10 Pricey Cities That Pay Off: The 'Amenity Value' of 10 cities
by Matthew Bandyk

When you pay a lot of money for something, you hope to get a lot of value in return. So why are people willing to pay a fortune to live in certain places. According to a recent working paper from University of Michigan economist David Albouy, there's a great deal of value to be found in those high prices -- in other words, "amenity value," which measures the amount of satisfaction the asset brings to its owner.

Vacation Travel

Potato, Leek and Spinach Frittata

Potato, Leek and Spinach Frittata Recipe
Diane Rossen Worthington

The classic Italian frittata is a flat, open-faced omelet cooked over low heat until firm on the bottom and then finished in the oven. This version, which has potatoes, leeks and spinach tucked inside, can be decorated with sun-dried tomatoes, dollops of sour cream and shredded basil. You can be as inventive as you wish.

Food Friendly City: Portland, Oregon
World's Fare By Marguerite Thomas

On the western edge of Oregon where the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet, lies Portland, Oregon, one of North America's finest epicurean destinations.

I'm not just talking about expensive gourmet restaurants, although there is no lack of these here too.

What I am referring to is the kind of genuine food culture that may be a way of life in other countries (France & Italy come to mind), but is less common in the US.

Walking A Step in the Right Direction

Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active. A brisk-paced walk can help you feel better, increase energy, and pick up your spirits.

Walking is a simple and flexible way to improve your health, and it’s practically free. You can walk alone or with friends, indoors or outdoors, on a city sidewalk or a country trail, any time of the year. Brisk walking can help control your weight, lower cholesterol, strengthen your heart, and reduce the likelihood of serious health problems in the future.

JUKARI Fit to Fly Workout
Reebok & Cirque du Soleil Partnership Creates Innovative Gym Workout

In 1989, Reebok revolutionized women's fitness with the creation of Step Reebok.

Today, the company revealed its new launch of an innovative gym workout - JUKARI Fit to Fly.

JUKARI Fit to Fly makes fitness fun again by introducing a new way to move in a gym workout and is accessible to all women, regardless of fitness levels.

Duracell Announces Kids' Picks of the 'Top 10 Toys' for this Holiday Season

Bona fide toy experts - children themselves - have completed their toy test drive and voted the Air Rebound the number one toy this holiday season in the 15^th Annual DURACELL® Kids' Choice Toy Survey ^TM. This radio-controlled vehicle drove its way to the top spot, thanks to its unique design that allows it to speed, jump and flip over, maneuvering around the trickiest roadblocks, even if the vehicle is upside-down.

THQ and Nickelodeon Ship Spongebob Squarepants^TM: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman for Playstation®2

THQ® Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Nickelodeon today announced the release of SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the ^TM: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman for the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. This underwater adventure is based on Nickelodeon's pop culture phenomenon, SpongeBob SquarePants -- the highest rated program on kids' TV, which draws 61.5 million viewers per month, more than 21 million of them aged 18-49. SpongeBob SquarePants: Revenge of the Flying Dutchman is now available at retailers nationwide.

New Canon PowerShot S45 Digital Camera Advances Performance and Versatility for Greater Satisfaction in Digital Photography

4.0 Megapixels, Exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor, Enhanced Movie Mode and Direct Print Capabilities with a Variety of Canon Printers Make the PowerShot S45 a Highly Versatile Digital Camera

Think Outside The Box - The Wheaties® Box, That Is!

Wrap up your holiday shopping with a picture-perfect gift idea and have a photograph of your favorite champion placed on an authentic Wheaties® box.

Who's on Your Holiday Gift List?

United Mileage Plus Visa® Card Shopping Index Indicates That 40% of Americans are Buying for 15 People or More This Season

Architectural Digest's January 2002 Special Collector's Edition Announces The New "AD 100" Top Interior Designers and Architects

The January 2002 issue of Architectural Digest announces the new AD 100, Architectural Digest's selection of the top international interior designers and architects.

That's a Wrap: How to Plow Through That Pile of Presents With Ease and Creativity

A recent survey found that one in four Americans wrap their holiday gifts in the 24 hours prior to the gift-giving occasion. So how can you plow through that pile of presents at the eleventh hour, yet still have them look as if they were wrapped by a pro? 3M has more

Beating The Holiday Blues

The holidays are here - and people are taking the time to celebrate. According to a recent survey by CIGNA HealthCare, nearly half of Americans say they expect this holiday season to be more stressful than the last. But experts say there are things you can do to make it easier this season

Tech Toys

If there's a gadget guru on your holiday shopping list, a high-tech toy may be just the ticket. But high-tech doesn't have to mean high priced. From wireless devices to digital cameras, there's a gift in every price range. Motorola has more.

Ringing In the Holidays for Under $35

Have a long holiday shopping list but feeling short on cash? Impress friends and family with creative, high-tech presents this season with gifts for under $35

Home for the Holidays Takes on a Whole New Meaning This Year

This holiday season, travel experts estimate that 87 percent of travelers will be hitting the highways.

Kohl's Shoppers Can Help Local Children's Hospitals By Purchasing Special Holiday-Themed Merchandise

Kohl's shoppers can help 41 children's hospitals throughout the country by purchasing a special holiday CD, cuddly plush bear, a classic book or a festive holiday decoration for their home or office. Starting now through the holiday season, all Kohl's department stores are offering four unique seasonal items with all net profits benefiting local children's hospitals as a part of the Kohl's Cares for Kids program.

Gourmet's October Restaurant Issue Showcases America's 50 Best Restaurants from Gourmet's Critics

Gourmet's October 2001 Restaurant Issue features the first guide to "America's Best 50 Restaurants" (pages 81-104) from the magazine's restaurant reviewers. Ruth Reichl, editor in chief of Gourmet and former restaurant critic of The New York Times, and a team of Gourmet's critics ate thousands of meals and traveled millions of miles, visiting restaurants across the country anonymously to create the list of the Best 50 Restaurants in the United States

Sam Goody Teen Survey Indicates Gift Cards are Hot Holiday Gifts

It used to be that shopping for teens was one of the most difficult tasks for the holidays. But the days of trying to guess what's hot and what's not may be over. More and more parents are opting to give gift cards for the holidays, and the teens that are receiving these cards couldn't be happier.

Joan Lunden Encourages Families to Cook up Some Conversation at Dinner Time

A nationwide survey conducted confirms the family dinner is alive and well - in fact, 80 percent of families surveyed reported eating dinner together at least five times each week. However, for three out of four American families, the focus is likely to be on the television rather than on talking to each other. As many Americans would likely agree, it's important now more than ever to enjoy meals as a family while reconnecting through conversation at the table.

100 Best Companies for Working Mothers Cited by Working Mother Magazine

Amid the fears and economic cutbacks facing corporate America comes a glimmer of good news. Working Mother magazine on October 9 released its 16th annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," a compilation of corporations that best recognize the value and needs of working families.

Spoetzl Brewery Wins at the Great American Beer Festival

Representatives from the brewery came home victorious from the Great American Beer Festival® with a silver medal in the American-Style Wheat Ale category for Shiner Winter Ale and a bronze medal in the American-Style Dark Lager category for number-one selling Shiner Bock®.

Duracell Announces Kids' Picks for the 10 Hottest New Toys of the Holiday Season

The experts have spoken, and they want action ... action-packed play, that is! Kids across the country have voted the high-speed, versatile Gearhead Street Savage Remote Control Vehicle as number one in the 14th Annual DURACELL® Kids' Choice Toy SurveyTM.