Main Street

Interesting Things Around the Internet

• California Blue Shield customers no longer get any grace period for late payments on their insurance. They just get dropped.
• More California: Take action to save 50,000 California jobs that would be threatened if Toyota closes a plant there.
• Classy!
  

  Online ads have popped up lately, telling readers that they can win a $150 Amex Gift Card for use at Hooters, if they complete a survey about other offers. One of those urges them to sign up for “free emails” from the Chamber of Commerce, which will explain “how to protect your family’s future and bring common sense solutions to the health-care debate.” In other words, getting involved with the Chamber’s campaign against reform. These “incentivized ads” appear to be the favored new tactic of lobbying groups looking to generate the appearance of grassroots support for their positions.

• Flying anywhere during the holidays? I’m glad I’m not you (even though last year I got stuck driving through a snowstorm). More helpfully, the New York Times has some travel tips.
• Spend or save?
• A little holiday heartwarmer for you:
  

  Santa Claus is starting early at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic as children receiving treatment for cancer are enjoying a Winter-Wonderland celebration. The party includes visits from Santa, gifts, arts & crafts and lunch, all thanks in part to a large donation by union trades people and contractors. The Winter Wonderland is taking place from now until Friday, December 18th, 2009.

  Donations began pouring in after a Pipefitter with Local 537, Mike Morgan, posted a flyer asking men and women on the job at Dana-Farber Yawkey Center for Cancer Care to donate one hour of their salary to the children at the Dana Farber-Cancer Institute. Many of the union craftspeople are closing out their work at the project and some knew they were losing their job, but wanted to help anyway.

  “It was amazing how much money we raised, when we presented the check they expected about $500 , but we raised more than $27,000 and the money keeps pouring in,” says Morgan. “ We are so happy to be able to help in any way and it is just a small way to help these children.”