Forbes recently identified the best big cities or regions for would-be workers to find (or keep) positions.

Here’s the list:

10. Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, Ore./Wash.

9. Oklahoma City, Okla.

8. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

7. Salt Lake City, Utah

6. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash.

5. Dallas-Plano-Irving, Tex.

4. Fort Worth-Arlington, Tex.

3. San Antonio, Tex.

2. Houston-Sugar Land-Bay Town, Tex.

1. Austin-Round Rock, Tex.

What makes these cities some of your best bets for job-seeking? Visit Forbes to find out!

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The AKC announced their nationwide registration statistics which revealed that for the 18th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred in America. But, while more than twice as many Labs were registered last year than any other breed, making it a likely leader for many years to come, the Bulldog continues to amble its way up the list. It made news last year by returning to the AKC’s Top 10 for the first time in over 70 years and now has jumped 6 percent, advancing two spots to land in 8th place.

Here’s a look at Fort Worth’s Top 10 breeds as compared to the rest of the country:

FORT WORTH 2008
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Boxer
5. Dachshund
6. Bulldog
7. Golden Retriever
8. Miniature Schnauzer
9. Doberman Pinscher
10. Shih Tzu**
* Registration data pulled from Fort Worth zip codes as specified by U.S. Postal Service
**Tied with # 9

NATIONWIDE 2008
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

“The breeds included in Fort Worth’s 2008 Top 10 are nearly the same as those on their 2007 list, with the exception of the Doberman Pinscher replacing the Poodle,” said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Fort Worth citizens continue to remain dedicated to their perennial favorites.”

Visit AKC.org for information on other cities and the complete list of national rankings.

Source: American Kennel Club

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Despite the effects of today’s economic challenges on the nation’s housing market, local metro areas throughout the country are delivering strong median sales price growth on condominiums, representing better buying opportunities especially for first-time home buyers, based on the most recent Existing-Home Sales quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors.

Here are the top markets:

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area led the country with a double digit increase in median condo prices (+11.1%) during Q3 of 2008, compared to Q3 of 2007.(1) Unemployment was at 5.7% in November of 2008.(2) The median income was $64.8K.(3) Historically, this area has had the sixth highest GDP among the 363 MSAs in the nation.(4) For around $150K, buyers can purchase a 3 Bed, 2.5 Bath home with around 1500 square feet of space.

Bismarck, ND: Bismarck was the only other metro area with a double digit median price gain (+11.0%) in Q3.(1) It had the second lowest jobless rate in the nation (2.6%),(2) with many residents employed in the healthcare industry, a sector that has been impacted less by the recession than other industries. The median income was $64.4K(3), the second highest of the six featured cities. Bismarck also has a very pro-business local government(5) that supports the success of its many self-employed residents. With a population of just 97.4K, it delivered the 68th lowest GDP in the nation as of the last government report.(4) Buyers can expect a median condo price of $148K(1) that will buy a 1750 sq ft home with 2 Beds and 2 Baths.

Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX: This area came in third among the six on our list with a healthy 8.1% increase in median condo prices during Q3 of 2008.(1) It did slightly better than its northerly neighbor in the area of unemployment, reporting a 5.5% jobless rate in November of 2008. The median income is lower than the Dallas area, however, at $61.1K.(3) It has outranked Dallas in GDP in the past, with the fifth highest in the nation.(4) More condo for the money is available here. More spacious 3 Bed, 2.5 Bath homes, are being offered for around $135K.

New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA: Real estate is gaining ground in New Orleans during the ongoing recovery from Katrina. The median home price increased by 7.7% during Q3 of 2008(1) as buyers take advantage of historically low prices. This area had 4.9% unemployment in November of 2008.(2) The median income was $59.8K.(3) Historically, this area has had the 41st highest GDP among the 363 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the nation.(4) For $172K, buyers get a 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 450 Sq Ft flat on historic Burgundy Street.

Rochester, NY: Rochester offers the second largest economy in New York State, next to the Big Apple, a fact that may be helping condo prices during the recession.(1) Known as the world capital of imaging, it commands a substantial share of imaging and optical science in the local market and universities. Rochester had 5.9% unemployment, the highest among the markets listed but still well below the national unemployment rate of 6.5% (2). The median income was $63.5K.(3) Rochester had the 52nd highest GDP in the nation as of the latest report.(4) The median condo price is $121K,(1) making it one of the most affordable of the US metro areas experiencing a median price increase (+5.8%). At about that price, expect to buy a 2 Bed, 1 Bath Townhouse offering around 1100 Sq Ft.

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: This area has the highest median price point of our top six. A 1 Bed, 1 Bath high rise condo with 600 Sq Ft of living space and a city view can be had for the local median price of $207K.(1) Philly is the sixth most populous city in the US with the seventh largest GDP in the nation, as of the latest report.(4) Like Rochester, NY, unemployment was at 5.9%(2) but the median income was also the highest of the group at $74.3K.(4)

Source: Realtor.com

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BedandBreakfast.com, the online B&B directory and reservation network, has released its list of inns where ghost-seekers will enjoy potentially close encounters with the other world, bed-and-breakfast style.

Here is a sampling of B&BS with ghost stories:

Thornewood Castle, Lakewood, WA: This B&B served as a set for Stephen King’s mini-series Rose Red in 2002. In real life, guests have reported their share of chills and plenty of orbs have been recorded on guest photos taken here.

Texas White House, Fort Worth, TX: The ghost here is believed to be the husband of the only family who ever lived in the house. He died here and now haunts his old bedroom (now the Lone Star Room). Interestingly, the ghost sightings occur only when a single woman is staying in the room.

Grand Avenue B&B, Carthage, MO: While the “no smoking” rule is in effect for all guests, the former owner is exempt. A ghostly whiff of his trademark cigar smoke wafts through the rooms when he visits here.

Honeybee Inn B&B, Horicon, WI: It’s believed that a lumber baron named Coton is still hanging around with his female companions. His beloved rocking chair, where he died, rocks by itself, and a woman in a long skirt has been spotted, too.

Penny Farthing Inn, St. Augustine, FL: Spirited occurrences include midnight tugs-of-war with the blankets, and glasses leaning over and clinking on sherry bottles. One guest described a young lady in his room when he awakened. A few days later, the owners’ daughter described a strange lady in the dining room – identical to the guest’s description.

Inn on Main Street, Weaverville, NC: Innkeepers have heard pictures falling off walls, yet never find anything that has fallen. Doors open and close with no one there. Strangely, all ghostly happenings occur on New Year’s Eve.

By The Side of The Road Bed and Breakfast, Harrisonburg, VA: When the innkeeper went to turn off the basement light, something grabbed her hand, yet nothing was there. Just about every day footsteps are heard in hallways, and doors unexplainably open and close.

Manchester Inn, Ocean Grove, NJ: Check in to room 316, and ghosts may literally pull your leg. It’s been known to happen here, when a guest felt a tugging at her pants leg several times.

Cornerstone B&B, Philadelphia, PA: A floral scent precedes sightings of a ghostly female shape. Innkeepers claim she is an ethereal presence, and her signature perfume always occurs as she gently taps the foreheads of guests.

Inn at Jackson, Jackson, NH: Jason, once the inn’s trusted workman, committed suicide, yet returns to check on repairs at the inn. Guests have been awakened by hammering noises, primarily on the second and third floors.

For a complete list of more than 100 places to sleep with a ghost, visit BedandBreakfast.com and click Halloween Happenings or Haunted B&Bs.

Source: BedandBreakfast.com

See all Halloween lists

Sponsored list:

• Hotel offers under $99 (feed)

1. So Long Lovey Eyes

2. Nothing To Cry About

3. No Deliverance

4. I Am a Man of Stone

5. Song I Hate

6. Flower

7. Hell in High Water

8. Don’t Go My Way

9. One More

10. I Want Your Love

Source: Kirtland Records

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The golf boom may be over, but there still are plenty of places for the avid duffer to tee it up. So, which cities have the most golf courses within a 30-mile radius?

CNNMoney thought you’d never ask. Check out the Top 10:

1. Chicago — 347

2. New York – 255

3. Los Angeles — 250

4. Philadelphia — 238

5. Detroit – 229

6. Phoenix — 221

7. Dallas — 208

8. Boston — 202

9. Fort Worth — 198

10. Atlanta – 188

To see more, visit CNNMoney.com.