Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Mindy
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
NES to launch new outage map for customers
STAFF REPORTS • November 24, 2010
Nashville Electric Service will soon unveil a new and improved interactive tool using Google’s mapping technology to track power outages.
The outage map will be available at http://nespower.com/OutageMap/default.aspx.
The map offers a view of outages across the NES system, pop up boxes for additional details, and a drill down capability to identify streets without power.
The map is updated every 15 minutes.
The outage map uses color-coded icons to indicate the number and location of customers without power in the NES service area.
Here is some advice to best use the tool:
*Click on the icon for information about the outage.
*The map view can be customized by selecting the Satellite, Hybrid or Terrain options.
*Click “+” to zoom in, click “–” to zoom out.
*Use the arrows (upper left of map) to navigate up, down, left, or right.
Nashville Electric Service will soon unveil a new and improved interactive tool using Google’s mapping technology to track power outages.
The outage map will be available at http://nespower.com/OutageMap/default.aspx.
The map offers a view of outages across the NES system, pop up boxes for additional details, and a drill down capability to identify streets without power.
The map is updated every 15 minutes.
The outage map uses color-coded icons to indicate the number and location of customers without power in the NES service area.
Here is some advice to best use the tool:
*Click on the icon for information about the outage.
*The map view can be customized by selecting the Satellite, Hybrid or Terrain options.
*Click “+” to zoom in, click “–” to zoom out.
*Use the arrows (upper left of map) to navigate up, down, left, or right.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
'Consumer Reports' unveils naughty, nice retailers for shoppers
Customer policies determine rankings
By Becky Yerak • CHICAGO TRIBUNE • November 23, 2010
CHICAGO — Just in time for the holidays, Consumer Reports has released a list of 10 companies that it believes have been naughty to shoppers, and 10 that have been deemed as nice.
The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports' reporters and editors who cover such areas as shopping, travel, hospitality and telecommunications.
Consumer Reports notes that the Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on specific policies and doesn't reflect the company as a whole.
Who's naughty
The 10 companies called out for naughty policies, in no particular order, are:
Verizon Wireless: Doubled to $350 the early termination fee imposed on consumers who cancel their smart-phone contract after the 30-day grace period. Verizon kept the penalty at $175 for consumers with conventional cell phones.
Macy's: The department store chain calculates its freight charges on the dollar amount of the order, not the size and weight of the package. The base fee is $5.95 for orders less than $25, to as much as $23.95 for those $300 or more. And that's standard delivery.
CompUSA: For imposing restocking fees of "up to 25 percent" of the purchase price on any product the retailer decides doesn't meet its return criteria. And it doesn't spell out which products are subject to such a fee.
Buy.com: No returns for TV sets 27 inches or larger. If you fail to inspect the set upon delivery and sign the shipper's release, Buy.com says it's your problem and deal with the manufacturer. Its website also lacks a phone number, Consumer Reports says.
Best Buy: Offers a 14-day grace period to return computers, monitors, camcorders and digital cameras.
Spirit Airlines: The carrier, which pioneered "ancillary" fees among domestic airlines, charges for carry-on bags: $30 in advance, $45 at the gate.
Dollar car rental: Dollar demands that customers present a receipt to prove that they filled up the tank within 10 miles of the drop-off location or face a fee to top off the tank and the labor required to do so.
SanDisk: It's a big fan of issuing rebates in the form of gift cards, which have no cash value and must be redeemed for merchandise.
United Airlines: United offers customers a low-price guarantee. Find a lower fare on the company's website for the same itinerary you booked, and United will give you not only the lower fare but also a voucher good for 20 percent off your next purchase. But if you have a nonrefundable ticket — the type most people buy — and find a cheaper flight, United imposes a $150 "administrative" fee to make the change.
DirecTV: The California-based satellite TV firm, which has more than 18.7 million subscribers, has a policy that extends a customer's contract for an additional 24 months if new equipment is added. If you want to cancel your service, the penalty is an early termination fee.
Who's nice
And here are the 10 who landed on the nice list:
Southwest: Two pieces of checked luggage, no charge. And that includes bulky stuff such as golf clubs and skis.
L.L. Bean: 100 percent product satisfaction guarantee. Return anything at any time for any reason.
Zappos.com: Free shipping and free returns, including prepaid return label.
Costco: Open-ended return policy for virtually everything the warehouse retailer sells, minus some home electronics, which still come with a 90-day return period.
U.S. Cellular: While the FCC proposes that cell carriers alert consumers about to exceed their plans' monthly allotment of minutes, which could lead to significant overage charges, U.S. Cellular is giving its customers a heads-up.
Orvis: Shoppers can call a toll-free number and speak to a human being. It also offers live Web chat with support staff, e-mail queries and a guaranteed response time of two hours or less.
Hotels.com: The travel website never charges a fee to cancel or change a room booking. But consumers should still check the hotel's reservation policy to avoid any penalty imposed by the chain.
J&R: The electronics superstore and e-retailer has a price-match policy with few caveats and fine-print exclusions: Find it at a lower price at an authorized seller (the exception being a warehouse membership club) and "we will do everything possible to meet or beat that price" via a special telephone hot line. J&R also gives customers 30 days to ask for a price adjustment on existing orders if they find a lower price.
Walmart: No receipt, no problem. Customers can return most items to a Walmart store for a cash refund (for purchases under $25), a gift card (for purchases over $25) or even exchange. There's one catch: More than three such returns within 45 days requires a manager's approval.
Publix: If you need an antibiotic, the Florida-based supermarket chain will have its pharmacies dispense up to a 14-day supply for some of the most common generic ones, for free. All you need is a proper prescription.
By Becky Yerak • CHICAGO TRIBUNE • November 23, 2010
CHICAGO — Just in time for the holidays, Consumer Reports has released a list of 10 companies that it believes have been naughty to shoppers, and 10 that have been deemed as nice.
The Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on input from Consumer Reports' reporters and editors who cover such areas as shopping, travel, hospitality and telecommunications.
Consumer Reports notes that the Naughty & Nice Holiday List is based on specific policies and doesn't reflect the company as a whole.
Who's naughty
The 10 companies called out for naughty policies, in no particular order, are:
Verizon Wireless: Doubled to $350 the early termination fee imposed on consumers who cancel their smart-phone contract after the 30-day grace period. Verizon kept the penalty at $175 for consumers with conventional cell phones.
Macy's: The department store chain calculates its freight charges on the dollar amount of the order, not the size and weight of the package. The base fee is $5.95 for orders less than $25, to as much as $23.95 for those $300 or more. And that's standard delivery.
CompUSA: For imposing restocking fees of "up to 25 percent" of the purchase price on any product the retailer decides doesn't meet its return criteria. And it doesn't spell out which products are subject to such a fee.
Buy.com: No returns for TV sets 27 inches or larger. If you fail to inspect the set upon delivery and sign the shipper's release, Buy.com says it's your problem and deal with the manufacturer. Its website also lacks a phone number, Consumer Reports says.
Best Buy: Offers a 14-day grace period to return computers, monitors, camcorders and digital cameras.
Spirit Airlines: The carrier, which pioneered "ancillary" fees among domestic airlines, charges for carry-on bags: $30 in advance, $45 at the gate.
Dollar car rental: Dollar demands that customers present a receipt to prove that they filled up the tank within 10 miles of the drop-off location or face a fee to top off the tank and the labor required to do so.
SanDisk: It's a big fan of issuing rebates in the form of gift cards, which have no cash value and must be redeemed for merchandise.
United Airlines: United offers customers a low-price guarantee. Find a lower fare on the company's website for the same itinerary you booked, and United will give you not only the lower fare but also a voucher good for 20 percent off your next purchase. But if you have a nonrefundable ticket — the type most people buy — and find a cheaper flight, United imposes a $150 "administrative" fee to make the change.
DirecTV: The California-based satellite TV firm, which has more than 18.7 million subscribers, has a policy that extends a customer's contract for an additional 24 months if new equipment is added. If you want to cancel your service, the penalty is an early termination fee.
Who's nice
And here are the 10 who landed on the nice list:
Southwest: Two pieces of checked luggage, no charge. And that includes bulky stuff such as golf clubs and skis.
L.L. Bean: 100 percent product satisfaction guarantee. Return anything at any time for any reason.
Zappos.com: Free shipping and free returns, including prepaid return label.
Costco: Open-ended return policy for virtually everything the warehouse retailer sells, minus some home electronics, which still come with a 90-day return period.
U.S. Cellular: While the FCC proposes that cell carriers alert consumers about to exceed their plans' monthly allotment of minutes, which could lead to significant overage charges, U.S. Cellular is giving its customers a heads-up.
Orvis: Shoppers can call a toll-free number and speak to a human being. It also offers live Web chat with support staff, e-mail queries and a guaranteed response time of two hours or less.
Hotels.com: The travel website never charges a fee to cancel or change a room booking. But consumers should still check the hotel's reservation policy to avoid any penalty imposed by the chain.
J&R: The electronics superstore and e-retailer has a price-match policy with few caveats and fine-print exclusions: Find it at a lower price at an authorized seller (the exception being a warehouse membership club) and "we will do everything possible to meet or beat that price" via a special telephone hot line. J&R also gives customers 30 days to ask for a price adjustment on existing orders if they find a lower price.
Walmart: No receipt, no problem. Customers can return most items to a Walmart store for a cash refund (for purchases under $25), a gift card (for purchases over $25) or even exchange. There's one catch: More than three such returns within 45 days requires a manager's approval.
Publix: If you need an antibiotic, the Florida-based supermarket chain will have its pharmacies dispense up to a 14-day supply for some of the most common generic ones, for free. All you need is a proper prescription.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Some generations grow weary of baby boomers
I thought some of you would find this article interesting.
Spotcrime Crime Alert Viewer for Nashville (37217)
This is a list of crimes that have happened within in 5 miles of Nashboro Village Area During the last few days!
Click on the above link and you can have the list to see what is going on around us and also if you like, you can sign up to have the alerts come directly to you.
Thanks,
Mindy
Click on the above link and you can have the list to see what is going on around us and also if you like, you can sign up to have the alerts come directly to you.
Thanks,
Mindy
Friday, November 12, 2010
Nissan recalls 600,000 vehicles
ASSOCIATED PRESS • November 12, 2010
DETROIT — Nissan Motor Co. is recalling more than 600,000 vehicles in North and South America and Africa because of steering or battery cable problems.
Explore now...
The Japanese automaker said Thursday that the steering recall affects 303,000 Frontier pickup trucks and 283,000 Xterra sport utility vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries. Nissan said a corrosion problem with the lower steering column joint and shaft can limit steering movement, making the vehicles difficult to steer. In some cases the corrosion can cause the joint to crack.
Nissan also is recalling 18,500 Sentra sedans because of a battery cable terminal connector problem that can make the cars difficult to start or stall at low speeds.
The Frontiers covered by the recall are from the 2002 through 2004 model years and were made from July 9, 2001, to Oct. 20, 2004, in Smyrna for the North American market, Nissan said in a statement. Frontiers made from Nov. 30, 2001, to June 26, 2008, in Curitiba, Brazil, for South and Central American markets are in the recall.
The 2002-2004 North American Xterras in the recall were made from July 9, 2001, to Jan. 6, 2005, also at the Smyrna plant. Xterras made from Feb. 17, 2003, to June 13, 2008, in Curitiba, Brazil, for South and Central American markets also are affected.
Owners will be notified in early December when parts are available. Dealers will fix the problem at no cost to the owners.
DETROIT — Nissan Motor Co. is recalling more than 600,000 vehicles in North and South America and Africa because of steering or battery cable problems.
Explore now...
The Japanese automaker said Thursday that the steering recall affects 303,000 Frontier pickup trucks and 283,000 Xterra sport utility vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and other Latin American countries. Nissan said a corrosion problem with the lower steering column joint and shaft can limit steering movement, making the vehicles difficult to steer. In some cases the corrosion can cause the joint to crack.
Nissan also is recalling 18,500 Sentra sedans because of a battery cable terminal connector problem that can make the cars difficult to start or stall at low speeds.
The Frontiers covered by the recall are from the 2002 through 2004 model years and were made from July 9, 2001, to Oct. 20, 2004, in Smyrna for the North American market, Nissan said in a statement. Frontiers made from Nov. 30, 2001, to June 26, 2008, in Curitiba, Brazil, for South and Central American markets are in the recall.
The 2002-2004 North American Xterras in the recall were made from July 9, 2001, to Jan. 6, 2005, also at the Smyrna plant. Xterras made from Feb. 17, 2003, to June 13, 2008, in Curitiba, Brazil, for South and Central American markets also are affected.
Owners will be notified in early December when parts are available. Dealers will fix the problem at no cost to the owners.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Extra snooze hour? Don't sleep on it, expert says
WKRN
Posted: Nov 05, 2010 11:52 AM CDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Standard time arrives Sunday at 2 a.m. and that "extra hour" is an illusion for many of us.
Dr. Beth Malow, the director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center in Nashville, says the clocks will change, but it will take more, well, time for most people's systems to adjust. She says some may feel the benefit of sleeping in for 60 more minutes on Sunday morning but many will not.
Malow says some people's internal clocks are stronger than others.
In Lexington, Ky., operations minister Nate Collier of Broadway Christian Church found the congregation was 26% larger on the first November Sunday of 2009 than it was the week earlier.
In 2008, there was a 16% increase in attendance.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted: Nov 05, 2010 11:52 AM CDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Standard time arrives Sunday at 2 a.m. and that "extra hour" is an illusion for many of us.
Dr. Beth Malow, the director of the Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Center in Nashville, says the clocks will change, but it will take more, well, time for most people's systems to adjust. She says some may feel the benefit of sleeping in for 60 more minutes on Sunday morning but many will not.
Malow says some people's internal clocks are stronger than others.
In Lexington, Ky., operations minister Nate Collier of Broadway Christian Church found the congregation was 26% larger on the first November Sunday of 2009 than it was the week earlier.
In 2008, there was a 16% increase in attendance.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Crime Watch 2.0: Nashville neighborhoods try anti-crime signs
I think this is a great idea and will look into the signs to see if we have to pay or if I can get from the District 29 Alliance.
Mindy
By Stephanie Toone • THE TENNESSEAN • November 1, 2010
Would-be criminals have a message waiting for them in the yards of 85 different homes in East Nashville, Antioch and Germantown.
The two piercing eyes on black-and-white signs relay to criminals that burglaries will not be tolerated in those neighborhoods, said Manuel Delgado, Eastwood Neighbors Association member.
“You’re being watched,” Delgado said. “We want to get that image burned in people’s minds. We hope those with the intent to break in will pause and move on.”
Delgado and Gracie Vandiver, co-chairs of the association’s crime and safety committee, developed the sign idea this summer. By September, the association began selling the signs to residents throughout the area, Vandiver said.
Nashville photographer and designer Alison Slamon designed the signs, and they sell for $10, which covers the cost of printing and contributes to the association’s crime prevention projects.
The signs remind residents to call the Metro police department’s non-emergency number, 615-862-8600, if they see suspicious activity.
“It’s Neighborhood Watch 2.0,” she said. “They’ve (criminals) seen the old signs so much they ignore it. Hopefully, the signs will serve as a reminder to residents to trust your gut if you see something suspicious.”
Vandiver said she was motivated to raise awareness about crime when her East Nashville home was burglarized in May. She started talking to her neighbors after the break-in and realized the need for neighborhood crime prevention.
“One of my neighbors said she saw someone looking in her neighbor’s window, but she didn’t call the police,” she said. “The police can’t be everywhere, but we have to inform them when we see something suspicious.”
East Precinct Cmdr. Bob Nash said the effort could have an impact on crime in East Nashville and other neighborhoods. Residential burglaries in Nashville neighborhoods have increased over the last six months, he said.
“This is one of the ways we can fight the burglary problem,” Nash said. “We have to use different strategies to combat it. Crooks will see that this neighborhood is engaged.”
Wags and Whiskers, at 1008 Forrest Avenue, serves as the vendor for the crime watch signs. The Eastwood Neighbors Association will print 100 more signs this month, Vandiver said.
Bob Acuff, who holds weekly meetings on crime in East Nashville, said he has purchased a sign for his Woodland Street home because he wants his neighbors to know he’s watching out for them.
“Police officers can ride the neighborhood, but they don’t know the neighborhood better than the neighbors,” he said. “This gives our neighborhood a little energy. It’s a great idea.”
Reach Stephanie Toone at 615 259-8079 or stoone@tennessean.com.
Mindy
By Stephanie Toone • THE TENNESSEAN • November 1, 2010
Would-be criminals have a message waiting for them in the yards of 85 different homes in East Nashville, Antioch and Germantown.
The two piercing eyes on black-and-white signs relay to criminals that burglaries will not be tolerated in those neighborhoods, said Manuel Delgado, Eastwood Neighbors Association member.
“You’re being watched,” Delgado said. “We want to get that image burned in people’s minds. We hope those with the intent to break in will pause and move on.”
Delgado and Gracie Vandiver, co-chairs of the association’s crime and safety committee, developed the sign idea this summer. By September, the association began selling the signs to residents throughout the area, Vandiver said.
Nashville photographer and designer Alison Slamon designed the signs, and they sell for $10, which covers the cost of printing and contributes to the association’s crime prevention projects.
The signs remind residents to call the Metro police department’s non-emergency number, 615-862-8600, if they see suspicious activity.
“It’s Neighborhood Watch 2.0,” she said. “They’ve (criminals) seen the old signs so much they ignore it. Hopefully, the signs will serve as a reminder to residents to trust your gut if you see something suspicious.”
Vandiver said she was motivated to raise awareness about crime when her East Nashville home was burglarized in May. She started talking to her neighbors after the break-in and realized the need for neighborhood crime prevention.
“One of my neighbors said she saw someone looking in her neighbor’s window, but she didn’t call the police,” she said. “The police can’t be everywhere, but we have to inform them when we see something suspicious.”
East Precinct Cmdr. Bob Nash said the effort could have an impact on crime in East Nashville and other neighborhoods. Residential burglaries in Nashville neighborhoods have increased over the last six months, he said.
“This is one of the ways we can fight the burglary problem,” Nash said. “We have to use different strategies to combat it. Crooks will see that this neighborhood is engaged.”
Wags and Whiskers, at 1008 Forrest Avenue, serves as the vendor for the crime watch signs. The Eastwood Neighbors Association will print 100 more signs this month, Vandiver said.
Bob Acuff, who holds weekly meetings on crime in East Nashville, said he has purchased a sign for his Woodland Street home because he wants his neighbors to know he’s watching out for them.
“Police officers can ride the neighborhood, but they don’t know the neighborhood better than the neighbors,” he said. “This gives our neighborhood a little energy. It’s a great idea.”
Reach Stephanie Toone at 615 259-8079 or stoone@tennessean.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)