Nissan Leaf nearly sold before it's released

The Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt are the hot automobile releases this year. The Leaf is the more exciting from the two, as it is an all electric car. The Leaf can be accessible for sale at dealerships by the end of 2010. Nissan, like Toyota does for the Prius, started taking advance purchases. However, the advance orders are already maxed out. That all being said, the Leaf is only being launched in five states initially. Article source – Nissan Leaf almost sold out it debuts by Car Deal Expert.

First run almost all spoken for

The Nissan Leaf is kind of a large deal. It is the very first totally electric auto from a major automaker. There isn’t a direct competitor for it at all. According to the New York Times, Nissan offered customers the chance to reserve a car in advance. That was in April. Nissan had announced the initial goal was to get 20,000 reservations booked by the end from the year, after releasing a test fleet that might be shown off. However, all 20,000 reservation slots have already been booked. That shows the opportunity for electric cars, as Nissan has met its goal three months faster than envisioned or hoped for.

Leaf absolutely nothing close to risk

The intent was to get 20,000 orders in by spreading word of mouth with demonstrations. Nissan is already touring with a demonstration Leaf or two around the country, however at this point it seems nearly unnecessary. There are already 20,000 reservations, and the vehicle comes available in December. Initially, the Leaf can be available only in Washington state, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Tennessee. In January 2011, Texas and Hawaii will get shipments of the automobile. By the end of 2011, the Leaf can be available everywhere.

So why leaf it at that

There is no use in denying it. Hybrids and electric cars are what will be the way from the future. It is likely that one day, there can be no more crude oil. As more customers wish to decrease gas consumption and emissions, the time will come when electric cars become the rule, instead of the exception.

Find more information on this subject

NY Times

wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/thinking-of-buying-a-nissan-leaf-get-in-line/

National Happy Hour means free Budweiser beer on Sept 29

Americans have really liked Busch’s Budweiser “Bohemian-style” pale lager. This was introduced in 1876. In 2008, accounts the St. Louis Business Journal, a 50.9 percent market share for all beers sold within the United States has held by the Busch family corporation Anheuser-Busch. Belgian-Brazilian beer magnate InBev bought off most of the Anheuser-Busch stock later that year. Sales went down since the “King of Beers” became “de Koning van Bieren” in The United States. Anheuser-Busch InBev is going to be handing out free beer on September 29, accounts St. Louis Today. This is in celebration of National Happy Hour. Source of article – Get free Budweiser beer on Sept. 29 at National Happy Hour by Personal Money Store.

Budweiser is free with the marketing

Participating bars and restaurants will be giving out about 500,000 free of charge Budweiser beer samples. These will come, based on local and state rules, in 6- and 12-ounce sample sizes. The market share for Budweiser dropped from 26 percent in 1988 to 9.3 percent which is why the “Grab some Buds” advertising campaign will go from Sept 25 via October 3. Drinkers in their mid-20s could be the biggest target of this campaign. This is mostly because of the study that shows de Koning van Bieren hasn’t even been touched by drinkers ages 21 to 27.

St. Louis Today reports a conversation with President Dave Peacock of Anheuser-Busch InBev. He states, “We want to close that gap.”

Texas sells the deep fried beer

Mark Zable is the one to find in case you are ever drinking at the 2010 Texas State Fair. He makes deep-fried beer which complements the de Koning van Bieren beers with it. After filling pretzel dough with beer, he dunks for 20 seconds the dough into 375-degree oil. It is the perfect amount to keep the alcoholic content in there while also cooking the dough all the way. Zable is hoping he can patent the cooking process as, reports the London Telegraph, the public loves the treat.

For the record, Mark Zable uses Guinness. That means no Koning van Bieren.

Further reading

London Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/7973944/Deep-fried-beer-invented-in-Texas.html

St. Louis Business Journal

bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/04/21/daily42.html

St. Louis Today

stltoday.com/business/article_a7801e6d-16b3-5ad7-ba55-08475f94a313.html

Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_(Anheuser-Busch)

What’s up with free beer?

youtube.com/watch?v=B1PaVo00U3c

Pennsylvania's Sugarhouse Casino stirs up controversy?

The casino that has been in the works for the Delaware River, the Sugarhouse Casino, opened its doors. Only five gaming licenses were issued by the state in 2006. Not everyone is in love with the idea of a casino in their city. Some groups who have been speaking resistant to the casino are now planning on ways to reduce business at the new facility.

The Sugarhouse Casino faces strong resistance

Residents have expressed concern about the possibility of a casino ever since the license was granted. Some community groups claimed that the gambling establishment would create a “bad neighborhood” of drunks, fax-less payday advance companies, and crime. One group held a service with candles outside the casino on opening night. This service was designed to bring attention to those that may face a gambling problem.

The justifications for Sugarhouse Gambling establishment

Most residents who live near the new casino have said they’re happy to have it open. Schools, veterans’ services, sports programs, and arts programs have all already benefitted from the money the gambling establishment has paid out. Over 900 individuals have been hired by the Sugarhouse Gambling establishment, including 800 full-time employees.

Will the Sugarhouse Casino carry on the same route

There are large strategies for this gambling establishment, even though they opened with several hundred slot machines fewer than planned. Future plans for the Sugarhouse Casino consist of a parking garage, luxury hotel and spa. The people who have campaigned against this new business are not giving up. There are campaigns in place to minimize the business coming to the new gambling establishment. The financial stimulation provided by this huge employer who is going to pay millions in taxes might be precisely what this depressed area needs.

Further reading

My Fox Philly

myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/sugar-hpuse’s-pledge-to-keep-area-safe

Philly.com

philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100921_SugarHouse_Casino_opens_this_week_in_Philly_to_hoopla_and_harrumphs.html?page=2 and c=y

Lightning strikes two times in 2nd Randy Quaid police arrest

From time to time, people really do need to be told twice. Last year, a well known character actor with an extensive filmography was arrested for skipping out on a hotel bill. Randy Quaid, and wife Evi Quaid, were arrested on charges of attempting to defraud an inn. The pair headed home after posting bail. This made a lot of headlines, as an individual who has worked in Hollywood so long could have very easily afforded a hotel expenses. The alleged hotel stiffing occurred in California. The Quaids, though, were imprisoned in Texas. The terrible two were imprisoned again recently in Santa Barbara. Allegedly, they had taken up residence in the guest house of a property they used to won, thinking they nevertheless did.

Delinquent hotel expenses results in first Randy Quaid police arrest

This isn’t the first time within the last year that Randy and Evi Quaid are in trouble. It appears as though it is becoming an annual event. On Sept. 30, the Quaids were arrested on suspicion of defrauding an inn. They stayed a night at a posh hotel in California, and forgot or refused to pay for the night. A warrant was issued for their arrests, and they were picked up in Texas. After posting bail, both missed a series of court dates. Evi Quaid was put on probation and had to do community service after they ultimately resurfaced. They also paid off the hotel, as outlined by CNN. At that point, all seemed back to normal.

Train Squatting

Usually, a person remembers selling a house. However, it somehow just didn’t register for Evi and Randy Quaid. The two sold a property they owned in Santa Barbara years ago. They were recently arrested for taking up residence illegally in the guest house on the property. The current owners produced the documents from the sale. The Quaids claimed they nevertheless owned the property. According to ABC, the cops were having none of it and arrested them for burglary. The home did used to belong to them, which is clear. Nevertheless, why they went to the guest house is type of odd.

Vacation from sanity

There hasn’t been a remark on either arrest from Dennis Quaid, Randy Quaid’s younger brother. Perhaps there is something within the smog. Hollywood appears to breed a particularly strong variety of insanity. Perhaps the concept of not breaking the law doesn’t occur to the Quaids, or others like Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton.

More on this topic

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=11677759

CNN

cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/04/28/randy.quaid.wife.arrested/index.html?iref=obnetwork

Refunds for Freddie and Fannie aren't being given for bad bank loans

Part of what caused the collapse of the housing market was toxic mortgages. How it works is simple. A financial institution or loan lender gets someone into a mortgage, and the mortgage is sold as a paying asset. Some individuals just had poor luck, and others should not have been given bank loans at all. Many of these loans were sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and when the assets went bad, Fannie and Freddie went into freefall. Part of the law governing these transactions mandates that in the event the buyer wants to sell the assets back, the vendor has to do agree, but a lot of the sellers are refusing. Article source – Bad bank loans to Fannie and Freddie not being bought back by Personal Money Store.

If asked the poor loans have to be bought back

Purchasing a bundle of bad finance loans back from a company that has been damaged by buying them would seem fair. If lending options sold as securities become toxic and are foreclosed on, there is legislation that was passed that guaranteed lending options have to be purchased back on request. A great deal of these mortgage securities that went poor were purchased by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The law is on the side of the two mortgage giants. However, the troubled corporations aren’t getting the pay-backs that are owed.

No redress of faulty assets

There have been a fair amount of the bad mortgage properties that are not getting repurchased. Freddie and Fannie have been asking for a refund from the corporations that sold the mortgages to them, according to USA Today, and about $11 billion worth is being sold back. Of that $11 billion, lots of it is going nowhere right now. A full 3rd of the loan refunds are 90 days delinquent. Those aren’t the only businesses that bought those securities. Other lending options were backed by the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration.

Banks harming themselves

The idea is that in the event the pay-backs are granted, the bank or loan company that sold the security will lose money. However, that is really counterintuitive. Tax dollars are what is keeping Fannie and Freddie afloat, and companies and individuals who work in those companies pay taxes. The executives and employees of the financial institutions and other corporations that won’t buy back the assets can have to pay taxes until the debt for Fannie and Freddie is paid off.

Additional reading

USA Today

usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2010-09-15-fannie-freddie_N.htm

small business bill passed with two Senate Republicans who defected

Those who understand Congress expected lawmakers to succeed in passing a small business bill before the This falls midterm elections. Party lines were crossed as Democrats got sufficient votes by two Republican senators wishing to get re-elected. After a summer of partisan bickering, the Senate passed a small business bill Thursday. Credit is easier to access for many with the legislation that should also give tax relief to smaller businesses, allowing them to create more jobs. The House is expected to move the plan fast, although it hasn’t gotten there yet.

Small business lending and tax breaks

The small business bill that finally passed the U.S. Senate Thursday features the creation of a $30 billion lending fund directed to regional banks for small business lending. Republicans called the fund another taxpayer bailout like the Troubled Asset Relief Program. However the Wall Street Journal reports that unlike TARP, banks really volunteer to participate in the new small business lending program. Interest rates for banks to charged are being determined. This will happen by evaluating how much the financial institution is willing to increase small company lending. All companies that purchased new equipment in 2010 can write-off 50 percent of it right away which is part of the $12 billion in business tax breaks the small business bill has in it. The amount of new investment that smaller businesses are allowed to expense in 2010 and 2011 will double to $500,000.

Principle based votes happen with retiring Republicans

The House passed a version of the small business bill earlier this year. The National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce were both expected to support the plan. Of course, instead they have chosen to Use the legislation to weaken the health care reform law, reports the Los Angeles Times. Republicans filibustered the small business bill in July, demanding to add amendments unrelated to the objectives of the legislation. To protest the delays, House members had a sit-in at the Senate chamber. Finally months of partisan gridlock were overcome by Republicans George LeMieux of Florida and George Voinovich of Ohio, senators who are not seeking re-election. They joined 57 Democrats and two independents to pass the measure 61-38.

Additional reading

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440604575495882236157048.html

Los Angeles times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-pn-small-business-bill-20100917,,2992847.story

Awesome police automobiles being revealed by Ford and Dodge Motors

Probably the most common purposes behind buying an automobile is for a daily driver, and that is what lots of them are made for. Automobile firms also sell a lot of fleet vehicles. Rental vehicles are huge sales. So are transportation purpose automobiles, like trucks and vans. There is a more interesting type of fleet vehicle, that is part of myth and star. That is the law enforcement interceptor. Hardly a car business doesn’t make a police vehicle. The brand new Dodge Motors and Ford interceptor models are especially appealing. Resource for this article – Ford and Dodge to release some incredible cop cars by Car Deal Expert.

The brand new interceptors from Ford

Ford Motors is retiring a mainstay among police cruisers. As a result, Ford is introduction two brand new interceptor models. The Crown Victoria, the rear wheel drive V-8 police cruiser, will no longer be made, so Ford is offering two brand new interceptor models. A Ford Taurus with an interceptor package is being offered, along with an interceptor model of Ford Motors Explorer. The Taurus, according to the NY Times, will come with a 365-horsepower turbocharged V-6, along with standard police improvements for instance a sturdier frame and additional cooling capacity. The law enforcement Explorer is located around the brand new generation of Explorer models. The brand new Taurus and Explorer share a lot of components.

Dodge in Quest of police sales

Chevrolet and Dodge Motors are attempting for making inroads to the interceptor market. There already have been sales of the Dodge Charger to police departments all over the country. However, there will be an improved model called the Dodge Motors Charger Pursuit. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Pursuit will be a rear wheel drive model of the Charger that will come with a turbo V-6 or a V-8, also as other police accouterments such as a beefed-up suspension and stability controls. The new Chevrolet Caprice is being offered as a police vehicle only, as the Caprice was formerly a really popular model among police until it was retired and also the Crown Victoria gained a near monopoly on the market.

Law-breaking does pay

Police cars are really more profitable than other fleet automobile counterparts, but law enforcement vehicles also have to be made to more demanding specifications. Greater use of electronics is part and parcel to the modern police cruiser, instead of sheer raw power, durability and maneuverability. A police officer has to sit in one for hours, so it has to be comfortable as well.

Further reading

Wall Street Journal

blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/08/26/2011-dodge-charger-designed-for-police-chases/

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/05/23/automobiles/23POLICE.html?pagewanted=1 and fta=y