You did not disappoint! I got tons of great responses, a number of which gave me hearty belly laughs. Here are a few:

Debra Vertoske of Lancaster doesn’t like using department store changing rooms and then finding out via a sign on the wall that she is being monitored by video camera.

"If they’re going to film me taking my clothes off then they should be paying me, not the other way around!" she wrote.

Samuel Schiappa of Clarence is annoyed to see tip jars where they ought not be,money clips, such as fast food counters.

"Pay your associates more so they don’t have to beg!" he wrote.

Charles E. Chapman of Buffalo hates when newspapers goof.

"What annoys me? When you read the entire column by Samantha Maziarz Christmann, Pet Peeves in World of Consumers, and you get to the last word and find out the word is only half there," he wrote. "Yes,tiffany, I know the word is ‘disappears.’ I figured that out even though it was printed as ‘disap.’ But is there a paragraph missing? The reader will never know."

Yeah, you tell ‘em! Donna Swain of North Tonawanda is

peeved that supermarkets have recruited consumers as unpaid employees by having us feed our empty plastic bottles and cans into "container munching machines" and then wait in line to return glass bottles.

"And when the machines are full, they refuse to accept any further containers until the store employee empties it from in back,pendants, further delaying this supposedly more efficient handling technique," she wrote.

Gail Horan of Lancaster wants to know why coupons usually require you to purchase two items instead of just one.

"I surely do not need two boxes of cereal. I hardly eat one before it gets stale,cuff Links," she wrote.

George Wojciechowski of Buffalo hates when stores only have a couple of checkout lanes open. He thinks there should be an express lane open at all times and that the maximum limit should be enforced.

Sandi Davison thinks canned cat food and kitty litter are both criminally overpriced.

"It’s CLAY, for Pete’s sake–$5 to $8 for 14 pounds of CLAY," she wrote.

Worse is when stores run out of a certain brand of litter or change their store brand, causing a major disruption in households with finicky cats.

Christine Whelan is irked by magazine subscriptions that automatically renew.

Roger Paolini of Buffalo hates when servers tell you a restaurant’s specials without giving the price. He also wants to know why store cashiers never seem to know what’s on sale.

Robert Gardner of Marilla is peeved by cashiers who hand him his change with the coins piled on top of the bills "like a hot dog in a bun."

"The clerk should say aloud the amount owed and the amount tendered, then announce the correct change and count it, out loud, back to the customer. When was the last time that happened?" he wrote.

Are you listening, retailers?

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today announced that CVS Caremark has heeded his call to continue a drug discount program the company threatened to terminate because state law required it to provide Medicaid the same discounts.

In June, Blumenthal’s office began investigating CVS Caremark’s threat to discontinue its Health Savings Pass program in Connecticut because of the law,money clips, which mandates pharmacies charge Medicaid the lowest prices it offers consumers.

"I am pleased that CVS Caremark heeded my call to continue this vital program providing much-needed discounts to cash-strapped consumers,Bead bracelet," Blumenthal said. "Upon learning of CVS Caremark’s threat to terminate the Health Savings Pass program, my office began a vigorous investigation. In a letter to the head of CVS, I wrote, ‘I urge you in the strongest terms to reconsider this course of action.’ CVS Caremark’s attempt to hold its customers hostage was outrageous and unacceptable.

"The law is crystal clear and common sense: pharmacies must provide taxpayer-funded programs the same discounts they offer consumers. I commend CVS for doing the right thing,Atlas charm bracelet, choosing cooperation over confrontation. I will continue fighting to assure compliance with all Medicaid laws,pendants, assuring that corporations fulfill funding obligations to taxpayers."

Under the Health Savings Pass program, consumers pay $10 a year to fill a 90-day prescription of one of 400 generic drugs for $9.99 and receive other benefits. State law requires pharmacies to charge Medicaid the lowest drug price they offer consumers – potentially saving taxpayers millions of dollars – which the state says obligates CVS to provide the Health Savings Pass discount.

CVS disagreed that it had to provide the discount, prompting the General Assembly to approve a law in the last session clarifying the requirement. CVS responded by threatening to end its Health Savings Pass program in Connecticut. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Staci Mains, a stylist at the Clip Joint’s Cherry Street salon, said color palettes will mirror what’s seen in fashion. The move toward earth hues on the racks means a move toward natural hues such as taupe, bronze and light pinks — "chiffon-like colors,Charm pendant," Mains said — in our compacts.

The smoky eye look, characterized by blending a lighter shadow along the brow bone and inner corner of the eye and a darker color on the outside,watches, remains popular, Mains said, and as we move further into fall,bracelets, cheeks will get a dusting of plum.

That isn’t to say there isn’t room for drama. Allison Boyd of the Lanc"me counter at the Columbia Mall Dillard’s said the season’s purples can be keyed up or toned down, depending on the time of day and occasion.

For a night on the town, Boyd recommends a palette of silver, black and dark purple eye shadows paired with a dark red lip.

For a day look, she likes lighter purple and coral shadows and a softer lip.

Jenny McLaury, an esthetician at the Clip Joint’s Chapel Hill salon, said her clients are more likely to go with a more subdued eye, but lip color still packs a punch. Although a bright-red lip is a traditional pick for fall and winter, McLaury said a bright, candy-like pink also is popular this coming season.

"When you think of your red lipstick that you wear, it’s the same brightness," she said.

Reach Caroline Dohack at 573-815-1727 or e-mail cedohack@tribmail.com.

Actress megan fox has been named the face of Giorgio Armani Cosmetics.

The sultry 24-year-old brunette,Beads necklace, perhaps best known for her roles in the Transformers films, will begin appearing in advertising for the brand in October. Fox also appears in advertising for Emporio Armani underwear and Armani Jeans.

Mr. Armani is an iconic visionary for all things fashion, Fox said. I’m honored to be associated with him and part of this campaign.

Carol Goll, head of the branded entertainment division of International Creative Management, and Chuck James, Fox’s agent at ICM, helped negotiate and develop the deal.

According to a spokeswoman for the designer, Armani chose the actress for the beauty campaign because she embodies the spirit of the women of today: free, confident and seductive. Her beautiful features reveal femininity, sensuality and strength.

The beauty campaign was photographed by Craig McDean, with makeup by Linda Cantello.

Newlywed Fox, who married Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Brian Austin Green on June 24, is in postproduction with Passion Play, a period drama in which she co-stars with Mickey Rourke and Bill Murray,Bead bracelet, and is beginning production on a new film called The Crossing. She also is developing,tiffany, producing and planning to star in a new Fox film project, Fathom, based on the comic book series of the same name.

With the summer winding down,tiffany, and fall sports kicking into full gear at Richmond Senior, the women’s tennis team has been hitting its stride over the past two weeks as tryouts continue.

"This year, I have one senior coming back to the team and two juniors," York said. "The majority of my players this year will be 10th graders."

"The girls have been working hard, and they are showing some major improvements," York added.

Pinecrest is always at the top of the conference in women’s tennis, and that seems to be the case again this season, York said. She said one reason for this is that there are more players in the Pinecrest system that have been playing for the better parts of their lives as their parents play, and they have the facilities to play year-round.

While York knows that the majority of these girls have not played tennis before — and experience is very valuable — she is optimistic about the players trying out for the team in 2010.

"The majority of the 10th graders that are trying out for my team are two-sport

athletes,key rings," York said. "They are either softball players wanting to play tennis in the fall,necklaces, or they are volleyball players that are trying out for the team."

The tennis program hasn’t been strong at Richmond in recent years, and this is due to the fact that the high school is the only school that has a tennis team, and the majority of the players do not play year round, or they just play for fun in the off season.

York is very happy about the number of athletes that have come out to the tennis courts so far this season.

"We have had more girls try out this year than in any other year than I have been at Richmond," York said.

While York is looking for the ten best girls to take the courts for the Lady Raiders, she is open to having a few more players on the team, as there is the possibility that an exchange student will try out for the team.

The Lady Raiders open the 2010 season Aug. 18 with a match at Jack Britt, and then they will travel to East Montgomery High School six days later.

Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 ext. 44 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com.

Rock Band’s New Album Debuts at No. 1

Rock band Avenged Sevenfold debuts at Number One on this week’s Billboard 200 with its fifth album, Nightmare. First-week sales totaled 163,000 copies. This marks the first Number One album for Avenged Sevenfold. It’s the only new entry in this week’s Top 10 (week ending August 14).

Wyclef to Run For President of Haiti

Haitian hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean has announced he’ll run for president of Haiti. He told People magazine, "The suffering of the people of Haiti, the youth of Haiti – which is the majority of the population – can’t take another five years of the corruption that’s been going on for the past 200 years. This is why I’m running." Elections will be held in November.

McGraw Outdoes Music Artists on Airplay

Country star Tim McGraw had the most airplay of any artist in all genres during the past decade. According to Nielsen BDS, which tracks and reports all airplay of songs on radio, television and the Internet, says McGraw’s songs were played 7,965,tiffany,000 times from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2009. Tim is currently on tour in support of his Southern Voice album. His upcoming film, Country Song, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, will hit theaters in December.

Fanklin Falls, Cancels Concerts

Aretha Franklin canceled two free concerts in New York that were scheduled to take place this week. On August 1, the 68-year-old "Queen of Soul" fell and fractured some ribs. She also complained of abdominal pain, so doctors advised her to undergo tests. The shows were set for August 9 and 12 in Brooklyn. Franklin hopes to make them up in late August.

New Album Releases August 10:"31 Minutes To Takeoff" by Mike Posner "All About Tonight" by Blake Shelton "Emily West" by Emily West "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" by various artists "Greatly Blessed" by the Gaither Vocal Band "Dejo vu" by George Duke "Lost Tracks 1929-1959" (box set) by Judy Garland.

Musical Events/Festivals/Benefits:

Country singer Michael Martin Murphey’s WESTFEST 2010 will take place August 12-15 in Rifle, Colorado. Also on the bill are Patty Loveless, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Trailer Choir and bluegrass legend Peter Rowan, among others. Murphey founded WESTFEST in 1986 as a way to preserve memories and images of the Old West. He says, "I wanted to present the West to people who might otherwise perceive it only through a movie director’s tunnel vision. I want to show the Real American West!" Murphey’s hits include "Carolina In The Pines," "Wildfire" and "What’s Forever For."

Colorado’s Mile High Music Festival begins on August 14 in Denver. More than 40 bands will perform at the two-day music and arts event. Headliners include the Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Weezer, Train, Keane and Nas & Damian Marley.

Lady GaGa Leads VMA Nominations

Lady GaGa’s "The Remix" CD

Lady Gaga leads this year’s MTV Video Music Award (VMA) nominees. The pop star received a record-breaking 13 nominations,money clips, including Video of the Year, Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Dance Video for "Bad Romance." Other top contenders include Eminem, B.o.B. and Ke$ha. Justin Bieber’s "Baby" brought him his first VMA nomination for Best New Artist. The 2010 MTV VMA’s will be presented in Los Angeles on September 12. (Complete list of nominees at www.mtv.com.)

Look Who’s Going On Tour!

Sheryl Crow’s ’100 Miles From Memphis’ CD

On August 11, Sheryl Crow will kick off a 30-date North American tour in Rama, Ontario. She’ll be supporting her new album, 100 Miles From Memphis. After wrapping up shows on October 1, Crow will head to Europe for seven shows in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Denmark.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Ozzfest will begin on August 14 in San Bernardino, California. The six-city amphitheater tour is also scheduled to stop in Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hartford, Connecticut; Camden, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to Osbourne, main stage acts include Motley Crue, Rob Halford, Devil Driver and Nonpoint.

Some covered purchases are more likely, in fact, to be used by grown-ups than students: Work uniforms, lab coats, tuxedos and adult diapers. And future scholars can be outfitted in baby clothes and diapers tax free.

Qualifying purchases of clothes and accessories selling for $50 or less per item,tiffany, or supplies selling for $10 or less per item, will be exempt from Florida’s 6 percent sales tax and any local sales taxes if purchased between next Friday and Sunday.

Although a sales tax deduction on everyday merchandise may not seem like much–who would rush into a store advertising a 6 percent sale?–state officials estimate consumers will save about $26 million. Eighteen states will have programs this year, up from 16 last year. The average American family will spend $606 on back-to-school purchases, according to the National Retail Federation.

The program comes a little later than in the past. Public schools in Palm Beach County open only two days after the exemption period ends. The tax break runs only three days, compared to as many as 10 days in past years.

More merchandise was added to the exemption list this year, including binders, lunch boxes and markers. The Florida Legislature must vote annually on authorizing the holiday and approve the details, including the program’s duration and what will be covered.

Denise Zipes, of Fort Lauderdale,rings, was delighted when she heard private school uniforms would be tax exempt, although she already had bought some clothing her children will need for school. Like several shoppers at ACE Educational Supplies in Davie this week,bracelets, Zipes had no idea a tax holiday was coming up–the event seems to have slipped off the public radar since it was last offered in 2007.

Lucy Garcia and Annette Riveron, prowling the aisles at ACE as they loaded their shopping cart, said every little break helps in a difficult economy.

They plan to buy their own back-to-school outfits next weekend. "A new year, a new look," Riveron said.

J. Craig Shearman, spokesman for the retail federation, said it’s unclear how much tax holidays generate for merchants, although they do boost sales. The programs have a greater psychological appeal than their modest savings might suggest, Shearman said.

"Americans have hated paying taxes going back to the Boston Tea Party," he said.

Here is what you need to know to make the program work for you:

When: Purchases made between 12:01 a.m. Friday and midnight Sunday will not be assessed the state’s 6 percent sales tax or local sales taxes.

What: Clothing and items typically used by students–including books, footwear and accessories priced at $50 or less per item. No tax will be assesed on certain school supplies priced at $10 or less per item. Check school websites, or call the school office, for a list of supplies students will need.

Where: Merchants and retailers of any size, thrift and resale stores, educational and art supply stores. Items bought at airports, hotels, theme parks or entertainment complexes will be taxed. Online purchases will be tax free if the order is accepted by the merchandiser within the exemption period and you request immediate delivery.

More info: For a complete list of exempt items and more details, go to http://www.myflorida.com/dor or sunsentinel.com/taxholiday

Diane Lade can be reached at 954-356-4295 or dlade@sunsentinel.com.

Area retailers are banking on the latter when North Carolina’s sales tax holiday kicks in this weekend. In fact, several are offering special sales to lure shoppers into their stores.

Alamance Crossing retailers said Wednesdaytheyexpectedbusinessto be brisk from Friday through Sunday, which marks a period when shoppers can save money by purchasing items like clothing,pendants, school supplies and computers, and pay no sales tax.

"A lot of people will be doing their back-to-school shopping,tiffany," Talbots manager Nakia Reese said.

While some shoppers will make a point to shop during the sales tax holiday to cash in some savings, several shoppers at Alamance Crossing said they had already done their back-toschool shopping and didn’t plan to shop at all this weekend.

Greensboro resident Tamara Kurtz stopped at Belk onWednesday to buy a uniform for her daughter. Kurtz said she finished her back-to-school shopping Tuesday.

"I don’t shop during the sales taxfree weekend because I don’t want to deal with the crowds,Bead bracelet," Kurtz said. "It’s better for me if I do all of my shopping early."

One retail employee at Alamance Crossing said she believes the state’s tax holiday should be held closer to the start of public schools because students and their parents really don’t know what they are going to need until after the start of September.

The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through 11:59 p.m. Sunday. During the sales tax holiday period, retail sales of specified merchandise are exempt from state and local sales and use tax. This marks the state’s ninth sales tax holiday.

The North Carolina General Assembly created it in 2002 and since then has made minor changes to the legislation that governs the three-day holiday from sales tax.

Kurtz said one reason she avoids the sales tax holiday is because it’s hard to know what merchandise is included as part of the holiday.

"The list has changed a couple of times,Charm pendant," Kurtz said.

According to state officials, the sales tax holiday weekend is one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. Retailers’ participation in the sales tax holiday is mandated.

Clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item, school instructional materials of $300 or less per item, sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item and computer supplies of $250 or less per item will be exempt from sales tax during the holiday.

Current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) expire Aug. 31, and new licenses for 2010-2011 will go on sale Sunday, Aug. 15.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues about 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through the agency’s 28 field offices, more than 65 state parks and at over 1,500 retailers across Texas. For a $5 administrative transaction fee,pendants, licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD Web site or by phone (800-895-4248). Call center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. The online transaction system is available 24/7. A license confirmation number is issued at the time of purchase for online and phone orders, and the physical license is mailed separately. Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased, which is sufficient for dove hunting, but will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that require a tag.

DOVE HUNTING REQUIREMENTS

In addition to a hunting license, all wing shooters will need to purchase a game bird stamp. To hunt doves or teal in September, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required. Duck hunters also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and receive HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s hunting success and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased. Certification will be printed on the license. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified and purchase the Federal Duck Stamp to hunt migratory birds. All other state stamp endorsements are included with a lifetime license.

There are other mandatory endorsements to consider at the time of purchase,money clips, too. An Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required to hunt all non-migratory game birds, including turkey, quail, pheasant, chachalaca and lesser prairie chicken.

Of course, anyone who purchases the Super Combo license package, the best bang for the buck at $68, automatically gets these needed stamps. Sportsmen ages 65 and older qualify for a discounted Senior Super Combo for $32.

LIFETIME LICENSE DRAWING

Hunters and anglers can also take care of their licensing requirements for life with the purchase of an $1,800 Lifetime Super Combo, or you can enter for a chance at winning a lifetime license through a special drawing. Entries for the Lifetime License Drawing cost $5 each and may be purchased wherever licenses are sold. There is no limit on the number of entries that may be purchased. Winners will be drawn on Dec. 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011. If you enter by Dec. 27, 2010, you will be eligible for both drawings.

MANDATORY HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATION

Hunter Education Certification is also required of any hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971 and who is at least 17 years old. For hunters who are unable to work in a hunter education course before hunting season for whatever reason, TPWD does offer a deferral option that allows people 17 years of age or older a one-time only extension to complete the state’s hunter education requirements. The individual must first purchase a hunting license and then may purchase the deferral option #166.

Hunters using the deferral must be accompanied by someone 17 years old or older also licensed to hunt in Texas. The accompanying individual must have completed hunter education or be exempt from the requirements (born before Sept. 2, 1971). The extension is good for one license year, by which time the person with the deferred option needs to complete a hunter education course.

This option is not available to those who have ever received a conviction or deferred adjudication for lack of hunter education certification. They still must take the course before going afield.

BIG TIME TEXAS HUNTS

Also available through license agents and online are chances for TPWD’s Big Time Texas Hunts. The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more premium guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals – the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator,watches, exotic big game, waterfowl and upland game birds.

Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each and are available wherever hunting licenses are sold. They may also be purchased online at a discounted price of $9 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase,Bead bracelet, All proceeds from Big Time Texas Hunts benefit conservation, wildlife management and public hunting. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

These special fares are available for purchase for 48-hours only,bracelets, through August 13, 2010, and are good for travel through October 27, 2010. Fares are available for travel Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,rings, Friday and Saturday.

"Visitors to the nation’s capitol can enjoy cool weather and the beautiful fall colors of Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia or experience fresh seafood in Baltimore all while enjoying some extremely low fares," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales, AirTran Airways. "For our Baltimore/Washington area travelers, these fares offer the chance for a quick getaway to more than 50 destinations including our ever-popular Caribbean routes."

Travelers may purchase these sale fares at http://www.airtran.com, from their local travel agent or via AirTran Airways’ reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.

Like all AirTran Airways fares, prices included in this sale are available for one-way travel and do not require a roundtrip purchase or an overnight stay. These sale fares require a 14-day advance purchase.

Following is a sample of the one-way sale fares*. All fares are valid in either direction:

Baltimore/Washington – Wichita$89__AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.*All fares are one-way. All fares are non-refundable and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase,money clips, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Fourteen-day advance purchase required. Seats are limited, subject to availability, and may not be available on all flights. Tickets must be purchased by August 13, 2010. Sale fares are valid for travel through October 27, 2010. Sale fares are valid for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays,tiffany, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Blackout dates are as follows: September 3, 2010 and September 6, 2010. Travel to and from San Diego ends September 7, 2010. Service on some itineraries may be provided by our partner SkyWest Airlines. A first bag may be checked for a fee of $15 each way and a second bag may be checked for a fee of $25 each way. Reservations may be obtained or changed through an AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for an additional $15 per person. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares shown do not include Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18. The September 11th security fee of up to $10 is not included. Fares do not include segment taxes of $3.70 per segment. A segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. Fares to/from Puerto Rico do not include additional government taxes of up to $32.20. Fares to/from Mexico and the Caribbean do not include additional government taxes of up to $100.