Concern over Oscar voting extends deadline

FILE - In this March 5, 2010 file photo, an Oscar statue stands on the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre as preparations continue for the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. The motion picture academy says it's extending the deadline for members to vote for the Academy Awards to Jan. 4, 2013, following criticism of its new electronic voting system. The 85th annual Academy Awards are scheduled for Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

FILE - In this March 5, 2010 file photo, an Oscar statue stands on the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre as preparations continue for the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. The motion picture academy says it's extending the deadline for members to vote for the Academy Awards to Jan. 4, 2013, following criticism of its new electronic voting system. The 85th annual Academy Awards are scheduled for Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Growing concern that problems with the new electronic Oscar voting system could lead to record-low turnout has prompted the motion picture academy to extend the deadline for members to vote for Oscar nominations.

But next week's highly anticipated announcements looming, the extension is only for a day, until Friday. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Monday any votes received after the new deadline will not be counted.

"By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible," said the academy's chief operating officer, Ric Robertson, in a statement. "We're grateful to our global membership for joining us in this process."

Reports of difficulty accessing the Oscars' first-ever online voting system and fears that it could be hacked have raised questions about balloting for the 85th annual contest. Earlier this year, the academy and its longtime accountants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, partnered with the electronic voting firm Everyone Counts Inc. to develop the system.

"There's considerable concern from many members that voter participation will be at record lows this year because the people who wanted to take a chance on this new cutting-edge system are either giving up on it or worried they won't be able to cast their votes," said Scott Feinberg, awards analyst and blogger for The Hollywood Reporter.

In the past, Oscar voting has been compiled strictly through paper ballots sent through the mail. The new system allows members to choose between voting online or sticking with a traditional mail-in ballot.

Morgan Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker whose 2004 film "Super Size Me" was nominated for best documentary, posted on Twitter last week that he wasn't able to log on to vote electronically and his ballot was instead mailed to him.

"The password they sent didn't work for my log-in ? and they couldn't email me a new log-in, only snail mail," tweeted the 42-year-old director.

The academy said it has made several voting resources available to members, including assisted voting stations in Los Angeles, New York and London, and a 24-hour support line.

A spokesman for Everyone Counts didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

Besides online voting, a retooled nomination period could also affect the competition.

Organizers moved up the unveiling of the Oscar nominations to Jan. 10. That change puts the announcement three days before Hollywood's second-biggest awards ceremony, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globes, which are scheduled for Jan. 13.

Oscar overseers originally said the switcheroo would give the academy's nearly 6,000 members more time to see nominated films before the Feb. 24 awards ceremony, but Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter noted that the change gave voters less time to see potential contenders during the first phase of voting, when members decide on nominees.

"If the turnout is lower among older members, more traditional Oscar contenders will probably receive fewer votes, and otherwise edgier films that appeal more to younger people could fare better," said Feinberg. "Because of the way that best-picture voting works, it could increase the chances of a movie like 'The Master' or 'Moonrise Kingdom' getting in."

Ultimately, because of the inherent secrecy involved in selecting Oscar winners, Feinberg said it will be impossible to know what affects ? if any ? this year's voting changes have on the ceremony, where as many as 10 films could be vying for the best-picture award.

___

Online:

http://www.oscars.org

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-01-01-Oscars-Voting/id-0122cd7e587947469bcfb8b045f66002

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In Order To Choose The Right Scuba Diving Gear, A Person Must ...

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Glam Rocka Exclusive for iPhone 5

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Zinio is offering up to 50% discount on magazines and a chance to win an iPad mini

Not familiar with Zinio? They are the original digital magazine provider and offer thousands of top magazines from around the world. You can purchase a monthly subscription or buy single issues instantly from your computer or mobile device to read wherever and whenever you like. Until January 7th, they are offering a 50% savings on [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/12/30/zinio-is-offering-up-to-50-discount-on-magazines-and-a-chance-to-win-an-ipad-mini/

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Penis Health Care is Not Just for Men ? What All Women Should Know

For six years, scientists at the University of Texas at Austin conducted research to determine why women chose to have sex. Of the 237 reasons women provided, not one included a reference to the appearance of the penis itself. The women enjoyed what the penis could do, and they certainly seemed to enjoy situations in which a penis played an active role, but the simple thought of a man's penis didn't cause them to run for the bedroom with joy.

Women might never be visual creatures that stand in long lines for a glimpse of a man's outer workings, but a woman who does spend time getting up close and personal with the penis might experience more than just gratitude from her partner. By spending just a little time on penis health care issues, women could experience benefits of their own.

Elimination of Odors
Men may slather on cologne and daub on deodorant, but that might fail to mask intimate odors. Poor hygiene is often to blame, as dead skin cells and bacteria can combine and produce a distinctive, fishy smell that's hard to ignore. Thankfully, a bit of gentle soap could banish the odor for good. Circumcised men can handle their cleaning issue with a swipe of soap and a thorough rinse. Uncircumcised men need to retract the foreskin before they clean, but the same soap-and-water routine works for them, too.

When the guy is fresh and clean, women can introduce a little penis health cr?me as a reward. The emollients can help skin to regenerate at a healthy rate, allowing dead cells to slough off with ease. Fewer trapped skin cells means less odor, less repulsion and fewer awkward moments during intimate encounters.

Softer, Responsive Skin
The penis is designed to react to even the softest touch, but rough penis treatment on a daily basis can result in tough, hard skin that's slow to respond. Men can cause this damage by:

? Wearing rough clothes
? Neglecting lubrication during intimate moments
? Avoiding athletic supporters
? Using harsh soaps and washcloths

Unreactive, rough skin can make sex less pleasant for everyone involved, and severe cases of dry skin could even kill an encounter before it begins. Penis skin that's rough, dry and peeling may appear unhealthy, and women might fear that the condition is contagious. Women might also worry that added friction could make that dry skin worse. When health considerations like this enter the picture, a romantic moment could flutter right by.

Penis health cr?mes contain ingredients that can soften and soothe the skin, allowing roughened cells to slough off. These dead cells are replaced with healthier, new skin that's more responsive and much more appealing. Women might enjoy handling skin that's soft and supple, and men might feel more comfortable showing off their skin, knowing that a long talk about health care won't follow a sudden skin exposure.

Finding the Right Product
Women might be tempted to dip into their own cosmetic supplies in an attempt to soothe penis skin. Unfortunately, women's health care products are often thick and heavily scented, and these two attributes could mean disaster for the sensitive skin of the penis. Perfumes can be drying, and thick ointments can lock in odors. Men might also dislike the idea of using a woman's product on a part of the body that's associated with manliness and sexual prowess.

An ideal penis health cr?me (health care experts recommend Man 1 Man Oil) contains no feminine fragrances that could offend men. In fact, fragrances of any sort are a bad idea, as they can cause irritation. In addition, products made for the penis should be quickly absorbed, softening skin quickly without allowing dead cells to accumulate beneath a veneer of lotion. Women who invest in a product like this can help their men, and they might also help themselves.

Author's Bio:?

For additional information on most common penis health issues, tips on improving penis sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy penis, visit: http://www.penishealth101.com. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.

Source: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/penis-health-care-is-not-just-for-men-what-all-women-should-know

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wise self improvement | self improvement made easy: Leaders Must ...

If you want to serve as a leader, then actually act like one, and be a leader. That means a leader must step forward while others stand on the sideline. Judge someone as a leader not by what they do regarding popular programs and ideas. Rather they must be judged by whether or not they stand up for what they believe, and take what are often difficult or challenging positions. Certainly it is challenging and even stressful at times to stand alone on principle, if you really believe in something. Leadership is about inner strength and fortitude, and doing and saying what needs to be do e, even if it may at times be unpopular or out of fashion.

1. I recall serving for nearly a decade, many years ago, as the Treasurer of a non profit. it seemed obvious to me that this particular organization, if it did not take steps to address putting their financial house in order, would soon be facing the prospect of insolvency. Although I was often overwhelmingly opposed, I continued to chastise, coerce, and demand that the Board acted responsibly. Years later, almost every one of my proposals was enacted, and although waiting as long as they did had a negative overall compacted fiscal and financial impact, the fact that they eventually did what was needed guaranteed the road to solvency and relevance. The interesting aspect, however, is that the very same people who openly bad mouthed me, and derided my point of view, eventually championed the battle, and were more than glad to take full credit for the accomplishment. However, the important thing is not who got the credit, but that what needed to get done, did.

2. Leadership must never be about one's ego or popularity. Rather, it is about webbing effectively, and bringing an organization to achieve and perform to its potential, and to accomplish worthwhile missions. Great leaders always begin with a vital vision, and that vision always acts to motivate them to commit to a greater extent, try harder, care more, and make more efforts to include others in the quest. The true mark of a great leader is not only getting followers to care, but developing the ones with the most potential, to become future true leaders.

It all begins with a leader's adherence to a basic principle or tenet, and using that to bring himself to bravely take a stand, when others resist. All organizations benefit from great leadership.

Source: http://wiseselfimprovement.blogspot.com/2012/12/leaders-must-take-stand.html

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UFO-shaped gas station among this year's 'Preservation Wins'

9 hrs.

A. Pawlowski , NBC News contributor

It?s a travel itinerary as eclectic as they come: From a gas station shaped like a UFO, to an inn once proclaimed one of the most magnificent hotels in the country, to mystical rock pillars that fascinated an ancient culture.

Put them all together and you have part of a collection that may make history buffs smile and explorers reach for their maps.

Behold the list of ?Preservation Wins of 2012? put together by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization that has made it its mission to save America?s historic sites.

?These are places that were threatened in some way ? whether it was demolishing them or (fearing they would) fail and maybe they wouldn?t be preserved ? and essentially, they ended up being maintained or restored,? said Rebecca Morgan, a spokeswoman for the trust.

The list was assembled in no particular order???Morgan declined to rank the successes, calling each a great save.

Here are the sites that made the cut:

Cesar Ch?vez National Monument???Keene, Calif.
In October, President Obama designated the property known as Nuestra Se?ora Reina de la Paz???the home, workplace and burial site of labor leader C?sar Ch?vez ? a national monument.

?This site marks the extraordinary achievements and contributions to the history of the United States made by C?sar Ch?vez and the farm worker movement that he led with great vision and fortitude,? the presidential proclamation reads.

?La Paz reflects his conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.?

National Trust President Stephanie Meeks applauded the move, noting it was a big first step in celebrating the life and legacy of Ch?vez.

Howard Theatre ? Washington
This historic landmark, which helped launch the careers of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, sat vacant for decades, the trust said.

But in the spring of 2012, it was restored to its original 1910 appearance after a $29 million renovation. The venue is now once again showcasing artists and drawing stars including B.B. King, Little Richard and Tracy Morgan.

Michigan Bell Building???Detroit, Mich.
Built in 1929 as the headquarters for Western Electric, this building was transformed this year from a vacant warehouse into a mixed-use space that will provide housing for the homeless, the trust noted.

The Neighborhood Service Organization, a Detroit nonprofit group, took charge of the project, creating 155 furnished, one-bedroom apartments inside the structure, along with a health care clinic, gym, library, computer room, art and music rooms, and a chapel.

'The Flying Saucer' Phillips 66 Gas Station???St. Louis.
When local preservationists found out this former gas station was threatened with demolition, they launched a public campaign to save the landmark, the trust said. Built in 1967, the glass and concrete building features a 120-foot circular roof and is a ?prized example of mid-century modern architecture,? the activists told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Their work paid off. In September, the saucer-shaped structure opened as a Starbucks and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chimney Rock National Monument???Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Located on more than 4,000 acres in the San Juan National Forest and home to the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians, this area was designated a national monument by President Obama in September.

?It is a living landscape that shapes those who visit it and brings people together across time,? he noted in a statement.

The ancient inhabitants who lived here 1,000 years ago left behind more than 200 homes and ceremonial structures on the mesa overlooking the two stone spires called Chimney Rock and Companion Rock. The moon rises perfectly between the rocks every 18.6 years.

The National Trust calls the area the single most important cultural site managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pillsbury A Mill???Minneapolis, Minn.
Declaring the mill ?a masterpiece of industrial architecture and the largest and most advanced facility in the world at the time of its completion in 1881,? the trust included the vacant complex on its list of America?s 2011 Most Endangered Historic Places.

But this year, local lawmakers gave a thumbs-up to a plan which will convert the building into 250 low-income apartments.

Los Angeles Boyle Hotel???Los Angeles
Built in 1889, the hotel later fell into disrepair and was converted into an apartment complex. The nonprofit East Los Angeles Community Corporation bought the property in 2006 and began an extensive renovation, seeking to restore some of its grandeur. The project was completed in August, with many of the original features back in place, including the grand staircase and foyer, the brick fa?ade, and the corner cupola and cap.

Emerson School???Denver
This 1885 schoolhouse underwent a ?green rehabilitation? in May, and now features a new geothermal heating and cooling system, a complete interior rehabilitation, window restoration, and new fencing, trees and landscaping.

Wake Forest Biotech Place???Winston Salem, N.C.
Two former R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. warehouses now serve as a state-of-the-art life sciences center. Opened this year, this development enhances Winston-Salem?s rich history and architectural heritage, the trust said.

Hotel Lafayette???Buffalo, N.Y.
When it opened its doors in 1904, this inn boasted a grand lobby, enormous windows and posh rooms, prompting reviewers of the time to proclaim it "one of the most perfectly appointed and magnificent hotels in the country,? according to its biography. This year marked the completion of a rehabilitation project that converted the hotel into a mixed use building of apartments and businesses. ? ?

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/itineraries/ufo-shaped-gas-station-among-years-preservation-wins-1C7751714

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Microsoft Research head Craig Mundie to retire in 2014

Microsoft Research boss Craig Mundie will step down in 2014, after working over 20 years in both Microsoft's security and R&D departments. The research arm has been run by Mundie since 2008, where he's been responsible for some pretty interesting projects, from early glimpses of Redmond's future to real-time multilingual translation. The day-to-day running of the department will be transferred to former chief technical strategy officer Eric Rudder, while Mundie will continue to advise CEO Steve Ballmer. According to the Seattle Times, the move is line with Microsoft's plans to focus on mobile and web-based developments, while the new role might give the veteran Mundie a little more time to work on his Japanese.

Filed under: Science, Microsoft

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Source: BBC, Seattle Times

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Sailing Around the World on Adult Cruises

If you?re planning a journey across the ocean on adult cruises, you?ll be able to sample some of the most exotic locations in the world. You might be traveling around the Western Caribbean, the Mexican Rivera, or the Greek Islands. Each cruise offers an eyeful on and off of the ship. If you?re a traveler who likes to explore the sensual areas of life, this could be the perfect vacation for you.

If you take adult cruises around the Western Caribbean, you?ll stop in areas like Grand Cayman and George Town. Grand Cayman has a white sandy beach that is seven miles long. The waters along that shore are clear blue and inviting. In George Town, there?s plenty of shopping to do and rest assured that the stores are duty-free. If you?ve always wanted to get up close and personal with stingrays, you can grab your snorkel gear and do just that. But wait, you?re not done yet. You also will travel to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico to check out the Mayan Riviera.

If you sign up for adult cruises that travel along the Mexican Riviera, get ready to view some amazing scenery along the Gold Coast. Are you ready to tour Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada? Then climb aboard with a boat full of sexy and adventurous individuals and get ready for the time of your life. By day you can see the sights and check out the culture; by night, you can party with your shipmates.

The Greek Islands are popular places to take adult cruises. If you?ve always wanted to see Piraeus, Greece as well as Santorini, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Molyvos, and Istanbul, this is your chance to climb aboard. All of the ocean liners traveling to these exotic destinations are luxurious so you can do it in style. There are cafes, nightclubs, and dance floors on the ships. For couples, there are journeys that are geared for swingers, nudists, or those looking for a taste of a new adventure.

Why stay home when there are adult cruises leaving daily to scenic locations around the world? If you?re interested in exploring Grand Cayman or George Town, the Western Caribbean trip is the one to book. If you?ve always wanted to see the Gold Coast or check out Puerto Vallarta or Ensenada, then the Mexican Riviera is waiting for you. If the Green Islands suit your fancy along with a luxurious ocean liner full of free spirited couples and individuals, then this is the trip for you.

The fun of adult cruises can make all the difference if you want an adventure. Come to http://couplescruise.com and find out why we?re a respected name in vacation planning.

Source: http://www.articlesrx.com/sailing-around-the-world-on-adult-cruises/10201

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Kindness key to happiness and acceptance for children

Dec. 26, 2012 ? Children who make an effort to perform acts of kindness are happier and experience greater acceptance from their peers, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Riverside.

Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, a professor in UBC's Faculty of Education, and co-author Kristin Layous, of the University of California, Riverside, say that increasing peer acceptance is key to preventing bullying.

In the study, published December 26 by PLOS ONE, researchers examined how to boost happiness in students aged 9 to 11 years. Four hundred students from Vancouver elementary schools were asked to report on their happiness and to identify which of their classmates they would like to work with on school activities. Half of the students were asked by their teachers to perform acts of kindness -- like sharing their lunch or giving their mom a hug when she felt stressed -- and half were asked to keep track of pleasant places they visited -- like the playground or a grandparent's house.

After four weeks, the students again reported on their happiness and identified classmates they would like to work with. While both groups said they were happier, kids that had performed acts of kindness selected higher numbers of classmates to work with on school activities.

"We show that kindness has some real benefits for the personal happiness of children but also for the classroom community," says Schonert-Reichl, also a researcher with the Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC.

According to Schonert-Reichl, bullying tends to increase in Grades 4 and 5. By simply asking students to think about how they can act kindly to those around them, "teachers can create a sense of connectedness in the classroom and reduce the likelihood of bullying."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of British Columbia.

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. Kristin Layous, S. Katherine Nelson, Eva Oberle, Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, Sonja Lyubomirsky. Kindness Counts: Prompting Prosocial Behavior in Preadolescents Boosts Peer Acceptance and Well-Being. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (12): e51380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051380

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/top_health/~3/OaFqcX9fQ4c/121226223051.htm

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Dangers of Obesity Heart Liver Disease High Blood Pressure ...

Certified Medical Exercise Therapist, Weight Loss Specialist

www.EvansvilleWeightLoss.com

Through the dangers of heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, and other related diseases, obesity is killing almost 1,000 Americans every day. That?s over 300,000 people who could have lived longer, more healthful lives. Simply put, the dangers of obesity to your health and happiness cannot be overstated. Obesity is killing you!

Definition of Obesity

The medical community considers total body fat when determining obesity. By comparing one?s height and weight to the standardized Body Mass Index (BMI), health care professionals can determine whether or not you are obese. Obesity is from 30% BMI to 39.9% BMI. Morbid obesity begins at a BMI of 40%. That?s a weight of about 235 for a person who is 5?4? tall and a weight of about 280 for a person 5?10? tall.

Dangers of Obesity

While these figures may seem like some arbitrary standard, there are some very real dangers of obesity. Some of the illnesses and dangers of obesity are the following:

Heart Disease
More technically known as coronary heart disease (CHD), this illness is the leading cause of death in the United States. In CHD, fatty materials build up on the walls of the arteries causing blockages and elevated blood pressure thus placing undue strain on the heart. The dangers of heart disease ultimately result in a heart attack and, in many cases, death.

Diabetes
An imbalance in one of the regulatory systems in the body, diabetes is a disease that affects over 20 million Americans. Many factors, most notably obesity, often lead to diabetes. People afflicted with the disease must make fundamental changes in their eating habits, day to day activities and can be dependent on insulin.

Liver Disease
Liver disease is a collection of conditions, disorders, and infections that affect the cells, structures, and tissues of the liver, causing liver damage or stops liver functioning altogether. Alcohol is often blamed but obesity can also lead to non-alcohol fatty liver, a deadly disease through the accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol. The proper functioning of the liver is vital to almost every other process in the body and liver disease has a profound effect on one?s ability to lead a normal life.

Stroke
The lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain can lead to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or ?stroke.? Similar to the blockages formed in CHD, plaque builds up on the inside of the arteries feeding the brain thus causing an interruption in the necessary nutrients. Life changes immediately for stroke victims. Some form of physical disability affects 75% of those who have suffered from a stroke.

The Bottom Line

Obesity is a real problem with real ramifications. Obese people suffer from more physical and mental health problems than their thinner counterparts and enjoy a significantly reduced quality of life.

Losing weight need not be difficult, time consuming nor painful. The Advanced Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Clinic utilizes state of the art techniques and technology to help you lose weight quickly and safely. Not only can the friendly medical professionals help you achieve a healthier and happier life, you will also look better and feel better!? Call today to schedule your no-charge consultation at 812-858-9800 or for more info go to www.EvansvilleWeightLoss.com

Source: http://www.nationalnewstoday.com/health-and-fitness/is-obesity-killing-you-dangers-of-heart-disease-high-blood-pressure-liver-disease-evansville-newburgh-in.php

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Sea whodunit: How scientists solve whale deaths

Sometimes the bodies show up floating in the ocean, other times they wash ashore. Then it's up to investigators to figure out what happened.

Whales, like humans, can meet unnatural ends. The bodies they leave behind can tell a story about what killed them, sometimes revealing evidence of a prolonged, painful death.

Michael Moore, director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Marine Mammal Center, is among those who lead examinations, known as necropsies, on dead whales.

Whales, because of their enormous size and weight, present a unique challenge when they wash up on a beach or appear floating at sea. [In Photos: The World's Biggest Animals]

A plan & tools
"I don't get involved unless I have a plan, because as soon as I am involved, I am committed to disposing of it," Moore said of a dead whale's body. "So essentially you work backwards from the end stage, whether it be digging a hole in the beach, or trucking it off or towing it back out to sea or whatever."

Moore's tools include a camera, knives (kept in a box marked with a note for airport security), chest waders, rubber gloves, hooks, chains and heavy machinery with trained operators. The heavy machinery ideally includes an excavator, for pulling the animal apart and digging a hole, and a front-end loader, for moving the animal and parts of it around, as well as filling the hole.?

"If you don't have the machinery it can take days and days, you may never finish," the necropsy and bury the whale, he said.

Overall, his crew typically includes eight or nine people.

The suspects
The deaths that most concern Moore are those caused by humans, specifically, by collisions with boats or fishing gear that entangles the whale.

Sometimes the cause is obvious. A ship's propeller can leave slices on a whale's body. In one case, a whale found floating near Jacksonville, Fla., had obvious propeller cuts down one side of its body, including into its chest.

"When the animal was pulled up the beach, you could hear gas coming out of the chest," Moore said.

The blunt trauma of a collision with a boat can be less obvious, while entanglement in fishing gear can be more obvious, or not.

Information about why whales die matters because many whale populations are small and vulnerable.

Right whales, a species of particular interest to Moore, were estimated in 2007 to number at least 396 in the western North Atlantic; they are one of the most endangered large whales in the world. Ship strikes and entanglements with fishing gear are believed to be holding back the right whale population's growth and recovery, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2011 stock assessment.?

The necropsy
After inspecting the whale externally and taking measurements, Moore and his crew measure the thickness of its insulating fat, or blubber, which they strip off by hooking the blubber to a chain attached to the bucket of an excavator, to "unpeel it like a banana," he said.

Once the blubber is off, the team peels away the now-exposed muscle, getting down to the chest and abdomen, where they remove ribs and examine the animal's organs ? if they haven't already decomposed.

Moore can't explain what a decaying whale smells like; he lost his sense of smell in veterinary school, because of exposure to formalin, a preservative made with formaldehyde. But rather than an advantage, this is a problem, he said: "I think a good sense of smell is a valuable diagnostic tool, so I regret not having my sense of smell." [The 10 Weirdest Animal Discoveries of 2012]

During this process, the investigators are looking for abnormalities, such as bruising, often accompanied by fractured bones. These are common signs of a boat collision.

Evidence of a fishing gear entanglement may be obvious ? for instance rope, net or other gear still attached to the animal ? but sometimes these are gone.

The whale may have lost the gear over time or fishermen may have removed it in the hopes of salvaging the gear, Moore said.

One humpback whale he examined had obviously been in a trawl net, yet only a small knot of twine in its mouth remained.

1. Science news from NBCNews.com

   1. 23 scientists and innovators win medals

      Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: President Barack Obama names 12 researchers and 11 inventors to receive the National Medal of Science, and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

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   4. The crazy ways we mark winter solstice

A slow death
Particularly agonizing stories can show up in the entanglement deaths.

Right whales that pick up gear meant for lobsters or humpbacks that catch herring trawl nets can survive for months. The gear ? depending on where it has become attached ? can kill in a variety of ways, Moore and colleagues describe in a review article published in the Journal of Marine Biology earlier this year. It can drown a whale; if caught in the whale's mouth, the gear can starve the animal; it can exhaust them by creating drag; it can cause injuries that can lead to infection and loss of blood.

In the review, Moore and graduate student Julie van der Hoop label these long-lasting whale entanglements "cruel" in their article.

"I think any animal on this planet, especially the more cognitive, higher sentient beings have a right to be as pain-free as possible, and when human activities cause wild animals to be in pain I object to that," Moore said.

Follow LiveScienceon Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

? 2012 LiveScience.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50293901/ns/technology_and_science-science/

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US Treasury to take steps to avoid debt ceiling

3 hrs.

From wire services , NBC News

WASHINGTON --?The U.S. Treasury on Wednesday announced the first of a series of measures to delay hitting the government's $16.4 trillion borrowing limit. Without those steps, the debt ceiling?would be hit on Dec. 31.?

The government is facing a crunch on the debt ceiling because the issue has become ensnarled in talks to avoid some $600 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts due to begin in early January. Failing to raise the debt ceiling could cause the government to default on its debt.

To cut government spending and delay bumping up against the debt ceiling, the Treasury will suspend issuance of state and local government series securities -- known as "slugs" -- beginning on Dec.?28.

Investments in a government employee pension fund will also be suspended, along with some other measures, although Treasury did not give dates for when these other measures will begin.

"These extraordinary measures ... can create approximately $200 billion in headroom under the debt limit," Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

Normally, these measures would buy the Treasury about two months time before hitting the debt ceiling, Geithner said in the letter. But a series of planned tax hikes and spending cuts due to take effect in early January could give Treasury further time if they take effect as scheduled, he said.

"Treasury will provide more guidance regarding the expected duration of these measures when the policy outlook becomes clearer," he said.

The instruments known as slugs are special low-interest Treasury securities offered to state and local governments to temporarily invest proceeds from municipal bond sales. They have been suspended several times over the last 20 years to avoid hitting the debt ceiling.

Many analysts believe the measures available to the Treasury can stave that date off into late February.

The U.S. Congress typically authorizes government borrowing in a two-stage process, first drafting plans to spend more than it raises in tax revenues. Every few years, it raises a limit on government borrowing to accommodate annual deficits, a process that this year has become ensnared by the contentious budget talks in Washington.?

Information from the Associated Press and Reuters was included in this report.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/us-treasury-take-steps-avoid-hitting-debt-ceiling-monday-1C7662780

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Weird Science 2012: Sex, drugs and doomsday

Videos from the University of California at San Francisco show how researchers studied the alcohol consumption habits of lovelorn fruit flies in one of 2012's weirdest experiments.

By Alan Boyle

Sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and the Apocalypse: 2012 had it all. But only 10 stories about the past year's strangest scientific research can make it into our Weird Science hall of fame???so we're going to need your help.

---

Past winners of the Weird Science Awards include glow-in-the-dark kittens and puppies, a 2,700-year-old marijuana stash, meth-crazy fruit flies, reattached rabbit penises and the corpse-dissolving machine. The Maya apocalypse came in for honorable mention last year?and the year before, but this could be an even bigger year for end-of-the-world weirdness.

There are lots of other contenders from 2012, however. It's hard to beat the story about the sex-starved flies who drowned their sorrows in alcohol while researchers watched. That covers sex and drugs. It also can make you feel sorry for the scientists who had to watch all that fly-sized heartbreak. (They might want to compare notes with the researchers who studied why alcohol makes people feel good.)

The sixth annual Weird Science Award competition follows the precedent we've set in past years: We offer up 30 nominees from the past year, and it's up to you to pick the top 10. We've included one of the studies that won an?Ig Nobel award. honoring for "research that makes people laugh ? and then think." That's a fine criterion for the Weirdies as well. Or you can go with research that makes you laugh ? and then makes you wonder, "What on earth were they thinking?"

Write-in votes and second-guessing are encouraged; you can register them in your comments. If a write-in vote gets enough support from commenters, the research in question will be added to the ballot.

The 10 nominees that get the most votes as of noon ET Jan. 2 will be the 2013 winners of the Weirdy Awards. Later that day, we'll discuss this year's crop of weird science with Ig Nobel creator Marc Abrahams on "Virtually Speaking Science," a talk show that plays out on the Web and in the Second Life virtual world. Tune in at 9 p.m. ET Jan. 2.

Johan Ordonez / AFP - Getty Images

Maya shamans take part in a ceremony on Dec. 21, celebrating the end of the calendar cycle known as Baktun 13 - and the end of the hype over a 2012 doomsday. Click on the image to watch a video about the phenomenon.

Here are the nominees, in chronological order. May the oddest science stories be ever in your favor!

Source: http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/26/16169611-from-sex-starved-flies-to-murderous-chimps-vote-for-the-weirdest-science?lite

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Ben Affleck: NOT Running For Office

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/ben-affleck-not-running-for-office/

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Source: http://universodecharme.blogspot.com/2012/12/nscsfantasy-fast-track-bristol.html

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Source: http://obutuyfu.posterous.com/nscsfantasy-fast-track-bristol-2012rubbingsra

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Source: http://pdkgdy.posterous.com/nscsfantasy-fast-track-bristol-2012rubbingsra

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Source: http://meddle-fred.blogspot.com/2012/12/nscsfantasy-fast-track-bristol.html

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Find And Assess The Very Best e-Commerce Alternatives Currently ...

e-Commerce has become the lifeline of each and every organization. It has become imperative that every company have an online store, which projects its image and can help a customer recognize exactly what form of products or services the company deals with. With the aid of the right e-Commerce solutions, it is possible to create your web business a huge success. By adopting the right e-Commerce options and approaches you can enhance your ROI and get yourself a higher traffic to your website. There are several organizations that provide you e-Commerce Solutions that are the customized to accommodate your unique needs. They are just perfect for someone who is just starting from the net, and doesn?t exactly know how to begin. A good business that supplies you with e-Commerce alternatives should ensure that your site is well improved to be able to draw traffic and carry you to the top in the search engine results positioning as well. A well knowledgeable organization can know exactly what works on the web, and what doesn?t. Their solutions will be usually customized by them to provide you with the best results.For someone who is merely beginning, the below listed e-Commerce solutions are good ideas to consider. This may give a fair idea to you on so that you can get, what to check out for started initially to making your website a fantastic place for your existing and potential customers.1. Internet site Design and Development ? this is probably one of many most important e-Commerce solutions. The structure and design of your internet site will determine the end results. Whether you are building a brand new site, or revamping a classic one, it does require energy, which only a professional can provide.2. Seo ? Several elements go into creating a web site that is especially built to improve and attract traffic into your internet site. For this you?ll need very good internet marketing solutions which can be well in the offing and implemented.Other ecommerce solutions include the domain name, shopping cart software, web hosting, merchant consideration, maintenance and support, etc. All these play a large role to create a site success.Here are the few e-Commerce options currently obtainable in the market.Magento Commerce: Magento commerce is the form of e commerce on the web currently. Centered on a superb flexible podium, Magento marketing alternatives provide website owners with the tools to develop their sites into lucrative extremely visible selling sites. Magento uses PHP as a server scripting language and the MySQL Database. The data model is based on the Entity-attribute-value model that stores data items in tree structures, thus enabling a big change to a structure without altering the database definition. OsCommerce Development: OsCommerce is the power behind hundreds of online stores that turn over an incredible number of pounds a year. One of the best characteristics of OsCommerce could be the pace where it can be constructed and can start to promote your services and products on line within just moments of installation. It provides powerful built-in performance including: item magazine, consideration management, protected Administrator?s section plus online resources and reporting capabilities OsCommerce is ideal for almost any form of online business.Zen Cart Developers: Zen Cart can be an online shop management system. It is a skill of e-Commerce; free, user-friendly, open source shopping cart application application. Some shopping cart software solutions seem to be challenging development exercises rather than answering customers? wants. Zen Cart places the merchants and consumers demands first.X-Cart Customization: X-Cart is one hundred thousand PCI-DSS compatible e commerce shopping cart software. With aid of PA-DSS licensed X-Payments application you are able to take bank cards directly on your X-Cart powered web-site. X-Cart features a W3C-compliant storefront with a CSS-based design.

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Related posts:

1. Standards To Aid You Assess Completely Different Anti-virus Software Programs
2. Web Hosting Choices For E Commerce Companies
3. Web Hosting Provider Bluehost Com Domain Hosting Php Hosting Cheap Web Hosting E Commerce Web Hosti
4. Web Hosting Providers Push The Business To A Next Degree Of Excellence.
5. Apple MacBook Atmosphere MC965LL/A 13.3-Inch Notebook ? A Remarkable And Functional Notebook

Source: http://www.thefloorgeek.com/2012/12/find-and-assess-the-very-best-e-commerce-alternatives-currently/

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Ryan Lanza Facebook Interview: Faked By Impostor?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/ryan-lanza-interview-faked-by-impostor/

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Atlanta Social Media Marketing: The Online Advertising Steps to ...

At Flyline Search Marketing, we spend a lot of time talking about Internet Marketing and how, without it, a business?s online presence will surely go unnoticed.?

We constantly promote the use of social networking and various other tactics whose sole purpose is getting a business name out there for the whole world to see.

Sometimes, we concentrate on explaining an individual part and others a whole section.?

Social Media, SEO and others tactics are all gears in the machine that is online advertising. ?When all these components are put together into a targeted online advertising program, it increases the speed and performance of your online advertising, growing traffic and potentially increasing your customers and profits.

At Flyline Search Marketing, we are solely focused on Internet Marketing tactics like these and have the team and expertise to create an online advertising program that works specifically for your industry, your company, and your target audience. Here are the steps we use to get you there.

The Online Advertising Machine

Like a motor vehicle, online advertising has many parts and while sometimes you can run with a couple things missing from the equation, you will find that when every part is in play things will run much smoother than when a few nuts, bolts, and gears have gone missing.

The first step to Internet Marketing is to have an online presence. At Flyline, we can design a website that fits your business and budget that will surely dazzle anyone who sees it.

Once your company is actually accessible over the Internet highway, you absolutely cannot stop there. Think of the website as the foundation of the company?s online presence. From there, you need to bring in customers and luckily there are more than a few ways to bring them in by the droves.

If you have followed our blogs, then you know just how much we love social media. At Flyline, we use it ourselves for the very same reason we are pitching it to you. Social media works -- end of story. Let us create your presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and any other site imaginable so that It all comes together in a consistent presence with messages that appeal to your audience.

When it comes to social networking, the more places your business is present, the better off you will be. Exposure and easy communication with customers are probably two of the best parts of social networking. ?At Flyline, we can make things even easier for you by creating and managing business pages on all the top social networking sites, including updating them with fresh and relevant content.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a very complex science that you cannot easily manipulate without the help of pay per click platforms. One such platform is the Google AdWords program and simply put, it works.?

The best part though is that, as a Google AdWords certified partner, our expert marketing team understands what keywords and keyword frequency works to get you the ranking you need in a search engine. Our SEO strategies extend to everything we do ? from articles and blogs to press releases and website content.

Ready to get started? Find out how we can customize an online advertising machine that generates the traffic and business you have been seeking while staying within your marketing budget!

Source: http://atlantasocialmediamarketing.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-online-advertising-steps-to-success.html

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Texas Rep. Ralph Hall, re-elected to 17th term at age 89, to be oldest US House member ever (Star Tribune)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/272908366?client_source=feed&format=rss

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LG 2013 Google TVs controlled like Siri, Wii

18 hrs.

Gary Merson , HD Guru

In 2012 LG began selling Google HDTV with just two models. For 2013 LG?s Google TV lineup updates and expands with two series (GA 7900 and GA 6400) consisting of seven models in five screen sizes.? Major new features include a second generation Magic Qwerty remote, the ability to voice search programs and a near borderless screen.

The GA 7900 series (pictured) includes 47 and 55-inch?edge lit LED LCD screen sizes. The Google graphic user interface?permits Internet browsing as well as access to movie services from Netflix and Amazon Instant, apps and premium TV video-on-demand such as HBO GO (provided you have the corresponding subscriptions).

The GUI can be navigated by voice, or tilting the LG Magic Remote control (like a Wii controller). The remote?s built-in microphone allows you?Siri-like control. Say ?go to ABC? and the LG Google TV will change channels. Or speak a search term like ?romantic comedy? and the LG Google TV will provide an on-screen list of programs available in that genre. In addition, LG?s PrimeTime Quick Guide permits browsing of more than 100,000 movies and Tv programs.

Other features in the include the ?Home Dashboard? which offers folders LG calls ?cards? to display apps and other content. For example, the ?My Interest? card can display customized weather and news information.

LG also includes the OnLive app preinstalled which turns the TV into a gaming platform without a separate console. This app offers hundreds of video games available instantly from the Internet cloud.

Have a question for the HD Guru? Send an?email.

More?from HD Guru:

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/lg-2013-google-tv-line-can-be-controlled-siri-wii-1C7657752

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Maya Civilization Provides A Real Apocalyptic Lesson

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - This Christmas, pastor Nazir Alam will stoke up a fire, lay a fresh cloth on the altar and welcome parishioners as they arrive at his church in Waziristan, a Pakistani tribal area known as an al-Qaeda haven. "The lights are all up, and the choir boys are ready. The church is looking its best," said 60-year-old Alam, a former missionary who has celebrated his last ten Christmases there. "There's not much left to do but to pray and rejoice." Outsiders might see little cause for joy. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/maya-civilization-provides-real-apocalyptic-lesson-140008524.html

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Many Beneficial Features Offered With Car Finance Lease UK

By Joey T Watson

Car leasing involves paying for a vehicle over a specified time period. This rental process allows one to select a particular automobile for between 24 to 48 months providing many benefits over ownership. With the option of a car finance lease UK residents are provided numerous options and opportunities.

The residual value and not retail is what the monthly repayments will be based on. The costs will include a fair amount of depreciation, which means that you save on the additional expenses. This can provide a solution for individuals looking to rent or purchase a vehicle on a budget.

Be sure to discuss the terms of the contract and whether you have the option to lease a new vehicle or purchase the automobile being currently leased. Consider this financing option in comparison to a loan with high interest rates. The repayments for the month will also be lower as it will not be leased at retail value.

If you are looking for a vehicle on a budget, this option can prove most effective. Depreciation will be included in the total so you will not have to be concerned with the drastic loss of asset value. Depending on the terms and conditions, you will not be required to put a large deposit in place.

With the decrease in value of brand new vehicles on the market today, it may not be the wisest purchase decision. The leasing agreement will allow one to drive the newest models, but without concerns about depreciation over the next few years. There is often a warranty included providing additional benefits against minor dings and malfunction.

You have the option of adding a package for overall maintenance. Among the benefits of a car finance lease UK, one is offered convenience and safety. There is no concern when it comes to the sale of vehicles or having to cover high interest rates as with conventional options.

Source: http://carloscruzsite.blogspot.com/2012/12/many-beneficial-features-offered-with.html

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lern2play Resources and Information. This website is for sale!

By using our site, you consent to this privacy policy: This website allows third-party advertising companies for the purpose of reporting website traffic, statistics, advertisements, "click-throughs" and/or other activities to use Cookies and /or Web Beacons and other monitoring technologies to serve ads and to compile anonymous statistics about you when you visit this website. Cookies are small text files stored on your local internet browser cache. A Web Beacon is an often-transparent graphic image, usually no larger than 1 pixel x 1 pixel that is placed on a Web site. Both are created for the main purpose of helping your browser process the special features of websites that use Cookies or Web Beacons. The gathered information about your visits to this and other websites are used by these third party companies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. The information do not include any personal data like your name, address, email address, or telephone number. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

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Falcons top Lions 31-18 for home-field advantage

Atlanta Falcons tight end Michael Palmer, center right, celebrates his touchdown with tight end Tony Gonzalezduring the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Michael Palmer, center right, celebrates his touchdown with tight end Tony Gonzalezduring the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) is congratulated by quarterback Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, after breaking Jerry Rice's single-season record for receiving yards, in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan prepares to throw during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White runs for a 39-yard touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT (AP) ? Matt Ryan got what he wanted.

Calvin Johnson was forced to settle for what he could get.

Ryan matched a career high with four touchdown passes, two to Roddy White, to help the Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 31-18 Saturday night and earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

"It's great," Ryan said. "Our confidence is high and our experience ? good and bad ? has helped us. The key is to keep the focus where it's been."

In yet another loss, Johnson had a record-breaking night.

Johnson broke Jerry Rice's NFL single-season yards receiving mark of 1,848. After making the record-breaking catch in the fourth quarter, Johnson jogged over to the sideline and handed the football to his father.

"That was a very special moment," he said.

Johnson also became the only player with 100 yards receiving in eight straight games and the first with 10 receptions in four games in a row in league history. He had 11 receptions for 225 yards, giving him 1,892 this season.

"I've been an NFL fan my whole life, dating back to watching Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry as a kid, and I've coached in this league for 19 years," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "I've seen a lot of Hall of Famers, but I've never seen a better player than Calvin Johnson.

"He just broke a record set by Jerry Rice, who is arguably the best player in this history of this league."

The Falcons (13-2) pulled away with Ryan's fourth TD pass to wide-open tight end Michael Palmer in the fourth quarter and Matt Bryant's 20-yard field goal with 3:05 left that gave them a 15-point lead.

Ryan was 25 of 32 for 279 yards without a turnover.

The Falcons hope playing at home, potentially throughout the conference playoffs, helps them more than it did after the 2010 and 1980 seasons. The Falcons failed to win a game in either postseason, getting routed by Green Bay two years ago and blowing a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead to Dallas three decades ago.

Atlanta advanced to its only Super Bowl with a win at Minnesota after winning a franchise-record 14 games during the 1998 season.

The Falcons won't have much incentive to match that mark next week at home against Tampa Bay, when they'll have nothing to gain and something to lose if a key player or more gets hurt.

Detroit (4-11) has been relegated to playing for pride this month and that hasn't been going very well.

The Lions, whose seven-game losing streak is the longest skid in the league, haven't struggled this much since the laughingstock of a franchise became the league's first to go 0-16 in 2008.

The Falcons led 21-3 at halftime before letting the Lions pull within five points early in the fourth quarter.

Ryan dashed Detroit's comeback hopes.

Facing intense pressure, he converted a third down in Atlanta territory with a pass to White, picked on rookie cornerback Jonte Green by throwing to Jones to pick up more first downs and found Tony Gonzalez open to convert another third down to set up his fourth TD pass.

"We didn't play well in the third quarter," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "Matt made some big throws on that drive."

Stafford was clearly trying to get the ball to Johnson on the next drive and cornerback Asante Samuel figured that out, stepping in front of the receiver for an interception to set up Bryant's field goal.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner was tackled in the end zone, after Detroit turned the ball over on downs, to give the Lions two meaningless points.

Ryan went deep to White for the first score, connecting with him on a 44-yard TD strike with 5:50 left in the first quarter. Ryan threw a short pass to him early in the second quarter and the standout receiver did the rest on a 39-yard sprint down the sideline.

Ryan put his third TD pass where only Julio Jones could catch it a corner of the end zone, and he did on a 16-yard reception that put Atlanta up 21-3.

Detroit didn't give up, a game after being accused of doing just that in a 38-10 loss at Arizona.

Jason Hanson kicked a second field goal late in the first half to make it 21-6.

After Atlanta opened the second half with a three-and-out drive, Mikel Leshoure scored on a 1-yard run midway through the third quarter to pull the Lions with eight points.

Hanson's third field goal made it 21-16.

Stafford finished 37 of 56 for 443 yards with an interception and the Lions say he set an NFL record for the most yards passing in a game without throwing a TD pass.

Detroit dug a big hole because the Falcons scored two TDs off turnovers in the first half.

Defensive end Kroy Biermann forced running Leshoure to fumble, giving the Falcons the ball at their 31 and they took advantage. Ryan's perfectly lofted pass to White's fingertips converted a third-and-1 in a big way, putting the Falcons ahead.

The Lions responded with another drive into Atlanta territory, but stalled and had to settle for Hanson's 34-yard field goal in the final minute of the opening quarter to pull within four points.

Atlanta earned a double-digit lead on the ensuing drive.

Ryan threw a screen pass to his left to White, who got a great block from tight end Gonzalez, and the receiver raced untouched for a score that put the Falcons ahead 14-3.

White finished with eight receptions for 153 yards and two TDs. Jones had seven receptions for 71 yards and a score.

Ryan completed his first 12 attempts and, after his first incomplete pass, he converted a third-and-10 with an 11-yard toss to Jacquizz Rodgers. Two plays later, Ryan matched a season high with a third TD pass on the connection with Jones. Prior to the game, Ryan hadn't started a game with more than 10 consecutive completions, according to STATS LLC. He started 10 for 10 last month against Tampa Bay.

Johnson had three receptions for 70 yards in the first quarter, breaking Herman Moore's single-season franchise record for yards receiving.

By halftime, Johnson had 117 yards receiving. He had 100 yards receiving for an eighth straight game, breaking a record set by Charley Hennigan in 1961 and matched by Michael Irvin in 1995. It was Johnson's 11th game with 100 yards receiving this season, tying Irvin's NFL mark.

"Calvin is one of the best players in the game and I think everybody is a big fan of his," Ryan said. "He's one of the most genuinely nice people you could meet."

Stafford connected with Johnson on a short crossing route and the receiver did the rest, outrunning Falcons on a 49-yard gain. Fittingly, the Lions turned the ball over on the next snap in the latest lowlight in a season full of them.

The Lions, Falcons and fans at Ford Field in Detroit honored the victims of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School before the game. Players had memorial decals on their helmets that read "S.H.E.S." in white on a black background, and Detroit's coaches wore pins with a similar design. There was also a moment of silence before the national anthem while the names and ages of each victim were shown on the videoboards. Twenty children and six adults were killed in the Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown, Conn. Adam Lanza killed his mother, shot students and staff, then killed himself.

NOTES: Stafford, in his fourth season, has 1,090 career completions to surpass Bobby Layne's franchise record of 1,074. Stafford is seven attempts away from surpassing the NFL's single-season mark of 691 set by Drew Bledsoe with New England in 1994. ... Backup Falcons CB Christopher Owens had a hamstring injury.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

___

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larrylage

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-12-23-FBN-Falcons-Lions/id-b69cc1c8f75a414e9510c3c35e5294c3

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Wintry weather could mean white Christmas in Northeast

BUFFALO, New York (Reuters) - Powerful winds and snow whipped parts of the eastern United States on Saturday, carrying the promise of a white Christmas while threatening to cause problems for the many Americans traveling for the holidays, meteorologists said.

The storm moving in from the Midwest was sending strong winds into the mid-Atlantic states and southern New England. It buried parts of Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin in more than a foot of snow earlier this week.

The high winds threatened to delay flights at busy airports in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, meteorologists said.

Due to the winds, departing flights were delayed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and at Washington Dulles International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

More than 87 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more away from home over the holidays, the travel and auto group AAA has forecast. Nearly nine out of 10 will be on the roads, it said.

Residents in and around Buffalo, New York, awoke on Saturday to 4 to 6 inches of snow - the season's first significant accumulation in the notoriously snowbound region.

Typically, the area would have roughly a foot of snow by the Christmas holidays, but there has been little or nothing this year.

"There was something missing," Mayor Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda, New York, just north of Buffalo, said of judging the city's holiday lighting contest in the past week. "I think this was the first year there was no snow, not even a dusting."

"Everyone thinks of us as a place where snow is, and you relish it at Christmas time," he said, adding, "When we have snow around St. Patrick's Day, that's when people get annoyed."

The National Weather Service predicted a few more inches of snow for the Buffalo region on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

A new storm could bring snow as well to the central Appalachians, northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Accuweather.com said.

Residents of Harrisburg and Scranton, Pennsylvania eastward to Hartford, Connecticut, and Boston could expect a white Christmas, it said.

"It could be a white Christmas after all in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, New England and other areas across the nation," said Alex Sosnowski, Accuweather senior meteorologist.

New York City is likely to see a mix of snow and rain, he said.

RELIEF FOR SKI RESORT OPERATORS

Several inches of snow fell on Saturday in parts of western Pennsylvania. In central New York, snowfall of up to an inch an hour at times was predicted by the National Weather Service.

Ski resort operators in western New York greeted the snow with relief and said the cold air was making conditions ideal for snowmaking.

"It hurts not to be open yet," said Andy Minier, ski racing coordinator at Kissing Bridge ski area, about 30 miles south of Buffalo.

On Saturday, high winds were buffeting the New York City metropolitan area, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, the National Weather Service said.

It predicted hazardous conditions due to winds for upstate New York, northwestern Connecticut, southern Vermont and western Massachusetts.

Wintry air blowing off the eastern Great Lakes was causing icy conditions in western and northern Pennsylvania, upstate New York and West Virginia as well, Accuweather said.

On the Gulf Coast, meteorologists say, dangerous thunderstorms and tornadoes are expected on Christmas Day.

The affected areas are likely to be southeastern Texas, central and southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, Accuweather said. Cities in those areas include Houston; Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana; Gulfport, Mississippi; Montgomery and Mobile in Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida; it said.

(Additional Reporting and writing by Ellen Wulfhorst, Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wintry-weather-could-mean-white-christmas-northeast-travel-171422899.html

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