Sunday, September 30, 2012

Middleboro Remembers: Casinos spend $26.7M on gaming ...



Casinos spend $26.7M on gaming referendum


The Cumberland Times-News
Sat Sep 29, 2012

ANNAPOLIS ? The debate over expanding gaming in Maryland will ultimately be decided by the people, but to help them pick, casino companies on both sides have now contributed more than $26.7 million to campaigns for and against Question 7.

Question 7, the gaming referendum, would expand gambling in Maryland by extending casino hours, adding tables games and allowing an additional casino to be built at National Harbor in Prince George?s County. The gaming referendum fight has been prominently featured in television ads.

A total of $14.1 million has been contributed to the pro-expansion committee For Maryland Jobs and Schools Inc., most coming from MGM Resorts International, the potential operator of a casino at National Harbor.

A casino at National Harbor could take business away from surrounding casinos, including those owned by Penn National Gaming Inc. So far Penn National has spent has spent $13 million to campaign against expansion.

Penn National owns the Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland, but gaming analyst James Karmel said the company is really concerned about the effect gaming expansion in Maryland could have on its Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia.

?The millions they spend on ads could potentially be offset if they win,? Karmel said.

The most recent campaign finance statement from the pro-expansion committee For Maryland Jobs and Schools Inc., released Wednesday, shows MGM has contributed an additional $3 million since a report issued last week. That puts MGM?s total contributions to the pro-gaming expansion campaign since August at $11.4 million.

Some of MGM?s contributions were in-kind, meaning they provided services and then reported the monetary value of those services as contributions.

For Maryland Jobs and Schools Inc. has also received $2.3 million from CBAC Gaming LLC, a group led by Caesars and Rock Gaming that was granted a license to operate video lottery terminals at a location in Baltimore this summer. Peterson Development Companies, the developers of National Harbor, have also contributed $400,000. They?ve spent $13.6 million.

Penn National has contributed $13 million to the committee against expansion, Get the Facts-Vote No on 7. They?ve spent $10.9 million.



?Through its own committee Penn National Gaming Inc. has spent $36,401.

Jared DeMarinis, the director of Candidacy and Campaign Finance for the Maryland State Board of Elections, said both committees have been consistent and accurate in reporting their expenditures. He said they are required to report everything in Maryland.

He said a more detailed report will come out Oct. 12, showing how the money has been spent.

Some observers have noted the irony in seeing casinos spend money on both sides of a gambling debate.

?There?s a touch of hypocrisy quite often in the kind of marketing that?s been done,? said Bill Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno.

http://times-news.com/local/x325754345/Casinos-spend-26-7M-on-gaming-referendum

Source: http://middlebororemembers.blogspot.com/2012/09/casinos-spend-267m-on-gaming-referendum.html

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Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center: Hot Weather & Summertime ...

We have gathered all of our hot weather tips from previous posts and made one handy list. We cover how to keep your pet cool, heatstroke symptoms, pool parties, hiking, camping and even how to keep your pocket pets cool! This is an indispensable resource for protecting your pets when its is hot outside!
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General Guidelines
  • If possible, keep your pets indoors with the shades drawn and the air conditioning or an oscillating fan on.
  • If your pet has to stay outside make sure they have access to cool and shaded areas.The best option is to keep your pets indoors during the heat of the day.
  • Whether they are indoors or outside, make sure your pet has access to plenty of cool, fresh water. You can even try putting ice cubes in their bowls to keep the water extra cool.
  • Keep long, thick fur trimmed in a lightweight summer cut.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise or play in general in the hot weather; don't go on long hikes or lengthy walks.

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Symptoms of heatstroke include:
  • Increased heart and respiratory rate
  • Weakness, stupor, and possible collapse

Flat nosed breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persians are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. Other pets at high risk include the elderly, overweight pets, and pets with heart or lung disease.

If you think your pet may be suffering from heat stroke, get them to a vet immediately. In the interim you can try to cool them off by dousing them with cool (but not COLD water) especially on the groin, arm pits, and paws. You do not want to soak them completely with cold water. This can cause shock and can also cause the blood vessels to constrict, thereby trapping heat inside the body.

Cars
NEVER leave your pet unattended in the car!? Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. The result can be devastating for your pet.?

Remember that it is against the law in California to "confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health...of an animal due to heat...lack of adequate ventilation?or other circumstances that could...be expected to cause suffering...or death to the animal." If you come across this situation contact the police right away or Contra Costa Animal Control at 925-335-8300 and select option #1.

Pool Parties & Barbecues

Do not leave your pet unsupervised by the pool or any other bodies of water. Even swim savvy pets can get tired and struggle to keep afloat. Better yet - get your dog a special life jacket!


Avoid feeding your pet any human foods or scraps from the grill. Bones pose many dangers, including chocking and intestinal obstruction. Fatty, sugary, and greasy food can cause pancreatitis.? This is a serious illness that often requires hospitalization. Keep alcohol out of reach. Alcohol is poisonous to pets and can cause severe stomach upset. Be especially aware of the grease trap on your grill - dogs love to lick it clean. Make sure you clean it out before they do!

Make sure your pet has a safe and secure room. This is especially important if you are having a party. This room should be off-limits to guests. Set it up so that it is quiet and escape proof with plenty of fresh water. Place their favorite things in the room such as toys and a bed. If the safe room is for a cat, make sure to place a litter box in the room. This should be a place for your pet to feel secure when things get noisy as the night goes on. Some people like to leave a TV or radio on to help counter act loud party noises or to provide familiar sounds for your pet if you are away.

If you are having guests over, remember to inform them that you have pets and to keep all doors and gates closed at all times. Make sure your pet has a collar with a current idea and is micropchipped! It is not uncommon for indoor kitties and dogs to be accidentally let out the door or gate when people have guests over for back yard cook outs. Current collars and a microchip give you that extra layer of protection and ups the odds of a missing pet returning to your loving arms. A microchip placement is a quick and easy procedure done with a technician - call us today to schedule!

Outdoor Activities, Camping, & Hiking

Make sure your dog is in good health before going on a camping or hiking trip. It is a good idea to bring a copy of your pet's medical records when you go camping in case of any accidents. It will also be helpful to have on hand to put other campers at ease with proof that your dog is up to date on all their vaccines. Protect your pet by applying flea and tick preventative prior to leaving for your trip to avoid infestation.? Always make sure your pet has a current ID tag and collar on, as well as a registered microchip. Don?t forget to pack plastic baggies for bathroom breaks, portable water bowls, and a pet first aid kit.



Every day in the summer we remove foxtails, a weed rampant in California with seeds that look like a fox's tail. The tip of each seed has barbs, allowing it to move only deeper into your pet's eyes, ears, nose, feet, genitals, and coat. Foxtails cause a lot of discomfort to dogs and cats and can even migrate internally, potentially causing organ damage and severe illness. Check your dog's feet and coat for foxtails after a hike. If you think your dog or cat has a foxtail that you cannot remove at home, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible to reduce the risk of the foxtail migrating deeper.

Tips for Keeping Pocket Pets Cool?

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  • Place a large, ceramic tile in the freezer overnight, then place inside the pet's cage. Make sure to cover the sharp edges so your pet won't get cut. You can purchase tiles at most hardware stores for fairly cheap.
  • Make sure they have access to full, fresh water bottles.
  • Place a cold, damp (not soaking wet) towel in one part of their cage, insuring your pet still has warm, dry spots in their habitat. You can also drape the towel on the outside of the cage, over one side to create a cool, shaded shelter.
  • Keep their cages indoors and out of direct sunlight.
  • Place frozen water bottles wrapped in towels in their cage for pets to lean against. Secure them so they do not have the chance to roll over.
  • Use an oscillating fan near their cage. This way the fan is not constantly blowing directly on your pocket pet but is still providing cool air flow.
  • Feed them frozen fruit and refrigerated veggies.
  • Mist rabbit ears lightly with water to help them regulate their temperature.
  • The House Rabbit Society has an informative page on rabbits and heat exhaustion with useful tips that can be applied towards other pocket pets as well.?
????????? http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/warm-weather.html?

Have a safe and wonderful summer with your family, friends, and pets! And remember - we're here when you need us. If you have any questions, concerns, or need to schedule an appointment, please call us at 925.866.8387.

Source: http://bishopranch.blogspot.com/2012/09/hot-weather-summertime-activities.html

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Wall St marks best third quarter since 2010

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street closed its best third quarter since 2010 after a wave of central bank actions sparked a dramatic reversal in equity markets, but signs of weakness in the economy drove stocks lower on Friday.

The S&P 500 climbed 5.9 percent over the past three months as central banks geared up to boost liquidity to markets and kick-start their flagging economies. The move has lifted the benchmark index as much as 17 percent this year, recently pushing the S&P to its best level in five years.

But on Friday, investors grappled with more disappointing U.S. economic data as business activity in the U.S. Midwest contracted for the first time since 2009. The news came on the heels of other weak regional manufacturing reports and a sharp drop in U.S. durable goods orders last month. ID:nL1E8KS5D8]

"The reality is that the fundamentals of the market certainly don't support a 17-plus-percent run-up year to date, but with all the QE (quantitative easing) action, that has had a huge, huge impact," said Oliver Pursche, president of Gary Goldberg Financial Services in Suffern, New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 48.84 points, or 0.36 percent, to close at 13,437.13. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index lost 6.48 points, or 0.45 percent, to finish at 1,440.67. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 20.37 points, or 0.65 percent, to close at 3,116.23.

For the third quarter, the Dow rose 4.3 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 6.2 percent.

For the month of September alone, the Dow gained 2.6 percent and the S&P 500 rose 2.4 percent, while the Nasdaq advanced 1.6 percent.

In contrast, the trend for the week was down, with the Dow off 1.1 percent, while the S&P 500 shed 1.3 percent and the Nasdaq dropped 2 percent.

In Friday's session, stocks came off their lows after Spanish bank stress tests were released, and were mostly within expectations. The independent audit showed banks will need 59.3 billion euros in extra capital to ride out a serious downturn.

But Spain still remains mired in difficulties. Moody's review of the country's credit rating, due later in the day, could add to its challenges. On Thursday, ratings agency Egan-Jones cut Spain's sovereign rating further into junk status, citing the country's faltering banks and struggling regional governments.

The euro fell against the dollar on Friday, declining for a second straight week, as uncertainty persisted about Spain's prospects for receiving a bailout to prop up its ailing banks.

Recent protests in Spain and Greece against austerity plans have also heightened investors' concerns as the turmoil could impede political maneuvering.

On the earnings front, U.S.-listed shares of Research in Motion jumped 5 percent to $7.50 a day after a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss.

Pledges by the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan to buy government bonds helped cement a summer rally in stocks and commodities.

But markets have lost some of their luster after the announcements from the central banks in the first half of September. After pulling back 1.7 percent over the last two weeks, the S&P 500 is now up 14.6 percent so far this year. The S&P 500's drop of 1.3 percent this week is its worst weekly decline since the start of June.

The coming months hold a series of difficult challenges for markets, including third-quarter earnings season, which is expected to show the first drop in earnings since 2009, and the U.S. presidential election in November.

Reflecting Friday's defensive tone, nine of the 10 S&P sectors fell. Only the S&P utilities index was positive, up just 0.5 percent.

The decline in the S&P technology sector index was limited, as Accenture PLC climbed 7.1 percent to $70.03. Accenture's gain followed its forecast of full-year earnings higher than analysts' estimates as the company bolsters its outsourcing business.

Nike Inc warned of slowing orders in China, becoming the latest company to sound a note of caution about how economic weakness in the world's second-largest economy was affecting its business. Nike's stock fell 1.1 percent to $94.91.

Trading was light on the quarter's last day, when money managers reposition their portfolios. About 6.15 billion shares changed hands on the New York Stock Exchange, Amex and Nasdaq, compared with the average daily volume of 6.38 billion.

Decliners outnumbered advancers on the NYSE by a ratio of 3 to 2, while on the Nasdaq, nearly two stocks fell for every one that rose.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wall-st-marks-best-third-quarter-since-2010-105619518--sector.html

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BoxWave GeckoGrip Samsung Galaxy S3 Case Review

I normally don’t use a case on my phone. But my latest phone (Samsung Galaxy S3) feels too plasticy (technical term, look it up) and slippery. I’ve been trying to find the thinnest back cover that adds grip without a lot of bulk. BoxWave offered to send me their GeckoGrip case, I accepted and have [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/09/29/boxwave-geckogrip-samsung-galaxy-s3-case-review/

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Billionaire Georgia opposition leader says vote win hours away

TBILISI (Reuters) - The billionaire leader of the opposition in Georgia on Saturday told tens of thousands of his supporters that the current government loyal to President Mikheil Saakashvili had only hours left in power before it was voted out in an election on Monday.

Addressing crowds in a central square in the capital Tbilisi after days of protests against prison brutality, Bidzina Ivanishvili was making his final pitch before the vote which his six-party "Georgian Dream" coalition hopes to win.

"This regime cannot be the leadership of our country ... This system should collapse ... We have won already, but it should be officially confirmed on October 1," he said.

"This regime's hours are numbered," said the once-reclusive tycoon, whose wealth at $6.4 billion equals nearly half of Georgia's economic output.

According to Saakashvili's supporters the election in the country of 4.5 million - an important transit route for oil and gas to the West - may determine whether Georgia moves closer to Russia or remains a staunch U.S. ally.

They accuse Ivanishvili, who made much of his money in Russia, of being a Kremlin stooge, a charge he denies.

A prison abuse scandal has increased tensions ahead of the vote, prompting calls for restraint from the West.

Nationwide protests broke out last week after two local television channels broadcast images of prison guards beating and raping inmates. The two channels are seen as hostile to Saakashvili and one is owned by Ivanishvili.

Saakashvili, 44, became a political darling in the West when he rose to power in 2004 after a bloodless revolution that toppled Eduard Shevardnadze, a former Soviet foreign minister.

But opponents have since accused him of monopolizing power and criticized him for leading Georgia into a disastrous five-day war with Russia in 2008 which saw his country lose one fifth of its territory.

Saakashvili's promise to take Georgia into the NATO military alliance remains unfulfilled but his oft-repeated desire to do so has soured relations with Russia, one of the small country's most important trading partners.

Saakashvili has promised to leave the presidency next year but needs his party to win in Monday's parliamentary election in order to retain influence and avoid the risk of political oblivion.

RISING SUPPORT FOR OPPOSITION?

An independent opinion poll in August put Ivanishvili's "Georgian Dream" coalition a long way behind Saakashvili's United National Movement ahead of the October 1 election, but showed that 43 percent of respondents could vote either way.

Analysts believe support for the opposition has risen since last week's protests against prison brutality and that Ivanishvili and his movement pose a real threat to Saakashvili's government.

The 2008 war with Russia put Abkhazia and the rebel region of South Ossetia, both now recognized by Moscow as independent nations, further from Georgia's reach and Russian leaders depict Saakashvili as a hothead itching to take the regions by force.

For his part, Saakashvili says President Vladimir Putin wants to gain sway over a country that was under Russian or Soviet control for almost two centuries. He has called the prison scandal "Russian mud" financed with "Russian money".

The heads of the parliamentary delegations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe, NATO and the European Parliament on Saturday called on all political parties and leaders to exercise restraint and to renounce violence.

"We believe that the Georgian people must be able to exercise their civil and democratic rights and choose their representatives in a peaceful atmosphere," European diplomats said in a joint statement.

"Political leaders should be chosen through the ballot box and not on the streets."

Addressing his supporters in several towns in western Georgia on Saturday, Saakashvili said the country would conduct "exemplary elections."

The last time Georgia held a parliamentary election - in 2008 - OSCE observers said the poll was an improvement on a presidential vote earlier that year but was still marred by a number of flaws.

Hit by the war with Russia and the global financial crisis, Georgia's economy has been growing again since 2010. But inflation was 11.2 percent that year and the government expects a rate of 6-7 percent this year after a dip to 2 percent in 2011.

(Editing by Andrew Osborn)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/billionaire-georgia-opposition-leader-says-vote-win-hours-171112694.html

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A glitter-free, elegant Cebu wedding

NEWLYWEDS Kaye and ?Javi? Sala

If there was a wedding I?ve seen that represented the style of today?s Filipino bride, it must have been the wedding of Cebu couple Kaye Luym and Javier Sala. It was nonchalantly elegant, simple, simply cool.

Apparently the couple, particularly the bride, didn?t want frills. There was no glitter?not in the bride?s Rosa Clara (she wanted off-the-rack) gown, not in the Arcy Gayatin gowns of the bridal entourage, or in those of the principal sponsors.

On the arm of her father Kelly, a beaming Kaye strode down the aisle of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu, her hair gathered at the back with a vintage-looking peineta. Her tulle veil was drawn back to reveal her radiant face. The bride obviously didn?t want any veil covering her face?you knew right away this would be a nontraditional, if not hip, wedding.

The long ensembles of the secondary sponsors were either in green or blue. The Gayatin gowns were beautifully draped, embellished only with monochromatic fabric cutouts.

THE NEWLYWEDS with their parents Kelly and Elvira Luym (far left and second from left), and Jose Sala and daughter Carina standing in for her mom Susan who had fallen ill

Kaye was in a strapless gown with voluminously layered skirt?the look was intricate yet simple. If the bride wants to wear it to another dressy event in the future, she very well could; today?s Filipino brides are indeed practical.

The church?s decoration was spare and green so that it brought out the cathedral?s ornate and rich architecture. My first time to see the cathedral, I didn?t know it was that beautiful, its altar majestic in gleaming gold.

Cebu?s style maven Teresin Mendezona tastefully used lush foliage?hedge-like fern arrangements flanked the entrance to the aisle, accented with white blooms. The aisle was lined with white roses and orchids nestled in green ferns. Medium-height trees were set up at both sides of the church.

THE NEWLYWEDS with principal sponsors

The Radisson Blu?s vast ballroom was an elegant setting of tall crystal candelabras and white blooms. Candelabras have become wedding style staples?usually carved wood or faux silver; this was a rare instance we saw brilliant crystal candelabras. They were non-obtrusive and elegant, and with the dainty white blooms, lent the whole place radiance.

Kaye, our Lifestyle columnist, is Canada-educated and with friend Cybill, has an events firm in Cebu. She and ?Javi? have been an item for about four years?one of Cebu?s young stylish couples?before they tied the knot. Kaye is an only child, and her mother Elvira?s brief remarks at the reception drew chuckles from the guests.

WHITE, crystal chandeliers and dainty blooms are Teresin Mendezona?s style statement.

Elvira said how she and husband Kelly are so proud of their only child Kaye, who not only grew up well, but also ?never got arrested or got ink on her body??referring to today?s party animals and their tattooed bodies.

Indeed, Elvira and Kelly?s rearing manner of an only child?a daughter, at that?is something other parents might want to emulate. I remember Elvira telling me how, at the onset, they wanted her daughter to be able to fend for herself??what if we?re not around?? she said?so they packed her off to study in Canada. Indeed, empowering a child to lead a responsible, independent life is the best thing parents can give their children, be they an only child or not.

BUNNY Ludo-Alcordo and Marco Protacio

Javi comes from a brood of three and his older brother, best man Mikel, had laughs recalling their basketball games and other jaunts while growing up. He?s the son of Jose and Susan (formerly Montenegro) Sala.

Indeed, it was heartwarming to see the union of two of Cebu?s old families?a celebration that was warm because the number of guests was just right, just kin and friends.

Everybody was elegantly formal; it must have been one of the rare occasions we didn?t spot any fashion victim.

Elvira was in a deep red Marchesa?a simple, unadorned sheath that?s subtly cut at the waist, thus emphasizing her slim figure. It was stark yet drop-dead glamorous. Her only accent: Hans Brumann diamond chandelier earrings which Mr. Brumann and wife Maria brought themselves to Cebu on the eve of the wedding. The jewelry is, in fact, an heirloom?the master jeweler reset the diamonds from Elvira?s wedding and engagement jewelry, into this pair of earrings.

Cybill Gayatin

It was a special day for Mr. Brumann?that Aug. 11 was his birthday, and he enjoyed celebrating it in Cebu with old friends like the Luyms. The Brumann couple danced the night away, and so did friends Marissa Fernan and Marco Protacio.

Marco is practically an adopted Cebuano?he was general manager of Waterfront Hotel and Casino for 10 years, during which he livened up Cebu?s social scene with A-List parties, including Inquirer Lifestyle?s Cebu edition of Face-Off. Marco left the hotel two years ago. He is joining Ben Chan?s Bench group?not the fashion retail unit.

Not known to many is the fact that the Swiss-born Hans Brumann adopted Filipino citizenship 40 years ago, when he was starting out as a jeweler in the Philippines. Through the decades, he and wife Maria have trained and supported jewelry artisans and their families. The couple support scholars.

That night Maria wore very special jewelry?the iconic award-winning Brumann design. It was a necklace of platinum wire diamonds in a white gold frame. The piece was well-received in a jewelry contest in Europe 40 years ago, where it stayed for that long a time and resurfaced only recently.

HANS Brumann blows his birthday cake at lunch in Cebu, flanked by wife Maria and Elvira Luym.

The Radisson Blu left no stone unturned to give Kaye and Javi a truly sumptuous reception: The buffet had various stations, from Italian to Cebu fare, Japanese, and seafood; the lobsters were a hit.

The principal sponsors were Emil Montenegro, Marco Protacio, Stephen Tan, Francisco Tan, Nobuhiro Onda, Roberto Aboitiz, Victor Luym, and the women?Chona Montinola, Teresin Mendezona, Marissa Fernan, Barbara Tan, Margot Osme?a, Carolina Montenegro, Carmencita Gotauco.

Best men were Mikel Sala and Tristan Aboitiz. Maids of honor were Kirsteen Lim and Cybill Gayatin. Groomsmen were Shigejiro Onda, Domingo Rojo and Daniel Rojo. Bridesmaids were Beverly Tiu, Anna Imperial, Carina Sala. Junior bridesmaid was Cassandra Montenegro. Secondary sponsors were Raymund Basubas, Marelle Sala, Miguel Osme?a, Rowena Lim, Petrious Dakay and Jen Wladichuk. Flower girls were Ema Onda, Isabelle Fernan and Natalia Esca?o.

Celebrant was the Jesuit priest Ernesto Javier. Other participants in the matrimonial mass were Marielle Montenegro (lector), Manny Fernan (first reading), Rachelle Luym (responsorial psalm), Alfonso Montenegro (second reading), Bunny Ludo-Alcordo (prayers of the faithful), and for the offertory?Elvira Luym and Jose Sala, May Lim and Leslie Alajas, James Montenegro and Sandro Aboitiz.

Another monk

The Philippine fashion industry knows Giovanni Sanna, the master tailor who manned the famous Pierre Cardin boutique in Manila in the ?70s. We had a surprise text message giving us the news that Sanna is now Dom Giovanni Vincenzo of St. Scholastica Monastery in Subiaco, Italy.

Sanna has been a Benedictine monk for 15 years now?a fact I don?t think is known to many.

In the ?70s, Sanna was closely associated with Manila?s icons like Chona Kasten. He was so well-liked, a good friend to everyone. Perhaps not many knew that he had gone back to Italy to be a monk.

We just knew about it after he sent his regards to Dom Martin, another Benedictine monk who was one of Philippine fashion?s bright stars in the ?70s and the ?80s when he was known as Gang Gomez. Dom Martin is now based at the Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon. He sent his regards through San Beda Abbott Tarcisio Ma. Narciso, OSB, who ran into Dom Giovanni in the Italian monastery during a recent abbotts? meeting there.

You get curious?what is it about the glitzy world of fashion that sends a few of its stellar talents to the monastery?

Source: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/69298/a-glitter-free-elegant-cebu-wedding

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Saturday, September 29, 2012

'Liberal Arts' an indie romance for bookworms | Anita Katz | Movies ...

Uneven and overly sunny it may be, but as literary love fuses with romantic love at an idyllic college, writer-director-actor Josh Radnor achieves nice-little-movie status and tickles the bookworm heart in his dramedy ?Liberal Arts.?

Echoing his filmmaking debut ?Happythankyoumoreplease,? Radnor deals with the trials of entering adulthood.
Combining arrested development, light romance and back-to-school themes, the film suggests a mild but worthy mix of Woody Allen, Albert Brooks, Eric Rohmer, ?Before Sunrise? and Radnor?s own brand of wit-streaked good-heartedness.

  • Starring: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney
  • Written and directed by: Josh Radnor
  • Rated: Not rated
  • Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Radnor plays Jesse, an uninspired New York admissions counselor who travels to his beloved Ohio alma mater for the retirement party of literature professor Peter (Richard Jenkins).

He meets Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a book-loving, buoyantly idealistic 19-year-old sophomore who reminds him of his former self. Zibby sees in Jesse the life experience she desires. They hit it off.

After Jesse returns home, the two correspond via handwritten letters, and, when Zibby states her wish to date him, Jesse rushes back. They walk, talk and click over books and arts.

But the 16-year gap in their ages troubles Jesse. Is he in love with Zibby or with the college world she represents?
The movie isn?t of the caliber of the one-liner fests and talky romances by the aforementioned notables. Radnor includes hackneyed devices such as voice-over readings of the pair?s letters.

Sometimes he overdoes the indie quirkiness. A subplot involving a depressed bookworm (John Magaro) unfolds predictably. A kooky philosopher (Zac Efron) gets tiresome.

As an actor, Radnor (?How I Met Your Mother?) is believable but bland in a role that needs to convey conflict and passion.

Yet the pluses outweigh the drawbacks.? The movie congeals as an entertaining back-to-college ride, an appealing love story and a celebration of books that is so goopily old-fashioned that it might prompt you to curl up with a good volume.

Radnor injects enough bite to offset his weakness for the rosy, and the film succeeds as a seriocomic look at 30-somethings living in times that offer few incentives to grow up.

Chuckle material includes a scene in which Jesse does the math: When he was Zibby?s age, Zibby was, yikes, 3; when he?s 87, she?ll be, whew, a palatable 71.

Olsen sparkles. Mixing maturity and innocence, she is luminously credible and radiates an intelligence rarely allowed in young romantic heroines.

As the retiring professor terrified of a life without the classroom, Jenkins, too, shines, and Allison Janney is so darkly amusing that you wonder if she accidentally stumbled in from a Todd Solondz set. Her portrayal of possibly the world?s most unromantic romantics instructor is unforgettable.

Source: http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/movies/2012/09/liberal-arts-indie-romance-bookworms

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What?s the Difference Between Life and Death?

A 1728 oil painting by Cornelis Troost depicting an anatomy lesson using a cadaver. A 1728 oil painting by Cornelis Troost depicting an anatomy lesson using a cadaver

Amsterdam Museum/Wikimedia Commons.

Two hundred years ago, a Scottish medical student named Robert Christison watched a human vivisection.

It was inadvertent; the subject was meant to be dead. But in the days before people willingly left their bodies to science, surgeons stole them. The aftermath of judicial hangings was a competition between ?the relatives and the [surgical] students?the former to carry off the body intact, the latter to dissect it,? Christison wrote in his autobiography. ?Thus dissection was apt to be performed with indecent, sometimes with dangerous haste. It was no uncommon occurrence that, when the operator proceeded with his work, the body was sensibly warm, the limbs not yet rigid.? Hangings were sometimes ineffective, and the condemned survived. No wonder then that occasionally, in their rush, surgeons got it wrong and opened up a body to demonstrate its anatomy only to discover it was not yet a corpse.

Even if you're in less of a rush, simple observation has always been worryingly fallible when it comes to distinguishing life from death. When I was a junior doctor, I recall the hairs on the back of my neck slowly rising as I walked toward a patient's room. His family had just stopped me at the end of their visit, saying ?I think we'll come back tomorrow, we've been sitting with him for an hour and he's seemed awfully quiet.? He would forever remain that way. I found I often made the reverse mistake: Walking into the room of an elderly patient, it could take some time to recognize their stillness as that of sleep.

Preceding generations adopted technological aids to help them. Holding a mirror over a face to see if it misted up could be genuinely useful. The stethoscope?invented by a French doctor, Rene Laennec, who was embarrassed by putting his ear to his patient's bosom?meant that respiration and heart sounds could be listened for more accurately. All this helped, but it didn't fully solve the problem.

The precise division between life and death has always been unclear. In the 18th century, the chemistry of living (organic) and nonliving (inorganic) things was held to be fundamentally different. Into the former, God placed a spark of life?meaning that biochemical processes were absolutely different from the chemical reactions that could be created by mankind or the natural world. That belief was shown false in the 1820s, when a German chemist, Friedrich W?hler, synthesized the first organic molecules. But even today it lingers on: The vague way in which organic is used as a euphemism for healthy and good is its relic. Throughout the 19th century, the exact spark of life remained an object of great interest, and also of great doubt.

Discussions of the soul tended to lead nowhere, since that word meant so many different things to different people. It was hard to prove when the soul left the body because it was something whose nature and identity no one could agree on. Hence a favorite distinction between the living and the dead rested directly on the word of God. Leviticus 17:11 and 17:14 were clear: Blood?was the stuff of life. William Harvey, who discovered how blood circulated, wrote that it was ?the first to live and the last to die.? Blood was life. So long as it was liquid, life remained.

Hence Christison's alarm as he watched the surgeon cut into the warm body. ?Fluid blood gushed in abundance from the first incisions through the skin ? Instantly I seized [the surgeon's] wrist in great alarm, and arrested his progress; nor was I easily persuaded to let him go on, when I saw the blood coagulate on the table exactly like living blood.? Peer pressure overcame his qualms, however, and he not only released the surgeon but remained part of the attentive audience. He was convinced that the man was alive, but he became willing to watch all the same.

John Hunter, the greatest surgeon of the 18th century, also believed that those whose blood was liquid were still alive, yet he had no problem slicing their hearts out?or even, in the interests of science, tasting them. (Wishing to explore human sexual function, he acquired the corpse of a man who died in the moment before ejaculation. When held in the mouth, Hunter reported, the dead man's semen had a slightly spicy taste.) An appetite for knowledge has never been a guarantee of compassion or of respect for the wishes of the dead.

In the years since Hunter, though, these concerns have genuinely advanced. We're better at saying where life ends and better at honoring the physical remains and the last wishes of our fellows?which is not to say there isn't still room for improvement. For many decades, we accepted that people died when their heart stopped beating, that is, when it stopped circulating blood. Why did we hold onto that notion, even long after we understood that electrical activity was the fundamental substrate for our lives? Once more, the limitation was partly technical?a heartbeat is relatively easy to detect?and partly not. The idea that blood was the stuff of life lingered on, aided by the dual meaning of ?heart? it helped bequeath to our language and our thoughts. Did the body Christison saw being opened still have a beating heart? Was it, in any real way, alive? It certainly was in Cristison?s eyes, but whether it would have been in ours is harder to say.

Once we became confident about the primacy of electrical activity in the brain as the sign of life, we were able to be more positive. The need for donated organs pushed changes in our definition of death, especially because an organ-transplant recipient?s prospects for survival are much better when the organ is taken from a donor with a beating heart. In 1968, the wonderfully named Ad Hoc Committee of Harvard Medical School argued that death should no longer be regarded as occurring when the heart stopped, but when electrical activity ceased in the brain. Once that was gone, so was the person.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=2367ac5d2148dd82372e569cdca772b8

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Re: AVG PC Tuneup Customer - AVG Forums

reallymadnow..

Yesterday evening, I spent over an hour in an ?online CHAT??.only to receive confirmation of the original license number - that is not being recognised.

This morning, I have spent two hours on the telephone speaking to two different agents (possibly) located in the USA or one of it?s off shore call centres?.and constantly being put on hold to await a technician?s response?.which doesn?t come....so I eventualy hung up - TWICE.

PROBLEM; I tried to update AVG Tune UP 2012.?on doing so, the original programme was removed from the laptop?and the new ?trial? version installed. When entering the existing license number?it simply transfers me to a web page where I can purchase the new version.

As the original version was valid until February 7th 2013.?I do not currently wish to purchase again.

I believe all it requires a new license number to be generated for the trial version that is currently on the laptop - that will take me to February 7th 2013 - when I would need to renew!

I am extremely disappointed with the difficulty experienced in trying to contact AVG UK direct?..and with the unacceptable level of delays - plus, the time kept on hold. My time is extremely valuable..... angry

If this is the standard of AVG customer support?.I regret that I will not renew in future (Our home & business runs two computers?.. each running AVG Internet Security - plus, AVG Tune Up) - and will no longer recommend to colleagues/friends.

Source: http://forums.avg.com/us-en/avg-forums?sec=thread&act=show&id=217341

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Fire destroys single mom's business, retirement plans - Financial Post

Situation: Fire devastated family business and home of divorced woman

Strategy: Get insurance settlement and a job, invest for retirement

Solution: Retirement income two-thirds more than pre-fire salary

Trouble, it is said, comes in threes. The case of a woman we?ll call Judy, 50, appears to prove the rule. Recently divorced, she found her home destroyed by fire and her source of income terminated.

Judy owned, lived in and ran a ski lodge in Alberta until it was burned to the ground in an electrical fire in late 2010.

A seasonal operation with 15 rooms, it barely broke even after paying Judy a $48,000 annual pre-tax salary. She had insurance, of course, but it was a low-cost package that did not cover loss of business or provide for full replacement cost of the lodge.

So instead of paying out potentially millions it would take to rebuild at today?s prices, she will be left with an insurance settlement of $400,000 and the lot where the lodge used to be, which is worth about $75,000.

Investing everything scares the heck out of me. I need a plan but don?t know where to start. I am still frightened by what happened and I have planning paralysis

There is no money to rebuild the lodge. Judy has moved to a rental apartment in Vancouver and is looking for a new job. There won?t be any payment for loss of business, which was a break-even operation to begin with.

So far she has received $200,000, which she is using to supplement the $1,212 she gets every month from employment insurance. In the expensive Vancouver housing market, her settlement may not even be enough to buy her a new home.

With twin sons in university and her own retirement to consider, she is nervous.

?What do I do now?? Judy asks. ?I could buy another home, but that is impossible in Vancouver. Investing everything scares the heck out of me. I need a plan but don?t know where to start. I am still frightened by what happened and I have planning paralysis.?

Family Finance asked Derek Moran, head of Smarter Financial Planning Ltd. in Kelowna, B.C., to work with Judy. In his view, she can solve her problems if she can get a new job, perhaps in hotel management, and make sensible investments. It will take a series of steps, he says.

Cash management

Mr. Moran suggests a couple of first steps: Put $10,000 of her $175,670 cash ? what?s left after paying some of her transitional living costs and replacing clothing and other goods ? into her tax-free savings account.

Second, pay off a $5,000 line of credit with a 7.5% interest rate.

Third, sell a $40,000 building lot to her ex-husband via a vendor-take-back mortgage. If he misses a payment, she gets the lot back. The deal is not without risk, for if the market price of the lot were to drop and he missed payments, she would be left with an asset of reduced value.

A sale is pending of the $75,000 lot where the lodge once stood.

Judy can make several economies. She allocates $450 a month to her sons? educations on top of income from their $38,000 trust accounts. Yet each son can make $225 a month with part-time work. Her $650-a-month spending for clothing covers replacement of her wardrobe, which was lost in the fire. It will be reduced over time.

Judy can apply the skills she used in many years of ski lodge management to running a conventional hotel or another lodge. She expects to replicate the $48,000 annual salary when, soon, she expects to have full-time work.

She can eliminate $200 a month for the cost of her line of credit, $450 for university costs, $253 for property taxes on the lots, $650 for clothing expenses, and $350 a month for keeping her horse (due to be sold).

Remaining expenses, including a normalized budget of $200 a month for clothing and grooming, would add up to $3,535 a month. If her retirement income after tax can produce that amount, her retirement would be adequately financed and, with a bit of financial engineering, some capital would be preserved for her sons to inherit.

Retirement

If she invests in high-quality corporate bonds or dividend-paying stocks that generate a conservative return of 2% after inflation and income taxes, her assets of $527,670 (including her insurance settlement) would grow to $739,000 in 17 years when, at 67, her Old Age Security begins. In retirement, that capital could generate 3% or $22,170 after average 10% income tax. All figures are in 2012 dollars.

If Judy is prepared to exhaust her capital in 25 years to age 90, her financial assets could generate $47,000 a year to age 90, Mr. Moran estimates. Judy is on track to earn full Canada Pension Plan benefits at 65 of $11,840 a year. She will also receive $6,540 in Old Age Security at age 67. Her gross income at age 67, assuming capital exhaustion by age 90, would total $65,380. or $4,900 a month, after 10% income tax.

If Judy gets a job and is able to save $10,000 a year out of salary and investment income until she is 67 and her OAS begins, she could grow $204,000 additional capital by 65. In retirement, that money could generate $6,120 a year at 3% before tax. If this capital is not exhausted, it could be a legacy for her children. In this case, Judy?s total pre-tax annual income would rise to nearly $71,500 a year, or $5,363 a month, after 10% tax.

In spite of the fire and its destruction of her way of life, her after-tax retirement income in 2012 dollars would be 1.7 times more than her annual salary before the blaze. She could easily cover expenses less the cost of stabling and feeding her horse, which is due to be sold, debt service and university expenses for her sons.

There are a lot of ifs in these projections, Mr. Moran admits. Judy should be able to get a job in hotel management. The final insurance settlement of $200,000 is probable, but at the moment, the money is just a contingent asset.

She could also choose to use some of the insurance money for a down payment on another house where she finds permanent work. In that case, her $1,400 monthly rent payments could be spent on mortgage payments. Utilities and upkeep would add to that, but it?s her future choice.

Nevertheless, Judy is, as Mr. Moran says, by nature a saver. ?If she can invest wisely and work to cover living expenses and to provide a margin for saving, she should be able to have a comfortable retirement,? he says.

Need help getting out of a financial fix? Email andrewallentuck@mts.net for a free Family Finance analysis.

Source: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/09/28/fire-destroys-single-moms-business-retirement-plans/

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Arkansas court upholds medical marijuana proposal

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) ? The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a proposed ballot measure that, if successful, would make the state the first in the South to legalize medical marijuana.

Justices rejected a challenge by a coalition of conservative groups who had asked the court to block the proposed initiated act from the November ballot or order the state to not count any votes cast on the issue.

The measure would allow patients with qualifying conditions to buy marijuana from nonprofit dispensaries with a doctor's recommendation. The proposal acknowledges that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, but the Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values argued that it doesn't adequately explain that approved users could still face federal prosecution.

"We hold that it is an adequate and fair representation without misleading tendencies or partisan coloring," the court wrote. "Therefore, the act is proper for inclusion on the ballot at the general election on Nov. 6, 2012, and the petition is therefore denied."

Arkansas will be the first Southern state to put the medical marijuana question to voters. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have legalized it in some fashion. Massachusetts voters are also expected to vote on the issue this fall, while the North Dakota Supreme Court ruled a medical marijuana initiative can't appear on that state's ballot.

Jerry Cox, the head of the Arkansas Family Council and a member of the coalition, declined to comment immediately on the ruling and said opponents planned a news conference later Thursday morning. The conservative coalition argued that Arkansas' 384-word ballot question doesn't accurately describe other consequences of passing the 8,700-word law, including a provision that would allow minors to use medical marijuana with parental consent.

Justices disagreed and said the proposed law is fairly summarized in the question that will appear on the ballot.

"Here, after reviewing the ballot title of 384 words, we conclude that the title informs the voters in an intelligible, honest and impartial manner of the substantive matter of the act," the ruling said.

The group behind the measure, Arkansans for Compassionate Care, told the court it believes the measure is sufficiently fair to go before voters. David Couch, an attorney for the group, said he was pleased with the ruling and said it allowed them to shift gears to building support for the measure's passage.

"Now that we've passed muster with the Supreme Court we'll begin our campaign to show the people of the state of Arkansas that this is truly a compassionate measure," Couch said.

Under the proposal, qualifying health conditions would include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. The proposal also would allow qualifying patients or a designated caregiver to grow marijuana if the patient lives more than 5 miles from a dispensary.

The conservative coalition's members include leaders of the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council, the Family Council Action Committee and the Families First Foundation.

Past efforts to put medical marijuana on the ballot in Arkansas have faltered, though voters in two cities in the state have approved referendums that encourage police to regard arrests for small amounts of marijuana as a low priority.

Supporters of the current proposal mounted an organized and well-funded campaign that surprised many political observers. Arkansans for Compassionate Care, the group advocating for the measure, won ballot access after submitting far more than the required 62,500 signatures.

Medical marijuana has never come before voters in the South partly because of the difficulty of getting such initiatives on the ballot. And conservative legislators throughout the region have not backed the efforts. The Washington-based Marijuana Policy Project has provided most of the funding for the campaign in Arkansas, contributing $251,000 to the effort.

Officials with the group said they stepped in after polling showed strong support for the measure in Arkansas. Group leaders also cite a "symbolic" value in passing a medical marijuana law in the South.

Gov. Mike Beebe, who is opposed to the proposal, told reporters on Thursday he doesn't believe the state's voters would legalize medical marijuana. Beebe said he's asked for an estimate of how much it will cost the state to regulate the dispensaries if the measure passes.

"If I understand what I think I understand about it, if it passes, it's going to require a whole of administration from the health department," Beebe said. "I don't know where we're going to get it from."

___

Andrew DeMillo can be reached at www.twitter.com/ademillo

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/arkansas-court-upholds-medical-marijuana-proposal-140512998--politics.html

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Friday, September 28, 2012

BBC News Channel conducts live video interview over smartphone, goes where satellites can't

BBC News Channel conducts first live video interview over smartphone, goes where satellites can't video

We usually associate smartphones in news reporting with citizen journalism, not full-time journalists. However, a confluence of events has just led to the BBC's Nick Garnett becoming a pioneer for mobile broadcasting on the professional level. When a shortage of satellite trucks prevented Garnett from getting the usual video feed for the BBC News Channel, he successfully arranged the British network's first live video interview piped through a smartphone. The key, Garnett says, was Dejero's Live+ iPhone app: while live streaming apps are already commonplace, Dejero's let him merge the 3G and WiFi connections together, getting enough bandwidth to make a TV-worthy broadcast in a country where LTE is still very new. Combined with some very ad hoc staging and help from the BBC's technical teams, the coordination resulted in a surprisingly smooth interview about flooding in northeastern England with relatively few hints of the extra-tiny recording equipment involved. It's unlikely that broadcast crews will reach to their pockets for live coverage solutions before anything else, but the BBC is actively testing Dejero and other apps that could make smartphones as much a part of the field reporting arsenal as a camcorder and an eye for a good story. As we can't embed the clip, check the source link to see it for yourself.

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BBC News Channel conducts live video interview over smartphone, goes where satellites can't originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/LmLLbiKBiMA/

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Movie Review: The World According to a Lion of Fashion | FrontRow

Sometimes history offers up personalities that seem to float above the circumstances of their times, individuals that, by force of will or vision, do not live in history, they shape it.?Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel offers up Vreeland, a fashion editor, wit, and vivacious personality as this kind of character, a history-shaper, but also a woman who understood herself as playing that special role.

Writer and director Lisa Immordino Vreeland has a choice to make when approaching her subject, who is also her grandmother-in-law: do you tell a straight story of Vreeland?s life, or do you allow the documentary to take the shape of how Vreeland understood her own life, the ?faction,? as the Vreeland coins the term about mixing fact and fiction in the film? The filmmaker goes for ?faction,? which means taking at face value stories about Vreeland seeing Charles Lindbergh flying over her head on his famous flight to Paris, or the litany of personalities of La Belle ?poque that Vreeland imagines remembering filing through her parents? Parisian apartment when she was a little girl.

Perhaps none of this really happened, but?Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel makes the case that what is important is that Vreeland took these kinds of stretched truths and fantasies and built up her identity around them, allowing herself to live in a world more colorful, more possible, and more exciting than most of us will ever know. And it is the way that she lived that more than anything influenced her work at?Harpers Bazaar?and?Vogue, where she reinvented how the fashion industry saw itself. The documentary makes a strong case that Vreeland was a figure of historic importance, particularly to the fashion world. But that is not really the movie?s power. Rather,?Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel?plays like a call to arms, a crying carpe diem. Life is beautiful, darling. Go live it for real.

Source: http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2012/09/movie-review-the-world-according-to-a-lion-of-fashion/

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Gas prices unlikely to fall as fast as oil

Not so fast. That's the message for drivers hoping a recent drop in oil prices will soon show up at the gas station.

Oil has dropped $9 per barrel, or 9.1 percent, in less than two weeks. Gas prices tend to lag changes in oil, but experts don't expect a significant move lower until the middle of October.

Oil ended at $89.98 on Wednesday, down $1.39, or 1.5 percent. The national average price for gas was $3.805 per gallon, a record high for this time of year, and up 31 cents from the same date last year.

Gas prices should be at a record for early October when President Barack Obama debates Republican challenger Mitt Romney next week in Denver. The focus of the debate will be on the economy and domestic policy. High gas prices usually cut into consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity.

Gas has remained stubbornly high although economic growth is tepid and demand for gasoline is lower than a year ago. Oil rose about 25 percent from late June through late August. More recently, refinery issues have tightened the supply of gas on both coasts. And there are lingering effects from Hurricane Isaac, which disrupted refineries and imported oil deliveries along the Gulf Coast.

Prices are at or above $4 per gallon in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Washington, according to AAA, Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service. The lowest prices, which range from $3.546 per gallon to $3.656 per gallon, are in Texas, the lower Midwest and the South.

It probably will be a few more weeks before supplies build back up in certain markets and lead to a noticeable decline in pump prices, said Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at Oil Price Information Service.

He predicted that gas would drop into a range between $3.25 per gallon to $3.50 per gallon by Thanksgiving. The highest price voters ever paid while heading to the polls falls in that range: $3.41 on Nov. 8, 2011. In 2008, when Obama defeated John McCain, gas had dropped to $2.41 by Election Day as the economy slid deeper into recession.

Oil last closed below $90 per barrel on Aug. 2. Wednesday's drop came as protests in Greece and Spain offered visible reminders that Europe still is struggling to resolve its debt crisis. The protests are occurring ahead of spending cuts and tax hikes designed to help those countries control debt. Such austerity measures crimp the need for oil and oil byproducts like gasoline and diesel.

Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, fell 41 cents to $110.04 per barrel in London.

Other futures prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange:

? Heating oil was flat at $3.1068 per gallon.

? Wholesale gasoline rose 11.4 cents to end at $3.08 per gallon.

? Natural gas gained 9.9 cents to $3.023 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gas-prices-unlikely-fall-fast-oil-195730695--finance.html

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Pets > Fish - Newfoundland Labrador Classifieds

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Source: http://www.nlclassifieds.com/classifieds/Pets/Fish/932812

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Plane going to Everest region crashes, killing 19

Nepalese police search through the debris at the crash site of a Sita Air airplane near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers into the Everest region crashed just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing all 19 people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Nepalese police search through the debris at the crash site of a Sita Air airplane near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers into the Everest region crashed just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing all 19 people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Nepalese gather around the burning wreckage at the crash site of a Sita Air airplane near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers to the Everest region crashed and burned just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal?s capital, killing the 19 Nepali, British and Chinese people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo)

A Nepalese relative of a crew member is comforted at the crash site of a Sita Air airplane near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers into the Everest region crashed just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing all 19 people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

A Nepalese rescue worker carries the flight data recorder of a Sita Air airplane at the crash site near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers into the Everest region crashed just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing all 19 people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Nepalese police search through the debris at the crash site of a Sita Air airplane near Katmandu, Nepal, early Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. The plane carrying trekkers into the Everest region crashed just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing all 19 people on board, authorities said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

(AP) ? A plane carrying trekkers to the Everest region crashed and burned just after takeoff Friday morning in Nepal's capital, killing the 19 Nepali, British and Chinese people on board, authorities said.

The pilot of the domestic Sita Air flight reported trouble two minutes after takeoff, and Katmandu airport official Ratish Chandra Suman said the pilot appeared to have been trying to turn back. The crash site is only 500 meters (547 yards) from the airport, and the wrecked plane was pointing toward the airport area.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the crash and identify the bodies, and Suman said he could not confirm if the plane was already on fire before it crashed. Cellphone video shot by locals showed the front section of the plane was on fire when it first hit the ground and appeared the pilot had attempted to land the plane on open ground beside a river.

The fire quickly spread to the rear, but the tail was still in one piece at the scene near the Manohara River on the southwest edge of Katmandu. Villagers were unable to approach the plane because of the fire and it took some time for firefighters to reach the area and bring the fire under control.

Soldiers and police shifted through the crash wreckage looking for bodies and documents to help identify the victims. Seven passengers were British and five were Chinese; the other four passengers and the three crew members were from Nepal, authorities said.

Large number of local people and security forces gathered at the crash site. The charred bodies were taken by vans to the hospital morgue.

The weather in Katmandu and surrounding areas was clear on Friday morning, and it was one of the first flights to take off from Katmandu's Tribhuwan International Airport. Other flights reported no problems, and the airport operated normally.

The plane was heading for Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest. Thousands of Westerners make treks in the region around the world's highest peak each year. Autumn is considered the best time to trek the foothills of the Himalayan peaks.

The crash follows an avalanche on another Nepal peak Sunday that killed seven foreign climbers and a Nepali guide.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-09-28-Nepal-Plane%20Crash/id-20dd0f8cd7364430a564be1f3eb2996b

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Kane County committee OKs 3 percent property tax hike

GENEVA ? The County Board soon could decide whether to put in writing an intention to collect more in property taxes next year ? and whether to leave it to newly elected board members to reduce that amount come spring.

Tuesday, the County Board Finance and Budget Committee recommended the full County Board approve a budget that calls for the county to increase its property tax levy by 3 percent, the maximum amount allowed by law this year.

Should such a tax levy increase ultimately be approved, it could increase the tax bill owed by county taxpayers owning a house with an assessed value of about $250,000 about $5 to $12 next year, with an average increase of about $7 a year, according to county finance officials.

However, while the budget, which must be enacted by November, would state the county?s spending and taxing intentions, the actual tax levy on which that budget is based will not be acted upon until spring.

So, members of the Finance Committee said they believe the current County Board should leave it to the next County Board ? which will be seated after the November elections ? to decide whether to leave the property tax levy alone or scale it back.

Finance Committee Chairman Jim Mitchell, R-North Aurora, said the next County Board will know more about the county?s financial footing than the current board does.

He noted the County Board is still waiting to learn how much Kane County will have collected in sales taxes and its portion of the state income tax.

?It means that [the County Board] will actually know what you?re levying for,? Mitchell told the committee.

Other committee members also backed the levy increase.

?All we?re doing is setting a budget,? said board member Cathy Hurlbut, R-Elgin. ?We can?t ask for more than what we budget.?

The levy increase will not be needed to fund raises for county employees, committee members said.

Instead, the Finance Committee backed a proposal to use the county?s general contingency fund to pay for a 2 percent increase for most of the county?s nonunion, nonelected employees and for raises specifically for the county?s assistant state?s attorneys and public defenders.

In all, those raises would total about $1.06 million that would come from money the county already has on hand, Mitchell said.

While stressing the levy increase will not be used to pay for raises, committee members did not state why the levy increase might be needed.

Mitchell said that will be discussed by the full County Board when it takes up the matter, perhaps as soon as Oct. 9.

That lack of specificity caused at least one committee member, Christina Castro, D-Elgin, to question the need to increase the levy at all.

?When I talk to constituents, they say they can?t even take another $5,? Castro said. ?I?m OK with using the money out of contingency to pay for these raises, but I?m totally opposed to raising the levy.?

There are 13 hours, 57 minutes remaining to comment on this story.

Source: http://www.kcchronicle.com/2012/09/26/kane-county-committee-oks-3-percent-property-tax-hike/ab4f40y/

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Phoenix filmmaker jailed in grenade launcher hoax

PHOENIX (AP) ? A Phoenix man has been accused of dressing his 16-year-old nephew in a sheet and sending him into a busy street with a fake grenade launcher, then filming the masked teenager pointing the faux weapon at passing cars.

Authorities said it was all to see how fast city police would react to a mock terrorist act.

Michael D. Turley was arrested Monday, nearly two months after the bizarre film was posted to YouTube. He posted $5,000 bond and was released.

In the film, the narrator who police identified as Turley, said he wanted to see how long it took authorities to respond. The introduction to the video mentions the July 20 theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12.

"Given this event, I wanted to run a little test here in Phoenix, Arizona," Turley said. "I want to find out how safe I really am, and I want to know the response time of the Phoenix police department."

The YouTube clip showed the masked teen marching back and forth at an intersection with the rocket-propelled grenade launcher on his shoulder.

The first officer found Turley and the teen in a neighborhood, standing in Turley's driveway.

The officer calmly told the boy to put down the weapon and Turley to put down the camera. He didn't draw his gun.

Officer James Holmes, a police spokesman, said Turley told the officer they were just filming a movie, and the officer took down their names and left.

After interviewing people who called 911 and later seeing the video posted on YouTube, police arrested Turley.

"It surprised us that he actually put that video on YouTube," Holmes said.

The police response took just over three minutes from the first call, and a helicopter and SWAT team was dispatched as backup, Holmes said.

Turley, 39, doesn't have a listed phone number. He didn't immediately respond to messages sent Wednesday through the YouTube account.

Police said Turley was charged with creating a false impression of a terrorist act, endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and misconduct involving simulated explosives.

Holmes said police are recommending charges of endangerment and knowingly giving a false impression of a terrorist act for a juvenile court to decide whether to file against the teen, whose name was not released because he is a minor.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/phoenix-filmmaker-jailed-grenade-launcher-hoax-204802710.html

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Doctoral student developing next generation of lithium-ion batteries for longer lasting mobile devices, electric cars

ScienceDaily (Sep. 27, 2012) ? Sometimes even batteries can use a boost of energy, according to the focus of a Kansas State University graduate student's research.

Steven Arnold Klankowski, a doctoral candidate in chemistry, La Crescent, Minn., is working under Jun Li, professor of chemistry, to develop new materials that could be used in future lithium-ion batteries. The materials look to improve the energy storage capacity of batteries so that laptops, cellphones, electric cars and other mobile devices will last longer between charges.

Additionally, lithium-ion batteries that can store energy and deliver power more rapidly will be a more viable alternative power source for vehicles and machines powered by alternative energy, Klankowski said. For example, solar- and wind-powered technologies could switch to the battery in the evening when there is a lack of wind or sunlight to produce energy.

"The battery market is moving very fast these days as everyone is trying to get an advantage for their electric vehicles and cellphones," said Klankowski, who also has a background in materials engineering. "As our devices get smarter, so must our methods to supply greater amounts of portable electrical energy to power these devices."

For his research, Klankowski is developing and testing a high-performance nanostructure of silicon coated onto carbon nanofibers for the use as an electrode in lithium-ion batteries. The electrodes, which look like a dense brush, give the battery greater charge capabilities and storage capacity. This is anticipated to replace current commercial electrodes that are made from simple carbon-based materials.

The material being developed and improved by Klankowski helps the electrode store roughly 10 times the amount of energy as current electrodes -- giving the batteries a 10-15 percent improvement in current battery technology.

"We're trying to go for higher energy capacity," Klankowski said. "To do that we're looking at if we can store more energy per the electrode's size or mass, and if we can use that energy more quickly to make the battery like a capacitor. Batteries and capacitors are on opposite sides of the energy storage field. We'd like to move them both closer together."

In the lab, Klankowski looks at how the characteristics of the lithium-silicon-alloy material differ with each production cycle and how those characteristics can be improved to move lithium-ion batteries closer to capacitors.

The material is also studied for its ability to store energy. Tests, which simulate a battery's operation, repeatedly charge and discharge the material with energy.

According to U.S. Department of Energy's requirements, a battery must remain at 80 percent capacity after 300 charge-discharge cycles.

"A battery today tends to die after 400-500 cycles or three years," Klankowski said. "One of the things we'll want to improve on is that lasting performance. It won't be much of an advantage if your phone's battery can last for 36 hours for the first few months but then only two hours after that. With the progress we are seeing, I hope one day to drive from Manhattan to my folks' house in Minnesota on a single battery change."

A patent application for the material has been filed with Kansas State University Research Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit corporation responsible for managing technology transfer activities at the university.

Klankowski was one of five doctoral students at Kansas State University to recently earn a scholarship from the research foundation to help him further develop his research.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/matter_energy/electricity/~3/OFBIlZ4C-y8/120927152139.htm

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Asher Monroe: A 'Fresh Phase' ... And A Fresh Name

Former V-Factory member steps out on his own with some help from OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder on his single 'Here with You.'
By Christina Garibaldi


Asher Monroe
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1694492/asher-monroe-here-with-you.jhtml

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Production-ready Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar unveiled

We're pretty sure we've suffered some amount of vision loss from staring at the ridiculously bright paint scheme on Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell over the past few years. MB has rolled it out at virtually every auto show it can and we've always stopped for a gander, but now we finally have the full production version -- and it's in a slightly more tame but visually perhaps even more stunning color, a sort of chrome blue that even in the flesh looks CG rendered. It's the SLS AMG Electric Drive, it's launching next June and we have the full details after the break.

Continue reading Production-ready Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar unveiled

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/DgCiFDC4Nn8/

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