From Ryan Gosling to Lindsay Lohan, see our wish list of ways celebrities can make 2012 even better
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From Ryan Gosling to Lindsay Lohan, see our wish list of ways celebrities can make 2012 even better
nbc news cnn news Connecticut shooting Nancy Lanza school shootings cbs news Jenni Rivera
When I first saw Hybrid Connect I was wondering why there wasn?t more buzz about this program.? My honest opinion is because this wasn?t created why a ?well-known? marketer with lots of JV partners already working with him.? That really doesn?t matter to me, and as a matter of fact I have found much better products from less well-known marketers than I have from the guys whose name I recognize.
I sent an email out to my list telling everyone about it.? I think by now our subscribers know I send out quality stuff.? I got a few questions about the software, so I decided to make this blog post and make a quick video demo of the software.
But here?s the thing?
When I made this demo showing how awesome this plugin is I forgot to mention one HUGE feature which even MORE separates this product from the rest.
And that huge, show-stopping, put more money in your pocket feature is the the ability to split-test your optin-forms.
And then once you find out which ones is best, you serve the best one.? Only when you split-test do you realize how just ONE SMALL CHANGE can make a huge difference to the conversion rate.
But not just the ability.? It?s the ability to do it easily and simply!? I love it.
Some other stuff I didn?t show in the video:
1)? I didn?t show how you can add video to a lightbox, optin form, and squeeze pages ? All created from within Hybrid Connect.
2)? I didn?t show the way you can add? optin forms from within the widget area of WordPress.
3)? I didn?t show that they were fully functional and responsive on all mobile devices.
I think you get the idea.? There is ALOT to this software.? My video just touched on it, but I wanted you to see inside the software and see why it?s really the best out there.
Oh ? And the price is extremely reasonable.
Watch the video and then check out Hybrid Connect ? You will absolutely love it.? But I?m going to make it a little easier.? I?m going to add two bonuses for grabbing Hybrid Connect.? They are going to help you really get a hold onto list building and how to use it to skyrocket your business!
(1)? Profitable List Building (37-page ebook)
(2)? List Building Tips & Tricks (4-part video series)
Here Is My Video Demo
?
Source: http://www.internetmarketingwizard.com/why-hybrid-connect-will-boost-your-list-building
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Compiled by Linda Tuccio-Koonz/HealthyLife
Found in the front of the neck, the thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that?s part of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones. It uses iodine to make hormones that control the body?s heart rate, blood pressure, temperature and metabolism. Think of it as an internal thermostat. When it doesn?t work right, you feel out of kilter.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: More Facts
You can test yourself for an underactive thyroid by taking under-arm temperature for 15 minutes first thing in the morning. Reading of 97.6 F or lower is an indicator. Keep a log for five days. If readings are consistently low, consult your doctor.
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Source: http://blog.timesunion.com/healthylifemagazine/owners-manual-your-thyroid/3061/
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Carrying most recent cellular phones are no more time a want or necessity, but it has turn out to be the position symbol and style equipment. In buy to flaunt the social status, men and women use this electronic gadget and alter it usually. These progress handsets occur with newest engineering and fantastic looks. But, they are costly far too it is not cakewalk to find the money for these kinds of high-priced cell mobile phone. Thanks to massive competitiveness in among the foremost brands, it has turn out to be silent straightforward for a common to carry fashionable handsets. Now, with the support of numerous cell phone offers, individuals can purchase advance tools as properly as pay the statement without having struggling with nay difficulty.
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Most recent cellular phones are equipped with progressive engineering and progress specifications. Most of the specifications ended up never anticipated by consumers for instance, internet browsing, substantial resolution digital camera, workplace tools, songs player, 3D movie game titles, calendar, contact screen, tens of millions of colors and a lot of more. There are different reasons powering the accomplishment of tools in British isles market this sort of as mobile telephone deals, on-line cellular retailers, unimagined requirements, simply availability, affordable tariff strategy, totally free presents, various schemes as for each requirement and several more.
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Right after recognizing the large marketplace place all major manufacturers have released a extensive assortment of latest cell telephones like Samsung Galaxy S, Nokia N900, HTC wildfire, Samsung S8500 Wave, Sony Ericsson Satio, Apple Iphone four, LG GD510 pop, Blackberry 8520 Curve many more.
All these gizmos are loaded with wonderful functions and never permit you to skip your notebook or laptop. Businesses are supplying totally free handset beneath commitment mobile bargains. Right here, consumers get option to get his/her dream widget no cost of value.
Related posts:
? Tech ? Tags: Advanced, Communication, Enjoy, Freedom, Handsets, Latest, Mobile, phones
Source: http://www.hugohosting.com/latest-mobile-phones-enjoy-the-freedom-of-communication-with-advanced-handsets.html
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Source: http://finance.tipz.in/2012/12/gitanjali-gems-limited_30.html
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If you track your finances, you can make major purchases, like cars, vacations, and homes. Read on for good advice on how you can cultivate great personal finance skills.
Make sure to save for a rainy day by creating a savings account for emergencies. You can either save for something specific, like your child?s college education, or pay off debt with the extra money.
When you have extra money left over after paying bills, don?t give in to the temptation to spend more. Instead, save some money. Try to stick to your budget and do not let yourself suffer.
Steer clear of products or schemes that promise you overnight success. A lot of Internet marketers get deceived by this trap. Certainly learn, but spend more time actually doing than spending, and your profits will grow.
Make it a habit to review your credit report often. You can do this once year for free, more often if problems are found. Be sure to check your credit report every year as a way to make sure that there aren?t an inaccuracies.
If contributions are allowed for your IRA, make sure to do so regularly. This helps to you build a strong monetary foundation for the future. Various financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions or brokerage companies, can open IRA accounts for you. This will allow your retirement to go a lot better so be sure you put money into it when you can.
When items are on sale at the supermarket, you will not save money if you purchase more items than you can utilize. It makes good sense to stock up on things that you use the most, but you shouldn?t buy more than you can eat if it will expire before you can use it. Be sensible and only buy a bargain if it is one that you can use.
The key to having money is to never spend more than you bring in. People who always spend every last dollar or always have to borrow extra cannot possibly become rich due to their poor spending habits. Calculate your income, and shoot to spend much less than that.
If your credit card is close to its limit, use a different one rather than letting it max out. Having to pay interest on two different cards will be a lot lower than paying a maxed out one. This can serve as a great technique towards improving your credit score in the long run.
Always have a small envelope on your person. Your envelope should be used to store items such as business cards and purchase receipts. Keep this information available as a record that you might need at a later date. You never know when you?ll need to contest a credit card charge after being charged twice for something.
Proper budgeting is a huge part of being successful. You need to invest your profits as necessary in order to build your business. Carefully asses the risk of reinvesting profit to grow your net worth and see if it makes sense in terms of the return you want from your investment. Choose how much of your profit will become capital and stick to the portion or amount.
Set aside a specific allowance for personal treats so that you aren?t tempted to splurge from your savings. You can use your cash allowance to reward yourself in whatever way you want, but you can?t spend more than your allowance. This lets you treat yourself and reward yourself without messing up your budget.
Try to hold a garage sale, where you can sell all of your unwanted goods for additional cash. If you want, you can also charge your neighbors a fee to sell their stuff at your sale as well. There are plenty of inventive ways to make money at a yard sale.
The fund should have at least three months worth of income. Save 10 percent of your pay and put it in a high-yield account.
Never jeopardize your retirement savings to pay for your current living expenses. There are many options available to you to take care of your personal finances. Taking away from your own retirement might not be the best option, but it is an option nonetheless.
Start saving money now to be able to afford large purchases later. With the tips from this article in hand, you can make better decision regarding your finances.
P.S.-If you love the personal finance niche and would love to make an extra $1000/day blogging about your company, find out how our team is helping thousands of people make money about their passions!
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After a gang rape victim dies in India, a widespread debate about violence against women in the region has reignited yet again.
An unidentified 23-year-old medical student died on Saturday of a severe brain injury and internal damage caused by a Dec. 16 attack. Beaten, raped and pushed out of a moving bus, the medical student had been flown to a Singapore hospital on Thursday. At the time, she was in critical condition.
"The need of the hour is a dispassionate debate and inquiry into the critical changes that are required in societal attitudes," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a statement.
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"I hope that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to help us all reach the end that we all desire - making India a demonstrably better and safer place for women to live in."
The victim - who is now being called "Amanat," an Urdu word meaning "treasure" - has become a nationwide symbol for frequent and unrelenting violence against women in India. Rape and sexual assault are among the fastest-growing reported crimes in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Yet rape is rarely punished, with only 26.5 percent of reported incidents successfully prosecuted in 2010, according to The New York Times.??
New Delhi has the greatest number of sex crimes in India, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police data. According to the government, reported rape cases increased by almost 17 percent between 2007 and 2011.
Since the horrific attack on Dec. 16, the protests have become deafening. It is believed that most sex crimes in India go unreported and unpunished - and many citizens are starting to demand change.
Following news of the gang rape victim's death, the government was panicked that protests would become chaotic - and even violent. So the administration placed thousands of policemen around key areas, closing ten metro stations and some main roads in New Delhi. But more than 1,000 people gathered to protest, screaming that justice must be served. Some protesters recommended the death penalty for gang rape suspects.
Hundreds of protesters also hit the streets in the northern Indian city of Lucknow. Groups also spoke out in Hyderabad, which is in southern India, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai.
Six men have been arrested in connection to the Dec. 16 gang rape, and according to India law they could receive the death penalty.
"She was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome," Kelvin Loh, chief executive officer of the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, said in a statement.
The latest gang rape is only one in a string of incidents that has fueled unrest in the country.?On July 9, a teenage girl in Guwahati, in the northeastern state of Assam, was recorded by a television crew when a group of 10 - 15 men surrounded, beat?and stripped her. The group of men grew to about 40, and the crew continued taping.?
After the footage went viral, there was an outcry around the world questioning how the crew stood filming without trying to help the gang rape victim. For those in India, the incident was a horrible reminder of a gang rape that occurred in Mumbai on New Year's in 2008 when two women walked out of the Marriott hotel with their friends.
Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress and widow of former?Prime Minister of India,?Rajiv Gandhi?told protesters:?"Your voice has been heard. It deepens our determination to battle the pervasive and the shameful social attitudes that allow men to rape and molest women with such impunity."
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Source: http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/14056/20121229/gang-rape-victim-dies-india-protests-rage.htm
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1970 The New York Times reports that Curt Flood will sue major league baseball and challenge the reserve clause. Flood would make his way back to the major leagues for 20 games as a Senator in 1971, his last stint in the major leagues.
Senators Birthdays
Thomas Herbert Upton B Dec. 29, 1926 D Mar. 24, 2008
Originally signed by the New York Yankees before the 1944 season, infielder Tom Upton would be drafted by the St. Louis Browns after the 1949 season and would debut in the majors in mid-April of 1950.
Appearing in 124 games his first season, Upton would hit .237. With the Browns in 1951, Upton only made it into 52 games as his batting average would drop to .167.
After the 1951 season, Upton would be part of a multi-player trade that would send him to the White Sox. He?d be traded again the same day to the Washington Senators for Sam Dente.
Upton would appear in 5 games in a Senators uniform, going 0-5 at bat with 1 walk and 1 run scored, his last appearance coming in late April.
A few days later Upton would be headed back to the New York Yankees along with Irv Noren in exchange for Jackie Jensen, Spec Shea, Jerry Snyder and Archie Wilson. However, Upton would never crack the Yankees lineup.
Tom Upton career record
Source: http://dcbaseballhistory.com/2012/12/this-date-in-washington-senators-history-204/
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7 hrs.
Devin Coldewey , NBC News
In what is becoming a holiday tradition, Google has announced that Gmail users in the United States and Canada will be able to make domestic calls using the service until the end of next year. This follows similar announcements in 2011 and 2010.
Google's voice-over-IP tool is useful for someone who needs to call a Gmail contact quickly. When it was introduced in August 2010, Google said it would be available for free until the end of that year. But in late December, Google extended the free calls through 2011 ? and at the end of that year, extended it again through?2012.
Now Google says on its Gmail blog?that free calling within the U.S. and Canada will continue through 2013. Not an entirely unexpected announcement, but welcome to the many users of the service.
Chances are Google will never charge for domestic calls, something most people get gratis or at negligible cost anyway. The more people use the service for everyday phone?calls, the more likely they are to use it eventually for long-distance calls, which Google charges for.
Using the function is a simple as pressing the "phone" icon near your contacts in Gmail (you may need to download a plugin). Alternatively, follow the simple instructions in this link.
Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBCNews Digital. His personal website is?coldewey.cc.
Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/free-calls-gmail-extended-another-year-1C7753187
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Cardio is one of the most important things you can do for your body, whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or improve your health.? The great thing is, there are plenty of choices for cardio exercise.? Anything that gets your heart rate into your target heart rate zone will work.? The confusing thing is, there are so many choices out there?which exercises are the most effective? There?s no ?right? cardio exercise and the best choice is the one you enjoy and the one you?ll work hardest at, but there are some that work best if your goal is to blast calories and get in great shape.
1. Running is my favorite cardio exercise and is great choice for a variety of reasons:
?It does not require special equipment (except some running shoes)
?You can do it just about anytime, anywhere
?It is high impact, which helps build strong bones and connective tissue
?It gets your heart rate up more quickly than low or no impact exercise
?It helps you burn serious calories, especially if you add hills, sprints or try interval training.
In fact, a 145-lb person can burn 300 calories by running at 5.2 mph for 30 minutes. The same person would burn about half of that with a brisk walk.? The downside is that it takes time to build the strength and stamina to run continuously and, because it?s high impact, it may not work for every person.
2. Jumping rope is another calorie-scorcher and, as an added bonus, a jump rope packs easily in your suitcase, making it an excellent travel exercise.? A 145-lb person can burn a whopping 330 calories with a 30-minute workout, but you?ll want to slowly work your way up to that.
Start by jumping for 1-2 minutes at a time, taking breaks by marching in place and swinging your rope in a figure eight motion.? Continue alternating for 10-20 minutes and, over time, gradually increase the amount of time you jump while decreasing your rests.? You can add variety by trying different foot patterns (jumping on one foot, scissor jumps, etc.). I like to jump to energizing music. It keeps be pumped up, especially during a long stint of jumping!
3. Kickboxing is another great choice for exercisers who want to work hard with more choreographed workouts.? Combining kicks and punches not only enhances your coordination, it involves both the upper and lower body, making this an excellent overall workout.
600 calories for a 130 lb, 700 for a 145 lb Kickboxing offers a great full-body workout because it requires you to use every major muscle group and includes interval training. Your heart rate will soar and stabilize several times throughout the class, which is optimal for weight loss.
There are a variety of videos available or you can opt for a class at your local gym to get a more social interaction.? Once you are familiar with different lingo- names of the kicks and punches, you can even create your own workouts or, better yet, use a punching bag to get an even better workout.
4. If you?re looking to burn maximum calories, cross-country skiing is an excellent choice.? Whether you?re on a gym machine or swooshing over miles of snow, cross-country skiing is an incredible cardio exercise. Because it involves both the upper and lower body, it doesn?t take much work to get your heart rate up, which is where the calorie-burn comes in.? A 145-lb person burns about 330 calories during 30 minutes of skiing.
There are a few downsides, however.? If you?re going for the full outdoor experience, there is lots of gear required, and you will need practice to get the hang of it . . . and of course, snow.? You can mimic the movement at the gym by using a Nordic (or similar) cross trainer (such as an elliptical with arms or an Arc Trainer), but machines are never exactly the same.
5. Whether you are outdoors or indoors, cycling (spinning) is an excellent cardio workout. Biking: 600- 900 calories per hour on average depending on the level of resistance and intensity.
You can burn up to 700 calories at your average cycling class or take to the road on your own to enjoy fresh air to boot! Just make sure you keep a pace of about 14 to 16 miles per hour to reach the 700-calorie goal.
By using the power of your legs, you increase endurance while burning lots of calories, anywhere from 250-500 in 30 minutes, depending on how fast you go and how high your resistance is.? What makes cycling even better than other activities is that you can incorporate it into your daily life.? You can ride to and from work or use your bike to run errands around town.? It?s also low impact, which is great for your joints and perfect cross-training for high impact activities like running or aerobics.
6. Often found next to the treadmills, the elliptical trainer is another popular cardio machine at the gym. The elliptical trainer allows your body to move in a natural way, but without the impact of the treadmill.? Intensity can be added by increasing resistance and some machines include adjustable ramps and arm handles for added intensity as well.? As a bonus, you can go backwards on an elliptical trainer, which helps people burn 11% more calories than cycling forward, adding variety while working your muscles in a different way.
The elliptical trainer is also a good choice for runners looking for a break from pounding the pavement. A 145-lb person burns about 300 calories in 30 minutes.
7. Swimming is another great choice because, like cross-country skiing, it?s a full body exercise. The more body parts you involve in your workout, the more calories you?ll burn. Spend 30 minutes doing the breaststroke and you?ll burn almost 400 calories. Best of all, your joints are fully supported so you don?t have to worry about high-impact injuries. It?s also great cross-training for other cardio activities.
8. Zumba or Aerobic Classes: 500-650 or more calories per hour
Who knew an hour of dancing and hopping around could produce such results?! Zumba is a very popular Latin-inspired dance workout which uses the principles of interval training and resistance exercise, the workout will boost your metabolism considerably, according to FitnessZumba.com.? However, like any fitness regimen, the number of calories burned varies from person to person depending on weight, sex, current fitness level, and how a hard a person works out. Still the massive weight loss and toning benefits of hip-swishing and shimmying make Zumba and similar aerobics class workouts a few of the most popular today.
Step aerobics, for example, is another great choice, particularly for people who like choreographed workouts, but do not enjoy the jackhammer feel of high impact aerobics.? The step offers intensity without the pounding and it?s easy to up the energy by adding risers.
It?s also a great calorie-burner, targeting your legs, butt and hips while burning 300-400 calories in 30 minutes (during high intensity sessions). Though it might look complicated, step is easy to learn if you start with a beginner class or video.
This is an often overlooked machine in the gym because we?re confused about how it works and, perhaps, aren?t sure it delivers a great workout.
9. Rowing is a physically demanding exercise involving both the upper and lower body, which means a higher heart rate and a greater calorie burn.? Like an elliptical trainer or stationary bike, there are different levels of resistance, allowing you to get a challenging workout no matter what your fitness level.?? In 30 minutes, a 145-lb person can burn about 300 calories, but if you?ve never tried rowing, it can be tough.? Start with 10-15 minutes and add time to subsequent workouts to give your body time to adapt.
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10. Walking is another great choice for cardio because, like running, it?s accessible:? You don?t need special equipment and you can do it anywhere, anytime.? It?s harder to get your heart rate up with walking since it is low impact but, if you work hard at it, a 145-lb person can burn about 180 calories in 30 minutes.
Adding hills, hiking, speed walking or using walking poles can also increase the intensity.? Make sure you walk briskly. Keep the head up, back straight, engage and tighten your core and swing the arms.
Resources: AskMen.com, Shape.com, Bodybuilding.com, livestrong.com
The website's content is not a substitute for direct, personal, professional medical care and diagnosis. None of the exercises or treatments (including products and services) mentioned at TruthNHealth.com should be performed or otherwise used without clearance from your physician or health care provider. The information contained within is not intended to provide specific physical or mental health advice, or any other advice whatsoever, for any individual or company and should not be relied upon in that regard.
Source: http://www.truthnhealth.com/2012/12/10-best-cardio-exercises-to-burn-the-most-calories/
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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50307753/
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Dec. 24, 2012 ? An international team of microbiologists led by Klaus N?sslein of the University of Massachusetts Amherst has found that a troubling net loss in diversity among the microbial organisms responsible for a functioning ecosystem is accompanying deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
N?sslein, an expert in tropical rain forest microbial soil communities, says, "We found that after rainforest conversion to agricultural pastures, bacterial communities were significantly different from those of forest soils. Not only did the pasture soils show increased species numbers, these species were also less related to one another than in rainforest soil. This is important because the combination of lost forest species and the homogenization of pasture communities together signal that this ecosystem is now a lot less capable of dealing with additional outside stress."
He and colleagues studied a large farm site over the past four years at the frontier where farmers drive agriculture into pristine rainforest in Rondonia, Brazil, to convert rainforest to agricultural use. Findings in part validated previous research showing that bacteria in the soil became more diverse after conversion to pasture. However, in its fourth year, their study overcame limitations of earlier investigations to show that changes in microbial diversity occurred over larger geographic scales. Results appear in the current issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In addition to N?sslein at UMass Amherst, the research group includes first author Jorge Rodrigues at the University of Texas at Arlington with Brendan Bohannan at the University of Oregon, James Tiedje at Michigan State University, and others at the University of Sao Paulo. Lead investigators N?sslein and Rodrigues emphasize that the study is an equal collaboration among the four research groups.
Findings do not support earlier study conclusions, instead they show that the loss of restricted ranges for different bacteria communities results in a biotic homogenization and net loss of diversity overall. Scientists worry that the loss of genetic variation in bacteria across a converted forest could reduce ecosystem resilience. The researchers hope their work will provide valuable data to those making decisions about the future of the Amazon rainforest.
Biologist and first author Jorge Rodrigues of the University of Texas at Arlington adds, "We have known for a long time that conversion of rainforest land in the Amazon for agriculture results in a loss of biodiversity in plants and animals. Now we know that microbial communities which are so important to the ecosystem also suffer significant losses."
As N?sslein and colleagues point out, the Amazon represents half of the world's rainforest and is home to one-third of Earth's species, yet the Amazon has one of the highest rates of deforestation. Agriculture is one of the largest and most dynamic parts of Brazil's economy, so dealing with standing rainforests in the tropics will be tricky, but nevertheless, it is vital that the issue is tackled."
Rodrigues says he and colleagues are currently compiling findings about the potential for recovery of the microbial diversity after pastureland is abandoned and returned to "secondary forest." At the same time, N?sslein and colleagues are leading an effort to investigate how the redundancy of functions provided by soil microbes provides resilience to the effects of agricultural land use change to support a stressed ecosystem to recover stability.
"Whether bacterial diversity will completely recover from ecosystem conversion will depend in part on whether the taxa lost due to conversion are truly locally extinct or whether they are present in the pasture sites but of such low abundance that they are undetectable in our study," the authors write.
This work was supported by grants from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Research Support Foundation of the State of S?o Paulo.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Massachusetts at Amherst, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/bNOdEgsL0s4/121226080908.htm
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Most people wish they had a slightly different life. For some, the shows itself in their personal life whereas with others, they prefer to concentrate on improving their professional careers. Anyone intrigued by the idea of self improvement will find the insights of this article quite useful.
Come up with a little pep talk for yourself. Write a list of each of your good points and attributes on an index card. Take it with you everywhere you go, and go over each quality when you feel the need. Another great idea is to recite the list while filming yourself, so that you can view the footage regularly. Is there a benefit?
Speaking to a therapist or religious official can really help you out. Not only have they been trained to deal in personal growth, their experience in these issues is what makes them a good choice to speak with. They?ll eagerly listen, analyze what?s going on and help you find enlightenment. Talking these issues through with someone who is a professional will help you be healthier and happier in the long term.
Understand that there is a divide between where you are and where you wish to go. This is the best way to be able to set a course of direction to get there. If you do not know this, you are not ready to begin personal development.
Read literature that is focused on self improvement. A good book can provide you with the information that you need to get started on your journey toward a new you. Pick out a book that has gotten good reviews because there are some books about self improvement that are not written very well.
When trying to achieve personal development, failures can dampen and hurt an individual?s ego and self esteem. Approach your failures as opportunities to learn. Failure helps you figure out what you are good at and what needs improvement. When you look at it that way, failure should inspire pride in your ability to discover a new piece in your puzzle.
To keep from saying something you may regret later, count from one to ten before speaking. This gives you time to get your emotions under control. Take a cleansing breath and focus on something positive. Picture yourself remaining calm and saying only what you will not regret.
If you hope to advance your state of knowledge regarding self improvement, it can help to show a little humility. As you acknowledge that you are small and insignificant in this universe, the more that you realize your lack of knowledge. Once you absorb this fact, you will have a desire for further knowledge and understanding.
Make the important aspects of your life the focus of how you live. You will have much more inner peace if you just choose to focus on things that matter to you.
For many, there is a vague feeling of discontentment and an urge to facilitate change, but they lack the knowledge needed to begin. While a great result is only going to be achieved by you putting in the effort, here are some handy hints to get you on the road to success. Stay motivated by keeping these tips in mind at all times.
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Source: http://www.healthcarecenteradvice.com/2012/12/24/self-improvement-techniques-a-guide-to-a-better-life-2/
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Source: http://romeokolodz.posterous.com/self-improvement-techniques-a-guide-to-a-bett
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Source: http://arebeba.posterous.com/self-improvement-techniques-a-guide-to-a-bett
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Underground illigal casino in Sydney, Australia raided by police
by mediamanoz
27/12/2012
Armed with a search warrant police raided the illegal gambling house last Friday which was situated above a legitimate fruit and vegetable supermarket at Endesor Park.
There is no suggestion of any link between the supermarket and the premises above it.
Inside police found two seperate gaming areas with professional tables set up for playing poker, casino style chips, a pool table and number of large flat screen TV's.
When police attended the premises in Smithfield Rd at about 10.30pm staff were getting ready for clients to arrive.
Food and alcohol was also on hand for the patrons.
"It was quite an elaborate set up," said Fairfield Local Area Commander Detective Superintend Peter Lennon.
"We had received information from the public and after some investigation a search warrant was obtained and police went to the premises.''
Detective Lennon said he could no recall of a raid on a "illegal gaming" house in recent times.
"Years ago they were common place, but I haven't heard of them for years."
He said no charges were laid because no one was caught in the act of gambling when police attended.
"Investigations are continuing and we will also be referring the matter to council about what type of premises they have approval to operate."
Officers seized paperwork and a CCTV hard drive recorder. A 49-year-old man was spoken to at the time and is likely to be re interviewed by police.
Superintenedant Lennon said the the operators were members of the middle eastern community.
At the location raided by police is a door with a "Members Only" sign which opens to a staircase and rooms above the large fruit shop.
The site is on a major sized block with a large parking area and is self contained. An Assyrian social club is next to the supermarket. There is suggestion of any link between the premises and the social club.
Neighbours across from the club said they knew nothing of the casino or its operation.
For many years illegal casinos and card rooms thrived through out "Sin City" Sydney.
"In the 80's and even in the 90's illegal gambling operations were everywhere," said a retired NSW detective.
"A lot of the Italians, Greeks, Yugoslavs and other Europeans had illegal card venues throughout the inner city particularly Marrickville.
"The Chinese had Mah-jong and Manilla operating above restaurants in Chinatown.
"The fancier black-jack and roulette casinos were run by the gangsters in the Cross."
Two up was played at Straithfield, Paddington and in Abercrombie street Redfern."
"In those days most pubs had their own SP bookie."
The advent of Sydney's legal casino catered for the big punters and the growth of TAB's through out the city's hotels killed off the SP bookie.
A Media Man gaming spokesperson said "You never know... a gaming house could be right next door and you wouldn't even know it".
This news comes as an ever increasing amount of global brands expand into online gaming, be it Marvel Entertainment, Virgin Enterprises, UFC, Casino News Media and so the list goes on. Keep checking Media Man www.mediamanint.com for further developments.
Websites
Media Man Int www.mediamanint.com
Casino News Media www.casinonewsmedia.com
Report PostSource: http://www.streetcorner.com.au/news/showPost.cfm?bid=25502&mycomm=WC
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The Verge:
Some users of Google Music's new scan-and-match functionality, recently rolled out in the US, are complaining of problems when it comes to explicit content in their library.
Read the whole story at The Verge
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(Reuters) - The U.S. government is considering expanding its mortgage refinancing program to include borrowers whose mortgages are not backed by Fannie Mae
The refinancing program now being considered also seeks to include "underwater" borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, the Journal said.
The proposal would also transfer potentially riskier loans held by private investors to the government-sponsored mortgage entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the paper said.
Such a move would require congressional authorization to temporarily change the charters of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to the Journal.
About 22 percent of all homes with a mortgage, or around 10.8 million homes, down from 12.1 million last year, were worth less than the outstanding balance at the end of June, the Journal said, citing data from CoreLogic.
Under the proposal, Fannie and Freddie would be allowed to charge higher rates to borrowers in order to compensate for the risk of guaranteeing refinanced loans that are underwater and more likely to result in default.
Officials at the U.S. Treasury could not be reached for comment by Reuters outside of regular U.S. business hours.
Combined with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy loans and repackage them as securities for investors, Washington's footprint in the market has grown to account for nearly nine of every 10 mortgages.
(Reporting by Sakthi Prasad in Bangalore; Editing by Matt Driskill)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-may-expand-mortgage-refinance-program-wsj-044658141--sector.html
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LONDON (AP) ? Britain's royal family is attending Christmas Day church services ? with a few notable absences.
Wearing a turquoise coat and matching hat, Queen Elizabeth II arrived at St. Mary Magdelene Church on her sprawling Sandringham estate in Norfolk. She was accompanied in a Bentley by granddaughters Beatrice and Eugenie.
Her husband, Prince Philip, walked from the house to the church with other members of the royal family.
Three familiar faces were missing from the family outing. Prince William is spending the holiday with his pregnant wife Kate and his in-laws in the southern England village of Bucklebury. Prince Harry is serving with British troops in Afghanistan.
Later Tuesday, the queen will deliver her traditional, pre-recorded Christmas message, which for the first time will be broadcast in 3D.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/britains-royal-family-attends-christmas-services-120550720.html
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NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Federal prosecutors scored big victories over the past two years in a quest to pluck bad police officers from the streets of New Orleans. But legal issues and recent stumbles by the U.S. attorney raise questions about whether criminal convictions of officers will stick.
Convicted former police officer David Warren won a new trial last week in the fatal shooting of Henry Glover, whose body turned up in a burned-out car behind a river levee days after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said Warren, who fired the shot that killed Glover, should have been tried separately from others charged in the case. The court also granted another of the defendants a re-trial based on new evidence.
The rulings will likely prompt appeals in other cases, including the 2011 convictions of five police officers in connection with a post-Katrina shooting on the city's Danziger Bridge that killed two unarmed civilians and wounded four others.
"Defense lawyers can smell blood in the water," said law professor Dane Ciolino of Loyola University New Orleans. "I wouldn't be surprised to see the Danziger defendants make an argument of improper failure to sever (their cases from others) as their appeals move forward."
Along with such legal issues, the city of New Orleans faces the possibility that more than a dozen post-Katrina convictions won by federal prosecutors and a big public corruption case still in the works may be endangered by revelations of possible misconduct in the U.S. attorney's office.
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten resigned on December 6 in the throes of a scandal in which members of his inner circle admitted to posting online comments, under pseudonyms, on a public message board about cases the office was prosecuting. In addition to Letten, three members of his staff who were connected with the comments have left the office.
The Danziger Bridge defendants are already seeking new trials based on negative comments about police that they say prosecutors posted on the message boards.
In an unrelated case, a former high-ranking elected official from a suburban New Orleans jurisdiction who recently pleaded guilty to public corruption charges now is asking a federal judge to reconsider the plea in light of perceived prosecutorial misconduct.
'PUBLIC OFFICIAL A'
Among other cases that could be affected, federal prosecutors appear close to bringing charges against former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin on suspicion he accepted bribes from business owners in exchange for funneling city contracts to the businesses.
Several Nagin associates have signed plea deals with the government and submitted affidavits detailing the arrangements they had with a high-ranking city official identified in filings as "Public Official A."
While Nagin is not named in the documents, attorneys for at least two of the businessmen have made it clear that Public Official A is Nagin.
How serious the misconduct issue may become for the government is a question of evidence, said former U.S. Attorney Harry Rosenberg. The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility is scrutinizing the matter and an independent investigation ordered by a judge was under way.
"The results will tell defense counsel whether they have reasonable opportunities to pursue new trials or dismissals of indictments," Rosenberg said.
He pointed to the success in the case of the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, whose lawyers contested his 2008 conviction for failing to report gifts from a well-connected business executive by showing that the government failed to disclose evidence. Ultimately, the U.S. attorney general asked that the charges against Stevens be dropped.
Still, Rosenberg said proving that prosecutorial misconduct occurred in New Orleans was a long shot. Defense lawyers in some federal cases were "feeling energized," he said, but the Justice Department's convictions nearly always stick.
"I suspect that the number of motions granted based upon prosecutorial misconduct are a fraction of a fraction of 1 percent," he said.
Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche said it was important to local citizens that the police officer convictions won by federal prosecutors in recent years stick.
"For too long the public has lost faith in the criminal justice system, and they're starting to see that faith restored," he said.
Noting that the civil rights cases brought by the Justice Department generally are too complex and expensive to be handled by local authorities, he said action by federal prosecutors is crucial to building support for local law enforcement.
"People need to see that if you betray the public trust, there will be a consequence," he said.
(Editing by Corrie MacLaggan, Vicki Allen and Xavier Briand)
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Most Popular Diets of 2012
Michael Phelps' 12,000-calorie-a-day training diet and Beyonce's maple syrup cleanse may top Google's list of the 10 most-searched diets of 2012, but the popular website Diets in Review.com found that when people want to get serious about weight loss, ?
See all stories on this topic ?
Source: http://health-fitness.holidayinndeals.net/?p=2297
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JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? A chipped street mural in South Africa's Soweto township depicts stations in the life of Nelson Mandela, each matched by a portrait of the global icon as he advanced from robust youth to old age. Now this infirm giant of history faces a struggle with mortality, its duration unknown but its outcome certain.
There may be no living figure so revered around the world as a symbol of sacrifice and reconciliation, his legacy forged in the fight against apartheid, the system of white minority rule that imprisoned him for 27 years.
As an idea, Mandela is monumental. As a 94-year-old man, he is frail and vulnerable, in hospital since Dec. 8, shielded from outside scrutiny by protective relatives and the South African government and military.
"He's sick. What can we do? He's sick," said Beauty Sedunedi, a Soweto resident who described Mandela as a hero. "People are crying, 'Oh, he mustn't die, he mustn't...' If God says 'come,' he'll come."
The former president would probably agree with that down-to-earth sentiment, as a man who is said to have been uncomfortable with his iconic status. The narrative of what he endured and what he contributed in the name of all South Africans tends to eclipse any personal failings, or shortcomings as a president when he took office for a five-year term after the country's first democratic elections in 1994. The country today struggles with poverty and inequality, but Mandela is widely credited with helping to avert race-driven chaos as South Africa emerged from apartheid.
He was diagnosed with a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital, and the South African presidency said Monday that Mandela would spend Christmas Day there. The physical decline of Mandela, who boxed in his youth and exercised regularly in prison, could be anyone's story; an ordinary man would make this wistful journey alone, or within the cocoon of family intimacy.
In the case of a man-turned-myth, however, the media, the government and the nation are passengers on what has become an awkward ride, defined by tension between the right to medical privacy and the public's interest.
"They were very secretive about his health," Sebastian Moloi, another resident of the Johannesburg township of Soweto, said of the government's initial, sometimes contradictory pronouncements about Mandela's condition. "They shouldn't keep it away from the public."
Moloi spoke outside Regina Mundi, a Catholic church that was a center of protests and funeral services for activists during the apartheid years. He said Mandela was the "godfather" of South Africa, but objected to extreme discretion about Mandela's hospital stay, saying: "He gets enough privacy in his home."
Officials have reported that Mandela has steadily improved, but warn the situation is inherently uncertain because of his age. The media has urged the government to provide regular updates or briefings with doctors. Dire rumors have swirled on social media, angering Mac Maharaj, the presidency's spokesman.
"Why are there no voices raised in our society against the human depravity manifested in such rumors?" Eyewitness News, a South African media outlet, quoted Maharaj as saying. "It has become a matter of concern. Is it not time for all of us to look at ourselves in the mirror?"
In fact, Mandela's public image has been closely managed for a long time. He has not been seen on a major stage since South Africa hosted the World Cup football tournament in 2010, and his meetings have become increasingly rare.
In August, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Mandela at his home in the village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province. An Associated Press photographer who accompanied Clinton said the former leader appeared "fragile although also happy," and seemed pleased to see his visitor.
"After some deliberation, at the last moment, I was allowed inside to photograph them together. While I was in the room I never heard him say a word or hardly even move," photographer Jacquelyn Martin wrote in an email. She described how aides encouraged Mandela to smile for the camera and remarked fondly to him on what a beautiful smile he had. They called him "Madiba," which is Mandela's clan name, a term of affection.
"He scarcely moved and was a whisper of the legend," Martin wrote. She said Mandela was seated in a corner with a blanket over his legs and a newspaper in his lap. His wife, Graca Machel, was also there.
In 2009, British journalist David James Smith met the Nobel laureate while working on "Young Mandela," a book that sought, in part, to humanize the man by examining reports about his often conflicted family life.
In an email, Smith said he was required to sign a document promising he would not ask "direct questions," take photos or ask Mandela to endorse any products.
"He was sitting in his huge office behind a massive desk and seemed slightly shrivelled and sparrow-like in comparison with the sharp-suited giant of the 1950s I had come to know so well from my research," Smith wrote.
"He apologized for not getting up to greet me. 'My knees will not allow it.' I struggled to get a conversation going for a few minutes until I told him I had been to Qunu and met his 'brother' Sitsheketshe, who had been brought up with Mandela as his brother after his own parents had died."
Smith recounted: "'Ah, Sitsheketshe!' he boomed. 'Do you know the story of how he came to live with my family?' I did but said I didn't and off he went ... He seemed mortal and ordinary and that I think is one of the reasons why, though not a saint, he is a very great human being."
Sitsheketshe Morris Mandela, Nelson's cousin, died this year at the age of 80.
History offers rough parallels for Mandela and the movement to safeguard his legacy as he approaches the end of his life. Men of his stature ? American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and Indian independence leader Mohandas K. Gandhi ? were assassinated while actively engaged in their callings. Tragedy elevated their reputations.
The Soweto mural marks Mandela's birth in 1918; the Rivonia trial that led to his conviction for sabotage in 1964; the 1990 release from prison; the 1993 awarding of the Nobel peace prize to Mandela and the last white ruler, F.W. de Klerk; Mandela's 1994 election as South Africa's first black president; and his 90th birthday in 2008.
Truly, a momentous life. Yet Mandela, whose image adorns South African banknotes and statues and whose name was bestowed on buildings and squares, found ambiguity in it. In a passage described as part of an unpublished sequel to his autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom," he wrote:
"One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image that I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint. I never was one, even on the basis of an earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying."
Reflecting on his 2009 meeting, Smith said in an interview that Mandela still retained his spark of charisma, "the glint of mischief that he had that people were so charmed by, presidents and paupers."
But he added: "You can imagine that must be almost gone now."
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/south-africa-world-watches-mandelas-struggle-160632980.html
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This post is meant to be helpful for all levels of SEO expertise. You can also find DIYSEO posts classified by level of expertise on the following pages:
With only a few days before Christmas, everyone is rushing to finish up before starting their holidays, but that?s no excuse to miss out on this week?s best posts and news items. Let?s get started, shall we? (And happy holidays to you and yours.)
Beginner SEO and Marketing
Marketing Manual ? Marketing Plan Guide ? Small Business Marketing Plans.com gave readers a huge present. They published a number of simple templates to help you get your business off the ground successfully. If you like this template, you might also want to check out the one they did on marketing strategies.
Content Marketing: A Beginning Checklist ? And while we?re on the topic of checklists, try this one out from V3. (And if you?ve already started your content marketing, read it anyway, since it?s filled with some powerful tips.)
Here?s Why I Think Foursquare Can be a Major Local Search Player ? A short time ago, we mentioned some of the changes Foursquare made to its platform. We wondered if they were a good thing. Well, according to Matt McGee, those changes may be ideal for the platform, search engines, users and businesses.
Intermediate SEO, Marketing & Business Tips
5 Trends in Coupon Marketing for 2013 ? If you?re in need of some fresh, new marketing ideas, you may want to have a look at some of the ideas Shashi Bellamkonda shared with Small Business Trends? readers. You might also want to consider Square Mobile Gift Cards.
5 Reasons Why Companies Are Challenged by Content Creation & How to Fix ? While creating content seems simple at first, anyone who has done it for any length of time will tell you that looks can be deceiving. Lee Odden looked at why content creation can be so hard and what you can do about it. Advanced SEO, Marketing & Business Links
What Job Are Your Customers Hiring Your Products to Perform? ? Having trouble marketing your products or creating content for them? You might be looking at them the wrong way. If so, this video crowdSPRING covered this week will be a huge help.
Marketing Data: Using Predictive Analytics to Make Sense of Big Data ? Data itself is useless. It?s how you use it that matters, and predictive analytics has the potential to make big changes in how you do business (and how you see the role of your company in the lives of your customers).
Great Posts Published This Week Everyone Should Check Out
Nielsen Report Shows Explosive Pinterest Growth? V3 looked at Nielsen?s State of the Media: Social Media Report 2012 this week. The findings aren?t exactly a surprise, but you might find some of the other findings and information in the report helpful when planning your 2013 social media campaign. Instagram created huge waves this week when it tweaked its terms of service and the blogosphere had plenty to say on the subject:
Apple Finally Allows Google Maps to Return to iOS ? If Apple Maps made you grit your teeth, you can rejoice in this latest news from Apple. It?s another reason you should be appearing in Google Maps if you have a brick and mortar business.
Google Forces Raven Tools to Kill Off Ranking Tool ? Big news in the SEO industry this week came from Raven International Marketing Tools. They had to kill their popular rank tool. They aren?t (and won?t be) the only tool provider that will need to make this choice, either. You can learn more about the situation on iNeedHits.
November Search Share: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ? November?s search share numbers gave Bing an early Christmas gift. (And in case you?re interested, Google released its list of top searches and trends for 2012 this week.)
Google Increases Transparency Around Click Fraud ? Google also announced this week that it will be offering Adsense users a new method of reporting click fraud. It will also provide users with additional information about the fraud and how to fix it.
Source: http://blog.diyseo.com/2012/12/small-businessnews-12-24-2012/
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The builder of a fantastical fortress in the Mojave Desert has been sentenced to jail for failing to pay for the demolition of his life's work. Why art isn't sacred in the eyes of code enforcers.
By Patrik Jonsson,?Staff writer / December 22, 2012
EnlargeThe bearded builder of "Phonehenge West," a structure that became a famed piece of Mojave Desert folk art, is heading to jail after a Los Angeles County judge found he wasn't paying enough toward the demolition of the fortress.
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Los Angeles County charged builder Alan Kimble "Kim" Fahey $82,000 last year to demolish the structure, which included a 70-foot tower, stained-glass windows, a working windmill, and a replica of a Viking house in Antelope Valley, some 50 miles north of Los Angeles. This week, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Daviann Mitchell sentenced him to 539 days in jail after raising doubts about his inability to make payments on the bill.
The judge's decision has sparked outrage among Fahey supporters, who claimed the structure should have been protected as a unique example of American folk art. But citing administrative law, most pointedly requirements that county residents get prior approval before embarking on massive building projects, code enforcers refused to budge, a jury backed them up, and the judge is set on enforcing the sentence.
Mr. Fahey's lawyer is working to get him released earlier. But the plight of Phonehenge West and its builder has reverberated across the country, not only for the questions it raises about the priorities of the code enforcement system, but also how it highlights the rare breed of building artists who ply their trade across the US ? often, but not always ? unmolested.
"I've received photos of other folks' projects and tree houses ? most are being shut down and attacked. Why?" Mr. Fahey wrote on Facebook in October. "Building and Safety, Regional Planning, Inspectors, etc., will say your materials don't meet their engineering requirements, or, will charge you so much money to comply with their constantly changing rules and regulations your dreams are destroyed. Its basically COMPLY OR DIE....."
Code reform advocate David Lewis has led the charge on behalf of Fahey, outlining the plight of "Phonehenge" on Facebook. In a story before the demolition of Phonehenge last year, the LA Times wrote, "People come from all over to take pictures. Glamour magazine recently used the tower as the setting for one of its fashion spreads. Fahey hopes that Phonehenge West might one day be unearthed by archeologists, just like the English Stonehenge. But Stonehenge's creators presumably didn't have to worry about building codes."
"Kim's case was striking both by its nature and because of the visual impact of the work that he's done on his property," Mr. Lewis told the Huffington Post. Lewis has charged that Fahey is the victim of "administrative sabotage," or the county's outright refusal to entertain compromises proffered by Fahey.
In last year's jury trial, the retired phone company technician was found guilty on a dozen misdemeanor building code violations. Fahey never got building permits for the structures, and code enforcement officers said the structure was dangerous. The county had to cart away 53 tons of telephone poles and 280 tons of debris.
Tony Bell, a spokesman for Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, told the LA Times last year that desert communities spent years developing building codes to "have development standards that protect their public safety and preserve their quality of life, just like anywhere else."
But even while rogue "treehouse builders" find condemnation in community standards, they're also gaining broader acclaim, not the least through HGTV's series "Home Strange Home."
In a recent article on a Washington State building artist named SunRay Kelley, the New York Times documented how "Mr. Kelley has built perhaps 50-odd chimerical structures across the continent, from freaky folk palaces to Smurf huts."
In a Facebook post, Rhoda Bruce writes about Mr. Kelley: "the guy stands on Artistic Expression.... that's what keeps the government out of the equation. ( for now).? She then suggests to Mr. Fahey: "you could move out here to Ga. nobody snoops around too much out in the woods out here, they're afraid they may get shot... funny cause most folks are really very nice."
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