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Source: http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/friends-family-alcoholics/244821-death-during-rehab.html

Question for everyone: a close friend is in the first week of rehab, and has just had a death in the family. Wondering if anyone has experience on how/when/etc to disclose the information, etc. The...

Source: http://finance.varolmak.com/2011/12/make-contact-with-danger-management.html

Make contact with a Danger Management Options Professional to make sure Continued Business Results

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/12/30/144473701/outrage-over-verizons-plan-for-2-payment-fee?ft=1&f=103943429

Verizon Backs Down From Plans To Charge $2 For Online, Phone Payments

Verizon said it was scrapping its plans because of customer feedback. The fee caused an uproar on the Internet.

Mitt Romney Accuses Foes of Being Mitt Romney

"When the president's characterization of our economy was, 'It could be worse,' it reminded me of Marie Antoinette: 'Let them eat cake,'" Mitt Romney told the Huffington Post on Thursday.

Comparing the president to the beheaded queen of pre-revolutionary France may seem like a strange line of attack for a wealthy political scion who has advocated the deregulation of Wall Street and letting foreclosures run their course while the government does nothing. (Not to mention the fact that Romney actually lived in France.) But it’s actually in keeping with his favorite method of deflecting attacks. Romney anticipates his greatest vulnerability, then peremptorily lobs the charge against his adversary. That way, when his opponent uses the charge it’s repetitive.

Romney first deployed this technique against New Gingrich. He has deployed a furious assault against what was briefly his chief adversary, painting him as a flip-flopper who has wavered on abortion and even supported health-care reform in Massachusetts. Gingrich was left stammering helplessly in response. After sifting through the charges and counter-charges, all the Republican voters knew was that you had two candidates accusing each other of flip-flopping and trying to help sick people get health insurance. The natural next step is to open his general election campaign by portraying Obama as a callous aristocrat.

Find my iPad saves Christmas

Here's a nice story thanks to Apple's Find my iPad feature. A family in California had their Christmas gifts stolen last week, along with several other items in the home. Seemingly unrelatedly, another man had his iPad stolen soon after, and he called the police to report the theft. He was able to track his iPad via Apple's Find My iPad service, and when the cops went to the home where it was being tracked from, they not only found the stolen iPad and the thief, but the family's Christmas presents as well.

According to the police report, the family had already purchased replacement presents, but that didn't make them any less happy to hear that the original gifts had been found. The iPad was also returned to its owner, making for a happy ending for everybody.

Everybody except the thief, that is. He's currently in jail on a $20,000 bond and will presumably face trial for the theft. Serves him right.

Find my iPad saves Christmas originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/29/find-my-ipad-saves-christmas/

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/12/30/144479242/family-friends-fans-bid-farewell-to-ben-breedlove-who-touched-many?ft=1&f=103943429

Family, Friends, Fans Bid Farewell To Ben Breedlove, Who Touched Many

In Austin yesterday more than 1,500 people gathered ? as many more watched online ? to say goodbye to a Texas teen who reached millions with the videos he posted online in the months before his Christmas Day death from heart disease.

Source: http://923now.radio.com/2011/12/29/kelly-clarkson-gets-political-fans-respond/

Kelly Clarkson Gets Political, Fans Respond

Pop stars generally stay away from controversial issues and politics. But late last night, Kelly Clarkson chose to speak up about Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. Her fans had strong reactions to her stance. Late last night, Kelly posted to her Facebook: “I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination [...]

Daily iPad App: Air Harp

The Air Harp is an interesting stringed instrument. It produces breath-taking sounds, yet it's relatively easy to play. It's so easy that many elementary schools use the instrument to teach children music. If you enjoy the sound of a harp and don't want to worry about tuning the strings, you should check out Air Harp, an iPad and iPhone version of the stringed instrument.

You'll never replace the feel of the instrument with an iPad, but the Air Harp app does an excellent job reproducing the sound of a harp. The virtual harp has 15 strings representing two octaves of notes in G Major. You can tap the strings to create your own tune, or use sheet music to play a well-known song. The app includes several pieces of sheet music, and you can buy additional collections for 99-cents each.

Playing the harp is easy, even for the musically-challenged individual. All you have to do is follow the notes on the sheet music. It helps if you have a basic understanding of music, but even if you don't know the difference between an eighth note and a quarter note, you can still play the harp. You just have to know the tune well enough to tap along. If you want to get a little crazy with the harp, the app lets you pluck or strum the strings without changing any settings. This tap-and-strum mode was a much-requested feature missing in previous versions of the app.

Overall, Air Harp is enjoyable and relaxing for the music-oriented adult. Unlike other music apps which require you to tap falling dots on a screen, the app uses real notes and strings which makes it an excellent learning tool for children. Air Harp is a universal app and available from the App Store for $0.99.

Daily iPad App: Air Harp originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/29/daily-ipad-app-air-harp/

Source: http://finance.varolmak.com/2011/11/position-of-prosperity-management-in.html

The Position of Prosperity Management in Constructing the longer term Both you and your Family members Have earned

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/30/french-reseller-ebizcuss-sues-apple-over-unfair-competition/

French reseller eBizcuss sues Apple over unfair competition

Apple opened its first retail store in France in November 2009 and caused sales to plummet for local Apple retailers, says eBizcuss CEO François Prudent. According to a report in Le Figaro, the effect is so great that eBizcuss has filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging the company unfairly favors its own stores over resellers.

eBizcuss is the largest Apple reseller in France and has 16 stores nationwide. CEO Prudent claims sales have fallen 30 percent in the last quarter because it was unable to secure a reasonable supply of iPads and MacBook Airs from Apple. The company also never received the iPhone 4S.

It's not just hardware that Apple is keeping for itself, it's supposedly stealing valuable customers, too. Prudent claims Apple is actively courting his business customers and has wooed many away with its lower prices. While Apple is allegedly crippling the reseller market, the company is demanding more and more from its resellers. Prudent claims he recently invested over US$6.5 million on store improvements, including a new point-of-sale system, to meet Apple's criteria.

This accusation of unfair trade practices is not anything new. Apple faced a lawsuit in 2004 when a group of five US resellers including Mac Accessory Center, Thomas Armes, MACadam Computers Inc., and others banded together and accused Apple of favoring its own stores over the resellers. Apple reached a settlement with all the plaintiffs in this case.

[Via ifoAppleStore]

French reseller eBizcuss sues Apple over unfair competition originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/29/stanford-archives-offer-look-into-apple-history/

Stanford archives offer look into Apple history

For Apple history buffs, the Stanford University's Silicon Valley Archives offers a firsthand glimpse into the company's past as it is the largest collection of historic material on Apple available. The Associated Press got a glimpse into the material, which was one time slated for an Apple museum that never materialized. Apple made the donation in 1997, which now makes up a significant portion of the archive's Apple Collection.

Donated materials, which were added to substantially over the years by employees and Mac fans, include blueprints for the very first Apple computer, thousands of photos documenting Steve Jobs' time at NeXT Computer, a tongue-in-cheek company video parodying "Ghostbusters" and more.

Stanford archives offer look into Apple history originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friday 30 December 2011

VIDEO: How it feels to give away millions

After Christmas shoppers at a Devon supermarket were given envelopes with �50 notes by an anonymous person, BBC Breakfast asked two philanthropists what encouraged them to give away millions.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-16362866

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9665000/9665387.stm

VIDEO: House of Commons

From phone-hacking to the Arab Spring, and from the eurozone to Hillsborough it has been a momentous year in the House of Commons. Democracy Live has some of 2011's parliamentary highlights.

Source: http://finance.varolmak.com/2011/11/3-basic-finance-tactics-for-shelling.html

3 Basic Finance Tactics for Shelling out the correct Way In Your Business

Your pictures of the year 2011

Best readers' pictures from 2011

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/in-pictures-16300064

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1003755-why-terrell-owens-journey-to-ifl-would-signal-end-of-hope-for-nfl-return

Why Terrell Owens' Journey to IFL Would Signal End of Hope For NFL Return

If there was ever a more fitting end to an NFL career filled with ups, downs and a boatload of drama, than Terrell Owens' potential journey to the Indoor Football League has to be it.

According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, the possibility of Owens signing with the Allen Wranglers of the IFL is becoming more and more likely.

"The Indoor Football League team extended a formal, six-figure contract offer to Owens a month ago. Talks between Wranglers owner Jon Frankel, Owens and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have increased recently, Frankel said. Frankel said he talked to a member of Rosenhaus' agency Thursday that Owens is "significantly closer" to signing with the Wranglers' team than he was a month ago. Rosenhaus couldn't be reached for comment. Owens, 38, would become co-owner, CEO and wide receiver for the Wranglers, Frankel said."

In the article, George included a quote from Pat Pimmel, the Wranglers' head coach. Pimmel sounds confident in it happening soon.

"At first everybody thought it was a big joke but it wasn't a big joke. It's serious. It's real close. I think it will be within the next week or so. He would have never got his agent involved in it if he wasn't thinking about it. He can still play, you know that."

If Owens does in fact sign on the dotted line in Allen, than you can all but end his future plans for playing in the NFL. When you're 38 years old, coming off an ACL injury and playing in the Indoor Football League, NFL general managers won't exactly be lining up for your services, no matter how well or poorly you do in the IFL.

And for Owens, this is a huge wake up call about his prospects of playing at the highest level of football. The fact that 32 NFL teams wouldn't even take a sniff on signing him is reason enough to let it go.

You know the old football adage that goes, some players retire but most are "retired" by the league? That applies here.

The NFL has emphatically said, "No," to Owens playing again. They essentially retired him.

Any gimmick stunt, whether he needs the money the Wranglers are offering right now or not, won't help his case.

If you're an Owens fan (is there such a thing?), you better find the Allen Wranglers on your local TV schedule, because you're not seeing him in the NFL again.

US CA: Column: 2011 Wrap-Up

Sacramento News & Review, 29 Dec 2011 - California's year in medical marijuana might best be summed up with the story of prominent Sacramento County dispensary Magnolia Wellness. Sporting huge ads and a great selection of strains such as Violator Kush, the Orangevale club boasted an estimated 40,000 patients at its peak. But it drew increasing fire from fed up local and federal prohibitionist-minded officials. Facing fines and potential forfeiture, Magnolia held a widely publicized marijuana giveaway on Friday, December 16. Hundreds of patients lined up for free grams as police cruisers idled nearby.

Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n742/a01.html

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1003441-ufc-141-predictions-nam-phan-vs-jim-hettes

UFC 141 Predictions: Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes

Featherweights Nam Phan and Jim Hettes will get the action started later tonight when they meet in the opening pay-per-view bout for UFC 141, which begins at 10 p.m. ET.

Hettes (9-0) is 1-0 in the Octagon, with all of his wins coming by submission—three of which came in under a minute. His lone UFC victory came over Alex Caceres.

Phan (17-9) comes into the bout having won a unanimous decision over Leonard Garcia in their fan-friendly rematch at UFC 136. It broke a two-fight losing streak for the Ultimate Fighter competitor.

If Hettes wants to earn his first win on a UFC main card, he will need to take the fight to the mat. He will find himself in trouble if he can't, and since most of his wins have come by submission, he's probably not as confident in his stand-up ability as Phan, who is great at utilizing body shots and isn't afraid to exchange with his opponents.

Hettes will be strong early, but with none of his bouts going the distance, Phan should have the advantage and take it there while avoiding the takedowns and just out-working his opponent on the feet.

If Phan finds himself on the mat, he should be able to survive long enough to get back up and avoid any submissions. This will wear down Hettes more than it will Phan, and the 28-year-old should win a comfortable and fan-friendly decision victory.

Prediction: Nam Phan defeats Jim Hettes by Unanimous Decision.

The main event of UFC 141 will feature the return of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, who will be taking on Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Other main card bouts include Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks, Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz and Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson.

Lawrence jury deliberations go on

The jury in the Stephen Lawrence murder trial continues to consider its verdict against defendants Gary Dobson and David Norris.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-16361917

Click here to view the video in your browser.

Video Spotlight: Stars Celebrate 100 Years of Macmillan Cancer Support

Ricky Gervais, Kylie Minogue, Keira Knightley, Sting, Alesha Dixon, Joanna Lumley, James Corden, Anna Friel and Seth Rogen, Helen Mirren and many others tells us what they love about Macmillan Cancer Support and what they would wish for if they reached 100 years old.

Stephen King Heats Homes This Winter

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Author Stephen King announced last month that his Bangor, Maine radio station would try to raise $70,000 in donations from listeners that would go towards paying for heating fuel for low-income residents, and that his Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation would match it.

In a telephone interview with Bangor Daily News, King said, “This economy is terrible and Tabitha and I both worry so much about Bangor because it truly is a working-class town and we are always looking for ways to help.”

The newspaper reported that the federal government is expected to cut back over $30 million in heating assistance in Maine this year. The stark advice coming from Bangor’s community services is not false hope in getting help to fill oil tanks, but rather on how to stay safe in a cold house, avoiding fire risks and carbon monoxide poisoning, and recommending moving in with friends or family in order to survive this winter.

“The cost goes up, the need goes up and the assistance goes down,” says King. “That’s the bottom line. That’s what is happening. We are chipping in. Can we raise the whole amount? I don’t know, but we’ll do what we can.”

Diet 'can stop brain shrinking'

Eating a diet rich in vitamins and fish may protect the brain from ageing while trans fats have the opposite effect, research suggests.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16344228

Click here to view the video in your browser.

Video Spotlight: Stars Celebrate 100 Years of Macmillan Cancer Support

Thursday 29 December 2011

Spotlight: Golden Hat Foundation's Celebrity Supporters

Imagine being unable to engage with the world or express your feelings to anyone, despite possessing a sound mind. Imagine being aware of everything around you, yet incapable of communicating your thoughts and feelings. For many people with autism, this is an everyday reality. Now imagine being able to overcome these obstacles and achieving what was once considered impossible.

Autism is a complex condition, but the mission of the Golden Hat Foundation is simple: improve the lives of people with autism around the world. At the Golden Hat Foundation, we believe that all people with autism should be provided with the education, social supports, and meaningful relationships necessary to improve their quality of life and foster independence.

The Foundation is the inspiration of one mother’s efforts to help another. When Kate Winslet narrated A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism, a documentary about a young Icelandic boy named Keli living with autism, the Oscar-winning actress and mother of two became inspired to make a difference.

After meeting Keli’s mother Margret, Kate was deeply touched by Margret’s far-reaching journey to find a way for her nonverbal son to learn to communicate. And with that, the idea for the Golden Hat Foundation was born. The Foundation’s name comes from one of the first poems Keli wrote (using his letterboard), entitled “The Golden Hat”.

Kate describes her motivation to get involved:

“After watching A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism with my daughter, she turned to me and asked, “What if I wasn’t able to talk to you mummy?” As I thought about what that meant, for a mother not to be able to talk with her own child, I realized that I had to lend my voice to raise awareness of this rapidly increasing disorder. As a mother of two, I thought, how could I not help tell this story of a mother’s journey to discover her son; a film full of courage and a determination to try to change the world for children with autism. I am incredibly proud to be involved on this journey to help give people with autism a voice. Together, with your support, we can reduce the impact of this debilitating disorder."

Celebrity supporters

Golden Hat Foundation has 1 known supporters, including Kate Winslet

Areas of work

Read more about Golden Hat Foundation's work and celebrity supporters.

Find out more about contributing, or how to contact celebrities.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LookToTheStars/~3/5XoVqDRyG3Y/1696-golden-hat-foundation

US CA: Shasta County medical marijuana debate: Pot Cultivation

Record Searchlight, 28 Dec 2011 - A group of local medical cannabis advocates is trying to gather 10,000 signatures to overturn a recent ordinance Shasta County supervisors passed that restricts marijuana growing for county residents. Nor Cal Safe Access member Dave Shore said about 30 people have been gathering signatures outside medical marijuana dispensaries and less controversial local businesses like Walmart for about a week now.

Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n741/a02.html

Source: http://finance.varolmak.com/2011/12/make-certain-you-receive-six-flags.html

Make certain You receive Six Flags Fantastic America Discount Tickets

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/28/tuaw-tv-live-taking-a-holiday-break-today/

TUAW TV Live taking a holiday break today

In case you showed up here expecting to watch today's TUAW TV Live, I've decided to take a holiday break today. I'll be back at the regular time and place next Wednesday (5 PM ET) with more Apple-related products and talk. I'm also taking a break from the TUAW Daily Update podcast during this news-quiet week

If you need a TUAW TV Live "fix", you can watch a large sampling of previous shows on YouTube. Until next week, have a safe and happy New Year's Eve.

TUAW TV Live taking a holiday break today originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/science-environment-16349793

Soyuz straight back into service

Five days after a failed launch, a Russian Soyuz rocket lifts off once more - successfully placing six spacecraft in orbit for US firm, Globalstar.

local news sports news charity news

US CA: Pot a Growing Dilemma in County: No 6 Story in 2011

The Union, 27 Dec 2011 - The tug-of-war between county government and marijuana proponents continued to make headlines in Nevada County in 2011, and promises to heat up again early next year when a proposed cultivation ordinance goes before the Board of Supervisors. Early in the year, local jurisdictions made it clear that dispensaries were not welcome here.

Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n741/a07.html

local news sports news charity news

US CA: Indoor Grow Shops Taking Root

Porterville Recorder, 27 Dec 2011 - The stores have become popular over last several years There's a growing phenomenon sweeping across Tulare County - and across the nation, for that matter. It's called "indoor grow shops," and it's taking many people - from farmers-market fanatics to, yes, those who grow marijuana legally - by storm.

Source: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n740/a06.html

Nominate your favorite iPad photo and video apps for TUAW's Best of 2011

During December and January, The Unofficial Apple Weblog is soliciting your nominations and votes for the best products for Mac, iPhone/iPod touch, and iPad. We'll start with nominations in a category, and then tally your votes for the top-nominated products a few days later. The winner in each category receives the highly-coveted title of TUAW Best of 2011.

After a Christmas Day respite in the TUAW Best of 2011 nomination process, we're back in business. In the next category for the TUAW Best of 2011 awards, we want to know what you consider your favorite iPad photo and/or video app.

While the iPad 2 isn't the best mobile camera unless you want to look and feel like a complete dork holding it up to shoot photos or capture video, it is a wonderful device for editing your images.

Snapseed (US$4.99) is a relatively new photo editing app that won the iPad App of the Year award in its category in Apple's App Store Rewind 2011 awards. For iPad video editing, Apple's own iMovie ($4.99) is an extremely popular and easy to use app.

Pocket Pixels has had a winner for several years with Color Splash for iPad ($1.99), while the Master Your DSLR Camera app ($9.99) uses a multimedia approach to teach you how to make the most of your Digital SLR camera. Serious photographers may want to get a Newsstand subscription to Popular Photography magazine (free for the app, most issues $2.99).

It's up to you to tell TUAW about your favorite iPad photo and video apps. Leave your nomination in the comments below. Voting will start soon!

Nominations close at 11:59 PM ET on December 28, 2011.

Nominate your favorite iPad photo and video apps for TUAW's Best of 2011 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/26/nominate-your-favorite-ipad-photo-and-video-apps-for-tuaws-best/

Source: http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/28/cineskates-bring-highly-adaptable-dollying-to-mobile-photography/

CineSkates bring highly adaptable dollying to mobile photography

Starting around $300, Cinetics' CineSkates are not cheap but this new device may provide exactly the kit you're looking for in terms of mobile dolly shots. Attach your iPhone, start it recording, and use the rig to smoothly move the camera as you shoot, creating perfect rotation and tracking shots.

TUAW got its hands on an early review unit to see how it worked. We can report it felt extremely solid. The wheels plus the arms provided a stable yet maneuverable platform. You could adjust the camera to nearly any height within the limits of the physical components. Whether the camera was oriented up above the wheels or down as in this shot, it was steady and maneuverable.

That strength derives from those flexible arms attached to the skate wheels. They were surprisingly rugged, offering a great balance between adjustability and strength. Once the camera was positioned, it stayed in that position -- exactly what you're looking for in a system like this.

The wheels felt exactly like skate wheels, with all the smoothness you'd expect. There were a few times in our tests, where we had to re-adjust their position as they did have a slight tendency to squeak if they weren't placed in the proper orientation.

As far as end-users go, CineSkates are going to be exactly what you need as a video hobbyist or they are not something that fits into your life. For those who can use them, and who can benefit from the kind of high-end dolly system it provides, we think you're going to love it. Yes, it's not cheap, but from what we can see in our tests, it's well made and a solid buy.

Want to see CineSkates in action? Check out the videos here and here.

CineSkates bring highly adaptable dollying to mobile photography originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/LookToTheStars/~3/pja7OFbtBXU/2052-justin-bieber

Spotlight: Justin Bieber's Charity Work

Justin Bieber is known for his 2009 debut album My World.

He took part in recording “We Are The World 25” in 2010.

Some of the proceeds from his 2011 Christmas album are going to charity.

Charities & foundations supported

Justin Bieber has supported the following charities:

Read more about Justin Bieber's charity work and events.

Find out more about contributing, or how to contact celebrities.

Source: http://finance.varolmak.com/2011/12/arts-and-crafts-merchants-for-image.html

Arts and Crafts Merchants For the ?mage Frames and Pastime Supplies