Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Ten Tips For Developing A Successful Linking Building Program ...

As you go about developing a method for increasing traffic to your Online business site, you?ll desire to bear in mind the five tips for link building and best practice affiliate with link building. Through this information, you?re presented with those ten top guidelines associated with link building and with the best practice in link building today. Obviously, there are hints and other tips that can be beneficial to you. But, these simple guidelines is likely to be basic to getting a reliable inbound link constructing program set up.

1. Have an excellent website.

Before you start any kind of inbound link building program, ensure that your own personal website is as good ? as good ? as it could be. Make sure that you?ve a nice-looking, practical and user-friendly web site in and in place before you begin a link creating campaign.

2. Link with high traffic sites.

When it comes to link building, turn to link your internet site with other sites that have high traffic. The net result, the conclusion result of any link constructing strategy is always to attract more traffic to your own personal site. And, youve a far better potential for carrying this out if you link with sites that have large traffic.

3. Try to find links that are invited by sites.

Other sites are actually invited by some websites to place links on their sites. Offered these internet sites meet your other conditions, contemplate linking up with internet sites which in fact do want to place an url to your site on the area.

4. Enhance your search engine rank independent of link constructing.

As you begin making a link constructing program, use other methods of growing and improving you search engine results as well. You do not wish to put all of your eggs into one basked. More over, some sites will be more apt to allow a link to be placed by you on those sites if your own personal site ratings are stable.

5. Link only with quality sites.

Ensure that you only link with quality sites. A site that links to your site may think on your website ? and you need that reflection to stay positive.

6. Ensure a site is applicable.

Make sure that any website that includes a link to your website is just a website that is relevant to your own personal area. A link to your site on an irrelevant site really will not be greatly helpful to you.

7. Have a look at exactly how many quality one way links a website already has available or in position.

Give consideration to exactly how many quality inbound links a specific site you?re considering putting a link on really has currently. Search applications sometimes do consider backlinks to a site that you are relating with as it pertains to identifying your own personal site search engine results.

8. Limit Reciprocal links.

Take to as it is possible to to reduce mutual or other outbound links at your personal site. People weren?t wanted by you linking right through to your own personal site simply to link out again and go elsewhere. You would like people to stay at your website long enough to buy your services and products or even to engage your services.

9. Followup in regard to backlinks with regularity.

Just take the time to check up on inbound links to your site from time to time to make sure that they are functional and to make certain that those sites of which these inbound links to your own website are locate continue to meet your needs and demands.

10. Ensure your website information remains current.

Finally, make sure that the information and materials at your personal website remains updated and current. Ensure that your personal site remains functional, in fine form and user-friendly.

To know more, please go to: keyword research software

Source: http://www.articlessquad.com/ten-tips-for-developing-a-successful-linking-building-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ten-tips-for-developing-a-successful-linking-building-program

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Somali region executes 13 people by firing squad

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) ? An official in a semiautonomous region of Somalia says the government has executed 13 prisoners, including a woman.

Abdifatah Haji Aden, Puntland's military court chairman, said the prisoners were executed by firing squad on the outskirts of Bossaso, Puntland's commercial hub, on Tuesday. Aden said one soldier who helped carry out the execution died after being struck by an errant bullet fired by a colleague.

Six of the prisoners were convicted for the murder of Ahmed Abdirahman, a religious leader killed by gunmen in December 2011. The other seven were convicted of various other crimes, mainly targeted killings.

Puntland, in northern Somalia, has escaped the decades of conflict seen in the country's south and central regions. But Puntland has seen attacks and assassinations against government officials.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/somali-region-executes-13-people-firing-squad-162406277.html

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Kristin Cavallari: I?m Putting My Acting Career on Hold

"I've passed on a couple of things that would have kept me here in L.A. because my fianc? Jay has to be in Chicago, so if I was here, we would never see each other," Cavallari says in Coco Eco magazine's April/May issue.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/0Wn7nI_yfaE/

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Strapless Dress Phobia? Try Our Newest 20 Minute Tone-up & You ...

Wedding season is on the way fast ladies, are you ready to wear that strapless dress in your closet? One of the most effective ways to make sure your back, chest, and arms are ready for sundress season is to amp up your weight lifting routine. Pick one day per week to focus on your upper body and complete a routine like this one which is specific fitness for women. You will be toned up and ready to rock that strapless dress in no time!

20 Minute Tone-Up: F

time:?20-30 min. depending on fitness level

add-ons:??Try combining this workout with 20-30min. of cardio on the bike, elliptical, or treadmill.

Warm-up:?Complete a proper warm-up of 5-10 minutes of jogging and some dynamic stretching.

*Note: This routine is designed to be completed quickly, you can do it in 20 min., but you will have to push yourself!!! Never sacrifice form though:)*

  • Lat Pull Down- 15x
  • Fit Ball Crunches

repeat set 3x

  • Compound Rows- 15x
  • Push-ups- 25x

repeat set 3x

  • Assisted Pull-ups/Dips- 10x each
  • Pec Fly- 15x

repeat set 3x

  • Overhead Press
  • Biceps Curl
  • Cable Triceps Push-down

repeat set 3x

Cool Down:??Complete a proper cool down including 5 min. of slow jogging or walking?and 5-15 min. of static stretching.

Click because we have more?fitness for women?AND awesome?weight loss help!

Please read our?Legal Disclaimer?

Source: http://naturalhealthformodernmamas.com/fitness-for-women-20-minute-tone-up-f/

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Monday, April 29, 2013

Want To Know What Foods Go Well With Wine? Look At The Tips ...

Wine is among the oldest drinks around and tastes great. If you don?t like wine, maybe you just haven?t found one you like yet. This article has a ton of tips and tricks to help you become more knowledgeable about wine.

Trust your instincts when it comes to trying wine. For example, just because a friend likes a wine that you have never liked in the past, don?t buy some just to look good. You will just end up wasting funds on a wine you already know you?re not likely to enjoy.

If you drink and cook with wine frequently, especially pricier varieties, it may be worthwhile to have your own wine cellar installed. You definitely need this if you plan on storing your expensive wine for a long time in a location other than your kitchen. A wine cellar can prolong the life of your wines.

Windex is a life-saver if you get from wine. It gets the stain out faster than water and soap and water does. Use Windex right away or you can before the stain completely.

This is key if you own pricey wines that you plan to drink down the future and cannot store it in your kitchen.A wine cellar keeps the wine over extended periods.

If you find that you really prefer less expensive wine, don?t be afraid to buy it. You might be told that one wine is better than the one you like by a professional wine taster, but that won?t make it taste better. If a less expensive variety tickles your fancy, then choose that wine with glee! The end goal, after all, is to enjoy what you?re drinking.

Don?t be afraid to join a discussion forum or two to discuss your new hobby. There are some really good forums out there where people about wine.

Do not be frightened of the sulfite warnings on the labels scare you. All wines contain sulfites, but it?s the American made versions that must show a warning.While it is true that some may experience an allergic reaction to sulfites, there is no need to worry if this has not been a problem in the past.

If you are getting many headaches after you drink wine with your meal, cut down on the amount of wine that you are drinking that week. Wine contains sulfites, and sulfates encourage headaches. Drink water on off days, to filter some of the wine out of your system.

Try different things when buying wine! You can experience different countries by trying their wines. Ask your local wine shop staffer what they recommend. You may find something you never tried before is your new favorite.

Wine country is a place that you should visit wineries. These places are both scenic and gain some context on their origins.

Know whether the wine you wish to store away will age well. It would be a wise idea to learn about the particular type of wine you plan to store to learn just how long that particular type will store. One tip is that Bordeaux wine will store and age very well.

Listen to the advice of wine experts, but don?t take them too seriously.Any reputable wine expert readily admit that they don?t know everything there is to know about wine.

The variety and color of grapes determine if a wine is white or white. Red wines are made out of purple grapes that have a fuller body. White wines use green grapes that are known for being crisp and crisper. There is more than just color differences in these wines, but this is the most fundamental discrepancy.

If you love wine, plan your next vacation in wine country. Vineyards are gorgeous, and you will learn a lot that you did not know.

Many varieties of wines go well with your favorite dessert. Dessert wines are typically sweeter than the wines served with your meal. Port wines are a natural sweetness that compliments most chocolates and desserts. They should be served at around 55 degrees.

As was mentioned in the beginning, people have been enjoying wine for years. While it may seem tough to find the perfect wine at first, it?s easy enough to do with a little knowledge about wine. Start by using the tips from this article when you go shopping for a bottle of wine.

Enjoy yourself when it comes to wine. Too much time is often spent trying to figure out all the components of wine and which wines go well with which foods. Be creative and allow your imaginations to explore. After all, the purpose of wine is to have a good time.


Thanks for visiting our site, below you will find some additional links that you may also find helpful that pertain to your keyword.

Want To Know What Foods Go Well With Wine? Look At The Tips Below!

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Source: http://karenpedals.com/want-to-know-what-foods-go-well-with-wine-look-at-the-tips-below.html

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Big Papi stays hot as Red Sox roll over Astros

By KEN POWTAK

Associated Press

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:05 p.m. ET April 27, 2013

BOSTON (AP) - David Ortiz has even run out of ways to talk about his red-hot return.

Ortiz had two hits and three RBIs to extend his torrid start after a long layoff, and Felix Doubront overcame a wild first inning to pitch into the seventh as the Boston Red Sox beat the struggling Houston Astros 8-4 on Saturday night.

"I ain't talking about that anymore," said Ortiz, joking with the media as he dressed quickly in front of his locker. "You make up a new question, I'll answer it. Otherwise, copy what I said yesterday and the day before."

The 37-year old Ortiz made quite a return in his first seven games. He is hitting .519 (14 of 27) with two homers and nine RBIs since getting back into the lineup last Saturday after missing the 71 of the final 72 games last season and all of spring training with a heel injury.

"He's doing things that look to him to be very easy, but its hard to imagine or even script out that he'd have this kind of performance considering the layoff," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

It was 14th win in 19 games for the surging Red Sox (17-7). Boston can tie a club record for the most wins in April by completing a four-game sweep over Houston (7-17) on Sunday.

The Astros, coming off 56 and 55 wins seasons the last two, respectively, in the National League, are finding their new league just as tough.

"I don't get caught up in the record," Astros first-year manager Bo Porter said. "I deal with each day, each game, one game at a time."

Boston matched its best start since 2002 with its fourth straight win.

The Red Sox went 18-8 in April 1998 and 2003.

Jacoby Ellsbury had a two-run single for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia and Daniel Nava each added two hits and an RBI.

Doubront (3-0) walked three in the first, hit a batter, and had a wild pitch before settling down to hold the Astros to three runs, four hits, striking out eight and walking four over 6 2-3 innings.

"Seriously, I don't know what happened in the first inning," Doubront said. "I was feeling like I was using more of my arm than my body. I was frustrated because I was thinking a little too much. But overall, after the first inning, I was really focused and I wasn't thinking about my mechanics at all. I was throwing the ball. I was so happy I did that."

Houston starter Brad Peacock (1-3) gave up five runs on six hits in 3 2-3 innings. He hasn't gone past five innings in each of his five starts.

"I know we've got to start doing better," he said. "I'm just going to keep working and hopefully I can get out of this."

Doubront retired 17 of 19 batters after the rough beginning. He was pulled with a runner on in the seventh. Alex Wilson escaped a bases-loaded, eighth-inning jam and Andrew Miller pitched the ninth.

Trailing 2-0, Boston scored four runs in the second on Ellsbury's two-run single and Ortiz's two-run double into the left field corner.

Ortiz's sacrifice fly made it 5-2 in the fourth after Nava doubled leading off and advanced on Pedroia's ground out to second.

Jose Altuve's run-scoring ground out cut it to 5-3 in the seventh.

Stephen Drew, Nava and Pedroia each had RBI singles in the seventh.

The Astros took advantage of Doubront's wild first to grab their first lead of the series. Doubront hit Brandon Barnes after a leadoff single before walking Brandon Laird. He then walked Chris Carter, forcing in a run, before Ronny Cedeno's sacrifice fly made it 2-0. The left-hander walked the next batter on four pitches, but got the final two outs easily.

NOTES: Farrell said OF Shane Victorino, sidelined since leaving Wednesday's game with a stiff lower back, has made slight progress, but was out again. ... Farrell also said that LHP Franklin Morales has been shut down for a few days with a strained muscle on his left side. Morales has been on the DL since March 22 with a strained lower back. ... Porter loaded his lineup with right-handed hitters from 1-7, with switch hitters in the final two spots. ... Porter had glowing praise for Boston 2B Pedroia before the game. "I think people should ask, `Why don't more people play the game that way?' I've been a fan of Dustin Pedroia's before I came to Fenway for these four games," he said. "He'll do what he can to beat you." ... Boston RHP Ryan Dempster walked out the player's parking lot and went for a jog on the streets outside the park about 2 hours before the game. Fans that were lined up to get in didn't even seem to notice. ... RHP John Lackey (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is set to make his return from the disabled list Sunday against Houston's Bud Norris (3-2, 4.13 ERA). Lackey went on the DL April 7 with a strained right biceps. ... The Red Sox improved to 13-0 when scoring first.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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At their best beyond nine

Extra-innings seem to suit the Diamondbacks just fine, as Arizona improved to 6-0 in extra-inning games this season on Saturday.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51690800/ns/sports-baseball/

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Proper Deep Breathing | San Antonio Informer

By Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC

Las Vegas Informer

Deep breathing brings an increased quantity of oxygen into the lungs. When air reaches the lungs it oxygenates the blood. The oxygenated blood is transported to your brain, muscles and organs.

Anatomy: Numerous muscles participate in normal breathing and deep breathing.

The diaphragm is a sheath of muscle spanning the bottom of the ribcage and separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm is the primary muscle in the normal breathing process.

The external intercostals are a group of muscles that attach the individual ribs to each other. Contraction of the external intercostals expands the rib cage by spreading the ribs apart.

The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor are chest muscles that lift the sternum and expand the ribcage during deep breathing.

The sternocleidomastiods, scalenes and upper trapezius muscles located in the neck are accessory breathing muscles. They contract during deep breathing to expand the ribcage by raising the sternum and clavicles.

The rectus abdominis are abdominal muscles which connect the ribcage to the pelvis. Contraction of the rectus abdominis helps in deep breathing exhalation.

The internal intercostals are ribcage muscles. Contraction of the internal intercostals helps in deep breathing exhalation.

Normal Breathing: Normal inhalation takes place when the diaphragm descends and the external intercostal muscles contract. This action increases the volume and decreases the pressure in the chest cavity. A vacuum is created and air enters the lungs.

In the normal breathing process the stomach should slightly protrude during inhalation and return to the starting position during exhalation. The chest should rise only slightly during normal breathing.

Normal exhalation is passive. It occurs when the diaphragm and external intercostals muscles relax and push air out of the lungs.

Deep Breathing: Deep breathing is an active process that brings extra air into the body for relaxation, strength or survival.

Deep Inhalation: To practice deep breathing stand, sit or lie in good posture. When standing or sitting, retract your shoulder blades, pull your shoulders back and stick your chest out. Hold your neck in line with your spine and look straight forward.

When lying supine, put your feet flat on the floor by bending your hips and knees. Assume the identical upper body position as if standing or sitting.

Close your eyes and suck air into your lungs through your nose. Simultaneously raise your ribcage by contracting your accessory breathing muscles. Hold the position of maximum ribcage expansion and maximum lung capacity for a second.

The accessory breathing muscles include the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, sternocleidomastiods, scalenes and upper trapezius. These muscles assist the diaphragm and the external intercostals in lifting the ribcage, creating an increase in chest cavity volume and a decrease in chest cavity pressure.

Deep Exhalation: Exhale by contracting the rectus abdominis and internal intercostals muscles. These strong muscles pull the ribcage downward and inward to decrease chest cavity volume and increase chest cavity pressure. An increase of pressure and a decrease of volume results in air being forced out of the lungs. Deep exhalation can take place through the nasal passage or the mouth but is usually performed through the mouth.

Practice normal and deep breathing until it feels comfortable. ?Normal breathing should be effortless. Deep breathing should be productive, calming and mind clearing. Use deep breathing exercises to increase lung capacity and strengthen your ribcage.

Dr_Donald_A_Ozello_thumb_medium150_Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC

Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is the owner and treating doctor at Championship Chiropractic. 2595 S. Cimarron Rd, Suite #100, Las Vegas, NV 89117. ?His web address is?Championship Chiropractic. He can be contacted at (702) 286-9040 and?DrO@ChampionshipChiropractic.com.

Dr. Donald A. Ozello?s mission is to educate and inspire others to live healthier, fitter, more functional lives.

Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC proudly handles?Standard Process Supplements?and?Foot Levelers Orthotics.

Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC writes a weekly health, fitness, exercise and nutrition column for The Las Vegas Informer. His is published in?OnFitness Magazine,?Livestrong.com,?SpineUniverse.com?and?EHow.com.

Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is an award-winning public speaker. He has spoken to numerous groups on the importance of health, fitness, exercise, ergonomics, nutrition and injury prevention.

Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is a fitness enthusiast. Functional kettlebell training, bike riding and running are his favorite forms of exercise.

Before pursuing his career in Chiropractic, Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bremerton, SSN 698.

Source: http://sanantonio.informermg.com/2013/04/27/proper-deep-breathing/

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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Ten Tips for Making Your Vancouver Home Greener | Your ...

Greener by Anita Hart
Greener by Anita Hart

Are you committed to sustainable living but unsure where to start? Here is a small guide for you with 10 tips for a healthier, more ecological, and happier home. And the best part? You don?t need to undertake any major remodelling or reconstruction. You just need to take tiny steps that will contribute to a better environment ? because being a good global citizen starts at our doorsteps.

1. Greener Appliances

Did you know that getting rid of the old refrigerator standing in your garage would save you $150 a year?

Electrical appliances such as a vacuum cleaner, food processor, refrigerator, or washing machine account for about 18 per cent of a typical home?s total energy bill, and the fridge is one of the biggest energy hogs because it?s switched on 365 days a year. You should change your appliances every 10 years at most and always look for the A++ or ?Energy Star? labelled models. These appliances use from 10 to 50 per cent less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in ten homes used energy-efficient appliances, this would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees ? and that is a big change!

Now that you have a new, energy-efficient fridge, think a little about what you put inside. Living green and eating green should be everybody?s priority, so next time you go grocery shopping, pick apples that are not placed on a polystyrene tray and wrapped up in plastic so that you minimize waste. The best way to buy produce is to support your local community by buying food at farmers markets. You will get healthier groceries, support local farmers and producers (and the local economy), and save the planet from burning fossil fuels to get food to you from the other side of the planet.

2. Heating and Cooling

Did you know that almost half a home?s energy consumption is spent heating and cooling?

Shades by Daniel Hsia
Shades by Daniel Hsia

Energy saving is the topic right now, but what more can we do except switching off the light and TV? Thermoregulation is the answer. If you?re planning to have a new house built, consult the building company about wall and roof insulation, as this is the best way to minimize energy waste. If you, on the other hand, live in a house that won?t be reconstructed any time soon, don?t worry. There is a way to lower your energy bill as well.

  • Turn down the thermostat during winter and keep it higher in summer. Each degree below 20?C during cold weather and above 25?C during summer saves from 3 to 5 per cent of your heating energy. If you don?t own a programmable thermostat, it?s a good idea to invest in one, and it will do the work for you automatically.
  • Clean the filter on your furnace at least once a month during the period of heavy use. The same rule as with electrical appliances applies here: if your furnace is older than 10 years, consider replacing it with a newer model. Today?s furnaces are about 25 per cent more efficient than they were in the 1990s. Once again, don?t forget to look for the A++ or ?Energy Star? label.
  • Keeping your house cooler during summer months is easy and very cost-efficient with shades or blinds (hardwood or textile). This is a trick used in the Caribbean: you close them at around 10:00 A.M. and open them again at around 4:00 P.M. when the sun starts to set. You will be surprised how nice and cool your rooms will be, even without air conditioning.
  • Replace your air conditioning with a ceiling fan. Moving air feels cooler, and perhaps with a fan running, you won?t even have to think about switching the air conditioning on.

3. Shut Off the Tap

Did you know that turning the water off when you brush your teeth will save 17 litres each time?

Tap by Rickard B
Tap by Rickard B

The ?save water, drink wine? rule won?t really work here ? sorry! Canadian households use excessive amounts of water every day, and most of the time it wouldn?t hurt us if we shut off the tap.

  • Stop washing dishes under running water. Some people find it uncomfortable to shut off the water completely, soap the dishes, and then rinse them all at once. If this is your case, shut off the water as you go. You don?t need a waterfall in your sink.
  • Install a low-flow toilet. They use only 7 litres per flush, compared to 15 litres per flush for pre-1994 models. If you have an older model, adjust your float valve to admit less water into the toilet?s tank.
  • Behavioural changes are the cheapest and most effective techniques. Next time you decide to clean the driveway, use a broom instead of the garden hose. It can save you 364 litres of water!

4. Clean Green

Did you know that last year, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10 per cent of all toxic exposures?

No one knows how toxic household cleaners and detergents really are because manufacturers don?t need to list ingredients. What seems like a great stain remover may actually be disastrous for the environment. Every personal care or cleaning product we use is flushed down with our water, and many times nature can?t deal with the harsh chemicals that were used. Given our obsession with clean homes, the amount of hazardous chemicals entering the soil and water is alarming.

Household cleaners were produced during World War II for the first time as a soap substitute. How did people keep their homes clean before? Surprisingly easily. They used mixtures of hot water and soap, vinegar, or baking soda. Such cleaning products are nature-friendly, wallet-friendly, and definitely the enemy of all stains. Have a look here for homemade cleaning product recipes.

5. See the Light

Did you know that on average we have our lamps switched on for 2.7 hour per day and 1,000 hours per year?

Lamps by Chris Corwin
Lamps by Chris Corwin

Replacing old light bulbs hurts those who love the warm, soft, bright light of old-fashioned bulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs replace old incandescent bulbs in most cases. They use 66 per cent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt fluorescent can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. The only disadvantage is their design and their neon blue light that couldn?t be further from the soft yellow we?ve come to prefer.

However, there is a remedy for this problem as well. For those of you who still hesitate, try to replace a halogen light bulb with a new LED bulb and you?ll be surprised. Philips has made the most eco-friendly LED light bulb to date. The 3W Econic spotlight is a direct replacement for the ubiquitous 35W halogen bulb and claims to have the same light output. Try it and see for yourself that Philips wasn?t exaggerating. This is brighter than any other LED on market.

The most amazing thing about LED light bulbs is that they contain absolutely no hazardous materials, and that makes them safe for any room and convenient to recycle.

6. Tree-Free

Did you know that recycling a four-foot stack of newspapers saves the equivalent of one 12-metre fir tree?

Stack of newspapers by Cas
Stack of newspapers by Cas

It?s surprising that our paper consumption is rising despite the fact that we use tablets instead of restaurant menus, read books on ereaders, and write emails instead of letters. Where is the all the paper going then? Packaging and junk mail. While the offices and corporations pay close attention to their paper usage levels and they use recycled paper for draft prints, high-quality paper is wasted elsewhere. If you receive tons of junk mail every week, try to unsubscribe. Maybe you even forgot that once, five years ago, you ticked a box and agreed to be mailed a new catalog or list of products and services every now and then. If you automatically move the envelope to the bin, unsubscribing will save you time and bin space ? and in the long run you can save some trees as well.

  • When you?re buying a new box of paper, go for the unbleached variety. Many paper products, including some made from recycled fibres, are bleached with chlorine. The bleaching process can create harmful byproducts, including dioxins, which accumulate in our air, water, and soil over time.
  • Set up a paper bin or paper box where you will store all read newspapers and magazine and other paper waste. This box can then be taken directly back into newsprint recycling.

7. No Unnecessary Plastics

Did you know that each year, we throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags ? from grocery and trash bags to those convenient sandwich bags?

Plastic Bag by zeevveez
Plastic bag by zeevveez

Plastics are made from petroleum, the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming, according to the EPA. Moreover, not-recycled plastics kept in landfills contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases.

How can we lower our dependance on plastics? Using other materials or no material at all is the key. Plastics used for packaging are the most harmful ? not because they are made differently but because people seldom recycle them. Next time you walk your dog, try to count how many plastic packages there are on the street and let me know in the comments below. It would be interesting to know.

Buying groceries directly from producers can decrease the amount of packaging you use dramatically. So does carrying your purchases home in your own canvas tote that can be used over and over, and when you decide to retire the tote, nature will take it back with much more enthusiasm than any plastic bag.

8. Hardwood Flooring

Did you know that about 2.5 acres of bamboo sequesters 62 tonnes of CO2 per year, compared with the same area of a young forest, which holds on to 15 tonnes of CO2?

Harwood flooring by Mitch Barrie
Harwood flooring by Mitch Barrie

Bamboo flooring is beautiful and can replace your hardwood flooring with charm. Maybe you have heard of it and maybe you haven?t, but bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly flooring material mainly due to its high yield and the relatively fast rate at which it replenishes itself.

  • Bamboo is technically a grass, not a tree, and once the young bamboo is planted, it takes anywhere from four to ten years for the useable ?wood? to mature. After that, the plant can grow new shoots each year. And the shoots grow quickly ? as many as 30 centimetres per day. Impressive, don?t you think?
  • Bamboo starts with rhizomes ? stems that grow underground and send shoots and leaves above ground. Therefore the plant can be harvested regularly without killing it. Trees, on the other hand, can be used only once, and it takes decades for a tree to mature.
  • Thanks to the rapid growth rate of bamboo, it absorbs more carbon and produces more oxygen. It generates around 35 per cent more oxygen than the equivalent number of trees.
  • Beyond these advantages, high-quality bamboo is stronger than regular hardwood floors, partly due to the fact that it?s a grass that bends in the wind. Because of its flexibility, high-quality bamboo is as durable as most types of hardwood.

Are you hooked on bamboo yet? If so, don?t forget to use formaldehyde-free glue to finish off your nature-friendly floor with style.

9. I Paint, You Paint, Healthy Paint

Did you know that conventional paints contain solvents, toxic metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause smog, ozone pollution, and indoor air quality problems with negative health effects?

The problems with most commonly available paints is their ingredient list. Besides VOCs, you can find fungicides and biocides as well. Toxic fungicides prevent mildew growth, and biocides acts as preservatives to extend shelf life. Toxic biocides can be detected in the air five years after the paint containing the chemicals is applied.

What should you look for when buying an indoor paint? Ideally you will want to use paint that meets all three health requirements: low VOCs (the Environmental Protection Agency?s minimum requirements are 250 grams per litre of VOCs in ?low-VOC? latex paints and no more than 380 grams per litre for ?low-VOC? oil-based paints), low fungicides and low biocides, and natural pigments.

Use pigments that come from a plant and are not made in a plant. Milk paint and natural paints are the most widely used interior paints. Natural paints derive from substances such as citrus and balsam, as well as minerals. Although these paints are made with natural materials and are petroleum-free, they often contain terpenes, which are VOCs derived from plants. However, they don?t usually contain fungicides and biocides. Milk paint, which is made with milk protein (called ?casein?) and lime is excellent for interiors and also gives wood a rich, deep colour.

10. Garden Green

Did you know that compost provides a full complement of soil organisms and the balance of nutrients needed to maintain soil?s well-being without the chemicals of synthetic fertilizers?

Perennial plants by InAweofGodsCreation
Perennial plants by InAweofGodsCreation

Have you decided to take up gardening? Great choice! Nothing beats the feeling of topping your yoghurt with fresh, home-grown strawberries. Gardening is not difficult when you choose the right combinations of plants and fertilizers.

  • Try to use native plants as much as possible. Ask your neighbour for sprouts of plants that are obviously growing happily and without problems. Local plants have adapted over time to the environment and support native animals. They also use less water and require less of your attention.
  • Make perennial plants at least 70 per cent of your home garden. Perennials live more than one year, and that means you don?t have to pay for new plants every spring. It also saves the resources required for growing annuals.
  • Don?t use chemical pesticides, and set up a compost at the furthest corner of your garden. You can then proudly call your fruit and veggies organic.

While there are many other tips to help you save energy and be more nature-friendly, our list of the top 10 should be viewed as a solid starting point. If you?re hungry for one last eco tip, here it is: dig up the old-fashioned push mover from the back of your garage and start using. The only energy it uses is your own.

If you have a great energy-saving idea, please share it with us in a comment below!

Source: http://yourvancouverrealestate.ca/vancouver-life/2013/04/make-your-home-green/

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Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Weirdest Thing on the Internet Tonight: Ubermensch 2009 (NSFW)

Have you ever seen something so stupendously strange, so uncannily odd that your brain was like, "Forget this mess, I'm out"? No? Great, then this will be a new experience for you. More »
    


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/p6bfxqGj360/the-weirdest-thing-on-the-internet-tonight-ubermensch-2009-nsfw

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Tax cheats pony up $5.5 billion in amnesty program

(AP) ? The Internal Revenue Service has recouped more than $5.5 billion under a series of programs that offered reduced penalties and no jail time to people who voluntarily disclosed assets they were hiding overseas, government investigators said Friday.

In all, more than 39,000 tax cheats have come clean under the programs.

But there's more.

Government investigators suspect that thousands of other taxpayers have quietly started reporting foreign accounts without paying any penalties or interest. The number of people reporting foreign accounts to the IRS nearly doubled from 2007 to 2010, to 516,000 accounts, a report by the Government Accountability Office said.

The sharp increase suggests that some people are simply starting to report their accounts without taking part in the disclosure programs, the report said.

"IRS has detected some taxpayers with previously undisclosed offshore accounts attempting to circumvent paying the taxes, interest and penalties that would otherwise be owed," the report said. "But based on GAO reviews of IRS data, IRS may be missing attempts by other taxpayers attempting to do so."

Some taxpayers try to avoid penalties through a technique the IRS calls "quiet disclosure," in which they file amended tax returns that report offshore income from prior years. Others simply declare existing offshore accounts for the first time with their current year's tax return, the report said.

"If successful, these techniques result in lost revenue for the Treasury and undermine the offshore programs' fairness and effectiveness," the report said.

Peter Zeidenberg, a partner at the law firm DLA Piper in Washington, said it's pretty obvious that people are starting to report foreign accounts that probably existed for years.

"I don't think you get an increase like that from people just all of a sudden getting the idea I'm going to open an account in Switzerland," Zeidenberg said.

Acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller said catching overseas tax dodgers is a top priority of the agency. In a written response to the report, he said the agency is working to improve the way it identifies people who are still trying get around the agency's disclosure programs.

The IRS has run four voluntary disclosure programs since 2003. The last three ? in 2009, 2011 and 2012 ? have yielded almost all of the $5.5 billion in back taxes, penalties and interest. The latest program is still open.

The agency stepped up its efforts in 2009, when Swiss banking giant UBS AG agreed to pay a $780 million fine and turn over details on thousands of accounts suspected of holding undeclared assets from American customers.

The GAO's report looked at data from the 2009 program. More than 10,000 cases from that program have been closed so far. The median account balance: $570,000.

U.S. taxpayers can hold offshore accounts for a number of legitimate reasons, the report says. They may want to diversify their investments, facilitate international business transactions or get easier access to money while living or working overseas.

But, the report notes, "some use them to illegally reduce their tax liabilities, often by not reporting the income earned on these accounts."

Taxpayers with foreign accounts totaling more than $10,000 must report them to the IRS or face stiff penalties.

The IRS has long had a policy that certain tax evaders who come forward can usually avoid jail time as long as they agree to pay back taxes, interest and hefty penalties. Drug dealers and money launderers need not apply. But if the money was earned legally, tax evaders can usually avoid criminal prosecution.

Fewer than 100 people apply for the program in a typical year, in part because the penalties can far exceed the value of the hidden account, depending on how long the account holder has evaded U.S. taxes.

The disclosure programs offered reduced penalties, but they were not a complete amnesty. In the 2009 program, most of the tax cheats were required to forfeit 20 percent of their accounts, the report said.

Miller said the agency is using information from people who have come forward to target banks and financial advisers.

The disclosure programs helped build political momentum to pass a law in 2010 that will require foreign banks to report U.S. account holders to U.S. authorities, said Ian Comisky, partner at Blank, Rome, a law firm based in Philadelphia.

If foreign governments refuse to disclose the information, U.S. banks must withhold 30 percent of certain payments to financial institutions in those countries ? a big incentive for countries to cooperate.

Together, the disclosure programs and the new law offer a powerful incentive for tax dodgers to come clean, Comisky said.

"They are more scared, and they are coming in where they might have been sitting out in the cold," Comisky said. "Now they're trying to come in, even if there's a penalty to do so."

___

Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-04-26-US-Tax-Cheats/id-1cb72db2adfd43d896f2abda76967a4a

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West Way Ranger to bag the first prize in Never A Quarrel ? Bet With ...

West Way Ranger to bag the first prize in Never A Quarrel ? Bet With Coral Sprint at Romford

West Way Ranger, the veteran, is still capable of showing his rivals the way home, and he is likely to do this thing in Never A Quarrel ? Bet With Coral Sprint, a 225 metres short race, scheduled to take place at Romford on Friday, April 26, 2013.

One should not judge him on the previous two ventures. After facing a few embarrassing defeats, the black dog raised his game, and took the runner-up place on two occasions earlier this month.

P. Young?s charge was unlucky last twice. After missing the gold medal only by three quarters of a length, he could not add the finishing touch, and ended up second by one and a half lengths.

The son of Droopys Maldini has loads of experience under his belt. He knows how to tackle the dangerous rivals. All he needs is a slice of luck and if he gets that, it will be an easy journey for him. The draw does not look a major concern, as he is standing in the second trap.

Among his rivals are: Ravestock Buzz, Strath For Cash, Ballinakill Gene, Her Over There, and Sharons Dilemma. The contest is due to begin at 19:31 GMT. A prize of 175 pounds is reserved for the ultimate champion.

As far as Sharons Dilemma?s prospects are concerned, the draw appears to be only real plus. The black bitch was terrible last time around, when finishing sixth on the table. Ballinakill Gene is a lightly raced type, and ran well on last visit over C&D.

Her Over There is still seeking to chalk up elusive first win. The black bitch was at bottom of the chart last time around. Strath For Cash returns to former hunting ground following lay-off. She surely needs a race or two to gain some momentum.

Ravestock Buzz has been hammered lately, but this is way less demanding than what he faced on last two occasions. On his previous outing here last week, the black dog finished fourth on the chart. He is unlikely to play a major role. We wish the best of luck to all the contenders.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com's editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/West-Way-Ranger-to-bag-the-first-prize-in-Never-A-Quarrel-Bet-With-Coral-Sprint-at-Romford-a214804

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Facebook gets upgraded on older BlackBerrys, adds more focus to photos

Facebook gets upgraded on older BlackBerrys, adds more focus to photos

Many of the BlackBerry faithful might not have got around to upgrading to version 10 just yet (perhaps they're waiting on that keyboard model), but they haven't been completely forgotten. A refreshed version of the BlackBerry OS 5 Facebook app is now available, bringing it at least a little more in line with other modern iterations. Expect your pictures to gain more importance in your newsfeeds and timelines, both of which finally get pull-to-refresh controls. The new version is currently being rolled out to BlackBerry's app stores globally -- see if yours is ready at the source.

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Via: Phone Scoop

Source: BlackBerry Blog

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/SrMfWSzx97Q/

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Boston Corporate Coach Announces Newly Acquired Limousine ...

By: Donald Hood 1888 Press Release - Boston Corporate Coach has recently acquired a new limo company serving the Hong Kong and Mainland China region.

Orlando, FL - Boston Corporate Coach, best known for their luxury car and limo services throughout the globe, is proud to announce that they have acquired a new limousine company in Hong Kong, China. Boston Corporate Coach offers market-leading chauffeured services in 65 countries and 550 cities spanning the globe. With this new acquisition in Hong Kong, Boston Corporate Coach is now licensed to offer chauffeured car services from Hong Kong to Mainland China to relieve the anxiety of traveling between the two regions.

"I'm excited to get the opportunity to acquire a new limousine company and to provide valuable chauffeured services to locals in the area. It's our passion to deliver the best car and limo services throughout the world, and we are extremely proud of developing our reputation in Hong Kong," says Meir Waizman, president of Boston Corporate Coach. "We are confident that our expansion will contribute to Boston Corporate Coach's continued growth."

The new limousine company, based in Hong Kong, is a medium-sized business that has a total of forty brand new, office-ready vehicles. By providing the finest on-the-go amenities, passengers can travel productively while making the journey from Hong Kong to Mainland China without worrying about traffic congestion, and without making the transition from one side of the road to the other while navigating across the border.

Clients can book Hong Kong chauffeured car and limo services through Boston Corporate Coach from the United States by visiting http://www.bostoncorpcoach.com. Unlike their competitors, Boston Corporate Coach is securely licensed in Hong Kong, and does not use affiliates.

About Boston Corporate Coach
Boston Corporate Coach is committed to providing customers with the absolute highest quality limousine and car services in the industry. Boston Corporate Coach's chauffeurs are courteous, consummate professionals who set the industry standard for impeccable chauffeured services and deliver local expertise in your area. Personalized service is their priority, taking every measure to provide guests with comfortable, safe, and reliable travel services. Boston Corporate Coach's reservation specialists and customer care representatives are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and you can make a reservation today by calling Boston Corporate Coach at 800-363-1013 or making an online reservation.


About the Author:
http://www.bostoncorpcoach.com/

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Tax-free Internet shopping in jeopardy

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2010 file photo, an Amazon.com package is prepared for shipment by a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver in Palo Alto, Calif. States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday, April 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2010 file photo, an Amazon.com package is prepared for shipment by a United Parcel Service (UPS) driver in Palo Alto, Calif. States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday, April 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

(AP) ? Internet shoppers are moving closer to paying sales taxes for their online purchases. But the fight is far from over.

The Senate voted 63-30 Thursday to advance a bill that would impose state and local sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet. An agreement among senators delayed the Senate's final vote on passage until May 6, when senators return from a weeklong vacation.

Opponents hope senators hear from angry constituents over the next week, but they acknowledged they have a steep hill to climb to defeat the bill in the Senate.

Their best hope for stopping the bill may be in the House, where some Republicans consider it a tax increase. President Barack Obama supports the bill.

The bill would empower states to reach outside their borders and compel online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. Under the bill, the sales taxes would be sent to the states where a shopper lives.

Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are essentially tax-free, giving Internet retailers an advantage over brick-and-mortar stores.

"We look forward to passing this landmark bill in 11 days and call on the House to stand up for America's Main Street businesses with us," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said shortly after Thursday's vote.

Senate Democratic leaders wanted to finish work on the bill this week, before leaving town for the recess. But they were blocked by a handful of senators from states without sales taxes.

Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire and Delaware have no sales taxes, though the two senators from Delaware support the bill.

"I think it's going to be interesting for senators to get a response from constituents over this upcoming week," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. "I'm not sure that the country knows that something like this coerces businesses all around America to collect other people's sales taxes."

The bill pits brick-and-mortar stores like Wal-Mart against online services such as eBay. The National Retail Federation supports it. And Amazon.com, which initially fought efforts in some states to make it collect sales taxes, supports it, too.

Retailers who have lobbied in favor of the bill celebrated Thursday's vote.

"The special treatment of big online businesses at the expense of retailers on Main Street will soon be a thing of the past," said Bill Hughes of the Retail Industry Leaders Association. "The overwhelmingly bipartisan support for leveling the playing field is rare in today's political environment and paves the way for a level playing field once and for all."

Supporters say the bill is about fairness for local businesses that already collect sales taxes, and lost revenue for states. Opponents say the bill would impose complicated regulations on retailers and doesn't have enough protections for small businesses. Businesses with less than $1 million a year in online sales would be exempt.

Many of the nation's governors ? Republicans and Democrats ? have been lobbying the federal government for years for the authority to collect sales taxes from online sales.

The issue is getting bigger for states as more people make purchases online. Last year, Internet sales in the U.S. totaled $226 billion, up nearly 16 percent from the previous year, according to Commerce Department estimates.

The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that states lost $23 billion last year because they couldn't collect taxes on out-of-state sales.

Anti-tax groups have labeled the bill a tax increase. But it gets support from many Republicans who have pledged not to increase taxes. The bill's main sponsor is Sen. Mike Enzi, a conservative Republican from Wyoming. He has worked closely with Durbin, a liberal Democrat.

Enzi and Durbin say the bill doesn't raise taxes. Instead, they say, it gives states a mechanism to enforce current taxes.

In many states, shoppers are required to pay unpaid sales taxes when they file state tax returns. But governors complain that few people comply.

Under the bill, states that want to collect online sales taxes must provide free computer software to help retailers calculate the taxes, based on where shoppers live. States must also establish a single entity to receive Internet sales tax revenue, so retailers don't have to send them to individual counties or cities.

___

Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-04-26-Internet%20Sales%20Tax/id-943aa4aeec8041ea98b7065a13d6bba7

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OBU communications staff help host national workshop; Zimny ...

Helping shape Baptist Communicators Association?s national branding for years to come, Brooke Zimny was honored last week for designing BCA?s new logo.

IMG_20130420_100302_580Zimny, Ouachita?s assistant director of communications, has been a member of BCA since 2011. BCA is a national professional development organization for Baptist communicators serving in such areas as editorial, electronic media, graphic design, management, marketing, photography and public relations.

This year?s BCA annual workshop was held last week at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock with Arkansas BCA members hosting their colleagues from across the nation.

Trennis Henderson, vice president for communications at Ouachita, served as program committee chair for the event held April 17-20. Serving with him on the program committee were Zimny, a 2008 Ouachita graduate, and Matt Ramsey, director of information and communication for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and a 2003 OBU grad, as well as Stella Prather, director of communications for Arkansas Baptist Children?s Homes, and Tim Yarbrough, editor of Arkansas Baptist News.

?Led by program chair Trennis Henderson and his team, those attending the 2013 BCA workshop in Little Rock experienced an outstanding mix of challenging professional development, along with time for building important relationships with colleagues,? said Jim Veneman, BCA?s newly elected president. Veneman, director of visual communication for Union University, is a 1975 Ouachita graduate.

?The theme for this year?s workshop was ?Mission: Impact.? The goal was to highlight the life-changing impact our work can have as Christian communicators as well as our professional mission,? Veneman added. ?From start to finish we were reminded of the many ways we reach a lost world. Creative breakout sessions, outstanding field trips and a powerful mission experience provided the heart of an excellent workshop.?

The four-day workshop featured professional development breakout sessions, networking and fellowship as well as field trips to Heifer International and the Clinton Presidential Library plus the annual Wilmer C. Fields Awards Banquet. Ouachita?s Office of Communications earned two BCA awards in the national competition ? one for the music video, ?OBU Lipdub: Tunes Unleashed? and one for the design of the new Dr. Jack?s Coffeehouse logo.

?Tunes Unleashed,? released in December 2012, has been viewed at www.vimeo.com/obu/lipdub more than 15,000 times in more than 80 nations. It was produced by the Office of Communications in partnership with student volunteers, the Office of Admissions Counseling and Dean Film & Video of Memphis, Tenn.

The Dr. Jack?s Coffeehouse logo was designed in honor of Ouachita?s founding president, Dr. John W. ?Jack? Conger. The Office of Communications staff worked with Ferris Williams, assistant professor of visual arts, to design the award-winning logo which is featured on coffeehouse signage, coffee mugs and T-shirts.

BCA, founded in 1953, is marking its 60th anniversary this year. Seeking to update the organization?s professional branding, BCA leaders invited members to submit designs for a new logo to be voted on by fellow members and officers.

Three of Zimny?s designs were among the top five submissions, with one of the three being adopted as BCA?s new logo. She and her husband, Ren? Zimny, OBU?s assistant director of graphic services and a 2008 Ouachita graduate, collaborated on the logo designs. The winning logo was unveiled during the final session of last week?s workshop. The presentation included a plaque presented to Zimny, the unveiling of a new BCA banner featuring the logo and a reception following the presentation that included a cake sporting the new logo design.

BCA Logo

?The annual BCA meeting is something I look forward to every year, but it was especially memorable this year serving on the program committee that planned and hosted the event,? Zimny said. ?It was fun introducing communicators from across the nation to Little Rock and many of the Ouachita alums in the area who are experts in the communications field. Being recognized for designing the new BCA logo was a huge honor and incredibly humbling ? especially after seeing so much great work from our peers throughout the workshop and awards banquet.?

Two Ouachitonians were awarded academic scholarships by BCA. Rachel Gilmer, a senior mass communications major from Princeton, Texas, received a $1,000 undergraduate scholarship and Mary Lynn Burns, a 2006 Ouachita graduate, received a $500 graduate scholarship. The scholarships are awarded ?to encourage the growth and professional development of college, university and seminary students in the field of Baptist communications.?

Other Ouachita alumni and faculty members who participated in the annual workshop include:

? Dr. Terry Carter, associate dean of Ouachita?s Pruet School of Christian Studies, and Dr. Ken Shaddox, a 1983 OBU graduate and senior pastor of Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock, led morning devotionals for workshop participants.

? Andy Dean, founder and president of Dean Film & Video, is a former Ouachita student. He led breakout sessions on ?Visual Impact I: Telling Your Story while Building the Brand? and ?Visual Impact II: Creating Quality through Cinematic Motion.?

? Alyse Eady, a 2010 Ouachita graduate, Miss Arkansas 2010 and co-anchor of ?Today?s THV This Morning,? was the featured speaker and performer at BCA?s opening reception at the Old State House.

? Brent Gambill, a 2001 OBU grad, serves as vice president and director of digital media for Martin-Wilbourn Partners in Little Rock. He was the featured speaker during the conference?s keynote luncheon, addressing the issue of ?Social Media Impact: Embrace Faith.?

? Dr. Craig Hamilton, OBU?s Lena Goodwin Trimble Professor of Music and director of bands, led the OBU Jazz Combo in performing at the Wilmer C. Fields Awards Banquet. In addition to Hamilton playing trumpet, five Ouachita students performing in the jazz combo were: Michael Curtis, bass; Chris Mazen, piano; Brent Nessler, tenor saxophone; Bret Steed, trombone; and Zach Zucha, drums.

? Denver Peacock, a 1994 OBU graduate, is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods in Little Rock. He led a breakout session on ?Maximizing Marketing: Moms, Bikes, Hoops & Hogs.?

? Jim Veneman, a 1975 Ouachita graduate, led a pair of breakout sessions titled ?Photography I: What You Need to Know? and ?Photography II: What?s Next??

? Dr. Randall Wight, dean of Ouachita?s Sutton School of Social Sciences, led a breakout sessions on ?Strategic Planning that Works.?

BCA members also participated in a local mission project, providing financial donations, gifts and a baby shower for the Promise House Maternity Home in Little Rock, a ministry of the Arkansas Baptist Children?s Homes and Family Ministries to unwed, pregnant teens and preteens.

?It was a special privilege to help plan, coordinate and host this year?s BCA annual meeting for our colleagues from across the nation,? said Henderson, a former BCA president and member for more than 30 years. ?With the focus on ?Mission: Impact,? we were able to highlight the significant mission and ministry of Baptist communications while also showcasing the incredible skills of several Ouachitonians and other workshop leaders.?

For more information about Baptist Communicators Association, visit www.baptistcommunicators.org.

Source: http://media.obu.edu/2013/04/obu-communications-staff-help-host-national-workshop-zimny-honored-by-peers/

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Stock futures climb as earnings roll in; claims data on tap

By Chuck Mikolajczak

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stock index futures advanced on Thursday, as investors dealt with a raft of earnings, including those of 3M Co, along with data on the labor market.

Dow component ExxonMobil Corp , the largest U.S. company by market capitalization reports its results Thursday, a day after the company boosted its quarterly dividend.

Fellow Dow component 3M Co reported a slight rise in profit on modest growth in sales of its wide array of products, but shares fell 4.1 percent to $103.50 in premarket trading.

Qualcomm Inc lost 5.8 percent to $62.20 before the opening bell after the mobile chipmaker forecast earnings below expectations late Wednesday.

"The focus remains on the fact that companies continue to mostly beat expectations for earnings but also, many are disappointing on the forecast," said Rick Meckler, president of investment firm LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey.

"So it is leaving investors with mixed feelings with no real reason to sell off stocks but not enough of a reason to really drive it materially higher - that pattern is likely to continue for a while."

Companies expected to post earnings after the close include Amazon.com Inc and Starbucks .

Data on the labor market is due at 8:30 a.m. EDT with the release of weekly initial jobless claims data. Economists in a Reuters survey forecast a total of 351,000 new filings compared with 352,000 in the prior week.

Verizon Communications Inc will be in focus after sources told Reuters it has hired advisers to prepare a possible $100 billion cash and stock bid to take full control of Verizon Wireless from joint venture partner, Vodafone Group Plc . Verizon shares edged up 0.4 percent to $52 in light premarket trade.

S&P 500 futures rose 6.4 points and were above fair value, a formula that evaluates pricing by taking into account interest rates, dividends and time to expiration of the contract. Dow Jones industrial average futures added 46 points and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 13.25 points.

PulteGroup Inc , the No. 2 U.S. homebuilder, returned to a quarterly profit after reporting a loss a year earlier, as it benefited from low mortgage rates. Shares fell 2.5 percent to $19.20 in premarket trade.

Akamai Technologies Inc surged 19.4 percent to $43.08 in premarket trading after the internet content delivery company forecast second-quarter results above analysts' expectations late on Wednesday.

Earnings season has been largely positive, with 68.4 percent of S&P 500 companies that have reported results so far beating expectations, according to Thomson Reuters data through Tuesday morning. Since 1994, 63 percent have surpassed estimates on average, while the beat rate is 67 percent for the past four quarters.

Analysts see earnings growth of 3.1 percent this quarter, up from expectations of 1.5 percent at the start of the month.

European shares edged up on Thursday, with the benchmark FTSEurofirst 300 index rising for a fifth straight session, helped by gains in car maker Volkswagen and telecoms group Vodafone <.eu/>

Asian shares rose, with recovering commodities and views that a run of weak global economic data will encourage major central banks to keep or deepen their monetary stimulus improving risk sentiment.

(Editing by Bernadette Baum)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-signal-slightly-higher-open-081750934--finance.html

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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Daily Rituals

Given that I've now devoted two entries in this series to potables?coffee and alcohol?it seems only fair to take a moment to examine artists' eating habits.

Now, obviously, there are no great secrets of creativity to be found in the meals of great minds. Drinking more coffee can help you produce more work?and, certainly, avoiding alcohol during working hours is a wise strategy?but what you eat is pretty much irrelevant. Right?

Well ? That's what I assumed until I started looking through my Daily Rituals files more carefully. It turns out that there is one common eating habit, and it is simply not eating very much. Over and over, various artists mention that they work better on an empty stomach or after eating relatively little.

The pianist Glenn Gould, for instance, would only eat one meal a day?or, rather, since he preferred a nocturnal schedule, one meal a night. According to Kevin Bazzana's biography, Gould would visit a local all-night diner for scrambled eggs, salad, toast, juice, sherbet, and decaf coffee. Eating more frequently made him feel guilty, he said, although he snacked on arrowroot biscuits, Ritz crackers, tea, water, orange juice, and coffee throughout his waking hours. On recording days he didn?t eat at all; fasting, he said, makes the mind sharper.

Marcel Proust seemed to share this view. His longtime housekeeper Celeste served him coffee and one or two croissants after he woke in the late afternoon. This was sometimes Proust?s only sustenance for the entire day. ?It isn?t an exaggeration to say that he ate virtually nothing,? Celeste recalled in a memoir of her life with the author. ?I?ve never heard of anyone else living off two bowls of cafe? au lait and two croissants a day. And sometimes only one croissant!? (Unbeknownst to Celeste, Proust did sometimes dine at a restaurant on the evenings he went out, and there are reports that he ate huge quantities at these occasions.)

Gustav Mahler didn't skip meals, but he preferred food that was light, simple, thoroughly cooked, and minimally seasoned. ?Its purpose was to satisfy without tempting the appetite or causing any sensation of heaviness,? wrote his wife, Alma, to whom it seemed ?an invalid?s diet.? The filmmaker Ingmar Bergman favored similarly austere foods. ?He constantly eats the same lunch,? the actress Bibi Andersson remembered. ?It doesn?t change. It?s some kind of whipped sour milk, very fat, and strawberry jam, very sweet?a strange kind of baby food he eats with corn flakes.?

A number of other figures enjoyed a slightly more varied diet but still preferred to eat essentially the same thing every day. Oliver Sacks wrote a description of his routine for the book, noting that he almost always eats a large bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, a noon meal of herrings and black bread, and tabouli and sardines for dinner (or, if he has company, sushi). When she was staging The Artist Is Present at New York's Museum of Modern Art, Marina Abramovi? always ate lentils and rice?with no spices and not even salt?in the morning before the performance, and then had more lentils, a whole grain, a vegetable, and a light vegetable consomm? when she returned home afterward.

If all of this makes the life of the artist sound awfully repetitive and dull?well, that's sort of the point. For many artists, deciding what to eat is just one more distraction from the work. If you want to devote hours of intense focus to your art, something else in your life has got to take a backseat, and all too often it is lunch.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=5eeaa33e9c44796e85552054e388de41

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