You Think What?

Regular readers of this site are familiar with the items we publish from time to time as a public service providing information the consumer can use about banking. The following is another in the continuing series of banking updates:

National City Bank is finally manifesting the results of the merger announced last year with PNC Bank. All changes will be effective early in November 2009.

We’re not so sure this is a good idea. Right now our local National City Bank offers services and features we really like. This actual real life merger with PNC threatens to change all the things we like about National City and deprive us of the convenience of services we came to National City for in the first place. (more…)

“France has been with the No. 59 Brumos Porsche since the inception of the Daytona Prototype class in 2003. He was the first overall winner in the history of the class, joining Hurley Haywood in the No. 59 Fabcar for back-to-back victories at Homestead and Phoenix in 2003. He has co-driven the No. 59 Riley for the past two seasons with Joao Barbosa. His best finish since then was third in the 2009 Rolex 24, joined by Haywood, Barbosa and Terry Borcheller. A veteran of three different types of motorcycle racing – flat track, road racing and motocross – France drove in the KONI Challenge in 2002 before joining the Rolex Series.

France and Barbosa are currently eighth in the Daytona Prototype standings, only two points out of sixth. The 2008 winner of the Jim Trueman Award, France holds a 202-point lead over Rob Finlay as he bids to become the first two-time winner of Grand-Am’s  ‘Gentleman Driver’ award.”~ from news item August 2009.

The recent arrest and subsequent charges surrounding the adolescent episode of 44 year-old Jamison C. (Jamie) France, grandson of NASCAR founder,the late Bill France Sr., son of Jim France, founder of the Grand-Am circuit and cousin to Brian France, NASCAR CEO and chairman; reminds us of a scheme that might have been concocted by two characters from the Will Ferrell, John C. Riley film called “Step Brothers”. It’s the 21st Century version of “Dumb and Dumber” starring middle-aged men.

The film comedy is the story of Brennan Huff and Dale Dobeck two middle aged, very spoiled guys, who become competitive step brothers when their formerly single parents marry. We had no idea, in addition to being local ce-lout-brities big deals, a Hollywood film had been made about France and his step brother. (more…)

“Allah have mercy on this rich boy who has never done anything in his frickin’ life except drugs and bad deeds. May he spend a long time in jail and have 10 poor families of Holly Hill, Florida and Daytona Beach, Florida inherit his fortune. He does not deserve a penny!

Lesson to all rich parents: Don’t give your kids a penny. Give your fortunes to institutions and poor people and let your children make their own fortunes.”
~ Mahmoud – Ormond Beach, Fl, reader reaction to news of arrest of NASCAR heir.

In the early morning hours of Thursday, October 8, 2009, in Daytona Beach, Volusia County Florida,  reliable sources report the grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France, the son of Grand-Am founder Jim France; and cousin of Brian France chairman and CEO of NASCAR; 44 year-old Jamie C. (J.C.) France,  was arrested and charged with speeding, DUI and possession of illegal narcotics.

When the story appeared online at the web site of the local newspaper this is the advertisement that briefly accompanied the local news story: (more…)

We’ve heard all the talk about the decision by the International Olympic Commission (IOC) to choose Rio de Janiero, Brazil over Chicago, Illinois for the 2016 Olympic Games and Para-Olympic games. Here’s our take on the decision. It’s an easy call to make.

We are glad our new president had the boldness, the confidence, to go to Denmark to pitch his and the First Lady’s hometown to the IOC,  we were especially moved by Michelle Obama’s impassioned talk including her own personal family experience with sports. (more…)

Our regular readers know  we appreciate really good, very unusual music. Thanks to Mystic Mel, an occasional contributor in Florida, who found and sent this video to our staff.

Perpetuum Jazzile, history according to a Wikipedia entry ” was founded as Gaudeamus Chamber Choir in 1983 by Marko Tiran; In 2001, Tiran passed the art directorship of the choir to Tomaž Kozlevcar, the renowned music producer, arranger and vocalist.

The choir consists of both female and male singers. They are occasionally augmented by jazz instrumentalists from the RTV Slovenia Big Band and Slovenian pop stars…”

The choir incorporates many different styles;  we’ve found they are reminiscent of musical presentations by Sun Ra, Bobby McFarren and his Voichestra as well as the Swingle Singers and other groups (more…)

Catch up on all the latest information about the family, friends, and business associates of the late Michael Jackson, (more…)

The British Collins English Dictionary has added these and 264 other entries to the 30th Anniversary Edition, published September 3, 2009. In order to qualify for inclusion in the highly respected collection of words, a word candidate had to have six quality citations in Collins’ digital corpus,  over the past two years. Collins’ digital corpus is a computerized database that scans 2.5 billion words various print and online resources. (more…)

In order to keep up with this game of continually downward spiraling economic indicators, YouThinkWhat provides this report on the numbers as prepared by the Economic Policy Institute, EPI, a think-tank whose mission it is to expand the public debate on ways to achieve a balanced and prosperous economy. (more…)

For those fans who never can say good-bye, we just posted an update on a recent sale  of Michael Jackson memorabilia.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell personally delivered the news Michael Vick,  all of the members of the Philadelphia Eagles organization and their fans  and football fans around the world have been awaiting.

Goodell personally met with Vick for about an hour in New Jersey. The news of Michael Vick being clearedto be fully reinstated came prior to the Eagles losing 38-27 to the New York Jets in their final pre-season game. (more…)