Photo by: Schu

Why Gift Cards Aren’t the Best Gifts

Consumer Reports calls gift cards “the gift that keeps on taking”. Even if the threat of retail bankruptcies were not hanging over the industry now, CR doesn’t suggest people give gift cards. Even though your intentions are good, you do not know what stores near your Santa Clara apartment will not be in business in 6 months, and the gift cards that you paid cash for, could be worthless.

Another Consumer Reports survey states that 25% of gift card recipients still have not spent their gift cards a year after receiving them. And, most people end up spending more than the value of the card once they get in the store.

What happens to gift cards after bankruptcy?

When The Sharper Image closed its stores and filed bankruptcy, customers were holding $66 million in gift cards they couldn’t use. The courts were petitioned and finally agreed to take the gift cards if people would spend twice the value of the card. When a retailer files bankruptcy, the gift card holder is considered an unsecured creditor in the bankruptcy and therefore the gift cards have no value. When Bombay Co. closed its stores, gift card holders received 25 cents on the dollar.

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Stores that are Closing or Scaling Back

Hundreds of retailers have been forced into bankruptcy or scale-backs. Some have filed bankruptcy protection, so beware. Here is a list of some of the major US retailers who have closed some or all of their stores this year.

• Ann Taylor (117)
• Sprint/Nextel (125)
• Ethan Allen (12)
• Dell (140)
• Friedmans (120)
• Pier 1 (25)
• Sigrid Olsen (54)
• Talbots Kids/Mens (78)
• Home Depot (15)
• Eddie Bauer (27)
• GAP (85)
• Footlocker (140)
• Bombay (all 384 stores)
• Disney (84)
• Macys (11)
• JC Penney (scaling back)
• Loews (scaling back)
• Office Depot
• Sharper Image (184)
• Wilson Leather (160)
• Pep Boys (31)
• Pacific Sunwear (154)
• Zales (105)
• Cache (14)
• Lane Bryant (40)
• KB Toys (356)
• Dillards (26)
• Fashion Bug (100)
• CompUSA (all stores)
• Linens ‘N Things
• Mervyn’s (all stores)
• Club Libby Lu (78)

It is important to consider all of these store closings and potential closings when Christmas shopping this year. Keep in mind too that more bankruptcy filings are done in January, than any other month. This will not only affect the value of gift cards, but also returns after Christmas to retailers who are no longer in business. So, be cautious, check the retail gift card policy and make a wise choice in spending your hard earned cash this holiday season. Consumers say that cash is by far the gift of choice and the more practical option this holiday season.

Photo By: iamhannah

Top Places For One-Stop Gift Shopping

ITunes- You can now buy movies, cds, and podcasts on Itunes. You’re sure to please with a gift for ITunes downloads.
World Market- Stores like this have anything and everything home-related. Rack up on frames, artwork, kitchen gadgets, candles, leather office goods, even luggage.
Barnes and Noble- With books and media spanning every genre possible, you’re sure to find that special gift for everyone on your list. You could even make a small gift basket of several clearance items. Put together a culinary themed basket with several food and wine books, for instance.

Simplify Your Gift Buying This Year

When a close friend of mine got engaged around the holidays, she received a year’s subscription to a bridal magazine as a Christmas gift. There are a variety of subscriptions you could purchase for your family and friends this year. The key is to think outside the box. Creative, unconventional gift ideas might be the most appreciated. Could these be the perfect idea for anyone you know?

Gifts That Keep on Giving

• Massage memberships
• Wine of the month club
• Coffee club subscription
• Art Museum Membership
• Season tickets to college sporting events
• Golf Lessons, dance lessons, pottery lessons

Holiday Shopping Tips

• What to buy the person with everything
• Gift ideas for holiday traveling
• Eco-friendly gift giving
• Top gifts for the teenage girl
• Give to the less fortunate this holiday season

Photo by: Storm Crypt

The Caves Resort is a unique and expensive Negril resort in Jamaica, voted a Best Luxury Resort in the 2008 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. The property encompasses two seafront acres and offers sundecks, winding stone pathways and grottos in the cliff.

Guests stay in one of 10 stylish high-ceiling cottages on the edge of the sea. The cottages are made of wood and stone, with thatch roofs. They are strategically planted at the edge of the sea, with many of them offering breath-taking views.

9 Things to Do

• Walk the lush tropical gardens hand-in-hand with your loved one.
• Have an incredibly romantic private dinner for two in the caves.
• Bravely dive into the water from the many plunge points on the cliffs.
• Snorkel and float in the water.
• Explore the caves.
• Watch for dolphins, parrot fish and sea turtles.
• Drink The Caves signature cocktail, ‘The Cliffhanger’, with fresh-squeezed watermelon juice, Jamaican Rum and a hint of ginger.
• View the sunset from a private hot tub in a cave.
• Have an after-dark spa massage while listening to the waves crash into shore.

Photo by: JasonTodt

Things you Won’t Find

A beach – This unique travel destination does not have a beach area for sunbathing.
A large pool – The swimming pool at this resort is rather small.
Air conditioning – Most of the rooms have fans, not air conditioners. Make sure to inquire with the resort if you need a room with air conditioning, but be advised, many of the cottages with the best views do not have air conditioning.

Think you Might be Interested?

If you want to learn more about this peaceful retreat, read the many traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.com. The Caves is a 1-hour car ride from the airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and ground transportation can be arranged directly with the property.

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Microwave popcorn is convenient and inexpensive. It comes in a variety of flavors. You can buy regular size bags or mini-bags. And it takes just minutes to prepare.

Photo By: Aim and Shoot

Here are the Best Picks for Microwave Popcorn:

Act II Microwave Popcorn- The leading brand of microwave popcorn for over two decades. Compared to other brands of microwave popcorn, Act II offers far better taste, fewer un-popped kernels and larger portions. It comes in several varieties including a 94% fat free kettle corn.

Orville Redenbacher- is a man who dedicated his life to perfecting his gourmet popping corn. His famous line of microwave popcorn includes: Movie Theater Butter, Kettle Corn, Smart Pop 94% Fat Free & Light. He’s also got a natural line of popcorn in yummy and unique flavors, including Simply Salted, Salt & Cracked Pepper, Buttery Garlic, and the brand new Lime & Salt.

Snappy Popcorn- Snappy is a cool popcorn company with a great website where you can even order customized designs on your popcorn bags. Buy your popcorn in bulk and get a great price – 48 packs for $15. Flavors include Butter, Light Butter, Natural, Low Fat and best-selling Movie-Theater Butter. Their products do not contain the controversial chemical diacetyl.

Newman’s Own Old-Style Picture Show Microwave Popcorn- It comes in several varieties, all free of trans fats: Fat Free, Light Butter, Low Sodium and the popular Butter Boom. Paul Newman and the Newman’s Own Foundation donate all profits and royalties after taxes for educational and charitable purposes. They have given over $250 million to thousands of charities worldwide since l982. If you want to support the cause, you can visit their website and buy merchandise.

Homemade Caramel Corn- If you have a sweet tooth, it’s easy to make your own caramel-flavored microwave popcorn with an easy recipe. Just make sure you have a microwave-safe bowl.

No matter which brand you choose for Movie Night, make sure to stay close to the microwave during popping so it won’t burn.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

In this hair removal procedure, a low-energy light beam is used on the skin to destroy hair follicles, the place where hair grows. The light beam targets melanin, a dark pigment in the skin.

The most commonly treated areas include the bikini line and face for women and the back and legs for men. Virtually any area can be treated though with some people wanting the hair on their legs gone. Other popular regions of the body treated are the arms, underarms, and neck.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost? Obviously, the costs will vary depending on where you live, and the area of your body being treated. A bikini hair removal treatment can be as little as $350 per session, while the face and neck can cost as much as $900 per session.

Does it require multiple sessions? Often a series of sessions are necessary. According to Dr. Melanie Grossman and the HairRemovalJournal, patients should expect 80% hair reduction in 4 to 7 treatments initially. Maintenance sessions at periodic intervals might also be needed for some patients.

Is it painful? In many cases, patients have reported mild discomfort, if any at all, and virtually no recovery period. There isn’t usually any lasting pain, just pain during the procedure and only on the area being treated. There are some topical anesthetics that can be used when necessary.

Is the procedure different for people of color? Because the laser generally targets melanin, a dark pigment in the skin, it is difficult to treat patients with darker skin. The best results occur when the hair being treated is significantly darker than the surrounding skin. However, there are lasers available today that effectively remove hair from people of color.

The best thing you can do for yourself if considering a laser procedure is to consult with a qualified health professional in the Santa Clara area.

Photo By: /\/\ichael Patric|{

6 Great Santa Clara Parks to Check Out

Civic Center Park, Lincoln and El Camino Real
This is a beautiful three-acre park with colorful flower beds, a large reflecting pool, fountains and benches. This park is the site of the Statue of Saint Clare, the City’s namesake.

Reed Street Dog Park 888 Reed St, Corner of Lafayette
This 1.5 acre park is the only city park that allows dogs to run off-leash. There are seperate fenced areas for large and small dogs; with grassy mounds, water, benches, trees, plastic bags, garbage cans and a shaded structure.

Photo By: Fovea Centralis

Central Park, 909 Kiely Boulevard, between Homestead Road and Benton Street
A whopping fifty-two acres, Central Park has picnic facilities, a children’s play area, public restrooms, an amphitheater, parking, two lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, the Veterans Memorial, and a 30,000 square foot Community Recreation Center.

San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek Trail
Here you’ll find a walking, running and bicycling trail extending south from the San Francisco Bay Trail to Scott Boulevard. There’s easy trail access via the free public parking lot at the Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club, 5155 Stars & Stripes Drive.

Everett Alvarez Jr. Park, 2280 Rosita Drive
This one-and-a-half acre park features a large children’s play area, picnic facilities, restrooms, a basketball court and plenty of open space. The park was named in honor of Vietnam Prisoner of War (POW) Navy Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., the longest held POW in American history.

City Plaza Park, Lexington and Main Streets
This one-acre park was Santa Clara’s first city park. The grounds include the
Mission Library Family Reading Center, a gazebo, picnic tables, benches and heritage elm trees.

Photo By: Hjem

Parcel 104 – This restaurant’s American fare menu celebrates seasonal delights and showcases the finest efforts of local growers, ranches and dairies. There are 7 professional sommeliers on staff with an extensive wine list of 550 wines. Groups can book private dining rooms for special events. Entrees run $50 and up. You can make a reservation online or call (408) 970-6104.

Tomatina – Serving up fresh homemade pizza, pasta and salad in a family friendly atmosphere. Tomatina makes their dough, dressings and sauces from scratch and provides high quality recipes at reasonable prices. The menu changes three times a year to keep offerings seasonal and fresh. Entrees run $10-15. Call (408) 654-9000 for more information.

Birk’s Steak and Chop House – It’s located just off Highway 101 in Santa Clara, at the heart of Silicon Valley. Renowned for its hardwood-grilled steaks, chops and fresh seafood, Birk’s is a local hotspot for South Bay’s movers and shakers. In addition to the delicious food, Birk’s has an award-winning wine list. Entrees start at $30. Call (408) 980-6400.

Su’s Mongolian Barbeque Restaurant – For a more casual dining experience, visit Su’s where you can create your own stir fry. You’ll find a wide selection of meats, vegetables and sauces at the buffet. It will cost you $8-14 per person. Call (408) 985-2958.

Yuki Sushi – Here you’ll find good food, generous portions and terrific chefs. A friendly ambiance prevails and the restaurant is full of warm community interactions. The menu is extensive and full of inventive items and the food is presented in an appealing manner. You will pay about $20 per person. Call (408) 248-9144.

Photo By: Michaelthesecond

Pumpkin Seed Prep

The first thing you’ll want to do is rinse the seeds under cold water, discarding the pulp and the strings. It’s best to do this right after you carve the pumpkin, before the pulp has dried. Once you’ve got your clean seeds, pat them dry with paper towels and select your recipe.

Pumpkin Seed Recipes For Tasty Treats

Photo By: MissionControl

Simple Pumpkin Seeds

• 2 c. pumpkin seeds
• 1 1/2 tbsp. butter or oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Mix pumpkin seeds with butter and salt. Spread on shallow pan. Heat in oven at 250 degrees, stirring occasionally, until toasted. For variation try adding a little garlic salt to pumpkin seeds.

Sugar and Spice Pumpkin Seeds

• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash ground pepper

Heat oven to 350° F. Combine ingredients in medium bowl; add pumpkin seeds. Toss until seeds are coated. Spread coated seeds onto greased 15×10x1-inch jelly-roll pan. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until seeds are lightly browned and crunchy.

Black Tea and Butter Pumpkin Seeds
Black tea works well but use any tea that is fragrant and has a pronounced flavor for best results.

• 1 teaspoon tea
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grained sea salt
• 1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 375. Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, grind the tea into a fine powder. Set aside. In a medium-sized bowl combine the butter and salt. Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Place seeds in a single layer across a baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until seeds are golden. Sprinkle with the ground tea. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Makes one cup.

Cajun Pumpkin Seeds

• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 scant teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
• paprika, for more color, if desired
• a little salt, depending on saltiness of the seasoning
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil

Toss pumpkin seeds with seasonings. Combine butter and Worcestershire sauce; stir into seeds until well blended and coated. Heat oven to 300°. Roast, turning from time to time, for about 45 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and crunchy.

Photo By: Baltimike

Tips for keeping your energy level high:

Drink Plenty of Water- If your body is dehydrated, it will function less efficiently. Six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day will keep your body running at its best.

Exercise- This may be the last thing you want to do when you have sore muscles and achy feet from packing but a brisk morning walk or a workout with weights will get you energized and feeling strong for the day. Lifting boxes and making trips back and forth carrying heavy items is definitely exercise. So, after you’re done moving try cooling down with some stretches.

• The benefits of stretching
• Simple Cool Down Stretches
• Stretching For Beginners

Keep Caffeine Under Control- While one or two caffeinated drinks will boost your energy level, drinking 5 or more may lead to anxiety, irritability and insomnia. Try not to drink caffeine after dinner.

Don’t Skip Meals- Food boosts your metabolism and gives you energy. Skipping meals leaves you tired and causes your blood sugar levels to dip. Try to eat regular meals and choose foods with carbs in the morning, like breakfast cereal or whole-grain bagels. Your body will convert these carbs to glucose and give your brain a boost. Throughout the day eat plenty of fruits, veggies and lean meats.

Don’t Procrastinate- Start packing household items at least a month in advance of your move. Start with items you don’t use regularly. Packing generally turns out to be a bigger job than you thought. Do a little each day to avoid stress and exhaustion.

Photo By: Baltimike

Get Enough Sleep – The average average adult requires 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Even if you have a lot to do, staying up later than usual is not the best route to go.

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Social Networking Sites

Chances are you already have a Facebook account. And, if you’re like most Facebook users, you check it at least once a day. Now that there is a chat feature, you can talk to friends while you’re on Facebook. Not to mention, you get updates on people’s status and profile changes making it easy for you to keep up with news on friends. MySpace and Twitter are also top social networking sites to share news and status updates as well. These sites are also good tools for finding new friends in your new city.

Talk Over the Internet – VoIP

If long distance phone calls to family and friends are out of the question due to cell phone plan coverage, use the internet to speak to your loved ones. Team Speak offers a free download for non-commercial uses of their communication system. You just need a headset with a microphone to speak and you can talk to multiple people at one time.

Photo Sharing Sites

These sites are great places to keep up with friends and family. Take photos daily of interesting or funny things and post them to your Flickr account. If you have a gmail account you have access to a free photo sharing account – Picasa. Have your family do the same. This way you won’t feel so far away and you can share moments that you might miss out on.

Blogs

Start a blog. Friends and family that you want to keep in touch with can start their own as well and you can subscribe to each others blogs. Or, you could all post on the same blog and share thoughts and news. Blogger and Wordpress are two great platforms to start your blog, and they’re free.

Email

This is probably one of the most impersonal ways to keep in touch using online tools and social networking sites, but even a message that only says “hi” is great to find in your inbox when you’re feeling lonely. Make an effort to keep up with email correspondence with family and friends.

Relationships with family and old friends are important. Just because you’re miles apart doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the great relationships you had before you moved to a new home. Try a few of the sites above to ease your loneliness, meet new friends and keep in touch with your loved ones.