Schwarzenegger Gives Villaraigosa More Power

Most people would now agree that the Los Angeles Unified School District is in need of some overdue changes. While classes continue to be overpopulated and text books remain in short supply, there is a real need for change. With lights and ceiling tiles falling off regularly our students just aren’t able to learn, there is a real need for change.

At long last change is about to happen, but will it really make a difference to our children. A bill was signed on Monday, September 18 by governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican) granting mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (Democrat) limited control over the Los Angeles Unified School District.

When this bill goes into effect in January 2007, Villaraigosa, as well as other mayors, could, if they get it right, change how 730,000 students are taught in the city of Los Angeles. The signing occurred at a ceremony at the Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. The bill provides Villaraigosa with direct control over three schools, which have yet to be decided upon, and their feeder schools.

Villaraigosa has requested to work with specific schools, Crenshaw and Dorsey in Los Angeles; Sylmar and Monroe in the San Fernando Valley; Belmont which is west of downtown; and Roosevelt in Boyle Heights.

Although the mayor has direct control, he will not have complete control of the schools. This authority he will have to share with the school board (which will loose most of its powers under the new bill), the superintendent and a new council of mayors. There are more power shifts to be taken into account such as, the superintendent will have new budget responsibilities with the school board having limited power to review the budget. The board will now have no direct management over their staff.

The mayor has faced a lot of ill feelings by the district who opposed the bill and were absent at the bill signing. The bill is a watered down version of the New York bill passed by their current Mayor. Villaraigosa accepted the changes as a stepping stone to gaining full power some time down the road. The board voted 6 to 1 to take legal action and sue to try and block the bill. At this time, Villaraigosa only has one ally on the board, Monica Garcia.

Villaraigosa is a Democrat who has endorsed Phil Angelides in the November election against Schwarzenegger who is a Republican. This should make for a very interesting time as they all appear to be supporting each other. How will the politics work out? How do the children benefit? Will the children benefit or has this bill just put them into a political mine field?

Increasing Costa Rica Tourism

Costa Rica is a beautiful travel destination that has caught the attention of the world. Recent statistics indicate that tourism has growing rapidly over the recent years and is expect to continue expand. Literally called the “Rich Coast” by the Spanish explorers Costa Rica has access to both the Pacific and Caribbean seas.

Costa Rica Tourism is considered a USD 1.9 billion a year industry. It stands out as the most visited nation in the Central American region and records to date show that 1.9 million visitors enjoy the country’s beauty and hospitality. More than half of the tourists come from the United States and a fifth of the total number come from Europe.

Costa Rica now prides itself in having two major international airports (SJO and LIR) and several domestic airports. The first major airport is Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) and it is accessible to major cities of the country which are Alajuela, Heredia and the capital city of San José. The second international airport is Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) and it is located in Liberia, near the Guacanaste province and closest to the Pacific Northwest coast.

Increases in Costa Rica tourism are tied to the Liberia international airport. Plans are underway to expand this facility to continue to accommodate the surge of visitors. New developments in the northern region of Costa Rica is one of the major reasons for the increased visitor traffic. Nowadays, luxury hotels, enchanting villas and mesmerizing rentals are constantly on the rise in this part of the country.

Costa Rica is the pioneer in strategic ecotourism. Thus, there are many exciting destinations in the country where nature can best be appreciated. Tourists can visit any one of the country’s national parks: Chirripo National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Cahuita National Park, Corcovado National Park and Tapanti National Park. Other environmental tourist spots are the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves and the Pacuare River and Protected Zone.

Going on a holiday in Costa Rica is far from boring. Due to the fact that prostitution is legal in the country, sex tourism has become one of the country’s tourist attractions. The industry is slowly gaining popularity, making it one of the national destinations of ‘sex tourists’ and the commerce already accounts for approximately 1/10 or 10% of the billion dollar industry. However there are many people who have decided to avoid Costa Rica as a result of the sex tourism industry.

According to the first Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index published by the World Economic Forum, Costa Rica tourism astonishingly ranks 41st place, making themselves the first among other Latin American countries. It is definitely a feat, since if the forum only takes into consideration major factors such as human, cultural and natural resources, Costa Rica places 20th at a worldwide level.

Costa Rica tourism will continue to grow as the world discovers the beauty of this tropical paradise. This will provide an increase economic growth and the growth of the infrastructure that is associated with the tourism industry. The future is bright for Costa Rica and its tourism industry.

Do Weight Loss Supplements Really Work?

I have listed some of the most popular weight loss supplements that people spend millions of dollars on each year and why you need absolutely none of them!

Hoodia Gordonii pronounced HOO-dee-ah) also goes by the name  Xhooba, Khoba, Ghaap, Hoodia Cactus, and South African Desert Cactus. The makers of this cactus plant claim the reason why it is such a powerful dietary aid is due to the fact that it suppresses appetite and promotes weight loss. There are 20 types of Hoodia, only the Hoodia Gordonii variety is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant.

Although Hoodia has been promoted just recently, the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert has been hailing its claim for over 100 years. They use it to ward off hunger and thirst during long hunting trips where food is scarce. 

An American pharmaceutical company purchased the rights for the active ingredient named p57 for $20 million dollars. The company has since given back the rights and walked away from Hoodia. Red flag people… a natural ingredient from a plant in nature that suppresses hunger and at the same time can give you energy and a drug company turns it down? This would be the biggest find in the history of the diet industry!!!! 

When researchers at a major University studied Hoodia they found that the steroidal glycosides, affect nerve cells in the hypothalamus (located above the brain stem, it controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue and anger) tricking the brain into thinking there is enough blood sugar. The hunger mechanisms are then subdued and guess what? You’re not hungry anymore. I’m not a medical doctor but I’m going to suggest a radical idea. Maybe, just maybe, YOU REALLY SHOULD KNOW WHEN YOU’RE BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS DROP FROM LACK OF FOOD!!!!! Don’t you think you might want to know when your brain needs glucose to perform properly? After all, the brain needs a certain amount of glucose (minimal of about 80g) daily to keep working at optimal levels.

Telling it other wise, will only cause your body to make glucose from non carbohydrate sources, including amino acids from your own muscle tissue. Stronger, bigger muscles burn calories. Making them weaker by drawing on their own amino acids (building blocks of protein-which is the only substrate that helps rebuild tissue in the body) will defeat the purpose of anybody trying to get more fit. Again there are no valid studies to date that can validate Hoodia as a safe and effective aid in a weight loss program. Don’t waste your time or money and don’t believe the hype. Just believe in yourself! You can change and will change.                                     

L Carnitine: When L-Carnitine is synthesized in the body from lysine and methionine it is used for the transport of fats into the mitochondria (power house of cell) for energy production. It is postulated in theory that if you supplement your diet with L-Carnitine then you will be able to burn more fat and spare glycogen for later use during exercise. There are a couple of problems with this theory. The intestine has trouble digesting anything above a 2-g dose, which in clinical studies has been shown to only increase muscle levels by 1-2% (Hultman and Harper: Carnitine Administration as a Tool to Modify Energy Metabolism During Exercise. Eur. J Applied Physiology .62:450 1991).

Most companies’ average 3x that dose, the rest simply goes down the toilet. I guess the most salient problem I have with this theory is: don’t you think the human body knows already how much fat it actually needs to burn at one time? If the mitochondrion is already swapped with substrates additional mobilization of fats may not be needed. 

There have been countless studies on L-Carnitine all producing results suggesting that there are no benefits from supplementing the diet with it. Your best bet is to follow a balanced diet rich in clean, complete proteins which will contain Lysine and Methionine which can then produce L-Carnitine naturally. 

Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCT):  As the name implies because they are medium chain MCT’s in theory are quickly digested. Hence they can be used for immediate energy opposed to long chain triglycerides which take longer to digest. Sports supplement companies make the claim that MCT’s can be used to promote fat loss when on a low carb diet by burning the ingested MCT’s and sparing glycogen.

I have reviewed several studies regarding the use of MCT’s and have found no research  that demonstrated enhancement in performance and no research that significantly displayed altered fat oxidation during exercise. In a nut shell good in theory, bad in results, it simply doesn’t work, don’t take it. Coconuts are rich in MCT’s, if you still think they might work, save some money and buy some coconut oil and use it in cooking. Studies show small amounts will not raise cholesterol.                                       

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA): Is a very popular substance that is found in wanna be weight loss products.  It is a compound found in the plant Garcinia Cambogia. The organic acid found in HCA is similar to citric acid found in lemons and oranges. HCA is believed to be able to suppress appetite, increase energy levels and inhibit fat production.  There have been promising animal studies that demonstrate fat inhibition, improved glucose function and increased serotonin levels when supplementing with HCA.

In a study conducted at Columbia University when testing 135 overweight human subjects with HCA no reported significant weight loss was reported when compared to the placebo group (November 11, 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.)  In case you haven’t noticed, we are not furry, with little tails …  untill human studies can replicate similar results, don’t bother once again!    

Fucoxanthin:  A compound found in several different types of seaweed, what will they think of next? Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid much like lutein and lycopene which are powerful antioxidants. The companies that sell fucoxanthin claim that it creates a powerful thermogenic effect (fat burning) in the body. It does this by boosting the metabolism without causing jitters due to the fact it contains no stimulants. Actually something else does this too… it’s called exercise!  The only published studies that had any significant findings were found in only rat and mice studies. No human studies in real scientific journals have been published. My guess is none ever will.   

Ephedra: A plant extract from the Ma hung plant. Ephedra works by increasing the neurotransmitters nor epinephrine and dopamine. These chemicals are picked up by beta receptors (receptors that aid in activation of fat burning) which then cause a thermo effect in the body by raising your metabolism causing you to burn more fat.(Sports Supplements Encyclopedia by Dr. Antonio and Dr. Stout).

Once again, there is no reason to artificially drive your metabolism up. You can naturally and safely raise your metabolism by staying active (exercise) and portion control your food (eat 5-6 smaller meals through out the day). I mentioned safely because there are known side effects of taking products that contain ephedra including: dizziness, headache, tremor, depressed mood, euphoria, insomnia, dry mouth, increased blood pressure, palpations, racing heart rate and constipation. Wow! Sounds like you might need a trip to doctor’s office instead of your normal workout at the gym.

Caffeine: The most popular legal drug in the world. People seem to have a hard time understanding that caffeine is in fact a drug and a very addicting drug for that matter. Here is a very broad simplistic view of how Caffeine works in the body: Caffeine structurally is very similar to adenine (a component of ATP, DNA and most importantly cyclic AMP).

Caffeine in very simple terms can fool the body and slip into the adenosine receptors, which intern can keep cAMP(referred to as a second messenger in the stimulation of target cells) active rather than being broken down by the enzyme phodiesterase. When cAMP breaks down, the body’s energy supply also decreases due to the fact that cAMP activates protein Kinase A which phosphorylates(making something active) hormone-sensitive lipase. When HSL is active it initiates the breakdown of adipose tissue.

In a nutshell caffeine makes available more fat to be burned.  The problem is Caffeine like I mentioned earlier can be very addicting and does have side effects including: increase in blood pressure, heart rate, increase urination, and withdrawal symptoms including vomiting, headache and the shakes.  If you do decide to use caffeine, use it sparingly for a little pep in your step and not for weight loss. 

My take home message is simply this…..artificially ingesting a substance to aid in weight loss is completely unnecessary.  One of my favorite quotes is “As a man thinketh he is” by James Allen. If you are a novice, prescribing to an exercise and eating strategy for the first time may seem like hard work. Guess what? You’re probably right. All great rewards are preceded by hard, hard work! Portion control and well designed exercise programs are the only time tested methods that truly help people lose weight.

The question is do you really want it!

History of Las Vegas

In 1829 members of the French of the Antonio Armijo party gave Las Vegas its name and used the water around the area while they made their way along the Old Spanish Trail from New Mexico. During this time there were small parts of the Las Vegas Valley that had artesian wells that were able to support large green areas. That is where the name Las Vegas came from. It is Spanish for ‘The Meadows’.

 

On May 10th, 1855 after Las Vegas had by taken and incorporated into the United States – Brigham Young was ordered to take 30 Mormon missionaries to help convert the Paiute Indians in the area. They built a fort in what is now the downtown area. But over the years there would be problems that stirred between Brigham and new people in the area. The new people that came had more liberal views and questioned Brigham’s practices. This tension caused the Mormons to leave in 1857.

 

Over the coming years ownership of the Las Vegas Valley and the fort built within its borders would pass between the divided parts of the United States. It was not until 1881 that Archibald Stewart and his wife Helen J. Stewart would gain ownership of the land and would become the new Las Vegas Postmaster.

 

In 1884 the Stewart family would face tragedy when Archibald was murdered – but this did not stop the plans that were in motion to expand the property. The Stewarts were able to expand it to 1,800 acres and kept the land until it was acquired in 1902 by the San Pedro, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake Railroad. The building of the railroad would bring in many people to Las Vegas helping it to grow in population. Many of these people were farmers.

 

Another boost in population would come in 1930 when President Herbert Hoover would sign the appropriation bill for the Boulder Dam. The population jumped from 5,000 to 25,000 in hopes that they would be given the job of helping to build the dam. When completed the dam would help to give Las Vegas electricity. The city became the first customer for Southern Nevada Power company and the dam’s name was changed to the Hoover Dam.

 

By now Las Vegas had made a name for itself because of the erection of the dam. But the year 1931 would forever stick in people’s mind and it became the time when it would start to grow to new heights. Heights that no city had ever reached.

 

In 1931 gambling was legalized and Las Vegas started its upward climb to becoming the gaming capital of the world. The city was issued its first gambling license in 1931 – which was given to the Northern Club. Soon other casinos opened their doors to those who wanted to test fate and gamble with their money. Fremont Street, the Las Vegas Club, and the Apache Hotel were some of the first.

 

In order to attract people to their casinos they wanted to emit excitement and fun. Fremont Street became known as Glitter Gulch because of all the lights that were powered by the Hoover Dam. Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam helped to bring in the tourists – which called for more hotels. These hotels were high class that would be proper enough to accommodate the high class people that came. The city has evolved over the years and hotels and casinos have evolved into something great and an exciting place for those looking to let their inhibitions down.

San Antonio Social Security Disability and SSDI Lawyers

If your San Antonio, Texas social security disability benefits have been denied, now is the time to contact us at 800-667-5734 and start receiving the benefits that you deserve. For over 22 years, our attorneys have been helping individuals receive Social Security and SSI disability benefits entitled to them by the Federal Government.

Below are simply a few of the reasons why you should choose San Antonio, TX social security disability lawyer, Gerard “Jerry” Lynch to represent you in your claim:

• We charge no fees unless we win your claim.
• With over 20 years of experience, our lawyers have represented well over 2,000 social security and disability claims, bringing an unparalleled level of experience to your case.
• Our law firm helps guide you through each step of the legal process, from initial claim through federal court appeal actions, if necessary.
• Due to our experience in the claim process, we can help calculate the appropriate benefits that you deserve.
• You are given a free consultation so that you can see if we are right firm for your case.

Gerard “Jerry” Lynch also represents disabled persons in Alamo Heights, Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Cibolo, China Grove, Converse, Cross Mountain, Elmendorf, Fair Oaks Ranch, Grey Forest, Helotes, Hill County Village, Hollywood Park, Kirby, Leon Springs, Leon Valley, Live Oak, Lytle, Olmos Park, Schertz, Scenic Oaks, Selma, Shavano Park, Somerset, St. Hedwig, Terrell Hills, Timberwood Park, Universal City, Von Ormy, Windcrest and surrounding areas.

If you are ready to start receiving the social security disability benefits or supplemental security income benefits that you deserve, click here to contact us today!

For video answers to all of your social security disability questions, click here, if you speak Spanish visit our Spanish social security website at: http://www.AbogadodeSeguroSocial.com. Visit our social security disability lawyer blog.

How Much Is Your Electric Bill During Summer In San Antonio?

I have heard the electricity is alot more expensive than the rest of the country. Is this true? and if so why? I heard a figure of 300 to 400 dollars for a regular 3 bedroom family home. I lived in Phoenix and never paid so much. I am thinking of moving to San Antonio so just curious. Thanks

Give Yourself a Bonus When You Buy a New Home

Have you ever heard of receiving money after a new home purchase? Most people would say no, unless you happen to live in Texas. That’s right, there’s a new trend in real estate, and it’s to offer buyers a cash rebate on the purchase of any new home you set your sights on.

Cash rebate, for a home purchase? Yes, you read that correctly. Many people aren’t aware that when a homebuilder builds a home and then offers it for sale, a 3 percent commission charge is generally tacked onto the sale price of that home. In most cases, when that new home is purchased through a realtor, the realtor pockets the commission. If the homebuyers don’t go through a realty agent, the homebuilder pockets that commission and adds it to his profit.

If you live in the great state of Texas, and you know your stuff when it comes to builders and real estate agents, you may be able to receive 2 percent of that commission to pocket, just for purchasing a new home! That can add up to thousands of dollars of savings, which can be applied to your down payment, your escrow fees, or to enjoy any way you see fit.

Buying a new home can be a drain on anyone’s finances, especially after down payments, closing costs, mortgage and insurance premiums and taxes are figured into the bargain. No matter where you’re looking, or how big or small your dreams, it pays to know the ups and downs of real estate in your area. Don’t forget the cost of hiring an inspector to make sure that everything’s in good working order, and above all, read everything that passes through your hands, especially the small print. Even so, costs can add up fast.

Why be limited to sales and cash rebates when purchasing clothing goods and automobiles? The idea offers a burst of adrenaline to the real estate market, one that is bound to take off not only throughout Texas, but around the country as well, especially during real estate slumps as those that hit the seller’s market this last winter and spring. What a way to infuse new life into the housing market!

Many people don’t want to involve a realtor when searching for a new home, mainly because they don’t want to have to pay commission fees to the realtor. On the other end of the spectrum, most real estate agents wouldn’t be to happy to share their commission with you, the buyer, and buyers rarely hear of the 3 percent commission that’s included in the homebuilder’s selling price. Now you know.

While the concept of cash rebates is new to the real estate market, it is one that has been a long time in coming, and people may wonder why someone didn’t think of it earlier. Some think that receiving a cash rebate on the purchase of a new home is not legal, but it is. Proper paperwork regarding the transaction will be filed with all the appropriate authorities so you have nothing to worry about. All you have to do is find an agent who offers cash rebates on the sale of new homes.

Is San Antonio College A Nice Community College? I Am Moving To Texas And Hoping To Continue With Nursing?

courses. Is it difficult to do that there? Does anyone know which areas would be nice to live in? Thanks!

Botox Facts and Benefits

If you want to improve your looks, there are a number of ways to do it without plastic surgery. These methods are known as “non-surgical injectables,” and thousands of people use them every year to clean up blemishes, erase wrinkles, and feel better about their appearance and themselves. There are three options most people choose from.

Botox involves a series of injections that relax the muscles which cause wrinkles in your face. With less muscle contraction, you will have fewer wrinkles. At this point, Botox is one of the most trusted non-surgical cosmetic surgery methods.

There are a variety of benefits to Botox injections. First, you can be in and out of the doctor’s office in no time. The procedure usually takes as little as 30 minutes. There is very little pain involved in Botox treatments. Usually there is some slight discomfort. Sometimes a topical anesthetic is used. The most appealing aspect of this procedure is that it leaves no scars. Finally, results are visible in just a few short days.

Let’s be honest. Every procedure has drawbacks. For example, if you don’t keep going for Botox shots, the wrinkles will come back in as little as four months. You also have to continue your Botox treatments indefinitely to see results. Possible side effects include temporarily drooping eyelids and nausea. In some rare cases patients have allergic reactions.

Chemical Peels are treatments where chemicals are applied to your face and removed. The purpose is to take off the uppermost fine layers of skin that contain blemishes. There are several types of chemicals for different types of cases.

Some people don’t like injections. Instead, they consider the benefits of chemical peels. Different varieties of this treatment can be used for different conditions, including acne, aging, rough or dry skin, uneven pigmentation, growths due to cancer, and more.

Depending on the depth of the peel, the procedure can take as little as 15 minutes. The chemical peel is a long-lasting treatment, depending on your situation. For many, no further treatment is needed after the initial peels are done.

Some drawbacks of having a chemical peel include an increase in the number of treatments you need. The more peels you get, the more you will need to have them to keep your skin the way you want.

The chemicals must be handled carefully, especially phenol which carries a slight risk of heart problems, and peels could permanently remove facial freckles.

There is also a healing period and your skin will need to adjust to the chemical treatment over time. While the healing period is quick, with phenol peels, healing may take up to several months.

Before you commit to this treatment, though, make sure that the cosmetic surgeon performing the operation is a qualified surgeon. There have been cases of people offering chemical peels as some kind of miracle cure, and in many states it is legal for a non-licensed individual to do chemical peels.

Yet another option is dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are injections of various natural hormones that augment lips, remove acne, fill wrinkles, and have a variety of other effects. This is the newest method, and the market is now flooded with different products promising different results.

Dermal fillers are still relatively new, but they do have noticeable benefits. There is a wide variety of dermal fillers on the market, designed to treat virtually everything. Dermal fillers are much more natural than other cosmetic surgery options. Some dermal fillers last up to five years, but others (such as Collagen) last for under six months.

There are drawbacks you should know about when considering dermal fillers. For one thing, they are still quite expensive.

There are so many filler options, it can be difficult to decide which is best. Among the most popular are Collagen and Restylane. It is very important to talk to your doctor for his or her expert advice before deciding on a dermal filler.

Which method is best for you is a tough decision to make. Get a consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon and discuss with them which option you think is best. It never hurts to have an expert opinion.

Texas Homeownership Tax Info

Buying a home in the State of Texas can be a really good investment option. You can have a solid investment in your hands and the value of the property will likely rise in the years to come. As a homeowner you should pay all taxes applicable on your property correctly, otherwise you may be subject to penalties. If you are a smart homeowner, you will also find ways by which you can legally cut down on your tax burden and increase your savings.

A great benefit of homeownership is receiving the many applicable tax deductions. Those who have taken a home mortgage can deduct their mortgage interest payments. In addition, if you are late on a monthly mortgage payment, you will likely get charged a late payment fee and the late fee is also tax deductible. If your property purchase comes under the category of a 1031 property exchange, you are exempt from paying tax on the capital gains of the property.

You can also make tax deductions on the loan points charged to you when you receive a home mortgage. One point is one percent of the principal loan amount. In the case of home loans, one to three points are normally charged and in terms of tax deductions this can add up to thousands of dollars, which can prove to be a good savings for you. If you are refinancing your home, points paid to the lender for refinancing your home are also tax deductible if they are amortized over the loan lifetime. If you have taken a home equity loan and used the money to make considerable home improvement, the interest paid on the equity loan is also tax deductible.

Tax deductions are specific to state laws, and they constantly change, so it’s best to consult a qualified property tax auditor who can show you the various ways to deduct taxes. Tax deductions are offered by the government to encourage people to buy property and are just one more benefit of homeownership. By looking for ways to reduce your taxes, you can free up money for other crucial expenses. On the other hand, being unaware of tax deduction benefits may mean that you lose out on financial savings.

Next Page »