Case-Shiller Index: First price drop in seven months
Home prices in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas declined 0.2% in November, according to the Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Index. It was the first drop in seven months. The big winner was Phoenix with a 1.1% increase over October. The biggest loser in this current market downturn continues to be Las Vegas where prices are off 55.6% from their peak. Overall, home prices in the Top 20 Metropolitan Areas were down 29.2% from their collective peak .
Here’s a look at how the individual Top 20 Metropolitan Areas are performing: Read more
K-Y Intense Arousal Gel: Unbelievably expensive!
Let me just start by saying that I have never tried K-Y Intense Arousal Gel, but the reviews on Amazon are terrible. I was in Walgreens one day and I decided to wander around while I was there shopping. I noticed the high price on K-Y Intense Arousal Gel as I walked by it. Without going into graphic detail, K-Y Intense Arousal Gel is supposed to be used on the very most sensitive area of the female anatomy to help facilitate an orgasm. Read more
Soda fountains contain fecal contamination, other bacteria
A study published in the January issue of International Journal of Food Microbiology found coliform bacteria, possibly from fecal contamination, in 48% of the soda fountains tested. More than 11% of the beverages analyzed contained E-coli and over 17% contained Chryseobacterium meningosepticum, among other bacteria. Most of the bacteria found in the tests showed resistance to one or more of the 11 antibiotics tested. The study concluded that “these findings have important public health implications and signal the need for regulations enforcing hygienic practices associated with these beverage dispensers.” Read more
Unemployment remains unchanged in December.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 10.0% in December. Altogether 85,000 jobs were lost last month, up from 11,000 jobs lost in November.
Let’s breakdown the numbers: Read more
Irish atheists to challenge blasphemy law
Atheist Ireland announced that they were going to challenge a new blasphemy law that went into effect on New Year’s Day in the Irish Republic. The new law criminalizes 25 “blasphemous” quotations from people like Jesus, Mohammed, Mark Twain, Salman Rushdie and Bjork. Violation of the law could result in a €25,000 ($35,800) fine. Read more
