| Could solar cars be the answer to random pricing?
As I sat down to write this column I received a phone call. My State Farm insurance agent called to let me know that my auto insurance rates had gone down. After picking myself up off the floor I politely thanked her and started to think about pricing of items in general.
I'm typing this on a computer that cost me less than the word processor, a glorified typewriter for all intents and purposes; I bought when I started college back in the late '80s. Even the flat-screen monitor I stare at for hours on end went for $700 when first released two short years ago, yet I picked this one up a month ago for under $200.
I'm looking at a telephone that I just used to call Sweden for business. Sweden is included in my all-in-one long distance plan that sets me back roughly the cost of a couple of movie tickets and a large tub of popcorn.
Bill would give domestic-violence survivors time off work to get help
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking could take unpaid leave from their jobs to get services or treatment under a bill headed for a vote of the Oregon Senate. The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 946 on Wednesday. Jill Raichel of Hillsboro, a social worker and mental-health therapist, said such a law could have shielded her in a previous job from an abusive ex-husband who came to her workplace and threatened her and co-workers. "I did not feel I could obtain the support I needed to protect myself and thus had to resign from my job. This was a financial and emotional burden for me and my children, which resulted in our having to relocate and for me to acquire a new job," Raichel said. "Having a law, such as the one proposed, could have prevented me from this upheaval in my children's lives." The bill also won support from Rob Quesnel of Tualatin, the Oregon director of American Family Insurance, the nation's third largest mutual-insurance company.
A Bit of Help
"Today I received a refurbished Gateway GT5032 computer with a 90-day warranty. There was no note or explanation with the computer as to what had happened. Doing the math on the warranty, I am really getting screwed since the original computer was to have had a one-year warranty and I was only in possession of it for 2 months, but the replacement was a nice machine. I guess that is supposed to be my consolation. Gateway really sucks. So, the machine is now for sale on EBay. I am so fed up with Gateway I don't even want it in the house. Thanks for your help and I would really appreciate you sharing how inconsiderate and unresponsive Gateway was in this situation. I strongly encourage everyone to stay far away from Gateway." So what finally spurred Gateway to action - my story, the state attorney general, or just the sheer weight of the reader's own complaints? Who knows, but if you face a similar problem, my suggestion is you try all of the above.
The Allstate Corporation at AIFA 32nd Annual Conference - Final
UNIDENTIFIED PARTICIPANT: In the interest of time, let's get started. Here, we are having some technical difficulty. We don't have a laptop. We are going to get one. But, what we are going to do is, our speaker is, Allstate, the second one. It's Fred Cripe, Senior Vice President - Product Operations. He is responsible for Allstate's pricing, product management, underwriting, and research and development. So, there is really no question that Fred shouldn't be able to answer. And so, what we are going to do is, we are going start with Q&A and then, Fred will go through the presentation. So, why don't we do it this way and in the flip side, until the laptop comes in and we put the slides on. UNIDENTIFIED PARTICIPANT: And, I'll start with the first question, since one of the comments this morning by Bruce Marlow was that Direct was going to own the personal auto industry going forward.
Sentencings in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, March 5-6
Corey Devaughn Ryan, born 1971, Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, criminal mischief, driving under the influence, resisting arrest Sep 14. Sentenced to probation of 3 years, confinement of 11 months, 15 days-23 months, given credit for time served, ordered to undergo drug/alcohol evaluation, pay fine and $2,074.67 restitution, have no contact with victim. Neal Lee Edell, born 1956, Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia Oct 6. Sentenced to probation of 1 year, ordered to undergo drug/alcohol evaluation and abide by its recommendations. Joseph McDonald, born 1965, Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substance not regulated Nov 10.
Self-employed losing health care options
A major source of health insurance for people who work for themselves has all but disappeared, casting thousands of contractors, freelancers and solo practitioners into the ranks of the uninsured with little hope of obtaining new coverage. Health plans offered by professional associations were once safe havens for millions of people who couldn't obtain coverage anywhere else. But, as medical costs have soared, groups representing professions as varied as law and golf have been forced to stop offering the benefit or been dropped by insurers. More than 8,000 California Realtors and their families could be next if Blue Shield of California succeeds with its plan to cancel their association health coverage. "It's a real stab in the heart," said Marcy Garber, 62, a Los Angeles real estate agent whose history of breast cancer makes her an almost-certain reject if she seeks similar coverage on her own.
Debunking auto insurance myths
Just as there are many differences between a Toyota and a Lexus, there are many differences between auto insurance policies, although you have to look more closely to spot them. However, choosing a low-cost auto insurance policy may end up costing you thousands of dollars. The familiar pitch, “save hundreds of dollars in 15 minutes," obscures complex coverage issues that may have you paying much more in the end. Your Liability Exposure Many auto insurance policies have low liability limits which don't reflect an individual's true worth. In fact, in several states, the recommended limits are as low as $25,000. Because every auto insurance policy is different, it's best to read your policy carefully and make sure you're not part of the up to 50 percent of drivers who are under-insured.
Crops Could See Major Damage
POINSETT COUNTY, AR -- The freezing temperatures this weekend have been breaking records set from long ago and that's a big change from the high temps we've seen the past few weeks. With that said, farmers in the area have been told their early planted crops are at high risk, risk for a loss they aren't prepared to take. This weekend mother nature changed her mind and record low temperatures have given farmers a run for their money. "To be honest with you, we don't know to the extent of damage we do have yet. This is the first time I've been put in this situation," says Darin Walton, a Poinsett County Farmer. Walton farms a little over 4,000 acres in Poinsett County. 400 of those acres are wheat, which is planted in October and harvested around June.
Is Breast Cancer Different in White and Hispanic Women?
Summary: Breast cancer seems to behave differently in Hispanic women than in white women, even when they get equal care, a new study suggests. According to research findings from the University of Colorado, Hispanic women with breast cancer tend to be younger and to have larger, more advanced tumors. That suggests there may be some biological or genetic determinants in how this disease affects women of different ethnicities, the researchers conclude. Why it's important: Although breast cancer is less common among Hispanic women than white women, it is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. Moreover, statistics show that Hispanic women are less likely to be diagnosed with early-stage tumors, which are easier to treat, and more likely to be diagnosed with larger tumors.
Eggs of Easter older than holiday itself
By other accounts, the Easter egg tradition may have celebrated the end of sacrifices of Lent and the egg itself may symbolize the grave and life renewed by breaking out of it.And where did the notion of an animal that lays eggs come from? Hares and rabbits were among the most fertile animals known, maturing early and capable of giving birth to several litters in a year, thus symbolizing new life in the spring. Somehow, the two unrelated symbols, the bunny and the egg, became joined. .
Health briefs: San Diego Race for Autism set for Saturday
A 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Walk to benefit children with autism will be held in Balboa Park on Saturday. Registration opens at 7 a.m. The 5K run begins at 8:30 and the 5K walk at 8:35. The fun walk begins at 9 a.m. The event takes place at the grassy area corner of the park at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street.For more information, call the National Foundation for Autism Research at (858) 679-8800, or e-mail the society at info@nfar.org. The race also has a Web site at www.raceforautism.org. The event includes a resource fair, children's activities and live music. .
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