Group of senators want states to ban texting while driving or get federal highway money cut
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers called for states to ban texting while driving or face cuts in highway funds, citing the need to reduce driver distraction and potential highway deaths and injuries.
"When drivers have their eyes on their cell phones instead of the road, the results can be dangerous and even deadly," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who unveiled the legislation Wednesday with Democrats Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Kay Hagan of North Carolina.
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have passed laws making texting while driving illegal.
Some critics have questioned whether the laws could be enforced, whether there is enough data to warrant such bans, or if reckless driving statutes already cover texting behind the wheel.
Steve Largent, a former Oklahoma congressman who leads CTIA — The Wireless Association, said his organization supports "state legislative remedies to solve this issue. But simply passing a law will not change behavior. We also need to educate new and experienced drivers on the dangers of taking their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel."
The Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety agencies, said it does not doubt the dangers of texting and driving but does not support a ban because it would be difficult to enforce.
"Highway safety laws are only effective if they can be enforced and if the public believes they will be ticketed for not complying. To date, that has not been the case with many cell phone restrictions," said Vernon Betkey, the highway safety association's chairman.
The proposal follows a series of studies showing the dangers of operating handheld electronic devices while driving.
Read More: Texting while Driving - Banned?
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Today, Yahoo died as a search engine. If the deal with Microsoft is approved, what will replace it will be Bing, the search engine that Microsoft launched only two months ago. Within a few months time, Microsoft will go from owning 8 percent of the U.S. search market to 28 percent (comScore). That is still less than half of Google’s 65 percent, but it could give Microsoft a fighting chance in the search wars against Google.
While the agreement was a long time coming, Bing was the cherry on top, so to speak. Earlier today, I spoke with the two executives who oversaw the negotiations for both sides, Yahoo EVP Hillary Schneider and Microsoft SVP Yusuf Mehdi. I asked how big an impact Bing’s sudden success had on bringing the deal to a close. “Seeing Bing as a live experience was a nice assurance,” says Schneider, “but did not change our rationale or timing. This was a conversation that went on over several months. Bing was introduced after we had material momentum in how we wanted to approach this partnership.”
Yet Bing was able to gain market share in its very first month, and it took it from Yahoo, not Google. And Bing is just going to get better. Yahoo faced the very real prospect of market share erosion from below as well as from above. Now in one fell swoop, Microsoft will control all of Yahoo’s search volume. In a conference call today, Steve Ballmer explained how important market share is in search:
Do we think we will have better algorithms for relevance? Yes we do. There is a feedback loop in search. the more searches you serve, the more you learn about what people click on. Scale drives knowledge. There is a return to scale from seeing that much activity [that is more] than Yahoo or MSFT see independently
Microsoft will measure the success of this deal in two ways: increased market share with advertisers and increased market share with consumers. When I asked Mehdi what success would look like a couple years out, he defines it in terms of “shares of queries and spends.” Even before mentioning gaining share with consumers, he says: “Success is a smooth transition for advertisers as they shift more share of wallet from traditional media and competitors to get the better ROI.”
Read Yahoo Got Binged article
7 Ways You're Getting Ripped Off
You know you're paying too much. We show you just how much.
By Entrepreneurs staff, Forbes.com
Economists call them "market inefficiencies" — those thrilling or frustrating moments (depending on your point of view) when the price of something veers from its underlying, inherent value. In that world — the one in which we all live, eat, shop, drive and pay bills — they're called rip-offs. We're not talking fraud here (though there's plenty of that going around, too). We're talking about all the ways, within the law, that humans allow themselves to be taken for a ride.
Cable Television
The Rip-off: All you want is basic cable, but your cable company wants you to have so much more — and pay for it, of course. That's why it bundles in a whole mess of channels, including dozens that even the most feckless of couch potatoes won't watch, including foreign-language channels, background-music channels and niche stuff like Speed (an ode to all things fast). Time Warner Cable charges a minimum $67.50 a month for a "value package" with 350 channels (HBO and Showtime cost another $14.95 each). Comcast isn't much better: Its basic package includes 98 channels for $62.40.
How To Avoid It: Cue up network Web sites and watch for free. Hulu.com offers thousands of videos, TV episodes (new and old) and full-length movies — all free. And Netflix charges as little as $8.99 a month for access to more than 100,000 DVDs and TV episodes, as well as 12,000 movies. — Miriam Marcus
Electronics Warranties
The Rip-off: Warranties cover everything from technical problems to spilling beer on the keyboard. They also empty your wallet in a hurry. Two-year coverage on a $350 Toshiba laptop from Best Buy goes for $280 — a whopping 80% of the purchase price.
How To Avoid It: Check out third-party warranty providers, who often offer better coverage for a lot less. SquareTrade.com sells a three-year warranty (with all the same protection and reimbursement guarantees) on that same Toshiba laptop for $100. — Melanie Lindner
Caskets
The Rip-off: Upscale boxes, purchased by emotional families through funeral homes, can go for $20,000 — a mark-up of up to four times cost. "People end up paying giant premiums that they don't have to," says Joseph Conzevoy, owner of ABC Caskets Factory in Los Angeles.
How To Avoid It: Plan ahead and buy direct. Make sure the funeral home doesn't whack you with a penalty for going outside its supplier network. The savings can be huge: ABC Caskets' Carved Mahogany model, which Conzevoy sells for $5,000, would fetch three times as much inside a funeral home showroom, he says. (While you're at it, shop around for flowers, too.) — Christopher Steiner
Movie Theater Snacks
The Rip-off: It's a law of business that captive customers pay through the nose. Proof: At an AMC Lowe's theater in Manhattan, a 5.3-ounce bag of peanut M&Ms sells for $4.25. That hurts more than just your teeth.
How To Avoid It: Buy your snacks at a drug store on your way to the theater and stow them in your purse (it's not like anyone's going to check it). Less than one block from that same theater a Rite Aid charges $2.99 for an 8.2-ounce bag of peanut M&Ms--that's 55% more candy for 30% less! — Melanie Lindner
See More of the 14 Ways You're Getting Ripped Off
Free Immunizations for Kids
Free immunizations for youngsters age two and older are available at three sites in Broward from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
* July 29 and Aug. 5, Amadeo Trinchitella Deerfield Beach High School Health Center, 910 SW 15th St., Deerfield Beach. 754-322-0712.
* July 30 and Aug. 6, William Dandy Middle Community Health Center, 2400 NW 26th St., Fort Lauderdale, 754-322-3235.
* Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, Lauderhill Middle Health Center, 1901 NW 49th Ave., Lauderhill, 754-322-3611.
Source: Free Immunizations for Kids
"The estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are roughly twice the number of those who catch flu in a normal season and add greater weight to hurried efforts to get a new vaccine ready for the fall flu season. Swine flu has already hit the United States harder than any other nation, but it has struck something of a glancing blow that's more surprising than devastating. The virus has killed about 300 Americans and experts believe it has sickened more than 1 million, comparable to a seasonal flu with the weird ability to keep spreading in the summer. "
The World Health Organization reports that work on a vaccine is progressing and should be ready in the fall when flu cases are expected to increase with school back in session. The United States expects to begin testing volunteers in August, with 160 million doses ready in October.
Europe is also fast tracking their vaccine development. They are in a hurry to get it widely distributed before this winter. They are so concerned about the virus spreading that the European Medicines Agency is allowing companies to skip testing in large numbers of people before the vaccine is approved. The lack of testing could make it difficult to gauge the effective dosage -- meaning Europeans might get too weak a vaccine. It's unlikely the vaccine would endanger anyone, but until it is used in large numbers of people, no one will know for sure. Source: Yahoo
Here are two statistics that will reinforce your concerns in keeping your customers.
1.It costs anywhere from 5 to 8 times more to gain a new customer as opposed to retaining your customers. When you consider the cost of sales people, advertising, Internet marketing, etc. to attract new customers this becomes obvious.
2.68% of customers will stop using your services or fail to return if they feel unappreciated. This is the number one reason businesses lose customers.
Based upon these two statistics, it is obvious your business needs to place as strong an emphasis on keeping existing customers as it does on gaining new ones.
Here are 5 easy to use tips you can use today:
Keep in touch
If your customers’ needs are seasonal or ongoing, always stay in touch. Never assume they will continue to do business with you or call you when they need your services. They can always go elsewhere.
Be sure everyone in your company provides outstanding service to your customers.
Your account executives, sales people, and customer service staff already know this. But does your receptionist have a list of your best customers and clients? Does everyone in your company know how to properly treat an existing customer or client?
Nothing is worse than if one of your best clients calls with a question and someone asks, "&ldots;and what can I say this call is in reference to?" Your client is thinking at this point: "How about all the business I continue to give you although five of your competitors call me daily!"
Continue to understand your customers’ needs
Your services must stay up to date with what customers expect from you. It is not enough to assume that your current level of service and results is enough to keep customers satisfied.
Read more:Ways to Get Repeat Business
The Golden Arches make their latest move on Starbucks with this weekly
[Related content: spending, savings, budgeting, free, hot deals]
By Karen Datko
MSN Money
What tastes better than a McDonald's mocha?
Answer: a FREE McDonald's mocha.
Starting July 13, McDonald's will give away a hot or iced McCafé mocha to consumers every Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last Free Mocha Monday is Aug. 3.
No purchase is necessary to get a 7-ounce iced mocha or an 8-ounce hot drink -- both smaller than the 12-ounce "small" size on the menu. That's because it's all about the coffee at McDonald's right now. In what the Chicago Tribune called the fast-food chain's "boldest gambit in decades," McDonald's launched a national campaign in May to make us think McCafé as well as Big Mac. We'll have fancy coffee rather than fries with that.
This is a primo freebie in a year that's been full of them. The mocha giveaway is also big in McDonald's view. "This is one of the largest sampling initiatives we've taken on as a company," McDonald's spokesman Neil Golden said, according to The Associated Press.
Read More: Free mochas at McDonald's on Mondays
Despite all the optimistic talk and promising signs, the economic recovery has yet to arrive. And perhaps the only thing worse than having to deliver bad news to your employees is dealing with rumors that you are going to have to.
Skip to next paragraph
Tool Kit
Paul B. Brown on the changing world of small business and the colorful characters who inhabit it.Paul B. Brown’s Columns »
How should you handle them? Experts offer the following advice, beginning with an explanation of why rumors start.
RUMOR BREEDING GROUND “Uncertainty in organizations is a given in environments that are unstable and complex, and uncertainty serves as a precursor to rumor generation,” said Jamie McIntosh, describing the business environment we find ourselves in on Suite101.com.
“During the rumor generation stage, people develop a susceptibility to rumors, based on an optimum combination of uncertainty and anxiety.”
DEAL WITH IT A common theme in all the advice is that you need to address the rumors. You shouldn’t pretend they are not there.
“In the absence of information, employees will make up their own information and that information soon snowballs into a full-blown rumor,” Zoey Day said on Helium.com, which describes itself as “a knowledge cooperative.”
In other words, ignoring the rumors is simply going to increase employee concerns, distract them from doing their jobs and make the situation worse.
Read entire article: Dealing With Rumors in the Workplace
Cheap business electricity is getting harder and harder to find in the UK as prices continue to increase despite there being no apparent reason for it. Unless domestic electricity, there are no major comparison services to help you find cheap business electricity so you are left with a more arduous task of manually going through the major suppliers to see for yourself which one is cheapest.
However, despite this there are certain things you can do as a business to help keep your prices low. Most of these are quite simple and really common sense, but it is surprising how many businesses don't do it.
For example so many businesses leave their lights on at night, supposedly in the name of security, but in most cases it just saves the burglar the need to bring a torch. Speak with your local police and see whether it really is worth burning up all this electric.
And this need not just apply to lights. On the road to cheap business electricity, Monitors, Computers, vending machines and much more equipment can be turned off at night saving you an absolute fortune.
Solar panels may also be a possibility to save you money and as a business there may be grants available to help you do this.
As I have previously said to get cheap business electricity you need to manually go around the main suppliers for quotes but before you do that you should ensure you are on the correct rate as many suppliers charge different rates dependent on the size of your premises or businesses. It's important to ensure you are on the correct rates before you go comparing and looking for cheap business electricity.
@ RIVERWALK – YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturdays 10 a.m.
Tune In, Chill Out & Shape Up with Yoga in the Park. Engage your mind, body and spirit surrounded by the natural beauty of Riverwalk Park and the New River. All ages and levels welcome — yoga is for everyone. Students should wear comfortable clothing. Bring water, mat and towel. Metered parking available. Normal rates apply.
Riverwalk’s Esplanade Park.
(954) 468-1541. FREE
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7660
SUMMER TEASE
July 17 • 4 to 7 p.m.
The Fort Lauderdale History Center (FLHC)/Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Inc. and the G Club at Riverwalk Trust will host Summer Tease, a happy hour tea party at the History Center’s 1905 New River Inn.
Stay cool this summer at a happy hour that includes tea, wine spritzers, mar-tea-nis, chocolate, raffle prizes and more. Enjoy a jewelry and clothing fashion show sponsored by Zola Keller and Daouds Fine Jewelry. Proceeds benefit the Fort Lauderdale History Center. Continue the evening with a G Club after-party at the River House Restaurant. Sponsors for the event include Daouds Fine Jewelry, East-Magazine, Go Riverwalk Magazine, Island City Bistro, Kilwin’s on Las Olas, Panache, Premier Beverage, Riverwalk Trust, Society Scene, the Narrative, the River House Restaurant and Zola Keller. FLHC is collaborating with the G Club at Riverwalk Trust on this event. Both organizations are dedicated to preserving the history of the Fort Lauderdale community and maintaining the beauty of Riverwalk. Fundraisers such as the “Summer Tease” allow the History Center to fulfill its mission of bringing history to life through exhibitions, education programs and public programs. G Club is GO! GO Green, GO Downtown, GO Riverwalk! The Riverwalk Trust recently announced the launch of a new membership level, The G Club at Riverwalk Trust. Dedicated to the greening of our Riverwalk Park and the creation of a more sustainable, more grounded downtown lifestyle, The G Club at Riverwalk Trust will serve as the launch pad for the Trust’s ongoing series of enhancement projects. Tickets are $50. A $75 VIP ticket includes complimentary parking and a special gift. To RSVP or for more information, call (954) 463-4431, ext. 16. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7602
RIVERWALK TRUST, THE BROWARD COUNTY GATOR CLUB, JESSICA JUNE CHILDREN’S CANCER FOUNDATION AND POWER NETWORK OF FORT LAUDERDALE MEMBERSHIP MIXER AT THE W HOTEL
July 22 • 6 p.m.
Wish you were invited to the event of the summer? Riverwalk Trust, The Broward County Gator Club, Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation and Power Network Of Fort Lauderdale invite you to “Wish” at the new W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences.
Water
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Linger and mingle poolside at the wondrous Wet Deck. Enjoy tropical cool tunes, a complimentary cocktail and a surprisingly sexy snack.
Wonder
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Indulge in sumptuous signature sips and specially priced appetizers as you explore the possibilities
In the W’s inviting Living Room Lounge.
Whiskey
8:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Delight yourself in the W’s famous Whiskey Blue Bar. The perfect playground to paint the town purple!
This event is by invite only for members only, and RSVP is a must! RSVP by July 20 at www.GoRiverwalk.com. For more information, call (954) 468-1541.
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7617
SEA TURTLE WALKS WITH THE MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE
Select dates through July 15
The whole family can participate in an evening of discovery while uncovering the natural history and myths of turtles. Nature permitting, participants will have a chance to watch a 400-pound loggerhead sea turtle venture out of the ocean to lay her eggs. At 9 p.m., the adventure begins at the Museum of Discovery and Science with an informative hands-on session about turtles (land, fresh water and salt water) with an expanded focus on sea turtles. Guests will meet Lois, the museum’s Ambassador Loggerhead sea turtle, who is approximately one year and nine months old, weighs 15 pounds and is 14.5 inches long. Museum staff will provide answers to questions about nesting, threats and conservation before proceeding to the beach. The adventure continues to Fort Lauderdale beach where museum expert guides will lead guests to the sea turtle’s nesting grounds to look for amazing sea turtles. We cannot guarantee a sea turtle will be spotted on every walk, but when it does happen it is a natural wonder that no one will ever forget. Guests should be prepared to walk approximately one to two miles, and provide their own transportation and snacks. Advance reservations are required as space is limited. Prices are $16 for members and $18 for non-members. For more information, call (954) 713-0930. $
http://goriverwalk.com/calendar.asp?evt=7437
See Full Detail Events at http://goriverwalk.com/calendar
Beautiful contemporary homes are nothing new, but it takes an extra spark of creativity to meet the modern needs of the people living inside. These homes of the future use sustainable design, unconventional placement or otherwise clever ideas to stand out. Here are the best we’ve seen hit the design blogosphere in the last year:
Designed to take full advantage of the California sun and hilltop winds, the Skyline Residence sits along a steep ridgeline overlooking Los Angeles. Natural light pours into the home, and a single interior corridor keeps the heat away from bedrooms. For ventilation, doors on two opposite sites of the home can be opened to let air flow through. And to top it all off, an outdoor theater projects movies onto the side of the home for a cinematic experience that puts Loew’s to shame.
The Otake House, Japan
There’s no need for tiling or weather sealants at this home, set between the mountains and the Seto Inland Sea. That’s because a shiny, black material, originally used in ship construction, does the job of waterproofing. The Otake House is also a looker, with a large terrace and wide “apertures” for admiring the view.
Read More: Contemporary and Cutting Edge Homes of the Future
Ft Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau 2 for 1 specials on attractions all over Broward County
Looking for great bargains in Fort Lauderdale this summer? The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau has a comprehensive on line site with everything you'll need to find them. From 2 for 1 summer specials to four live beach cameras with views from Deerfield Beach to Hollywood Beach, it's the best resource for what's happening around town that I've seen.
When you look at the list of businesses and attractions included in the for 2 for 1 special you'll see that they aren't limited to Fort Lauderdale. All of Broward County is represented. The Coupons for the Gre8ter Savings Summer promotion are valid until September 30th 2009. You have the rest of the summer to take advantage of these deals. It's a pretty impressive list of attractions:
- Billie Swamp Safari
- Museum of Science/Discovery/Imax Theater
- Sawgrass Recreation Park Air Boat Tours
- IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame
- Dixie Diving Snorkel Trips
- Pro Dive International Snorkel Trips and Glass Bottom Boat Trips
- Ft Lauderdale Museum of Art
- Mai Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show
- Aloha Watersports-parasail rides
- Jungle Queen Rivercruises
By Ft. Lauderdale City Buzz Examiner -Cheryl Avins Smith
The Air and Sea Show was a familiar sight on Fort Lauderdale beach for 13 years. It ended its run in 2007 and apparently enough people missed it during the past two years to warrant a return engagement. It is being revived and the new version will be called Air Lauderdale Beach Fest.
Dates for the new show are set for April 24 and 25 of 2010. They were announced yesterday by local businessmen and new promoters, Stan Smith and Steve Savor. One of the biggest obstacles the City of Fort Lauderdale had with this event was the expense of putting on the event. Smith and Savor have agreed to pick up all related costs including police and clean up. There will be nominal fee to attend the event.
"This is probably one of the neatest events, one of the funnest events you can put on,'' Mayor Jack Seiler said. " ... Really for the community it gives us a chance to, one, honor the military and show our appreciation to the military. It also brings the community together as a family, as friends, to celebrate on the beach. The impact we want it to have right now is with this economy, it'll be tremendous to have the crowds back on Fort Lauderdale beach.'' Source: Sun Sentinel
The promoters have big plans for Fort Lauderdale beach that go beyond the Air and Sea Show:
Seiler and his colleagues have been pushing for big celebratory events that would attract crowds. To that end, they Tuesday approved a series of evening beach festivals in August to be called "Saturday Night Alive." From 7 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22, up to 4,000 people are expected to visit the beach to see entertainers. On State Road A1A from Harbor Drive north to Sunrise Boulevard, there will be "strolling violins and Dixieland bands, magicians, jugglers, puppets, stilt walkers and other similar acts," according to the producer's description. Also in the works for the beach next year, Seiler announced recently: A 50-year anniversary celebration of the 1960 movie "Where the Boys Are.'' Source: Sun Sentinel
Read Full Article: Air and Sea Show
Chipotle Mexican Grill is sponsoring a free screening of the documentary film, Food, Inc. in 32 cities around the country. Fort Lauderdale is the only city where the free viewing will be offered. The film can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at Sunrise Cinemas Gateway, 1820 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-763-7994. Admission is free until the theater is full. First come. First served. Source: Sun Sentinel
Chipotle Mexican Grill is a national food chain that claims on their website to follow a philosophy of Food With Integrity, by not exploiting animals, the environment or people. This is why they are interested in exposing their customers to this film which deals with where the food we eat comes from and much more. They say that once people see the film, they will be more likely to appreciate what the chain is trying to accomplish.
Click on Chipolte's site above If you live outside the South Florida area. You'll find a list of all of the dates and cities where the film can be viewed for free.
This looks to be a very powerful film. I have only watched the trailer and was frightened about all that I don't know about our food supply. Click below to view the movie trailer and you'll see what I am talking about.
Food, Inc. Movie Trailer
View full article: Free movie screening of Food, Inc.- you'll never look at dinner the same way
Know the Value of Your Time - MSN Money
How much is your time worth?
Do you know how much leisure time you really have during the week and how much it's worth? Knowing the value of your time can help you determine whether it's worth hiring some help for those household projects. Know the Value of Your Time Calculator examines how much time and money you spend on work-related activities every week. Find out what an hour of your leisure time is really worth, and determine whether you should consider buying a little more free time. You might find that paying someone else to do the chores makes perfect financial sense.
Calculate The Value of Your Time - MSN Money
Water Taxi - "More than just a boat ride!"
Water Taxi. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s world famous waterways which have earned the city the nickname, “The Venice of America.” Go to the beach, shop and dine on spectacular Las Olas Blvd, and see the cruise ships at Port Everglades. Not sure where to go? Our crew will happily help you plan your day as you float past many interesting sites from mansions to megayachts. Your ticket allows unlimited boardings from any our 11 stops throughout Fort Lauderdale!
Read More: Water Taxi - "More than just a boat ride!"
