Starwatch Consumer | Google buys restaurant reviewer Zagat - Kansas City Star

Google has bought the restaurant review service Zagat as it tries to help people connect with local businesses. The founders, Nina and Tim Zagat, said they will remain a part of the 32-year-old company and will use Googles resources and expertise to expand. Zagat currently offers reviews and ratings on restaurants in more than 100 cities around the world, based largely on surveys of diners.

Google plans to integrate Zagat with its search and mapping products.

Google and other companies are trying to improve their local offerings as a way to sell more ads to local merchants.

Slow food takes on the $5 value meal

Can you eat well without being wealthy? Thats the focus of a $5 meal challenge being launched this month by Slow Food USA.

The object is to get people to commit to making a slow food meal in other words, using whole ingredients rather than processed foods for $5 per person or less. The $5 Challenge launches Sept. 17 with a Day of Action with hundreds of slow food gatherings planned across the country. Participation is free-form you can attend a local event, sign up online with a pledge to cook a slow food meal for $5 or less per person, or take part in various potlucks being organized.

People who take the challenge are encouraged to register their events and share stories at the website http://SlowFoodUSA.org/5Challenge.

Muve Music hits milestone

Muve Music, the unlimited music plan offered by prepaid cellphone company Cricket, has doubled the number of subscribers it has to 200,000 in the past two months. The milestone announced Thursday makes Muve the clear No. 2 in the subscription music category behind only Rhapsody, which has about 800,000 subscribers.

New Ben & Jerrys ice cream

Ben & Jerrys is unveiling a new flavor, and it doesnt sound too tasty. Schweddy Balls is an homage to an old Saturday Night Live skit featuring Alec Baldwin as bakery owner Pete Schweddy, whose unique holiday offerings included something called Schweddy Balls. The new flavor consists of vanilla ice cream, rum, fudge-covered rum balls and milk chocolate malt balls.

Mortgage rates fall

The average rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 4.12 percent, down from 4.22 percent, Freddie Mac said Thursday. Its the lowest level on records dating back to 1971. And Freddie Mac says the last time rates were cheaper was 1951, when most long-term home loans lasted just 20 or 25 years.

The average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage, a popular refinancing option, fell to 3.33 percent from 3.39 percent. Thats the lowest on records dating to 1991.

| The Stars news services