In Detroit Pushing 50%?

Filed under: Employment News & Trends, Unemployment News Print Article

Posted Dec 17th 2009 3:40PM

By Ed Orum

unemployment Nearly one out of two workers in Detroit are unemployed, according to a report by The Detroit News. It's a figure far higher than the government's official figure, which is still close to a staggering 30 percent.

But the newspaper says that rate doesn't take everything into account. For every person who is still looking and collecting unemployment, there are scores of others who have had benefits run out, accepted a part-time position, taken early retirement or a job outside of their regular field.

Here's how the paper arrived at it's assessment:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that for the year that ended in September, Michigan's official unemployment rate was 12.6 percent. Using the broadest definition of unemployment, the state unemployment rate was 20.9 percent, or 66 percent higher than the official rate. Since Detroit's official rate for October was 27 percent, that broader rate pushes the city's rate to as high as 44.8 percent.

The report says at least 100,000 in the city have given up the job search all together. Think about that number for a second. There is a small population-within-a-population that has just given up. The job market is so bad in Detroit that this group is betting it's better to just throw in the towel than continue to be silently mocked by their job search.

Also, if you tell the unemployment office you stopped looking for a job more than a year ago you're not counted in the official tally.

Detroit has been the poster child city for how quickly a city can spiral downward in an economic decline. Scores of major car making plants have been shut down, leaving thousands of workers in the dust. Then, you have suppliers shutting down who once made a living producing parts for the factories. Finally, with no employees working nearby, restaurants close up shop because nobody's stopping in for a breakfast, lunch or dinner. Mix all of that in with the stagnant real estate market and it's a recipe for disaster.

Even the city's mayor - Dave Bing - agrees with the more realistic assessment. At the recent White House Job Summit he pegged the city's unemployment rate as "closer to 50 percent." He is urging the government to start sending money Detroit's way so it can be used for city clean-up projects and infrastructure development that will put some people to work.

Check out Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week

Click here: Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week | NBC4i.com

Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week

Ohio Unemployment Call Center Fielding 300,000 Calls Per Week

Unemployment Issues

Out-of-work Central Ohioans are frustrated with the local unemployment office -- saying the phones are so busy, they've been unable to get any help.

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Motivational Cat Posters

Check out Sneezin' season | The Columbus Dispatch

Click here: Sneezin' season | The Columbus Dispatch

Sneezin' season

Mold, sap and dust on Christmas trees may aggravate allergies

Saturday, December 12, 2009 3:28 AM

By Dana Wilson

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Owner Bill Cackler, left, and employee Paul Torrie put a tree on the mechanical shaker at Cackler Family Farms in Delaware. Shaking a live Christmas tree before moving it inside might help dislodge mold spores.

Seth Hall of Worthington pulls his 3-year-old daughter, Rory, on the sled carrying their freshly cut Christmas tree at Cackler Family Farms. Artificial trees aren't automatically safe for allergy sufferers, because they usually gather dust while being stored in attics or basements.

Click here to check out a slide show.

Jason Mitchell sides with his customers who prefer the aesthetics of a live Christmas tree to the imitation, boxed variety.

"A lot of people like the fragrance," said Mitchell of Oakland Nurseries in Delaware. "I would say that's the biggest thing for me."

But Mitchell stopped buying evergreens for several years after his youngest son had an asthma-like reaction when the family set up a live tree. They removed the tree after Bryce, a newborn, began coughing and wheezing.

The Mitchells switched to an artificial tree until Bryce, now 5, outgrew what his parents suspected was an allergy to the tree, or perhaps its pollen.

"I'm not going to put my son's health in jeopardy," Mitchell said.

Some local allergists report seeing an increase in patients during the winter months as people spend more time indoors.

There are misconceptions about what triggers the reaction with "Christmas-tree allergies," said Dr. Princess Ogbogu, an allergist and assistant professor at Ohio State University Medical Center.

Because pines, spruces and firs pollinate in the spring, pollen isn't usually the problem. "Often times, they're allergic to the mold spores," Ogbogu said.

Mold can grow on tree trunks and needles. Pre-cut Christmas trees attract mold because they usually are cut weeks before being sold, then stored outdoors in the rain or snow. Mold spores reproduce after the tree is hauled inside, Ogbogu said.

Symptoms of mold allergies vary, but they can include sneezing, coughing or wheezing and itchy or watery eyes.

To eliminate mold, Ogbogu recommends hosing the tree down outside and letting it dry in the sun. Many tree farms use mechanical shakers to clean the trees before bundling them, which can help get rid of any mold or pollen.

Some people truly are allergic to certain varieties of evergreen trees, while others might develop a rash if they touch or brush against tree sap, Ogbogu said.

Artificial trees and decorations aren't allergy-free, because they sit in basements or attics collecting dust once the holidays are over, said Dr. Philip Rancitelli, an allergist with Midwest Allergy & Asthma Associates. "It's really more of an issue with storage," he said.

Rancitelli recommends that his dust-allergic patients buy tree trimmings and decorations made of glass, metal and plastic, which are easy to clean. He said the holiday season also is stressful for those with food allergies -- dinners and parties are laden with potentially unsafe treats -- and for asthma sufferers who brave the cold to go shopping.

Avoiding whatever triggers a flare-up is the best remedy, but medications and shots can help control allergy symptoms, Rancitelli said.

For those who sniffle through the season, there is one variety of tree that allergy sufferers seem to tolerate, said Dave Reese, president of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association.

"People tell me, 'I'd love to come to your farm, but I'm allergic to trees,' " Reese said. "I always tell them about the Concolor fir."

The tree has a citrus fragrance, and its needles are a bit longer than a typical fir, Reese said. He also suggests buying freshly cut trees on a farm, rather than pre-cut ones.

dwilson@dispatch.com

Cause and effect

Allergic reactions to live evergreen trees aren't uncommon. A breakdown of some triggers and symptoms:

• Tree trunks and needles carry microscopic mold spores that reproduce when brought indoors. People with mold allergies might experience sneezing, coughing or wheezing and itchy or watery eyes.

• Sap can cause a red, itchy rash on skin.

• Pine fragrance wafting from live trees, candles or air fresheners can irritate allergy sufferers, causing a runny or congested nose and watery eyes.

Tree tips for allergy sufferers:

• If you buy a live tree, allergists recommend shaking it and letting it dry for a few days before bringing it indoors. Many cut-your-own-tree farms use mechanical shakers before bundling trees.

• With an artificial tree, dust or vacuum it outdoors before putting it up in the house. To store it, seal the tree in a plastic bag and put it in a clean, dry place.

Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; Midwest Allergy & Asthma Associates; Ohio State University Medical Center; National Christmas Tree Association

Check out Savings Experiment: How to Save Money on Heat at Night

Click here: Savings Experiment: How to Save Money on Heat at Night

Savings Experiment: How to Save Money on Heat at Night

Posted Dec 7th 2009 11:00AM by Jane Tuv
Filed under: How To , Savings Experiment

When winter chills get your teeth chattering, one way to stay warm--and save money on heating bills---is to throw on a pair of wool socks, some sweaters, winter boots and a hat, but who wants to do that while lounging at home? We certainly don't.

Therefore, we did some digging and came up with effective ways to help you maximize warmth and reduce your monthly expenditures.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that a typical U.S. household will spend less money on heating bills between October of this year and March of 2010 due to milder weather and lower cost of natural gas. The EIA's projected average of $960-although about 8 percent less than last winter's average of $1,044-is still quite high, especially in today's economy. And let's face it: many homeowners have already surpassed the amount in just two months.

In order to start saving money now, it is essential that you purchase a programmable thermostat and lower your temperature during the night and during the time you are usually out of the house. If your winter heating bill adds up to $960, that means that from mid-October to mid-March, you're paying about $192 a month. By turning down the heat about 10 degrees for eight hours each day, you will save around 10 percent on your heating bill, which translates to $19.20 a month or $96 a year. (For our experiment, we turned down the thermostat from 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) A programmable thermostat can cost you anywhere from $30-$150 at discounted prices. Let's say you spend $50 on the thermostat. Even after figuring in its cost, you'll still save about $46 on your heating bill your first year.

You can further decrease your heating bills with proper insulation. Although the best option is to insulate the walls of your home and start saving 50-60 percent on your monthly heating bill , the process generally requires a two to three-week renovation and costs approximately $2,000-$3,000, depending on the size of your home. Also, this is done to an owned property and since many of us live in rentals, it won't work for our experiment. However, you can still winterize your home with a bit of DIY work.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can reduce your home's heating costs by up to 30 percent through proper insulation and air sealing methods. First, hold a lit candle to windows and doors on a windy day to test for air leaks. If frosts, water condensation or drafts are present, then you can purchase a heavy-duty clear, plastic sheet and tape it to the inside of your windows. This will cost about $10, depending on the number and size of windows in your home. (I usually purchase a clear, polyethylene sheeting at Home Depot for $8.28 and 3M duct tape for $2, so my total comes out to $10.28.) In addition, make sure to keep your bedroom doors closed. You can put old towels or blankets at the bottom of your doors to keep out cold air.

After properly winterizing your home, you can lower the thermostat 5 more degrees to a comfortable temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In total, you will save $28.80 per month ($144 per year) by lowering the thermostat 15 degrees. Figuring in the cost of the thermostat ($50) and the cost of plastic sheeting and duct tape ($10.28), you will save $83.72 your first year.

You can also take a different approach, and lower the thermostat 10 more degrees instead of 5 and then use a space heater to warm up your bedroom to the aforementioned comfortable temperature.

There's no reason why you should have to warm up the entire house when you spend most of your night in only one or two rooms. Therefore, lowering the thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and purchasing an electric heater to warm up your bedroom(s) might be a better solution. At discount prices, space heaters can cost anywhere from $30 to $100. We recommend programmable space heaters so that they can shut off when the room reaches the desired temperature.

Let's say you spend $50 on a programmable, child-proof electric heater. If you run the programmable space heater in your bedroom for eight hours each night over a period of five months to heat up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at a setting of 1500 watts, you will use approximately 11 kWh per night (depending how often the heater turns on and off during the night), or 326 kWh per month. At $0.10 per kWh, it would cost about $1 per night or $31 per month, to heat your home.

You will save $38.40 per month ($192 per year) by lowering the thermostat 20 degrees. Figuring in the cost of the thermostat ($50) and the cost of the space heater ($50), in addition to electricity costs for running a space heater each night over a period of five months, or 151 days ($151), you will actually pay $59 more for your heat the first year.

One major caveat is that if your room has air leaks, the space heater will be turned on longer and will run at a higher setting, thus eating up electricity; therefore, you'd still have to properly insulate your apartment before purchasing a space heater. Otherwise, it will work with only 60-70 percent efficiency, as a lot of heat will escape. That means, you'll be spending even more money than you intended.

Another caveat is that if you use more than one electric heater and they run on the same circuit breaker or if you have other heavy-duty electric appliances on the same circuit, you may trip the breakers when the space heaters are turned on at the same time.

Therefore, invest in a programmable thermostat and winterize your home prior to considering the purchase of a space heater, and watch the savings pile up.

Check out Is There Still a Future for Soap Operas? - Inside TV

Click here: Is There Still a Future for Soap Operas? - Inside TV

Is There Still a Future for Soap Operas?

December 9, 2009
|
By: Michael Maloney
Comments (464)

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With the immortal words "Good morning, dear," actress Helen Wagner (Nancy Hughes) opened the CBS soap opera 'As the World Turns' on April 2, 1956. Alas, in light of the show's cancellation on Dec. 8, longtime soap fans are wondering if they'll be saying, "Good-bye, dear," to the beloved daytime genre entirely.

The sad reality is that viewers have bid farewell to too many soaps recently. In addition to 'ATWT''s demise, 'Guiding Light' ended its 72-year run on Sept. 18; ratings for ABC stalwart 'General Hospital' hit record lows this summer. Are these struggles an indication that the heyday of soaps is over? These days, with more women in the workplace, there are fewer stay-at-home moms who are able to watch soaps in the daytime -- what effect, if any, has that had on soap opera viewership?

While it's no secret that the daytime serial is facing tough economic times, there actually are some positive signs in the industry. ABC's 'All My Children,' which celebrates its 40th anniversary next month, is moving its location from New York City to Los Angeles in order to keep the show economically viable. "This move is not being made for a six-month reprieve," says daytime talent manager Michael Bruno, who reps AMC's Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake). "The show's budget has to be projected over a year or two. They might lose money in the first three months, but they'll start making money after that."

There are also encouraging signs as to the genre's potential over at NBC's 'Days of our Lives.' The week of Nov. 16-20, 'Days' ranked second among network daytime series with women 18-49. "Everyone in the industry is looking at 'Days' and asking why, in the midst of all the negativity facing us, is 'Days' not only doing well, but also gaining viewers?" Bruno asks. "That's something people didn't think could happen anymore."

ABC has also seen increases in viewership. This season, all three ABC dramas are up among women 18-34. 'General Hospital,' despite its declines earlier this year, ranked no. 1 during last month's sweeps period in that demographic, and 'The Young and the Restless' remains daytime's top-rated drama in households with 5.17 million viewers. 'Y&R' also claims the top demographic (1.8) among women 18-49.

'Days'' increase could be attributed to the return of such fan favorites as Crystal Chappell (Carly), Louise Sorel (Vivian) and Wally Kurth (Justin). (Ratings soared back in 1993 when Vivian buried Carly alive.) Bruno advises shows seeking to maintain and rebuild their fan bases to copy 'Days' methods. "I'd bring back Genie Francis to 'General Hospital,' Victoria Rowell to 'The Young and the Restless' and Cady McClain and Julia Barr back to 'All My Children,'" the manager says.

Bringing on fresh faces tied to existing characters is also key to a successful soap. "[Late soap opera head writer] Doug Marland said, 'You have to introduce new characters, but you have to careful how you do it,'" explains Grant Aleksander, who played Phillip on 'Guiding Light' on and off from 1982 until the show's cancellation. "You try to do it in a way that brings [newcomers] through existing characters and you hope that it takes. Anyone responsible for those decisions will tell you that you wait for the audience to tell you that you've brought one on that you want to keep."

'Days' has kept up its publicity and marketing campaigns, too. The show spent four days in Detroit in November making appearances at hospitals and reached out to college campuses including the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Concordia University with a talent and "ultimate fan" search.

But what of the gradual change in who watches soaps, and when? For decades, soaps relied on stay-at-home moms to watch and also encourage their children to get hooked on the drama. "If women were not in the workforce as much, we'd have more viewers," suggests Bruno. "You come home from school and your mother and grandmother are watching and you watch, too."

Martha Byrne, who played Lily for over 20 years on 'As the World Turns,' counters that working moms are still watching daytime. "I'm a working mom and I have been my whole life," the actress says. "I make sure I find time to watch 'Y&R'; my friends do, too. They watch SOAPnet. They like having the freedom to watch after their kids have gone to bed."

Given that shift in viewership, the future of soaps may ultimately lie in the Web. Byrne is one of a handful of actresses who've created Web soap operas. Her program 'Gotham' utilizes familiar faces from daytime, as does Chappell's 'Venice.' "I certainly think that we're going to see more shows pop up on the Web," says Chappell, who hastens to add, "I'm not convinced that daytime network TV won't survive. It'll have to tweak itself and do it for less money."

Industry folks and fans alike agree that grabbing and maintaining viewers comes down to story -- not the special glitzy effects that started popping up on soaps in the '80s. "The truth of the matter is we got comfortable in the '80s and '90s," says Bradley Bell, executive producer/head writer of 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' "We did four or five takes [per scene]. None of that was really organic behavior to what soap operas really are about. We're more reliant on scripts and less on bells and whistles."

"Story is 99.9% of the success of anything dramatic," concurs Aleksander.

'B&B' delivered powerhouse scenes recently with guest star Betty White, whose character Ann Douglas made peace with her daughters Stephanie and Pam before dying. The episodes were shot economically on a beach and had a film quality to them in terms of acting, writing, producing and directing.

The key to the future is to keep soaps under budget. "The shows that can do that will be the ones that survive," Bell says.

How and when do you watch your favorite soap operas? Sound off below.

Check out New jobless claims rise more than expected to 474K

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New jobless claims rise more than expected to 474K

Filed under: Employment News & Trends, Unemployment News Print Article

Posted Dec 10th 2009 11:17AM

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP

unemployment WASHINGTON -- The number of newly laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, after falling for five straight weeks.

Despite the increase, claims have fallen steadily since this summer, a sign that job cuts are slowing and hiring could pick up as soon as early next year amid a broad economic recovery.

Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by 17,000 to a seasonally adjusted 474,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That was above analysts' expectations of 460,000 new claims.

Claims were partly inflated by a surge following the Thanksgiving holiday week, when many state unemployment offices are closed, a department analyst said. Seasonal layoffs in the construction industry also played a role.

Economists closely monitor initial claims, which are considered a gauge of the pace of layoffs and an indication of companies' willingness to hire new workers.

The four-week average of claims, which smooths fluctuations, fell to 473,750, its 14th straight decline and the lowest level since September 2008.

Still, claims will have to fall to about 425,000 for several weeks to signal the economy is actually adding jobs, according to many economists.

The number of people continuing to claim benefits fell by 303,000 to 5.16 million, the lowest level since February. The total unemployment benefit rolls have fallen in 11 of the past 12 weeks.

But the so-called continuing claims do not include millions of people that have used up the regular 26 weeks of benefits typically provided by states, and are receiving extended benefits for up to 73 additional weeks, paid for by the federal government.

About 4.6 million people were receiving extended benefits in the week ended Nov. 21, the latest data available. That's an increase of about 130,000 from the previous week, and is partly due to an extension of benefits that Congress enacted last month.

The economy grew at a 2.8 percent pace in the July-September quarter and analysts say it is likely growing at a similar pace in the current quarter. But that is much slower than the average 6 percent rate in previous economic recoveries.

As a result, most economists expect the unemployment rate to rise in coming months and remain above 9 percent through the end of next year.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Monday that he expects "modest" economic growth next year. That should help push down the nation's unemployment rate - now at 10 percent - "but at a pace slower than we would like," he acknowledged.

The Labor Department last week said employers shed 11,000 jobs in November, much better than economists expected and below the 111,000 lost the previous month.

Some employers are continuing to lay off workers.

Consol Energy said Tuesday that it will lay off nearly 500 workers and idle a mountaintop removal mining operation near Bickmore, W.Va. The Pittsburgh-based company blamed an environmental lawsuit.

The Los Angeles School Board on Tuesday approved a budget plan that would cut 5,000 jobs, including about 1,400 teachers.

Among the states, the largest increases in initial claims was in Wisconsin, at 8,067, which it attributed to layoffs in construction and manufacturing industries. The state data lag initial claims by a week.

The next largest increases in claims were in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana.

California reported the largest drop in claims, down 28,672, which it attributed to fewer layoffs in the service industry. Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Illinois had the next largest drops.

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Check out New jobless claims rise more than expected to 474K

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