Sunday, July 29, 2012

Apple reportedly buying fingerprint authentication company AuthenTec

Apple reportedly buying fingerprint authentication company AuthenTec

Apple has reportedly agreed to by AuthenTec, a company that specializes in fingerprint authentication technology, for $350 million, or 58% over market value on Thursday. Saabira Chaduri of the Wall Street Journal says:

Apple, of Cupertino, Calif., didn't disclose its intentions for the technology. AuthenTec said in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it "cannot comment on Apple's intentions" for the company.

On their website, AuthenTec describes themselves as:

AuthenTec is a leading provider of mobile and network security. Our diverse product and technology offering helps protect individuals and organizations through secure networking, content and data protection, access control and strong fingerprint security on PCs and mobile devices.

AuthenTec encryption technology, fingerprint sensors and identity management software are deployed by the leading mobile device, networking and computing companies, content and service providers, and governments worldwide. AuthenTec?s products and technologies provide security on hundreds of millions of devices, and the Company has shipped more than 100 million fingerprint sensors for integration in a wide range of portable electronics including over 15 million mobile phones.

Their Mobile Smart Sensors page, AuthenTec talks about their smartphone offering:

AuthenTec smart sensors enhance the touch-powered features of today?s mobile phones and other wireless devices by giving users precise cursor positioning, menu navigation, turbo scrolling, and full touchpad emulation as well as effortless security via the simple swipe of a finger. Smart sensors further contribute to their value by adding personalization features, or the ability to associate different mobile phone applications or functions with different fingers. Mobile wallet purchases can also be authenticated using smart sensors, enhancing the security of mobile commerce (m-commerce) transactions made via the phones.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is listed as using the AuthenTec VPN client, HBO Go as using their DRM, and more.

AuthenTec also offers mobile payment security angle at play as well. Hmmm....

Apple had $117 billion in the bank as of Q3 2012, so $350 million isn't much more than a rounding error. How Apple chooses to use AuthenTec technology in future products is the more interesting story. Anyone case to speculate?

Swipe will start reading your fingerprint before it lets you unlock?

Source: Wall Street Journal



Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/Qlkru01jpEA/story01.htm

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Internet Marketing Ideas To Expand Your Business | Contacts ...

Web marketing can utilize lots of different techniques based on that you request or talk to regarding it. Everyone knows that it must be utilized to greater market your organization, but that doesn?t mean that you can completely depend upon it. Spend some time to work on your site then perfect your marketing and advertising program using the following.

1 method by which you can definitely in the ante with the Internet marketing marketing campaign is to crack the industry down into segments. With many items and organization suggestions, you are going to select a niche marketplace in a market market. Try to bust your market place down into sectors after which serve the marketplace almost certainly to work with you.

Continue to provide you with the content that you guaranteed in your pitch for subscribing to your mailing list. When you inform individuals they are going to obtain 50 tips about marketing, don?t quit at 10 then begin delivering product pitches alternatively. Always keep to the promises and you will definitely make your visitors.

In web marketing, you can expect to pick up the word ?USP.? This is short for ?Distinctive Selling Task.? It can be what you need to create as a way to distinguish your business from other individuals and encourage clients that your company is your best option. It creates an identification for your products or services. It can be an one, easy term that promises what your small business is capable of doing.

Online marketing is a fantastic approach to create website traffic in the direction of your site. Not only can you are offering rewards to potential customers only for becoming a member of, but you may use different ways of marketing to transmit potential prospects in your direction. This is an important issue to consider if you?re hoping to get into the enterprise.

Include extra offers that everyone would be curious about. You can contribute a no cost product or service associated with what your client just acquired, or provide them with a thing that all of us need. As an illustration, a promotion for food items or possibly a present greeting card in a popular retailer will persuade folks to buy your goods.

Make sure you go through a great deal of useful resources on the web and operate up a long list of your best-10 recommendations and components of advice. As soon as you discover the most notable-10 issues you wish to try out or stick to, go down their list and do them all systematically. This is like acquiring an assist for your overall business plan, and it will be worthwhile in a big way.

As mentioned at first with this write-up, online marketing is essential for companies now to both maintain and increase advertising endeavours which can lead to greater income, greater brand name acknowledgement, and a larger client base. By using the methods very best suit for your company, you will be able to obtain your desired good results.

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Source: http://blog.1stfind.com/?p=301182&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=internet-marketing-ideas-to-expand-your-business

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Hans Zimmer composes song for Aurora victims

NEW YORK (AP) ? "The Dark Knight Rises" composer Hans Zimmer has composed a song dedicated to the Aurora, Colo., shooting victims.

Zimmer posted the track "Aurora" on his Facebook page Friday. Zimmer said he recorded the song in London in the days after the theater shooting last week. All proceeds are being donated to a fund for victims of the shooting that killed 12 people.

The 8?-minute song is being sold for donations from 10 cents to $2,500.

Zimmer has scored all three films in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.

___

Online:

http://www.facebook.com/hanszimmer

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hans-zimmer-composes-song-aurora-victims-183914173.html

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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Great Tips To Help Your Home-based Business Run Smoothly ...

Many people consider commencing a residence business is difficult, but this is simply not accurate. Beginning a property company does demand work, but it is simple enough to complete. A property organization may be began with all the suitable details. The data offered in this post will help you start a home business.

Are you ready to advertise your home-based business? To assist you to prepare the cost to promote, begin with asking yourself a few key questions. Very first, look at the competition: Just how much are they spending, and just how effective does it appear to be? What certain objectives would you hope to obtain together with your collection of press and advertising position. The answer to these inquiries can serve as the cornerstone for your brainstorming process.

When running a business in your own home, give a technique for your clients to make contact with you on a regular basis! You need to be guaranteed to provide sufficient methods of make contact with to enable them to reach you at any time. Provide an addressing device for that organization, fax unit, e mail and voicemail. If they can at the very least depart a note, they are content as long as you get back to them in the reasonable amount of time.

Continuously try to find far better offers on your entire business expenses. You happen to be responsible for every piece of information relevant to your house company so it is recommended to know about how much cash you happen to be spending. Find the best rates in contrast shopping frequently. The tiny expenses tally up with time.

Be sure your site details your contact details on each web page. Buyers who are unable to get your information might get frustrated and give up browsing. Getting your details on every web page demonstrates them who they must speak to, along with permitting them to know you are interested in listening to from them, may it be excellent or poor.

Develop a subscriber list for your house company. This may be either via snail postal mail or maybe the world wide web. Permit other people understand about any promotions you are offering or perhaps advertise your organization. You can even send modest changes or publications in your clients to tell them what is going on. This can increase targeted traffic to your site.

Become familiar with your prospects. The easiest way to make it to the folks you would like to target is to discover where they normally are. If your typical customer is really a mommy, as an example, you may want to begin volunteering at colleges or play areas. Obtaining linked to your clients reveals that you care.

An excellent home-based business suggestion is in an attempt to get your potential audience. You must get your audience so that you can offer your services or products. Once you see them, try everything you may to ensure they delighted. This will insure your organization features a long life.

As stated at the beginning, starting a residence industry is not difficult. It takes perseverance, however is not difficult to accomplish. Together with the correct info, much like the suggestions presented in the following paragraphs, you could start a home organization without difficulty and also be on your way to making money.

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Source: http://articlereference.net/sports-2/great-tips-to-help-your-home-based-business-run-smoothly.html

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Sandusky shower victim comes forward, says he will sue

The man who was seen being sexually assaulted in the Penn State showers by Jerry Sandusky in 2001 has come forward and identified himself to attorneys, who say that he plans to sue the university.

A man claiming to be Victim 2, whom assistant coach Mike McQueary saw being molested in the shower by Sandusky, is being represented by four attorneys, including Joel Feller and Matt Casey of Philadelphia and Justine Andronici and Andrew Shubin of State College, according to a statement released by the attorneys today.

The man's name is not being released to the public, but his attorneys have posted on their website two voicemails that Sandusky allegedly left the man on his cell phone in 2011.

[Listen to Jerry Sandusky's phone calls]

The attorneys confirm that the man is the same victim who McQueary saw one night in the Penn State locker room showers with Sandusky. McQueary, then a graduate assistant on the Penn State football coaching staff, said he wlaked into the locker rooms around 9 p.m. one Friday night to put sneakers in his locker and saw Sandusky in a very sexual position with the boy.

McQueary said he believed he had witnessed Sandusky raping the boy, and slammed his locker door loudly before leaving the locker room. He then went home and told his father what he saw, and the next day reported the incident to head coach Joe Paterno.

The incident became a linchpin for the case against Sandusky, as McQueary was the only eyewitness to an alleged assault who was called to testify at Sandusky's trial. Prosecutors had not been able to identify Victim 2 or interview him for the trial.

Sandusky was convicted of sexually assaulting the boy, despite the inability of police to identify the victim.

According to the statement by Andronici and Shubin, the man approached them and confirmed that he had been abused for "many years both before and after the 2001 incident."

The attorneys said they will be filling a civil suit on the man's behalf against Penn State University "and others."

The voicemails released by the attorneys include a man's voice that they claim is Sandusky's, calling Victim 2 just weeks ahead of his arrest.

"I would be very firm and express my feelings, uh, upfront. Um. But you know, there is nothing really to hide so, if you want, give me a call. You can call me on my other cell phone or on this one, either one so. All right, take care. Love you. Uh. Hope you get this message. Thanks," the man said in one message, dated Sept. 12, 2011.

"Just calling to see you know whether you had any interest in going to the Penn State game this Saturday," the voice said in another message dated Sept. 14, 2011. "If you could get back to me and let me know, I would appreciate it and when you get this message, uh, give me a call and I hope to talk to you later. Thanks. I love you."

The lawyers said in their statement that they had collected overwhelming evidence that Sandusky molested the boy for many years and that he is, in fact, Victim 2.

"As these messages indicate, Sandusky was attempting to exert control over our client even as his arrest for child sexual abuse became imminent," the statement read.

Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse in June and is awaiting sentencing in a Pennsylvania jail.

The handling of McQueary's report to Paterno about the shower incident resulted in the dismissal of Paterno, university president Graham Spanier and two other college executives for not reporting it to police.

Earlier this month, an internal investigation of the sex scandal, led by former FBI chief Louis Freeh, found that Paterno and the other top executives intentionally concealed Sandusky's abuse in order to avoid damaging Penn State football's reputation.

Based on the results of the investigation, the NCAA vacated all of Paterno's wins for the years 1998 through 2011, banned the team from bowl games, and fined the university $60 million.

Paterno, who died in January, said before his death that he wished he had done more with the information McQueary gave him.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/jerry-sandusky-shower-victim-comes-forward-says-sue-164900942--abc-news-topstories.html

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Friday, July 27, 2012

Samsung Galaxy S III recovers universal search box in OTA update to European handsets

Samsung promised -- and it's already delivered. Galaxy S III-toting Brits should wake up to yet another OTA update for their smartphone, which throws in some stability improvements alongside the returning universal search feature that polls your phone's entire contents for results. Users can check their settings menu for the lightweight 5MB download now.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/Gr-3luE-i0Q/

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LSC offers new online web and computer programming degree ...

Beginning in fall 2012, Lake Superior College students can now earn a Computer and Web Programming AAS degree completely online. The new LSC degree program is designed to provide students with skills for website development and computer programming.

?New technologies and uses for computers are created daily, and they are implemented by people skilled in the technology field,? said Anup Parajuli, LSC computer careers instructor. ?That translates into a wide range of career possibilities for our web and computer programming students.?

This online degree program will prepare students for entry-level positions using web development and business-related programming skills. Students will learn to design, develop, test, document and implement web-based programs and business applications.

Students will also learn the basics of HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, JavaScript and ASP.NET. Programming languages taught include VB.NET, C++. NET, and JAVA. Students will use various software such as Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Visual Studio, andMySQL. Students also will take courses in E-Commerce, Mobile Apps programming, database management, and work on various real-world projects and internship.

For more information, contact Student Services at (218) 733-7601 or enroll@lsc.edu.

Started in 1998, the Lake Superior College eCampus offers the most comprehensive and experienced online resources in the region. An award-winning mentor program supports new online students. More than 135courses are available online as well as a variety of associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Offerings include accounting, web and computer programing and an associate of arts degree.

Source: http://www.howiehanson.com/?p=75616

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Your health Health safety health and fitness camping out CareCrunch

Hiking is actually a fantastic chance to have some good fitness in time. Sometime we have to take hiking in order to pay attention to our own general well being The way We all should. a disruptions with everyday system regularly get free from us almost all eating manufactured meals Products and also Checking the wander in a car to the organization company office because the each day actual course of action. it may be difficult to schedule amount of time into course of action and The strain along with looking for point in time can easily regularly result in all of us To be able to resent process completely. camping out has an best chance to appearance carefully from fitness.

There are numerous measures to complete whilst camping out which could assist your own fitness stage. try waking upward with all the sunrise and also beginning with the day via incorporating Yoga exercises exercises exercises or maybe meditation. whilst camping an individual won&t require anybody people character tapes to utilize you release upwards, you&re within nature! Hiking is an additional intelligent approach of getting process Even though hiking. some sort of area and also outdoors make you overlook which will hiking is only actually process. end up being sure that You choose some kind of hiking location which can be near Some path that will be proper for your own personel level of fitness. as well, Ensure that you pack plenty of water. when camping out there, Furthermore, an individual wish to make sure you don&t move away from exclusively, Consequently supply a person alongside in your walk. security should become known as a priority whenever hiking. if you can, try just to walk using a supply or simply lake which may be secure In order to swim inside of.

Going for a refreshing swim after having a backpack it isn&t just one way to cool-down, but In addition a good way of getting the right much more exercise within. see an instant and sit along with the lake in addition relax as well as perform Yoga exercise exercises. the seem using the stream is quite soothing. a further routines you might want to explore Although camping out are rock climbing or even spelunking. Even so, These types of Both equally equally require youre camping out with somebody that possesses These kinds of expertise and you will need the correct Machines. Don&t make an effort to rock rise or perhaps spelunk while hiking If you dont are really through an experienced close friend or simply specialist. when you wish in order to capture A few fitness hiking journey developing a significant team, youll have the ability to Come up with obstacle lessons and other entertaining workouts which could Get yourself a heart charge upwards whilst keeping your own atmosphere entertaining.

An execllent fitness aspect to hiking is going to be the chance to consume additional natural, healthful meals Items. youll be able to proceed angling and also capture your diet. angling is not just fantastic enjoyable, however, it provides foods although hiking which is technique much better in your case in comparison with warm dogs introduced out of your house. many people Like to really difficult this Even though camping out out there and in addition eat from the house. in the event it doesn&t could be considered you, because case your camping out holiday could be a good prospective client To be able to focus on eating healthier meals Inside support of give healthful meals together with. whilst camping away a person won&t maintain a enticement together with crap meals Should you deliver This with individuals. ensure that in the event you need to seafood or perhaps appearance which you&ve received the right licenses additionally be aware of foundations regarding the location you may be inside of. also, it may seem that hiking is a fantastic possibility to adopt Inside over property, What this means is youll continually be, However, don&t ingest any kind of circumstance that you can&t Decide. Ensure that you determine what it is you&re consuming. There are many fruits plus weeds Which have been poisonous and definately will damage your own hiking journey whenever ingested.

Hiking is a fantastic method of getting some good fitness which you experienced. program enjoyable camping away routines that make sure you get Moving over in addition make use of the campfire to make balanced eating routine together with your camping out out there process is going to be not only enjoyable, however, wholesome.

When properly groomed additionally looked after long haired rabbits, Such as Angora&s, are really lovely. the thing is maintaining that locks combed, very clear, as well as with no Pads is quite some type of chore. If the rabbit supervisor isn&t showing the lengthy haired rabbit, these people typically reduce the brain with hair to make sure that Its just One ins extended. This aid in keeping the specific rabbit&s coat neat and very clear with exercise Pads but Furthermore keeps a rabbit much more comfortable throughout the Hot summertime. When you have certainly not trimmed some rabbit&s lengthy brain of hair ahead of, you could want to take on consideration your personal rabbit In order to a professional pet groomer in addition Discover How it&s completed once you try it oneself. with all the clippers or just scissors, turn out to be very careful that you simply don&t harm a rabbits epidermis.

If you find an area when the rabbit&s head of head of hair has become Therefore matted which it is promoting into yoga exercise mat, refrain from utilizing a number of scissors to reduce the specific Yoga exercises process mat. it is best start Employing a comb and in addition patiently carry out a sleeping pad reduce, several hairs each and every time. In the event that This really is in order to attempting about the persistence, you should study your family pet rabbit in your specialist dog groomer and possess these remove the process Pads with some power clippers.

Every couple of weeks, check and also be sure your own rabbit&s nails haven&t attained lengthy. If you think there&re seeking lengthy, or perhaps Notice They are start to acquire together with your carpeting it really is time for you to cut These types of. when you have absolutely not necessarily carried out This prior to take your rabbit having a family family pet groomer or even veterinarian and watch how it is accomplished Initial. should you are secure alone be aware that you simply dont reduce some nails so quick These kinds of in order to bleed plus your rabbit should be to distressing in order to maneuver near.

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Source: http://www.health-care-health.co.cc/your-health-health-safety-health-and-fitness-camping-out-carecrunch-responses/

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Baseball: Barry Larkin, Ron Santo inducted into Hall of Fame

Cooperstown, N.Y. ? Barry Larkin lost it before he even started. Vicki Santo never wavered as she honored her late husband, Ron.

Baseball?s highest honor always seems to leave a special impression on those directly involved.

Larkin, the former star shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, and Ron Santo, a standout third baseman for the Chicago Cubs and later a beloved broadcaster for the team, were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

After wiping away tears as his teenage daughter sang the national anthem, Larkin began a litany of thank-yous to the important people who helped him along his journey, none more important than his mom, Shirley, and father, Robert, who were seated in the first row.

"If we were going to do something, we were going to do it right," Larkin said. "Growing up, you challenged me. That was so instrumental."

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Larkin was a two-sport star at Moeller High School and thought he might become a pro football player after accepting a scholarship to play college ball at Michigan for Bo Schembechler. That changed in a hurry.

"He [Schembechler] redshirted me my freshman year and told me that he was going to allow me just to play baseball," Larkin said. "Occasionally, I?d call him while I was playing in the big leagues and told him that was the best decision he made as a football coach. He didn?t like that too much."

Drafted fourth by the Reds in 1985, Larkin was an All-Star two years later with a .296 average, 91 runs scored, 32 doubles and 40 stolen bases.

Larkin, who played his entire 19-year career with the Reds, retired after the 2004 season with a .295 career average, 2,340 hits, 1,329 runs scored and 379 stolen bases.

Ron Santo didn?t live to experience the day he always dreamed of. Plagued by health problems, he died Dec. 3, 2010, at the age of 70. His long battle with diabetes cost him both legs below the knees, but he ultimately died of complications from bladder cancer.

story continues below

A member of the Chicago Cubs organization for the better part of five decades as a player (1960-74) and then beloved broadcaster (1990-2010), Santo was selected by the Veterans Committee in December, exactly one year after his death.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/54537126-77/larkin-santo-baseball-ron.html.csp

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Monday, July 23, 2012

PRE MARITAL SEX RELATIONSHIP MARRIAGE TRUST DEFICIT ...

?Should I tell my would-be spouse everything about my past??

?Should I share my sexual past with my soon-to-be spouse??

?Should I tell my spouse about my pre marital affairs and relationships??

Click the link below and read all about it in my journal

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: TRUST DEFICIT.

Click the link above to read the article on Trust Deficit and Johari Window in my journal

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Source: http://karve.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/pre-marital-sex-relationship-marriage-trust-deficit/

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$174900 :: 3433 Mc Nary PKWY ,Unit 506, Lake Oswego OR, 97035 ...

2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Home size: 1,136 sq ft
Lot Size: 0 sq ft
Property Type: CONDO
MLS Number: 12246489
Community: McNary Highlands Condo

Awesome view! Updated and sparkling clean. Hdwd floors. New microwave & hood, island work station, upstairs new carpet & pad, vinyl in both bathrooms, interior paint & screen door to deck. Stove & refrig less than 2 yrs old. Deck new last summer.HOA in great shape and enjoy Mountain Park amenities!

Listed with RE/MAX Equity Group


Brought to you by Chris Larsson, Coldwell Banker Seal. Call me today at 503-683-2897!

The content relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX program of the RMLS? of Portland, Oregon. All real estate listings are marked with the RMLS? logo, and detailed information about these properties includes the names of the listing brokers. Listing content is ? 2009 RMLS?, Portland, Oregon.


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Chris Larsson- Lake Oswego Real Estate Agent

Let me help you find everything you need to know about buying or selling real estate in Lake Oswego, OR! I have been a top-producing Coldwell Banker real estate professional for over 8 years in LO. I am 120% dedicated to providing world-class concierge level service to my clientele.


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Source: http://www.97034realestate.com/blog/174900-3433-mc-nary-pkwy-unit-506-lake-oswego-or-97035-lake-oswego-homes-for-sale-lake-oswego-real-estate-97034-lake-oswego-real-estate-agent/

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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Best spots for family holidays in the UK ? GP |

Perhaps it?s your first family holiday and you feel a little nervous? Maybe funds are a little tight this year and you can?t afford to splash out on expensive flights? Whatever your reason for opting for a ?staycation?, fear not, here is a run down of five of the best spots for family holidays in the UK.

Cornwall
A family break to Cornwall in the south-west will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing which activity to tackle first. One of the best things about Cornwall is that there is so much to see and do that there is no need to rely on the weather to have fun. If the sun is shining, make the most of this corner of the country?s fantastic, family-friendly beaches with a paddle, a picnic and a Pimm?s or two for the adults! If it?s raining, hop in the car and visit any number of family attractions such as The Eden Project, Land?s End or Newquay Aquarium.

The New Forest
You can take your family to the charms of Hampshire?s New Forest and enjoy practically any type of outdoor activity you please from horse-riding, to slightly more relaxing wagon rides. You can take your family to visit the wildlife at the New Forest Otter and Owl Wildlife Park or visit Hurst Castle in Milford-on-Sea where Charles I was kept before being taken to London for execution. The New Forest is an area of outstanding natural beauty and there are lots of family-friendly accommodation options.

Wiltshire
This beautiful part of the country is home to so many family activities, you may have trouble deciding what you would like to do the most. Perhaps the whole family would enjoy a day exploring the delightful cobbled streets of Bath? If it is a close encounter with nature that you are after then you must make Longleat Safari Park top of your to-do list. The fantastic park in Warminster is home to giraffes, rhinos, lions and wolves and that?s not even the best bit ? you can drive through their enclosures and see them from the safety of your car. A word of warning ? watch out for the monkeys! They like to live up to their cheeky reputations.

Suffolk
Head to East Anglia to enjoy any number of great activities that the whole family will love. The area is full of family-friendly hotels and restaurants and fantastic activities including Africa Alive in Lowestoft, where you can explore the sights, sounds and animals of Africa or spend a day at Pleasurewood Hills Family Theme Park where there are attractions for children of all ages. A particular highlight is Snakes and Ladders in Ipswich. This huge indoor playground is full of climbing frames, ball ponds and slides ? hours of fun!

Hereford and Worcestershire
The Midlands is a fantastic getaway option no matter what part of the country you are setting out from. You and your clan can enjoy a day llama trekking in Hereford, get lost in the Museum of Mazes in Ross-on-Wye or brave the high wire assault courses of Go-Ape in Bewdley.

Guest post, image from here

Source: http://katieandthekids.co.uk/2012/07/20/best-spots-for-family-holidays-in-the-uk-gp/

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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Social Retail: How Brands Should Move in the Online Business ...

Purchasing behaviour of consumers has changed with the dominance of Internet on people?s lives. Individuals no longer peruse catalogues from their mail box. Rather, they dawdle around the Internet hunting for the newest products, trends, and styles. Browsing, these days, is done through mobile devices.

This gives an opportunity that can be tapped and seize by companies. Needless to say, SMEs businesses should pattern their strategies after the changes in the retail system.

Generating Leads

In essence, consumers may already have interacted with a brand prior to their visit at a store ? both virtual and physical. It is through the integration of mobile technology that labels and manufacturers can reach out more to their niche. There are following factors that contribute to this:

Social Recommendations

Just as consumers turn to social media to research about a product, online trends have also given birth to a digital version of word of mouth advertising. In fact, a survey revealed that over 75% of users willingly recommend a trusted company to their acquaintances. This data is backed by more studies that show that over 80% of consumers are convinced that user-generated content is highly influential on their purchase decisions. Additionally, over 60% of all online shoppers course through websites with user reviews and feedback.

As such, it is vital for companies to take advantage of these touch points. One of the keys to thriving online is to formulate a hub where consumers can share recommendations and interact through social media, forums, blogs, and e-commerce websites.

Social bonds

Fifty seven percent of consumers are likely to make a purchase following a friend?s referral. Experts found two reasons for buying online. Consumers were either driven by a friend?s strong recommendation or shared discounts with their pals, ie. deal sites.

The heightened influence and reliance of recommendations from friends has also altered the purchasing behaviour of buyers. This gives a reason for brands to seek methods on how they can facilitate sharable valuable information. It is imperative for them to induce actions from the marketing plan to come up with viable level of social content. To put it simply, brands must create content that is shared by their patrons with each other!

Social Entertainment

When companies and brands inject humour in their marketing campaigns, they gain more chances of making profits. And while television still serves as the best avenue for ads, the simultaneous integration of mobile devices can boost success. Note that over 80% of tablet owners and around 90% of smartphone users admit to tinkering with their gadgets while watching the television.

For added impact, businesses can then tailor their advertising strategy to collaborate with on-screen integrations.

Image-based Social Media

A picture is worth a thousand dollars when the popularity of mobile photo-sharing features of social media is utilized for building up the image of a brand. Marketing strategies should also be image-oriented. They should not only be attention grabbers, but also drivers of interaction points. They should create a buzz and be talked about.

Conversion to Sales

In a physical store, sales people greet consumers as they enter a store and convince them to buy an item.

This could be a challenge in the online business arena as consumers interact digitally through mobile devices. But there are techniques that allow entrepreneurs to make lower-funnel access to their niche to lure them into making a purchase. Among these are:

Use of Social Shopping Applications

Consumers generally need uninterrupted connection to assess products and offers, grab the best deals and have a clear line of communication. Thus, 1/3 of consumers utilize their mobile devices to hunt for sales and special offers, while another 1/3 of them go online to check ratings and reviews. Buyers always aim to make smart purchasing decisions.

Brands then should be prepared when consumers start to look for vital information. Web contents should be readily available. They can also collaborate with advertising app developers.

Performing Location-based Marketing

Delivering the right product and content to the right consumers at right setting is vital. Location-based marketing is in-charge of ensuring that the place and timing is right. This strategy can be performed by having real-time exclusive deals. Twelve percent of smartphone users tap into their gadgets to look for the nearest stores. Facebook and Foursquare can provide locations, but the plan can extend to targeting areas with high index of technology and use of social networks. Chances are, consumers who are looking for services with the closest proximity are concentrated in these areas.

Introduction of Augmented Reality Apps

Amazon.com recently adopted an app which allows buyers to view the items in person and compare prices. But this augmented reality app technology is relatively young. But the ?try before you buy? concept is promising.

Experts are forecasting that augmented reality will soon take over in online shopping, as this allows companies to move at the same pace with consumers. Some of the app usages include navigation, content delivery and simulated product experience.

Following Through

Marketing does not stop as consumers walk out the store. Brands can tap social media to retain connection with consumers. Ensuring consumer satisfaction and rapport was found to extend the merchant-consumer relationships, thereby giving companies more chances to retain their leads.

Aside from the usual telephone customer service, users now clamour for faster access through social media. Businesses should then do give the consumers what they demand and integrate technology that allows quick response. Remember than on average, a customer can tell 42 people about a good customer service. When things go wrong, 53 people will hear about it.

Companies should be prepared to interact through social media. Real-time communication is highly demanded as consumers find more convenience from quicker ways to converse when they experience pressing problems. At the same time, social customer services should appear empathizing to the consumers.

Influencer relations are one of the growing focuses of marketers in that it allows companies to start a conversation with consumers. It ensures that the right messages are sent across, thus expanding the businesses? potential reach.

Friends, co-workers, and family members are great influencers. They can sway purchase decisions and relay information about a brand.

Conclusion

Opportunities endowed by social media marketing can be seized by companies in developing more interactive content, announcing deals, and gaining more recommendations. This calls for the need of marketers to move with technology. Still, it has to be noted that this is no silver bullet. There are still more factors that contribute to the success of an online business. This is only one of them.

Chad C.

Chad C. is a technology author, developer and technology enthusiast.

Source: http://etopian.com/blog/social-retail-brands-move-online-business-industry/

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FOR KIDS: Hot technology

A new device harvests energy that would otherwise go wasted

Web edition : 3:50 pm

Almost every device that needs energy also wastes energy, but a new device harvests energy that would otherwise go wasted. The new design can?use even?tiny changes in temperature, either warming or cooling, to produce electricity. It may not do much to power a city, but the new device might one day help eliminate the need for batteries in cell phones, tiny radios or other personal electronic devices.

Visit the new?Science News for Kids?website?and read the full story:?Hot technology


Found in: Science News For Kids

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/342426/title/FOR_KIDS_Hot_technology

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NEW MONEY FOR ALL REAL ESTATE OFFICES & AGENTS ...

Last Updated on Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:54
Written by michael
Thursday, 19 July 2012 11:52


With the U.S. economy still an uncertainty,most people are shying away from buying
and moving toward leasing homes.The U.S. has national real estate firms?such as RE/MAX, Century 21, Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams. But if you ask?someone about property management, they wouldn?t know a nationwide brand, let?alone be able to recommend a large property management firm.

The property management industry has traditionally been dominated by mom and
pop sized businesses simply due to the fact that the industry needed to have a physical
presence in local area markets to attend to showings and maintenance requests. Most
of these mom and pop property managers aren?t accountants, so the accounting aspect?for most small property management companies has been in shambles.

With the advent of modern software-as-aservice in accounting and the ease of communication globally, there is an opportunity for a?brand to emerge as the go-to property management firm. ??But there still lies the issue of a local presence that plagues any company when they?want to expand expediently. This is where the opportunity really lies for real estate firms like the ones previously mentioned. They have a local presence already established, as well as the manpower to handle the work. In reality, any real estate office is now?able to become a property management firm and offer the services that they are already?asked to provide, instead of referring their clients to someone else and possibly losing?touch. They can do this by plugging in a new operating system called RORS (Real Estate?Operating Rental System) to their current sales system. RORS handles the accounting?back office and all maintenance coordination while the agents do what they do best?market homes, show homes and then RENT homes within their real estate sales office.

Residential real estate offices have discovered that every renter is a potential buyer and every homeowner of rental property is a potential seller. With that in mind, real estate?offices are adding property management divisions.With the launching of this one-of-a kind?real estate operating rental system (RORS), every real estate office can now offer property management services without having to manage all of the difficult parts of property management. Just a few of the more difficult duties that are integrated into the RORS system are accounting, rent collections and disbursements, invoicing to all homeowners monthly, and most importantly, ALL of the maintenance headaches and follow up with owners and tenants. With this system, the only tasks the real estate brokers and agents have to do are the real estate functions they are currently doing; listing and showing homes. RORS keeps the brokers? and agents? current?clients under the same roof until they are ready to buy or sell their homes, generating?monthly income for real estate brokers and their agents within the office. This in-house?RORS system allows the residential real estate industry to provide a monthly salary or?incentive/benefit program (for lack of a better term) to their current agents without costing?the brokers? offices a dime.

This is a win-win opportunity for the real estate industry and it?is catching on like wildfire.

RORS is based in Golden, Colorado. RORS is currently available to Colorado Realtors. RORS will be launching their plug?in application nationwide to all real estate offices by the end of 2012. To learn more about RORS, call?303.988.5366?or emailinfo@homesirent.com.


Source: http://homesirent.com/new-money-for-all-real-estate-offices-agents/

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Friday, July 20, 2012

outbreak stronghold: Writing and Speaking: Creative Screenwriter ...

A creative screenwriter starts the creative process with an idea. A screenwriter with one or more creative ideas can generate a story that could be converted into a script. The idea must be clear and easily understood. Any simple idea can be interesting; it all depends on the creative screenwriter, who will decide how the audience will be presented with this idea. With your idea in mind, you describe it in a few lines and adding some information that is vital to the story.
Another step is preparing the synopsis. The synopsis is a summary of the story and its main characters. This information is handled with respect to the setting, plot, characters, and some dialogue. Once the creative screenwriter has created the outline, it is time to detail the actions and dialogues, scene by scene and in order of continuity. The script details the content of each scene and sequence.
Good ideas are what sustains scripts, but good ideas are a scarce commodity. In addition, the idea is merely a creative seed that needs to be nurtured and grown into a complete screenplay. A successful creative screenwriter will knows a lot of structure, creating characters, and writing dialogue. Brainstorming creatively to generate ideas is the foundation of creative writing; good ideas are needed to design good plots, characters, and scripts.
To write brilliantly, you need good ideas. To troubleshoot a script, you need good ideas. To make recommendations on a script, you need good ideas. However, it is possible that you have raised the question: "Do I have the capacity to generate good ideas?" Chances are you do have that ability and power to be a creative screenwriter, but you may not have the discipline or knowledge to execute on your good ideas. It is essential to develop this capability to become a successful screenwriter. A creative writer for hire can collaborate to write a final-draft screenplay.
A creative screenwriter is able to create an original screenplay that is filled with interesting and original characters. All too often screenplays and movies are recreations or adaptions of previously produced films. Many critics think the movie industry has become rigid in their interpretation of what makes a good movie. Movie producers and financiers tend to shy away from unproven screenplays. The trick is to be a creative screenwriter within the perimeters of accepted standards of screenwriting structure. There is room for both creativity and marketability.

Source: http://writing-asadeszw.blogspot.com/2012/07/creative-screenwriter.html

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Source: http://williehernandez.typepad.com/blog/2012/07/writing-and-speaking-creative-screenwriter.html

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Source: http://outbreak-stronghold.blogspot.com/2012/07/writing-and-speaking-creative.html

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Improving Self Esteem With Affirmations And Therapeutic Relaxation ...

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Source: http://www.28seo.com/improving-self-esteem-with-affirmations-and-therapeutic-relaxation-music-free-article-courtesy-of-2.html

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Thursday, July 19, 2012

Dell CEO upbeat on China despite slowdown

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dell-ceo-upbeat-china-despite-slowdown-010054404.html

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Researchers link 2 biological risk factors for schizophrenia

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have discovered a cause-and-effect relationship between two well-established biological risk factors for schizophrenia previously believed to be independent of one another.

The findings could eventually lead researchers to develop better drugs to treat the cognitive dysfunction associated with schizophrenia and possibly other mental illnesses.

Researchers have long studied the role played in the brain's neurons by the Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene, a mutation with one of the strongest links to an increased risk of developing the debilitating psychiatric illness.

In a study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the laboratory of Mikhail V. Pletnikov, M.D., Ph.D., in collaboration with the laboratory of Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., D.Sc., instead looked at the role the DISC1 gene plays in glia cells known as astrocytes, a kind of support cell in the brain that helps neurons communicate with one another.

"Abnormalities in glia cells could be as important as abnormalities in neuronal cells themselves," says Pletnikov, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the study's leader. "Most gene work has been done with neurons. But we also need to understand a lot more about the role that genetic mutations in glia cells play because neuron-glia interaction appears crucial in ensuring the brain operates normally."

Besides the paranoia and hallucinations that characterize the disease, schizophrenics have cognitive deficits, leaving them unable to think clearly or organize their thoughts and behavior.

Previous studies found that one of the roles of astrocytes is to secrete the neurotransmitter D-serine, which helps promote the transmission of glutamate in the brain, believed to be a key to cognitive function. Schizophrenics have decreased glutamate transmission. It appears, Pletnikov says, that people with DISC1 mutations associated with the psychiatric illness are faster to metabolize D-serine, which leads to a decrease in the apparently crucial transmitter.

In clinical trials, other researchers are trying to boost D-serine levels in people with schizophrenia to see if they can boost cognitive function.

In the new study, the Johns Hopkins researchers found that DISC1 is directly involved in regulating the production of D-serine by the enzyme known as serine racemase.

The researchers found that DISC1 normally binds to serine racemase and stabilizes it. The mutant DISC1 in patients with schizophrenia cannot bind with serine racemase, and instead destabilizes and destroys it. The result is a deficiency of D-serine.

The Hopkins researchers bred mice with the mutant DISC1 protein expressed only in astrocytes and, as predicted, the animals had decreased levels of D-serine. These mice also showed abnormal behavior "consistent with schizophrenia," Pletnikov says. For example, the rodents showed sensitivity to psycho-stimulants that target glutamate transmission. By treating the mice with D-serine, the scientists were able to ameliorate the schizophrenic-like symptoms. Mice without the DISC1 mutation in astrocytes had normal D-serine levels.

Pletnikov says that in the future, researchers hope that they can target the unstable junction between the abnormal DISC1 and serine racemase. If drugs, for example, can be found to increase glutamate transmission in humans, doctors may be able to improve cognitive function in schizophrenics. He says a DISC1 mutation may also be an important risk factor in other psychiatric disorders.

"Abnormal glutamate transmission is believed to be present in patients with bipolar disorder, major depression and possibly anxiety disorders, so our findings could apply to other psychiatric diseases," he says.

###

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Thanks to Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions for this article.

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

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/121782/Researchers_link___biological_risk_factors_for_schizophrenia

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Where's my Windsurfer? Athletes bring tons of bags

FILE - In this May 23, 2012 file photo released by British Airports Authority, over 2,400 pieces of baggage are seen lined-up in Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport during a baggage handling exercise to prepare staff at London's main airport for the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic games, in London. Officials at Heathrow are well aware that losing or breaking the bags of high-profile athletes could be a public relations disaster - and have geared up to ensure that doesn't happen. Heathrow has recruited 1,000 Olympic volunteers clad in bright pink to help and created special teams to deal with oversize items like javelins and bikes. (AP Photo/BAA, File) NO MAGS

FILE - In this May 23, 2012 file photo released by British Airports Authority, over 2,400 pieces of baggage are seen lined-up in Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport during a baggage handling exercise to prepare staff at London's main airport for the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic games, in London. Officials at Heathrow are well aware that losing or breaking the bags of high-profile athletes could be a public relations disaster - and have geared up to ensure that doesn't happen. Heathrow has recruited 1,000 Olympic volunteers clad in bright pink to help and created special teams to deal with oversize items like javelins and bikes. (AP Photo/BAA, File) NO MAGS

Visitors view the Olympic Rings on the Tower Bridge, Saturday, July 14, 2012, as London prepares for the 2012 Summer Olympics. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

(AP) ? Kenneth Andreasen, the head coach for the U.S. Olympic sailing team, is not a man who travels lightly. He's already sent 10 shipping containers full of sailboats, motor boats, masts, sails, trailers and other marine equipment to the Olympic sailing center at Weymouth.

Andreasen and his team of 16 sailors and assorted coaches are arriving Monday morning at Heathrow Airport with what can only be described as gobs more luggage. He will have plenty of company ? Monday is crunch time for Olympic arrivals at Europe's busiest airport because that's the day the Athletes Village opens at London's Olympic Park.

"We go through a lot of sails. We bring them on the plane," Andreasen told The Associated Press by telephone from Portsmouth, Rhode Island. "Windsurfers can be checked in as baggage, too."

The very topic of luggage can send regular airline passengers into apoplectic fits. How much more anxiety, then, for Olympic athletes who are sending everything from horses to bikes to vaulting poles to an island nation to pursue their lifelong dreams?

Officials at Heathrow are well aware that losing or breaking the bags of high-profile athletes could be a public relations disaster, and they have geared up to ensure that doesn't happen.

"We are expecting a lot of teams and a lot of bags," acknowledged Nick Cole, who heads the Olympic project for Heathrow. "We are going to be on show on Monday."

The airport usually handles 100,000 to 110,000 arrivals a day, but that will swell to 120,000 on Monday, many of them Olympic VIPs. Another big arrival day will be July 25, two days before the games' opening ceremony.

In response, Heathrow has recruited 1,000 Olympic volunteers clad in bright pink to help and created special teams to deal with oversize items such as javelins and bikes. Hundreds of immigration agents will be on the job to ease the long queues that have plagued the airport of late. Rows of Olympic VIP buses will be waiting to whisk teams and coaches to the Athletes Village.

At least, that's the plan. Cole promises it will also be the reality.

"We've got into our battle rhythm," he said.

Peter Nicholas, 59, from Camberley, south of London, is one of those Heathrow volunteers, happily working shifts that can start as early as 4:30 a.m. He already has helped the head of the Swedish Olympic committee.

"It's a once-in-the-lifetime experience," he said. "We're helping to make the games work."

Luggage is a constant worry for top athletes flying around the world.

"Most of our sailors have two to three boats that we ship around the world for competitions. Sometimes it takes a couple of months," Andreasen said. He estimated the U.S. sailing team has brought "50-60 boats, I'm not quite sure" to Britain, including about 10 motorized coaching boats.

But his team still needs to take enormous amounts of sailing gear on the plane. They are athletes who get soaked for hours each day and need specialized clothing to protect them from the chill of the ocean and the constant abrasions that come with high-stakes racing.

In all, the sailors face up to 26 days of sodden clothing, beginning when they reach Weymouth, in southwest England, on Tuesday through daily practices on the water and then battling for medals in races from July 29 until Aug. 11, the day before the London Olympics end.

The American sailors already have spent weeks practicing in the waters off Weymouth, where Andreasen says they got to experience Britain's soggy spring ? the wettest June on record ? for themselves.

"Everyone said "It never rains this much!'" he laughed. "Maybe all this bad weather will go away and it will be blue sky for the whole Olympics."

Maybe, but he's not counting on it.

"Weymouth is going to be a good venue for us," Andreasen predicted. "We are ready for anything, not taking for granted that it (the weather) will be one way or the other."

___

Danica Kirka contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-07-15-Britain-Olympic%20Luggage/id-74c4e6f476354eb3b1adea80c2754d25

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Missouri town hopes to have first horse slaughter plant

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - A town in Missouri is trying to be the first of several in the United States to get a new plant to slaughter horses now that Congress has overruled animal rights groups to allow the killing for the first time in five years.

U.S. slaughter of horses ended in 2007 when Congress, at the urging of animal rights groups, halted funding to inspect processing plants. The unintended result was thousands of horses abandoned or neglected, and even more enduring hundreds of miles of travel to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

After a government report last year detailed the abuses of horses, Congress restored inspection money to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this year.

"People are giving away horses every day because they can't sell them," said Wayne White, president of the Missouri Equine Council. "All the rescue places are over-populated."

Horse meat is sold for human consumption in China, Russia, Mexico and other foreign countries, according to Unified Equine, a Wyoming company proposing to open a horse-slaughter plant in Rockville, Missouri. Horse meat is also used for zoo animals.

The proposed plant, at a facility previously used for cattle processing in Rockville, has strong support in the community. But animal rights advocates have not given up the fight.

"Americans are revolted by horse slaughter, it's cruelty they just don't want to support," said Lindsay Rajt of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

In a report last year, the Government Accountability Office documented an increase in horse neglect and abuse since slaughtering ended and found that by 2010 nearly 138,000 horses were being sent annually to Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

Unified Equine hopes to open its slaughtering plant in Rockville in September, followed by one in Hermiston, Oregon. Another company, Valley Meats, intends to open a plant in Roswell, New Mexico.

The Missouri and New Mexico plants both requested U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections, according to the agency's Food Safety and Inspection Service. But "a significant amount of time" will be required to update inspection procedures, the service said in a statement on Wednesday.

Even though Congress restored funding, the appropriations committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, which allocates how money is spent, again withdrew money for horse slaughter inspections in the fiscal 2013 budget. The proposal still would have to be approved by the full House and Senate.

Equine chief executive Sue Wallis said she has heard of people in 18 states and several Native American tribal areas exploring horse slaughter plants.

Residents of Rockville, a town of about 150 people 100 miles south of Kansas City, turned out in force at a meeting last month to support the new plant, said Mayor Dave Moore.

"I don't know of anyone (in town) who is not for it," said Dennis Heiman operator of a grain elevator that has been Rockville's largest employer since 60 jobs were lost with the closing of the beef plant two years ago. The horse plant is expected to create 50 jobs.

Owners of rescue ranches see the problem of neglected and abused horses first-hand. The Changing Leads Equine Rescue ranch just outside Kansas City, Missouri, is at its capacity of eight unwanted horses, said Tina Weidmaier, president of the all-volunteer organization.

Joe Black, a draft horse, was 700 pounds underweight by the time it was rescued from a pasture last August, Weidmaier said. Its owners moved to Florida and left it alone to graze for nearly a year, she said. He is back to his healthy weight but has a chewing disorder, she said.

Many people abandon or seek to give away their horses because of the cost, said Ericka Caslin, director of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. A horse costs an average of about $2,600 annually to feed and board, not counting veterinary bills, she said.

There are an estimated 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States, Caslin said, yet her group has no position on slaughtering plants. Neither does its parent group, the American Horse Council in Washington nor do some rescue ranches, such as Changing Leads.

"We'd rather focus on the problem than on everyone else's solution," Weidmaier said.

Animal rights advocate Rajt said the number of unwanted horses going to slaughter is fueled by racehorse or rodeo breeders who dispose of dozens of animals not deemed "the next big winner." Horse slaughter and the shipping of horses to Mexico and Canada should be banned because it is cruel, she said.

But Wallis of Unified Equity said banning horse slaughter or shipment for slaughter would put well over 100,000 more horses per year at risk of abandonment, abuse and a slow death.

"It's hard to imagine the magnitude of that," Wallis of Equine said. "It would be an unmitigated disaster."

(Editing by Greg McCune and Jackie Frank)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/missouri-town-hopes-first-horse-slaughter-plant-203718693.html

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