Plastics Create Oil With Energy to Spare (380)

(NewsUSA) – America’s quest to reduce its fuel consumption and dependence on foreign oil may lead it to look for energy sources in new places — like the bottom of a trash barrel.

JBI, Inc. (OTCBB:JBII), a global technology company, has developed a process, called Plastic2Oil (P2O), that converts raw, unwashed, unsorted plastic waste into a fuel similar to biofuel. In April 2010, an independent laboratory, Islechem, validated the P2O process through extensive chemical, analytical and process engineering testing.

Islechem tested the process over 40 times using multicolored, mixed plastics. The laboratory determined that the P20 process is repeatable and can be done on a large scale. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the hydrocarbon composition in the feedstock is converted into a “near diesel” fuel, while about 8 percent is converted to a usable off gas much like natural gas. In addition, only 1 percent of the plastic becomes residue, and that residue does not contain any highly toxic elements and is safe for landfill disposal. Even better, more energy is produced than consumed by the process. Early data suggest that the process creates twice as much energy as it uses.

“It takes energy to produce energy. The key is to get more energy from the final product than it takes to make it,” said JBI, Inc. CEO John Bordynuik. “Our process has a high positive energy balance of 2.0, while gasoline from crude has a negative energy balance of 0.81.”

The fuel produced by the P20 process has another major advantage over gasoline from crude oil — its production, including labor, costs only about $10 a barrel.

Gasoline from crude oil uses more energy than it produces and currently costs between $75 and $85 a barrel — and yet gasoline companies yield high profits. A process like P20 could revolutionize the market by creating high-quality fuel at much lower costs, while also helping to reduce the amount of plastic that becomes pollution or ends up in landfills.

JBI, Inc. is currently in talks to create P20 processing facilities in Europe, Florida, New York, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio. The company is also looking for waste disposal or recycling companies, and people with under-utilized facilities to convert into P2O factories. For more information, visit www.plastic2oil.com or www.jbiglobal.com.

Tips for Inexpensive Outdoor Entertaining (329)

(NewsUSA) – Celebrate the warmer days by hosting an outdoor summertime party or barbecue. It’s easy to add pizzazz to an outdoor party and stay on budget, with accessories and color.

Here are some inexpensive ways to add character to your outdoor get-togethers:

1. Make it colorful. For a fast way to give your party a sense of style, color-coordinate your bowls, plates and cups in attention-grabbing colors. Dollar General stores (www.dollargeneral.com) sell plastic tableware in bright colors and patterns. These items are http://www.city5nc.com/community/modules/business/index.php enough to buy in multiples, so if you plan on hosting several parties, you can use one color per occasion, then invite guests to your “pink party” or “orange party.”

2. Pep up your decor with peppers. Add a memorable touch by serving condiments or finger foods in hollowed-out green, red and yellow peppers. Simply cut the stems, and fill the peppers with ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce or any other condiment. Depending on the peppers’ colors, you may be able to coordinate them with the rest of your tableware.

3. Create a field of dreams. Silk flowers can create a beautiful centerpiece or be used in smaller arrangements around the table. Add a whimsical touch by purchasing a variety of silk flowers and planting them upright in the ground. Use them to mark paths through the yard or to the food tables and seating areas. Silk flowers are inexpensive at stores like Dollar General and are economical enough to buy in large quantities. They’re also more durable than real flowers and can be used again and again.

4. Find unique ways to deter bugs. Certain herbs and flowers repel insects. For instance, sprigs of parsley or tansy may help keep ants at bay, while lavender or mint could drive flies away. Set up decorative bowls of herbs in various spots near the guests’ seating. A larger bowl can be the striking centerpiece of a table. Keep your food safe from unwanted company with mesh food covers.

Patty Duke Family Reunites for Dinner: Medicare on the Menu (285)

(NewsUSA) – Patty Duke is back -; and this time she’s brought the entire family. The cast of the Patty Duke Show reunited for dinner and to create a series of public service announcements to promote Social Security’s new online Medicare application.

You can view the television spots at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

Patty Duke and her television family entertained American households on the Patty Duke Show in the 1960s. Now, they want to serve families again -; by telling them just how easy and fast it is to apply online for Medicare -; even if they are not ready to retire. The application takes less than 10 minutes.

Even if you decide to wait until after you’re age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should start getting Medicare at age 65. If you’d like to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within four months of reaching age 65.

It’s important to note that people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits do not need to apply; they will be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

Why apply online? Because it’s fast, easy and convenient. You don’t need an appointment, and you can avoid waiting in traffic or in line. You don’t even have to do it all at once. Our secure technology ensures your information will be kept private.

If you’re within four months of turning age 65 or older, what are you waiting for? As Patty Duke and her television family will tell you, it takes less than 10 minutes! Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “Retirement/Medicare” link in the middle of the page.

And be sure to catch TV’s most famous identical cousins and the whole family for dinner at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

See an Expert to Maintain Good Circulation (315)

(NewsUSA) – If you are an average adult, you have enough blood vessels, arteries, veins and associated capillaries in your body to circle the earth four times. Placed end-to-end, these vessels stretch to almost 100,000 miles. Your remarkable circulatory (vascular) system is vital to keeping your body healthy and active. The blood flowing through it provides oxygen and nutrients your entire body needs.

With age, your vascular system may become blocked with cholesterol and plaque, and your blood flow may become impaired. In severe cases, the loss of blood flow may contribute to stroke, aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease, which may cause pain while walking or limb-threatening foot ulcers. Common sense about eating a healthy diet, exercising and not smoking all contribute to feeling good and keeping your vascular system healthy.

Like any health condition, if you experience problems with your vascular system, it makes sense to see the most qualified specialist to manage your symptoms. While most vascular conditions do not require surgery, you will receive the most expert and comprehensive care if you see a vascular surgeon. Most often, vascular surgeons manage conditions with medication. Some conditions can be corrected with non-invasive procedures that offer good results and quick recovery. Only in the most severe cases is open surgery required.

Today’s vascular surgeons are the only specialists who are skilled in all vascular therapies. They are comprehensively trained in medicinal, endovascular (minimally invasive) and surgical therapies. Vascular surgeons are the experts who provide the best diagnosis and treatment for vascular conditions.

Pay close attention to your circulation, and if you experience problems, see your primary care physician. If your doctor diagnoses a vascular condition, ask them to refer you to a vascular surgeon.

To learn more about your vascular health and to find a vascular surgeon, visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Web site at www.VascularWeb.org.