North Atlanta Bloggers

High definition LCD and plasma televisions have flooded the market in recent years; their slim profile and vibrant displays placing them high on the wish list of many consumers. Although the prices on these televisions have dropped considerably since their initial introduction, for buyers on a budget their purchase is still a significant step.

Unfortunately, those same spending conscious consumers, who are also frequent subscribers to basic cable programming packages, find that the financial commitment doesn't end with the television purchase. In order to get the clarity and vivid life-like display they saw on the show room floor, they must upgrade their cable service to get the HD signal they need. This often requires a set top box/cable company DVR and an extra $15 to $30 dollars per month. More clutter, higher expenditures for their home entertainment, and the added, often unanticipated complexity of scheduling additional installation rather than simply taking the television from the box, plugging it in, and playing it.

by Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D.

Oprahbama, the big O's, Oprah and the Obamas - sounds like a rock band on a road trip. As Oprah hit the campaign trail recently, her candidate played the celebrity card and the female fan base responded. When you need it, the value of support simply cannot be overestimated.
Oprah is a driving force, with her message of empowering women and her success at moving product. So, for now, the contest for the democratic nomination is more up in the air. Hillary pulled out all the stops, spending her time drumming up support with her mom and daughter close by her side. Are you in the same boat, as Sandwiched Boomers in the midst of dealing with aging parents and growing children? Do you need some help in finding support for yourself?

by Eric D. Naftulin

Approximately 10,000 kids attend camp each summer, but only a small percentage of them attend camps that are accredited by the American Camp Association. You wouldn't want your child to attend an unaccredited school, so why send them to an unaccredited camp?

Does choosing a non-Accredited camp for your child mean such camp isn't "good" or safe? Hardly - there are many wonderful camp programs available that have not earned ACA accreditation.

But choosing an accredited camp is your best assurance the camp meets or exceeds up to 300 best-practice industry standards relating to child health and safety, food service, supervision, transportation, risk-management, facilities, staff training, and program quality, among others.

by Gina Stepp

The structure of the modern nuclear family is a relatively new invention when considered along the timeline of human history. Long before "Leave It to Beaver" ideals became the norm, families didn't isolate themselves from their relatives, and parents didn't leave home to spend their days in an office. Extended families lived together in the same community, every individual contributed to the welfare of the whole, and a wide variety of close, personal relationships were essential to a family's survival. When children were old enough to help, they worked alongside their parents, and if a mother became overwhelmed with the care of an infant, there were grandparents, cousins or siblings who could step in and give her a break.

by Patsy Copus

I just watched the CBC Marketplace story which dedicated a whole show on a traditional offline matchmaking company called the Allied Network. I have been in the dating business for 10 years and I have heard stories like this before but seeing just how much money this company charged was shocking.

The show producers interviewed an older lady who had signed up with the Allied Network 3 years ago. This lady signed up with this company and was told she had to pay her money up front by credit card. She was very hesitant to tell the producers of the show exactly how much she paid. When she did, I was floored!! This lady had paid $10,000. She had been set up with one man who was actually unemployed, and has not been contacted by this company in over a year for any more dates. The CBC decided to send three decoys aged 25, 38 and 60. The 25 year old had a hidden camera and a recorder, the other two ladies just had recorders. They were quoted varying prices ranging from $8,500 to 10,000. There was a big sales pitch and even before the meeting they were told to bring a credit card. At one point during the interview, the 25 year old was told that they would sign her up with their service for a dollar (one loonie) but the rules were that she could not tell her friends and stressed that she could not tell any of the men that she met. Because she was gorgeous she would actually be used as a decoy for the men who would think that all the dates would be like her. The 60 year old women did not get this offer, nor did the 38 year old woman. It was interesting to hear the lady who interviewed them, she said that they have doctors, lawyers and actually had an investment banker in their age group. She said this to all three women. There must be an abundance of single investment bankers out there, who would have thought.