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  1. iPhone’s zzzz App!

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited: MSNBC

    Yes indeed there is an app for everything. Yes everything. If you can think of a reason to have one, Apple and its iconic iPhone, will get one for you if it doesn’t exist already. Want evidence? How about an app that tracks your sleeping habits? Sounds crazy but that has nothing to do with apps. Now you never have to wonder how you slept, as if the bags under your eyes weren’t a good enough indication, or how many hours of quality sleep you managed amid the din outside your window because with the help of your new app, you can track that information with the Renew SleepClock, which utilizes a combination of an iPhone app and a wireless devise.

    You won’t need any bulky equipment or uncomfortable stick-on wires covering your body to use the new devise. Just a little sensor and you’ll be able to track your breathing rate, body movements, and just how long you slept in various stages of deep REM sleep, light, or none at all for those times when you try to convince yourself that you must’ve gotten a little shut-eye while you were staring at the ceiling counting cracks in the plaster.

    The data from the sensor is sent to the app in your iPhone and then displays it on the screen. Of course, what you do with the recorded information is up to you. The devise also includes an FM radio that can be used to help you get to sleep and is then timed-off once you are comfortably into dreamland, and if you’re not, the app will let you know.

    My take:

    It sounds like something that might actually be worth checking out, if for nothing else just a laugh. You really don’t need a devise to let you know if you were really sleeping or not, or just how soundly you were sleeping, but it could be interesting to see if the app tells you something about your snoring that you didn’t already know…..as long as its not too expensive to find out.

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  2. Target Boutiques Are On The Way

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited: Reuters

    Target has come up with a new way to standout among its peers and many analysts think it could be a winning strategy. Soon Target shoppers will find exclusive little shops carrying everything from sweets and sneakers to eyewear and electronics at the mega-retailer. In fact, Target says it plans to have 25 of its stores feature special shopping areas and attractive displays of Apple products. Rumors about Target’s plan to put Apple out front in its stores had been circulating since late last week but today the chit-chat was confirmed.

    The concept will be unveiled as “The Shops At Target” in its N.Y. location. Shoppers will find things for sales from a variety of suppliers including Bostons Polka Dot Bakery and the Candy Store, based in San Francisco.

    Target has 1,760 locations in the U.S. and is not combing the ends of the earth to find exclusive brands to populate their “shops” concept. The move couldn’t come soon enough for Target as many of its closest competitors have already made similar marketing moves in an  effort to boost the image, and the sales, at their stores. Kohl’s has the sole rights to sell Vera Wang in their stores while J.C Penny’s partnership with Sephora has been helping both to increase cosmetics sales since the two joined forces.

    The new concept stores by Target and other sales behemoths of their ilk are likely to be a huge boost to smaller retailers who will now find their products featured in these sales magnets. And, this is not the first time that Target has used this type of strategy having partnered with limited-time design partnerships in the past that helped to increase sales of apparel and accessories such as Thakoon Panichgul and Zac Posen.

    My take:

    Just another way to keep cranking out the stuff and hope that people buy more stuff so they can fill their closets and cupboards with stuff. And then they’ll have plenty of stuff to sell at the garage sale when Target and its partners come out with even better stuff.

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  3. Retail Sales Rise, But Modestly

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited: Bloomberg

    Today’s data on retail sales in the U.S. for December indicate that consumer spending might not be as robust as some had hoped for just a few short weeks ago. Retail sales in December rose a  modest 0.1% on the heels of a 0.4% gain in November. The data was released to the financial community this morning from the Commerce Department. Analysts surveyed prior to the report were expecting retails sales to post a monthly gain of 0.3%. The weaker than forecast data was just one bit of financial information that has fueled a sell-off in stocks today.

    For many retailers the news seems to confirm their perceptions that the U.S. consumer will have less discretionary income to spend on their products with the unemployment rate still stuck at 8.5% and while many are still carrying very high debt burdens in credit card balances, their mortgage, and automobile loans. For many of these families paying down this debt will come before spending. Another indicator that the consumer is not likely to add to their growing debt burden is the increase seen in the savings rate as people try to accumulate more funds rather than spend the money in retail outlets.

    The sales data coupled with a weaker-than-expected weekly jobless claims report sent the S&P Index down 0.2%, putting an end to a three day rally in the equity markets. Also weighing on today’s market returns was weaker industrial production data from Europe with reports indicating that production fell for the third consecutive month in November. This is yet another signal that Euro-zone overall growth for Q4 is likely to be flat or negative.

    The news on the retail sales front is not all bad because one month does not a trend make and retailers will tell you that 2011 was the best year for them since 1999. Sales at the nation’s retailers rose 7.7% for the year after rising 6.5% in 2010. And, flying in the face of today’s data for sales in December were strong automobile and truck sales, with the U.S auto makers continuing to show signs that the worst is behind them.

    My take:

    Let’s see how the data shakes out going forward. If sales are down a bit to start the year but families are saving more money, that will bode well for a strong finish of 2012, especially if some of that savings is put into the marketplace after many of the unemployed find jobs. As everyone has noted, jobs are the key to the economy ever pulling out of the ditch and onto the highway again. It seems that now we have two front wheels on the pavement.

     

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  4. Is Natalee Holloway Dead?

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited: CNN In light of the recent admission of guilt in the murder of a Peru woman by Jordan van der Sloot, long suspected in the death of Natalee Holloway, a judge will now decide whether to declare Ms. Holloway dead. The petition for the action was filed by Holloway’s father, David Holloway, this past June, and now the decision will be in the hands of a probate judge in Jefferson County, Alabama. Beth Holloway, Mr. Holloway’s ex-wife, is against the petition saying that she hopes that Natalee will return home safely one day. Natalee Holloway was last seen in 2005 while vacationing in Aruba with 100 other classmates from her high school. Witnesses saw her leaving a nightclub with van der Sloot and two other men on May 30, 2005 and she was never seen again. Van der Sloot has been a suspect in the disappearance of Ms. Holloway since the beginning of the investigation and he has been detained twice, however he has never been charged with any crime in connection to the missing Alabama girl. While both parents of Natalee Holloway are at apparent odds over the filing to have her declared dead, neither has seen or heard from her and no body has been found, circumstances that Mrs. Holloway and her attorney still do not believe warrant the court petition. Yesterday van der Sloot pleaded guilty to shooting a Peruvian woman, who authorities say may have been killed by van der Sloot after she discovered evidence of his connection to Natalee Holloway’s death on his computer while in his hotel room. He faces up to 30 years in prison  for murder.

    My take: It makes you shudder to think that there are predators like van der Sloot out there just waiting to prey on young boys and girls. While it is not a certainty that he killed Natalee Holloway, it sure looks that way and I can understand why her dad might be looking for closure. It’s also easy to feel for Mrs. Holloway, who probably still hopes and prays that she sees her little girl again.

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    Category Legal | Tags: | No Comments

  5. Heart Doc Faked Red Wine Tests

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited: MSNBC

    You might want to reconsider having another glass of Cabernet, or Merlot, or any other red wine for that matter, especially if you think that you are doing your heart good by having another sip. One of the leading researchers connected with the study of red wine on human health has been found to be careless, perhaps intentionally, and accused of falsifying the results of tests he conducted over the last seven years. Dr. Dipak Das, a University of Connecticut researcher has made something of a name for himself over the years in his research on red wine and the compound known as resveratrol, which is found in red wine.  However, University of Conn., officials say that they have found more than 145 instances of falsified and manipulated data going back seven years, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity. 

    Dr. Das has been under review for the past three years after an anonymous tip in 2008 raised questions about his studies. The journals that have published Dr. Das’ findings in the past were all notified of the potential problems with his results. In addition, the University of Conn., recently decline federal grants for additional research by Dr. Das to the tune of $890,000 due to the on-going investigation.

    Dr. Das stands to be fired from his position as an obvious first step. The now infamous researcher is also known for his work with medicines that come from plants as well as other work looking into the structure of plants and how they might be used to help combat heart disease, one of the mostly deadly diseases facing America. His revelations about the benefits on crushed garlic for the human heart are also well-known, and are now being called into question.

    The anonymous tip that sparked the investigation into Dr. Das indicated that there were irregular practices going on in his labs and the subsequent investigation found what it described as, ” a pervasive attitude of disregard with the lab for commonly accepted scientific practices.  Other charges being leveled at Dr. Das say that some data was digitally altered, with data from one experiment used to justify findings in another, and controls from one experiment were used to denote another experiment’s controls.

    My take:

    Well, I don’t think I’ll drink any more…..or any less red wine because of this shocking story. However, it is appalling to see that a respected man of science would alter data and then use his findings to make recommendations to the public regarding something so important. If this were Dodge City a century or so ago, he’d be tarred and feathered.

     

     

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  6. Unemployment Claims Turn Higher

    January 12, 2012 by admin

    Cited:CNN

    Don’t look now but the recent employment data showing a shrinking unemployment rate and more workers finding jobs might not be sustainable. The monthly non-farm payroll report released earlier this month showed the unemployment rate dropping to 8.5% while the number of new jobs created reached to 200,000. However, today’s weekly unemployment claims data ticked higher, in fact much higher than analysts predicted and the report has caused many economy watchers and market pundit to wonder which is the blip; the monthly report or today’s weekly data?

    The Labor Department reported today that the number of workers filing for unemployment was 399,000, dangerously close to the 400,000 number that many experts say is too high and a level that will keep the unemployment rate from falling further. As is usually the case, economists say let’s wait for more data. Often at this time of year, temporary workers hired for the holiday season are laid-off the result being a one-time blip higher in weekly unemployment claims. Many who follow the data closely believe that this is probably the underlying reason for today’s unexpectedly high number too.

    Analysts also caution about reading too much into one report and that the best way to draw conclusions about the overall job market is to look at additional data and longer moving averages, such as the four-week moving average for this particular data. Overall, they also note that weekly jobless claims have hovered around the lowest levels seen since 2008 for the past month so its too early to panic just yet.

    In addition to new unemployment claims reported today, the number of workers continuing to file claims totaled 3.6 million, an increase of 19,000 from last week.

    My take:

    Employment is usually a lagging indicator of economic activity and while a very important factor in the “misery index” it doesn’t necessarily tell us about the health of the economy; not yet anyway. The employment data due the first week of February will tell us a lot more about the job market.

     

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  7. What Really Caused Student’s Death?

    January 11, 2012 by admin

    Cited: New York Times

    With two months to reflect on the beating death of Robert Champion, a student at Florida A&M University, questions are being asked as to why he may have been the target of such a horrific crime. Earlier this week, Robert’s parents said that their son was gay, but they didn’t believe that his sexual orientation had anything to do with the crime against him.

    Robert was a drum major with the school band, and it was first believed that his beating on a school bus following a football game was probably a hazing prank, and one that obviously went very badly. Mrs. Champion says that her son being gay was not something that Robert “advertised” and therefore was not the reason he became the target of the beating and that the reason why he might have been set upon by some of his fellow band mates was his outspoken stance against hazing.

    Claims of hazing rituals associated with the Florida A&M band, one of the more accomplished marching bands in the U.S., are not uncommon with the band having gained a reputation for a culture of musicians inflicting severe physical pain and suffering on its new members. Once such member left the band and the school after having to be hospitalized for broken bones, bruises, and blood clots. Three students were arrested in that particular case.

    The former head of the band, Julian White has maintained that it was not a case of hazing but an isolated case of homophobia. White was fired following Robert Champion’s death. Mr. and Mrs. Champion want to be assured that both the university and the former band leader are held accountable for their actions in the death of their son. If a court decides that Champion’s death was a hate crime then the penalties could be much more severe than those that might be meted-out in a civil lawsuit.

    The family also said that they will sue the bus company that owns the bus where the beating occurred. Spokesman for the bus company say that their employee, who was not on the bus when the incident occurred, followed correct procedures.

    My take:

    This was a horrible crime and whether due to Robert’s sexual preference or hazing it is a tragedy. I hope the University is following through to make sure that this culture of torture associated with its otherwise esteemed band is eliminated ASAP, or the band itself should be disbanded.

     

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    Category Education | Tags: | No Comments

  8. Twinkies are Broke

    January 11, 2012 by admin

    Cited: New York Times

    One of America’s favorite supplier of junk food is once again having problems making payroll. Hostess Brands, makers of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and other baked indulgences has filed for bankruptcy again, just three years removed from other restructuring actions due to their inability to meet their financial obligations.

    While the company has approximately $1 billion in assets, it is also mired in debt of $860 million and has expenses tied to its labor force that it cannot control. As such, Hostess filed a Chapter 11 petition in United States Bankruptcy Court in New York, seeking protection from its 100,000 creditors while they try to get their house in order.  The company hopes to be able to negotiate with its labor unions to revise existing contracts, which are said to be a major source of their financial problems.

    Hostess is based in Irving, Tex, and owns many brands, among them the well-known and long established iconic brand Wonder Bread. The company first filed Chapter 11 in 2004 when rising flour prices and increasing labor costs forced them into bankruptcy the first time. The company is still unable to function profitably and while recording revenue of $2.5 billion in 2011, it also posted a net loss of $341 million.

    The majority of Hostess employees are members of about 12 different unions; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union the two largest. Spokesmen for Hostess say that pension and medical benefits costs and restrictive work rules were killing the bottom line, with Hostess paying out $52 million in worker’s compensation claims for FY 2011. Union spokesmen counter by saying that their members have already made significant concessions and that company executives should also make cuts in compensation to their highest paid officers and managers.

    Keeping Hostess afloat is bankruptcy financing to the tune of $75 million from a group of lenders headed by Silver Point Finance, which should help the baking icon to continue operations at its bakeries and 570 bakery outlet stores.

    My take:

    I hope that they find a way to stay in business or at least find a buyer for the company because a day without Twinkies is like a day without air. Too bad that once again the workers, who are probably making just about enough money to make ends meet are being blamed for what are probably poor business decisions in the front office.

     

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    Category Business | Tags: | No Comments