Saturday, December 29, 2012

'Shocking Family Secrets': Woman Leads Double Life As Teacher ...

  • "The Biggest Loser"

    Returns Sunday, January 6 at 9 p.m. EST and moves to regular timeslot on Monday, January 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Jillian Michaels! She's back to help whip contestants into shape. Plus, for the first time, kids (ages 13-16) will be on the show along with 15 adult contestants.

  • "The Bachelor"

    Returns Monday, January 7 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Sean Lowe <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Jilted "Bachelorette" contestant Sean returns to TV as "The Bachelor" and seeks to find love.

  • "Deception"

    Monday, January 7 at 10 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Meagan Good, Laz Alonso, Tate Donovan and Victor Garber <strong>What's It About</strong>: A wealthy socialite and party girl is found dead of an overdose, but something's fishy about her death. Enter FBI Agent Will Moreno (Alonso), who recruits his former partner Joanna Padget (Good), the deceased's former best friend. Joanna hides her true occupation and infiltrates the family she grew up around to find the truth about her friend's death.

  • "Betty White's Off Their Rockers"

    Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Betty White will entertain a ton of guest stars while introducing the elderly pranksters. Kim Kardashian, the ladies of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," Ed Asner and NeNe Leakes are among the names who will appear on the prank show.

  • "Pretty Little Liars"

    Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC Family. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Toby is on the A Team, Garrett's dead, Aria's dad has some strange connection to Ali, Paige saved the day and Ezra's a dad ... and Alex Mack is his baby mama. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Mona is released from Radley and is back at Rosewood High. Clearly, she'll be working with Toby, who the liars are still in the dark about. It's only a matter of time before Spencer learns the truth ... and starts to lose it. Dr. Sullivan will return, hopefully to prevent any breakdowns. Plus, we'll see more about what the hell Byron was doing with Ali the night she died.

  • "Cougar Town"

    Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 10 p.m. EST on TBS. <strong>Where We Left Off: </strong>Jules and Grayson had a quickie beachfront wedding and rode off into the distance on horseback. <strong>What's Ahead: </strong>For starters, it's on TBS! Everybody's favorite wine-guzzlin' crew will be joined by guest stars Alexndra Wentworth, Shirley Jones, Gillian Vigman, Tippi Herden and more.

  • "Justified"

    Returns Tuesday, January 8 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: In Season 3, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) prevented carpetbagger/gangster Robert Quarles from establishing a criminal network in Harlan, but a pregnant Winona left the US Marshal and he found out his father shot a good man. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins) will no doubt continue to be a thorn in Raylan's side.

  • "Stars In Danger: The High Dive"

    Wednesday January, 9 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: JWoww, Bethany Hamilton, Alexandra Paul, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards, David Chokachi, Terrell Owens, Antonio Sabato Jr. <strong>What's It About:</strong> C-list celebrities learn to dive like the pros with the help of Olympian Troy Dumais.

  • "1600 Penn"

    Thursday, January 10 at 9:30 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Josh Gad, Bill Pullman, Jenna Elfman <strong>What's It About</strong>: The Gilchrists are your typical American family ... they just so happen to be the first family of the United States. Gad stars as the hapless son of President Dale Gilchrist (Pullman) and stepson of Emily (Elfman).

  • "Girls"

    Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Jessa bizarrely got married, Shoshanna slept with Ray, Hannah and Adam broke up and Marnie still misses Charlie. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: After months of criticism, Hannah makes a black friend (or more than a friend) -- and it's Donald Glover. Patrick Wilson will also play a love interest for Hannah later in the season and Shiri Appleby joins Season 2 as Adam's new girlfriend, much to Hannah's dismay. Elijah moves in with Hannah -- and starts to question his sexuality. Shoshanna is dealing with her post-sex relationship with Ray. Plus, Rita Wilson will stop by to play Marnie's mom and to help her shape up.

  • "Shameless"

    Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Karen had her and Lip's baby and fled, prompting Lip to move back home and go back to school. Estefania and Marco were on the verge of breaking up and in happier news, Fiona passed her GED. ("Teen Mom's" Amber: Take note.) <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: It's 137 days since we?ve last seen the Gallagher's. Jimmy has moved into the house with them and Fiona uses the family's money in desperation and the others aren't too pleased. Oh and (shocker) Frank's missing.

  • "Enlightened"

    Returns Sunday, January 13 at 9:30 p.m. EST <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Following her very public breakdown, Amy (Laura Dern) returned to work with a positive outlook ... only to start down the path of revenge after being laughed at by her coworkers. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Will Amy return to the path of enlightenment?

  • "House of Lies"

    Returns Sunday, January 13 at 10 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Did they or didn't they? Marty (Don Cheadle) and Jeannie (Kristen Bell) ended the season with a romp in the sheets ... maybe. They've gotten rid of the Rainmaker and stand triumphant. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Galweather Stearn brings in a new CEO who's all about female power. Adam Brody returns to TV with a guest role.

  • "Californication"

    Returns Sunday, January 13 at 10:30 p.m. EST on Showtime. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: After Bates left Karen, Hank sees an opportunity. But when his ex Carrie returns and offers him an anti-depressant-laced drink, Hank loses consciousness just after seeing a vision of Karen, to whom he says, "I love you." <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Hank is penning a rock opera "about love conquering all" with Atticus Fetch (Tim Minchin), a coked up rock star. Maggie Grace has a nine-episode arc as infamous rock groupie Faith, who becomes involved with Hank, and in one episode, Grace's former "Lost" co-star Jorge Garcia will appear as an old contact from Faith's past. Season 6 will also see a guest appearance from Marilyn Manson.

  • "The Carrie Diaries"

    Monday, January 14 at 8 p.m. EST on The CW <strong>Starring:</strong> AnnaSophia Robb, Freema Agyeman, Chloe Bridges, Austin Butler and more. <strong>What's It About:</strong> A prequel to "Sex and the City," the new CW series follows Carrie Bradshaw as a high schooler in the '80s. She's discovering her style, dating, dealing with the death of her mother and falling in love for the first time ... with Manhattan.

  • "Lost Girl"

    Returns Monday, January 14 at 10 p.m. EST on Syfy <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Victory! But the darkness continues to grow in Bo (Anna Silk). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Bo must make a deadly decision. Plus, tune in for guest star Linda Hamilton and recurring guest star Rachel Skarsten.

  • "American Idol"

    Returns Wednesday, January 16 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Feuds! Divas! Dawgs! Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban join the judging panel alongside veteran Randy Jackson for Season 12.

  • "Anger Management"

    Returns Thursday, January 17 at 9 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: After Charlie and Kate slept together, they were in a weird place with their relationship. And when Charlie's daughter Sam kissed a girl at school, a photo wound up on Facebook and Charlie and Jennifer questioned their daughter's sexual orientation. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: 70+ more episodes. And in Season 2, Charlie will blow up at his sister's baby shower and will question if his father Martin is developing Alzheimer's. Cee Lo Green will stop by as a version of himself, seeking Charlie's assistance under Hollywood pressure.

  • "Archer"

    Returns Thursday, January 17 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: The ISIS crew -- including Archer -- were held captive on the Space Station Horizon <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: A "Bob's Burgers" crossover! H. Jon Benjamin provides the voice of both Archer and Bob.

  • "The Following"

    Monday, January 21 at 9 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, Natalie Zea, Annie Parisse <strong>What's It About</strong>: Ryan Hardy's (Bacon) been out of the FBI game for a while, that is until his biggest catch, serial killer Joe Carroll (Purefoy) resurfaces ... along with a cult-like following ready to carry out his bidding.

  • "The Taste"

    Tuesday, January 22 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, Brian Malarkey <strong>What's It About</strong>: Think "The Voice" (there are teams and coaches), plus "Top Chef" (culinary competition) and you've got ABC's "The Taste."

  • "White Collar"

    Returns Tuesday, January 22 at 10 p.m. EST on USA <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Peter (Tim DeKay) and Neal (Matt Bomer) stepped into the boxing ring to infiltrate a white collar boxing club. Neal discovered his father was still alive (and played by Treat Williams!) <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Peter and Neal search for the truth about Neal's dad and his crimes and Neal goes undercover with the Irish mob ... And hopefully, more boxing.

  • "Dallas"

    Returns Wednesday, January 28 at 9 p.m. EST on TNT. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Slaps, sex and secrets filled the first season of the new "Dallas." The season ended with John Ross (Josh Henderson) teaming up with J.R. (Larry Hagman) to destroy Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and Elena (Jordana Brewster). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Familiar faces return and the Ewings say goodbye to J.R. after series star Larry Hagman passed away about half way into filming Season 2. Producers will incorporate his death into the story.

  • "The Americans"

    Wednesday, January 30 at 10 p.m. EST on FX. <strong>Starring</strong>: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich <strong>What's It About</strong>: Elizabeth (Russell) and Phillip (Rhys) Jennings are the perfect couple: They've got two kids and are living the life of every American in the '80s ... but they just so happen to be KGB spies posing as regular ol' US citizens.

  • "Do No Harm"

    Thursday, January 31at 10 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring:</strong> Steven Pasquale, Alana de la Garza, Phylicia Rash?d, John Carroll Lynch <strong>What's It About: </strong>A brilliant neurosurgeon (Pasquale) has a big secret: a very villainous dual personality. It's a modern-day Jekyll and Hyde story mixed with a medical drama.

  • "Rules of Engagement"

    Returns Monday, February 4 at 8:30 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Audrey (Megyn Price) was upstaged at her own baby shower by Brenda (Sara Rue). Meanwhile, Russell (David Spade) started to display creative talents after taking a break from women. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Sitcom hijinks!

  • "Smash"

    Returns Tuesday, February 5 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC and moves to its normal Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EST timeslot on February 12 on NBC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Karen (Katharine McPhee) wowed the crowd as Marilyn Monroe in previews of "Bombshell" in Boston. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: More Broadway drama! There's a new musical in town that could rival "Bombshell" for all the buzz. Plus guest stars Jennifer Hudson, Liza Minnelli, Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin and more.

  • "Body of Proof"

    Returns Tuesday, February 5 at 10 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Peter (Nicholas Bishop) saved Megan (Dana Delany) from a serial killer, but was stabbed in the process. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: New blood! Bishop, John Carroll Lynch and Sonja Sohn are out and Mark Valley is in.

  • "Community"

    Returns Thursday, February 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Evil Abed, "lawsuits" and sandwich shops filled the "Community" Season 3 finale that aired what feels like 30 years ago. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Six seasons and a movie. Just kidding, although that'd be cool (cool cool cool). Malcolm McDowell, Tricia Helfer, Jason Alexander and more will drop by for some Human Beings antics. Plus, Chevy Chase will depart the show.

  • "Touch"

    Returns Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Martin (Kiefer Sutherland) and Jake (David Mazouz) fled to California and met up with Lucy (Maria Bello). <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Martin (Sutherland) and Jake (David Mazouz) soak up the Los Angeles sun ... and find themselves in the middle of a "global conspiracy."

  • "Survivor"

    Returns Wednesday, February 13 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Jeff Probst, unnamed contestants <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Fans vs. Favorites, Round 2

  • "Southland"

    Returns Wednesday, February 13 at 10 p.m. EST on TNT. <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Cooper saved Tang, and then Tang got a big promotion becoming sergeant and watch commander. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: "One Tree Hill" star Chad Michael Murray joins the cast as goofball Officer Dave Mendoza.

  • "Zero Hour"

    Thursday, February 14 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Anthony Edwards, Carmen Ejogo, Scott Michael Foster, Addison Timlin, Jacinda Barrett and Michael Nyqvist <strong>What's It About</strong>: Think "National Treasure" and "Da Vinci's Code," but on TV and starring Dr. Greene from "ER." Edwards plays Hank Galliston, the publisher of Modern Skeptic Magazine. When his wife is abducted, Hank and his pals are joined by the FBI as they attempt to crack various conspiracies and get his wife back.

  • "The Amazing Race"

    Returns Sunday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m. EST on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Phil Keoghan, unnamed contestants <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Globetrotting adventure.

  • "Cult"

    Tuesday, February 19 at 9 p.m. EST on The CW <strong>Starring:</strong> Matt Davis, Alona Tal, Jessica Lucas, Robert Knepper <strong>What's It About</strong>: Matt Davis stars as Jeff, a journalist who investigates his brother's disappearance and his involvement with a group of obsessive fans who have formed a pseudo-cult around a TV series ... about a cult.

  • "Golden Boy"

    Premieres Tuesday, February 26 at 10 p.m. EST. Special showing on Tuesday, March 5 at 10 p.m. EST before moving to its regular Fridays at 9 p.m. EST time period on March 8 on CBS <strong>Starring</strong>: Theo James, Chi McBride, Kevin Alejandro, Bonnie Somerville <strong>What's It About</strong>: The series charts the rise of Walter William Clark Jr. (James), a beat cop who quickly moves up the ranks of the NYPD before becoming commissioner.

  • "Psych"

    Returns Wednesday, February 27 at 10 p.m. EST <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: Henry (Corbin Bernsen) got back into the detective game with the help of Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dule Hill). But the case ended with a bang as Henry was shot by a former friend. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Parminder Nagra joins the cast as a love interest of Gus. Plus, the long-awaited musical episode airs! Look for episodes inspired by "Clue" and "The Blair Witch Project" and for guest stars Jeffrey Tambor and Anthony Michael Hall, as well.

  • "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice"

    Sunday, March 3 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>Starring</strong>: Trace Adkins, Stephen Baldwin, Gary Busey, Penn Jillette, Lil Jon, Bret Michaels, Dennis Rodman, Dee Snider, Marilu Henner, La Toya Jackson, Claudia Jordan, Omarosa, Lisa Rinna, Brande Roderick <strong>What's It About</strong>: It's "Celebrity Apprentice," but with contestants who have already been to the boardroom with Donald Trump.

  • "Red Widow"

    Sunday, March 3, 9:00 p.m. EST and moves to its regular timeslot on Sunday, March 10, 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Radha Mitchell, Goran Visnjic, Clifton Collins, Jr., Sterling Beaumon <strong>What's It About</strong>: Marta Walraven (Mitchell)'s husband Evan supports the family by exporting weed and is involved in the world of organized crime with Bratva, Russian gangsters. After Evan's murder, Marta seeks to protect her kids, but gets tangled in the seedy underworld.

  • "Fashion Star"

    Returns Friday, March 8 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos return to the show with new host Louise Roe as 13 new contestants compete for the chance to launch their own clothing line.

  • "Dancing With the Stars"

    Returns Monday, March 18 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Tom Bergeron, Brooke Burke Charvet, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman and unnamed celebrity contestants. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Celebrities dancing.

  • "The Voice"

    Returns Monday, March 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. <strong>Starring</strong>: Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Usher and Shakira <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Presumably, a lot less ridiculously outfits without Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.

  • "Game of Thrones"

    Returns Sunday, March 31 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO <strong>Where We Left Off</strong>: War came. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/game-of-thrones-finale-recap_b_1566867.html">Read Maureen Ryan's recap for more</a>. <strong>What's Ahead</strong>: Tons of new cast members played by the likes of Diana Rigg, Iwan Rheon, Mackenzie Crook, Clive Russell and many more. Season 3 will be about half of George R.R. Martin's "A Storm of Swords," one of the series' most beloved books.

  • "How To Live With Your Parents (For The Rest Of Your Life)"

    Wednesday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Sarah Chalke, Elizabeth Perkins, Brad Garrett <strong>What's It About</strong>: Polly (Chalke) is a recently divorced single mom. Since the divorce, Polly's been having some struggles and decides to move back in with her eccentric parents, Elaine (Perkins) and Max (Garrett). Hijinks ensue.

  • "Family Tools"

    Wednesday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC <strong>Starring</strong>: Kyle Bornheimer, J.K. Simmons, Leah Remini <strong>What's It About</strong>: After Tony (Simmons) suffers a heart attack, he's forced to hand over the family handyman business to his bumbling son Jack (Bornheimer).

  • "The Goodwin Games"

    TBA on Fox <strong>Starring</strong>: Becki Newton, Scott Foley, T.J. Miller <strong>What's It About</strong>: Three estranged siblings reunite after the death of their father and unexpectedly find themselves heirs to a $20 million fortune ... if they adhere to their dad's wishes.

  • "Save Me"

    TBA on NBC <strong>Starring:</strong> Anne Heche, Michael Landes and Alexandra Breckenridge. <strong>What's It About: </strong>Anne Heche stars as Beth, a woman whose life -- and marriage -- is falling apart. However, after a new-death experience, Beth claims God starts speaking to her and sets her on a new life path.

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/family-secrets-teacher-dominatrix-video_n_2374040.html

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    Can I cut property taxes by reducing my home&#39;s usable space? - The ...

    I own a home in Connecticut. I'm currently paying taxes on rooms that I don't use or need. For instance, I finished a bonus room over my garage and fifth bedroom in my attic with heat and sheetrock. Can I "unconvert" these unnecessary rooms to lower my property taxes? ? Debra L.

    Yes, you can ? but it may not make sense to do so. As Newton Buckner, partner at Hartford, Conn.-based accounting firm Whittlesey & Hadley, points out, the only way to cut your property taxes is by devaluing your property. And if you plan on selling your house at some point, that may not be such a smart move.

    Weigh the costs against the benefits of what you're proposing. A local real estate broker could tell you how the value of your home would change if you turned it into a four-bedroom house with an unfinished space above the garage. And your town assessor can confirm what impact that drop in value would have on your annual property taxes. But don't forget to factor in the costs of the "unconversion." Buckner notes that you'll probably need to apply for permits, along with paying for any necessary plumbing, electrical and heating work to stay in compliance with municipal building code.

    In the end, you may discover that you've reduced the value of your home by $50,000 dollars, which could save you around $1,690 in taxes, given your town's property tax rate. If you were planning on staying in your house for the next 15 to 20 years, those savings might well offset the cost of labor and the loss of value to your home. But if you think you might want to sell your house before then, you're probably better off leaving the unused space as is.

    ? Marc Mewshaw

    Got a question for the Help Desk? Send it to?helpdesk@cnnmoney.com.

    Source: http://helpdesk.blogs.money.cnn.com/2012/12/28/reduceusable-spaceto-cut-my-property-taxes/

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    As GOP Searches For Story To Tell, Marco Rubio Is Hard At Work Polishing His Own

    WASHINGTON -? Let us count the ways that Sen. Marco Rubio is already better positioned to be a competitive presidential candidate in 2016 than Mitt Romney ever was.

    Rubio (R-Fla.) is younger. He's Latino. He gives a good speech. But less remarked upon: Rubio understands the importance of talking about himself.

    In other words, Rubio, 41, gets narrative.

    For much of the last year, the Republican Party apparently did not. And the GOP's self-examination in the wake of Romney's loss has prompted many to say that the party needs to convey a more compelling, inspiring vision to American voters.

    "The number one rule of competitive politics [is that] your story has to be rooted in lives of people. Having a narrative is really important," said former president Bill Clinton.

    Narrative has become an overused clich? in everyday political parlance, but as a concept it is as crucial as ever for any national politician. President Barack Obama paved his path to victory in 2008 by telling his own story in a 1995 memoir. And Obama's longtime trusted adviser David Axelrod centered the 2008 campaign message firmly around the candidate's biography.

    "Barack is the personification of his own message," Axelrod said in 2007. "He is his own vision."

    Marshall Ganz, a veteran labor organizer whose ideas about narrative have influenced some of Obama's top campaign operatives, has explained the importance of what he called a "leadership story."

    "Some people say, 'I don?t want to talk about myself,' but if you don?t interpret to others your calling and your reason for doing what you?re doing, do you think it will just stay uninterpreted? No. Other people will interpret it for you," Ganz wrote in 2009. "You don?t have any choice if you want to be a leader. You have to claim authorship of your story and learn to tell it to others so they can understand the values that move you to act, because it might move them to act as well."

    Romney, the failed 2012 Republican nominee, was often faulted for not wanting to talk about ways he had helped other people. But Romney seemed uncomfortable talking about himself in any context. And his campaign consultants discouraged him from talking at length about his Mormon faith, a crucial part of Romney's biography and of his inner life.

    Ganz, in an interview, said candidates who come from privilege often avoid self-examination. Romney grew up in a wealthy family, as did Al Gore and John Kerry, the Democratic candidates who fell short of the White House in 2000 and 2004 and who both were hindered by stiff and inaccessible personalities.

    "There's a Yiddish riddle: 'Who discovered water? I don't know, but it wasn't a fish,'" Ganz told The Huffington Post. "We're fish in the water of our own stories unless there's some motivation, or some need that provokes us articulating them. And if you're living a life of privilege, it could be that there's just less need. 'I don't need to do the work of interpreting who I am.'"

    Rubio doesn't have that challenge. He grew up the son of working-class Cuban immigrants who struggled at times to provide for him and his siblings. And Rubio has made sure to mention that in recent public appearances.

    "My mother lived in a home with dirt floors in rural Cuba, raised by a disabled father who struggled to bring food home every night," Rubio said at a speech in early December headlining the annual dinner in honor of former Rep. Jack Kemp (R-NY).

    The low-income and working-class Americans that Rubio is seeking to win over were famously alienated by Romney's 47 percent remarks. But conservative columnist Ramesh Ponnoru argued after the election that the entire meta-narrative that the GOP was telling throughout the election season did little to win these voters.

    "The Republican story about how societies prosper -- not just the Romney story -- dwelt on the heroic entrepreneur stifled by taxes and regulations: an important story with which most people do not identify," Ponnoru wrote. "The ordinary person does not see himself as a great innovator. He, or she, is trying to make a living and support or maybe start a family.

    "A conservative reform of our health care system and tax code, among other institutions, might help with these goals," Ponnoru continued. "About this person, however, Republicans have had little to say."

    Avik Roy in Forbes sounded a similar note.

    "Increasingly, swing voters are being hit with our health care problems," Roy wrote. "People who lose their jobs, or work part time, have to buy costly coverage on their own. Employers are increasingly dropping their health coverage -- a trend that was true before Obamacare, but that our new health care law will accelerate.

    "If Republicans don?t wake up to these problems, and devote intellectual energy to solving them, they will become increasingly irrelevant to the voters who decide elections."

    Rubio is trying to change this. It will, obviously, have to be about more than biography for Rubio or any other candidate in 2016. But a candidate's personal story, and the brand it creates, has become in many ways the key with which to open a door and gain a hearing with voters on these issues. Once you're through the door, they'll listen to your ideas. But not before that.

    "In politics appearances are as important as reality," Rubio himself said in his book.

    With that in mind, Rubio's plans for the immediate future are heavy on nontraditional media appearances that will help introduce him to the nation, rather than bog him down on Capitol Hill in partisan fights.

    "He's willing to go into spaces that other people aren't," said Rubio political adviser Albert Gonzalez, mentioning the senator's two appearances on "The Daily Show."

    Rubio has said little about the fiscal cliff fight. His media shop sent nothing on the issue through all of December. In contrast, his Senate office has issued statements on Human Rights Day and World Aids Day. He's also taken a hard line supporting Israel, has harped on the Obama administration's handling of the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, and has made economic growth and reducing the national debt his points of emphasis in the fiscal cliff debate.

    Rubio also has followed the Obama template by publishing his own memoir. "An American Son" came out in June, and while it is not as angst-ridden or soul-searching as Obama's "Dreams From My Father," Rubio displays honesty and authenticity that sets his story apart from many other books by presidential hopefuls, who usually just blather about policy positions and the greatness of America.

    Rubio's book takes the reader through his personal story -? from childhood to adulthood -? and begins with a chapter about his mother's father titled, "Storyteller." Rubio also admits frequent regrets over being absent from his wife and four children, and gives his own explanations of matters that eventually exploded into ethics probes of his time as House speaker in the Florida legislature.

    Having laid the groundwork to define his own narrative, Rubio is now trying to connect his biography to a broader message of how conservatism is the governing ideology that will help poor and middle-class Americans like his own parents.

    "We have not done a good enough job of communicating to people what conservatism is," Rubio told GQ.

    "Big government helps the people who have made it. It doesn't help the people who are trying to make it -- it crushes the people who are trying to make it," Rubio said. "So, our challenge is, if we want free enterprise, limited government, and conservatism to be a viable and successful political movement in America, we've got to make that connection for people."

    Rubio has a group of experienced political advisers, all loyalists who have been with him for several years. Todd Harris, Heath Thompson, Malorie Miller and Gonzalez are outside consultants, while Bush administration veteran Cesar Conda, southern operative Terry Sullivan and communications director Alex Burgos run his Senate office. Veteran spokesman Alex Conant, who has an excellent rapport with the press, is at the senator's side most of the time.

    But Gonzalez told HuffPost that as Rubio goes forward, the candidate will be the ultimate keeper of the flame regarding his story.

    "He's the guy who is at the center of it all," Gonzalez said. "The strength of his narrative comes from who he is, where he's from, the neighborhood that he grew up in."

    Also on HuffPost:

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    Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/29/marco-rubio-narrative-gop-story_n_2377748.html

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    I&#39;m I&#39;m Gini Dietrich, Founder of Arment Dietrich and Spin Sucks, and ...

    ?

    Firmology?s How I Power My Business?series?profiles the technology?business owners?use to run and grow their business.

    Gini Dietrich Marketing in the Round

    How I Power My Business
    By Gini Dietrich of Arment Dietrich and Spin Sucks

    What?s the story behind Arment Dietrich and Spin Sucks?

    In true entrepreneurial fashion, I run not one, not even two, but three businesses (unless you count speaking and book writing as separate businesses, in which case there are five).

    Arment Dietrich LogoThe core business is Arment Dietrich, which is an integrated marketing communications firm in Chicago. A little more than a year ago, we went virtual (hence no photo of me in front of the business) and we experienced 200 percent growth this year. I truly believe there are two reasons for that: I have an amazing team with really talented professionals who are doing what they?re meant to do and our overhead went from thousands of dollars a month to almost nothing.

    Six years ago, we launched Spin Sucks ? the blog ? and nearly three years ago, we began to use it to generate revenue. Today it is the number two driver of new clients for Arment Dietrich.

    Spin-Sucks-Pro-LogoAnd we have Spin Sucks Pro in beta right now, which is a professional development site for PR and marketing pros. We are developing this because there isn?t anywhere, other than annual conferences, where our profession can learn about new technologies, new initiatives, and new campaigns. Because things are changing so quickly, it?s important to have a place to learn every day versus once a year.

    What apps, software, service or gadgets are essential to the operations of your business?

    Because we?re a virtual company and because we have clients in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, it?s important for us to use technology to stay connected, be productive, and manage our time most effectively.

    • WordPress powers our website, our blog, and Spin Sucks Pro.
    • Dropbox serves as our document sharing server.
    • Skype serves as both our telephone system and our instant messaging.
    • Google Docs is used for our editorial calendars and client documents.
    • BusyCal is my go-to choice for my calendar and task list.
    • Passbook is fantastic for traveling. You add your boarding pass through your airline?s app and you can use your phone for your ticket.
    • We all use most of the social networks to connect with one another in public ways that builds our culture.

    What time-saver or money-saver would you love your fellow business owners to know about?

    There are a few things that have made us more efficient:

    • Dropbox is only $10 per month and it allows us to not only share documents, but access them from anywhere in the world, including on planes without Internet access. Not having the server anymore saves significant expenses each month.
    • VirtualPBX allows us to have a main office number that rings directly to people?s cell phones. I think it?s something like $49 a month.
    • I mentioned BusyCal above. It was $50, but it?s worth every penny. I couldn?t find anything I liked better than my paper task lists before I found BusyCal. Now I use it for everything.

    If you?d like to be featured on Firmology?s How I Power My Business series, here?s what we need from you:

    1. Read this example post first:?Wanted: Businesses for How I Power My Business Series
    2. Headshot/Company Photo: Ideally, we?d like a picture of you standing in front of or in your business, but we?ll take your profile headshot by itself or two separate photos too!
    3. Company Logo: Who doesn?t have a logo now-a-days? If you don?t have the file, just send us your website link and we?ll grab it from there.
    4. Description of Business: Tell us about your business! What is your product or service? Extra points if you have a story of how or why you launched your business.
    5. How You Power Your Business: What apps, software, service or gadgets do you use to power your business?

    Email the above information to contact@firmology.com with the subject line: How I Power My Business


    ?

    ?

    Source: http://www.firmology.com/2012/12/28/im-im-gini-dietrich-founder-of-arment-dietrich-and-spin-sucks-and-this-is-how-i-power-my-business/

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    Friday, December 28, 2012

    Iraqi Sunnis stage big anti-government rallies

    RAMADI, Iraq (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of protesters from Iraq's Sunni Muslim minority poured onto the streets after Friday prayers in a show of force against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, keeping up a week-old blockade of a highway.

    Around 60,000 people blocked the main road through the city of Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of the capital, setting fire to the Iranian flag and shouting "out, out Iran! Baghdad stays free" and "Maliki you coward, don't take your advice from Iran".

    Many Sunnis, whose community dominated Iraq until the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, accuse Maliki of refusing to share power and of favoring Shi'ite, non-Arab neighbor Iran.

    Protests flared last week after troops loyal to Maliki, who is from the Shi'ite majority, detained bodyguards of his finance minister, a Sunni.

    Activists demands include an end to the marginalization of Sunnis, the abolition of anti-terrorism laws they say are used to target them, and the release of detainees.

    "I came to Falluja to express my support for their demands. I hope we proceed to Baghdad," said 48-year-old Faiq al-Awazi.

    Demonstrations were also held in the northern city of Mosul and in Samarra, where protesters chanted "the people want to bring down the regime", echoing the slogan used in popular revolts that ousted leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

    Speaking at a "reconciliation" conference broadcast on television, Maliki said: "It is not acceptable to express something by blocking roads, inciting sedition and sectarianism, killing, or blowing the trumpet of war and dividing Iraq".

    The protests are likely to add to concerns the civil war in neighboring Syria, where majority Sunnis are fighting to topple a ruler backed by Shi'ite Iran, will drive Iraq back to the sectarian slaughter of 2005-07.

    Militants linked to al Qaeda appear to be regrouping in Anbar and to be joining rebel ranks across the border in Syria.

    Protesters in the city of Ramadi in Anbar province raised pictures of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who has lined up against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has sparred increasingly often with Maliki.

    In Iraq's Shi'ite south, a small anti-Erdogan protest was held in the holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) from Baghdad.

    Sunni complaints against Maliki grew louder a week ago following the arrest of Finance Minister Rafaie al-Esawi's bodyguards hours after Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd seen as a steadying influence, was flown abroad for medical care.

    For many, that was reminiscent of a move to arrest Sunni Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi one year ago, just when U.S. troops had withdrawn. Hashemi fled into exile and was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia.

    Maliki has sought to divide his rivals and strengthen alliances in Iraq's complex political landscape before provincial elections next year and a parliamentary vote in 2014.

    A face-off between the Iraqi army and Kurdish forces over disputed oilfields in the north has been seen as a possible way of rallying Sunni Arab support behind the prime minister.

    (Writing by Isabel Coles; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/iraqi-sunnis-stage-big-anti-government-rallies-123149921.html

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    AIS Security Sues George Zimmerman - Business Insider

    Claiming George Zimmerman and his lawyer owe $27,000 for security services, a company they hired last summer is suing them in Florida state court.

    It?s the latest in a case that has captured the nation?s attention and spawned civil suits in addition to the charges against Zimmerman for second-degree murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. He is awaiting trial in June in Seminole County, Fla., where he is in hiding but still being tracked on GPS by the state.

    Constant Security

    In a complaint filed Dec. 21, Associated Investigative Services (AIS) says Zimmerman, his wife, and defense attorney Mark O?Mara hired the company in late June to protect the family as Zimmerman was being released from jail, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

    Zimmerman has reportedly been targeted with death threats, and the New Black Panther Party has offered $10,000 for his capture.

    AIS said it provided a security detail for Zimmerman?s second bond hearing on June 29, after which the arrangement evolved into ?nearly constant? watch on Zimmerman?s family and included escorting his father to the airport and personally guarding other members of his family, says the Sentinel.

    Independent Trustee Managing Money

    But after Zimmerman got in trouble with the former judge in his case for being untruthful about his financial situation, O?Mara brought in an independent trustee to manage the money generated by Zimmerman?s fundraising efforts, according to CNN.

    AIS was then kicked to the curb, the company alleges, leaving an unpaid balance of $27,000, says the Sentinel. The reason, alleges AIS, is that the defense was ?clamping down? on the ?very low? defense fund. A new security team charges only $700 per week, where as AIS was charging $7,000 per week.

    O?Mara told the Sentinel that he and the Zimmermans were surprised by the suit, as they?d already paid AIS over $40,000.

    A spokesperson for O?Mara confirms with Lawyers.com that that was the case and says O?Mara will have more to say about the new case next week.

    Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/ais-security-sues-george-zimmerman-2012-12

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    Thursday, December 27, 2012

    Best Albums of 2012 | Arts & Entertainment | Atlantic City Weekly

    Plus other outstanding releases of the year, including several extraordinary re-issues.

    Best Albums of 2012

    We?ve reviewed a lot of great albums in this space throughout the year. Here are this writer?s 10 favorite albums ? in order ? of 2012.

    Also featured: outstanding re-issues of the year, plus other notable releases of 2012.

    ?


    (Click on links to read review capsules)

    10. Dr. John - Locked Down


    ?????????

    9. Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas


    ????????????

    8. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange


    ??????????

    7. Sharon Van Etten - Tramp

    ?????????

    6. Chromatics - Kill for Love

    ?????????

    5. Jimmy Cliff - Rebirth

    ?????????

    4. Grizzly Bear - Shields

    3. Beach House - Bloom

    2. Bob Dylan -Tempest

    1. Greg Brown -Hymns to What Is Left

    ?

    Notable Mentions (More excellent albums from 2012):



    Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music
    Van Morrison - Born to Sing: No Plan B
    Hospitality-? s/t
    Band of Horses -? Mirage Rock
    Mark Knopfler - Privateering
    Miguel - Kaleidoscope Dream
    Dwight Yoakam - 3 Pears

    Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream
    Etta James - The Dreamer
    Carolina Chocolate Drops - Leaving Eden
    Bobby Womack -? The Bravest Man in the Universe
    Glen Hansard - Rhythm and Repose
    Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel
    Kendrick Lamar - Good Kidd, M.A.D.D. City
    Neil Young - Psychedelic Pill
    Tame Impala - Lonerism
    The Shins - Port of Morrow
    Dr. Dog - Be the Void
    Chairlift - Something

    ?

    ?

    Favorite Re-Issues / Box Sets of 2012:

    ?

    ? Searching for Sugar Man

    ? Columbia/Legacy Complete Album Collection Box Sets: Thelonious Monk, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Charlie Christian, Duke Ellington

    ?

    ?

    ?

    ?

    ? Velvet Underground & Nico - 45th Anniv. Super-Deluxe Set

    ? David Ruffin - David, Unreleased LP & More

    ? Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros (Three re-issues from Hellcat Records of the albums the late Clash leader did with his band the Mescaleros)

    ? Bill Withers ? The Complete Sussex and Columbia Masters

    ? Fat Boys ? Pizza Box Set (limited edition Record Store Day set)?

    ?

    ?

    ? Jeff Schwachter

    ?

    ?

    ?

    CLICK DATES TO READ: AC Weekly's BEST ALBUMS OF 2011, 2010, 2009

    ?

    ?What were your favorite albums or songs from 2012?

    COMMENTS

    Comments 1 - 3 of 3

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  • TheDude said...
    Mandy Moore is pretty smokin. I wish I was cool enough to date her. Does anybody know how I can get her number?

  • */ var formWrap = $( 'media_add_comment' ); var commentForm = formWrap.getElement( 'form' ); commentForm.setStyle( 'display', 'none' ); var msgPar = new Element( 'p', { 'html': 'Thank you, your comment has been added.' }); msgPar.inject( formWrap ); if ( comment != '' ) { if ( !flagged ) { if ( name == '' ) name = 'Anonymous'; var commentWrap = $( 'comments_wrap' ); var commentUl = commentWrap.getElement( 'ul' ); var commentLi = new Element( 'li', { 'class': 'clear' }); var numDiv = new Element( 'div', { 'class': 'num', 'html': '?' }); var commentPar = new Element( 'p', { 'html': '' + name + ' said...
    ' + comment }); numDiv.inject( commentLi ); commentPar.inject( commentLi ); commentLi.inject( commentUl ); } else { msgPar.set( 'html', 'Comment has been sent for approval' ); } } } function displayNewComment() { var msgP = document.getElementById("msg"); msgP.innerHTML = "Thank you for your submission. Your comment has been added below."; if(comment != "") { if(!flagged) { var commentSection = document.getElementById("ajaxSection"); var commentDiv = document.createElement("div"); var timeStamp = 'Dec 27, 2012 at 03:50AM'; commentDiv.innerHTML = ''; commentSection.appendChild(commentDiv); } } } function validateCommentForm(form){ var fieldEmail = document.getElementById("field.email"); var fieldName = document.getElementById("field.name"); var nameValue = fieldName.value; var emailValue = fieldEmail.value; var filter = /^([a-zA-Z0-9_\.\-])+\@(([a-zA-Z0-9\-])+\.)+([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4})+$/; if (filter.test(emailValue)) { var fieldBody = document.getElementById("field.body") var bodyValue = fieldBody.value; bodyValue = bodyValue.replace(/&/g,"&"); bodyValue = bodyValue.replace(/,"/g,">"); bodyValue = bodyValue.replace(/\r\n/g,"
    "); bodyValue = bodyValue.replace(/\n/g,"
    "); bodyValue = bodyValue.replace(/\r/g,"
    "); fieldBody.value = bodyValue; if(navigator.appName == 'Microsoft Internet Explorer') { if(document.getElementById('submit').disabled) { document.getElementById('submit').disabled=false; } else { document.getElementById('submit').disabled=true; } } return insertComment(form,true,function(){return showEditorialComment(nameValue, bodyValue)}); } else { alert('Please enter a valid Email below.'); form.elements[field.email].focus(); return false; } }

    Source: http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts-and-entertainment/Best-Albums-of-2012--184822041.html

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    payday loans approved by bbb - ?????? ??????? - LiveJournal

    How will you obtain loan or advance loan?

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    Benefits : No fax , No credit check , Fast cash ... and more !

    Based on your problem of house, job status as well as revenue, you'll be able to be eligible for a a loan as high as $1500, however some loan companies may lend no more than $500. You will have possibility to discover how much you be eligible for before agreeing to just about any mortgage loan contract.


    There is an essential legal difference between a gift along with a bank loan. A very generous family member or even good friend may offer you $5000 regarding auto repairs, for example. In case there isn't any hope of repayment, the cash can be viewed a present. The giver couldn't sue for payment later on inside a civil match. However, if the loan supplier designates the money like a bank loan and also the consumer pays back even a dollar, the bucks can be viewed as a real loan and also the loan provider can need repayment whenever. Small claims legal courts invest a lot of time identifying no matter whether the financial transaction including money would be a gift or perhaps bank loan. For that reason documents is essential when creating private financial loans in order to buddies or loved ones.

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    Money lending products are unguaranteed financial loans removed upon the next wage. Because they're short-term lending products, they could be small; different from $100 to $1500 as well as repayment arrives in the next payday. They could be very helpful regarding conquering a brief monetary unexpected emergency, however really should not be thought to be a long-term financial solution.

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    US Treasury to take steps to avoid debt ceiling

    11 hrs.

    WASHINGTON --?The U.S. Treasury on Wednesday announced the first of a series of measures to delay hitting the government's $16.4 trillion borrowing limit. Without those steps, the debt ceiling?would be hit on Dec. 31.?

    The government is facing a crunch on the debt ceiling because the issue has become ensnarled in talks to avoid some $600 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts due to begin in early January. Failing to raise the debt ceiling could cause the government to default on its debt.

    To cut government spending and delay bumping up against the debt ceiling, the Treasury will suspend issuance of state and local government series securities -- known as "slugs" -- beginning on Dec.?28.

    Investments in a government employee pension fund will also be suspended, along with some other measures, although Treasury did not give dates for when these other measures will begin.

    "These extraordinary measures ... can create approximately $200 billion in headroom under the debt limit," Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

    Normally, these measures would buy the Treasury about two months time before hitting the debt ceiling, Geithner said in the letter. But a series of planned tax hikes and spending cuts due to take effect in early January could give Treasury further time if they take effect as scheduled, he said.

    "Treasury will provide more guidance regarding the expected duration of these measures when the policy outlook becomes clearer," he said.

    The instruments known as slugs are special low-interest Treasury securities offered to state and local governments to temporarily invest proceeds from municipal bond sales. They have been suspended several times over the last 20 years to avoid hitting the debt ceiling.

    Many analysts believe the measures available to the Treasury can stave that date off into late February.

    The U.S. Congress typically authorizes government borrowing in a two-stage process, first drafting plans to spend more than it raises in tax revenues. Every few years, it raises a limit on government borrowing to accommodate annual deficits, a process that this year has become ensnared by the contentious budget talks in Washington.?

    Information from the Associated Press and Reuters was included in this report.

    Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/us-treasury-take-steps-avoid-hitting-debt-ceiling-monday-1C7662780

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    Wednesday, December 26, 2012

    Businesses aggressively targeting social networkers: Report ... - Digit

    Social networking websites have continued to grow in the country despite various bottlenecks ranging from slow 3G penetration, patchy broadband services to legal tussles. The growth has now prompted the businesses to extensively harness the social media as their marketing medium and increase their revenues, according to an Economic Times report.

    The report notes social networking sites other than Facebook such as LinkedIn and Twitter have also gained massive popularity. Also, newer sites such as Pinterest and Quora are also seeing a sharp rise in the last 12 months. Facebook, the largest social networking site, already leads with 65 million users in the country.

    ?From being an absent afterthought on Facebook, brands and companies have today morphed to aggressively targeting social networkers with bespoke plans and initiatives as they seek new avenues for growth,? says the report.

    Facebook India Business Head Kirthiga Reddy also acknowledges the 'social media revolution' unfolding over the last 30 months. Facebook, from April last year, has expanded its user base from 25 million to over 65 million.

    "With such an engaged user base, India is one of the fastest growing countries on Facebook," she is quoted as saying.

    Reddy says the growth has been driven by growing number of 'hyper-networked' mobile users, who manage to stay logged despite 'patchy' net connectivity.

    "We are a mobile-first company and are constantly working to improve the experience across all devices. Globally, of the over 1 billion Facebook users, more than 600 million access the social networking site on their mobile devices. In fact, Facebook has added 225 million new mobile users in the last 12 months," adds Reddy.

    Source: Economic Times

    Also read,

    Facebook's user base in India grows to 65 million
    More Indians access Facebook via mobile phones
    India topples Indonesia to become 2nd largest Facebook nation

    Source: http://www.thinkdigit.com/Internet/Businesses-aggressively-targeting-social-networkers-Report_11886.html

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    No slowdown for small business holiday sales | WQAD.com ? Quad ...

    Early numbers show it was a lackluster holiday shopping season for national retailers, with growth at its lowest point since the height of the recession in 2008.

    Mastercard?s?SpendingPlus Report has sales over the two months before Christmas up only .7 percent from last year. That?s far less than some expectations, which predicted growth in the 3 to 4 percent range.

    That flat line, though, doesn?t appear?to have hit local small businesses. In fact, it?s just the opposite. At Kathy Hasakis? LeClaire, Iowa, boutique, there?s been no sign of a slowdown.

    ?I personally?have not seen that. We try to stay competitive with our pricing here at Vignettes, and I think that that?s been reflected by shoppers who possibly were being a little more frugal or trying to stay to a budget,? said Hasakis.

    At shops up and down Cody Road, it?s a similar story.

    ?It?s been better than the last four years I would say. I think that the economy?s picking up a little bit,? said Razzleberries owner Mary Chambers.

    The small store owners credit much of their success to the town?s ability to turn holiday shopping into an event.

    ?We started off with Black Friday, and it was so busy that weekend, and then we went right into Small Business Appreciation Day, and we doubled what we did on Black Friday,? said Sam DenBesten at Grasshoppers Gift Shop.

    Whether it?s an organized weekend like ?Christmas in LeClaire? or just another Wednesday, for small business, it?s all about the experience.

    ?Versus online shopping, people get away from being able to touch it and experience that; being out with friends. I think that?s the biggest thing that we as a small town have to offer,? said Hasakis.

    And while the national sales forecast looks bleak, local business has gotten a boost from a different kind of forecasting.

    ?It?s also kind of weather related, and it?s been great for the last two years,? said Chambers.

    Wednesday, the day after Christmas had already brought more shoppers, taking advantage of holiday markdowns.

    ?I?ve noticed that the trend is after Christmas, when everything settles down and the weather might even be bad, people kind of need another pickup and sometimes coming shopping or just getting out? it can be very good,? added Chambers.

    So although Christmas may be?over, the holiday shopping season isn?t. The final?week of December actually makes up about 15 percent of the month?s sales, meaning retailers, big and small, may still have a chance to make up any lost ground.

    Source: http://wqad.com/2012/12/26/no-slowdown-for-small-business-holiday-sales/

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    petermacneillgg: Arts And Entertainment: Humor Article Category ...

    Because the bass player is too slow, for the winger it's too little money and the drummer didn't get the assignment. Blog readers often have the opportunity to comment on the jokes they find most funny and original.

    Things are looking a lot more inspiring in this second part of the year. In this new season of fall and winter movies there should be something for everyone. There are action movies, family movies, Oscar worthy dramas, and some spicy comedies coming up in the next third of the year.

    But it does. bancuri can help you to heal from depression and stress. It can even do more: if you make a habit of looking for laughter, it can even promote your long-term good health. It might even help you to find new kindred spirits with whom you can share your sense of humor. Anyone who can help you to again experience the whimsy, amusing ironies, joyfulness and chortles or even guffaws that spring out of living a positive life is worth keeping around.

    Johnny Depp is the star of this movie. Intrigue, danger, and romance will become his nemesis in The Tourist, after he has a playful romance with a stranger. Frank (Depp), takes a trip to Europe to forget a bad love affair and meets Elise, with whom he involves himself in an encounter that has been engineered by Elise. A terrible game of cat and mouse ensues through Paris and Vienna as their romance evolves.

    The pianists we see play appear to be the most formal and respectable stars on the stage. They hold the power and the breath of the audiences. They could look intimidating in their formal suits not to mention the authority and the air of arrogance they exude while on stage. They can be captivating.

    humor

    There is an exercise I call the Pink Tu Tu tactic. Learn to use it on someone you fear, are angry at, or someone you feel has power over you. Simply visualize that person dancing in a bright neon pink Tu Tu. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and completely strip them of any power you thought they had over you.

    There are benefits beyond the fun to this kind of silliness. Have you noticed that "going green" and saving money often involve the same behaviors? "Use it up. Wear it out. Recycle it." is good for both the environment and the pocketbook. And if you can find fun ways to do it, it's also good for your sense of well-being.

    With the world going at a really crazy pace, people forget to stop and smile a bit. Most of these mistakes can be frustrating and depressing.

    Source: http://luvcave.com/blog/21735/arts-and-entertainment-humor-article-category/

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    Source: http://petermacneillgg.blogspot.com/2012/12/arts-and-entertainment-humor-article.html

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    Tuesday, December 25, 2012

    Which Is There More Of: Kindness Or Unkindness? A Christmas Accounting

    Here's a notion. It comes from Kevin Kelly, author, editor and friend. He was imagining this:

    Suppose, he said, that you could count every kindness, every good deed, every smile, every caress, every act of charity, love, tenderness, every generous moment that occurred on the planet this year, and add them all up so you'd have a Total Incidence of Goodness for 2012, a grand sum.

    And then, suppose you did the opposite: suppose you counted every frown, every growl, every selfish, jealous moment, every kick, punch, poke, slap, jab, every deceitful, hurtful act, every murder, every wrong, every unkindness, and add them up, so you'd have Total Incidence of Badness ? that's two columns, Good Acts, and Bad, a kind of moral accounting, double-entry style, for humankind.

    Which, Kevin asked, would be greater? The good or the bad?

    It was his guess ? and that's what it is, a blind guess, that in more years than not (and there will be many exceptions,) ? the piles will look almost equal, but that Good will edge out Bad by a single act or two, an almost invisible advantage.

    But then, Kevin says, let the years roll by, then the decades, the centuries, the millennia, and over enough time, this slight propensity for Goodness will compound and compound into an emergent arc, shaping humanity, so that humans in the future will be kinder than humans in the past.

    People, he thinks, are moving in tiny steps, from the dark toward the light.

    History Has A Direction...

    And Kevin's not alone. This idea, that there's a kind of direction to human history, maybe even built into our biology, has been around certainly since the Enlightenment in Europe. That's why, said John Locke, we have been given reason. We have to use our smarts, our moral sense, to choose well, to "pursue happiness."

    And, at least recently, in material ways, we have improved. In 1800, half the people on earth died by age 30. Two hundred years later, though there are now six times more people, life expectancy has more than doubled, to over 65. We are increasingly better fed, better educated, and ? this is key ? more and more of us ? especially women and millions of Chinese and Indians ? have more options, more opportunities to do more of the things we want to do, including, perhaps, more room to be kind.

    What Drives Change In The World?

    The question is, what is driving these changes? Kevin suggests that if we wait long enough, progress just happens. If that's so, one might look for the cause in a Designer; that progress is a Christmas gift whispered into our natures, guiding us inevitably to a better world.

    Or...

    Is progress our assignment? Our challenge? A test we might fail?

    Martin Luther King, Jr., famously addressed this question in a speech he gave on the steps of the state capital in Montgomery, Ala.

    A couple of weeks earlier, more than 500 civil rights marchers had walked east out of Selma, Ala., heading on U.S. Route 80 toward the state capital, when they were stopped by troopers at the Edmund Pettus bridge, set upon with billy clubs and tear gas, and beaten. 17 people went to the hospital.

    Two days later, Dr. King joined that march and this time segregationists attacked three ministers who were walking with him. One of them, the Rev. James Reeb, a Unitarian Universalist minister from Boston, was refused treatment at Selma's public hospital. An ambulance took him two hours to Birmingham, but it was too late. He died two days later.

    King returned to the highway, and kept marching to Montgomery, until, on March 25, 1965, finally on the Capitol steps, he stood before a now swollen crowed of supporters and spoke to them about change, about progress, about a better world.

    The Arc Of The Moral Universe Is Long...

    People will improve, he told them. He couldn't say when, but one day, he said, people will be kinder to each other, fairer, "because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

    History, Dr. King presumed, has a direction, Kevin thinks the same thing. But if history is bending, who does the bending? Does the world perfect us? Or do we have to roll up our sleeves and perfect the world?

    King didn't say, not directly, but 40 years later, then Illinois senator Barack Obama, talking about Dr. King, assumed that history does bend, "It bends towards justice," he said, "but here is the thing: it does not bend on its own. It bends because each of us in our own ways put our hand on that arc and we bend it in the direction of justice..."

    Are We Ever-So-Slightly Angels?

    Do I think humans are getting gentler? Fairer? Having been one (a human, that is) for only 60 or so years, having missed any number of religious wars, pogroms, sacks, annihilations, cruelties, I'm not in a position to say. What I know is too little. But in my short time, I have also known kindness. I have loved others, been loved, and felt the power of it, the mystery of it. I know there is a fierce goodness in the world. It is there, stubborn, insistent, tenacious. The question is, why?

    Maybe, as Kevin suggests, we have been seeded with a little angel dust; love and altruism have been given a teeny boost in us. If that's so, I'm OK with that. I need the help. I am thankful for any angels I can get. But I'm also wary of my shortcomings, of my temper, of my capacity for not being kind. I certainly don't feel like an angel.

    I'd rather strive to stay ahead of my darkness, and keep aiming for the light. People may be improving, but they'll never be perfect. The Australian philosopher John Passmore said it for me. He thinks people are capable of enormous kindness, but they get there by knowing they might slip, and that progress is "a consequence of their remaining anxious, passionate, discontented human beings."

    "To attempt, in a quest for perfection, to raise men above that level is to court disaster; there is no level above it, there is only a level below it," Passmore wrote. I agree.

    Not being bad, I think, is the best way to be good.

    Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/12/24/167980228/which-is-there-more-of-kindness-or-unkindness-a-christmas-accounting?ft=1&f=1007

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    Teachers with guns is a crazy idea (CNN)

    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, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

    Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/272904869?client_source=feed&format=rss

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    Eric Chua : Life, Business and Real Estate in Singapore ? Looking ...

    Investors cite many different reasons for becoming involved with commercial real estate. However, you need to decide whether an investment is right for you. The more information you have, the greater your earnings will be through your commercial real estate dealings. The ideas in the following paragraphs are an ideal way to begin discovering more knowledge concerning commercial real state, either as your initiation into this world or just an expansion of what you already are aware of.

    You should never underestimate the relationship between you, investors and private lenders when buying commercial real estate. Make sure you have a big network because there?s a lot of property that goes unnoticed and is sold, you want to increase your chances of making deals by always being informed.

    When buying commercial property, think about the socioeconomic status of the neighborhood around the building. For example, if you?re offering high-priced goods or services, you might want to purchase property in wealthier areas where people are likely to be able to afford to buy from you. Or, if you are offering a service particularly attractive to the less wealthy, you should purchase in a less well-to-do area.

    TIP! If you are looking to get financing for your real estate goals be sure to have your business and personal financial statements on hand for review. These documents give the banks the information they need in regards to your financial responsibility and how secure their investment would be if they were to give you a loan to meet your goals.

    When you?re trying to decide which broker you should work with, take their experience in commercial real estate into account. Make sure they are specializing in the desired area that you?re selling or buying in. Allow the broker to acknowledge your wish for an exclusive agreement between the two of you.

    Find your financing before you do anything else. Financing for a commercial loan in real estate investment differs from the rules that apply to home loans. A commercial loan may actually offer better terms. Although you have to pay more upfront for the property, it?s worth it because you won?t be held personally liable if the deal falls through. In addition, you can borrow down payment funds from people you know to secure a commercial loan.

    TIP! Advertise commercial property both to local and distant buyers. Don?t be mistaken by the thought that locals will be the only people interested in your sale.

    Don?t become greedy and over-inflate your real estate asking price. There are a lot of factors that determine the value of the lot.

    Be sure to deal with a company where customer care is important prior to buying. Bad customer service can cost you a fortune when dealing with commercial property, so do your homework.

    Take a good look at the property?s surroundings. You may be liable for cleanup of a property that has been environmentally damaged from prior use. Are you considering purchasing a piece of real estate in an area prone to flooding? Think twice. There are many resources that can give you local weather patterns, flood patterns and insurance risk ratings, which can all tell you about the area you are thinking about buying in.

    TIP! If your plan is to use your commercial properties as rental properties, you should seek buildings of solid and simple construction. You will be able to attract tenants for these properties more quickly due to the fact that they will know the building is well maintained.

    Line up a commercial lender before offering to buy a property. Consult with friends who have experience along with other investors in order to compile a list of lenders that you should consider using. Research prospective lenders before purchasing property, and find one that you can work well with. It will be easier to qualify for your loan when you have all the details organized in advance.

    As previously stated, there are various reasons to go into investing commercial real estate, but you need a lot of extra knowledge on the subject. Apply the advice from the preceding paragraphs towards your commercial property dealings and you can be well on the path to maximized profits and rewards.

    Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/looking-for-an-investment-try-commercial-real-estate-2

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    Saints hold off Cowboys rally for 34-31 OT win

    ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) ? This miserable season without their suspended coach won't end in a playoff appearance for Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

    So they helped damage Dallas' chances of making the postseason.

    Playing near Sean Payton's home in a Dallas suburb, Brees threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns and led a drive to Garrett Hartley's winning 20-yard field goal in overtime for a 34-31 overtime victory Sunday.

    But the Cowboys (8-7) regained control of their postseason hopes when the New York Giants lost at Baltimore later Sunday. Dallas will make the playoffs as the NFC East champion with a victory at Washington next weekend. A wild-card spot is no longer a possibility for the Cowboys.

    The Saints, who started 0-4 after being stunned by the yearlong ban for Payton in the team's bounty scandal, lost their faint playoff hopes when Minnesota beat Houston, and had to hold off a two-touchdown rally in the final 3:35 from the Cowboys.

    Tony Romo had 416 yards passing and four touchdowns, including a 19-yarder to Miles Austin with 15 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.

    "We're never going to let anyone tell us we're not playing for something," Brees said. "We knew there were a lot of things that had to happen. We wanted to worry about the things we could control. What would have been worse is if Minnesota had lost and we had lost."

    After New Orleans (7-8) forced a punt on the first possession of overtime, Brees moved the Saints to the Cowboys 33. He completed a pass to Marques Colston, who took a couple of steps before Morris Claiborne stripped the ball, sending it rolling about 20 yards to the Dallas 2.

    Jimmy Graham, who said he dislocated a finger on a 26-yard catch to start the drive, won a scrum with Dallas' Eric Frampton. The completion that started the bizarre play was held up on review, clearing the way for Hartley's kick.

    "I looked at the replay and I knew there was a fumble," Claiborne said. "I was looking at it saying, 'Please, let the pass be incomplete.'"

    The Cowboys started the day with their playoff fate in their hands, and ended it the same way thanks to the Ravens, who beat the Giants 33-14. A Dallas win over the Redskins would guarantee a tie atop the NFC East, and the Cowboys hold the tiebreaker edge.

    "When you are in this situation, you have to go forth like you are playing for a playoff spot," Dallas defensive end Marcus Spears said. "Trying to determine what will happen, all of that will get in the way of us preparing for the Redskins."

    The Cowboys pulled within a touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Romo to Dwayne Harris and got the ball back with 1:29 remaining. Romo led the Cowboys 64 yards in seven plays, capped by the tying toss to Austin, who caught the ball on his knees in the end zone. It was Dallas' third overtime game in the past five at home.

    "There was no panic," Brees said. "It was almost like we knew the game would come down to something like this. We just wanted that opportunity and the defense gave it to us."

    Romo also had a pair of 58-yard scoring passes to Dez Bryant, who had a career-high 224 yards receiving. Romo was 26 of 43 and broke his own franchise record for passing yards in a season. He has 4,685.

    The Saints, coming off a 41-0 blowout of Tampa Bay, took the lead in the third quarter after a 54-yard punt pinned Dallas at its 3. On the first play, Curtis Lofton stripped DeMarco Murray and Lofton recovered at the 5. Brees found Pierre Thomas open at the goal line for a 24-17 lead.

    Brees was 37 of 53 in the ninth 400-yard game of his career.

    "I don't know how many more accolades I have to say about him," Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said. "You want me to put them on my W2 form or what?"

    The Cowboys put the Saints at their 2 with a 63-yard punt on their next possession, but Brees responded with a touchdown drive keyed by a 60-yard completion to Colston, who had 153 yards receiving. Colston broke a tackle by Gerald Sensabaugh before Sterling Moore ran him down at the Dallas 3.

    The Saints turned a 14-7 deficit late in the first half into a 17-14 halftime lead in the final 1:11.

    Brees led a 90-yard scoring drive that included Vitt changing his mind and going on fourth-and-1 from the Dallas 23. A completion to Colston was overturned on replay, but Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer lined up offside to give the Saints a first down anyway. Brees threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Lance Moore three plays later.

    NOTES: Dallas tight end Jason Witten had two catches in OT, breaking Tony Gonzalez's NFL season record of 102 catches for a tight end set in 2004. Witten has 103. ... Cowboys LB Ernie Sims left in the first half with dizziness a week after sustaining a concussion. ... Saints CB Jabari Greer, who had two interceptions last week, left the game with a concussion.

    ___

    Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/saints-hold-off-cowboys-rally-34-31-ot-214620627--spt.html

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