(ARA) – For students across the country, the beginning of a new school year is just around the corner. And, if you haven’t started your back-to-school shopping yet, you may soon find yourself dealing with large crowds and pricey cash register totals.

Back-to-school spending is expected to jump 6.9 percent this year, and families with school-aged children are expected to spend a total of $18.4 billion, an average of $563.49 per child. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2007 back-to-school survey, here’s how the register totals break down:

* Clothing and accessories: $231.80
* Shoes: $108.42
* School supplies (notebooks, backpacks and lunchboxes): $94.02
* Electronics or computer-related equipment: $129.24

To reduce the financial strain of back-to-school expenses, use these five tips to develop a strategy before you venture to the malls.

Tip No. 1 – Generate a list of necessities and stick to it.

Younger children typically receive a list of required supplies directly from their school. Most teenagers will want to generate their own lists — make sure to spend time reviewing it together before you head to the stores. Often a teenager’s definition of “necessity” may be slightly different than their parent’s.

Sending kids off to college? Remember — they’ll need a lot more than the basics. Make sure to include items such as linens, laundry supplies, computers and more.

Tip No. 2 – Watch for sales.

It seems like back-to-school sales start earlier every year. Start as early as possible and stockpile supplies little by little as they go on sale. By spreading out back-to-school expenses into several smaller purchases as you find the sales, you’ll feel less of an impact on your budget, and you’ll save money overall.

In addition to the basic school supplies and clothing, bigger ticket items such as electronics, laptops, calculators, cell phones, MP3 players and digital cameras tend to go on sale as new items are often released to hit stores in time for holiday shopping.

Tip No. 3 – Take advantage of price matching.

Many retailers now offer to match their competitor’s prices. If an item on your list is on sale at a store that’s too far out of your way, look for a more convenient, competitor store that will match the offer. You’ll not only spend less on the item itself, but you’ll save yourself time and gasoline.

Tip No. 4 – Supplement your budget with your change.

Concerned about how you’re going to pay for all the things your list? Coinstar, Inc. estimates that there is approximately $90 worth of change in the average American home waiting to be put to good use.

Take your change to the nearest Coinstar Center and have it counted for free when you place the value of your change onto a gift card or certificate from retailers like Amazon.com, Circuit City, iTunes, Timberland and more. Or, turn your change in for cash (there’s a nominal service fee) and spend it anywhere you like. (Visit www.coinstar.com for details and to find the nearest location.)

Tip No. 5 – Ask for student discounts.

Don’t forget about student discount programs. While most are geared towards college students making their own purchases, many are extending to middle and high school students. Depending on the amount of the purchase, the savings could be substantial.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Remember when your biggest back-to-school shopping challenge was finding your elementary student the coolest pair of sneakers and trendy T-shirts?

Now they’re high-school or college bound and it’s a lot more complicated.

Today, shopping for school means making sure they have all the technology they’ll need to make it through the school year. But before you buy, make sure you do your homework and know what kids really need to succeed.

“Computers in school are now as commonplace as computers in homes,” says Paul Ewert, executive vice president and general merchandising manager of CompUSA. “Parents and educators have come to rely on technology as an important tool to enhance learning for children.”

Preparing your children in terms of technology requires more than just making sure their laptop is in working order. Ewert and the technology experts at CompUSA offer the following tips to help you make smart back-to-school shopping decisions:

* If your teenager carries his laptop to school, be sure to invest in locks. Locks will prevent unauthorized users from stealing or accessing the computer. Choose cut-resistant galvanized steel combination locks. CompUSA offers locks that can be user-programmed with up to 10,000 different combinations.

* A great alternative to carrying the entire laptop is to invest in a USB flash drive. “USB flash drives have become hugely popular as reliable, portable pocket-sized means of saving papers, presentations and even music and photos in a device smaller than your thumb,” Ewert says. “For most students’ needs, 1GB and higher capacities are recommended, with 2GB becoming the new standard for safe storage of information large enough for most purposes.”

* For safeguarding important schoolwork, as well as photos, videos and music, an external hard drive acts as a “safe-deposit box.” The drives can be used to back up data in the event of a system crash, corrupted files, accidental erasures or similar maladies common in computers used in a student environment. “Students should consider an external hard drive of 300 MB or greater, up to 1 Terabyte,” says Ewert. “The bigger they are, the more information they can store.”

* Many students are also using their cell phones or digital cameras to store photos, videos and music. Additional memory cards greatly expand the storage capacity of these devices. “The most popular memory card is the mobile Secure Digital (SD) cards for cell phones,” suggests Ewert. “These are good for saving hundreds of pictures, music files, etc., on a student’s phone or Blackberry.”

* Repetitive motion injuries are common among people who spend hours a day typing, including students. An ergonomic keyboard and mouse can help prevent injury and improve posture by helping position the hands, wrists and forearms naturally. Ewert recommends you test-drive a model in the store before you buy it. “Everyone’s hands and wrists are unique,” he says. “It’s important to find the one that best fits you.”

* All work and no play makes for very bored students, so be sure to throw in some technology that’s just for fun, like Slingbox, which allows students to tune into their local TV shows while away at school, and add-on TV Tuners that can turn a dorm room PC into a complete entertainment center.

* Finally, on a practical note, consider how you will handle situations when your computer and other technology are not working properly. Consider investing in a technology service plan for your students. Often, this can be available at a discount when you purchase a new laptop or desktop computer. This back-to-school season, CompUSA is offering 30 days of unlimited technical support for just $29.99 with the purchase of a PC. Many computer retailers charge $50 or more for a one-time service call.

To learn more about back to school technology, stop by your local CompUSA store or go online to www.compusa.com to view a Back to School Buying Guide.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Mora said he reached out to Vick and exchanged text messages before Vick pleaded not guilty.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

6:47 AM EDT, July 30, 2007

KIRKLAND, Wash.

Jim Mora is so shocked about Michael Vick being indicted on federal dogfighting charges, the former Falcons coach doesn’t know how he should feel about his ex-quarterback.

Mora, now the Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach and defensive backs coach after the Falcons fired him New Year’s Day, has been in contact with Vick.

Mora said Sunday that he reached out to Vick a day before Vick pleaded not guilty last week to participating in a dogfighting ring that allegedly executed underperforming pit bulls by hanging, electrocution or other brutal means.

“We have a very good relationship. He and I exchanged text messages Wednesday. I just wanted to let him know that I was thinking about him,” Mora said of Vick.

“And that’s not to condone what he supposedly did, at all. Just, on a human level, to let him know that I was here (for him).

“I think it’s a real unfortunate situation, and I hope for the best for him. You obviously hope the charges aren’t true,” hesaid.

The seriousness of the accusations and the bond Mora and Vick formed in three seasons leave the former Falcons coach conflicted.

“You know, it’s really tough for me to comment on what’s going on with him, because I don’t know how I feel about it. I go back and forth. I think you can understand that,” Mora said.

“It’s a tough call, for me. I’m trying to keep my focus on my family and the Seattle Seahawks. And hopefully things play out down there how they are supposed to play out, for everybody.”

Read More:Dailypress.com

GARNER – Garner police this morning identified a moped passenger who died Sunday when he was struck by a driver fleeing a DWI checkpoint.Christopher Gonzalez-Guteinrrez, 25, of 6112 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, was killed as he rode on the moped on U.S. 70 in Garner, police said. Officials postponed releasing his name until early today so they could first notify his family.

The driver of the moped, Jesus Gonzales-Orozco, also 25, was seriously injured and was being treated at WakeMed’s Raleigh Campus.

Garner Police Sgt. Joe Binns said in a news release that authorities are continuing to seek the man driving the vehicle that struck the moped.

The driver fled a checkpoint manned by Wake sheriff’s deputies at Legend Road and U.S. 401. Deputies chased the vehicle but lost sight of it.

The vehicle was heading east on U.S. 70 near Loop Road when it struck the moped. It then exited the highway at Vandora Springs Road. There, the vehicle blew through an intersection, hitting a car occupied by Jaquanna Hester and Jewia Taylor. Neither suffered major injuries, Binns said.

After the second crash, Binns said, the vehicle spun out of control, went down an embankment and stopped in a parking lot at Forest Hills Shopping Center. The man then jumped from the car and ran.

Garner police have asked that anyone with information call the department at (919) 772-4688.

SOURCE: News & Observer

Revenue is up for online advertising three years in a row, keyword ads targeted at specific searches still at the top. Officials in the industry are saying that the record $12.5 Billion in 2005 could grow as much or more than 35 percent for 2006. Internet advertising account for only 5 percent of all US advertising revenue up 1 percent from 2004.

More business and personal advertising online is good news for local businesses and local news portals, with more people have access to computers and internet access, businesses saving money and time with lower cost high traffic local news portals, generating traffic to online and off-line businesses and people in general. Garnernc-online.com is starting a large local business recruitment campaign, offering businesses a more economical way to advertise and promote their business, product and services.11/12/06 for the 21,000 plus citizens and businesses owners of Garner NC to use their high traffic News and Local Advertising Portal.

City5nc.com/blog/ 

Free Local Classifieds Ads Market Place

Shopping in Garner NC for a soap that I could shave with, I’ve tried all
kinds of soap products. I was told a time back, that I was shaving my skin in
the wrong direction and that I needed to follow way the hair laid to the face.
Well it helped some, but I still got bumps and skin iratations.

I tried name brands soaps, bar and liquids, I tried shaving creams and still
the same problems. Then I remembered my mom used to make homemade soaps,the old-
fashioned kind, “you know” the kind with animal fat and lye, she would burn oak
wood and soak the ashes in water to make the lye if she could’nt get box lye.

I went to one of my older sisters to get the recipe and I got an old wash-pot,
all my supplies and got started making lye soap. I followed the recipe, used
lord instead of vegetable oil. I used lye, I boild it to the right temperture
and poured to molds, “WOW! I GOT SOAP” well it looked odd, had a strange smell
and got slimy after washing with it. I asked myself, what went wrong?

Well I did eventually make a good batch of lye soap, after about four tries. I learned a lot from this, not to mention the humorous jokes that was made about
the soap that looked like cheese, clay pies, half cooked bread and more memorable
ones I won’t mention. I used and sold untill it was gone but the soap did not work
on my skin problem.

Once more I learned from this by learning how much work goes into making a good product.
How much time and effort it takes to package the product, pricing, selling and promoting.
I also learned while making soaps, your heart have got be into this craft, or it’s not for you. I did find a soap maker that I buy from now and it’s all natural, made in local NC
by HOPE SOAPS. I buy Hope Soap at the North Carolina State Farmer’s Market, located 6 miles from Garner NC

I tried the soap in spring 2006 at the NC State Farmers Market Craft Fair in Raleigh NC, I
was blown away! after the first use of the soap and I still use it. I don’t have the skin
problems I had before, it’s packaged nice and professional, the colors are great and it smells good but not too much scent, it cleans and suds up great.

Hope Soaps are handmade and contain a variety of natural ingredients, including Neem. Since Neem is proven to have anti-bacterial, anti-viral properties, these soaps are beneficial for many skin ailments. Hope Soaps are true alternatives to synthetically produced soaps.

With Hope Soaps and JustGreen Inc. a non-profit company that plant Neem trees in africa
and other parts of the world for taking back the deserts of the world.
I love this product and its a win! win! All Hope Soap and Little Hands sales will support the Neem tree project in West Africa

City5nc.com/blog/    

Free Business Listings and Free Local Classifieds Ads

(ARA) – When you’re ready to enter the workforce after high school or college, compiling your first résumé can feel daunting — you know you have the skills and a good head on your shoulders, but how do you convince someone else that you have what it takes to do the job well? However vicious the cycle seems, quell your worries and the anxieties of future employers by really focusing on your résumé.

When you’re first entering the workforce, resist the urge to compile a traditional résumé. If you don’t have previous experience working at the job title you are applying for, then you shouldn’t have a conventional résumé that will only highlight your lack of experience as opposed to showcasing your relevant skills. In addition, tailor your résumé to the specific job for which you are applying. Examine the specific qualifications the employer is looking for, and evaluate how you could meet those standards. This is just the beginning; below are some helpful tips for ways to elevate your first résumé:

* Don’t write a chronological résumé. If a specific degree or level of education is required, list your education at the top of your résumé, followed by a section entitled, “Relevant Experience” that details the skills you’ll bring to the table. If a degree is not required, put this at the bottom of your resume.

* Find a job description for your ideal position by using job postings on popular Internet job boards and identify key terms used within. Under the “Relevant Experience” section, use your experiences from life, high school or college to mirror the job description, and try to use the same terminology used within the job description. For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, and the job description requests experience with “cold calling,” you might list any fundraising calls you’ve made as, “Performed cold calls for fundraising efforts.” Using the same terminology will tie your experience to the specific skills the employer is looking for in a candidate.

* List internships and job experience in chronological order at the bottom of your résumé, and specify if a position was summer employment. If you held a position for a few months this could raise flags for a potential employer. But, you can avoid being crossed off the list by offering clarification. Next to these entries on your résumé, you should provide a brief explanation in parentheses such as, “Summer/Part-time employment to finance education.”

* Highlight extracurricular activities and your role within the organizations to which you belonged. Showing employers that you are able to balance extracurricular activities with other activities demonstrates time-management skills. Likewise, if you held leadership positions in any organizations, you should list those to exhibit your leadership abilities.

Before you mail off your résumé, remember that it will be your first impression — spell check your cover letter and résumé thoroughly. If you’re in college or even high school, ask a career counselor to go through your résumé to check for grammar and spelling errors. Once you have your base-model résumé completed, it will be easier to adapt the document for other positions that interest you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

# # #

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The author, Heather Mayfield is vice president of training and operations for Snelling Staffing Services. Snelling delivers temporary, career and professional staffing solutions to companies, with almost 200 offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.snelling.com

Wedding Web Sites: Don’t Get Married Without One
Five Reasons Couples Are Going Online
 
(ARA) – The days of snail mail announcements are officially over. When Grandma’s preferred way of communicating is via e-mail, you know we’ve entered a new age. This goes for wedding announcements as well. The hottest new way for couples to announce their upcoming nuptials is through a wedding Web site. In fact, many bridal experts claim having a Web site is an essential wedding planning tool that couples can no longer go without.

Couples have found that using a wedding Web site is the easiest and most efficient way to distribute information to their guests. Whether its details about the reception and weekend events, photos and stories about the couple and wedding party, or just basic registry information, the wedding Web site has become the hub of planning and organization for the wedding.

Nicole Kraft, editor-in-chief at mywedding.com, cautions couples to read the fine print before signing up for a wedding Web site. “You don’t want to get stuck paying for this service. It’s an unnecessary cost that can be avoided, especially when companies like mywedding.com exist. We offer a wide array of design templates which couples can keep for as long as they want — you just won’t find that with many companies,” she says.
According to Kraft, there are five reasons couples are turning to the World Wide Web to help plan their big day:

1. Connect. Having a wedding Web site allows couples to share their love-story with guests, making them feel more connected to the couples’ life and future marriage. Many Web sites also allow couples to showcase their family and wedding party members to other guests by providing a page to share a photo and short bio of each person.

2. Centralize. Put all your important info in one place! Wedding Web sites allow couples to post everything a guest needs from directions and maps, to accommodations and information about the area, to times and dates of all wedding related festivities — all without cluttering invitations. Other features like online RSVP, bulk e-mail and gift registries are available as well.

3. Involve. mywedding.com’s free wedding Web sites allow couples to share photos, create a wedding blog to chronicle the planning process, and share both personal and YouTube videos with friends. This is especially helpful for guests who are unable to make the wedding, but still want to feel connected to the event.

4. Reduce. Having a wedding Web site reduces time, money, and stress! Couples can also reduce waste by using the electronic save-the-date and invitation system featured with mywedding.com’s wedding Web sites.

5. Preserve. Couples will treasure their memories for years to come and never run the risk of losing precious photos. Wedding Web sites can be used as a virtual album after the event to preserve photos, videos and guest book entries for life. This also makes it easy for out-of-town guests and those unable to attend to see photos and wedding videos as often as they like.

The postal service hasn’t proven completely useless for engaged couples today. Guests must still be informed about the wedding Web site. According to Kraft, most couples are printing the Web site URL on their save-the-date cards or postcards, directing their friends and family to this incredibly helpful planning resource.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Click, Click, Move: How the Internet is Changing How We Move

(ARA) – Moving season is upon us. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, half of all household moves take place between May and Labor Day. Overall, 43 million Americans move every year.

Planning a move can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking, but two things can help make the process go more smoothly: educating yourself through research, and working with a realtor you trust.

“In the last year, there has been an explosion of free real estate information on the Internet,” says Michael Yang, general manager, Yahoo! Real Estate. “More than ever before, potential buyers are better educated by access to home price estimates, comparable home sales, and satellite pictures of houses on the market and their neighborhoods. And the information is available without paying a penny.”

Online research will help you determine price ranges for a particular neighborhood, view homes’ proximity to local businesses, and get estimates and historical sales data for individual properties.

Yang points out that one of the most popular features on Yahoo! Real Estate is Schools Search. “Living near a good school is crucial for parents and anyone planning to start a family. But, it’s also a good investment factor for any home buyer as houses in good school districts tend to sell faster and at higher prices than homes in other areas.”

Once you’re feeling smarter about your target neighborhood and price range, it’s time to team up with a realtor. If you’re well established in the area, ask friends and family for a recommendation.

If you’re moving into a new area, consider turning to the Internet for help. The “Find A Realtor” service on Yahoo! Real Estate allows you to interview realtors anonymously by email before choosing the one that best fits your needs. You can compare the agents’ experience and sales commissions as well as their proposals on how they would work with you.

Once you have found and closed on your new home, it also helps to look for ways to save money on moving. Shop around for the best deal on movers, either online or in the phone book. Once you have a few candidates in mind, ask to speak to references. When it comes to your precious belongings, a few extra steps never hurt. For those who prefer packing themselves, one tip is to find previously used boxes from grocery or wine shops. This is not only a cost-effective means of packing but is also eco-friendly. Consider it keeping both your bank balance and the world “greener.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

DURHAM – A new newspaper will be launching in early September in Durham.  The Durham-focused newspaper will have a monthly print edition and will focus on Durham news, entertainment, features, photos, and events in the Bull City.

The print only newspaper is being started by the publisher and founder of the Raleigh Chronicle and two Durham businessmen.

“We are happy to say that this will be a locally owned and operated newspaper,” said R.Gregg, publisher of the Raleigh Chronicle.

The two other founders of the newspaper are local businessmen who work in Research Triangle Park and who live in Chapel Hill and Durham.  They have been in the area for many years and were interested in seeing more local coverage of Durham and also believe in the monthly print paper as a good business model, said Gregg.

The newspaper will be similar in design to the monthly print newspaper called The Raleigh Downtowner, which is a 28 page tabloid monthly print newspaper.

The newspaper will have a website, but it will serve mainly as an adjunct to the print paper, says Gregg.

The newspaper will be hitting the streets during the early part of September.  The paper will be available at around 100 locations in Durham including outdoor newspaper racks and indoor racks throughout the city.

When it launches, the newspaper will be the only locally owned newspaper covering the city of Durham.

“Durham is a great town with lots of interesting things to do and we look forward to covering the city as only a locally owned newspaper company can do,” said Gregg.  

A new newspaper will be launching in early September in Durham.  The Durham-focused newspaper will have a monthly print edition and will focus on Durham news, entertainment, features, photos, and events in the Bull City.

Source:The Raleigh Chronicle