Hotel rating TripAdvisor.com has new competition. Recently launched, VibeAgent.com, targeting travelers slightly younger than TripAdvisor users (two-thirds of whom are 35+), is a hotel review and booking site heavy on personalization and social networking.
Co-founder of VibeAgent, Adam Healey says "TripAdvisor doesn't provide context to who's writing the reviews". VibeAgent, "agents", provide photos and more info about themselves. As with Facebook and MySpace, members can keep a network of friends informed of their doings.
So far, VibeAgent has more than 10,000 people who have signed on so far. It remains to be seen whether it can compete with TripAdvisor's 5-million-plus members and 10 million reviews of hotels, eateries and attractions. TripAdvisor is also going after young users and launched a networking function in June.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
For Sale: Land in San Clemente (Surf Shop)
Since the 1970's, the small, unassuming structure on the corner of El Camino Real and Avenida Pico in North Beach has been a surf shop.
1755 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672.
For Sale: $3.2 million
Size: 6,600 square feet, the building is 2,800 sq. ft.
Contact: Howard James Co. (714) 553-0702 Scott
Hopeful that the property can continue as a surf shop. Possibly a surf shop expanded with a Tommy Bahama's restaurant or a Javier's Cantina & Grill.
1755 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672.
For Sale: $3.2 million
Size: 6,600 square feet, the building is 2,800 sq. ft.
Contact: Howard James Co. (714) 553-0702 Scott
Hopeful that the property can continue as a surf shop. Possibly a surf shop expanded with a Tommy Bahama's restaurant or a Javier's Cantina & Grill.
Fed Lowers outlook for 2008
Yesterday, the Fed cut its forecast for growth in 2008.
Projected range of percentages in 2008 for:
Real GDP growth: 1.8% - 2.5% (in June, they forecast 2.5-2.75%)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% - 4.9%
Personal Consumption Expenditure inflation: 1.8% - 2.1%
The 3-year forecast, indicates that the Fed officials see a 1.6% - 1.9% inflation rate as a longer-term goal.
Projected range of percentages in 2008 for:
Real GDP growth: 1.8% - 2.5% (in June, they forecast 2.5-2.75%)
Unemployment rate: 4.8% - 4.9%
Personal Consumption Expenditure inflation: 1.8% - 2.1%
The 3-year forecast, indicates that the Fed officials see a 1.6% - 1.9% inflation rate as a longer-term goal.
Freddie Mac
Stunning Wall Street with a $2 billion quarterly loss, Freddie Mac warned that the worst is yet to come. It said its mortgage losses will deepen through 2009, and its considering slashing its dividend in half and issuing a "large" amount of preferred stock to raise cash.
The stock fell 29% yesterday, to below $27.
The stock fell 29% yesterday, to below $27.
TV - Nielsen Top 10
1. Dancing With The Stars (ABC) 21.8 million viewers
2. CSI (CBS) 21.4
3. Grey's Anatomy (ABC) 19.6
4. Dancing With The Stars - Result Show 17.6
5. NCIS (CBS) 17.4
6. House (Fox) 17.0
7. Criminal Minds (CBS) 15.7
8. CSI Miami (CBS) 15.5
9. Survivor China (CBS) 14.7
10. 60 Minutes (CBS) 14.6
2. CSI (CBS) 21.4
3. Grey's Anatomy (ABC) 19.6
4. Dancing With The Stars - Result Show 17.6
5. NCIS (CBS) 17.4
6. House (Fox) 17.0
7. Criminal Minds (CBS) 15.7
8. CSI Miami (CBS) 15.5
9. Survivor China (CBS) 14.7
10. 60 Minutes (CBS) 14.6
CBS: 12 of the Top 20 viewed shows.
NBC: 1 (NFL) in the Top 17 viewed shows.
NBC: 1 (NFL) in the Top 17 viewed shows.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
North Beach San Clemente
The development group, LAB Holdings, LLC, selected by the city to transform the parking lot area at North Beach into a retail center presents its latest site design plans to City Council today.
"The main thing is that with these kinds of projects there are a series of committees and groups we have to satisfy and, for the most part, they have different needs - city councils, Coastal Commission. When you're doing this size of a project, there's going to have to be compromise. With the right amount of compromise, we think that after 14 months of working with the city staff that the project is positioned really well." said Shaheen Sadeghi, principal of LAB.
Most recent changes to the plans include: The removal of the single level of underground parking at the Ole Hanson Beach Club side of the project, a reduction in scope from 65,000 square feet to 47,000 square feet due in part to a building setback from the beach club and some conflicting underground utilities.
The City Council will review the new plans. If council were to green light the plans, another 18-24 months of work with getting the environmental impact report completed and working through plans with Coastal Commission.
"The main thing is that with these kinds of projects there are a series of committees and groups we have to satisfy and, for the most part, they have different needs - city councils, Coastal Commission. When you're doing this size of a project, there's going to have to be compromise. With the right amount of compromise, we think that after 14 months of working with the city staff that the project is positioned really well." said Shaheen Sadeghi, principal of LAB.
Most recent changes to the plans include: The removal of the single level of underground parking at the Ole Hanson Beach Club side of the project, a reduction in scope from 65,000 square feet to 47,000 square feet due in part to a building setback from the beach club and some conflicting underground utilities.
The City Council will review the new plans. If council were to green light the plans, another 18-24 months of work with getting the environmental impact report completed and working through plans with Coastal Commission.
Story Corps
Awed by the historical power of the recordings made by Works Progress Administration folklorists and writers who toured the country in the 1930's and 1940's, Dave Isay started the non-profit StoryCorps in 2003 to gather the stories of everyday Americans.
The idea caught on, and StoryCorps has become one of the fastest growing US non-profits.
Anyone can make an appointment at a StoryCorps recording booth, bringing along a loved one. A StoryCorps facilitator guides the 40-minute interview. Some suggested questions: What was your happiest moment? What are you most proud of? Is there anything you've always wanted to tell me? The fact that the two people are already connected makes for unguarded, intimate conversations with riveting results.
At the end of the session, a CD of it is given to the participants. Another CD - if the participant approves - goes to an archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Though StoryCorps asks for $10 as a suggested donation for a session, its costs more than $250 t0 record each interview.
The idea caught on, and StoryCorps has become one of the fastest growing US non-profits.
Anyone can make an appointment at a StoryCorps recording booth, bringing along a loved one. A StoryCorps facilitator guides the 40-minute interview. Some suggested questions: What was your happiest moment? What are you most proud of? Is there anything you've always wanted to tell me? The fact that the two people are already connected makes for unguarded, intimate conversations with riveting results.
At the end of the session, a CD of it is given to the participants. Another CD - if the participant approves - goes to an archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
Though StoryCorps asks for $10 as a suggested donation for a session, its costs more than $250 t0 record each interview.
www.storycorps.net
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