USAMORNINGPOST.com

An Inside Look At The President's Airline

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:24:00 PST

		An Inside Look At The President's Airline
	Cramped seating, dubious food, sometimes standoffish flight attendants -- such is the experience typical Americans have come to expect while flying. But, that's not the case if your name is, say, Joe Biden or Hilary Clinton. There's an exclusive airline for that. That's where the Air Force comes in, with it's own fleet of aircraft to get top officials from point A to B in style. There are no economy class seats or plastic cutlery here. Rather, the VPOTUS can get his work done in a professional office, take a nap in a pull-out couch and dine on a restaurant-quality...

Whitney Houston dead at 48

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:54:00 PST

Whitney Houston dead at 48

Singer is found dead in hotel

Houston, who sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos, had long battled drug and alcohol problems.

FULL STORY

2012 Grammy Awards... LIVE UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:36:00 PST

UNDER THE L.A. LIGHTS
Music's Biggest Stars Gather For 2012 Grammy Awards... LIVE UPDATES

CELEBS REMEMBER WHITNEY HOUSTON...
Jennifer Hudson's 'I Will Always Love You' Tribute... Late Etta James Honored... Adele's Big Night... Foo Fighters Take Home 5 Awards... Jay-Z, Kanye Win Honor, Fail To Show Up... Rihanna, Coldplay, Chris Brown Perform... Stars Tweet The Show... Scarface-Inspired Dress... Red Carpet Fashion... Paris Hilton's Tongue Slip... FULL COVERAGE

Happy Valentin's from Zoo Miami

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:35:00 PST

		AWWWWWWW!
	"Life is like a box of chocolates or fruits and peanut butter," says Zoo Miami. "You never know what youre gonna get." But on Valentine's Day, of course, you get love, or at least the kind between a jaunty pink box and an adorable chimpanzee named Bubbles, who was clearly enjoying the delicious, square gift from staff she received at the Zoo's Amphitheater. And why not? Not only is Bubbles a 45-year-old female (we're told girls like Valentine's Day), but the boxes were painted with hearts and stuffed with fruits and vegetables and peanut butter -- all part of a...

PHOTOS: 10 Best Hotel Bathtubs

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:37:00 PST

		PHOTOS: 10 Best Hotel Bathtubs
	We've all got our own particular requisites when choosing a hotel room. Surely, though, we can all agree that when it comes to little things with a big impact, the bathtub reigns supreme.

Huffington Post: Valentine's Day: Barack And Michelle Obamas Most Romantic Moments (PHOTOS)

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:54:00 PST

		Valentine's Day: Barack And Michelle Obamas Most Romantic Moments (PHOTOS)
	Who can resist a little love on Valentine's Day? Better yet, who can resist the presidential PDA between the commander-in-chief and the first lady? Let's face it, whenever a White House photographer snaps a photo of the two canoodling or sneaking in a romantic moment, we can't help but swoon. Whether they're fist bumping on the campaign trail, strolling through the presidential gardens or stealing a glance at one another during a press conference, Barack and Michelle Obama endlessly capture our hearts with their love for one another. There's no doubt the president will heed his own Valentine's Day advice this year and pull out all the stops for his wife. He may even serenade her during their romantic evening. We'll never really know what the two love birds will be up to on the most romantic day of the year, but since we know you can't get enough of their white house romance--and honestly, neither can we--we've compiled some of their most romantic moments together. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Rio Carnival: Brazil Prepared For Bigger Festival (PHOTOS)

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:27:00 PST

Carnival: Brazil Prepared For Bigger Festival (PHOTOS)

First Posted: 02/17/2012 11:33 am Updated: 02/17/2012 11:33 am

React

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The globe's biggest Carnival bash opens Friday, and it promises to be an even bigger blowout this year, with 20 percent more tourists expected than in 2011.
Rio officials say they're also better prepared to keep the chaos under some semblance of control, with more portable toilets, traffic guards and paramedics, as well as a new central command center monitoring it all.
"We want revelers to be conscious that they can party but also care for the city's public spaces," the president of Rio's tourism department, Antonio Figueira de Mello, said in a statement.

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS

About 850,000 tourists are expected during the raucous, five-day free-for-all that kicks off when Rio's mayor hands the key to the city to rotund King Momo, the mythical jester figure who reigns over Carnival.
Merrymakers are expected to spend $640 million and generate 250,000 jobs, according to the city's economic development department. But the world's biggest party traditionally leaves a hangover to match: last year, the weeklong romp left about 850 tons of trash strewn around town.
Rio officials have dispatched 80 mobile medical emergency units, 1,000 traffic guards and 15,000 toilets around the city and officials are running a campaign against urinating in public. Rio residents are humming along with a catchy little samba running on TV, telling partiers, "If you want to pee, don't do it here, don't do it here." The jingle rhymes in Portuguese.
Rio also launched a smartphone app, free for iPhones and Androids, that tells visitors in English, Spanish or Portuguese where to go for blocos, the roving samba bands that draw millions, pied-piper style, through the streets, as well as basic information on public transit, eateries and museums.
The federal aviation authority expects 3 million people to shuttle in and out of airports during Carnival week, 13 percent more than last year. Airports taking in visitors will also have 30 percent more federal police, and workers with "May I help you?" vests will be circulating to take care of visitors' last-minute questions.
Helping this notoriously gridlocked city tackle the street closures, mass gatherings and parading parties is Rio's new central command center, which the city hopes will be a key to keeping order when Rio hosts the 2014 World Cup matches and the 2016 Olympics.
It has been fully operational since November, but this is the first big test of the command center's ability to keep the city running during a large event.
"The center was created to work during great events, minimizing the impact they have on the daily routine of residents," said Savio Franco, who heads it.
It was in this center, which takes feeds from more than 500 cameras spread around the city, that the routes of Rio's more than 400 roving street parties were plotted out, along with the points were guards, medical units and toilets would be placed. Once the party is in full swing, the action can be monitored in real time, allowing the city to respond immediately to any problems, Franco said.
With all this planning, he said he's hoping maintaining control of Carnival should be a cinch.
"There will be more than 5,000 city government workers involved in making this party go as smoothly as possible for cariocas and for the tourists," France said. source: HuffPost

Pictures:
carnival-brazil

Rio De Janeiro Carnival, Jennifer Lopez And Fergie Watch Parade (PICTURES)

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:03:00 PST

		Rio De Janeiro Carnival, Jennifer Lopez And Fergie Watch Parade (PICTURES)

Amid the frothy headdresses, sequined bikinis and tassled bottoms two familiar faces were visible at yesterday's Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade.

Singers Jennifer Lopez and Fergie, from the Black Eyed Peas were among the crowds as the sequin-clad dancers took to the streets in Brazil's capital.

Lopez was at the event courtesy of local beer brand Brahma, while Head and Shoulders hosted Fergie.

Spectators were split over the presence of the stars at the carnival, with Monica Linsay, 23, teling AP: "I honestly couldn't care less if there are famous people or not.

"I don't care about marketing ploys. I'm here to watch the parade."

Madonna, Beyonce, Jude Law, Paris Hilton, Pamela Andersonand Kevin Spacey have also been spotted at the four-day celebrations.

Samba schools, bands and floats flooded the streets in a riot of colour, flesh and sweat, providing adequate distraction for those less than impressed by the celebrity presences.

State estimates say the event generates 250,000 jobs and revenues of $640million for hotels, bars and restaurants. Source: huff post

Disney World's Making Some Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:20:00 PST

		Disney World's Making Some Changes
	Walt Disney World fans who have been eagerly awaiting the Magic Kindom's new Fantasyland, will get a teaser this March. Storybook Circus will open at the end of the month, according to the Disney Parks Blog. Storybook Circus is home to the revamped Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride, one carousel of which will lift off again next month. According to a press release from 2011, the existing Dumbo ride was refurbished and moved from old Fantasyland's center to the new Storybook Circus, where it joined a second set of flying elephants. Also opening will be the reimagined Barnstormer rollercoaster-- hosted...

Spring Break -The Wildest Hotel Pool Parties (PHOTOS)

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:23:00 PST

		The Wildest Hotel Pool Parties (PHOTOS)
	With Spring Break just around the corner -- and the rest of us here dying for a warm-weather vacation -- we thought about where we'd wanna party in the sun.

Oscar Winners: The Full List

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:42:00 PST

		Oscar Winners: The Full List
	At this year's Oscars, Jean Dujardin and Meryl Streep certainly weren't the only winners. Check out the list below for the winners in the order they were announced at Sunday night's Academy Awards show. Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson, "Hugo" Best Art Direction: Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schavo, "Hugo" Best Costume Design: Mark Bridges, "The Artist" Best Makeup: Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, "The Iron Lady" Best Foreign Language Film: "A Separation" Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help" Best Editing: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" Best Sound Editing: Phillip Stockton and Eugene...

Oscar Winners: Complete List Of 2012 Academy Award Winners

First 27-02-2012 12:40 AM EST | Updated: 27-02-2012 12:00 AM EST

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At this year's Oscars, Jean Dujardin and Meryl Streep certainly weren't the only winners. Check out the list below for the winners in the order they were announced at Sunday night's Academy Awards show.

Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson, "Hugo"

Best Art Direction: Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schavo, "Hugo"

Best Costume Design: Mark Bridges, "The Artist"

Best Makeup: Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, "The Iron Lady"

Best Foreign Language Film: "A Separation"

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Best Editing: Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

Best Sound Editing: Phillip Stockton and Eugene Gearty, "Hugo"

Best Sound Mixing: Tom Fleischman and John Midgley, "Hugo"

Best Documentary: "Undefeated"

Best Animated Feature: "Rango"

Best Visual Effects: "Hugo"

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"

Best Original Song: Bret McKenzie, "Man or Muppet"

Best Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, "The Descendants"

Best Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"

Best Live Action Short: "The Shore"

Best Documentary Short: "Saving Face"

Best Animated Short: "The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore"

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"

Best Actress: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"

Best Picture: "The Artist"

PHOTOS:

Travel: Cathay Pacific premium economy class

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:45:00 PST

Cathay Pacific premium economy class stretches out

With priority boarding and more legroom, Cathay's new premium economy class keeps pace with the hottest trend in air travel

By Hiufu Wong 27 February, 2012

Cathay offers fewer premium economy class seats than business seats. Book early.

Marking its foray into the "enhanced" economy-class trend that's been re-igniting passenger enthusiasm for long-haul travel, Cathay Pacific accepted delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft yesterday.
Fitted with the airlines' new "premium economy" class seating configuration, the aircraft is the first of 87 planes Cathay plans to offer with the new class of service by the end of 2013.
Cathay Pacific premium economy class will be offered in a dedicated section with 26 to 34 seats. The section will be located between economy and business class areas.
Cathay Pacific premium economy features include more legroom than in economy class and a dedicated flight attendant for the section.
Noting that the cost of a premium economy ticket will be 50 to 80 percent higher than for a standard economy ticket, Cathay Pacific Chief Operating Officer Ivan Chu said that Cathay is stressing the "premium" over "economy."
Though Cathay has not released exact figures, Chu confirmed that the airline has "spent a lot" to upgrade its aircraft with the new service.
"We are always competitive," added Rupert Hogg, director of sales and marketing for the Hong Kong-based airline. "But we will never be the cheapest, because we believe people will pay for the value if you get the product right."

This is economy class? Well, "premium" economy. We're pretty sure we can get used to it.

Premium economy enhancements

An early look at Cathay Pacific premium economy class suggests that the airline has indeed gotten the product right.
The first and most important feature that I noticed upon boarding the new Boeing delivery flight from Seattle to Hong Kong -- and that most travelers will undoubtedly notice, as well -- is the roomy 38 inches of seat pitch. (The distance from the back of a seat to the front of the seat behind it).
That's six inches more than in normal economy class.
By comparison, Cathay Pacific's premium economy class beats the 34-to-36 inches on United Airlines' economy plus class; is similar to Qantas Airways' 38-to-42 inches; but is less roomy than Turkish Airlines' luxurious 46 inches on its Boeing 777-300ER V2.
Thirty-eight inches of pitch and six additional inches over economy class might not sound like much compared with the downright regal 82-inch bed-length recline offered in business class on Cathay's 777-300ER, but it makes a huge difference in comfort.
As the trans-Pacific hours ticked by, I found I had plenty of room to work comfortably on my laptop, even when the passenger in front of me had fully reclined his seat.
The additional space also means no more scrambling over sleeping row mates just to get from your window seat to the aisle. Unless someone has a meal tray down, in which case the old "excuse me, sorry, do you mind?" routine is still required.
Cathay Pacific premium economy seats recline up to eight inches. The seats are also slightly wider than in economy class and come with larger video screens.
The headrests are a bit hard and thin, though this is made up for by business-class-size pillows provided to premium economy seat passengers.
Footrests have three ratchet positions.
Rather than being mounted on the seat-back in front of you, meal trays are housed in armrests, similar to the setup found in many business- or first-class cabins.
That's tough luck for those wanting to get cozy with a neighbor, or when searching for some extra space when there's a vacant seat. Only the two center seats in the 2-4-2 layout allow arm rests to be raised.
Complimentary welcome cocktails and Champagne are also offered to premium economy passengers.

Cathay Pacific premium economy passengers get business-class-quality meals.

More than just added legroom

Special menus are offered to Cathay Pacific premium economy passengers.
The meal on my flight was grilled U.S. beef tenderloin with red wine sauce, roasted potatoes and seasonal baby vegetables. It came with a small bottle of virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as well as a cup of Häagen-Dazs ice cream.
Not spectacular, but overall the meal was similar to those served in Cathay's business class.
Premium economy passengers also enjoy priority check-in and boarding, and a five-kilo increase in baggage allowance.

Stowage space for electronics and other small items comes in handy.

Premium economy means no more 'hurly-burly'

Premium economy class is the hot trend in commercial aviation, according to Neil Hansford, chairman of Australia-based Aviation Strategic Solutions.
"Airlines who have not launched this product clearly don't understand market dynamics," said Hansford. "From business to economy (class) is a step too far, so premium economy is a workable alternative.
"It provides [an option] to those who can't afford or aren't authorized by their employer to use business class. It takes regular travelers out of the hurly-burly of economy class. For airlines, it's a way of getting [better] yield from the economy traveler."
Response to Cathay Pacific's premium economy class has been typically enthusiastic. Since booking for premium economy seats became available on February 14, the carrier has sold more than 1,000 tickets.
The first Cathay flights offering premium economy class will take off in March. Beginning in April, premium economy class will be offered on select flights on Sydney, Toronto, Vancouver and New York routes.
The new class of service will gradually be offered on more long-haul routes.
Space for premium economy seating will be taken out of economy sections, meaning fewer economy-class seats will be available on flights offering the new premium economy service.

No longer will passengers have to put their muddy shoes on your seat to reach their carry-ons.

Economy designs innovations

As it seeks to reinforce its image as a premium international carrier, Cathay Pacific has added new design touches in economy class, as well.
Small footholds have recently been installed beneath seats, allowing shorter passengers easier access to the overhead storage bins.
Amenity stowage spaces have been added beneath video screens for small items such as mobile phones and iPods.
Multi-port connectors next to screens allow passengers to connect personal devices to the aircraft's inflight entertainment system and charge electronics through USB ports.
These are attractive options, especially when compared with carriers such as United Airlines, which doesn't supply any power sockets.

No more remote control. Welcome to touch-screen travel.

For Cathay travelers still unwilling or unable to pony up for the new premium economy class, there's some good news -- the carrier plans to unveil a new and (thankfully) improved long-haul economy class seat.
The new seats will be installed on 62 long-haul aircraft by the end of 2013.
"The current economy seat has been a polarizing product," Hogg admitted when discussing the seat redesign. "Some people like it more than the others."
That's putting it mildly. While some loyal Cathay fliers have been waiting patiently for the promised new seats, on sites such as seatplans.com and Skytrax the airline's economy class has suffered rousing criticism.

Cathay's new economy class seats will allow passengers to recline, unlike their much-criticized fixed-back seats. The seats will recline six inches on a cradle mechanism designed to limit the impact on fellow passengers.

New seats also mean a chance for new in-flight entertainment. The new long-haul economy seats will be installed with touch-screen televisions. source: cnn

Huffington Post: Potential Employers Require Applicants To Share Facebook Passwords

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:53:00 PST

		Potential Employers Require Applicants To Share Facebook Passwords
	Potential employers don't need to hack into your Facebook account to get past your security settings. They can just ask you for your password. MSNBC...

Huffington Post: ZAGAT: Where To Eat In NYC On Any Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:55:00 PST

		ZAGAT: Where To Eat In NYC On Any Budget
	Notorious as a hub for not only cultural activities but also foodie-ism gone rampant, the Big Apple's options are so vast, they could make even the most seasoned traveler run back to the airport. But fear not - we've come up with a handy guide on where to eat near all the big sights.

Huffington Post: Immigrants Help Fuel Tech Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:00:00 PST

		Immigrants Help Fuel Tech Growth
	People are the most valuable resource. We see this most clearly among entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, and innovators. Creating wealth and new ways of doing things drive economic growth. This is especially true in the technology sector. Encouraged by free markets, individual liberty, and the right incentives, innovators can achieve technological wonders. But unfortunately, our immigration system limits their number. Nowhere is the positive impact of immigrants more noticeable than in high tech startups. According to a survey by the National Foundation for American Policy, immigrants have started nearly half of the top 50 venture-funded companies. Software, semiconductors, and biotechnology are the most common venture-backed startup firms started by immigrants. According to another report by Vivek Wadhwa, roughly 25 percent of all engineering firms founded between 1995 and 2005 were founded by immigrants. A report from the Kauffman Foundation shows that immigrants are more than twice as likely as native-born Americans to start firms. Thanks to America's entrepreneurial culture, stories like those of the Hungarian-born Andy Grove, who founded Intel, and the Soviet-born Sergey Brin, who founded Google, are common. There are many thousands more who create successful but smaller companies. Entrepreneur Andres Ruzo, who describes himself as "Peruvian by birth, Texan by choice," started the telecommunications firm Link America in 1994. He is also working on ITS Infocom, which manages communication networks for large companies. His firms also expanded into Latin America by trying to, in Ruzo's own words, "Americanize South and Central America: to bring the culture of performance and results and speed and punctuality and quality and reliability to Latin America." With rare exceptions, immigrant entrepreneurs face immigration problems. Employment-based green cards, capped at 140,000 a year, are issued to some kinds of skilled workers and investors, under strict country of origin quotas and burdensome requirements. The H-1B visa is capped at 85,000 per year for temporary workers employed by American firms. Many times H-1B workers are issued a green card after several years. All the while, the worker has to be an employee, not an entrepreneur. Roughly a quarter of master's students and a third of Ph.D. students in science and engineering at U.S. universities are foreign-born. Yet the amount of paperwork, bureaucracy, and requirements they face to stay in the U.S. after graduation throw up serious roadblocks to innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovators and entrepreneurs should spend their time starting new businesses, not navigating a byzantine and outdated immigration system. America is uniquely meritocratic. We attract the best and the brightest from around the world, but our immigration system gets in the way. The government expects a potential entrepreneur to prove that he or she is an entrepreneur before he or she can start a business. There is no stamp or marking that shows who will be a successful entrepreneur ex ante. Only experience, not government fiat, can determine that. Our immigration rules need to allow for those experiences. Many immigrant workers innovate within American firms, filling niche specialty roles. Many are graduates of the best universities and technical schools in the world. Jim Clark, the American founder of Healtheon (now WebMD), Netscape (now part of AOL), and Silicon Graphic affectionately calls his Indian engineers "the most talented engineers in the Valley... and they work their butts off." American-educated Indian engineer Srikanth Nadhamuni and others produced some of the most innovative websites and medical cost saving tools yet developed. His story is multiplied thousands of times over, but for every success that is realized, our immigration laws impede another through arduous bureaucratic barriers. Chia-Pin Chang, a Taiwanese native and Ph.D. in computer engineering from George Washington University, co-founded the medical device firm OptoBioSense. In addition to the burdensome government regulations on medical devices, Chang faces yet another obstacle: He has to close his business in February and move back to Taiwan if he cannot secure an employer-sponsored green card. Iranian-born Esmaeil-Hooman Banaei created an electricity generating fabric while getting his Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida. Now he is waiting for a green card and a legal chance to pursue the American dream while developing new technology. His invention may flop or it may produce benefits, profits, revenues, and opportunities for Americans. But we'll never know if he doesn't get a green card. Immigration links together the world's most valuable resources, allowing immigrant and Americans to work together. The immigrants then become Americans and the process continues, replenishing America's talent pool. The government cannot choose who will become an innovator or entrepreneur before they get an opportunity to do so. Immigration regulatory limbo ties the hands of hundreds of thousands of potential entrepreneurs and innovators. Those knots should be undone. Immigrants and Americans working together have produced enormous wealth and opportunities for everybody in the United States. Governments just needs to let them.

PHOTOS: America's 10 Best Value Destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 07:11:00 PDT

The Country's Top 10 Value Destinations (PHOTOS)

Travelers won't be getting any relief from higher airfares in coming years, but there are still plenty of places around the country that offer great vacation value.

Booking site Hotwire has just released a survey of the best bang for your buck destinations. Factoring in the costs of airfare to destinations, rental car rates and hotel prices once there and the general affordability of entertainment options, the company examined a total of 75 destinations, picking the 10 with the best overall marks.

Perhaps surprisingly, the home of Disney, Orlando, Florida, tops the list, thanks to an abundance of airline competition and a glut of bargain-priced hotel rooms.

Other destinations across the south and southwest round out the list, with Denver, Phoenix and Tampa among the top 10. (The latter two destinations happen to have plenty of dealsright this minute as Major League Baseball Spring Training is underway in Arizona and Florida.)

Have a look at the rest of the discount destinations then tell us:

What's your favorite place for a value-priced vacation?

Source:huff post

How to get a free upgrade

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:16:00 PDT

How to get a free upgrade

A kind gesture and a smile can go a long way, especially when gate agents have to deal with difficult passengers on a daily basis.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

About 95% of those in first class on domestic flights last year were upgraded
It's not unusual to see a first-class passenger give up his or her seat for military personnel
Book directly with a hotel rather than a third party to help your chances of an upgrade

(Budget Travel) -- If you want to score a gratis first class seat, swanky suite or high-end rental car, you can't rely on luck alone. Here are a few easy ways to improve your chances and upgrade your experience.

I have a long, transcontinental flight coming up. I dread being cramped in a coach seat, but I can't afford first class. What are my chances of getting bumped up for free?

They're actually better now than ever. To cut costs, some U.S. airlines have been offering fewer flights in recent years, and coach can be overbooked. If a carrier bumps passengers, it's frequently required to provide either a substitute flight or a refund or both, per government regulations. The airline may not want to bump people if first class seats are available.

So how do carriers select the lucky few who get ferried to first class? It's all about the miles. Computers track frequent flier and program miles and upgrade passengers automatically, based on who has earned the most.

About 95% of those in first class on domestic flights last year were upgraded or used frequent flier miles (sometimes with an additional fee), according to Joel Widzer, author of "The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel". But you need a lot of miles to qualify: Delta requires you to fly at least 25,000 a year to qualify for its Silver Medallion level.

On the other hand, you can sometimes find upgrade certificates for sale online, courtesy of frequent fliers who can't use them before their expiration date. For instance, some United/Continental vouchers on eBay start with bids as low as $1.

But even if you don't travel often, simply being a member of the airline's frequent flier program helps your chances. It indicates some level of brand loyalty. Having an airline-sponsored credit card in your name helps, too, though those may come with hefty annual fees.

Budget Travel: World's 16 most picturesque villages

Does dressing up so that you look like you'd belong in first class improve your chances of getting upgraded?

Looking polished helps, but not as much as it once did. There's one outfit that seems to work better than even the finest couture: a military uniform. In the past few years, it's not unusual to see a first class passenger give up his or her seat for military personnel.

Any other tips for flights?

Remember that gate agents deal with a lot of demanding, obnoxious passengers, and offering a few kind words and a smile goes a long way.

John E. DiScala, founder of travel advice site johnnyjet.com, reveals that chocolate helps him get upgraded -- or at least moved to a better coach seat -- about half the time. DiScala says he brings one-pound chocolate bars for the gate agents and flight crew, who have discretion on seating after the cabin door closes.

Some people swear by the sob- or celebration-story strategy. Personally, I wouldn't go this route unless you really are a newlywed, on your way to a funeral, etc. Karma, you know.

Showing up late might work, but it's risky. A man sitting next to me once in business class on Air New Zealand was huffing and puffing -- he confessed to being intentionally late for every international flight, because then they rush you on the plane and into any available seat. Of course, the downside is you'll be turned away if the flight is already full.

One big upgrade advantage is flying solo. Airlines try to put families together, and they may need your coach seat to do that. Chances are there's only one empty seat in first or business class.

Finally, before you book the flight, you may want to consider trading in your frequent flier miles for an upgrade, though the numbers may be steep: On Delta, it takes 10,000 miles for an upgrade on domestic round-trip tickets and 30,000 miles for flights from the U.S. to Europe -- but that's not applicable on certain discount fares.

That said, there are more opportunities now than ever to earn frequent flier miles, not only by traveling but also through credit cards, hotel stays, car rentals and online shopping sites. "When you consider that one can earn three points per $1 spent on a credit card, 10,000 miles seems less daunting," Widzer points out.

A friend of mine ended up getting upgraded to a suite at a hotel in Vegas. She's not a high roller, so how did she land that freebie?

Just as with airlines, brand loyalty really helps. If you're visiting a chain hotel, sign up for its frequent traveler program.

Also, according to Widzer, you're more likely to get upgraded if you book directly with the property, on the hotel's website or by phone, rather than with a third party, such as hotels.com. "Booking direct is by far the biggest thing you can do to get an upgrade," Widzer advises. If you see a lower price online, call the hotel and ask them to match it.

Unlike with the airlines, however, you are most likely to get a hotel upgrade if you travel during a low-occupancy time, such as weekends at business-oriented hotels. When vacant suites are available, the hotel may bump you up, hoping to impress you and gain future business. You also may have better luck at a new property that's angling to create good word of mouth.

The time of day matters, too. It helps to check in later, once the hotel has a better handle on its occupancy for the night. If you arrive at 8 p.m. and their suites still aren't full, they may upgrade you for free or for very little, since few new guests are likely to come and pay for them.

Another strategy DiScala says has worked for him: Befriend the bellman. "I visited Vegas at a not-busy time once and tipped the bellman well," he says, "so he gave me a free upgrade." The same tactic may work with the concierge.

Budget Travel: Secrets to the 10 most popular cruise ports

What about rental cars? Is it true you're most likely to get upgraded if you book the cheapest car at first?

Yes, and here's why: The cheapest rental cars tend to sell out first, leaving the company no choice but to upgrade you. That said, the check-in clerk may try to sell you an upgrade for a discounted fee. Say no.

If they don't have the car you reserved, they usually give you a better model at no extra charge. Arrive early in the day, before most people return their cars, for the best shot.

Loyalty also counts. Join a car rental company's membership program, and you may get special offers for upgrades. You should also search online for coupons. The site carrentalupgrade.com is worth bookmarking, in particular.

Some car rental firms also run their own promotions for upgrades through organizations such as AARP and AAA. And always remember to ask; politely requesting an upgrade is often the best, easiest bet.

Budget Travel readers' best upgrade strategies

Volunteer to get bumped: My flight from JFK to Amsterdam was overbooked and someone was in my seat. He was adamant: He wouldn't move. I was so embarrassed by his behavior that I told the flight attendant if I could catch my plane from Amsterdam to Glasgow, I'd be OK getting bumped.

After 15 minutes she said "follow me" and turned up a flight of stairs. I had never even seen first class before! -- Cyndi Armstrong, South St. Paul, Minnesota

Speak in romance language: My hubby and I got upgraded to business class to Ireland for our honeymoon. We just mentioned the purpose of the trip during check-in and the flight attendant did it -- no questions asked.

Another time, we got upgraded to a suite at a Crowne Plaza because we mentioned we were there for Valentine's Day. It was a nice surprise, since we'd scored the hotel on Priceline for a song. -- Caroline Dover Wilson, Greer, South Carolina

Rent cars at the end of the week: Most compact and midsize cars are rented out early in the week to business travelers, so if you try to rent closer to the weekend, you have a good chance of getting upgraded because they are out of "business" cars by then. -- Megan Cushman Dezendegui, Miami

What are your best strategies for scoring upgrades? Share them in the comments section below.

source: Budget Travel

Huffington Post: 'Sh*tter' Lets You Print Your Twitter Feed On A Roll Of Toilet Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:47:00 PDT

		'Sh*tter' Lets You Print Your Twitter Feed On A Roll Of Toilet Paper
	140 characters? Meet number two. A new service has emerged that allows you to print the entire contents of your Twitter feed onto a white...

Huffington Post: Law Would Restrict Foreign Passports As Acceptable ID

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:54:00 PDT

		Law Would Restrict Foreign Passports As Acceptable ID
	They have been beaten time and time again in federal courts. And they still insist. Republican-majority Legislatures in several states continue pushing initiatives to curtail...

10 Major U.S. Federal Immigration Laws (PHOTOS)

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:37:00 PDT

10 Major U.S. Federal Immigration Laws (PHOTOS)

Last week, Politico honored the anniversary of our nation’s first immigration law, the Naturalization Act of 1790.

What was required of foreign-born persons who wanted to become citizens of our new nation? You had to be “a free white person” of “good moral character.”

Since then, federal immigration laws have evolved. Certainly not created in a vacuum, these laws are partially products of their social environments, and tell us a lot about the times in which they were created.

READ MORE ABOUT 10 OF THE MOST PIVOTAL U.S. IMMIGRATION LAWS BELOW:

The Naturalization Act of 1790

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The Naturalization Act of 1790 was our country's first set of laws dealing with citizenship.

Applicants had to be "a free white person" of "good moral character." This excluded indentured servants and slaves. Good moral character was substantiated by establishing residence for at least one year in the state from where he was applying, and at least two years of residence in the country. The Naturalization Act of 1795 would extend that requirement to five years, and is still standard today.

source: HUFFPOST

Insider Guide: Best of New York City

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:25:00 PDT

Insider Guide: Best of New York City

You want to see the "greatest city in the world" how quickly? No problem, we've got the time-crunching guide to make it happen

By Jordan Burchette 9 April, 2012

Looks good now? Wait till you get inside.

Trying to do the best of New York City in a few days is like announcing you plan to see Africa in a week: it minimizes just how much there is to experience while completely disregarding travel times.

Our menu of the best of New York City eats, drinks, sights and photo ops ensures you don’t waste a New York minute -- which Johnny Cash supposedly once defined as the time it takes for the traffic light to turn green and the guy behind you to honk his horn.

Just understand you're only taking a very quick bite of the metropolis, not consuming the entire Apple.

Hotels

Luxury

Don't forget to check out the rest of the city, OK?

Mandarin Oriental

Located atop one of the twin sentries comprising the Time Warner Center, the five-star Mandarin enjoys unobstructed views through its floor-to-ceiling windows of the Hudson River, Central Park, Brooklyn and Portugal (at least, it feels that way).

Its best of New York City position in bustling Columbus Circle puts it in a central location -- just north of Midtown -- with subways linking to virtually every part of the city.

Unlike in much of the rest of the United States, there's no shame in walking in New York. Plenty of attractions are within an easy stroll, including Lincoln Center, Broadway, Hell’s Kitchen and Times Square.

80 Columbus Circle; +1 212 805 8800; from US$650 per night;www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork

Mid-range

The Standard

If you enjoy being in the presence of beautiful women, The Standard is a best of New York City landmark in Manhattan's most model-intensive neighborhood.

The decor is mod and the vibe is downtown, so go ahead and pack your shiniest shirts for the clubs, bars and bistros in the surrounding Meatpacking District.

One of the property's greatest draws are the views of models and other attractions. Ensure you see as much as possible by getting a room ending in 24, as these have two walls of windows.

848 Washington St.; +1 212 645 4646; from US$275 per night; www.standardhotels.com/new-york-city

Budget

Made for a starving musician, designed for a rock star.

The Pod Hotel

The only way you can stay overnight in Manhattan for less than one of the single pod rooms in this Midtown budgetier is by having family in the area and crashing with them.

The downside: like staying with your family, the Pod Hotel requires you to share a bathroom with people you don’t necessarily like.

This isn’t a hidden gem loaded with amenities. The few Pod perks include iPod docks -- yes, there’s wordplay here -- and the rooms are barely bigger than the beds.

If you want affordable, however, you're unlikely to do better.

230 51st St.; +1 212 355 0300; from US$90 per night;www.thepodhotel.com

Dining

All the pleasures of a proper pasta.

Osteria Morini

“New York” magazine recently called Michael White “the city’s hottest Italian chef,” and “Esquire” put his bustling new Osteria Morini on its 2011 list of best restaurants in the city.

So why shouldn't we put it on our best of New York City list?

White has earned praise with his knack for taking home-style fare and providing a gourmet twist, like tortellini with a duck-liver cream sauce.

Of course, man cannot live on food alone, and Osteria Morini's cocktails are also superb.

216 Lafayette St., +1 212 965 8777; expensive; www.osteriamorini.com

Keens Steakhouse

Americans tend to value massive portions; fine dining is inevitably about small but perfect items.

Keens earns best of New York City marks by seeking to combine the best of both philosophies.

While up against worthy steakhouse competitors including Peter Luger, Old Homestead and The Strip House, Keens has an edge by serving the city’s top mutton chop. The chop comes flanked by pieces of lamb bacon.

Keens also has the edge in decor. Its ceiling is stippled with thousands of clay pipes that represent an erstwhile club membership including American icons Theodore Roosevelt, Babe Ruth and General Douglas MacArthur.

72 W. 36th St.; + 1 212 947 3636; expensive; www.keens.com

Going Dutch never tasted so good.

The Dutch

Dress code at The Dutch?

“This ain’t no country club, but it’s no ball game either,” states the American bar/restaurant’s website. “This is New York. Do what you feel, but keep it fresh.”

That casual but earnest logic goes to the heart of Andrew Carmellini’s latest offering in New York.

Inspired by a mix of cafés, country inns and seaside shacks, diners get reinterpretations of American classics like the good old porterhouse steak and fried chicken served with biscuits.

Just remember to look up from your food occasionally, or else you'll miss the celebrities meandering through the dining room.

131 Sullivan St.; +1 212 677 6200; moderate; thedutchnyc.comCafé Nougatine

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the most celebrated chefs in New York.

If you want to experience his creations at reasonable prices, try the lunch deal at Jean-Georges’ Café Nougatine in the Trump Building.

The French haute cuisine goes for around US$25 every lunch hour at the acclaimed restaurant.

Central Park West; +1 212 299 3900; moderate; www.jean-georges.com

Miss Lily’s Favourite Cakes

While the name promises cakes, this hip diner in downtown Manhattan serves remarkable Jamaican dishes.

The most revered item at this best of New York City diner is jerk chicken.

Miss Lily’s decor is plastic-table basic, but just when you thought you were in another forgettable eatery you take a mouthful and discover why chef Bradford Thompson was named by “Food & Wine” as one of the Best New Chefs in 2004.

The decor is simple, but you won't care as you watch leggy servers carry hearty platefuls of curry goat, oxtail stew and, yes, even cakes if you so desire.

Warning to anyone looking for a relaxed island vibe: the atmosphere of Miss Lily’s tends to get clubbier and the music louder as the night goes on.

132 W. Houston St.; +1 646 588 5375; budget; misslilysnyc.com

Great things do come in small packages.

Per Se

With its modern decor and swanky address at the tip of Central Park, Per Se strives to turn your dinner into “a journey that returns you to sources of pleasure you may have forgotten,” which would seem pretentious if that wasn't precisely what it accomplishes with nearly every dish.

Hailed by food critics ever since its doors opened, Per Se is the brainchild of Thomas Keller, the only America chef to have been awarded three Michelin stars for two different restaurants (including Per Se).

Per Se is the East Coast version of his flagship French Laundry in California.

While the chef's tasting menu changes every day, there are mainstays, such as Keller's well-known twist on “oysters and pearls,” which combines succulent oysters, tapioca pearls and caviar.

10 Columbus Circle; +1 212 823 9335; expensive; perseny.com

There's plenty of pizza in New York, but only a handful of joints are reliably great. Joe's is one.

Joe's Pizza

For a best of New York City experience, there’s no more quintessential fast food than a slice of pizza.

Joe’s modest storefront unloads delicious slices to an uninterrupted queue of patrons roughly 20 hours of every day.

Stand in line, point, pay, apply Parmesan and chili flakes from the public shakers, fold, eat and hustle back to work. Hey, now you’re practically a local.

7 Carmine St.; +1 212 366 1182; budget; www.joespizzanyc.com

Nightlife

Time travel here.

Campbell Apartment

Step back in time and behold fully restored glasswork, furnishings and architectural appointments of a cavernous lounge that was once the massive private office of 1920s magnate John W. Campbell.

Now a swanky club, Campbell Apartment evokes images reminiscent of the more elegant side of “The Great Gatsby.” (For Gatsby-esque smoking ruins, you'll have to look elsewhere.)

Having a cocktail amid such elegance comes at a price: no jeans or sneakers allowed.

15 Vanderbilt Ave.; +1 212 953 0409; expensive

GoldBar

Anyone who feels every New York nightclub is the same should hit this NoLita (North of Little Italy) establishment with an interior every bit as eclectic as its playlist, which includes new wave, rap, rock and pop.

How eclectic? For one, the entire space is swathed in gold. For another, it includes a wall studded with gilded human skulls. (That's right, skulls.)

Be advised that while you’ll likely want to capture an evening here for posterity -- it's pricy enough that it's less a night out than an investment -- photography is not permitted.

389 Broome St.; +1 212 274 1568; expensive; goldbarnewyork.com

For the guy who doesn't like the words "boutique" and "beer" in the same sentence.

McSorley's Old Ale House

As at Campbell Apartment, you feel like you're stepping back in time. McSorley’s, however, is the sort of place that would welcome those traveling steerage as warmly as those in first class.

Rough-hewn wood floors, workmanlike bartenders and assorted memorabilia said to have been in the building since 1910 make you feel like you're in a simpler age.

There are only two options for sale here: dark beer and light beer, the latter being called “light” not for its caloric value, but because it’s not the former.

Since beers here must be ordered in pairs, try one of each.

15 E. 7th St.; +1 212 473 9148; budget; www.mcsorleysnewyork.com

ReVision

ReVision’s theme is reclamation, with a front room furnished in bar stools made of recycled snow skis and a countertop of shredded, outdated U.S. currency glazed to a smooth finish.

But it’s the best of New York City back room you’ll remember. Filled with couches fashioned from old coffins, porcelain bath tubs and the back ends of 1970s American luxury cars, it's got a DJ table formed by the front end of an old Cadillac.

If you get in early in the evening you might be able to dodge the often unbearable late crowds.

219 Avenue B; +1 646 490 7271; moderate; revisionlounge.com

Shopping/Attractions

Even boys can have a Carrie Bradshaw moment.

Bergdorf Goodman department store

All high-fashion roads lead to this city institution, where the merchandise, layout and presentation are first-class, the staff is renowned for obsessive courteousness and historic New York department store shopping is still a dignified experience.

Bergdorf’s offers some impressive sales, though half off a US$1,000 sweater is still 500 bucks

BG’s four on-site restaurants are surprisingly good, a find for anyone who normally wouldn't dream of eating in a store.

754 Fifth Ave.; +1 800 558 1855; expensive;www.bergdorfgoodman.com

Century 21 bargain store

For expensive stuff cheap and cheap stuff even cheaper, there’s no more beloved and simultaneously bemoaned retailer in New York City than Century 21.

Shoppers ascend C21’s five floors, slipping through the hordes searching for deeply discounted designer fashions, mainstream basics and mall-brand overstock, as well as items including luggage, watches and handbags.

If you’re willing to brave masses of consumers, C21 probably has a version of whatever clothing item you desire at every level of the economic spectrum, whether it’s a $1,200 coat for $400 or a $25 pack of socks for $10.

22 Cortlandt St. (and other locations); +1 212 227 9092; budget to expensive; www.c21stores.com

B&H Photo Video

B&H does a healthy amount of Internet business, making it known to many planet-wide, but the bricks-and-mortar version is a hive of retail wonderment that really must be observed offline.

Thousands of daily customers seek counsel and competitive prices from hundreds of employees on photo and video cameras, computers, audio and lighting equipment, TVs, portable media devices and all of their associated accessories.

It’s worth it alone to buy something just to watch it travel via the store’s overhead rail delivery system.

420 Ninth Ave.; +1 866 265 7999; moderate to expensive; www.bhphotovideo.com

One of the city's more solemn outings.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Finally opened on September 12, 2011, after years of legal and architectural haggling, the 9/11 Memorial replaces the footprints of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers with reflecting pools fed by gargantuan ground-level waterfalls.

While the scale is massive, the aesthetic is in many ways quite personal, making the experience imposing yet touching all at once.

As long as construction continues around the site, visits require advance reservations; go to the official site to secure your visit time.

One Liberty Plaza, 10 a.m. to various closing times, depending on time of year; www.911memorial.org

We'll take 30 Rock over Empire State any day.

Top of The Rock observation deck

Like Meg Ryan and King Kong, you may be filled with a yen to rush to the top of the Empire State Building.

Unfortunately, this is an impulse shared by a zillion or so other tourists.

Instead, check out the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, which offers 360-degree views that are nearly as stunning and can be seen after a fraction of the wait.

30 Rockefeller Center; +1 212 698 2000, daily 8 a.m.-midnight, $25;www.topoftherocknyc.com

Central Park

The expanse of green in the middle of Manhattan is your chance to do everything from seeing Shakespeare in the Park (there's also a Marionette Theater at the Swedish Cottage if your little ones aren't ready for Titus Andronicus) to challenging old Italian men to a game of bocce on the green near Sheep's Meadow.

In the summer, the Conservatory Water is filled with model boats. For even bigger kids, rental rowboats are available.

In winter, you can ice-skate at either Wollman or Lasker Rink.

59th to 110th Street; +1 212 310 6600; daily 24 hours (hours vary for individual attractions); free (costs vary for individual attractions); centralparknyc.org

Seasonal attractions

Visitors might experience completely different New Yorks depending on the time of year. Here are some seasonal suggestions.

Winter

Rapid heartbeat, sweating, flushed face -- must be the MSG.

Madison Square Garden

With the 2011 addition of Carmelo Anthony joining all-star Amare Stoudemire, and the emergence of Jeremy "Linsanity," hopes are high again at the Garden. Even as the New York Knicks NBA franchise fights for a playoff berth, the team seems to at least have the pieces to emerge from one of the bleaker stretches in its proud history.

If you prefer your athletes with fewer teeth, the Garden is also home to the New York Rangers, one of six original members of the National Hockey League.

4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Seventh Avenue at 33rd Street);www.nba.com/knicks; rangers.nhl.com

Citi Pond at Bryant Park

Ice-skating at Rockefeller Center may be the most iconic activity available for any winter visit to New York City.

Unfortunately, every other visitor willing to lace on skates knows this, as well. If lines prove too horrific, consider heading south to the seasonal Citi Pond at Bryant Park.

The park also fills up in winter with holiday shops to amuse those who choose to stay off the ice.

Admission free, skate rentals US$14.

Sixth Avenue and East 40th; www.citipondatbryantpark.com

Spring

The Hudson has gotten a stylish makeover.

Hudson River Park

New York’s west side waterfront has undergone wholesale improvements over the last decade, including the installation of an eight-kilometer bike and walking path, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, batting cages, playgrounds, skate park, trapeze school, open lawns and free kayaking at Piers 96, 40 and 72nd Street.

Yes, that’s right, trapeze school.

Good burgers and beers can be found at the Frying Pan, a wartime barge turned bar and grill at 26th Street.

Hudson River, from 59th Street to Battery Park;www.hudsonriverpark.org/index.asp

Yankee Stadium

From April through September, the Bronx comes alive for the most successful sports franchise in North America, which supplies New York with a good chunk of its swagger -- it's easier to call yourself “the greatest city in the world” when you've won 27 World Series, not to mention those two by the Mets.

Take the B, D or 4 subway trains to 161st Street for a game, including time to stroll the team’s new billion-dollar stadium.

Beware purchasing tickets from street scalpers: counterfeiters here are among the best in the world.

One E. 161st St.; +1 718 293 4300; newyork.yankees.mlb.com

Summer

After years of being destroyed by Hollywood CGI, the Brooklyn Bridge is still standing strong.

Brooklyn Bridge

Ironically, one of the best ways to appreciate Manhattan is to leave it.

Get off the F train at High Street in Brooklyn and enjoy the two-and-a-half kilometer walk back to the city via its most historic gateway, enjoying a remarkable view of Manhattan that will make you feel like you're living a particularly charming moment from a Woody Allen film.

Before making the journey, spend some time in Brooklyn.

Check out Brooklyn’s bridge-side DUMBO neighborhood, which offers a waterfront view and features warehouses converted into an array of residences and businesses.

If you enjoy waiting in line for food you eat with your hands, check out Grimaldi’s, one of New York’s best-rated brick oven pizzas.

www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bridges/brooklyn_bridge.shtml

Fall

Peace and calm in Fort Tryon Park.

The Cloisters

If you're looking for a museum missed by most tourists (and a surprising number of New Yorkers), make time for the Cloisters.

A reassembled French building houses the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval Europe collection, but for many visitors the best part of the visit occurs when you step outside and see gardens patterned faithfully after medieval designs for landscaping and architecture.

You'll be going far further north than most visitors, but when you witness an attraction unlike anything else in New York you'll know it's worth the journey.

West 193rd Street at Washington Avenue; +1 212 923 3700; www.metmuseum.org/visit/visit-the-cloisters;www.nycgovparks.org/parks/forttryonpark

source: CNN

NYC Taxi Cabs Get A New, Modern Look

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:03:00 PDT

NYC Taxi Cabs Get A New, Modern Look

Say good bye to the Old Crown Victoria taxis that we have all grown up in and say hello to the sleek new Nissan taxi!

It’s very “Hunger Games” looking isn’t it? New age, modern and hip! Hopefully they smell better, too!

Check Out Photos Of The New Rides >

These new Nissan Taxi’s are supposed to offer WIFI and digital service in some cabs! Wow, totally an upgrade, right? Also, these new Nissan taxi’s come with glass tops! Perfect for tourists! I guess that means they don’t have to stand around in the streets looking up at all our tall buildings!

Last time I rode in a cab, it was from Union Square to Hudson St. The vinvyl seats were torn and it smelled of … well… vomit. Yuck! I think the new Taxi’s will show a sense of NY pride.

Obama to push immigration plan in 'first year' of new term - Video

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:08:00 PDT

Obama to push immigration plan in 'first year' of new term

President Obama says he will push for major immigration legislation if he is re-elected.

Obama told Univision he would like to do immigration this year, but Republican opposition is too intense.

"I can promise that I will try to do it in the first year of my second term," Obama said.

"I want to try this year," he added. "The challenge we've got on immigration reform is very simple. I've got a majority of Democrats who are prepared to vote for it, and I've got no Republicans who are prepared to vote for it."

President Obama today at the Summit of the Americas

By SAUL LOEB, AFP/Getty Images

Obama supports what he calls a "comprehensive" immigration bill. It involves both tougher border security as well as a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are already in the U.S.

Republicans say the emphasis should be on border protection, and liken citizenship plans to amnesty for lawbreakers.

In the Univision interview, Obama took a swipe at one of those Republicans, likely election opponent Mitt Romney.

Said Obama: "We now have a Republican nominee who said that the Arizona laws are a model for the country ... these are laws that potentially would allow someone to be stopped and picked up and asked where their citizenship papers are based on an assumption."

Republican Party spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said Obama "promised to tackle immigration reform in his first year and failed."

"From immigration to creating jobs and cutting the deficit, President Obama has failed to follow through on his promises to the American people showing his words are more about winning elections than anything else," she said.

Univision interviewed Obama in connection with this weekend's Summit of the Americas.

source:usatoday

Huffington Post: New York Is The Most Immigrant-Friendly City In The Country According To Mayor Bloomberg

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:06:00 PDT

		New York Is The Most Immigrant-Friendly City In The Country According To Mayor Bloomberg
	Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed New York as the most immigrant-friendly city in the nation during a visit to the Citizenship NOW! call-in. Hizzoner stopped by the Daily News and CUNY hotline to chat to volunteers offering free, confidential help to callers. Read the whole story: NY Daily News

Huffington Post: ICE To Suspend Over 16,000 Deportations

noreply@blogger.com (Fred Soratas) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:18:00 PDT

		ICE To Suspend Over 16,000 Deportations
	SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Immigration officials have offered to shelve 7.5 percent of deportation cases under a massive review of the backlogged U.S. system aimed...

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Insider Guide: Best of New York City

Insider Guide: Best of New York City

Hotels

Luxury

Mid-range

Budget

Dining

Nightlife

Shopping/Attractions

Seasonal attractions

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

NYC Taxi Cabs Get A New, Modern Look

NYC Taxi Cabs Get A New, Modern Look

NYC Taxi Cabs Get A New, Modern Look

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