DC hotels less busy for Obama's 2nd inauguration

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Visitors coming to the nation's capital for President Barack Obama's second inauguration can't stay in the one place President Ronald Reagan's family once called an eight-star hotel. That spot is the White House, and it's booked for the next four years. Still, inauguration-goers have a range of lodging options ? from crashing on a friend's couch to rooms that cost thousands of dollars a night.

With second inaugurations tending to draw fewer spectators, finding a place to stay in Washington won't be nearly as difficult as in 2009.

City officials are expecting 600,000 to 800,000 visitors for the Jan. 21 inauguration, far less than the 1.8 million people who flooded the National Mall four years ago to witness the inauguration of America's first black president. Back then, some hotels sold out months in advance and city residents rented out their homes for hundreds of dollars a night. This time, hotels say they're filling up more slowly, with rooms still available and prices at or slightly below where they were four years ago.

"Very few hotels are actually sold out at this point, so there's a lot of availability," said Elliott Ferguson, CEO of the tourism bureau Destination DC, who added that he expected demand to pick up after Christmas.

In 2009, hotel occupancy in the city for the night before the inauguration was 98 percent, and visitors paid an average daily rate of more than $600 that night, according to STR, a company that tracks hotel data. This time, some hotels still have half their rooms available. As a result, some establishments have relaxed minimum stays from four nights to three and could drop prices closer to the inauguration if demand does not increase.

Despite the muted enthusiasm, many of the city's posh hotels are still offering pricy packages. Visitors with an unlimited budget can check in to accommodations almost as grand and historic as the White House.

At The Willard hotel, about a block from the White House, rooms were still available starting at more than $1,100 a night with a four-night minimum. That means every guest will pay more than President Abraham Lincoln did when he checked out after his 1861 inauguration and paid $773.75 for a stay of more than a week.

At the Park Hyatt hotel in northwest Washington, where rooms start at $849 a night with a four-night minimum stay, the presidential suite is still available. For the 57th presidential inauguration next month, the hotel is charging $57,000 for a four-night package in the suite that includes butler service. And no one has yet booked $100,000 packages at the Fairmont hotel or the Ritz-Carlton.

A number of the city's luxury hotels plan special treats for guests, some of whom will be paying two to five times as much to stay during the inauguration compared with staying in the same room a week before. At the Ritz-Carlton, for example, where rooms start at about $1,100 per day, guests will get to bring home commemorative pillowcases embroidered with the official inauguration seal and their initials.

There are options for visitors looking to spend less, too, though some wallet-friendly choices have filled quickly.

Rooms at HI-DC, a hostel in downtown Washington, were sold out the day after the Nov. 6 election, with a bed in a dorm room going for $50 a night and private rooms for $150. With all the rooms sold, the hostel is finalizing plans for an election trivia night for guests.

Aunt Bea's Little White House, a six-room bed and breakfast in northeast Washington, still had two rooms available the week before Christmas, with rates starting at $225 a night. Innkeeper Gerald Duval said that included a bottle of champagne and a commemorative coin. There'll also be red-and-white bunting on the home's porch along with cutouts of the president and first lady.

Farther from downtown, the Best Western Plus hotel in Rockville, Md., was about 80 percent full with rooms at about $180 a night, down from a $209 starting rate. Director of Sales Ron Wallach said the hotel targeted some groups before the election, including students, journalists and the Secret Service, in order to fill its rooms.

Other travelers looking for budget-friendly prices may have success with websites like Craigslist or Airbnb, where homeowners offer their places for a price. More than 200 Craigslist housing posts in the area included the word "inauguration." Airbnb said it expected approximately 2,000 people to stay in Washington during the inauguration using its site.

Other travelers have told friends and family living in the area to plan on having guests. Lauren Hines and her husband had three people stay at their small Capitol Hill apartment during the 2009 inauguration, so many that one slept in a hallway. She and her husband now live in nearby Alexandria, Va., and planned to host her father-in-law, and maybe mother-in-law, from Ohio. Hines said they didn't even consider a hotel.

"They know that they've always got a place with us," she said.

___

Follow Jessica Gresko at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dc-hotels-less-busy-obamas-2nd-inauguration-160239105--politics.html

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US economy could handle short fall over 'cliff'

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The economic threat that's kept many Americans on edge for months is nearing reality ? unless the White House and Republicans cut a budget deal by New Year's Day.

Huge tax increases. Deep cuts in domestic and defense programs. The likelihood of sinking stock prices, reduced consumer spending and corporate layoffs. The risk of a recession within months.

Still, the start of 2013 may turn out to be far less bleak than feared. For one thing, the two sides may strike a short-term agreement before New Year's that postpones spending cuts until spring. President Barack Obama and members of Congress return to Washington Thursday.

Even if New Year's passed with no deal, businesses and consumers would not likely panic as long as some agreement seemed imminent. The $671 billion in tax increases and spending cuts could be retroactively repealed.

And the impact of the tax increases would be felt only gradually. Most people would receive slightly less money in each paycheck.

"The simple conclusion that going off the cliff necessarily means a recession next year is wrong," says Lewis Alexander, an economist at Nomura Securities. "It will ultimately depend on how long the policies are in place."

It's always possible that negotiations between President Obama and Republican congressional leaders will collapse in acrimony. The prospect of permanent tax increases and spending cuts could cause many consumers and businesses to delay spending, hiring or expanding.

Without any agreement at all for months, the fiscal cliff would cause the U.S. economy to shrink 0.5 percent in the first half of 2013 and fall into recession, the Congressional Budget Office estimates.

But most economists expect a deal, if not by New Year's then soon after. Businesses and consumers will likely remain calm as long as negotiators seem to be moving toward an agreement.

"The atmosphere is more important than whether the talks spill" into next year, said Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics.

Here's why many are optimistic that a brief fall over the cliff wouldn't derail the economic recovery:

? Though the fiscal cliff would boost taxes by $586 billion for all of 2013, the tax hit for most people would be modest at first. The expiration of Social Security and income tax cuts would be spread throughout 2013. For taxpayers with incomes of $40,000 to $65,000, paychecks would shrink an average of about $1,500 next year. That would be a significant bite over the full year, but the initial hit would be just $130 in January, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

? About a third of the tax increases wouldn't touch most Americans. Some would hit businesses. Others, such as higher taxes on investment income and estates, and the expiration of middle-income tax credits, wouldn't come due until Americans filed their 2013 taxes in 2014.

? The Internal Revenue Service has delayed any increases in tax withholding that would otherwise kick in. Without a deal, the top income tax rate for single people with taxable income between about $36,000 and $88,000 would rise from 25 percent to 28 percent. But that won't start to reduce Americans' paychecks in early January, even if no deal is reached by then.

? About $85 billion in spending cuts to defense and domestic programs would take weeks or longer to take effect. That means government agencies wouldn't cut jobs right away.

If a short-term agreement is struck, some taxes would probably still go up. These would include a 2 percentage point cut in Social Security taxes that's been in place for two years. Its expiration would cost the typical household about $1,000 a year. With income gains sluggish, that could dampen consumer spending.

A temporary deal that delays some hard decisions could reduce business and consumer confidence. It would also mean:

? Extended unemployment benefits would end for 2 million people. The federal government's program pays for about 32 weeks of extra benefits, on average, on top of the 26 weeks most states provide. Weekly unemployment checks average about $320 nationwide.

? The stock market would probably drop, though maybe not by much. Many Wall Street analysts expect a partial deal of some kind. "There is starting to become a little bit of an acceptance that we fall off the fiscal cliff," said J.J. Kinahan, a strategist for TD Ameritrade.

? The expiration of the Social Security tax cut and the end of emergency unemployment benefits would likely shave 0.7 percentage point off economic growth next year, the CBO estimates. The economy is now growing at about a 2 percent annual pace.

If no deal at all was reached by January and budget talks dragged on, many businesses might put off investment or hiring. That's why most economists say it would be crucial to reach a deal within roughly the first two months of 2013.

In addition, many more people would be affected if something called the alternative minimum tax isn't fixed.

The financially painful AMT was designed to prevent rich people from exploiting loopholes and deductions to avoid any income tax. But the AMT wasn't indexed for inflation, so it has increasingly threatened middle-income taxpayers. Congress has acted each year for a decade to prevent the AMT from hitting many more people.

If it isn't fixed again, roughly 33 million taxpayers, including married couples with income as low as $45,000 ? down from $74,450 in 2011? could face the AMT. Previously, only 5 million taxpayers had to pay it. Taxpayers subject to the AMT must calculate their tax under both the regular system and the AMT and pay the larger amount. Without a fix, a middle-income household would pay an average of $1,231 more, according to the Tax Policy Center.

The IRS has said it assumes Congress and the White House will fix the AMT in a deal to avoid the cliff. If they don't, the IRS will need weeks to reprogram computers and make other adjustments. In the meantime, about 100 million taxpayers couldn't file tax returns early next year because they couldn't determine whether they owe the AMT. Refunds would be delayed.

The gravest scenario would be if the budget talks collapsed and the tax increases and spending cuts appeared to be permanent.

In that case, Macroeconomic Advisors warns that the Dow could plunge up to 2,000 points within days. Businesses would turn gloomier in anticipation of Americans paying higher taxes and spending less.

The economy would shrink at an annual rate of 0.6 percent in the first three months of 2013, estimates Joel Prakken, an economist at Macroeconomic Advisors. That compares with an estimated 1.9 percent growth rate if a deal is reached. CBO forecasts that the unemployment rate would rise to 9.1 percent from the current 7.7 percent.

Last week, Obama and House Speaker John Boehner narrowed their differences on income tax increases and spending cuts. But with the two sides deadlocked, Boehner scheduled a vote on a bill to prevent taxes from rising on those earning less than $1 million a year. Opposition from anti-tax conservatives, and Democrats, forced him to cancel the vote.

The gridlock caused stocks to fall Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 121 points.

Obama called for a vote on a stripped-down agreement that would raise taxes only on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and extend emergency unemployment benefits. Automatic spending cuts would be postponed.

Whatever the outcome, some trends could offset part of the economic damage. The average retail price for gasoline has dropped 15 percent this fall, for example. Lower gas prices give consumers more money to spend elsewhere.

And if the crisis is resolved, as many expect, the boost to business and consumer confidence would encourage more hiring and spending.

"We could end up with a much more robust recovery than anybody's envisioned" if a deal is reached, said David Cote, CEO of Honeywell International.

__

AP Business Writers Christina Rexrode, Steve Rothwell and Daniel Wagner contributed to this report. Rexrode and Rothwell reported from New York.

__

Follow Chris Rugaber on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ChrisRugaber

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-economy-could-handle-short-fall-over-cliff-150829612--finance.html

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Syria to discuss Brahimi proposals with Russia

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad dispatched a senior diplomat to Moscow on Wednesday to discuss proposals made by envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to end the conflict convulsing his country, Syrian and Lebanese sources said.

Brahimi, who met Assad on Monday as part of a series of planned talks with Syrian officials and dissidents in Damascus this week, is trying to arrange a peaceful transfer of power, but has disclosed little about how this might be achieved.

More than 44,000 Syrians have died in the revolt against four decades of Assad family rule, a conflict that began with peaceful protests but which has descended into civil war.

Past peace efforts have floundered, with world powers divided over what has become an increasingly sectarian struggle between mostly Sunni Muslim rebels and Assad's security forces, drawn primarily from his Shi'ite-rooted Alawite minority.

Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad flew to Moscow to discuss the details of the talks with Brahimi, said a Syrian security source, who would not say if a deal was in the works.

However, a Lebanese official close to Damascus said Makdad had been sent to seek Russian advice on a possible agreement.

He said Syrian officials were upbeat after talks with Brahimi, the U.N.-Arab League envoy, who met Foreign Minister Walid Moualem on Tuesday a day after his session with Assad, but who has not outlined his ideas in public.

"There is a new mood now and something good is happening," the official said, asking not to be named. He gave no details.

Russia, which has given Assad diplomatic and military aid in the 21-month-old uprising, has said it is not protecting him, but has fiercely criticized any foreign backing for rebels and, with China, has blocked U.N. Security Council action on Syria.

On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Syria's civil war had reached stalemate and international efforts to persuade Assad to quit would fail.

Assad's opponents insist the Syrian president must go, given the scale of bloodshed and destruction they blame on him.

Moaz Alkhatib, head of the internationally recognized Syrian National Coalition opposition, has criticized any notion of a transitional government in which Assad would stay on as a figurehead president stripped of any real powers.

SHELLING KILLS 20

The comments on Alkhatib's Facebook page on Monday suggested that the opposition believed this was among Brahimi's ideas.

"We have told every official we have met: the government and its president cannot stay on in power, with or without their powers. This is unacceptable to Syrians," Alkhatib wrote.

"The coalition leadership has told Lakhdar Brahimi directly that this type of solution is rejected."

While Brahimi was striving to bridge the vast gaps between Assad and his foes, fighting raged on across the country and a senior Syrian military officer defected to the rebels.

Syrian army shelling killed about 20 people, at least eight of them children, in the northern province of Raqqa, a video posted by opposition campaigners showed.

The video published by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights showed rows of blood-stained bodies laid out on blankets. The sound of crying relatives could be heard in the background.

The shelling hit the province's al-Qahtania village, but it was unclear when the attack had occurred.

Rebels re-launched their assault on the Wadi Deif military base in the northwestern province of Idlib, in a critical battle for a major army base and fuel storage and distribution point.

Activist Ahmed Kaddour said rebels were firing mortars and had attacked the base with an explosives-rigged vehicle.

The British-based Observatory, which uses a network of contacts in Syria to monitor the conflict, said a rebel commander was among several killed in Wednesday's fighting, which it said was among the heaviest there for months.

As violence has intensified in recent weeks, with Assad using his air power and artillery to contain rebel advances, daily death tolls have climbed. At least 190 were killed across the country on Tuesday alone, the Observatory said.

The head of Syria's military police changed sides and declared allegiance to the anti-Assad revolt.

"I am General Abdelaziz Jassim al-Shalal, head of the military police. I have defected because of the deviation of the army from its primary duty of protecting the country and its transformation into gangs of killing and destruction," the officer said in a video published on YouTube.

A Syrian security source confirmed the defection, but said Shalal was near retirement and had only defected to "play hero".

Syrian Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shaar left Lebanon for Damascus after being treated in Beirut for wounds sustained in a rebel bomb attack this month.

(Additional reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Alistair Lyon)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syria-envoy-seeks-peace-clashes-rage-101206393.html

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F.C. Real Estate Agent Earns 'Emeritus' Status

The Long & Foster Real Estate Falls Church office announced this month that Lillian Peterson, a sales associate with the office, has earned the prestigious Realtor Emeritus status from the National Association of Realtors, in recognition of 45 years of service to the real estate community.

Peterson is also the first-ever member of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors to earn membership in the organization?s Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club each year for more than four consecutive decades and is the only member to hold that title. She is also a lifetime member of NVAR?s Top Producers Club.

Source: http://fcnp.com/2012/12/25/f-c-real-estate-agent-earns-emeritus-status/

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GLHFCasting ? Trustworthy Automobile Repairs

Your car is a vitally important aspect in your daily life. You always do the necessary things to ensure your car runs smoothly and looks great. But even if you understand cars and are doing these things, sometimes you will require help to make sure your car is repaired properly. Our staff of experienced mechanics are able to handle an extensive list of repairs. From minor repairs like a squeaky brakes to larger problems like a broken transmission, we are your resource to get all cars fixed quickly. We will ensure that you are told the full extent of any repair we do and the lines of communication are always open so your questions and concerns are answered. In addition to repairs, we can also assist you with a variety of upgrades to improve the performance or look of your vehicle. Call us today for help with all your Car Repair Services needs. Transmission Pflugerville

Source: http://www.glhfcasting.com/trustworthy-automobile-repairs-4/

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How long does it take to short sale a home? - Antioch CA Homes for ...

Question: ?How long does it take to short sale a home? ?

Answer: ? ?Although it is?difficult?to determine the timeline of a?short sale?as you may not be fully aware of who the Investors are that make the?decisions,? is it a?Fannie Mae loan, or?Freddie?Mac loan, is there a mortgage insurance involved, and do you qualify for HAFA , etc? ?There are three very real phases every short sale goes through. ? ?Knowing these phases will help you to know where you are in the process and can give you an idea of when you may?receive?the highly anticipated approval. ??The three phases a short sale goes through are Submission, Valuation, ?and Approval.

Phase ?1 of 3: ? Submission

The Submission phase is when all?documents are submitted?to the lender for review and a?Negotiator (this will be your main contact) is assigned. ?In order to process the short sale and validate the Sellers Hardship the Seller will need to provide the following documents. Before preparing these documents you may want to check if you are?eligible?for a HAFA short sale.

List of documents that may be needed

• Hardship Letter
• Financial Statements
• HAFA Forms
• Lender Specific Forms
• Bank Statements
• Tax returns
• Pay Stubs
• Pnl (if self employed)
• SalesContract
• Listing Agreement
• HUD1 (itemized list from a Title Company detailing cost associated with the sale and the Lien Holders net proceeds)

Phase 2 of 3: ? Value

Lien Holders (especially the first Lien Holder involved in the short sale) will want to know the value of the property prior to approving the short sale. ?Lien Holders do not want to sell the property below market value. ?They will more likely approve a sale if the value of the sales contract and the Lien Holders?opinion?of value are similar. ?In my experience, banks will generally approve an offer if it is within 93%-100% of their?opinion?of the value. ? ?Check the value of your home.

The Lien Holders will likely complete any or perhaps all of the below to determine value:

• Appraisal (Completed by a Licensed?Appraiser?however not the same appraisal you would use for financing the property)
• B.P.O. (Broker Price?Opinion?often completed by a local Real Estate Agent)
• A.V.M. (Automated?Valuation?Model an online?opinion?of value)

Phase 3 of 3: ? Approval

Your almost there? ? This is the phase where the Servicer obtains approval from their Investors. ? The Listing Agent (Sellers Agent) may also need to obtain an approval from other Lien Holders (Tax Lien Holders, 2nd mortgages, 3rd mortgage, private liens, etc?) ? Once all?Lien Holders?approve an approval letter is issued usually from each?Lien holder?providing approval.

A word of advise. ?Read the letters carefully, they may have changed some of the terms in the?original?offer and because it may have been months since it was written you may have forgotten some of the terms.

The real name for a short sale is short pay as one or maybe all of the lenders involved?end up short of the amount owed upon the sale of the home. ? It is rarely a quick sale as it can?often take months to short sale a home however follow the three phases outlined above and you?will have a better understanding of the timeline of a short sale. ? More information about?what is a short sale.

For more information about the $3,000 Relocation Assistance (if you qualify for HAFA).?Contact us for a free HAFA brochure?or visit our office at 5079 Lone Tree Way Antioch, Ca 94531

?

Source: http://rickfullerinc.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-short-sale-a-home/

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How To FIle Bankruptcy With No Trouble | Investing Market Analysis ...

Deciding to file for bankruptcy is not an easy decision to make; but, in some cases, it is necessary. It is always best to go forward, armed with the best information and assistance you can find. You need to know what you are up against. Read on for knowledge and wisdom passed on from those who have gone through bankruptcy themselves.

If you?re considering filing for bankruptcy, it is critical that you assess what events and behaviors brought you to this point. You should not worry about your money managing skills if you owe money because of unplanned medical expenses, but if most of your money has been spent irresponsibly, you need to look for a long-term solution to manage your finances. Don?t assume that you can handle getting past these things on your own, if you find yourself continuing to do it. Get help.

If it looks like you?re in for a big hit on your taxes, don?t necessarily assume bankruptcy is a way out for you. Filing for bankruptcy does not exempt you from paying your taxes. This is done on the mistaken belief that since the amount owing is now owed to a credit card, they will get away with not paying taxes. However, there are already bankruptcy laws in place for this. This will leave you with owed taxes and then credit card interest for it, too.

Write down a list of every debt you have. This is going to be the foundation of your filing for bankruptcy, so be certain to include every debt you know about. Always go through your statements and get exact numbers. Take care not to miss any debts that you need to disclose, or you will be responsible for paying them back after you have filed for bankruptcy.

It is wise to reconsider filing for divorce if your financial situation is grim. A lot of individuals get a divorce and file for bankruptcy immediately because they did not plan for the troubles that they will be experiencing financially. Rethink getting divorced, if possible.

Most bankruptcy lawyers offer a free consultation, so meet with several before you decide on one. Be certain to speak with an attorney, not their paralegal or law clerk, since they cannot give legal advice. Looking for an attorney will help you find a lawyer you feel good around.

After you have declared bankruptcy, you may have a hard time being approved for unsecured credit. If so, apply for a secured credit card. This will allow you to start building a good credit history while minimizing the bank?s risk. If you do well with a secured card and make strides to repair your credit, you will ultimately be able to receive an unsecured card.

If you manage to get a new job right before filing for bankruptcy, still pay strict attention to your financial situation! It might still be wisest to file for bankruptcy. Choosing when to file can have a big impact. Should you file prior to earning your first paycheck, that money will not be considered when it comes to how you will repay.

You can always refile for bankruptcy if your case is dismissed. Be aware, though, that in most situations you will only possess the assistance of an automatic stay for thirty days after filing if your case has already been dismissed once. If you need more than the allotted 30 days you should ask the judge for an extension if you have good cause.

No one is happy to be bankrupt; sometimes it is the only option. Since you?ve read the advice found in this article, you know what has worked for others who have filed for bankruptcy in the past. You will find that every journey in life goes more smoothly if you heed the advice of those who go before you, and this one is no different.

The topic of growth stock quotes can be overwhelming. There is a lot of conflicting information floating around. The article you?ve just read contains only the best tricks and tips to give you a grasp on the subject. Let this be your guide, and know that this is the best advice out there.

Source: http://invetingmarketanalysis.com/2012/12/23/how-to-file-bankruptcy-with-no-trouble/

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Golson to be honored by city of Myrtle Beach : Sports : CarolinaLive ...

Read?more: Everett Golson, Notre Dame, Beach Ball Classic, Quarterback, BCS, Myrtle Beach, Seahawks, College, NCAA Football

? Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson will be honored by his hometown at the Beach Ball Classic basketball tournament.? Golson?will be in attendance for a ceremony at halftime of the 7pm game between Spring Valley (SC) and Wheeler (GA) on December 26th at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

? Golson was an all-state guard in basketball and played for Myrtle Beach High in the Beach Ball Classic, a week long tournament that brings in top high school programs across the nation.? Golson will start for the Fighting Irish in the BCS Championship game on January 6th in Miami against Alabama.? As a redshirt freshman in his first season of college football, Golson has guided Notre Dame to a 12-0 record and a #1 national ranking.?

? Golson won two WPDE Zoneman Trophies in 2008 and 2009?and won two football state championships throwing 151 career TD passes for the Myrtle Beach Seahawks.

Source: http://www.carolinalive.com/sports/story.aspx?id=840625

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Pet Parade Dogs And Cats Find Homes For The Holidays ? CBS ...

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/12/23/pet-parade-dogs-and-cats-find-homes-for-the-holidays/

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The world mourns with Connecticut; gifts pour in

Volunteer Anthony Vessicchio of East Haven, Conn., helps to sort tables full of donated toys at the town hall in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Volunteer Anthony Vessicchio of East Haven, Conn., helps to sort tables full of donated toys at the town hall in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A message of support hangs over a table full of donated toys at the town hall in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

ADDS NAME TO DAUGHTER - Robbie Parker, left, carries his daughter, Madeline, 4, following funeral services for his 6-year old daughter, Connecticut elementary shooting victim Emilie Parker, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Ogden, Utah. Emilie, whose family has Ogden roots, was one of the victims killed in a Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A girl looks into the hearse carrying the casket of Josephine Gay after the funeral services at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, in Newtown. Gay, was one of 20 children and six adult victims killed in on the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown. (AP Photo/The News-Times, Cody Duty) MANDATORY CREDITCREDIT

A horse drawn carriage carrying the body of Anna Grace Marquez-Greene leaves the church after her funeral in Bloomfield, Conn., Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. Marquez-Greene, 6, was killed when gunman Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before killing himself. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) ? People around the world are grieving with residents of Newtown, and many are expressing their support by sending toys, money and other gifts to the town.

They were moved by the shocking murders of 20 little children and six women at Sandy Hook Elementary School just over a week ago.

The outpouring of tens of thousands of teddy bears, Barbie dolls, soccer balls, board games and more has come from toy stores, organizations and individuals worldwide.

"It's their way of grieving. They say, 'I feel so bad, I just want to do something to reach out,'" said Bobbi Veach, who was helping out Saturday at Edmond Town Hall, where all of Newtown's children were invited to choose a toy.

Even as the town was trying to spread Christmas joy on Saturday, tiny victims of the massacre were still being buried. A service was held in Ogden, Utah, for 6-year-old Emilie Parker. Others were held in Connecticut for 7-year-old Josephine Gay and 6-year-old Ana Marquez-Greene.

In Ogden, people tied pink ribbons around trees and utility poles in memory of Emilie, who was buried at Evergreen Memorial Park next to her maternal grandfather, who died 2? months earlier.

Dozens of emergency responders paid their respects at the start of the service for Josephine at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown, walking through the church and up to the altar.

A horse-drawn carriage brought the miniature coffin of Ana to The First Cathedral church in Bloomfield, where 1,000 mourners gathered to bid goodbye. The service included a performance by Harry Connick, Jr., who has played with the girl's jazz saxophonist father, Jimmy Greene.

Police say 20-year-old Adam Lanza was the killer. They say he had killed his mother earlier across town and took his own life after the school massacre. Police still don't know why he did it.

Millions of dollars have poured into Newton in the aftermath of the tragedy. The United Way of Western Connecticut said the official fund for donations had $2.8 million in it on Saturday. Others sent envelopes stuffed with cash to pay for coffee at the general store, and a shipment of cupcakes arrived from a gourmet bakery in Beverly Hills, California.

The Postal Service reported a six-fold increase in mail in the town and set up a unique post office box to handle it. Some letters were addressed to the "First Responders" or just "The People of Newtown." One card arrived from Georgia addressed to "The families of 6 amazing women and 20 beloved angels." Many contained checks.

"This is just the proof of the love that's in this country," Postmaster Cathy Zieff said.

Peter Leone said he was busy at his Newtown General Store when he got a phone call from a woman in Alaska who wanted to give him her credit card number.

"She said, 'I'm paying for the next $500 of food that goes out your door,'" Leone said. "About a half hour later another gentleman called, I think from the West Coast, and he did the same thing for $2,000."

The basement of the town hall building resembled a toy store, with piles of stuffed animals, dolls, games, and other gifts. They all were inspected and examined by bomb-sniffing dogs. The children could choose whatever they wanted.

Newtown resident Amy Mangold, director of the local Parks and Recreation department, attended with her 12-year-old daughter, Cory. She acknowledged that most attendees could afford to buy their own gifts but said "this means people really care about what's happening here. They know we need comfort and want to heal."

Many people have placed flowers, candles and stuffed animals at makeshift memorials that have popped up all over town. Others are stopping by the Edmond Town Hall to drop off food, toys or cash. About 60,000 teddy bears were donated, said Ann Benoure, a social services caseworker who was working at the town hall.

Tom Mahoney, the building administrator who's in charge of handling gifts, said the town plans to donate whatever is left to shelters or other charities.

In addition to the town's official fund, other private funds have been set up. Former Sandy Hook student Ryan Kraft, who once was Lanza's babysitter, set up a fund with other alumni that has collected almost $150,000. It is earmarked for the Sandy Hook PTA.

Rabbi Shaul Praver of Congregation Adath Israel is raising money for a memorial to the victims. He said one man wrote a check for $52,000 for the project.

Several colleges, including the University of Connecticut, have set up scholarship funds for Sandy Hook students and relatives of victims.

A board of Newtown community leaders is being established to determine where they money is most needed, said Isabel Almeida with the local United Way.

While the town is grateful for all the support, Almeida said, it has no more room for gifts. She encouraged people to donate to others in memory of Sandy Hook victims.

"Send those teddy bears to a school in your community or an organization that serves low-income children, who are in need this holiday season, and do it in memory of our children," she said.

___

Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed, Christopher Sullivan, Eileen AJ Connelly, Susan Haigh and John Christoffersen contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-12-23-Connecticut%20School%20Shooting/id-2e842dc7383a469bb71c40fa39a37c8a

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I Wish I Thought of That! Organization Tips for the Home | Robin ...

Getting organized in your home can be less expensive and easier than you think. There are items all around your home that can help you get the clutter in order. Here are just a few tips to get you off to a good start:

A big problem is spices, they get lost in the cabinet, take up tons of room and are always hard to see. If this is a problem in your home use a?mop holder to store spices on the inside of a cabinet door.

Too many craft supplies and a place to put them is a typical problem. Arrange crayons, colored pencils and more in an over-the-door shoe organizer. You have all your supplies organized and easy to see in no time.

Use the shoe organizer for anything. It can also be great for cleaning supplies.

If you need decorations for your playroom walls and you have too many board games this is a great solution. Take the glass out of frames and frame the board games and hang on the walls. Attach the game pieces in little baggies to the frame.

What about all that jewelry? If you could actually see it you may even wear it more. Hang a peg board on the wall in your closet and hang your necklaces from it.

Need a place to put your earrings? How about an ice cube tray?

These are just a few nifty ideas. What are your best ideas to keep your home organized?

Source: http://www.robinspangenberg.com/blog/i-wish-i-thought-of-that-organization-tips-for-the-home

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Numero Uno Internet Options, a Toronto-Primarily based Search ...

Numero Uno Internet Options, a Toronto-Primarily based Search engine optimisation and World wide web Marketing Organization, Launches Strategic On the web Search engine marketing Video Service

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) December 22, 2012

Numero Uno Net Solutions (NumeroUnoWeb.com), a quickly-increasing worldwide research engine optimization (Seo) and Internet marketing company that caters to little and mid-dimension company-to-customer companies, announces the launch of its Search engine marketing video support.

10 many years ago, it didnt consider a whole lot of work to get a world wide web internet site best billing Search engine optimisation basically consisted of stuffing search phrases onto one web web page. Realizing it didnt take a lot to manipulate search outcomes, Google up to date its algorithms to guarantee quality copy, not random key words, was king. And, Google has been updating its algorithms ever considering that.

Even though supplying special copy, making back links, press releases, and social media are vital elements to a productive Search engine optimization campaign it doesnt stop there. The goal of an Search engine optimisation campaign is to generate content material that individuals talk about and get seen, said Andy Wu, Business Growth Manager at Numero Uno Net Answers. And, todays on the internet marketing campaign has to type via the information overload and grab the guests consideration by way of their eyes and ears, due to the fact how consumers learn details can be as essential as what the data is.

Wu added, To that end, one particular way modest and medium-sized organizations can hold guests looking at their world wide web web sites longer is with either YouTube or personalized videos. Why? Google is the worlds most crucial research engine, and Google owns YouTube. With that in mind, Google isnt going to ignore the expanding prominence video has in the online local community.

A effective Search engine optimisation campaign is not about copying the competition. Its about providing larger good quality hyperlinks and distinctive content. Its about standing out. At Numero Uno Internet Solutions, our expertise exhibits us that video content material accomplishes all that. In turn, this can translate into a lot more individuals linking to video and increasing a companys online ranking, Wu observed.

Folks love to share videos with wonderful content, Wu concluded. That doesnt imply a profitable Search engine optimization campaign has to revolve all around a video clip. What it does suggest is that video can be an essential element of a Search engine optimization campaign. Taking benefit of a well-liked, below-employed function that Google loveslike videocan get a small and medium-sized business ahead of the on the web marketing curve.

Adding a strategic video component is a wonderful way to make a Search engine marketing campaign far more visual and engaging. Numero Uno World wide web Answers gives a thorough list of on the web video Seo solutions, including: video clip production and YouTube marketing. Numero Uno Internet Options has the video clip authorities little and medium-sized companies require to launch a successful YouTube campaign.

To understand a lot more about Numero Uno Internet Remedies, go to the companys web website at http://www.numerounoweb.com.

Numero Uno Net Options is one particular of the top rated Net marketing corporations, due to continuous innovation and all round consumer satisfaction. For much more details on Numero Uno Internet Options, and to uncover how the organization can assist maximize your companys search engine optimization and on the internet presence, pay a visit to http://www.numerounoweb.com. Or, get in touch with Numero Uno Web Solutions toll no cost at 1-855-Seo-XPRT (one-855-736-9778).

Source: http://qualitywebmarketing.com/numero-uno-internet-options-a-toronto-primarily-based-search-engine-optimisation-and-world-wide-web-marketing-organization-launches-strategic-on-the-web-search-engine-marketing-video-service/

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Raid on Kenyan coastal village leaves 28 dead

Though Robert Pattinson stuck by her, Ben Affleck has left Kristen Stewart?in the dust. Citing a schedule crunch, the actor has backed out of?Focus, a con-artist movie set to costar Stewart and begin filming this spring. Stewart had just said in a recent interview that she was excited to start shooting, but now who knows what will happen. "Hi Kristen. We know that you were excited about working with Ben, but he dropped out, so we got you a replacement," a producer says to her the day she arrives on set. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/raid-kenyan-coastal-village-leaves-28-dead-075423212.html

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Brazil Agriculture Boom Mato Grosso - Business Insider

Since World War II, the U.S. has been hailed as the world's breadbasket, pumping grains and meat from its fertile heartland out to the world.

But another country is snatching that mantle away: Brazil.

In 2001, Brazilian agricultural exports totaled $16 billion, according to USDA analyst Oliver Flake. By 2010 exports had climbed to a record $62 billion and reached approximately $80 billion in 2011.

That represents an increase of 400 percent over 10 years. Comparatively, U.S. exports rose about 175 percent over the same period, Flake says.

What's their secret?

A place called Mato Grosso.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-agriculture-boom-mato-grosso-2012-12

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James Gandolfini stars in 'Not Fade Away'

'Not Fade Away' tries a little too hard, but Gandolfini as a 1960s father is a standout.

By Peter Rainer,?Film critic / December 21, 2012

James Gandolfini stars in 'Not Fade Away.'

Paramount Vantage/AP

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David Chase, the creator ?The Sopranos? and one of the seminal figures in television history, makes his feature film directing debut with ?Not Fade Away,? a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama set in New Jersey in the '60s. It?s a ?personal? movie that, in some ways, seems impersonal. Everything seems a bit too varnished and staged and overly familiar.

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Doug (John Magaro), who lives with his little sister (Meg Guzulescu) and blustery parents (Molly Price and James Gandolfini), has dropped out of college to make it big with the rock band he started in high school. He also has a work-in-progress relationship with well-to-do girlfriend Grace (Bella Heathcote), which is emblematic of the class consciousness that suffuses this story. Chase works in a lot of pop references ? Doug?s group covers the Rolling Stones and the Kinks ? and some of his cultural remembrances have a lovely glow. (Doug admires the music of Leadbelly, too.) But everybody tries too strenuously to summon up the past while giving it the immediacy of the present. Gandolfini, though, is a standout as the old-school father who can?t abide his new-style son (but loves him anyway). Grade: C+ (Rated R for pervasive language, some drug use and sexual content.)

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/boVJuyl_I5o/James-Gandolfini-stars-in-Not-Fade-Away

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FEMA Says No To Residents With Flood Insurance - Lower Eastern ...

Last night at the FEMA meeting in Crisfield, residents who have flood insurance even though their companies will not pay were told they were screwed as FEMA would not help. This is not what these residents having so many problems already and trying to deal with uncooperative insurance?companies?needed to hear.

Source: http://www.lowereasternshorenews.com/2012/12/fema-says-no-to-residents-with-flood.html

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Early Language Skills Help Kids Manage Anger

The ability to use words as a toddler may affect the way a child manages anger later in life, a new study suggests.

Children with good language skills at age 2 expressed less anger during frustrating situations at age 4 than did those 4-year-olds with less advanced language skills, according to the study's findings.

Children whose language skills developed quickly also expressed less anger at age 4.

While previous research suggested a link between language skills and the expression of anger in young children, few studies had followed children over time. [See Kids' Tantrums As Disorder Concern Doctors.]

The new study followed 120 children from 18 months old until they were 4. Children periodically underwent tests that assessed their language skills and their ability to cope with frustrating tasks. One task asked children to wait for eight minutes before opening a present while their mother finished work.

Two aspects of language appeared to help children rein in their anger. First, more-developed language skills allowed kids to ask for support from their parents during a frustrating situation ?(for instance, asking the mother whether she was finished with her work). Children also used language to occupy or distract themselves from becoming angry. (One child dealt with the waiting task by counting for a full minute.)

"Better language skills may help children verbalize rather than use emotions to convey needs and use their imaginations to occupy themselves while enduring a frustrating wait," said study researcher Pamela Cole, a professor of psychology at Pennsylvania State University..

The study appears today (Dec. 20) in the journal Child Development.

Pass it on:Toddlers with good language skills are better able to manage anger when they enter preschool.

Follow Rachael Rettner on Twitter @RachaelRettner, or MyHealthNewsDaily @MyHealth_MHND. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

Copyright 2012 MyHealthNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/early-language-skills-help-kids-manage-anger-142900433.html

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What a Difference a Year Makes! - Customer Experience ...

So you think you know KANA? What a Difference a Year Makes!

The roots of our company stretch back more than 20 years, in fact, almost a quarter century. Some people remember KANA as an email response management company, which you can read more about in our CMO, James Norwood?s recent post ?KANA? Aren?t they the email management company?? Others think of KANA as synonymous with sophisticated agent-based knowledge management or perhaps even for live chat. Well 10 years ago that was probably a fair assumption, but that?s not who or what KANA is today.

I have been with KANA for three years now as CEO, and in that time I and the rest of the team at KANA have worked diligently to transform a business with great fundamentals (and a customer base to die for) into the KANA Software of today ? a vibrant, growing, and global business with more than 700 employees around the world supporting some 900 customers in both the commercial and public sectors ? with a mandate to be the undisputed leader for customer service software and related services.

How did we get here?

I want to keep this blog short so I?ll focus on 2012 and what has perhaps been our most transformative 12 months as a company, to provide you with just a glimpse into our business momentum and progress. In January we launched a brand new website at www.kana.com which has received a great deal of complimentary feedback and continues to draw tens of thousands of unique new visitors every month. KANA?s website is also home to this Customer Experience Management blog, which we take a great deal of pride in. Wide ranging, sometimes entertaining, occasionally provocative, but we hope always valuable ? we welcome your feedback.

In February of this year we brought together our world field operations in Santa Monica, California so that we could outline our company vision and set clear objectives for all. What was special about that event is that we had customers attend as well, and they presented as to why they selected KANA, how they were using us within their business and their plans for the future.

In April of this year, we realized a long term aim to deliver end-to-end customer service solutions to mid-sized businesses from the cloud. Today, we?re offering our KANA Express and Lagan Express software-as-service (SaaS) solutions to businesses right around the world from Australia to The Netherlands, and from the United Kingdom to the United States, and we?re seeing real demand for a solution backed by a company with more than two decades of enterprise-class customer service experience ? brought to mid-sized businesses and smaller public sector entities. We knew this was an under served segment of the market and it?s one where feature rich, rapid to implement, pay-as-you-go, end-to-end customer service suites are the expectation.

In June of this year, we succeeded in bringing together two incredibly complementary businesses: KANA and Ciboodle and in doing so were able to accelerate each company?s stated product roadmap by some 12 to 18 months. Six months on we?re definitely one company with one culture and we?re close to delivering convergence of the best that each of these companies had to offer ? in the next release of our single KANA Enterprise customer service suite ? to help our customers deliver on their customer experience management initiatives and objectives.

In September and October we presented to and engaged with some 500 KANA Customers at our annual customer summit event: KANA Connect, which took place in each of Las Vegas, London, and The Hague. Although KANA Connect offers tremendous educational value through fabulous keynote speakers, analyst panels, and hands on product labs; what?s the most exciting thing for KANA and our customers is the fact that close to 50% of content and sessions are prepared and presented by customers to customers.

In November we cut the ribbon at and formerly opened our palatial new European Headquarters in the historic Titanic Quarter of Belfast, which is rapidly becoming the newest high tech hot bed in the UK. We needed the space as we?ve grand plans that need delivering and we are growing. ?We?re looking for the brightest in business to join our teams, hiring developers not just in Northern Ireland, but in our engineering centers of excellence such as Glasgow in Scotland, and at our worldwide headquarters in Sunnyvale (Silicon Valley) California.

As the year draws to a close, we?re seeing the fruits of these and other efforts too numerous to mention. We?re winning new contracts, we?re bringing customers live on mission critical business transformational projects as well as first time cross-channel customer service in the cloud, and we?ve substantial product releases planned for our entire portfolio serving all customers.

Finally, and perhaps most rewarding, our customers are enjoying a real return on investment from their partnership with KANA and have a clear understanding of their future with our company. We at KANA thank each and every one of you for your business and your continued loyalty.

Is it all a bed of roses? Of course not, and as a customer service software company focused on the customer experience we know better than most that the work is never done. But what a year it?s been.

Roll on 2013!

?

Related posts:

1. Happy New Year?

Source: http://blog.kana.com/customer-service/what-a-difference-a-year-makes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-a-difference-a-year-makes

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European Commission wades into global tech patents war

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU regulators are poised to accuse Samsung of breaking competition rules in filing patent lawsuits against rival Apple, in the EU's first formal challenge to the consumer electronic industry's patent wars.

"We will issue a statement of objections very soon," the European Union's competition chief Joaquin Almunia said on Thursday, referring to the Commission's charge sheet.

Technology companies are increasingly turning to the European Commission as the EU's competition authority, to resolve their disputes, with the EC also investigating Google and Microsoft.

Apple and Samsung, the world's top two smartphone makers, are locked in patent disputes in at least 10 countries as they vie to dominate the lucrative mobile market and win over customers with their latest gadgets.

The filing of competition objections is the latest step in the Commission's investigation. After notifying Samsung in writing the company will have a chance to reply and request a hearing before regulators.

If the Commission then concludes that the firm did violate the rules, it could impose a fine of up to 10 percent of the electronic firm's total annual turnover.

Other current cases under investigation by the EC involve Google-owned phone maker Motorola Mobility, Microsoft and Apple. Microsoft has also complained about Google while Google has complained about MOSAID, a so-called patent enforcement company which makes money by licensing the use of acquired patents.

PATENT WAR

Patent lawsuits can result in a competitor being barred from selling its products in a jurisdiction while the case in investigated and can yield huge fines.

In August Apple won a major victory in the smartphone patent war when a jury in a California federal court ordered Samsung to pay $1.05 billion in damages.

The court found Samsung had copied critical features of the iPad and iPhone. The Samsung products run on the Android operating system, developed by Google.

On Tuesday, Samsung said it was dropping an attempt to stop the sale of some Apple products in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, though it did not say it would halt its court battle for compensation.

But Samsung has also had successes. U.S. patent authorities rejected Apple's "pinch-to-zoom" touch screen patent case in an initial ruling on Thursday, and Samsung also won a preliminary invalidation of Apple's "rubber-banding" patent in October.

That patent allows a user with a touch screen to bounce back to the image on the screen if the user goes beyond the edge.

(Editing by Greg Mahlich)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eus-almunia-says-charge-samsung-soon-patent-case-121452443--finance.html

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This dinosaur had unforgettable smile

A new dinosaur unearthed in Wyoming had such large teeth that its mouth perpetually looked to be smiling a huge grin.

The dinosaur, described in the latest Journal of Systematic Paleontology, is called Kaatedocus siberi, with its name deriving from Diplodocus and the Native American Crow word for "small." Diplodocus was yet another dinosaur with a winning smile. This latest find was an early ancestor to that dino.

"Kaatedocus walked on four limbs, had a long neck and a whiplash tail, such as the famous Diplodocus did," co-author Octavio Mateus told Discovery News.

NEWS: Oldest Dinosaur Found

Mateus, of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa & Museu da Lourinh?, is one of the world's leading paleontologists, and is particularly known for his work on sauropods ? iconic large, plant-eating dinosaurs with long necks and tails. He has studied sauropods on four continents.

Kaatedocus was one such dino. Its herbivorous diet helps to explain its "grin."

"Kaatedocus had a set of pencil-like teeth in the front part of the muzzle," Mateus explained. "They were adapted for eating plants. As for many sauropods, because those teeth were not adapted for chewing, Kaatedocus probably ingested gastroliths or gizzard stones."

Mateus and an international team studied the well-preserved remains of Kaatedocus. Often quite a bit of artistic license is needed during reconstructions, but in this case, even the skull makes evident the dinosaur's "smiling" appearance.

Kaatedocus lived 150 million years ago, during the Late Jurassic period. A relative of Diplodocus, this dinosaur lived earlier and was smaller. The vast majority of species from this dino family come from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of the Western United States. In contrast, this new dinosaur was found further north, suggesting that subsequent generations slowly moved southward over time.

In addition to the smiling expressions, this family of dinosaurs holds another memorable distinction: they apparently weren?t too bright.?

NEWS: Dinosaur Footprint Found at NASA Center

Ke-Qin Gao, a researcher at Peking University's School of Earth and Space Sciences, and colleagues reconstructed basic features of dinosaur brains based on endocraniums, or the inside surfaces of dino skulls, if these features survived in the fossil record.

Gao and his team used an Encephalization Quotient, or EQ, to speculate upon the complexity, or lack thereof, of brain activity in dinosaurs. The EQ is a ratio of brain mass to body size.

1. Space news from NBCNews.com

   1. Year in Space: Hello, Mars ... farewell, Neil

      Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: 2012 was the year we cheered the Curiosity rover's landing on Mars ? and "winked at the moon" to mark moonwalker Neil Armstrong's passing.

   2. SpaceShipTwo straps on its engine
   3. Holiday calendar: Mount Fuji goes fuzzy
   4. Potentially habitable planet detected

At the very bottom of the EQ ratings is Diplodocus, with a meager .05 EQ. One of the longest known dinosaurs, Diplodocus could measure around 90 feet in length. Twenty feet of that was neck, topped off with a tiny head and an even tinier brain case. Its long tail could inflict some serious damage to predators, though, as could a kick from one of its four sturdy legs.

Kaatedocus likely had a similar EQ, but it managed to survive in an environment with a lot of other formidable dinosaurs. According to Mateus, these included Barosaurus, Stegosaurus and large carnivorous Allosaurus.

In terms of the recent Wyoming discovery, Mateus said, "This species is smaller and slightly older than other dinosaurs of the same family, it is important for understanding the evolution of all Diplodocus-like dinosaurs."

Dinosaur buffs can see the remains of Kaatedocus. They currently are on display at the Museum of Jurassic Aathal in Switzerland.

? 2012 Discovery Channel

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50251766/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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Facebook CEO Zuckerberg donating $500M in stock to fund health, education issues

?SAN FRANCISCO ? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday he is donating nearly $500 million in stock to a Silicon Valley charity with the aim of funding health and education issues.

Zuckerberg donated 18 million Facebook shares, valued at $498.8 million based on their Tuesday closing price. The beneficiary is the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a nonprofit that works with donors to allocate their gifts.

This is Zuckerberg's largest donation to date. He pledged $100 million in Facebook stock to Newark, N.J., public schools in 2010, before his company went public earlier this year. Later in 2010, he joined Giving Pledge, an effort led by Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. CEO Warren Buffett to get the country's richest people to donate most of their wealth. His wife, Priscilla Chan, joined with him.

In a Facebook post Tuesday, Zuckerberg, 28, said he's "proud of the work" done by the foundation that his Newark donation launched, called Startup: Education, which has helped open charter schools, high schools and others.

With the latest contribution, he added, "we will look for areas in education and health to focus on next." He did not give further details on what plans there may be for funds.

"Mark's generous gift will change lives and inspire others in Silicon Valley and around the globe to give back and make the world a better place," said Emmett D. Carson, CEO of the foundation.

Source: http://blog.al.com/wire/2012/12/facebook_ceo_zuckerberg_donati.html

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Starting a New Year's Budget ? MoneySlinger? Speed-Budgeting ...

Posted by MoneySlinger on 19 Dec 2012 /
0 Comment

If you need help converting or rolling over your current year budget for the following year, you can refer to the video below. If you like skip forward to 1:40. I explain how to copy and save a new budget, and then delete last years tracking data, which is the exact same process you would follow every year end.

Source: http://www.moneyslinger.com/starting-a-new-years-budget/

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New Thai Visa ? Why not take a minute and thinks about camping

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Asia Markets: Japan?s Nikkei sails over 10,000, leads Asia gains

By Sarah Turner and V. Phani Kumar, MarketWatch

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) ? Japanese stocks soared to again lead a broad rally for Asian markets Wednesday, with the Nikkei Stock Average easily sailing over the 10,000-point mark for its highest finish since early April on the back of strong gains for financial and exporter shares.

The Nikkei /quotes/zigman/5986735 JP:100000018 +2.39% ?rose 2.4% to 10,160.40, taking its year-to-date gains to more than 20%.

New Zealand?s NZX 50 climbed 1.1%, Taiwan?s Taiex /quotes/zigman/1565586 XX:Y9999 +0.44% added 0.4% and China?s Shanghai Composite /quotes/zigman/1859015 CN:000001 -0.01% ? ended flat.

Australia?s S&P/ASX 200 /quotes/zigman/1653884 AU:XJO +0.49% rose 0.5% to end at a 17-month high, while Hong Kong?s Hang Seng Index /quotes/zigman/2622475 HK:HSI +0.57% finished 0.6% higher to reach a closing level it hasn?t seen since August last year.

/quotes/zigman/5986735 100000018 10,160.40, +237.39, +2.39%

Nikkei Average

One-year price chart

The South Korean market was closed for the country?s presidential election.

The rally followed strong stock gains in the U.S. on fresh signs of progress in talks to avert the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts, due to kick in next year. Read: Stocks lifted by hopes of fiscal-cliff deal.

?What is important and what is driving the market higher is that the two [main U.S. political] parties are now in constructive discussions over specific tax levels and spending programs and working towards a common middle ground,? said IG Markets strategist Cameron Peacock.

Banks were gaining around the region. In Hong Kong, shares of heavyweight HSBC Holdings PLC /quotes/zigman/13834 HK:5 +0.50% ? /quotes/zigman/207333/quotes/nls/hbc HBC +0.25% ?added 0.5%, and China Construction Bank Corp. /quotes/zigman/35073 HK:939 +0.96% /quotes/zigman/529424/quotes/nls/cichy CICHY +0.12% ?rose 1%.

Japanese financials were also notable gainers, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. /quotes/zigman/267078 JP:8306 +6.10% /quotes/zigman/392753/quotes/nls/mtu MTU +4.67% ?soaring 6.1%, Nomura Holdings Inc. /quotes/zigman/196701 JP:8604 +4.74% /quotes/zigman/296367/quotes/nls/nmr NMR +7.32% ?climbing 4.7%, and Resona Holdings Inc. /quotes/zigman/292482 JP:8308 +3.05% ? /quotes/zigman/292488/quotes/nls/rsnhf RSNHF 0.00% ?up 3.1%.

Deutsche Bank upgraded its rating on major banks to overweight from market-weight, saying that a gradual increase in yields on Japanese government bonds would be positive for bank shares.

Also, expectations of a policy drive the end an era of deflation in the country will likely send risk premiums lower and very long-term interest rates higher, which should be ?basically positive for insurance stocks,? the analysts said. The Bank of Japan is due to review its monetary policy Thursday.

Among Japanese insurers Wednesday, Tokio Marine Holdings Inc. /quotes/zigman/292050 JP:8766 +4.94% ? /quotes/zigman/516907/quotes/nls/tkomy TKOMY +3.05% climbed 4.9% and MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc. /quotes/zigman/487197 JP:8725 +7.14% /quotes/zigman/592802/quotes/nls/msady MSADY +4.56% jumped 7.1%.

Foxconn workers want more overtime

Hon Hai, also known as Foxconn, pledges to limit overtime for its workers to no more than nine hours a week.

Exporters were also strong in Tokyo on dollar /quotes/zigman/4868099/sampled USDJPY +0.4253% strength, as the greenback traded around 84.33 yen, from ?84.20 in late North American trading on Tuesday.

Commonwealth Bank strategists lifted their dollar/yen end-2013 forecast to ?98 from ?83 Wednesday.

?The sharp contraction in Japan?s current-account surplus is the major reason we expect the yen to weaken substantially further in 2013,? they said.

/quotes/zigman/5986735

JP : Nikkei Idx

Volume: 0.00

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

/quotes/zigman/1565586

XX : Taiwan

Volume: 3.89B

Dec. 19, 2012 1:33p

/quotes/zigman/1859015

CN : China: Shanghai

Volume: 94.39M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:15p

/quotes/zigman/1653884

AU : Australia: Sydney

Volume: 0.00

Dec. 19, 2012 4:11p

/quotes/zigman/2622475

HK : HangSeng Ind

Volume: 0.00

Dec. 19, 2012 4:01p

/quotes/zigman/13834

HK : Hong Kong

Volume: 10.19M

Dec. 19, 2012 4:01p

Market Cap

HK$1492.03 billion

Rev. per Employee

HK$2.96M

/quotes/zigman/207333/quotes/nls/hbc

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 1.49M

Dec. 18, 2012 4:03p

Market Cap

$192.70 billion

Rev. per Employee

$377,633

/quotes/zigman/35073

HK : Hong Kong

Volume: 318.95M

Dec. 19, 2012 4:01p

Market Cap

HK$1553.87 billion

Rev. per Employee

HK$2.55M

/quotes/zigman/529424/quotes/nls/cichy

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 48,315

Dec. 18, 2012 3:56p

Market Cap

$194.38 billion

/quotes/zigman/267078

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 168.69M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

Market Cap

?5658.21 billion

Rev. per Employee

?52.97M

/quotes/zigman/392753/quotes/nls/mtu

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 2.56M

Dec. 18, 2012 4:00p

Rev. per Employee

$669,011

/quotes/zigman/196701

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 89.96M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

Market Cap

?1441.11 billion

Rev. per Employee

?55.81M

/quotes/zigman/296367/quotes/nls/nmr

US : U.S.: NYSE

Volume: 451,631

Dec. 18, 2012 4:02p

Rev. per Employee

$707,785

/quotes/zigman/292482

JP : Japan: Tokyo

Volume: 28.21M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

Market Cap

?961.01 billion

Rev. per Employee

?44.12M

/quotes/zigman/292488/quotes/nls/rsnhf

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 1,900

Dec. 13, 2012 11:15a

/quotes/zigman/292050

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 2,337.00

+110.00 +4.94%

Volume: 4.33M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

Market Cap

?1673.72 billion

Rev. per Employee

?109.25M

/quotes/zigman/516907/quotes/nls/tkomy

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 27,829

Dec. 18, 2012 3:57p

/quotes/zigman/487197

JP : Japan: Tokyo

? 1,651.00

+110.00 +7.14%

Volume: 4.52M

Dec. 19, 2012 3:00p

Market Cap

?937.91 billion

Rev. per Employee

?93.33M

/quotes/zigman/592802/quotes/nls/msady

US : U.S.: OTCBB

Volume: 184,629

Dec. 18, 2012 3:58p

/quotes/zigman/4868099/sampled

US : ICAP Currencies

Volume: 0.0000

Dec. 19, 2012 9:15a

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7BD98BFDE0-496B-11E2-ACE1-002128040CF6%7D&siteid=rss&rss=1

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