A New Way to Find Apartments

We may rank the premier apartments and condos in select cities around the country, however when you want a comprehensive analysis of all the rental options in your city, you may want to check out ApartmentFinder.com (especially now).  Bolstering its leadership in delivering apartment listings and apartment information to home shoppers, ApartmentFinder.com launches its new 4.0 Web site, featuring more interactive content than ever before.

The one-click access to information about apartments has been showcased even more prominently. Initially, while searching for apartments, users see one main large photo of the property followed by three additional smaller images to provide a comprehensive visual understanding of content about featured property listings. Enter the zip code or city/state and information rich content displays, with featured apartments getting additional exposure.

“The new ApartmentFinder.com 4.0 Web site is rich with information and developed to enhance the user’s experience as well as deliver better leads to our advertisers, said Marcia Bollinger, president of Apartment Finder. “If you are searching for a new apartment, there’s no better information resource on the Web.”

Quick searches are designated by radius, price range and bedroom requirements or through searches for specific colleges, military bases or particular addresses. A “Virtual Earth” map lets users see exactly where a property is located. Also, strong keyword search tools better justify specific information that is relevant to a search query.

An easy-to-use expanded feature, called faceted browsing, let’s consumers chose specific properties to visit by narrowing relevant information about their specific needs. The search facets are positioned in the left side column of the site, and allow users to search by amenities, price, affordable housing options and schools.

There is also ample space for property managers to display specials and promotions being offered on specific listings. Now, featured apartments are able to display a total of up to five video links, further enhancing the user’s experience.

Economic Downturn Changing the Way We Travel

From bargain hunting for accommodations to hopping in a car instead of on a plane, many individuals and companies are responding to the uncertain economic climate and worse personal financial conditions by adjusting their travel behaviors in 2009 to find more affordable ways to travel, but many aren’t eliminating travel plans altogether.

In a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive, 48% of U.S. adults say their financial situation is worse now than it was one year ago. For some that is translating into plans for fewer vacations and fewer dollars spent on leisure travel in 2009.

While almost half plan to travel just as much or more in 2009 as they did in 2008, two-fifths (38%) anticipate that the economy will have no impact on their travel plans, and 8% plan to travel more in the next 12 months than they did in 2008, nearly two-fifths (37%) of consumers say they are less likely to travel within the next 12 months due to economic conditions.

Other findings from the study include:

• Over one-fourth (27%) will decrease the duration of their leisure trips.
• Four in ten (40%) will reduce the amount of money they spend on leisure trips. Among these consumers looking to cut costs:
  • Roughly three-fifths will find less expensive accommodations (62%), less expensive meal options (61%), or will look for less expensive activities (58%).
  • Nearly half will reduce travel expenses by vacationing closer to home (48%), staying with friends/family instead of a hotel (46%), or reduce expenses by driving rather than flying (45%).
  • One-third (34%) will stretch their vacation dollars by going on a “staycation” close to home or by sharing travel costs with friends or other families.

Companies are also changing their travel spending habits in 2009. Three in five (61%) people surveyed said their companies had changed their travel policies in last 12 months, and one in five (21%) said they were less likely to travel for business in 2009 than they were in 2008.

Reducing or eliminating nonessential travel was the most frequently reported method of cutting business travel expenses. Three in ten people (30%) reported that their companies had reduced or eliminated all nonessential travel, and 21% said their companies were using technology to reduce or eliminate travel costs. Other reported changes to company travel policies include encouraging day trips (13%), booking with hotels and airlines that provide preferred rates (12%), and enforcing per diem allowances (10%).

Greening of the Nation’s Capital

Coca-Cola is going green in Washington, D.C. in some pretty innovative ways. These efforts include climate-friendly beverage coolers, hybrid electric delivery trucks and trailers, and a recycling program for the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

“With more than six million visitors each year, there is no better place to launch a comprehensive greening effort than here in the nation’s capital where people from all walks of life celebrate our country’s rich history and enjoy our beverages,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “We are exploring new ways to protect the environment, and Washington, D.C., is a visible demonstration of the innovation that Coca-Cola is implementing around the country.”

“From hybrid delivery trucks to climate-friendly coolers to support for recycling at our National Parks, we are showcasing our innovative approach to going to market in an environmentally responsible way,” said Steve Cahillane, president, Coca-Cola Enterprises North America. “Our work in Washington, D.C. and across the United States demonstrates our commitment to supporting sustainable communities.”

New Climate Friendly Coolers

The House of Representatives will be among the first locations in the country to test new climate-friendly, HFC-free, energy-efficient Coca-Cola coolers. Four beverage coolers will be installed at the House of Representatives in the coming weeks, and up to 1,800 Coca-Cola coolers and vending machines will be deployed throughout the U.S. and Canada later this year. These include 1,400 climate-friendly coolers and vending machines that will be deployed at the venues during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The new climate-friendly Coca-Cola coolers use carbon dioxide (CO₂), a natural refrigerant gas and HFC-Free insulation, eliminating 99 percent of the direct green house gas (GHG) emissions. The coolers include an intelligent energy management system (EMS-55) that cuts energy use by an average of 26 percent. CO₂-based cooling technology ensures a natural, climate-friendly alternative to HFCs and reduces energy use. CO₂ has 1,400 times less global warming impact than R-134a, the most typical HFC refrigerant gas, and will reduce indirect green house gas emissions by more than three tons over the lifetime of the machine.

Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks

Coca-Cola Enterprises, the world’s largest bottler of Coca-Cola products, has deployed 20 hybrid electric delivery trucks and tractor trailers throughout the Washington D.C. area in the last year. CCE’s hybrid electric trucks use about 30 percent less fuel and produce about 30 percent fewer emissions than standard trucks, and use technology to drastically reduce emissions when they’re idling or in traffic.

CCE will deploy 327 hybrid delivery vehicles throughout the United States and Canada by later this year, the largest heavy-duty hybrid electric delivery fleet in North America. The fleet will include more than 150 hybrid electric tractor trailers, the largest hybrid vehicles in North America, and more than 170 hybrid electric 12-bay delivery trucks.

Support for National Parks

Building on more than 75 years of support for America’s National Parks, Coca-Cola, the National Park Service (NPS), the National Park Foundation (NPF), and the Trust for the National Mall (TNM) today launched a partnership to create a recycling program for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. Coca-Cola Recycling will work with NPS and TNM to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the waste stream at the National Mall and develop a sustainable recycling program. The program will be designed to suit the needs of special events and include recycling education for visitors to the parks.

“As one of our valued ’Proud Partners’, Coca-Cola is stepping up to help us preserve, enhance and ensure the sustainability of our country’s beautiful National Parks and recreation areas for generations to come,” said Peggy O’Dell, Region Director, National Capital Region, National Parks Service. “Through Coca-Cola’s support for the new recycling program, we hope to achieve the Interior Department’s goal of diverting 50 percent of solid waste from landfills through recycling by 2010.”

Coca-Cola also announced the year two, $600,000 expansion of the National Parks’ Active Trails program which targets an additional nine parks during 2009. In 2008, Coca-Cola committed $1.2 million in funding to promote and preserve National Parks trails for active recreation, community volunteerism and environmental education. Through this program more than 100 miles of trails in seven parks have been restored or enhanced and used to engage urban youth and local communities in active recreation at the National Parks.

Free Ice Cream for Mom’s on Mother’s Day in Boston and New Hampshire

There is only one day out of the entire year that is dedicated to showing Mom how much she’s appreciated for her unwavering commitment to family and loved ones. But this year, with financial woes tugging at our purse strings and wallets, the Cold Stone Creamery stores in and around Boston and New Hampshire are helping make this day a little sweeter and cheaper by wishing all moms a Happy Mother’s Day with a FREE sweet treat on this well-deserved holiday.

EVENT:
Cold Stone Creamery treats moms to free ice cream.  Cold Stone Creamery stores in and around Boston and New Hampshire are rewarding local mothers with a cool and indulgent treat – free ice cream. Mothers will receive a free Like It size ice cream Creation™ (one mix-in included) when they visit one of the participating stores with their child (or children).

WHO:
All mothers deserving and in need of a lusciously super-premium ice cream Creation visiting a Cold Stone Creamery store with their child (or children) on Mother’s Day.

WHERE:
20 Cold Stone Creamery locations in and around Boston and New Hampshire:
100 City Square, Charleston, MA/ 92 Derby Street, Hingham, MA/ 8 Park Plaza, Boston, MA/ 70 Worcester Providence Turnpike, Millbury, MA/ 201 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA/ 154 Turnpike Rd, Southborough, MA/ 257 E. Hartford Avenue, Bellingham, MA/ 767 Beacon Street, Newton Centre, MA/ 470 Washington Street, Brighton, MA/ 80 Orchard Hill Park Drive, Leominster, MA/ 1070 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA/ 158 Colony Place, Plymouth, MA/ 2 Wayside Road, Burlington, MA/ 957 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA/ 94 Belvidere Street, Boston, MA/ 301 Washington Street, Westwood, MA/ 61 Station Landing, Medford, MA/ 2 Cellu Drive, Nashua, NH/ 45 Gosling Road, Newington, NH/ 102 March Avenue, Manchester, NH

WHEN:
Sunday, May 10, 2009 from Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Airfare Prices Continue to Drop

Nationwide air fare prices for a family of four have dropped nine percent since February of this year, according to airfare deals aggregator Cheapflights.com’s latest Travel Price Index.  The first quarter 2009 report shows that air fare prices have decreased in 28 of the top 30 U.S. departure points.

“The Travel Price Index tracks fare fluctuations in comparison to the cities’ average cost-of-living giving people a clear picture of what is affordable in relation to their own pocketbooks,” said Carl Schwartz, Chief Travel Officer for Cheapflights.com. “When 28 markets see airfares decrease it means big savings when you are booking a trip for a family of four. There are great deals available for trips at a variety of budgets, the key is to know where to look.”

Additional highlights include:

• Hawaii’s Honolulu International (HNL) escapes the “most expensive” slot for the first time since the index was created. In fact, the cost for a family of four to fly from Hawaii dropped 17 percent since September 2008. That equals savings of $125 per person or $500 total.
• Houston displaced Hawaii as the most expensive departure point in the first quarter 2009.
• The cost of flights from Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP) fell 16 percent, a total savings of $250 between February and March of 2009.
• Philadelphia International (PHL) and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) also experienced huge cost decreases of 39 percent and 29 percent, respectively.
• On the flip side, flights originating from Atlanta International (ATL) had the largest price increase in flights – a jump of 11 percent since mid-2008.

How Seniors Can Avoid Travel Pitfalls

While there’s no better way to spend a vacation than visiting exotic locales, paradise can sour quickly for those who haven’t planned properly. Often, travelers focus on learning about their destination, and don’t spend enough time planning for day-to-day practicalities. Vantage Deluxe World Travel is now offering a free 151 Travel Tips for Seniors e-book to help travelers with their vacation planning.

Here are a few travel tips to prevent problems and ensure maximum comfort while traveling:

• Start an exercise program several weeks before your trip.
• Bring a small file of important information, including your medical history.
• Exchange most of your money abroad for the best rates.
• Check your cell phone’s capabilities and international rates before leaving.
• Buy film at home – or go digital.

Food Allergy Awareness Week

As part of its ongoing efforts to educate people about food allergies and reduce risk-taking behavior during Food Allergy Awareness Week and on a daily basis, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) reminds everyone to CAP It!

Carry your medicine. Avoid your allergen. Plan ahead to prevent a reaction. Simply put, CAP It can save a life.

For the 12th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 10-16, 2009, FAAN is highlighting the need for improved education and awareness about food allergies and the need to “Take Action, Prevent Reactions.” These efforts are vital to improving safety and avoiding a reaction, whether it’s teaching a child’s classmates how to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction or encouraging teachers, athletic directors, or other school officials to learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Though food allergies can be fatal, this is a condition that can be safely managed through education and preparedness.

“Food allergies can be challenging to manage, but we know that reactions can be prevented by taking a few simple steps,” said Julia Bradsher, CEO of FAAN. “Adults and children with food allergies and their families can empower themselves every day by taking steps to safeguard against reactions. By sharing their knowledge with others during Food Allergy Awareness Week and throughout the year, we hope to reduce the number of reactions and save lives.”

As the prevalence of food allergy rises, particularly among children, there is an increasing need for education and awareness about food allergies as well. About 12 million Americans, including 3 million children, have food allergies. While there are many encouraging research studies underway, there is no cure for food allergies. Avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction.

“Food Allergy Awareness Week is a really good opportunity for people with food allergies to go out in the community and tell people exactly what they want them to know about food allergies,” said Caitlin Krutsick, 17, of Bethlehem, Pa., who is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She has learned to speak up about her food allergies, and is not only an advocate for herself, but for others with food allergies.

The Jazzercise Story

When Jazzercise founder & CEO Judi Sheppard Missett taught her first “just for fun” dance class in 1969, she had no idea it would grow into an international fitness dynasty.  Now, 40 years later, Missett and her daughter – Executive Vice President Shanna Missett Nelson will celebrate Mother’s Day embarking on the 40^th anniversary of Jazzercise. With 7,500 instructor franchisees teaching 32,000 classes weekly in all 50 states and 32 countries, the company continues to thrive, building on seven consecutive best ever years in system wide sales.

According to Missett, who continues to develop new choreography, teach Jazzercise classes weekly, and run the business as President/CEO, the milestone represents two of her greatest accomplishments: a program that has helped millions of people and a successful business relationship with her daughter.

“My own mother was a great inspiration and helped me get to where I am today. She was passionate about introducing me to dance and sacrificed so much for me to take lessons,” said Missett. “As Jazzercise has grown, I’ve been able to channel that same passion and creative energy into helping people take charge of their well-being. No one understands that legacy better than my daughter, Shanna. She shares my vision, and having her as a business partner and successor is invaluable to me.”

Passing on the Legacy

The legacy of passion and integrity has been key to the long-term success of the business, according to Missett. From the first class to today, she has relied on both to remain true to the founding principle: fitness should be fun and it should help empower everyone to lead healthier lives.

For Nelson, who grew up with Jazzercise, the vision was shared from the beginning. But she admits she didn’t really grasp the enormity of what her mother had created until she was a junior in college in the late 1980s. Though she had joined the Junior Jazzercise performance group when she was seven year old, and had spent her teen years witnessing her mother’s first workout album rise to gold certification status, it took moving away to college for Shanna to realize just how popular Jazzercise was outside of Southern California.

“During college I started going to Jazzercise classes in Tucson, Arizona,” Nelson said. “At that time, I became a certified instructor without my mom even knowing, but I never thought about going further with the company. It wasn’t until my mom suggested I come home to teach at the Corporate Jazzercise Center that I really knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Nelson later worked her way up to lead the Junior Jazzercise program, international operations, and eventually join her mom in guiding the company into its prime.

“Everyday I watched my mom get excited about her job and I couldn’t help but share her passion,” Nelson says. “Jazzercise has been more than her life’s work. It’s something she truly believes in and has used to motivate thousands of people everyday. When it came to identifying role models and a career path for my life, both were very clear to me.”

Lessons for Success

Judi and Shanna, with the aid of 35 district managers worldwide and 150 corporate employees, run the multi-division company from the Jazzercise headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., developing new choreography for 7,500 Jazzercise instructor franchisees worldwide; organizing large-scale annual events for thousands of Jazzercise faithfuls around the globe; promoting the Jazzertogs line of fitness apparel; and fundraising for charities. In the past year, they’ve led the company to a record $93 million in system wide sales, released a new line of fitness DVDs produced by the company’s in-house award winning production team –JM DigitalWorks, and joined their instructors and customers in raising more than $500,000 for a variety of causes. Both say they anticipate continuing that momentum because they’re able to draw upon each other’s strengths.

“We bring different perspectives to the table,” Missett says. “We talk through new ideas for the brand and the choreography, and that collaboration generates something even greater. We complement and challenge each other to remain cutting-edge without going to extremes.”

For Nelson, her CEO mom has taught her that it’s often the simple things that help to sustain a growing business.

“My mom has shown me just what can happen when you do something you love, trust your gut and treat employees well,” Nelson says.

U.S. Travel Association Statement on Swine Flu

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, today issued the following statement in response to concerns related to travel and swine flu:

“Travelers, like all citizens, should heed the advice of experts when determining how best to manage health concerns. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Swine Influenza (swine flu) should not discourage people from traveling to or within the United States.

“We recommend that government officials treat this issue and any forthcoming statements with care and caution. We must address the situation with measured, pragmatic responses so as not to cause panic and negative consequences to the economy if health risks are not imminent.

“Recent health concerns, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian flu, provide useful guidance as governments, opinion leaders and travelers consider the appropriate response to swine flu.

“We stand ready to assist the U.S. government and health experts in any way necessary to communicate critical information to travelers. The U.S. Travel Association has contacted all relevant agencies with an offer to help in any way needed, and will soon begin posting updates on www.ustravel.org.”

Mother’s Day Recipes

Mother’s days has always been an important day for my family growing up, and it was always highlighted by the famous ‘breakfast in bed’ for mom.  However, why don’t you make her a breakfast she will truly enjoy this Mother’s Day?

These FoodNetwork.com recipes will make a marvelous Mother’s Day morning menu:

• Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon — This meal from Rachael Ray is quick and easy, yet fancy enough for a celebratory brunch.
• Parmesan Potato Pancake — This recipe from Giada De Laurentiis makes a jumbo hash brown for the whole family.
• Apple Coffee Cake — Brown sugar glaze and crumble topping makes Emeril Lagasse’s coffee cake extra decadent.
• And the skinny-mini mommy will enjoy the delicious Broiled Grapefruit with Vanilla-Ginger Sauce.

And especially for children who haven’t mastered the kitchen, Recipezaar’s delightful kid-friendly recipes are sure to bring a smile to mom’s face:

• Microwave Poached Egg on Toast — Makes an easy, quick, no mess breakfast, perfect for eating in bed.
• Bacon-Scallion Cream Cheese Schmere — A savory spread for bagels, crackers or as a celery stuffing.
• Banana Latte — This simple beverage gives a perfect morning pick-me-up.

Next Page »