WealthTV Lets Viewers Decide the Best Cars

Cars again? Guilty as charged. I'm basically a car guy . . . who respects the environment — LD

High Def TV Show to Highlight
the Best Cars for 2008

SAN DIEGO -- WealthTV, the premier luxury lifestyle and entertainment network in digital and high definition, announced today that its on-line polls are open for viewers to decide the best cars of 2008. WealthTV continues its tradition of allowing viewers to vote on the best cars in six categories. The categories are: The Most Luxurious SUV, the Best and Most Advanced Use of Hybrid Technology, the Most Luxurious Sedan, the Hottest Sports Car (under $50,000), the Hottest Sports Car (no price limit), and the Most Exciting New Release for 2008.

Viewers can vote directly on WealthTV's website, http://www.wealthtv.net; the winners will be announced on the website and featured on a special edition of the series 'Wealth on Wheels'.

This year WealthTV will be offering an added feature to the 'Wealth on Wheels: Viewer Choice Awards Special,' namely interactivity. Television viewers, using their remote control, will be able to view additional information on each highlighted car when they want it. Trivia questions, voting, and the ability to request a brochure will also be incorporated into the program.

"WealthTV is pleased to be able to take a show such as our Wealth on Wheels series to a whole new level," stated Charles Herring, president of WealthTV. "The viewer is put in control and the viewing experience is further enhanced with interactivity."

WealthTV's automotive series, 'Wealth on Wheels', highlights the newest trends in technology and luxury on the road. The series takes viewers inside the auto industry, speaking with leading industry experts from design to production to the major auto shows. 'Wealth on Wheels' introduces viewers to a world of class, elegance and speed in transportation.

About WealthTV
WealthTV is the premier lifestyle and entertainment network – the destination for exclusive and original programming, simultaneously transmitted in high definition and standard definition. WealthTV delivers informative shows that provide invaluable insights on what every American dreams of -- from travel secrets to fast cars, from proper etiquette to better investing, and much more. The network fills a television vacuum by delivering intellectually stimulating, thought-provoking entertainment and always-unbiased news from an insider's perspective.

If you would like more information, please contact Elizabeth Iverson or Charles Herring at (858) 270-6900 or find us on the web at http://www.wealthtv.net

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE: WealthTV

FROM THE PUBLISHER 10-27-07

Welcome. Have a seat. Grab a cup of your favorite brew & read on . . .

Regular GoodFluff visitors will have noted some changes, the most significant of which is the little lead-ins prior to each posted item. I have done this for several reasons:

FIRST — It seemed appropriate and logical to let you know why I’ve chosen a given article, but I wanted to do so in a crisp, snappy way. The bold part of the lead-in is a “theoretical” visitor (perhaps you) reacting to my post. The words and phrases after the bold lead-in are my response to the reader’s reaction, thus giving a sliver of insight into my choices.

SECOND — To confirm what I’ve said in a previous FROM THE PUBLISHER post: I do GoodFluff by hand, literally finger-thumb, finger-thumb, clickity-clack on the keyboard of my faithful old iMac. (The one whose base looks like a white basketball cut in half, with quarter-inch holes drilled in the top). There are no spiders, bots, assistants, Board of Directors, focus groups or consultants helping me along.

THIRD — To sprinkle the top of posted items with something personal in an effort to convince Internet heavyweights like BlogExplosion to review and accept GoodFluff as a legitimate Web site. If they don’t, then I have to rely on random click-through visitors like you to find (and share) GF.

That’s it for now. I have some errands to run. If things go well, I hope to swing back through my little backroom and serve up some fresh GoodFluff — hot from the virtual oven to be placed before your ever-hungry eyes . . .

Wishing you GoodFluff today & always . . — LD

Alaska Airlines Inaugurates Service to Kauai, Hawaii

Alaska? Hawaii? Talk about an extreme fly-over! Been to both states, courtesy of the US Navy, the world largest & cleanest nuclear force. — LD

SEATTLE -- Alaska Airlines on Sunday will inaugurate year-round service to Lihue on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, becoming the only airline to fly the route nonstop. Alaska launched Seattle- Honolulu service on Oct. 12 and will begin Anchorage-Honolulu service on Dec. 9.

"Prized for its dramatic beauty, the island of Kauai is one of Hawaii's most popular destinations, making this new route the perfect complement to our new Honolulu service," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska Airlines' executive vice president of flight and marketing. "Customers from the Pacific Northwest now have a convenient way to visit the 'garden isle' without having to change planes."

The new daily Seattle-Lihue flights depart Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 4:20 p.m. Pacific time and arrive in Lihue at 7:45 p.m. Hawaii time. Return flights depart Lihue at 9:15 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive in Seattle at 5:55 a.m. Pacific time. The schedule offers convenient connections for travelers in other cities served by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air throughout the Pacific Northwest and state of Alaska.

The new flights are operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights to Hawaii offer Hawaiian-themed beverage and meal service.

Customers in the main cabin are offered complimentary Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and a complimentary Mai Tai or POG juice, as well as a Hawaiian-themed meal-for-purchase option for $5. Customers in first class enjoy exotic meals such as macadamia nut-encrusted mahi mahi.

Inflight service includes Alaska Airlines' digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features. The rented systems include a channel devoted to Hawaii programming, including extreme surfing programs and the television show "Hawaii Five-O."

Alaska's Hawaii flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com or by calling (800) ALASKAAIR. Alaska Airlines Vacations also offers a full line of vacation packages for travel to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. Packages include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and tours.

Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, serve 92 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. This year Alaska Airlines celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking the airline's growth from a single-aircraft operation in 1932 to one of the largest U.S. carriers. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines

8 Finalists for 'My Comfy Home Coloring Contest'

This seems like a pretty blatant attempt at advertorial promotion! You nailed me on this one. Somebody on the list is from Dade City, about an hour away from where I live. I gotta support the home team. And if they win . . . “Cool!” — LD

Eight Finalist Families Competing
for a $15,000 Home Comfort Makeover;
Vote Deadline is Nov. 27

TYLER, Texas -- Constantly vacuuming, dusting and wiping down surfaces will soon become a thing of the past for one lucky family. American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning announces eight finalists in its My Comfy Home Coloring Contest and invites America to vote online at http://www.americanstandardair.com/comfy for the family they think is most in need of a home makeover valued at $15,000, including a consultation with home comfort expert and author Hannah Keeley. The deadline for voting is November 27, 2007.

The contest invited families to drop their dust cloths and pick up some crayons to work together on their entries. Parents or caregivers were asked to submit a 100-word essay on why they wanted to make their home more comfortable, and their child was asked to draw a picture of their home.

Judges sifted through entries from around the nation to select the finalists.

Americans are invited to view families' stories and illustrations online and vote for one of the following:

-- The Campagne family, Tucson, Ariz.
-- The Hernandez family, Dade City, Fla.
-- The Oakley family, Des Moines, Iowa
-- The Pieper-Hemmings family, Hendersonville, Tenn.
-- The Preston family, Willow Grove, Pa.
-- The Stannard family, Kent, Wash.
-- The Tuznik family, La Port, Ind.
-- The Wertanen family, Coloma, Mich.

Entries described and illustrated everything from an allergy-prone family of 10 that stirs up dirt, dust and dander, to a home with poor indoor air caused in part by two pet hamsters named "Munchkin" and "Luey."

One winner will receive a prize package that includes:

-- A complete home comfort system featuring the American Standard AccuClean(TM) whole-home air filtration system
-- A half-day in-home consulting session with Hannah Keeley
-- A signed copy of Keeley's new book, Hannah Keeley's Total Mom Makeover
-- A Comfy Pajama Jam party for the kids, which includes $250 cash and eight American Standard goody bags

In addition, seven runners-up will receive a free, in-home assessment of their heating and air conditioning system; a $1,000 discount on a new American Standard comfort system; a signed copy of Hannah Keeley's Total Mom Makeover; and a goody pack for kids. The winners will be named in mid-December. Americans are invited to check back on http://www.americanstandardair.com/comfy to see who wins.

Help Your Family Breathe Easier
The contest is designed to help families make their homes cleaner and more comfortable without all the trouble and time. Part of the solution is the American Standard AccuClean whole-home air filtration system, which removes up to 99.98 percent of the dirt, dust, pet dander and pollen from your filtered air.

"Less dirt in your air not only means a healthier and more comfortable living environment, but it means less house work because fewer dust particles settle on your furniture or get stirred up by your vacuum," says Joyce Warrington, brand director, American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. "The My Comfy Home Coloring Contest is an opportunity for families to win a home comfort makeover and learn about easy tips they can implement."

About American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning
American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning provides air conditioning systems and services for residential and light commercial applications. The business is part of American Standard Companies (NYSE: ASD), which generated 2006 global sales of $11.2 billion. On Feb.1, American Standard Companies announced plans to separate its three businesses. Since then, the company completed the spinoff of its vehicle control systems business as an independent company known as WABCO (NYSE: WBC). The company also agreed to sell its bath and kitchen business to funds advised by Bain Capital Partners, LLC, and expects to complete the sale on or about Oct. 31. American Standard Companies plans to change its name to Trane by the end of this year and will continue to sell premium air conditioning systems and services under both the Trane(R) and American Standard(R) brands. In 2006, the global air conditioning systems and services business generated revenues of $6.8 billion with 29,000 employees.

SOURCE: American Standard Companies

New Book Relects on ‘The Scattered Italians'

That’s funny, you don’t look Italian. Only on my mother’s side. She made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.— LD

Italian-American Examines Historical and Personal Past,
Reveals Key to Self-Authenticity in New Book

KAILUA, Hawaii -- "The Scattered Italians: Reflections on a Heroic Journey" (published by AuthorHouse - http://www.authorhouse.com), the new book by Thomas Gambino, is an impressively deep and revealing book, filled with the gusto and love of life which permeates the core issues of discovering one's roots and thus one's true identity. This nonfiction book interlaces historical factors with behavioral characteristics leading to conclusions affecting over 25 million Italian-Americans and potentially many other hyphenated citizens of the world.

Covering more than three millennia - from pre-Rome to the present, from Caesar to the Gambino family - "The Scattered Italians" invites readers to become familiar with the people who shaped the distant past and have contributed to how Italians live in the present.

Gambino uncovers links between past and present to establish proof of cultural norms, mores and customs. He examines how an agriculturally based Euro-Latin society evolved, at times painfully, into an industrially based North American one. The why, when, where and how of Italian immigration to the United States is explored, and each generation's progress is monitored to show the ups and downs of assimilation.

Gambino explains that present-day Italian-Americans, both as individuals and as a culture, are a discounted version of the original and are living the dilemma of a split personality. Seeking an authentic self can be elusive and frustrating. However, "The Scattered Italians" reveals an uplifting, practical formula for self-authenticity and redemption of the past.

"The Scattered Italians" is told in the author's delightful and often witty style for a pleasant, informative and entertaining read. Literary visits with some of the giants of history are blended with Gambino's personal anecdotes to deliver a fascinating epic on a human level.

Thomas Gambino was part of the airline industry for over 34 years, working his way through the ranks to become a senior director for a major carrier in Europe. His extensive travels, for both business and pleasure, have given him an international perspective which he shares with the reader in telling this significant tale. "The Scattered Italians" is his first book.

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher (http://www.authorhouse.com) for emerging, self-published (http://www.authorhouse.com/GetPublished/FAQ.aspx) authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 888-728-8467
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE: AuthorHouse

Tenth Annual DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair

You’re kidding! You watched that show? Yeah. I loved that crazy car. — LD

HAMPTON, Ga. -- Not far from its original filming location in Covington, Ga., the 10th annual DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair which will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the TV series, will take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, 2008.

Paying homage to the hit 1980's TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair will feature a full slate of county fair-related activities. The weekend, and going forward, will be produced by John & Elly Schneider and will encompass appearances and autograph sessions from show cast members including John Schneider (Bo Duke), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane), Ben Jones (Cooter Davenport), Rick Hurst (Clettus Hogg) and Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate). The event is attended by over 200,000 fans each and every year!

"Atlanta Motor Speedway is the perfect venue for the 2008 DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair event," said Schneider. "It is a beautiful facility and after all, it is just miles from where the Dukes were born."

Also scheduled for the weekend is a car show featuring hundreds of world famous 1969 'General Lee' Dodge Chargers, trucks and tractors, a demolition derby, stunt shows including an authentic 'General Lee' jump, craft vendors, lawn mower races, Daisy Dukes contests and a fireworks display. Also local music acts, and a to be announced special guest artist.
Fans will also be treated to carnival rides, a kids' barnyard area complete with a petting zoo, pie eating contests and question and answer sessions with the entire cast.

Gates for the DukesFest & Hazzard County Fair will open at 10 a.m. on June 28 and 29, with closing scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Schneider will shake up his good guy image on F/X's acclaimed series "Nip/Tuck" this season. . . . His first episode will air on November 27.

Schneider will then star in the Hallmark mini-series "Shark Swarm" opposite Darryl Hannah which will air in January. In the spring (March 12 debut) the busy actor will co-star on HBO's drama series "12 Miles of Bad Road" with Lily Tomlin where he will portray an unscrupulous reverend inspired by Jim Baker.

For more information and event details, visit http://www.dukesfest.com.

SOURCE John Schneider

American Legion leader talks about Veterans Day,

What are you, some sort of Patriot? My Dad was a WWII Vet. I served in Vietnam. I pray for our guys in war zones. Call me what you will. I been called worse. Trust me. — LD

A Grateful Nation Remembers

INDIANAPOLIS -- The following is a guest editorial by the national commander of The American Legion Marty Conatser about Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2007.

As leader of the world's largest veterans organization, I often have the privilege of meeting some important people. No, I am not referring to our elected officials, business leaders or celebrities. I am speaking of the members of the U.S. military.

Can any CEO or distinguished Ivy League graduate truly claim to be under more pressure than the 21-year-old squad leader walking a patrol in
Baghdad? Do they really have more responsibility than the young commander of a nuclear-powered submarine? Do they have as much on the line as the mechanic fixing a $2 billion Stealth bomber?

"Nothing in our lives will ever be as important as this," said Lt. Col Henry Mucci, in the 2005 true-to-life film "The Great Raid." He makes the
statement prior to leading the rescue of more than 500 American prisoners of war held by the Japanese. While Mucci's mission was spectacularly
successful, America is blessed because millions of men and women realized -- and still realize -- that nothing in their lives is as important as
defending this nation. For many veterans, it was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in wild jungles, lose limbs, and, far too often, lose their lives.

Sadly, their deeds are frequently unappreciated.

In an essay early this year, Army Sergeant Eddie Jeffers wrote, "Even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and
complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man.
And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people
who compare our President to Hitler."

Unfortunately, Sergeant Jeffers won't get to walk down the streets of America in a year. On Sept. 19th, he was killed in Iraq. He was 23.

This brave hero is not the only veteran who has heard the screams and complaints of the ungrateful. When Congress refuses to pass mandatory
funding for VA health care, veterans are disrespected. When heroes are denied access to VA facilities, veterans are disrespected. When schools
tell the military to keep its recruiters away, veterans are disrespected.

When a wartime Army general is called a traitor, veterans are disrespected. When military and veterans funding bills are held up because of political
squabbling, veterans are disrespected.

Fortunately, when a soldier walks into an American Legion post, he is given the thanks of a grateful organization. If we put soldiers in boots,
and we put those boots in harm's way, The American Legion family knows it must support them in every way.

Not only must we support the veteran but we must also support their families, as we demonstrate through The American Legion Legacy Fund, which provides scholarships to the children of heroes like Sgt. Eddie Jeffers. We also show our support through the Family Support Network, Temporary
Financial Assistance and the National Emergency Fund, just to name a few. We welcome home our wounded servicemembers with our Heroes to Hometowns program, which eases their transition to civilian society.

We are committed to finding good jobs for Sgt. Jeffer's comrades by hosting career fairs and urging Congress to maintain a strong veterans
preference program for federal employment. Companies understand that it's smart business to hire veterans, and when members of the Guard and Reserves deploy, it is America's business to ensure that their civilian careers do not suffer.

We must not forget the unique needs of women veterans. Women are major contributors to our military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and many have given their lives in the War on Terror. VA must be prepared to adequately treat the special needs of our female veterans.

It is tragic that the men and women who allow us to be safe in our homes are often without homes themselves when they shed their uniforms. An
estimated 23 percent of America's homeless are veterans. Of these homeless Americans, 89 percent were honorably discharged and 47 percent served during the Vietnam War. Too often today's tattered citizen of the street was yesterday's toast-of-the-town in a crisp uniform with rows of shining medals.

But all is not grim. When my predecessor, Past National Commander Pau Morin, asked Americans to donate $50,000 so wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany could receive comfort items, The American Legion family and its friends responded in a big way -- raising more than $300,000 for these heroes. Moreover, the quality of health care provided at most VA centers is consistently rated among the best in the world. Communities across our great country have recognized the value of military service, honoring heroes and their families with Blue Star salutes. And the American GI consistently tops public opinion polls and surveys as the most respected person in America.

Just as Colonel Mucci said, "Nothing in our lives will ever be this important," -- likewise, nothing on a person's lifetime resume should trump past military service.

Pride in ones' military service is a bond shared by nearly all who have served. This pride is on display on every obituary page in the country,
where military service -- regardless of how many decades have passed and subsequent achievements reached -- is mentioned with the death notice of
nearly every deceased veteran.

Although the successful businessman may have closed multi-million dollar deals and raised a wonderful family, what single accomplishment tops
the decisive actions he took during the siege of Khe Sanh which saved the lives of several of his fellow Marines?

Fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title "veteran." And while Veterans Day is Nov. 11, we should thank our veterans everyday. It's
the least a grateful nation can do.

Marty Conatser of Champaign, Ill., is national commander of the 2.7 million-member American Legion, the nation's largest wartime veterans
organization. A high-resolution photo of Cmdr. Conatser can be downloaded at http://www.legion.org.

Veterans Day artwork is available at: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

SOURCE: American Legion