A look into the financial condition of banks operating in the mid-Hudson Valley finds that they had rising levels of “toxic loans,” but none so bad as to suggest anything like a collapse is in the cards. More: Rising tide of overdue debtors: Bad loans surged in region in 2009 (Poughkeepsie Journal)

You’ve probably heard the pitches for “refund anticipation checks” or “quick tax loans.” The official name is refund anticipation loans, or RALs. They’re marketed primarily to cash-poor taxpayers who use their annual federal and state tax refunds as a piggy bank for discretionary items or thanks to a struggling economy, essentials such as food and housing. In tough...

S COMEDY ‘Queer Queens of Qomedy’ Poppy Champlin can be seen on HBO’s documentary “All Aboard – Rosie’s Family Vacation.” She brings along some of the best and brightest stars in the lesbian comedy world to complete her queenly court. Joining her court are… Originally posted here: Best in entertainment this week (San Francisco Chronicle)

Several museums, galleries and other Bay Area entertainment destinations offer free days at least once a month. Below are 10 of our favorites. San Francisco Asian Art Museum: First Sunday of the month is free. www.asianart.org. California Academy of Sciences:… Read the rest here: Top 10 free entertainment destinations (San Francisco Chronicle)

DUBAI, March 7 (Reuters) – Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House (GFH) said it was close to setting up a $326 million unit in Syria as the Islamic investment bank looks to boost revenues in a relatively untapped banking market. Shares in GFH were unchanged on the Bahrain stock exchange on Sunday. In Kuwait, the shares were 1.4 percent higher. Syria Finance House, with a capital of 15 billion Syrian...

Manama, Bahrain, Thursday 4 th March, 2010 – Gulf Finance House Gulf Finance House ( GFH GFH ) announced that its in an advanced stage for establishing one of the largest Islamic banks in Syria under the name of Syria Finance House (SFH). See the rest here: GFH establishing Syria Finance House with 15 billion pound (Zawya)