Green Blog: E.P.A. Chief to Step Down

After a tenure that began with bold pledges but wound down with defensive maneuvers, Lisa P. Jackson is resigning as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, John M. Broder reports. Her departure comes as many are questioning President Obama?s commitment to dealing with climate change and other environmental problems.

Source: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/e-p-a-chief-to-step-down/?partner=rss&emc=rss

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Junk Food For the Vegan Soul | Holy Cow!|Eggless Recipes|Dairy ...

Before you get started with New Year's resolutions about being good, here's a post about being bad. Really, really bad.

Oh, come on! I'm talking about food. This is a G-rated blog, y'know.

When people think about vegans, the first thing they imagine is a bunch of do-gooders who read every ingredient label twice and then once more, interrogate waiters as if they were accessories to murder, and in general subject themselves to absolute deprivation because we don't want to murder animals for food.

Worse, the world worries, we will force our food habits on them (I swear a new acquaintance rolled her eyes last week when I mentioned we choose a vegetarian-friendly restaurant for a lunch outing).

But we vegans like to play dangerous too. And yes, our decadence can often be, ahem, rather healthy, but ?there are lots of foods out there we love that qualify as total junk, even in the non-vegan world. And that, just before those resolutions kick in, is exactly what this fun post is all about: it's my rather?counterintuitive list of five of my most favorite-- and widely available -- junk food splurges that are also inadvertently vegan. Meaning the manufacturers never intended them to be vegan and they are not labeled as such, but they just ended up being so.

This is a short list because it's just mine, but for more inspiration check out PETA's long list of foods?you can buy off supermarket shelves that are also "accidentally" vegan. If you are a non-vegan who glances at this list and wonders if all this stuff isn't obviously vegan, trust me when I say that readymade foods that may seem very obviously animal-free are very often not. Do you know, for instance, that even after being sued for its beef-fat-fried French Fries way back when, McDonald's continues to use in its fries a flavoring derived from beef and from milk products, making this potato product entirely non-vegetarian?

I also want to?clarify that I am not endorsing the products I have listed here, or encouraging people to eat unhealthy. I like eating good-for-me stuff too, most of the time. But I do believe, with all my heart, that the occasional french fry (although not a McDonald's one) does more good than harm to a human soul.

So here goes, not in any particular order:

1. Oreos: I love these delicious little black-and-white nuggets and although I don't eat them as often as I'd love to, I would probably put them on my list of foods I'd want to eat on my death bed. A word of caution, though: I learned this when I posted my Oreo Cake that although these delicious sandwich cookies are vegan in the United States, they could contain whey in other countries in Europe and Asia where they are also manufactured and sold.

2.?Ghirardelli White Mocha Hot Chocolate: I love nothing more than to snuggle into bed with a cup of hot chocolate, and what's better than white hot chocolate? This is by far the most delicious drink I have ever had in my life-- mix it with some soymilk and you are ready to go to heaven.

3. Lay's Potato Chips: I love potatoes. There, I've said it. I don't care if they sit on my hips for the rest of my life, because what would good would life be without the occasional plunge into a crackling bag of crispy, salty, absolutely incredible potato chips?

4. Cinnamon Life cereal: This may qualify as breakfast food, but let's not kid ourselves: with a ton of sugar and almost no protein and fiber, this is not a healthy splurge. But it's SO good.

5. Fritos: Deep-fried corn? Bring it on!

So what are your guilty pleasures that were never meant to be vegan but are? Chime in!

Source: http://www.holycowvegan.net/2012/12/junk-food-for-vegan-soul.html

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Ford to invest $773 million across southeast Michigan

In the eyes of outspoken?entrepreneur Mark Cuban, the battle for smartphone?supremacy?has been fought and won? by Nokia (NOK). While hosting an AMA session on Reddit ? a series of posts where the original poster instructs Reddit users to ?Ask Me Anything? ? Cuban, who famously sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo (YHOO) for around $5 billion at the height of the dot-com boom, was asked what kind of laptop he uses. ?I have a MacBook Air, but am trying the new Acer with Windows 8?[laptop],? wrote Cuban. ?I really, really like Windows 8 on my phone. I have [two] phones. First is Samsung?(005930) the [second] was an iPhone 5. The new Nokia with windows replaced my iPhone 5.? When asked to elaborate,

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ford-invest-773-million-across-southeast-michigan-052819057--sector.html

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Reasons Why You Should Hire Home Tutors For Your Child

Going to school with other children is perhaps the easiest way to educate a child in today's busy society. This option is perfectly convenient for families, especially since a growing number of households may need both parents to work to supplement their incomes or they may have other responsibilities that can get in the way of effective home-schooling.

Sending a child to school does offer many benefits; for instance, it gives children the chance to practice their social skills, and at the same time it also helps teach them about rules in society and the importance of abiding by these. However, sending a child to school may have a few drawbacks, and one of these is that it doesn't address each child's unique learning styles. For cases such as these, it may be necessary to hire a tutor to supplement the child's educational training.

There are many reasons why hiring home tutors is beneficial for a young learner, and the first among these is fewer distractions. In your home, you can easily control the environment to make it more conducive to learning: you can turn off the television and computer, set a strict schedule and even design lessons with your tutor to complement your child's unique learning style. This is unlike the classroom setting, which is prone to distractions such as noise and other interruptions from your child's peers.

In addition to having less distractions, primary education home tuition also allows you more freedom as to what subjects to tackle and how much. You can keep your focus on topics that your child may be struggling with before moving on to other subjects. Moreover, you can also cover more topics in a shorter amount of time compared with classroom learning. This is because a private tutor can work with your child's pace and adapt his or her teaching strategies to make the most out of the time allotted for lessons.

One-on-one instruction is also helpful in building your child's confidence and self-esteem. This is because tailored instruction enables him to learn better, and the more your child understands and accomplishes at school, the more he becomes confident in his own abilities. Private tutoring is also beneficial for shy children as it gives them an avenue where they can freely ask questions without worrying about the impression their inquiries will leave on their peers.

There are many reasons why hiring home tutors is beneficial for a young learner, and the first among these is fewer distractions. In your home, you can easily control the environment to make it more conducive to learning: you can turn off the television and computer, set a strict schedule and even design lessons with your tutor to complement your child's unique learning style.

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/reasons-why-you-should-hire-home-tutors-for-your-child-309558

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A Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Chart, Designed by I Heart Guts

Wendy Bryan of I Heart Guts recently created a great chart to help people learn how to detect the signs of skin cancer early and how they can take steps to prevent it.

They are looking for feedback on the chart from dermatologists:

We?d love to get feedback on our latest public service announcement, this one all about skin cancer ? fun, fun, fun! Any comments or advice will be greatly appreciated and repaid with our love and admiration for your mad skillz as a smartypants derm.

art by I Heart Guts

Source: http://laughingsquid.com/a-skin-cancer-detection-prevention-chart-designed-by-i-heart-guts/

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Spotlight on Business - Holmes Security Systems | Pleasure Island ...

Holmes Security Systems is part of a 104 year old, family owned company, founded in Fayetteville, NC in 1908. We have offices in both Fayetteville and Wilmington, NC. Here?s how we run our?business:

We are a security company, not just an alarm company. We don?t run $99 specials or offer ?one size fits all? systems. Instead, we work with our customers to determine how best to protect their home, families, and businesses, realizing that an alarm system is only part of the solution.

We are a life safety company ? we look at all aspects of keeping your home, family and business safe. We don?t shy away from recommending monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and personal panic and medical alert devices.

We don?t have long term contracts ? we won?t ask you to sign a three or five year agreement. Our philosophy is that we want you to do business with us because you want to do business with us.
We are an Authorized Preferred Honeywell Dealer, with the additional First Alert Professional title in Wilmington. Honeywell is the world-wide leader in security solutions.

And finally, an effective security system must be monitored. We own and operate our own state-of-the-art, UL Listed Central Monitoring Station right here in southeastern NC. It?s staffed by trained personnel 24-7, and has achieved the 5 Diamond Certification from the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA). In fact, it is the only such center in Eastern NC. Local monitoring means faster response.

We are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau, and we offer all of the benefits of a national company, but the money stays in our community. Local ownership, local service, local monitoring, and no long term contracts, plus a definite price advantage.

Call us at 793-4181 or find us on the web at www.HolmesSecurity.net.

Source: http://pleasureislandchamber.blogspot.com/2012/11/spotlight-on-business-holmes-security.html

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Scott keys Colorado 2 OT win over Texas-Southern

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Omar Strong nearly carried Texas Southern to its first win ever over a ranked opponent. He had to settle for a career night instead.

Strong scored 39 points, a career-best for the senior guard, but No. 19 Colorado withstood the barrage for an 85-80 double-overtime win Tuesday night.

"In many respects, (Texas Southern) deserved to win the game. Those kids played their hearts out and I can't say enough about the performance of Omar Strong," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. "We were fortunate to win. I'm not saying we didn't deserve to win, because our guys played hard as well and did what we had to do down the stretch. But we definitely have to learn from tonight and get better."

Josh Scott scored the first two baskets of the second overtime to put Colorado in front to stay. He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Spencer Dinwidde had 24 points to lead Colorado (6-0). Askia Booker added 15 points and Andre Roberson had 11.

Fred Sturdivant had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Texas Southern (1-6), which just missed pulling off the upset.

"That hurts. That's what a loss does to you," Strong said. "I don't have an appetite. I don't even want to eat."

Getting so close to a signature win was both tough and encouraging for first-year Texas Southern coach Mike Davis.

"It was very difficult," the former Indiana coach said. "I'm just trying to build the team and get better every single time. I think we took a step in the right direction. We played very well. We came out competing and working hard."

Strong was in the thick of the Tigers' offensive from the outset.

"I was kind of in a slump in the first couple of games," Strong said. "I was going through stuff at home. I need to block all that out and just think positive. That's what I did tonight."

Tied at 59 at the end of regulation, Booker converted a three-point play with 1:38 remaining in overtime for a 68-66 Colorado lead. But Strong was fouled attempting a 3-pointer and made two free throws to re-tie it.

Booker drained a 3-pointer from the corner with 41 seconds left in the first overtime to make it 71-68 but Law Johnson-Danner answered with a 3-pointer for the Tigers and Booker's long jumper rimmed out at the buzzer, forcing the second overtime.

Scott hit successive baskets from up close to start the second overtime, getting fouled in the lane and converting the free throw after the second shot to give the Buffaloes a 76-71 lead they would not relinquish.

Sabatino Chen's driving layup with 1:09 remaining gave Colorado an 80-72 lead, and the Buffaloes made five of their six free throws down the stretch, enough to withstand two more 3-pointers by Strong in the last 11.5 seconds.

Trailing by 10 points at halftime, Colorado finally shook off its early shooting woes to run off 11 straight points starting the second half, moving in front 40-39 on Roberson's fastbreak layup with 15:35 remaining.

Roberson, whose blown breakaway dunk midway through the opening period epitomized Colorado's earlier offensive struggles, had seven points during the stretch.

The Tigers came back to take a 50-48 lead when Penn connected on a 3-pointer with 9:02 left. Colorado put together an 8-0 flurry for a 56-50 lead with 6:44 remaining. Dinwidde sparked the run with two 3-pointers.

Madarious Gibbs made both ends of a 1-and-1 to pull the Tigers to 57-56 with 3:06 left and Scott made two free throws for Colorado with 1:51 left.

Roberson fouled out with 1:30 left when he fouled Aaron Clayborn as he went up for a shot. Clayborn made one of two free throws, getting the Tigers within two points.

Booker missed a jumper and Sturdivant drove in for a layup that tied it at 59-all with 42.5 seconds left.

Maneuvering for a tie-breaking shot, Colorado hung on to the ball too long, turning it over with 6.8 seconds left in regulation when the 35-second shot clock expired. Strong missed a 15-foot jumper at the buzzer.

Colorado missed its first six shots from beyond the arc before Booker connected at the buzzer, pulling the Buffaloes within 39-29 at halftime after trailing by as many as 15 points.

Source: http://www.omaha.com/article/20121128/AP0408/311289975

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FOR KIDS: A fishy mammal ID

For more than a century, the fossilized skull of an ancient fish was misidentified as a primate

For more than a century, the fossilized skull of an ancient fish was misidentified as a primate

By Sid Perkins

Web edition: November 26, 2012

Enlarge

Scientists mistakenly thought for decades that this skull (viewed from above, teeth at top of image) came from a mammal. The extinct creature, recently renamed Leporinus scalabrinii, was in fact an ancient fish that lived in South America.

Credit: Sergio Bogan

Ever make a big error on your homework? A really embarrassing one? Don?t worry. Even well-trained scientists can make a whopper of a mistake now and again.

In the 1890s, paleontologist Florentino Ameghino began studying a small fossil skull that had been given to him by a local collector in Argentina. At first glance, the broad, chisel-like teeth at the front of the skull ? the only part?not covered with rock ? looked like those belonging to lemurs. A distant relative of apes and monkeys, lemurs are a type of mammal that now lives only on the island off the eastern coast of Africa.

But new research now shows Ameghino erred. Big time!

Visit the new?Science News for Kids?website?and read the full story:?A fishy mammal ID

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/346664/title/FOR_KIDS_A_fishy_mammal_ID

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A/C's ultrasonic waves shoo away mosquitoes

17 hrs.

John Roach , NBC News

Even in the cold darkness of winter, a hot muggy mosquito infested day sounds miserable. Thankfully, there?s now an air conditioner that doubles as a mosquito repellent. The repellent comes in the form of ultrasonic waves, which make a sound that drives away the pesky insects.

The high-tech gizmo from LG Electronics sounds like a must-get for the wealthy Florida retiree on your holiday shopping list, but it?s intended as a potential game-changer for parts of Africa where malaria, a mosquito-transmitted disease, is a major public health threat.

In tests, the unit deterred 64 percent of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes within 24 hours and 82 percent overall.

The company even took Africa?s notoriously unreliable power supplies into consideration as it designed the Anti-Mosquito air conditioner. It is outfitted with technology meant to withstand the electric current fluctuations associated with repeated blackouts and extreme operating conditions.

Yes, air conditioners are a relative luxury, but with research on anti-malaria vaccines stumbling and low-cost mosquito nets becoming less effective, an air conditioning unit that shoos away a good portion of the deadly mosquitoes today is that much cooler.

??via Gizmodo?

John Roach is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. To learn more about him, check out his website. For more of our Future of Technology series, watch the featured video below.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/cs-ultrasonic-waves-shoo-away-mosquitoes-1C7208009

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Nets take 1st Brooklyn matchup with Knicks in OT

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) knocks the ball from the hands of Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. Nets' Brook Lopez, rear left, and Knicks' Rasheed Wallace (36) watch the play. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) knocks the ball from the hands of Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. Nets' Brook Lopez, rear left, and Knicks' Rasheed Wallace (36) watch the play. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) dunks over Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace (45) and center Brook Lopez (11) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) reacts after dunking as Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace, far left, watches in the first half of their NBA basketball game, at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) shoots over New York Knicks guard Raymond Felton (2) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams (8) drives against New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith (8) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Playing the Knicks never looked or sounded so sweet for the Nets in New Jersey.

The first matchup in Brooklyn was everything they could have hoped for.

"It was just a total 180 from what we saw last year, where it was mostly Knicks fans and all the chants and all the cheers were for them. It's great to feel that we have a home-court advantage finally," point guard Deron Williams said.

"This is what they talked about. I think this is what they visualized, was games like this. This was a playoff-type atmosphere. You could definitely feel it on the court and it was a great game to be a part of."

The Nets won the crowd ? and the game ? pulling out a 96-89 overtime victory on Monday night to tie the Knicks atop the Atlantic Division on a breakthrough night for their franchise.

With their fans outnumbering and at times outchanting the Knicks' counterparts for a change, the Nets improved to 7-1 in their new home before a sellout crowd of 17,732 that was more black than blue, just the way the Nets hoped.

"Every time some sort of Knicks contingency started to cheer, our fans got louder," Nets coach Avery Johnson said.

Jerry Stackhouse, wearing the No. 42 Jackie Robinson made famous in Brooklyn, hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:31 left in overtime as the Nets controlled the extra period of a playoff-like game that neither team led by more than seven.

"It was absolutely fantastic. It was a great game for the fans," Nets center Brook Lopez said. "Having two great teams in New York, the fans are in the best position of all."

Lopez had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Williams added 16 points and 14 assists as the Nets joined the Knicks at 9-4 amid a loud chant of "Brook-lyn! Brook-lyn!" at the finish. Stackhouse scored 14 points.

Carmelo Anthony had 35 points and 13 rebounds, but was only 10 of 16 at the free throw line and missed the potential go-ahead jumper with about 5 seconds left in regulation. Tyson Chandler finished with 28 points and 10 boards, but no other Knicks player was in double figures.

"They're across the bridge. They're here in Brooklyn. We're in the city. They're in the same division, the same sports town. I guess you can say this started something," Anthony said.

Raymond Felton was just 3 of 19 from the field, but the Knicks had to stick with him with fellow point guard and former Nets star Jason Kidd out with back spasms. Another starter, Ronnie Brewer, was lost for the overtime with a dislocated left ring finger.

"I'm upset at myself. I had a bad shooting night," Felton said. "I'm probably just as mad as any fan, any player, anybody you could think about."

The first matchup of Brooklyn and New York pro franchises since the Dodgers played the New York Giants on Sept. 8, 1957, at the Polo Grounds was loud, energetic, and close throughout. Both teams played as if this meant more than the usual regular-season game.

It's the latest the Nets have had at least a share of first place since Jan. 30, 2007, when they and Toronto were both 22-23. It's the latest the Knicks and Nets have been tied atop the division since Nov. 30, 1997.

The game was originally scheduled as the Nov. 1 season opener for both teams but was postponed after Superstorm Sandy, when much of the mass transit around the city was knocked out. Barclays Center sits above a major transportation hub, and without subways running many fans wouldn't have been able to get here.

The Knicks have always been the clear No. 1 franchise in the area, even when the Nets had Kidd and were better, and the Nets have long believed the move to Brooklyn and the $1 billion Barclays Center would help them even things. Nationally televised and with more than 100 media members, this was easily their most anticipated game in years, though Johnson denied that it meant more to the Nets than the Knicks.

"I think it's just as important for them, because if we're so much the new kid on the block and we're trying to come in and gain some territorial rights, I think they're going to try to do everything they can to push back, so I think it's great," Johnson said before the game. "I don't think it's so much of a Duke-North Carolina rivalry yet, but hopefully one day it'll get there."

Johnson estimated that games in New Jersey since he'd been with the Nets were an 80-20 fan split for the Knicks, and he hoped that would turn around Monday. It didn't flip completely, but it seemed the home team's fans made up about 60-65 percent of the crowd, the orange and blue that was long so ubiquitous harder to spot this time.

But Johnson made it clear the Nets needed to win the game, not just the crowd, for this to be a successful night, and his team was in great position up five with 4 minutes to play in regulation. The Knicks ran off eight straight to take an 84-81 lead with 1:40 left, but they wouldn't score again. Lopez tied it with a free throw with 24 seconds remaining, and after Anthony missed a jumper, Williams was off on a long attempt before the buzzer.

Chandler dunked to open overtime, but the Nets answered with eight straight points, taking the lead for good at 89-86 on Stackhouse's 3-pointer with 3:31 remaining before three straight points from Gerald Wallace, who finished with 16.

Both sides downplayed the idea of a rivalry ? yet ? leading into the game, but change was noticeable right from the start.

The Knicks were loudly booed during the announcement of starting lineups, with Anthony, a Brooklyn native whom the Nets tried to acquire before the Knicks did, receiving the type of loud, mixed response that usually goes to LeBron James.

There were dueling chants on one early possession, Knicks fans hollering "Defense! Defense!" while Nets supporters tried to drown them out with "Brook-lyn! Brook-lyn!"

The only time crowd support seemed unanimous was when local sports stars or celebrities, such as Jay-Z and Beyonce sitting near the Nets bench, were shown on the overhead scoreboard.

Reggie Evans finished with 14 rebounds for the Nets.

NOTES: The Nets have won six straight at home for the first time since December 2003. They started 18-1 at home in 2002-03. ... The teams meet three times in the next 3? weeks. The Knicks return to Brooklyn on Dec. 11 and host the Nets on Dec. 19. ... With Kidd out, the Knicks started Kurt Thomas ? and actually got older. Kidd will turn 40 in March. Thomas, the league's oldest player, turned 40 in October. ... Anthony (10.9 ppg) and Lopez (7.9) entered as the NBA's top two first-quarter scorers. Anthony had only four points, while Lopez scored eight.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-27-Knicks-Nets/id-6e93387eabec4a779ce97bbd56756898

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How to Calculate the Value of Your Social Media Followers - HubSpot

How to Calculate the Value of Your Social Media Followers [CALCULATOR]

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If you?re using social media for marketing and you?re not measuring your dollars-and-cents ROI, you?re doing it wrong. As my favorite rap quote says, ?If it don?t make dollars, it don?t make sense.?

Marketers wouldn?t dream of spending budget on banner or PPC ads without a measured and positive return on their investment; but for some reason, many of us still play dumb when it comes to the hard data about the performance of our social media marketing investments. And even if you?re not spending budget on Facebook or Twitter, remember: Time is money, and you?re probably spending a significant amount of time.

All too often, social media marketing advice comes from greasy, snake oil hucksters selling platitudes like ?engage in the conversation,? or worse, ?be awesome.? While advice like this is hard to disagree with, it?s not useful or concrete. Instead, we marketers should be measuring our social media marketing campaigns to determine what is making our businesses money -- and what isn?t. In other words, ignore the unicorns-and-rainbows superstitions.

How to Calculate the Value of Your Facebook & Twitter Followers

A while ago, in a HubSpot marketing team meeting, we were discussing how much we should be willing to invest to gain a new social media follower or Like, and I found myself at the whiteboard plotting out a formula. Over the course of the next few weeks -- with the help of several of my geeky colleagues -- I put together a formula to calculate a metric I call VOAL (Value Of A Like). Once you know your VOAL, you can plan your social media efforts with confidence they?ll generate a positive ROI.

Below is the formula and how it breaks down ...

L (Total Likes)

The total number of audience members connected to your social media?account. On Facebook, these are Likes of your page, and on Twitter, these are followers.

UpM (Unlikes-per-Month)

The average number of fans who ?unlike? your social network?account each month. On Facebook, this is an ?unlike,? and on Twitter, this is an ?unfollow.?

LpD (Links-per-Day)

The average number of times you?re posting links, and potentially?converting links driven from your social media account. On Facebook, this is the number of?posts you?re making, per day, that lead to a page on your website. On Twitter, this is the?number of times, per day, you?re tweeting these kinds of links.

C (Average Clicks)

The average number of clicks on the links to your site you?re posting on?your social media accounts.

CR (Conversion Rate)

The average conversion rate of your website, from visit to sale or?visit to lead. This can be an overall average, but for increased accuracy, use the conversion?rate measured from traffic coming from the social network you?re calculating.

ACV (Average Conversion Value)

The average value of each ?conversion.? In this context,?a ?conversion? is the action you?ve used to measure CR for. It could be average sale price?or average lead value. For increased accuracy, use the average conversion value of traffic?coming from the specific social network.

The ValueOfALike.com Calculator

In my efforts to make sure all social media marketers can apply this formula, I built a free, easy-to-use little calculator at ValueOfALike.com. Answer six simple questions about your business' use of Facebook or Twitter and it will tell you exactly -- in concrete dollars and cents -- what each Like or follower is worth to your company. To calculate your value of a Facebook Like, you can easily answer these questions using your Facebook Insights and your closed-loop marketing analytics (in the calculator, click the question mark next to each question for an explanation about how to acquire each data point). For Twitter, you can use tools like Twitter's advertising analytics platform, closed-loop marketing analytics, as well as educated estimates to determine your Twitter numbers. Furthermore, each question input in the calculator is shown on a slider, so you can easily adjust the values up or down to see how changing various metrics will impact your bottom line.

You can answer the questions for either your Twitter or Facebook marketing efforts, and you can enter information based on lead generation or actual sales data. The calculator is flexible, and it's designed to help you put the VOAL formula to work for your brand in the way that makes the most sense for you.

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VOAL Formula in Action: 3 Real-Life Examples

To demonstrate what the VOAL calculation would look like using realistic numbers, let?s start with an example from Facebook. HubSpot partner Kuno Creative's Facebook Page has 3,103 total Likes, 30 unlikes per month, posts 1.3 posts per day, with each post getting an average of 190 clicks. Their visit-to-lead conversion rate for Facebook traffic is around 2%, and they report an average conversion value of $350 per lead. Because of their very high clickthrough rate of 6.12% and their huge $350 lead value, they have a VOAL of $1,729.

On the other hand, if we look at some numbers from a different company -- Lynton Web, another HubSpot partner -- we see a different picture. They have a smaller Facebook presence with 174 total Likes, about 1 unlike per month, post 1.5 posts per day, get a single click on each link on average, and they told me their visit-to-lead conversion rate is around .8%. If we assume they have a $100 value per lead generated, they have a VOAL of $0.013.

To demonstrate how we can apply the same VOAL math to Twitter, let?s use HubSpot?s Twitter metrics as an example. Here, I?ll be estimating the numbers. We have 258,522 followers and about 2,000 unfollows per month (as reported by Twitter?s advertising analytics platform). We post around once per hour -- so 24 posts per day -- and each tweet generates around 120 clicks. We have a visit-to-lead conversion rate of 55%, and let?s assume a value per lead of $40. This gives us a VOAL for Twitter of $0.32.

Applying VOAL to Your Social Media Marketing Efforts?

Once you understand the true, monetary value of each of your business' social media connections, you can start to understand exactly how much time and money is worth spending to grow your social media reach,?and you'll know which metrics you need to improve to get the most out of your efforts.

Play around with the calculator's sliders for each question to understand how each variable impacts your overall VOAL. How much does your VOAL change if you were to increase your posting frequency? What about boosting overall Likes? Should you focus your efforts on growing your social media reach? Remember, when it comes to social media marketing, ?If it don?t make dollars, it don?t make sense.?

Check out the free calculator at ValueOfALike.com. What's your business' VOAL? What can you do to increase this value?

Source: http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33871/How-to-Calculate-the-Value-of-Your-Social-Media-Followers-CALCULATOR.aspx

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We are always trying to make sure what we consume is good for us, such as coffee. Monica get answers from Denise Foley, executive editor at Prevention Magazine, to end any doubt.

Health and Wellness

What?s your biggest challenge of keeping a regular exercise regiment during the colder seasons??Jennifer McDaniel of McDaniel Nutrition Therapy joined the show to talk about some facts involving weight gain during the holiday season.

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Check out Water Street Cafe in Maplewood. Monica talked about the cafe and cocktail bar with owner Gabe Kveton.

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Source: http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/11/25/kmox-health-wellness-show/

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Do Infant Ferrets Make Much better Pets? miumiu ? Educracker ...

21 Free or Reduced-cost ways to Promote your On-line company

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For example, if you sell stuffed animals the keywords by which youd want to be found in the research engines could be "stuffed toys, stuffed animals, plush animals, stuffed canines, plush pets", etc.three) Search Motor BuffetSubmit your website to research engines and directories, whether or ?????? ??????? not manually distributing via every or utilizing a totally free multiple submission services that will submit your website instantly to research engines and directories of your choosing or theirs, depending upon the submission site you use. 1 such site is http://www.submitexpress.com4) Chain LinksExchange links with similar and complementary websites, but not your competitors - I dont think youll listen to from them! Email the websites owner and ask for a reciprocal link. If they agree to add your hyperlink, return the favor and include their hyperlink on your website. You can produce a unique page for your preferred links or if you have only a few, merely include them to your main web page or any other page on your website.5) Snappy Sig-FileCreate an interesting signature file to be instantly included at the end of your emails. A little, descriptive "blurb" about what you do alongside with your web site address will do it!6) NewsworthyWrite an ezine, or online newsletter. You can find fascinating articles on any ?? ??? subject on the Web that you can publish in your ezine (search on "free content material") or even create some of your personal (see #12). Determine whether your ezine will be created monthly, biweekly, weekly or even daily if you have sufficient time and info to share! Always be sure to give the author correct credit! Consist of his byline at the end of his post and e-mail him a duplicate of your ezine when its prepared.This website has a good post on how to create an ezine: http://www.thewritemarket.com/ezine.shtml7) Additional! Additional!Offer a gift for new subscribers. It can be a report that you wrote on a subject of interest that the new reader can get or a small sample of your item, or even a coupon for ten% off your goods or services.eight) Whats Behind Door #two?Operate a contest to name your ezine. Produce a unique web page with a subscription type on your site. Clarify the details and prizes. Checklist your contest on as many contest announcement websites that you can discover or publish your contest on discussion groups and forums (see #ten and #11) and other newsletters.Some contest announcement websites are:http://www.theprizefinder.com/asp/addacompetition.a sphttp://www.loquax.co.ukThe prizes you provide should be associated to your business. You should have a deadline, say a month or moncler 2012 so, and be sure to indicate the date on your contest page.Instance advertisement for contest:** We need you! **Get inventive...Win prizes!Our publication requirements a nameIf we use yours, you win!http://www.whimsies-online.com/ezineform.htmPublish the winners on your website and in your subsequent ezine - recently-called, of program!9) All in the FamilySubmit your ezine to ezine lists such as http://www.list-a-working day.com. They might even feature your ezine as their every day pick!Other lists are:http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/submit.htmlhttp://ezin e-universe.com/search/getlisted.html10) Team TherapyJoin Yahoo groups and other comparable newsgroups/dialogue lists. Subscribe ?????? 2012 ?? to comparable ezines and then exchange ads with ezine proprietors. List your contest with group owners. Submit your articles as well!http://teams.yahoo.comhttp://www.topica.com11) The Present of GabParticipate in marc by marc jacobs ??? discussions on numerous on-line forums and concept boards, of program using your signature file! (research On-line Discussion boards) One this kind of discussion board is http://www.ivillage.com/boards12) Bank on this!Create posts and submit them to post banking institutions this kind of as http://www.goarticles.com (research on Totally free Content) and teams (see #ten). You can essentially create about something you know, write short stories about encounters youve experienced, useful articles, your see on a topic youre comfy with, for example. Make certain you include your byline or writers resource box at the end of your post or story. This can be a short description of your company, a hyperlink to your web site and a hyperlink to your subscription web page.How to write an article: http://www.freesticky.com/stickyweb/posts/create_articl e_profit_technique.aspAnd: http://www.accordmarketing.com/tid/archive/write.html13 ) Make sure you release me!Write a push release about your business, your contest, an business youre sponsoring or something you believe is newsworthy. Deliver it to your local newspapers, to magazines and on-line press launch solutions (see http://www.whimsies-on-line.com/newsrelease2.htm for an instance)Heres an exceptional post on how to create a press release: http://www.lunareclipse.internet/pressrelease.htmYou can post your press release at http://www.prweb.com/14) The Paper chaseIf you get featured in your local paper or in a journal, mention the story in ALL of your advertising materials. 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Assists your consumer remember you and they might re-purchase from you at a later day. It can even be a coupon for ten% off their next buy. One of my presents is a laminated bookmark personalized with the customers name. It also exhibits a miniature version of the cartoon they just requested! Everyone enjoys customized products. Another idea would be a personalized coaster utilizing CDs you no longer require, or the freebies you get in your mailbox (the steel mailbox outdoors your home, not the virtual type!). See how to right here: http://www.whimsies-online.com/cdcoasters.htmMention "gift with purchase" on your web site and include the approximate value if they were to buy it separately.18) Mug ShotAnother concept would be to use your logo or a catchy phrase and your web site deal with to print on mugs, mouse pads, and other items. Cafe Press prints the design you upload on to any articles you select from their huge selection. They do the manufacturing, ?????????????? ??? delivery, collecting the funds, and will send you your fee cheque. When you produce your on-line shop with them (they have a free version as nicely as an improve to a Premium Shop) be certain to consist of a hyperlink to your own website. Heres an example: http://www.cafeshops.com/animal_home which links to http://www.whimsies-online.com/whimsieswear.htmThe Cafe Press website is http://www.cafepress.com19) Happy CampersAlways request for testimonies. Ask your clients and subscribers for a phrase or two about your product. If a consumer has emailed you to thank you for the useful widget/thing-a- magig/whatchamacallit you despatched them, request if you can use their comments in your subsequent ezine and your "testimonies" internet page20) Evaluate this!Deliver samples of your item to influential people for a testimonial or for a small create-up in their publication or website.21) miumiu???? Ad-VantageThere are many ezines and on-line businesses that offer free advertisement submissions. Check out Bob Osgoodbys web site. He offers a totally free advertisement services (he also has 3 very educational ezines!). You can examine out his site at http://www.adv-marketing.com/company/These are just a bunch of inventive methods to market your on-line presence. Attempt some or all, and when you get the dangle of it youll most likely aspiration up some much more. Have fun with them and see what functions for you!(c) 2004 DDesign Reprints of this post are free of cost as lengthy as you consist of the writer portion of the text

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Kristen Stewart to Wreck Another Marriage?!?

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caprice sacrilege: EDU702 Research Methodology: References ...

Azizi Yahaya, 2003. Factors Contributing Towards Excellence Academic Performance. University Technology Malaysia

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Baxter, M. Young J.L. (1982). What do employers expect from high school graduates? NASSP Bulletin, 66, 93-98.

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Reporter. (2003). Indicators of academic performance. Retrieved on August 8, 2007 from http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/2002-3/weekly/5913/

Chang, M. (2004, July). Why some graduates are more marketable than others: Employers? perspective. Paper presented in a Workshop on Enhancing Graduate Employability in a Globalised Economy, Economic Planning Unit, Malaysia.

Chapman, K. (2010, march 7). Earning a place. Retrieves September 17, 2010, from the Star Online: http://thestar.com.my?education/story.asp?file=/2010/3/7/education/5782565&sec=education
Claessens, Amy, Greg Duncan, and Mimi Engel. 2009. ?Kindergarten Skills and Fifth-grade Achievement: Evidence from the ECLS-K,? Economics of Education Review 28(4): 415-427.
Duncan, GregJ., Chantelle J. Dowsett, Amy Claessens., Katherine Magnuson., Aletha C. Huston,, Pamela Klebanov, Linda S. Pagani, Leon Feinstein, Mimi Engel, Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Holly Sexton, Kathryn Duckworth, and Crista Japel. 2007. ?School Readiness and Later Achievement.? Developmental Psychology, 43(6): 428-46.
Dutton, M. (1996). Tech/prep/school-to-work: Career Paths for All. Education Digest,61(5), 56-69.
Higgins, D.M., Peerson, J. B., Pihl, R. O., & Lee, A. G. (2007). Prefrontal Cognitive Ability, Inteligence, Big Five Personality, and the Prediction of Advanced Academic and Workplace Performace. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Hoyle, E. (1986). Policies of School Management, Suffolk. The press ltd.

Jailani, Wan Mohd Rashid, Noraini & Wahid (2005). Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) from Malaysia Perspective. Paper presented at 2nd International TT-TVET EU-Asia-Link Project Meeting, VEDC Malang.

Kyoshaba Martha, 2009. Factors Affecting Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students at UgandaChristianUniversity.

Lleras, Christy. 2008. ?Do Skills and Behaviors in High School Matter? The Contribution of Noncognitive Factors in Explaining Differences in Educational Attainment and Earnings.? Social Science Research 37 (3): 888-902.

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has 60,000 graduates unemployed. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.malaysia-today.net/Blog-e/2005/11/malaysia-has-60000-undergraduates.htm

Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. (2006). Development of soft skills for Institutions of Higher Learning. Universiti Putra, Malaysia.

Nabi, G. R. and Bagley, D. (1998) Graduates? perceptions of transferable personal skills and future career preparation in the UK, Career Development International, 3(1), 31-39.
Bennett, N., Dunne, E. and Carr?, C. (2000) Skills Development in Higher Education and Employment. Buckingham: The Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press.
Nathan, S. and Dunn, K.A. (1997). Business Press Articles and Higher Level Learning Skills in Accounting Courses. Education & Training. 39, 4/5, 189-194
Noorlaila Yunus, Salina Noranee and Rohana Ehsan, 2004.The Perception of Employer towards Office Management (OM) Industrial Trainees? Performance during the Internship: A Case Study of Public/Private Organizations in Klang Valley.

Secretary?s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. (1992, April). Learning a Living: A blueprint for High Performance. Executive Summary. A SCANS Report for America 2000. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor.

O?Connor, M. C. & Paunonen, S. V. (2007). Big Five personality predictors of post-secondary academic performance. Personality and Individual Differences.
Raymond Young and Chadi Aoun, 2008. Generic Skills to Reduce Failure Rates in an Undergraduate Accounting Information System Course. Asian Social Science, Vol. 4, 10, October 2008. www.ccsenet.prg/journal.html

Santrock, J. W. (2006). Educational Psychology (rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Thelma Young Monk, 1998. Variables Associated with Academic Achievement of African-American Males in Four-year Undergraduate Educational Institutions: A Synthesis is Studies. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and StateUniversity.

The New Straits Times. (2006, March 21). Experts: Go back to drawing board. Kuala Lumpur

Usoff, C. & Feldmann, D. (1998). Accounting Students? Perceptions of Important Skills For Career Success. Journal of Education for Business. 73, 4, 215-220

Worthington, R. L., & Juntunen, C. L. (1997). Vocational Development of Non-College-bound??

Youth: Counseling Psychology and the School-to-Work Transition of Movement. The Counseling Psychologist, 25(2), 23-24.
30,000 grads in unsuitable jobs (2012,May 10). New Straits Times. Retrieved from http://www.mohr.gov.my/mygoveg/extras/isunov05.htm#nst101105

Source: http://edu725nurule.blogspot.com/2012/11/references.html

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Residents 'Shop Small' To Support Local Business | 5NEWSOnline ...

Posted on: 5:59 pm, November 23, 2012, by Meredith Baldwin, updated on: 06:48pm, November 23, 2012

Small Business Saturday, a day squished between Black Friday and Cyber Monday competing for both customers and profits.

This year, Van Buren?s encouraging the community to show support for its local retailers and shop small. Several stores along Historic Main Street Van Buren will be open for Small Business Saturday.

Dozens of people were out shopping even on Black Friday, picking up holiday gifts and spending money.

Barbara Little, who owns A Little Bit of Mexico in Van Buren, said she?s excited people are shopping small this holiday season, and thinking of the little stores instead of just the big-name retailers.

?They attract so much business that it?s really essential for small businesses to have a small business Saturday where you can come and shop and enjoy the small merchants,? said Little.

Mary Francis Rocconi was out shopping Friday, looking for things she couldn?t just pick up somewhere else in town.

?We wanted to find the little, small unique things,? said Rocconi. ?Not just the same old, same old.?

The idea behind Small Business Saturday is to get people out shopping in an effort to stimulate business at local retailers.

?There?s a danger that small business is going out of business,? said Phyllis Kiger, who was also out shopping Friday afternoon. ?That happens a lot anymore. We need to keep these people going. We need to keep their doors open.?

Barbara Morse, who owns Darb?s Antiques on Main Street agreed, saying they could really use the help financially.

?Small businesses are having a hard time right now,? said Morse. We just want everybody to come in and shop with us.?

The National Retail Federation says holiday shoppers are estimated to spend nearly $750 on Christmas gifts this year. But how much of that will be spent at small businesses?

?We have the unique stuff that you just can?t find anywhere else,? Little said.

Even though Small Business Saturday is only one day out of the year across the country, retailers in Van Buren said they hope customers will continue to support local businesses and shop small year round.

Source: http://5newsonline.com/2012/11/23/residents-shop-small-to-support-local-business/

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Research In Motion shares climb

TORONTO (AP) ? Shares of Research in Motion Ltd. Jumped nearly 14 percent Friday as investors seemingly grew more optimistic about a February launch of the Canadian company's much-delayed BlackBerry 10 smartphones.

RIM will release the latest version of its smartphone "not too long" after a Jan. 30 launch event, Kristian Tear, the company's chief operating officer, has said.

The new phones are seen as critical to RIM's survival as the smartphone pioneer struggles in North America to hold on to customers who are abandoning BlackBerrys for flashier iPhones and Android phones.

The Waterloo, Ontario, company seems to be preparing for a February global launch, a month earlier than many analysts were expecting, according to an analyst with National Bank Financial, a Canadian bank. Kris Thompson raised his shipments forecast for RIM for fiscal 2014 in a research note from Wednesday.

Thompson also increased his price target for the BlackBerry maker to $15 from $12.

RIM shares on the Nasdaq closed up $1.41, or nearly 14 percent, to $11.67 Friday in an abbreviated trading session on Wall Street.

The spike in the BlackBerry maker's shares came after a week of steady gains amid more positive sentiment.

On Wednesday, shares in Research In Motion gained almost 5 percent on the Toronto Stock Exchange even though it was reported that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board had dropped the BlackBerry maker in favor of Apple's iPhone 5.

Thompson, the National Bank Financial analyst, was bolstered by RIM's new management team, which he said is maintaining the BlackBerry smartphone subscriber base, managing costs and cash, and seemingly readying a February 2013 BB10 global product release, a month earlier than expected.

He said certification of the new BlackBerrys by wireless carriers is the key risk to his prediction and estimate of BlackBerry shipments. Carrier certification, which tests the new devices, can take time.

The new BlackBerry 10 system is designed for the touch screen, Internet browsing and apps experience that customers now expect. RIM's current software is still focused on email and messaging and is less user-friendly, agile and robust than iPhone or Android.

Earlier this week, a prominent tech analyst gave RIM's new operating system a small but improved chance of success. Analyst Peter Misek of New York-based Jefferies & Company said he's still giving the BlackBerry 10 operating system only a 20 to 30 percent probability of success.

RIM was once Canada's most valuable company with a market value of more than $80 billion in 2008, but the stock has plummeted since, from over $140 per share. Its decline evokes memories of Nortel, another former Canadian tech giant, which declared bankruptcy in 2009.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/research-motion-shares-climb-165652532--finance.html

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ScienceOnline Thanksgiving message 2012

About the Author: Bora Zivkovic is the Blog Editor at Scientific American, chronobiologist, biology teacher, organizer of ScienceOnline conferences and editor of Open Laboratory anthologies of best science writing on the Web. Follow on Twitter @boraz.

More??

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

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Police: Shenika Allsup, Maryland Woman, Stabs Half-Brother With Serving Fork During Thanksgiving Dinner Dispute

Lynn Benson

Lynn Benson allegedly drove a bulldozer through his place of employment.

Lois Goodman

Lois Goodman, a professional tennis referee, has been accused of murdering her 80-year-old husband with a coffee mug. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Man Robs Ice Cream Shop With Submachine Gun

A suspect allegedly robbed a Naples, Florida Italian ice shop with a submachine gun on Aug. 23, according to police. He is still on the loose.

Sarah Howell

Sarah Howell, of Killeen, Tex., beat her boyfriend with a stripper pole and poured cooking oil on him.

Chris Meusburger

Chris Meusburger brandished a sword and threatened to "seriously hurt" an elderly woman after she criticized the way he treated a book she had lent him.

Mangos Stop Robbery

Otilia Martins, 80, helped thwart a robbery at her son-in-law's market by chucking mangos at the thieves.

Gardener Harry Cook

Gardener Harry Cook who defiantly stopped a man in a van from stealing his potted plants and flowers. Brave Harry Cook, 67, calmly stood in front of their getaway van before ordering them to "put the blooming things back." Incredibly, the cowardly thieves agreed to replace the plants and unloaded the van before speeding off empty handed. Harry, a retired JCB driver, was in his potting shed in his back garden of his home in Loughborough, Leics, when he caught the raiders red-handed at 4pm on July 8.

From crystal balls to pickle jars, almost any object can become a weapon if used (in)correctly. Read on to learn about some of the more unusual items that have been used for violent means WARNING: Graphic Images

Jason Dornhoff

Jason Dornhoff was arrested after <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/11/jason-dornhoff-wrote-bomb-threat-job-application_n_1665954.html" target="_hplink">he wrote a bomb threat on the back of a job application,</a> police said. Cops searched his truck, but found no explosives.

Michael Conley

Former Elvis impersonator Michael Conley blamed his diabetes for starting a standoff with Florida police, in which he threatened to use a weapon of mass destruction against them. He allegedly held up a vial of what he called Ricin -- a highly potent toxin -- as he barricaded himself in a motel in February, 2012. He was arrested about four hours later. Read more <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/wmd-suspect-diabetes_n_1310202.html" target="_hplink">here.</a>

Bug Spray Bandit

Investigators in California are trying to track down a man who robbed a bank armed with pesticide. The suspect appeared to be carrying a black semi-automatic handgun and a plastic container of pesticide when he held up the Pacific Western Bank in Rancho Santa Fe on Nov. 4, 2011. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/bank-robbery-pesticide_n_1082447.html" target="_hplink">Read more.</a>

Konstantine Myakush

Konstantine Myakush was struck in the neck with an errant arrow in a Moscow park on April 30, 2012. Myakush -- who was out with his two daughters -- miraculously survived the brush with death and is expected to make a full recovery. Doctors said he was fortunate because the arrow didn't strike a major artery.

Clara Ann Blocker

In April 2012, Clara Ann Blocker, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced to life in prison for beating a dwarf to death with a crystal ball. Blocker, 41, was drinking with Erik Scott Saxton on September 16, 2010, when the two got into an argument. Blocker grabbed a nearby crystal ball to bludgeon Saxton in the head before also beating him with a DVD player. Though Blocker initially claimed she never would have hurt the 4-foot 5-inch Saxton, "because he's a little person," she ultimately pleaded guilty to his murder.

Dildo

On April 25, 2012, Lisa Anderson violated the penal law. When police showed up at Anderson's apartment in Watertown, New York, on complaint of an "unwanted person" in the home, Anderson allegedly threw a pink dildo at the face of Officer Jonathan Pitts. The sex toy hit him in the forehead. Anderson was arraigned the same day on a charge of misdemeanor harassment and ultimately released.

Deadly Booby Traps

On April 16, 2012, a U.S. Forest Service Officer came across something that most people only encounter in cartoons: booby traps. The traps were located along a popular hiking trail in South Fork Canyon, Utah. They were elaborate set-ups, including concealed pits of spikes and a tripwire-activated swinging ball of spiked sticks surrounding a 20-pound rock. The officer found the traps before they claimed any victims, but hiker Emily Hammerstad noted that such traps "would kill people, easily." Benjamin Rutkowski, 19, and Kai Christensen, 21, ultimately admitted to setting the traps, and were charged with reckless endangerment. Had anyone been hurt, they would have been charged with felonies.

Peter Andrew Levay

Peter Andrew Levay, 42, is charged with beating his neighbor to death with an electric guitar. On the morning of April 22, police in Austin, Texas were notified shortly after Levay allegedly told his roommate, Lavern Fisher, that he thought he killed the man who lived above them. Officials say they found the man, 64-year-old Maurice Leray Eckert, dead from "blunt trauma to the head." Eckert's wallet and blood-stained clothes were recovered from Levay's closet. Fisher said his roommate's motive was likely related to the victim's conduct not long before the incident took place. The three men had been drinking together, Fisher said, when Eckert "started making sexual advances toward me and [Levay], and they became violent."

Spatula

Investigators believe that Utah woman Angeles Cadillo-Castro used a spatula to murder her five-year-old stepdaughter. The young girl was found beaten to death in July 2010 in Cadillo-Castro's South Salt Lake apartment. As part of a plea deal, the 31-year-old woman pleaded guilty and received a sentence of five years to life sentence in May 2011. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_mason/7251819/" target="_hplink">flickr: Andrew Mason</a>

Medieval-Style Mace

Roberto Vazquez's weapon of choice wouldn't be that unusual . . . if he were living in the Middle Ages. Police say the 37-year-old New Jersey man attacked Matthew Pinto, an employee of Atlantic City Electric, with a "mace-like weapon" on February 8, 2012. Vazquez had previously had his electricity disconnected after he failed to pay his bills, but he had managed to reconnect his power by cutting a lock and manipulating the meter. Pinto had arrived to disconnect the power once again when Vazquez allegedly beat the employee over the head with a weapon made up of a 16-inch wooden handle and two spiked metal spheres. Pinto was knocked unconscious, and after waking up, bleeding from the head, in Vazquez's home, he drove to a police precinct to get help. Vazquez now faces a range of charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and weapons charges.

Tom Guzzi

Tom Guzzi, a legally blind 71-year-old, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/tom-guzzi-fights-robbers-kitchen-pot_n_1676159.html?1342726649" target="_hplink">defended his Pittsburgh home</a> from a pair of alleged armed robbers by using a kitchen pot.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/23/stabbing-with-serving-fork-thanksgiving_n_2177840.html

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Thai police fire tear gas in clash with hundreds of protesters

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai police fired tear gas in clashes with hundreds of protesters in Bangkok on Saturday ahead of a rally seeking to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the largest demonstration yet against her administration.

The protest highlights tensions that have been simmering since Yingluck's Puea Thai party swept to victory in July 2011 and could herald another period of unrest in Thailand.

Anti-riot police wielding plastic shields fired gas canisters at protesters who tried to climb over cement and barbed wire barriers blocking entry to the rally site. Police said "between 300 and 400 protesters" clashed with police.

At least seven police were wounded and up to 132 protesters arrested in the clash near the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok, a stone's throw away from the main rally site.

Pitak Siam, a new anti-government group, has attracted the support of various royalist groups including "yellow shirt" members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who helped destabilize governments either led or backed by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's brother, in 2006 and 2008.

Authorities have deployed 17,000 police at the rally site and the government has invoked the Internal Security Act allowing police to detain protesters and carry out security checks and set up roadblocks.

Police say they have seized various weapons, including knives and bullets, as protesters arrived at the protest area.

"We used tear gas because protesters were blocking police and did not comply with the security measures we put in place," police spokesman Piya Uthaya told a local TV station.

Thailand has seen frequent bloody street protests in recent years including a rally that lasted more than two months by supporters of the present government in 2010.

Those protests sparked a military crackdown that left at least 91 people dead and more than 1,700 injured.

The royalist Pitak Siam group, led by retired military general Boonlert Kaewprasit, accused Yingluck's government of corruption and being a puppet of former premier Thaksin.

Thaksin remains a deeply divisive figure in Thailand. He was ousted in a 2006 military-backed coup and fled the country in 2008 shortly before being found guilty of abuse of power.

"I'm telling Thaksin that if he wants to return to Thailand he needs to bow before the king and serve his prison sentence," Boonlert told the thousands of protesters at the rally site.

Some held pictures of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej as Boonlert shouted "Yingluck, get out!" to cheers of his supporters.

Thailand has seen a series of political protests since 2006 with pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin groups taking turns to challenge various administrations' right to rule.

(Reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/thai-police-fire-tear-gas-clash-hundreds-protesters-052421950.html

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