Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Shack Restaurant & Bar | Inside Sevierville

So you just pulled off Interstate 40 heading to the Smokies but you?re starved and the big game?s about to start. What to do? Just a mile or so down the road on the left is The Shack Restaurant & Bar, located in the Food City Shopping center, is a great place to stop, watch game with friends and family, and have great meal all at the same time.

It?s a sports grill dedicated to food and fun, open Tuesday ? Sunday from 3 pm till close, and just a few doors down from Food City.

So what the menu? Starting off you can?t go anywhere without glancing over the large selection of appetizers. From cheese sticks to nachos to chicken wings and fried green tomatoes, fried mushrooms, and fried pickles, there is something for everyone with an appetite at The Shack.

The Shack offers a full bar of adult beverages, beer, and wine as you move on down the menu. Some of the best sandwiches this side of the Smokies can be found at The Shack from gyros to fried fish, BLTs, barbequed pork, and The Shack?s own version of the popular monte cristo, sandwiches are literally falling off the menu. Philly Cheese Steaks, your choice of hamburgers, and hot dogs are also highlighted on the menu before making it to wraps and all the delicious entrees.

Speaking of entrees, chicken Parmesan, steak & shrimp, and fish & chips are just a few of the oh so scrumptious main courses offered at The Shack. Sit back, relax, enjoy your favorite drink and let your problems fade away next time you visit The Shack in Kodak, Tn. It?s a stop your stomach will thank you for.

The Shack
2946 Winfield Dunn Pkwy??
Kodak, TN 37764
(865) 465-3030

Source: http://www.insidesevierville.com/restaurants-in-sevierville/the-shack-restaurant-bar/

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Prince Harry Wants to Make Princess Diana Proud With AIDS Charity Work

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/prince-harry-wants-to-make-princess-diana-proud-with-aids-charit/

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

KUDOS TO THE PARENTS OF P.S. 59: WHAT THEY CAN TEACH ...

dHayR

Yesterday I criticized how the whole slavery math problem situation at P.S. 59 was handled. Although the teachers involved did not make the best decisions, the worst decisions of all were made by student teacher Aziza Harding and NYU Professor Charlton McIlvain.

Harding did not bother to speak to her cooperating teacher about the matter. McIlvain rang the alarm bells by calling the media. Indeed, there might have been more sinister motives behind what either McIlvain or Harding did. Hopefully time will reveal if these people were motivated by publicity or just mere stupidity.

Yet, I must give credit to P.S. 59?s principal?Adele Schroeter. She called in the parents in an attempt to provide an open forum on the matter. The parents, for their part, defended their children?s 4th-grade teacher,?Jane Youn.

The parents exercised loads more common sense than Harding or McIlvain. While the parents did not believe that the homework sheet was appropriate, they also recognized that the sheet did not represent everything their children had learned about slavery in Ms. Youn?s class. They fiercely defended their children?s teacher, recognizing her skill and hard work on behalf of their children. The parents saw this for what it was: a mistake from which they could learn.

Notice how the parents are not calling for the DOE to take ?disciplinary action?. Notice how they are not calling for anyone?s head on a plate. Notice how they were able to communicate with their children about what they learned in class instead of jumping to rash conclusions.

My hats off to the parents of P.S. 59.

This story highlights an interesting point about Bloomberg?s Department of Education. One of Bloomberg?s first changes, through his puppet Panel for Educational Policy, was to hire so-called ?Parent Coordinators? for each school. Ostensibly, these Parent Coordinators were supposed to be liaisons between parents and their schools. Instead, they turned out to be people whose jobs it is to tell parents only the things the administration wants parents to know. Parents are not encouraged to bring their concerns to the Parent Coordinators. Even if they do, it is unlikely that those concerns go any further.

The Parent Coordinator position, along with the replacement of local school boards with a centralized PEP answerable only to Bloomberg, effectively shut parents out of any say over how their children get educated. This has allowed Bloomberg a free hand to close schools, fire teachers and hollow out enrichment programs. He made sure to keep the parents at arms? length before embarking on his destruction of the city?s schools.

We see what happened at P.S. 59 when parents got involved. Hopefully, their defense of their children?s teacher will make the DOE think twice about taking any disciplinary measures against her.

Parental involvement is the single greatest antidote to Bloomberg?s destructive educational policies.

This lesson should be heeded by our union. For the past 10 years, they have kissed up to the Bloomberg machine in hopes of getting some scraps. The UFT has been the puppy dogs at Bloomberg?s dinner table, anxiously awaiting a morsel to fall from his plate and grateful for every bit they get. Where has it gotten us?

The union must shift alliances away from centralized mayoral control and towards decentralized community control. The union must advocate for parents to be partners, not onlookers, in the education of their children.

We know why the union has refused to take this type of stance. They fear helping parents gain too much of a voice will usurp their own seats at the table. How much smaller can the seat at the table get as it is? 10 years of mayoral control have reduced our seat to a mere stool, one with wobbly legs at that.

Only the community and only the parents can help teachers restore their seat at the table and ensure educational integrity for our children.

The actions of the parents of P.S. 59 is a microcosm of this fact. Their advocacy has strengthened the position of an embattled teacher. It has also ensured a measure of integrity in their children?s education by double-checking what they learned about slavery and defending a strong teacher.

Unity take heed: this is where your future lies.

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Source: http://theassailedteacher.com/2013/02/26/kudos-to-the-parents-of-p-s-59-what-they-can-teach-us-about-our-schools/

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PFT: Steelers, Ben planning contract restructuring

Eli ManningAP

Giants right tackle David Diehl said he hasn?t been asked to take a pay cut yet, or? heard any inkling about his future with the team.

But he?s seen enough to know his time could come any time.

Diehl offered Newsday?s Tom Rock a glimpse into the mind of a smart NFL veteran, admitting he never knows when he shows up at the office whether it?s going to be his last.

?The thing you realize at an early age is that as an NFL player you have an expiration date on you and it comes with a price tag,? Diehl said. ?That?s the way that it always goes. Nothing has been said to me yet, but that?s all things you can?t control. The only things you can control are the way you prepare each and every day, getting myself healthy, and whenever that comes about we?ll deal with it. But as of now, nothing has been said.?

The Giants have already parted ways with Chris Canty, Michael Boley and Ahmad Bradshaw, and more moves could be coming.

Diehl has been showing up daily at the Giants facility to rehab his right knee after an arthroscopic procedure, which he had right after the season. Getting well is a big deal, whether it?s for the Giants or another team.

The 32-year-old tackle is entering the last year of his contract, set to earn a base salary of $4.475 million. That makes him ripe for some degree of transaction depending on other moves the Giants make up front.

With Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe pending unrestricted free agents, the Giants might have to prioritize.

?Am I shocked or surprised? No,? Diehl said of Giants roster turnover so far. ?This has happened year in and year out since I?ve been in the NFL, not only with our team but with teams across the league. This is something that always happens.?

Diehl?s approach is at once fatalistic and realistic, as very few players get to leave on their own terms. And with the salary cap a factor in every transaction, having a big salary is only good news if you get to keep it into the regular season.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/26/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-plan-to-restructure-contract/related/

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Scientists develop a whole new way of harvesting energy from the sun

Monday, February 25, 2013

A new method of harvesting the Sun's energy is emerging, thanks to scientists at UC Santa Barbara's Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials. Though still in its infancy, the research promises to convert sunlight into energy using a process based on metals that are more robust than many of the semiconductors used in conventional methods. The researchers' findings are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

"It is the first radically new and potentially workable alternative to semiconductor-based solar conversion devices to be developed in the past 70 years or so," said Martin Moskovits, professor of chemistry at UCSB.

In conventional photoprocesses, a technology developed and used over the last century, sunlight hits the surface of semiconductor material, one side of which is electron-rich, while the other side is not. The photon, or light particle, excites the electrons, causing them to leave their postions, and create positively-charged "holes." The result is a current of charged particles that can be captured and delivered for various uses, including powering lightbulbs, charging batteries, or facilitating chemical reactions.

"For example, the electrons might cause hydrogen ions in water to be converted into hydrogen, a fuel, while the holes produce oxygen," said Moskovits.

In the technology developed by Moskovits and his team, it is not semiconductor materials that provide the electrons and venue for the conversion of solar energy, but nanostructured metals ? a "forest" of gold nanorods, to be specific.

For this experiment, gold nanorods were capped with a layer of crystalline titanium dioxide decorated with platinum nanoparticles, and set in water. A cobalt-based oxidation catalyst was deposited on the lower portion of the array.

"When nanostructures, such as nanorods, of certain metals are exposed to visible light, the conduction electrons of the metal can be caused to oscillate collectively, absorbing a great deal of the light," said Moskovits. "This excitation is called a surface plasmon."

As the "hot" electrons in these plasmonic waves are excited by light particles, some travel up the nanorod, through a filter layer of crystalline titanium dioxide, and are captured by platinum particles. This causes the reaction that splits hydrogen ions from the bond that forms water. Meanwhile, the holes left behind by the excited electrons head toward the cobalt-based catalyst on the lower part of the rod to form oxygen.

According to the study, hydrogen production was clearly observable after about two hours. Additionally, the nanorods were not subject to the photocorrosion that often causes traditional semiconductor material to fail in minutes.

"The device operated with no hint of failure for many weeks," Moskovits said.

The plasmonic method of splitting water is currently less efficient and more costly than conventional photoprocesses, but if the last century of photovoltaic technology has shown anything, it is that continued research will improve on the cost and efficiency of this new method ? and likely in far less time than it took for the semiconductor-based technology, said Moskovits.

"Despite the recentness of the discovery, we have already attained 'respectable' efficiencies. More importantly, we can imagine achievable strategies for improving the efficiencies radically," he said.

Research in this study was also performed by postdoctoral researchers Syed Mubeen and Joun Lee; grad student Nirala Singh; materials engineer Stephan Kraemer; and chemistry professor Galen Stucky.

###

University of California - Santa Barbara: http://www.ucsb.edu

Thanks to University of California - Santa Barbara for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127001/Scientists_develop_a_whole_new_way_of_harvesting_energy__from_the_sun

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Astro Dedicates New Mixtape To His 'Deadbeat' Dad

Former 'X Factor' contestant tells Mixtape Daily his Deadbeats & Lazy Lyrics is a shoutout of sorts to his father who 'was never around.'
By Rob Markman


Astro
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1702670/astro-deadbeats-lazy-lyrics.jhtml

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Fresh Tack in Budget Battle (WSJ)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/287119082?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Huawei Claims It Has the World?s Fastest 4G Phone?But Who Really Cares?

Huawei could add a waffle-maker to its Ascend P2, and I doubt even that would be enough to pull people over to its side of the phone stores. Unlike the Ascend D2 unveiled at CES, there's no 3,000mAh battery lurking here (you'll have to "make do" with a 2420 one), but there's a CAT 4LTE chipset, meaning 4G speeds can reach 150Mbps (the iPhone 5 and S3 LTE only have CAT 3, FYI). More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/oe3wdapZJbQ/huawei-claims-it-has-the-worlds-fastest-4g-phonebut-who-really-cares

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

HTC unveils a true alternative to iPhone and Galaxy S III

Top Stories

HTC OneHTC Launches HTC One, Company?s New Flagship Smartphone

HTC?s new flagship smartphone, the One, is an impressive bit of hardware and a big step forward for the company in three significant ways. The One is a top-notch, beautifully designed handset packed with the best specs and a ton of compelling features. It also runs a unique, fresh take on Google?s Android operating system. And it?s?...?[Read More]

HackersOne Site Likely to Blame for Most Recent Major Tech Hacks

Apple, Facebook, Twitter ? all hacked. And there?s probably more to come. In the spate of large companies hacked in recent weeks, it seems that many of them have one thing in common. Many of them have visited one compromised web site specifically devoted to sharing information related to mobile development. It?s a hub for?...?[Read More]

RadioShackShould Amazon or Google Buy RadioShack?

Online retail giant Amazon has been inching toward having a physical retail presence in the U.S. and UK through the installation of lockers at grocery stores, drug stores and other retail locations, like 7-Eleven, Staples, Walgreens and RadioShack. Amazon users can place orders online that are delivered to the lockers, avoiding?...?[Read More]

Kevin BaconThe Internet?s Kevin Bacon Game: Most Sites Linked in 19 Clicks

The Web can seem unfathomably vast, but according to a study published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, it?s more tightly bound than you might think. Most Web pages can be connected in 19 clicks or less, thanks to search engines, large aggregators and social networking sites, according to a paper on network?...?[Read More]

Shelly's Blog

Microsoft Surface ProMicrosoft?s Surface Pro Review: A Windows 8 Ultra Tablet

Is Microsoft?s Surface Pro an Ultrabook or a Tablet? Matt Tweety Tverberg, one of Microsoft?s Biz Dev guys in NY, calls it an Ultra Tablet. When you play with one, you?ll see his point. The Surface Pro tablet is a personal interface for Windows 8 that changes your relationship with the Windows programs you use through touch. It is profoundly different than using Windows 8 on an Ultrabook, laptop or desktop computer.?[Read More]

See Mobile World Congress Like You've Never Seen It Before

Shelly Palmer Digital Leadership Podcast Episode #25 ? Joe Atkin, President & CEO of Goal Zero

Goal Zero offers portable solar power for just about any device in your home. Listen Now or Get it on iTunes

Like Shelly Palmer Digital Living

?Shelly Palmer Digital Living Book Series
? A New Book
Digital Wisdom

Thought Leadership for a Connected World
By Shelly Palmer

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shellypalmerdigitallivingdailynews/~3/lX9LondZ_Sw/display.php

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PFT: Two WRs nearly equal Combine 40 record

WernerAP

It?s late February.? The Combine is unfolding.? And that means it?s time for scouts to rip or praise players under the cloak of anonymity.

Plenty of writers who publish assessments made by unnamed scouts are now ridiculed when doing so.? The pedigree and accomplishments of Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tend to insulate him from scrutiny, even when his unnamed scouts swing and miss on players like Robert Griffin III.? (Heck, McGinn can even publish Wonderlic numbers without being vilified.)

McGinn assesses the players who could be available when the Packers use their first-round pick, and he shares the insights of a pair of unnamed scouts regarding Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner, a German-born-and-bred prospect who is now poised to fulfill the very unlikely dream of being a first-round draft pick in the NFL.

?He?s good, but I don?t see the special in him,? one unnamed scout said. ?Kind of a try-hard, good football player but nothing special.?

Said another:? ?He?s not a dynamic pass rusher but he seems to get sacks.? He comes off the ball hard but he?s not special.?

Without knowing anything about the team(s) for which these scouts work, there?s no way of knowing whether they?re badmouthing Werner in the hopes that he?ll be available when their team(s) pick.? That?s how it works.? Teams that love a player say bad things about him, wishing for a free fall.? Teams that hate a guy say great things about him, hopeful he?ll be taken early ? pushing down the board players in which the team is actually interested.

With more and more media swarming around the pre-draft process, there?s always someone ready to publish these anonymous assessments.

But citing an ?unnamed scout? tells the audience nothing about the skills or credentials of the scout.? As the late George Carlin used to say (as Carlin himself would say, he?s saying nothing now), there?s a worst doctor in the world ? and someone has an appointment with him tomorrow.? Similarly, there are plenty of scouts who aren?t as skilled as others.? Any time an unnamed scout is being quoted, there?s a chance that he?s the worst of them all.

You know, like the ones who told McGinn last year that, as to RG3, ?[e]verybody is just assuming because of the Heisman and the socks and all that bs. . . . they are ignoring a lot of bad tape that he?s had,? that ?I don?t think he has vision or pocket feel, which to me are the two most important components of quarterbacking,? that ?[h]e?s just running around winging it,? that ?[h]e?s [Michael] Vick, but not as good a thrower,? that ?he?s not as good as Cam Newton,? that ?[a]s much as is written about his athleticism, his athleticism under duress in the pocket isn?t even close to Cam Newton?s,? that ?the only way he gets big plays with his feet is if he?s got a wide-open field and the sea opens for him,? that ?[h]e?s got a little bit of a selfish streak, too,? and that ?[h]e doesn?t treat anybody good.?

Or maybe these unnamed scouts are just good enough to know how to push lies in the hopes of advancing agendas.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/24/tavon-austin-marquise-goodwin-run-blistering-40-times/related/

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Only the Tories have a grip on energy

Reliant on generous subsidies financed by hidden charges on household energy bills, turbines do not produce enough energy to justify the expense. They are almost comically unreliable. As Christopher Booker notes in his column, during a period of low wind last Monday, all 4,300 of our turbines working together provided just 0.1 per cent of the nation?s electricity. Ironically, when wind fails to do its job, consumers have to fall back on the very fossil fuels that it was designed to replace.

Nor are wind farms as environmentally friendly as their supporters think. The turbines can be a blot on the landscape. Andrew Gilligan reports that thousands of turbines actually create more greenhouse gases than they save; when they are constructed in upland areas on peat soil, large amounts of carbon can be released into the atmosphere.

What Britain really needs to do is press ahead with building gas-fired power stations, encourage firms to start exploiting shale gas deposits ? potentially a rich source of cheap energy ? and support nuclear. Alas, not all the parties grasp this. During its time in power, Labour turned its back on coal and nuclear to allay understandable fears about environmental damage. Instead, it signed the country up to ambitious targets for cutting CO2 emissions and committed us to wind as a way to plug gaps in energy supply. As Mr Huhne?s predecessor at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband backed a Climate Change Bill that legally bound the UK to cut CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

As part of the Coalition, the Lib Dems have aped Labour?s approach and brought to it new levels of naivity. It is true that even Mr Huhne conceded that nuclear must play a significant role in Britain?s future, but he seemed far more excited by the promises of wind power. The Lib Dems pushed the Coalition into backing even higher EU emissions targets, which would be very difficult to achieve in today?s economic climate. This is why some European countries are ignoring those targets and returning to coal.

Fortunately, George Osborne seems to have a firmer grip on reality. The Chancellor has recently indicated that he would prefer to water down emissions targets in order to increase Britain?s exploitation of gas. After years of chasing the green vote the Conservatives are waking up to the full implications of the energy gap. To get his way within the Coalition, Mr Osborne needs and deserves the moral support of the voters.

Mr Huhne?s colourful record, the by-election in his former constituency and the troubling news about our growing energy gap, ought to clarify the politics for people as they make their choice: on one side we have Labour and the Lib Dems stuck in an outdated mindset, when bold emissions targets and wind power seemed feasible; on the other, the good news is that the Tories understand that while protecting the environment is important, so is getting the economy moving. The voters of Eastleigh have a splendid opportunity to send a message that green fundamentalism is unaffordable in an age of austerity.

Source: http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568387/s/28e44777/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Ccomment0Ctelegraph0Eview0C98891480COnly0Ethe0ETories0Ehave0Ea0Egrip0Eon0Eenergy0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Selena Gomez Cheated On Justin Bieber With Rapper Gucci Mane?

Selena Gomez Cheated On Justin Bieber With Rapper Gucci Mane?

Gucci Mane and Selena Gomez hooked up?There is a crazy rumor going around that Selena Gomez, 20, was caught getting cozy with Gucci Mane, 33, on the set of “Spring Breakers”. A production assistant revealed that Gucci and Selena were hooking up and spent most of their time alone together in their trailers. Hmmm… Insiders said, “We thought it was [odd] ...

Selena Gomez Cheated On Justin Bieber With Rapper Gucci Mane? Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/02/selena-gomez-cheated-on-justin-bieber-with-rapper-gucci-mane/

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Vietnam vet, teen bring Scouting to Afghanistan

Keith Blackey, a veteran of the Vietnam War, has a lifelong involvement with scouting. He has brought his passion for scouting to Afghanistan as a way to say thank you and make a difference. NBC's Mandy Clark reports.

By Mandy Clark, Correspondent, NBC News

KABUL, Afghanistan - A 68-year-old Vietnam veteran and an idealistic 13-year-old boy might seem unlikely partners. But these two Boy Scouts -- 55 years and 7,000 miles apart -- joined forces to help some of the poorest people in Afghanistan.

Maryland teenager John Ferry needed a project to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Scouts. He learned that Army Maj. Kenton Barber who was serving in Afghanistan needed donations of shoes to give to Kabul street kids.

Ferry emailed Barber to see how he could help. The boy did not want to stop at shoes, and so contacted schools, local businesses, churches and senior centers for help collecting more than a ton of winter clothes. He says he could not believe there were kids his age that still froze to death every winter in Afghanistan.

Keith Blackey?s path to Afghanistan began 60 years ago as a fighter pilot in Vietnam. In Sept. 1968, he was shot down during an intelligence gathering mission over North Vietnam.

?My wingman was with me and he could have escaped because we were under terribly heavy fire from surface to air missiles but instead he risked his life, followed me in and saw where our parachutes landed,? he said.

A3 Warrior pilot Blackey was taken captive by the North Vietnamese. A Marine unit launched a rescue operation within three days, and Blackey?s wingman, Lt. Cmdr. Chip Beck, rescued him. Over the years the two stayed in infrequent touch.

Courtesy Barbara Ferry

John Ferry, a 13-year-old Boy Scout from Kensington, Md., helped get about a ton of winter clothes to some of the poorest people in Afghanistan.

Forty years later, Beck asked a favor.

?What do you say to someone who has saved your life and he asks you to do something? There is no answer except yes,? Blackey said.

Beck asked Blackey to help build up the Iraqi scouting program. Six years later, Blackey had built a network of 150,000 Scouts.

Today Blackey is in Afghanistan hoping for the same success. ?After three months in Kabul, 2,000 Scouts have been signed-up -- so far, all orphans.

Blackey calls the program ?a game with a purpose.?

It is about having fun but also about learning guiding moral principles, manners, teamwork and leadership ? skills orphans badly need, he says.

Back in Kensington, Md., John Ferry had a ton of clothes but could not find a way to get it to Afghanistan.

?I was never discouraged, there was times it was slow going but I was not discouraged,? Ferry said.

He finally got in touch with a U.S. military program that agreed to ship them for free.

Enter Blackey. Once all the clothes arrived in Kabul, Blackey and his Scouts took over. ?They loaded the shipment onto a truck bound for the Northern province of Bamiyan.

?The Scouts that helped both in Kabul and in Bamiyan, they are all orphans, many of them are living in poverty, and their scout uniform is the nicest thing they have,? Blackey said.

Despite their own poverty, the Scouts in Bamiyan wanted to help those in the most need, so Blackey handed out the clothes to some of the poorest people ? those who live in caves in cliffs where the famed Bamiyan Buddhas once stood.

?It is a really depressing lifestyle. It is cold, they have no heat,? he said. ??They share a room with their animals.?

Courtesy Barbara Ferry

John Ferry stands alongside the truck loaded with clothes bound for Afghanistan in Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Md.

The Scouts spent hours stuffing garbage bags with jackets, sweaters, shoes, hats and mitts for each family member living in the caves. The help reached over 100 families, or around 600 people.

What touched Blackey was, ?how gracious they were and their gratitude for these gifts.?

In Maryland, Ferry waited eagerly for news. The best part for him was seeing the photographs.

?I recognized some of the clothes,? he said.

Asked why he took on such a big project, Ferry said, ?If you do a good deed for a stranger, maybe they will do another deed for another stranger. ?But this was the right thing to do. It is just natural to help out those in need.?

Blackey?s motivation runs deeper.

?For two wars I have proven to myself that bombing adults does not solve the problem. For my last two wars instead of wearing a military uniform, I?m wearing the Scout uniform,? he said.

?I really believe we are going to do more for the future than I was ever able to do for my first two wars.?

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/22/17055879-game-with-a-purpose-vietnam-vet-teen-bring-scouting-and-help-to-afghanistan?lite

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Saturday, February 23, 2013

George Lopez Jokes 'Argo' Star Ben Affleck: 'Our Finest Latino Actor Right Now'

CBS News:

George Lopez has built a career finding humor in just about everything, from politics to his Hispanic roots.

On "CBS This Morning," the stand-up comedian and actor -- one of the voices starring in the new animated movie "Escape from Planet Earth" -- got the co-hosts laughing when he talked about Ben Affleck, star and director of the Oscar-nominated movie, "Argo," in which he plays a Latino man Tony Mendez sent to rescue Americans in Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis.

Read the whole story at CBS News

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/22/george-lopez-argo_n_2741937.html

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Older Americans Increasingly Burdened With Debt

Retirement is supposed to be the ?golden years? for older Americans, but massive debt is tarnishing that dream. ?

A new study finds Americans aged 75 and older are becoming increasingly saddled with debt, forcing them to change their lifestyle and struggle to make ends.

The report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found families headed by individuals 75 and older had an average amount of debt greater than 40% of their income in 2010. Families headed by Americans between normal retirement age, 55 to 64, and? just after retirement, 65 to 74, had small changes in these debt measures, and in some cases, improvements.

Debt nearly doubled for families headed by those 75 and up from 2007 to 2010, climbing from $13,665 to $27,409. The average debt for households headed by someone 55 and up was $75,082 in 2010, up more than $1,300 (adjusted for inflation) from 2007. These people are likely still working, however, making the debt burden for those 75 and older even heavier. The driver of debt for those with a household headed by an American 55 or older was housing debt, with nearly three-fourths of debt payments going toward housing.

Certified financial planner Michael Keating says about 40% of single Americans in the 65 and older category are relying on Social Security as their only source of income. The average Social Security benefit check for a retired worker was around $1,230 per month in 2012, translating into a meager $14,760 yearly before taxes. The EBRI found around 63% of all American families with heads 55 and up had debt, a figure which held steady from 2007 to 2010.

?Looking at their amount of debt is high, but look at the other side of that balance sheet,? Keating says. ?So many are relying on that as their only income, so they are adding more debt and piling on. The lack of income during the golden years is astounding.?

The EBRI also found the percentage of families with heads age 75 or older experiencing their debt increase to 38.5% in 2010 from 31.2% in 2007. The percentage total debt payments represent of income increased to 7.1% from 4.5%.

Older Americans supporting their children for longer is a likely culprit for this debt, according to certified financial planner Lauren Lyons Cole.

?A parent?s natural instinct is to help their child, and I see that over and over again,? Lyons Cole says. ?The reality is that most of our elderly are not in the position to be helping and need to learn to say, ?No,? which is a heartbreaking thing to do.?

It?s also a myth that retirees downsize in their later years, Keating adds. The lackluster housing market over the last five years forced many to stay in their homes longer because selling and relocation wasn?t cost effective.

?That?s not happening anymore,? he says. ?Especially with all of the transaction-related charges involved with selling a home and buying another one, it doesn?t make much sense to do.?

Early planning and saving is the only way to secure retirement, Keating says.

?A 401(k), a Roth IRA, that alphabet soup?that will be your main income in retirement,? he says. ?Also, right now with taxes going up, it?s the most tax-effective way to make savings because you are reducing the amount of money that is subject to income tax. It?s a scary thought, but we have to think of how to learn from these mistakes.?

Lyons Cole says to do your best to have your mortgage paid off before retirement. And if you are overwhelmed, seek professional help.

?You can figure out how to maximize what you have, and they can help with intergenerational planning,? she says. ?There are strategies that exist, including bankruptcy, but it?s really a case-by-case basis.?

Follow Kate Rogers on Twitter at @KateRogersNews

Source: http://feeds.foxbusiness.com/~r/foxbusiness/allnews/~3/gHCuDCAi7HQ/

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ACROSS THE UNIVERSE author Beth Revis is chatting on Twitter at 7 PM EST!

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE author Beth Revis is chatting on Twitter at 7 PM EST!

penguinteen:

That?s in ONE HOUR, folks. Follow the hashtag #ShadesofEarth and tag your questions with the #ShadesofEarth hashtag so that Beth sees them! And don?t forget to follow Penguin Teen and Beth Revis on Twitter!

Also, Tumblr, Beth Revis is a major Whovian, so if you are looking for a place to chat Dr. Who, this might be a good one. Just a little tip from me to you. ;)

Source: http://bethrevis.tumblr.com/post/43676340037

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Friday, February 22, 2013

RolePlayGateway?

Hello everyone, allow me to first thank you for clicking on this topic and taking your time to read this totally unnecessary sentence.

I've been away from the RP community for sometime now, and not by choice. A combination of school, community requirements and sloth reeled be away from the grand RP waters. I've only recently been able to flop myself back and I'm itching for a sweet-savory RP.

That said, I have an idea for a nice, sweet RP but given my time away (and a lack of self-confidence with a dash of inexperience) I'm not confident in my ability to formulate a through plot-skeleton and GM the RP.

Here is what I have so far:

"Nobles don't typically visit the local tavern for a mug of ale, but there he sat, in all his bejeweled glory, sitting upon a rickety stool as if it were his throne and all those before him were his constituents. In all honesty it's a wonder why he hasn't been thrown out and mugged yet. The bartender slides the man a drink, attempting to treat him as any other customer back from a hard day of heavy toil and labor, but finds it hard to ignore the clattering of yellow coin on counter.

Why is he here? That is what they whisper around him; the peasants, plebeians, poor, and drunks. "

A local, small-time noble in the decaying city of Mils has requested the service of 'professionals' to 'retrieve' a powerful trinket from a 'former friend'. Calling into the very shadows of Mils the noble is answered by a small group whose backgrounds and personalities vary as the spectrum of a rainbow and whose past actions/allegiances put them at odds with one another. The only thing they have in common is their great avarice and the mission they were hired to accomplish; nothing more, nothing less.

And that's the most I've done. It is very much set in a fantasy-esq world and while fiction tends to float towards oblivion when it comes to reality, I would like to keep this tethered to the ground. I'm open to any suggestions, thoughts, comments, offers, input, etc. but for those wishing to join, I'm afraid I'm not ready to go with this.

As I've said before, I would love help from above (a writer equal or greater in ability) to help. Don't be afraid to PM :)

Thank you :) :) :)

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RolePlayGateway

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Michael Moore on "5 Broken Cameras" director's LAX ordeal: It doesn't compare to Palestinians' "daily humiliation"

LOSD ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Michael Moore said that Oscar-nominated Palestinian filmmaker Emad Burnat's ordeal with immigration officials on Tuesday demonstrates that the United States is overly strict when it comes to greeting foreign visitors, particularly people of color.

"If he'd been a white guy he wouldn't have to go through that in our 'post-racial' America," Moore, the Oscar-winning director of "Bowling for Columbine," told TheWrap via email.

Burnat, whose film "5 Broken Cameras" is up for a Best Documentary Academy Award, was held for questioning by immigration officials at Los Angeles International Airport and was asked to produce evidence that he was, indeed, invited to attend Sunday's ceremony. The director and his family were grilled for an more than an hour, he said, while authorities repeatedly suggested he might be sent back to his native country.

Moore, who is a governor in the Academy's documentary branch and an outspoken supporter of Burnat's film, intervened after receiving a text message from the director.

On his blog, Moore wrote that he contacted officials at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, which produces the Oscars, who in turn enlisted the organization's attorney. Moore called the State Department in Washington and told Burnat to have the officials call him so he could verify that he was an Oscar nominee and shouldn't be deported.

"5 Broken Cameras" centers on a Palestinian farmer who lives on the border of an Israeli settlement, and both Burnat and Moore likened the questioning by officials to the daily experience of living under an often oppressive regime.

"Although this was an unpleasant experience, this is a daily occurrence for Palestinians, every single day, throughout the West Bank," Burnat said in a statement to TheWrap. "There are more than 500 Israeli checkpoints, roadblocks, and other barriers to movement across our land, and not a single one of us has been spared the experience that my family and I experienced yesterday. Ours was a very minor example of what my people face every day."

Moore echoed those statements in an interview with TheWrap and also spoke about "5 Broken Cameras" chances of victory at the Oscars where it will go up against such acclaimed documentaries as "How to Survive a Plague" and "Searching for Sugar Man."

What does Burnat's detention say about the way we our country treats foreign visitors?

We have reacted with unnecessary paranoia and as a result foreign visitors first encounter with an American - the immigration officer - is not that pleasant.

Are there parallels between his treatment and that of Palestinians in the West Bank?

He has spoken to this point in his statement today. What happened at LAX last night is actually pretty minor compared to the daily humiliation he and others suffer in the Palestinian territories.

Do you think Burnat is owed an apology by Immigration officials?

Yes.

Assuming he won't get one, I've already apologized on behalf of the rest of us.

You said on Twitter that part of the problem was that immigration officials could not believe a Palestinian was nominated for an Oscar - why do you believe that?

I was being slightly sarcastic. But I'm sure if he'd been a white guy he wouldn't have to go through that in our "post-racial" America.

Do you think "5 Broken Cameras" Oscar chances are?

Thanks to the changes the Doc branch made this year where everyone in the branch got to vote to select the five nominees, the five nominated films are some of the best work we've seen in years. And now that we convinced the Academy to let all 6,000 members vote, I'd say the race is too close to call.

What is your critical assessment of the film?

This is not only one of the best docs of the year, it's one of the best movies. It's a powerful film, co-directed by a Palestinian and an Israeli. It's the first Palestinian film to be nominated for Best Documentary. That makes it an historic moment for the Academy and for movie lovers everywhere. For that alone, he should have receives roses and an official welcome at LAX, not the detention room.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michael-moore-5-broken-cameras-directors-lax-ordeal-014122761.html

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Chicago district disappointed in ex-congressman

CHICAGO (AP) ? Residents in this swath of sprawling Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs have brimmed with loyalty to Jesse Jackson Jr. over the past 17 years, giving him an enthusiastic majority each election ? even after questionable links to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, reports of an extramarital affair and a bizarre five-month medical leave.

But the former congressman's guilty plea to charges that he lived off and lavishly spent campaign money for personal use ? on everything from toilet paper to mink capes ? has turned the tide. In territory where it was difficult to scrape up any criticism of Jackson, his Chicago alderman wife or his famous civil rights leader father, the mood is now simply one of disappointment.

"He knew better; it was a very stupid thing to do," said 75-year-old Jeannette Reese, shaking her head as she grocery-shopped at a busy shopping complex. "He and his father came to our church. I thought he was the real thing."

Reese said she had voted for the younger Jackson for years.

Jackson, who resigned from office in November, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Washington to criminal charges that he engaged in a scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items. He faces up to 57 months ? more than four years ? in prison and a fine, under a plea deal with prosecutors.

It was an emotional day for Jackson, 47, who held back tears as he addressed the federal judge, just hours before his wife pleaded guilty to filing false joint federal income tax returns that knowingly understated the income the couple received. She faces up to two years in prison and a fine.

"I did these things," Jackson told the judge, adding later, "Sir, for years I lived in my campaign."

Jackson first won office in a 1995 special election and developed widespread support from mayors who said he delivered and constituents who valued his family legacy and said he gave them a voice. That support persevered even through an intense primary challenge last year from former one-term U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson who made Jackson's ethical troubles central to her campaign. He came away with the easy majority even as he remained under a House Ethics Committee investigation for ties to Blagojevich, who's serving a federal prison sentence on allegations that he tried to profit from President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate Seat.

Even the most loyal Jackson supporters who praised him for bringing home nearly $1 billion in federal funding to the district were rattled.

"I hate that circumstances ended up like they did," said Ford Heights Mayor Charles Griffin. His small community south of Chicago ? one of Illinois' poorest ? got a boost in its water system because of Jackson.

Still, Griffin did not want to pile on criticism. "His situation is between the court system and the family," the mayor said.

Next week, voters in the heavily Democratic district head to the polls in a special primary to replace him. The crowded field of candidates includes Halvorson, former state Rep. Robin Kelly and Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale.

Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced June 28 and his wife on July 1. Both Jacksons, who maintain homes in Washington and Chicago, are free until sentencing.

More details emerged in a 22-page statement compiled by prosecutors and filed Wednesday. In it, Jackson admitted that he and his wife used campaign credit cards to buy thousands of personal items worth $582,772.58 from 2005 through April of last year. The most lavish purchases included the spending of more than $43,000 on a gold-plated men's Rolex watch.

Court papers said more than $60,000 was shelled out for restaurant, nightclub and lounge outings. Money was also spent on a washer, a dryer, a range and a refrigerator for the Jacksons' Chicago home.

Jackson even arranged for the use of campaign money to buy two mounted elk heads for his congressional office, according to court documents.

Jackson entered the courtroom Wednesday holding hands with his wife and looking a bit dazzled as he surveyed the packed room. He kissed his wife and headed to the defense table.

After the hearing he shouted to a reporter: "Tell everybody back home I'm sorry I let them down, OK?"

The Chicago Democrat disappeared from the public eye last June for a medical leave, though details on his condition and location were always scarce. Doctors later said he suffers from bipolar disorder and was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

His attorney said after the court appearance that Jackson's health is "not an excuse" for his actions, "just a fact." Jackson's father has said that his son remains under strict medical supervision.

One attorney, Reid Weingarten, told reporters after the hearing that there's reason for optimism.

"A man that talented, a man that devoted to public service, a man who's done so much for so many, has another day," he said. "There will be another chapter in Jesse Jackson's life."

___

Associated Press writers Frederic J. Frommer and Pete Yost in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-district-disappointed-ex-congressman-081448785.html

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

Florida lawmakers apologizing to Canada for road rage

Tim Graham / Tim Graham

Traffic on the highway heading out of Miami at Opa Locka Boulevard, Florida, United States of America

By Andrew Rafferty, Staff Writer, NBC News

The Canadian Automobile Association is warning their members to take special precautions when traveling internationally ? to Florida.

That's because the Sunshine State last year passed a largely unnoticed law that requires foreign drivers to own largely-unused "international driver's permits" from their home country.

?The legislation, which went into effect January 1, was intended to make sure all Florida drivers held a license translated into English.

But it also meant scores of snowbirds flew down from the Great North in 2013 not knowing they were breaking the law.?


Florida lawmakers are apologizing to Canadians, British and other English-speaking countries that have been unintentionally targeted as a result of the law, and Florida's Highway Patrol has suspended its enforcement.

Still, there are questions about the impact on car rentals and insurance coverage for foreigners driving in the state. The state's tourism website, Visit Florida, is urging visitors to consult with an "in-country travel professional for guidance."

That's why the CAA, Canada's version of AAA, has on the homepage of its website guidelines for the new law and FAQ on how to obtain an international driver's license, which costs $25.

"Until the law is changed, we continue to recommend Canadians traveling to Florida should consider obtaining an IDP," the site reads.

That change could come soon, as state officials are quickly realizing some of the unwanted consequences of the bill.

"We will work with the legislature to amend the law this year so it does not burden international visitors to our state, who make up an important part of our tourism industry,"?said?John Tupps, deputy press secretary for Florida Gov. Rick Scott, on Tuesday.

Florida state Rep. Ben Albritton, a Republican, introduced the bill with the intention of making things easier on Motor Vehicle employees who regularly deal with identification from foreign lands.

"This one I just missed. I want to tell the people in Canada I am sorry," Albritton told the Tampa Bay Times. "If I messed something up, I am man enough to fix it."

Canada topped all other countries in travel to Florida in 2011 with more than 3 million visitors there. Another English speaking country, The United Kingdom, ranks third on the list with 1.3 million visitors.

Tourism spending in the state totaled $67.2 billion in 2011.

It is unclear when the law will be officially amended.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/19/17021828-florida-lawmakers-apologizing-to-canada-for-road-rage

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Audio Technica ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint


There's no shortage of similar-looking noise-canceling headphones on the market, and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint does little to separate itself from the group visually. Sonically, the $349.95 (list) headphones pack powerful bass response, and can be used in passive mode (without noise cancellation engaged) something that cannot be said of Bose's standard-setting QuietComfort line. The QuietPoint also delivers distortion-free audio, even at maximum volumes. The noise cancellation circuitry in the QuietPoint is decent, but can't match leaders, like the less-expensive Bose QuietComfort 15, making its price seem slightly inflated.

Design
The design and construction of the QuietPoint is anything but flashy?simple matte black plastic and memory foam cushioned-ear pads form a lightweight, comfortable fit. The headband adjusts with less ease than you might want, but it has built-in stops that make it easy to precisely adjust it and keep it in place. The ear cups swivel and fold down flat into the included hard-shell zip-case.?

The QuietPoint features a removable cable, and ships with two options?one with built-in phone controls and one without. Both cables terminate in a 3.5mm connection, and a ?-inch adapter and airplane jack adapter are also included. Call clarity through the microphone was fine in my tests.Audio technica QuietPoint inline

The headphones run on a single AAA battery, but we'd rather see a rechargeable option here. There are, at least, rechargeable AAA battery options available. Audio Technica rates the QuietPoint's battery life at up to 35 hours for the included Lithium AAA battery, 25 hours for an alkaline AAA battery, and 20 hours for rechargeable options.

Performance
The QuietPoint handles intense low frequencies quite well?on tracks with challenging sub-bass frequencies, like the Knife's "Silent Shout," the QuietPoint does not distort in the slightest. This is true for both passive and active modes, though the active mode (battery and noise cancellation activated) offers much more low frequency presence. Part of the reason there's no distortion is the QuietPoint doesn't get quite as loud as most powerful headphones in this price range, like say, the Beats by Dr. Dre Executive?therefore, the drivers can be pushed to the brink of distortion without ever budging. This is not to say the headphones are weak?the QuietPoint still gets very loud.

As should be expected, the difference between active and passive modes, sonically, is quite noticeable. Not just the bass response, but also high frequencies, are significantly boosted when the battery and noise cancellation are engaged. And the bass is intense. Bass lovers will enjoy the QuietPoint's sound signature, which is not exactly flat response?it's very sculpted. I actually preferred the passive mode for listening at times?some bass-heavy music and mixes sounded a bit more toned down, less sculpted.

On vocal-driven tracks, like Bill Callahan's "Drover," his baritone delivery is pleasantly laced with a treble edge when the headphones are in active mode. The percussion also jumps from the background to the forefront, with the significantly boosted bass lending some extra thunder and rumble. Luckily, the treble boost ensures things don't get too muddy, helping to add definition to the seriously-enhanced low-end. In passive mode, things sound more natural and toned down?Callahan's voice has less edge to it, however, and though the drums sounds less over-the-top, the overall mix can sound a tad murky.

Passive mode is a bit more graceful with classical tracks, like John Adams' "The Chairman Dances," articulating the various frequency ranges clearly. The lower register strings aren't under-represented, they still pack a nice, subtle resonance. In active mode, the track begins substantially brighter, crisper, while the large drum hits at the end of piece become seriously deep and heavy. It's a matter of taste which mode you will prefer?they are pretty dissimilar, but both offer distortion-free listening. Neither delivers the type of flat-response audiophiles and purists seek out.

There are three uniquely tuned modes for the noise cancellation: Airplane, Office, and Study. We weren't able to test the pair on a plane, but each mode is designed to focus on the band of frequencies in those specifics environments that needs the most cancellation.

Regardless of this interesting feature, the noise cancellation itself is not quite on par with similarly priced options, like the Bose QuietComfort 15. Simply put, while the circuitry does a good job of eliminating wide bands of ambient noise, it also introduces a very noticeable high frequency hiss. It's not unpleasant?it sounds like tape hiss?but this is the mark of medium-grade noise cancellation, and you won't hear it on Bose QuietComfort pairs.

Also, when testing the noise cancellation circuitry in my apartment, if a large truck drove by, I'd notice that the headphones' mics would occasionally pick up its low rumble and, oddly enough, send it through the in-ear mix. Noise cancellation is only effective for ambient, consistent noise?say, the whir of an AC unit?it's not intended to eliminate transient noises like office chatter or the aforementioned truck, but it's certainly not meant to draw attention to them, either.

Still, if you're listening to music, you'll never notice this minor glitch?it is slight enough that it was only barely noticeable when noise cancellation is activated, but music isn't playing.

If your priorities are noise cancellation first, audio performance second, the QuietPoint is not for you, and your search should probably begin with the Bose lineup. If you're looking for a great-sounding pair of circumaural headphones, however, that happen to include some decent noise cancellation, the QuietPoint is definitely a worthy option. Our most-recent favorite in this category, the AKG K 490 NC, manages to be both sonically excellent and provide strong noise cancellation. For a fraction of the cost, the Able Planet Clear Harmony NC1050 delivers performance that's comparable to the QuietPoint.

More Headphone Reviews:
??? Audio Technica ATH-ANC9 QuietPoint
??? Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
??? Skullcandy PLYR 2 Gaming Headset
??? Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 5 Gaming Headset
??? Munitio SV
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/gXSocOqSvdg/0,2817,2415461,00.asp

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David Tisch, Brad Feld, Gary Vaynerchuk & Others Put $1 Million Into Vengo, The Mini Vending Machines From TaxiTreats Maker

Vengo-logoVengo, the maker of mini vending machines for bars, restaurants and offices, has raised $1 million in seed funding from a number of New York-area investors and others, including David Tisch (BoxGroup), Brad Feld, The Richport Group (chaired by Marc Anthony), Joanne Wilson, Gary Vaynerchuk, the NYU Innovation Fund, FunBars, RSL Ventures (Ronald Lauder), Mark Wachen, and others.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/eE8ZZd65qks/

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Google and Intuit get Virginia small business online - Roanoke Free ...

Workshop attendees with online presence raise their hand.

Workshop attendees with online presence raise their hand.

It was a packed house for both workshops held at the Taubman Museum of Art Tuesday. There were 60 computers sitting ready for two sessions aimed at getting small businesses with no Internet presence online for the first time. Extra tables had to be set up to accommodate as many as 100 people for the second workshop.

Sue and Brittany Staley came from Martinsville. They purchased Hidden Valley Farmz. Sue said they hoped to get a website up to showcase their all natural farm. ?We?re trying to get people out to see what they are putting on their table.?

The workshop was free and Intuit offered a free website for up to 3 pages for one year. After the initial year the business would pay $6.99 a month if they decide to keep it. The offer is still available at VirginiaGetOnline.com for businesses still wanting to take advantage of the offer.

Google came to Roanoke in response to a request by Congressman Bob Goodlatte. Goodlatte was a guest speaker at the second workshop. He served as past Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet. Congress is currently working on legislation that would require online businesses to collect sales tax for goods sold across state lines. Online business currently only collect sales tax in the state where they reside.

Goodlatte will support online sales tax legislation but as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee he told attendees that he will insist that it be make ?as simple and seamless for [businesses] online.? He made the point that with all states having differing requirements for collecting sales tax it would create a collection nightmare for online retailers.

Cracking down on criminal activity on the Internet is another effort Congress needs to undertake. The ?trust factor? is an important for businesses. ?People won?t do business with you unless they trust you,? said Goodlatte.

Sue and Brittany Staley of Martinsville prepare for workshop.

Sue and Brittany Staley of Martinsville prepare for workshop.

Becca Ginsberg, Communications Manager for Virginia Get Your Business Online said that their research showed that 97 percent of users go online to look for local products and services. In Virginia 45 percent of all businesses do not have a website. ?A quarter of those are completely invisible online,? she said.

Ginsberg said she has heard from business who are intimidated by the Internet and perceive a website as being too time consuming. ?They just haven?t taken that step to do it.?

Businesses attending the workshop will have a website by the end of the session she said. They were told to bring pictures and think of what they wanted to say on their new website. Businesses without a website are at a disadvantage as more and more people search for services and goods online. ?If they don?t find you online they?ll go to the next business,? said Ginsberg.

Soo Young Kim, the Head of Marketing for VGYBO said those who come to the workshop prepared will have their website up in 60-90 minutes with no coding using Intuit?s Sitebuilder tool. ?If businesses aren?t online consumers can?t find them ? especially those with no storefront and businesses grow 40 percent faster when they are online.?

Later Congressman Goodlatte expanded on the sales tax legislation that Virginia hopes to tap for its transportation needs. He has conveyed to Governor Bob McDonnell who has included online sales tax revenue for his transportation plan based on congressional action that there is no timeline. ?It has a long way to go,? said Goodlatte. ?My initial reaction is that there is more work to be done to make sure that the businesses are treated fairly.?

Congressman Bob Goodlatte speaks to workshop attendees.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte speaks to workshop attendees.

Red tape has to be eliminated he said. There is both legislation to exempt small businesses and there is legislation to require them to be more streamlined. ?I frankly prefer that all businesses be treated the same,? said Goodlatte. He favors all business participate in a streamlined system. Small businesses would have one sales tax for Virginia transactions and one sales tax for their interstate transactions.

Goodlatte said consideration for businesses not online needs to be considered. Different states have different kinds of paperwork and some give kickbacks. All that needs to be worked out with the 45 states that have a sales tax. ?You don?t have a representative in [another state's] legislature to go and complain like you do here in Virginia.?

Businesses online currently have a sales tax advantage over ?brick and mortar? businesses. On the flip side online businesses have shipping costs to contend with said Goodlatte. ?This legislation is not going to move anytime soon,? he said. There needs to be some compact between the states for it to move forward before Goodlatte would support it. ?That is a significant concern of mine.?

Source: http://www.roanokefreepress.com/google-and-intuit-get-virginia-small-business-online/

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Govt moves to block 55 Facebook pages on Afzal Guru


Govt moves to block 55 Facebook pages on Afzal Guru

The list of 55 Facebook pages includes several support
groups and fan pages for Afzal Guru.

NEW DELHI: The government has asked internet service providers to block 55 Facebook pages related to Afzal Guru. The notice by the Department of Telecom was issued a day before internet services were restored in Kashmir Valley after remaining suspended for a week following Afzal's hanging. It was on the same day, February 14, that the notice ordering ISPs to block 73 web pages with content relating to a private management college, Indian Institute of Planning and Management, was issued.

Afzal Guru was convicted for his role in the December 2001 Parliament attack and hanged earlier this month. His hanging set off a spate of protests in Kashmir despite a week-long curfew in the Valley.

The list of 55 Facebook pages includes several support groups and fan pages for Afzal Guru in addition to a profile page of a Bahraini journalist and the Facebook page of a Kashmiri news portal.

The DoT spokesperson could not say who had requested for these pages to be blocked. Group coordinator on cyber laws, Gulshan Rai, who is authorized to send out block notices to ISPs could not be reached for comment.

The notice was not made public by the DoT. The IT Rules introduced in 2009 prohibit disclosure about processes involved in blocking of internet sites.

Delhi-based lawyer Apar Gupta said the move seemed to be "calculated" since it came just before restoration of internet services in the Valley. "Legally speaking, some of the pages for which the block has been called speak of avenging Guru's death. However, the notice does not specify the reasons why the block has been ordered. It gives an impression that the government has something to hide," said Gupta. "The government seems to be growing reliant on blocking as a mode of governance, which is worrying, said cyber lawyer Pavan Duggal.

Source: http://forum.santabanta.com/showthread.htm?314741-Govt-moves-to-block-55-Facebook-pages-on-Afzal-Guru&goto=newpost

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