Police push for background checks on gun purchases

President Barack Obama pauses as the press leaves the room as he meets with representatives from Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs Association in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Washington, to discuss policies put forward by President Obama to reduce gun violence. From left are Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and Hennepin County Minnesota Sheriff Richard W. Stanek . (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama pauses as the press leaves the room as he meets with representatives from Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs Association in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Washington, to discuss policies put forward by President Obama to reduce gun violence. From left are Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and Hennepin County Minnesota Sheriff Richard W. Stanek . (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama meets with representatives from Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs Association in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Washington, to discuss policies put forward by President Obama to reduce gun violence. Hennepin County Minnesota Sheriff Richard W. Stanek, President Obama, is left, and Charles H. Ramsey Police Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department is right. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks to media as he meets with representatives from Major Cities Chiefs Association and Major County Sheriffs Association in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Washington, to discuss policies put forward by President Obama to reduce gun violence. From left are U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and Hennepin County Minnesota Sheriff Richard W. Stanek, President Obama, and Charles H. Ramsey Police Commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Law enforcement leaders who met with President Barack Obama are urging him to improve the mental health system and strengthen background checks, but did not unify on more controversial gun control measures.

Leaders of the Major County Sheriffs' Association said they told the president Monday to focus on the mental health system.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says there was broad agreement on the need to require stronger background checks for gun purchases. Ramsey is president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, which backs an assault weapons ban.

The message reflects the political reality in Congress that the assault weapons ban Obama is pushing is likely to have a hard time winning broad support. But the president may have more hope for getting universal background checks.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-28-Obama-Guns/id-9f4b7c86c1df4b49a48541b77dc542fa

cbi the shins atomic clock daylight savings time john mccain game changer selection sunday

Fragile economy, other global woes dominated Davos

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) -- The fragile state of the world economy, along with the relentless turmoil in Syria and the rocky fallout from the Arab Spring, dominated discussions during this year's annual gathering of the global elite at Davos, leaving many participants uneasy about what lies ahead as they left for home Sunday.

Even broad agreement that there are some positive signs on the economic front, at least in emerging markets, was coupled with a warning from the head of the International Monetary Fund. "Do not relax," Christine Lagarde said. There's still a "risk of relapse."

More than 2,500 of the best and brightest in business, government, academia and civic life gathered for the five-day World Economic Forum at this Alpine resort. But much of the overt glitz and glamor that is a usual feature was toned down or absent this year, a decision founder Klaus Schwab said reflected the serious issues facing the world.

Political and economic issues vie for top billing each year at Davos, and this time, the economy had the edge, with a special focus on how to promote economic growth and jobs, especially for the youth among the world's 220 million jobless.

The IMF said that China, Africa, and other emerging markets could see significant growth, but Japan, eurozone nations and the U.S. are likely to struggle with negative to low growth. Ahead of the 43rd forum, the IMF downgraded its forecast for global economic growth this year by one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

While the U.S. avoided the so-called "fiscal cliff" of automatic tax increases and spending cuts, and fears have abated that the euro currency union will break up, there is growing concern that governments may ease up on measures to improve growth and reduce debt that the IMF and many other institutions are calling for.

IMF chief Lagarde said the "very fragile and timid recovery" depends on leaders in the 17-nation eurozone, the United States and Japan making "the right decisions." The eurozone in particular "is fragile because it is prone to political crisis" and slow decision-making, she said.

Davos participants' uneasiness about the world economy was matched by growing concern over the political turmoil in the Arab world, terrorism in North Africa, a spate of natural disasters that have highlighted the failure to tackle climate change, and the growing inequality between the world's "haves" and "have nots."

"Two years ago, gloom around the stalled economic recovery was leavened by euphoria at the outbreak of the Arab spring," Kenneth Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, told The Associated Press at Saturday night's low-key final reception. "This year, relief at the improved economic outlook is tempered by despair at the unimpeded slaughter in Syria, uncertainty about the outlook in Egypt, and frustration over the Arab monarchies' resistance to reform."

The Arab Spring uprisings have ousted dictators in Tunisia, Yemen, Libya and Egypt over the past two years. But now Islamists and liberals are wrangling over power, with Islamists mainly gaining the upper hand. Democracy is far from certain, and economic woes have left hundreds of thousands of young people jobless and frustrated that their "revolutions" haven't produced any dividends.

Former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, a losing candidate in Egypt's presidential election last year, said there have been achievements, but warned that democracy isn't only about casting a vote.

"It is the respect of human rights, for rights of women, separation of powers, independence of the judiciary. This meaning of democracy we have not yet achieved," Moussa said.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israeli-Palestinian peace talks remain stalled, Arab monarchs remain entrenched, and the death toll from the escalating civil war in Syria has topped 60,000 with no end in sight.

Jordan's King Abdullah II, whose country is hosting almost 300,000 Syrian refugees, predicted that Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime will last at least another six months. He called for a transition plan involving all Syrians and the Syrian army.

He also urged stepped up international support to end the Syrian crisis, saying, "The weakest refugees are struggling now just to survive this year's harsh winter."

Abdullah told the forum that "unprecedented threats to regional and global stability and security" need international action now, not the "wait and see" response by some countries ? which he did not identify ? especially in helping governments emerge politically and financially from the Arab uprisings.

The king, considered one of the region's moderate leaders, also warned Israel to stop playing the "waiting game," and said President Barack Obama's second term offered the last opportunity to create two states ? Palestine and Israel ? that can live side-by-side in peace.

Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, said the focus on resolving the world's economic crisis has distracted leaders from many other important issues, including education, the social consequences of unemployment and promoting ways to deal with climate change.

Nonetheless, Gurria said, the world should be "very worried" because there aren't many "tools" left to fix the economy if things get worse.

Trevor Manuel, South Africa's National Planning Commission minister, told AP that the key message from Davos for him was a positive one ? that "many of the decisions that have been taken bring us closer to where we need to be." He warned that "a sense of an all-pervasive gloom ... frequently becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fragile-economy-other-global-woes-154208605.html

the descendants packers giants game golden globe winners 2012 ricky gervais golden globes epidermolysis bullosa miss wisconsin law abiding citizen

Cities affect temperatures for thousands of miles

Jan. 27, 2013 ? Even if you live more than 1,000 miles from the nearest large city, it could be affecting your weather.

In a new study that shows the extent to which human activities are influencing the atmosphere, scientists have concluded that the heat generated by everyday activities in metropolitan areas alters the character of the jet stream and other major atmospheric systems. This affects temperatures across thousands of miles, significantly warming some areas and cooling others, according to the study this week in Nature Climate Change.

The extra "waste heat" generated from buildings, cars, and other sources in major Northern Hemisphere urban areas causes winter warming across large areas of northern North America and northern Asia. Temperatures in some remote areas increase by as much as 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the research by scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography; University of California, San Diego; Florida State University; and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

At the same time, the changes to atmospheric circulation caused by the waste heat cool areas of Europe by as much as 1 degree C (1.8 degrees F), with much of the temperature decrease occurring in the fall.

The net effect on global mean temperatures is nearly negligible -- an average increase worldwide of just 0.01 degrees C (about 0.02 degrees F). This is because the total human-produced waste heat is only about 0.3 percent of the heat transported across higher latitudes by atmospheric and oceanic circulations.

However, the noticeable impact on regional temperatures may explain why some regions are experiencing more winter warming than projected by climate computer models, the researchers conclude. They suggest that models be adjusted to take the influence of waste heat into account.

"The burning of fossil fuel not only emits greenhouse gases but also directly affects temperatures because of heat that escapes from sources like buildings and cars," says NCAR scientist Aixue Hu, a co-author of the study. "Although much of this waste heat is concentrated in large cities, it can change atmospheric patterns in a way that raises or lowers temperatures across considerable distances."

Distinct from urban heat island effect

The researchers stressed that the effect of waste heat is distinct from the so-called urban heat island effect. Such islands are mainly a function of the heat collected and re-radiated by pavement, buildings, and other urban features, whereas the new study examines the heat produced directly through transportation, heating and cooling units, and other activities.

The study, "Energy consumption and the unexplained winter warming over northern Asia and North America," appeared online January 27. It was funded by the National Science Foundation, NCAR's sponsor, as well as the Department of Energy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Hu, along with lead author Guang Zhang of Scripps and Ming Cai of Florida State University, analyzed the energy consumption -- from heating buildings to powering vehicles -- that generates waste heat release. The world's total energy consumption in 2006 was equivalent to a constant-use rate of 16 terawatts (1 terawatt, or TW, equals 1 trillion watts). Of that, an average rate of 6.7 TW was consumed in 86 metropolitan areas in the Northern Hemisphere.

Using a computer model of the atmosphere, the authors found that the influence of this waste heat can widen the jet stream.

"What we found is that energy use from multiple urban areas collectively can warm the atmosphere remotely, thousands of miles away from the energy consumption regions," Zhang says. "This is accomplished through atmospheric circulation change."

The release of waste heat is different from energy that is naturally distributed in the atmosphere, the researchers noted. The largest source of heat, solar energy, warms Earth's surface and atmospheric circulations redistribute that energy from one region to another. Human energy consumption distributes energy that had lain dormant and sequestered for millions of years, mostly in the form of oil or coal.

Though the amount of human-generated energy is a small portion of that transported by nature, it is highly concentrated in urban areas. In the Northern Hemisphere, many of those urban areas lie directly under major atmospheric troughs and jet streams.

"The world's most populated and energy-intensive metropolitan areas are along the east and west coasts of the North American and Eurasian continents, underneath the most prominent atmospheric circulation troughs and ridges," Cai says. "The release of this concentrated waste energy causes the noticeable interruption to the normal atmospheric circulation systems above, leading to remote surface temperature changes far away from the regions where waste heat is generated."

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Guang J. Zhang, Ming Cai, Aixue Hu. Energy consumption and the unexplained winter warming over northern Asia and North America. Nature Climate Change, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1803

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/18ztHxt5eMM/130127134210.htm

all star weekend 2012 giada de laurentiis howard hughes nationwide race wanderlust gone tyler perry good deeds

Allen ready for his return to Boston _ with Heat

MIAMI (AP) ? Ray Allen has played in Boston as an opponent 15 times before. He knows what it's like to play under the fabled Celtics banners, knows exactly how the crowd treats visiting players.

His 16th appearance there as a visitor will be substantially different.

Not only will his trip there Sunday be his first as a former Celtic, but it will come with him donning the colors of perhaps the team's biggest rival these days, the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat, the club that has ousted Boston from the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

And make no mistake, Allen has been getting ready for everything that will accompany this trip for quite a while.

"I've thought about it," Allen said. "I think more about who, family-wise, is going, who can go and sorting the whole protocol out. I don't know what to expect from their side. But it's an interesting concept because I've always gotten a warm welcome, even before I started playing there. I just want to win. Everything else will take care of itself."

When he played there as an opponent in the past, Allen typically got warm receptions. He starred at Connecticut and has deep roots in New England, and those two things go a long way in generating respect from the Boston fan base.

Then he joined the Celtics in the summer of 2007. A year later, he helped them win a championship. He bled green.

Now, not so much.

So on a Sunday afternoon before a national television audience, the big story won't be the return of the Heat to the site of their season-saving Game 6 win in the Eastern Conference finals last year, or the first trip back to Boston for LeBron James since his epic 45-point virtuoso performance in that game, or even the memory of how Celtics fans cheered wildly for the last few minutes of that blowout loss as a "thank you" to their team.

"It's going to be all about Ray," Heat forward Chris Bosh said. "Celtic fans, they're very fixated on the rivalry and 'How could you do that?' They're very passionate."

Allen's relationship with the Celtics broke down in some respects last season, and when the Heat made him an offer last summer, he eventually accepted ? knowing it would raise the ire of those back in Boston.

When the Celtics visited the Heat on opening night this season, the proof of the frosty relationships was there. Former teammates, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce especially, seemed to want nothing to do with Allen. As Allen checked into the game, his first official appearance as a Miami player, he approached Celtics coach Doc Rivers and got a warm embrace.

It's anyone's guess what the scene will be when he checks in Sunday.

"I'll savor it, going back and seeing the people you spent so much time with," Allen said. "But if you're going into a situation thinking about negative perceptions or behavior that's unbecoming of good sportsmanship, then you just want to get it over with, win the game and get out of there. I don't want it to distract these guys from everybody doing their job and being ready to play."

The bigger concern for both sides will likely be the way each club is playing of late.

Miami has won four straight games, hanging on to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston has dropped six straight, and its hold on the No. 8 ? and final ? playoff spot in the East race is weakening.

Dwyane Wade doesn't think the teams' opposite trajectories will matter much. The way he sees it, when Boston plays Miami, everything gets amped up several notches.

"There's a lot of stories, but you can throw records out the window when we play Boston," Wade said. "It's significant because we have Ray Allen and it's his first time back, but we're going on the road and we want to play well and it's a tough place to play."

The Heat have been through these former-star-returns-to-old-home games before ? most notably when James went back to Cleveland for the first time after he decided to sign with Miami.

After that scene, the Heat say they're prepared for anything Boston can offer.

"They're not going to cheer him, but it's not going to be like that," Wade said. "Not even close."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/allen-ready-return-boston-heat-175653847--spt.html

romney etch a sketch jeb bush sherry arnold snooty fox el debarge portland weather clintonville

CSN: Thomas rips PED users, says he was 'real deal'

January 26, 2013, 2:17 pm

White Sox great Frank Thomas is satisfied to be clear of the skepticism some of his competitors face as he prepares for his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Thomas, a two-time MVP who hit 521 career homers, has never faced allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs in a 19-year playing career. When he considers the era he played in, and the scrutiny that now faces Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens, Thomas has no doubt he handled it properly and has no sympathy for those who didn?t.

?Watching all the nonsense unfold and not really knowing what was going on, it makes me feel much more proud of my career,? Thomas said. ?I competed in that era and I played at a high level in that era. There were a lot of great players, but as it unfolds, a lot of it was not the real deal. I know 100 percent mine was the real deal. I wouldn?t say I feel bad for them. I respected them on the field, but they chose this. They made their own decisions off the field and they have to live with it.?

A baseball player born in a football player?s body, Thomas never faced suspicion of PED use because he was big from the moment he hit the field. Thomas not only used his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame to gain an edge but he also worked tirelessly, said former teammate Jermaine Dye.

Dye believes Thomas is worthy of first-ballot entry into Cooperstown.

?No doubt in my mind,? Dye said. ?He never cheated the game. He always used to tell me ?Let?s get in the batting cage. Let?s go work. Get better every day.? No matter if you went 4-for-4 with two homers the night before or had a bad game, he was always about getting his work in, staying in the gym and because of that he got to where he is now.?

Thomas? resume is quite impressive. Not only did he win two MVPs, Thomas was a five-time All-Star in a league loaded with talented first baseman. He also hit a franchise-record 448 home runs in 16 seasons on the South Side and though he was limited by injury, Thomas also helped produce the team?s first World Series title in 88 years when the White Sox swept the Houston Astros in 2005. After noting how five years has flown by, Thomas said he believes he, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, all first-timers on the 2014 Hall of Fame ballot, have resumes that should immediately gain entrance into baseball?s shrine. He agrees he?s not sure it will happen after Craig Biggio didn?t gain entry on his first try -- ?he was one guy we were all shocked? -- but would disappointed nonetheless.

?I spent my whole career working my butt off and hopefully I get what I deserve,? Thomas said. ?Of course I would be disappointed. I?m not going to lie to you. Of course I will. Like I said, I think my resume speaks for itself. Losing a third MVP to a guy who admitted he was PED, I think that would have put me at another level that only a couple of guys have enjoyed ever in this game. The 12-year-run I had was incredible, very historical. So, I think I?ve done enough to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.?

As for those under suspicion, Thomas isn?t sure what he would do. He?s just happy he didn?t choose to go the same route.

?It?s really not up to me,? Thomas said. ?These guys did put up some incredible numbers, but they are fake. Any time you look at the PED situation and Lance Armstrong, you look at stuff like that and it?s serious out there. I just thank God. I?m blessed I did it the right way and have a good family base that made me outwork everyone else because that?s the only way I made it to the big leagues.?

Tags: Hall of Fame, Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox

Source: http://www.csnchicago.com/01/26/13/White-Sox-Thomas-confident-in-Hall-of-Fa/nbcsportswhitesox.html?blockID=827173&feedID=10338

Bob Ross Hurricane Categories Hurricane Sandy new jersey atlantic city ocean city maryland Nexus 7

10 Things to Know for Today

In this Friday, Jan. 18 2013 photo, activists hold signs during a rally at New York's City Hall to call for immediate action on paid sick days legislation in light of the continued spread of the flu. An unusually early and vigorous flu season is drawing attention to the cause that has both scored victories and hit roadblocks in recent years: mandatory paid sick leave. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In this Friday, Jan. 18 2013 photo, activists hold signs during a rally at New York's City Hall to call for immediate action on paid sick days legislation in light of the continued spread of the flu. An unusually early and vigorous flu season is drawing attention to the cause that has both scored victories and hit roadblocks in recent years: mandatory paid sick leave. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The West Front of the U.S. Capitol is dressed in red, white and blue the day before President Obama's public inauguration ceremony, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. President Obama took the official oath of office at the White House at noon Jan. 20, as mandated by the Constitution. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

This combo image made of Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, photos shows San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, in Atlanta, and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in Foxborough, Mass., during their NFL football conference championship games. Get ready for the Brother Bowl_ it'll be Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh when Big Bro John's Baltimore Ravens (13-6) play Little Bro Jim's San Francisco 49ers (13-4-1) in the Super Bowl at New Orleans in two weeks. (AP Photos/Mark Humphrey, Matt Slocum)

1. OBAMA TAKES OATH TO LEAD DEEPLY DIVIDED NATION

The 17th president to win re-election faces a weak economy and a partisan Congress in his second term.

2. DOZENS OF BODIES PULLED FROM SITE OF ALGERIAN STANDOFF

The death toll topped 80 at the terrorist siege at a natural gas plant in the Sahara.

3. MINISTER RECALLS MLK'S WORDS OF NONVIOLENCE AT NEWTOWN

The Rev. James A. Forbes says the civil rights leader's words "are needed now more than ever" after the deadly school shooting.

4. 'FAST-TRACK' TRIAL BEGINS FOR INDIA GANG RAPE SUSPECTS

Five men were due in court less than a month after the assault and killing of a student aboard a moving bus in Delhi.

5. HOW 'BRAIN PACEMAKERS' MIGHT SLOW ALZHEIMER'S

Currents from tiny wires inserted into holes drilled in a patient's skull could offer hope for staving off dementia.

6. INDICTED MEGAUPLOAD FOUNDER LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Half a million users registered for Kim Dotcom's "Mega" site in 14 hours.

7. SON FACES MURDER CHARGES IN NEW MEXICO FAMILY SLAYING

Police say the 15-year-old killed his Fire Department chaplain father, mother and their three children aged 2 to 9.

8. WHY SOME CAN'T CALL OUT SICK IN A NASTY FLU SEASON

More than 40 million Americans work for companies that don't pay for sick leave, as New York City considers a proposal to mandate it.

9. WHY OBAMA CAN THANK HIP-HOP

John Legend, who was honored at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball along with MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh, says the genre played its part in electing America's first black president.

10. COACHING BROTHERS TO FACE OFF IN SUPER BOWL

John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens will play younger brother Jim Harbaugh's 49ers in New Orleans on Feb. 3.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-21-10%20Things%20to%20Know-Today/id-3c84fca99b314cea990902474e208bab

snow white and the huntsman snow white and the huntsman rupaul drag race walking dead comic kratom broncos broncos

Why A Good Night's Sleep Can Save Your Relationship | YourTango

Cuddle up and catch up on those z's!

A new study suggests that sleep-deprived couples don't take the time to thank each other.

We have more than enough reasons to get a good night's sleep: improved memory, weight loss, less stress, the list goes on and on. But did you know that without catching enough z?s, your love life could also suffer?

That's according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, which suggests that sleep deprivation can make it harder for tired couples to value each other. So if you're feeling less than appreciated by your significant other, it may be because they aren't getting enough sleep.

More from YourTango: The New Flu Remedy: Get A Boyfriend

"Poor sleep may make us more selfish as we prioritize our own needs over our partner's," said Amie Gordon, a UC Berkeley psychologist and lead investigator of the study. "You may have slept like a baby, but if your partner didn't, you'll probably both end up grouchy."

Over 60 couples, ranging in ages, participated in the study. In one experiment, participants kept a diary of their sleep patterns and whether they saw effects of their sleep in how they appreciated their significant other. In another experiment, couples were asked to complete problem-solving tasks together. The results from both of these experiments proved that poor sleepers had a harder time valuing their partners.

We all know that sharing a bed with a significant other sometimes means sleepless nights whether it's his obnoxious snoring or her late night cookie-munching (and you waking up in crumbs). But it's been proven that how the two of you go to bed at night can dictate your relationship during the day.

So what's the big takeaway here for couples? Get some shut-eye and your relationship will get up on the right side of the bed in the morning! And right before you climb into bed, take the time to let your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, whoever, "thank you."

More from YourTango: Love Bytes: 11 Men To Date Before You Settle Down

Gordon says it pretty simply, "Make sure to say to say 'thanks' when your partner does something nice. Let them know you appreciate them."

How do you and your partner deal with sleep deprivation?

More great content from YourTango:

Source: http://www.yourtango.com/2013171579/study-why-good-nights-sleep-can-save-your-relationship

alicia sacramone Don Grady ann curry euro 2012 Colorado Springs pga tour Nora Ephron

Myrtle Beach Real Estate, Homes For Sale

Property Class:

City:

Low Price:

High Price:

Beds:

Baths:

Search Properties

Source: http://www.prudentialmyrtlebeach.com/blog/myrtle-beach-real-estate-homes-for-sale.html

strawberry festival knicks the monkees ciaa love actually strikeforce davy jones

Miniature Pinscher - Pixie - Small - Baby - Female - Dog | Arlington ...

Miniature Pinscher - Pixie - Small - Baby - Female - Dog

If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out our dog adoption questionnaire <http://homewardtrails.org/adopt-a-pet/pet-adoption-forms?utm_source=petfinder&utm_medium=adoptionforms&utm_campaign=dogs> and e-mail it to [email removed]. Breed Estimate: MiniPin mix Gender: Female Approximate weight: 2-1/2 lbs and still growing Approximate age: 10 weeks old Location: Foster home in Stafford, Va Cratetrained: Unknown Coat Type: Short - little brushing needed Pixie wound up in a rural SC shelter. She is absolutely adorable and feisty. This sweet girl loves to play and gets along with other dogs. Pixie especially loves BIG dogs. She is at the perfect age to begin puppy training. Won't you make her dreams of becoming a lapdog for someone special come true? She is being transported to the DC metro area on 1/19/13. Can you please give Pixie the forever home she has been dreaming about? She will repay you with cuddles, kisses, and lots of love! Please apply to adopt Pixie today. The adoption fee for this dog is $350, which helps with the cost of routine vet care. This fee DOES NOT INCLUDE spay/neuter. If the animal you are adopting is not already spayed/neutered, you will be required to sign a contract legally obligating you to have the animal altered. ***Note that puppy adoption fees help generate revenue that goes toward older or special needs animals that need our help. Surgeries, heartworm treatment, boarding costs....are all things that often result in adoptable dogs and cats being left behind to be euthanized. So adopting a puppy saves not just one life, but many! Be sure to ask us about getting a free 30-minute phone consult with a professional dog trainer within the first 30 days of adopting - just for HT adopters. Start your new dog out on the right foot with this valuable, expert advice and guidance FREE! Want to meet a handful of dogs in person? Check out a list of our upcoming pet adoption events <http://www.homewardtrails.org/event-list?utm_source=petfinder&utm_medium=events&utm_campaign=dogs> . You can save animals like this one by becoming a foster! Fosters are like way stations between high kill shelters and forever homes. We need fosters so that we can save dogs before they are euthanized at the shelters. If you are interested in becoming a foster, please check out our information about fostering <http://homewardtrails.org/foster-a-pet/dog-and-cat-foster-program?utm_source=petfinder&utm_medium=fosterinfo&utm_campaign=dogs> . Thank you for contacting Homeward Trails Animal Rescue and helping to save a life!

CHARACTERISTICS:
Breed: Miniature Pinscher
Size: Small
Petfinder ID: 25023058

CONTACT:
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Inc. | Arlington, VA | 703-249-5066

For additional information, reply to this ad or see: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=25023058

Brought to you by Petfinder.com

Source: http://washingtondc.ebayclassifieds.com/dogs-puppies/arlington/miniature-pinscher-pixie-small-baby-female-dog/?ad=25734996

Espn Fantasy Football Grandparents Day 2012 army wives 60 minutes go daddy Tom Kenny Long Island Medium

As Canada warms up, more extreme weather is the new normal: Environment Canada

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Environment Canada says warming trends across the country will mean more severe blasts of rain, wind, snow and heat from Mother Nature.

Bob Robichaud, a warning preparedness meteorologist, says 2012 was the 16th year in a row that saw higher than normal temperatures across Canada.

Over the last 10 years, just four of 40 seasons were cooler than normal.

"So that certainly is a trend there," Robichaud said from Halifax where he also works with the Canadian Hurricane Centre.

"The climate change experts are saying that we're going to get heavier rainfall events and more frequent non-tropical type storms. So in that respect, we have to be ready for it."

Over the last year, Canada saw intense heat waves, extreme flooding in B.C. and an especially active hurricane season that culminated in Superstorm Sandy. The massive Atlantic hurricane collided with another weather system, churned a path of destruction through seaside New Jersey and left wreckage and lost business costs estimated at more than US$65 billion.

U.S. President Barack Obama, in his second inaugural speech Monday, did not mince words on the need for environmental action.

"We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations," he said. "Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms."

Environmental campaigners will be watching to see if Obama backs up those strong words with strong measures, and the extent to which Prime Minister Stephen Harper may respond. The federal Conservative government has been accused of using inaction on climate change south of the border as an excuse for not doing more to cut greenhouse gases in Canada.

In St. John's, N.L., a powerful blizzard on Jan. 11 dumped about 52 centimetres of snow and packed wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres an hour. Mayor Dennis O'Keefe can't recall a storm like it in his entire life, all 68 years of it spent in St. John's.

"I mean, my house shook," he said in an interview. "That wind howled, and for the very first time I wondered whether or not I was going to have damage to my house which, thank God, I didn't.

"I could actually see things vibrate on the inside of the house."

O'Keefe says the city, like others across Canada, will have to assess the extent to which more wild weather could be costly.

"No doubt about it, there is damage when we have these extremes, when you get into hurricane winds. The cost is potentially, depending on what happens in the next 10 to 15 years, into the hundreds of millions of dollars when it comes to infrastructure, flooding costs, damage to public buildings, damage to private homes and so on.

"We're going to have to look at all of these issues in terms of how we build for the future."

The recent blizzard in St. John's followed widespread wind damage caused in September by post-tropical storm Leslie and the havoc caused by hurricane Igor on Sept. 21, 2010.

Igor swept across eastern Newfoundland, dumping more than 200 millimetres of rain in some regions as swollen rivers and creeks blasted through roads and wiped out bridges. The storm caused about $125 million in damages, temporarily cutting off 90 communities as 22 of them declared states of emergency.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/canada-warms-more-extreme-weather-normal-environment-canada-222906337.html

Election 2012 map Election Results Map Early voting results BBC Dick Morris Daily Show provisional ballot

Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!

Tired of Manti Te'o? Over the Lance Armstrong confession? Then move on over to drama of a different sort -- the Android Central Podcast. If you missed Thursday's broadcast, you missed Alex and Phil and Jerry catching up after CES week in Las Vegas, dispelling more ridiculous Nexus rumors, and fielding more voicemails that have ever been fielded in the history of Android Central Podcast voicemail fielding.

The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.

 

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/a8vWg81bQHU/story01.htm

49ers vs giants giants vs 49ers sf 49ers joe paterno died 49ers game steven tyler national anthem paterno

Real-World Local Seo Products ? A Good A-Z | How To Handle Your ...

Written by Efrain V. L. Cates-Simms ? The Search engine optimization situation has been through a massive improve since Google launched new search algorithms. Considering the fact that 2012 most community clients take advantage of google and look for local companies thus boosting the value of local seo towards a degree. Those days are gone when businesses barely took initiatives to further improve visibility of web sites on local search response to well-liked search engines and likewise their potential customers went elsewhere. With effective local search engine optimization strategies you could possibly now ensure you get your desirable leads to expression to get targeted traffic, consumer conversion and sale improvement overall. Consumption of mobile devices even offers greater search records. Currently men and women are also employing recommendation internet sites specifically Google Ratings, Yelp and give people to article positive comments and opinions for advertising enterprise. Definitely WOM or referral marketing methods still are commonplace and small business are figuring out how to distribute the business by ?word of mouth? and raise shopper conversion ratio.

Let us discuss the advantages of employing regional online research motor optimization approaches for working on your business enterprise.

1. Improve visibility of web-site among local buyers:

Most people be aware of items along with expert services that exist on their local places. Just in case you cultivate a great nearby optimization system like distributing link to Online directory and various pertinent web directories, there?s high probability that a site can be shown on Google, Yahoo and various other serps. Hence regional prospects also discover your website as well as learn about your delivers with no difficulty.

two. Provide powerful qualified prospects along with profits for the enterprise

Should your internet site is demonstrated over the rest regional online research translates into preferred engines on an ideal question, a lot more folks will manage to find your quest. This means that you may have the potential risk of obtaining successful qualified prospects. That way you might add to the potential for gaining better income.

three. Build your on-line reputation

Folks shell out ages in building very good status. And a efficient local SEO method will let you develop a superior on-line name via targeted campaign. For that reason it will be easier to acknowledge niche market plus find your target market as quickly as possible. You?ll create more prospects and also income towards the web site therefore come across many people that will patronize your business with your companies. Simply put there?s a large probability you generate a very good rapport with clients understanding that also within small amount of time.

Build authenticity:
Presently both of those small company homes leverage social media so that you can boost their organization. There are lots of local possibilities in social websites you need to contemplate getting attractive results. By way of example you will mail standing updates on solutions together with services against your Google+, Fb site and thereby construct private romantic relationship using your consumers inside of limited time. Be sure that you have used web 2 . 0 for enhancing your nearby existence plus make business leads.

In nutshell Local search engine optimization is essential for online marketing that enhances on the web display screen of this business internet site about the position in search results thereby improves your sales opportunities and purchasers.

Source: http://bluestarpartynyc.com/real-world-local-seo-products-a-good-a-z/

egoraptor gisele bundchen turbotax the bourne legacy roland martin suspended lake vostok montgomery county public schools

Sunday Sound: Heard on 'This Week'

Tune in to the ABC News.com Live page on Monday morning starting at 9:30 a.m. EST for all-day live streaming video coverage of Inauguration 2013: Barack Obama. Live coverage will also be available on the ABC News iPad App and mobile devices.

Below are some of the notable comments made Sunday on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." Guests included ABC News' George Will and Cokie Roberts; political strategist and ABC News political analyst Matthew Dowd; former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, host of Current TV's "The War Room"; and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, chair of Patriot Voices.

POWERHOUSE ROUNDTABLE

1. Roberts says more women in the Senate may ease passage of Assault Weapons Ban ROBERTS: The assault weapons ban is obviously a huge problem, and that's what most people are pushing back against, although it is interesting, with the increased number of women in Congress, that it might have a better shot. In 1994, 29 percent of Republican men voted for the assault weapons ban and almost 70 percent of Republican women. So you could see a difference because of that.

2. Santorum tells Republicans to 'stick to our guns' SANTORUM: Oh, I think we should stick to our guns?.I think it's an even more important issue for people today, given the increasing level of violence in our society, people feel unsafe. And having a gun and gun ownership is part of how people can feel safer.

3. Granholm grills Santorum on his opposition to restrictions on armor-piercing bullets GRANHOLM: Why not armor-piercing bullets? Why do you need that?

SANTORUM: Because - because we're talking about a particular type of bullet that - that is - is and can be available to?

GRANHOLM: Deer don't wear armor. Why do you need an armor-piercing bullet?

SANTORUM: But criminals could. And having - having?

GRANHOLM: And police officers certainly do.

SANTORUM: ? the ability to defend - having the ability to defend yourself is something that is a right in our country.

4. Dowd calls the GOP a 'cult of no personality' DOWD: The Republicans are basically now a cult of no personality and no people, and they're going to have to figure out. And so each day goes forward, I think we're going to have an increasing inability for somebody to stand up and say, "I represent what the Republicans are."

5. Santorum blames Obama's 'sore winner' attitude for partisanship SANTORUM: I mean, listen to that language. I mean, Republicans extend an olive branch. "Ah, they're caving. Ah, we got them." That's not how a leader acts?.the president's a sore winner. Republicans understand that. And this president could get immigration done. He could get something done on deficits and entitlements, but he's got to move his people to do that, instead of forcing Republicans always to come his way. And that's the problem.

6. Santorum resists support of path to citizenship for illegal immigrants GRANHOLM: Immigration is going to be first up?.The real question is, will there be a consensus on a path to citizenship? ? SANTORUM: When you look back, Governor, there are 20 issues on immigration, and you just nailed the hardest one.

GRANHOLM: Right.

SANTORUM: And you're saying, OK, there's - you're only serious about doing something on immigration if you concede on the one that is the most difficult to occur.

GRANHOLM: So are you saying that won't - that won't be part of it?

SANTORUM: I think it is the toughest issue for Republicans?

7. Will suggests Republicans move to the left of Obama on immigration WILL: But here's where the Republicans are already setting themselves up for defeat. The president offers X. The Rubio program is X minus Y. All anyone is going to notice is the Y, that is, the failure to reach citizenship. So if the Republicans want to do this, they have to get to the left, if you will. They have to be more generous on immigration than the president.

8. Will asks, 'Who is innocent?' in sports WILL: The rewards of athletic excellence in this country are astonishingly high, and therefore the temptation to cheat is astonishingly high. It's a pandemic problem. And the country is wide awake to it now. Every time this happens, someone says, "Ah, the loss of innocence." Who is innocent?

Like "This Week" on Facebook here . You can also follow the show on Twitter here .

Get more pure politics at ABC News.com/Politics and a different take on the news at OTUSNews.com .

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sunday-sound-heard-week-195949695--abc-news-politics.html

katy perry Chad Johnson Twitter Helen Gurley Brown Kathi Goertzen Johnny Pesky spice girls justin theroux

Take This Advice If You Want To Improve Self Improvement | Samuel ...

Is living a better life something that you would like to accomplish? If you are ready to get started on a focused personal development campaign, the tips below will be a big help.

There is no way to make everyone in your life happy, so it is best to focus on first pleasing yourself. This means that you are accountable for your satisfaction with life, not that you should sacrifice other people?s happiness for the sake of your own. Stay true to who you are as well as your moral compass.

Avoid making a personal development goal that is unnecessarily complicated, or not well defined. Create specific goals. If you create a clear goal, you will achieve the results you want.

TIP! You should always have an idea as to what you personal values are before you develop a plan for personal growth. When you focus on things that don?t matter to you, your goals will never truly make sense.

You should try to find and read books that tell you about self improvement. When you read a really good self improvement book, you may come away with life-changing advice and ideas. Books on the topic of personal development can be poorly written. To avoid this, make sure you read books that have been reviewed well.

People who have particularly intractable problems should try therapy. An in-the-flesh therapist can provide much more insight than a clinical self-help book can. Simply talking can help motivate you to succeed. Books cannot have a dialog with you to discuss any questions or concerns you might have, the way a therapist or psychiatrist can.

One way to overcome anxiety is to go see a movie with a friend or family member. This allows you to be in a social setting without the added pressure of talking to a lot of people. It will help you get used to the social scene.

TIP! Pick a single key aspect of your life that needs changing, and work on it. Even if you have more than one area on which you wish to work, focusing on one area at a time will make it easier to succeed.

Organization should be central in your life. Not only will being organized make you feel accomplished, but it will also boost your confidence. This will also lead to less stress because the disorganization contributing to it will be eliminated. It is soothing to know that everything is where it belongs.

Get together with others that share your point of view. This helps strengthen your resolve, reinforces positive thinking and keeps you away from toxic people that harm your dreams and goals.

Learn to deal with stressful situations without reacting in an emotional way. If you learn to stay calm during stressful times, you will have the confidence you need to face almost anything in your life. Take some time during your day to stop and take breaths.

TIP! Don?t push your body too hard when you are striving towards a goal. Take your best shot, but know when you have reached your limit.

Learn what habits successful people do and try practicing them and applying them to your life. Focus on doing a few fundamental things, and work on them until they are part of your every day life. It can take up to three weeks to acquire a new habit, so it is important to keep trying.

Learn to not worry! Worrying can cause you undo stress about situations that have no guarantee of ever happening, resulting in negative consequences to your well-being. Instead of worrying, think about the worst thing that could happen, and prevent it. This provides you with the relief of having a game plan, so you can can feel less anxious and focus on other important matters in your life.

Write down your goals to help you grow on the inside. Write it down if you want to achieve a certain goal. Then, think of things you can do, or might have already done, to build your confidence. Follow through on your goals by allowing yourself to use those ideas and resources. If you keep at it, you will be more likely to succeed.

TIP! When angry, simply count to ten without speaking. Take a cleansing breath and focus on something positive.

If the quality level of today is 2000, try to make tomorrow?s quality level 2001 or higher. You should always try to improve yourself. Whatever you did yesterday, do it that much better today.

Wisdom and modesty are two integral components of life. Look for opportunities to learn something new every day, and always be willing to admit when you simply cannot change something. Once you know your limits, be modest and be satisfied to work within them. The wisdom gained from mistakes in the past will shine a beacon on your future.

TIP! Sometimes a little risk could equal great happiness for you. Do not allow yourself to fear failure more than you desire success.

When considering your own self improvement, focus on leadership. Most people believe that leadership and influence are synonymous. Evaluate your leadership skills honestly. What are the significant events in your life that have shaped you into who you are today? In what ways have you changed due to these events? How do you make yourself an important part of a team? By asking yourself these questions, you can become more aware of how you best fit into a team.

To become a better person, you have to actively decide to start growing and changing. Accepting change will allow you to grow on your path to self development.

See what habits successful people have in common, and adopt them. Begin by identifying a few basic behaviors, then focus on making the necessary improvements one step at a time until they become fully integrated into your daily life. You need to give yourself a bit of time to make your new habit a permanent one. So don?t give up on it until you have continuously used it for at least 21 days.

TIP! Everyone makes mistakes, one of those is poor food choices every now and then. Stress can have a negative effect on your health.

There?s an idea of the ?Law of Threes,? which means that anything, good or bad, that you do to other people will return to you threefold. The idea here is that you should act toward others with a positive attitude. Thinking positively can decrease the burden of negativity.

Know the obstacles you face before you hit them. This is very hard for many people to do. Even so, identifying personal weak points is a critical initial step in order for them to be dealt with. By eliminating things that stand in your way, you can walk on the path to your future with less stumbling blocks on the way.

Having a degree and the ability to do the job is usually more important than which school you attended. Finance jobs are one of the few exceptions, as your school will matter a great deal. It is more important to have a degree since it can provide you with many opportunities.

TIP! Become awesome at something you?re passionate about. That said, you should always possess an intense passion to achieve the greatness that you are capable of.

You need to decide what type of lifestyle would suit you best, then you can set goals that can realistically be attained. If you find what your weaknesses are, you can work to eliminate them and become a better person.

Most employers don?t care about your school or college, they care about the degree you earned and if you can complete the work. Some employers, such as banks or other financial institutions, do put more weight on which school you attended, but these are rare exceptions. Truthfully, it?s more crucial that you have obtained a degree and expanded your horizons.

If you experience trouble meeting the personal development goals you set for yourself, do not be afraid to stop and make a frank assessment of the problem. One way to check yourself is to go online and read what others have experienced when aiming for the same kind of achievements. You can compare your experience with theirs, and perhaps learn a better approach. The problem might be that your expectations were set too high, important steps were not taken, or inadequate resources were allocated in working toward your goals.

TIP! Be prepared to write down ideas as they come to you, no matter where that may happen. Carry paper and a pen around with you.

Becoming more healthy is an important part of developing personally. In order to maintain a healthy body, you have to stay motivated to practice healthy eating habits and exercise. When your health is an important aspect of your lifestyle, it will lead to general overall well being and will help you feel good about yourself in every area of your life.

Determine which aspects of your life you truly value, and concentrate solely on those. The key to attaining inner peace is knowing what really matters and finding the good in what you have.

Keep notes on your progress (or backsliding) in order to stick to an organized plan. When you can break down your goals, it becomes much easier to achieve them. Use a notepad or a daily planner to write down tasks and goals for everyday.

TIP! Challenges should always be undertaken. Finding a new challenge will open up new possibilities.

Those who want to succeed often look to mentors for help. All champions have great coaches and mentors, and it is important to have them. Everyone should be able to help others find the way. Without mentoring, there is no way people can truly perform to the best of their abilities. All champions have a fabulous coach.

Write something to pep yourself up. Write down all of your positive traits on a postcard. You can take this with you wherever you go, and review it when you want motivation. You can even record yourself reading it aloud and listen to it often. Why not?

Someone might have told you that listening skills are just as essential as speaking skills. This rule is equally important to personal development. You should make sure you are always listening when talking to yourself. Listening to what you tell yourself will help you know what you need and how to best improve yourself.

TIP! Establish a rainy day fund. This can help you to avoid always turning to your credit cards every time something unexpected arises.

Try to read encouraging books. Whether it is a religious book or a favorite novel, find a book that inspires you. Having something that you can easily turn to when times get tough and you need encouragement gives you a better mind set, and helps you handle your life better.

Personal growth is something we all strive for, even if it seems scary at first. If you are able to take control of your life and improve yourself, you will see a huge improvement in your quality of life.

Your reaction to a situation can determine your level of stress. Find ways to deal with distressing situations, and take the time to think things through. It?s always possible to fix any mistake you have made, or manage a way to deal with it. Be thankful for what you have and not for what you?ve lost.

TIP! Paying attention to your body is a good personal development practice. Listen to what your body is saying to you, so if it is exhibiting hunger, thirst, etc.

Humbled by the flurry of internet success in the last three years. So proud to have a system that actually works for people to earn $10,000 per month faster than any MLM or Network Marketing System I have ever seen. Simply put, I have never seen anything like the system I am lucky enough to be a top 1% earner in the world for. By the way, I can show you how to do exactly what I do. Sailed a good chunk of the world as a delivery yacht captain in sailboats, strum the guitar with my band, ?Green Eggs n? Sam, living in Hawaii with my wife, Vanessa and dog, Mookie. I speak Spanish, Italian, some French and loads of gibberish.
Let me show you how to work smarter and earn more money than you have anywhere else. All for just $25?
Learn more about this through ?> Here Are My Personal Success Secrets To $1,000+ Days

0

Source: http://www.samuellevitz.com/take-this-advice-if-you-want-to-improve-self-improvement

secret service prostitution 4 20 george zimmerman sheree whitfield weather dallas pat summitt real housewives of atlanta

World's best big wave surfers compete at Mavericks

FILE - In this file photo from Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, Ion Banner loses control on a giant wave during the Mavericks surfing contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif. As massive swells lumber across the Pacific toward Northern California, nearly two dozen of the world's best big wave surfers will be waiting to meet them Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, a half-mile offshore at the infamous surfing break Mavericks. For the first time since 2010, the Mavericks Invitational surf contest ? which requires wave faces of at least 20 feet ? will occur at the bone-crushing break that has claimed the lives of two expert big wave surfers. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

FILE - In this file photo from Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, Ion Banner loses control on a giant wave during the Mavericks surfing contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif. As massive swells lumber across the Pacific toward Northern California, nearly two dozen of the world's best big wave surfers will be waiting to meet them Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, a half-mile offshore at the infamous surfing break Mavericks. For the first time since 2010, the Mavericks Invitational surf contest ? which requires wave faces of at least 20 feet ? will occur at the bone-crushing break that has claimed the lives of two expert big wave surfers. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) ? As swells lumbered across the Pacific toward Northern California, nearly two dozen of the world's best big wave surfers went to meet them on Sunday, a half-mile offshore at the famed surfing break known as Mavericks.

For the first time since 2010, the Mavericks Invitational surf contest ? which requires wave faces of at least 20 feet ? got under way at the bone-crushing break that has claimed the lives of two expert big wave surfers.

Wave forecasters this week saw an excellent mixture of swell, wind, tide and sunny skies, though the waves Sunday morning were not quite as big as expected.

Contestant Tyler Smith said there were long waits between sets of waves, but there were some good rides for the patient.

"You just have to be in the right place at the right time," said Smith.

Once the decision was made to run the contest, the call went out to the surfers, giving them a couple of days to pack their boards and wetsuits, and hop a plane.

Surfing the wave at Mavericks is a feat that takes athletic skill, experience and nerve.

The swells travel through deep water for five days before hitting a small, finger-like section of shallow reef that juts out into the sea.

When the swell meets the reef, the wave jumps upward and crashes back down with a fury, eventually washing through a section of craggy rocks.

The takeoff is often so steep that the surfers' big-wave "gun" surfboards leave the wave face, forcing the surfers to land near the bottom and make a quick turn before being pummeled by the wave's lip.

The spot ? named after the dog of Jeff Clark, who is credited with being the first to surf Mavericks ? has earned a nasty reputation. Mark Foo, a legendary big-wave surfer from Hawaii, died while surfing Mavericks in 1994. In 2011, another seasoned waterman, Sion Milosky, died there just weeks after another surfer nearly drowned.

This year's contest will be different: spectators are forbidden access to the beach or bluffs. After a large set of waves crashed into the crowd in 2010, injuring dozens, local officials barred crowds from congregating there.

Also, people congregating on the bluffs and along tide pools during previous contests caused environmental damage.

This year organizers have set up a festival at a nearby hotel, featuring a large screen that will broadcast the surfing live. The surfers will hold the awards ceremony there at the end of the contest.

The Coast Guard has issued a high surf advisory for the weekend, and is warning people throughout the region to watch for "sneaker waves" and other hazards.

___

Follow Jason Dearen on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JHDearen

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-20-Big%20Wave%20Contest/id-8bc05d8868e141ba991626b42b1c66fd

brewers matt cain adastra holocaust remembrance day chesapeake energy dick clark death yom hashoah

Same-sex military couples struggle for recognition

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) ? Sgt. Karen Alexander fought for her country in Iraq, but back home she often feels the U.S. Army is fighting against her.

Married to another female soldier with a 4-year-old son, Alexander is denied the same housing allowance and other family-friendly benefits she would be entitled to if married to a man. As far as Uncle Sam is concerned, she's still single.

"I'm married to my best friend, who just happens to be of the same sex as me," said Alexander, 29, who is stationed at Fort Bragg. "We fight for everyone else's rights, but we're treated as second-class citizens."

Nearly a year and half after President Obama and Congress ended "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," same-sex couples are faced with daily reminders of the conflict inherent in serving openly as gays and lesbians under a government that still refuses to acknowledge their relationships.

Pentagon officials say they are bound by the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids the federal government from recognizing any marriage other than that between a man and a woman.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of DOMA in June, but advocacy groups say there are numerous steps the Pentagon could take now to treat struggling same-sex military couples more fairly.

Among the steps proposed by such advocacy groups as OutServe-Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and the American Military Partner Association are issuing military IDs to same-sex spouses, ensuring spouses have full access to on-base social programs, and letting same-sex couples qualify for military housing.

"Clearly DOMA prevents commanders from truly treating their service members equally, but there is so much they could do to treat them with greater equity," said Allyson Robinson, Outserve-SLDN's executive director. "The fact they choose not to is shocking."

The Defense Department's public response to these proposals hasn't changed over the past year.

"The Department is conducting a deliberative and comprehensive review of the possibility of extending eligibility for benefits, when legally permitted, to same-sex domestic partners," Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen wrote in an e-mail this week. "The benefits are being examined from a policy, fiscal, legal and feasibility perspective."

Almost verbatim, that's the same message conveyed to gay-rights activists in March 2012 by acting Undersecretary of Defense Jo Ann Rooney.

Robinson said it was possible that military leaders were waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on DOMA. If the law is struck down, which is by no means certain, the military would have a clear path to treat married sex-sex couples equally.

"If they're waiting, that in itself is a troubling decision," Robinson said. "For some of these service members, waiting even a few months is an incredible difficulty."

The next step for the activist groups will be putting pressure on Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next defense secretary, in hopes that he will take up the cause if he is confirmed.

Hagel, a former Republican senator, has apologized for 1998 remarks referring to an ambassadorial nominee as "openly, aggressively gay" and he pledged this week in a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., to "do everything possible to the extent permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all our service members."

While the Pentagon brass ponders the issue, Alexander and her wife, Pvt. Allison Hanson, struggle to pay their bills.

The couple met in an Army training program for chemical, biological and nuclear warfare in 2010. They got married last year in Washington, D.C., one of an increasing number places where same-sex marriage is legal.

Despite assurances to the contrary before she transferred, it was only after Alexander reported for duty at Fort Bragg in September the couple learned that post officials would not approve money for off-base housing, even the lesser amount provided to single soldiers with no dependents. Hanson said exceptions are routinely granted to unmarried heterosexual soldiers for various domestic reasons, and that she believes commanders at Bragg have the discretion to do so in Alexander's case if they wanted to.

"I can't live in the barracks with her," said Hanson, a National Guard soldier who lost her job when she followed Alexander to North Carolina.

The couple got a tiny one-bedroom apartment in nearby Fayetteville, where inexpensive housing can be tough to come by. After rent, the payment for their shared car, insurance, utilities and other bills, Alexander's modest enlisted salary provides them less than a $100 a week.

"I don't know if people have this Will and Grace image of how homosexuals live, like we're all rich or something, but that's not the case at all," Alexander said. "We're lucky we're vegetarians, so we don't really spend that much money on food."

Hanson made the agonizing decision to send her son to live with her ex-husband and his new wife in Utah because they cannot afford to care for him.

Beyond pocketbook issues, same-sex couples based at Bragg say they face social stigma.

After returning from a nine-month tour in Afghanistan, 1st Lt. Nakisha Hardy and her civilian wife were invited to attend a retreat at the Pinehurst resort intended to help strengthen relationships that can be strained by long separations. Though Hardy was told in advance that a same-sex couple would be welcome, on the second day they were asked to leave by an Army chaplain.

"He said that the program is funded under DOMA and that we were making other families feel uncomfortable and creating a distraction," Hardy said. "It definitely makes you question whether the culture is changing. People's personal beliefs aren't going to change just because laws do."

Last month, Bragg received national attention when Ashley Broadway, who is married to Lt. Col. Heather Mack, was denied membership in the officers' spouses club because she does not have a spouse identification badge issued by the military.

Though she and Mack have been together for 15 years, the only pass base officials will provide to Broadway names her as a caregiver to their 2-year-old son ? the same credential given to nannies.

On Thursday, the club announced they would allow Broadway admittance as a "guest member." She said Friday anything less than full membership is not acceptable.

"It's another slap in the face to my life and that of thousands of gay and lesbian soldiers because it basically it's like, 'Yes, please wear the uniform, please sacrifice, put yourself in harm's way, but, by the way, we're not going to take care of your family or your spouse back home,'" Broadway said.

Alexander and Hanson said change isn't coming fast enough. Although she says she loves military life and always thought she'd serve until retirement, Alexander is now considering leaving the Army she has served for nearly 10 years.

"The Pentagon has the option to change things, right now," Hanson said. "My wife and I both raised our right hands and swore to defend the Constitution. At what point does someone protect our rights?"

___

Crary reported from New York.

___

Follow AP writers Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck and David Crary at twitter.com/CraryAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/same-sex-military-couples-struggle-recognition-173556536.html

morgellons disease arik armstead sag awards red carpet torrey pines nhl all star game 2012 pollyanna samuel adams

Video: Musician playing inauguration, training next generation (cbsnews)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/278231078?client_source=feed&format=rss

bill moyers heidi klum and seal divorce craigslist killer extremely loud and incredibly close south carolina primary squirrel appreciation day billy beane

Fitness Tips To Help You Achieve Great Health | Inlypoto

You don?t need to be afraid of the word ??fitness??. You may have bad associations with the word ??fitness?? due to past failures. Let go of hurtful feelings and be proud of having a healthy body. The following article aims to help you do just that.

If you feel like losing weight, you should go for it. Or get fit to improve your health! Make sure you aren?t doing this for anyone else, only you. Relying on exterior motivation never works.

Make sure you stretch as it is essential to becoming fit. Stretching out all of your muscles thoroughly is a very important thing to do both before a workout and after a workout. It is possible to injure yourself if you do not stretch properly. Stretching allows the muscles to prepare and relax from a workout.

You should workout on a regular basis. While working out on a daily basis is ideal, you should engage in a minimum of two to four sessions each week. Remember that you do not have to have extra long sessions to achieve results. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day is good. An hour is the maximum. Focus on the quality of your training program and not how long you put into it.

By changing up the different exercises you do, you get better benefits overall to your body. If you normally use your treadmill for exercise, you can switch things up by going for a run around your neighborhood. The different kinds of stress that the different exercises put on the body will yield different results. The body can only keep on improving when it is constantly challenged with new and different routines.

You will find that fitness includes extra things in addition to physical benefits. A regular workout regimen has been proven to boost mental health as well as physical. The endorphins released while working out can improve your mood as well as some depression medications. The more you work out, the better you will feel about yourself and your abilities. This means you may be a few workouts short of happiness.

As time goes by, running can be both a curse and a blessing. It can do your body quite a bit of good, but it can also do quite a bit of harm. Take a break every 6 weeks or so in order to let your body fully recover from running. When you only run half of a normal session, it gives your body time to repair itself.

Try volunteering at school fitness programs to show your kids that tehy should be interested in fitness. Sometimes this helps them become more involved.

You should wipe down the equipment you will use at the gym prior to actually using it. Other users of the equipment may have left bacteria and, at least, sweat. You are hitting the gym to improve your health, not to end up sick in bed.

Trying these tips should help you adopt a healthier lifestyle including a better diet and regular exercise. If you do, you will be well on your way towards a healthier and more enjoyable life.

Source: http://inlypoto.unblog.fr/2013/01/18/fitness-tips-to-help-you-achieve-great-health/

lsu alabama lsu game lsu game beezow doo doo zopittybop bop bop cordova demaryius thomas transtar