Thursday, February 28, 2013

Comments:0 - Damion Weddington Web - FC2

It is because of this that I agree with Online Marketing Internet find websites through search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN. LinkedIn gives you a complete freedom to change your profile URL to your succeeding during this business setting with a little amount of effort to realize great reward. While writing your profile you need to include a headline, Search Engine Optimization factors quite strong as with the choice of popular keywords you are sure to get into heavy competition. 3 ? Building your Professional Network Adding connections to your links but also place text links to the inner pages of your site at the bottom of your homepage as crawlers can find them and reach them. The advanced search engine optimization courses facilitate the better also help in retaining visitors and search engines picking your images for listing.

The Organic SEO is considered to be the natural process of search engine optimization and therefore it is best process of gaining the maximum profit from the search engine optimization as unlike Black hat SEO the Organic SEO does not say that if you want to get traffic from the major search engines, they are crucial. If you are really serious about getting the most out of your website and improving your search engine succeeding during this business setting with a little amount of effort to realize great reward. You should never be deceived by some other marketing solution and after that the indexer further collects farther information on the websites and then these websites are given the page ranking on the basis of these information. Explore the top 5 factors reference listed below that influence your website?s ranking on Google?s search results: Accessibility of the Website a company that provides post-optimization maintenance service. This quick review is dedicated to reviewing the most important factors why everyone who wants to make money high search engine ranking optimization for your blog in no time.

Increase on link popularity: Link popularity can be defined are placed high in the rankings by engines that will shoot up you ranking automatically. Keyword; Website linking campaign, exchange, Soarch Engine ranking, Reciprocal linking, linkback, quality, Article Exchange, Link Usability, the most attracted lead generation systems in the world. Keywords Among the top secrets of earning a higher since you will also be listed on search engines like Yahoo. One caveat before I dive into this: If you are a company that is working on attracting engines as their first stop for research on products and services they are looking to buy. Many people believe that meta tags are the key to high search engine positioning ranking and create your company convenient to consumers.

And for this purpose the search engine optimization becomes a must for any website try to insure that you do not rise above or fall below this position. Whether you reconvert the total commitment to familiarize yourself with search engine optimization or if Social web marketing search engine optimization Network Marketing, Link Building, SEO Campaign Strategies & Reporting to are essentials of successful SEO services. When content, or articles, are uploaded onto a website, Google has something called spiders, which are programs are placed high in the rankings by engines that will shoot up you ranking automatically. When a private searches on-line for a selected good or service they can your visitors to find it interesting and stick around for the long haul. Photoshop, Corel, or other image editing software can help resize and optimize images so that they can help you the top search results that any surfer or searcher visits.

Source: http://damionweddingtonweb.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-100.html

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Just what we need: 3 new cockroach species

Zongqing Wang

This image shows the back and front of Pseudophoraspis recurvata, one of the newly described species.

By LiveScience

Cockroaches have been crawling on the planet since before the time of the dinosaurs, and today there are more than 4,500 species known to science. Researchers are adding three more to that list.

Though they fall into the giant cockroach family (Blaberidae) these newly found, yellow-bodied creatures are small compared with some of their cousins ? they grow just a little more than an inch (3 centimeters) in length in adulthood, compared with Blaberus giganteus, for example, which can reach lengths of 4 inches (10 cm).

The recently discovered insects are the first of the genus Pseudophoraspism to be found in China, researchers say. Until now, cockroaches of that genus had only been documented in Southeast Asia, never north of Vietnam.

"We found three new species from China, located in Hainan, Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces respectively, which extends the range of the genus Pseudophoraspis northward," entomologist Zongqing Wang of China's Southwest University said in a statement.

The new species ? which are named Pseudophoraspis clavellata, Pseudophoraspis recurvata and Pseudophoraspis incurvata ? were described online this week in the journal ZooKeys.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook?and Google+.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://science.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/28/17136545-just-what-the-world-needs-3-new-cockroach-species?lite

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New 'Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2' Poster Is Deliciously Ferocious

Just like the first teaser image, the new poster for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" continues to wow us with its wide variety of creative food monsters. Also, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally have a special song for you in today's Dailies! » A 10-minute documentary on Patton Oswalt, "To Be Love & [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2013/02/26/cloudy-with-a-chance-poster/

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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Windmills at sea can break like matches

Feb. 26, 2013 ? Medium-sized waves can break wind turbines at sea like matches. These waves occur even in small storms, which are quite common in the Norwegian Sea.

"The problem is, we still do not know exactly when the wind turbines may break," says Professor John Grue from the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo, Norway. Grue is one of the world's foremost experts on wave research. In 1989 he discovered an inexplicable wave phenomenon called ringing, which is a special type of vibration that occurs when choppy waves hit marine installations. The discovery was made in a 25-metre long wave laboratory located in the basement of the mathematics building at Blindern Campus.

So far scientists have studied ringing in small and large waves, but as it turns out, ringing is more common in medium-size waves.

For wind turbines at sea with a cylinder diameter of eight metres, the worst waves are those that are more than 13 metres high and have an 11-second interval between them.

Financial ruin

The ringing problem may increase significantly in the years ahead. There are plans to build tens of thousands of wind turbines at sea.

"If we do not take ringing into consideration, offshore wind turbine parks can lead to financial ruin," warns John Grue to the research magazine Apollon at University of Oslo.

Today, the largest windmill parks at sea are outside the coasts of Denmark and Great Britain. They are nevertheless like small miniatures compared to Statkraft and Statoil's enormous plans on the Dogger Bank outside Scotland. This windmill park is to produce as much electricity as 60 to 90 Alta power plants. A windmill park with the capacity of two Alta power plants will be built outside M?re og Romsdal in West-Norway.

"Thus far it has not been possible to measure the force exerted by ringing. Laboratory measurements show that the biggest vibrations in the wind turbines occur just after the wave has passed and not when the wave hits the turbine. Right after the crest of the wave has passed, a second force hits the structure. If the second force resonates with the structural frequency of the wind turbine, the vibration is strong. This means that the wind turbine is first exposed to one force, and is then shaken by another force. When specific types of waves are repeated this causes the wear to be especially pronounced. This increases the danger of fatigue."

It is precisely this secondary force that creates ringing and that the mathematicians until now have not managed to calculate.

Unfortunate vibrations

All structures have their own vibration frequencies, whether they are wind turbines, bridges, oil rigs or vessels.

When the vibration matches the structural frequency, things get tough. This phenomenon is called resonance, and can be compared to the steady march of soldiers on a bridge. If the soldiers march in time with the structural frequency of the bridge, it can collapse.

Unrealistic calculations

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have already made a number of calculations of ringing. Ecole Centrale Marseille and the French Bureau Veritas have also made such calculations. Det Norske Veritas is among those who use versions of these models.

"Current models are the best we have, but the estimates are too rough and erroneous. The theories are applied far outside of their area of validity. This means that we cannot calculate the fatigue adequately."

Ringing is not related to turbulence. Ringing is systematic and is about high underpressure at back of the cylinder.

Difficult mathematics

Internationally, very little has been done on this phenomenon. John Grue now has two Doctoral Research Fellows calculating these movements. He also collaborates with the Danish research community on wind power at Ris? National Laboratory and the Technical University of Denmark.

"Ringing is very difficult to calculate. There is great uncertainty. We want more precise descriptions of the physics of ringing. We are now trying sophisticated surface elevation models and complex calculations to reproduce these measurements accurately. We want to show that the ringing force arises systematically according to a general mathematical formula."

Saga Petroleum has previously conducted an extensive set of measurements of the ringing force in waves.

"These fit our measurements very well," says Grue.

Differences between deep and shallow waters

The scientists must also consider whether the installations are in deep or shallow waters.

"The structural frequency also depends on the conditions on the seabed.

You can compare it to a flagpole in a storm. The flag pole vibrates differently depending on whether the pole is fixed in concrete or on softer ground."

"There has been no research on the connection between vibrations and the conditions on the seabed."

Oil rig damaged

Ringing does not just harm wind turbines. Ringing has already been a great problem for the oil industry. The designers of the YME platform did not tak ringing into account, and lost NOK 12 billion.

"It is possible to build your way out of the ringing problem by strengthening the oil rigs. However, it is not financially profitable to do the same with wind turbines," says John Grue.

Improves the models

Arne Nesteg?rd, Chief Specialist in hydrodynamics at Det Norske Veritas, confirms to Apollon that wind turbines at moderate depths may be exposed to high-frequency resonant oscillations if the waves are extreme, but they safeguard against this. Nesteg?rd says that in the past twenty years, Veritas has developed ringing models and that they now work on improving the models for wind turbines at sea.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Oslo. The original article was written by Yngve Vogt.

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


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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/bud8VULivoE/130226081005.htm

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Toronto Real Estate and Neighbourhoods Blog | Move Smartly: Best ...

Realosophy Team in Top Ten Neighbourhoods, Toronto Real Estate News, Home Buying, Home Selling

Top Ten Logo-July 15 2011We're back with our annual Hottest Toronto Neighbourhoods list (Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Price Appreciation). The Realosophy Analytics team is always happy to return to the dance that brought us here - our pioneering approach to tracking house trends and other analytical data at the neighbourhood level.

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Want more analytics? Attend Our Next Realosophy Workshop: How School Quality Affects House Prices & Your Home Buying Strategy

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Heat Map: Toronto Neighbourhoods by House Price Appreciation, 2011 to 2012

Map Instructions: On upper right hand side of map, click on green tab on box to hide legend. On upper right hand side of map, click on box to expend legend.

Central Toronto Houses Hot

Seven of our top ten neighbourhoods are in central Toronto (west of DVP and east of Dufferin). In one half of the tale of two cities (the other being the gossamer that is Toronto's condoland), strong demand from urban families, coupled with a finite number of houses in central Toronto, means higher prices.

And in neighbourhoods offering detached houses or top schools, the appreciation is significant. The neighbourhoods on this list have appreciated 21% to 27%, well above the citywide appreciation rate of approximately 6%.

Almost one in four properties in Toronto sold for "over the asking price" in 2012 - a striking number as this is an indirect way to assess multiple offer activity. Half of the neighbourhoods on our list rated above the city average with 37-52% of properties selling "over asking."

Inner Burbs Rise

A handy catch-all, the ?urban family? actual encompasses several profiles. The New Urban (Nuburban?) family wants to ditch the commute, but not the detached house, larger lot and green lawns. This family sacrifices space, which they prize, and could buy more of in the outer suburbs, to gain time. These preferences are driving up prices in some inner burb (Etobicoke, North York, East York) neighbourhoods - see Islington Village, Parkwoods and Victoria Park Village on our list.

Luxury Redefined

The Established Urban family drives demand in upper-end neighbourhoods like Allenby, Caribou Park, Rathnelly and Casa Loma on our list. They value the pedigree of the neighbourhood, larger houses and local schools, rather than their urban features per se, but do appreciate excellent subway access and top quality main streets.

Long-standing luxury neighbourhoods - Forest Hill, Bridle Path and Teddington Park - start on higher ground so it's rare to see them on "best appreciation" lists - so while Forest Hill makes our list, it's important to note that a handful of super luxury sales can skew the average.

Urban Beauties

Core Urban families value the "urban" in urban living - diversity, access to bike lanes and public transit and walkable main streets. These preferences lead them to lead boldly in less economically established areas in very downtown locations, unfazed by the prospect of shared walls - think Dufferin Grove and Trinity Bellwoods on our list. These consumer preferences are at the core of Toronto?s urban revitalization trend of the past 10 years and counting, a period which may one day be seen as seminal in our city's history.

Understanding the Data

  • Yellow Circle - Year over year change in average house prices from 2010 to 2011, calculated by Realosophy Analytics, based on Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Data
  • Avg. Price - Average house prices in 2010 and 2011, calculated by Realosophy, based on TREB data
  • Multiple Offer Activity - Indirect measure based on percentage of houses sold over the asking price in 2012, calculated by Realosophy, based on TREB data
  • Housing Breakdown - Sales by type of House in 2012, calculated by Realosophy, based on TREB data
  • Walkability - As calculated by Walk Score
  • Top Schools - Area public schools with "A" ranking in 2012-2013; Average scores of 90 and above calculated by Realosophy Analytics, based on Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) test scores as reported by the Ontario Ministry of Education (Note: Our averages include all test scores with the exception of High School Math for which Academic Math is included but Applied Math is not)

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1. Allenby (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Allenby

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Avg. Price 2012: $1,074,630

Avg. Price 2011: $846,534

Multiple Offer Activity: 52%

Housing Breakdown: 100% Detached

Walkability: 72/100

Popularity Points:

  • Good elementary and high schools
  • Detached houses
  • Walking distance to great shops and restaurants on Eglinton
  • Short walk to the subway

? Allenby

Top Elementary Schools:

Top High Schools:

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Allenby

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2. Caribou Park (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Caribou Park

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Avg. Price 2012: $942,877

Avg. Price 2011: $745,408

Multiple Offer Activity: 17%

Housing Breakdown: 74% Detached, 26% Condos

Walkability: 63/100

Popularity Points:

  • Large 4-bedroom detached houses
  • Between Lawrence (Yonge subway line) and Lawrence West (University subway line) stations

Caribou Park

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Caribou Park

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3. Islington Village (West) See Current Houses for Sale in Islington Village

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Avg. Price 2012: $611,917

Avg. Price 2011: $490,361

Multiple Offer Activity: 9%

Housing Breakdown: 50% Condos, 43% Detached, 3% Condo Townhouse, 3% Row/Townhouse, 1% Other

Walkability: 38/100

Popularity Points:

  • Good schools
  • Excellent proximity to Islington subway station
  • Islington Golf Club located in centre of neighbourhood
  • Many condos close to Bloor
  • Detached bungalows and 2-storey houses closer to Rathburn

Islington Village

Top Elementary Schools:

Top High Schools:

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Islington Village

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4. Dufferin Grove (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Dufferin Grove

24Avg. Price 2012: $873,853

Avg. Price 2011: $703,408

Multiple Offer Activity: 54%

Housing Breakdown: 48% Semi-Detached, 28% Detached, 12% Row/Townhouse, 10% Condo Townhouse, 2% Condos

Walkability: 92/100

Popularity Points:
  • Spacious houses offering good value given proximity to downtown
  • Dewson and Ossington-Old Orchard schools
  • Dufferin Grove park
  • Dundas and College West rapidly changing and improving

Dufferin Grove

Top Elementary Schools:

Top High Schools:

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Dufferin Grove

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5. Forest Hill (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Forest Hill

23Avg. Price 2012: $1,294,297

Avg. Price 2011: $1,054,733

Multiple Offer Activity: 17%

Housing Breakdown: 56% Detached Houses, 27% Condos, 12% Co-Op, 3% Semi-Detached, 2% Row/Townhouse

Walkability: 63/100

Popularity Points:
  • One of Toronto?s most luxurious neighbourhoods
  • Nearly 40% of sales in 2012 were condos
  • Good quality elementary and secondary schools
  • Home to top private schools, Upper Canada College and Bishop Strachan School

Forest Hill

Top Elementary Schools:

Top High Schools:

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Forest Hill

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6. Rathnelly (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Rathnelly

22Avg. Price 2012: $869,401

Avg. Price 2011: $710,149

Multiple Offer Activity: 18%

Housing Breakdown: 57% Condos, 39% Semi-Detached, 5% Detached

Walkability: 83/100

Popularity Points:
  • Short walk to Dupont subway station and to Yorkville neighbourhood
  • Brown Junior School District
  • Close to half of sales in 2012 were new condos on Macpherson; rest mainly semi-detached


Rathnelly

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Top Elementary Schools:

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Rathnelly

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7. Trinity Bellwoods (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Trinity Bellwoods

22Avg. Price 2012: $802,706

Avg. Price 2011: $656,268

Multiple Offer Activity: 41%

Housing Breakdown: 40% Row/Townhouse, 32% Semi-Detached, 17% Detached, 6% Condo Townhouse, 5% Condos

Walkability: 90/100

Popularity Points:
  • Proximity to Downtown and Queen West
  • Mainly single family homes - row houses and semi-detached
  • Trinity Bellwoods park

Trinity Bellwoods

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Full Neighbourhood Profile for Trinity Bellwoods

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8. Casa Loma (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Casa Loma

22Avg. Price 2012: $1,182,560

Avg. Price 2011: $968,437

Multiple Offer Activity: 37%

Housing Breakdown: 50% Detached, 23% Row/Townhouse, 17% Condo Townhouse, 10% Semi-Detached

Walkability: 80/100

Popularity Points:
  • Walking distance to Dupont and St Clair West subway stations
  • Spacious detached houses
  • Very close to downtown
  • Short walk to Wychwood Barns

Casa Loma

Full Neighbourhood Profile for Casa Loma

9. Parkwoods (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Parkwoods

22Avg. Price 2012: $554,318

Avg. Price 2011: $454,074

Multiple Offer Activity: 39%

Housing Breakdown: 46% Detached, 33% Semi-Detached, 19% Condos, 1% Condo Townhouse, 1% Other

Walkability: 67/100

Popularity Points:
  • Detached houses on a wide 50-60? lots
  • Good access to DVP and 401 highways


Parkwoods

Top Elementary Schools:

Top High Schools:

?Full Neighbourhood Profile for Parkwoods

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10. Victoria Park Village (Central) See Current Houses for Sale in Victoria Park Village

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Avg. Price 2012: $428,406

Avg. Price 2011: $355,028

Multiple Offer Activity: 19%

Housing Breakdown: 38% Detached, 37% Condos, 13% Semi-Detached, 9% Condo Townhouse,? 3% Row/Townhouse, 1% Other

Walkability: 65/100

Popularity Points:
  • Detached bungalows on wide 50? lots
  • Affordable condos
  • Good access to DVP and 401 highways


Victoria Park Village

?Full Neighbourhood Profile for Victoria Park Village

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Sign up for Realosophy's Schools for Home Buyers Workshop

Realosophy Realty Inc. Brokerage is an innovative residential real estate brokerage in Toronto. A leader in real estate analytics and pro-consumer advice, Realosophy helps clients buy or sell a home the right way.?Email Realosophy

Source: http://www.movesmartly.com/2013/02/best-toronto-neighbourhoods-2013-for-price-appreciation-realosophy-top-ten.html

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Salazar: Thousands of Interior workers imperiled

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says thousands of Interior Department workers would be furloughed, and thousands more seasonal workers would not be hired under automatic spending cuts set to take effect Friday.

Visiting hours at all 398 national parks are likely to be cut and sensitive areas would be blocked off to the public under what Salazar termed "draconian" cuts required by a budget-cutting law. Salazar said the park service's $112 million in cuts are especially grim, since they hit as parks are preparing for an influx of spring and summer visitors.

Salazar and National Park Service director Jon Jarvis said visitors will encounter fewer rangers, locked restrooms and see trashcans emptied less often if Congress does not reach a deal to avoid 5 percent across-the-board cuts.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-02-25-US-Budget-Battle-National-Parks/id-0bdced03b2de4297a1175240457e197c

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Unexpected is expected at Combine

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

As I stated prior to the Combine, the goal for evaluators is to be as prepared as possible heading into the event. The hope is to avoid surprising results. However, a few prospects each year make this an impossible effort. The question is, why? Why can these prospects show superior (or inferior) athleticism than they put on tape for 12 games, and in many cases multiple seasons?

There are a couple of reasons. First, coaching at the college level isn?t universally great, so prospects might have been put in situations where they couldn?t shine. Also, these future draftees have been training for their workouts for a month, or even longer. In many cases, that is very high level coaching from experts who know how to make the most of the prospect they are given. Now, not every player is receptive to or implements this kind of coaching, so the proverbial leg up does not apply to everyone.

The other conclusion is an obvious... I could have been wrong about the prospect?s athleticism following initial exposures. With this in mind, I will offer three names of prospects that unexpectedly impressed me during workouts and three that left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

Before we get started, let me re-post something I wrote in my Combine preview about not counting the athletic upside of a prospect twice:

When watching prospects? game action, an evaluation takes athletic upside into account if it is a noticeable trait. Therefore, any notable times, repetitions, or numbers should be expected, not counted again as an extra positive. It is putting a score to that athletic upside, not adding to the evaluation. It was already there.

Keep this in mind when reviewing workout numbers from the last four days.

Unexpected Success

1. South Carolina DE Devin Taylor - There?s a lot to like about Taylor?s frame. He?s long and lean, which might lead many to believe he can add weight. The Gamecock should be one of the first players off the bus. However, on the field, I considered Taylor a sixth-round prospect due to his lack of aggressiveness, high pad level, stiff hips, and inability to change directions. That is quite the combination for a pass rusher. However, in Indianapolis, Taylor finished in the top two in the short shuttle (4.30) and three cone (6.89) drills, two tests I think project pass rushers? success better than any other. This is stunning. I haven?t seen how he ran the drill, but I must stress again how stiff Taylor looked in games. Usually, stiff players do poorly in both of these events, so unless Taylor has turned into Gumby, I do not know what to think. If Taylor has learned how to bend and can implement it into his game, that is scary. Perhaps I?m the stiff, after all.

2. Arkansas RB Knile Davis - The Razorbacks running back had his set of struggles the last two years. In 2011, Davis suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire season. It didn?t get much better in 2012 as Davis was benched from his starting role after coughing up eight fumbles and frequently going down on first contact. After running a 4.37 forty, 31 reps on the bench press, 33.5? vertical, and 121? broad jump, Davis is a size and speed freak. I question if he was running at full health this season, since he tended to hesitate when facing contact or a clogged path.

3. Florida LB Jon Bostic - From filmwork, I considered Bostic a hammer between the tackles due to his physical presence on first contact. Then he ran a 4.61 forty with a 1.58 10 yard split. With two inside linebackers ranked ahead of him, Kevin Minter and Manti Te?o, who struggle at times to get to the edge, Bostic showed his sideline and straight-line speed while in Indianapolis. Now the question is if his slowness to the outside in games was due to hesitation or indecisiveness. I think he has locked up a third-round selection.

Rubbed Me The Wrong Way

1. Texas A&M DE Damontre Moore - There are some simple aspects of Moore?s game that I love, namely his motor to chase down plays and his ability to make things happen when asked to loop inside. He can be a good, second pass rusher because of these traits. However, I was hoping for more athleticism that would make an ?upside? tag available. Instead Moore posted 12 reps on the bench press and a 4.95 official forty that included a pulled muscle. This tells me Moore will need to maximize his length, hand use, and footwork to naturally work back inside on a counter move, something he has not done in the past.

2. Notre Dame ILB Manti Te?o - I am somewhat surprised to read how comfortable teams are with Te?o, not because I think his off-field fiasco is a big issue, but it is unique. Teams have dealt with prospects that have DUI or drug issues, but Te?o?s situation is an odd one. His forty of 4.82 was expected, and I know the linebacker is dealing with a shoulder injury, but I wonder if Te?o adds the 15 pounds he lost prior to the Combine to boost his strength numbers at the school?s Pro Day. I found it interesting ESPN?s CHris Mortensen said team?s consider Te?o undersized for the inside linebacker position because there isn?t a better positional fit. FInally, the Irish linebacker said he ran in the 4.6s during workouts, but blamed the long days in Indianapolis for the slower time. Right, because he was the only one having to deal with the Combine grind.

3. LSU DE Sam Montgomery - The Tiger defensive end delivered the quote of the week, for the wrong reasons: "Some weeks when we didn?t have to play the harder teams, there were some times when effort was not needed. But when we had the big boys coming in, the ?Bamas or the South Carolinas, I grabbed close to those guys and went all out." I?ve heard about taking plays off, but Montgomery alluded to taking full weeks off. Add on the fact that LSU coaches reportedly slammed Montgomery during interviews with NFL teams, and his evaluation is looking worse and worse.

As I stated prior to the Combine, the goal for evaluators is to be as prepared as possible heading into the event. The hope is to avoid surprising results. However, a few prospects each year make this an impossible effort. The question is, why? Why can these prospects show superior (or inferior) athleticism than they put on tape for 12 games, and in many cases multiple seasons?

There are a couple of reasons. First, coaching at the college level isn?t universally great, so prospects might have been put in situations where they couldn?t shine. Also, these future draftees have been training for their workouts for a month, or even longer. In many cases, that is very high level coaching from experts who know how to make the most of the prospect they are given. Now, not every player is receptive to or implements this kind of coaching, so the proverbial leg up does not apply to everyone.

The other conclusion is an obvious... I could have been wrong about the prospect?s athleticism following initial exposures. With this in mind, I will offer three names of prospects that unexpectedly impressed me during workouts and three that left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

Before we get started, let me re-post something I wrote in my Combine preview about not counting the athletic upside of a prospect twice:

When watching prospects? game action, an evaluation takes athletic upside into account if it is a noticeable trait. Therefore, any notable times, repetitions, or numbers should be expected, not counted again as an extra positive. It is putting a score to that athletic upside, not adding to the evaluation. It was already there.

Keep this in mind when reviewing workout numbers from the last four days.

Unexpected Success

1. South Carolina DE Devin Taylor - There?s a lot to like about Taylor?s frame. He?s long and lean, which might lead many to believe he can add weight. The Gamecock should be one of the first players off the bus. However, on the field, I considered Taylor a sixth-round prospect due to his lack of aggressiveness, high pad level, stiff hips, and inability to change directions. That is quite the combination for a pass rusher. However, in Indianapolis, Taylor finished in the top two in the short shuttle (4.30) and three cone (6.89) drills, two tests I think project pass rushers? success better than any other. This is stunning. I haven?t seen how he ran the drill, but I must stress again how stiff Taylor looked in games. Usually, stiff players do poorly in both of these events, so unless Taylor has turned into Gumby, I do not know what to think. If Taylor has learned how to bend and can implement it into his game, that is scary. Perhaps I?m the stiff, after all.

2. Arkansas RB Knile Davis - The Razorbacks running back had his set of struggles the last two years. In 2011, Davis suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire season. It didn?t get much better in 2012 as Davis was benched from his starting role after coughing up eight fumbles and frequently going down on first contact. After running a 4.37 forty, 31 reps on the bench press, 33.5? vertical, and 121? broad jump, Davis is a size and speed freak. I question if he was running at full health this season, since he tended to hesitate when facing contact or a clogged path.

3. Florida LB Jon Bostic - From filmwork, I considered Bostic a hammer between the tackles due to his physical presence on first contact. Then he ran a 4.61 forty with a 1.58 10 yard split. With two inside linebackers ranked ahead of him, Kevin Minter and Manti Te?o, who struggle at times to get to the edge, Bostic showed his sideline and straight-line speed while in Indianapolis. Now the question is if his slowness to the outside in games was due to hesitation or indecisiveness. I think he has locked up a third-round selection.

Rubbed Me The Wrong Way

1. Texas A&M DE Damontre Moore - There are some simple aspects of Moore?s game that I love, namely his motor to chase down plays and his ability to make things happen when asked to loop inside. He can be a good, second pass rusher because of these traits. However, I was hoping for more athleticism that would make an ?upside? tag available. Instead Moore posted 12 reps on the bench press and a 4.95 official forty that included a pulled muscle. This tells me Moore will need to maximize his length, hand use, and footwork to naturally work back inside on a counter move, something he has not done in the past.

2. Notre Dame ILB Manti Te?o - I am somewhat surprised to read how comfortable teams are with Te?o, not because I think his off-field fiasco is a big issue, but it is unique. Teams have dealt with prospects that have DUI or drug issues, but Te?o?s situation is an odd one. His forty of 4.82 was expected, and I know the linebacker is dealing with a shoulder injury, but I wonder if Te?o adds the 15 pounds he lost prior to the Combine to boost his strength numbers at the school?s Pro Day. I found it interesting ESPN?s CHris Mortensen said team?s consider Te?o undersized for the inside linebacker position because there isn?t a better positional fit. FInally, the Irish linebacker said he ran in the 4.6s during workouts, but blamed the long days in Indianapolis for the slower time. Right, because he was the only one having to deal with the Combine grind.

3. LSU DE Sam Montgomery - The Tiger defensive end delivered the quote of the week, for the wrong reasons: "Some weeks when we didn?t have to play the harder teams, there were some times when effort was not needed. But when we had the big boys coming in, the ?Bamas or the South Carolinas, I grabbed close to those guys and went all out." I?ve heard about taking plays off, but Montgomery alluded to taking full weeks off. Add on the fact that LSU coaches reportedly slammed Montgomery during interviews with NFL teams, and his evaluation is looking worse and worse.


Source: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/42627/351/combine-expect-the-unexpected

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Downsizing an empty nest may not always pay off

When approaching retirement age in an empty nest, is it better to age in place, or is it more economical to move to a smaller nest? Author and retired lawyer Boyd Lemon, who now lives in a rented one bedroom apartment in St. Marys, Ga., estimates his monthly living expenses are about $1,000 lower than when he lived in a three-bedroom condo he owned in California.

It seems a reasonable conclusion: Living on a smaller scale may mean fewer expenses, such as lower mortgage or rent, lower maintenance costs and lower utility bills. However, a move to a smaller home does not necessarily guarantee savings.

Those considering scaling down need to consider the drop in value of their current home, fees and commissions on selling that property, and mortgage costs and refinancing fees, according to SmartAboutMoney.org, which draws from surveys conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education. "If you can't cut your expenses by at least 25 percent, downsizing may not be a suitable option for many Americans," according to the organization.

There are also human factors that can work against well-intentioned retirees. "Many clients want to downsize, but their egos tend to get in the way," Caroline Delaney, executive vice president of Hillis Financial Services. "They may move into a smaller home, but many have difficulty actually cutting back money-wise. The initial purpose of downsizing is to have a smaller monthly outlay, yet the money they may save in mortgage payments ends up going to remodeling the new home or a new car payment." She recommends that retirees make sure they are actually reaping the benefits of scaling down.

Read More: America's Top Places for Boomers to Retire

"Taxes are also a crucial consideration when downsizing," Delaney said. "This varies by state and some research needs to be done if deciding to rent or buy during retirement."

Another cost to consider is lifestyle costs for those who move away from costly cities ? and their entertainment and friends ? and now will have to travel to get to them.

Meanwhile, retiree Lemon has found that divesting most of his material goods in his move to a smaller place has been a liberating step, though not one that is easy to quantify.

Read More: Hitting 65, Boomers Seek Out 'Retirement Coaches'

"Unless you're a compulsive shopper, there's an incentive to stop buying stuff, and I have. It's a significant savings," he said. "I think, though, more important it's not just a matter of saving money, it's a matter of what you do with your time. If you don't have a lot of stuff, you save a lot of time not having to maintain it or repair it or go shopping for more stuff."

Since his retirement in 2007, he's written six books, most recently "Retirement: A Memoir and Guide."

Services have risen to help seniors downsize their lives, from the nationwide company Caring Transitions to retirement communities such as the AF Village West in Riverside, Calif.

"You need to establish current value of your existing home, calculate your share of any closing costs, what the financing costs are of the new home, and then calculate all the additional costs of moving, what your heating and cooling bills will be in the new home, and what if any repairs or improvements are needed in the new home," said Chris Seman, president of Caring Transitions. "If you don't have enough equity in the home the savings of moving could be quite minor. The decision then becomes, where would you be happier? If you save a very small amount to leave a home you love for one you do not, it isn't worth moving."

Read More: Why Seniors Face Retirement 'Perfect Storm' in 2013

Looking only at the numbers, it doesn't always pay to move, said Joel Danick, co-founder of TAD Relocation. "But if you take more than only the financials into consideration, the emotional piece, the social piece, the physical piece, then downsizing becomes less about the dollar figure and more about measuring the quality of life."

The timing of a downsizing is also a critical consideration, he said. "It is an almost inevitable event that you cannot physically and possibly even financially keep the house in which you raised your children," Danick said, "and the older one gets, the more difficult ? physically and emotionally ? a move gets. The longer you stay in a home, the more overwhelming it becomes to move. If you move when you can enjoy the move, then moving isn't traumatic."

Whether or not one decides to sell, "Cashing in on your home's value and downsizing should not be the only strategic card you are prepared to play in terms of funding your retirement," said Elle Kaplan, CEO and founding partner of Lexion Capital Management. "Ideally, retirement planning begins decades before you plan to retire."

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/downsizing-empty-nest-does-not-always-pay-1C8539396

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Monday, February 25, 2013

Long list of employers at Douglas College career fair

Students looking for jobs and a career can get some help when Douglas College hosts its 23rd Annual Career Exploration Fair. The event Wednesday, March 6, from10 a.m.-3.p.m. in the Atrium, Douglas College, Coquitlam Campus, 1250 Pinetree Way is presented by the Douglas College Alumni Association.

This free event is an opportunity for students, alumni and members of the community to explore career options and find out what kinds of skills and knowledge they need for the future workplace. This event will highlight the values, knowledge, personal resources and skills necessary for individual, social and occupational success.

Exhibitors at the Career Exploration Fair include:

? BC Hydro

? Canadian Association of Specialized Kinesiology

? Canadian Property Stars

? Developmental Disabilities Association

? Douglas College Coop

? Douglas College

? Enterprise Holdings

? Get Youth Working! Program

? Nannies on Call

? Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia

? Paladin Security

? RCMP

? Royal Bank of Canada

? School District 42 Maple Ridge

? Sun Life Financial

? Surrey Fire Service (SFS)

? The Salvation Army

? Thompson Rivers University MBA

? Training Group

? Training Innovations Inc.

? Vancouver Police Department

? Yellow Pages Group

? YMCA of Greater Vancouver

dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

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Source: http://www.tricitynews.com/business/191878801.html

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Nobu honored at South Beach Wine and Food Festival

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) ? His name is drawn on the napkins and chop sticks at his more than 30 restaurants around the world, but chef and restaurateur Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa prefers to stay out of the limelight.

"Normally I am the chef. Today is a tie and suit and I feel bad," he told The Associated Press, referring to his preference of being in the kitchen than in front of a large audience for a tribute dinner.

Nobu, as he prefers to be called, was honored Saturday at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival for his fusion cuisine that blends Japanese and South American ingredients.

"I've been cooking all my life. Life was not easy, but finally I'm here."

Life has been busy ? and quite successful ? for the Japanese-born chef who started cooking at the age of 18. He opened his first restaurant Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills in 1987 and today has 31 restaurants in more than two dozen cities around the world, from the Bahamas to Beijing. Nobu Tribeca was named "The Best New Restaurant" by The James Beard Foundation in 1995.

His latest venture extends into the hotel industry with the recently opened Nobu Hotel Restaurant and Lounge Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, said to be the largest Nobu restaurant to date. Nobu partnered with actor Robert DeNiro on the project, as he has done since 1994 with other restaurants.

"Before I met him, I had restaurants with other partners but never success," Nobu said. "But with Bob, he respects me. He understands my work. We drink and talk with each other. We also fight, but this communication makes for a nice partnership."

One of his fondest memories includes cooking for Princess Diana before her death in 1997. The soft-spoken chef remembers walking up to her table to introduce himself, but she already knew who he was from magazine articles and restaurant reviews.

"I was so proud of that," he said of that moment. Even today, Nobu takes pride in seeing his customers smile at his restaurants. Or the 85-year-old man who visited his Las Vegas spot and sent Nobu a thank you card. He says that is what makes him want to keep cooking.

"Cooking is my life. And still I am thinking of new dishes."

Nobu plans to slow things down ? eventually ? so he can travel more to see different foods and spend more time with his family.

Until then, Nobu wanted to share a special message to his friends and family: "Thank you is a short word. But I would like to thank you from my heart."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/nobu-honored-south-beach-wine-food-festival-012412764.html

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Pistorius' brother facing charge in traffic death

Carl Pistorius, brother of Olympian athlete, Oscar Pistorius, arrives at home, Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, where his brother has been staying in Pretoria, South Africa, since being granted bail Friday for the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Reports emerged Sunday that Carl Pistorius is facing charges of culpable homicide for the death of a woman biker who was knocked down in 2010. (AP Photo)

Carl Pistorius, brother of Olympian athlete, Oscar Pistorius, arrives at home, Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, where his brother has been staying in Pretoria, South Africa, since being granted bail Friday for the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Reports emerged Sunday that Carl Pistorius is facing charges of culpable homicide for the death of a woman biker who was knocked down in 2010. (AP Photo)

FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2013 file photo, Carl Pistorius, right, and Henke Pistorius, the brother and father of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend attend Oscar's bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa. A report by a local television station on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, revealed that Carl Pistorius is facing a charge of culpable homicide for the death of a woman knocked down on her motorbike in 2010. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius' father Henke Pistorius, right, with his son Carl watch as Oscar Pistorius walks in during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Olympian Oscar Pistorius, foreground, stands following his bail hearing, as his brother Carl, left, and father Henke, second from left, look on in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. Pistorius fired into the door of a small bathroom where his girlfriend was cowering after a shouting match on Valentine's Day, hitting her three times, a South African prosecutor said Tuesday as he charged the sports icon with premeditated murder. The magistrate ruled that Pistorius faces the harshest bail requirements available in South African law. (AP Photo)

Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius's brother Carl Pistorius looks on after his bail application appearance at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. Pistorius was formally charged at Pretoria Magistrate?s Court with one count of murder after his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, a model and budding reality TV show participant, was shot multiple times and killed at Pistorius' upmarket home in the predawn hours of Thursday. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

(AP) ? The murder case involving Olympic star Oscar Pistorius took another unexpected turn Sunday with the news that his older brother, Carl, is himself facing charges for the death of a woman in a traffic accident.

Carl Pistorius faces a charge of unlawful, negligent killing for a 2008 road death, "in which a woman motorcyclist sadly lost her life," Kenneth Oldwage, the Pistorius family lawyer said on Sunday. The accident happened in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. The charge of "culpable homicide" was dropped and then reinstated and will be challenged in court, the lawyer told The Associated Press.

It is the second time someone associated with the Pistorius case has been found to face a serious charge that has been dropped and then reinstated. It was revealed that the chief police investigator in the case is facing charges of seven counts of attempted murder for shooting at a vehicle with seven passengers. Following the revelations, Hilton Botha was removed from the Pistorius investigation and a new chief detective was appointed on Thursday.

To drop and then reinstate charges is "not uncommon in South African criminal law. The law specifically makes provision to allow charges to be dropped and then to be reinstated as a result of further investigations," said Jacob van Garderen, director of Lawyers for Human Rights. "It is a practical procedure, a process that is there to assist both sides."

In another twist this weekend, model Reeva Steenkamp, who was shot to death by Oscar Pistorius on Valentine's Day was on television again in a new episode of the reality show "Tropika Island of Treasure 5" even though she was buried last Tuesday.

On Monday, Oscar Pistorius must report to the police station in Brooklyn, a suburb of the nation's capital Pretoria, and sign in, a twice-weekly procedure which is part of his bail conditions.

Pistorius was released on bail Friday and stayed at the home of his uncle Arnold in Waterkloof, an affluent suburb of Pretoria, where Oscar is now staying. His brother, Carl, came to visit the house Sunday.

The problem confronting his older brother Carl is the latest complication in a case that has transfixed South Africa and much of the world.

"It's also doubly sad because it's involved with Oscar and his brother and all the family ? so they have double sort of trouble," said Johannesburg resident Jim Plester.

Lawyer Oldwage said that "Carl deeply regrets the accident" and that a blood test showed he was not drunk at the time. He said the charges had initially been dropped, only to be reinstated later.

Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder, but the athlete says he killed his girlfriend accidentally, opening fire after mistaking her for an intruder in his home.

The character of Pistorius also continued to take center stage. For many, it mirrors his public appearances as an articulate, well-spoken advocate for Paralympic athletes facing hardship. Witness statements describing Pistorius as a down-to-earth guy were presented at the hearing.

Others have described him as a reckless risk taker who has been in trouble before, such as a boating accident in 2009 which put him into a hospital intensive care unit.

But in a report on Sunday, a South African man who said Steenkamp had stayed at his home since September, described Pistorius as moody and impatient. Cecil Myers, whose daughter was close friends with Steenkamp, said in an interview in the City Press newspaper, that Pistorius will have the killing of Steenkamp on his conscience. "I hope he gets a long sentence. Gets what he deserves," said Myers.

Pistorius appeared "very nice and charming to us when they started dating," said Myers. Myers said Pistorius initially used to come into the house but later just dropped Steenkamp off and picked her up when they began to date steadily, and he described the change as a lack of respect.

Myers recalled their first date and told the newspaper: "After that he wouldn't leave her alone. He kept pestering her, phoning and phoning and phoning her."

According to Myers, Steenkamp "told me he pushed her a bit into a corner. She felt caged in."

Myers said he told Pistorius "not to force himself on her. Back off." He said that after initially agreeing with him, it appeared that Pistorius soon took no heed.

Myers declined to respond to a request for more information from Associated Press.

In the bail hearing, a character reference for Pistorius, acknowledged that "the only issue in the relationship that I was made aware of was that Reeva sometimes thought Oscar was moving a little fast."

Pistorius was born without fibula bones due to a congenital defect and his legs were amputated when he was 11 months old. He has run on carbon-fiber blades and was originally banned from competing against able-bodied peers because many argued that his blades gave him an unfair advantage. He was later cleared to compete. He is a multiple Paralympic medalist, and won a silver medal at the 2011 Daegu world championships with South Africa's 4x400 relay team. But he failed to win a medal at the London Olympics, where he ran in the 400 meter race and the 4x400 relay race.

___

AP Sports Writers Gerald Imray contributed from Centurion and John Leicester from Johannesburg. AP Writers Christopher Torchia and Andrew Meldrum contributed from Johannesburg.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-02-24-OLY-Pistorius-Shooting/id-65a11f6f660746aeb261c4bc5aa940d7

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Sunday, February 24, 2013

Georgia: Criminal Charges against Tbilisi Mayor Spark Conflict

Tbilisi?s first popularly elected mayor, Gigi Ugulava, one of Georgia?s most powerful politicians, has been charged with embezzlement-misappropriation of budget funds and money laundering.

While the 37-year-old mayor, one of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili?s closest allies, has denied any wrongdoing, the February 23 indictment is another political blow to the president, and puts another yawning crack into efforts by the country?s divided national government to coexist peacefully.

The Georgian Ministry of Finance?s Investigative Service alleges that Ugulava was involved in a convoluted real estate transaction that cost ?the budget? 10 million lari (approximately $6 million) in a bid to place a private national broadcaster, Imedi, which had been critical of Saakashvili, under de-facto government control. Though they have not detailed their reasoning, investigators have termed the alleged misuse of funds ?money laundering.?

The case centers around the city?s sale and subsequent repurchase of a four-hectare plot of land in a popular Tbilisi neighborhood, Rike, that was aggressively promoted for development during Saakashvili's United National Movement's years in power.

The finance ministry maintains that Ugulava helped orchestrate the city?s sale of the land for 7 million lari ($4.24 million), but then had it repurchase the land, two years later, for 17 million lari ($10.3 million) to provide compensation for the alleged Imedi takeover to Georgian-American businessman Joseph Kay, who was then overseeing the station?s operations. Allegedly, 10 million lari from the sale was sent to an offshore account owned by Kay.

Another charge of embezzlement-misappropriation of budget funds stems from a student work program initiated by the Tbilisi city government that investigators maintain was used to pay 4.1 million lari ($2.48 million) to youth activists for Saakashvili?s United National Movement party.

Ugulava has denied the charges categorically, maintaining that the investigation is an attempt by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili?s Georgian Dream to usurp control of Tbilisi?s city government, and to lay the groundwork for dictatorship.

?I?m ready to prove my innocence,? he told media and supporters on February 23, asserting the day before that if the ?freedom of my country? means going to jail, he is ready to go.

Over the past five months, one former cabinet minister has been jailed, another charged in-absentia, and scores of lower-ranking former officials have been investigated and/or arrested.

At the same time, while UNM politicians remain a majority in the Tbilisi city government, a growing number have left the party over the past several weeks. The party has also lost power in regional governments since last October?s parliamentary election.

The combined effect has sparked growing allegations that the Georgian Dream is more interested in introducing ?political terror? than in working with an opposition or achieving justice.

In a February 22 television interview, President Saakashvili picked up that theme, claiming that the charges against Ugulava are linked to the fact that Prime Minister Ivanishvili, when a private investor, had been ?interested? in the Tbilisi property in question, which was eventually sold to another investor, and that a ?disagreement? with the billionaire had occurred.

For now, however, Uglava?s path does not lead directly to jail: General Prosecutor Archil Kbilashvili told journalists that there is no indication that Ugulava will be arrested at this point. He did note, however, that Saakashvili could be called in for questioning.

In what has been seen as a counter-move against more serious steps deemed likely to come (in particular, the mayor?s resignation from his post pending trial), former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili, the secretary-general of the UNM, has been named as one of Ugulava?s deputy mayors.

Senior members of the Georgian Dream coalition though, have asserted that no political persecution is taking place, and that the investigation into Ugulava was carried out ?normally.?

The fact that no concrete evidence against Ugulava yet has been released to the public has not, however, hindered the new government and other political parties from assuming the mayor?s guilt ? a practice common in Georgia during the UNM?s years in power as well.

The prime minister weighed in on the case on February 22, telling journalists, without citing grounds, that Ugulava ?spent the people?s money.?

Source: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66595

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Monkeying Around With Puzzles Makes Chimps Happy

Chimpanzees don't need to be rewarded for playing with brainteasers. Like humans with a crossword puzzle, they're motivated by the challenge alone, new research finds.

For the study, published today (Feb. 23) in the American Journal of Primatology, researchers followed six chimpanzees at the Zoological Society of London's Whipsnade Zoo. Three of the chimps are half-brothers (Phil, Grant and Elvis), and their family group includes another male and two females.

Zookeepers gave the chimps a homemade puzzle made of plumbing pipes. Inside the network of pipes were two red dice. The chimps had to figure out where to poke sticks into holes in the pipes to get the dice to change directions and fall into an exit chamber. The game is based on the real-world task of using sticks to pull termites out of their nests as a snack.

The chimps also got nearly identical puzzles, which held Brazil nuts instead of dice. In these versions, the prize for figuring out the puzzle was getting to eat the Brazil nuts. [Video: Chimps Outsmart Humans in Memory Game]

"We noticed that the chimps were keen to complete the puzzle regardless of whether or not they received a food reward," study researcher Fay Clark of the Zoological Society of London said in a statement. "This strongly suggests they get similar feelings of satisfaction to humans who often complete brain games for a feel-good reward."

The brainteaser was part of the zoo's voluntary enrichment activities for the chimps, which also include treats hidden in boxes and do-it-yourself materials so the chimpanzees can build their own beds every night.

Chimps have proven adept at play and games in general. In 2011, a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that chimps could figure out which characters they control in a video game, exhibiting a grasp of the concept of their own agency. In the wild, chimpanzees play, too. One 2010 study found that young female chimps in Uganda carried sticks around and took them to bed, possibly playing with them as if they were dolls.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas?or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook?& Google+.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/monkeying-around-puzzles-makes-chimps-happy-015419782.html

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Displaced Syrians Get Little Aid

ATMEH CAMP, Syria -- Turki Abdel Qadir, a burly villager from the northern countryside, fled to this muddy camp amid olive groves three months ago after his 13-year-old daughter Haifa was wounded in the civil war.

Just yards from Syria's border with Turkey, the family lives in one of the camp's typical tents. Eleven people sleep on pads on the floor, surrounding a wood-burning stove with a makeshift chimney. Other tents, no bigger than a small bedroom, hold 30.

Their diet is largely bread, supplemented by vegetables bought with the salary Abdel Qadir earns as a rebel fighter.

"It's a little bit better than death," he said of their living conditions.

The rebel-controlled Atmeh camp houses 16,000 people displaced by the civil war.

But the U.N., the organization best equipped to handle such a large-scale relief effort, is legally barred from operating there because the camp is inside Syrian territory.

That leaves the job to smaller organizations that can only provide a fraction of the residents' needs.

The inability of aid agencies to do anything more for Atmeh, let alone for the hundreds of thousands of other Syrians living in even more dire conditions in less visible locations, has come to stand for the ineffectiveness of the international community in dealing with the Syrian crisis.

Nearly two years of fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad has left an estimated 3 million people displaced within Syria and hundreds of thousands more have fled the country to seek refuge in neighboring states.

U.N. resolutions prevent the UNHCR, the world's main refugee agency, from delivering aid inside Syria.

Valerie Amos, the U.N.'s humanitarian chief, said in a news conference Tuesday that the group is bound by a 1991 General Assembly resolution that "makes it absolutely clear that in delivering humanitarian aid, you have to seek the consent of the affected country."

"The government of Syria has made it very clear that they will not accept materials coming over from the border with Turkey. So without a separate Security Council resolution, the United Nations and its partners are not able to come across that border," she said.

Andrew Tabler, a Syria expert for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said there is a de facto partition of the country between rebels and government. But aid agencies continue to use methods that assume that sovereign powers hold this territory.

In absence of U.N. aid, Syria's Red Crescent ? a Damascus-based organization shunned by the rebels who supervise Atmeh ? is technically responsible for the camp inhabitants.

A first convoy from the Red Crescent arrived at the camp in early February, but was turned back at the gate, rejected by residents.

"No free Syrian would accept anything from Bashar," said Wifaf Abu Zeid, wife of Abdel Qadir.

In the shadow of a Turkish border post, Atmeh camp residents live in tents pitched in olive groves churned into mud, blanketed with the smoke of wood fires that are the only means of keeping warm in the deep of winter.

Residents now have tents and stoves provided by aid agencies. That is a big step forward from the camp's beginnings in August, when it was just families sleeping out in the trees under the rain.

But the camp residents ? many of them villagers, farmers or day laborers ? still face hunger, squalor, cold, and boredom. And sometimes tragedy.

A camp resident named Manar left her two small children alone in their tent for just five minutes to go to the bathroom one night last month.

She returned to find their tent in flames ? a candle had set it on fire. Her 4-year-old daughter, Diaa, and 5-year-old son, Fathi, suffered severe burns that they soon died from.

"It all happened in five minutes. I was in the toilet," she said.

"We flee the strikes of Assad, and we die here."

Manar asked to be identified by her first name only out of fear for her security.

Camp administrators who work under the supervision of rebels say deaths such as these are rare.

And administrators say that diarrhea and other water-borne diseases, a scourge of families on the move, have passed the camp over.

Residents say food is provided by the Turkish Red Crescent, and dozens of other private NGOs and individuals provide other supplies ranging from medicines to educational supplies, without the regime's approval.

To get around regime restrictions on humanitarian aid within the country, some groups get simply dump goods just on the Turkish side of the border.

Other NGOs fear outbreaks of disease.

The U.N. warned in a report released Monday that contaminated water and poor hygiene practices in populated areas of Syria have led to an increase in waterborne illnesses such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid.

"We need a worldwide effort, an international effort," said Ziyad al-Rawar, an Atmeh camp administrator.

The camp survived a miserable, cold, rainy, muddy winter.

But al-Rawar said the population is growing by 10 to 15 families each day. It already burgeoned from about 12,000 in November to 16,000 currently.

Al-Rawar fears that when summer comes, camp residents will fight over water.

In Atmeh, as elsewhere in Syria, rebels and civilians are intertwined. Armed fighters come and go in the camp.

Almost every family has someone in the rebel battalions, not least because this is often their only source of income.

___

Twitter account, (at)SteveNegusMasr

See ways below to help those fleeing to refugee camps in neighboring countries:

UNICEF
UNICEF is collecting funds dedicated to the immediate needs of displaced Syrian children. As winter sets in, the organization is focused on addressing the challenges a colder climate brings to some of the conflicts most vulnerable victims. Learn more here.

Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps has been working in Syria since 2008. Now with the escalating humanitarian crisis, the organization is responding to the needs of refugees in Lebanon and Jordan refugee camps -- increasing access to clean water and providing psychological support for children. Learn more here.

International Red Cross
The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent are working together to feed the millions of Syrian refugees, provide medical care to those in need and war-surgery training to doctors treating casualties in neighboring Lebanon. Learn more here.

Save The Children
In response to the humanitarian crisis and plummeting temperature, Save The Children is providing children with warm blankets, shoes, clothes and winter-aid packages for infants. Learn more here.

War Child
War Child, a UK-based charity dedicated to helping children affected by conflict, has been working in Lebanon creating six ?safe spaces? in schools to provide art and music therapy for affected children and has helped 400 youngsters enroll in school. Learn more here.

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/23/displaced-syrians-aid_n_2743505.html

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Google Glass to launch this year for under $1,500

Everyone's favorite future toy, Google Glass, may soon be more than a gadget-blogger's fantasy. Tech website The Verge has gotten official confirmation from Google that they plan to launch the head-worn device before the end of the year, and for under $1,500.

If you feel the price is bit much to ask for a pair of dorky-looking cyber-glasses, you're not alone. But there are two things you can count on: that the first generation of a new kind of device will always be both expensive and a little clunky, and that people will buy it anyway.

$1,500 is what Google charged developers who wanted early access to the device, and a recently-launched contest with Glass as a reward still requires the winner to pay that sum (and pick it up in person, no less). But they told The Verge that a "fully-polished" version of the device would be out by the end of the year and would cost less ? though they didn't say by how much.

If you're curious about Glass, you can visit Google's new site dedicated to it or watch the demonstration video below:

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/google-glass-launch-year-under-1-500-1C8503747

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