http://www.meridianstar.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001159.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001159.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001111.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001111.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001138.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001138.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:10:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001050.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001050.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001010.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312001010.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000927.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000927.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:07:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000741.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000741.html Are you wondering how to make the most of your pension? If you’re thinking about which income option to take, maybe it’s time to think outside the box. Here’s why. When most retiring public service employees meet with a pension administrator and look over their income options, they face an either/or question. Do they sign up for the survivor’s benefit or not? You want to do the right thing. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer. If you have a spouse, of course you want the survivor’s benefit – right? After all, this is the option that guarantees the continuance of pension income for your spouse after you pass away. In most cases, it is structured so that the pension income lasts for the longer of two lives. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000615.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_312000615.html Water damage can occur almost anywhere in your house. Water-using appliances and fixtures, such as refrigerators with icemakers, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and water heaters are common locations of leaks. Unfortunately, slow leaks at these appliances and fixtures are often times impossible to see until it is too late. If it goes undetected, a slow leak can lead to rotting house framing and subfloors, and can be a precursor to a catastrophic leak that can release several gallons of water per minute, causing extensive water damage. A water leak detection system may help prevent these problems. There are two types of water leak detection systems: passive and active.Passive leak detection systems are intended to alert you of a leak. They generally sound an audible alarm tone and some may also feature a flashing light. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_310004112.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_310004112.html Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:38:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013503.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013503.html As of Oct. 31, Farm Town had 18,591,852 active users on Facebook. Farm Town is a nice place. It's always sunny there and no real catastrophes occur — except for the big Farm Town blackout back in June. I first heard about it through Facebook friends asking if I could get on Farm Town. It was a major panic. A problem had developed between the creators' server and Facebook. Farm Town really was gone for a while. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:33:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013346.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013346.html They say only “real” men can wear “PINK.” Not sure what a “real” man is, but I know I have been wearing a lot of pink lately—not by choice but for two reasons… certainly, not because I look good in pink or that I consider myself a “real” man. I have been wearing pink most of the month of October due to the fact that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:31:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013236.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013236.html The notion that the Constitution guarantees representation in the U.S. House of Representatives to non-citizens is one that seems contradictory on its face. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:30:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013113.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_305013113.html “When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” That's the conclusion of a recent report from the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. The report, a synthesis of research on parent involvement over the past decade, goes on to find that, regardless of family income or background, "students with involved parents are more likely to: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:33:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_303003311.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_303003311.html Yes, it’s true! This week the cat nation (and people, too) celebrated the greatness of cat-hood. The official date was October 29. DOGS DROOL – CATS RULE Quickly, I must add – the above statement is not mine, but meowed recently and very sweetly by my little kitty, Miss Sarah Bell. At least it seemed this is what she meant, but maybe I’m wrong. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:47:00 +0000 http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_300224631.html http://www.meridianstar.com/editorials/local_story_300224631.html The fact that liberal Democratic New York Gov. David Paterson and conservative Republican Miss. Gov. Haley Barbour find themselves political bedfellows over proposed federal health care reform is indicative of the obstacles the legislation still faces. The current Senate and House health reform packages would represent the largest expansion of Medicaid since its creation in 1965. The proposed reforms would change Medicaid from an existing federal-state program targeted mainly at children, the disabled, and pregnant women into a Medicare system for the poor.