Salvage Grocery Stores

A grocery store in Arvada, CO. has been recognized for finding a way to help Americans that are struggling financially.  According to an 

ABC news story, Martin and Jo Palumbo, who own Palumbo's Friday Store, seek out their food products from supermarket reclamation centers. All the items are dented, dinged, near or just past their "sell by" date.

Apparently, families are opening these stores nation-wide and this article has a great state-by- state list of each of them.

It's great to know that America is pulling together during the economic hardships that have affected so many people in our nation.  As stated in the article, which I thought was interesting, Jo Palumbo herself was laid off from her job in December as a paralegal.  This couple knows first hand how it feels to wonder they are going to make it.  The article also says how sales have been up 50% recently due to all the exposure.  And the fact that they are selling things we can find in any quality grocery store, it just doesn't look as pretty, is good enough for me.  When your having a hard time paying bills, and of course, food is a necessity, who cares what the packaging looks like, right? 

It is kind of ironic that because of this couple's need to make a little extra to make ends meet, they are helping so many others who need to do what they can to save money.  A family owned and operated discounted grocery store is a perfect idea.

Final Tribute to Senator Kennedy

A CNN News story states a large crowd gathered to pay their respects to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, more often referred to as "Ted" Kennedy, outside the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, August 29th. Among those were 91-year-old Robert Byrd of West Virginia, America's longest serving senator. Also attending was Reverend Daniel Coughlin, who serves as the Chaplain of the House of Representatives. And of course the senator's widow, Vicki, Senator Kennedy's son, U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, who gave a very emotional tribute to his father. There were literally thousands of other friends and family who attended, much of whom spoke such heart-felt words right there in front of the Capitol building. This was one of several stops ending at the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery where several more gathered. The pictures with this story catch some very captivating moments.

Senator Kennedy's legacy will live on for many years to come. Everything I have read and heard about him points to the Senator honestly wanting to bridge the gap between parties and simply do what he felt would make a positive difference in America.
He was able to bodly state his differences with his colleagues without offending them personally. We could all learn from this way of handling difficult situations in life.
Senator Kennedy died at the age of 77. We are a privileged nation to have had the years we had with him to serve our nation with his expertise and devotion.

An Unspeakable Crime

According to an AOL news piece, Reality Show TV star, Ryan Jenkins, was found dead on Aug. 24th in Hope, British Columbia.

Apparently, a woman, who is now being considered a "person of interest" in the case, helped Jenkins rent a motel room.  After going into their room, another motel tenant witnessed the woman leaving the motel within 20 minutes of their arrival.

According to the motel manager, this young woman paid for a 3-night stay in cash, while Jenkins remained in the car.

When the couple did not check out, the motel manager unlocked the room only to find Jenkins hanging from the bar of a coat rack by a belt, dead.

Ryan Jenkins had been pursued by police for days prior to this incident, after investigators found Jenkin's wife, Jasmine Fiore's dismembered body in a trash bin in Buena Park, about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles.  Fiore's teeth had been cut out and her fingers cut off. Investigators actually used the serial #s from her breast implants to ID her body.

Detectives are not revealing what evidence was seized from the motel room.  It seems they are still searching for this young woman who helped Jenkins check-in to the motel room.

What a sad, sad story!  I certainly hope they find more answers as to why this all happened.  I will continue to follow this.

As to Jenkin's career as reality TV star, apparently there is a show on VH1, called "I Love Money 3", which has not yet aired and stars Ryan Jenkins.  According to a VH1 spokesperson, there has not yet been a decision made as to whether or not to run the show.

Are you kidding me?  This is an insult and an outrage to the family of Jasmine Fiore.  Although Jenkins was not convicted of this crime, there was a reason the police were chasing him and he must have had something to hide since he continued to run.  

Like I pointed out before, he was not found guilty of this crime, because he took his life before a trial could be conducted. But, just the fact that he was the main suspect in this case, I would think, would make it very hard for her family.

Cash For Clunkers Program

More than a half-million Americans have participated in this government program intended to boost the economy. This obviously has been a very popular incentive for Americans to conquer the rising cost of gas prices. There were apparently more than 489,000 new vehicles sold, so far, as a result of this program.

As stated in the article on msnbc.com, "unless the final weekend turns into chaos, Obama can continue to cite the rebate system as a successful chapter of the government's recovery effort...."

Conservatives have another view, however. They are also recognizing that although car dealerships are doing well at the moment, other industries are still struggling tremendously.

My view would have to line up with the conservatives. What is it with the government continually thinking that we need to get a "quick fix"? The way I look at it, the people who can't afford the gas in their gas-guzzlers are going to be the main customers of this program, and they are exactly the ones who need to be free of debt. They are trading in their older vehicles for a newer, more expensive vehicle, thats just cheaper on fuel. They are also getting a new car payment, they have to get new car insurance, which requires full coverage, and not to mention register it. So, the person is further in debt than they started, but they get to save a little on gas. This doesn't make any sense to me. I was under the impression when Obama was running for election, that the goal was to help get America OUT of debt.

First Blog experience

This blogging thing doesn't seem too hard.  I am assuming there will be a topic to discuss for the following blogging assignments.  My sister will be so proud that I have started blogging!  And of course, hopefully Mrs. Chism will be proud too.  :)