Another Major Earthquake

I am no expert on earthquakes but Los   Angeles has had a major quake about every 20 years.  Following is a list of quakes in the Los Angeles region that was collected by Wikipedia.  I have bolded those that were major shakers in Long Beach, Inglewood, West Los Angeles, and the San Fernando Valley.

My unscientific evaluation is that we are due for another major shaker NOW.

Are you ready?

Year Date Area Magnitude Title
1769 July 28 Santa Ana River 6.5-7.0 Portola Expedition earthquake
1812 December 8 Wrightwood 6.9-7.5 1812 Wrightwood earthquake
1857 January 9 ParkfieldWrightwood 7.9 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake
1933 March 10 Long Beach 6.4 1933 Long Beach earthquake
1947 April 10 near Barstow 6.5 1947 Manix earthquake
1948 December 4 near Desert Hot Springs 6.0 1948 Desert Hot Springs earthquake
1952 July 21 Kern County 7.3-7.5 1952 Kern County earthquake
1971 February 9 San Fernando 6.6 1971 San Fernando earthquake
1986 July 8 North Palm Springs 6.0 1986 North Palm Springsearthquake
1987 October 1 Whittier Narrows 5.9 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake
1991 June 28 Sierra Madre 5.6 1991 Sierra Madre earthquake
1994 January 17 Northridge 6.7 1994 Northridge earthquake

Senior Discounts

Just an FYI on some discounts available to some folks over 55:

Keep this list. Send a copy to your Senior friends. As I was waiting in line behind an older gentleman at Wendy’s recently, I heard him ask for his senior discount.
The girl at the register apologized and charged him less. When I asked the man what the discount was, he told me that seniors over 55 gets 10% off everything on the menu, every day.
Being that age myself, I figured I might as well ask for the discount too. As I waited for my turn, I thought about the consequences of doing so.

If the employee asked me for I.D., it could be embarrassing having to show my license. But if she didn’t ask for proof, I would get depressed that I really did look “old” and that I didn’t need to prove it.

Since I always like to save money, I boldly asked for the discount, and sadly she just rang up the discount (even though I am convinced I don’t look a day over 54).

Anyway, this incident prompted me to do some research, and I came across a list of restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, travel deals and other types of offers giving various discounts with different age requirements.

I was actually surprised to see how many there are and how some of them start at the young age of 50.
This list may not only be useful for you, your friends and family.Hmmmm, Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55.  If you’re paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

Restaurants
Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)

Arby’s: 10% off (55+)

Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)

Bennigan’s: discount varies by location

Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)

Boston Market: 10% off (65+)

Burger King: 10% off (60+)

Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)

Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)

Chili’s: 10% off (55+)

CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)

Culver’s: 10% off (60+)

Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)

Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)

Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)

Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)

Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)

Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)

Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)

IHOP: 10% off (55+)

Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)

KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)

Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)

Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)

McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)

Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)

Shoney’s: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)

Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)

Subway: 10% off (60+)

Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)

Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)

TCBY: 10% off (55+)

Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)

Village Inn: 10% off (60+)

Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)

Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)

White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail And Apparel

Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)

Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)

Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)

Big Lots: 10% off

Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)

C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)

Clarks: 10% off (62+)

Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)

Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kmart: 20% off (50+) Kohl�s: 15% off (60+)

Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off

Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions

Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)

Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery

Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)

American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)

Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)

DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)

Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)

Fry’s Supermarket: free Fr’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)

Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)

Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)

Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)

Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)

The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)

Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)

Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)

Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel

Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)

Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members

American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount) Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members

Best Western: 10% off (55+)

Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)

Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)

Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations

Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)

Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members

Greyhound: 5% off (62+)

Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance

Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members

Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)

Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)

InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)

Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)

Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+) Motel 6: 10% off (60+)

Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)

National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)

Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up

United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities And Entertainment

 AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)

Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)

Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)

Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off

U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)

Regal Cinemas: 30% off

Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)

SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts

AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)

Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)

Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

Miscellaneous

Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+) Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Things are Getting Better?

The unemployment rate decreased .1% last month. That sounds good but the cause was more people giving up on searching for a job.  There weren’t even enough jobs created last month to keep up with increased population. 

Today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics report included the following statement. “The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over)was essentially unchanged at 5.3 million in March. These individuals accounted for 42.5 percent of the unemployed. Since April 2010, the number of long-term unemployed has fallen by 1.4 million.”

There is the problem that neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney has addressed. American industry doesn’t need most of those long term unemployed. The reason is that technology and the export of American jobs has reduced the numbers of people required in the United States.

The president’s job plan does include the following proposals
– A $4,000 tax credit to employers for hiring long-term unemployed workers.
– Prohibiting employers from discriminating against unemployed workers when hiring.
Nice gestures that do not answer the question of who will hire these un-needed people?

I have found nothing in Mitt Romney’s proposals that even suggest any solutions. His focus is on “free market.” My question is, where were the free markets under George W. Bush when the economy was in free fall?

My solution is higher tariffs on all imported products. Neither Obama nor Romney agree with that solution.  They don’t have a solution!

Diseases That Plague Photographers

This factual and entertaining column on the Mansurovs Photography blog is only telling the truth about picture taking geeks.  We want the latest and best equipment even if it’s just to take a picture in the backyard.  It as bad as any addiction you can imagine.

Read all about it at http://mansurovs.com/diseases-that-plague-photographers.  Mansurovs Photography blog has been added to the ENERGY listing on the right side of this page.

Happiest Country in the World is Denmark

According to the World Happiness Report, released this week, Canada ranks as the fifth happiest country, trailing only Denmark, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands.

Trust also was cited as a key factor in overall happiness in the report, which was tabled at the United Nations.

A more recent reduction in trust was noted in countries such as the United States — which placed 11th overall — and the United Kingdom, which ranked 18th on the global happiness list.

http://www.vancouversun.com/…th+global+happiness+ranking/6406456/story.html

10 happiest countries:

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Netherlands

Canada

Switzerland

Sweden

New Zealand

Australia

Ireland

Canada is Not Part of the U.S.A.

Mexican Pres. Calderon, Obama, Canadian P.M. Harper at the White House          Mexican Pres. Calderon, Obama, Canadian P.M. Harper at the White House

Reported in the Toronto Star, “Ottawa has no choice but to aggressively pursue other export markets to safeguard Canada’s economy in case Keystone is rejected, PM says in Washington.”

Let’s be honest. The Keystone oil was not destined for consumption in the United States. The benefit to the USA is that there will be construction jobs for laying the pipeline, maintenance jobs for keeping the oil flowing without any leaks, and refinery jobs on the Gulf of Mexico.

The additional major benefit is that if there was an oil embargo the United States would have access to the supply.

Canada has the benefit of many natural resources. The Canadian government’s first interest is in the well being of its own people. As it should. Exporting their resources has enabled that country to thrive. For some reason Americans think that Canada owes its total existence to them and should respond to American wishes and desires at Canadian peril. Despite that belief, Canada is not part of the U.S.A.

Health Care Mandates are not a New Idea

As a nation Americans are debating the power of the Federal government to pass laws that mandate our behavior in the area of health care. However, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is not the first mandate pertaining to health care.

Three other mandates already exist. This information was posted in my local newspaper (Los Angeles Daily News).

Other health care mandates
The 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active as Labor Act. It requires nearly all hospitals to treat and ‘or stabilize anyone needing emergency care, regardless .of ability to pay or legal U.S. residency. Critics call it an unfunded mandate. It was part of a budget law signed by President Ronald Reagan.
The 1996 Mental Health Parity Act. It prohibits group health plans from setting lower annual or lifetime dollar limits for mental health benefits as compared with medical a surgical benefits.
The 1996 Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act. It requires plans offering maternity coverage to pay for at a least a 48-hour hospital stay following most normal deliveries, and 96 hours following a cesarean section. The mental health parity and maternal health laws were signed by President Bill Clinton.

A New Addition to this Blog

I am on the lookout for interesting blogs that have something to say in areas that are not generally covered by me.  WordPress has given the title ENERGY for that alternate category.  The first on up is the result of a comment by Guro Stuan who lives in Vancouver Canada.  Perhaps I have misunderstood but he goes by the name Jason.

Give a look.  The ENERGY group is immediately below the BLOGROLL  It is a well organized and interesting blog.  The direct link is http://thewalkntalk.com/

Asteroid 2011 AG5 May Pose Threat to Earth in 2040!!!!


Si-fi fans here is something to get you really excited.  I read  about this in a magazine and ABC News is providing information on their web site.

There is an asteroid called 2011 AG5, and if it follows the orbit scientists have plotted for it so far, there is a small, small chance that it could hit Earth in February 2040.

Don’t quit your job and sell your house just yet. Astronomers, who have been tracking the asteroid since January 2011, say it is in an elliptical orbit that could bring it somewhere near Earth in 2040. Earth is about 8,000 miles in diameter; the asteroid appears to be about 450 feet across.

More details and a video at ABCOr is this an April Fool’s joke?