Real Estate Market 2013 Jacksonville FL

$1,295,000 - 966 Ponte Vedra
PONTE VEDRA BEACH

3 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,888 sq ft

Lot size: 21,750 sqft

Year built: 2003

Listed with PRUDENTIAL NETWORK REALTY

$775,000 - 5107 Charlemagne
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,175 sq ft

Lot size: 16,562 sqft

Year built: 1976

Listed with FRED MILLER GROUP, INC.

$585,000 - 7202 Ramoth
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,032 sq ft

Year built: 1990

Listed with PRUDENTIAL NETWORK REALTY

$478,900 - 14543 Plumosa
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,044 sq ft

Lot size: 19,750 sqft

Year built: 1962

Listed with WATSON REALTY CORP

$54,900 - 13846 Atlantic ,Unit A6
JACKSONVILLE

1 bed, 1 full bath

Home size: 40 sq ft

Year built: 2004

Listed with PHYLLIS FRANKEL REALTY GROUP

$329,000 - 10828 Creative
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,331 sq ft

Year built: 1997

Listed with WATSON REALTY CORP

$299,900 - 2073 Hyde Park
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,440 sq ft

Lot size: 6.81 ac

Year built: 1952

Listed with WATSON REALTY CORP

$199,900 - 6921 Eaton
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,274 sq ft

Lot size: 22,680 sqft

Year built: 1990

Listed with CENTURY 21 LIGHTHOUSE REALTY

$469,000 - 4541 Ortega Farms
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 2,686 sq ft

Lot size: 1.62 ac

Year built: 1976

Listed with COLDWELL BANKER VANGUARD REALTY

$1,500,000 - 4155 Venetia
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,916 sq ft

Lot size: 22,000 sqft

Year built: 1995

Listed with PRUDENTIAL NETWORK REALTY

$49,900 - 850 Gardenia
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 1 full bath

Home size: 932 sq ft

Lot size: 13,720 sqft

Year built: 1948

Listed with ERA DAVIS & LINN

$649,900 - 13933 White Heron
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,380 sq ft

Year built: 2004

Listed with LIFESTYLES REALTY WEB

$789,000 - 992 Shipwatch East
JACKSONVILLE

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,851 sq ft

Year built: 1997

Listed with REMAX WATERMARKE

$499,900 - 4121 Sunset Lane
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,406 sq ft

Lot size: 22,500 sqft

Year built: 1977

Listed with RE/MAX SPECIALISTS

$1,100,000 - 1270 Mayfair
JACKSONVILLE

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 4,011 sq ft

Year built: 1997

Listed with WATSON REALTY CORP

$1,675,000 - 524 Rutile
PONTE VEDRA BEACH

4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,728 sq ft

Lot size: 24,610 sqft

Year built: 1971

Listed with WATSON REALTY CORP

$7,450,000 - 85 Ponte Vedra
PONTE VEDRA BEACH

4 beds, 4 full, 2 part baths

Home size: 10,790 sq ft

Lot size: 40,000 sqft

Year built: 1992

Listed with COLDWELL BANKER VANGUARD REALTY

$560,000 - 13920 Atlantic
JACKSONVILLE

3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 3,092 sq ft

Year built: 2006

Listed with KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY ATLANTIC

$879,000 - 1330 Ponte Vedra
PONTE VEDRA BEACH

4 beds, 3 full baths

Home size: 3,000 sq ft

Lot size: 1.15 ac

Year built: 1997

Listed with RE/MAX COASTAL REAL ESTATE

$229,900 - 8811 Sanchez
JACKSONVILLE

2 beds, 2 full baths

Home size: 1,651 sq ft

Year built: 1973

Listed with ROBERT PATRICK MILLS, REALTOR

Source: http://www.bradofficer.com/real-estate-market-2013-jacksonville-fl/

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Cassidian's Radio Communications Technology Supports 49th ...

? Cassidian assists event security and support staff with state-of-the-art radio communications technology

? Secure communication thanks to Cassidian?s TB3c base station and TH1n terminal unit and Stadtwerke M?nchen?s TETRA network

Munich, 30 January 2013 ? Together with the TETRA network operator Stadtwerke M?nchen (municipal utility operator) and the German Army (Bundeswehr), Cassidian is providing security equipment for the 49th Munich Security Conference. The Munich Security Conference was first held in 1963 and, over the last few decades, has become the most important conference in the world for foreign and security policy. Each year, it provides high-ranking policy makers from all over the world with a forum for discussing current and future security challenges in depth.

Numerous prominent political and business guests from Germany and abroad are once again expected at this year?s conference, as are international media representatives. To ensure the safety of the guests and guarantee support in organising the conference, Cassidian, together with the TETRA network operator Stadtwerke M?nchen, will equip the venue with state-of-the-art secure radio communications technology.

Especially for the conference, Stadtwerke M?nchen?s TB3c base station from Cassidian will be installed for security and conference staff, as well as to aid the logistic support services provided by deployed Bundeswehr staff, and will be connected to its existing TETRA network. Using this network, it will be possible to communicate securely during the entire event. As a result of heightened requirements, the radio system will have special security levels, such as authentication and radio interface encryption. For the first time, Stadtwerke M?nchen will be providing security staff with Cassidian?s new TH1n terminal units, the smallest and lightest TETRA radio devices in the world, making them particularly suited to covert use.

About Cassidian (www.cassidian.com)
Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing Lead Systems Integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and unmanned aerial systems), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cyber security, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions. In 2011, Cassidian ? with around 28,000 employees ? achieved revenues of ? 5.8 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2011, the Group ? comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter ? generated revenues of ? 49.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 133,000.

EN Sicherheitskonferenz 30-01-2013

Source: http://psc.apcointl.org/2013/01/30/cassidians-radio-communications-technology-supports-49th-munich-security-conference/

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Batman vs. Koolhaas - The New York Review of Books

Martin Filler

DC Comics

One reason I?ve never been a fan of graphic novels is because a central aspect of literature for me has always been imagining what the things I?m reading about look like. I can tell you in great detail about not only the lush Parisian interiors of Jean Des Esseintes?an easy task, what with all the detail Huysmans gives us about the decadent duke?s taste in decor?but also the brave little Chinese-themed party that Carol Kennicott throws to brighten life in drab Gopher Prairie, Minnesota, and the original Homer Simpson?s ?queer? Irish-Spanish-New England cottage in LA?s Pinyon Canyon.

Considering my specialization in architecture, I?m not surprised that the first graphic novel to thoroughly engage, not to say captivate, me is Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor?s Batman: Death by Design. It is by turns an impassioned plea for historic preservation, a cautionary tale of engineering hubris, a nostalgic homage to the visionary draftsman Hugh Ferriss (1889-1962), whose futuristic chiaroscuro renderings exalted the skyscraper as the ultimate symbol of burgeoning American might during the interwar years, and an acidic indictment of the present-day cult of architectural stardom.

Based on the enduringly popular comic-book superhero created in 1939 by the artist Bob Kane and the writer Bill Finger, Batman: Death by Design was created by a dynamic duo equally devoted to the Caped Crusader. Kidd, who wrote the story, is a prolific dust-jacket designer and author of Batman Collected (1996) and Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan (2008) among many other books; Taylor, who did the illustrations, is a British-born comic-book artist who has worked on several Batman projects for DC Comics, including the graphic novella Riddler and the Riddle Factory (1995).

There?s a cinematic sweep to Taylor?s compositions that makes several splash pages seem as capacious as a 70-millimeter theater screen. For their predominant tonality he chooses a warm sepia that has all the subtle gradations and dramatic multiple light sources of film-noir cinematography. Likewise, Kidd?s dialogue harks back to the fast-paced banter of B-movies in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The book?s craftily gauged pacing?which varies from crowded multi-panel pages to stunning single-image spreads?proves that all the digital gimmickry and 3-D effects of today?s action-movie franchises pale next to the imaginative powers of a first-rate artist working with pencil in two dimensions.

DC Comics

Kidd?s plot, which transpires in some unspecified period that could be a half century ago or hence, concerns the impending demolition of a major Gotham City landmark, the Art Decoid Wayne Central Station, a railroad depot that is now crumbling and abandoned. Although it had been shoddily developed by Bruce Wayne?s (a.k.a. Batman?s) father, it is an example of ?Patri-Monumental Modernism??an amusing coinage of Kidd?s that hints at the hybrid style?s ambitious and somewhat macho civic grandeur?and preservationists think it is still worthy of salvation.

A complicated series of rather choppy plot twists, which involve, inter alia, the kidnapping of one major character by the Joker, culminates with the rebuilding of Wayne Central Station in a more soundly-constructed version of the original design, an implicit endorsement of old architecture over new. The whole story is shrouded with the anachronistic ambiguity (if not the stylistic grotesquerie) of Terry Gilliam?s retro-futurist film fable Brazil (1985).

Among architectural insiders, Batman is likely to cause the most comment for its scathing portrayal of a Netherlandish master builder named Kem Roomhaus, who, as Batman says, ?may be an affected, narcissistic creep, but he?s also a genius.? This summation comes perilously close to the privately-held opinion of some who have dealt with the extravagantly gifted but notoriously difficult Rem Koolhaas.

To be sure, the megalomaniacal Dutchman drawn by Taylor bears less of a resemblance to the Nosferatu lookalike Koolhaas than to a somewhat chubbier Daniel Libeskind (minus his industrial-strength eyeglass frames.) Moreover, the fictional Kem Roomhaus?s scheme to replace Wayne Central Station with ?a massive replica of the rib cage of Megaptera nivaengliae, more commonly known as the humpback whale? is a wicked lampoon of Santiago Calatrava?s carcass-like, $3.8 billion Transportation Hub now under construction at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan. Yet few design buffs will be in doubt about the prototype for the architectural villain of this piece.

DC Comics

Several other dramatis personae also evoke real figures. The hardboiled editor of the Gotham Gazette (?cut him, he bleeds ink?) is named Elliot Osbourne, an inversion of Osborn Elliott, editor of Newsweek during its Sixties and Seventies glory years. The book?s sole female character, Cyndia Syl, ?a society fixture who has taken up the cause of what she sees as an architectural masterpiece,? is a dead ringer for the late socialite and horsewoman C.Z. Guest (she of the snub nose and beautiful-hair-Breck blonde pageboy bob). Syl?s determination to rescue the endangered railway terminal closely parallels Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis?s second-career star turn as savior of Grand Central Station. And then there?s the subliminal push-and-pull between Syl and Wayne, which seems to resemble the crackling sexual tension between Howard Roark and Dominique Francon in Ayn Rand?s overheated architectural potboiler, The Fountainhead.

At times, Batman: Design by Death brings to mind the fond Moderne fantasies of Bruce McCall, as in Taylor?s vision of a vertiginous nightclub called the Ceiling, comprised of a vast transparent-glass slab cantilevered high above Gotham City?s streets and described as ?reductive design taken to its ultimate extreme, introducing a brand new school of design [Roomhaus] calls Mini-Maximalism.? (To which the architect retorts, ?No!!! It?s Maxi-Minimalism!? a clear send-up of Koolhaas?s size obsession codified in his thumping 1995 tome S,M,L, XL.)

As Kidd?s epigraph explains, ?The inspiration for this story came from two real-world events: the demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station in 1963, and the fatal construction crane collapses in midtown Manhattan in 2008.? The book?s juxtaposition of intentional and accidental architectural destruction implies that there is little difference between them in their harmful effect on civic culture.

Batman: Death by Design is as intriguingly multi-layered as the metropolis it depicts. One of the most arresting pages pairs up-and-down, day-and-night views of the imperiled Central Station?s interior that are likely informed by Berenice Abbott?s incomparable 1936 black-and-white photos of the long-lost Penn Station concourse, a soaring, sun-dappled space in which the boldly exposed but gracefully wrought steel structure conveyed all the grandeur of Classical architecture. In one panel, Syl reminds Wayne of his father?s motivation in building such an awe-inducing marvel: ?You must astonish them.?

January 29, 2013, 12:40 p.m.

?

Source: http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2013/jan/29/batman-koolhaas-death-by-design/

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50 Cent Used Diddy As Inspiration For 'Major Distribution' Clip

Fif looked at Diddy and G. Dep's 'Let's Get It' video when preparing his new clip with Snoop Dogg and Young Jeezy
By Rob Markman

50 Cent
Photo: MTV News

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700986/50-cent-diddy-lets-get-it.jhtml

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DIY Alternatives to Credit Card Debt Consolidation

The following is a guest post from Joshua Rodriguez, with CNAFinance.com.

DIY Alternatives To Credit Card Debt Consolidation

Credit card debt is a struggle for many Americans. We have recently been through a horrible, worldwide financial recession. The good news is, many Americans are starting to piece their finances together and begin a future of financial stability. However, for many, credit card debt may be hindering the process quite a bit! Not knowing of many options, several consumers are looking towards credit card debt consolidation as a way out. But, is this the best way?

What You Need To Know About Credit Card Debt Consolidation

Although credit card debt consolidation may look like the best way to go, for most, it?s not! There are far more downsides to most consolidation programs than there are perks. Here is a list of things that you will need to consider:

• Working With Third Parties: When it comes to debt consolidation programs, you will have to invite a third party into your personal finances. Unfortunately, many of the debt consolidation companies out there are new companies who started with the intentions of making money. Not knowing what they are doing, they could set you up for failure. Not to mention, the average cost of working with a third party on debt consolidation is around $3,000.00.
• Destroying Credit Scores: Although flashy salesman may try to hide this fact, the truth is, credit card debt consolidation will have a horrible effect on your credit scores!

Don?t Worry, You Have Cost Free Alternatives!

In all reality, debt consolidation is not the best option for most people. Also, considering the fact that you are able to get rid of your debts on your own, it simply doesn?t make sense to hire someone to take care of it for you at such a steep expense. Although, there are several alternatives to credit card debt consolidation, my favorite are creating aggressive payment plans, negotiating credit card interest rates and credit card hardship programs. Here is how these different options work:

Creating Aggressive Payment Plans

One of the most effective strategies for getting out of credit card debt is to create an aggressive payment plan. To do so, I always suggest using the debt stacking and constant payment method. This method has also been called the snow ball method. It is based on the idea that every time you make a payment, your balance reduces, ultimately reducing your minimum payment the next month. Using this method, even if you can only afford your minimum payment this month, next month, you will be able to send an extra payment to your principal! This payment method is also designed to target your highest interest rate first ultimately saving you in long term high interest rate charges! Here is how you should create your payment plan:

Step #1: Make A List Of All Of Your Credit Cards ? Before you repair a roof, you have to take a look and see what is going on that?s causing the leak. This is the same with just about anything in life. Before you can get out of credit card debt, you have to know what debts you are working with. So, the first step that you should take is to make a list of all your credit card accounts. This list should be in order from highest interest rate to lowest. Also, it should include the lender name, interest rate, balance and minimum payment.

Step #2: Add All Of Your Minimum Payments Together ? Now, it?s time to figure out how much you pay in total minimum payments each month. To do so, simply add all of your minimum payments together and write the total into your list.

Step #3: Decide On A Constant Payment ? Your constant payment will be the amount of money that you will need to pay to your credit card debts each and every month. Look at your total minimum payments. This, I?m sure you?re able to pay. But, can you pay any more? Are you able to send anything extra? If so, write down the amount of money that you plan to pay to your credit card? lenders each month.

Step #4: Allocate Any Extra Payments To Your Highest Interest Rate ? If you have anything extra to send this month, simply pay all extra funds to your highest interest rate credit card. If you do not have any extra this month, that is OK, simply pay your minimum payment. In doing so, you will reduce your balance which will also reduce your payments next month. So, next month send the difference in payments from all of your cards to the account with the highest interest rate.

Step #5: Stack Your Debts ? Once you pay off your highest interest rate credit card, continue with your same constant payment. Now, you want to allocate all extra funds to the next highest interest rate card. Simply continue doing this until your debts are completely paid off!

I have seen this payment plan save consumers thousands of dollars and years of paying off credit card debts. However, it is not for everyone either. This is the option that consumers should consider if they are not facing a financial hardship. Also, this option works best when coupled with the negotiation option.

Negotiating Credit Card Interest Rates

Another great way to get out of credit card debt is the process of interest rate negotiations. By reducing your interest rate through negotiations with your lender, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of your debt. When coupled with the constant payment and debt stacking methods, this is a debt relief plan made in heaven! Here is how you should go about negotiating your credit card interest rates:

?Step #1: Get Prepared ? As stated above, knowledge and preparation are key when it comes to just about anything, including making a plan to get out of debt. The first step in this process is also to make a list of your accounts. The list should also be in order from highest interest rate to lowest and should include the lender name, interest rate, balance, minimum payment and customer service phone number.

Step #2: Call The Lender With The Highest Interest Rate ? Now, it?s time to get the negotiations under way. Start by calling the lender with the highest interest rate. When you call and a representative asks how they can help you, simply say, ?I was going through my credit cards and noticed that this one by far has the highest interest rate. Although, I love the card, with so many balance transfer offers out there, I can?t see myself paying these high rates!?. At this point, the representative will either tell you that you qualify for a lower interest rate, you don?t qualify for one or you will need to speak with another department. If you need to speak with another department, simply repeat this step until you get an answer. Keep in mind, you will generally have a 30% to 60% success rate.

Step #3: Repeat Until You?ve Called All Lenders ? Now, all you will need to do is repeat this process with all of your lenders. Simply give them all a call and see how many interest rates you are able to reduce.

It is surprising for many people how willing lenders are to reduce interest rates. However, if we think about it, big lenders are nothing if they don?t have lots of borrowers! They generally want to retain their clients. If you pay on time consistently and send the occasional extra payment, many lenders will bend over backwards to keep your business!

Credit Card Hardship Programs

In many cases, following the steps above simply will not provide the type of relief that consumers need. If this is your case, don?t worry! You can generally find relief in financial hardship programs. However, these programs are designed only for those who are experiencing a real financial hardship. Therefore, if you are looking for a lower interest rate or lower payments but are not having a hard time keeping up, this may not be the option for you. However, if you honestly in need of financial assistance, here are the steps that you will need to take.

Step #1: Get Prepared ? For the credit card financial hardship process, a bit more preparation will need to go into this one. First, you will want to make a list of all of your household expenses. This includes rent/mortgage payment, utilities, cable, insurance, secured loan payments, unsecured loan payments, monthly medical expenses, child care, food, gas for your car and anything else you spend money on, on a monthly basis. Next, you will need to create a list of your income including all income sources with the exception of child support and alimony. Finally, write down the course of events that lead to your financial hardship.

Step #2: Call Your First Lender ? Now, it?s time to start calling your lenders and asking for assistance. When the representative of the lender asks how they can help you, say, ?Honestly, I?m having a hard time keeping up with the minimum payment on my account. I know that I owe the money and I?m beyond willing to pay! I just figured I?d call to see if you could do anything to help make my monthly payment more affordable.?. At this point, your call will generally be directed to the financial hardship department.

Step #3: Be Honest With The Financial Hardship Department ? When speaking with the financial hardship department, they will ask you all kinds of questions about your expenses, income and what lead to your hardship. Be very honest with them as they are trying to gauge the extent of your financial hardship to see if they can help! Simply follow the lead of the representative you speak with and if you need the assistance, you will most likely receive it!

As you can see, credit card debt consolidation is not your only debt relief options. These three simple options all have the potential to save you tons of money and get you out of debt much faster! I hope that you?ve enjoyed this article of course. More importantly however, it?s my hope that you will use this information on your journey to financial freedom!?

About The Author ? Joshua Rodriguez

This article was proudly written by Joshua Rodriguez, owner and founder of CNAFinance.com. Join the conversation with Joshua on Google+!

Source: http://www.pennypinchinmom.com/diy-alternatives-to-credit-card-debt-consolidation/

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Health, Wellness and Fitness | Dayton City Paper

?By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.

More than 20 million Americans and Canadians take ibuprofen every day, often popping the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) before they exercise or do heavy-duty chores ? to prevent muscle aches and pains. But a recent report says ibuprofen plus strenuous activity may be bad news for your intestines; it seems to trigger what docs call ?leaky gut.?

Long periods of very strenuous activity reduce blood flow to your digestive system (your body needs that blood elsewhere!). This makes the lining of your intestines vulnerable to injury. Ibuprofen further reduces your body?s ability to protect and repair that lining. Combine these two effects, and the lining of the intestines becomes compromised, which can allow digestive enzymes and even bacteria to migrate from your intestines into your bloodstream.

That?s what Dutch scientists recently concluded when they found that endurance athletes who take ibuprofen before they exercise had elevated levels of a protein that signaled intestinal leakage into the bloodstream. But they also found that the elevated protein levels disappeared about an hour after exercising stopped. So, no one is positive if this phenomenon does lasting damage. There?s even some thought that a short blast of unexpected visitors in the bloodstream could help prime your immune system to better fight off invaders. But considering that up to 90 percent of endurance athletes take ibuprofen before most work-outs and that so many other folks rely on it from time to time or daily, we recommend a new approach to managing exercise-related discomfort or pain. Here?s our advice:

Ease into heavy-duty activity. Weekend warriors, listen up. Instead of going from zero (you on the couch) to 100 mph (you doing a two-hour boot-camp exercise class or all-day yard work), make sure you get some exercise every day. Do a little bit (30 additional minutes of walking a day); then add a little bit more (each week, increase by 10 to 15 minutes per day); and then do even a little more (you?re aiming for a total of 10,000 steps a day). When you build strength and endurance gradually, your muscles will sustain less microtrauma ? microscopic tears and swellings ? which translates into major aches the day after. It?s the best way to minimize delayed muscle soreness.

Reserve NSAIDs for swelling and pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs are effective pain relievers, but they are intended for only short-term use. Never use an over-the-counter NSAID for more than 10 days, and make sure you take the dose as outlined on the label. Don?t take extra (more than 25 percent of you do). And don?t take these medications more frequently than recommended. Almost two-thirds of you do that!

Already achy? Chill out. Use indirect cold on tired muscles as soon as you can after exercising. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes or less discourages excess inflammation and reduces pain dramatically. Save heat for later on; using a heating pad set on low for a short time will increase circulation and encourage healing. Heat is also a good soother for aching joints.

What if you?re taking aspirin daily? Many folks take aspirin for its benefits against cancer, heart attack and stroke; if that?s you, by all means, stay with it. (We take aspirin with a half-glass of warm water before and after; it helps the aspirin dissolve faster, reducing the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding and your risk of distress.) Just make sure to take the aspirin more than two hours before or one hour after you exercise.

We haven?t pointed it out recently, but aspirin really is a miracle pill, and so is ibuprofen. But taking the two together seems to cancel out their anticancer and anti-heart attack benefits, so stay with aspirin if your doc approves (since there are potential side effects, always check with your doc). If you must take ibuprofen also, do it 30 minutes before you take aspirin or eight hours afterward.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of ?The Dr. Oz Show,? and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. For more information go to www.RealAge.com. (c) 2013 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Source: http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/health-wellness-and-fitness-15/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=health-wellness-and-fitness-15

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Design Patent Litigation: Notice Pleading Requirements Remain ...

by Dennis Crouch

Hall v. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Inc. and Nachemin, __ F.3d __ (Fed. Cir. 2013)

This design patent?decision is interesting and important on several levels and so I have divided the post into two sections. This?section focuses on the district court's clear?error in dismissing?the infringement lawsuit on the pleadings.? The second section will focus on the Federal Circuit's dismissal of the charges?filed personally against the employees who caused the allegedly infringement.

The set-up here is interesting.? Mr. R.J.?Hall designed a new product known as a ?Towel Tote??that is basically an absorbent scarf with pockets on the ends. ?[Buy one here.] After filing his design patent application, Hall sat down with Mr. Farley Nachemin at Bed Bath & Beyond (BB&B) to see whether the company would retail his product.? Instead of moving forward with Hall, BB&B mailed?Hall's product to Pakistan and had it copied and manufactured for retail distribution back in the US.

When his patent issued, Hall sued BB&B as well as Nachemin and other executives for design patent infringement and a number of state-law business claims such as, false advertising, misappropriation, and unfair competition.? U.S. Design Patent No. D596,439.? The district court then dismissed the case on the pleadings ?? finding that the complaint did not particularly identify the ?new, original, and ornamental? features of the design patent. On appeal, the Federal Circuit rejects that decision?and instead holds that, even under Iqbal and Twombly, a pleading does not require this level of information. Rather, following the law of utility patents, the court holds here that a proper design patent infringement complaint only requires the following five elements:

1. An allegation of ownership of the patent;
2. The name of the defendant;
3. The patent number;
4. A?statement of the means by which the defendant allegedly infringes; and
5. Relevant sections of the patent laws.

Citing Phonometrics, Inc. v. Hospitality Franchise Systems, Inc., 203 F.3d 790 (Fed. Cir. 2000).? In this case, the district court's ruling was well off-base because the design patentee need not prove the design's points of novelty even at trial since validity is presumed and infringement no longer?relies on the points-of-novelty test.

In the litigation, BB&B had filed a counterclaim alleging that that Mr. Hall himself had violated the Lanham Act by telling the company his product was ?protected by patent? even before the patent issued.? BB&B also alleged that the Hall committed false marking by continuing to mark his product ?patent pending? even several months after the patent had issued.? On appeal, the Federal Circuit holds that these statements ?cannot be viewed as even plausibly misleading.?? With regard to the the false marking claim, the court also adds that the defendant had failed to plead competitive harm, which is now a core element of false marking under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act of 2011.

+ + + + +

Judge Newman wrote the majority opinion that was joined by Judge Linn.

Judge Lourie wrote in dissent ? basically arguing that more deference should have been given to the district court's role of ensuring that the pleadings are clear enough.? Judge Lourie acknowledged legal mistakes of the district court, but also directed attention to a separate aspect of the district court decision. The district court wrote: ?Rather than plead in a coherent fashion, making clear how the facts support a particular theory of infringement as to a given Defendant, Plaintiff has conflated all his facts, pleading without making any distinctions of any kind. This ambiguity in pleading is unacceptable.?? ?

Notes

• As with most design patents, this one issued without substantive examination on the merits.? The application was filed in November 2008 and the first correspondence from the USPTO was a notice of allowance mailed in May 2009. The patent issued shortly thereafter.

Source: http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2013/01/design-patent-litigation-notice-pleading-requirements-remain-low.html

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Microsoft retools Office for touch screen, Web use

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Microsoft's retooled version of its Office software is hitting the market as the company tries to extend one of its key franchises beyond personal computers.

Tuesday's debut comes six months after Microsoft previewed the new-look Office, which includes popular word processing, spreadsheets and email programs.

The revamped Office boasts touch controls, just like the redesigned version of the Windows operating system that Microsoft Corp. released three months ago. The company, which is based in Redmond, Wash., is trying to ensure that its products retain their appeal at a time when people increasingly rely on smartphones and tablet computers instead of PCs.

Yet Microsoft still isn't trying to get Office on the largest number of devices possible. Office 2013 doesn't include an option that works on Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPad or smartphones and tablets running the Android software made by Google Inc. That leaves out the majority of smartphones and tablets sold in the past two years.

The company believes Office 2013 is currently best suited for Windows devices, said Chris Schneider, Microsoft's senior public relations manager for Office. Microsoft is trying to become a bigger player in the mobile market with its own operating system for smartphones and tablets.

Office 2013 is the first overhaul of the software suite in three years.

The bundle of programs has become a staple on desktop and laptop computers, providing a rich vein of revenue for Microsoft.

The company has reaped most of its Office sales from licenses allowing buyers to install the suite of programs on individual machines, a very lucrative strategy. The Microsoft division anchored by Office generates about $24 billion in annual sales, accounting for nearly one-third of Microsoft's total revenue.

Revenue in the Office division fell from the previous year during the three months ending in December, partly because many prospective buyers have been awaiting the latest version.

In one of the biggest changes, Microsoft has tailored Office 2013 so it can be peddled primarily as a program that's used over Internet connections. All information is automatically stored in Microsoft's data centers, allowing for access to the same material on multiple devices. The content also can be stored on the hard drives of devices.

Microsoft is offering Office 2013 in a $100 annual subscription package, called 365 Home Premium, which includes online access on up to five Windows devices or Mac computers. The fee also provides 20 additional gigabytes of storage on Microsoft's SkyDrive to supplement the 7 gigabytes that the company gives away to accountholders for free. Subscribers also will get 60 minutes of free international calls on Microsoft's Skype service for Internet phone calls and video chats.

College students and teachers will be able to buy Office 2013's online product for $80 for four years, which works out to about $1.67 per month.

The online push reflects Microsoft's recognition that people want access to documents and email on whatever Internet-connected device they might have, wherever they may be, whether it's at work, home or a store while running errands.

"The technology needs to be able to move with you," Schneider said.

It's the first time that Microsoft has tried to persuade consumers that a recurring online subscription is the best way to buy and use Office. Microsoft had previously sold online Office subscriptions primarily to small businesses.

Office will still be sold under a one-time licensing fee that allows the software to be installed on a single machine. The fees start at $140.

Microsoft's decision to reshape Office into an online service makes sense, although it may take customers a while to sign up for the subscriptions, said Edward Jones analyst Josh Olson. He suspects major companies that rely on Office probably will be among the last users to make the switch.

"This is a good innovation, but the uptake may be slow to begin because it is so different," Olson said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/microsoft-retools-office-touch-screen-141236098--finance.html

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Penicillin, not the pill, may have launched the sexual revolution

Jan. 28, 2013 ? The rise in risky, non-traditional sexual relations that marked the swinging '60s actually began as much as a decade earlier, during the conformist '50s, suggests an analysis recently published by the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

"It's a common assumption that the sexual revolution began with the permissive attitudes of the 1960s and the development of contraceptives like the birth control pill," notes Emory University economist Andrew Francis, who conducted the analysis. "The evidence, however, strongly indicates that the widespread use of penicillin, leading to a rapid decline in syphilis during the 1950s, is what launched the modern sexual era."

As penicillin drove down the cost of having risky sex, the population started having more of it, Francis says, comparing the phenomena to the economic law of demand: When the cost of a good falls, people buy more of the good.

"People don't generally think of sexual behavior in economic terms," he says, "but it's important to do so because sexual behavior, just like other behaviors, responds to incentives."

Syphilis reached its peak in the United States in 1939, when it killed 20,000 people. "It was the AIDS of the late 1930s and early 1940s," Francis says. "Fear of catching syphilis and dying of it loomed large."

Penicillin was discovered in 1928, but it was not put into clinical use until 1941. As World War II escalated, and sexually transmitted diseases threatened the troops overseas, penicillin was found to be an effective treatment against syphilis.

"The military wanted to rid the troops of STDs and all kinds of infections, so that they could keep fighting," Francis says. "That really sped up the development of penicillin as an antibiotic."

Right after the war, penicillin became a clinical staple for the general population as well. In the United States, syphilis went from a chronic, debilitating and potentially fatal disease to one that could be cured with a single dose of medicine.

From 1947 to 1957, the syphilis death rate fell by 75 percent and the syphilis incidence rate fell by 95 percent. "That's a huge drop in syphilis. It's essentially a collapse," Francis says.

In order to test his theory that risky sex increased as the cost of syphilis dropped, Francis analyzed data from the 1930s through the 1970s from state and federal health agencies. Some of the data was only available on paper documents, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) digitized it at the request of Francis.

For his study, Francis chose three measures of sexual behavior: The illegitimate birth ratio; the teen birth share; and the incidence of gonorrhea, a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that tends to spread quickly.

"As soon as syphilis bottoms out, in the mid- to late-1950s, you start to see dramatic increases in all three measures of risky sexual behavior," Francis says.

While many factors likely continued to fuel the sexual revolution during the 1960s and 1970s, Francis says the 1950s and the role of penicillin have been largely overlooked. "The 1950s are associated with prudish, more traditional sexual behaviors," he notes. "That may have been true for many adults, but not necessarily for young adults. It's important to recognize how reducing the fear of syphilis affected sexual behaviors."

A few physicians sounded moralistic warnings during the 1950s about the potential for penicillin to affect behavior. Spanish physician Eduardo Martinez Alonso referenced Romans 6:23, and the notion that God uses diseases to punish people, when he wrote: "The wages of sin are now negligible. One can almost sin with impunity, since the sting of sinning has been removed."

Such moralistic approaches, equating disease with sin, are counterproductive, Francis says, stressing that interventions need to focus on how individuals may respond to the cost of disease.

He found that the historical data of the syphilis epidemic parallels the contemporary AIDS epidemic. "Some studies have indicated that the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy for treating HIV may have caused some men who have sex with men to be less concerned about contracting and transmitting HIV, and more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors," Francis says.

"Policy makers need to take into consideration behavioral responses to changes in the cost of disease, and implement strategies that are holistic and longsighted," he concludes. "To focus exclusively on the defeat of one disease can set the stage for the onset of another if preemptive measures are not taken."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Emory University.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Andrew M. Francis. The Wages of Sin: How the Discovery of Penicillin Reshaped Modern Sexuality. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2012; 42 (1): 5 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-012-0018-4

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/consumer_behavior/~3/sOD_sCZNhYA/130128082906.htm

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Barge with 80,000 gallons oil hits bridge, leaks

VICKSBURG, Miss. (AP) ? The Coast Guard says a barge that hit a railroad bridge in Vicksburg, Miss., was carrying 80,000 gallons of light crude oil, but officials don't know how much has spilled into the Mississippi River.

Lt. Ryan Gomez says an oily sheen was reported three miles downriver of the accident, which happened early Sunday. Gomez says booms were set out to absorb and contain the oil. The river has been closed for eight miles in each direction, halting at least five northbound and two southbound vessels.

Gomez says he doesn't know how much oil has leaked. He says two barges were damaged, but it's possible only one actually hit the bridge.

Petty Officer Carlos Vega says the bridge has been found safe for trains.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/barge-80-000-gallons-oil-hits-bridge-leaks-214747183.html

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Cumbria nuclear waste dump vote

28 January 2013 Last updated at 10:54 ET By Francesca Williams BBC News

Britain needs to find a site for the long-term underground disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

With some of it staying dangerous for up to 100,000 years, the government's agreed solution is to bury it - permanently.

Three Cumbria councils are due to vote on Wednesday on whether to proceed to the next stage in the process of investigating whether such a facility would be possible - and safe - in the county.

The underground storage facility would be up to four times the size of Sellafield - between 6 sq km and 23 sq km (2.5 and 9 sq miles).

Continue reading the main story

What is radioactive waste?

• Material containing levels of radioactivity hazardous to humans and the environment
• Usually a by-product of nuclear power generation - 95% of UK's radioactive waste comes from the nuclear power industry
• Waste is categorised by its radioactivity level - high (heat-generating), intermediate and low
• High level waste (HLW) is the liquid by-product of reprocessing highly-radioactive spent nuclear fuel
• HLW is converted into glass blocks within steel containers, then placed in a store where it is cooled by air - for at least 50 years

Source: Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)

At its smallest, it would be about the size of Workington or Whitehaven; at its biggest, larger than Carlisle.

However above ground the footprint would be about 1 sq km (0.4 sq miles).

Waste would be stored in underground vaults at a depth of between 200m (656ft) and 1,000m (3,280ft) and there would be some buildings on the surface.

About 1,000 construction workers would take about 15 years to complete it at an estimated cost of ?12bn, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said.

It said it would have an average of 550 workers over the entire lifetime of the facility, which is more than 100 years.

Currently, radioactive waste is stored above ground in various "long-term temporary" sites around the UK, mostly at Sellafield.

In its final report, the West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) Partnership - set up to coordinate discussions - said there could be "positive and negative impacts".

Concerns include the noise and traffic caused by construction and possible effects on landscape, tourism, investment and jobs, the report said.

But the partnership said: "Our overall opinion is that, at this stage, we are fairly confident that an acceptable process can be put in place to assess and mitigate negative impacts, and maximise positive impacts."

The waste needs to go somewhere and Cumbria is the only area still considering an underground storage facility.

Continue reading the main story

Timeline highlights

March 2009 - West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) Partnership is formed by Copeland and Allerdale Borough Councils and Cumbria County Council.

November 2009 - MRWS starts to inform residents about government plans to store radioactive waste underground.

March 2010 - a public meeting is held to discuss the possibilities.

June 2010 - a geological survey starts to assess which areas are unsuitable.

November 2010 - people are again asked for their views but West Cumbria Friends of the Earth, describes the consultation as "tokenistic."

September 2011 - MRWS members visit a research facility in France to find out about geological disposal in other countries.

November 2011 - a four-month consultation starts.

Feb 2012 - a study is published looking at how to counter bad publicity created by the research.

May 2012 - the results of an Ipsos Mori poll suggest a majority is in favour of considering hosting the facility. In Copeland, which covers Sellafield, 68% of people backed entering formal talks with government. Across Cumbria as a whole, 53% were in favour and 33% opposed.

July 2012 - MRWS publishes its final report. It says a suitable rock formation that could act as an effective barrier would be essential for the construction of a safe disposal facility.

October 2012 - The three councils ask the government for more time and further information before deciding whether to allow detailed studies and investigations to take place.

January 2013 - that decision is due to be made.

Dungeness in Kent, who had initially shown interest, withdrew at the end of 2012 in the face of opposition from residents.

The government, keen to attract volunteers, rather than impose the proposal on an unwilling area, has promised certain benefits, such as money for transport, public service infrastructure and housing, for any council which agreed to accept the storage facility.

Advocates of the plans say it will protect, and create, nuclear industry jobs, with more than 9,000 people already working at Sellafield.

Jamie Reed, Labour MP for Copeland, which encompasses the plant, said: "Cumbria stands to benefit hugely, in a genuinely unprecedented fashion, should a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) ever be sited here."

He stressed the "investment package" must be suitable, the final decision must "rest with a local referendum not politicians" and unsuitable geology would put paid to the whole scheme.

Lynn Berger, who runs the Woolpack Inn near Boot in the Eskdale Valley, is more concerned about the effect of "scaremongering" on tourism than the facility itself.

"It's not going to make any difference to us from a radiation point of view," she said.

"And, if anything, everything is so much more controlled because it [Sellafield] is there. The house isn't going to fall down, we're not going to bash a hole in the cellar wall and find the beer turns green."

John Rowlands, of Romar Innovate in Whitehaven, is also positive: "We've had waste stores at Sellafield before and it hasn't affected the industry.

"The nuclear industry has worked alongside tourism for as long as I can remember."

There are concerns about safety and, particularly, the perception of safety among tourists and investors.

Critics are also concerned about visual damage to the landscape and the effect on farming.

Some point out the research is pointlessly going over old ground, citing a plan by Nirex, the agency then responsible for the disposal of nuclear waste, to build an underground waste laboratory in the 1990s which was scrapped after a planning inspector ruled the area's geology made it unsafe.

Former Nirex inspector, Chris McDonald, has said he was "very surprised" West Cumbria was again being suggested as a potential site and "the probability of their finding a suitable site is low".

The Lake District National Park Authority has already told the government that a repository "would not be in the long-term interests of the Lake District" and would risk the area's "brand image".

Its chairman, Bill Jefferson, has said the effects on the landscape and tourism could be disastrous and that tourism brings more income to the area than the nuclear industry.

Campaigner Harry Marsland, from Keswick, has said a "nuclear dump will do significant damage" to the area's image.

"In Cumbria tourism is worth ?2bn per annum, and employs 56,000 people directly, plus it provides the work for countless trades people, suppliers and retailers. Let's be clear, it depends upon the Lake District," he said.

Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council and Allerdale Borough Council will decide whether to move to the next stage of a process that is still decades away from completion, even if approved.

They have sought further assurances from the government, including clarification on when, exactly, they could legally withdraw from the process should they want to.

"Stage 4" would involve undertaking vast geological investigations, properly testing theories for and against, and holding formal talks with the government over any "community benefits package".

Unsuitable sites will be ruled out and, if any remain, further tests will be carried out, including seismic surveys.

If any site is ultimately deemed acceptable construction could begin as soon as 2025.

For more on this story watch Inside Out at 19:30 GMT on BBC One on Monday 28 January.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-21161367#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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Machines have feelings too!

Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Cyberpunk...These are neat and all, but they are basically just variations of ice cream. What if I want a dang sandwich instead of more dessert? Biopunk! Something I haven't really seen done. Now, I'm not talking genetic mutation of humans or any of that vanilla garbage. I'm talking machines that breed, buildings that grow, and technology that evolves organically!

My idea: Alternate timeline universe where technology as we know it never occurred. Since the dawn of sentient life, all forms of "technology" have been simply animals or plants that were cultivated into tools. Over the eons the level of sophistication has grown to be far more advanced than we have today, but at the same time, many things we take for granted don't exist.

There is no electricity, nor cell phones, computers, the internet, or other convenience items. There are many things which can take place of that though.

For long distance communication, stations that resemble phone booths are grown as twins, then separated and transported to the locations they are needed. The booths are plantlike, and psychically linked to each other. Inside there is a patch of growth that is bio-luminescent and able to produce colors similar in to the manner of a cuttlefish, effectively making a television screen. The booths also have a device that temporarily grafts to the back of the user's neck, enabling them to hear the thoughts of the occupant in the adjoined booth. Obviously, since this method of communication isn't portable, each meeting needs to be scheduled ahead of time.

For that purpose, small mouse like creatures are also bred. They, too, are psychically linked, and when one is activated, all others from the same litter will light up as well. This makes these creatures invaluable to special operations teams, businessmen, married couples, and anyone who needs to keep in contact with others instantaneously.

There are no cars, trains or planes. Several different types of transportation exist, from simple four legged mounts to encapsulating tank like creatures, and no two are exactly the same(unless they are twins of course). Each has a different method of control, as well as their own temperament and personality.

Much of the world is vegetarian, due mostly to the fact that nearly all animal life tastes horrible and is slightly toxic. There is no economy system, nor currency. Most services are free of charge, such as inns, restaurants and bath houses. Goods such as clothing or mounts can be traded for using seeds or breeding animals.

These are some of the ideas I come up with, but I still don't have a definitive plot or detailed mechanisms yet. If anyone has ideas to offer, I'd be very grateful. Let me know what you all think!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/OqtzyuJ4KFU/viewtopic.php

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3 Pieces of Advice from a Freshman Republican to the GOP

Freshman Republican Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas answered questions for 40 minutes in a room full of conservatives at the National Review Institute summit in Washington on Friday. When he finished speaking there was boisterous applause, and one woman walked up to him after the speech and said, "You'll be president one day." Cotton shook her hand, gave an aw-shucks thank you and walked on to glad-hand with other conservatives. He's one of the party's rising stars and is already being talked about as a potential challenger to Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor in 2014.

Here are three political lessons learned after the wide-ranging discussion.

1. Get good candidates. Bad candidates make for poor election outcomes. That might seem obvious, but there's a definite narrative developing around the party's 2012 defeat that poor candidates contributed to the drubbing at the polls. To be certain, Cotton wasn't calling for the party to moderate, but he acknowledged that weak candidates weaken the party, and he talked in more straightforward political terms than some other Republicans who instead call for the party to "modernize, not moderate." His advice? "If you want to win an election it helps to nominate skillful candidates, and I don't think on that front necessarily it's ideology," Cotton said. He pointed to Sen. Ron Johnson, a former businessman as an ideal candidate and only hinted at losing candidates like Todd Akin of Missouri whose campaign failed after now-infamous comments on rape in his contest against Sen. Claire McCaskill.

2. Exploit foreign policy. Cotton argued voters care less about foreign policy than the economy and domestic policy because it affects them less, but the fact that Obama has deemphasized the war in Afghanistan and is focused on pulling the troops out means there's a political opportunity for the GOP. Cotton put it like this. "On the campaign, foreign policy is just very different than domestic policy. ? People don't ask what do you think we should do about taxes? What do you think we should do about the 2nd Amendment? They ask, 'You're gonna protect our 2nd Amendment rights, aren't you? You're not gonna raise my taxes are you?' But they do ask those kinds of questions about Afghanistan and Iraq? We all experience the economy or domestic policy firsthand in our churches homes and rotary clubs. ? So there's more opportunity for leadership, for persuasion on foreign policy."

3. If you can't pass your own conservative agenda, then frustrate the president. Make the case, Cotton suggested, that the "collective government" theme President Obama pursued in his inaugural address is a continuation of the era of big government. Cotton's betting that that message won't sell with the public. Here's what he called for. "What we need are political leaders who will clearly and always make the case for conservative reform, whether that means blocking the worst of the Obama agenda or passing our own reforms," he said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/3-pieces-advice-freshman-republican-gop-084521390--politics.html

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Avoiding Accidents On Family Holidays ? Larger Family Life

?

Although nobody wants to consider the possibility of suffering an accident or injury while abroad on a family holiday, in fact these are relatively common ? making it essential that anyone planning a trip abroad gets the necessary holiday insurance from a reputable provider like Express Solicitors. This will at least ensure that you are not liable for any medical expenses, on top of the emotional trauma of suffering injury abroad. Of course a great many of the injuries suffered abroad are avoidable, should families exercise proper precautions, just as they are in this country.

One of the most common types of accident that people experience while they are abroad is a vehicle accident, and there can be any number of reasons for this, from choosing to rent an unreliable vehicle to not properly understanding the driving regulations in other countries. Taking the time to familiarise yourself with these, while also ensuring that you exercise the same care and attention while driving on holiday as you would at home will help you to avoid car accidents.

Going to hospital in foreign countries can be distressing for anybody, should you need to, a medical negligence claim for any family member can be made if you feel the appropriate care hasn?t been given. More often than not this isn?t the case but language barriers and medical systems in other countries can sometimes be problematic. It?s always worth doing your research.

Amongst the other common types of injuries people suffer while they are abroad on holiday are those which occur at their actual place of accommodation. Again there are steps that you can take to minimise the risk of these, such as ensuring that any swimming pool at the hotel you are staying at has lifeguards, by making sure that you supervise your children while they are swimming and by ensuring that you know what the fire safety procedures at the hotel are ? and where the closest fire exit to your own room is. Of course, some more specialist types of holiday ? for example a skiing trip ? will present more risk than others, but these basic steps, together with securing holiday insurance, should help to give you peace of mind.

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Source: http://www.largerfamilylife.com/2013/01/26/avoiding-accidents-on-family-holidays/

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Spouses club relents, accepts lesbian Army wife

Courtesy Ashley Broadway

Ashley Broadway, left, is pictured with her wife, Lt. Col. Heather Mack and their 2-year-old son.

By Bill Briggs, NBC News contributor

Hours after same-sex Army wife Ashley Broadway was named Fort Bragg's 2013 ?spouse of the year,? the on-base spouses club???that has for two months rebuffed Broadway's bid to join?? fully reversed course and invited her "to become a full member," according to emails sent to NBC News and Broadway.

The decision comes one week after the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses (ABOS) extended Broadway???who is married to Army Lt. Col. Heather Mack???a "special guest membership," an invitation she declined and called "extremely demeaning."

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"After further reviewing the (club's) constitution, by-laws and internal procedures, the ABOS Board felt that in order to immediately support all military Officer spouses who are eligible for ABOS membership a more inclusive definition of spouse was needed. Therefore, any Spouse of an active duty commissioned or warrant Officer with a valid marriage certificate from any state or district in the United States is eligible for ABOS membership," the club's board said in a statement.

"ABOS does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, creed, or sexual orientation. ABOS would like to publicly invite Ms. Broadway to apply for full membership to ABOS. It is and always has been our mission to support all military families."

In an email to Broadway ? shared with NBC News???the club said, "We would like to offer you to become a full member of ABOS."

"I will go ahead and submit my application," Broadway said in response to the invitation. "I need to educate some of the naysayers that are in that group and show them my family is just like their family."

In the online election held Tuesday, Broadway captured the Fort Bragg vote ?by a country mile,? said Babette Maxwell, founder of Military Spouse magazine and the Military Spouse of the Year award. Ballot totals were not revealed.

As one of the 154 base-level winners, Broadway now is eligible to be nominated for Army ?spouse of the year.?

?A lot of people who voted never me met or talked to me or knew me from Adam. I know it was a statement to the Obama Administration, to Secretary (of Defense Leon) Panetta, to Senator (Chuck) Hagel ? if he is confirmed (as defense secretary) ? to the Pentagon and, really, to America that, yes, she is a military spouse and she needs to be recognized,? Broadway told NBC News.

?There are things the government can do right now to make life a hell of a lot easier than what it is currently for those who are in same-sex marriages in the military,? she added. ?It was a lot of people saying, ?Enough?s enough.? ?

Broadway?s rejection from the Fort Bragg officers? spouses club sparked the U.S. Marine Corps to issue on Jan. 9 a pro-gay, branch-wide directive. On Jan. 16, her bid drew the Pentagon?s attention. The next day, the?on-base spouses club offered Broadway a "special guest membership" ? an invitation she declined, calling it ?extremely demeaning.??

Broadway married Mack, her 15-year companion, in November ? their first chance to hold a formal ceremony after?the 2011 repeal of ?Don?t Ask Don?t Tell,??the policy that kept gays from openly serving in the military. The couple has a 2-year-old son and Mack gave birth to their second child, a daughter, on Tuesday.?

?People got one vote per email address ? one ballot for the person you wanted to represent you. I think people would be unwilling to, quote-unquote, throw their vote away on simply doing what was popular,? Maxwell said. ?There was a significant amount of meaning in what they were doing when they voted for Ashley.

?Removing her a bit from the press and recognition she?s received the last few months, Ashley???more importantly???has a platform to benefit a large number of spouses, and that?s what people want to see happen,? Maxwell added. ?The winners are chosen based on their merits, their accomplishments and what they intend to do for the community in the year to come.?

Broadway has volunteered to tutor soldiers? children in reading, briefed inbound Army families on local school districts, and helped transferring soldiers with housing-location decisions.

?When I was denied membership, I asked to speak to the club?s board. I was convinced that if they?d just sit down with me for half an hour, if I could talk to them about what I?ve been doing, what I?ll be doing in the future, they would see what an asset I would be to the group,? Broadway said.

The meeting was not granted.

?That was the most frustrating thing,? she said.

Before its decision late Friday to relent and offer Broadway full membership, the ABOS board had maintained Broadway was never rejected because ?a formal application was never filed,? and that she simply had inquired about the eligibility of a same-sex spouse and was told the club would need ?time to look at the issue.??

Online voting for the next round of the 2013 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year???the branch level???will take place Feb. 5. The overall winner, elected from the branch finalists, will be revealed May 9.

"I never thought in a million years I would be the one to advance the cause. If that?s what it?s going to take to get attention for all the military same-sex spouses, then so be it," Broadway said. "But I do take this (Bragg 'spouse of the year' award) very seriously. And we'll see where it goes from here."?

Related stories:

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/24/16686603-rebuffed-by-fort-bragg-spouses-club-lesbian-army-wife-named-bases-spouse-of-the-year?lite

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Energy Return on Investment (EROI) for U.S. Oil ... - Peak Oil News

Oil production in the US peaked in 1970. The easy ?sweeter? stuff has been extracted. What remains is deeper in the ground or farther off-shore, requires much more energy to extract, and is more toxic to produce. It takes energy to make energy. Energy Return on Investment (EROI) also known as?ERoEI?(Energy Returned on Energy Invested), is a common way of expressing the efficiency of the energy production process. The EROI for oil and gas, as well as other fossil fuels,?has been falling for decades (see chart below). If it was a financial stock, you would have sold it years ago.

The Ouroboros

It is important to track EROI. Producing a barrel of oil consumes more and more energy, thus exponentially?accelerating the consumption of the oil. It is like the mythic Ouroboros?-?a snake eating its own tail. A high EROI is better than low EROI. As we approach an EROI of 1:1 (e.g.?consuming 1 barrel of oil to produce 1 barrel of oil), it?s game over ? why bother. Prudent nations would want to have a comprehensive plan for transitioning to alternative fuels and renewable energy, well before we hit peak oil. Oh well? More on that in a minute (see The Hirsch Report, below).

This week, a team of researchers published a detailed analysis of the EROI for oil and gas industry. The report,?A New Long Term Assessment of Energy Return on Investment (EROI) for U.S. Oil and Gas Discovery and Production, is authored by researchers at?State University of New York and Boston University.

From the abstract:

Oil and gas are the main sources of energy in the United States. Part of their appeal is the high Energy Return on Energy Investment (EROI) when procuring them. We assessed data from the United States Bureau of the Census of Mineral Industries, the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Oil and Gas Journal for the years 1919?2007 and from oil analyst Jean Laherrere to derive EROI for both finding and producing oil and gas. We found two general patterns in the relation of energy gains compared to energy costs: a gradual secular decrease in EROI and an inverse relation to drilling effort. EROI for finding oil and gas decreased exponentially from 1200:1 in 1919 to 5:1 in 2007. The EROI for production of the oil and gas industry was about 20:1 from 1919 to 1972, declined to about 8:1 in 1982 when peak drilling occurred, recovered to about 17:1 from 1986?2002 and declined sharply to about 11:1 in the mid to late 2000s. The slowly declining secular trend has been partly masked by changing effort: the lower the intensity of drilling, the higher the EROI compared to the secular trend. Fuel consumption within the oil and gas industry grew continuously from 1919 through the early 1980s, declined in the mid-1990s, and has increased recently, not surprisingly linked to the increased cost of finding and extracting oil.

As we deplete the earths global oil reserves, we need to dig deeper and deeper ? typically drilling over 100 million feet of well per year. It takes enormous amounts of energy and resources to do that, not to mention the energy consumed just to figure out where to drill. The next two charts show the EROI for oil and gas discovery and production.

(source: Guilford, Hall, Connor, Cleveland ?A New Long Term Assessment of Energy Return on Investment (EROI) for U.S. Oil and Gas Discovery and Production.? Sustainability 2011, 3, 1866-1887)

For the Discovery chart above, note that in the early days of oil exploration, the stuff was practically bubbling out of the ground, so it was much easier to figure out where to drill ? hence the EROI over 1,200 in 1920. As the US industrial age found its legs, oil consumption accelerated. Demand for more and more oil quickly consumed the easy stuff, and the EROI fell rapidly. As we hit peak oil production in 1970, the EROI fell below 10:1. I inset a blowup of the chart, from 1950 to 2010, so that we can see how EROI has since remained firmly in the single digits.

(source: Guilford, Hall, Connor, Cleveland ?A New Long Term Assessment of Energy Return on Investment (EROI) for U.S. Oil and Gas Discovery and Production.? Sustainability 2011, 3, 1866-1887)

The EROI for Production is trending lower too. Variations in any given year are largely dependent on how much drilling it takes to produce the oil. ?Typically about 2 barrels of oil equivalent are consumed per foot of well drilled. In years where there was a lot of drilling, the EROI would be lower.

A more intuitive way to look at this trend is as dollars per barrel of oil. The chart below is from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Annual Energy Review for 2011. It shows the cost to add each additional barrel of oil to US reserves.

COE (crude oil equivalent) measures the cost of adding 5.8 million BTUs regardless of whether the resource is oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids. (source: EIA, 2011 Annual Energy Review)

As I mentioned above, the easy oil has been extracted. What remains is increasingly difficult to get to and refine (ultra-deep, off-shore, tar sands, shale-rock fracking, etc). ?We should expect these prices to continue their trend higher.

The Hirsch Report

In 2005, the US Department of Energy published?Peaking of World Oil Production: Impacts, Mitigation, and Risk Management, which came to be known as the Hirsch Report, named for the reports lead author, Robert Hirsch.?It examined the time frame for the occurrence of peak oil, the necessary mitigating actions, and the likely impacts based on the timeliness of those actions. From the report:

The peaking of world oil production presents the U.S. and the world with an unprecedented risk management problem. As peaking is approached, liquid fuel prices and price volatility will increase dramatically, and, without timely mitigation, the economic, social, and political costs will be unprecedented. Viable mitigation options exist on both the supply and demand sides, but to have substantial impact, they must be initiated more than a decade in advance of peaking.

The report estimated that oil production would peak in about 2015. It laid out three possible scenarios:

A scenario analysis was performed, based on crash program implementation worldwide ? the fastest humanly possible. Three starting dates were considered:
1. When peaking occurs;
2. Ten years before peaking occurs; and
3. Twenty years before peaking.

The timing of oil peaking was left open because of the considerable differences of opinion among experts. Consideration of a number of implementation scenarios provided some fundamental insights, as follows:

• Waiting until world oil production peaks before taking crash program action leaves the world with a significant liquid fuel deficit for more than two decades.
• Initiating a mitigation crash program 10 years before world oil peaking helps considerably but still leaves a liquid fuels shortfall roughly a decade after the time that oil would have peaked.
• Initiating a mitigation crash program 20 years before peaking offers the possibility of avoiding a world liquid fuels shortfall for the forecast period.

The reason why such long lead times are required is that the worldwide scale of oil consumption is enormous ? a fact often lost in a world where oil abundance has been taken for granted for so long. If mitigation is too little, too late, world supply/demand balance will have to be achieved through massive demand destruction (shortages), which would translate to extreme economic hardship. On the other hand, with timely mitigation, economic damage can be minimized.

We are on a short fuse. As we ride along the top of peak oil production, spikes in demand, or disruptions in supply, will cause rapid fluctuations in the price of oil. With no ability to provide alternatives, the economy will stutter, usually in the form of a recession, which has the side effect of reducing demand. Until we transition to alternative forms of energy, we will repeat the cycle of growth, followed by hitting the peak oil wall, followed by recession.

Small is Beautiful

And as the legendary economist E.F. Schumacher points out in his seminal book Small is Beautiful, to understand the true cost of an product or initiative, we must tally both the direct costs as well as the indirect costs. When we talk about oil and gas, what is the cost of CO2 spewing into our atmosphere? What is the cost of toxic chemicals leaking into our water systems? What is the cost to public health? What is the cost of each oil war? What is the cost of funding petro-dictatorships? What is the cost to the common wealth?

What is the cost?

Fires burn around the site of the BP Deepwater Horizon rig site in the Gulf of Mexico, June 19, 2010. (source: LA Times)

Carpe Diem

While the EROI of fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal plummet, the EROI for renewables such as wind and solar are trending strongly up, with EROIs five to twenty times higher than their fossil fuel counterparts.

Can the nation that pioneered the computer, telecommunications, the internet, medical technology, oil exploration, landed on the moon, etc. muster the will to do it again with alternative energy? Carpe Diem!

8020Vision

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Source: http://peakoil.com/production/energy-return-on-investment-eroi-for-u-s-oil-and-gas-discovery-and-production/

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