Emmy Award-winning actress Christina Applegate was intereviewed on Good Morning America today about her very recent decision to have a double masectomy in response to learning she had breast cancer in one of her breasts.  The surgery took place about 3 weeks ago.

It was uplifting to see how positive, determined, and good-spirited this talented actress, whom many of us (especially us guys) know all so well from her 10 year stint on Married with Children in the late 80s/early 90s, was in the interview (click here to see it).

Her decision was obviously not an easy one, but was based on an assessment of the facts.  She tested positive for the BRCA1 gene that is an early indicator for breast cancer.  Her mother is a breast cancer survivor.  A doctor-ordered MRI confirmed the breast cancer diagnosis.  She decided to have the surgery to ensure the cancer would not come back (she is 100% cancer free now) and to alleviate the need to have chemotherapy and other recurring treatments.

Christina, who looks incredible at age 36 and only 3 weeks after surgery, says she wants to increase awareness of breast cancer screening and in particular, find a way to help women at risk but lack finances to pay for the expensive BRCA1 testing and MRI screening. 

She went on to joke about how in the coming year she will have reconstructive breast surgery and that her new boobs will make her the envy of other 90 years olds sitting around the bridge table in the nursing home.  She describes how humor has helped her deal with her challenge and that she is ready for the next challenge of helping others facing the same issues.

Applegate is scheduled to appear on the Stand Up To Cancer fundraiser on September 5th.  See www.standup2cancer.org for more information.  She is also rumored to be playing the part of actress Elizabeth Montgomery, who died due to colorectal cancer, in the 2009 movie "Everything Is Going to Be Just Fine."

We wish you well, Christina!  We admire you.

There has been a groundswell of interest in the return of the Hydrox cookie.  In fact, thanks to a reference to this June 13th CVG posting from several other websites, it is apparent to me that many, many people are anxiously awaiting arrival of the Hydrox "beginning in late August."

So I've been Googling around looking for Hydrox for sale, to no avail.  I even looked for Hydrox on eBay, hoping for maybe even an old 1999 package of them.  No luck. 

It is almost the "late August" time frame so I checked the www.HydroxCookies.com website for updates.  Where will I be able to buy these cookies, for pete's sake!?  Nothing.

So I did what any typical sugar-driven, compulsive, cookie addict and geek would do.  I wrote to Kelloggs Customer Service and asked them where I will be able to buy the Hydrox and, oh, could I obtain a box in advance so I can taste them and write about them at www.ConejoValleyGuide.com?

THE CLUE...!!!

Kellogg's wrote me a nice response that I have copied and pasted below.

In a study published today in the American Medical Association's Archive of Internal Medicine, Stanford researchers said that over a 19 year period, runners died at less than half the rate of non-runners  Wow, if that isn't a case for regular aerobic exercise (be it running, swimming, biking, whatever), I don't know what is!

The study began in 1984 with 538 runners over age 50 and a healthy "control" group of 423 non-runners from Northern California.  Annual surveys were completed by participants.  After 19 years, 15% of the runners had died compared to 34% of the non-runners.  Hmmm, could that be why my wife wants me to stop running and set up a life insurance policy...hmmm.

At the end of the study, the runner group had a 40% reduced chance of being moderately disabled or of dying as compared to the non-runner group.

The runner group exercised as much as 200 minutes per week versus only 20 minutes for the non-runner group.  It obviously pays to exercise, so go on, get out there and start training!  How about one of these upcoming local 5K fun runs as a goal!

One last point.  The study indicated that 284 runners and 156 non-runners completed the entire 21 year study.  So of those that lived through the entire study, this implies that 62% of the runners and 56% of the non-runners completed the entire survey.  To me this says that runners not only live longer and healthier, but are more reliable survey takers.

(Disclosure:  Conejo Joe is a runner if you couldn't already figure that out.)

Last week Arnold signed AB 97, the California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law, which outlaws trans fats from restaurant foods by 1/1/10 (with the exception of baked goods, which get a year reprieve to 1/1/11).  This makes California the first state in the nation to enact such a ban and makes use of trans fats a misdemeanor punishable by fines ranging from $25 to $1000 per infraction.

This is not so bad given trans fats, mostly liquid oils made into solid fats like shortening and margarine by partially hydrogenating them, are bad for you!  Consumption of trans fats as we know is linked to heart disease and related ailments.  No doubt this will make it more costly to eat out.  But think of all the savings in medical expenses down the road!  Not to mention, maybe it will create more jobs...for Trans Fat Cops!

McDonalds has stopped using trans fats by switching to Canola Oil blends.  Hot Dog on a Stick uses soy oil. Other fast food chains are doing the same. This is good too!  

But just because they don't use trans fats doesn't mean it is good for you.  A medium size (4 oz) order of McDonalds fries is 380 calories both with and without trans fats, and in fact, the percentage of fat calories has slightly increased, from 45% to 47% of those calories.  So don't be fooled into thinking french fries, corn dogs and onion rings are health food without the trans fats in them.

Speaking of fast food, the Los Angeles City Council just approved a 1 to 2 year moratorium on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles, a 32 square mile area with 500,000 residents.  Why?  Because the obesity rate there is 20% higher than the rest of Los Angeles.

Huh?  This seems like overkill.  Banning new fast food restaurants will not solve the obesity problem.  How about education.  You can actually eat a healthy, balanced fast food meal.  Try a burger, salad, fruit/yogurt parfait, apple slices, milk, orange juice, baked potato, etc. and you won't leave McDonald's or Wendy's feeling like your arteries are clogged!

In summary, trans fats are bad, but so are saturated fats and eating too many calories in general.  You have many choices in what you eat, and even fast food joints provide many healthy foods these days.  So watch what you eat, eat in moderation, pig out occasionally if you'd like and exercise regularly!  You should be just fine.

Just the other day I learned that National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year, as proclaimed by Jimmy Carter 30 years ago on August 3, 1978.  So on September 7, 2008 we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of this day, so treat your grandmas and grandpas to something special!

To purchase the official song of National Grandparents Day, "A Song for Grandma and Grandpa" by Johnny Prill, visit www.johnnyprill.com

A West Virginia housewife, Marian McQuade, is credited for lobbying for this special day going back to 1970.  The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 by the Governor of West Virginia.  Senator Jennings Randolph of West Virginia introduced a resolution to make it a national holiday later that year.  Congress passed the legislation five years later.

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Our nation was shaped by the wisdom and courage of our founding fathers, and by the steadfastness of succeeding generations who have sustained their vision through two turbulent centuries of challenge and growth.

Each American family is similarly shaped and guided by its forbears. Just as a nation learns and is strengthened by its history, so a family learns and is strengthened by its understanding of preceding generations. As Americans live longer, more and more families are enriched by their shared experiences with grandparents and great-grandparents.

The elders of each family have the responsibility for setting the moral tone for the family and for passing on the traditional values of our Nation to their children and grandchildren. They bore the hardships and made the sacrifices that produced much of the progress and comfort we enjoy today. It is appropriate, therefore, that as individuals and as a nation, that we salute our grandparents for their contribution to our lives.

Now, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY CARTER, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Sunday, September 10, 1978, as "National Grandparents Day." I urge officials of Government at the national, state, and local levels, and of voluntary organizations to plan appropriate activities so that the contributions that our grandparents have made may be appropriately recognized.

I urge each citizen to pause and to reflect on the influence his grandparents have had in shaping his own destiny, and on the legacy bestowed upon our contemporary society by his grandparents' generation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and third.

JIMMY CARTER

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:38 a.m., August 4, 1978]

There are over a million homes in foreclosure across the United States today and the number is growing.  This represents a record 2.5% of all loans being serviced.  But hey, let's also consider the good news...that 97.5% of all homes are NOT in foreclosure!

With all these foreclosures and the banks taking a major dive (Indymac Bank is the latest casualty, its stock price diving to 38 cents today, down from $43 two years ago), maybe it's time to start thinking about investing in some of these distressed homes!?

If you are looking for foreclosures or homes that are currently owned by a bank ("REO" or Real Estate Owned), there are many resources on the Web.  Most have a fee of $40 to $50 per month while some are free.  Let's start out with the FREE ones.

Check out www.countrywide-foreclosures.blogspot.com for detailed updates on homes foreclosured by Countrywide Financial (now part of Bank of America).  As of June 29, Countrywide had 13,304 REO homes across the country with an asking price of $2.4 billion.  3,331 of those were in California.  If you want to check these foreclosed homes out, visit this site.

For other banks' REO listings, visit www.biggerpockets.com/bank-reo.html and you'll find links to dozens of other banks.  Not all of the banks have foreclosures in the Ventura County area.  IndyMac Bank currently lists 2 homes in Simi and 1 home in Camarillo.  Also try www.reosource.com, which is also free.

Click to read more ...

Hydrox, the world's only cookie that sounds like a skin moisturizer, is returning from retirement for a brief stint sometime in late August 2008.  Hydrox was taken off the market in 1999, so this is a big deal to diehard Hydrox fans.  Visit www.HydroxCookies.com for more information.

Hydrox was launched by the Sunshine Biscuits Company in 1908 as the first creme filled chocolate sandwich cookie.  The Oreo didn't come out until 1912 but soon Nabisco's marketing and distribution power had Oreo running circles around Hydrox.  In fact, nearly half a TRILLION Oreos have been sold since they were launched, making them the top selling cookie of the 20th century.

I like an underdog, so I'm cheering the return of the Hydrox and hope that enough people catch on to them again so that Kellogg's (which bought the company that owned the Hydrox brand in 2001) keeps them on the market.  I barely remember what Hydrox tastes like but I've heard they are slightly less sweet than Oreos.

So why did they create the name Hydrox based on hydrogen and oxygen, the elements that make up water?  Beats me!  Though even more perplexing is where the name Oreo came from. Nobody seems to know the answer to that one, even Nabisco.  Though the theory that the "re" came from "cream" that was sandwiched between the two "o's" from chocolate seems almost plausible.

So let's lead the effort to bring back the Hydrox permanently.  Kellogg's, if you read this, please feel free to send me a few cases of retro Hydrox cookies later this summer and I promise to spread the Hydrox gospel!  How about an Oreo/Hydrox Taste Challenge a la Coke/Pepsi!!??  Hydrox fans, let Kellogg's know you want the Hydrox back for good!

The FBI issued preliminary crime statistics for 2007 today, and...(drum roll)...CONGRATULATIONS, Thousand Oaks!  We are back to the Number 1 spot on the list among the 257 U.S. cities with populations over 100,000.  Our total crime rate in 2007 was 1.668%, or 16.68 crimes per 1,000 people.  This very slightly edged out the city of Irvine, California which was at a crime rate of 1.684% (not bad at all, Irvine!).  Irvine could have beat us if we had just another 25 reported crimes last year, so that was quite close.  Amherst Town in New York was 3rd place at a crime rate of 1.742%.

CLARIFICATION:  My "Safest City" designation was based on the "total" crime rate.  News reports today have ranked Irvine as the Safest City for 4 years in a row based on having the lowest "violent" crime rate, not "total" crime rate (see below).  As it stands, T.O. ranks 2nd among California cities for lowest violent crime rate and 1st for lowest property and total crime rates.  Irvine ranks 14th in terms of property crime rates among California cities.

The FBI groups two main categories of crimes; violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, assualt) and property crimes (burglary, larceny/theft, auto theft).  Thousand Oaks reported 182 violent crimes (70% of which were assault) and 1,942 property crimes.  While it feels good to be #1, we still have room for improvement.  Our overall crime rate actually grew by 6% in 2007 vs 2006.  However, our violent crime rate dropped by 19% while property crimes grew by 8%.

At the bottom of the list was St. Louis, Missouri, Orlando, Florida and Little Rock, Arkansas, at rates of 11.93%, 10.45% and 10.35%, respectively.  What this means is that you are 7 times less likely to be the victim of a crime in Thousand Oaks than in St. Louis.  The dubious honor of highest violent crime rate belongs to Flint, Michigan.  In 2007, 24 out of every 1,000 Flint residents were the victim of a violent crime.

Simi Valley ranked as the 9th safest U.S. city at a total crime rate of 2.09% (4th safest in California, after T.O., Irvine and Glendale).  Oxnard's crime rate was 2.747%, which was a slight drop from 2006.  This earned Oxnard recognition as the 12th most crime-free large city in California out of 65 cities.  Ventura was lower on the list, at #45.

Keep up the great work, fellow Conejo Valley residents!  For more information, visit www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.

UPDATED 7/14/08!  Here's a list of over 90 summer camps and programs in the area with contact information, in no particular order.

1. Conejo Recreation and Park District camps, large variety, including surfing, science, engineering with Legos, sports, performing arts, cultural enrichment, archeology, african safari, basketball, cheerleading, engineering, fashion camp, golf, lacrosse, math, multimedia, photography, robots, day camps with different weekly themes, "little folks" day camps for ages 4-7, etc. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ages 6-14 in T.O. and Newbury Park www.crpd.org 805.495.2163
2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes www.bgcconejo.org 805.449.1309
3. Ventura County Council Boy Scouts summer camps http://www.vccbsa.org/
4. iD Tech Camps at CLU/Pepperdine www.idTechCamps.com 888.709.8324
5. Camp Summertime at Calamigos Ranch in Agoura/Malibu for ages 4 to 14  www.campsummertime.com 818.706.7335
6. New West Symphony Summer Music Camp in Thousand Oaks 7/21-7/25 for 3rd-5th graders 805.777.7886
7. Silverfin Lacrosse Summer Clinic at Peppertree Park in Newbury Park, 6/24-8/5, ages 9-18, www.tolacrosse.com/silverfin or call 805.760.1171
8. Westlake Montessori School Summer Camp www.westlakemontessori.com/summer_camp.html 805.495.2962
9. City of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services summer camps (brochure available at http://ci.agoura-hills.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=70)
10. Skatelab Summer Camps in Simi Valley, http://www.skatelab.com/skatepark/camp.php 805.578.0040
11. Lazy "J" Ranch Camp in Malibu 140 acres in Malibu www.LazyJRanchCamp.com 310.457.5572
12. Little Oaks School Day Camp in Thousand Oaks, ages 4-12 www.littleoaksschool.com 805.495.5513
13. Phoenix Ranch Day Camp in Simi Valley, ages 5-13, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.phoenixranch.org/camp.html 805.526.0136
14. Agoura Hills Dance summer day camps, ages 2-14, www.agouradance.com 818.991.8883
15. Fashion Design Camp for middle school students and up at Sheldon's Art Academy in Oak Park www.sheldonsartacademy.com 818.706.9444
16. Summer climbing camp at Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing in Thousand Oaks www.boulderdashclimbing.com 805.557.1300
17. Childrens Theatre Experience Summer Camp in Thousand Oaks, ages 8-18, www.ctexperience.com/programs/summerCamp.asp 800.514.2787
18. Fitness by the Sea Kids Camp in Malibu 6/23-8/29 ages 5-14 www.fitnessbythesea.com 310.459.2425
19. Camp Keystone Summer Day Camp in Agoura Hills www.campkeystone.com 818.889.2224
20. Art Camp in Agoura Hills, day camp for 7-11 year olds www.summerartacademy.com 818.386.1108
21. Broadway Theatre Camp 7/7-7-10, 7/14-7/24 ages 6+ www.talentlabonline.com 805.557.4942
22. Little Oaks School Day Camp 4 1/2 to 12 years www.littleoakschool.com 805.495.5513
23. Plank Institute Summer Science Camp at Pepperdine University, 1 week residential 8/3-8/8, for incoming 7th-9th graders, www.plankinstitute.com or 800.377.5265
24. Knuckleheads Gym Summer Fun Fitness Day Camp begins 6/16 www.knuckleheadsgym.com 805.499.8700
25. Academy of Dance and School of Performing Arts Summer Camp 7/14-7/24 and 8/11-8/21 in Thousand Oaks www.academyofdance.us 818.889.1515
26. Girl Scouts of Central Coast summer camps http://www.girlscoutsccc.org/ 800.822.2427

Click to read more ...

Yesterday the news was shocking.  A convicted child predator was caught on tape at a Borders bookstore in Arcadia, stalking a 5 year old girl and attempting to touch her and inappropriately rub up against her in full view of other shoppers.  The girl's father caught on and the whole scene is caught on tape (click here for a CBS video report and crime scene video footage).

Closer to home, on Thursday it was announced that a maintenance worker at Oaks Christian School in Thousand Oaks was arrested for allegedly videotaping girls in the locker room. Click here for the Ventura County Star story.

Two weeks ago a Moorpark bus driver was arrested for suspicion of molesting a boy with autism.

Last month a former Ventura elementary school teacher was sent to jail for molesting an 8 year old boy for 2 years.

Always be aware of your surroundings and where your kids are and who are with your kids.  Here are a couple of websites that provide a database of sex offenders by area (one of these sites was used by the father seen in the Arcadia video going after the sex offender after he realized what was happening to his daughter, which led to the arrest of the pervert).

www.FamilyWatchdog.us

www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Today we learned that American Airlines will start charging $15 to check in your luggage.  Yet another reason to steer clear of airline travel.  $15 doesn't bother me.  It's the fact that now more people than ever will lug their heavy bags onto the plane, causing more delays and frustration.  Not to mention the additional time and effort of collecting $15 from passengers opting to check in their bags.

Fuel costs are way up and airlines are losing money.  We understand. Just raise your fares!  Don't nickel and dime us to death with these miscellaneous fees! 

Let's amuse ourselves by reviewing AA's baggage fees (these fees are one way):

• First checked in bag (tickets bought after 6/14/08) is $15, unless you pay full fare, fly 25,000+ annual miles ("Gold" status) or are flying outside of America.
• Your 2nd checked bag costs $25.
• Your 3rd, 4th and 5th bags cost $100 each (I hope my wife is reading this).
• Your 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th bags cost $200 each (heck, I'll pay $200 just to watch how they lug all these bags out of the airport).  This is about what it costs to overnight a 50 lb bag via FedEx/UPS.

Click to read more ...

One last reminder to dislodge that cell phone from your ear while driving starting Tuesday, July 1st.  The California Wireless Telephone Automobile Safety Act of 2006 takes effect on that date.

Dislodge Phone From Ear!

Many of us are addicted to holding the cell phone to our ear in the car.  Get it out of your system!  Conejo Joe plans to drive the entire weekend of June 28-29 while using a handheld cell phone glued to his ear.  That should do the trick. Or consider moving to our neighbors in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona or Mexico (except Mexico City), where there currently are no bans in place.

You can use a Bluetooth or other type of earpiece to talk on the phone. But you can't have both ears covered.  You can also use a built in hands-free system in your car.

The Speakerphone Loophole?

The California DMV has Q&As about the new law that provide more guidance.  The new law only prohibits using a cell phone unless it is configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and of course is used in that manner.  But you are not prohibited from using the speakerphone function of your cell phone while driving.  I called the DMV and CHP to confirm

Click to read more ...

Recent coyote attacks on toddlers in the Los Angeles area are a reminder to be aware of coyotes here in the Conejo Valley.  We are fortunate to be surrounded by open space, which makes us neighbors with these scavengers.  And now is the time of year when coyotes have their pups and additional mouths to feed. 

Coyotes are not picky when it comes to eating. Anything from rabbits, rodents, deer, birds, chickens, frogs and other animals to your pets, pet food and fruits and vegetables and garbage.  Here are some tips from www.coyotebytes.org:

• Don't feed coyotes!  Feeding them makes them more apt to come back for more.  You don't want to become buddies with a coyote.
• Don't unintentionally lure coyotes by leaving out pet food bowls, food scraps, etc.
• Don't provide water sources to coyotes.
• Don't leave your pets outside unsecured, particularly at night.  Keep them leashed.
• Don't leave toddlers alone outside, especially if you know coyotes are in the area.
• If they are roaming through your neighborhood, scare them off by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks.
• Don't offer coyotes a beer, even if a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game is on TV.

Bottom line is keep your distance, don't give coyotes reason to scavenge for food around your house and be aware of where your pets and toddlers are.  Coyotes can be fun to watch (and you will see plenty of them if you hike the local trails in the morning), but don't think about going up and trying to pet one!

We're are getting hammered at the gas pump these days, so a small consolation is to visit the local Costco and purchase a year or two worth of "Forever" stamps before the price changes again next Monday.  Costco sells 100 Forever stamps for $40.75, less than the face value of the stamps.  Buy them now and you'll save $1.25 if you factor in the price increase next week.

Better yet, resolve to start paying more bills online or have them charged directly to your credit card.  Click here for more information.

Earth Day was April 22nd and the L.A. Times featured a front page article with a diagram showing how nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming derive from the ingredients and energy to produce food.  And the U.N. reports that livestock contributes towards 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Those poor belching cows.  An average cow burps up 145 pounds of methane per year.  Methane has 23 times the warming potential of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).  So effectively cows let loose 3,330 lbs per year of CO₂.  That equates to over 3000 miles driven in a car that gets 20 miles per gallon (check out the U.S. Environment Protection Agency Personal Emissions Calculator by clicking here).

Let's break this down differently.  Bringing a 6 oz. beef steak to your dinner plate generates 16 lbs of CO₂ emissions.  That equates to about 23 miles of driving at 20 MPG.  So if you're gonna have a good steak, the least you could do is not drive too far for it!  (On that note, check out Mastro's in Thousand Oaks.)

An even better alternative?  Try chicken.  A 6 oz chicken breast generates less than 2 lbs. of greenhouse gas to arrive at your dinner plate. 

To learn how to eat in way that minimizes the impact on global warming, visit the Bon Appetit Management Company's online carbon calculator at www.EatLowCarbon.org. 

Back to the hungry, gassy cows again.  Cow manure generates both methane and nitrous oxide (a.k.a. "laughing gas") (now why is it I'm not laughing when I smell cow manure?).  Nitrous oxide has 296 times the warming potential of CO₂.  So think about not only the meat you eat, but how you fertilize your garden.

Some final parting carbon-conscious tips that come from the L.A. Times article:

• Reduce your beef and cheese consumption
• Don't waste food as it ends up in a landfill producing methane
• Compost fruit and veggie scraps
• Buy locally grown food as much as possible
• Eat lower on the food chain; producing crops for livestock adds to warming
• Drink tap water rather than bottled; or if it must be bottled, drink from local sources

Lastly, if you have to belch, watch out.  Someone may be counting your carbon equivalents.

Blu-ray Disc (or BD) players were first launched in June 2006 as an alternative to HD (High Definition) DVD players.  Later that year Sony included Blu-ray technology in its new PlayStation 3 players and since then have sold over 10 million.  In February 2008, HD DVD maker Toshiba announced "game over" to HD DVD.  And thus Blu-ray has become the high-def format of choice.

This was Sony's revenge I suppose for the Betamax format losing out to JVC's VHS video recording format in the mid 1980s.  For the million or so HD DVD purchasers, you were brave!  But good luck finding DVDs in this now obsolete format.

What is Blu-ray?  Blu-ray is a high-definition technology that uses a blue laser to read the disc (DVD players use a red laser).  Blu-ray screen resolution is 1,080 horizontal lines versus 480 for DVDs.  That added resolution can make for a stunning picture.  But you need a high-def TV to enjoy it!  BDs have 6 times the storage capacity of DVDs.

Will BD make DVD go obsolete soon?  My personal opinion is no, given the fact that hundreds of millions of DVD players are in use and continue being sold.  But BD will gradually creep into the DVD market.  I would imagine that BDs will grow in popularity at similar rate to the growth in high-definition TVs vs analog TVs.

Should I buy one?  If you own a PlayStation 3, perhaps use that to play BDs until BD player prices start falling from their current $400 price tag.  Heck you can buy a PS3 for $400 today.  But if you enjoy being an early adopter and don't mind the fact the prices may drop towards Christmas, go for it!  One thing to make sure though is that your BD player is "backwards compatible" with DVDs.  Most are but make sure to check.

Blu-ray Discs also cost slightly more to rent today, but not that much more.