Summer Travel

Pack Up Summer Travel Savings

When it comes to vacation planning, people are pretty savvy about saving on hotels, airfare, car rentals and dining. But one area for savings may be overlooked — packing and luggage. Getting everything needed for a trip from point A to point B can be a hassle — and one that costs more money than it has to, especially when flying. Most airlines charge fees for checked bags. Airfarewatchdog.com lists fees ranging from $15 for the first bag to up to $150 for additional bags, depending on size and weight. For a family going on a weeklong vacation, that can really add up.

Packing Smart One way to lower or avoid airline baggage fees is to pack smart. —Find out ahead of time what baggage restrictions the airline imposes. You’ll save time and hassle by being prepared ahead of time, rather than being surprised and frustrated at check-in. —Most flights allow two carry-on bags — a personal bag such as a purse or briefcase and a bag no bigger than 45 linear inches, which is the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag (for example, 22 x 14 x 9 inches). You can pack more into a carry-on than you might think — up to several days worth of clothes. If your trip is for a week or less, consider taking only the carry-on. —Pack light. Lay out everything you think you’ll need for the trip — then put at least half of it back. By making clothes do double duty and coordinating outfits, you can pack a much lighter bag. —Save space. Roll t-shirts, jeans, socks and sport coats before packing. Put socks and undergarments inside of shoes. Also, find out what amenities the hotel will offer — if they have hair dryers, there’s no need to pack one, freeing up space in your suitcase.

Go Bag Free There’s a growing travel trend that savvy travelers say can save time and money — shipping luggage instead of carrying it. “With many airlines enforcing luggage weight and size limitations, and imposing fines for overages, we’ve seen many customers ship their luggage ahead of time,” said The UPS Store franchisee Steve Kwon. “Shipping your things in advance means savings on long road trips as well,” says Gail Acebes, Director, AAA Partnership Programs. “No luggage means more space in the car for the entire family and less weight in the car, resulting in better gas mileage.” There are a number of luggage shipping services available, most of which use carriers such as UPS. By using a carrier directly, it’s possible to save even more money. “Travelers can potentially save time and money by shipping their luggage at The UPS Store, which also lessens the hassle of dealing with luggage at the airport, and eliminates the risk of lost luggage,” said Kwon. “In addition, we have certified packing experts who specialize in packing odd, oversized items, such as water skis, golf clubs and scuba gear — items travelers would prefer to have waiting at their destination rather than lugging them around an airport.” Kwon offers some helpful tips for packing and shipping your luggage: —To reduce weight — and cost — skip the suitcase, and directly pack your clothes and other items in a sturdy box. —If you are shipping your belongings ahead to your destination, you’ll probably need to send stuff back home as well. One option is to pack a flattened box and a roll of packaging tape for sending home souvenirs … or dirty laundry. —An easier option is to have your shipment professionally packed at a national pack-and-ship retailer, such as The UPS Store. Expert packing is especially recommended for fragile items. —Be sure to notify the place you will be staying that you are expecting a package. That way, they will sign for the package even if it arrives before you do. —Put an additional address label inside the luggage or package in case the outside label is damaged or lost. —By using a shipping option such as UPS, you can track your luggage all the way to its destination via cell phones, PDAs or other web-enabled wireless devices. Because of the duties and taxes associated with international shipments, The UPS Store does not recommend shipping luggage internationally. Successful trips depend on planning. This year, plan on saving money by making smart packing decisions. Visit www.theupsstore.com to find a location and to use the online cost calculator to research the best rate and most economical shipping option.

Save Even More The UPS Store locations across the country have teamed up with AAA to offer valuable discounts to AAA members through AAA’s Show Your Card &Save program. AAA members that visit The UPS Store can save 15 percent off the full retail price of eligible products and services, while saving five percent on shipping costs.

Free iPhone App At a time when saving money is a top priority, Apple iPhone users can now easily find their way to AAA member savings by downloading a new application, AAA Discounts. The free, GPS-based app displays retail locations of AAA Show Your Card &Save partners near user locations. There are more than 110,000 AAA Show Your Card &Save locations in North America. “In the current economy, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of discount offers wherever they occur,” said Acebes. “This free, new application is just one more way AAA is helping members save money.”

(photo credit: father and daughter packing car) Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Back to School Savings

Back to School

Smart Lessons in Back-to-School Savings: How Online Shopping Makes the Grade

Back-to-school shopping is an annual ritual that millions of parents participate in each year. In fact, back-to-school time is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year, second only to the winter holidays. Last year, Americans spent more than $54 billion on supplies, clothes and electronics for school and college-age kids, according to the National Retail Federation, with jeans, backpacks and electronics as some of the most popular back-to-school products.

Getting what students need and keeping the costs reasonable calls for some smart shopping strategies. The easiest place to start is at your computer. These tips will help you study the online possibilities and earn some A+ deals.

Add Up Extra Savings Before you start hunting down everything on the must-have list, check for printable coupons or online coupon codes on Web sites such as:

• Couponcabin.com: The site is updated several times a day, and you can sign up to get a weekly newsletter alerting you to new deals. • Retailmenot.com: Get helpful feedback from users on what coupon codes worked and which ones didn’t. • Smartsource.com: Entering your zip code lets you find deals specific to your area.

Be on the lookout for free shipping offers on these sites, as well. If you’re not careful, shipping costs can negate any savings you may have found.

Get Cash Back A growing trend in smart online shopping is participation in programs that give you cash back. Web sites such as Bing.com have partnerships with major retailers to offer items at great prices. Registered users shop for name brand items and when purchases are made through the site, they automatically get a percentage of the purchase price back as a cash rebate. More details on how this works can be found at bing.com/shopping/pages/howtouse.aspx.

Shopping with the following merchants through Bing, for example, could give you cashback savings like these:

Back to School Gear and Gadgets: • HP, 5% • OfficeMax.com, 3 – 5% • BarnesandNoble.com, 10%

Back to School Fashion: • Shoemall.com, 19% • Ebags.com, 11% • Foot Locker, 20% • Nordstrom.com. 3%

The cashback amounts, which change daily, can be sent via check to your address or deposited into a bank account or PayPal account, and after a 60 day waiting period, the money is yours.

“This is a great way to save money on school supplies,” said Bridget Tate, Bing Shopping product manager. “When you look at how much back to school items such as laptops, clothes, backpacks and tech gadgets can cost, that 5 or 10 percent cashback really helps.” During back to school season, adds Tate, Bing Shopping will be offering even higher percentages of cashback (up to 50 percent more cashback).

Getting the kids ready for school again doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Smart shopping will send them off in style and leave you with a smile.

To learn more about how to be a smart online shopper and get cash back this back-to-school season,, visit Bing.com/shopping.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Courtesy of Family Features

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Rainbow Lodge

Restaurant Week “Rainbow Lodge”

On the last night of Restaurant Week, we wanted to return to Voice. They were sold out. Vic & Anthony’s couldn’t get us in until ten o’clock. So, we selected local favorite, Rainbow Lodge, to round out our experience. We left disappointed. The first course was hot or chilled tomato soup. The table-side presentation was nice: the waiter poured each one individually. However, all were ordered hot and arrived lukewarm. There were only two entrée choices: steak and shrimp. The shrimp plate was tiny; smaller than most appetizers. It contained three shrimp over chic peas. The croissant bread pudding with bourbon caramel and vanilla ice cream was the only saving grace of the evening.

(713) 861-8666

www.rainbow-lodge.com

RAINBOW LODGE
2011 Ella Blvd, (713) 861-8666
www.rainbow-lodge.com
The new Rainbow Lodge is located in the oldest log cabin in Houston, the former home of La Tour D’Argent, at the corner of Ella and East TC Jester (inside Loop 610). The famous animal mounts and antiques decorate the restaurant, as well as its many private dining rooms. $$$$.

Monarch

Restaurant Week “Monarch”

Monarch in the Hotel ZaZa has recently undergone a renovation. The new chef has re-vamped the menu and added his own personal flair. Restaurant week found the location packed. We sat at a high table on the patio. The view of the Meacom fountains – divine. Now let’s talk about the food. The prime beef carpaccio was abundant; bigger than most appetizers. The pan seared Seabass was served with a short rib ragout, mashed potatoes and broccolini. Both of the desserts left something to be desired. The Nutella Crepe sounded so appetizing, but fell flat. The vanilla hazelnut tart resembled the frozen grocery store variety. 5701 Main Street; (713) 526-1991

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Restaurant Week “Pappas Bros. Steakhouse”

Despite steakhouses popping up all over town, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse maintains its top position. A $35 fixed-price menu at Houston’s best steakhouse was just too good to pass up. Pappas does not disappoint. Generous portions of classic dishes make this one of the best dining experiences of the week. We started with tomato basil soup and a wedge salad. The full-sized cold water Australian Rock Lobster Tail sits on a bed of mashed potatoes and green beans. The raspberry sorbet plate was beautifully adorned with fresh fruit. 5839 Westheimer; (713) 780-7352

La Colombe D’ Or

Restaurant Week “Colombe D’Or”

La Colombe D’Or is one of the restaurants you forget about. It’s big and beautiful and in the heart of Montrose, yet it is easily overlooked for more casual options. So, when I saw their Restaurant Week offering, I knew it was time to return. The dining room at La Colombe D’Or’s elegant sophistication sets the stage for a phenomenal three-course meal. Selections here are top notch and plentiful. We started with the Escargot- a helping of seven with fresh garlic and parsley. The traditional French Onion soup provides a generous portion. The hazelnut-crusted chicken breast is tasty and moist. It is served with angle hair pasta and vegetables. Dessert is New York cheesecake and crème brulee. 3410 Montrose Blvd; (713) 524-7999.

Children’s Camp

Comforting Camp-Sick Campers

Life at camp brings new challenges, new activities, and new friends. Leaving all this fun and excitement is often a letdown for children. It doesn’t help that the end of camp may signal the start of school with all its stresses and demands. When camp comes to an end, the blues can often set in — causing some children to be tired, moody, quieter than usual, or even irritable or grumpy. The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends these tips to help your camp-sick camper:

* Nothing beats a hot shower — Welcome your camper home by helping them relax and adjust to the slower pace of non-camp life. Suggest they take a warm shower and get plenty of rest. Plan to have an “old favorite” for dinner. * Familiar favorites — Have your child reconnect with friends from the neighborhood or school. Encourage play dates and get-togethers to help re-establish a sense of belonging with friends they haven’t seen in a long time. * Contact camp cronies — Allow your child to write, e-mail, or call camp friends. Many camps encourage campers to exchange e-mail and IM addresses with one another. Parents should oversee their child’s online activities and make sure that all camp policies are being followed. * This one time, at camp… — Be open and available to talk about camp. Allowing your children to reflect on their friends, their favorite moment at camp, and what they miss most about camp will help. * It’s not too soon for a camp reunion — Organize a small “reunion” of more local camp friends can help reassure your child that though his or her friends are out of sight, they are not out of mind!

Not all children show signs of camp-sickness, but if your child does, just remember that they miss camp because it is a safe, supportive, nurturing environment. It’s normal and natural for children to miss the close relationships developed at camp. Families can help ease any sadness by being supportive and understanding — and helping their camper remember that next summer is not that far away.

Courtesy: Family Features

Brasserie Max & Julie

The staff at Brasserie Max & Julie is all a twitter about restaurant week. The Onion soup seemed small, but the duck pate provided a handsome portion. A mixture of pork and duck, the light substance was a great topping for salad. The beef filet was highly recommended, but I found it flavorless. The Sauteed Chicken was moist and plentiful. The Ile Flottante is a floating island over English Cream. Overall, the experience was underwhelming. They might not have the staff to handle the restaurant week rush.

Voice

Restaurant Week “Voice”

Our first stop for Houston’s Restaurant Week is Voice. Undeniably the best new restaurant we have seen in years, this gem inside the Hotel Icon rolled out the red carpet for diners. The mushroom soup cappuccino is not to be missed. This decadent appetizer is served in a coffee cup and looks just like its namesake. The ingredients: crimini mushroom, truffle foam and porcini powder create a power-house of flavors so delectable, this could be the best soup I’ve ever had.

The roasted pork-loin is spot on and flavorful with a bourbon garlic sauce, granny smith apples and roasted corn. Other options are black grouper and clod steak.

The molten warm chocolate cake and strawberry rhubarb crisp end the night perfectly.

The portions are full sized. For the $35 fixed price, this dining experience is a great value. 220 Main 713-224-4266; www.voiceicon.com

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Subliminal Advertising

Bleed It Out The Uncomfort Zone with Robert Wilson

Half a century ago marketing consultant, James Vicary, pulled a hoax on the American people as a way to promote his advertising agency. He reported that he flashed the words “Drink Coca-Cola” and “Eat popcorn” on the screen for a millisecond during a movie in a theater, and caused large numbers of people to visit the concession stand. He called the effect Subliminal Advertising. Subliminal means that the effect functions below the threshold of consciousness. Years later, when others failed to duplicate his results, he admitted that he made the whole thing up. Never-the-less, the myth continues.

So, is there any advertising that does work below the threshold of consciousness? Yes. Much of advertising is clearly designed to speak to you on a subconscious level. Ads are created to get you to relate to the setting; the background music; the age, race and gender of the actors; their clothing; and the activities in which they are involved. The idea is that you will recognize yourself in these people and, in turn, make the connection, “Ah, this is my kind of product.” You don’t think it… you feel it. And, feelings move us to act.

A few years ago I was involved in non-profit fund-raising for a Christian Mission in Africa. In order to learn what type of appeal would bring in the most money, we conducted a series of focus groups. We asked, “Which would you be more likely to do: A. Give money to feed starving babies; or B. Give money to teach people how to grow drought resistant crops that would end starvation in their community.” The answer they gave was almost universally: B. The comments we heard frequently included the proverb: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.”

We then tested both appeals. Oops, the focus groups were wrong. The appeal for feeding starving babies won by a landslide. The lesson we learned was that the emotional appeal to save the life of a child is much more powerful than a logical appeal for teaching a village survival skills that would eliminate starvation. From that point forward, the heart-tugging stories of babies dying headlined every ad we ran.

Emotion trumps logic every time. Take for example, Nick Ut’s 1972 photograph of a 9-year-old Vietnamese girl who was naked, shrieking and running away from her village that had just been bombed with napalm. Fear, despair and suffering were written all over her face. More than anything it was her complete vulnerability that captured our attention. One snapshot revealed the gut-wrenching horror of war, and millions of people, whose hearts were touched, turned their attention toward ending the Vietnam War.

Perhaps you recall hearing these potent words in a speech by Jesse Jackson back in 1984: “These hands… these black hands… these hands that once picked cotton will now pick presidents.” Thrilling words. Exciting words. I remember them well. And, even though I wasn’t his target audience, they created a powerful image in my mind, and when he finished, all I could say was, “Wow!” Meanwhile, for millions of African Americans, it was the motivation needed to put apathy aside and go to the ballot box.

We are charged and moved by many emotions. Here are just a few: acceptance, amusement, anger, angst, annoyance, anticipation, arrogance, awe, anxiety, bitterness, calmness, caution, confidence, courage, determination, disappointment, discontent, disgust, desire, delight, elation, embarrassment, envy, excitement, fear, friendship, frustration, gratitude, grief, guilt, hate, happiness, impatience, inadequacy, irritability, inspiration, joy, jealousy, kindness, loneliness, love, lust, modesty, negativity, nostalgia, paranoia, patience, pity, pride, regret, resentment, sadness, self-pity, serenity, shame, surprise, timidity, torment, worry, yearning, and zeal.

Which ones move you?

Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. is a motivational speaker and humorist. He works with companies that want to be more competitive and with people who want to think like innovators. For more information on Robert’s programs please visit www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com.

———– Publishing Information ———-

This article is offered free of charge on a nonexclusive basis. The copyright is retained by Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. You may reprint or post this material, as long as my name (Robert Evans Wilson, Jr.) and contact information (www.jumpstartyourmeeting.com) are included. If you publish it, please send a copy to Jumpstart Your Meeting! PO Box 190146, Atlanta, GA 31119. If you post it, please send the URL to robert@jumpstartyourmeeting.com.

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Jatropha, a Wild Plant, Seen as Future Biofuel

By Melanie Thornton

Jatropha Tree, also known as the Bioenergy Tree, is seen by many as the biofuel of the future. This tree produces non-edible oil seeds that can be used to generate biodiesel. Unlike the commonly known corn-based ethanol, jatropha is able to travel through our current pipeline system and is now used in Florida to fuel several diesel-based trucks. Why Jatropha? The fast-growing jatropha has the capability to grow in warm, harsh conditions, requires little watering, is resistant to drought and requires low maintenance. The amount of oil produced per acre can yield up to ten times the amount of other sources for biodiesel according to experts. Jatropha is a persistent crop and full of benefits. It lasts up to 50 years without replanting and is a perfect organic fertilizer since the external shell of the seed is full of nitrogen compounds. After 5 years of growing on land unsuitable for agriculture, the jatropha has cured the soil making it pertinent for planting trees and growing food crops. This plant is viewed as a new commodity in crop rotation. It will not compete with farmers trying to grow food which sounds like a perfect plant for struggling farmers to begin harvesting. Yet, since jatropha has never been previously cultivated on a large scale, farmers are skeptical about the vitality, variability and long-term impacts of this almost perfect crop. Still, some see the potential investment of jatropha biofuel. The current environmental, economic and energy concerns about the rapid use of petroleum is forcing corporations to divert attention to alternatives of fossil fuel sources. Ardent supporters understand that there needs to be more research and work done to discover conditions where jatropha will thrive best.

With the discovery of alternative fuel sources, addressing the enduring impact of global warming is imperative. And jatropha produces no net increase of carbon dioxide, which in essence, is superlative. While this plant is growing jatropha absorbs carbon dioxide, and then effectively cancels out the carbon dioxide it releases once it is burned.

Major corporations’ are still highly interested in the jatropha tree. On June 29, BP and D1 Oils have partnered in their efforts to from a 50/50 joint venture and announced their project titled “D1-BP Fuel Crops Limited.” This catalyst venture will further the planting and growth of jatropha in order to produce biodiesel on a much larger and sustainable scale. The cultivation will take place around the world in India, Southern Africa, South East Asia and South and Central America. And in the next five years, the two companies plan to invest roughly $160 million. BP’s chief executive officer Iain Conn says “this joint venture is a further milestone in our strategy to develop real avenues to contribute to global energy supplies in ways that are sustainable and progressive.” Have we yet to put the discovery of jatropha biodiesel to use? Well, yes! This past January, Continental Airlines completed a two-hour test flight from Houston using a 50/50 mixture of jatropha oil and algae. Using this biofuel mixture to fly a Boeing 737, the test flight was a success and marked the first step for the airline industry to use more cost effective fuel. This mixture is also more affable to the environment and does not deplete the Earth from its already limited supply of fossil fuel. All in all, there are great visions and high highs for using the jatropha tree as an alternative biodiesel source. We may only envision that one day the jatropha tree will be one of our sources of alternative biofuel; leave Mother Earth to thrive in her own beauty.

Pack Up Summer Travel Savings

When it comes to vacation planning, people are pretty savvy about saving on hotels, airfare, car rentals and dining. But one area for savings may be overlooked — packing and luggage. Getting everything needed for a trip from point A to point B can be a hassle — and one that costs more money than it has to, especially when flying. Most airlines charge fees for checked bags. Airfarewatchdog.com lists fees ranging from $15 for the first bag to up to $150 for additional bags, depending on size and weight. For a family going on a weeklong vacation, that can really add up.

Packing Smart One way to lower or avoid airline baggage fees is to pack smart. —Find out ahead of time what baggage restrictions the airline imposes. You’ll save time and hassle by being prepared ahead of time, rather than being surprised and frustrated at check-in. —Most flights allow two carry-on bags — a personal bag such as a purse or briefcase and a bag no bigger than 45 linear inches, which is the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag (for example, 22 x 14 x 9 inches). You can pack more into a carry-on than you might think — up to several days worth of clothes. If your trip is for a week or less, consider taking only the carry-on. —Pack light. Lay out everything you think you’ll need for the trip — then put at least half of it back. By making clothes do double duty and coordinating outfits, you can pack a much lighter bag. —Save space. Roll t-shirts, jeans, socks and sport coats before packing. Put socks and undergarments inside of shoes. Also, find out what amenities the hotel will offer — if they have hair dryers, there’s no need to pack one, freeing up space in your suitcase.

Go Bag Free There’s a growing travel trend that savvy travelers say can save time and money — shipping luggage instead of carrying it. “With many airlines enforcing luggage weight and size limitations, and imposing fines for overages, we’ve seen many customers ship their luggage ahead of time,” said The UPS Store franchisee Steve Kwon. “Shipping your things in advance means savings on long road trips as well,” says Gail Acebes, Director, AAA Partnership Programs. “No luggage means more space in the car for the entire family and less weight in the car, resulting in better gas mileage.” There are a number of luggage shipping services available, most of which use carriers such as UPS. By using a carrier directly, it’s possible to save even more money. “Travelers can potentially save time and money by shipping their luggage at The UPS Store, which also lessens the hassle of dealing with luggage at the airport, and eliminates the risk of lost luggage,” said Kwon. “In addition, we have certified packing experts who specialize in packing odd, oversized items, such as water skis, golf clubs and scuba gear — items travelers would prefer to have waiting at their destination rather than lugging them around an airport.” Kwon offers some helpful tips for packing and shipping your luggage: —To reduce weight — and cost — skip the suitcase, and directly pack your clothes and other items in a sturdy box. —If you are shipping your belongings ahead to your destination, you’ll probably need to send stuff back home as well. One option is to pack a flattened box and a roll of packaging tape for sending home souvenirs … or dirty laundry. —An easier option is to have your shipment professionally packed at a national pack-and-ship retailer, such as The UPS Store. Expert packing is especially recommended for fragile items. —Be sure to notify the place you will be staying that you are expecting a package. That way, they will sign for the package even if it arrives before you do. —Put an additional address label inside the luggage or package in case the outside label is damaged or lost. —By using a shipping option such as UPS, you can track your luggage all the way to its destination via cell phones, PDAs or other web-enabled wireless devices. Because of the duties and taxes associated with international shipments, The UPS Store does not recommend shipping luggage internationally. Successful trips depend on planning. This year, plan on saving money by making smart packing decisions. Visit www.theupsstore.com to find a location and to use the online cost calculator to research the best rate and most economical shipping option.

Save Even More The UPS Store locations across the country have teamed up with AAA to offer valuable discounts to AAA members through AAA’s Show Your Card &Save program. AAA members that visit The UPS Store can save 15 percent off the full retail price of eligible products and services, while saving five percent on shipping costs.

Free iPhone App At a time when saving money is a top priority, Apple iPhone users can now easily find their way to AAA member savings by downloading a new application, AAA Discounts. The free, GPS-based app displays retail locations of AAA Show Your Card &Save partners near user locations. There are more than 110,000 AAA Show Your Card &Save locations in North America. “In the current economy, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of discount offers wherever they occur,” said Acebes. “This free, new application is just one more way AAA is helping members save money.”

Back to School

Smart Lessons in Back-to-School Savings: How Online Shopping Makes the Grade

(Family Features) Back-to-school shopping is an annual ritual that millions of parents participate in each year. In fact, back-to-school time is one of the biggest shopping seasons of the year, second only to the winter holidays. Last year, Americans spent more than $54 billion on supplies, clothes and electronics for school and college-age kids, according to the National Retail Federation, with jeans, backpacks and electronics as some of the most popular back-to-school products.

Getting what students need and keeping the costs reasonable calls for some smart shopping strategies. The easiest place to start is at your computer. These tips will help you study the online possibilities and earn some A+ deals.

Add Up Extra Savings Before you start hunting down everything on the must-have list, check for printable coupons or online coupon codes on Web sites such as:

• Couponcabin.com: The site is updated several times a day, and you can sign up to get a weekly newsletter alerting you to new deals. • Retailmenot.com: Get helpful feedback from users on what coupon codes worked and which ones didn’t. • Smartsource.com: Entering your zip code lets you find deals specific to your area.

Be on the lookout for free shipping offers on these sites, as well. If you’re not careful, shipping costs can negate any savings you may have found.

Get Cash Back A growing trend in smart online shopping is participation in programs that give you cash back. Web sites such as Bing.com have partnerships with major retailers to offer items at great prices. Registered users shop for name brand items and when purchases are made through the site, they automatically get a percentage of the purchase price back as a cash rebate. More details on how this works can be found at bing.com/shopping/pages/howtouse.aspx.

Shopping with the following merchants through Bing, for example, could give you cashback savings like these:

Back to School Gear and Gadgets: • HP, 5% • OfficeMax.com, 3 – 5% • BarnesandNoble.com, 10%

Back to School Fashion: • Shoemall.com, 19% • Ebags.com, 11% • Foot Locker, 20% • Nordstrom.com. 3%

The cashback amounts, which change daily, can be sent via check to your address or deposited into a bank account or PayPal account, and after a 60 day waiting period, the money is yours.

“This is a great way to save money on school supplies,” said Bridget Tate, Bing Shopping product manager. “When you look at how much back to school items such as laptops, clothes, backpacks and tech gadgets can cost, that 5 or 10 percent cashback really helps.” During back to school season, adds Tate, Bing Shopping will be offering even higher percentages of cashback (up to 50 percent more cashback).

Getting the kids ready for school again doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Smart shopping will send them off in style and leave you with a smile.

To learn more about how to be a smart online shopper and get cash back this back-to-school season,, visit Bing.com/shopping.

Restaurant Week “Rainbow Lodge”

On the last night of Restaurant Week, we wanted to return to Voice. They were sold out. Vic &Anthony’s couldn’t get us in until ten o’clock. So, we selected local favorite, Rainbow Lodge, to round out our experience. We left disappointed. The first course was hot or chilled tomato soup. The table-side presentation was nice: the waiter poured each one individually. However, all were ordered hot and arrived lukewarm. There were only two entrée choices: steak and shrimp. The shrimp plate was tiny; smaller than most appetizers. It contained three shrimp over chic peas. The croissant bread pudding with bourbon caramel and vanilla ice cream was the only saving grace of the evening.

Restaurant Week “Jimmy Wilson’s”

Jimmy Wilson’s menu seems slightly more affordable than most of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week. They make up for this by including your choice of white or red wine with the fixed offering. A large wooden bar greets you as you enter this Post Oak location. Salads and gumbo create the first course. The Jumbo Lump Crab Cake is served with butter sauce. The desserts truly blew our minds with bread pudding, three types of cheesecake, chocolate pecan pie, pound cake and peanut butter pie.

5161 San Felipe St # 100; (713) 960-0333

Restaurant Week “Monarch”

Monarch in the Hotel ZaZa has recently undergone a renovation. The new chef has re-vamped the menu and added his own personal flair. Restaurant week found the location packed. We sat at a high table on the patio. The view of the Meacom fountains – divine. Now let’s talk about the food. The prime beef carpaccio was abundant; bigger than most appetizers. The pan seared Seabass was served with a short rib ragout, mashed potatoes and broccolini. Both of the desserts left something to be desired. The Nutella Crepe sounded so appetizing, but fell flat. The vanilla hazelnut tart resembled the frozen grocery store variety. 5701 Main Street; (713) 526-1991

Restaurant Week “Pappas Bros. Steakhouse”

Despite steakhouses popping up all over town, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse maintains its top position. A $35 fixed-price menu at Houston’s best steakhouse was just too good to pass up. Pappas does not disappoint. Generous portions of classic dishes make this one of the best dining experiences of the week. We started with tomato basil soup and a wedge salad. The full-sized cold water Australian Rock Lobster Tail sits on a bed of mashed potatoes and green beans. The raspberry sorbet plate was beautifully adorned with fresh fruit. 5839 Westheimer; (713) 780-7352

Restaurant Week “Colombe D’Or”

La Colombe D’Or is one of the restaurants you forget about. It’s big and beautiful and in the heart of Montrose, yet it is easily overlooked for more casual options. So, when I saw their Restaurant Week offering, I knew it was time to return. The dining room at La Colombe D’Or’s elegant sophistication sets the stage for a phenomenal three-course meal. Selections here are top notch and plentiful. We started with the Escargot- a helping of seven with fresh garlic and parsley. The traditional French Onion soup provides a generous portion. The hazelnut-crusted chicken breast is tasty and moist. It is served with angle hair pasta and vegetables. Dessert is New York cheesecake and crème brulee. 3410 Montrose Blvd; (713) 524-7999.

Comforting Camp-Sick Campers

Life at camp brings new challenges, new activities, and new friends. Leaving all this fun and excitement is often a letdown for children. It doesn’t help that the end of camp may signal the start of school with all its stresses and demands. When camp comes to an end, the blues can often set in — causing some children to be tired, moody, quieter than usual, or even irritable or grumpy. The American Camp Association® (ACA) recommends these tips to help your camp-sick camper:

* Nothing beats a hot shower — Welcome your camper home by helping them relax and adjust to the slower pace of non-camp life. Suggest they take a warm shower and get plenty of rest. Plan to have an “old favorite” for dinner. * Familiar favorites — Have your child reconnect with friends from the neighborhood or school. Encourage play dates and get-togethers to help re-establish a sense of belonging with friends they haven’t seen in a long time. * Contact camp cronies — Allow your child to write, e-mail, or call camp friends. Many camps encourage campers to exchange e-mail and IM addresses with one another. Parents should oversee their child’s online activities and make sure that all camp policies are being followed. * This one time, at camp… — Be open and available to talk about camp. Allowing your children to reflect on their friends, their favorite moment at camp, and what they miss most about camp will help. * It’s not too soon for a camp reunion — Organize a small “reunion” of more local camp friends can help reassure your child that though his or her friends are out of sight, they are not out of mind!

Not all children show signs of camp-sickness, but if your child does, just remember that they miss camp because it is a safe, supportive, nurturing environment. It’s normal and natural for children to miss the close relationships developed at camp. Families can help ease any sadness by being supportive and understanding — and helping their camper remember that next summer is not that far away.

Restaurant Week “Brasserie Max & Julie”

The staff at Brasserie Max &Julie is all a twitter about restaurant week. The Onion soup seemed small, but the duck pate provided a handsome portion. A mixture of pork and duck, the light substance was a great topping for salad. The beef filet was highly recommended, but I found it flavorless. The Sauteed Chicken was moist and plentiful. The Ile Flottante is a floating island over English Cream. Overall, the experience was underwhelming. They might not have the staff to handle the restaurant week rush.

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