Skin, soft tissue infections succumb to blue light

Jan. 28, 2013 ? Blue light can selectively eradicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the skin and soft tissues, while preserving the outermost layer of skin, according to a proof-of-principle study led by Michael R. Hamblin of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Harvard Medical School, Boston.

The research is published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

"Blue light is a potential non-toxic, non-antibiotic approach for treating skin and soft tissue infections, especially those caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens," says Hamblin.

In the study, animal models were infected with P. aeruginosa. All of the animals in the group treated with blue light survived, while in the control, 82 percent (9 out of 11) of the animals died.

Skin and soft tissue infections are the second most common bacterial infections encountered in clinical practice, and represent the most common infection presentation -- more than 3 percent -- in patients visiting emergency departments, says Hamblin. The prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections among hospitalized patients is 10 percent, with approximately 14.2 million ambulatory care visits every year and an annual associated medical cost of almost $24 billion (equivalent to $76 for every American), says Hamblin.

Treatment of skin and soft tissue infections has been significantly complicated by the explosion of antibiotic resistance, which may bring an end to what medical scientists refer to as the antibiotic era, says Hamblin. "Microbes replicate very rapidly, and a mutation that helps a microbe survive in the presence of an antibiotic drug will quickly predominate throughout the microbial population. Recently, a dangerous new enzyme, NDM-1, that makes some bacteria resistant to almost all antibiotics available has been found in the United States. Many physicians are concerned that several infections soon may be untreatable."

Besides harming public health, antibiotic resistance boosts health care costs. "Treating resistant skin and soft tissue infections often requires the use of more expensive, or more toxic drugs, and can result in longer hospital stays for infected patients," says Hamblin.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Society for Microbiology.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. T. Dai, A. Gupta, Y.-Y. Huang, R. Yin, C. K. Murray, M. S. Vrahas, M. Sherwood, G. P. Tegos, M. R. Hamblin. Blue light rescues mice from potentially fatal Pseudomonas aeruginosa burn infection: efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2012; DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01652-12

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/top_news/~3/Z_KxGNEuEXU/130128163403.htm

obama budget woolly mammoth belize resorts nikki minaj grammy performance shel silverstein niki minaj grammy performance grammys 2012

'Hansel & Gretel' nabs $19M, No. 1 at box office

Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton arrive at the premiere of "Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton arrive at the premiere of "Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

Famke Janssen, Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton arrive at the premiere of "Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

Jeremy Renner arrives at the premiere of "Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

Gemma Arterton arrives at the premiere of "Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters" on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters" cooked up $19 million in its opening weekend.

Paramount's R-rated action film update on the classic fairytale topped the box office, according to studio estimates Sunday. "Hansel & Gretel" features Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as grown-up renditions of the title characters battling witches with crossbows.

Don Harris, Paramount's president of distribution, blamed icy weather on the East Coast for the film's not-so-bewitching debut.

"We got dinged a little bit with the weather on Friday, but overall we're pleased," said Harris, who added that "Hansel & Gretel" performed solidly internationally, earning $25 million overseas.

Other films opening over the weekend in the U.S. and Canada didn't fare as well. The crime thriller "Parker," starring Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez, debuted in fifth place with $7 million, while Relativity Media's raunchy ensemble comedy "Movie 43" opened in the seventh spot with $5 million.

Hollywood.com box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian noted that it was the first time box-office grosses were down over last year after four up weekends.

Universal's supernatural horror film "Mama" starring Jessica Chastain dropped to second place with $12.8 million in its second weekend.

Several best-picture Academy Awards contenders continued to benefit from Oscar buzz, as well as the motion picture academy's decision to move up this year's nomination announcement, giving nominees more time in theaters between the Jan. 10 nominations unveiling and the Feb. 24 ceremony.

"Having an Oscar nomination is like holding a lottery ticket," said Dergarabedian. "It could pay off on Oscar night, but it's already paying big dividends now. All this time between the Oscar nominations and the telecast is prime time for these movies to capitalize on their higher profile."

"Silver Linings Playbook," which is up for eight Academy Awards, came in third place over the weekend with $10 million. The film starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence is in its 11th weekend of release and earned $3 million overseas.

"Zero Dark Thirty," the Osama bin Laden manhunt drama also starring Chastain, dropped to fourth place with $9.8 million. It's competing in five categories at the Academy Awards and nabbed $3.6 million internationally.

"Django Unchained," which is nominated for five Oscars, took in $5 million in sixth place, and the musical "Les Miserables," which is up for eight Academy Awards, earned $3.9 million in the 10th position. It was the fifth weekend for both films. "Django" topped the international chart with $47.9 million in 65 total territories.

___

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," $19 million ($25 million international).

2. "Mama," $12.8 million.

3. "Silver Linings Playbook," $10 million ($3 million international).

4. "Zero Dark Thirty," $9.8 million ($3.6 million international).

5. "Parker," $7 million.

6. "Django Unchained," $5 million ($42.9 million international).

7. "Movie 43," $5 million ($2.8 million international).

8. "Gangster Squad,"$4.2 million ($6.8 million international).

9. "Broken City," $4 million ($500,000 international).

10. "Les Miserables," $3.9 million ($14 million international).

___

Estimated weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada) for films distributed overseas by Hollywood studios, according to Rentrak:

1. "Django Unchained," $42.9 million.

2. "Skyfall," $35.4 million.

3. "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," $25 million.

4. "Life of Pi," $17.5 million.

5. "Les Miserables," $14 million.

6. "Lincoln," $10.7 million.

7. "Miracle in Cell No. 7," $9.7 million.

8. "The Impossible," $7.2 million.

9. "Gangster Squad," $6.8 million.

10. "Wreck-It Ralph," $5.9 million.

___

Online:

http://www.hollywood.com

http://www.rentrak.com

___

Universal and Focus are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of Comcast Corp.; Sony, Columbia, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; Paramount is owned by Viacom Inc.; Disney, Pixar and Marvel are owned by The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is owned by Filmyard Holdings LLC; 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight are owned by News Corp.; Warner Bros. and New Line are units of Time Warner Inc.; MGM is owned by a group of former creditors including Highland Capital, Anchorage Advisors and Carl Icahn; Lionsgate is owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; IFC is owned by AMC Networks Inc.; Rogue is owned by Relativity Media LLC.

___

Follow Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-01-27-Box%20Office/id-fcc7502a30bf4f6886288b11a5ab9822

david blaine gotye divine mercy cabin in the woods

Secret Group in House Finalizing Plan for Immigration Reform

As a group of senators unveil their bipartisan proposal for immigration reform today and President Obama heads west this week to rally support for his own ideas, a separate bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is on the verge of finalizing its own designs for comprehensive immigration reform.

The discussions, which top aides close to the talks discussed on the condition that they not be identified, are described as "Washington's best-kept secret."

Last week, House Speaker John Boehner spilled the beans on the secret group, revealing that the lawmakers had been "meeting for three or four years now" and that they are almost ready to present their proposals publicly.

"They basically have an agreement. I've not seen the agreement. I don't know all the pitfalls, but it's, in my view, the right group of members," Boehner, R-Ohio, told the Ripon Society last week during remarks that were closed to the press, as first reported by The Hill. "My theory was that if these folks could work this out, it'd be a big step in the right direction."

Multiple sources say those involved in the talks include Democratic Reps. Xavier Becerra (California), Luis Gutierrez (Illinois), Zoe Lofgren (California), and Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (Florida), Sam Johnson (Texas) and John Carter (Texas). Spokespersons for each congressional office refused to confirm or deny their representative's participation in the talks on the record. Additional members have also participated, according to sources intimately involved in the talks.

The House's not-yet-finalized proposal is expected to address five general areas of immigration reform, according to aides close to the negotiations. Secure the border, implement a permanent E-verify system nationwide, reform the visa system, address the predicament of how to handle immigrants already in the country illegally in a "fair" and "legal manner" while determining how to handle those who have applied for legal immigration and are currently waiting in line, and reform the immigration system for future applicants.

"We don't want to create an advantage for people who came into the country illegally or overstayed visas while millions of others wait in line," one insider said. "We have to reform the legal immigration system so you have a system that people will go through rather than go around."

Sources said that the talks are so far along, there are draft proposals written into legislation language awaiting final approval before the plan is introduced in the House. One source hinted that the group's proposal could be unveiled in the days surrounding the president's State of the Union address, which is scheduled Feb. 12.

Although he would not confirm his personal participation in the talks, Diaz-Balart, the president of the Congressional Hispanic Conference, admitted that both political parties have used immigration as a campaign tool instead of working earnestly to address the problem. He said he wondered whether there are enough members willing to work across party lines "to solve an issue everybody knows is broken."

"The American people realize that the immigration system is broken, absolutely broken, from A to Z. The question is are we going to continue, knowing that it's broken, to ignore it or are we going to try to solve it? What you're seeing now is a true effort to fix what's broken," Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., said during a phone call Monday. "What I saw today in the Senate is encouraging, and in the House, pretty soon we'll be able to show a lot of work has been done."

The mysterious discussions have taken on an increased level of urgency now that President Obama has been sworn in for a second term in office. Last week, the president also met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Becerra and Gutierrez, at the White House. During that meeting the president identified immigration reform as his top legislative priority. One source said if Congress fails to enact a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's immigration laws by the end of the year, it won't happen until after 2016 when there is a new president.

Lawmakers are considering "deferred adjudication," which would hold anyone accountable who entered the country illegally without kicking them out of the country. While the details are still being worked out, sources explained one proposal under consideration would require anyone who entered the country illegally to plead guilty before a federal court, pay a penalty and serve a probation-type sentence.

"We don't want anyone skipping line," another congressional aide close to the talks said. "If they broke the law, they have to pay a price."

The amount of the fine is among the final 'unclosed issues' as discussions near completion, aides say. Lawmakers are also attempting to settle how quickly to implement the e-verify system. While some lawmakers prefer to enforce the check within one year, others want to delay implementation for two years.

Democrat participants joined the group with the blessing of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and regularly updated her on the informal talks, according to a senior Democratic leadership aide. President Obama has also been aware of the secret discussions the past four years, one source added.

The effort has been ongoing for years with as many as 20 lawmakers involved in talks, but half of the members of the original working group left the House of Representatives after the last election, according to multiple sources. The group met at least once a week every week that the House was in session over the past two years. Sometimes members met up to three times per week, and never for less than an hour, making the success of keeping the meetings secret even more remarkable.

For a party that is anxiously trying to reshape its public perception after being defeated up and down the ballot last November, many top Republicans now appear ready to embrace politically gutsy changes to the law.

Ahead of the immigration blitz this week, former Republican vice president nominee Rep. Paul Ryan, who is not part of the working group, called immigration "a good thing."

"We're here because of immigration. That's what America is. It's a melting pot. We think this is good. We need to make sure it works," Ryan, R-Wis., said on "Meet the Press" Sunday. "There are Republicans and Democrats, many of us are talking to each other, that can come together with a good solution to make sure that this problem is fixed once and for all."

Still, there are some conservatives who warn that the Senate's proposal would amount to amnesty and encourage further illegal immigration.

"When you legalize those who are in the country illegally, it costs taxpayers millions of dollars, costs American workers thousands of jobs and encourages more illegal immigration," Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, wrote in a statement today. "By granting amnesty, the Senate proposal actually compounds the problem by encouraging more illegal immigration."

One of the House's most ardent advocates for strengthening border security, Rep. Steve King, said he has not been asked for any input and doubted its chances to produce an effective plan.

"If you want a particular result, appoint the people that will produce the result that you want," King, R-Iowa, said about the secret discussions during a phone call Monday. "I don't know when eight senators were smarter than 100, or a dozen members of the House were smarter than 435 members. Secret meetings reinforce the people inside the door and isolate folks outside of the door."

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/secret-group-house-finalizing-plan-immigration-reform-221743689--abc-news-politics.html

gop debate republican debate lewis black kirkwood chris brown and rihanna nightline brady quinn

Senators reach agreement on immigration reform

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A bipartisan group of leading senators has reached agreement on the principles of sweeping legislation to rewrite the nation's immigration laws.

The deal, which was to be announced at a news conference Monday afternoon, covers border security, guest workers and employer verification, as well as a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants already in this country.

Although thorny details remain to be negotiated and success is far from certain, the development heralds the start of what could be the most significant effort in years toward overhauling the nation's inefficient patchwork of immigration laws.

President Barack Obama also is committed to enacting comprehensive immigration legislation and will travel to Nevada on Tuesday to lay out his vision, which is expected to overlap in important ways with the Senate effort.

The eight senators expected to endorse the new principles Monday are Democrats Charles Schumer of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Michael Bennet of Colorado; and Republicans John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeff Flake of Arizona.

Several of these lawmakers have worked for years on the issue. McCain collaborated with the late Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on comprehensive immigration legislation pushed by then-President George W. Bush in 2007, only to see it collapse in the Senate when it couldn't get enough GOP support.

Now, with some Republicans chastened by the November elections which demonstrated the importance of Latino voters and their increasing commitment to Democrats, some in the GOP say this time will be different.

"What's changed, honestly, is that there is a new, I think, appreciation on both sides of the aisle ? including maybe more importantly on the Republican side of the aisle ? that we have to enact a comprehensive immigration reform bill," McCain said Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

"I think the time is right," McCain said.

The group claims a notable newcomer in Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate whose conservative bona fides may help smooth the way for support among conservatives wary of anything that smacks of amnesty. In an opinion piece published Sunday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rubio wrote that the existing system amounts to "de facto amnesty," and he called for "commonsense reform."

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the senators will call for accomplishing four goals:

?Creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here, contingent upon securing the border and better tracking of people here on visas.

?Reforming the legal immigration system, including awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering from an American university.

?Creating an effective employment verification system to ensure that employers do not hire illegal immigrants.

?Allowing more low-skill workers into the country and allowing employers to hire immigrants if they can demonstrate they couldn't recruit a U.S. citizen; and establishing an agricultural worker program.

The principles being released Monday are outlined on just over four pages, leaving plenty of details left to fill in. What the senators do call for is similar to Obama's goals and some past efforts by Democrats and Republicans, since there's wide agreement in identifying problems with the current immigration system. The most difficult disagreement is likely to arise over how to accomplish the path to citizenship.

In order to satisfy the concerns of Rubio and other Republicans, the senators are calling for the completion of steps on border security and oversight of those here on visas before taking major steps forward on the path to citizenship.

Even then, those here illegally would have to qualify for a "probationary legal status" that would allow them to live and work here ? but not qualify for federal benefits ? before being able to apply for permanent residency. Once they are allowed to apply they would do so behind everyone else already in line for a green card within the current immigration system.

That could be a highly cumbersome process, but how to make it more workable is being left to future negotiations. The senators envision a more streamlined process toward citizenship for immigrants brought here as children by their parents, and for agricultural workers.

The debate will play out at the start of Obama's second term, as he aims to spend the political capital afforded him by his re-election victory on an issue that has eluded past presidents and stymied him during his first term despite his promises to the Latino community to act.

"As the president has made clear for some time, immigration reform is an important priority and he is pleased that progress is being made with bipartisan support," a White House spokesman, Clark Stevens, said in a statement. "At the same time, he will not be satisfied until there is meaningful reform and he will continue to urge Congress to act until that is achieved."

For Republicans, the November elections were a stark schooling on the importance of Latino voters, who voted for Obama over Republican Mitt Romney 71 percent to 27 percent, helping ensure Obama's victory. That led some Republican leaders to conclude that supporting immigration reform with a path to citizenship has become a political imperative.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-28-Immigration/id-5bdd98b67f654365b5d2205f9e4f0ee9

world peace elbow kevin love think like a man world peace world peace lakers colorectal cancer metta

What will Michelle Obama do with 4 more years? (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/279701353?client_source=feed&format=rss

projectglass stock act new york auto show khalid sheikh mohammed masters par 3 gwen stefani overeem

Timeline: Fire in nightclub kills 232 in Brazil

(Reuters) - A fire killed at least 233 people in a nightclub in southern Brazil on Sunday when a band's pyrotechnics show set the building ablaze.

Among the deadliest fires at a nightclub was at the Cocoanut Grove in Boston on November 28, 1942, when 492 people were killed. In Brazil, one of the worst fires at an entertainment venue was at a circus in Niteroi in 1961 in which 323 people died after an arson attack.

Following are some of the deadliest fires this century at entertainment venues:

March 29, 2000 - Paradise video parlor, an illegal porn cinema, at Jiaozuo in China's Henan province. 74 dead.

December 25, 2000 - Mall at Luoyang, China; fire engulfs building workers and Christmas party at discotheque. 309 dead.

December 1, 2002 - La Coajira nightclub in Caracas. 50 dead.

February 20, 2003 - Station nightclub, West Warwick, Rhode Island; fireworks during heavy metal concert. 100 dead.

December 30, 2004 - Republica Cromagnon nightclub, Buenos Aires; flare for New Year party hits foam ceiling. 192 dead.

January 1, 2009 - Santika nightclub, Bangkok; New Year party. 61 dead.

December 5, 2009 - Lame Horse nightclub, Perm, Russia; indoor fireworks ignite wicker ceiling. At least 155 dead.

January 27, 2013 - Kiss nightclub, Santa Maria, Brazil; band had fireworks show. Police say the death toll is at least 233.

(Reporting by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit; Editing by Anthony Boadle and Stacey Joyce)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/timeline-fire-nightclub-kills-200-brazil-124344687.html

delilah nevis 2012 sports illustrated swimsuit same day flower delivery valentines day westminster dog show valentines day cards

Stan Musial remembered during funeral Mass

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Stan Musial was remembered during a funeral and memorial outside Busch Stadium on Saturday as a Hall of Famer and a St. Louis icon embraced by generations of fans who never had the privilege of watching him play.

Broadcaster Bob Costas, his voice cracking with emotion at times, pointed out during a two-hour Mass that in 92 years of life, Stan the Man never let anyone down.

Costas noted that even though Musial, who died Jan. 19, was a three-time NL MVP and seven-time batting champion, the pride of Donora, Pa., lacked a singular achievement. Joe DiMaggio had a 56-game hitting streak, Ted Williams was the last major leaguer to hit .400, and Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle soared to stardom in the New York spotlight. Musial didn't quite reach the 500-homer club - he finished with 475 - and played in his final World Series in 1946, ''wouldn't you know it, the year before they started televising the Fall Classic!''

''What was the hook with Stan Musial other than the distinctive stance and the role of one of baseball's best hitters?'' Costas said. ''It seems that all Stan had going for him was more than two decades of sustained excellence as a ballplayer and more than nine decades as a thoroughly decent human being.

''Where is the single person to truthfully say a bad word about him?''

There was enough room in the large Roman Catholic church for a handful of fans. One of them wore a vintage, No. 6 Musial jersey. Another clapped softly as pallbearers carried the casket from the church to the hearse to the tune of bagpipes.

Among those in attendance were baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, former St. Louis standout Albert Pujols and Hall of Famers Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter, Whitey Herzog and 90-year-old Red Schoendienst, who once roomed with Musial. Joe Torre, a former MVP and manager in St. Louis, and Tony La Russa, who became close with Musial during his 16 seasons managing the Cardinals, sat near the front along with current manager Mike Matheny.

Pujols, who had been on track to challenge many of Musial's franchise records before signing with the Angels 13 months ago, exchanged hugs with Fred Hanser, a member of the Cardinals ownership team, before taking his seat.

Jim Edmonds, a star center fielder for two World Series teams in the 2000s, has the same last name as one of Musial's sons-in-law. He said Musial informed him that they were distant relatives, and greeted him as ''Hey, Cuz!''

''I thought he was kidding at first,'' Edmonds said. ''That's pretty cool.''

Jack Clark, a slugging first baseman for the Cardinals during the 1980s, said he perhaps respected Musial most for his decency during baseball's sometimes difficult period of integration in the 1940s and 1950s.

''Stan kind of crossed that color barrier. When people were getting on the African-American players, he stuck up for them. It was a time when you could kind of get your finger pointed at you for that stuff,'' Clark said. ''People loved him, and he loved them right back.''

Bishop Richard Stika, pastor at Musial's' church in suburban St. Louis for several years, speculated during the homily about why Musial was never ejected from a game during his career: ''I think deep down, that was because he didn't want to go home and face Lil.''

Musial's wife of nearly 72 years, Lillian, died last year.

Grandson Andrew Edmonds said the public Musial was no different from the private Musial, the grandpa who bought McDonalds for the family every Sunday. He recalled a fan telling him, ''Your grandpa's best attribute is he made nobodies feel like somebodies.''

Pallbearers included Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III, Musial grandsons Andrew Edmonds and Brian Schwarze, and the retired star's longtime business partner in Stan the Man Inc., Dick Zitzmann.

After the service, the hearse and vans filled with the Cardinals' delegation drove to Busch Stadium, where Musial's family laid flowers at the base of one of his statues - the one that made the move across the street from the old Busch - while being serenaded by ''Take Me Out to the Ball Game.'' Color guards from the city's fire and police departments flanked the statue, along with more than a dozen ballpark ushers. A single Clydesdale walked slowly down the street.

Cardinals closer Jason Motte shook his head.

''This is nothing like I've ever seen,'' he said.

During a funeral that was almost entirely upbeat, son-in-law Martin Schwarze got the biggest laugh when he recounted a 1995 radio interview with Jack Buck during which Musial was asked how good of a hitter he'd have been had he played in the modern era. Musial, who finished with a .331 career batting average, replied he probably would have batted about .275, and Buck said ''Whoa, whoa, whoa,'' that's way too low.

Then Musial added with a chuckle, ''Hey, Jack, I'm 75!''

Thousands filed through the Cathedral Basilica at Musial's six-hour public visitation on Thursday, and hundreds more attended the service.

Hundreds more were waiting at the more prominent of the two Musial statues outside Busch Stadium, where fans have gathered since Musial died after several years of declining health. Next to the statues were flowers, balloons, teddy bears, helmets, autographed items and a homemade sign that read ''Thanks for the memories. You live in our hearts, No. 6.''

''He's been a hero to us for four generations,'' Kathy Noorman of Wentzville, Mo., said, speaking near the statue. ''He was such a good man, somebody you can hold up to grandkids and your own kids as an example of who they should be.''

Mark Springman, 57, of Alton, Ill., brought a bottle of champagne to the statue shrine. He saw Musial play in 1963, Stan the Man's final season, and has been a season-ticket holder for about 15 years.

''He was more than a ballplayer,'' Springman said. ''He was the man.''

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/mlb/SIG=12q7h360r/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/stan-musial-remembered-during-funeral-194847869--mlb.html

stephen strasburg shabazz legion baby found alive in morgue rockies ashley judd second degree murders

2013 Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard: Tiger Woods storms ...

Tiger Woods shot 5-under in just four holes midway through his second round of play at the Farmers Insurance Open, and now sits three strokes ahead of the pack on the leaderboard.

The old Tiger Woods is on display at Torrey Pines, as he's darted to the top of the leaderboard with a 6-under thus far in the second round that has him three strokes up on his closest competitor.

Woods started the second day at the Farmers Insurance Open at 4-under: respectable, good for 20th place, but not amazing. And he didn't show any fire as he parred his first four holes. Then, he heated up. A birdie on the par-5 14th, then preposterously strong play around the turn, scoring three birdies and an eagle on his eighth-through-11th holes of the day.

Woods sits at 10-under on the leaderboard with seven holes to go on the day, three strokes ahead of a pack consisting of Charles Howell III, KJ Choi, Luke Guthrie, and Luke List.

Tiger won three tournaments last season, putting him close to the top of the PGA Tour Money list, but he hasn't won a major since 2008. Now, thanks to a five-hole hot streak, he's starting off the 2013 campaign strong. SB Nation's Brendan Porath predicted Woods would make a run after his first round of play, and sure enough, he's already on top of the leaderboard.

For a live leaderboard, visit Golf.com.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/2013/1/25/3916172/farmers-insurance-open-2013-leaderboard-torrey-pines-tiger-woods

WWE peter frampton smokey robinson smokey robinson Sandy Hook Elementary School Colors Cassadee Pope Victoria Soto

lteydanie: Office Ergonomics | Learn the Secrets of Good Health ...

Office Ergonomics | Learn the Secrets of Good Health & Fitness ...

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://binitasharma95.blogspot.com/2013/01/office-ergonomics-learn-secrets-of-good.html

nba trade deadline ncaa tournament marchmadness mike d antoni nba trade rumors 2012 ncaa tournament schedule laurent robinson

Posted by lteydanie at 11:15 PM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook

Source: http://lteydanie.blogspot.com/2013/01/office-ergonomics-learn-secrets-of-good.html

Claire Danes quentin tarantino jessica chastain jessica chastain hugh jackman Amy Poehler Australian Open

Celebrity Luxury Homes & Real Estate News: $20 Million and Up ...

So far, 2013 is proving to be quite active when it comes to celebrity real estate news. The latest famous names making the luxury home buying and selling rounds this year include: Beyonce, Madonna, Debra Messing, David Duchovny, Ethan Hawke and Serena Williams, just to name a few. While their homes are all pretty spectacular, there are a few that not only boast some of the most incredible real estate going, but also the most expensive. With so much going on in the luxury real estate world, we wanted to focus on a few that share one thing in common? price tags above the $20 million mark.

Photo: MLS

Jeremy Renner?s $25 Million Holmby Hills Home: Actor and real estate ?flipper? extraordinaire, Jeremy Renner, is trying once again to turn his luxury home savvy into a very pretty profit; something he?s proven he?s quite good at. His 10,000+ sq. ft. house just hit the market for $24.95 million. The actor, known best for his roles in The Bourne Legacy, The Avengers and The Hurt Locker, originally purchased the art deco estate in 2010 for about $7 million. The 6 bedroom, 11 bath house, which was designed by Kristoffer Winters, is described as a ?roaring ?20s art deco home fit for a 21st-century Howard Hughes?. In addition to the modern Howard Hugh-esque vibe, the house comes with nearly two acres, five fireplaces, 14-ft ceilings, a home theater and a pretty darn nice pool & spa.

Photo: Zillow.com

Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos? $24.5 Million NYC Penthouse: Much loved morning talk show host Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, just listed their Crosby Street penthouse for a number as equally as impressive as the sky-high home itself. The couple originally purchased the home in 2005 for $9.5 million and after two years of renovations are looking to sell for just under $25 million. The 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, penthouse is 6,792 sq. ft. and by all accounts, is pretty spectacular. In addition to being quite large, the penthouse has multiple terraces; including a 2,500 square foot rooftop escape complete with an outdoor fireplace and jaw dropping views. The home is filled with just about the best amenities and finishes you can imagine. And, in case you?re wondering? yes, according to the listing, there are indeed Kelly Ripa endorsed Electrolux appliances in the fabulous custom kitchen.

Photo: The Moen Group ? themoengroup.com

As for right here in Scottsdale, Arizona? there?s a pretty spectacular home that also fits in the $20 million and up category. Coming in at more than 20,000 sq. ft. and measuring longer than the length of a football field, this magnificent estate in the guard-gated community of Silverleaf, is listed at $24.5 million. Among the incredible amenities, in what is currently one of the largest homes under construction in Arizona: five kitchens, a full fitness center, a basketball court, a professional rock-climbing wall, a media viewing/game room with four televisions, a high-tech home theater, a golf simulator room, an 1,800 sq. ft. guest house, a prime location overlooking the Tom Weiskopf Championship Golf Course, an estate pool & spa and so much more. To find out more and see the construction progress, click here. Stay tuned? the video taking you through the entire house when it is finished will be debuting soon!

For more on the most noteworthy luxury homes and real estate news, we invite you to subscribe to our blog. You can also find The Moen Group on these social media sites and channels.

The Moen Group on YouTube ? youtube.com/themoengroup - Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new video.

The Moen Group on Facebook ? facebook.com/themoengroup - ?Like? us for instant updates and exclusive information.

The Moen Group on Twitter ? twitter.com/themoengroup - Follow us and keep up to date on real estate news.

The Moen Group on Linked In - linkedin.com/in/toddmoen - Connect with our Founding Partner, Todd Moen

The Moen Group Blog ? blog.themoengroup.com - Subscribe to our RSS feed and get alerts of new posts automatically.

The Moen Group Private Registration ? themoengroup.com/register - Register for members only benefits including our real estate market reports and access to our live webcams.

The Moen Group Website ? themoengroup.com - See our listings, get our news and find out more.

General Contact Information ? themoengroup.com/contact-us or call us at 480-315-0991.

Tags: celebrity homes, celebrity real estate, featured, for sale, holmby hills, homes, houses, jeremy renner house, kelly ripa, luxury homes, luxury real estate, million dollar homes, most expensive homes, news, penthouse, scottsdale, silverleaf, the moen group, todd moen

Category: Arizona Real Estate, California Real Estate, Luxury Real Estate, Scottsdale Luxury Real Estate

Source: http://blog.themoengroup.com/2013/01/25/celebrity-real-estate-news-20-million-edition/

emancipation proclamation april 16 tornadoes mitch hedberg secret service scandal shea weber greystone

Can 'Hansel & Gretel' Hunt Down The Box Office, Too?

Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton will likely knock Jessica Chastain's "Mama" out of the #1 spot.
By Ryan J. Downey

Jeremy Renner in "Hansel and Gretel"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700793/hansel-and-gretel-weekend-box-office.jhtml

instagram for android dallas news dallas fort worth dfw 1930 census nike new nfl uniforms nfl uniforms

Creating Conversion Out of Content - YouMoz | SEOmoz

In a recent post on the Ascent Internet blog, I laid out the case for compelling Web content from a marketing standpoint. However, having targeted, high quality content is not enough for a website - you need tools to capture the users of your content.

It has been said that content is king on the Web but converting users to buyers or qualified prospects that you can continue to retarget is usually a website's goal.

Before crafting calls to action, it's important to understand the customer mindset and what will make them more likely to respond. What potential customers really want to know is, "What's in it for me?" You need to identify user's hot buttons and incorporate that into your marketing (source). When crafting calls to action, the proper message is important. What types of message are more likely to prompt/nudge people to take action? There is a whole science behind the art of persuasion.

Below are ten ways to reach more customers with your content:

1. Prominent Calls to Action.

Focused, prominent calls to action are critical for any commercial website. To an extent, arranging Web content should be similar to how newspapers design their pages. Focus on the ads first and then fit the content around what converts. This is a primary reason why visually impressive design on a site is important, allowing for better conversion.

In addition to design, calls to action also show the value of Web programming. Typically, calls to action may be in the header, sidebar, or end/footer of the content. But sometimes you need to get creative and use smart techniques.

For example, notice how on Neil Patel's Quick Sprout blog, that when you scroll down, the case study from Tech Crunch at the bottom of the right sidebar remains in place no matter how far down you scroll the page. It is a good general rule to never have a portion of your content free from a prominent, compelling call to action.

However, promoting services is a balancing act. You want your content to provide value to the user without overwhelming them with other messages or services they may not want. But at the same time, you want to convert them into a paying customer.

2. Pop-Ups.

Pop-ups on a website have been historically much reviled and many browsers block pop-ups but there are workarounds. While they can be an annoyance, studies and numbers bear out that pop-ups are effective and for websites using content marketing, they are likely to convert more customers than websites that don't.

Pop-ups don't have to be overly intrusive. You can put pop-ups on a timer so that they only appear after the user has had a chance to make use of the content for a period of time from the Website. An example I like is from Inc. Magazine's website, which has a pop-up that only appears in the bottom left portion of an article once you start scrolling down the page. Inc.'s website also uses more intrusive full screen pop-ups.

3. Case Studies.

Prospective customers may be hesitant. Before they part with their hard-earned money for a service, they want to see a proven track record of results. That is why case studies with stories of how a company's services have benefited others can make such a big difference.

In your case studies, tell a story and use visuals or videos to enhance. Compelling case studies can even be quite sharable on social networks and link worthy, which helps SEO.

4. Testimonials.

Testimonials are similar to case studies, but much shorter. This is where implementing processes and procedures to capture customers' testimonials pays off. In addition to capturing testimonials on your site, businesses should also promote and encourage customers to leave reviews on their Google+ page and other websites such as Yahoo Local, Yelp, Judy's Book, and Angie's List.

Make it easy for your fans to have their voice heard and support you.

5. Email Sign Up.

Since 95% of your website's visitors won't be ready to buy on their first visit, capturing their information to retarget them can really move the needle on sales in the long run. And as Rand so astutely lays out in this Slideshare presentation below, people need a nudge.

Website visitors may be interested in receiving more information and new content via email. This is where the value of an email sign up form comes in to capture contact information and continue to market to them.

Email sign up forms are ubiquitous in the sidebar of blogs and they can also appear as pop-ups. But there are more creative and effective ways of going about getting subscribers. Blue Glass does a good job on their blog of inviting and making the case for users to sign up for their email list to become a Blue Glass "Insider".

6. Feature Contests/Promotions.

Holding contests and giving away prizes can be a great way to keep visitors coming back and convert them into customers. Giveaways and prizes can also be used to drive traffic and keep sales more steady throughout the year. Facebook is a popular medium to hold contests and drive engagement, but there are strict guidelines to follow.

7. Promote Your Social Networks.

Having a strong following on social networks is an important component of the marketing funnel. Social following helps awareness, branding, and promotes trust. Use your website content, contests, and promotions to gain more likes and more social media followers on your networks including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Even if new social media followers aren't buyers, they can still help augment your social following and some may become brand evangelists helping to spread the word on your product or service. Also, search engines are increasingly using social signals as a component of the SERPs.

8. Trust Badges.

Establishing trust on the Internet is important. People may not have physically been to your business or talked to or met a representative of the company. And there are still too many online scams and people who have been burned with a bad Web experience.& This is where having badges that display trust can help.

In fact, trust badges are big business with companies like Verisign, Comodo, and McAfee and organizations like the BBB generating a lot of income, in part, from the value of their badge. These badges are symbols of trust and can help users feel more assured and make a purchase.

If you are on a budget, social media buttons can serve as trust badges. It shows community, engagement, and a real business doing real things.

9. Easy Contact Form.

Having a contact form or prompt for customers to ask questions and get help is another important element that should be highly visible on a business' Web page. Using a live chat service such as Olark, Zopim, or NGage can help you capture more customers.

10. Prominently Display Phone Number.

This may go without saying but as a recent Andrew Shotland column pointed out, not enough small-medium sized businesses are doing this. A business' number should be displayed prominently on each Web page's header and below the content as well.

Conclusion

Compelling, targeted content should be used as a catalyst that sparks a website visitor's interest. But with all the focus on the quality and volume of content, too many are overlooking the business goals of capturing leads and garnering more sales. Instead of focusing on publishing content for search engine rankings or getting links to content, are you doing enough to make it convert and turn visitors into customers?

Create linkable content wrapped in a website aimed at conversion. After all, this is marketing and sales should be the primary goal.

About Jason Nelson ? Jason Nelson is the principal of Ascent Internet, an online marketing and Web development company.

Source: http://www.seomoz.org/ugc/creating-conversion-out-of-content

jason wu for target collection nick diaz vs carlos condit the patriot hall of fame occupy dc ufc 143 fight card my fair lady

Obama, Clinton to give joint TV interview to air on Sunday (reuters)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/279486089?client_source=feed&format=rss

peter frampton smokey robinson smokey robinson Sandy Hook Elementary School Colors Cassadee Pope Victoria Soto nbc sports

Is the GOP's Debt-Ceiling Proposal Constitutional?

A House Republican proposal to suspend the debt limit until mid-May will take worries of a potential default off the table for a while. But for lawmakers, there's a catch. If they fail to pass a budget this spring, they will not get paid.

When the House GOP first floated the idea of withholding lawmakers' pay, constitutional scholars raised concerns about whether this might violate the 27th Amendment, which addresses the procedures for changes in compensation for members of Congress. Republican House leaders may have found a way around the problem, although some scholars still have concerns.

Finally ratified in 1992, the 27th?Amendment says that a change in lawmakers? pay can only apply to the next session of the Congress. The amendment reads: ?No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.?

The authors of the debt-ceiling legislation say they have found a way around the constitutional question.

Lawmakers wouldn't permanently forfeit their pay. Instead, the money would be set aside in an escrow account. At the end of the 113th?Congress, lawmakers would then collect their salaries, regardless of whether they passed a budget.

Akhil Amar, a constitutional-law expert at Yale University, says that because the members eventually get paid, the legislation does not violate the Constitution.

?It?s not really varying the compensation,? he said. ?If a budget is not passed and they actually never get paid for the session, that is varying the compensation.?

Still, Amar has questions about whether the provision is good policy. Such an amendment was first proposed by James Madison to prevent middle-of-the-night pay increases. At the time of the Constitution's signing, the idea of congressional compensation was radical, given that Great Britain didn?t pay its members of Parliament until 1911. But since this compensation is such a fundamental element of U.S. government, Amar recommended caution on the issue.

By putting their salaries on the line, Amar drew a parallel to the practices of poll taxes. ?It hurts the poorest representatives and senators," explains Amar, the author of America?s Unwritten Constitution.

The idea for the ?No Budget, No Pay? proposal was inspired by No Labels, a bipartisan group that has gained steam in Washington in recent years with its calls for compromise and reform. Bill Galston, one of its cofounders, said the proposal was designed to bring regular order back to the budget process by ?making it more painful for members of Congress to evade? their duties as lawmakers.

??No Budget, No Pay? was designed very simply as a way of altering the incentive structure of Congress,? said Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Both chambers of Congress are required by law to pass a budget every year by April 15, which essentially serves as a blueprint for later appropriations negotiations for several different sectors of the federal government. The Senate has not passed a budget in nearly four years.

House Republicans have criticized Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for his chamber's failure to pass a budget, accusing him of trying to shield members of his caucus from taking difficult votes. But Democrats have signaled receptivity to a return to a regular budget process.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on Sunday that Senate Democrats would pass a budget this year, promising to include both tax reforms and further revenues. And Democrats, energized after Obama?s Inaugural Address championing liberal priorities, might be eager to vote for a plan that reflects a reinvigorated agenda for their party.

?This may be a variant on the children?s story, where the wolf huffs and puffs and before he has a chance to blow the house down the door opens and he?s invited in,? Galston said.

And while the proposal is different than the one No Labels introduced?seeing the 27th?Amendment as a barrier, the group planned for the no-pay provision to take effect in the next Congress?Galston says it?s ?still a useful step and better than nothing.? The group endorsed the House Republican plan on Tuesday.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gops-debt-ceiling-proposal-constitutional-114734571--politics.html

colton bo ryan the last waltz earth day activities mel gibson splunk dark shadows

Sundance stars sound off on gun violence in film

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) ? The Sundance Film Festival isn't home to many shoot-em-up movies, but action-oriented actors at the festival are facing questions about Hollywood's role in American gun violence.

Guy Pearce, Alexander Skarsgard, Kristen Bell and director Roger Corman were among those discussing the issue at the annual independent-film showcase.

Pearce is in Park City, Utah, to support the family drama "Breathe In," but he's pulled plenty of imaginary triggers in violent films such as "Lockdown" and "Lawless." He says Hollywood may make guns seem more appealing to the broader culture, but there are vast variations in films' approach to violence.

"Hollywood probably does play a role," Pearce said. "It's a broad spectrum though. There are films that use guns flippantly, then there are films that use guns in a way that would make you never want to look at a gun ever again ? because of the effect that it's had on the other people in the story at the time. So to sort of just say Hollywood and guns, it's a broad palette that you're dealing with, I think. But I'm sure it does have an effect. As does video games, as do stories on the news. All sorts of things probably seep into the consciousness."

Skarsgard, who blasted away aliens in "Battleship," agreed that Hollywood has some responsibility for how it depicts violence on-screen.

"When (NRA executive director) Wayne LaPierre blames it on Hollywood and says guns have nothing to do with it, there is a reason," he said. "I mean, I'm from Sweden. . We do have violent video games in Sweden. My teenage brother plays them. He watches Hollywood movies. We do have insane people in Sweden and in Canada. But we don't have 30,000 gun deaths a year.

"Yes, there's only 10 million people in Sweden as opposed to over 300 (million) in the United States. But the numbers just don't add up. There are over 300 million weapons in this country. And they help. They do kill people."

Bell, who stars in in the dramatic competition film "The Lifeguard," said the issue is far more complicated than simply blaming Hollywood.

"There's a lot of things that are emphasized in our entertainment industry as plot points or interesting shorelines, but none of them seem to be as affecting the American public as the gun control," she said. "So I don't necessarily know that it's blamable on Hollywood, though I think there's a certain responsibility and we need to re-examine everything that we do."

Bell's co-star, Mamie Gummer, said she's often "perturbed" by on-screen violence.

"I really hate Quentin Tarantino's movies generally, and I thought 'Django Unchained' especially was really tough to bear in light of everything," she said. "Just the deep romanticizing of it, the fetishizing of it is creepy to me. Or maybe it's lost on me. I don't enjoy it."

Bell doesn't mind seeing violent films but advocates for greater awareness of mental illness and for stricter gun control.

"It's such a paradoxical issue. Because those movies don't bother me at all. And it doesn't bother me when I see people shoot guns. Yet I'm fully for more gun control in reality," she said. "Because I'm smart enough to recognize what's reality and what's not. And I think that's an issue that needs to be addressed... A lot of the people that are picking up guns have an inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy. And I think that's probably ? though I do support gun control, a tighter gun control than we have now ? that's an issue that deserves to be addressed because that's probably the root of it."

Ellen Page, who co-stars with Skarsgard in "The East," noted that gun restrictions are much more pervasive in her home country, Canada.

"You can't buy some crazy assault rifle that is made for the military to kill people. And like that to me is just like a no-brainer," she said. "Why should that just be out and be able to be purchased? That does not make me feel safe as a person."

Corman also cited Canada's response to movie violence.

"Canada sees the same motion pictures that we do. They play the same video games that we do. They see the same television that we do. Their crime rate ? and specifically their murder rate ? is a tiny fraction of ours," he said. The only difference is they have strong gun control laws and we (don't). I wish somebody would ask the head of the NRA how he explains that."

Skarsgard suggested it may be time to revisit the Second Amendment.

"The whole Second Amendment discussion is ridiculous to me. Because that was written over 200 years ago, and it was a militia to have muskets to fight off Brits," he said. "The Brits aren't coming. It's 2013. Things have changed. And for someone to mail-order an assault rifle is crazy to me. They don't belong anywhere but the military to me. You don't need that to protect your home or shoot deer, you know."

___

AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson is on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ryanwrd .

___

AP Movie Writer David Germain contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sundance-stars-sound-off-gun-violence-film-173410085.html

march 30 rimm pauly d project adrienne rich autism cesar chavez day raspberry ketone

Black Keys Sue Casino for Copyright Infringement in Commercials

Theo Wargo, Getty Images

The Black Keys are certainly keeping their attorneys busy these days. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Grammy Award-winning?duo has filed a lawsuit in New York against?casino company Pinnacle Entertainment and commercial advertising firm Manhattan Production Music, accusing each of unlawfully using the tune ?Howlin? for You? from their 2010 album ?Brothers.?

Pinnacle is accused of featuring?music that is ?substantially similar? to the Black Keys? song in a commercial for the company?s L?Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles that aired last September. A month later, a second commercial allegedly aired featuring ?infringing music? for another casino owned by Pinnacle. Although it appears videos of the ads have been removed from YouTube since the legal action was filed, the Hollywood Reporter?claims that a representative from Pinnacle recently Tweeted a response to the first charge: ?We bought a licensed musical interpretation of the song.?

Last fall, the Keys settled separate copyright infringement lawsuits against Pizza Hut and Home Depot out of court. Terms were not disclosed, but considering this latest legal maneuvering, we?re guessing those terms were somewhat generous for the band.

Source: http://diffuser.fm/black-keys-sue-casino-for-copyright-infringement-in-commercials/

joe pa joe pa joe paterno dead marist south carolina primary results betty white ed reed

The six biggest moments from the season premiere of ?The Ultimate Fighter?

The latest version of "The Ultimate Fighter" debuted on Tuesday night. For the first time in many, many seasons, I enjoyed the show. Instead of focusing on the animosity between coaches, it brought out the stories of each of the fighters. It was a welcome change. Here were the biggest moments of the two-hour premiere:

-- The opening montage: From the start, TUF looked different than it had before. The filming style felt more like an "NFL Films" production than previous TUFs. That started with the opening montage, with close-ups of the coaches, Dana White and the fighters talking about why they want to be on the show.

-- Families fighters and friends being allowed in the gym: Seeing Adam Cella's family celebrate after his win set the tone for the rest of the show. On previous TUFs, fighters would talk about their devotion to their amily and friends, but it was hard to connect with them when all we saw were pictures. Now, as the season goes on, we'll know who each man is fighting for much more richly.

-- Zak Cummings' knockout of Nik Fekete: It was so quick that I wasn't sure what happened. The replay showed Fekete didn't protect himself when throwing a kick, and that ended his show at making "The Ultimate Fighter."

-- Sonnen needling Jones over Bubba McDaniel: The "Chael Shtick" didn't come out much on Tuesday night, and that's a good thing. Over the course of the show, it would get old very quickly. But Sonnen's subtle, sarcastic picking at Jones was fun, particularly when it came to Jones' teammate and if Jones would pick him for his team.

-- "I grew up on food stamps, powdered milk and spam." With the families around, there were more tears than usual for the opening show. No episode was more moving than Kito Andrews saying goodbye to his kids, and talking about why it's so important for him to win. Unfortunately, Andrews lost the decision.

-- Uriah Hall's decision over Andy Endz: The two put on such a great fight that Sonnen stood and cheered for it. Afterwards, they shared a quiet moment where Hall thanked Endz, and Endz told Hall to win the show. It was one of the moments that reminded fans that most fighters support each other, even when they haven't met before.

What did you think of the show? Speak up in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/six-biggest-moments-season-premiere-ultimate-fighter-141403217--mma.html

marine helicopter crash chicago weather star jones wheres my refund photo of whitney houston in casket carrot top george huguely

Clean Your Windows, a Simple and Worthwhile Home Improvement ...

Jan23

Window Cleaning in Salt Lake City The windows in your home probably don?t seem that important, but can you imagine what life would be like without them? Appropriate maintenance and washing of your windows are an important task. Instead of worrying about this task, why not trust the cleaning to experienced professionals? We only use the best eco-friendly and biodegradable chemicals and materials to ensure sustainability and safety. To make your home or office more attractive, we ensure that every window is cleaned to a long-lasting shine. Call us today and we will perform an estimate and get to work as soon as we can.

Source: http://peterkonigart.com/clean-your-windows-a-simple-and-worthwhile-home-improvement-project/

soylent green phil davis george st pierre aldon smith friday night lights nick santino bruce arians

PFT: Redskins tried to meet fake online woman

Getty Images

The complaint filed by the estate and four children of linebacker Junior Seau contains claims and allegations typical of the thousands of other concussion lawsuits.? For example, the lawsuit refers to the NFL?s glorification of violent play via videos sold by NFL Films, quoting Seau from a 1993 offering in which he says, ?If I can feel some dizziness, I know that guy is feeling double [that].?

But the lawsuit contains a lengthy and detailed explanation of the symptoms Seau suffered in the years prior to his death.? The complaint explains that, as early as the mid-1990s, Seau was demonstrating ?dizziness and other symptoms of concussion,? with a ?noted change in his behavior and functioning.?? He began, according to the lawsuit, to become ?erratic,? and he showed ?emotional instability.?? The complaints refers to persistent insomnia dating back to the mid-1990s, and contends that he became ?forgetful and unable to concentrate or focus.?

?Both at work and at home, people noticed that he could not remember their discussions, he misplaced things and forgot appointments,? the complaint alleges.

Seau also began to demonstrate ?self-destructive, aggressive and violent behavior,? along with ?severe depression,? during which episodes he became ?irrational and unreachable.?? He ?lashed out verbally and physically at his staff, friends, and family,? and he ?entered a devastating cycle of depression and alcohol abuse.?

The lawsuit further claims that he became ?a compulsive, manic gambler,? which led to ?gambling binges? resulting in the loss of ?significant amounts of money.?

While the timeline of the various manifestations of alleged brain damage isn?t clear, the fact that Seau began to show symptoms as early as the mid-1990s gives rise to an obvious question:? Why did he keep playing football?

Moreover, the long list of symptoms highlights one of the biggest challenges Seau?s lawyers will face.? Arguably, the NFL was fully aware of the risks of concussions in October 2009, once the NFL acknowledged the problem to Congress and began to make significant changes in the management of players who have suffered brain injuries.? If, at that point, Seau was exhibiting symptoms (and based on the lawsuit he clearly was), the two-year clock began to tick.? And, as the NFL surely will argue, it expired more than six months before his death.

?We were saddened to learn that Junior, a loving father and teammate, suffered from CTE,? Seau?s family said in a statement.? ?While Junior always expected to have aches and pains from his playing days, none of us ever fathomed that he would suffer a debilitating brain disease that would cause him to leave us too soon.?

This suggests that the Seau lawsuit will hinge on the argument that the window for filing suit didn?t open until Seau was diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy, after his death.? While a court may agree, there?s a good chance that the case will be dismissed fairly quickly, under the argument that Seau was having cognitive problems years in advance, and that his deadline for filing a lawsuit expired before he died.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/23/several-redskins-attempted-to-meet-a-fake-woman-they-met-online/related/

restaurant week type 2 diabetes occupy congress juan williams victor martinez alcatraz cruise ship