By now you know if you made the “digital tv switch” successfully,
but you might still have some analog tv’s that aren’t connected to cable or satellite. You don’t have to get rid of them, those sets need a converter box to pick up broadcast signals.
TODAY (Friday) is your last chance to get a $40.00 government coupons that will cover most of the converter box cost. You can register online at www.dtv2009.gov
The deadline to register is midnight tonight.
Melanie
WATCH STORY HERE- Free Advertising For Local Businesses and How You Can Shop Local
Look for French Quarter Gelateria La Divina on an upcoming episode of Rachel Ray. Producers for the popular cooking show found La Divina on the free marketing website www.StayLocal.org The owner of the eatery says there was an increase in business after he was listed with Stay Local.
Stay Local began in 2003 as part of the Urban Conservancy. It’s based in an old ice house in MidCity. Another local business listed with Stay Local is the New Orleans Surf Shop. A local couple got tired of driving to buy their surf gear and ordering it online so they started the business Uptown. They not only sell boards, and surf equipment, but trendy beachwear including namebrands like Roxy and Quicksilver. Now these businesses along with more than 1500 others are listed in a Stay Local publication as well. Click here for locations where you can pick up a Stay Local Magazine
This was a fun story! And a good reminder to Stay Local!
I talked to Congressman Joseph Cao yesterday, and I’m still not sure where he stands on the president’s drastic overhaul of the health care system. He says congress must do more to expand health insurance to all Americans, but is the republican congressman going against the GOP and supporting the president’s idea? In Utopia we would all have fantastic health care and we wouldn’t be in a record national debt (in the trillions). But the president’s drastic plan is argued to have drastic consequences for the country. The Republican party is strictly against it arguing universal health care will put private carriers out of business and lower the quality of care everywhere by rationing care through a quick and flawed system.
And then there’s the looming question… with the government in major debt already, where would the money come from to fund this plan? I just wanted some perspective from one of our New Orleans reps in Washington but Congressman Cao hasn’t been clear on his stance except to say he wants universal health care and doesn’t quite know the best way to accomplish that.
Watch interview with Congressman Cao
By the way, Congressman Cao is hosting a health care initiative in New Orleans July 1 at Grace Episcopal Church. Screenings and preventative education will be available.
I’ve used the nasal spray several times and never had a problem, I definitely still have my sense of smell. But the FDA is warning consumers to stop using the over-the-counter cold remedy because researchers say there’s evidence Zicam nasal gels and related products could be causing people to lose their sense of smell. The FDA has received more than 130 reports from consumers who say they lost their sense of smell after using Zicam. Zicam’s manufacturer, Matrixx Initiatives, has been told to stop marketing the product and if they wish to continue marketing it to apply for FDA approval. Many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose. Others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products.
What do you think? Hike the price of cigs?
A bill to raise a tax increase on tobacco products by 50 cents in Louisiana is being reintroduced to a house committee today. The amount is a decrease from the originally proposed $1.00 tax. The “Louisiana Healthier Family Act” (House bill 889 read here) was originally introduced to the House Ways and Means Committee back in April (it failed 7 to 11).
Rep. Karen Carter Peterson continues fight to raise tobacco tax in LA
Money raised with the new taxes would go to health care programs, with half going for payments to providers in the
state Medicaid program.
Smokers out there- would this get you to quit smoking? Do you think your children will be less likely to smoke with a higher price to pay?
After a recent federal hike, CDC says a 10 percent increase in cigarette costs reduces consumption by up to 5 percent.
Another blog about hurricane season beginning Monday! Don’t ignore the prep time…
Do you need flood insurance? (click here for story, coming soon)
Other than getting flood insurance, there are several things you can do to minimize losses in your home and ensure your family’s safety. Here is a checklist (from Floodsmart)
1. Safeguard your possessions.
2. Prepare your house.
3. Develop a family emergency plan.
For more information on emergency preparation, talk to your insurance agent or visit www.Ready.gov.
Hurricane season begins Monday, and it’s time to stock up! At least if you do it this weekend you can save a little bit. The state’s annual sales tax holiday for purchases of hurricane preparedness supplies is set for Saturday and Sunday. It’s a 4 % state sales tax for purchases made from 12:01 a.m. Saturday through 11:59 p.m. Local and municipal sales taxes must still be paid.
During the two-day holiday, tax-free purchases are allowed for the first $1,500 of the sales price of each of the following items:
The tax holiday doesn’t extend to items purchased at airports, hotels, convenience stores or entertainment complexes.
For more information, please call the Louisiana Department of Revenue Public Affairs Division at 225-219-2156 or 225-219-2158.
Swine-Scared Bride and Groom
They tried to make light of the situation when they lost about 20 of their wedding guests in Mexico to a swine flu scare. Courtney and Brandon Jiura got married in Cabo a few weeks ago amid a media-frenzied fear of the deadly swine flu circulating. Courtney grew up with my husband in Denver, so when I saw these pictures, I had to ask if she minded me sharing them! One of her bridesmaids made these masks for the trip.
Brave Wedding Guests in Cabo San Lucas
Fortunately none of the wedding guests got sick, nor did they wear these masks for anything other than pictures. Those who went all say they had a blast, but the other wedding guests who cancelled their flights are among many Americans still taking the scare quite seriously. Companies are still cancelling any and all flights for employee trips and are giving a paid week off to any employee who has been specifically to Mexico. And the number of U.S. cases is growing.
The World Health Organization says swine flu has sickened more than 10,000 people in 41 countries and killed at least 80.
Here’s the latest from the CDC on the Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection in the U.S. (As of May 22, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
States*/ Confirmed and Probable Cases/Deaths
Alabama- 66 cases 0 deaths
Arkansas- 3 cases 0 deaths
Arizona- 520 cases 2 deaths
California- 553 cases 0 deaths
Colorado- 59 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut- 81 cases 0 deaths
Delaware- 94 cases 0 deaths
Florida- 129 cases 0 deaths
Georgia- 27 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii- 33 cases 0 deaths
Idaho- 18 cases 0 deaths
Illinois- 877 cases 0 deaths
Indiana- 106 cases 0 deaths
Iowa- 71 cases 0 deaths
Kansas- 34 cases 0 deaths
Kentucky- 22 cases 0 deaths
Louisiana- 86 cases 0 deaths
Maine- 9 cases 0 deaths
Maryland- 41 cases 0 deaths
Massachusetts- 197 cases 0 deaths
Michigan- 176 cases 0 deaths
Minnesota- 39 cases 0 deaths
Mississippi- 7 cases 0 deaths
Missouri- 24 cases 1 deaths
Montana- 10 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska- 29 cases 0 deaths
Nevada- 32 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire- 23 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey- 47 cases 0 deaths
New Mexico- 97 cases 0 deaths
New York- 327 cases 1 deaths
North Carolina- 12 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota- 5 cases 0 deaths
Ohio- 14 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma- 50 cases 0 deaths
Oregon- 101 cases 0 deaths
Pennsylvania- 73 cases 0 deaths
Rhode Island- 9 cases 0 deaths
South Carolina- 36 cases 0 deaths
South Dakota- 4 cases 0 deaths
Tennessee- 89 cases 0 deaths
Texas- 900 cases 3 deaths
Utah- 122 cases 1 deaths
Vermont- 2 cases 0 deaths
Virginia- 25 cases 0 deaths
Washington- 494 cases 1 death
Washington, D.C.- 13 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin- 766 cases 0 deaths
TOTAL*(48) 6,552 cases 9 deaths
*includes the District of Columbia
**one case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.
Postage prices go up today … the damage is 2 cents this time. First Class Mail has jumped from 42 cents to 44 cents. The designers at SpudArt.org have translated the increase over the years below… (yes, just for my blog, just kidding) 
Graphic created by: Spudart.org
The increases apply to services as well. Click here for details.
Now to the weight losers and metabolism boostes…
FDA Recalls Hydroxycut
My friend Randi Rousseau is particularily upset about the recently discovered side effects of Hydroxycut. She took the dietary supplement every morning (one reason she is always so peppy, but now she’s thinking of coffee instead). The FDA has recalled 14 Hydroxycut products citing serious liver injuries and even death in at least one person.
Click here to read details on Hydroxycut Recall from the Food and Drug Administration
As many of you, I made the mistake of thinking when the prime interest rate went down- so would my credit card interest rate… ha! Wrong. But about a year ago, when I was still in California and still paying off a credit card, my (now) husband suggested I call my credit card company and ask for a lower interest rate. I thought he was kidding, but he had just done the same. Ask and it shall be granted? Too easy. Sure enough though, I got my interest rate cut almost in half… just by calling and asking! Good things come to those who know about them. .. and don’t take no for an answer.
Watch story here: Lower your credit card interest rate
Once you get your credit rating, you can find out online if your credit score qualifies you for a lower rate. Click here for CardTrak.com
