Current Events in June 2013

Here's a basic fact of life: It gets hot in the summer. But even though everyone knows that, people by the thousands suffer heat-related injuries and illnesses every year.

Extreme heat can lead to very high body temperatures, brain and organ damage, and even death. Heat-related illness occurs when our bodies are unable to compensate and cool themselves properly. And, while extreme heat affects everyone, the elderly, children, the poor or homeless, people who work or exercise outdoors, and those with chronic medical conditions are most at risk.

“No one should die from a heat wave, but every year on average, extreme heat causes 658 deaths in the United States -- more than tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and lightning combined,” said Robin Ikea, MD, MPH, acting director of the National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. “Taking common sense steps in extreme temperatures can prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths.”

Rising death toll

A study released in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that 7,233 heat-related deaths occurred in the United States from 1999 to 2009. An analysis of 2012 data indicates that deaths are on the rise.

In a 2-week period in 2012, excessive heat exposure resulted in 32 deaths in four states, four times the typical average for those states for the same 2-week period from 1999-2009. More than two thirds of the deaths occurred at home, and 91% of those homes lacked air conditioning. Most of those who died were unmarried or living alone, and 72% were male.

According to CDC’s Environmental Tracking Network from 1999 to 2009 three states -- Arizona, California and Texas -- accounted for approximately 40 percent of all heat-related deaths in the U.S. Across the nation, heat-related deaths occur more frequently among males and among adults aged 65 and older.

“Heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. Taking steps to stay cool, hydrated and informed in extreme temperatures can prevent serious health effects like heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Ethel Taylor, DVM, MPH, the study’s lead author.

What to do

Here are sources of information to help you protect yourself when the weather becomes sweltering:

• Extreme Heat and Your Health Website: This new page collects CDC resources on extreme heat in one place and provides information on how to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths for a variety of audiences. 
• Environmental Public Health Tracking Data: CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network introduces new data on heat-stress hospitalizations and emergency room visits from 2000-2011. This adds to the records already available on extreme temperatures, heat-related deaths, and social and environmental conditions that make people vulnerable to extreme heat. Decision makers can use these data to plan how and where to focus efforts to protect the public from extreme heat. 
• Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events Guidebook: This recently released guidebook for state and local health departments describes how to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events and explains how the frequency, duration, and severity of these events are increasing as a result of climate change. 
• Workplace Solutions Bulletin: This recently released NIOSH bulletin provides updated statistics, case studies and recommendations for workers and employers to follow in order to reduce the risk of heat-related illness when working outdoors. The report provides specific guidance, examples and it adds to the available resources that illustrate how extreme heat exposures can lead to occupational illnesses and injuries and possible death. 

The president of LM Import-Export Inc., of Miami, Fla., has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to traffic in and smuggle banned children’s products.

In addition to the jail time, Hung Lam was ordered to three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.

“The sentences handed down by the court against these repeat violators are a victory for consumers and the rule of law,” said Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “This result demonstrates how serious we are about protecting American consumers from dangerous products and defending our consumer product safety laws.”

Dangerous products

According to documents filed with and statements made in court, defendants Lam and his related corporations -- LM Import-Export Inc., Lam’s Investment Corp., and LK Toys Corporation -- conspired to sell and distribute in commerce children’s products imported from China from about April 2000 through May 2011 in violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

These products allegedly presented the risk of choking, aspiration, and ingestion, and some contained lead above the allowed statutory limits. The defendants imported these products by means of false statements on custom declaration forms.  

A pleasant surprise in the May employment report as the economy added 175,000 jobs. The biggest increases in nonfarm payrolls came in professional and business services, food services and drinking places, and retail trade. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com were calling for the addition of 159,000 positions.

At the same time, the government reports the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 7.6%, with 11.8 million out of work.

Who's not working

The jobless rates for adult men (7.2%), adult women (6.5%), teenagers (24.5%), whites (6.7%), blacks (13.5%) and Hispanics (9.1%) showed little or no change in May. The unemployment rate for Asians was 4.3%, little changed from a year earlier.

While the civilian labor force rose by 420,000 -- to 155.7 million in May -- the labor force participation rate was little changed at 63.4%. Over the year, the labor force participation rate has declined by 0.4 percentage point.

Where the jobs are

Professional and business services added 57,000 jobs last month, including 26,000 in temporary help services, 6,000 in computer systems design and related services and 5,000 in architectural and engineering services. Employment in the sector has grown by 589,000 over the past year.

In the leisure and hospitality category, employment in food services and drinking places increased by 38,000 in May and 337,000 over the past year.

Retail trade added 28,000 positions in May and has added an average of 20,000 jobs per month over the prior 12 months. The big jump in May came in general merchandise stores with 10,000 new jobs.

Health care hired 11,000 people in May. Gains in home health care services (7,000) and outpatient care centers (4,000) more than offset a loss of 6,000 in hospitals. During the past year, job growth in health care averaged 24,000 per month.

Losses and little change

Federal government employment declined by 14,000 in May. Over the past three months, it has decreased by 45,000.

Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, and financial activities, showed little or no change over the month.

The full report can is available on the Labor Department website.  

While much of our health is out of our control -- due to things like heredity -- there is a lot we can do to make things better. Take stroke prevention for example.

According to a new study in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, making small lifestyle changes could reduce your risk.

Researchers assessed stroke risk using the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 health factors: be active, control cholesterol, eat a healthy diet, manage blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar and don't smoke.

"We used the assessment tool to look at stroke risk,” said Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., senior author and professor of medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington, “and found that small differences in health status were associated with large reductions in stroke risk."

Keeping score

Researchers divided the Life's Simple 7 scores into three categories: zero to four points for inadequate, five to nine points for average, and 10 to 14 points for optimum cardiovascular health.

Researchers found:

• Every one-point increase toward a better score was associated with an 8 percent lower stroke risk.
• Compared to those with inadequate scores, people with optimum scores had a 48 percent lower stroke risk and those with average scores had a 27 percent lower stroke risk.
• A better score was associated with a similar reduced stroke risk in blacks and whites.

While black participants had worse scores than whites, the association of the Life's Simple 7 score with stroke risk was similar in black and white participants. "This highlights the critical importance of improving these health factors since blacks have nearly twice the stroke mortality rates as whites," Cushman said.

The researchers reviewed information on 22,914 black and white Americans age 45 and older who are participating in a nationwide population-based study called the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS).

They collected data in 2003-07 by telephone, self-administered questionnaires and at-home exams. Participants were followed for five years for stroke. Many of them live in the Southeast region of the United States where death rates from stroke are the highest.

Blood pressure is key

During the study, 432 strokes occurred. All seven health factors in Life's Simple 7 played an important role in predicting the risk for stroke, but having ideal blood pressure was the most important indicator of stroke risk, researchers said.

"Compared to those with poor blood pressure status, those who were ideal had a 60 percent lower risk of future stroke," Cushman said.

Researchers also found that those who didn't smoke or quit smoking more than one year prior to the beginning of the study had a 40 percent lower stroke risk.

Each year, about 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke -- the No. 4 killer and a leading cause of long-term disability. Every four minutes, an American dies from stroke.

You can check your health status at http://www.mylifecheck.org.

CODA Automotive is recalling 117 model year 2012 CODA vehicles.

The side curtain airbags may have been improperly rolled during production which could cause the airbag to not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

This recall supersedes a previous recall conducted by CODA, 12V-409. All owners, including owners involved in the previous campaign, will be notified and instructed to go to CODA dealers to have both side curtain airbags replaced free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, June 11, 2013.

Owners should contact their dealer for more information. CODA Automotive's recall campaign number is R84002.

Although it is refusing to recall 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokees that critics say are a fire hazard, Chrysler has announced two other Jeep recalls involving problems that are much easier -- and less expensive -- to fix.

The company said it is recalling more than 409,000 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs worldwide from the 2010 and 2012 model years that have seat belt issues, as well as 221,000 Jeep Wranglers worldwide from the 2012 and 2013 model years to fix transmission fluid leaks.

After more than three years of studying complaints of fire deaths and injuries in Grand Cherokees involved in rear-end collisions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said its investigation "revealed numerous fire-related deaths and injuries," and the agency's defect investigation office believes that the vehicles "contain defects related to motor vehicle safety."

Profits before human life

Auto safety advocate Clearence Ditlow, whose tabulations show 270 deaths in burning Grand Cherokees, issued a scathing statement accusing Chrysler of putting profits before human life.

"When you get right down to it, the U.S. government bailed out Chrysler. Chrysler's since paid the money back, but there would be no Chrysler but for the U.S. government," he said. "The way I look at it is, Chrysler owes the American public a recall."

More than 125,000 consumers have signed a petition at DangerousJeeps.com demanding a recall. 

Chrysler disputes the 270 deaths figure and insists says the number of fire deaths in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is comparable to similar vehicles made by other manufacturers.

Chrysler said the Patriot and Compass recalls were "deemed necessary after it was discovered that seatbelt pre-tensioners and side-curtain airbags may not function properly during slow-developing rollovers."

The affected models, 2010-2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs, are equipped with sensor-activated restraint systems that deploy when a rollover appears imminent. The company said it doesn't know of any injuries associated with the issue. 

In the Wrangler recalls, Chrysler said a power-steering component may rub against the line and compromise transmission function. The issue was discovered during routine testing.

The repair will involve installation of a newly-designed power-steering component that affords separation from the transmission oil cooler line. 
If the line shows no signs of damage, it will be fitted with a protective sleeve as an additional precaution. If there is evidence of wear, the line will be replaced.

Concerned customers in either case can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

It's a sick feeling. You check your bank balance and find it at $0. Or you apply for a charge card at a retail store and are turned down because of bad debt – debt that you don't owe.

Just two of the signs that your identity has been stolen.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes, yet most consumers don't think about it very much, assuming it won't happen to them. But when it does happen, the consequences are often severe and expensive to rectify.

Get on the record

The first thing you should do is get on the record that your identity has been stolen and that the people who are running up credit charges in your name are not you. One way to do that is file a report with your local police department so they can begin an investigation. But don't start with the police just yet.

Instead, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests you first contact one of the three credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Ask them to place a fraud alert on your account so that no one can take out any more credit in your name. The agency you notify is required to notify the other two. Also, notify the fraud departments of banks where you have accounts.

After placing a fraud alert on your report, a business must verify your identity before it issues credit in your name, so it may try to contact you every time the fraudster tries to open an account. After they have been denied a couple of times the scammer will figure out you are wise to them, but you can't relax. They may sell your information to other criminals.

The initial fraud alert stays on your report for at least 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days. It allows you to order one free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies. Be sure the credit reporting companies have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you.

Tell the FTC

You should also report the theft to the FTC because this will help you as you begin to repair the damage. This report will help you deal with the three credit reporting companies, debt collectors, and businesses that gave the identity thief credit or opened new accounts in your name. You are creating a paper trail of your efforts to undo the damage.

Write out a detailed report of the identity theft, including all relevant information, and submit it to the FTC. But also print out a copy and take it with you when you file your police report. When you file the police report, get a copy of it, along with the report number. The report you compiled for the FTC and the one you submitted to the police will comprise your identity theft report.

So far, you have taken steps preventing the further theft of your identity. Now, you need to clean up the mess.

Cleaning up

You need to contact the businesses where the fraudster has used your identity. You may call, write letters or both. Just do so in an organized way, keeping a log of all calls and copies of all letters, which should be sent certified mail.

Keep track of the deadlines when you must file requests or send follow-ups.

Once all the fraudulent charges have been resolved, you should review your credit report to make sure all the information it contains is accurate. If you find errors, dispute them quickly with the credit reporting agencies and the fraud departments of each business that reported the disputed information.

More help

Here is the FTC's Guidebook for Assisting Identity Theft Victims. The following are the names of the credit reporting agencies and their contact numbers: Equifax, 1-800-525-6285; Experian, 1-888-397-3742; TransUnion, 1-800-680-7289.

If you and the family are planning to head to Walt Disney World this year, you might want to save a few extra bucks.

Ticket prices for the Florida-based theme park just went from $89 to $95, so if you have a family of four, let's say, you're looking at spending nearly $400 -- and that's just to enter.

And if you happen to be a family of five or six, you're really going to be spending some major cash. Some might say it's time for Mickey to get a salary cap.

So what can you do to save money at a theme park this summer?

Plan ahead

The last thing you want to do is buy tickets at the gate, say experts. You're much more likely to find better deals either online or through special coupons or promotions.

Check social media sites like Facebook and Twitter as well, as a lot of amusement parks announce special prices throughout the summer.

Sometimes supermarkets and fast food chains will carry coupons and promotions. Or you can call the amusement park directly and ask what types of special offers are going on. And you always want to buy your tickets ahead of time, experts advise.

According to the folks at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), consumers should look for bundle packages that include general admission, lodging, meals and access to special attractions.

If you're planning to attend a theme park more than once during the summer, you should consider buying a season pass, as it will pay itself off in about three visits, says the IAAPA.

Another way to get cheaper theme park tickets is by being a member of an organization like AARP or AAA. A lot of companies have access to coupons and discounted tickets as well, so you may want to check with your job. Your credit card company may offer some discounts too.

Buy now

Jennie Sanford of Savings.com and BargainBlessings.com, told Fox News that consumers should purchase everything they need before hitting the amusement park. And she wasn't just talking about buying food to eat in the parking lot.

"Anything you forget last minute will be outrageously priced anywhere in the theme park or hotel," she said. "Sunscreen, hats, raingear and emergency medicine should all be purchased and brought with you -- don't be worried about purchasing when you get here."

Plan ahead

And when it comes to getting the most out of your amusement park trip, it's best to plan ahead.

Robert Niles, editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, says avoid going to theme parks during the weekend, as it'll be hard for you to do everything you want to do.

"Avoid Saturdays and Mondays," he said in an interview with ABC News. "Saturdays are the busiest day of the week at a park. Mondays are often the second busiest and busier than Sundays since many others thought Sunday would be worse. The least crowded days to visit are Tuesdays and Wednesdays." 

Corinne McDermott, of HaveBabyWillTravel.com, said to bring a few healthy snacks with you to keep you and the kids naturally energized.

"Theme park food can be surprisingly good, but most of the snacks are of the salty or sugary variety," she says. "Having healthy snacks on hand helps make sure that everyone's fueled up and ready to play."

Additionally, McDermott says try not to do everything in one day. Trying to do too much could backfire and ruin the whole experience for both you and the children.

"Probably the worst mistake a parent can make in planning a day at the amusement park, is trying to cram too much in, especially if your kids are little," she says.

It's an often cited-statistic that small businesses in the U.S. hire the most people and create the most jobs. So if you are coming out of college or contemplating a job change, does it make sense to actively pursue a small company rather than a large one?

It might, but there are differences in the two types of enterprises and you need to be aware of them. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses – generally defined as having 250 or fewer employees – are America's largest employment category, employing half the private work force.

While working for a large firm might pay a higher starting salary and have some nice perks, a small business job may carry the potential for long-term financial benefits that working for a big firm doesn't. If you are just starting a career, there may be other opportunities as well.

Stretch yourself

“When you're working for a small business you're probably going to be asked to do more varied things than someone working for a larger company,” said John Kiernan, senior analyst for CardHub, which just completed a ranking of the best small job markets in the U.S. “You'll be able to get experience with a lot of different things and see what you like and don't like.”

In the process, people working for small firms – especially if they are early in their careers -- will get the chance to gain new skills and insights into their abilities, learning what they are good at and what they aren't.

To rank the markets, Kiernan and his team looked at a lot of factors, such as the number of small businesses per capita. They gave added weight if a market had a wide variety of industries in which there were small business opportunities.

Where the opportunities are

“We wanted to reward the cities that offered a lot of different types of opportunities for different types of people,” he said. “We also looked at small business job growth over the last few years to see if the opportunities are growing or contracting.”

They also considered stress levels and average wages. Denver came out on top in the rankings, followed by Boston, Minneapolis, Seattle and San Francisco. What they all have in common is they are pretty nice cities to live in, regardless of why you're living there.

At the bottom of the list are Sacramento and Riverside, Calif., and Detroit. All three cities were hit hard by the housing crash and the Great Recession. A high unemployment rate makes any city a more difficult place to get a job because there will be a lot more competition.

If you've decided that working for a small company is a good move, Kiernan has some advice. The first step is to be flexible when it comes to what you will earn.

Delay gratification

“Job-seekers shouldn't be overly concerned with immediate compensation,” he said. “You need to look at prospects for the future.”

You also need to think about your comfort zone. Can you handle being asked to constantly attempt new things and develop new skills?

“A lot of people box themselves in, deciding they need a particular type of job doing a particular thing,” Kiernan said. “That's not always the best course of action when you are considering a small company.”

Unless you happen to be in one of these small business Meccas, you will probably have to go visit them. They are not likely to come knocking on your door.

“It's easier to look at local talent pools so if you are outside the area, they aren't likely to bring you in for a job interview,” Kiernan said. "You need to be there.”

His other advice works for just about any kind of job you are seeking. Customize your approach, avoiding generic, cookie-cutter packages that don't address how you would add value to a specific company.

Having a positive attitude is also important. In a small company, chances are an abrasive personality will stand out, and not in a good way.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state agencies today announced a major takedown of timeshare property resale scams and phony or misleading travel prizes used to rope in unsuspecting consumers.

The agency announced 191 separate actions, including three FTC cases, 83 civil actions filed by 28 states and 25 actions taken by law enforcement in 10 other countries. Also, 184 individuals are facing criminal prosecution by federal and state prosecutors.

“Con artists take advantage of timeshare owners who have been in tough financial straits and are desperate to sell their timeshares,” Charles A. Harwood, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said during a press conference in Miami.  “They persuade owners to pay fat up-front fees by saying they have someone ready to buy the property, but that’s a lie."

Harwood had this advice for timeshare owners: "Never pay for a promise, get everything in writing first, and pay only after your unit is sold."

Harwood was joined by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi; Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jay Levenstein, Deputy Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and a victim of an unscrupulous timeshare resale operation.

“We cannot allow our elderly and vulnerable real property owners to continue to be the target of fraud schemes,” Ferrer said. “These victims, many of them elderly or in financial distress, looked to sell their units to help make ends meet or pay other bills.  Instead, they were defrauded out of more than $14 million in total.  Such fraud will not be tolerated.”

How it works

Fraudulent timeshare resellers lure consumers into paying hefty upfront fees, falsely claiming to have interested buyers ready to pay top dollar for the properties.  They claim sales are about to happen, but there are no buyers, and consumers lose hundreds or thousands of dollars. 

Deceptive travel prize promoters trick consumers into paying for discounted or “free” vacation packages supposedly worth thousands of dollars, but most people get nothing of value or have to attend high-pressure timeshare sales presentations.  All of these scams reach consumers via unsolicited email, mailed travel vouchers, and radio, TV and online advertising.

To help people avoid these kinds of scams, the FTC has updated its consumer education materials on new and emerging travel and timeshare resale frauds at ftc.gov/travel.

Just a few days ago, a study found that regular sunscreen use can keep skin looking younger. While that may be true, sunscreens containing retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A, can irritate the skin and increase sensitivity to sunlight, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) cautions.

Canadian health authorities are proposing to require sunscreens containing the chemical to carry a stark warning label:

This product contains [retinyl palmitate] that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Please limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.

The label would be required on sunscreens containing more than a tenth of one percent retinyl palmitate, a powerful anti-aging chemical.  EWG notes that an FDA-sponsored study has linked this chemical to skin tumors and lesions in laboratory animals treated with the chemical, then exposed to sunlight. 

Also, products containing vitamin A can irritate the skin and increase photosensitivity, as indicated by Canada’s proposed warning label. For the past 5 years, EWG has cautioned consumers to avoid sunscreens with retinyl palmitate and other forms of vitamin A.

If the Health Canada proposal is adopted, Canada's regulations would be considerably stronger than U.S. rules enforced by the federal Food and Drug Administration. 

Consumer confusion

Consumers in both countries confront a similar dilemma.  The sunscreen market is confusing and, according to EWG, regulators have not issued rules that are up to date with the latest science on skin cancer and other disorders caused by excessive sun exposure. 

Melanoma rates are rising.  Poor quality products abound, as do misleading labels and advertisements, EWG said.

"The rules the Canadian government is considering would end some of the worst hype on sunscreen.  They would bar SPF values greater than 50+ and wet skin sprays, neither of which live up to their billing," EWG said.  "Products that offer better protection from the subtle damage of ultraviolet A rays would be labeled clearly."

Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Bumbershoot are just some of the big music festivals taking place this summer, so folks can expect to see bands like Vampire Weekend, Fun and rapper Kendrick Lamar.

Even Paul McCartney is making an appearance at one of the shows.

Undoubtedly, a lot of concertgoers will be watching shows through their smartphones, instead of gazing at the stage. This of course is to capture all of the video footage they can.

We've all seen this before: A sea of arms lifted into the air, hoping the latest gadget will document every exciting moment. It seems that some people would rather enjoy the concert at a later time rather than while it's happening.

But is this a bad thing? Some might say it's okay to watch a show through a smartphone.

It allows you to relive the experience again and again; you can share the concert with your friends through social media if you want. And by zooming in, you can get a close look at the stage even if you don't have a good seat.

So the question remains: Are mobile devices and concerts a bad mix? Do they bother other concertgoers who might want to watch the show the traditional way?

Thumbs down

New York punk band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs answered this question in a sign they posted at one of their recent concerts:

"Please do not watch the show through a screen on your smart device/camera. Put that ... away as a courtesy to the person behind you and to [band members] Nick, Karen and Brian. Much love and many thanks. Yeah Yeah Yeahs."

The lead singer of the band, Karen O, did give folks a brief time during the show to use their devices, but it's clear the band wanted people to experience their performance the traditional way.

Roger Waters -- former bass player for Pink Floyd -- said using a mobile device to watch a concert is just plain disrespectful.

"I would never turn on a cell phone at any musical event," said Waters in an interview with BBC News. "It would seem to me to show a lack of respect and care for fellow concertgoers or, for that matter, the artist.

"Apart from anything else, how could I possible truly experience the thing I'd paid to see and hear, if I was fiddling with an iPhone, filming or twittering or chatting or whatever?"

Others agree

And it's not just rock musicians who are unhappy about smartphones at concerts. Musicians from other genres are taking a stance too.

Krystian Zimerman, a world renowned pianist from Poland, walked out of one of his shows after catching a person using a smartphone. When Zimerman spotted someone from one of the balcony seats using the device he said: "Would you please stop that?" and walked off the stage shortly after.

Some concert organizers like Anke Demirsoy -- the spokesman for the Ruhr Piano Festival -- are trying to think of new ways to stop people from using mobile devices at concerts. 

"It's hard to catch culprits, because smart phones are so small they can quickly disappear back into bags and it's hard to pick people out in the dark," said Demirsoy in a published interview. "Clearly some people think buying a concert ticket entitles them to the film rights as well."

An app for that

But despite how some may feel, a few companies are making apps so people can record concerts easier.

Take SuperGlued, an app that allows you to post photos and share them instantly with other concert goers. Once other people upload their photos to the app, you'll be able to see various angles of the stage.

In addition, the app has a show calendar so you'll know who's coming to town. Plus, you can buy tickets and join contests to win stuff too.

45 Sound is another concert app. The creators ask artists to upload a live recording of their concert, so their music will sound professional. And concert goers are asked to upload all of their video footage as well.

Once the concert ends, the app will have good-sounding audio of the concert and footage from every angle, so users can get a fuller experience.

Inevitable and illegal?

So as the summer concert season rolls around, you'll most likely see a bunch of smartphones in the air, plus a few people who would rather watch their favorite artist the traditional way.

If you do decide to record a show, try to do it without inconveniencing other consumers, who have paid good money to be there. Remember, it's easy to block someone's view, crowd their space or just be plain annoying when you're trying to capture that perfect shot.

It's also worth noting that you're on shaky legal ground when you record a live music performance. The material is copyrighted and making an authorized recording can be construed as a federal crime. 

You -- or your very expensive lawyer -- could argue that as long as the recording is only for your own personal use it's OK but do you really want to go through that?

Employers cut more jobs during May, but the pace of reductions is down considerably.

According to outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, U.S.-based employers announced plans to trim payrolls by 36,398 during the month. That's down 4.5% from the 38,121 cuts in April and the third straight decline. The May total also was 41% lower a year ago, when employers slashed payrolls by 61,887.

So far in 2013, employers have announced 219,560 planned job cuts -- down 11% from the 245,540 planned cuts announced in the first five months of last year. It is not unusual to see job cuts decline during the summer months, according to Challenger records. In fact, May is historically the slowest job-cut month of the year, averaging 57,688 since 1993. The next lowest is June, averaging 59,887 since 1993. The overall average monthly total across all months since 1993 is 70,288.

Health care takes a hit

The heaviest job-cutting last month was in the health care sector, where 4,886 jobs disappeared -- slightly more than the 4,268 cuts in April, but more than double the 2,353 announced in May 2012. Overall, terminations in health care are up 71% in 2013 -- to 20,867.

Only two other sectors have seen bigger gains: media, where job cuts have increased 249% from 1,829 in the first five months of 2012 to 6,388 as of May; and the financial sector, which has seen job cuts increase by 103% to 35,091 this year.

The 35,091 job cuts announced by financial firms this year make this the sector with the highest number of firings to date. Retail ranks a close second, with 32,683 job cuts this year, including 1,386 last month.

Good news for the labor market

“Despite the increases in some sectors, the overall pace of downsizing has slowed from 2012 levels,” said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. “That is particularly good news in light of the fact that 2012 saw the fewest annual job cuts since 1997. Job cuts have been on the decline since reaching 55,356 in February and we are heading into the summer, which is the time of year when all business activity, including layoff activity, tends to slow.”

Challenger points out that the threat of massive job cuts related to federal spending cuts has failed to materialize. “There were fewer than 1,500 job cuts directly attributed to federal cutbacks and sequestration,” he said, adding “Of course, we are not out of the woods when it comes to government downsizing, but an improving economy is helping to bring in more tax revenue and lower the deficit. This may delay and/or minimize the impact of cutbacks on workforce levels.”

Hiring offsets

Even in areas with increased job cutting, such as health care, simultaneous hiring is offsetting the impact on the economy. In health care, for example, the nearly 21,000 planned job cuts tracked this year are far outweighed by job gains.

According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job report, the sector experienced a net gain of 19,000 jobs in April, marking a monthly average of 24,000 jobs per month over the past year. Meanwhile, a recent tally of online help-wanted ads by job search website Granted.com turned up more than 521,000 health care jobs on the site.

In retail, where job cuts are up 56 percent this year to 32,683, more than 550,000 were hired in March and there were still 424,000 openings at the end of the month, according to the BLS job openings and labor turnover survey.

“Home sales and prices are starting to see much better improvements each month,” said Challenger. “If these gains continue, it is going to drive up consumer confidence and spending through the summer, which should help the economy withstand the typical summer slowdown. We expect layoffs to remain muted through the third quarter. Hopefully, the housing recovery will be strong enough to finally kick hiring into high gear.”  

Mortgage rates continue to move to higher ground this week, with the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) -- popular in refinancing -- above 3% for the first time in more than a year.

Freddie Mac reports the 15-year FRM averaged 3.03% with an average 0.7 point. Last week it averaged 2.98% and a year ago it stood at 2.94%. This marks the first time the average 15-year FRM has topped 3% since the week of May 24, 2012.

The 30-year FRM averaged 3.91% with an average 0.7 point, up 10 basis points from last week when it averaged 3.81%. Last year at this time, it averaged 3.67%.

This week, the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.74% with an average 0.5 point, compared with 2.66% last week and 2.84% a year ago. The 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.58% with an average 0.4 point, up from last week's average of 2.54%. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.79%.

"Continuing market concerns that the Federal Reserve may slow its bond purchases amid a strengthening economy added upward pressure on mortgage rates this week,” according to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. “In its June 5th regional economic conditions report, known as the Beige Book, the Federal Reserve noted that overall economic activity increased at a modest to moderate pace over April and May in all its districts except for Dallas which indicated strong economic growth. In addition, pending home sales rose in April to its fastest pace since April 2010 and May's consumer sentiment was revised upwards to its highest reading since July 2007."

Bankrate

Bankrate.com, meanwhile, reports rates are at 14-month highs.

The 30-year FRM was up two basis points from last week -- to 4.1%. The mortgages in this week's survey had an average total of 0.3 discount and origination points. The last time it was this high was April 18, 2012, when it averaged the same 4.1%.

The 15-year FRM hit 3.28% this week, compared with 3.21% a week ago -- the highest since April 25, 2012. The benchmark 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 2.93% from 2.81% and the 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage rose seven basis points -- to 4.27%.

Jobless claims

The unemployment line was a bit shorter last week.

The government reports there were 346,000 first-time applications for state unemployment benefits in the week ending June 1. That's a drop of 11,000 from the week before, which had been revised up by 3,000.

The 4-week moving average, which is less volatile and considered a more accurate gauge of the labor market, was up 4,500 from the week before -- to 352,500.

The full report can be found at the Labor Department website.

Gerber Legendary Blades of Portland, Ore., is recalling about 91,000 Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machetes with stitched sheaths

The machete can cut through the stitching of the sheaths when the blade is taken from or replaced in the sheath, posing a laceration hazard. The company has received eight reports of lacerations to the user’s hands or fingers, including three injuries that required stitches.

This recall involves stitched sheaths sold with curved blade Parang machetes. The stitched sheath is made of black nylon, with only stitching on the curved side. There are five rivets on the bottom of the sheath and two rivets bordering the strap on top. The machete measures 19.5 inches with a blade length of 13.5 inches. The sheath measures 16 inches long and 3.5 inches wide and has “GERBER” printed in gray and two Bear Grylls logos in orange.

The machetes with sheaths were sold as a set or as part of Gerber's Apocalypse Survival Kit, which includes a Parang machete among other items in a foldable black cloth case with “GERBER” printed on the inside right. The model numbers are on the package. Model numbers are: 31-000698, 31-001507 and 31-002289. Model number 30-000601 is on the package for the Apocalypse Survival Kit. The stitched sheath is the only one of three styles of sheaths sold with the Parang machete included in this recall.

The machetes and sheaths, manufactured in China, were sold at sporting goods stores nationwide and online from February 2012 through February 2013 for about $43 for the machete and sheath set, and $349 for the Survival Kit.

Consumers should immediately store the covered Parang machete in a safe area away from children. Contact Gerber Legendary Blades to receive a free replacement fully-riveted sheath.

Consumers may contact Gerber Legendary Blades toll-free at (877) 314-9130 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

You won't be seeing people lugging knives, golf clubs, pool cues or baseball bats onto airliners after all.

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has had second thoughts about a new policy it announced three months ago that would have allowed passengers to carry those items -- and more -- on board.

In a statement released earlier today, the agency said it “will continue to enforce the current prohibited items list,” acknowledging that the earlier announcement had unleashed a storm of criticism from law enforcement officials, passenger advocates and the traveling public.

Union uproar

Among those making the most noise about the policy were the unions representing airline employees.

The Association of Flight Attendants CWA (AFA), which represents about 90,000 flight attendants, is pressing to not only delay the rule, but to prevent it from ever going into effect. 

TWU Local 556, the Southwest Airlines’ Flight Attendants Union, called the decision "outrageous... dangerous, shortsighted,” adding that it “should be immediately rescinded."

Following today's TSA announcement, Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) President James C. Little said it is “the right call,” adding that the TSA leadership “should be commended for taking the advice of flight attendants and other workers at commercial airlines charged with passenger safety.

In many areas of the U.S. the months of March, April and May bring more moderate temperatures and lower heating and cooling costs.

But the arrival of June, July and August can mean sharply rising electric bills, primarily because of increased use of air conditioning. However, there are ways to make these summer months easier on your budget without sacrificing comfort.

For starters, air conditioning accounts for more than eight percent of all the electricity produced in the U.S., according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). In most parts of the country, that cost is concentrated during the summer months, costing consumers an estimated $15 billion a year.

Regular maintenance

You can reduce costs by making sure your equipment is in good repair and running efficiently. Sometimes this can be as simple as replacing the air intake filter on a regular basis.

It can also mean investing in a new system when your current one gets old and in frequent need of repair. In the short run it will be less expensive to keep having the service company come out and repair it but installing a new system will not only reduce those inconvenient breakdowns – they normally occur on the hottest days of the year – but will also cut electricity costs. New air conditioning equipment is much more efficient than equipment that's eight to 10 years old.

ACEEE stresses efficiency as the primary way to cut cost. Using the air conditioner less saves money, as well as wear and tear on the equipment.

Keep the cold air in

A place to start is with insulation. How tight is your home against the elements? A simple thing like adding insulation and plugging up holes around doors and windows can keep cool air inside.

Keeping heat from entering your home in the first place is another important way to reduce the need for air conditioning. To keep high-angle summer sun out, consider horizontal trellises for your east- and west-facing windows.

Protect south-facing windows with leafy trees or climbing foliage so you can take advantage of low-angle sun in the winter, when the leaves fall. If you replace windows on the walls that get the most summer sun, they should have low-e glazings to block unwanted heat gain.

Having “cool” exterior finishes on your house can also help. When replacing your roof or painting your house, using light-colored or other cool roofing and siding products can reduce your peak cooling demand by 10-15%, according to ACEEE.

Update old appliances

Take a look around your home at other appliances. Things that run on electricity tend to put off heat. Not only are they probably using more electricity than necessary, they're making your air conditioner work harder.

Incandescent light bulbs, for example, generate lots of heat and require significant amounts of electricity to generate light. Florescent bulbs are cooler and cheaper to operate -- and LEDs are better yet.

If you use external hard drives for your computer, the large brick-sized drives you bought five or ten years ago produce lots of heat. In many cases, they can be replaced with high-density flash drives that generate almost no heat.

Evaporative coolers

A recent innovation -- actually, an improved version of old technology -- is the evaporative cooler, which the Department of Energy reports can be very effective in areas with low humidity. They work by evaporating water into the air, providing a natural and energy-efficient means of cooling.

Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, have been used for decades in Arizona and other low-humidity states. But newer versions are much more efficient. They work by cooling outdoor air by passing it over water-saturated pads, causing the water to evaporate into it. The 15°- to 40°F-cooler air is then directed into the home, and pushes warmer air out through windows and vents.

Consider adding ceiling fans to several rooms throughout the house. They can help keep things cool by creating a low-level “wind chill” effect throughout a room. As long as indoor humidity isn’t stifling, they can be quite effective. Just remember that a fan cools people — it doesn’t actually reduce room temperature — so turn it off when you leave the room.

Things like programmable thermostats are also effective at reducing costs, in both summer and winter. If the home is unoccupied for several hours during the day, there's no reason to keep it cool.

Taking just a few simple steps might keep you more comfortable during weather and make your electric bill more manageable.

It's kind of a sad sight, actually. Watch carefully next time you're at the supermarket and chances are you'll find an employee trudging up and down the aisles filling a shopping cart from a list.

Is the employee stocking up before heading home after his or her shift? Maybe, but it's more likely they're filling an order that's been placed through the supermarket's web site.

Supermarkets, like the Giant/Stop & Shop chain on the East Coast have been trying to edge into the digital age with services like Peapod, which lets consumers order groceries online. But on the fulfillment end, we leave the Information Age behind and revert to an hourly worker pushing a cart around, then loading the stuff onto a truck.

Remember Borders?

It's this rather down-at-the-heels operation that Amazon is planning to split wide open. The online giant is reported to be planning a major roll-out of AmazonFresh, an online grocery business that it has been quietly developing for years. Observers expect Amazon to do to the grocery business what it did to the bookstore business. Namely: decimate it.

Think about it for a minute. Amazon's brand of online shopping, combining a huge selection, highly competitive pricing and almost instant gratification, has thrived even among consumers who enjoy roaming the mall in search of cool clothing, household accessories or books. Think what it will do to the chore nearly no one enjoys -- shopping for groceries. 

Amazon's development efforts have been most evident in its hometown of Seattle, where for the last five years it has been delivering fresh produce such as eggs, strawberries and meat with its own fleet of trucks.

Today Seattle, tomorrow ...

Reports say Amazon is now ready to spring AmazonFresh on a wider universe, starting with Los Angeles and the San Francisco area later this year. If things go well there, at least 20 more cities are said to be on the list in 2014. 

Amazon has been building huge warehouses close to major urban areas over the last few years, after it made a strategic decision to start charging sales tax. The company had previously located its warehouses outside populous states as a tax-avoidance measure.

Moving the warehouses closer to end users in big cities and fielding its own fleet of trucks puts Amazon in a position to challenge not only supermarkets but general retailers of all kinds by combining same-day delivery with the convenience of online ordering through its highly sophisticated network.

It's a combination that strikes fear into the hearts not only of supermarket executives. Stores like Walmart and Target could feel the bite, as could UPS and FedEx, which now deliver the majority of Amazon's orders in most areas.