Anyone Else Notice the Penny is Looking Different These Days?

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I was at Costco grabbing a bargain (and quite nutritious) lunch of a hot dog and Coke and noticed that the shiny pennies I received in change looked different. Sure enough, these brand spanking new 2010 pennies had a redesign on the back.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 among other things authorized a redesign of the back of the penny in 2010 to reflect Abraham Lincoln's preservation of the U.S. as a single and united country. So the backside of the penny now displays a shield with 13 vertical stripes representing the 13 original states in union. The familiar E PLURIBUS UNUM is retained to indicate "out of many, one."

These new pennies are composed of 2.5% copper and 97.5% zinc, roughly the same composition they have had since 1982.  Prior to that they has been 95% copper and 5% tin/zine since 1909. Apparently the pre-1982 95% copper pennies are worth more than 2 cents each due to their copper value. However, don't even think about it...since 2006 there have been laws that criminalize melting pennies/nickels for their content,

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An Update on High Dividend Paying Stocks

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Thirteen months ago I highlighted some stocks that pay decent dividends, as an alternative to low yielding bank CDs and bonds. Since then, the market has made a nice comeback, up over 40% overall.  A monkey could have made money in this market by throwing banana slices at ticker symbols on CNBC.

The good news is that the 19 stocks highlighted grew by nearly 40%, even before taking into account the 5% to 6% dividends paid out during the period!

While I can't predict where the stock market is headed (seems like it should be taking a breather at some point, but who knows...), let's take a fresh look at these stocks!

  • Altria (Symbol: MO) A year ago at $17 it yielded 7.9%. Today at $21 it yields 6.6%. Still worth a look profiting off smokers of the world!
  • BP plc (BP) Yielded 8.8% at $38 a year ago but today it stands at $60 and at that price yields 5.7%. I suppose this is worth buying for the yield. Heck, fixed rate mortgages are still less than that.
  • Aflac (AFL) At $15 it yielded 7.5%. But holy smokes! Stock is now $57 and yields just 2% at that price! I'd hold my shares purchased at lower prices but would hesitate buying more at this point.
  • Eli Lilly (LLY) Lilly is now at $37 and yields 5.3%, slightly less compelling than the 6.5% yield at $31 a year ago but seems safe.
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Yielded 6.8% at $29 last year but today yields 5.8% at $39. I'd consider
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Education Tax Credits are Hard to Figure Out, But Worth Taking a Look At!

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What prompted me to write this article is that I helped an employee save $1,900 on her 2009 taxes. Why? Because she wasn't aware of the American Opportunity Credit for the money she spent on college education last year.

There are 3 Federal education credits in 2009, the new American Opportunity Credit, the Hope Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.  Of course, you can also claim a tax deduction for education costs (in lieu of credit), but most people will benefit more from a tax credit (particularly a refundable tax credit) than a tax deduction.

American Opportunity Credit ("AOC")

  • AOC is a new tax credit applicable to years 2009 and 2010 that modifies the Hope Credit (we'll touch on later).  However, at this point it is temporary....will be gone in 2011.
  • The AOC is a tax credit of up to $2,500 per eligible student. Up to 40% of the credit can be REFUNDABLE and the remainder is limited to taxes due (nonrefundable).
  • The credit is based on 100% of the first $2,000 and 25% of the next $2,500 spent on qualified education expenses.
  • "Qualified" expenses include tuition, enrollment fees and course-related books, supplies and
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Springtime Leek and Goat Cheese Tart Recipe

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Here's the latest recipe from chef Jill Fisher! Jill, a licensed Personal Chef, teaches cooking classes at Conejo Valley Adult School and Williams Sonoma in Thousand Oaks and has written articles for local food magazines such as 805 Living. In December, Jill and her friend released their cookbook "i found my sanity in...My Best Friend's Kitchen."

CLICK HERE for other recipes from Jill published here on Conejo Valley Guide!

Perfect for your springtime brunch, a Leek and Goat Cheese Tart.  Leeks are a member of the onion family yet have a milder flavor and are a fantastic addition to your favorite dishes, especially  when they have been slightly sautéed first.  Because they are a bulb, they do have layers that can trap dirt.  The best way to get rid of the dirt and sand is to slice the leeks, just up to tender green stem, and put the slices in a colander.  Run them under cool water and separate the rings with your fingers to shake loose any residual dirt. Pair this delicious tart with a spinach salad and fruit and you’ll be ready for spring! -Jill

Leek and Goat Cheese Tart

1 pie crust, blind baked*

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 lb leeks, including tender green parts, well cleaned and sliced crosswise 1/8 inch thick

Salt and pepper

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Breaking News!! First Case of Rabbit Flu Discovered in the Conejo Valley!

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One year ago, the H1N1 flu (often referred to as "swine" flu) virus was first detected.  Conejo Valley Guide has been compiling global swine flu updates since then.

Today, April 1, 2010, Conejo Valley public health officials reported their first confirmed case of a new form of influenza, the Bunny Flu, in a local Thousand Oaks resident.  Typical symptoms of Bunny Flu include fever, runny nose and unexplained displays of EGG (Excessive Grass Grazing).  Nausea is additional symptom of Bunny and Rabbit Flu (BARF).

According to Dr. Pete R. Wrabett, Human and Rabbit Expert (HARE) at South Dakota State University (Home of the Jackrabbits), "This is the first known case of Bunny Flu, but there is no cause fur immediate concern. However, due to the abundance of rabbits in the Conejo Valley, one must take a few precautions."

Wrabett's advice includes:

  • Wash hands after coming into contact with Easter Bunny.
  • Limit carrot consumption to one bunch per day.
  • If one feels compelled to hop for extended periods of time, visit Jolly Jumps to get it out of your system.

In other news, it is reported that several wild rabbits in Sycamore Canyon are showing signs of Irritable Bunny Syndrome (IBS). Apparently between the months of rains we've had this winter, the winds and the ever-present coyotes, local rabbits are hopping mad.

 

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Swine Flu Outbreak Information and Updates

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We have been reporting daily H1N1 (Swine) Flu tallies and updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization since 4/27/09 and will continue to do so until they stop reporting the stats.  On 7/24/09, the CDC announced it will no longer report individual H1N1 flu cases by state but will continue reporting hospitalizations and deaths. But we will continue reporting tidbits of information as we obtain it.

The Ventura County Health Care Agency H1N1 Hotline is 805.981.5390 and operates Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm. Visit the VC Public Health website at www.vchca.org/ph/swineflu for more information.  H1N1 and seasonal flu shots are now widely available to all individuals in Ventura County.

Update 4/30/10: WHO H1N1 update 98 on 4/30/10 reports at least 17,919 deaths as of 4/25/10 (66 in latest week).

Update 4/23/10: CDC finally realized last week no one cares anymore about H1N1 flu stats. But the WHO is still reporting. Its H1N1 update 97 on 4/23/10 reports at least 17,853 deat

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