http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com SpoonyLife fr-FR http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/tin-toy-collection-to-be-wound-up-22406.html If you're hankering for a childhood friend, Robbie the robot islooking for a new home in a friendly suburban galaxy. When toy collector Ashley Toohey died this year, he left one ofAdelaide's largest collections of original tin toys from the 1950sand 60s. Fifteen years of collecting spaceships, robots, trains andmemorabilia, today goes under the hammer. Interest in thecollection, of nearly 300 items, has come from around Australia andoverseas. Memorabilia items are expected to range from $10 for a Hot Wheelstoy car to more than $2000 for a 1960s boxed moon car. The collection will be sold by Bonhams and Goodman auction house,in the city from 6pm tomorrow. The unique collection can be viewedbetween 10am and 4pm. Office manager Kirsty Stewart said: "A toy collection likethis has such a big variety and having so many in their originalboxes certainly adds to the value and the international pull." Mr Toohey, 39, who did not have children, was an avid collector ofTV and movie related toys. His friend Dean Donovan said he had collected the tin toys over thepast 15 years by scouring classified ads in The Advertiser. Mr Donovan said Robbie the Robot, a 1950s toy likely to fetch about$15,000, was a favourite. Share this article What is this? Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:38:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/wall-e-gets-flack-over-wasteful-marketing-21928.html July 28th 2008Wall-E Gets Flack Over Wasteful MarketingFiled under: film-tv, movies, not green, products parrish @ 10:25 am I saw Wall-E on the opening weekend at the very busy AMC 42nd St. theaters herein NYC. My friends and I waited in line for about 45 minutes tomake sure we got a good seat and when we finally got inside Inoticed something REALLY strange there were only about 6kids in the entire theater. I bring this up because it'sproof to me that adults are not just excited about Pixar, butexcited to learn more about the dangers of global warming.I thought Wall-E did a great job of presenting the subject in a comical yet seriousmanner, but unfortunately it looks like the film isn't really practicing what it'spreaching. In fact, Wall-E is getting some pretty harsh criticism for the highenvironmental?cost of the kids' toys that were made as atie-in with the movie. First off the toys were made in China andcontain a boatload of non-environmentally friendly products,including a thick cellophane plastic, plastic coated wire, thickblack plastic strips, nylon tie wraps, and excess cardboard.Duncan McLaren, of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "These plastics could still be polluting theenvironment in 1000 years. A real-life Wall-E in a distant futurewill be picking up the packaging from these toys. The writer anddirector were trying to get across a sound message in the film soit's a pity their marketing teams did not do likewise."In response, Tesco, the store that currently carries the products,said they will, "work with our suppliers to reducepackaging." Hmmm. I get it everybody wants to make abuck! Still, you'd think Disney would be a little moreenvironmentally sensitive when it comes to selling crap about amovie based on the dangers of selling crap. For now, all I can sayis go see the movie, but stay the hell away from the merchandise!via: sundaymail.co.uk Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:57:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/inside-the-lego-factory-21923.html None of which alone explain it, but can add up.They are very particular about the ABS they use - it has to bemetals-free, historically not very easy - which used to be suppliedonly by Bayer (until around 1998, LEGO US was still shipping ABSpellets from Germany to Enfield CT - one worth-his-weight-in-bricksengineer got GE Pittsfield MA to spec the plastic, saving them somebucks).The bricks IIRC are build to a tolerance of 3/1000ths of an inch.Look at bricks and try and find the gates (where the plastic ininjected and detaches from the flashing) or the knock-outs (where apart of the molding machine pushed the brick out - typically theseare obvious kludgy bits of a plastic toy, in LEGOs they are all butinvisible) The LEGO engineers used to smile a lot as othercompanies' engineers searched, often in vain, for these tell-talemachine marks.In Enfield they have a lego-brick knight statue commemorating theirISO 9001 certification. Not so sure how many toy factories hit thatmark.For a long time the place was rather labor-intensive. A 1990 tourhad more people on the packing line and a series of lights to alertsomeone on the floor (who had to be in sight of the moldingmachines) to a malfunction. The same tour in 1996 this was replacedby a pager system. In all that automation, they prided themselveson never letting someone go from the factory when their role wasreplaced by a machine -they always had something new to be donebased on a lot of RetD. Haven't been there since 2000, but Iunderstand that pattern was pretty much unbroken.At least in Enfield, the factory was nearly as as spotless as theHQ office buildings. I doubt every plastic-toy-cranking factoryelsewhere in the world has that level of upkeep, and it's notcheap.Making the rafts of tie-in toys means paying royalties to StarWars, Harry Potter, etc. While base sets might cheaper at WalMartnow than they were at a boutique toy shops a few years back, thebrand name additions likely helped keep prices off the bottom.Enfield CT likely isn't the cheapest labor market around, whichexplains why, sadly, a year ago the last nut and bolt of thefactory were shipped off to Mexico. Blasted sad. A great bunch ofpeople up there. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:57:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/free-toys-activities-offered-at-county-fair-21918.html Published:Tuesday, July 29, 2008 By D.A. WilkinsonPeople can search for fun or for relief at the fair.LISBON A social service agency will provide free toys andevents at the Columbiana County Fair for people of all ages andhelp if needed.The program is the brainchild of workers at the Community ActionAgency of Columbiana County, which provides a host of programs.Carol Bretz is the agency"s executive director and a fan of thecounty fair.When people purchased animals at the fair sales for publicity, butnot the meat, the CAA received three donated hogs, a steer and agoat. The milk-giving goat got a reprieve, and the needy receivedthe meat from the other animals, she said.After talking with the fair board, the CAA has moved its fairoperations that had been in a tent into the commercial building,where there is better seating and shade.Parents can bring in their children to pick up a free toy.Ruth Allison, emergency services director for CAA, said the idea isto provide goodies for families that may have tight budgets.We see so many people that need help, Allison said. The CAA events are open to all people.Starting at 1 p.m. today, seniors can toss bean bags and take partin card and other games. The winner in the bean-bag contest willget two tickets to hear singer Jake Owens at the fair. The otherwinners can get gift cards or certificates.Allison said that merchants outside the fair who donated gifts mayget a boost if the winners redeem the cards and maybe spend a bitmore.Children"s games begin at noon Wednesday with traditional eventssuch as a bean-bag toss and pinning the nose on a clown. Thewinners of a 2 p.m. hula hoop contest get prizes and a chance at adrawing for tickets to the Cleveland or Pittsburgh zoos.At 2 p.m. Wednesday, events are for adults and older children.There will be a scavenger hunt for about 15 items at thefairgrounds. There also will be a Mystery Guest game in whichpeople will hunt for clues to identify someone at the fair. Thewinner will receive two tickets to Lorrie Morgan"s concertFriday.Ever play with a plastic barrel of monkeys when you were a child?Some of those barrels, without the monkeys, will be stashed aroundthe fairgrounds with prizes inside for people to discover.The CAA also is hosting an amateur photo contest of things at thefair that are interesting, fun or exciting. Entries must be filedby Saturday and will be judged by fair visitors. Allison saidphotos will also be used during the 2009 fair.The nonprofit CAA, like other social service agencies, has seen anincrease in calls this year.Allison said, SPeople ask, an you tell me where to gethelp?Visitors to the commercial building also can ask for informationabout contacts or programs that can provide relief.SIf we don"t run it, we know who does, Allison added.wilkinson@vindy.com Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:56:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/inflatable-plastic-toys-gaining-popularity-21913.html Inflatable plastic toys gaining popularityBy Zakir HassnainPESHAWAR: Chinese inflated plastic toys have flooded local marketsand are in great demand due to hot weather.Both adults and children enjoy relaxing in toy swimming poolsfilled with water to beat the sizzling heat while small childrenrest in water-filled homes, chairs, ducks, lions, fish, aeroplanes, and other such floating toys.Local shopkeepers and roadside toy sellers purchase inflated toysfrom Karkhano markets, a few kilometers from Peshawar, which arefamous for smuggled goods. Roadside sellers have a variety ofinflated plastic toys and do a roaring business in hot season.I have a variety of swimming pools at reasonable prices rangingfrom Rs 450 to Rs 1500 and they are for both adults and kids,Ijaz, a roadside seller, told Daily Times.Ijaz, a young boy and resident of Mansehra, Hazara, said he boughtplastic toys from Kharkhano markets. Most Chinese plastic toyscome from Lahore to Karkhano markets in containers and hugestocks, he said.Ijaz said inflated toys were used only in summer and were of no usein winter. We dont have any customers in winter for water-filledtoys. However, rocking toys for kids give us little business, hesaid.save Rs 20 to 50 on a small piece. Large swimming pools give agood profit, he said.jaz charged customers extra money for air pumps. He said customerswere given one glue sticker free of cost for punctures. He saidplastic toys lasted for two to three years if properly handled.Tanvir Ahmed, another roadside toy seller on Sher Shah Soori Roadin front of the railway station, said he had left school. Myfather has given me money to do this business. Sometimes I purchasetoys from Karkhano market shopkeepers on credit. They trust me,said Tanvir, 14.Sometimes we dont have a single customer for two or three daysand its really disappointing, said Kashif, anther roadsideseller. Kashif said Karkhano shopkeepers increased prices ofinflated toys in summer.Home | Nationa Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:56:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/us-lawmakers-to-ban-toxins-from-toys-reports-21908.html US lawmakers to ban toxins from toys: reports58 minutes ago WASHINGTON (AFP) US lawmakers agreed to ban the use of agroup of chemicals in toys and other children's products thatconsumer groups say cause serious health effects, newspapersreported Tuesday.Congressional negotiators agreed Monday on the wording of a banafter months of wrangling, according to The Washington Post and TheWall Street Journal.The ban, part of a long-debated overhaul of US consumer safetystandards, would eliminate certain phthalates usedto softenplastic and commonly found in toys, shower curtains and shampoos,The Washington Post reported.Critics believe the chemicals are linked to reproductive problems,including low sperm counts.Certain phthalates were banned for use in children's products inEurope in 1999 and in California last year. The states ofWashington and Vermont have since passed legislation on use of thechemicals.The Wall Street Journal said some of the chemicals would be bannedonly temporarily under the new legislation while more research isconducted.Chemical additives should not be placed in products that canimpact health adversely until they are tested and found to bebenign," sponsor Senator Dianne Feinstein of California told thePost.Chemical industry groups, which had financed a large-scale effortto stop the ban, criticised the move saying it could allowless-tested chemicals to be used instead."What's at stake is, in fact, children's safety," Elissa Stery, avice president at Exxon Mobil Chemicals told the Post adding thatmanufacturers may be forced to replace phthalates with lesser-knowncompounds.The wider consumer safety update, coming after a year of massivetoy recalls, would also impose stricter standards and testing forproducts like children's jewelry, cribs and strollers, the Journalreported.This is by far the most robust reform in the agency's history,"Rachel Weintraub of the Consumer Federation of America told theJournal. "We're happy."Lawmakers are expected to pass the new legislation, the Journalreported. The Post said President George W. Bush opposes the ban,but has not yet decided whether to veto the measure. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:55:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/lego-a-toy-of-gentle-genius-21900.html The fact that Lego is still the top toy in Britain after the best part of half a century should come aslittle surprise. Children everywhere might be bombarded with theidea that they're meant to be products of the all-consumingdigital-electronic-computer-txt msging-iPod world, yet nothing, itseems, beats the elemental pleasure of placing bricks together andcreating worlds of their very own. When those bricks fit togetheras precisely and as enjoyably as Lego's do, and offer the sheervariety of plastic-bricky joy as the latest Lego sets do, then thegently instructive pleasure is simply all the more.Lego is one of those toys that adults can happily play withalongside children without getting bored. It is a toy of gentlegenius and one that goes to prove that very many of us, of allages, in a country devoted to not making things and shutting up itstraditional manufacturing industries as quickly as commerciallypossible, enjoy making things.If the Lego experience was played out on a wholly adult,manufacturing scale, we would still be happily making locomotives,ships, aircraft and Brunel only knows what, rather than muddlingour way disgruntledly through an economic life given overincreasingly to shopping and, if not shopping, then stackingshelves and buying cars to fill up with costly petrol to drive to supermarkets to shop some more. Making things makes uscontent and even happy and Ole Kirk Christiansen (1891-1958), a Danish carpenter and inventor of Lego appears tohave known this intuitively.Lego, from the Danish "leg godt", or play well, has done ratherwell since the company was founded in 1934, making wooden buildingbricks for children, turning to plastic in 1949. The richest personin Denmark today is Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, grandson of Ole, and Lego's CEO from 1979 to 2004. Some 20million bricks are made each year  not in China, or at least notyet anyway  and each brick connects with every other made, tothe same scale, since the plastic technology was perfected in 1963.Lego likes to say that sufficient bricks have been made since 1963for every person in the world to own more than 60; that means someof you out there must own thousands.While it's true that Lego has been cashing in on fashionable filmtie-in and other crazes in recent years, creating toys based on Star Wars, Harry Potter and other heavily marketed children's favourites, the basic bricksstill allow, and encourage, fresh generations of children to thinkand play and to make things for themselves.Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the famous German-American architect said that "architecturebegan when two bricks were put together", andwhile it takes a bitmore than that to make a good architect, Lego is one of those toysthat, by encouraging us all to put bricks together well, shouldencourage us to think as we build and to shape and nurtureintelligent forms, structures and worlds.The one dark shadow in the Lego story is the sorry tale of Hilary Fisher Page, the British inventor whose Kiddicraft Self-Locking BuildingBricks, first produced in 1947, were a key inspiration for Ole KirkChristiansen when he turned his original wooden building blocksinto plastic and to gold, as it were. Page committed suicide threeyears before Lego captured the British childhood imagination, andtoy market; I've long wondered if he had seen the writing on thewall. If he did, it spelled Lego rather than Kiddicraft.Whatever happened to Page, Lego thrived and went on to win thecoveted Toy of the Century award in 1999. And, even if you are so much a creature of thedigital-keyboard age that you're incapable of making interestingstructures from Lego, or simply can't see the point of makinganything when low-paid foreigners can do this for us, the sheerpleasure of fumbling through a box of assorted Lego the feel,the sound is one that you might just enjoy. I have a feelingthat even British children brought up on a diet of shopping andcomputer games, might just continue to play with interlockingbuilding bricks for many decades to come. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:54:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/us-consumer-bill-partially-bans-plastic-softener-21897.html By Georgina CoolidgeWASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - A partial ban on controversialplastic-softening chemicals called phthalates has been agreed on aspart of a bill to revamp consumer product safety, lawmakersinvolved in the negotiations said on Monday.The legislation also would sharply cut the amount of lead allowedin toys and other products while increasing funding for theConsumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an agency muchcriticized after millions of toys, mostly made in China, wererecalled last year.The ban on phthalates, which some believe can cause abnormalreproductive development in children, was one of the most hotlydebated items considered by members of the House and Senate whohammered out the final version of the legislation.Three types of phthalates would be permanently banned in children'stoys and child care items, except for minute amounts, while threeothers would be temporarily banned pending further study."The compromise on phthalates is a significant victory forfamilies, because the ban goes into effect before the researchreview is completed," said Diana Zuckerman, president of theNational Research Center for Women and Families, a consumer group."Congress put children's safety first."But the American Chemistry Council criticized the phthalaterestrictions. "There is no scientific basis for Congress torestrict phthalates from toys and children's products," theindustry group said.The bill, which still needs to be voted on, also would mandatenational safety standards for all-terrain vehicles, linked tohundreds of deaths each year, as well as set standards for toys.It would authorize an increase in the CPSC's annual budget from itscurrent $80 million to $118 million starting in fiscal 2010 andgrowing to $136 million over five years. Continued... Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:54:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/inflatable-plastic-toys-gaining-popularity-21092.html Inflatable plastic toys gaining popularity Inflatable plastic toys gaining popularity By Zakir Hassnain PESHAWAR: Chinese inflated plastic toys have flooded local marketsand are in great demand due to hot weather. Both adults and children enjoy relaxing in toy swimming poolsfilled with water to beat the sizzling heat while small childrenrest in water-filled homes, chairs, ducks, lions, fish, aeroplanes, and other such floating toys. Local shopkeepers and roadside toy sellers purchase inflated toysfrom Karkhano markets, a few kilometers from Peshawar, which arefamous for smuggled goods. Roadside sellers have a variety ofinflated plastic toys and do a roaring business in hot season. I have a variety of swimming pools at reasonable prices rangingfrom Rs 450 to Rs 1500 and they are for both adults and kids,Ijaz, a roadside seller, told Daily Times. Ijaz, a young boy and resident of Mansehra, Hazara, said he boughtplastic toys from Kharkhano markets. Most Chinese plastic toyscome from Lahore to Karkhano markets in containers and hugestocks, he said. Ijaz said inflated toys were used only in summer and were of no usein winter. We dont have any customers in winter for water-filledtoys. However, rocking toys for kids give us little business, hesaid.I save Rs 20 to 50 on a small piece. Large swimming pools give agood profit, he said. Ijaz charged customers extra money for air pumps. He said customerswere given one glue sticker free of cost for punctures. He saidplastic toys lasted for two to three years if properly handled. Tanvir Ahmed, another roadside toy seller on Sher Shah Soori Roadin front of the railway station, said he had left school. Myfather has given me money to do this business. Sometimes I purchasetoys from Karkhano market shopkeepers on credit. They trust me,said Tanvir, 14.Sometimes we dont have a single customer for two or three daysand its really disappointing, said Kashif, anther roadsideseller. Kashif said Karkhano shopkeepers increased prices ofinflated toys in summer. Home Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:33:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/rc-pilots-come-together-at-skyblazers-event-21090.html RC pilots come together at Skyblazers event "I didn't like the way it looked. When I got done, Ilit it on fire and threw it off the roof," he recalled. Club events like the July 19 second annual gathering held at theWaxahachie Sports Complex allow the more than 200,000 model fliersin the nation to gather in areas where they can conduct theirflights undisturbed and without disturbing others. Midlothian resident Wayne Rogers has also been building modelssince he was 8 years old. "I grew up seeing guys fly model airplanes and really gotinterested in it," said Rogers, who was introduced to remotecontrol aircraft by a local building contest. Flight meetings andevents didn't really exist when he began the hobby, he said. His remote control work mirrors a larger interest in World War IIfighter planes, which has led him to time-consuming restorationprojects, including one on a Vought F4U Corsair after he purchasedthe crashed plane in Beaumont. The Skyblazers RC Club was formed in 1980 and provides free flightinstruction to its members."It's a good way to get out in the outdoors and meetpeople. Out here, you don't worry about your house orbills," said secretary and president Phil Geery Sr. Flying is a great sport because it involves all ages, he said."I'm sure you felt a thrill when you folded your firstpaper airplane it's the achievement of taking a plan,gluing it up, and making it fly."He said he wants to clear up misconceptions that hobbyists have togo into debt to get started."Someone that wants to get into RC can get in for$350," he said, pointing to almost-ready-to-fly kitsavailable for newcomers.Skyblazers sponsors various flying activities including modelcombat missions. Its members are insured by the Academy of ModelAeronautics. A central theme of Saturday's event was electric power, whichwas championed by both builders and fliers. "Electrics are cleaner and you can fly them anywhere,"said Jason Hanbright of Lewisville. Brigman said newer electric models will fly an average of eight to10 minutes on one charge and can be quickly recharged on site. Friends Rob Carrell of Red Oak and Jason Hanbright aren'tclub members, but show up to various events for the camaraderie. "Everybody is so helpful and willing to help you out,"Carrell said. Hanbright agrees. "I like flying and hanging out with people with a commoninterest," he said. Now building model helicopters, Hanbright has raced RC cars sincehe was 10. He was introduced to model flight a few years ago. "It's just been a passion ever since," he said. For more information on Skyblazers, look online at www.skyblazersrc.com. Alex Luckhardt is a Waxahachie Daily Light intern and a senior atEnnis High School. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:33:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/sun-helps-make-best-burnley-balloon-show-yet-21086.html Sun helps make best Burnley Balloon Show yet.. SUNSHINE bathed Towneley Park for this year"s Burnley Air Showand Balloon Festival and organisers said it was the best yet. Throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visitors got the chance totake a closer look at how hot air balloons work, as well aswatching launches and the spectacular Snightglow on Saturdaynight, with balloons lighting up in time to music.Balloons of all shapes and sizes were on display, with visitorseven getting the chance to enter a competition for places in thebaskets. Arena events included the Mega Minis stunt team, Fred"s flyingcircus and the grand finale of Burnley"s Got Talent. But the real crowd-puller was Nottingham strongman John Evans, whowas set to challenge the world record for the biggest number oftyres balanced on his head hoping to stack on up to 12 onSunday night. Organiser Phil Reuben said: SWe couldn"t have wished for betterweather and we have been really busy. SThe nightglow and the fireworks on Saturday night were the bestwe have ever had everybody said so. The fireworks looked justsuperb and we had 10 balloons in the arena. SThe mass balloon launch had to be cancelled last year because ofthe weather but this time they all managed to get up in the air andit really was spectacular. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:32:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/hall-of-fame-volunteers-judy-number-of-fixed-rate-mortgage-products-balloons-over-past-year-...-21082.html Hall of Fame Volunteers: Judy Number Of Fixed Rate Mortgage Products Balloons Over Past Year ... AGE: 65 ADDRESS: Canton YOUR "REAL" JOB: Manager for materials management at Mercy Medical Center. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE FESTIVAL: Organize volunteers Mercy employees and their families andoversee activities in the hospitality tent at Balloon Classic. FAVORITE FESTIVAL MEMORY: Each year brings with it a favorite memory. Hot air balloons,fireworks, skydivers, thousands of people enjoying all theactivities that take place. I never get tired of seeing any of it. WORST FESTIVAL MEMORY: It would have to be the year that we had terrible weather, withhigh winds, rain, and tornado warnings. We had to evacuate the areaand send everyone home. FESTIVAL JOB YOU WOULD LOVE TO HAVE: I wouldn't want any other job. I enjoy so much working with allthe volunteers. I ask for a two-night commitment, so I like to havefamilies participate because the Balloon Classic is a familyaffair. Some volunteers have been helping since they were 6 yearsold, and now they have graduated college and are still coming backto help. As they move on with their busy lives, it's always greatto have our Balloon family all together at least once a year. Iffor some reason someone can't come to help one year, it's like apart of me is missing. They are a great group. FESTIVAL JOB YOU WOULD NOT WANT: Chairman of the Balloon Classic. The details of all that goes onbehind the scene are mind-boggling. WHAT'S ONE THING YOU'D LIKE TO CHANGE: I think there is something for everyone at this event. Thecommittee is always looking for ways to make it more spectacularthan it was the year before. ABOUT JUDY MOTTICE: Mercy Medical Center has been a Balloon Classic sponsor since thebeginning. Our printing department designed and printed the balloonbook that has the pictures of the balloons and the bios of theirpilots. That was my introduction to the event. I was curious as tohow everything came together, so I volunteered for the hospitalitytent and have been there ever since. I remember being at the event;it was very hot, I was probably dripping with perspiration at thetime when someone came up to me and said, "You are very good toMercy, Judy." My response to them was Mercy has been very good tome. That's why I volunteer. Anything I can do to give back. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:32:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/number-of-fixed-rate-mortgage-products-balloons-over-past-year-...-21080.html R Number Of Fixed Rate Mortgage Products Balloons Over Past Year ... eviews Of Mortgage Products Number of fixed rate mortgage products balloons over past year -Moneyexpert The proportion of fixed-rate mortgages available with terms overten years has almost doubled in the last year according to analysisby MoneyExpert.com. The percentage of such mortgage products in themarket as a whole has risen from 8% in 2007 to 15% now. What'smore, the number of 25-year fixed rate deals has also shot up from9 in July 2007 to 18 now... The increase in the number of long-term mortgages is in contrast toa general contraction of the market, with the total number ofproducts available dropping by 647. Number of fixed deals 10 years or more doubles in credit crunch Mortgage market shrinks by over 40 per cent The independent financial comparison website says the percentage ofthe fixed rate mortgage market offering terms of 120 months or morehas risen from eight per cent of products in July 2007 to 15 percent now. And its analysis shows that there are now 18 different 25-yearfixed rate deals on offer from five different providers. In July2007 there were only 9 such deals available. The shift to long-term deals is emphasised by the dramatic drop inthe number of mortgages on the market. While the total number hasslumped by 647 products over that period - a shrinking of some 41per cent of the market as a whole - the number of long-termmortgages has increased from 127 products in July 2007 to 137 now. MoneyExpert.com says that the average initial rate payable on a25-year fixed rate mortgage is 6.56 per cent, 0.3 per cent lowerthan the current market average of 6.9 per cent. A year ago theaverage rate of a 25-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.38 per cent. And the average rate of a long term deal, defined byMoneyExpert.com as a fixed rate term of ten years or longer, is6.67 per cent now compared to 6.39 per cent 12 months ago. Sean Gardner, director of MoneyExpert.com : "The credit crunch has prompted a flight to safety byborrowers who have been stung by dramatic rises in the rates onshort-term deals. At the same time lenders are increasingly keen onsigning customers up to long-term deals which offer them certainty. "Long term fixed rate mortgages are no longer an oddity. Andwith competitive rates of interest in some circumstances they maywell be worth considering. "However early redemption charges on long term deals tend tobe more substantial than shorter fixed term mortgages. In someinstances you can be hit with a charge of 13 per cent of the valueof your loan - which on a ?50,000 mortgage would mean paying?9,500 to get out of the deal. "A rate of 6.5 per cent is not prohibitive and could prove tobe a worthwhile long term strategy if you don't mind accepting therisk that at some point you're likely to be paying over the odds.Interest rates will eventually go down and that's when people onfixed deals feel hard done by." The MoneyExpert.com analysis shows that there are currently some921 fixed mortgage products on the market from 74 differentproviders. For first time buyer mortgage advice please click here or phone 0800 5999 007 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:31:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/don-surplus-retires-from-nv-balloons-inc.-21079.html Don Surplus retires from NV Balloons Inc.He has accrued nearly 5,000 flights in the Napa Valley. In 2003,Surplus was awarded his FAA Pilot Proficiency Wings, Phase X. From 1983 to present, Surplus has forged successful local, county,and state legislation for the benefit, enhancement, and protectionof the hot air balloon industry. Surplus spent years promotingtourism, first as a board member at the Napa Chamber of Commerce,and as a founding board member and officer of the Napa Conferenceand Visitors Bureau. He sat on the board of the Yountville Chamberof Commerce on two separate occasions. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:31:00 GMT http://uebueb2.spoonylife.com/weather-balloons-21075.html Weather Balloons Programs All Things Considered American RadioWorks American Routes A Prairie Home Companion As It Happens The BBC Proms BBC World Service Best of the Day Car Talk Classical Music Composers Datebook The Current Rotation Day to Day Electric Arc Radio Electionwise Facemelter Fresh Air Friday Favorites Future Tense Grammar Grater Harmonia Holiday Programming How's the Family? In The Loop The Jazz Connection Jet Streaming The Local Show Marketplace Marketplace Money Marketplace Morning Report The Metropolitan Opera Midday Midmorning Minnesota Orchestra Morning Edition The Morning Show MPR Presents The MTT Files Musicheads The New Releases New Classical Tracks On the Media Only a Game Open Air The Opera Performance Today Pipedreams Policast A Prairie Home Companion Radio Lab Redefinition Radio Regional Spotlight Rhythm Lab Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Saint Paul Sunday San Francisco Symphony Sound Opinions Sounds Eclectic Speaking of Faith The Splendid Table The Story Studio 360 Summer Serenade SymphonyCast Talk of the Nation Talking Volumes This American Life Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Weekend America Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday Word for Word The World World Choral Spectacular The Writer's Almanac Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:30:00 GMT