Fall TV Season

Here's a look at some of the most highly-anticipated fall TV shows and their premier dates. (Sorted by premier date).

• Glee, Fox (Sept 9, Wed, 9pm) -- high-school singing "dramedy"
• Vampire Diaries, CW (Sept 10, Thu, 8pm)
• Jay Leno Show, NBC (Sept 14, Mon, 10pm)
• NCIS:LA, CBS (Sept 22, Tues, 9pm) -- big names like Chris O'Donnell & LL Cool J
• Good Wife, CBS (Sept 22, Tue 10pm) - Julianna Margulies as a lawyer
• Flash-Forward, ABC (Sept 24, Thu, 8pm) -- One of the most highly-anticipated shows of the new fall season. Sci-fi.
• Dollhouse, Fox (Sept 25, Fri, 9pm) -- sci-fi, FBI
• Trauma, NBC (Sept 28, Mon, 9pm)-- medical drama on the edge.
• Three Rivers, CBS (Oct 4, Sun, 9pm) -- medical (organ transplant) drama
• Stargate Universe, SyFy Channel (Oct 9, Fri, 9pm)
• V, ABC (Nov 3, Tues, 8pm) -- sci-fi; aliens.

Fall Premier of Other Favorites

• So You Think You Can Dance, Fox (Sept 9, Wed, 8pm)
• Fringe, Fox (Sept 17, Thur 9pm) - sci-fi
• Dancing with the Stars (Sept 21, Mon, 8pm)
• House, Fox (Sept 21, Mon 8pm)
• NCIS, CBS (Sept 22, Tues 8pm)
• Criminal Minds, CBS (Sept 23, Wed, 9pm)
• Law & Order: SVU, NBC (Sept 23, Wed, 9pm)
• Mentalist, CBS (Sept 24, Thu, 10pm)
• Grey's Anatomy, ABC (Sept 24, Thu, 9pm)
• Law & Order, NBC (Sept 25, Fri, 8pm)
• Cold Case, CBS (Sept 27, Sun, 10pm) -- hopefully this show doesn't get pushed around too much by Sunday football...
• Lie to Me, Fox (Sept 28, Mon, 10pm) -- interesting show where hero can tell if people are lying!
• 24 (Jan 17, 2010)

For a complete calendar, check out:

http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/calendar.aspx

And, if you're looking for a particular show:

http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/fall-preview-a-z.aspx

Laptop Specs

It's "back-to-school" time, so we took a look at our "best bang for the buck" laptops in terms of power per dollar. Some people might prefer looks or battery life -- but for the purposes of our list, we track our "sweet-spot" in terms of computing power per price.

Here are the specs for what we think you can currently get (as well as some history so you can track advances in technology, and computer processing value):

...................Processor.......Memory........Harddrive........Price

Aug 09.....2.1 GHz(x2)......4 GB...............320 GB...........$500

Aug 08.....1.9 GHz(x2)......3 GB...............250 GB...........$550

Dec 07......1.6 GHz(x2)......1.5GB.............120 GB...........$550

Various models will have different specs -- but if you shop around, you should be able to get these specs "on average" (and over time, improved specs at better prices!). We usually find the best prices at Best Buy, and sometimes Costco/club stores. Once in a while, Amazon has some good deals.

We prefer the big names such as HP/Compaq, Dell, Toshiba & Gateway. If you like the Sony name, you will pay slightly more. And of course, some people prefer the styling of the Apple Macbooks -- but that's a different category.

Rite Aid -- week of Aug 2

This week you can get several items for FREE after the Single Check Rebates.

Some highlights:

- Werthers Original Caramel Chocolate (Free!)

- Zantac (Free!)

- GE Soft White Light Bulbs (Free!)

- Skin Clinic Wart Remover (Free!)

- Notebooks or Notebook filler paper (buy 1 get 3 Free!)

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If you haven't heard about Rite Aid's Single Check Rebates -- and have a Rite Aid in your area -- you should check it out. You need to sign up online -- but that is very easy -- and then you can often get FREE items (and if not free, they are usually great deals).

You can check out their weekly circular -- and see what deals they have every week. Why not stock up on regular household items on the cheap (or free!).

Caulking Tips

We live life -- and things gradually age and get old. Many people neglect the relatively easy job of caulking around sinks, showers and bathtubs because they are afraid they won't get the neat, professional look that handymen and contractors get. Here are some tips so you can get professional, sharp edges -- and refresh your home.

What you'll need:

• Knife
• Caulk (silicone for wet areas in the bathroom and kitchen, latex for dry areas). GE SiliconeII and PolySeamSeal Tub & Tile Adhesive caulk are recommended for wet areas.
• Caulk Gun
• Painters or Masking Tape
• Alcohol (or soapy water) - if using silicone caulk
• Rags or paper towels.

Now, let's get down to business:

1. Use the knife to help you clean the areas to be caulked. Then, vacuum the area. Any debris will prevent the silicone from sticking. Note that if the gap is more then 1/2", you might want to "build up the area" to give the caulk more support.
2. Use the painters or masking tape to tape around both sides of the joint. About 1/4" is good and gives a neater look. Smaller is better; you can even just get the caulk in the crack! Make sure the tape is straight and down firmly -- it's there to catch the excess caulk.
3. Caulk slowly and steadily. Try to get a good, consistent, bead in the joint -- but don't worry if you don't get it perfect now: we'll press the caulk in later. Caulk one section (say two to eight feet) at a time so you have time to do the next few steps before the caulk starts to dry.
4. Wet your finger with water (alcohol or soapy water for silicone caulk) and run your finger (or rounded tool) along the joint and press the caulk into the joint. Use the rag or paper towels to clean the excess off of your fingers and then re-wet your finger with water or alcohol.
5. Immediately pull the tape up in the area you have caulked. You don't want the silicone to dry before you do this step. Watch the angle you pull the caulk up -- to avoid smudging.

And, that's it: you should have a neat, professional-looking appearance. Good luck.

Rite Aid -- week of July 19

This week you can get several items for 99 cents after the Single Check Rebates.

Some highlights:

- Compound W (99 cents instead of 6.99!)

- Nasal Mist spray (99 cents instead of 3.99)

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If you haven't heard about Rite Aid's Single Check Rebates -- and have a Rite Aid in your area -- you should check it out. You need to sign up online -- but that is very easy -- and then you can often get FREE items (and if not free, they are usually great deals).

You can check out their weekly circular -- and see what deals they have every week. Why not stock up on regular household items on the cheap (or free!).

Kindle -- lower price!

Not sure if you have been looking at the Amazon Kindle, but if you have, note:

- Amazon just reduced the price from $359 to $299.

- This is for the new, improved Kindle 2.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00154JDAI?ie=UTF8&tag=sportsinves03-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00154JDAI

- The Kindle isn't just an e-book reader; it also has free wireless internet (fairly basic, but nice having free internet service all the time).

- There is also a Kindle DX with a larger screen for $489.

We just ordered another Kindle ;)

PS: Pls use the Amazon link at www.zroundtable.com when you order from Amazon.

Disney Animation Cels

Amazon has a great deal on many Disney Animation Cel's. These can make great gifts and normally sell for $300+ framed. Please click on the link below -- or use our Amazon link and search on "Disney Animation Cel."

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B55SMW?ie=UTF8&tag=sportsinves03-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002B55SMW