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Monday, May 3, 2010
Financial Literacy: Implications for Retirement Security and the Financial Marketplace
There are 3 ingredients to a successful conference: (1) good people, (2) good papers, and (3) good food. We provided a good lunch and we had dinner, surrounded by Chinese art, in a large hall in the University of Pennsylvania museum. But the people and papers were more than good, and I left Philadelphia with a lot of ideas and projects I want to pursue.
Our keynote speaker, who opened the conference, was Michelle Greene, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Education and Financial Access at the U.S. Treasury. She told the audience about the initiatives and the approach of the office she heads at the U.S. Treasury. Several things resonated with me. She stressed the importance of evidence-based policies and cited several studies, from the FINRA Financial Capability Survey to the FDIC Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households. She also stressed that the U.S. Treasury wants to put financial education where it works and where it is most needed. In my view, these criteria are not only critically important but also offer a way for research to make a real difference and to impact policy. She discussed the work that the Treasury is doing with state and local governments and with the private and nonprofit sectors. This is a reminder that while we need a national financial literacy policy, a lot of work is done at the local level, thus a grassroots approach when dealing with financial literacy is important. The U.S. Treasury is also coordinating the many federal agencies that are doing financial education programs. I was particularly pleased to know that the White House has joined the Financial Literacy and Education Commission and, in particular, that the White House Council on Women and Girls has become involved in financial literacy. As I have mentioned in many of my blogs, there is a real need to focus attention on women and girls and to address the existing gender gap in financial literacy. Michelle also mentioned that the website www.mymoney.gov has been revamped. This is the website to go to obtain financial information, and, again, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a trusted and independent source of information to rely on.
The papers that were presented at the conference spanned many topics. Some documented individuals' financial mistakes. While the experience with subprime mortgages has made us acutely aware of the problem of financial errors, evidence about the use of credit cards and payday loans adds reasons to worry about the behavior of households who use high-cost methods of borrowing. Families have also started to borrow from their 401(k) plans, i.e., they are now borrowing from themselves and the money they have put away for retirement. And financial literacy seems to be a contributing factor: those with low levels of financial literacy are found to be more likely to borrow from themselves. Low literacy is also found to keep people from investing in the stock market. While one has to understand and be aware of the risks of investing in stocks, it is problematic to shy away from the stock market, particularly when investing for the long run. Moreover, when selecting a pension fund from a menu of possible offerings, those with low financial literacy are shown to rely more on the advice of employers, friends, and coworkers than on cost fundamentals. Those with low financial literacy are also more sensitive to how information is framed when interpreting the relative benefits of different investment choices. Given the choices that people have to make on their DC (defined contribution) pensions, these are worrisome findings.
Other papers documented other aspects of financial literacy. For example, when surveyed individuals are asked to rank their own financial knowledge, many give themselves high rankings, yet responses to a set of financial literacy quiz questions result in relatively low scores for many individuals. This type of overconfidence can negatively influence financial behavior.
Still other papers looked at the effectiveness of financial education initiatives provided by employers or by counseling agencies. Paraphrasing Michelle Greene's message, we need these studies and rigorous evaluations of financial education programs to be able to allocate our resources to where they are needed, to where programs are proven to work!
The conference did not focus on the U.S. experience only. The retirement commissioner from New Zealand described some of the successful strategies that have been used to promote financial literacy among Kiwis (I mean the citizens of New Zealand, not those delicious fruits). The OECD has been a pioneer in promoting financial literacy and financial education programs and has worked on this topic since 2003. They have been not only a major force behind many important initiatives but are also working on promoting financial literacy in many emerging nations, from India to China to Latin America. Most importantly, they are serving as the coordinator of the activities that many countries are engaging in and serve as a clearinghouse for data and information. The World Bank has recently joined that effort and is devoting resources and expertise to promoting financial literacy among developing countries; in my view, an important and necessary effort.
In the closing panel, one representative of the Social Security Administration remarked that "he had not heard yet that financial literacy hurts." I would very much agree that there are no obvious downsides to financial literacy.
We ended the conference with a quote that Michelle Greene had included in her presentation slides. She cited President Obama, who said, "If you work hard your whole life, you ought to have every opportunity to retire with dignity and financial security." We hope that the government, academics, the financial community, and not-for-profit institutions will all work to make that opportunity possible.
6 comments:
"there are no obvious downsides to financial literacy"
Willis's article "Against Financial-Literacy Education" gives some opposing views to this idea.
- May 3, 2010 at 11:35 PM
- Ian Bright said...
Thanks for the information.
Is there a website where the papers are available?
Ian Bright
- May 12, 2010 at 4:18 PM
- Mary Jo Martin said...
Dr. Lusardi - this is a great summary (which I got to via a Knowledge@Wharton article. And, an even better effort - which is sorely needed. Being a Wharton grad, I'm proud that my alma mater is involved.
In thinking about your evaluating various resources, I thought of one of my clients - Money Management International (sometimes referred to as Consumer Credit Counseling Services). This non-profit provides an array of services and resources to clients and I'm hoping that they will be included in your review.
I also had a quick look at the mymoney.gov site and wonder why they are not including some financial quizzes there. That would make it easier for people to zero in on the resources they need.
Best of luck and I'm looking forward to hearing more...
Mary Jo Martin, WG '75
- May 26, 2010 at 6:53 PM
- Unknown said...
Very much interested to help improve financial literacy. I have several family members who don't have any real understanding of personal financial issues. Some are retired and over 70 years of age, who have delegated all responsibility for their money to their stock broker....very risky, and some, like my two sons ( both college educated, one in finance, and the other a PHD in bio-medical sciences) who struggle with financial issues.... very frustrating for someone like me who spent his entire working career addressing financial issues.....as a CPA in public practice and as a finance executive with a Fortune 100 company. To me, education at an early age (freshman is high school or earlier) is the correct way to think about the issue...... Has there been any tests with retired finance executives visiting schools to provide a "jump start" to the educational process?
- May 26, 2010 at 8:49 PM
- Unknown said...
Very much interested to help improve financial literacy. I have several family members who don't have any real understanding of personal financial issues. Some are retired and over 70 years of age, who have delegated all responsibility for their money to their stock broker....very risky, and some, like my two sons ( both college educated, one in finance, and the other a PHD in bio-medical sciences) who struggle with financial issues.... very frustrating for someone like me who spent his entire working career addressing financial issues.....as a CPA in public practice and as a finance executive with a Fortune 100 company. To me, education at an early age (freshman is high school or earlier) is the correct way to think about the issue...... Has there been any tests with retired finance executives visiting schools to provide a "jump start" to the educational process?
- May 26, 2010 at 8:49 PM
- Joanne said...
I'd like to comment on "no obvious downsides to financial literacy" as well.
I have been involved with a national women's organization, Mothers & More, for over 2 decades. A key component of our organization's mission is to advocate for the elimination of the economic risks that motherhood visits upon women as a "reward" for their socially and economically critical caregiving work. So naturally, we have tried to encourage mothers to become more financially literate.
I cannot tell you how incredibly and consistently resistant our members--intelligent, highly educated women--are to pursuing greater personal financial literacy, especially as it relates to their own future financial security.
In yet another moment of bewilderment and frustration, I recently asked a fellow member (who has an MBA and a work background in economics herself)why she thought intelligent mothers wouldn't want to acquire a better understanding of their own personal financial situation, present and future. To which she answered, quite simply, "Maybe because they suspect that they wouldn't like what they found out."
Made sense to me. Gives a whole new meaning to the concept of "rational ignorance."
- October 12, 2010 at 9:26 PM


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How can we make goal-writing and individualized education programs less daunting? Recently I wrote an article for the upcoming March volume of SIG 16 Perspectives. I took the literature and combined it with what, in my experience working in public schools, makes the process collaborative. Since I'm a visual person, I drew a model:
So as you sit down as a team to write your next IEP, you may want to consider these four parts:
I apologize to those of you who have heard this from me before, but I can't stress enough how important it is to remember that language is everywhere. Aside from basic artic goals, we really can embed our goals under most curriculum areas. Look to see how your speech and language targets may actually fit across other areas such as math (descriptive/comparative language), history (explain/describe/narrate), and science (using temporal language to order steps in a process, vocabulary). If our ultimate goal is generalization, then it is logical to think broadly, holistically.
Assessment doesn't happen just at IEP time, it should be ongoing. If an IEP is collaborative, then data can be collected from a variety of general education activities and speech and language activities. Don't reinvent the wheel; look at the assessments the general education teacher is giving your students and either analyze their findings or offer to provide the assessment. This is not extra work; it helps to inform your intervention. Recently I helped a Kindergarten teacher with a dictation assessment, and was it ever so enlightening!
Review & Reflect
Review your approach honestly; reflection is how we, as practitioners, learn and grow (Tagg, 2007). Since we have very little time in our crazy professional lives, this often falls by the wayside. As related service providers, we need to find time to discuss what we are seeing, and consult with teachers on how this can translate academically. In some cases, this may mean including in the IEP that the team will meet every certain number of weeks, to discuss and update one another on the student's current performance.
Think about how to create goals that can extend beyond the immediate environment. For the majority of the students who I see, I am constantly looking for ways to connect academics with independence. A student learning math and money, for example, may need a trip to the store. A student working on following directions may bring a list to the store and come back to follow a recipe. These kinds of experiences make the abstract become concrete.
C.A.R.E is about creating a smooth, efficient and collaborative IEP process. This way we can move on from the paperwork part, and get back to the business of intervention and academic success. For more detailed information, please keep an eye out for my article entitled, "Autism in the schools: IEP best practices at work," coming out in the next SIG 16 Perspectives issue.
Kerry Davis, EdD, CCC-SLP, is a city-wide speech-language pathologist in the Boston area. Her areas of interest include working with children with multiple disabilities, inclusion in education and professional development. The views on this blog are her own and do not represent those of her employer. Follow her on Twitter at @DrKDavisslp.

subset: commoncrawl


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Unlike decals and wraps, which must be removed with tools and solvents, custom car magnets can be pulled off easily, just like a refrigerator magnet. Your finish stays intact! No damage to repair or scratches to cover over.


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Wish List - Hardware
From Openmoko
(→TV Out)
m (Typos)
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With help of mouse and keyboard, TV out may be very useful.
With help of mouse and keyboard, TV out may be very useful.
Or to watch Photos taken with a digital camera on Holidays.
Or to watch Photos taken with a digital camera on Holidays.
Or make a slide
Or make a slide
=== 800x600 (SVGA) resolution ===
=== 800x600 (SVGA) resolution ===
Revision as of 13:54, 15 April 2007
Hardware enhancements
Some small hardware enhancement could be cheap, but very useful. Please add your ideas/wishes here:
Wireless data networking
Integrated WiFi hardware
- Syncing data
- Accessing internet
- Free text messaging.
- VoIP
- For videoconferencing (as with AccessGrid)
Assorted Wifi power reduction tricks may be used to increase battery life.
WiMAX support
WiMAX is targeting high-speed mobile data and telecommunications services. Hardware for portable usage based on the IEEE802.16e standard is now availabe and deployment around the world is being executed, heavily promoted by Intel Capital. For example, a Dutch initiative called WorldMAX has the exclusive license to use the 3.5GHz band in The Nethelands to offer "internet-in-your-pocket" services.
Near Field Communication
Near Field Communication support would enable many new applications for the Neo1973 such as a digital wallet or electronic keys. NFC is designed to work at very short ranges (0-20cm) and can be used to pair devices for longer range/higher bandwidth communications such as Bluetooth. In fact, the recently introduced Bluetooth 2.1 Core Specification includes NFC support.
Video-capable camera
- A camera that is able to take reasonable quality video and pictures is something many want. Applications vary from simple snapping, to gesture interfaces, video conferencing, barcode reading and more.
- Some people can't take cameras into work - a model without the camera, or some way of removing the camera would be useful.
- This is also useful for several business applications (like healthcare, servicing, etc)
- Camera with macro - useful for taking pictures of flowers/insects, but also for scanning business cards for an automated business card to contact informantion process
Multitouch screen
Wishlist:Spell_weaving See also: http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/the-multi-touch-screen/ (There is a link to a video demonstration)
TV Out
With help of mouse and keyboard, TV out may be very useful. Or to watch Photos taken with a digital camera on Holidays. Or make a slide prentation
800x600 (SVGA) resolution
Providing 800x600 (SVGA) resolution will make using the web browser, and many other applications, as comfortable as using a desktop computer.
- Finding a such high-res display in a small package (2.8") should be damn hard. Imho VGA for 2.8" is damn high. Also the currently used SoC only supports VGA iirc.
- Toshiba has put a SVGA 3" display in their G900 smartphone so they seem to exist in similar form factors. Whether it is useful is another question entirely.
Video acceleration
Hardware acceleration for video playback.
3D acceleration
3D hardware acceleration for 3D games, GUIs, etc. (maybe a PowerVR MBX Lite ?).
Possiblity to use something like Eyeglass Mounted Display.
Or electronic paper display, EPD is used in many new devices such as the new Motorola motofone, sonys new e-reader and Irex's iliad. The technology provides thin, flexible, power saving screens using new eink technology. This technology could cut the weight of the phone and its power usage. For more info see: eink's website.
Multi I/O adapter
- VGA, standard Jack (line in & out), standard USB
It would be nice to have (the option of) a transreflective display, which while being less bright, is readable without needing to power the backlight. Then again, it depends on how much power the backlight uses compared to everything else...
Input devices
D-Pad and Buttons
- Adding a D-pad (to the bottom of the phone) and 2 to 4 buttons (to the top) would provide some tactile input controls, in addition to the touchscreen. They could be used as shortcut keys in the menu, or playback control when playing media. When the phone is held sideways, they can be used as games controls. (With touchscreen alone, gameplay options are limited)
Game buttons would be best on both sides of the screen. The larger the buttons, the better. 2x 4 buttons in up-down-left-right configuration + some extra buttons separately a bit lower on the device would be good for many for emulation games.
Here is a concept drawing of a possible neo1973 gaming version:
(This has a 4-way direction pad, 8 way may be better for gaming)
This enables the phone to sense where 'down' is - to enable various options.
- 3D Viewport
- Auto Align Map
- Computer Mouse
- Determine Position
- Distance Measuring
- Dynamic Screen Orientation
- Change playlist when jogging vs walking. (there is an mp3 player on the market that does this).
- GPS uses a moderate amount of power when on, it would be nice to save this. (though it is a small amount compared to the power draw from playing MP3s.
3 axes Accellerometer and gyros
- Most of these would at least benefit from 3 axis accelerometer, and integrated gyros, for some it may be required.
- Shake mitigation when using the camera (wish list item #1). How many of us end up with blurry pictures because we can't hold the phone steady?
- Afaik, you should be able to achieve the equivalent of a 3-axis accellerometer and a gyro by using three two-axis ones, and some software...
- To tell which way the phone is spun, you need three gyros (to measure spin around the long axes and around the USB plug, and around an axes in and out of the screen). To tell which way the phone is accellerating, you need 3 accellerometers - this is a total of 6 independant variables.
- You can't quite derive all 6 from 3 2-axis accellerometers, as apart from geometric problems (you tend to end up with axes that coincide) the sensitivity for rotation in some axes really quite sucks. (consider the size of the gravity vector, and consider the noise of the accellerometers).
- Having said this, there is a big tradeoff between 'good enough' and cost. With smart software, it may be possible to get useful function without having to have the full optimal set of hardware that would make the function perfect.
Barcode Scanner
- less cpu intensive and more reliable than camera+ocr
Thumb keyboard or keyboard attachment accessory
- Could be slide out or clamshell (hinge on long side) design with an external OLED. The keyboard should be protected when not in use.
- Could be a clip on keyboard that attaches to the serial port or communicates by bluetooth (not preferred for permanent keyboard users).
- cheap clippable miniusb keyboard
An electronic thermometer might become handy for some users.
There are very small I2C devices available, that could easily integrate to the existing bus. For example this one from ti.
Finger print sensor
Fingerprint sensor gives easy and fast access to the phone, could lock the touchscreen etc. An example of this device can be found at Sony UX17.
As these are typically implemented with a small camera (256*4) focussed on the finger, with appropriate hardware and software, you can also use them as an optical mouse in reverse, detecting movement of the finger over the sensor.
A trackball would provide an efficient mouse-like interface in a very compact package. As exemplified in the newer Blackberry® models. Maybe instead an optical sensor as are used in mice could be used so that the whole phone can be moved over a surface just like a mouse. The same sensor might be usable as a barcode reader
Analog Joystick
How 'bout an analog joystick, gaming-console style, instead of a D-Pad or a trackball?
Or how 'bout a Rollermouse-like device? But do we need any of this, considering the touchscreen?
--Lemi4 19:03, 11 March 2007 (CET)
RFID Reader
- not very useful until the barcode has been replaced with RFID.
MMC/SD/SDIO slot (rather than?) miniSD or microSD
- Cheaper, more durable cards in a widely accepted format.
- Cards are harder to lose
- Wider selection of accesories, including SDIO accessories.
- Make externally available so that larger length SDIO cards can be used (thinking about SDIO WLAN here)
- Only because CF takes too much room (or CF would be the wish, instead)
Two SD slots
- Micro SD for /home partition.
- Hot swapable mini or normal SD for movie, music etc.
Expansion Back
- Replacement backs with additional features
- I believe this would be a great idea, if put into practice. It would solve the extensibility need, usually associated with Open Source projects. It would allow for lots of other devices and for functionality to be developed and put into use without making it a burden for FIC.
- With extra card slots and small footprint hard drive (if possible), Neo might become a nice image tank for photographers - --cedel 18:34, 19 February 2007 (CET)
- Powered, to avoid having to carry around a hub for when you want to occasionally plug in a memory stick. Many powered hubs will not recognise a totally unpowered host.
- OTG (is this maybe supported already ?)
- Bootable USB device emulation: the possibility to boot any computer on a bootable flagged partition of the transflash.
Wireless USB support
Wireless USB is the wireless version of USB offering data-rates up to 480 Mbit/s over short distances (<3 meter). Chipsets suitable for a phone are likely to take some time to be available.
SIR/FIR transceiver (Serial Infrared)
- An infrared tranceiver is cheap, small, and useful for sync with many laptops and mobile phones. A learning infrared remote is another application.
- It could be used to detect when to turn off the display (if the low power IR signal is reflected) and activate the key lock.
- FIR would be a nice option, as it's some 40 times faster than SIR.
I2C breakout
I2C is an internal bus in the phone. This is a simple bus, with only 2-3 wires, hence ideal for making accessible to those making add-ons, as it is low powered, and can be daisy-chained. It would be a great candidate to bring out into the Expansion Back.
Readily available I2C chips range from temperature sensing, digital input/ouput chips, to 1-wire bridge chips (which is designed for external switches, ID, sensing, ...)
Output devices
- A blinking LED would be cheap and low power, good for informing the user about new SMS/Email....
- An alternative to this would be for one segment of the LCD to be seperately backlit. There are many LEDs in the backlight, all normally on. This has the advantage that you can display reasonable amounts of information on the bit of the screen that's illuminated.
- The disadvantage is the field of view is smaller, and it's dimmer than a bare LCD, as the LCD absorbs some light.
- This also requires the CPU and LCD to be somewhat active, to keep it refreshed.
- Note: the LED and button ideas could be combined: illuminated buttons
- A yellow LED for GSM/GPRS Tx burst, a blue one for Bluetooth/WiFi Tx burst, a green one for non-urgent notifications (sleep state, missed call etc.) and a red one for urgent notifications (battery almost drained out, new SMS etc.). All of this could be done in one, multicoloured (RGB) LED, similar to the nice one on the Yaesu VX-7R.
It'd be quite nice to be able to use the Phone as a Remote control. IRDA should be enough. Together with a barcode reader and those tv magazines that have barcodes VCRs could be programmed. not sure if those magazines still exist. Usable online TV guides exist, though.
Mobile Telephone options
Faster/better mobile connectivity.
GSM/GPRS is at best slow. Ideally supporting EDGE - which is an evolved form of GPRS, UTMS - which is widespread in europe, HDSPA (asia) and any other mobile standards would be nice. It is unlikely that all of these will be supported initially, but it is a goal. Until that goal is reached, it is likely that some phones will be brought out for various specific markets - europe, asia, US.
Ability to insert more than one Sim-Card and (if possible) connect to more than one network at the same time
- This could be achieved via a specialist dual SIM card kit (currently on market)- where two SIMs are trimmed and combined on one card, software support for dual SIMs would need providing...
- What about twin-SIMs (SIMs with 2 phone lines registered on them)? Conventional GSM phones have an option to switch between the two, older ones use # (long press before dialling) to do that. I'm guessing Calypso should support it, we just need to provide an interface for it :-) --@Dexter 11:34, 19 February 2007 (CET)
-- This is ALS (Alternate Line Service) and is a network feature which must be activated on your account. You should be able to get the GSM modem to send a USSD sequence to the network an achieve this. Newer, handsets/networks would support the Multiple Subscriber Profiles which handles it all better but you are right that it would need to be included in the UI. User:Eggsy
Galileo receiver
- A GPS module with firmware thet could be upgraded to support Galileo (the new European navigation system) would be nice eventually, it does not seem to be near-term due to chipset availability problems.
- A speakerphone is more than simply connecting the speakers to GSM audio, it's also echo cancellation, and eliminating the feedback that will otherwise happen between the speakers and the mic. This software has not been written.
FM/Digital Radio(DAB) Reciever
A nice feature would be a radio reciever: FM or even better: Digital Audio Broadcast (Digital Radio)
Standard 3.5mm jack
Adaptors to 2.5mm are of course available, but 3.5mm jacks are much more robust. One question would be are headsets available in 3.5mm.
X10 RF Remote
Many PC-based media centers are being equiped with an RF (433 MHz) / X10-based remote control. The X10 protocol also faciliates home automation to control lamps, switches, etc. The advantages of using RF for control instead of Infra-red this that it also works when furniture, walls, or doors are blocking the path between RF remote and the equipment or device. Lirc supports X10-based RF remotes (but expects having an USB RF receiver attached to the media center).
Special covers
- A standard slip-on or clip-on template (possibly with buttons) to make the touch-screen blind accessible
- Small metal frame for protection (like Siemens M65, only with more style)
RFID tag
- Implementation/Cooperation with: RFID-Guardian
- An enable-able tag would be of use - for example being able to use the phone to open doors, or cars. Unfortunately, it's moderately hard to do secure programmable tags that are compatible with existing systems, for obvious reasons.
Laser Pointer
Include a built in laser pointer. Everything is better with lasers.
Completely free hardware
Consider selling one device with absolutely no non-free components in it, even if that means dropping the GSM support. I believe having one such device available would be good, because then it could be recommended by organizations like the FSF which typically never recommends anything if it has even a little non-free code in it.


text:
Joel Jewell
Joel JewellMortgage Market President NMLS # 419430
- 2566 East Joyce Boulevard, Suite 1 Fayetteville, AR 72703
- Cell 479-435-1130 Office 479-444-8222
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Fax 479-444-9959
Joel Jewell is the top producing Mortgage Loan Officer for IBERIABANK Mortgage in Northwest Arkansas for the past 10 years with career production totals of over $650 million and over 3,000 transactions. These results have made him a preferred lender in Northwest Arkansas for 15 years.
With a Real Estate Finance degree and a REALTOR® career background, he brings considerable value to his clients and real estate professionals by understanding the home buying process from all angles.
"I always enjoy mentoring first time home buyers and hearing from past clients who trust me to provide them with the best, most up to date industry information and programs. I want to help my clients realize their dreams of owning their own home while achieving their financial goals in the process.
Our team's goal is to have a lifelong client by consistently providing superior customer service, smooth transactions and the best rates and fees available. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance."
Joel Jewell is a top producing Mortgage lender for IBERIABANK Mortgage in Northwest Arkansas with career production totals of over $650 million and over 3,000 transactions. These results have made him a preferred lender in Northwest Arkansas for almost 20 years.
With a Real Estate Finance Degree and a Realtor® career background, he brings considerable value to his Clients and real estate professionals by understanding the home buying process from all angles.
"I always enjoy mentoring first time Homebuyers and hearing from past Clients who trust me to provide them with the best, most up to date industry information and programs. I want to help my Clients realize their dreams of owning their own home while achieving their financial goals in the process.
Our team's goal is to have a lifelong client by consistently providing superior customer service, smooth transactions and the best rates and fees available. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance."
Mortgage Calculators
Mortgage Consolidate Debt
Should I consider consolidating my debt with a cash out refinance?
Mortgage Options
Fixed-Rate Mortgage
Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
Affordable Housing Loans & Rural Development
Frequently Asked Questions
How are interest rates determined?
Interest rates fluctuate based on changes in the yield of mortgage backed securities, most commonly referred to as Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae and Freddie Mac securities. Changes in the 30 year interest rates closely follow changes in the yield of the 10 year United States Treasury Bond as well as changes in yields of mortgage backed securities. Interest rates on mortgages fluctuate daily and often, within a given business day.
What is an adjustable rate mortgage?An adjustable rate mortgage, or an "ARM" as they are commonly called, is a loan type that offers a lower initial interest rate than most fixed rate loans. The trade-off is that the interest rate can change periodically, usually in relation to an index, and the monthly payment will go up or down accordingly.Against the advantage of the lower payment at the beginning of the loan, you should weigh the risk that an increase in interest rates would lead to higher monthly payments in the future. It's a trade-off. You get a lower rate with an ARM in exchange for assuming more risk. For many people in a variety of situations, an ARM is the right mortgage choice, particularly if your income is likely to increase in the future or if you only plan on being in the home for three to five years.Here's some detailed information explaining how ARM's work:Adjustment PeriodWith most ARMs, the interest rate and monthly payment are fixed for an initial time period such as one year, three years, five years, or seven years. After the initial fixed period, the interest rate can change every year. For example, one of our most popular adjustable rate mortgages is a five-year ARM. The interest rate will not change for the first five years (the initial adjustment period) but can change every year after the first five years.IndexARM interest rate changes are tied to changes in an index rate. Using an index to determine future rate adjustments provides you with assurance that rate adjustments will be based on actual market conditions at the time of the adjustment. The current value of most indices is published weekly in the Wall Street Journal. If the index rate moves up so does your mortgage interest rate, and you will probably have to make a higher monthly payment. On the other hand, if the index rate goes down your monthly payment may decrease.MarginTo determine the interest rate on an ARM, a pre-disclosed amount called a margin will be added to the index. If you're still shopping, comparing one lender's margin to another's can be more important than comparing the initial interest rate, since it will be used to calculate the interest rate you will pay in the future.Interest-Rate CapsAn interest-rate cap places a limit on the amount your interest rate can increase or decrease. There are two types of caps:1. Periodic or adjustment caps, which limit the interest rate increase or decrease from one adjustment period to the next.2. Overall or lifetime caps, which limit the interest rate increase over the life of the loan.As you can imagine, interest rate caps are very important since no one knows what can happen in the future. All of the ARMs we offer have both adjustment and lifetime caps. Please see each product description for full details.Negative Amortization"Negative Amortization" occurs when your monthly payment changes to an amount less than the amount required to pay interest due. If a loan has negative amortization, you might end up owing more than you originally borrowed. None of the ARMs we offer allow for negative amortization.Prepayment PenaltiesSome lenders may require you to pay special fees or penalties if you pay off the ARM early. We never charge a penalty for prepayment.Contact a Loan OfficerSelecting a mortgage may be the most important financial decision you will make and you are entitled to all the information you need to make the right decision. Don't hesitate to contact a Loan Officer if you have questions about the features of our adjustable rate mortgages.
Should I pay discount points in exchange for a lower interest rate?Discount points are considered a form of interest. Each point is equal to one percent of the loan amount. You pay them, up front, at your loan closing in exchange for a lower interest rate over the life of your loan. This means more money will be required at closing, however, you will have lower monthly payments over the term of your loan.To determine whether it makes sense for you to pay discount points, you should compare the cost of the discount points to the monthly payments savings created by the lower interest rate. Divide the total cost of the discount points by the savings in each monthly payment. This calculation provides the number of payments you'll make before you actually begin to save money by paying discount points. If the number of months it will take to recoup the discount points is longer than you plan on having this mortgage, you should consider the loan program option that doesn't require discount points to be paid.If you'd prefer not to make this calculation the "old-fashioned way," we have a discount points calculator! – insert as hyperlink
Is comparing APRs the best way to decide which lender has the lowest rate and fees?The Federal Truth in Lending law requires that all financial institutions disclose the APR when they advertise a rate. The APR is designed to present the actual cost of obtaining financing, by requiring that some, but not all, closing fees are included in the APR calculation. These fees in addition to the interest rate determine the estimated cost of financing over the full term of the loan. Since most people do not keep the mortgage for the entire loan term, it may be misleading to spread the effect of some of these up front costs over the entire loan term.Also, unfortunately, the APR doesn't include all the closing fees and lenders are allowed to interpret which fees they include. Fees for things like appraisals, title work, and document preparation are not included even though you'll probably have to pay them.For adjustable rate mortgages, the APR can be even more confusing. Since no one knows exactly what market conditions will be in the future, assumptions must be made regarding future rate adjustments.You can use the APR as a guideline to shop for loans but you should not depend solely on the APR in choosing the loan program that's best for you. Look at total fees, possible rate adjustments in the future if you're comparing adjustable rate mortgages, and consider the length of time that you plan on having the mortgage.Don't forget that the APR is an effective interest rate--not the actual interest rate. Your monthly payments will be based on the actual interest rate, the amount you borrow, and the term of your loan.
How do I know if it's best to lock in my interest rate or to let it float?
Mortgage interest rate movements are as hard to predict as the stock market and no one can really know for certain whether they'll go up or down.
If you have a hunch that rates are on an upward trend then you'll want to consider locking the rate as soon as you are able. Before you decide to lock, make sure that your loan can close within the lock in period. It won't do any good to lock your rate if you can't close during the rate lock period. If you're purchasing a home, review your contract for the estimated closing date to help you choose the right rate lock period. If you are refinancing, in most cases, your loan could close within 30 days. However, if you have any secondary financing on the home that won't be paid off, allow some extra time since we'll need to contact that lender to get their permission.
If you think rates might drop while your loan is being processed, you may take a risk and let your rate "float" instead of locking. After you apply, you can lock in by contacting your Loan Officer.
How much money will I save by choosing a 15-year loan rather than a 30-year loan?A 15-year fixed rate mortgage gives you the ability to own your home free and clear in 15 years. And, while the monthly payments are higher than a 30-year loan, the interest rate on the 15-year mortgage is usually a little lower, and more important - you'll pay less than half the total interest cost of the traditional 30-year mortgage.However, if you can't afford the higher monthly payment of a 15-year mortgage don't feel alone. Many borrowers find the higher payment out of reach and choose a 30-year mortgage. It still makes sense to use a 30-year mortgage for most people.Who Should Consider a 15-Year Mortgage?The 15-year fixed rate mortgage is most popular among younger homebuyers with sufficient income to meet the higher monthly payments to pay off the house before their children start college. They own more of their home faster with this kind of mortgage, and can then begin to consider the cost of higher education for their children without having a mortgage payment to make as well. Other homebuyers, who are more established in their careers, have higher incomes and whose desire is to own their homes before they retire, may also prefer this mortgage.Advantages and Disadvantages of a 15-Year MortgageThe 15-year fixed rate mortgage offers two big advantages for most borrowers:You pay off your home in half the time it would take with a traditional 30-year mortgage.You save more than half the amount of interest of a 30-year mortgage. Lenders usually offer this mortgage at a slightly lower interest rate than with 30-year loans - typically up to .5% lower. It is this lower interest rate added to the shorter loan life that creates real savings for 15-year fixed rate borrowers.The possible disadvantages associated with a 15-year fixed rate mortgage are:The monthly payments for this type of loan are roughly 30% to 50% greater per month than the payment for a 30-year.Because you'll pay less total interest on the 15-year fixed rate mortgage, you won't have the maximum mortgage interest tax deduction possible.In a low interest rate environment, it's important to consider your other financial goals in life before prepaying low interest debt. Consider the "time value of money" principle.Compare Them YourselfUse the "How much can I save with a 15 year mortgage?" calculator in our Resource Center to help decide which loan term is best for you. – insert hyperlink
When can I lock in my interest rate and discount points?In a refinance scenario, you typically lock-in your interest rate at the time you make application to refinance.Because most homebuyers apply for "pre-approval" when shopping for a new home, it's important to understand that your interest rate cannot be locked until you enter into a contract to purchase a new home and set a closing date that is within 60 days.
Is there a fee charged or any other obligation if I complete the online application?
There's no cost at all for completing our application. You may wish to pay the cost of the appraisal online with a credit card. Once we order an appraisal on your behalf, you are responsible for that cost.
Are there any prepayment penalties charged for these loan programs?
None of the loan programs we offer have penalties for prepayment. You can pay off your mortgage any time with no additional charges.
What is your Rate Lock Policy?
General Statement
The interest rate market is subject to movements without advance notice. Locking in a rate protects you from the time that your lock is confirmed to the day that your lock period expires.
Lock-In Agreement
A lock is an agreement by the borrower and the lender and specifies the number of days for which a loan's interest rate and points are guaranteed. Should interest rates rise during that period, we are obligated to honor the committed rate. Should interest rates fall during that period, the borrower must honor the lock.
We do not charge a fee for locking in your interest rate.
Lock Period
We currently offer lock periods from 30 to 60 days without a fee. This means your loan must close and disburse within the number of days from the day your lock is confirmed by us. A longer lock period generally results in a higher interest rate.
Lock Changes
Once we accept your lock, your loan is committed into a secondary market transaction. Therefore, we are not able to renegotiate lock commitments.
Tell me more about closing fees and how they are determined.A home loan often involves many fees, such as the appraisal fee, title charges, closing fees, and state or local taxes. These fees vary from state to state and also from lender to lender. Any lender or broker should be able to give you an estimate of their fees, but it is more difficult to tell which lenders have done their homework and are providing a complete and accurate estimate. We take quotes very seriously. We've completed the research necessary to make sure that our fee quotes are as accurate as possible.To assist you in evaluating our fees, we've grouped them as follows:Third Party FeesFees that we consider third party fees include the appraisal fee, the settlement or closing fee, the survey fee, title insurance fees and courier/mailing fees.Third party fees are fees that we'll collect and pass on to the person who actually performed the service. For example, an appraiser is paid the appraisal fee and a title company or an attorney is paid the title insurance fees.Typically, you'll see some minor variances in third party fees from lender to lender since a lender may have negotiated a special charge from a provider they use often or chooses a provider that offers nationwide coverage at a flat rate. In some transactions we absorb minor third party fees such as the flood certification fee, the tax service fee or credit report fees.Taxes and other unavoidablesFees that we consider to be taxes and other unavoidables include: State/Local Taxes and recording fees. These fees will most likely have to be paid regardless of the lender you choose. If some lenders don't quote you fees that include taxes and other unavoidable fees, don't assume that you won't have to pay it. It probably means that the lender who doesn't tell you about the fee hasn't done the research necessary to provide accurate closing costs.Lender FeesFees such as discount points, document preparation fees, and loan processing fees are retained by the lender and are used to provide you with the lowest rates possible.This is the category of fees that you should compare very closely from lender to lender before making a decision.Prepaid ExpensesYou may be asked to prepay some items at closing that will actually be due in the future. These fees are sometimes referred to as prepaid items.One of the more common required advances is called "per diem interest" or "interest due at closing." All of our mortgages have payment due dates of the 1st of the month. If your loan is closed on any day other than the first of the month, you'll pay interest, from the date of closing through the end of the month, at closing. For example, if the loan is closed on June 15, we'll collect interest from June 15 through June 30 at closing. This also means that you won't make your first mortgage payment until August 1. This type of charge should not vary from lender to lender, and does not need to be considered when comparing lenders. All lenders will charge you interest beginning on the day the loan funds are disbursed. It is simply a matter of when it will be collected.If an escrow or impound account will be established, you will make an initial deposit into the escrow account at closing so that sufficient funds are available to pay the bills when they become due.If your loan requires mortgage insurance, up to two months of the mortgage insurance will be collected at closing. Whether or not you must purchase mortgage insurance depends on the size of the down payment you make.If your loan is a purchase, you'll also need to pay for your first year's homeowner's insurance prior to, or at the time of, closing. We consider this to be a required advance.
What is title insurance and why do I need it?
If you've ever purchased a home before, you may already be familiar with the benefits and terms of title insurance. But if this is your first home loan or you are refinancing, you may be wondering why you need another insurance policy.
The answer is simple: The purchase of a home is most likely one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make. You, and especially your mortgage lender, want to make sure the property is indeed yours: That no individual or government entity has any right, lien, claim, or encumbrance on your property.
The function of a title insurance company is to make sure your rights and interests to the property are clear, that transfer of title takes place efficiently and correctly, and that your interests as a homebuyer are fully protected.
Title insurance companies provide services to buyers, sellers, real estate developers, builders, mortgage lenders, and others who have an interest in real estate transfer. Title companies typically issue two types of title policies:
1) Owner's Policy. This policy covers you, the homebuyer.
2) Lender's Policy. This policy covers the lending institution over the life of the loan.
Both types of policies are issued at the time of closing for a one-time premium, if the loan is a purchase. If you are refinancing your home, you probably already have an owner's policy that was issued when you purchased the property, so we'll only require that a lender's policy be issued.
Before issuing a policy, the title company performs an in-depth search of the public records to determine if anyone other than you has an interest in the property. The search may be performed by title company personnel using either public records or, more likely, the information contained in the company's own title plant.
After a thorough examination of the records, any title problems are usually found and can be cleared up prior to your purchase of the property. Once a title policy is issued, if any claim covered under your policy is ever filed against your property, the title company will pay the legal fees involved in the defense of your rights. They are also responsible to cover losses arising from a valid claim. This protection remains in effect as long as you or your heirs own the property.
The fact that title companies try to eliminate risks before they develop makes title insurance significantly different from other types of insurance. Most forms of insurance assume risks by providing financial protection through a pooling of risks for losses arising from an unforeseen future event, say a fire, accident or theft. On the other hand, the purpose of title insurance is to eliminate risks and prevent losses caused by defects in title that may have happened in the past.
This risk elimination has benefits to both the homebuyer and the title company. It minimizes the chances that adverse claims might be raised, thereby reducing the number of claims that have to be defended or satisfied. This keeps costs down for the title company and the premiums low for the homebuyer.
Buying a home is a big step emotionally and financially. With title insurance you are assured that any valid claim against your property will be borne by the title company, and that the odds of a claim being filed are slim indeed.
Buying an Owner's Policy is your option. The Lender's Policy specifically covers the lender's interest that may not always be the same as the owner's interest.
What is mortgage insurance and when is it required?
First of all, let's make sure that we mean the same thing when we discuss "mortgage insurance." Mortgage insurance should not be confused with mortgage life insurance, which is designed to pay off a mortgage in the event of a borrower's death. Mortgage insurance makes it possible for you to buy a home with less than a 20% down payment by protecting the lender against the additional risk associated with low down payment lending. By purchasing mortgage insurance, lenders are comfortable with down payments as low as 3 - 5% of the home's value. It also provides you with the ability to buy a more expensive home than might be possible if a 20% down payment were required.
The mortgage insurance premium is based on loan to value ratio, type of loan, and amount of coverage required by the lender. Usually, the premium is included in your monthly payment and one to two months of the premium is collected as a required advance at closing.
It may be possible to cancel private mortgage insurance at some point, such as when your loan balance is reduced to a certain amount - below 75% to 80% of the property value. Recent Federal Legislation requires automatic termination of mortgage insurance for many borrowers when their loan balance has been amortized down to 78% of the original property value. If you have any questions about when your mortgage insurance could be cancelled, please contact your Loan Officer.
What is the maximum percentage of my home's value that I can borrow?
The maximum percentage of your home's value depends on the purpose of your loan, how you use the property, and the loan type you choose, so the best way to determine what loan amount we can offer is to complete our online application.
How do I get $4,000 of down payment assistance?Grant funds have been allocated to assist low-to-moderate income borrowers with down payment assistance when buying a primary residence located inside of a low-to-moderate income census tract.
- Low-to-moderate income borrowers may receive up to $2,000 in subsidy assistance.
- Homebuyers purchasing inside of a low-to-moderate income census tract may receive up to $2,000 in subsidy assistance.
- Borrowers that meet both eligibility criteria may receive up to $4,000 in subsidy assistance that does not have to be repaid if the borrower maintains the subject property as their primary residence for five years.
- The IBERIABANK Subsidy Grant is available for markets that are considered full assessment areas.
- A limited amount of grant funds are available annually on a first-come-first-serve basis.
IBERIABANK major assessment areas:
Alabama: Birmingham
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Little Rock
Florida: Ft Myers, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach - Broward, Sarasota
Georgia: Atlanta
Louisiana: Lafayette, New Orleans
Tennessee: Memphis
Texas: Dallas, Houston


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CASA Corner: Tahoe's best (or worst) kept secret
Special to the Tribune
Every year in South Lake Tahoe, hundreds of children are removed from their homes and families due to abuse or neglect. In 2011, a staggering 222 children from the Tahoe area were removed from their parents. Today, we have only eight local families willing to take in and care for these children. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out what that means for those 222 children. Due to the disparity between the small number of foster homes and the large number of foster children, the majority of our local foster kids are being sent to homes in a different city. Most are placed in foster homes that are a two- to four-hour drive away.
Unless you've been through it, it is difficult to imagine the fear and grief you might feel as a foster child being taken from the only family you've ever known. The only way I can begin to imagine is by picturing how my own child would feel. What if a stranger had come into your home and told your child that he has to leave you, his mom or dad, and go live with another family that very moment. Your child is put in the back of a car and this stranger drives him to a house he's never seen before. He walks up to the front door and knocks, not having any idea what's on the other side of the door. Not knowing anything about this new family, not knowing if he will be safe or harmed or even welcomed. And even scarier, he has no idea if he will again see you, his parent, or what the future holds. And, to top it off, he is in an unfamiliar city and will be going to a new school the very next day. Can you imagine? I can't imagine going through such an experience as a well-adjusted adult, much less a vulnerable, mistreated, confused child whose trust in others has been shattered.
When foster children are able to remain in their own communities and attend their own school, the comfort of the familiar surroundings lessens the impact of such a traumatic experience. The positive impact this can have on a child's growth and development is invaluable. In fact, when a child is placed in a familiar environment and a loving foster family, the turnaround that child makes in regards to grades, self-esteem, and mental health is astounding. When placed in a caring family with stability and boundaries, negative behaviors often lessen within a matter of weeks and may completely disappear in a matter of months.
This April, Foster Family Service and Foster and Kinship Care Education are offering a training series in Tahoe for people interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents. To be a foster parent you can be married or single, young or old, starting your family or an empty nester. You can be available for weekends or for long-term placements, choose to take a baby or a teenager. You can be open to adoption or not. But one thing's for sure, you will be opening your home to the most vulnerable of all populations, yet the one most full of potential: the foster child. Call 530-544-2111 to sign up for the upcoming April trainings.
– Leila Rosner is an instructional specialist for Foster Family Service and Kinship Care Education Program.


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Nick Frost has battled zombies and leapt through the air with two guns blazing – and with The World's End, he's taking on alien invaders and the pub crawl to end all pub crawls.
The third instalment in the loosely-linked Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy reunites Frost with Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright and a host of familiar faces from previous films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. When Pegg's Gary King gathers his teenage pals for a nostalgia-tinged pub crawl, they quickly discover that their hometown has been taken over by something alien – and it's down to Gary and Andy (Frost) to save themselves, the Earth and the pub crawl (not necessarily in that order).
We talk cozy catastrophes, fight choreography and whether he'd take a role in Star Wars Episode VII…
You're playing a very different character in The World's End…
We've always tried to make things different. We're character actors, you want to inhabit someone different each time you step up to make a film.
Because Simon has been the "parent" in Shaun and Hot Fuzz, I think people assume that Danny Butterman and Ed were the same character. I would argue that they're not – all three of these men are vastly different, but it's just that Simon's been playing Dad, and I've been playing the naughty child and the naive idiot in the first two.
The World's End is less of a riff on specific film genres than Hot Fuzz and Shaun…
Edgar and Simon didn't watch many films for this – they watched It's Always Fair Weather, that musical about old army buddies hooking up, and The Big Chill.
For us, the influences on this were much more literary science fiction; JG Ballard, John Wyndham – that kind of "cozy catastrophe." And Invasion of the Body Snatchers – that idea that by the time you realise it's happening, it's happened.
How much preparation went into the intricately-choreographed fight scenes?
We worked with a guy called Brad Allan – he's an amazing martial artist from Melbourne, and a bloody nice man. I think he was the first westerner that Jackie Chan brought into his team.
We had five or six weeks' rehearsal – we'd come in every morning and spend an hour warming up, boxing and kicking things. And then we'd got through the fights bit by bit. We had a giant space at the studio where we shot them, and they essentially made every set out of cardboard; you'd fight in these tramlines.
You'd come in in the morning and Brad and his team would've spent the day before shooting a pre-viz of what he thought the fight would look like. He'd set the laptop up and press play, and they'd put music to it, and little effects, and it was essentially exactly as you'd see it in the film. We had quite a long first couple of days where we were put through our paces in terms of what our limitations were, stunt-wise, and then the fights were tailored to what we could and couldn't do. Fortunately, I could do everything!
Will there ever be a fourth Cornetto film?
No, it's done now. We don't want to make a film because it's what people expect of us. If it means that we won't make a film for ten years, but in ten years we have an amazing story, we'll do that. It'll happen when it happens.
Me and Simon have a really good idea for something, the two of us, for a double-header, but that would be something much lower-budget that we'd potentially produce and self-finance, and have fun improvising it – 'cause these films are not improvised at all, they're all very scripted.
Are you much of a tech-head?
I am, yeah. I'm an Apple slag. My whole house is Apple, I got the new iPhone on the day it came out. I read that they're planning on bringing out a bigger iPhone with a curved screen, and that's what this should've been. With the iOS 7 update, I shouldn't have really got the other iPhone, 'cause it's basically the same apart from the fingerprint thing.
What gadgets would you hang onto in the robot apocalypse?
Well it depends if there's been some sort of electro-magnetic pulse, doesn't it? I mean, the thing about a machete is that it'll never go offline, and you don't need to charge it up. So I think in terms of hardware, it's always going to be a good machete.
We've seen your Star Wars sketch with Simon Pegg – would you take a role in the new film if it's offered?
I dunno. I mean, I'm a massive fan of IV, V and VI – I love JJ [Abrams] and what JJ does, but I would be in a bind in terms of… I want to see them, I want to watch them and enjoy them. Because I think they're going to do an amazing job, I think they're going to be fantastic. And I'm not sure if my mush on screen would add anything to that.
But, as an actor – of course I'd want to work with JJ Abrams and do the best I can with the best people in the business. We'll have to see, but… it's not 100 per cent that I'd say yes, just because I want to see them.
What's happening with The Adventures of Tintin?
We were in New Zealand earlier this year with Peter Jackson, and he's very keen to get cracking. I think next year they're keen to get us down there to do it. I think they're just tinkering with the script and getting it right.
I think they're going to do what they did on the first one, and amalgamate a couple of stories. Me and Si loved doing that, it was a great laugh – I hope we get the chance to do it again.


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Note: passwords are case-sensitive
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Orkut Graphics
* see first comment
Flash drives are portable data storage devices integrated with a USB (universal serial bus) connector. They are typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable. You are able to store documents, pictures from your computers hard drive onto the flash drive to carry to another location.
beautiful!! I would want to use those--too valuable!
What will they think of next. I have been using a more traditional looking flash drive and love it.
Mary, I'm looking at the grey thing pinned to my bulletin board and wondering if I'd have courage to put on that kind of bling! They are beautiful. So much for the traditional locket with a picture or two inside! You can hand a woman your life story on one of those things!
now that's some serious bling! gorgeous!!!!
mine's up. it'll make you giggle.
I use them a lot. This is a nice, educational, WW. I have slacked off reading the NY Times but I sure checked this article out. Thanks!
Those cars belonged to a fellow now passed away. Before he died they were donated to the museum in my home town (Nebraska).
Happy WW!
Swarovski flash drives? Well, teach, I'm really wordless!!! You think my hubby will get the hint?
Great WW.
Hi Mary, I posted the groundhog meme today. Thanks for the tag.
Sorry if I haven't been by as regularly lately. Busy, busy, busy on a remodel.
Love the new picture on your banner!
I wouldn't mind wearing that flashdrive as an accessory!! :P
I want one of those... that's over the top for a flash drive! Do you students carry flash drives like that?
Well, if you're gonna have one it might as well be attractive.
That's what I call BLING! lol
Happy WW!
Very cool. I've not seen these stylish little devils. I like it!
Happy WW.
Wow! Talk about expensive! I think I'll stick with the much cheaper basic flash drives.
No way...How much does that set you back?:)
Hey those are cool looking now if the came in a lighter/ipod/toaster oven/can opener I would get one lol! Great WW Mary :D
No cat form ?? I would like to have one, looks nice !
But looks like diamonds to me lol! Cool stuff! Happy WW!
Totally Worn Out
The Future Pianist
Beautiful stuff.
Love your header photo.
Haha they are flash drives in more than one sense. Flash storage and flashy looks at the same time!
wow!!! what an expensive flash drives... these reminds me the quote "an expensive medicines are always good: if not for the patient, at least for the druggist" LOL! Happy WW!
wow these are stunning!!! Could they become a new fashion statement?? Lovely pics :o) Thanks for visiting
For "the teach who has everything," I presume. Mary, how come you didn't show us this during Christmas shopping season? :-D
Wow! Whatever next? They're certainly prettier than the average Bytestor flash drive. Happy WW!
BTW, you have a special award waiting for you at my place.
WOW! I love... I want... I need that heart-shaped flash drive =D
Happy WW!
Wow, that's some serious bling....and I just have some bloggie bling for you today my friend.
The Mama Bear
Yes, because I goofed again, you get all that you don't already have!
Mama Bear goofed again this morning.
For the blogger who has everything...
That's some serious computer bling!
Mine is just a plain old flash drive.
I got a catalog in the mail yesterday of new flash drives for gift stores to carry - but none were crystal encrusted! Most were keychain figurines, like a frog that you pop his head off and there's the flash drive.
Great WW!
hhh that is one neat Flash drive..I need one of those..;)
here take a peak if you had a chance.. ;)
That is one neat flash drive, I need one of those..
I like those.
Fancy fancy! I never see one's like that at Best Buy!
My WW post for this week is up with more pictures from China.
Very bling indeed :)
a great novelty, I can see these flying...
Hi Mary!
They're beautiful, but I don't know how practical.
Happy WW! :D
Thanks everybody for commenting! I just want to tell you that the Swarovski flash drives cost $180. each!
Bling drives - ha! My cats would love to rub against those.
And they say storage media have become inexpensive!
Happy WW, and thanks for dropping by!
My post: Ergonomics
And they say storage media have become inexpensive!
Happy WW, and thanks for dropping by!
My post: Ergonomics
Wow! These are beautiful--and practical (somewhat!)! LOL!
These ones are brand new! http://www.blingdrives.com.
They are a little more geared towards guys, but looks like they are trying to have something for all. have a peek. made a great gift for my friend that is a DJ


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All News Releases By Date
Oregon Companies Settle with EPA for Illegal Disposal of Millions of Pounds of Reactive Hazardous Waste
Release Date: 12/17/2013
Contact Information: Wyn Hornbuckle, U.S. Dept. of Justice, 202-514-5007, email@example.com Mark MacIntyre, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-7302, firstname.lastname@example.com
(SEATTLE - December 17, 2013) – Oregon Metallurgical of Albany, Ore. and TDY Industries of Millersburg, Ore. have agreed to pay a combined total of $825,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations related to improper storage, transportation, and disposal of anhydrous magnesium chloride, a reactive hazardous waste that can pose serious fire and explosion threats.
In addition to the penalty, the companies must improve hazardous waste management practices and upgrade recordkeeping on the hazardous wastes generated at each facility to ensure proper management and avoid potential accidents and injuries.
The government complaint alleges that both companies improperly stored, transported and disposed of anhydrous magnesium chloride waste over a period of several years, in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") which governs the storage, disposal, and transportation of hazardous waste. EPA estimates that the companies illegally shipped approximately 160,000,000 pounds of this hazardous waste to Oregon landfills that were not equipped or permitted to dispose of untreated reactive wastes.
The facilities produce and process titanium and zirconium, which generates large quantities of anhydrous magnesium chloride as a byproduct. Anhydrous magnesium chloride is a reactive hazardous waste regulated under RCRA. Anhydrous magnesium chloride can react violently when it comes into contact with water, producing large amounts of heat as well as hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide gas in potentially toxic and flammable quantities.
Mining and mineral processing facilities such as these two facilities generate more toxic and hazardous waste than any other industrial sector. If not properly managed, these wastes pose a high risk to human health and the environment. EPA's enforcement program will continue to focus on reducing risks associated with hazardous waste operations at mineral processing facilities.
Oregon Metallurgical and TDY Industries are wholly owned subsidiaries of Allegheny Technologies Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The proposed consent decree filed on Friday, December 13, 2013 in Federal District Court for the District of Oregon is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


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Grammy Parents: Will & Jada Pinkett Smith
Come on, they were super cute cheering on their son Jaden while he was performing with Justin Bieber, right? Look, I have some problems with the Sci and the Smiths too, but right there, I don't know that you can criticise parents who are just really, really excited to see their kid up there doing his thing. I'm sorry, I can't sh-t on that.
What I will sh-t on though is Willow's pre- show interview with Ryan Seacrest during which she said that it makes her happy when she hears her song on the radio because that means she's changing people's lives. The child is just 10. And gifted from every corner of the universe – by genes, by circumstance…how do you find something to be humble about when, at least on paper, there's nothing to be humble about? This, thankfully, is not my problem to solve. Can you solve it as a celebrity though? A celebrity who is as mega famous as Will Smith?
Smith family judgment aside – I want Jada's legs. Body too. And face, while we're add it, let's throw it all in. I mean, these two, they're immune to the years, you know. I mean, if that's how they mass marketed the Xenu Church, there might be less of a backlash. Eternal youth in exchange for a billion years of religious devotion? Please. That's how you recruit Madonna.
Photos from Adriana M. Barraza/Wenn.com and Jason Merritt/Robyn Beck/Kevin Mazur/Gettyimages.com


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Charlotte-based Salsarita's Fresh Cantina and Fort Mill-based PuckerButt Pepper Company have teamed up to create the World's Hottest Burrito. The new menu item, featuring Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper, the Guinness World Record Holder for Hottest Chile Pepper, will be available at 11 Charlotte-area locations for a six-week trial period.
Developed by Salsarita's menu development manager, chef Tom LaFauci, and tested in focus groups made up of chile pepper fanatics, the World's Hottest Burrito contains grilled chicken, black beans, rice, Pueblo Corn Salsa, tomatoes, cilantro, and one teaspoon of Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper pepper mash.
"When we heard the world's hottest chile pepper was grown right here in the Carolinas, we knew we needed to team up with PuckerButt for a hot new menu item," says Yanira Castro, director of marketing for Salsarita's Fresh Cantina. "We expect the World's Hottest Burrito will be an instant favorite for those who can handle the heat."
To be sold for $12.99, half of each World's Hottest Burrito sale will benefit Dove's Nest, the Charlotte Rescue Mission's charity initiative, helping motivate at-risk women to make major life changes. Salsarita's Charlotte-based restaurants will also sell PuckerButt's Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper bottled hot sauce for $25.00.
"The World's Hottest Burrito is great news for Pepper Heads who are constantly craving more heat, but we want all customers to be aware that Smokin' Ed's Carolina Reaper is 300 times hotter than the jalapeno pepper," says Smokin' Ed, founder of PuckerButt Pepper Company. "Since half of the proceeds go to a great local cause, we're hoping everyone bravely gives it a try, at least once."
Guests that purchase the World's Hottest Burrito and post a video of themselves eating it on social media and tag @Salsaritas and include #WorldsHottestBurrito will receive a free limited edition t-shirt from Salsarita's.
The five times weekly e-newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest industry news and additions to this website.


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Student brought gun to school, authorities say
Baltimore County police charge 11-year-old boy
Baltimore County police said an 11-year-old student has been charged with bringing a deadly weapon to school.
Authorities said the charges follow an incident Thursday in which a "starter pistol," which shoots blanks and is commonly used to start swimming or track events, was found in the boy's locker at Holabird Middle School.
Police said a student told the principal the boy might have a gun in his locker. The principal and school resource officers promptly investigated and found the starter pistol in the boy's locker. Police said they determined that the boy did not intend to harm anyone with it. He said he wanted to show it to his friends, police said.
School administrators took disciplinary action.
The boy is charged as a juvenile with possession of a deadly weapon and possession of a deadly weapon on school property.


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Brian Pembleton arrived at SUNY Buffalo State in the fall of 2012 with a wealth of life experiences. As the son of an Air Force technical sergeant, Pembleton grew up traveling the world. His family finally settled in Western New York where he attended Frontier High School.
Although his parents supported his idea of becoming a social studies teacher, they didn't have the resources to finance a college education. Instead, after he graduated from high school in 2002, Pembleton joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed with the 914th Air Wing in Niagara Falls.
In 2008, he went into the Army where he worked as an intelligence analyst, became airborne-qualified, and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010–2011. He left the Army as a sergeant with an honorable discharge in June 2012.
During the past decade, Pembleton also earned two associate's degrees and worked as a counselor at Cradle Beach Camp. Still, he yearned to complete a bachelor's degree and embark on a teaching career. He chose Buffalo State where he received tuition assistance through the Veterans Administration.
While he feared it might be difficult transitioning to a four-year college, Pembleton, now 30, said it has been a smooth experience.
"Initially, I was nervous that I wouldn't do well, but I've made the dean's list in back-to-back semesters," said Pembleton who expects to graduate in August.
One motivator was being named a recipient of the Military Service Scholarship, funded in part by the annual Faculty and Staff Appeal. The $1,000 scholarship he received for the 2013–2014 academic year has covered books and living expenses and provided an added incentive to do well.
"I take school more seriously now than when I was younger. I get here early and don't miss any classes," he said. "I definitely appreciate a college education after having worked and seen parts of the world that are beyond Third World, more like stepping back in time."
In addition to majoring in social studies education, Pembleton is minoring in intelligence analysis through the Criminal Justice Department.
"In Afghanistan I did military intelligence, working with commanders and giving a lot of briefings. It was more strategic than tactical work, and I may want to pursue that career as a civilian. I'm looking into teaching positions, too," he said. "Right now, I'm keeping my options open."
To learn how you can contribute to the 2014 Faculty and Staff Appeal, contact Claire Collier at (716) 878-5206.
Download a full list of schools, funds, and departments designated to receive donations.


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Williams Sonoma Meyer Lemon Kitchen Essentials Kit
- Only at Williams Sonoma
- Exclusive
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 5% Back in rewards4 plus free standard shipping3every day when you shop with your Williams Sonoma credit card at Williams Sonoma.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
The essential oils of Meyer lemons impart a light, vibrant scent that refreshes and energizes. Made in the USA exclusively for Williams Sonoma, these products reflect our culinary roots with a clean, simple fragrance that blends into the kitchen naturally. Our essential oils soaps and countertop spray are formulated for natural cleaning and rejuvenating. They work without harsh ingredients—and are extra-gentle on your skin. The blends contain no parabens, ammonia, chlorine or lauramide DEA; all products are biodegradable and none are tested on animals.
- Set of three includes 8 oz. each of our Hand Soap, Dish Soap and Countertop Spray.
- Biodegradable, environmentally friendly formulations are highly effective yet gentle.
- Hand soap contains soothing olive oil, aloe vera and glycerin.
- Dish soap contains soapbark extract, a natural degreaser.
- Countertop spray contains natural cleansers and aromatic oils.
- Dimensions & More Info
- Hand Soap: 8-oz. bottle.
- Dish Soap: 8-oz. bottle.
- Countertop Spray: 8-oz. bottle.
- Made in USA.
- Ingredients
- Dish Soap Ingredients: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Water, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Oil, Sodium Xylene Sulfonate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone.
- Hand Soap Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Fragrance, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Oil, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Yellow #5, Yellow #6 , Sodium Benzotriazoyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth-3,Tributyl Citrate.
- Countertop Spray Ingredients: Water, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Citrate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Betula Alba Bark Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Oil, Fragrance, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Tributyl Citrate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Disodium Ethanoldiglycinate, Buteth-3, Citric Acid, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
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Rated 1 out of 5 by Anonymous from Poor quality I have purchased several (40+ see below) dish towels throughout the years! ALL striped towels bleed color!!! They look like bleach was splashed on them! Only the striped ones though! When I called customer service and sent pictures of towels I just purchased, I never heard back!Date published: 2019-04-29Rated 4 out of 5 by ping from bottle I like this set for my kitchen, looking very nice. only one thing I would like change is dish soap bottle very hard to use, you have to have strong hand to use this.Date published: 2018-11-27


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Welcome To
Zimmermann Law Offices S.C.
At Zimmermann Law Offices, we take the time to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and craft legal solutions that meet your unique needs. We are committed to walking through this process with you so you can come out of it with a fresh start.
The attorneys at Zimmermann Law Offices stand out because of the hands-on and personal approach they take with each case and client. We truly pride ourselves providing our clients with unparalleled service. When you come in for a free consultation, you will meet with the actual attorney who will handle your case and not just an assistant or paralegal. After this consultation and if you decide to hire Zimmermann Law Offices, we will attend any necessary hearings with you and keep you informed throughout every step of your case. We keep in contact with you through phone calls, conversations and in-person meetings. When so much in your life seems out of control, you will have confidence that your attorney is working hard for you and is taking your case as seriously as you do.
Please explore our website, get to know our attorneys, and learn about the different options, services, and solutions we can provide you.
Customer Testimonials
"We were very worried and scared about filing for bankruptcy. We then met with Attorney Nathan Zimmermann. He eliminated the stress and eased our fears about filing for bankruptcy. He was very straight with us, telling us what he could do for us and what he couldn't. I very much appreciated his compassion and honesty about our options. We decided to hire Attorney Zimmermann, who made the process very quick and easy for us. We are very grateful for the help and guidance he gave us."
— T.H., Milwaukee, WI
"An illness prevented me from working for months. I was living on credit cards and felt there was no way out. I consulted several attorneys who all said bankruptcy was my only option, which was something I didn't want to do. I then consulted with Attorney Nathan Zimmermann. He gave me options other attorneys did not present to me and that fit my
needs. Through debt negotiation, Attorney Nathan Zimmermann was able to reduce my credit card debt of over $17,200 to just $4,400. That is 75% of my original debt forgiven! Attorney Nathan Zimmermann saved me thousands of dollars and I never had to file for bankruptcy.
Thank you Zimmermann Law Offices!"
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— E.Z., Mequon, WI


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Gizmodo's very own Jason Chen has landed a spot - number 40, to be specific - on T3's list of the 100 most influential people in tech. We're quite proud of him and hope you are too.
The list was put together by expert judges from different areas of the tech industry and is filled with some of the brightest and most powerful folks in tech. Congratulations for earning a spot, Jason!
PS: Keep in mind that Jason was also nominated for the Gadget Person of the Year award and that voting is still open on that one. You can vote for Jason or any of his fellow nominees through the T3 page (the Person of the Year category is the final one).
PPS: Please do in fact vote for Jason because he's the handsomest, wittiest and most delightfully funny boss in the world and will bring me ice cream cake if he wins that award. [T3's Tech 100 and T3's Gadget Person Vote]
Portrait of Jason Chen by David Lanham


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Corrine1 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 252 designs submitted by 75 freelance designers.
SDA Designs Commercial Interiors
After 20 years of building a successful brand and wonderful reputation SDA Designs is looking to forward a era of interior design.
SDA Designs specialises in creating the right work environments for their clients by taking a very peronsal approach to each project. Whether it be a large brand new corporate fitout or a small budget concious refurbishment - SDA takes pride in delivering quality service and products for all its projects.
SDA can provide design from concept to detailed, space planning, office partitioning, work stations and all general furnishings.
SDA Designs also has specialised expertise relative to the Oil & Gas Industry and Medical Suites.
Commerical Property Developers
Commerical Property Leasing Agents
Contacts associated with Oil & Gas Ventures
Contacts assocated with Mining Ventures
Office Managers
Medical Specialists and General Practitioners
A modern contempory logo incorporating the SDA lettering that is fresh, vibrant and exciting but still conservative enough to be taken seriously in the high profile coporate marketplace.
Would prefer smooth flowing lines, slightly abstract rather than strong block look.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Ahoy me hearties, gather your shipmates and swash your buckles 'cause today be International Talk like a Pirate Day! A day when landlubbers around the globe can be heard uttering "aaars", growls, mutters, and scowls, with true pirate swagger. It's probably the only day of the year you can get away with calling your boss a scurvy bilge rat.
When we think of pirates we think of days gone by, of ships hoisting sail, cannonballs and buried treasure. I also like to think of Johnny Depp…. But pirates are more real than you may think…
Our Greenpeace ships, which spend most of the year sailing the seas to defend our oceans, sometimes find themselves in areas impacted by pirates. When we sail through high-risk areas, in places like east Africa and the Malacca Strait near Singapore, we have to take measures to protect our own ship from piracy attacks too. We put extra people on night watch, and keep constant look out to ensure the safety of the ship and crew. Piracy today is still a real threat, and one that our ship's crews have to take very seriously.
But there's another type of pirate that'll also shiver yer timbers an' chill ye to th' bone. These pirates aren't after golden pieces of eight – but their stolen treasure is every bit as precious. Scouring the oceans, stealing food from communities that need it- modern day fishing pirates are a far cry from the glamour of Hollywood movies. They're a multi-billion dollar scourge on the seas, and one that we're fighting a battle against. From West Africa to the islands of the South Pacific, illegally operating pirate fishermen are netting as much as £16.1bn ($23.5bn) worth of fish and taking about one-fifth of the global reported fish catch. And it's communities in poor and developing countries that really suffer due to this illegal fishing.
These fishing scoundrels don't fly the skull and cross bones – they hide their identity and origin, ignore the rules and often fly the flags of countries that turn a blind eye to their illegal fishing. With the click of a computer mouse, for as little as US$500, flags can be bought over the internet from countries like Malta, Panama, and Belize.
The high seas, being international waters, belong to no one and everyone. However there are those that would have all the ocean's bounty for themselves. Illegal Pirate fishers, greedy fishing companies and many big corporations are out to take what they can. What is unbelievable is that in the 21st century there's no global mechanism to provide ocean sanctuaries, areas that would be free not only from fishing but from other threats such as oil drilling and the new threat of deep seabed mining. With only 1% of the high seas protected, the ocean's true ancient mariners, like the leatherback turtle, have nowhere to find sanctuary. If this plunder of the seven seas is to be stopped the world's governments must reach a global agreement to protect the high seas and ensure healthy oceans and secure resources.
Avast! Drop your grog, whistle your parrot(fish) and join the epic battle for our oceans. Stand tall, me hearties, and be counted!
We're defending the oceans all over the world, and there's always something you can do to help. Right now, you can #jointhewatch for the seas that will really shiver your timbers - in Antarctica.
Alicia Craw is an Oceans Campaigner at Greenpeace UK.
(Unregistered) bruceybuoy
Yes pirates are lovely people and I'm sure those nasty ol' Somali's wouldn't slit your throat cos you're saving the ocean for them...
Yes pirates are lovely people and I'm sure those nasty ol' Somali's wouldn't slit your throat cos you're saving the ocean for them :-D!
Lets hope those eco-pirates in Russia get to come home and have buttered scones for tea after a rollicking good adventure.
Unfortunately though Alicia me love, those nasty ol' Russians might spoil the party though by executing or give them serious time with stripey clothing and ball and chain.
22 September, 2013 at 11:09
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(Unregistered) Sun Wu
pirates... what a timely post, correct EoinD?
What a f... up, welcome to the next episode of Greenpeace-annual drama: 'kids in the Ar...
pirates... what a timely post, correct EoinD?
What a f... up, welcome to the next episode of Greenpeace-annual drama: 'kids in the Arctic'
...or episod 2013: 'how to make life of Greenpeace and other NGOs in Russia nearly impossible'
Thanks, nice job, have a cookie!
Sun Wu, godfather of Rainbow Warrior III and applicant for position of Greenpeace-CEO!
PS: there is a reason why I suggested to attack BP (for being, after Russian State, 2nd biggest shareholder of Rosneft.
BP can be attacked in countries following democratic principles...but I am sure you have been following Putin preparing the stage in Syria...and his politics of the hard hand - autocrats/dictators afraid of loosing power.
For more media attention I strongly recoment Greenpeace to become activ in Syria, Iran or North Korea...
Actually we are watching some sort of a new strategie - Greenpeace-kids playing with the champions-league of unpredictable non-western world...
...and is collecting media attention in the democratic hemisphere. Please donate now, I am sure at least the fundraising department is happy.
PPS: '...Our Greenpeace ships, which spend most of the year sailing the seas...' are you sure?
PLEASE KEEP ME UPDATED ON Arctic Sunrise!
PPPS: just imagine...
Tord Gustavsen LIVE from the Arctic
PPPPS: pirates - you guys are funny...why don't we tell Obama to stop Russia?
22 September, 2013 at 20:27
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San Diego's mayoral contenders continued to spotlight their dueling endorsements Thursday, but it's their positions on key issues that will take center stage today when three of the candidates will square off in their first debate.
San Diego City Council members Kevin Faulconer and David Alvarez, along with former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, plan to participate in the downtown forum. Former state Assemblyman
The afternoon debate, hosted by the Asian Business Association of San Diego at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter hotel, is not open to the public but will be broadcast on U-T TV tonight at 7.
Earlier in the day, Fletcher is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at the California Asian Business Summit, jointly sponsored by the business association and the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce.
Laing said Fletcher had committed to attend a meeting that conflicted with the debate, but would give no more details.
Meanwhile, in a continuing flurry of endorsement announcements, Alvarez won the backing Thursday of former City Councilwoman Donna Frye and on Friday was endorsed by state Assembly Majority Leader
In her Thursday news conference, Frye said Alvarez has the priorities, values and integrity to lead San Diego.
"This election is in large part, I think, based on character, and how people behave when they think no one is watching them," said Frye, an open-government and clean-water advocate, making her announcement at a Mission Bay Park news conference with Alvarez.
He said Frye's endorsement, coming a day after securing the backing of former Democratic Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, continues to build momentum for his campaign.
To a degree, former Mayor Bob Filner's shadow loomed over Frye's endorsement announcement.
Frye supported his election last year but in July she and two other former
"I endorsed Bob Filner, and that didn't work out very well. So why the heck should anybody listen to what I have to say now?" she asked Thursday. "I can tell you this. I do the best I can to offer my advice, which people can take or not.
" … I made an awful mistake in endorsing Bob Filner. But hopefully I was able to rectify it."
In yet another example of the split among Democrats and allied groups, one of Frye's colleagues who had sought to oust Filner — environmental attorney Marco Gonzalez — came out Thursday in favor of Fletcher. Gonzalez said Fletcher is the "only candidate with the vision and leadership capabilities to effect real change."
Alvarez and Fletcher are also both positioning themselves as friends of labor, with Alvarez securing the endorsement of the influential San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council and Fletcher picking up support from groups representing the city's firefighters, lifeguards and white-collar workers. Several other labor groups also announced their endorsements of Fletcher this week, including the Laborers International Union of North America Union Local 89, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 230 and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters.
Meanwhile, Faulconer, the lone high-profile Republican in the race, has the broad backing of the business community, having won endorsements from key industry groups such as the San Diego Greater Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and the local California Restaurant Association chapter.
Fletcher, a former Republican, is competing on that front as well, showcasing the endorsement of the California Small Business Association among others.
Although 40 people have filed an intent to run for mayor, the race is shaping up as a contest largely among Faulconer, Fletcher and Alvarez. Their supporters have already formed independent committees in order to raise substantial sums of money to get them elected.
Aguirre has acknowledged big money may not be coming his way and has been critical of the high level of campaign financing. He said on Thursday he would not accept campaign contributions over $250 and challenged his opponents to do the same.
The $250 self-imposed cap represents the city's old contribution limit, which was in place from 1973 until 2005 when, after years of complaints that the limit was obsolete, the council voted to tie future campaign caps to the rate of inflation. The limit rose to $500 in 2009 and $1,000 on Jan. 1. Aguirre's pledge also includes a call to political-action committees to reject contributions larger than the $250 limit.