Village Voices: Dick Majors

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329913399 35 Village Voices: Dick Majors

Occupation and volunteer positions: I have my own marketing and sales information consultancy. Also, I am a 2012 producer for Jamboree, a member of the Client Advisory Board for Ridgewood and Glen Rock, and treasurer of the high school boys soccer team.

Age: Let’s just say I’m experienced.

How long I have lived in Ridgewood: 22 years.

Interests and hobbies: I enjoy golf and tennis and landscaping and gardening.

My favorite place to relax in Ridgewood: Our front porch on a summer afternoon, while watching kids play ball and conversing with the neighbors and passersby.

A “perfect day” in Ridgewood would include: Cruising in my old but well-kept Jeep Wrangler with the top down, the doors off and the wind in my face.

The best-kept secret in the village: The library … I still don’t know where it is. No seriously — you can go there to get away from everything, yet everything is right at your fingertips. While there, you should check out the Jamboree display behind the circulation desk.

The best thing about Ridgewood: It is a true village. Everyone really cares about our community and wants to make it the best.

One thing I would like to change in the village: Downtown traffic. Something really needs to be done about the accidents.

The best part of my job: I was in corporate life for more than 30 years. Owning my own company has offered a lot of flexibility to do other things.

Metra fares spike not enough to fix problems

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329911003 65 Metra fares spike not enough to fix problems

Despite a fare increase that began today to avert a budget shortfall, Metra’s CEO is warning that an even greater financial hurdle lies ahead — finding $5 billion to keep the system in good repair.

“The challenge ahead is how to get that $5 billion of investment to put into the six-county region,” Metra Executive Director Alex Clifford said Tuesday in a speech to the City Club of Chicago.

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Although the average rate hike is 15.7 percent, 10-ride and monthly pass holders face bigger hits of 30 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

The increase was instituted to cover rising diesel fuel costs and more expensive insurance premiums and to compensate for previous financial mismanagement that included borrowing from the capital fund to pay for day-to-day operations.

But it’s not enough, Clifford noted. To keep the commuter system in good repair will cost $7.4 billion over 10 years. The federal government is expected to provide about $2 billion in funding, leaving a $5 billion shortfall.

The agency will issue a list of capital priorities later this year that Metra officials will use to make its financial case to state and federal lawmakers. The focus will be on improving safety and repairing existing equipment and infrastructure, meaning new projects and expansions will be a lower priority.

Ignoring basic maintenance needs would mean “more trains breaking down, late trains, canceled service and longer travel times,” Clifford said.

“It’s not glamorous, but it’s the lifeblood of our system. When elected officials look at funding agencies, transit agencies in particular, they look at new things — new stations, new lines, things that mean ribbon cuttings. We have to recondition our elected officials, and the challenge is, How do you build excitement around a state of good repair?” Clifford said.

Many commuters, however, see the new fees as a burden, and they are disappointed the agency couldn’t cut costs more.

“I am quite appalled by the Metra rate increases,” Bartlett resident Jim Giordano said. “I have taken Metra while working downtown and was happy with their service.”

But Giordano added he thinks the agency is not controlling salary and pension expenses and that it will seek further increases in the near future. “I feel that there has been severe mismanagement at Metra for years and the commuters are being asked to pay for this big-time,” he said via email.

Board directors acknowledged the fare hike was painful but noted a survey showed riders preferred higher fees to the alternative of cutting train service. Director Jack Schaffer of Cary cited one rider who told him, “I want to know I can get out of Chicago any time of the day. If one of my kids gets sick, if there’s a car accident, I want to be able to leave — don’t cut anything.”

“If we want to keep the trains running on time — we had to do it,” Schaffer said.

“It’s a tough time to incur a significant increase, but they’ve all driven and had to pay for parking (downtown),” Metra Director and Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder said. Without the increase “there would have been significant cuts because we had to balance the budget. People are accepting of that because they want the trains there.”

More of all staying in the exotic villas, resorts and the exotic hotels make the tour to Koh Sumai heavenly and memorable. Here are a few new resources. A good overview of the available information can be found . It appears as though I have lost my mind, but that is much easier done wholesale. I would recommend perfect strangers join in. Travel bags are differentiated into different parts as per the persons needs and purpose of travel. While wormholes are still only hypothetical (there is no experimental evidence for them), they are great theoretical fun, and valid solutions of the Einstein equations. Moreover, geotags can be added to your images so you can record longitude, latitude, altitude and time information. I know it is difficult to come up with this approach that writes travelicity so poorly. The reputation of Tengwang Pavilion, to a great extent, is due to a well-known prose - "Preface to Tengwang Pavilion" by Wangbo. This is the moment to get up and be noticed. While your luggage, pockets, and body are being searched, you can think longingly on your villas Bali and how all the stress will melt away with a full body massage. Don't we see a pattern appearing now mere mortals? The mystery is that international travel hasn't taken off yet. Benefits Children who participate in educational travel benefit from exposure to new people, experiences and cultures. Top Cenote Diving Excursions From Southwest Travel Club AZ A List of some of the cenotes open to the public: Chac Mool Ponderosa Chikin Ha Kantun Chi Cristalino Azul Taj Mahal If you spend time in this vast underground world, chances are you will not only discover human history, but a variety of amazing species and geologic features sure to astound.

Catching Up with Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329909797 28 Catching Up with Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark DunkerleyJanuary 26, 2012 By: Jena Tesse Fox  

This week, Hawaiian Airlines announced a codeshare agreement with JetBlue, which, in addition to the upcoming New York-Honolulu direct flights, will help bring the middle and east coast of the mainland closer to Hawaii. Travel Agent sat down with Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, to find out more about the partnership.Dunkerley praised JetBlue’s presence in the east coast, especially in the New York area. Because of JetBlue’s hub at JFK’s Terminal 5, travelers from any city served by the airline can connect easily to Hawaiian, and will not need to re-check their bags when they transfer.“This opens up the east coast to us,” Dunkerley said. “Our biggest market is the west coast, and Hawaiian is the largest carrier for that market. The third largest is Asia, and Hawaiian is expanding for that market, too. But our second-largest market is the east coast,” he added, noting that the airline had been “underrepresenting” a significant portion of its passengers. “Hawaii’s economy as a whole is dependent on tourism, and Hawaiian is a major contributor to the state’s biggest economic activity,” he said. “This growth is a big plus to Hawaii and to tourism in general.”

Pictured: Dave Barger (left), JetBlue’s president and CEO, and Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, exchange model airplanes. Photo by Blandon Belushin. What do you think of this News?  

Travel All over the world with International Discount Airfare

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329907388 31 Travel All over the world with International Discount Airfare

Traveling around the world is a thing many people used to just dream about. Today, you could make this dream a reality, because of international discount airfare. Airlines and travel agencies offer discounts and other promotions to encourage more and more people to travel. You can grab this opportunity to discover the planet for a fraction of the cost.You will discover various ways to save money on flights. A general rule of thumb is to purchase your tickets in advance for the best prices. Plan your travels early and book your flights ahead to obtain the lowest prices. Try the following suggestions too in order to save much more.Use frequent flyer miles. Some people save several hundred dollars each year by using their frequent flyer miles. You can enroll with an airline’s charge card and receive thousands of bonus miles points. Be sure you look at hidden fees and annual charges.  You also need to wait a little for 2 to 3 months before flying. This is actually the amount of time it will take for airlines to post your extra miles to your own account.Allow your points to build up and make use of this to buy airline tickets. You’ll be able to speed up the process by buying flyer miles. This can be a cheaper option if spending $100 on miles now will save you several hundred dollars on airfare down the line.  Make sure your airline has available frequent flyer seats on your chosen days of travel.Adjust your flight schedule. Even though you may book early, weekend flights will remain more expensive as opposed to ones on weekday. Be open to adjusting your travel schedule in order to spend less on airfare. Try booking your flight during the week rather than on a Friday to get the best rates. Early morning and late night flights can also be cheaper than late morning, midday and early afternoon takeoffs.Booking no less than ninety days ahead may also give you better prices than booking the week before your intended travel date. You won’t just spend less on airfare, you may also pick the best seats on the plane. You may get a discount on business class airfare by using strategy, which is much better than buying last-minute economy seats. Buy your airline tickets this early whenever possible.Await airline and travel agency promotions. Rising air carrier fees have kept many people from traveling for years. Airlines offer discounts and other promotions during the off-peak seasons to draw in passengers. Most airlines offer this ahead. You can wait for a promotion in time for your own travel dates or set your schedule based on currently available flights.Travel agencies similarly offer bundled packages that will help you spend less on travel expenses. Ask your agency regarding their current promotion. You won’t just get international discount airfare, you may save on accommodations at the same time.Register with travel search engines. You may get discount business class airfare using travel search engines. There are numerous travel search engines online that locate the most cost effective flights available. Make use of a flight tracking program to learn whenever prices will drop. These web sites may also let you know the most economical ways to travel, and that might involve getting off a jet in a location and taking another type of transportation the rest of the way. 

Former NEIU executive director Fred Rosetti indicted

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329906196 62 Former NEIU executive director Fred Rosetti indicted

The retired director of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit failed to document vacation days, created false travel vouchers and ordered the agency’s employees to do personal tasks for him, according to an indictment handed up by a federal grand jury Tuesday.

Fred R. Rosetti, Ed.D., used a “scheme to defraud” and is facing multiple counts of fraud, theft and money laundering for “fraudulently, improperly, and unlawfully” converting funds and property of the NEIU for his personal benefit and for the benefit of his family, according to court documents.

Specifically, the charges include seven counts of mail fraud, one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and five counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

The government seeks forfeiture of $240,000, plus the contents of two bank accounts and his Archbald home. If convicted of the most serious charges, he faces 10 years in prison and fines of $250,000.

Charges come 20 months after Dr. Rosetti’s retirement from the NEIU, the special education agency he led for 12 years. Efforts to reach Dr. Rosetti and his lawyer, Philadelphia criminal defense attorney Terri A. Pawelski, were unsuccessful Tuesday.

According to the indictment, Dr. Rosetti intentionally failed to document “time off” from the NEIU for trips so he would receive a larger cash payout at retirement. Undocumented vacation time includes trips to Ireland, New Jersey, Alabama and multiple trips to Florida, Arizona and Italy.

A 2010 Times-Tribune investigation found that from 2000-01 through the 2008-09 school years, Dr. Rosetti recorded only nine vacation days.

In October 2008, Dr. Rosetti joined his first cousin, then-state Sen. Robert J. Mellow, at a dinner in Italy where Mr. Mellow became an honorary member of the Gubbio Rotary Club. Dr. Rosetti’s NEIU attendance records showed that no vacation or personal time was taken on that day – Friday, Oct. 10, 2008. During the 2008-09 school year, the year of the Gubbio trip, no personal or vacation days were recorded, according to the newspaper’s investigation.

Each day of vacation that Dr. Rosetti did not take meant a higher payday at retirement. Dr. Rosetti’s contract called for him to receive $663 per each unused sick and vacation day when he retired. Even two days in Italy during a work week, without claiming vacation days, would amount to more than $1,300 in payout after retirement, the newspaper found.

When he retired in June 2010, Dr. Rosetti expected to receive a total of $623,000 – $143,000 in a retirement incentive and $480,000 in accrued sick and vacation days. The NEIU board later decided Dr. Rosetti was ineligible for the retirement incentive, but two checks, totaling $427,643, had already been printed and cashed before the NEIU board reviewed the transaction.

The indictment also says Dr. Rosetti created false travel vouchers and directed and ordered employees to create vouchers on his behalf. The vouchers sought reimbursement for travel that never occurred. The vouchers “resulted in a substantial financial loss” to the NEIU.

He also fueled his personal vehicles by using an NEIU charge account for non-NEIU business.

A Times-Tribune investigation in 2011 found from 2007 until his retirement in 2010, there were at least 22 instances in which Dr. Rosetti’s gas card was used on the same day he claimed mileage on an expense voucher. For example, on June 4, 2010, Dr. Rosetti’s NEIU gas card was used for $36 in gas at a convenience store in Danville. When he returned from his trip, he also was reimbursed 50 cents per mile for the 322-mile round-trip to State College, or $161.

The NEIU had three vehicles that staff members could use for travel, such as going to meetings in Harrisburg. If employees use an NEIU vehicle, they use a gas card to pay for fuel. If they must take their own vehicle, they get reimbursed at the IRS-rate – not both. Dr. Rosetti had the use of an NEIU-owned Pontiac Torrent, which he used most of the time he needed to travel, according to the newspaper’s investigation.

In total, the 22 payments in question equal $3,330 in checks issued to Dr. Rosetti. On all the travel expense vouchers, both the “employee” and “supervisor” lines of the form were signed by Dr. Rosetti. From January 2007 to his June 2010 retirement, Dr. Rosetti was reimbursed more than $20,500 for mileage.

Dr. Rosetti also used NEIU employees, while they were being paid by the NEIU, to perform personal work and provide services for himself and his family members, according to the indictment. That work included home maintenance and construction and maintenance of his personal vehicles.

He had employees install electronic equipment in his residence and a stereo in his car, and even “ordered” employees to create DVD photo montages for the purpose of “memorializing Rosetti family events.” He also used the NEIU as a storage facility for furniture belonging to members of his family, and ordered employees to transport the items. Packages sent to family members via UPS also were paid for by the NEIU, and printing jobs for Dr. Rosetti’s personal and family events also were made using NEIU time, labor and materials.

Dr. Rosetti ordered his personal secretary and other NEIU employees, while on the clock, to perform personal banking tasks, personal shopping and personal engagement scheduling. Also, while an excavator was being used for a NEIU project, he ordered work to be done at his home and to have the work billed to the NEIU, according to the indictment.

Clarence Lamanna, Ed.D., the current executive director of the NEIU, would not comment on the allegations in the indictment, but said the NEIU will continue to cooperate with authorities on the investigation. Both Dr. Lamanna, and Dr. Rosetti’s former executive secretary, Francine Lucci, spoke to the FBI. Agents also seized many records from the NEIU.

Efforts to reach the president of the NEIU board, Alvin Hollister from Western Wayne, were unsuccessful.

The NEIU is funded by the state and local school districts for special education and other services, and districts that make up the NEIU include those in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wayne counties and Lackawanna Trail.

Dr. Rosetti’s initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge, who will set bail and bail conditions, has not yet been scheduled.

In a news release, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said investigators are continuing to look into allegations of fraud and corruption in school districts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 344-2404.

Apartments.com National Survey Reveals Renter Moving Plans for 2012

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329905006 13 Apartments.com National Survey Reveals Renter Moving Plans for 2012

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –As home values fell yet again at the end of 2011, more and more people are looking to renting as an affordable, flexible lifestyle option, causing apartment vacancies to fall to their lowest point in 10 years. Reis reported that the apartment vacancy rate dropped to 5.2 percent in Q4 of 2011, down from their reports of 5.6 percent in Q3 of 2011. This higher demand for apartment housing means increased renting costs across the nation. In response to this news, Apartments.com conducted a national survey to more than 3,000 of its January website visitors to find out about their 2012 moving plans, including reasons they are moving, why they are opting to rent versus own property, when they plan to move and which tools they value most during their apartment search.

Supporting a growing trend, 33.6 percent of respondents looking for an apartment this year said they are previous homeowners (up from 20.5 percent in 2011). From the survey respondents who said they are homeowners looking to rent in 2012, 26.3 percent are doing so because they believe renting is a more affordable option and 21.2 percent prefer the flexibility renting offers in choosing where to live. Apartments.com provides the five most popular responses why their website visitors are choosing to rent versus own in 2012:

Renting is a more affordable option: (26.3%)

Flexibility to live where I choose: (21.2%)

To relocate for employment: (20.5%)

Cannot afford to keep up with homeownership expenses: (10.5%)

Lost home due to foreclosure and change in marital status: (less than 4% each)

“The fact that more renters are entering the market continues to create a series of challenges for the potential renter, including fewer apartments to choose from, which can drive higher rent rates,” says Chris Brown, vice president of product management, Apartments.com. “It’s more important than ever for apartment seekers to be informed and savvy shoppers by utilizing all the online resources available to search for apartments within their budget.”

More than 35 percent of respondents indicated they are moving out on their own – whether for the first time or back into their own place – which may be a sign of an improving economy and job market, especially in the rental demographic. Reinforcing that idea is the fact that 23 percent of renters surveyed reported they are relocating for employment opportunities – making that the number one reason for moving in 2012, as it was in 2011. However, the desire to have more space, to save money and to live in a more desirable neighborhood also topped the list. Apartments.com provides the five most popular responses why their website visitors are moving in 2012:

Relocating for employment opportunities: (23%)

Looking for a bigger apartment: (11.9%)

Shopping for a less expensive apartment: (11.3%)

Wanting to live in a more desirable neighborhood: (10.6%)

Change in marital status: (8.8%)

As part of their due diligence, this survey finds renters tapping multiple resources during their apartment search. While the majority of survey respondents rely on Apartments.com and online apartment classified listings websites, such as Craigslist to find a new place, there has also been a notable 9.2 percent uptick in the number of respondents who are using review websites this year over last. In addition to the dominant choice of Apartments.com, of which 100 percent of survey respondents were utilizing at the time of taking the survey, renters ranked their top apartment shopping tools as follows:

Online apartment classified listing websites (e.g. Craigslist and Oodle): (70.4%)

Search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo!, Bing): (45.3%)

Review websites (e.g. ApartmentRatings.com, Yelp!): (32.6%)

Word of mouth: (31.5%)

Local newspapers: (26.7%)

Apartment seekers currently in the market for an apartment are encouraged to read the following tips, from Apartments.com, to help them find the perfect place to live.

Identify “Need to Have” Versus “Nice to Have” Amenities: Before beginning an apartment search, identify which features and amenities are must haves. Different apartment styles and locations appeal to a variety of renters, depending on the demands of their day-to-day routine. Amenities like newer kitchen appliances and marble countertops, laundry or workout facilities may result in a more expensive apartment. People who are new to a big city may be surprised to find parking hard to come by or an additional expense. The best way to go about finding a place that meets the needs of one’s lifestyle is to create a list of necessities and conduct an online apartment search against that list.

Budget Wisely: When looking for a place, experts suggest rent should not exceed 25-30% of one’s annual wages. Take a look at income after taxes and subtract expenses. Be sure to include food, car payment, credit card, entertainment and phone bills as part of the expenses. Whatever is left is what apartment shoppers can afford for their new place. Keep in mind this budget will need to cover rent and other services like gas, cable, electricity and garbage pickup, if these are not already included in the rent. If it’s not already included, ask the landlord or property manager to put what is covered and what is not into the rental agreement.

Inspect an Apartment: Most shoppers wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive. So, why would anyone rent an apartment without seeing it first? Especially when a lot of the information to help narrow down the search, including apartment photos and videos, can be found online. On Apartments.com, walk-through video tours guide viewers through the interiors of apartments to help them pinpoint the places that meet their needs before scheduling an appointment. Once interested renters have arrived to the apartment, they should ask the landlord or property manager to give a tour and double check the appropriate safety fixtures (e.g. smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors) are installed and working. Also, test faucets, toilets and other pipes under cabinets for leaks in plumbing. Run a hand along the outside of the window to check for drafts. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, make sure these are addressed before signing the lease.

As part of its “What Renters Want” research series, Apartments.com surveys renters on various topics. For more information on these surveys or to receive a copy of the results, please contact Brittney Theriault at .

About Apartments.com

Apartments.com ( apartments.com ) is a leading national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing millions of rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties. By incorporating the most relevant products to reach renters including personalized searches and highly visual ads featuring live chat, real-time rent, online video walk-through demonstrations, professional photography, a mobile website and iPhone and Android app, Apartments.com creates easy access to its listings. Providing unmatched exposure to its advertisers through an intuitive name, strategic search engine placements, featured partnerships including Yahoo! Real Estate, Univision and more than 120 newspaper websites and innovative emerging media, Apartments.com reaches millions of renters nationwide, driving both qualified traffic and highly-engaged renters to leasing offices nationwide. Apartments.com is a division of Chicago-based Classified Ventures, LLC. The Apartments.com network of apartment rental websites includes Apartment Home Living ( apartmenthomeliving.com ), a leading social media apartment website distinguished by a “live for fun” community experience, proprietary lifestyle matching and local living guides to help renters find their perfect place to live.

SOURCE Apartments.com

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Flying Cheap on Air France

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329903835 27 Flying Cheap on Air France

Air France is one of the world’s oldest and largest airlines. One can fly anywhere in the world on Air France and its partner, KLM. Together they fly to all destinations. From North America, Air France will take you to Paris or Amsterdam, where you can make connections to anywhere in the world. Air France began flying in 1936, and was a pioneer in transatlantic flights. Along with a long history of flight, Air France has a mystique of style and elegant service. Food is known to be superb on transatlantic flights, and the comforts offered make flying a pleasure. There are many ways to fly cheap on Air France.

If you are looking to book a flight on Air France, start at an online discount travel site. There are many on the internet. You will find a variety of fares on these sites, and the best deals available.

The advantage of an online discount travel site is that they will search many airlines at the same time, saving you the time and effort of going to one site after another and typing in the same information over and over. An online discount travel site will deliver fares and schedules from many airlines so you can easily compare, and find the price and schedule that suits your plans.

If you are flexible and patient, you will find the best deals. Air France has specials on their website, and an e-news that you can subscribe to. It is a good idea to subscribe to several from various travel sites to stay on top of price trends and seat sales as they occur. By tracking your desired flight, you will be able to recognize a great price when it comes along, and book it. Don’t hesitate when you see that terrific deal, because they sell out quickly and you don’t want to miss it. Some online travel sites will offer price-drop guarantees. If you book with them and the price drops, they will honor the difference and refund or give you credit on your next trip.

Be flexible on your travel dates. A day or two one way or the other can make a big difference in the fare you pay. Weekdays are less expensive to fly than weekends, and shoulder season, or off-peak is also less expensive, whether you are flying Air France or domestic airlines. Visiting a tourist destination off-peak can be more relaxing, too. There will be fewer crowds at attractions, restaurants won’t be as busy, and hotels and accommodations will likely have off-peak rates, too.

If your dates are not flexible, you will probably find more favorable fares if you travel early morning flights, or late evening, or overnight flights. These are harder to book, and can offer real bargains if you’re up for it. Sleeping on a plane is possible, and when you get to your destination, you will probably have time to relax and refresh. Find an online discount travel site that gives you the options you want, and you will find yourself having an affordable holiday.

Mix and match cheap Air France fares with amazing British Airways deals to create the perfect Europe itinerary that suits your travel schedule and budget perfectly.

If you are seriously considering travel you should read this. Without doubt, I will not remove the value from this point of comparison and witness the results. A rich cultural heritage and the unexploited beauty of the country, makes it one of the best tourist attractions of the south east asian region. The Company reserves the right to charge you in addition for any handling fees incurred by us in relation to bookings made by credit or charge card. Do you get nauseated when you smell the exhaust from trucks and cars? One thing that IS sure though is that you have to travel light when going to India. And imagine the surprise one experiences as they view one of the largest colonies of crocodiles in Costa Rica at the Tarcoles River. There are 3 main areas in Bangkok with gogo bars that cater to foreigners: Nana Plaza in Sukhumvit soi 4, Soi Cowboy just off of Sukhumvit soi 23 and Patpong Roads 1 and 2 just off of Silom Road. The great thing is that it is really easy to find out which cards are accepted all over the world. It is pedestrian how mavens must handle a no predicament case like bing travel flights. You are probably prepared to receive these memorable analysis of travel packages. What's the will need? Security Tip: Undertaking specialised security close protection training will place you in the higher ground of professional paranoia which is occupied by many of the world-class close protection specialists. If you lay out for any journey, this Jewelry Travel Roll may be used to store your entire precious jewelry. Secondly, they help retain heat that will keep your coffee hot on long drives or if you just want to sip over a couple of hours. That is from a number of the travel websites industry's leading rookies. In accordance with mail order regulations, all documents will be posted to the billing address of the credit/debit cardholder and not the address of the passenger (unless they are one and the same). There's nothing right with hawaii travel deals as long as it seems like good luck has caught up with them.

Sorry, America: Your wireless airwaves are full

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

This is part one of a week-long series on the cell phone capacity crunch.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The U.S. mobile phone industry is running out of the airwaves necessary to provide voice, text and Internet services to its customers.

The problem, known as the "spectrum crunch," threatens to increase the number of dropped calls, slow down data speeds and raise customers’ prices. It will also whittle down the nation’s number of wireless carriers and create a deeper financial divide between those companies that have capacity and those that don’t.

Wireless spectrum — the invisible infrastructure over which all wireless transmissions travel — is a finite resource. When, exactly, we’ll hit the wall is the subject of intense debate, but almost everyone in the industry agrees that a crunch is coming.

The U.S. still has a slight spectrum surplus. But at the current growth rate, the surplus turns into a deficit as early as next year, according to the Federal Communications Commission’s estimates.

"Network traffic is increasing," says an official at the FCC’s wireless bureau. "[Carriers] can manage it for the next couple years, but demand is inevitably going to exceed the available spectrum."

How did we get here?

The number-one biggest driver is consumers’ insatiable thirst for e-mail, apps and particularly video on their mobile devices — anywhere, anytime. Global mobile data traffic is just about doubling every year, and will continue to do so through at least 2016, according to Cisco’s (CSCO, Fortune 500) Mobile Visual Networking Index, the industry’s most comprehensive annual study.

The iPhone, for instance, uses 24 times as much spectrum as an old-fashioned cell phone, and the iPad uses 122 times as much, according to the Federal FCC. AT&T says wireless data traffic on its network has grown 20,000% since the iPhone debuted in 2007.

"We got into this principally because technology and demand exploded at a rate that nobody had anticipated," says Rory Altman, director of technology consultancy Altman Vilandrie & Co.

Another catalyst is the way the U.S. government allocated spectrum. The bands that wireless companies hold were broken up into small chunks across various markets, which was helpful in increasing competition in the 1990s.

But the patchwork nature has proven problematic for new technologies like high-speed 4G broadband. Bigger swaths of uninterrupted spectrum provide the larger amounts of bandwidth needed for delivering faster speeds.

One more contributing factor is that TV broadcasters and government agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense hold some of the best spectrum — relatively low-frequency radio waves that can travel long distances and penetrate buildings.

There are also businesses such as Dish Network (DISH, Fortune 500) that have large spectrum allotments but aren’t currently using them. (Dish is exploring its options for either using or selling its spectrum. A group of cable companies with unused spectrum recently struck a $3.6 billion pact to sell their holdings to Verizon in a deal that’s facing heavy regulatory scrutiny.)

The spectrum crunch is not an inherently American problem, but its effects are magnified here, since the United States has an enormous population of connected users. This country serves more than twice as many customers per megahertz of spectrum as the next nearest spectrum-constrained nations, Japan and Mexico.

When spectrum runs short, service degrades sharply: calls get dropped and data speeds slow down.

That’s a nightmare scenario for the wireless carriers. To stave it off, they’re turning over rocks and searching the couch cushions for excess spectrum.

They have tried to limit customers’ data usage by putting caps in place, throttling speeds and raising prices. Carriers such as Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500), AT&T (T, Fortune 500), Sprint (S, Fortune 500), T-Mobile, MetroPCS (PCS) and Leap (LEAP) have been spending billions to make more efficient use of the spectrum they do hold and billions more to get their hands on new spectrum. And they have tried to merge with one another to consolidate resources.

The FCC has also been working to free up more spectrum for wireless operators. Congress reached a tentative deal last week, approving voluntary auctions that would let TV broadcasters’ spectrum licenses be repurposed for wireless broadband use.

But freeing up more spectrum won’t be enough to solve the problem.

"There is no one solution that will address all the needs of the wireless industry," says Dan Hays, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers who specializes in telecom issues.

The good news is that there are ways to buy time. Several innovative approaches are in the works, and there’s a decent amount of spectrum out there that could be turned over to the carriers’ possession.

The bad news is that none of the fixes are quick, and all are expensive. For the situation to improve, carriers — and, therefore, their customers — will have to pay more.

"For a while we won’t notice the quality of service changes, but over time as devices get better and use more data, we’ll start to take notice," Altman says. "Consumers will notice it, and the burden will fall on the carriers to fix it."

Coming Wednesday: Why the capacity crunch means there will soon be fewer wireless players. bug Sorry, America: Your wireless airwaves are full

First Published: February 21, 2012: 5:16 AM ET

Fyfe attacks EU carbon tax on flights

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329897807 25 Fyfe attacks EU carbon tax on flights

The European Union’s inclusion of international airlines in its emissions trading system has come under fire from Air New Zealand boss Rob Fyfe amid talk it could trigger a trade war.

The EU added flights to its cap-and-trade carbon programme this year, under which airlines must monitor and report emissions on all flights into and out of Europe each year and buy carbon permits to cover the discharges.

“If we don’t collaborate globally on creating the right solution to managing emissions and managing the impact of carbon on our environment then we won’t be successful,” Fyfe told the BBC.

“And I think the unilateral imposition of a tax as has occurred in the EU is not the right path forward.”

Air New Zealand said its investment in more fuel-efficient aircraft replacing planes on its two London routes meant an initially limited cost exposure to the EU scheme “and as a result there is currently no change to London airfares”.

Tourism Industry Association policy and research manager Simon Wallace said that in the context of wider taxes such as the British air passenger duty, the emissions scheme created more of a barrier for visitors travelling long-haul.

Britain’s air passenger duty was £93 ($175.56) per adult travelling to New Zealand or Australia – the most expensive of four bands of charges.

“I think when you then add the levies that are being imposed under the EU emissions trading scheme, it’s just adding so many more taxes to the ticket price,” Wallace said.

“And what the tourism industry says is that anything that’s going to add more taxes to the overall ticket price is a barrier to travel.”

The number of short-term visitors from Britain fell 1.7 per cent last year to 230,316, although visitors from Europe overall rose 2.6 per cent to 468,942.

Airlines were investing heavily in fuel-efficient aircraft and bio-fuels were being trialled, Wallace said.

“We should be creating the incentives for people to travel and you have to wonder sometimes whether because of the financial situation within the EU that this is just not another way to raise revenue.”

House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said the UK departure tax meant more people flew from continental Europe to avoid the charge.

“Will it [emission trading scheme] stop tourism? No,” Thomas said. “However it can change behaviours in terms of where people come and go from.”

The range of pricing heading to Europe, depending on time of travel, ranged from about $1900 up to $3000, Thomas said.

At least 27 countries, including the United States, Russia and India, are expected to attend a meeting in Moscow this week to discuss counter-measures against the EU’s emissions trading system.

China and India have asked airlines to rebuff demands from the EU for data needed to fix emissions payments.

A China aviation body said the move could cost Chinese airlines as much as 800 million yuan this year.

Markus Ederer, the EU’s ambassador to China, said based on the fact that airlines would get free permits for some emissions, the system would lift Beijing to Brussels ticket prices by 17.50 yuan ($3.30).

“I leave it to you to make a judgment on whether this is too much for saving the Earth,” Ederer said.

Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong said the issue was that the EU was charging based on the whole journey and whether they should be imposing anything out of the European airspace.

“The whole principle doesn’t make sense,” Phong said.

Tom Enders, chief executive of Airbus SAS, said what started out as an environmental solution had become a source of potential trade conflict.

“That should be a worry for all of us.”

- Additional reporting: Bloomberg

By Owen Hembry | Email Owen

MBTA fare increases and cuts

Posted by on February 22, 2012 No comments

1329892998 60 MBTA fare increases and cuts

– Photo by Adam Machson-Carter

A toxic mix for Somerville residents

On Tuesday, February 7, more than 100 Somerville residents packed the community room at the Mystic Housing Development for a community meeting about the MBTA’s proposed fare increase and service cuts. The MBTA has put forward two proposals to fill a $160 million operating deficit for next year. One proposal includes increasing fares by as much as 43%, while the other would cut 101 weekday bus routes including the 80, 85, 90, 92, 95, and 96 in Somerville. Under both proposals, the MBTA would increase the cost of student and senior fares by 100%, while significantly increasing the cost of The Ride for disabled passengers.

At the community meeting residents spoke out about the effect service cuts and increased fares would have on their ability to get to work and school. One resident explained that the 95 is the only bus that serves the Mystic Housing Development directly along Mystic Ave. “If they cut the 95, I’ll just have to walk all the way to [Bunker Hill Community College].” Groundwork Somerville Green Team member Sheina Joseph was concerned about the effect fare increases would have on her school and her family, “I get my bus pass for free through my school. If they raise the price, my school won’t have the money to buy it for students. If I don’t have my bus pass, it will cost me $5 just to get to work and back.”

Somerville residents face not only the prospect of increased fares and cuts to essential bus lines but also the burden of increased air pollution along Interstate 93. According to the MBTA’s own report, a fare increase and service cut would drive more people into their cars and lead to increased traffic and air pollution along major roadways which researchers at Tufts University say could lead to adverse health affects.

With the delays to the Green Line Extension, Somerville residents already face heightened exposure to air pollution. Fare increases and service cuts will only worsen this situation. Many advocacy groups including the T Riders Union, Transportation for Massachusetts, and the On The Move Transportation Justice Coalition have also pointed out that the MBTA’s $160 million deficit is largely due to the $3.2 billion debt the MBTA carries as a result of projects required to offset the increase in air pollution resulting from the Big Dig.

Somerville came together to tell the state and the MBTA that enough is enough with delays to Green Line. Now we must come together to say NO to fare increases, NO to service cuts, and YES to healthy, sustainable transportation. The MBTA will be hosting a public meeting at Somerville High School at 6pm on Tuesday, February 28 to hear what Somerville residents have to say about the proposed fare increase and service cuts.

A coalition of Somerville community groups including Groundwork Somerville, The Welcome Project, Somerville Community Corporation, and Occupy Somerville will be hosting a rally before the public meeting at 5:30pm on the lawn outside of the high school. Join us to tell the MBTA, our legislators, and the governor that quality public transit is a lifeline for Somerville residents and that we need a real, sustainable solution to public transit funding, not more air pollution, service cuts, and fare increases.

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