SEASCAPE RIDGE at ANVAYA COVE

Keeping it real

An escape into sea and sky, Anvaya cove is the first seaside residential community of Ayala land Premier sheltered by the resplendent mountains of morong bataan this pristine natural environment opens up a horizon of living choices.

There are neighborhood lots where you can build from the ground up or homes you leave us to put together either way, you can choose your own refuge with a view a leisure home that is just a few minutes away from the anvaya cove beach & nature club now set in place it is at the heart of the development bringing together the natural beauty of the main pavilion the pool at anvaya the great lawn the the bamboo café and more

At anvaya cove you have a place waiting for you to return time and time again a family haven in an exceptional location and build around the ayala land premier heritage of excellence. A respite assured by a commitment to outstanding after sales service and property management with endless summers now with your grasp, it is so easy to create family traditions to last a lifetime

Taking it all in

Seascape ridge units provide all the privacy and comfort of a home, in a prime elevated location each unit designed in the open and airy tropical Asian architecture extends the beauty of anvaya cove seamlessly inside and out.

Every detail is laid out to encourage family bonding with more room for kids to enjoy their summers in the magnificent outdoors and there’s no need to worry about the upkeep-ayala property management corporation is on the job to handle grounds maintance and administration.

Seascape ridge is all about providing choices-there are options to buy more than a single corner home or to even own an entire leisure quad for your extended family a warm and welcoming vacation house with the conveniences and security of condominium living-the ideal second home for clients of all nationalities.

0pens up

At seascape ridge more than 85% of the neighborhood is devoted to opens spaces and greenery so you can revel in its natural features-an expanse of green at the center complemented by landscaped gardens and natural footpaths for each corner home fourteen quads approximately 20 meter away from each other the quads and their landscaping blend effortlessly with the existing design of anvaya cove yet are distinctive enough to provide a sense of community enjoy convenient parking two slots for each corner home apart from the designated parking area for guest.

Seascape ridge-unit specifications

Seascape ridge leisure quads are designed with the comforts and functionality of a traditional home including the reliability of quality finishes and fixtures to ensure year round durability your seascape ridge home will be ready to welcome you anytime

Units finishes

Interior

» Homogeneous tile flooring in the living dining kitchen and bedrooms

» Solid surfaces countertops for kitchens

» Granite countertops for bathrooms

» Wooden doors stair treads and railing

Exterior

» Asphalt shingle roofing

» Homogeneous tiles in the patio

» Accent walls of naturals surrounding

Units fixtures

» Kitchen cabinets with solid woods frame doors high pressure laminate( HPL) center panels cabinet accessories and soft close features.

» Kohler features and hansgrohe fitting for the bathroom

» Hangrohe shower heads and temperature water mixers

Units features

» Outdoors patio and common area that extends your family living space

» Glass doors and windows for maximum enjoyment of view and for better ventilation

» Attic and storage space on the third floor

» Incorporated refrigerants piping for convenient installation of your own splits type air conditioner

» Provision for air conditioning in the living and dining rooms third floor attic space and bedrooms for your comfort

» Provisions for a washer and dryer

» Provisions for TV/CATV in all bedrooms and living room

» Heaters provided in all bathrooms

» Provisions for generator set installation

» Individual meter for water and power utilities

» Maid’s nquarter with T&B

Exterior utility area

*owners to provide their own air conditioning units and kitchen appliances *

**except maid’s T&B, instantaneous heater to be provided**

Two bedroom plus

» Floor area of approximately 167sqm

» Inventory of 16quads (4 building) will eventually be made available in the whole development

» Master bedrooms and second bedrooms

» Complete layout and open plan: living area, dining area, kitchen, maids quarters, and utility area (indoor & outdoor)

» Third floor flexible attic space also ideal for storage and recreational/game room

Three bedroom plus

» Floor area of approximately 187sqm

» Inventory of 40quads (10 building) will eventually made available in the whole development

» Master bedrooms and second bedrooms

» Complete layout and open plan: living area, dining area, kitchen, maids quarters, and utility area (indoor & outdoor)

» Third floor flexible attic space also ideal for storage and recreational/game room.

http://www.condo.com.ph/seascape-ridge-at-anvaya-cove-news70-1.html

The Grand Towers (Perfect Investment, Ideal Home)

Inspire Excellence
The Grand Towers was borne out of the vision to create a condominium project that exudes excellence, incomparable elegance and style. Its developer aimed to come up with a product that will meet the needs and demands of the sophisticated living and discriminating taste of the upper class. With the project's scheduled turn-over on 2010, the dream of sharing this product of excellence will soon be fulfilled.

Reward success.
Whether you are a professional, entrepreneur or student, value your achievements and your many years of hard work. Reward yourself. Let yourself and your loved ones experience the fruit of your accomplishments. Have your icon of success; own a grand space at The Grand Towers.

CENTRAL LOCATION
Life's no rush at The Grand Towers. It is a place where busybodies can get the most out of time. Strategically located at the center of Manila, enjoy walking distance to schools and shopping centers; or be directly connected to Makati and Ortigas via the Light Rail Transit and other major thoroughfares.

NEARBY ESTABLISHMENTS

Living at The Grand Towers means being near to Manila's prime spots. Located at Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street (formerly Vito Cruz), Manila, it is very accessible to schools such as De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica's College, shopping centers like Robinson's Mall and Harrison Plaza. Also near The Grand Towers are Century Park Hotel and Central Bank of the Philippines

Have all the time to enjoy life at The Grand Towers.

FIRST CLASS AMENITIES

Experience the difference. Get out from your routine and have the much needed break. At the Grand Towers, you need not go far. Bask in the luxury of the building's top-of-the-line leisure amenities.

With 3,000 sqm dedicated to recreation and relaxation facilities, and one level of commercial spaces, it is truly an ideal urban home that offers utmost comfort and convenience. Have your escape from the busy life at The Grand Towers.

AFFORDABILITY

Enjoy flexible and affordable payment schemes at The Grand Towers. Aside from its unique features, complete and first-class leisure amenities, the condominium also boasts of its very reasonable and affordable price. Get loads of discounts when you avail a unit at The Grand Towers.

Real Deal Of Investment

If your purpose is for investment, this is the right place for you. The need for condominium for rent, to house students attending schools in the university belt is on the rise. Let this be a self-liquidating investment for you. Take advantage of our pre-development price offering. This is the stage where we encourage investors and friends alike, to take advantage of our low price offering. It is very much viable to purchase a unit for investment and even for your own home now. This is what we call pre-selling stage where prices offered are at its low priced stage.

If you’re not in the country, you may option to rent out your unit for the meantime. The rent income you receive will partially help you to subsidize for your monthly payments.

When we turn-over our units to you, it is fully-fitted. You just have to buy the furniture and appliances and the lightning fixtures.

http://www.condo.com.ph/the-grand-towers-perfect-investment-ideal-home-news71-1.html

Study: Games are depressing...or are they?

August 20 10:42 A.M.

The average gamer is 35, overweight, and more likely to be depressed, says a new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, which was carried out in the Seattle-Tacoma area, found that gamers reported "lower extraversion, consistent with research on adolescents that linked video-game playing to a sedentary lifestyle and overweight status, and to mental-health concerns."

It also indicated a curious difference between male and female gamers: the former proved more overweight and reported more Internet usage than non-gamer men, while female gamers reported more depression and lower general health than non-gamer women.

But which comes first, the games or the poor health? The researchers hypothesized that depressed individuals might be turning to games as a means of self-medication, immersing themselves in a game's world as a way of forgetting about real-life troubles.

"Habitual use of video games as a coping response may [provide] a genesis for obsessive-compulsive video-game playing, if not video-game addiction," one researcher told MSNBC. The study calls for "further research among adults to clarify how to use digital opportunities more effectively to promote health and prevent disease."

As luck would have it, a study at East Carolina University funded by Bejeweled maker Popcap Games is also investigating the possible mental health benefits of game playing. Having already discovered that Bejeweled can improve mood and heart rhythms, the Carolina group is about to embark on an investigation in an attempt to determine whether games like Bejeweled can also deliver clinically significant improvements to depression sufferers.

"The research is part of a broad array of unconventional efforts that video game companies are devising to find new markets for their products," says Shankar Vedantam, writing this week for the Washington Post. "Many of these steps are based on the idea that depression and other disorders -- as well as everyday stress and worry -- involve systematic patterns of thought and self-doubt, and that games can distract people and put them in a different mental zone."

by Mike Smith

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/study-games-are-depressing-or-are-they-/1346074

Lady Gaga Vs. Roisin Murphy - Spot The Difference

t's the pop scandal of the century. Or, more accurately, it's the Twitter-trending topic of the past 20 minutes: Did Lady Gaga steal her look from Irish electro ice-maiden Roisin Murphy?

Yes she did, according to Murphy herself, who told Irish Central: "Lady Gaga is just a poor imitation of me. She has copied my style."

And the pictures, courtesy of Idolator, would seem to bear her claims out:

Thing is, Lady Gaga is far from the only musician to take visual clues from someone else. Manic Street Preachers started out aping the Clash, with their slogan T-shirts. Coldplay nicked their French revolutionary jackets from the Sgt. Pepper sleeve (via Arcade Fire). Elvis Presley pinched his "jumpsuit-era" look from comic book hero Captain Marvel Jr.

Neither is Gaga the first musician to come over all stalkerish in her commitment to aping another artist. Kasabian's Tom Meighan would clearly kill to be Liam Gallagher. Brandon Flowers flits between wanting to be Bruce Springsteen and wanting to be the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant. In La Roux's head, she's a cross between Annie Lennox and Adam Ant.

What other musical wannabes are there...?

by Luke Lewis

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/newmusicalexpress/2110/lady-gaga-vs-roisin-murphyspot-the-difference/

The 'King of the World' Returns

Back in 1997, James Cameron made a wee film you may have heard of called "Titanic." The movie lived up to its grandiose title, becoming the biggest, most financially successful film ever and winning a boatload of awards along the way. But that was 12 years ago, and Mr. Cameron hasn't directed a movie since. This December, the wait comes to an end... with "Titanic 2: Jack's Revenge."

Kidding. Actually, the self-proclaimed "King of the World" has created something called "Avatar." It's a futuristic, sci-fi 3D flick that combines CGI and live action. Mystery and anticipation have been running high ever since the film was announced years ago. At long last, we have a clue what it looks like. The film's first trailer was released, and from the looks of Search, Cameron is still a huge draw.

Jump to the 'Avatar' trailer >>

Queries on "avatar trailer" soared an amazing 470%, and related lookups on "avatar screenshots" and even "avatar tickets" all surged. That last query is especially noteworthy, considering the film doesn't hit theaters until December. Talk about planning ahead.

Cameron has long been known for pushing the envelope on special effects, and this latest project looks to be no exception. An article from CNN explains that Avatar could revolutionize the kinds of films we watch. An industry expert predicts that the "3D is going to be mindblowing." Jon Favreau, director of "Iron Man," calls Cameron's latest "the future."

Also gaining some big buzz: the extended preview that Cameron is offering some lucky fans. For one day only (Friday), they score an extended look at the first 16 minutes of the film, along with a glimpse at the related toys, video games, and other merchandise. The event is boldly called "avatar day," and fans are eating it up in Search. Lookups spiked 589%.

Look below for the teaser trailer for "Avatar." Hopefully it will tide you over until December 18, when the movie hits theaters.

by Mike Krumboltz

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/buzz-log-avatar-trailer.html

Massive new expansion will change Warcraft's world

August 21 10:20 P.M.

In the new Warcraft expansion, you get to be one of these.

How do you make the biggest online game in the world better?

By making it even bigger, of course.

To no one's surprise, Blizzard formally kicked off its annual BizzCon event in Anaheim by announcing the game's next enormo-expansion, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

By way of a game-changing geological occurrence (and plenty of fire and lava), the new expansion will alter the fundamentals of Azeroth and permanently change the look and layout of many of the game's zones.

"In addition to revitalizing some of the most familiar and iconic areas of the game world, this third World of Warcraft expansion will add new features and a large amount of new content for players to explore," said Blizzard CEO and cofounder Mike Morhaime in a press release.

Fans are already drooling over the wealth of new goodies, headlined by the introduction of two new races to Warcraft's formidable lore: Goblins and the werewolf-ish Worgen. The game will also establish new class/race combinations and allow players to reach Level 85.

Though Blizzard has yet to release a formal release date, Morhaime has confirmed that the game will be released sometime in 2010.

The previous World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, smashed sales records by moving nearly 3 million copies in its first 24 hours. For a deeper dive into the next anticipated expansion, check the official site.

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/massive-new-expansion-will-change-warcraft-s-world/1347060

Venezuela repeats at Miss Universe contest

NASSAU, Bahamas – Miss Venezuela was the fairest of them all once again, winning the 2009 Miss Universe crown for the second year straight and the sixth time since the pageant's creation.

Dressed in a flowing red gown, 18-year-old Stefania Fernandez hugged the runner-up from the Dominican Republic and danced in joy as her victory was announced Sunday.

The crown briefly fell to the floor as it passed from one Venezuelan beauty to the next.

But Fernandez said there was time for outgoing Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza to whisper in her ear that she must have worked hard for Venezuela to win consecutive crowns.

"What do we Venezuelans have?" Fernandez, an international relations student, told reporters after the pageant. "That we are ourselves."

The other top-five finalists were runner-up Ada Aimee de la Cruz, followed by Miss Kosovo, Droga Ganusha; Miss Australia, Rachael Finch; and Miss Puerto Rico, Mayra Matos Perez.

During a question-and-answer segment with the five top finalists, Fernandez said she believed women have overcome obstacles such as hitting the proverbial glass ceiling.

"I feel we have reached the level that men are at," she said.

When asked later how she thought beauty contests promoted equality between men and women, Fernandez said they provided exposure.

"We have quite a following worldwide," she said. "We are models to follow."

The new Miss Universe is from the city of Merida in the west of a beauty-obsessed South American country where hard-fought pageants are something of a national sport, with contestants widely dissected by the public and the media.

Fernandez said she did not know whether Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would receive her. He did not meet with Mendoza when she won and made no public statements at the time.

But Fernandez said he might change his mind.

"We'll see, because we are making history," she said.

The top 15 Miss Universe finalists appeared in bathing suits before the final 10 were chosen for the evening gown segment.

Pageant co-owner Donald Trump told reporters, "I think this is the most beautiful group of women I've ever seen."

The televised event included musical performances by Flo Rida, Heidi Montag, David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.

Montag gave her first live performance, singing "Body Language" from her debut album.

Fans cheered on the blond star of MTV's "The Hills," although NBC, which broadcast the event in the Bahamas live, blocked out more than half of her performance as they introduced the 15 finalists.

"It's my first performance live and it's in front of a billion eyes," Montag said.

The on-stage hosts were Billy Bush, co-anchor of "Access Hollywood," and Claudia Jordan, a former Miss Rhode Island USA who has appeared on several TV shows. Judges included actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

Miss China, Wang Jingyao, was named Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej, won Miss Photogenic.

Many contestants have suffered from dehydration in recent weeks, and Jewel Selver, Miss Turks and Caicos, went home Saturday to recuperate, said Esther Swan, Miss Universe spokeswoman.

By DANICA COTO

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_en_ot/cb_bahamas_miss_universe;_ylt=Aqi7ndIFyrguXQ.zEh8R9U6CfNdF

7 Secrets your body's trying to tell you

Did you know that your sense of smell or finger length could affect your future health? Neither did I, but scientists are discovering that certain physical traits could indicate an increased risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer. If any of these apply to you don’t panic—just take a few precautions:

1. Finger length
Women whose index fingers are shorter than their ring fingers may be twice as prone to osteoarthritis in the knees, found a 2008 study in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. Those with this predominately male characteristic tend to have lower levels of estrogen, which may also play a role in the development of osteoarthritis, say researchers.

Take this precaution: Strengthen the muscles surrounding your knees. While sitting, straighten each leg parallel to the floor 10 times; hold each rep for 5 to 10 seconds.

Get stronger bones and muscles by adding this exercise to your stretching routine.


2. Leg length
If your legs are on the stocky side, you may need to take better care of your liver. In a 2008 study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, British researchers found that women with legs between 20 and 29 inches long tended to have higher levels of four enzymes that indicate liver disease. Factors such as childhood nutrition may influence not only growth patterns but also liver development well into adulthood, say researchers.

Take this precaution: Avoid exposure to toxins your liver has to process, which will keep it healthier, longer. Wear a mask and gloves while cleaning or working with any type of harsh chemical. Limit alcohol intake to one 5-ounce glass of wine or 12-ounce bottle of beer daily.

More tips to make your home safer for the environment and your health.


3. Sense of smell
Older adults who couldn’t identify the scent of bananas, lemons, cinnamon, or other items were 5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease within 4 years, according to a 2008 study in the Annals of Neurology. The researchers believe that the area of the brain responsible for olfactory function may be one of the first impacted by Parkinson’s disease—somewhere between 2 and 7 years prior to diagnosis.

Take this precaution: Pop a fish oil supplement. Omega-3 fatty acids can boost your brain’s resistance to MPTP, a toxic compound responsible for Parkinson’s.

Keep your brain healthy and sharp with these 8 scientifically-proven strategies.


4. Arm length
Have a hard time touching your toes (even though you're flexible)? Women with the shortest arm spans were 1.5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with longer reaches, found a 2008 study in the journal Neurology. (Find yours by spreading your arms parallel to the floor and having someone measure fingertips to fingertips; the shortest spans were less than 60 inches.) Nutritional or other deficits during the critical growing years, possibly responsible for shorter arms, may also predispose a person to cognitive decline later in life, say Tufts University researchers.

Take this precaution: Put your appendages to good use with a hobby such as painting or pottery. A 5-year study from the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center found that adults who spent the most time engaged in stimulating leisure activities were more than 2.5 times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who spent less time challenging their brains.

See how many calories you'll burn during each of these warm-weather exercises.



5. Earlobe crease
Multiple studies show that linear wrinkles in one or both lobes may predict future cardiovascular events (heart attack, bypass surgery, or cardiac death). A crease on one lobe raises the risk by 33%; a crease on both lobes increases it by 77%, even after adjusting for other known risk factors, found a study in The American Journal of Medicine. Though experts aren’t exactly sure, they suspect a loss of elastic fibers may cause both the crease and the hardening of arteries.

Take this precaution: Keep your heart healthy in other ways: Slim down, and exercise regularly, which can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Kick your metabolism into high gear with this fat-burning workout.


6. Jeans size
Adults who have larger abdomens in their 40s are up to 3.6 times as likely to develop dementia in their 70s, even if they weren’t overweight, according to a 2008 study published in the journal Neurology. One possible reason for the link is that, compared with subcutaneous fat (the noticeable fat that lies just below the skin), visceral fat (the dangerous fat that surrounds the organs) secretes more of the inflammatory hormones that are associated with cognitive decline.

Take this precaution: Eat a portion-controlled Mediterranean-style diet. Research shows that the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in foods such as olives, nuts, seeds, avocado, and dark chocolate prevent the accumulation of visceral fat.

25 yummy Mediterranean-inspired meals that will blast your belly fat fast!



7. Calf size
Though it sounds counterintuitive, a 2009 French study in the journal Stroke found that women with small calves (13 inches or less around) tended to develop more carotid plaques, a known risk factor for stroke. The subcutaneous fat in larger calves may pull fatty acids from the bloodstream and store them where they are less of a risk factor, say researchers.

Take this precaution: No need to bulk up your legs, but sip green tea to stay heart healthy. In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank five or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying of heart disease and stroke.


Live Better Longer!
Quit smoking, and cut back on alcohol and red meat, and get more exercise. Need proof? These are some of the habits of groups who have the highest concentrations of centenarians.

by Liz Vaccariello,
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/7-secrets-your-bodys-trying-to-tell-you-501265/;_ylt=AiZcs5XpSFmlj.gcSLkyAG6CfNdF

Heart group: Cut back — way back — on extra sugar

DALLAS - A spoonful of sugar? Americans are swallowing 22 teaspoons of sugar each day, and it's time to cut way back, the American Heart Association says.

Most of that added sugar comes from soft drinks and candy — a whopping 355 calories and the equivalent of guzzling two cans of soda and eating a chocolate bar.

By comparison, most women should be getting no more than 6 teaspoons a day, or 100 calories, of added sugar — the sweeteners and syrups that are added to foods during processing, preparation or at the table. For most men, the recommended limit is 9 teaspoons, or 150 calories, the heart group says.

The guidelines do not apply to naturally occurring sugars like those found in fruit, vegetables or dairy products.

Rachel K. Johnson, lead author of the statement published online Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, said it was time to give specific advice on how much added sugar Americans should be getting, not just advising moderation.

"Take a good hard look at your diet," said Johnson, professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont in Burlington. "Figure out where the sources of added sugars are and think about how to cut back on that."

She said about 8 ounces of fruit-flavored yogurt has about 6 teaspoons of added sugar; 8 ounces of low-fat chocolate milk has about 4 teaspoons; a cup of frosted whole grain cereal has about 3 teaspoons.

The biggest culprits for the glut of sugar? Soft drinks by far, followed by candy, cakes, cookies and pies.

With about 8 teaspoons of added sugar, a regular 12-ounce soft drink will put most women over the recommended daily limit.

Cutting back on sugar likely won't be easy for many people, said Lona Sandon, a dietitian at Dallas' University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

"I think it's probably going to be a struggle for quite a few people," Sandon said.

Calculating one's sugar intake can be tricky as the government doesn't require labels to differentiate added sugars from naturally occurring sugars, said Johnson. But she points out that the biggest sources, like regular soft drinks and sweets, are pretty obvious. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a database for the added sugar in some foods.

To check for added sugar, look for a variety of ingredients including sugar, corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, molasses or evaporated cane juice on the label.

The heart group didn't recommend general limits for added sugar for children; a national health survey has shown that boys ages 14 to 18 consume an eye-popping 34 teaspoons of added sugar a day.

Sandon said that parents can help lower that sugar intake by getting soda out of the house, looking at how much sugar is in their kids' cereal and substituting snacks like cookies with popcorn.

Johnson concedes that sugar does play an important role in enhancing the taste of food, adding: "If you feel like, 'I just can't live with this low amount of sugar in my diet,' then what you need to do is up your energy needs."

In other words, she said, get moving. A man in his early 20s who walks more than three miles a day could consume about 288 calories, or about 18 teaspoons, of added sugar.

The statement says data indicates added sugar is contributing to Americans consuming too many discretionary calories — the number of calories remaining after a person eats the foods needed to meet nutrient requirements.

"We know for sure that if you are consuming excessive amounts of added sugar, you will add calories, which leads to weight gain, or you will displace other essential nutrients," she said.

On average, most women need about 1,800 calories a day and most men need about 2,200, Johnson said.

If someone drinks their daily calorie needs in soft drinks, they will be maintaining their weight, but won't be getting any nutrients, she said.

Wahida Karmally, nutrition director at Columbia University's Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, said that with these guidelines, it's important to remember overall moderation. Some people, for instance, might be doing fine in their sugar consumption but are overdoing it on fat.

"I don't want people to go back thinking if I just cut back on teaspoons of sugar I'm going to be very healthy," she said.

http://health.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_med_too_much_sugar.html
By JAMIE STENGLE

10 Cheapest Cars to Own

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

You've read it on Bankrate.com and heard it elsewhere: A well-informed consumer will get a better deal when buying a vehicle.

Research is the key. Every additional piece of information you have increases the likelihood that you will negotiate a fair price, lock in the best financing available and drive away in a car or truck you can afford. The emphasis here is on "afford." Affordability involves much more than down payment and monthly installments. It encompasses other costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and depreciation. You must factor these costs into your annual vehicle-ownership budget as well as into that magical dollar amount you feel you can afford monthly.

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds' current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn't so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa's stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine's 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo's 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-107543-2380-0-10-cheapest-cars-to-own-and-operate

Obese People Have 'Severe Brain Degeneration'

A new study finds obese people have 8 percent less brain tissue than normal-weight individuals. Their brains look 16 years older than the brains of lean individuals, researchers said today.

Those classified as overweight have 4 percent less brain tissue and their brains appear to have aged prematurely by 8 years.

The results, based on brain scans of 94 people in their 70s, represent "severe brain degeneration," said Paul Thompson, senior author of the study and a UCLA professor of neurology.

"That's a big loss of tissue and it depletes your cognitive reserves, putting you at much greater risk of Alzheimer's and other diseases that attack the brain," said Thompson. "But you can greatly reduce your risk for Alzheimer's, if you can eat healthily and keep your weight under control."

The findings are detailed in the online edition of the journal Human Brain Mapping.

Obesity packs many negative health effects, including increased risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and some cancers. It's also been shown to reduce sexual activity.

More than 300 million worldwide are now classified as obese, according to the World Health Organization. Another billion are overweight. The main cause, experts say: bad diet, including an increased reliance on highly processed foods.

Obese people had lost brain tissue in the frontal and temporal lobes, areas of the brain critical for planning and memory, and in the anterior cingulate gyrus (attention and executive functions), hippocampus (long-term memory) and basal ganglia (movement), the researchers said in a statement today. Overweight people showed brain loss in the basal ganglia, the corona radiata, white matter comprised of axons, and the parietal lobe (sensory lobe).

"The brains of obese people looked 16 years older than the brains of those who were lean, and in overweight people looked 8 years older," Thompson said.

Obesity is measured by body mass index (BMI), defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. A BMI over 25 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of over 30 as obese.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Center for Research Resources, and the American Heart Association.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090825/sc_livescience/obesepeoplehaveseverebraindegeneration

LiveScience Staff

Chris Brown sentenced in Rihanna assault case

A judge on Tuesday sentenced Chris Brown to five years' probation and six months' community labor for the beating of Rihanna and ordered the R&B singer to stay away from his former girlfriend for the next five years.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg told Brown that he could be sent to state prison if he violated any terms of his sentence, including an order to stay 100 yards away from Rihanna unless they're attending music industry events.

A probation report prepared for Tuesday's sentencing describes two previous violent incidents. It said the first happened about three months before the February beating while the couple was traveling in Europe; Rihanna slapped Brown during an argument, and he shoved her into a wall. In the second instance, Brown allegedly broke the front and passenger side windows on a Range Rover they were driving while visiting Barbados, Rihanna's home country. Neither attack was reported, the probation report states.

Brown will serve his sentence in his home state — Virginia — and his community labor will be overseen by the police chief in Richmond.

The judge said she wanted to ensure that Brown, 20, performs physical labor instead of community service, such as mentoring young people. He will also undergo a year of domestic violence counseling.

Rihanna did not attend Tuesday's sentencing.

At one point, Brown, who was accompanied by his mother, agreed to the terms of the sentence before Schnegg had finished going through them all.

The hearing had been planned for Thursday afternoon, but Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, asked to move up the singer's sentencing to Tuesday. A previous attempt to sentence Brown was postponed when Schnegg said she hadn't received adequate assurances that Brown would perform physical labor if allowed to serve probation in Virginia.

The judge said she was satisfied with a letter presented by Geragos that Richmond Police Chief Bryan T. Norwood will directly oversee Brown's labor program.

After Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault in June, Schnegg ordered the pair to stay away from each other and to not contact one another. Her order Tuesday essentially extended that until Brown completes his sentence.

Donald Etra, Rihanna's attorney, has said he didn't think the strict rules were necessary, but that he and Rihanna favored a less-stringent ruling that simply ordered Brown not to annoy, harass or molest the 21-year-old pop singer. He said after Tuesday's hearing that Rihanna did not object to the stay-away order, which allows the former couple to be within 10 yards of each other if they are attending music industry events.

Schnegg said she was aware of reports that Brown had been spotted on several occasions in the same places as Rihanna.

"I am not amused with the chatter that has been on the airwaves and any violation of your probation in this case comes with the potential for state prison," Schnegg told Brown.

A felony charge of making criminal threats was dropped during Tuesday's sentencing.

"We feel that the sentence for Mr. Brown is an equitable one," said Sandi Gibbons, a district attorney's spokeswoman. "He has his future in his hands. He has control of his fate."

Gibbons said Brown's charge could eventually be reduced to a misdemeanor if he completes his sentence.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8, hours after he was accused of beating Rihanna.

The attack occurred in Los Angeles' Hancock Park neighborhood as Brown drove a rented sports car. A Los Angeles police detective described a brutal attack in a search warrant affidavit filed in the case, stating Brown hit, choked and bit Rihanna and tried at one point to push her from the car.

Brown's career suffered after his arrest, with sponsors dropping him and radio stations refusing to play his music. Both he and Rihanna had to cancel several high-profile appearances, including planned performances at the Grammy Awards the day of the attack.

In a probation report released after the sentencing, Brown is quoted as saying he was "depressed" since the attack and that he "'does not want to carry on that cycle.'"

The report included letters of support for Brown from RCA/Jive Label Group Chairman Barry Weiss as well as an entertainment lawyer and a pastor.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/chris-brown/news/chris-brown-sentenced-in-rihanna-assault-case--61987985