Tag Archives: california

Is Your Sofa Safe?

I often worry about the chemicals I use in my house.  I worry about what exactly is in the air freshener I use.  I freak out when my husband buys a Teflon skillet. But, I just read that another real threat in my house may be my sofa. My sofa?  A threat?  Yes. Since 1975, California has required that all furniture with foam such as sofas and baby products such as car seats be treated with flame retardant chemicals.  That standard, maybe because California is so large a state, became the standard for most other states. The problem is while … Continue reading →

Sweet and Sexy Travel Deals

If you love the idea of escaping February’s bitter cold to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your lover in the warm California sun, then you are going to adore these amazing travel deals. The following sweet and sexy Love Day offerings will warm your heart without burning a hole in your wallet: SWEET This sweetheart of a deal is being offered by the US GRANT hotel in San Diego’s historic downtown district.  From now through February 28th you and your true love can take advantage of the “Romancing the Epicurean” package, which features deluxe accommodations, two welcome cocktails, an edible “Artist’s … Continue reading →

State Farm Will Lower Homeowners Rates in California

Most of the time, when there is news that involves changes to insurance rates, it is because the insurer is raising them. Not this time! State Farm is going to cut homeowners insurance rates in California. It is so nice to hear good news from an insurance company! It isn’t often that I hear about an insurance company that has announced that they are going to lower their rates. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of an insurer willingly choosing to lower its rates. That is exactly what is happening, though. State Farm is the largest homeowners insurer in … Continue reading →

California Bill Would Require Liability Insurance for Gun Owners

A bill has been proposed in California that, if made into law, would require gun owners in the state to carry liability insurance. The purpose is to cover the cost of damage that is caused by the guns that someone owns. This adds California to the states who have created gun liability insurance bills. The idea of what has frequently been referred to as “gun insurance” started popping up on the internet shortly after the tragedy that happened in Connecticut at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Everyone wants to prevent that type of thing from happening again. Some opined that the … Continue reading →

Get More Bang for Your Vacation Buck

Old Man Winter is unleashing a cruel smackdown on the Upper Midwest. If daytime high temperatures in the single digits don’t make you want to book a tropical escape, then northern Wisconsin may be the perfect place for you to call home. For the rest of the rest of us, the thought of luxuriating in a climate that doesn’t call for 17 layers of clothes is much more appealing. Fortunately, there are warm weather vacation destinations that don’t require going into debt to visit.  For example, sunny San Diego, California, is providing visitors with multiple opportunities to get more bang … Continue reading →

A Whale of a Good Time

There’s no better time than now to get up close and personal with some of the most awe-inspiring creatures on planet earth.  Whale watching season is officially underway in California.  Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to view the massive aquatic mammals as they complete their annual migration. From now through early April you can watch as tens of thousands of gray whales come within a few miles of the San Diego coast on their 5,000-mile southern voyage.  The following family-friendly options are available for kids of all ages to witness the peaceful giants of the … Continue reading →

Seven More States Gain Approval for Exchanges

California was not the only state to gain approval for its health insurance exchange today. There were seven other states who also got their exchanges approved by the federal government. This brings the total up to 20! The Affordable Care Act is great big health reform law that has many parts. One requirement is that all states will have a health insurance exchange that is functional and accessible by January 1, 2014. Although the Affordable Care Act was signed in 2010, it is only recently that some states have completed the appropriate work involved to have their exchanges approved by … Continue reading →

California Health Insurance Exchange Gains Approval

The Department of Health and Human Services has approved of the state of California’s health insurance exchange. California will have a state-based exchange. This brings the grand total of approved exchanges to 13! The Affordable Care Act requires every state (and the District of Columbia) to have a functioning health insurance exchange. The exchanges are expected to be ready by no later than January 1, 2014. Individuals and small businesses can use the exchanges in order to find affordable health insurance coverage. There were three options that each state could choose from for their health insurance exchange. One option was … Continue reading →

Court Approves California Cuts to Medi-Cal Providers

There has been an ongoing saga in California about cuts to providers who treat patients that are covered by Medi-Cal. More than one court case has been filed about this situation. Now, a federal appeals court has approved the reimbursement cut to providers who see Medi-Cal patients. This story has been going on for quite some time. In 2008 and 2009, the state of California legislature cut the reimbursement fees that it paid to hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers. In some cases, the cut to the reimbursement rate was as high as 10%. In 2011, the state of … Continue reading →

Where to View Magical Holiday Scenes

“Just 14 shopping days left until Christmas!” If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say that yesterday, I would have enough money to finish my Christmas shopping. It’s hard to escape the holiday hoopla now that we’re nearly halfway through December.  The sales, the crowds, the craziness in the mall parking lot don’t do much to get me into the Christmas spirit.  However, there are places you can visit to immerse yourself in the season, minus the commercial madness.  For example: Wisconsin:  The city of Green Bay is not only home to the world-famous Packers; it’s … Continue reading →