| Microchips everywhere: A future vision
A seamless, global network of electronic ""sniffers"" will scan radio tags in myriad public settings, identifying people and their tastes instantly so that customized ads, ""live spam,"" may be beamed at them.
In ""Smart Homes,"" sensors built into walls, floors and appliances will inventory possessions, record eating habits, monitor medicine cabinets — all the while, silently reporting data to marketers eager for a peek into the occupants' private lives. Science fiction?
In truth, much of the radio frequency identification technology that enables objects and people to be tagged and tracked wirelessly already exists — and new and potentially intrusive uses of it are being patented, perfected and deployed.
Some of the world's largest corporations are vested in the success of RFID technology, which couples highly miniaturized computers with radio antennas to broadcast information about sales and buyers to company databases.
In Good Health — A healthy mouth begins with the first tooth
That's still not enough to keep kids from their Mountain Dew. The health department estimates that the average teenage boy consumes more than 700 cans of soda every year, and soda consumption starts as early as age 2. Aside from chemicals, many children don't get regular checkups because their parents simply can't afford them, McLeod said. About 12 percent of children from impoverished families have untreated tooth decay, compared to 4 percent of children whose parents are above the poverty line. The health department, which observes Children's Dental Health Month starting Friday, offers low-cost dental care to uninsured children. On its sliding fee scale, some families pay only $2 per visit, McLeod said, and the department also accepts Medicare, Medicaid and other medical assistance programs.
(Un)Common Ground
Several years ago, Rice said he met with his counterpart from Missouri and tried to figure out how jointly to promote the Branson, Mo./Eureka Springs area.Despite good faith efforts on both sides, he said they couldn't work out how to make sure representation of Eureka and Branson was equal, and no one felt slighted."Remember where my money comes from," said Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It comes from Fort Smith hotels, people who stay in them. Yeah, (the hoteliers) are going to have a problem with me using Fort Smith money to advertise Oklahoma attractions to pull people into the region because they're going to end up staying in Oklahoma lodging."Tourism officials in Pulaski County the top county with 26.1 percent of state's tourism market in 2006 and Garland County, second from the top with 10.1 percent, can cooperate on joint marketing efforts unimpeded by a state border and the vpolitical considerations that go along with it, Legris said.The Two-State Coalition was formed in 2002 to overcome that divide for the purpose of developing the region's economy in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.
Markets head higher on US Fed optimism
The high-tech Nasdaq composite index has climbed 24 points to 2,350. Earlier in Europe, the Paris bourse was down 0.6 per cent, while Frankfurt edged up a fraction. There were sizeable falls on the British market, with banking and resource stocks leading the way lower. London's FT-100 index has dropped 80 points to 5,789 - a slide of 1.4 per cent. Yesterday in Australia, the market was closed for the Australia Day holiday. The market will re-open this morning with the All Ordinaries index having surged 281 points higher on Friday to 5,886. Overnight on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the Share Price Index 200 contract has closed up 34 points at 5,847, after plumbing negative territory for much of the session.
Jury seated in Myers’ first-degree murder trial
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Tennessee Human Rights Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap / disability, familial status, or national origin or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination."
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.
Restaurant reviews: 11/8
The following are shortened versions of full-length restaurant reviews that have run recently in the Times. The date the original review ran and its overall rating is in parentheses. If there are more stars than dollar signs, consider it a good value. AFGHAN Amoo. 1909 Salvio St., Concord. 925-969-0991. With a little spice and no silly garnishes, dishes composed of hamburger, garlic and long-cooked produce soar beyond their peasant station. Bonjaan Borani is nothing more than fried eggplant and tomato sauce, but its depth of flavor is astonishing. Bolani Gandana -- a leek and yogurt pie of sorts -- has all the primal satisfaction of an oozing quesadilla. Amoo, named after a river on the Afghan border, replaces Afghan Kabob Cuisine, a restaurant that had been long neglected. With fresh drapes, carpet, tiles and paint, Amoo now has a clean, welcoming look.
Big-city landscape sprouts in rural area
Change is coming to East Montgomery County, along a mostly rural area dotted with trailer parks. New subdivisions of brick homes are now replacing aging mobile homes, and large tracts of land along U.S. 59 are being tapped for housing and retail development. The area also is attracting many international businesses. Several are now building in the industrial park in New Caney home to the Wal-Mart distribution center bringing good jobs and property tax dollars. East county "used to be the armpit of Montgomery County, but now people are taking notice," said longtime resident Vickie Thumann, a member of the East Montgomery County Improvement District board. ''We want to better our community and we have worked for that." All the growth is transforming east county into a place where people can live, work and play, said Frank McCrady, president and chief executive officer of the East Montgomery County Improvement District.
Briefs: APD New Badges, Blanket Drive
In Monday's briefs, Christmas trees will arrive on hand at the Texas Capitol, you can spread some holiday cheer to troops serving abroad and more. On Monday, Christmas trees will arrive on hand at the Texas Capitol. They'll arrive in a horse-drawn carriage. One of the trees will be designated as the Angel Tree and placed in the Capitol Extension. The Angel Tree will be decorated with gift tags for foster children under the care of Child Protective Services. =================================== The Austin Police Department will soon be flashing some new badges. Officials said that APD officers currently share the logo with other city officials, but they're looking for something a little more unique. The new badge would only be worn by APD employees.
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