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American Airlines (AA)
American Airlines (AA)
Rentals picked up May 1, 2004 and beyond, AAdvantage members will be eligible to earn: One mile for each dollar spent on qualifying rentals.
To earn mileage in the AAdvantage program, rental must occur in a participating location WORLDWIDE. Members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program can rent at Hertz U.S. airport and downtown locations.
American Airlines reserves the right to change AAdvantage® program rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers at any time without notice, and to end the AAdvantage® program with six months notice. Any such changes may affect your ability to use the awards or mileage credits that you have accumulated. American Airlines is not responsible for products or services offered by other participating companies. For complete details about the AAdvantage® program, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage. AmericanAirlines and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.

subset: commoncrawl


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Internap Network Services moved into the public cloud realm in November with its AgileCloud, and it is now offering compute and storage services from its data centers located in key worldwide communications hubs.
Internap is known as large supplier of hosting services from its datacenters; it is responsible for the infrastructure, and its customers supply an application to run on it. Its services include both virtual servers and bare-metal servers dedicated to a single customer. It's been edging up to cloud services since it bought Voxel, with its automated management software, in late 2011.
On Nov. 21, it announced it now offers "hybridized cloud services." In its lexicon, this means it is offering customer self-service for infrastructure-as-a-service that could include multitenant hosts or bare-metal servers. Either option could be activated by customers through the OpenStack set of cloud APIs. If a customer uses Internap to build out a private cloud on bare-metal servers, it could operate with multitenant servers in a hybrid fashion. "Hybrid cloud" usually means a public cloud service working with a private cloud, often built in an enterprise datacenter.
Internap charges $0.07 an hour for a single-core, 2-GB RAM virtual server.
[Want to learn more about cloud pricing wars? See Google Attacks Amazon With Cloud Storage Prices.]
One of the most interesting features of Internap's service is Internap AgileCloud storage, a block-storage service like Amazon Web Service's Elastic Block Store (EBS). It is targeted at enterprises that make heavy use of block storage and are looking for an alternative to their on-premises equipment.
In addition to being based on OpenStack, Internap's service has other differences from Amazon's. It's based on high-speed, solid-state disks and comes with quality-of-service guarantees. Also, Internap AgileCloud storage is still only a beta service, unlike Amazon's heavily tested, fully productized EBS.
Internap's solid-state storage comes from SolidFire, which also powers solid-state memory for Colt cloud datacenters in Europe. SolidFire also supplies solid-state drives to Datapipe's Stratosphere Cloud for its high-performance services.
Internap isn't the only cloud company using solid-state storage: US cloud startup DigitalOcean uses solid-state drives to power storage in its customers' cloud servers. Also, AWS offers EC2 servers with solid state in some cases, usually its highest-end instances, such as HI1, used in large-scale MongoDB or Hadoop operations.
Solid-state storage is a relative newcomer to cloud computing because cloud architectures have been designed around the most reliable and least-expensive components. But it's more often finding its way into enterprise datacenters, and DigitalOcean and other services using solid-state storage say it has become more reliable. They also say failures of single components can be managed by a software system in the same way other hardware failures are handled in cloud operations, according to CEO Ben Uretsky.
"AgileCloud is now 100% OpenStack 'under the hood,' which provides an open, interoperable framework that helps us deliver a dramatically more scalable platform," said Raj Dutt, Internap senior VP of technology. The solid-state offering will increase Internap's competitiveness in the market, as will other specialized features, such as bare-metal servers, static IP addresses, and Layer 2 VLANS.
Internap has datacenters in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, the New York metro area, Santa Clara, Calif., and Seattle, as well as Amsterdam and other points overseas.
The crucible of cloud, big data and distributed computing is hell on systems. Will application performance management cool down complexity — or just add fuel to the fire? Also in the new, all-digital APM Under Fire special issue of InformationWeek:Cloud industry heavyweights discuss the pros and cons of OpenStack support for Amazon APIs. (Free registration required.)


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Tagged: holes
Our Hole-y Team
So I was looking at our team yesterday, and we seriously have a ton of holes. I feel like guys are slipping out of our hands so fast that we can't catch them all and they're leaving us completely empty.
Who have we lost this offseason already? Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox, Yorvit Torrealba to the Rangers, Miguel Tejada to the Giants, Kevin Correia to the Pirates, and now Tony Gwynn Jr. to the Dodgers. Plus we lost Chris Young. Our roster is looking awfully thin right now.
But we have signed pitcher Aaron Harang, and we're about to sign Dustin Moseley, who is also a pitcher. So now our rotation looks like…Mat Latos, Harang, Clayton Richard, Moseley, and Wade LeBlanc or Tim Stauffer. I don't know. It might work, but it seems like a very unstable rotation.
Well, I guess we'll have to see how things pan out. We've still got a ton of offseason left (waaaaaa), so we have a lot of time to pull a team together.
In other news, the Latest Leaders list on MLBlogs.com came out for the month of November. This blog is #5 of all fan blogs!!! I'm sooooo excited!! I think I was #5 a couple months ago, but 5 is my absolute favorite number and I'm so excited to get it again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of you for reading this blog. It's so much fun to know that you guys are reading so much that you're putting this blog in the top 5 of all fan blogs. I can't thank you enough!
Of course, I can't mention the number five without showing you THE number five:
Love you Kouz 🙂
I hope you all have a great day!!


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We've already reviewed the iPhone 3.0 firmware, nitpicking the features one by one. But in case you still haven't studied the update closely enough, here are the 10 things you should know about iPhone 3.0.
The Upgrade Rush Seems to Be Over
Before we begin with our tips, a note: Yesterday, we received countless emails about trouble downloading the 3.0 update. Today, we haven't received a single one. It seems like it's as safe as it will ever be to plug into iTunes and update the firmware—or just to call your mom and tell her the coast is clear now.
Tethering and MMS Aren't Supported Yet, But Both Are Technically Possible
Proceed at your own risk, but tethering and MMS are both possible on your AT&T-based iPhone right now, even though neither is formally available to consumers. The good news is that jailbreaking your iPhone isn't a requirement. That bad news is that you may screw up Visual Voicemail (probably a fair trade-off). More on these hacks here.
Save big with this Samsung sale
If you're ready to drop some cash on a TV, now's a great time to do it. You can score the 75-inch Samsung Q70A QLED 4K TV for a whopping $800 off. That knocks the price down to $1,500 from $2,300, which is 35% off. This is a lot of TV for the money, and it also happens to be one of the best 4K TVs you can buy right now, according to Gizmodo.
You Can Turn Off Shake to Shuffle
If you are a jogger, jump roper or even nervous twitcher, you'll find that the iPhone's new Shake to Shuffle feature may inadvertently change your track. This feature can be deactivated in the settings menu. But unfortunately, the similar Shake to Undo cannot be deactivated at this time.
Autofill Is Turned Off By Default
It's a minor point, but Autofill (which allows you to paste in name, address and phone number on webpages quickly) is by no means auto. Go into Settings -> Safari -> Autofill to activate the handy function. And if you aren't stored as a contact on your phone already, you'll need to create a personal entry from which Autofill can pull your personal information.
Download Movies, But Over Wi-Fi Only
On one hand, it's pretty neat to be able to download video through iTunes. On the other, this option isn't available over 3G (as it is with music). So it's still best to grab the last season of 30 Rock before leaving for the airport.
IMAP Mail Search Doesn't Look Beyond Subject Line
It's very convenient to search your Gmail without going to the actual website through Safari. And while that search works for To, From and Subject lines, the search "All" tab is still doesn't seem to search beyond the subject line—instead, it's probably meant to signify searching "To, From AND Subject." Maybe you were wise enough to figure that one out on your own. It took us a minute.
Push Notifications Are Supported; Push Apps Are Still Rare
While the iPhone can't multitask, Push Notifications get us halfway there. Apps like the new AIM will allow for IMs to pop up without actually being inside the AIM app. Games will allow player to player invites. But as of now, there's virtually nothing in the App Store that takes advantage of Push Notifications. So hang in there. The feature is officially here, but content hasn't arrived yet.
CalDAV May Sound Weird, But It's Useful
Maybe you don't even know/care what that the CalDAV protocol is. No problem. Basically, it's a way you can sync calendars like GCal with your iPhone calendar. And it's super easy. Go to Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendar -> Add Account... -> Other -> Add CalDAV Account. You'll need to enter the proper information (Google lists theirs here), but it's just a URL and your login info. Then open the Calendar app, which will sync in near real time with your cloud calendar.
It's Possible to Search Music In Spotlight, Or iTunes Itself
It's hard to miss the iPhone's new Spotlight Search that allows you to dig through a lot of your phone's content (Contacts, Emails, Apps and Media) instantly. But what if you're in iTunes? don't go back to the mainscreen because there's a new search bar that's a bit hidden within the music player. Just scroll up in any iTunes list (portrait mode) and the bar will be revealed.
You Need an iPhone 3GS to Get Every New Feature
Here's how you enable, Video recording, Tap to Focus photography, Compass, Nike+, Voice Control: buy an iPhone 3GS. Older handsets will not be able to check out these nifty tricks. Sorry, we didn't make the rules. Or the iPhone.


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Editor's Note: After 19 months of incessant violence, the Syrian government has agreed to a cease-fire during the four-day Eid al-Adha holiday, which begins Friday, special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said. He added that some rebels also "agreed to the principle" of a cease-fire. But whether the words lead to any kind of peace remains uncertain. Here are the latest developments:
[Updated 1:52 p.m.] At least 124 people have been killed today in Syria, including 70 in Damascus and its suburbs, the opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria said.
The opposition and the Syrian government are blaming each other for a massacre in the Damascus suburb Douma. "At least one massacre is perpetrated almost every day across the country where many men, women and children are being slaughtered; all innocent civilians killed in their own homes and in cold blood," the LCC said.
Syria said earlier that "terrorists" carried out a "massacre" in the Damascus suburb of Douma today, killing 25 people, including three children.
Also, Syria is now saying a car bomb earlier today was in the Damascus neighborhood of al-Tadamun. It killed four people and injured 11, Syria says on state-run media.
[Updated 11:26 a.m.] Syria says a car bomb exploded in the Damascus neighborhood of Daf al-Shouk, causing casualties. Officials didn't know how many people may have been hurt or killed.
[Updated 10:28 a.m.] Syria says "terrorists" carried out a "massacre" in the Damascus suburb of Douma today, killing 25 people, including three children. The opposition Local Coordination Committees of Syria says 20 people were executed by Syrian forces in Douma. It's not immediately clear if the two sides are describing the same incident.
In all, 80 people have been killed by Syrian forces today, the LCC says.
[Updated at 7:58 a.m.] The Free Syrian Army is ready to comply with a holiday ceasefire, but only if the Syrian military agrees to specific conditions, a spokesman told CNN from Aleppo, Syria.
"They need to stop the shelling on Homs, Idlib, Aleppo and every city," FSA spokesman Louai Miqdad told CNN. "The Assad military must pledge not to use drones to spy on our locations during the ceasefire and then unleash hellfire against our locations when the four days are over."
Miqdad said there were concerns about the real reason the Syrian government was agreeing to a ceasefire.
"The Assad regime wants to buy time so they can reorganize their troops and send reinforcements, taking advantage of the truce then attack with full force," Miqdad said. "We are not willing to give the regime forces a break so they can come back with more reinforcements and break our backs. We accomplished so much in the last few weeks and we are not willing to sacrifice ourselves by being the scapegoat, the weaker link who will be wiped out after a 4 days ceasefire ends."
[Updated at 6:34 a.m.] Any promise of a cease-fire is just a stalling tactic on the Syrian government's part, the opposition Syrian National Council said.
"Based on our long experience in dealing with the Assad barbaric regime, we know that the Syrian government is just buying time and playing on words," the group's spokesman George Sabra said in a phone call from Paris. "The whole world knows that the Syrian regime cannot be trusted and doesn't have any credibility in fulfilling any promise that they make to anyone."
[Updated at 6 a.m.]In an email sent from the Syrian foreign affairs ministry, Jihad Makdissi said: "The issue of halt of the military operations during the Eid al-Adha holiday is still under study by the General Command of the Military and the armed forces. A final decision will be issued tomorrow in this regard".
[Posted at 5:41 a.m.] U.N special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi said the Syrian government has agreed to a ceasefire during the Eid al-Adha holiday, adding that some opposition armed groups that he had been able to contact had "agreed to the principle" of a ceasefire.
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha begins Friday.
Brahimi was speaking at a press conference in Cairo, after a recent visit to Damascus.


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Newer Antidepressants Work Equally Well, Study Finds
Dec. 5, 2011 — Newer antidepressants are all about equally effective, according to a new analysis, but that doesn't mean they work the same way for everyone.
"Contrary to drug industry claims, scientific evidence does not support the choice of one drug over another based solely on better effectiveness," says researcher Gerald Gartlehner, MD, MPH, a clinical epidemiologist at Danube University in Austria.
Gartlehner and his team analyzed studies that compared popular newer antidepressants such as Celexa (citalopram), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Zoloft (sertraline), and others. They did find differences among the medicines for side effects such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain, and in how quickly the medications took effect.
The study is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. It was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Tracking the Newer Antidepressants
Most newer antidepressants prescribed to treat major depressive disorder are the so-called second-generation drugs. They work by affecting levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin or norepinephrine.
More than 16% of adults will be affected with major depressive disorder at some point, the researchers write.
Experts have debated which of the newer antidepressants are most effective. "Many individual studies have compared antidepressants for the treatment of depression," Gartlehner tells WebMD. "The results of the individual studies are mixed and sometimes contradictory, which can make it difficult for consumers to understand and interpret the results."
The researchers found 234 previously published, scientifically sound studies on antidepressants. They re-evaluated the results.
They looked at studies that compared two drugs to each other or a drug to a placebo. The majority of the studies, 77%, were funded by pharmaceutical companies. Some of the researchers also report consultant work for Novartis and for Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Among the findings:
- Overall effectiveness did not differ much among the drugs.
- 37% of people with acute depression who took the drugs did not improve by six or 12 weeks.
- 53% did not recover fully from depression.
Newer Antidepressants: Differences
Side effects did differ. Overall, 63% of those on the medications had at least one negative effect. Most common:
- Weight gain
- Sexual problems
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Tremor
There weren't enough data to draw conclusions about differences among the medications concerning some side effects, such as suicidal thoughts. The researchers say suicide is "relatively rare" and affects one in 8,000 patients treated with the drugs. They agree with an FDA analysis that finds the risk increases in children and young adults but not in people older than age 24 who take the drugs.
In seven studies, Wellbutrin was linked with less sexual dysfunction than Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac, or Zoloft.
Remeron (mirtazapine) was associated with greater weight gain than Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft in seven studies.
"Mirtazapine in particular has a high risk for weight gain," Gartlehner says. However, he says, weight loss can accompany depression, so for some patients this could be an advantage.
Remeron worked faster than Celexa Paxil, Prozac, or Zoloft in seven studies.
Other second-generation antidepressants approved in the U.S. include Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Serzone (nefazodone), Desyrel (trazodone), and Effexor (venlafaxine).
Choosing an antidepressant should be done after a conversation between the doctor and the patient, Gartlehner says. They should consider side effects, costs, and other factors.
Newer Antidepressants: Perspective
The new analysis is not surprising and echoes previous work, says Philip Muskin, MD, professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and a member of the American Psychiatric Association.
Muskin reviewed the study findings for WebMD.
"I think the paper is very positive," he says. Of the second-generation drugs, he says, "They all work."
However, it's important to point out that no one drug works for everyone, he says: "So if one doesn't work, go to another."
Or if one works but causes side effects, he says it is important for the doctor and patient to talk about that and choose another.
Among patients prescribed antidepressants, he says, sexual problems and weight gain are at the top of the list of feared side effects.


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PORTLAND, Maine — Maine made history Tuesday when it became the first state in the nation to approve same-sex marriage by voter referendum.
At 2 a.m. Wednesday, with 456 — or 62 percent— of 578 precincts reporting, there were 286,484 votes, or 53.3 percent, in favor of Question 1 and 250,809 votes, or 46.7 percent, opposed.
Matt McTighe, campaign manager for Mainers United for Marriage, which supports Question 1, declared victory just before midnight.
"Three years ago, Maine made history as the first state to pass marriage through a state legislature and have it signed into law by the governor. Maine made history again this year when we became the first state to bring a citizen's initiative to voters in support of the freedom to marry. And we have made history tonight," he told about 1,000 cheering supporters at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. "For the first time, we have won marriage at the ballot box."
Carroll Conley, co-chairman of Protect Marriage Maine, which opposed Question 1, conceded in a statement emailed to the media about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday.
"When we started this campaign, we stated marriage was in trouble in our country," he said. "The problems that have weakened this critical institution started long before this attempt to redefine it. We made the case for traditional marriage, but we are terribly disappointed we were unable to convince enough voters to hold onto the value of traditional marriage for society.
"We genuinely fear for the consequences we raised during the campaign. The fact remains, marriage still needs to be strengthened and promoted for future generations," he continued. "We call upon the faith community to focus its resources on marriage — the basic building block of civilization."
Conley said earlier that the vote did not appear to be going in his side's favor and the campaign was "concerned." He also said it lost Biddeford and Lewiston, two cities that voted to repeal gay marriage three years ago.
McTighe said same-sex couples should be able to obtain marriage licenses before the end of the year. The law passed Tuesday goes into effect 30 days after the governor and Maine secretary of state certify the election results.
Jen Hillstrom, 49, and Kimm Collins, 52, both of Falmouth, have been a couple for more than a decade. In 2003, they went to Vermont for a civil union ceremony. Seven years later, they were married there.
"Maine is our home and so we are ecstatic that we can finally get married at home," Collins said after victory was announced in Portland. "Marriage matters to all Maine families and the good people of Maine recognized that and we are grateful."
"It's a thrill to finally know that people's hearts and minds can change," Hillstrom said. "We are honored to live in this state. Maine made history today."
Collins said they plan to marry in Maine in 2014 because "one needs time to plan these things."
McTighe said factors contributing to Tuesday's victory included having the question on the ballot during a presidential election, when turnout is highest, and the three years proponents had to plan and execute a winning strategy.
"Tonight, here in Maine, we proved that voters can change their hearts and minds if we tell our stories and give our fellow citizens a personal connection to the countless families whose lives are impacted by this debate," McTighe said. "To all the states out there that have seen marriage stripped away or blocked at the ballot box, take hope from the change that's taken place over the last three years in Maine."
Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, based in Washington, D.C., called Maine's decision on Question 1 "a landmark election for marriage equality, and we will forever look back at this year as a critical turning point in the movement for full citizenship for [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people."
"We are thrilled for all Maine families and for the dedicated campaign that led this effort through to the end," he said in statement issued moments after McTighe announced victory. "As we celebrate victory tonight, we know we have added momentum to ensure that this victory is soon felt in every corner of this country."
Re-elected 1st District U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree left her own victory party to greet Question 1 supporters in Portland. Pingree said one of her proudest moments as a representative from Maine was when she voted to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." That policy prevented members of the U.S. Armed Forces from being discharged for being openly gay or lesbian.
Former Gov. John Baldacci also stopped in at supporters' election night party in Portland. In 2009 Baldacci signed into law a bill passed by the Legislature to allow same-sex marriage in Maine. It was repealed that same year in a people's veto referendum by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent.
Outside the crowded ballroom, Baldacci said if the referendum passed, it would not be his legacy but part of the state's legacy.
"I want to say how proud I am of the people of Maine for being open to listening to the conversation over the past year," he said. "There is something in the air and the water of the state of Maine that makes people fight for what's right."
Conley said he was proud of how his side had conducted the campaign.
"We believe we've conducted this campaign in an honorable way, in a respectful way," he said. "Now we just have to wait."
The Rev. Marvin Ellison, a professor at Bangor Theological Seminary and a member of the board of directors of the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination, disagreed.
"That may have been the intention, but I don't think that was the actual result," Ellison said. "I think the campaign stirred up people's fears unnecessarily that somehow religious freedom would be jeopardized if same-sex couples could marry. I think there are real differences among people of faith [on this issue], but I also know people of faith [who] support the freedom to allow same-sex couples to marry do that in good faith."
The total amount of money raised and spent by the Question 1 campaigns this year won't be known until Dec. 18, when the final financial reports are due to the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices in Augusta.
In 2009, the campaign that wanted the law to remain in place spent about $4 million compared to the $2.5 million spent by those who wanted to repeal it. Earlier this year, supporters of same-sex marriage predicted they would spend between $4 million and $5 million on the campaign. Opponents said they would raise less than half of that.
During the most recent reporting period, Oct. 1-23, Mainers United for Marriage raised about $964,000. As of Oct. 23, supporters of gay marriage had raised a total of $4.3 million. The largest contributor for the period was the Human Rights Campaign Fund, based in Washington, D.C., which gave the campaign more than $300,000.
Protect Marriage Maine raised nearly $950,000 during the same period, bringing its total to $1.4 million. It received $800,000 in first three weeks of October from the National Organization for Marriage, based in Washington, D.C., and another $100,000 from the Knights of Columbus.
After the 2009 repeal, proponents of gay marriage began planning for a statewide vote in 2012. They gathered signatures to put the referendum on the ballot in August 2011. They were required to gather at least 57,277 valid signatures, or 10 percent of the total number of people who cast ballots for governor in the last gubernatorial election.
Advocates turned in petitions from 453 towns and cities on Jan. 26, 2012. Of the 96,137 signatures submitted, 10,921 were determined to be invalid, the Secretary of State's Office said in February when it announced the issue would be on the Nov.6 ballot.
In New England, same-sex marriage is allowed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont, and civil unions for same-sex couples are allowed in Rhode Island. Other states that permit same-sex marriage are New York and Iowa, along with Washington, D.C.
At least two of three other states considering same-sex marriage questions Tuesday voted in favor of the initiatives. In Washington and Maryland, voters approved bills to legalize same-sex marriage by rejecting bids to veto laws passed by those states' legislatures. A measure in Minnesota that would define marriage as between one man and one woman was too close to call as of 1 a.m. Wednesday.
"Those who oppose the freedom to marry for committed couples are clearly on the wrong side of history," said Rick Jacobs, founder and chairman of a pro-same-sex marriage organization called the Courage Campaign, in a press release. "More and more voters are coming to know that gay people are our neighbors, our co-workers, our fellow parishioners, our family and our friends."
Before Tuesday's vote in Maine, in the states where same-sex marriage is allowed, the laws had all come through either court orders or legislative votes, not through a statewide popular vote.
In February, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill to allow same-sex marriage in that state. A constitutional ban on gay marriage passed in North Carolina on May 8.
BDN writer Christopher Cousins contributed to this report.


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Declaration of Independence signer's Kingston home for sale
Josiah Bartlett home listed in National Registry of Historic Places
The home of Declaration of Independence signer Josiah Bartlett is up for sale after remaining in the family for seven generations.
Click to take a tour of the home.
Bartlett built the colonial mansion in 1775 on 17 sprawling acres in Kingston to house his 12 children. A monument in front of the home describes Bartlett as a doctor, a statesman, a governor of New Hampshire and founder of the state's medical society.
"He's my great, great, great, great-grandfather," said Bartlett descendant Ruth Albert.
Albert has lived at the home since the 1950s. She and her husband have been caretakers of the home, but with no family able to take it over, she has made the bittersweet decision to sell it.
"I feel like it's my responsibility to make sure it goes forward with the best stewardship possible, and I feel like I have a little bit of say in the matter," Albert said.
Bartlett arrived in 1750 to be the area's doctor. The house still contains some of his belongings.
"And this was his little black bag," Albert said. "This was used by him, and that's what he took on horseback with him."
Bartlett signed the Declaration of Independence right after John Hancock. When he returned from the signing, he brought back a linden tree sapling that has since grown into a tree that dominates the front lawn.
"And we always have said if it's just coincidence or if it's one of the reasons Josiah picked the linden tree, because it blossoms right around the Fourth of July," Albert said.
A lot has stayed the same in the house. There are still fireplaces in many of the rooms. It was modernized a bit in the mid-1800s, though electric and water wasn't added until 1950.
Albert said she will move to a smaller home on 3 adjacent acres.
The home, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, has an asking price of $849,900.


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A large study of Danish children — 96,736 of them — indicates that a bout of flu or fever lasting a week during pregnancy may be linked to increased risk of autism. But the study, published in Pediatrics, also says the findings should be viewed cautiously until more research is done to confirm it.
Researchers from the University of Aarhus recruited the women and then called them multiple times over the course of the pregnancy and once after about new infections and medications they had taken.
A report in USA Today noted that U.S. health officials "stress that the study ... is exploratory and does not offer a specific cause of the developmental disability."
The study found that children whose mothers reported having influenza during pregnancy were twice as apt to be diagnosed with an infantile autism spectrum disorder, while children of women who reported fever lasting a week or more during pregnancy had threefold risk of being diagnosed with infantile autism.
Infantile autism is that diagnosed before age 3.
Even then, the numbers are still low: 99 percent of the women who had influenza or fever did not have a child who developed autism, lead author Dr. Hjordis Osk Atladottir told Reuters Health.
"I really want to emphasize that this is not something you should worry about," she said.
"Overall, we found little evidence that various types of mild common infectious diseases or febrile episodes during pregnancy were associated with ASD/infantile autism," the study authors wrote.
Other infections like urinary tract, the common cold, sinus infections and genital infections were not linked to higher rates of autism in the retrospective study of the children, who were born between 1997 and 2003. They did find a small increase in the incidence of autism spectrum disorder among women who used antibiotics.
Autism spectrum disorders vary greatly from person to person across a range that can be very mild to severe. The developmental disabilities can cause "significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. People with ASDs handle information in their brain differently than other people," according to the CDC fact sheet on the disorder. Types include classic autism, atypical autism and Asperger's syndrome.
"This study is really exploratory and more research needs to be done to understand how maternal infections, as well as other risk factors, influence the risk of autism spectrum disorders," Coleen Boyle, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Brain Defects and Developmental Disabilities, told USA Today. "We need to have more information to get a better sense of what's going on here."
Autism researcher Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor of environmental epidemiology at University of California Davis MIND Institute, who was not part of the study, told the newspaper that the findings were nonetheless "noteworthy" because so many mothers were interviewed during and shortly after pregnancy, when it was not known whether the child would have an autism spectrum disorder. That eliminated "recall bias," she said.
Her own earlier research had found that fever in pregnancy doubled the risk of autism or a developmental delay, but did not see an association with influenza and increased risk.
U.S. health officials emphasized that there are many reasons to treat fever and flu during pregnancy, including links to other ills, so this finding should not change how fever or flu is treated during pregnancy.
Atladottir told Reuters that some research in rodents suggests that women's activated immune cells can cross the placenta and change chemicals in a baby's brain before birth. How or if it applies to humans is unknown.
Animal studies "suggest that maternal immune infection produces long-lasting changes in the brain, including those seen in individuals on the autism spectrum," Alycia Halladay, senior director of environmental and clinical sciences at Autism Speaks, told HealthDay reporter Amanda Gardner. "Research suggests specific chemicals, called cytokines, may mediate this effect."
Cytokines, Gardner wrote, are message-carrying cells of the immune system. Atladottir speculated to her that since some cytokines can cross the placental barrier, in this cause they might be "able to alter the release of neurotransmitters and thus affect fetal brain development."
The researchers also pointed out that doctors did not confirm their reports of flu and it's possible that influenza could be mistaken for something else and vice versa.
Regardless, "It is highly recommended that women avoid infection during pregnancy, and there are a variety of very practical ways to decrease the likelihood of this," Paul Patterson, who studies the immune system and brain development at the California Institute of Technology, told Reuters.
EMAIL: email@example.com, Twitter: Loisco


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Mises Wire
Are patents stifling innovation in mobile devices?
It's easy to find examples of patent abuse but its not often to find a company that uses patents that stifle a whole industry. Such may be the case with the Apple iPhone.
I purchased an iPhone shortly after it came out, because I recognized that it was a revolutionary device. It was not a case of superior specifications, as many devices have better hardware. It didn't even run on the latest 3G network until the second generation. Rather, it was a superior design, which featured an intuitive user interface that did not try to compete on the number of features but on usability. Apple fully deserves the billions of dollars it has made and will go on to make from its device.
Yet something curious has happened. When Apple introduced the iPhone, those who recognized its revolutionary potential expected the innovations and design concepts it introduced to percolate to the rest of the industry. To an extent, that is happening, but key iPhone technologies -a capacitive touchscreen with multi-touch, a 3-axis accelerometer, proximity sensors, graphics acceleration integrated into the UI, and a number of other key innovations have not been found in competing products. Part of the reason for this has to do with the particular culture and expertise found at Apple, but its indisputable than the 200+ patents covering the iPhone have gone a long way to discouraging competitors, who offer alternatives lacking key features - until now.
Palm, the company who created the first popular PDA is coming out with the Palm Pre, the first device to brazenly infringe many of the key iPhone patents. Apple is already making threatening gestures, so an apocalyptic legal battle is almost certain. Palm is the first company to go against Apple head on because its status as the one-time leader in the PDA and mobile phone market makes it the only company capable of challenging Apple's leadership. While the Palm Pre clearly borrows ideas from the iPhone, the iPhone itself uses many of the innovations first patented by Palm as early as 1996. Today Palm is a marginalized has-been for whom the Pre is a desperate gamble to save to company, but it still has the patent portfolio of a market leader.
The question of who is the bigger infringer in this battle is besides the point. The issue is that the patent system is limiting innovation to large companies who have established sufficiently large patent portfolios to pose a credible threat of retaliatory patent lawsuits. The best that new competitors can hope for in this environment is to be aquired by the giants or to establish their own patent portfolios - rather than create products than people want to use.


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NOTE: This article comes from Rick Stanley's newsletter (2007). Since it was distributed in a format (e-mail group) which tends to corrupt the composition, paragraph structure, etc. I have tried to clean it up as best I could, without editing or changing a word of text.
But overall, I felt it was worth the effort to publish. Why? My sentiments exactly......
March 6, 2010
America The Beautiful?
By Judith Moriarty
O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
60,000 plastic bags used every five seconds
America! America! God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
America has the largest number of citizens (2.3 million) incarcerated.
Besides Wal-Mart the private (for profit) prison industry is our fastest growing industry.
O beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern, impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
Ethel, age 89, died (multitudes of others) in New Orleans's scorching heat: due to the ineptness, incompetence, and criminal negligence of local-state politicians, the Army Corp of Engineers, and the federal government. We can reach the most inaccessible rain forests for oil, dance amongst the stars, photograph the mighty Titanic (that even God couldn't sink) but we couldn't reach dying, drowning, folks in New Orleans. I note that the Blackwater's private mercenary army had no problem reaching the homes of the wealthy (unflooded) to guard them and deliver delicacies!
Hundred of whales and porpoises are beached, due to the depravity that has sonar military exercises rupturing their ear canals and brains. Millions of fish are dying in America's rivers (becoming feminized) due to corporate profits taking precedence over protecting the environment. Congress and the EPA (influenced by lobbyists) remain silent.
Where have all the children gone off to war, every one when will we ever learn?
O beautiful for halcyon skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountains majesties above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee till souls wax fair as earth and air and music-hearted sea!
Corporate industry (coal, incineration of waste, chemical plants) has poisoned the waters of the nation! Where's the 'danger stranger' alert for nature?
In the name of profit the mountains of West Virginia are being destroyed. EPA has no problem with this and Congress is per usual, oblivious (as is most of the nation).
O beautiful for pilgrims feet, whose stern impassioned stress a thoroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness.
TV was my teacher far into the night it taught me to buy everything within sight.
Till selfish gain no longer strain the banner of the free.
With billions upon billions spent on defense these past years we are made to believe that 19 men with simple $1.98 box cutters and a few lessons on antiquated crop dusters gave us a Pearl Harbor event. Lesson: We have no defense system for citizens.
O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife.
Once upon a time in a place called Paradise - Pennsylvania, evil entered in to kill innocence.
Undimmed by human tears.
O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.
Who more than self thy country loved.
War is forever for some men.Note that the tragically wounded are never used in photo-ops or lauded at the State of the Union Address! They are not pictured on any recruitment posters, announcing "An Army of One"! Our wounded, as we've read (some of us) are being treated in facilities with mold covered walls, rats and cockroaches. They (brain injured limbless) are made to maneuver through a bureaucratic nightmare of paperwork (taking up to 18 months) before they are RATED as to disability compensation. How is it that our do nothing legislators (Executive Judicial) with their obscene pension plans (yearly cost of living increases) aren't RATED?
Millions in the land are homeless and dispossessed (living in tents- cars-under bridges) due to multitudes of jobs lost to outsourcing of manufacturing-textile-IT workers to foreign lands. HUD is a disgrace with billions unaccounted for. Lesson: In times of crisis you're on your own due to many programs (no safety net) being cut to pay for the never ending war, costing approx. 2.3 billion per week (all borrowed) and interest payments on this borrowed money, $41 million an hour.
God shed his grace on thee.
Thousands of men were once employed here (Bethlehem, Steel). Our steel mills today are echoing and rusting. In the event there would be a catastrophic happening in our nation we would not be able to supply needed weaponry for defense (it's all outsourced).
May God thy gold refine till all success be nobleness and every gain divine!
Hate is pandemic, as different factions rip and tear at one another.
This serves a higher purpose; in that if the people can be kept divided in their religious extremism, environmental malaise, hatred of various races, cultures, politics, they will never come to the realization that this is a class issue with the few robbing the multitudes/destroying the earth for their insatiable greed and lust for power. Nowhere do you hear that the failed policies of various trade agreements (GATT-NAFTA-FTAA-CAFTA) and the draconian methods of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund as being the reasons for the vast exodus of economic refugees.
And crown the good with brotherhood.
The Religion of Mammon, counterfeiting as Christianity today; is a bunch of Elmer Gantry, hucksters fleecing the flock for their disgustingly obscene lifestyles. So much for emulating the life of the One born in a manger!
Our reservists and National Guard were never meant to be a standing army. These men are being sent back to Iraq over and over again until they eventually suffer terrible wounds or die. Besides being sitting ducks, in a bloodbath, they are exposed (as are the Iraqi citizens) to tons of radiated depleted uranium (first used in Bosnia, because it cuts through metal like butter). Result breakdown of immune system cancers, deformed offspring. Meantime children are given cardboard cut-outs.
As Marine General Smedly Butler ( 34 years most decorated) stated, "All war is a racket". War is ALWAYS about the conquest of another's resources/land for gain. The recent hydro carbon law in Iraq proves this as the once nationalized oil wells have now been given over to private oil companies. "The first casualty when war comes is truth". U.S. Senator Hirman Johnson There are billions of barrels of untapped resources in Iraq - thus the hysteria of staying the course. And so we have the children of one land sent to kill the children of another so that satiated corporate hollow men along with their shills, lap dogs, and compromised drones might live the good life!
And once upon a time, in a land called America, the people would come in from the farms, their mountain cabins, farms, and mill towns with their young ones to joy in the closeness of community on warm sultry summer nights. The American dream was never about grand mansions, designer wear, exotic vacations, health clubs, silicone implants, Viagra love affairs, fortress malls, boutiques, forever war, the prison industry, or slave labor junk stores.
It was about a man being able to make a living for his family. It was about a simple life of small town living, where people congregated on Main Street for the Fourth of July parade. It was about swimming holes, country lanes, fields of corn, teachers who challenged the young to greater heights (not social engineering! ), doctors (not technocrats), marshland songs, a whippoorwill, splashing streams, and woodlands with secret paths. It was about rain washed streets; where barefoot children splashed in puddles, blew magic bubbles, caught fireflies, and played hide-and-seek long into a muggy summer's night. It was about concerts in the park, the clink of milk bottles, and visits to Grandma's house; with her blue hair, flowered dress, and flour dusted apron. It was about the certainty of love with the slamming of a screen door, a child running in flowered meadows, and at days end, neighbors gathered on darkened porches, holding tight the wonderment of the day. It was about Hometown - U.S.A.
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great".
--Mark Twain


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Colorado National Monument, Colorado
"I came here last year and found these canyons, and they felt like the heart of the world to me. I'm going to stay and promote this place, because it should be a national park," said John Otto in 1907. Otto's faith and persistence paid off in 1911 when President William Howard Taft set aside 19,926 acres of steep canyon walls and giant rock formations carved over millennia by the forces of nature to establish Colorado National Monument because "extraordinary examples of erosion are of great scientific interest" (Proc. No. 1126).
Miles of trails, some forged by Otto himself, wind through deep canyons some 2000 feet above the Colorado River Valley, passing rock sculptures such as the 450 feet high Independence Monument, the park's tallest free-standing rock formation, and Balanced Rock where a 600-ton boulder maintains a precarious perch atop a pedestal rock. The park's historic Serpent's Trail, with more than 50 switchbacks, is often called the "Crookedest Road in the World." Old Gordon Trail traces an historic lumber and cattle drive route. Black Ridge Trail, the park's highest trail, offers vistas of red canyon country, mesas, and valleys beyond the park's boundaries.
The magnificent scenery, the character, and the beauty of Colorado National Monument are the result of geological processes, including erosion, landslides, rock falls, and flash floods. Many of the Colorado Plateau's physical and biological features are found along the park's 23 miles of panoramic views and overlooks, including endemic plants, hanging gardens, biological soil crusts, wetland ecosystems, native grasslands, and sagebrush lands. Visitors on foot or horseback can explore the park's 32 square miles of wild country where desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, and desert cottontails make their home. Canyon wrens, white throated swifts, and violet green swallows are just a few of the many birds who raise their young here. Golden eagles are often spotted soaring in the skies above the Rim Rock Drive. Cactus, yucca, and other flowering plants color the landscape near canyon bottoms, rock walls, and the park's occasional streams in spring and summer. Hardy pinyon, juniper and sagebrush grow in the canyon's parched desert soil.
More than 275,000 visitors a year come to Colorado National Monument for the park's spectacular scenery, for hiking, cycling, rock climbing, picknicking, and camping.
In 2005, visitors to Colorado National Monument responded to the question, "In your opinion, what is the national significance of the park?" with these comments:


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Bartram Trail - Northeast Georgia
Phone(706) 782-3320
Hours of Operation
- Monday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Tuesday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Wednesday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Thursday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Friday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Saturday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
- Sunday : 6:00am - 9:00pm
Hikers today can experience parts of William Bartram's journey along the 37-mile portion of the Bartram Trail in the Tallulah Ranger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest. This description takes up the trail from the North Carolina border and follows it south through Georgia. Northern Trail Head to Rabun Bald - 3.0 miles Flabun Bald to Saltrock Gap - 2.5 miles Saltrock Gap to Wilson Gap - 3.0 miles Wilson Gap to Courthouse Gap - 6.5 miles Courthouse Gap to Warwoman Rd. - 3.0 miles Warwoman Rd. to Chattooga River Trail - 9.0 miles Chattooga River Trail to Warwoman Ford - 3.5 miles Warwoman Ford to Highway 28 - 6.0 miles Total length: 37 miles The Northern end of the Bartram Trail begins about one mile east of the Commissioners Rock on the Georgia-North Carolina border. It heads southwest for about three miles across the headwaters of Holcomb Creek.
|Facility Amenities
|Suitable for Ages
|General Information


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While we love us some crazy French cars (the Matra Bagheera and Citröen SM spring to mind), we still can't help but wonder what incomprehensible motivations led any American to purchase a brand-new 505 as a transportation car back in 1985. Sure, they were nice cars to drive, but... well, we all know the rest of this rant by heart.
Now, you European readers are probably asking "What's the big deal about spotting an 80s 505 on the street?" It was a rare occasion when you caught sight of one of these things here even in the 80s, you see. Peugeots never sold well in the US of A; there was a brief period in the mid-70s when they sold just enough of them here to establish a firm connection between the words "Peugeot ownership" and "rapidly emptying wallet" in the popular imagination.
Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill & Driver Kit
#1 Best-seller
Comes equipped with an LED which goes on when the trigger is pulled. You'll a clear view of whatever you are drilling or screwing with minimal shadows.
These days, any American under 25 looking at that emblem is going to be mighty puzzled about what the hell it stands for.
This car is actually in pretty decent shape, but the temporary registration sticker in the rear window tells the whole story; it's probably not possible to get it to run well enough to pass the smog test. Hey, isn't that another Peugeot parked in front of this one? That tells us that the hapless owner believes that Peugeots are actually great cars, in spite of the pain they cause him or her every day. Best cars ever made, monsieur!
Pretty cool-looking wheels on this car. What do you want to bet the bolt pattern uses some totally oddball proprietary spacing? I'm surprised the lugnuts aren't heptagons, requiring a special 7-sided wrench.


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Illinois House OKs ban on cell phones while driving
Drivers would not be allowed to use their cellphones while on the road under a measure the Illinois House endorsed Friday.
The measure would force drivers to use hands-free devices or a speaker-phone feature for calls while motoring. A 64-46 vote sent the legislation to the Senate.
Such a law could prevent accidents and fatalities by keeping drivers focused on the road, supporters said.
"A hand-held cellphone is a huge distraction while driving a car," said Rep. John D'Amico, a Chicago Democrat.
D'Amico said 76 Illinois communities - including Chicago - already ban chatting and driving.
Police would be able ticket drivers holding a cellphone under the proposed legislation, which makes an exception for motorists during an emergency.
Opponents said the bill is unfair to people with hearing problems and those who can't afford high-tech gadgets such as ear pieces or telecommunications systems built into automobiles.
"Low-income individuals in the state are going to have a hard time, particularly people who are unemployed, because this is not cheap technology," said Rep. Jim Durkin, a Republican from Western Springs.
Others argued the bill represents undue government intervention into private practices. Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst, said such a law could lead to other regulations restricting motorists.
"What about shaving, eating McDonalds, having children in the back seat?" Reboletti said.
As many as 80 percent of the more than 220 million people in the United States who subscribe to wireless services use their phones while driving, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Ten states - including California, New York and West Virginia - and Washington D.C. ban hand-held phone use by all drivers.
Illinois lawmakers banned texting while driving in 2009. Since then, D'Amico said, more than 3,500 have been cited for violating the law.
Critics questioned whether that law and the potential ban on hand-held phone use will be enforced.
"Every direction you look there's people texting while driving," said Rep. Anthony DeLuca, a Democrat from Chicago Heights. "What reason do we have to believe that it's going to be enforced."
The bill is HB1247.


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The World Economic Forum, which I'm going to attend with Loic Le Meur, Mike Arrington, and a few other people, is asking people a question: how would you improve the world. More on that in a second. Loic Le Meur wrote a post about preparing for Davos.
This proves I'm not really cool, and certainly not really rich, because the really cool or rich attendees from Silicon Valley are flying over on the Google Jet (or some other corporate jet) and not sitting in coach, like we are. Yeah, yeah, I know that some people get invites to fly over on the Google Jet. I know one CEO who went on the Google jet last year, along with a group of Google execs (Google, this year, is throwing a big party at the WEF, also known simply as "Davos"). They asked people to not take pictures on the jet and not talk about it, so my source asked me not to reveal who he is. From what my source told me it's a pretty nice way to fly to Switzerland, though.
I'd love to come out with a statement that "I'm above being bought off by the Googlers and I won't accept a ride on the jet, even if offered." Unfortunately, I'm not so noble. But they probably won't invite me anyway for fears that I'll turn on my cell phone and video you what it's like.
Anyway, back to the Davos question.
My answer? Peas.
Yeah, peas.
You gotta understand that peas made Susan Reynolds world a little better (she has breast cancer, is going into surgery on Friday) and people on Twitter are changing their icons to have peas in solidarity with her. She explains the role peas played in her comfort. Susan is someone I've followed for years and she has a blog where she's talking about her experiences with breast cancer.
Plus, if the world had more peas there'd be less hungry people. So, peas is my answer and I'm sticking to it.
Give that cancer hell Susan! Or, if that doesn't work, peas will do the job.


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General Motors (GM 1.92%) is set to report its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. What should we expect?
First and foremost, what we should expect is a sharp drop from the $1.03 a share in profit reported by the General a year ago. Heavy losses overseas are likely to weigh on GM's earnings, say analysts, who estimate that GM will earn about $0.60 a share. (That translates to about $1 billion in profits.)
GM's profits have been trending in the wrong direction for several quarters now -- two years ago, still-recovering GM managed to earn $2 billion, or $1.20 a share. What's happening?
A lot of progress, but much still to do
In many ways, GM has come a long way in the last two years. Several much-improved new products have been introduced, and many more are on the way. Efforts are under way to streamline GM's global product offerings, similar to what Ford (F 2.52%) has done so successfully. The company's upper-management turmoil has settled down, and CEO Dan Akerson and his team have grown into their roles. Bureaucracy has been reduced, and the company's cumbersome product-development process has been significantly streamlined.
There's more: Good work has been done to reduce GM's worrisome pension liability. The company continues to be the market leader in China (at least for the moment), and to expand in other key emerging markets. A long-overdue systems overhaul is underway. An important plan to revitalize the Cadillac brand has taken a big step forward.
But some major problems remain, ones that will hurt GM's earnings for awhile. Chief among them: Europe.
Europe is a disaster
A protracted economic slump in the region has dropped new-car sales to a near-two-decade low, with little hope of a meaningful recovery any time soon. GM lost $361 million in the region in the second quarter and is likely to post heavy losses for at least a few more quarters. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas expects GM Europe's losses to exceed $500 million this time around.
Ford last week announced a dramatic overhaul of its own money-losing European operation, with three plants set to close and several new-to-Europe products on the way. Despite nearly a year of talk about fixing its European subsidiary, German automaker Opel, and ongoing negotiations with Opel's unions, little in the way of action has been announced -- and any action that would make a difference, like factory closings, could take several years to implement.
GM did announce an alliance with money-losing French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen (OTC: PEUGY) earlier this year. The plan is for Peugeot and Opel to jointly purchase parts, hopefully saving as much as $2 billion a year. The plan appeared to move forward last week with news that the two would jointly develop and produce several vehicles on four shared platforms -- but again, real-world savings are still years away.
It's frustrating for GM shareholders to watch Ford take action while the General appears to dither. However, it's possible that a more dramatic plan is quietly in the works -- for instance, to put Opel and Peugeot's carmaking operations into a new joint-venture in which GM would take a minority interest, removing Opel from GM's balance sheet. That could be a smart solution -- but whether it will happen remains to be seen.
What to look for on Wednesday
Obviously, any news on GM's plans for Europe will be important. Beyond that, keep an eye on details on the company's margins in North America, where incentives have remained higher than most competitors. Last quarter, Akerson expressed optimism that GM's South American operation was on an upswing, despite the fact that it essentially broke even. Look for signs of progress on that front.
What else? Any further progress on GM's pension liability will be welcome -- while CFO Dan Ammann has resolved concerns around GM's U.S. plan for salaried workers, its much larger hourly workers' plan needs similar attention.
But Europe is GM's biggest worry right now. I suspect Akerson will have a lot to say on that front on Wednesday.


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East Coast braces for monster 'Frankenstorm'
WASHINGTON - The pre-Halloween hybrid weather monster that federal forecasters call "Frankenstorm" is looking more ominous by the hour for the East Coast, and utilities and local governments are getting ready.
Meteorologists expect a natural horror show of high wind, heavy rain, extreme tides and maybe snow to the west beginning early Sunday, peaking with the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday and lingering past Halloween on Wednesday.
With a rare mix of three big merging weather systems over a densely populated region, experts predict at least $1 billion in damage.
The stage is set as Hurricane Sandy, having blown through Haiti and Cuba, continues to barrel north. A wintry storm is chugging across the country from the west. And frigid air is streaming south from Canada.
And if they meet Tuesday morning around New York or New Jersey, as forecasters predict, they could create a big, wet mess that settles over the nation's most heavily populated corridor and reaches as far west as Ohio.
Utilities are lining up out-of-state work crews and canceling employees' days off to deal with expected power outages. From county disaster chiefs to the federal government, emergency officials are warning the public to be prepared. And President Barack Obama was briefed aboard Air Force One.
"It's looking like a very serious storm that could be historic," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground. "Mother Nature is not saying, 'Trick or treat.' It's just going to give tricks."
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster Jim Cisco, who coined the nickname Frankenstorm, said: "We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting."
Government forecasters said there is a 90 percent chance - up from 60 percent two days earlier - that the East will get pounded.
Coastal areas from Florida to Maine will feel some effects, but the storm is expected to vent the worst of its fury on New Jersey and the New York City area, which could see around 5 inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph. Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and western Virginia could get snow.
And the storm will take its time leaving. The weather may not start clearing in the mid-Atlantic until the day after Halloween and Nov. 2 in the upper Northeast, Cisco said.
"It's almost a weeklong, five-day, six-day event," he said from a NOAA forecast center in College Park, Md. "It's going to be a widespread, serious storm."
It is likely to hit during a full moon, when tides are near their highest, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. And because many trees still have their leaves, they are more likely to topple in the event of wind and snow, meaning there could be widespread power outages lasting to Election Day.
Eastern states that saw outages that lasted for days after last year's freak Halloween snowstorm and Hurricane Irene in late August 2011 are already pressuring power companies to be more ready this time.
Asked if he expected utilities to be more prepared, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick responded: "They'd better be."
Jersey Central Power & Light, which was criticized for its response to Irene, notified employees to be ready for extended shifts. In Pennsylvania, PPL Corp. spokesman Michael Wood said, "We're in a much better place this year."
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday said the city was striking a tone of calm preparedness.
"What we are doing is we are taking the kind of precautions you should expect us to do, and I don't think anyone should panic," Bloomberg said. The city has opened an emergency situation room and activated its coastal storm plan.
Some have compared the tempest to the so-called Perfect Storm that struck off the coast of New England in 1991, but that one hit a less populated area. Nor is this one like last year's Halloween storm, which was merely an early snowfall.
"The Perfect Storm only did $200 million of damage and I'm thinking a billion" this time, Masters said. "Yeah, it will be worse."
As it made its way across the Caribbean, Sandy was blamed for more than 20 deaths. The 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season hit the Bahamas after cutting across Cuba, where it tore roofs off homes and damaged fragile coffee and tomato crops.
Norje Pupo, a 66-year-old retiree in Holguin, was helping his son clean up early Thursday after an enormous tree toppled in his garden.
"The hurricane really hit us hard," he said. "As you can see, we were very affected. The houses are not poorly made here, but some may have been damaged."


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Luxembourg #487 MNH
Luxembourg #487
Release date: 1970
Condition: MNH
Some abbreviations used used are:
MNH –> Mint Non-Hinged
MH —-> Mint Hinged
CTO —> Cancelled to Order
Used —> Used
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Philips and O'Neill Announce New Headphone Collection
Two pioneers of lifestyle innovation, Philips and O'Neill, have joined forces to launch a line of headphones designed to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle: the new premium line of Philips | O'Neill Headphones gives you long-lasting durability and complete comfort so you can enjoy the music that fuels you every day, for as long as you want, no matter what you put them through.
The high performance Philips | O'Neill Headphones were tested on the toughest O'Neill team riders and specifically designed around the demands of those who live life to the fullest. They will never let you down, wherever you take them or however energized the sounds or action they accompany.
The Philips | O'Neill Headphone collection features four different styles, each completely unique and simple in design, yet able to withstand the challenges of the most dynamic active lifestyle.
Inspired by the heavy-duty materials and styling of wetsuit materials, The Stretch headphones – the toughest in the new line-up – delivers high performance. Both impact and high stress-crack resistant, it retains flexibility and strength for a whole new level in headphone resilience.
All models in the Philips | O'Neill Headphones range offer something for the most active and toughest lifestyles. The Snug model does it all in style: a set of imposing flat-folding, headphones that deliver flawless fit and sound with bold graphics. The in-ear selection includes The Covert, a discreet bud with deceptively powerful sound impact and iPhone control, while The Specked includes a range of three striking colored in-ear buds, with tough yet stylish tangle-free cords for longer listening experiences.
Nick Andrews, Senior Manager, Consumer Marketing at Philips, comments: "This range realizes the synergies of Philips simplicity and innovation and O'Neill's set of core values based around the concept of innovation in style and technology. Our new Headphones are totally uncompromising in their durability – because they've been tested on our test animals: the toughest O'Neill riders, the most uncompromising and daring boarders around."
Eppo van Berckelaer, Global Marketing Director at O'Neill, said: "O'Neill and Philips share a long and successful history of product innovation, working to create products that allow people to get the most out of their lives. Knowing how important music is to the lives of our consumers, I now encourage everyone to get out there and test the headphones for themselves."
The Philips | O'Neill campaign will be spearheaded by selected O'Neill team riders, including 9-time Big Mountain Rider of the Year Jeremy Jones, fearless big wave surfer Mark Mathews and two-time Freeride World Tour Champion Ane Enderud. As three of their sports' toughest and most enduring champions, these riders have put the headphones to the ultimate test in the context of their own unique and demanding lifestyles.
In addition to launching at IFA, the headphones will be showcased during the Deeper movie premiere tour in October and November. Guests at these events will be treated to a headphone-enabled 'Deeper Listening Experience' in Amsterdam, Los Angeles and New York City during the screening of Jeremy Jones' groundbreaking freeride snowboarding movie.
The new Philips | O'Neill Headphones will be available at retail stores throughout Europe and the US from September 2010.
About O'Neill
O'Neill, the original Californian surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O'Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Pioneering the world's first neoprene wetsuit, Jack had successfully found a way to extend his surf sessions in the bone-chilling breaks of Northern California. He opened up the garage doors to his first surf shop in Santa Cruz soon after. While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack's initial vision of producing functional and innovative boardriding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O'Neill's set of core values – innovation in style and technology – has seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of action sports. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and surf leash, to the world's first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O'Neill's spirit of innovation will always drive the company forwards.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.


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30A Dawn Till Dusk Bonfires
The Ideal Way to Enjoy the Beach, a Glowing Bonfire and Refreshing Gulf Winds!
Looking for a wholesome family night or memorable special event on the beaches of 30a and PCB? Dawn Till Dusk Bonfires strives to provide a fun and personal beach bonfire experience for everyone in the 30a/PCB community. Enjoy roasting smores over the sound of waves crashing in the distance and the crackle of a warm fire!
Business Name:
30A Dawn Till Dusk Bonfires
219 Venado PlPanama City Beach Florida 32413USA
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a resort town in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 12,018. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City". Panama City Beach's slogan is "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the unique, sugar-white sandy beaches of northwest Florida. Panama City Beach is a popular vacation destination, especially among people in the Southern United States.
Neighborhoods in Panama City Beach, Florida
Alys Beach Neighborhood Association, Inc., Bahama Beach, Bay West Estates, Beach Commerce Park, Bel Air, Bid-a-wee Beach, Bid-a-wee Beach North, Breakfast Point Subdivision, Charity VIllage, Colony Club
Our Newest Profiles


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Brand new Signature Collection Ride or Die Throw Blanket. Blanket measures an astonishing 50x60 Inches. The blanket is super soft, warm, and durable. The blanket will keep you warm during the cold months. Vivid colors and design that will change the decor of any room. Great gift for the Day of Dead Artwork lover in your life.
- Polyester
- David Gonzales Art Work
- Throw Size 50x60 Inches
- 100% Polyester
- Warm, Soft, and Durable
- Machine Washable


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There are more materials, colors, and patterns available in kitchen countertops than ever before—and since many are close in price, the decision may be even harder.
The product testers at Consumer Reports scratched, stained and scorched seven of the leading contenders. What they found may help potential remodelers narrow their choice of materials:


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2015 Honda Accord EX
*This calculator is for informational use only and is based on the information you provide. Actual loan amounts and payments will vary based on additional items such as taxes and fees as well as the actual interest rate available to you from a financial institution.
- Exterior
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Interior
- Gray Cloth
- Engine
- Engine: 2.4L 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC I-4
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Drivetrain
- Fwd
- Mileage
- 49,394
- City / Hwy
- 27 / 36
*Actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
- Warranty
- AS-IS Extended Available
- Stock
- 7136627
- Location
- Star Motors
- Title
- Clear
To take a virtual tour of this vehicle visit WWW.STARMOTORSGA.COM. To get more information about this vehicle or set up an appointment call 678-762-7200. LOW INTEREST RATES! Bad credit? First time buyer? Don't worry, we got you covered. All trade-ins welcome! Extended warranty available at unbelievable prices!
The equipment displayed is intended to be used as an informational use only for the listing of factory stock equipment and features for this vehicle. Equipment and features may have changed for this vehicle. All information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. For more accurate information, see dealer for details. All prices exclude government fees, taxes, any finance charges, dealer/doc fee of $499 and any extended warranty purchased. STAR MOTORS welcomes and recommends a buyer's inspection. Buyer is fully responsible for any inspection charges and fees.
Standard Equipment
- Window Grid Antenna
- Vinyl Door Trim Insert
- Valet Function
- Urethane Gear Shifter Material
- Systems Monitor
- Seats w/Cloth Back Material
- Remote Releases -Inc: Mechanical Cargo Access and Mechanical Fuel
- Rear Cupholder
- Radio: 160-Watt AM/FM/CD Audio System -inc: 6 speakers, audio touch screen, Pandora and HondaLink compatibility, Bluetooth streaming audio, USB audio interface, MP3/auxiliary input jack, MP3/Windows Media Audio (WMA) playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC)
- Radio w/Seek-Scan, Clock and Steering Wheel Controls
- Perimeter Alarm
- Outside Temp Gauge
- Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
- Manual Adjustable Rear Head Restraints
- Locking Glove Box
- Interior Trim -inc: Metal-Look Instrument Panel Insert, Metal-Look Console Insert and Chrome/Metal-Look Interior Accents
- Instrument Panel Bin, Driver / Passenger And Rear Door Bins
- Immobilizer
- HVAC -inc: Underseat Ducts and Console Ducts
- Full Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
- Full Floor Console w/Covered Storage, Mini Overhead Console w/Storage and 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- Full Cloth Headliner
- Front Map Lights
- Front Cupholder
- Front Center Armrest and Rear Center Armrest
- Front Bucket Seats -inc: driver's seat 10-way power adjustment including power lumbar support
- Fade-To-Off Interior Lighting
- Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
- Driver Seat
- Driver Foot Rest
- Driver And Passenger Visor Vanity Mirrors w/Driver And Passenger Illumination
- Delayed Accessory Power
- Day-Night Rearview Mirror
- Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
- Carpet Floor Trim and Carpet Trunk Lid/Rear Cargo Door Trim
- Cargo Space Lights
- Cargo Area Concealed Storage
- Bluetooth Handsfreelink Wireless Phone Connectivity
- Audio Theft Deterrent
- Analog Appearance
- Air Filtration
- 4-Way Passenger Seat -inc: Manual Recline and Fore/Aft Movement
- 2 Seatback Storage Pockets
- 2 12V DC Power Outlets
- 1 LCD Monitor In The Front
- Compact Spare Tire Mounted Inside Under Cargo
- Trunk Rear Cargo Access
- Front Windshield -inc: Sun Visor Strip
- Clearcoat Paint
- Front Fog Lamps
- Tires: P215/55R17 94V AS
- Light Tinted Glass
- Body-Colored Rear Bumper
- Body-Colored Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Convex Spotter, Manual Folding and Turn Signal Indicator
- Body-Colored Front Bumper
- Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim
- Chrome Grille
- Fixed Rear Window w/Defroster
- Auto On/Off Projector Beam Halogen Daytime Running Headlamps w/Delay-Off
- Fully Galvanized Steel Panels
- Express Open/Close Sliding And Tilting Glass 1st Row Sunroof w/Sunshade
- Steel Spare Wheel
- Speed Sensitive Variable Intermittent Wipers
- Chrome Door Handles
- Rear Child Safety Locks
- Right Side Camera
- Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
- Back-Up Camera
- Airbag Occupancy Sensor
- Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
- Side Impact Beams
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
- Low Tire Pressure Warning
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission: Continuously Variable w/Sport Mode
- Transmission w/Driver Selectable Mode
- Strut Front Suspension w/Coil Springs
- Single Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher
- Front And Rear Anti-Roll Bars
- Engine: 2.4L 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC I-4
- Electric Power-Assist Speed-Sensing Steering
- 17.2 Gal. Fuel Tank
- Multi-Link Rear Suspension w/Coil Springs
- 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/4-Wheel ABS, Front Vented Discs, Brake Assist and Hill Hold Control
- Gas-Pressurized Shock Absorbers
Option Packages
Factory Installed Packages
Please note that all prices exclude government fees, taxes, any finance charges, dealer/doc fee of $499 and any extended warranty purchased. The equipment displayed is intended to be used as an informational use only for the listing of factory stock equipment and features for this vehicle. Equipment and features may have changed for this vehicle. All information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. For more accurate information, please see dealer for details. STAR MOTORS LLC welcomes and recommends a buyer's inspection. The buyer is fully responsible for any inspection charges and fees.
It is the customer's sole responsibility to verify the existence and condition of any equipment listed. Neither the dealership nor AutoRevo is responsible for misprints on prices or equipment. It is the customer's sole responsibility to verify the accuracy of the prices with the dealer. Pricing subject to change without notice.


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Parise, Suter to Minn.; Flyers go to Plan B
The Flyers made huge offers, but in the end, they fell on deaf ears.
Defenseman Ryan Suter and left winger Zach Parise, the prizes in this year's free-agent pool, signed with the Minnesota Wild, a team that hasn't made the playoffs during the last four seasons.
Parise, a Minnesota native,and Suter each received 13-year deals for $98 million. That's an annual cap hit of $7.54 million, which is seventh in the NHL.
The Flyers are believed to have offered each player a 12-year contract in the $100 million neighborhood.
At 11 a.m., the Flyers had not heard from the Suter or Parise camps on Wednesday _ and that seemed like a negative sign.
On Twitter, some Flyers fans said it would be fitting for the duo to make the announcement that they were coming to America's birthplace _ Philadelphia _ on the Fourth of July.
Ah, dream on.
Suter and Parise are close friends and they conferred with each other during the free-agency period, fueling speculation they would be a package deal.
The speculation turned into reality.
They will try to help the Wild win their first playoff series since 2003.
The Flyers will turn their attention to trying to sign UFA defenseman Matt Carle. If he is commanding $5.5 million per year, the Flyers should pass.
Carle is talented and would help the Flyers, but in the long run, a multi-year deal with that kind of financial commitment might hamstring the club in the future.
Free-agent winger Shane Doan interests the Flyers, but he will stay in Phoenix if the franchise doesn't move. He said he will decide by July 9; by that time it should be known if the Coyotes are remaining in Phoenix.
The Flyers will try to deal for either Anaheim's Bobby Ryan ($5.1 million cap hit for next three years) or Columbus' Rick Nash ($7.8 million cap hit for next six years), a pair of high-scoring forwards who would give them some much-needed size on the wings.
(more coming)
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.


text: Gout Signs and Symptoms Gout has visible symptoms. Persons with gout usually suffer with swelling and pain in the joints especially in the hands a nd feet. There is also an The presence of agonizing, sudden, unexpected burning pain, redness of skin in the areas affected, warmness and stiffness of the joints are also felt. Sometimes, patients also become feverish. The crystals inside the joints and the inflammation of the tissues around the joints cause the pain. These tissues also cause the skin to swell, tender and sore. Many patients, due to extreme pain, may not even allow other people to touch the affected areas. Self-praise is no praise. So we don't want to praise ourselves on the effort put in writing on Gout Prevent. instead, we would like to hear your praise after reading it! .