Green Initiatives For Home Improvement and Home Construction

With the rising call for eco-friendly initiatives, more and more homeowners today are getting conscious of the demands of their houses appliances, heating and cooling system, energy consumption, carbon footprint, etc. Thus, they search for more eco-friendly alternatives that can help for sustainable living. In this entry, we will look at some of the most popular green initiatives and home-efficiency tips that can suit to almost any budget, whether its for home construction plan or renovation plan.

1. Knowing the Energy Weak Points of Your Home

Whether you choose to hire a contractor or you do home renovations yourself, it is always good to start with an energy audit of your house. This can be done by thorough inspection where professionals checks for air leaks, combined energy consumption of your home appliances, electrical system, etc. Professionals can pinpoint energy weak points of your house and how much theyre costing you in your monthly bills, and of course, suggest for changes and improvements to address the problems.

2. Controlled Airflow

Outlines and tiny spaces around your doors and windows can cause tremendous waste of your energy consumption. United States Department of Energy estimated that, about 20% of your energy spent in heating or cooling goes to waste, as air literally creeps out through the doors and windows. This problem is quite common in old-houses because of ill-fitted and worn-out doors and windows that can easily warm or cool air to leak into or out of the house.

Your best bet is to repair these leaks with various home improvement tools and methods. Using something as simple as draft-catcher placed under the door can easily seal and control airflow. Addressing this problem is relatively easy, and there are tons of DIY stuff available in home improvement stores for this.

3. Insulation

Blown fill insulation, batting and rigid sheets can definitely provide significant benefits for energy-conscious homeowners, as these insulation materials can avert heat transfer from materials in your house, namely drywall, masonry and wood. You can easily find this stuff in your nearest home improvement DIY shops and install these padding to avoid inside the walls and other energy-consuming drafts and crawlspaces.

4. Develop a Low-impact Lawn

Consider every typical home yard equipment most home owners use; lawn mowers and string trimmers, all these things produce harmful emissions. Also, many fertilizers and pesticides use to grow bountiful gardens can leach into the groundwater, causing water pollution that can easily affect the quality of the water that pours out from your faucets. In addition, badly managed runoff water can easily fill your sewers.

Your best bet for a low-impact lawn is to grow native plants as ground cover, rather than baggy grass seeds. You can also change your landscape from and fit it to your lawn with layers of wild flowers rather than filling it up with rare ornamental plants. This will help you put your lawns water consumption and chemical fertilizers use in minimum. For maintaining your lawn, you can opt for manual lawnmower or electric lawnmower rather than gas-powered machines. You can also cool the temperature of your lawn and protect your house from the harsh solar heating in summer days by strategically placing shade trees.

Whether youre hiring a professional construction company for your home building or renovation needs, it is always better to tell them your eco-friendly needs right at the planning of the construction. This will help you protect your environment and save you from expensive monthly electricity and water bills.

Northern Gas Heating ? the UK?s local supplier of new cetnral heating including renewable energy systems such as Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar Heating systems.

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Layoffs hit Sony Mobile workers in Lund - New Europe

Layoffs hit Sony Mobile workers in Lund
New Europe
Swedish housing cooperative HSB has announced that it plans to sell the Turning Torso skyscraper in Malmo, one of the city's most prominent landmark and a symbol of its recent process of regeneration, The Local reported. "Through the sale, HSB Malmo ...

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Romney holding lead over Santorum in Wisc. but Obama tops both (Los Angeles Times)

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Premier calls Arab summit 'turning point' for Iraq

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The matter of your brain

Sumit Paul-Choudhury, editor

My Soul, 2005, Katharine Dowson (Image: Image courtesy of the artist and GV Art)

LOOKING at your own brain is a humbling and slightly unnerving experience. Mine, depicted in a freshly acquired MRI scan, is startlingly intricate, compact - and baffling. This is as much of a portrait of my own mind as I am ever likely to see. But to my ignorant eyes (which, by way of an eerie bonus, are now looking at their own cross-sections) it looks pretty much like any other brain.

Apparently a more expert eye wouldn't help. "Whilst all my participants get very excited about seeing their brain for the first time after being scanned, and I frequently get asked 'What can you tell me about my brain?', the reality is that the brain will for a long time yet remain a mysterious mass," says the neuroscientist who scanned my brain, for research purposes. "We must be content with knowing that the 'I' is constructed in its intricacies, but we cannot explain how.?

The hope of closing the gap between the physical and mental is presumably what gets neuroscientists up in the morning, but it?s frustrating for a layperson like me. Avowed materialist though I am, I nonetheless rebel against the knowledge that the impassive blob on screen is "me".

This cognitive dissonance was what I took with me to the opening of Brains, a new show at London?s Wellcome Collection, whose subtitle, "The Mind as Matter", suggests that its curators sympathise with my materialist perspective. ?The neurosciences hold out the prospect of an objective account of consciousness - the soul or mind as nothing more than intricately connected flesh,? reads the introduction. But the bulk of the exhibition is dedicated to whole brains, brain collectors and anatomical paraphernalia, with little explicit reference to the brain?s fine structure, or how it might give rise to thought.

This remit is less restrictive than it might sound. Evolution has seen to it that the most vital of our bodily organs is well guarded against intrusion, and as a by-product, well hidden from inspection. Even today, only a small minority of the population have seen their own brains - and many (unlike me, thankfully) have done so only when they had reason to be fearful of what they found.

So the history of attempts to access, visualise and understand the brain is a rich one. But it?s also well worn, and some of the historical material - elaborate anatomical models, kooky phrenological busts and grim-looking surgical implements - is over-familiar. The scientific objects are more compelling, albeit they also tend to the grotesque - from the arachnid contraptions used to measure skull size to the spools of finely-sliced mouse-brains on tape.

Much of the fascination lies not in the objects themselves, but in the human stories behind them, told in captions whose straight-facedness sometimes comes across as drollery or clinical detachment. Trepanning tools fashioned from flint and animal teeth ?would have taken longer to cut through the skull than more modern instruments?, one informs us drily; the American Anthropometric Society was ?basically a club to enable the leading men of US science to dissect each other,? says another.

Secluded in the skull, individual brains develop relatively few distinguishing features save those given them by trauma, disease or rare accidents of birth. So brains of note tend to be associated with tales of misfortune. That?s often the case with anatomical specimens, but what?s remarkable about the brains on display here is how much they overlap with criminality. Some of the most striking have been acquired from people whose wickedness in life was deemed sufficient reason to deny them dignity in death. In other cases, the moral equation is reversed, with collectors stepping outside the bounds of decency in their desire to possess the brain; the abhorrent nadir being reached with the probable murder of "feeble" children by Nazi doctors.

(Image: Science Museum, London)

The collection?s examples of brains being voluntarily donated are equally remarkable. Persuading someone to donate this most personal of organs is a tough sell, and the historical portion of the exhibition makes much of how appeals to ego have persuaded the great and good to offer up their brains for post-mortem examination. More recently, medical study has provided motivation for would-be donors. Particularly poignant is the tale of Anita Newcomb McGee, a female US army surgeon who gave up her nine-month old son?s brain, along with a photograph and a sketch of his head, with the words ?I want him to benefit the world in some way if possible.?

But this altruism is tempered by the fact that brains, unlike many of our other ?charismatic organs?, cannot conceivably be transplanted. The knowledge that someone else might gain life from my gifted heart is a powerful incentive to donate, but I have less incentive to be generous with my brain - though it would seem that distinction is not made by those who do donate. Perhaps reluctant donors might be won over by the moving photos compiled by artist Ania Dabrowska and social scientist Bronwyn Parry of cheerful would-be donors ranging from an ex-soldier to a headmistress.

And one of the exhibition?s stand-out exhibits might provide further reassurance: a documentary video of anatomists at London's Hammersmith Hospital painstakingly and precisely slicing donated brains into half-centimetre wedges in near-silence. Or perhaps not. This is well sanctioned, respectful science being conducted on freely donated organs for the betterment of human health and knowledge; and yet it nonetheless provokes one of my fellow spectators into muttering, very much to herself: "Wrong, wrong, wrong". For myself, I find the video one of the most compelling exhibits -- perhaps the only one that prompts me to contemplate offering myself up for more than a non-invasive scan in the service of medical science.

Less clear-cut, for me, are the nearby sections of Einstein's brain, preserved under deeply dubious circumstances after his death. Clearly, there's a certain fascination associated with perhaps the most famous brain there ever was; but Einstein's brain is no more legible than any other, and the slim prospect that scientific insights can be gleaned from its study seems poor recompense for the undignified proxying of a great mind by illicitly-obtained fragments of tissue.

(Image: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images)

The final insult: an accompanying 3D-printed replica of the entire organ, reconstructed for a TV documentary from archive photographs. This absurd resin relic epitomises, for me, the extent to which the objects on display at the Wellcome are imbued with significance by the knowledge that they were once the seats of consciousness. It?s the minds of the audience, rather than the brains on display, that are doing the work.

The Wellcome show confronts its visitors with the gulf between our hard-won knowledge about the form of the brain and our as-yet-meagre understanding of its function, much as my scan did to me. It didn?t narrow the gap between the grey image of my brain and my sense of self; if anything, it widened it. But it did make me appreciate what an amazing gap it is, and marvel anew at the work of those who are seeking to close it.

Brains: The mind as matter is showing at the Wellcome Collection in London until 17 June.

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food and drink ? Blog Archive ? Chocolate Peanut Biscotti

2 1/4 c All-Purpose Flour

2 1/4 ts Baking powder

1/3 c Butter, room temperature

2/3 c Granulated sugar

3 lg Eggs, room temperature

1/2 c (3 oz) semisweet-chocolate chips, melted

1 ts Vanilla extract

3/4 c Unsalted dry roasted peanuts, chopped

1/2 c Mini-size M&M?s candies

White from 1 lg egg

Mix flour and baking powder.

Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with electric mixer until

blended. Beat in eggs, then melted chocolate and vanilla. Stir in

flour mixture, peanuts and mini-size candies.

Divide dough in half (2 cups per half). Wrap in plastic wrap and

refrigerate 3 hours or until firm enough to handle.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease one large cookie sheet.

With a fork, lightly beat egg white in a small bowl.

Put both pieces off dough on cookie sheet, about 4 inches apart.

With floured hands, shape into 14?1 1/2-inch logs. Brush with egg

white.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes until firm when pressed in center. (Tops may

crack slightly.) Remove cookie sheet from oven to a wire rack.

(Leave oven on.) Let logs cool 10 minutes, then slide them onto a

cutting board. With a large serrated knife, cut each log diagonally in

30 slices.

Lay slices on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer,

turning once, until dry and lightly toasted. Cool completely on

cookie sheets on wire rack. Store airtight up to 1 month or freeze.

Prep: 20 min. Chill: 3 hr. Bake: 40 min.

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Chinese firm surpasses Exxon in oil production

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 file photo, a worker walks past tanks at a Petrochina storage base in Suining, in southwest China's Sichuan province. A big shift is happening in Big Oil: an American giant now ranks second to a Chinese upstart. Exxon Mobil is pumping less oil than PetroChina, a company formed just 13 years ago by the Chinese government to better compete for the world's oil and natural gas. On March 29, 2012, the shift is expected to become official when the Beijing company announces that it produced more crude last year than its 130-year-old Texas rival. (AP Photo)

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 file photo, a worker walks past tanks at a Petrochina storage base in Suining, in southwest China's Sichuan province. A big shift is happening in Big Oil: an American giant now ranks second to a Chinese upstart. Exxon Mobil is pumping less oil than PetroChina, a company formed just 13 years ago by the Chinese government to better compete for the world's oil and natural gas. On March 29, 2012, the shift is expected to become official when the Beijing company announces that it produced more crude last year than its 130-year-old Texas rival. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK (AP) ? A big shift is happening in Big Oil: an American giant now ranks behind a Chinese upstart.

Exxon Mobil is no longer the world's biggest publicly traded producer of oil. For the first time, that distinction belongs to a 13-year-old Chinese company called PetroChina. The Beijing company was created by the Chinese government to secure more oil for that nation's booming economy.

PetroChina announced Thursday that it pumped 2.4 million barrels a day last year, surpassing Exxon by 100,000. The company has grown rapidly over the last decade by squeezing more from China's aging oil fields and outspending Western companies to acquire more petroleum reserves in places like Canada, Iraq and Qatar. It's motivated by a need to lock up as much oil as possible.

The company's output increased 3.3 percent in 2011 while Exxon's fell 5 percent. Exxon's oil production also fell behind Rosneft, the Russian energy company.

PetroChina's rise highlights a fundamental difference in how the largest petroleum companies plan to supply the world as new deposits become tougher to find and more expensive to produce.

Every major oil company has aggressively pursued new finds to replace their current wells. But analysts say Western oil firms like Exxon Mobil have been more conservative than the Chinese, mindful of their bottom line and investor returns. With oil prices up 19 percent in 2011, they still made money without increasing production.

PetroChina Co. Ltd. has a different mission. The Chinese government owns 86 percent of its stock and the nation uses nearly every drop of oil PetroChina pumps. Its appetite for gasoline and other petroleum products is projected to double between 2010 and 2035.

"There's a lot of anxiety in China about the energy question," says energy historian Dan Yergin. "It's just growing so fast."

While PetroChina sits atop other publicly traded companies in oil production, it falls well short of national oil companies like Saudi Aramco, which produces nearly 8 million barrels a day. And Exxon is still the biggest publicly traded energy company when counting combined output of oil and natural gas. PetroChina ranks third behind Exxon and BP in total output of oil and natural gas.

PetroChina is looking to build on its momentum in 2012.

"We must push ahead," PetroChina chairman Jiang Jiemin said in January.

PetroChina has grown by pumping everything it can from reserves in China, estimated to contain more than 6.5 billion barrels. It drilled thousands of oil wells across vast stretches of the nation's northern grasslands. Some of those fields are ancient by industry standards, dating close to the beginning of China's communist government in the 1950s.

The commitment to aging fields distinguishes PetroChina from its biggest Western rivals. Exxon and other major oil companies typically sell their aging, low-performing fields, or they put them out of commission.

PetroChina also has been on a buying spree, acquiring new reserves in Iraq, Australia, Africa, Qatar and Canada. Since 2010, its acquisitions have totaled $7 billion, about twice as much as Exxon, according to data provider Dealogic.

Several other Chinese companies have become deal makers around the globe as well. Total acquisitions by Chinese energy firms jumped from less than $2 billion between 2002 and 2003 to nearly $48 billion in 2009 and 2010, according to the International Energy Agency. More times than not, the companies are paying above the industry average to get those deals done.

It's making some in the West nervous.

In 2005, for example, CNOOC Ltd., a company mostly owned by the Chinese government tried to buy American oil producer Unocal. U.S. lawmakers worked to block the deal, asking President Bush to investigate the role the Chinese central government played in the process. Chevron Corp. eventually bought Unocal for $17.3 billion.

"There's a resistance to Chinese investment in (U.S.) oil and gas," Morningstar analyst Robert Bellinski says. "It's like how Japan was to us in the 1980s. People think they're going to take us over. They're going to buy all of our resources."

That's unlikely to happen. It doesn't make economic sense to export oil away from the world's largest oil consumer.

But the Chinese could make it tougher for Big Oil to generate returns for their shareholders. China's oil companies have been willing to outspend everyone and that drives up the price of fields and makes it more expensive for everyone to expand.

"You now have to outbid them," says Argus Research analyst Phil Weiss. "If you can't, you're going to have access to fewer assets."

Longer term, Chinese expansion globally will bring benefits to the U.S. and other economies. By developing as many oil wells as possible ? especially in Africa, Iraq and other politically unstable regions ? China will help expand supply.

"Frankly, the more risk-hungry producers there are, the more oil will be on the market, and the cheaper prices are," says Michael Levi, an energy policy expert at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Despite its swift expansion, PetroChina and other Chinese companies still have much to prove to investors, analysts say.

PetroChina's parent, China National Petroleum Corp., for example, has spent millions of dollars in Sudan to provide highways, medical facilities and shuttle buses for the elderly. Oil companies typically don't do that. All of that increases the cost of business and minimizes the returns for shareholders.

In 2009 and 2010, PetroChina's profit margins for its exploration and production business were only about two-thirds that of Exxon Mobil's. Its stock price has climbed less than 1 percent, in the past year, compared with a 3.7 percent rise in the stock of Exxon Mobil Corp.

"You have to ask yourself: What is the purpose of PetroChina?" Bellinski says. "It is to fuel China. That's it. Although they're a public company, I'm very skeptical that they have any interest in shareholder value creation."

___

Follow Chris Kahn on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ChrisKahnAP

___

AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this story from Shanghai.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-03-29-US-Big-Oil-New-No-1/id-f08fd6de5dfe4487b7457234c1cd1c15

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More autism reported, likely from better testing

ATLANTA (AP) ? One child out of 88 in the U.S. is believed to have autism or a related disorder, an increase in the rate attributed largely to wider screening.

Advocacy groups seized on the new number as further evidence that autism research and services should get more attention.

"Autism is now officially becoming an epidemic in the United States," said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks, at a news conference where the new figures were released Thursday.

The previous estimate was 1 in 110. The new figure is from the latest in a series of studies that have steadily raised the government's autism estimate. This new number means autism is nearly twice as common as officials said it was only five years ago, and likely affects roughly 1 million U.S. children and teens.

Health officials attribute the increase largely to better recognition of cases, through wider screening and better diagnosis. But the search for the cause of autism is really only beginning, and officials acknowledge that other factors may be helping to drive up the numbers.

"One thing the data tells us with certainty ? there are many children and families who need help," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the agency that released the estimate.

For decades, the diagnosis was given only to kids with severe language, intellectual and social impairments and unusual, repetitious behaviors. But the definition of the disorder has gradually expanded, so that now "autism" is also shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions, including Asperger's syndrome.

Still, Melissa Miller, a St. Petersburg, Fla., mom whose daughter, Chelsea, was diagnosed last year at age 2, said many people misunderstand the disorder.

"I think many people hear 'autism' and think 'Rain Man,'" she said, referring to the 1988 movie featuring Dustin Hoffman as an extremely socially impaired autistic man.

"The autism spectrum is so vast and all of our children are different. Many of them don't rock back and forth or have savant skills. They are sweet, affectionate, intelligent, goofy ? and exhausting ? kids," Miller said.

There are no blood or biologic tests for autism, so diagnosis is not an exact science. It's identified by making judgments about a child's behavior.

Meanwhile, there's been an explosion in autism-related treatment and services for children. In 1990, Congress added autism as a separate disability category to a federal law that guarantees special education services. School districts have been building up autism-addressing programs since.

The CDC study is considered the most comprehensive U.S. investigation of autism prevalence to date. Researchers gathered data from areas in 14 states ? Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.

They looked specifically at 8-year-old children because most autism is diagnosed by that age. They checked health and school records to see which children met the criteria for autism, even if they hadn't been formally diagnosed. Then, the researchers calculated how common autism was in each place and overall.

An earlier report based on 2002 findings estimated that about 1 in 150 children that age had autism or a related disorder such as Asperger's. After seeing 2006 data, the figure was revised to about 1 in 110. The estimate of 1 in 88, based on 2008 data, is about 1.1 percent of kids that age.

The study also found that autism disorders were almost five times more common in boys, while a growing number of black and Hispanic children were also reported to have them. And an increasingly large proportion of children with autism have IQs of 85 or higher, it said ? a finding that contradicts a past assumption that most autistic kids had IQs of 70 or lower.

Higher autism rates were found in some places than others. For example in Utah, as many as 1 in 47 of the 8-year-olds had an autism spectrum disorder. In New Jersey, 1 in 49 did.

Alabama was at the other end of the scale, with only about 1 in 210 identified as autistic. The difference was attributed to less information: Researchers were not able to access school information in that state and a few others, and as a result believe they have a less complete picture.

That's a reasonable explanation, said Zachary Warren, director of an autism treatment and research institute at Vanderbilt University.

"How you go looking for something is going to affect what you find," he said.

In the early 1990s, only a few out of every 10,000 children were diagnosed with the condition, based on some small studies in individual states or cities. But the numbers began to change dramatically after 2000, when Congress directed federal health officials to do more autism research, and CDC started the larger study to see how common autism is.

CDC is also studying the cause of autism, which has remained a mystery.

Scientists say genetics play a role.

Some parents and others have believed childhood vaccines trigger autism. However, many studies have not found a connection,

CDC researchers are looking at other possible factors, including illnesses that mothers had while they were pregnant with children who later were diagnosed as autistic. The researchers also are looking into antidepressants and other medications that the pregnant women took and those given to their children when they were young. The first results of that study are expected next year.

Parents are hungry for more answers.

Approaching her second birthday, Cristina Astacio spoke only a few words, wouldn't respond to her name, and shunned other kids in her day-care group in New York. Last October her parents found out why ? specialists said the toddler had autism.

Cristina's parents knew autism was a possibility when Cristina failed to meet many of the developmental milestones they'd seen in their older son. But that didn't make the diagnosis easy to accept.

"I was blaming myself, wondering if there was anything I could have done" to have prevented it, said the girl's mother, Charisse.

___

AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner in Chicago contributed to this report.

___

Online:

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/autism

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-autism-reported-likely-better-testing-212427104.html

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Top Ten Real Estate Markets for Investors (Part 2) | REALTOR.com ...

Yesterday, we announced towns 5 ? 10 that made our Top Ten Real Estate Markets for Investors list. Today, we are releasing the top 5 towns that made our list.

5. Fort Worth, TX.

One word?jobs?is the key to Fort Worth?s housing mark. With unemployment at 7.1 percent in December[vi], compared to 8.3 percent nationally[vii], demand is driving home sales. Its inventory of listings is down 26.54 percent compared with a year ago and homes are selling nearly 20 percent faster than last year. Median list price is currently $160,000 ? 8 percent higher than a year ago. Investors should move now while bargains are available.

?Fort Worth and Tarrant counties are on fire ? huge growth has taken place over the past 10 years and will likely continue to outpace the country,? said Bruce Lynn of Metroplex Home Sales.??The rental market is very hot?with demand easily outpacing supply. Good rentals with reasonable prices move quickly and investors are coming on strong.?

4. Baltimore, MD.

Baltimore?s home values are 15.6 percent below the peak and should reach bottom within the year[v]. Median list price, at $239,500, is up more than 3 percent from last year and the age of its inventory is stabilizing, suggesting that this is the time for investors to buy if they want to achieve maximum gains. Inventory is down nearly 26 percent from a year ago and flat compared to the month prior even as we head into the home buying season.

?Fort Meade, and Annapolis offer a steady- and growing- radius of employment for buyers and tenants, alike,? said Jennifer Chaney, MBA at Champion Realty, Inc. ?Recent military programs have brought more personnel to the ?Fort Meade? area, in particular, helping to fuel demand.?The healthy, steady level of employment in our area has, in my opinion, propelled us to a faster recovery than others in our nation.?

3. Kansas City, MO.

Kansas City prices fell 8.4 percent from their peak[iii], but now they are starting to recover as low unemployment (7.3 percent[iv]) stimulates demand. The age of its inventory is down nearly 15 percent and list prices in the Kansas City market are at $134,950 up nearly 4 percent year-over-year, suggesting prices are recovering and investors should act now.? Inventory is down almost 21 percent on a year-over-year basis.

?In some parts of the metro area, agents are reporting a lack of inventory to meet their buyers? needs,? said Mary Hutchison, ABR, SRES.? ?I?ve seen several new listings sell within the first few days and some have attracted multiple offers.? Buyers are willing to pay for updated, well maintained, move in ready properties in?desirable locations.? I?ve also seen first time investors enter the market for rental properties.?

2. Austin, TX.

Though Austin?s home values didn?t fall as far as those in many other markets, its potential for price growth is one of the best in the nation. High employment (6.3 percent unemployment rate in December 2011[ii]) is driving demand for housing. Homes are selling at over two times the national rate and its median list price is $229,500, about 12 percent higher than a year ago. Median age of inventory in Austin is down almost 19 percent from last year.

?Conditions in Austin are perfect for investors, and most REALTORS are now working this part of the market from at least one angle,? said Julie Holden of JB Goodwin Realtors. ?I?m working with quite a few investors ? some new to the business, others seasoned pros ? across all property types. More than once I?ve seen a carefully selected property lease within a week following an investor?s purchase.?

1. Tucson, AZ.

Tucson is a foreclosure market where prices plunged 31 percent during the housing bust. But now, foreclosure opportunities are declining. The REO inventory is down 8.19 percent from 2011, and the number of foreclosures scheduled for sale is down 40 percent from a year ago.[i] The median list price was $170,000 in February 2012 which is 3.03 percent higher than a year ago and homes are selling 12 percent faster than they were a year ago. Investors who wait will have fewer choices and will pay higher prices.

?Tucson and most of Southern Arizona are experiencing 2012 as the Year of the Short Sale,? said Sue Cartun, designated broker at Keller Williams. ?Recent pressures in financial circles are streamlining the process of the short sale and increasing the success rate of closings. To sum it up ? in Tucson, Buyers are busy!?

Read More Expert Analysis on REALTOR.com Blogs

Related posts:

1. Top Ten Real Estate Markets for Investors (Part 1)
2. REALTOR Data: Market Continues to Stabilize
3. Florida Markets Dominate REALTOR.com Top Ten Turnaround Report
4. Top Ten Turnaround Towns: Midwest/West Edition
5. More Experts On The Top Ten Real Estate Markets for Investors

Source: http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2012/03/29/top-ten-real-estate-markets-for-investors-part-2/

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Some 'Idol' singers get 'spiritual financial aid'

By Sean Daly, TODAY.com contributor

FOX

Contestant Jeremy Rosado wearing the white bracelet given to him by "Idol Pastor" Leesa Bellesi.

Fashion advice from?Tommy Hilfiger. Musical guidance from both record-label honcho Jimmy Iovine and a major recording artist each week. A mansion to live in. "American Idol" provides all this for its contestants.

But as it turns out, another perk of being on the show is "spiritual financial aid" for the hopefuls and their families, though not from the show itself. And just for those more spiritually inclined singers -- some of whom are approached,?and some ?who seek it out.

Proud Christian Colton Dixon is the latest ?Idol? singer to hook up with a Southern California ministry that provides that extra bit of help.

?Colton is the Tim Tebow of ?American Idol,? ? said Leesa Bellesi, who founded the Kingdom Assignment ministry in Orange County?with her husband, preacher Denny Bellesi.? ?I have had some really unique opportunities to pray over (Colton) and give input where I can.?

Fox did not reply to a request for comment.

Kingdom Assignmentstarted at Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo and has become known among the show?s inner circle simply as the ?American Idol Ministry.?

The Bellesis have been known to literally pass the hat throughout their congregation, collecting donations that are used to help ?Idol? families fund their trips to Los Angeles while their loved ones compete. Previous "Idol" contestants -- including Katherine McPhee, Chris Sligh and Charity Vance --?have all attended services and supported the Bellesis' cause by performing at church-sanctioned events.

So just how did the Bellesis get connected with the show? Leesa Bellesi snuck backstage during season five and presented a silver bracelet engraved with ?Jeremiah 29:11? to eventual runner-up Katherine, who had once come to hear her husband?s sermon.

The contestant wasn't the only one to receive a bracelet from Bellesi. This season, she passed out white rubber bracelets with the message "God has good plans 4 me" to many of the Top 24 hopefuls, including Shannon Magrane and Heejun Han.

?The night that Jeremy Rosado (received the wild card) and became very emotional, the camera zoomed in on him and you could see he was wearing one,? Leesa told us.

As for Colton, he?first met the pair in 2010.?After his early elimination last season (he was cut just shy of the Top 24), Colton performed for their congregation at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.

?I love Leesa,? Colton told TODAY.com. ?She is known as ?The Idol Pastor.?? She is so caring and so giving. She just wants to love on the contestants and their families.?And provide a home for them if they need it.?

While current contestants are generally sequestered from the public during the competition, ?I connect with him on Twitter and stuff like that,? Leesa said.

Meanwhile, Colton?s parents have been part-time guests of the Bellesis?, who have also opened their Orange County home to the families of dozens of ?Idol? hopefuls, including Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado, since season five.

Leesa Bellesi told TODAY.com that despite warnings from producers that?Colton's faith talk?could alienate some potential voters, she ?applauds? the singer for publicly representing his beliefs.

?Them telling him that was brilliant -- because it is true,? she said. ?If you get into sharing your politics or your faith, there are people who are going to have feelings against that. But Colton is not going to deny what he believes in.?Even with his branding, on his Facebook page, they kept it consistent:?Love God, Love Music, Love People.?

What do you think about some of the singers getting "spiritual financial aid"? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Sean Daly runs the blog SingersAndCritics.com, which covers reality singing-competition shows.

Related content:

Source: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/28/10892209-american-idol-contestants-get-singing-advice-and-spiritual-financial-aid

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Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital

When Sharp sold off some of its LCD manufacturing business to Hon Hai Precision we knew the company had fallen on tough times, we just didn't realize how bad things truly were. That joint venture it formed with Sony, well, it's all but over at this point. The two companies have amended their deal with each other and Sony has decided not to inject any more capital into the project. That's not entirely surprising since the relationship was already starting to show signs of strain, but the partnership could crumble at any moment. A study period has been designated, through the end of September, to decide what the future holds for the two regarding the production and purchase of large panel LCDs, but at any time Sony can simply demand that Sharp buy back its shares and leave the venture. For Sharp's sake, we certainly hope Hon Hai is in this for the long haul. Check out the legalese stuffed PR after the break.

Continue reading Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital

Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/sony-and-sharp-joint-venture-hits-a-rocky-patch-sony-cuts-off-c/

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ThreatMetrix Picks Up $18 Million To Expand Its Fight Against Cybercrime

The world of data breaches and other malicious online acts are on the rise -- with some $2 trillion lost to IT thefts and other cybercrimes annually, according to research from Goldman Sachs -- so we will continue to see a focus on companies that try to combat these threats. One case in point: today, ThreatMetrix, a provider of cybercrime prevention solutions, says that it has raised $18 million to continue to expand its business. The Series D round was led by August Capital, with existing investors Tenaya Capital, US Venture Partners and CM Capital also participating.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/bUB7EkKRolk/

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Dietary supplements (Apidexin + DetoxuFREE72) - Cheras, Health ...

~~ How to consume ~~
1. Apidexin
> 3 capsules 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch.

2. DetoxuFREE72
> 3 capsules 30 min before breakfast and lunch, with Apidexin for the first 3 days, stop for another 30 days.

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~~ Disclaimer/Notes ~~
* Seller do not bear any responsibility for any side effects that may occurred.
* Please read the possible side effects before putting any order
* Apidexin was designed to be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.
* Never exceed the recommended dosage.
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Price

1 Apidexin + 1 DetoxFREE > RM 180 (2 weeks consumption)

2 Apidexin + 2 DetoxFREE > RM 340 (1 month consumption )

3 Apidexin + 3 DetoxFREE > RM 500 (1.5 month consumption )

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Shipment

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Source: http://cheras.sheryna.com.my/Dietary-supplements-Apidexin-DetoxuFREE72-387169

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AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon research haptic-feedback steering wheel for turn-by-turn directions

A force-feedback steering wheel. It's quite literally the stuff of racing games, and AT&T labs, along with Carnegie Mellon, is researching the possibly of throwing similar tech into your real-world whip. MIT's Technology Review recently highlighted the project, which uses 20 vibrating actuators shoved inside of a steering wheel to create a variety of patterns -- a counter-clockwise sequence could indicate a left turn, for example. As you might have guessed, one of the goals is to keep drivers less distracted by the likes of visual turn-by-turn GPS navigators and more focused on the road. While it's currently being tested with driving simulators, the results are positive so far, if a bit modest. When supplemented with typical audio / visual navigation, folks near the age of 25 kept their eyes planted on the asphalt for 3.1 percent more time than without it. Notably, the improvement wasn't found with those over 65 in the aforementioned instance, however, supplemented with just the audio, the vibrating wheel had them focusing on the road by an increase of four percent.

According to Technology Review, this isn't the first time haptic feedback has been tested as a driving aid, although past tests have, notably, resulted in "fewer turn errors" by those behind the wheel. Best of all, the tech is capable of sending more than just navigation cues -- it could certainly be useful in a Telsa. So when can you expect to find a force-feedback steering wheel in your ride? Technology Review cites Kevin Li, an AT&T Labs researcher on the project, who says the main hurdle is making something that people will just "get," and that it's still "years" away from becoming a possibility. While there's no photos of the setup just yet, a full report on the research will get released in June. Hey, there's always Forza and Gran Turismo, at least for now -- right?

AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon research haptic-feedback steering wheel for turn-by-turn directions originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista, The Verge  |  MIT Technology Review  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/25/att-labs-carnegie-mellon-haptic-steering-wheel/

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Daniel and Meghann: Baby Shower

I just got back from a relaxing week at home in Missouri! Even though it rained THE ENTIRE WEEK it's always fun hangin around the house, eating at my favorite places, seeing old friends and laughing with my family.?

While I was home, my family threw me an amazing baby shower! They did an awesome job!

THE MENU:

B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l

If that wasn't enough, by the front door guests could grab some treats to go. Lollipops, Caramel Pops, Oreo Pops and Ring Pops...all fitting the theme, "She's about to Pop."

I got lots of goodies for Baby T but we still have a ways to go! Who knew a baby required so much stuff?!? ?I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit overwhelming! So much to do in so little time (7 more weeks to be exact).?

Lot's of changes happening at the Tracy house, including where we live. We are moving from our 1 bedroom to a little house. More to come on that transition as well as all the other exciting changes underway as we get ready to meet this little girl :)

Thanks again to my party planners and all who came/sent gifts for the shower!?

Source: http://danielandmeghann.blogspot.com/2012/03/baby-shower.html

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Afghan killings: Bales charged with 17 murder counts

AP,file

Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, left, 1st platoon sergeant, Blackhorse Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division participates in an August 2011 exercise at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

By msnbc.com staff and news services

Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was charged Friday with?17 counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder, along with other charges, in connection with a shooting rampage in two southern Afghanistan villages that shocked Americans back home and further roiled U.S.-Afghan relations.

The charges come almost two weeks after the massacre in which Bales allegedly left his base in the early morning hours and shot Afghan civilians, including women and nine children, while they slept in their beds, then burned some of the bodies.

Military wives rally around Karilyn Bales

It was the worst allegation of civilian killings by an American and has severely strained U.S.-Afghan ties at a critical time in the decade-old war.

---

?Bales was read the charges on Friday at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he has been held since being flown from Afghanistan last week, a U.S. official said.

For alleged Afghan shooter, death penalty unlikely

Bales' civilian attorney, John Henry Browne, said Friday without commenting on the specific charges that he believes the government will have a hard time proving its case and that at some stage in the prosecution his client's mental state will be an important issue.

Death toll in Afghanistan massacre climbs to 17

Col. Gary Kolb, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, says Bales was also charged Friday with six counts of attempted murder and six counts of assault.

The decision to charge him with premeditated murder suggests that prosecutors plan to argue that he consciously conceived the killings. A military legal official for U.S. forces in Afghanistan who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case, noted that premeditated murder is not something that has to have been contemplated for a long time.

Criminal charges including 17 counts of murder and six counts of assault have been brought against Sgt. Robert Bales for alleged actions in Afghanistan. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports this is the first step toward the eventual filing of charges.

?

?These are unsurprising charges, predictable charges. I would have thought there would have been a few more lesser charges because no prosecutor likes to lose his principal charge and see the individual walk so usually some lesser offenses are charged as well,? Gary Solis, former head of the Marine Corps? Military Law Branch and current adjunct professor of law at Georgetown Law School, told msnbc.com.

?But what will really be significant is when the charges are referred to trial by the convening authority ? because when they are referred, they will either be referred as capital or not. ? If referred capital, that will change the complexion of the case.?

A senior U.S. official tells NBC News that Bales is likely to face lesser charges?such as dereliction of duty and?disobeying a lawful order.

The 38-year-old soldier and father of two, whose home is in Bonney Lake, Wash., faces trial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but it could be months before any public hearing.

Legal jurisdiction in the Bales case is expected to be switched Friday from U.S. Forces-Afghanistan in Kabul to Bales' home base of Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash., U.S. officials said.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said Bales could face the death penalty if he is convicted of murder, but it is unlikely. The U.S. military has not executed a service member since 1961. Legal experts say Bales could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.

The maximum punishment for a premeditated murder conviction is death, dishonorable discharge from the armed forces, reduction to the lowest enlisted grade and total forfeiture of pay and allowances, Kolb said. The mandatory minimum sentence is life imprisonment with the chance of parole.

Retired Army Colonel and NBC military analyst Jack Jacobs examines the concerns set forth by the attorney for Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the soldier who was charged Friday with 17 counts of murder.

How Staff Sgt. Bales' lawyers are fighting for his life

Legal experts have said the death penalty would be unlikely in the case. The military hasn't executed a service member since 1961 when an Army ammunition handler was hanged for raping an 11-year-old girl in Austria. None of the six men currently on death row at Fort Leavenworth was convicted for atrocities against foreign civilians.

?This is just the first step in what?s going to be a very long process and it still remains to be seen whether this is actually going to be a death penalty case or not,? Daniel Conway, a lawyer and former Marine staff sergeant who has been involved in battlefield investigations in Iraq and Afghanistan of alleged crimes by U.S. soldiers, told msnbc.com. ?The basic idea here is that you can?t hold somebody in jail forever without charging them, so they?ve had to take this first step here.?

The charging document did not provide details about the killings, leaving the timeline unclear. The dead bodies were found in Balandi and Alkozai villages ? one north and one south of the base.

Members of the Afghan delegation investigating the killings said one Afghan guard working from midnight to 2 a.m. saw a U.S. soldier return to the base around 1:30 a.m. Another Afghan soldier who replaced the first and worked until 4 a.m. said he saw a U.S. soldier leaving the base at 2:30 a.m. It's unknown whether the Afghan guards saw the same U.S. soldier. If the gunman acted alone, information from the Afghan guards would suggest that he returned to base in between the shooting sprees.

It also is not known whether the suspect used grenades, Kolb said. The grenade launcher attachment is added to the standard issue M-4 rifle for some soldiers but not all, he said. Bales was assigned to provide force protection at the base.

Msnbc.com's Miranda Leitsinger and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/23/10830389-staff-sgt-robert-bales-charged-with-17-counts-of-murder-in-afghan-massacre

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Types Of Unsecured Loans To Consider Frequently Asked ...

There are different types of unsecured loans, and the simplest of them is a loan from a family member or friend. It is important to take such loans seriously, whether you are the lender or borrower. If you are unable to pay back the amount borrowed, this can put a strain on your relationship. Another type of unsecured debt is making purchases on a credit card. Persons who use a credit card to make payments sign a form that authorizes them. The form is actually an agreement to repay the sum borrowed. The terms and conditions and the size of the loan are agreed before signing the cardholder agreement.. Credit card companies do not require that cardholders offer some asset against the loan. If the loan is not paid on time, the credit card company may assess additional fees, start legal proceedings, or send the account to collections.

Borrowers may choose to declare bankruptcy if they are unable to keep up with payments due to loss of job and significant reduction of income. Most of the time, credit card companies cannot demand that persons who have been made bankrupt sell any assets they own. Claiming bankruptcy, however, is a very serious step and can damage the borrower?s credit rating. Moreover, financial establishments consider such borrowers high risk and are less likely to approve their loan applications.

Commercial paper is another unsecured loan to consider. It is a short-term, unsecured debt instrument used to finance inventories and accounts receivable and to meet short-term liabilities. It is usually large banks, corporations, and other entities that use commercial paper to meet their obligations. Given that collateral is not required, only businesses with excellent and very good credit get a good price when selling commercial paper. Commercial paper often carries a higher interest rate compared to bonds. The interest rate is determined by the term, and interest rates fluctuate but are usually lower than what banks offer.

Banks also offer unsecured loans to borrowers. Financial establishments pay attention to the creditworthiness and integrity of applications as to determine the amount and type of loan they can offer. Borrowers with bad credit are less likely to obtain an unsecured loan. Even if they are offered an unsecured loan, lenders are likely to assess a high interest rate. This is because the financial institution takes more risk.

Regardless of the type of unsecured loan, it is usually a small amount of money. The money can be used to pay bills, go on vacation, buy textbooks, etc. Borrowers can use the money for home repairs or renovation (e.g. remodeling the kitchen), to consolidate high-interest debt, start a small business, etc. Interest is not tax deductible meaning that there are no tax benefits for borrowers. Another disadvantage is that the interest rate on an unsecured loan can easily be 10 percent or more. Borrowers pay more in interest charges than on home equity loans.

This web site has tons of useful information.

Related Posts:

Source: http://nasdaqreportnews.com/2012/03/23/types-of-unsecured-loans-to-consider-frequently-asked-questions/

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Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart Did Not Get Married

Jennifer Lopez is still happily dating boyfriend Casper Smart, but they have not walked down the aisle -- at least not yet. The cover story on Star magazine that claims the couple secretly tied the knot in Mexico, but her rep says there's no basis to the report.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/jennifer-lopez-and-casper-smart-did-not-get-married/1-a-437392?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ajennifer-lopez-and-casper-smart-did-not-get-married-437392

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Is This the Samsung Galaxy S III? [Galaxy S Iii]

According to GSM Helpdesk Netherlands, this is Samsung's next superphone, the Galaxy S III. The image is supposedly an official press shot, and the the timing makes some sense, since it's about a year since we first saw a leak about the Galaxy S II. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/1Ony0XJVy5I/is-this-the-samsung-galaxy-s-iii

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Sky Antivirus and Antispyware -: The best security software for ...

Antivirus and Antispyware are the security softwares, which protects computer and internet against unknown malicious programs such as virus, worms, trojan horse and malware etc. If you are daily using internet for any kind of information, it will remain best for you to use latest antivirus of 2012.

Google is the big source of information. It is the search engine on which people rely to get good and relevant information. These days variety of security softwares are available online. Some people download antivirus from internet and some transfer it through data transfer devices.

Today I am going to talk about Sky?s antivirus and antispyware. First of all, it is the mighty software that protects you against internet threats such as virus, worms, spyware, trojan horse and rootkits etc. It is designed to provide you highest level of protection in terms of online and offline working.

Sky security has received numerous awards for providing a professional, efficient and user friendly security software solution. This user friendly and fast performing software is designed to provide the highest level of security against malicious software(malware).

Its spyware protection protects against spyware such as keyloggers, hijackers, rootkits and other malicious software that could jeopardize your privacy and identity and reduce computer performance. It protects email, instant message attachments, internet downloads and web browsing from malware like viruses, spyware, trojans and other threats that may invade your computer.

Another excellent feature of Sky antispyware is DNA matching and Exploit Detection. It is a proactive technology and method for identifying the viral profile of all kinds of malicious programs, by recognizing inher-ited or reused programming codes in new malware, And Exploit detection is a technology for detecting malware exploiting vulnerabilities in widely used document types.

This software is highly compatible with windows XP 32-bit sp2 or higher, Vista 32-or 64-bit SP1 or higher, Windows 7 32- or 64-bit, Requirement -: RAM: 2 GB, 500 MB of available disk space, minimum screen resolution: 1024 x 768.

Its all in one security protects your identity and PC whether you are banking, playing games or just surfing internet. This easy-to-use security solution features world leading technology to provide the best protection against viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, hackers and other hostile.

Its main benefit is to provide you the Automatic Virus and Spyware protection that recognizes, blocks, and removes unwanted programs such as viruses, worms, trojans and other varieties of destructive program code. It protects email, instant message attachments, Internet downloads, and web browsing from malware like viruses, spyware, trojans, and other threats that may enter your computer.

We all know it is not easy to make decision in terms of investment, because everyone wants profit and best utilization of resources. So always choose Trust Guard verified software for your PC. If still you are thinking to purchase a brand new antivirus 2012 for security, the below given antivirus is the one who knows well how to make your information secure and authentic. Install it, run it and make your computer happy.

SKY Antivirus & Antispyware. Protect you against Internet threats such as viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, and spyware. Download it today and get the complete virus protection for your PC.

Source: http://premiumarticles.in/archives/15248

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No More Difficulted Maps with the GPS-capable Gatwick Airport Car ...

Gatwick Airport is the 2nd largest international airport in terms of complete passenger traffic in the United Kingdom. It is to be found 28 miles south of London and currently has 2 terminals. After you depart the Gatwick Airport, you have admission to different places in the United Kingdom via the several connecting streets. To continue your vacation without difficulty, you have to reserve ahead of time a Car Hire in Gatwick Airport. If you reserve on the internet a Gatwick Airport Car Hire, you?ll have the option to settle on over several models, sizes, and even shades of cars. Whether you will be using the Gatwick Airport Car Rental for a business trip or for leisure purposes, you can be sure that you?ve selected the right choice that suits your needs. If you are worried that you might get lost in the hustle and bustle of the streets in London, there are a lot of Gatwick Airport Car Rental providers that provide a GPS add-on to their services.

Should you be a constant flier and needs the service of a Car Rental in Gatwick Airport regularly, it is also best to discuss rate options with the car rental provider. At least, it will be easier to process reservations and you would effortlessly make the most of budget-friendly specials. This is very important because you would of course prefer to show up on time on your business engagements. Traveling without a Car Rental in Gatwick Airport already pre-booked could cause some issues with time. You wouldn?t desire any of the individuals you would be meeting with to think you do not take the business seriously. Prices associated with the car rental should not be much of an issue since there holiday packages you can select from also if you are intending to use the service for a couple of days. A Cheap Car Hire in Gatwick Airport is just a click away with our online booking services.

If it is your first time to employ a Gatwick Airport Car Rental service, devoted customer service associates are normally there to assist you to make your vacation a pleasant one. Naturally, it would not hurt to ask for recommendations regarding the correct vehicle and the most cost-effective deal to settle on. And although you have GPS mounted inside vehicle, it would be extremely important to ask for such thinggs as the national speed limit. The people in the Gatwick Airport Car Hire companies would be the best suited people to ask about the ins and outs of the city. That way, you are promised an enjoyable and stress-free travel.

For tourists, you should consider pre-booking a Gatwick Airport Car Rental service for a number of days since there are a lot of places of interest to check out. One of these is the Gatwick Aviation Museum which features a collection of British aircraft such as the one made by Fairey, Percival, de Havilland, and Avro. Despite the fact that are not an aviation enthusiast, you should consider incorporating this place on your plans. That?s what is good about using a Cheap Car Hire in Gatwick Airport, you?re not just provided the flexibility to travel where you need to; you are saving also. However, if you are aiming to use a Car Rental in Gatwick Airport to get to just one single location from the airport, that can be organized too. There are car rental companies that provide a ?one-way hire,? a service that would allow you to drop off the car in a specified UK location after usage. This specific Gatwick Airport Car Hire service is very helpful if you have several weighty luggages.

Vacationing has been considerably simpler with the Gatwick Airport Car Hire services available. And with pre-booking services that we present, you can plan and budget in advance. You can also say goodbye to lugging around your bags and waiting in line for a public commute. Organizing in advance a Car Hire in Gatwick Airport will make a lot of difference.

Source: http://www.epetee.com/no-more-difficulted-maps-with-the-gps-capable-gatwick-airport-car-rental/

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