Oil spill threatens Thai island

Ko Samet^[1] (Thai: ?????????, Thai pronunciation:?[k??? sam?t]), is one of the Eastern Seaboard Islands of Thailand. It is located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately 220 kilometres (140?mi) southeast of Bangkok. Ko Samet is part of the Phe (Thai: ??) Subdistrict of the Amphoe Mueang Rayong (Thai: ??????????, the capital district, or Amphoe Mueang), of Rayong province. Ko Samet is the largest and westernmost of a cluster of islands not far from the coast.^[2]

The island derives its name from the cajeput tree found throughout the island, as the Thai language word for cajeput is samet (the cajeput tree is formally known in Thai ???????????).

Popular with foreign tourists and as a weekend getaway for residents of nearby Bangkok, most of the island (excluding the Na Dan area) belongs to the Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park. In 1981, the Royal Forest Department declared the archipelago of Samet, along with nine other small islands, the headland of Khao Laem Ya, and the 11 kilometres (6.8?mi) Mae Ramphueng Beach to be a National Park, and is thus Ko Samet is under the protection of the National Parks Division of the Thai Government.

Samet[link]

Travel to and from Ko Samet is typically via the small local port at Ban Phe (Thai: ??????) on the coast. Travelers from Bangkok frequently travel by bus, with departures to Ban Phe from Bangkok's Eastern Bus terminal, the Ekkamai bus station, and travel time from Bangkok to Ban Phe of approximately 3? hours. Owing to the island's close proximity to the coast, just 7 kilometres (4.3?mi) offshore, boats travel casually from Ban Phe to Ko Samet in approximately 30 minutes.

Geography and climate[link]

Located just 220?km from the capital in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samet is approximately 13.1 square kilometres (5.1?sq?mi) in size, and shaped somewhat like a letter "t". Along the length of the "t" (north-south) the island measures approximately 7?km, and measures 4?km across the "t" (west-east). Forest remains blanket up to 80% of the total area.

Closest to the Rayong coast, lies the small island port village of Na Dan, commonly known as Ko Samet Village, with its popular nearby beach Hat Sai Kaeo (Thai: ???????????), the longest beach on Ko Samet. Most of Ko Samet's beaches lie along the eastern shore of the island. Other beaches on the island include: Ao Phai, Ao Wai, Ao Kio Na Nai, Ao Cho, Ao Kio Na Nok, Ao Wong Duean, Cape Kut, Ao Toei, and Ao Karang at the southern tip, and Ao Phrao on the western shore of the island. Just off the southern tip of the island are three small rock-islands, Ko Chan (Moon Island; Thai: ??????????), Ko San Chalam (Shark Fin Island), and Hin Khao (White Rock; Thai: ??????????).

Ko Samet is one of the driest archipelagos in Thailand. Ko Samet gets significantly less rainfall than Rayong Province, even though it is only a few kilometres offshore. The island's "rainy season" extends only from May to July, but even during this season it has less rain that other islands in Thailand. The island despite being arid, consists of lush forested hills, covered with evergreen and deciduous forest and cajeput trees grow abundantly. Owing to the lack of rain, Ko Samet still ships in potable water to the island.

Administration[link]

Ko Samet is under the administration of Phe Subdistrict, Mueang District, Rayong Province.

Boundary[link]

Ko Samet is 6.5 kilometres (4.0?mi) south of mainland Rayong province and is surrounded by the Gulf of Thailand.

History[link]

It is believed that once upon a time, Ko Samet was the home of pirates and that until this very day there is still lost treasure buried somewhere on the island.^{[citation needed]}

The classical Thai Poet, Sunthorn Phu (1786?1855), set part of his epic work, Phra Aphai Mani (sometimes transliterated as Pra Apaimanee), on the shores of the island.^[3] Statues of the title character, Prince Aphai Mani and the siren/mermaid which guided him to Ko Samet can be found on the Hat Sai Kaeo beach.

Coordinates: 12?34?4?N 101?27?17?E? / ?12.56778?N 101.45472?E? / 12.56778; 101.45472

Even though Bangkokians had known about the beauty of Ko Samet for decades before, the Thai government put this island off limits and restricted overnight stay there; that was until 1981. In that year, on 1 October, the Forestry Department of Thailand declared Ko Samet and its surrounding to be a national park.

Roads

There are 2 main routes on Ko Samet.

• Northern route connects Hat Sai Kaeo to Ao Klang and Ao Noina.
• Central route consists of 4 smaller roads. The first road links Sai Kaeo beach to Ao Phai and Ao Phutsa. The second road connects the center of island to Ao Wong Duean. The third road connects the first road to Ao Thapthim and Ao Nuan. The fourth road connects the first road to Ao Phrao.

Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle)

The public passenger pick-up vehicles are the most popular mode of public transportation in all the town districts.

Boat Ko Samet has 5 piers: Ao Klang, Ao Phrao, Ao Wong Duean, Ao Thian and Ao Wai. Ao Klang Pier is the port to mainland. The rest are piers for diving and excursions.

As Ko Samet is so near Bangkok, the island is ideal for those in the capital wanting to chill-out with their families for a couple of days, without having to go through all that rigmarole of having to travel down south. Ko Samet has developed steadily over the past decade or so, but it hasn?t been the victim of over zealous construction which has hit the likes of Ko Samui or even Ko Chang. The island is typified by its splendid beaches and white silky sand, surrounded by tropical coral reefs and crystal clear sea. Tourists can also enjoy a plethora of delicious cuisine and fine nightlife.

Sights[link]

Most beaches are on the eastern side of the island. The beaches hide in small bays and stretch some 200 metres. From the north, there are Hat Sai Kaeo, Hat Hin Khrong, Hat Khlong Phai, Ao Phutsa, Ao Thapthim, Ao Nuan, Ao Cho, Ao Thian, Ao Wai, Ao Kio Na Nok and Ao Karang. The only beach on the western side is Ao Phrao. One of the famous beaches is Ao Wong Duean in the middle of the eastern side. This beach stretches in the shape of an almost complete circle. Both Ao Wong Duean and Hat Sai Kaeo have very fine white sand.

• Hat Sai Kaeo (Diamond Beach) One of the most beautiful and most popular beaches on Ko Samet, Hat Sai Kaeo is 1 kilometer long and 25 ? 30 meters wide. The name speaks for itself, Hat Sai Kaeo, which literally means Crystal Sand Beach, is a nice beach filled with activities. From dusk to dawn, it is the place for sunbathing, swimming, jet skiing, windsurfing, riding on a banana boat or even partying at night. Tourists are entertained by the spectacular fire shows and the peculiar population of short legged dogs. These dogs are believed to be interbred from many mongrel species brought over from the mainland in the 18th century by exiled Burmese hill tribes. Due to the shallow boat used by the Burmese these dogs never had a need to develop legs longer than 4?inches. The rapitidy with which this limbine evolution took place suggests a sexual rather than necessative change and is believed to be the only example in South East Asia.

• Ao Noina Ao Noina, which is located near Hat Sai Kaeo, has a different ambience to Hat Sai Kaeo. It is quieter and therefore more suitable for those looking to relax on the white, sandy beach.

• Ao Hin Khok Located close to Hat Sai Kaeo, Ao Hin Khok is therefore quite crowded. For visitors interested in sunbathing, Windsurfing, with the crystal clear water this is the good place.

• Ao Phai Ao Phai is a small bay on Ko Samet which draws repeat visitors intent on relaxing. Suitable for those who are tired of crowded beaches and nightlife activities, Ao Phai offers a quiet natural retreat.

• Ao Phutsa Ao Phutsa, which is set in a peaceful atmosphere, is located near Ao Nuan and is well known for its white sand and clear water. Ao Phutsa has a small, cozy resort, which provides nice services in a well decorated compound.

• Ao Nuan a small quiet bay with nine bungalows.

• Ao Wong Duean Ao Wong Duean is the second largest beach on the island (the first being Hat Sai Kaeo). Ao Wong Duean attracts tourist groups during both the high and low seasons due to its beach and good accommodation. On top of this, seafood restaurants with nice views are also available.

• Ao Wai Ao Wai is located within a short walking distance of Candlelight Beach. Shaded by coconut trees, the beach is quite and scenic.

• Ao Kio Na Nok This bay is decent for those planning to keep their distance from the busy, crowded beaches and nightlife. From Ao Kio Na Nok, visitors can actually walk to Ao Kio Na Nai is the ideal spot on the island to see the sun rise and sun set.

• Ao Karang This is the best place on the island to experience the traditional lifestyle of the residents of Ko Samet, is at Ao Karang, where there also are a number of seafood restaurants providing seafood dishes.

• Ao Phrao Ao Prow is one of the quietest beaches of Ko Samet. Located quite far away from the nightlife of Ko Samet; Ao Prow is preferred by travelers who quietly enjoy the sea, swimming and sand.

Activities[link]

Windsurfing

With its rocky coastline and offshore winds, Hin Khrong beach is a good location for windsurfing.

Snorkeling / Diving

The Ko Samet area is a popular for divers and snorkelers due its close proximity to Bangkok and abundance of clear water, colorful coral and diversity of marine life such as: turtles, tiger sharks and manta rays. Two of the most favoured locations for diving around Ko Samet are Ko Thalu and Ko Kut. Tourists can take a tour around the island and go snorkeling off the rocky uninhabited western side, or around the reefs at the southern tip. Scuba diving excursions can be arranged at Vong Duang.

Volleyball / Frisbee

Tourists enjoy playing volleyball and Frisbee on the beach.

Fishing

Night fishing trips for squid are usually arranged.

Boat Trips

These are arranged to take tourists (either by slow boat or speedboat) around the island to snorkeling and diving spots.

Massage

On the beach there are countless masseurs offering their massage service. Off the beach on the main roads are massage shops.

Shopping[link]

Ko Samet doesn't have much in the way of shopping beyond basic beach accessories (sarongs, T-shirts, etc.). But, there are high quality crystal products and reed products. Good quality crystals are usually sold at the Lotus Crystal Factory.

Nightlife[link]

There are beer bars at virtually every beach, nearly all of them on Hat Sai Kaeo have hostesses. Besides bars there isn?t much else but restaurants selling alcohol. You can even get the popular sand bucket full of your favorite drink.

Life-style[link]

Thai Buddhism is a large part of the people?s lives on Ko Samet and so there are several temples scattered around. Many of the folk on Ko Samet however, are not originally from the island, but moved there to make a decent living through tourism.

Events / Festivals[link]

• Rayong Fruit Festival (????????????????????????????????) In May of each year, Rayong's fruit reaches its peak season. The venue for celebration is always changed between Mueang and Klaeng districts. Tourists can enjoy floats decorated with fruits, fruit contests, beauty contests, as well as fruit and seafood fair.

• Sunthon Phu Day (??????????????) Organised on June 26 of each year at Sunthorn Phu Monument, Klaeng district, to honour him. There are also exhibitions and plays from his poetry.

• Changing the robe for Phra Chedi Klang Nam (?????????????????????????) The annual traditional event is held during the full moon night of the 12th lunar month, or in November. The robe blanketing around the pagoda in the middle of the Rayong River, in Mueang district, will be changed. Meanwhile, the people celebrate the event along with the Loi Krathong Festival by boat racing and many kinds of local entertainment.

• Thot Pha Pa Klang Nam (Waterborne Robe Offering Ceremony) (???????????????????) During the Loi Krathong Festival of each year, or on the full moon night of November, people living near the mouth of the Prasae River prepare a monk's robe at the pier. After completing the ceremony on the boat, a monk comes to get it. Normally, the robe offering ceremony is held at the temple. This special tradition has been in existence for over a century.

Learn[link]

Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)

Muay Thai, the well known traditional fighting sport of Thailand, is open to anyone who would like to learn. The main Thai Boxing teaching center on Ko Samet is at ?Naga?.

Fire Spinning

There are courses where visitors can learn the art of fire-spinning. The small school is located in Nadan Village.

Local Food[link]

Popular local food in Ko Samet includes fried durian and fruits such as rambutan and mangosteen. The province is also well known for its seafood products such as: shrimp paste, fish sauce, dried shrimp, squid, octopus and other dried seafood.

In Koh Samet there was 4 Medical facilities

1 International clinic (International Clinic Koh Samet) which locate at Naadan pier (main pier) with License Emergency Medicine Doctor and escort team ( call +66 86 094 0566 ), open 24 hr., website?: www.sametclinic.in.th

2 Health center (no doctor or nurse) for primary wound care locate at Saikaew beach, open 10 am - 5 pm

3 Phamacy locate at Samet village, near Saikaew beach (Please note that Pharmacy in Thailand mostly don't have Phamacist), open 10 am - 10 pm

4 Rescue team for emergency evacuation ( call +66 38 644 414 )

Source: http://article.wn.com/view/2013/08/01/Oil_spill_threatens_Thai_island/

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'Sons Of Anarchy' Creator Addresses 'Controversial' Events In Season 6 Premiere

"Sons Of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter addressed a shocking, violent scene in the show's upcoming Season 6 premiere Friday at the Television Critics Association 2013 Summer press tour.

Note: Do not read on if you do not want be spoiled for the "Sons of Anarchy" Season 6 premiere, airing Tuesday, September 10 at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

The intense scene depicts a school shooting perpetrated by a young boy. During the investigation, the gun he used is traced back to SAMCRO.

"Sons of Anarchy" has never shied away from depicting grisly acts of violence, but critics who have already seen the scene described it as particularly disturbing. The Daily Beast contributor Jason Lynch tweeted, "Even by 'Sons Of Anarchy' standards, [this] isn't going to sit well with a lot of people.

Sutter discussed and defended the likely-to-be-controversial scene, describing it as a "catalyst for the third act of this morality play we're doing," according to TV Guide. He emphasized that he's not taking the scene lightly, and had been contemplating doing it for three years, TV Tango reported.

"I know obviously that it would be somewhat controversial, but I feel like as much as I wouldn?t do something because it was controversial, I?m also not going to do something because it is," he said, according to TVLine.

Sutter emphasized that the scene "is not being done to be sensational," according to IMDb, and he said it will drive the story towards its "ultimate comeuppance." "It?s an organic story to our world; thematically, it?s the right fit," he added (via TVLine).

In other "Sons" news from the show's TCA panel, Sutter revealed that each episode of the already hour-long show will be 15-30 minutes longer this season, according to TV Guide's Damian Holbrook.

"Sons Of Anarchy" Season 6 premieres Tuesday, September 10 at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

• "The League" (FXX)

  "I'm just happy FXX isn't a porn channel." -- Paul Scheer, talking about "The League's" new network

• "Almost Human" (Fox)

  "Maybe there are sexbots but he's not one of them." "Almost Human" executive producer J.H. Wyman on the fact that the robot character played by Michael Ealy (pictured) will not have love interests on the show.

• "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)

  "This is the dream. I'm an old football player. I should be in jail!" -- Terry Crews

• "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)

  "You would never put your finger there. It's against the law." --Andy Samberg

• "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)

  "I'm an old football player, I should be in jail," Terry Crews jokes of his career. "Terry's not putting on a show for you guys, this is how he is every day," Andy Samberg notes of Crews' optimism and muscle flexing.

• "The Originals" (The CW)

  "Mermaids are the new vampires." -- "The Vampire Diaries," "The Originals" and "Tomorrow People" co-creator Julie Plec

• "Sleepy Hollow" (Fox)

  "I balanced it out by being very cheap" -- "Sleepy Hollow" actor Tom Mison on how the show could afford to use the Rolling Stones "Sympathy for the Devil" on the soundtrack.

• "Masters of Sex" (Showtime)

  "I rode him like a bucking bronco," Michael Sheen of "Masters of Sex." talking about a sex scene he had with Stephen Fry in a film they worked on. "I've never really done a conventional sex scene," he added. "I don't really know what a conventional sex scene is like."

• "Masters of Sex" (Showtime)

  "For me and Lizzy [Caplan], you have so many people doing such bizarre things in front of you that you inevitably get used to it." -- Michael Sheen on his role as sex researcher Dr. William Masters in "Masters of Sex"

• "Masters of Sex" (Showtime)

  "I never thought I'd get used to a naked woman masturbating with a glass dildo, to the point where I'd almost not notice them doing it? but I actually broke that barrier with this show." -- Michael Sheen on his role as sex researcher Dr. William Masters in "Masters of Sex"

• "Masters of Sex" (Showtime)

  "Masturbatory techniques are a lot like snowflakes; everyone does it differently." -- "Masters of Sex" star Lizzy Caplan "Cold and then you end up wet." -- her costar Michael Sheen for the laugh

• "The Millers" (CBS)

  "Beau doesn't want to fart on the show, but he's fine getting chlamydia." -- Greg Garcia on what actor Beau Bridges will and won't do on the new CBS comedy

• "The Millers" (CBS)

  "I always wanted to be on a sitcom and I just started killing people along the way." -- Margo Martindale on getting sidetracked on her way to a role on a network comedy

• "The Millers" (CBS)

  "I love egging on white people." -- JB Smoove on his characters on "The Millers" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

• "Parenthood" (NBC)

  "There's a lot more White Walkers this season." -- Dax Shepard, sans context

• "Parenthood" (NBC)

  "I still put on make-up." -- Sam Jaeger on Joel's role on "Parenthood."

• "Ironside" (NBC)

  "I grew up in Canada, so I wasn't raised with TV." -- Pablo Schreiber joking about whether he was familiar with the original "Ironside"

• "Sean Saves The World" (NBC)

  "I answered an ad on Craigslist ?" -- Megan Hilty jokes about how she got the role in "Sean Saves The World"

• "Sean Saves The World" (NBC)

  "Time to wake up, bitches!" -- Sean Hayes to critics at the beginning of the "Sean Saves The World" panel.

• "Welcome To The Family" (NBC)

  "He was the fictional quarterback on the show & he was the very real quarterback on that set." -- Mike O'Malley on Cory Monteith

• "Breaking Bad" (AMC)

  "They eat raisins and crap that grows on trees!" -- Bob Odenkirk speculating about what Saul Goodman thinks of the eating habits of people who live in the Southwest.

• "The White Queen" (Starz)

  "If he did have a problem with it, I would just refer him to his back catalogue." -- Max Irons on whether his father Jeremy Irons had an opinion on Max showing his backside in "The White Queen."

• "The White Queen" (Starz)

  "I am utterly indifferent to Kate Middleton's baby." -- Author Philippa Gregory when asked about the birth of the royal baby during a panel for the royalty-obsessed drama "The White Queen" (which were adapted from her historical novels). She added that she's happy that the baby is healthy and well.

• "Clear History" (HBO)

  "We were down to one Bee Gee." -- Larry David, being Larry David

• "Doctor Who" (BBC America)

  "Imagine if it's Barry or something." -- "Doctor Who" star Jenna Coleman on why the doctor's name should never be revealed (<a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/25/doctor-who-companion-jenna-coleman-the-50th-anniversary-special-leaves-the-whole-show-going-in-a-very-different-direction" target="_blank">via IGN</a>)

• "Rick and Morty" (Adult Swim)

  "The worst-case scenario if I go back is one shitty season. Who cares?" -- Dan Harmon, on his return to NBC's "Community"

• "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" (HBO)

  "Don't get too close. I might bite you." -- Mike Tyson, zero context needed.

• "An Adventure In Space and Time" (BBC America)

  "Fresh from being the world's worst wedding host [on "Game of Thrones"] ..." -- David Bradley being introduced for his new project

• "Killing Kennedy" (NatGeo Channel)

  "Rob has also asked everyone to only refer to him as Mr. President.? -- Michelle Trachtenberg on her "Killing Kennedy" costar Rob Lowe

• "Hello Ladies" (HBO)

  "He's like a c***." -- Stephen Merchant, talking about a small child.

• "Rick and Morty" (Adult Swim)

  "I can only tell he's a moth by looking at his strange shoes." -- Dan Harmon, sans context.

• "Raising Whitley" (OWN)

  "I would love to have Larry David come by as long as I don?t have to wear those clothes he had me in as a prostitute." -- Kym Whitley on famous friends popping by her new reality show, referencing her stint on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

• "Clear History" (HBO)

  "Thank you for your kind, sweet words." -- Larry David to a reporter who said she "didn't care for" "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "wasn't prepared to like" his new HBO film "Clear History" because of its name.

• "Instant Mom" (NickMom)

  "If you've got crazy on the top, you've got crazy on the bottom" -- Sheryl Lee Ralph

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/sons-of-anarchy-season-6-premiere_n_3697090.html

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Berkus joins team for fantasy dog parks

This June 15, 2011 photo released by Beneful shows Buddy, a yellow lab, making use of an agility hoop at the unveiling of America's first Dream Dog Park in Johns Creek, Ga. The $500,000 renovation of the dog park was awarded to the community by Beneful brand dog food as part of its WagWorld Dream Dog Park Contest. (AP Photo/Beneful, Jenni Girtman)

This June 15, 2011 photo released by Beneful shows Buddy, a yellow lab, making use of an agility hoop at the unveiling of America's first Dream Dog Park in Johns Creek, Ga. The $500,000 renovation of the dog park was awarded to the community by Beneful brand dog food as part of its WagWorld Dream Dog Park Contest. (AP Photo/Beneful, Jenni Girtman)

This illustration released by Beneful shows the design for the Beneful Dream Dog Park in Lancaster Pa. The doggy amusement park with a tennis ball tree and a 40-foot roller coaster bridge, opens Aug. 6. (AP Photo/Beneful)

FILE - This Oct. 24, 2011 file photo shows TV personality and interior designer Nate Berkus at "Lincoln Center Presents: An Evening With Ralph Lauren" in New York. Berkus has been adding fantasy to human homes for 16 years. But he's been a dog lover longer, so he's going to help design a half-million-dollar fantasy dog park. He has joined the creative team for the 2014 Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Interior designer Nate Berkus has been adding fantasy to homes for 16 years, inspiring people with just the right creative touch. But he's been a dog-lover even longer, and he's turning his design expertise to a half-million-dollar fantasy dog park.

Berkus, 41, has joined the creative team for the 2014 Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest. Contestants have to answer one question: "If you had $500,000 to create a Dream Dog Park where you and your best buddy can play together, what would you do?"

In Lancaster, Pa., the answer included a doggy amusement park with a tennis ball tree and a 40-foot roller coaster bridge. The park there ? the third contest winner ? opens Aug. 6.

The first park was built in Johns Creek, Ga., with a family destination theme and includes a bone-shaped bridge, two splash pads, tunnels, rubberized mulch paths and shade trees. The second park in Alabaster, Ala., has synthetic turf, agility rings, a walking trail, a fetch football field, fire hydrant goalposts and a mulch adventure path with tunnels, said Brent Gleckler, brand director for Beneful dog food.

"There is nothing I love more than being with my dog," Berkus said of sidekick Tucker, a black mutt. Together, they visit a dog park nearly every night.

The parks in Alabaster and Johns Creek have been tourist magnets. In Georgia, the city had to make 72 new parking spaces next to the park to accommodate visitors.

In Alabama, people take good care of the park, but the city does a walkthrough once a day, sprays it down twice a week and uses a biodegradable chemical once a month, city parks director Tim Hamm said.

The dog park is part the city's flagship Veteran's Park, with a ball field complex, 2.5-mile walking trail, eight pavilions with picnic tables, two playgrounds, a skateboard park and veteran's memorial, Hamm said.

Every day, they get calls from tourists asking about hours and directions.

"The more people that come to our city, the more people will stop, eat and buy gas. We are all for that. Out-of-town users are great," Hamm said. "Anybody who wants to come, we more than welcome them in town."

Beneful has some requirements ? large dogs must be separated from small dogs; the park has to be fenced for off-leash play; and it has to be a public or nonprofit park, open to the public at no charge.

"A park is a place for a community to come together. These parks are specifically designed for pet owners and their dogs, but everyone is welcome," Berkus said. "We're really looking at it from the dog's perspective. We will use smart materials that will last a long time, and make sure we factor in pet behaviors and create not only beautiful fun places but intelligently laid out places as well."

At Alabaster, the dog rules are typical of most dog parks: The off-leash area is for dogs, their handlers and those accompanying them, dogs have to be vaccinated, puppies and adult females in heat are banned and everyone has to clean up after their own dog.

Hamm said except for a few minor fights, there has been no trouble at the park. If there is a fight on your watch, the park has that covered too: A sign tells visitors "How to Break Up a Dog Fight."

Berkus, who has an upcoming NBC show called "American Dream Builders," is teaming up with contractor Jason Cameron, host of the DIY Network's "Man Caves," and Arden Moore, founder of fourleggedlife.com, for the latest contest.

So if Berkus were asked to design a $500,000 park for Tucker, what would he do?

"I would probably spend $495,000 bringing in squirrels because that's what Tucker likes. He's pretty simple. The sky is really the limit. It's an enormous budget and an enormous contribution to the communities where these parks are built and it really is meant to be a fantasyland."

___

Online:

Interior designer Nate Berkus, http://www.nateberkus.com/

Beneful Dream Dog Park Contest, http://www.beneful.com/dream-dog-park

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-07-31-US-Pets-Fantasy-Dog-Parks/id-1f139c26efd842ecb4b2de5f93c4cbaa

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Apple will include in iOS 7 a fix to a security flaw that allows fake chargers to hack your iPhone

Apple has included in its latest beta of iOS 7 a fix to a security issue that was discovered last month?? which allows hackers to infect your iPhone with a computer virus when it is plugged into a fake charger.

A team at the Georgia Institute of Technology demonstrated the security flaw at the Black Hat hacking convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Reuters reports.?The researchers built a custom-made charger equipped with a tiny Linux PC programmed to attack iOS devices, and plugged in an iPhone ? which then got infected with a computer virus designed to dial the phone of one of the researchers.

Apple?s iOS 7 software update will include a prompt to alert users that they are connecting to a computer and not an ordinary charger. Ars Technica has a screenshot of what this would look like, and it can be seen here:

Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr told Reuters: ?We would like to thank the researchers for their valuable input.?

In the meantime though, before the iOS 7 update is rolled out officially this fall, Apple devices are vulnerable to such attacks from fake chargers.

The researchers noted that the security flaw could give cyber criminals the leeway to build viruses aimed at getting remote control of iPhones, which could result in access to emails, text messages, contact information and even screenshots to steal bank passwords and credit card numbers. It could even become a spying tool, one of the researchers noted.

Image Credit: David Paul Morris via AFP/Getty Images

Source: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/08/01/apple-will-include-in-ios-7-a-fix-to-a-security-flaw-that-allows-fake-chargers-to-hack-your-iphone/

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What Novak Djokovic Eats - Business Insider

AP

Novak Djokovic is currently the best tennis player in the world, but it's not easy to achieve such a status.

Djokovic pays attention to every little thing he puts in his body, down to the temperature of the water he drinks. In his new book, "Serve to Win," that comes out in August, Djokovic goes into detail about his strict diet and the regimen he follows day to day.

From the WSJ:

"Want to roll like the world's top men's tennis player? Start by drinking loads of warm water all day long, as well as shakes made with pea protein concentrate. Avoid dairy and stay away from alcohol during tournaments. Eat lots of avocados, cashew butter and very little sugar. Banish caffeine, other than the occasional energy gel bar before matches. Be sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep a night, meditate, do plenty of yoga and tai chi, take melatonin supplements, hook yourself up to a biofeedback machine that measures your stress level and, when you have a free moment or two, keep a diary. Feel free to unwind with a cup of warm licorice tea"

That's right, Djokovic tries to only drink warm water. Why? Because cold water slows the digestive system down and diverts blood from his muscles. He drinks a lot of this throughout today and likes to have "a little color in his urine."

Another quirky habit of Djokovic's is eating manuka honey from New Zealand every morning, and during matches. After he drinks a glass of warm water in the morning, he has two spoonfulls of the honey which has antibacterial properties.

Djokovic also eats gluten-free. After he went 14 days without gluten, his doctor had him eat a bagel which Djokovic said made him feel like he had a terrible hangover. Ever since, he has eliminated gluten from his diet and claims he's never felt better, he writes:

"My allergies abated; my asthma disappeared; my fears and doubts were replaced by confidence. I have not had a serious cold or flu in nearly three years."

A large portion of Djokovic's book focuses on his diet and regimen, but it also talks about Djokovic's life and rise to number one. It comes out on August 20.

Read more about what's in the book over at the WSJ >

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/what-novak-djokovic-eats-2013-7

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Ball State U. president tells faculty intelligent design isn't appropriate for science courses

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Creation science and intelligent design are religion and not appropriate content for science courses at a public university such as Ball State University because it violates academic integrity, the school's president said in a letter Wednesday to faculty and staff.

"Intelligent design is overwhelmingly deemed by the scientific community as a religious belief and not a scientific theory. Therefore, intelligent design is not appropriate content for science courses," Jo Ann Gora wrote.

She wrote that more than 80 national and state scientific societies have said that intelligent design and creation science do not qualify as science. Such ideas can be taught in humanities or social science courses, she said, but must be discussed in comparison to other views and philosophical perspectives, each other, with no endorsement of one perspective over another.

"Our commitment to academic freedom is unflinching. However, it cannot be used as a shield to teach theories that have been rejected by the discipline under which a science course is taught. Our commitment to the best standards of each discipline being taught on this campus is equally unwavering," she wrote. "As I have said, this is an issue of academic integrity, not academic freedom."

The letter was criticized by the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based, proponent of intelligent design. Senior fellow John West called Gora's letter outrageous, saying academic freedom is designed to protect minority and dissenting views.

"If all it means ? which seems to be the argument that she is making ? is that you have the freedom to teach what the majority of people think in a discipline then that is a sham. It really is Orwellian," he said. "It's no news that there is evidence of intelligent design is a minority viewpoint in the sciences."

The letter from Gora was in response to the state-supported college in Muncie, 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis, coming under scrutiny for hiring a science professor who wrote a book on the intelligent design and another professor being accused of teaching creationism.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation had filed a complaint in March claiming a class taught by Eric Hedin called "Boundaries of Science" violated separation of church and state by promoting religious belief at the public university. The syllabus says the course explores arguments for "hidden wisdom within this reality."

Ball State drew more attention in early July when it hired Guillermo Gonzalez, who gained notoriety in 2004 when his book about intelligent design, "The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery," was published. He was later denied tenure at Iowa State University.

Foundation attorney Andrew Seidel says he's pleased by Gora's letter, saying it addressed the organization's concerns.

"The only outstanding question is, how will the concerns that President Gora espoused in her letter translate into the curriculum in Hedin's class?" he said. "But she raised all the right concerns."

The university announced in June it had appointed a review panel to investigate the allegations. Provost Terry King has received the panel's report, reviewed it with Hedin, and is working with the professor to make sure that course content is aligned with the curriculum and best standards of the discipline, university spokeswoman Joan Todd said Wednesday.

Gonzalez declined comment by email, saying it would be unwise to comment on a letter from the university president when he doesn't have tenure. He recommended seeking comment from West. Hedin did not respond to a telephone messages left at his office Wednesday by The Associated Press or an email requests for comment.

Source: http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/024f58356d5f4c0c9c56a017057df2fe/IN--Ball-State-Intelligent-Design/

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The View From Prospect Hill ? July 31 - The Somerville News

In between the rainstorms, heat waves, and other general mayhem doled out by Mother Nature these days, we can enjoy that particularly sweet spot of the year known as summer.

Vacations, outings, visits to and from friends and family, all play a part in structuring the season?s schedule of things to do. Another sublimely satisfying way to pass leisure time is by attending outdoor sports events, and one doesn?t have to drop a week?s pay at Fenway or Gillette in order to let the family take in some topnotch action on the field.

Our own Somerville Alibrandis baseball club has proven itself year after year as being a first-class team, always offering spectators a thrilling experience at a fraction of the expense of a trip to any one of its major league counterparts. Current leaders of the Ted Williams division of the Yawkee Baseball League, attending one of their games is a sure fire way to enjoy the sport the way it should be enjoyed: up close and personal. Find their schedule at http://yawkeybaseball.com.

Similarly, consider enjoying the free-spirited energy of Little League play in the city. These youngsters, some of whom may become our sports heroes of the future, deserve our attention and support. Organized sports can play a vital role in shaping the values and sense of accomplishment for these kids, so we really need to get out there for them and show that we back them up all the way. Check out their schedule of events at http://www.somervillelittleleague.org.

Also, Somerville Youth Softball Organization is getting kids of all ages involved in the sport and getting out to watch some of these games can be very rewarding, for both participants and spectators alike. More information about their activities can be found at http://www.eteamz.com/somervilleyouthsoftballorganization.

Additionally, Somerville Recreation?s affiliated programs provide a wide range of activities in various sporting events such as soccer, boxing, and hockey. Look for info at http://www.somervillerec.com/info/affiliated.

Yes, it?s true that small town pleasures can still be enjoyed in this fast-paced modern world we find ourselves in today. So slow down, take a look at what is good and noteworthy in your own backyard. We think you?ll be pleasantly surprised.

Source: http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/40918

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Slacker lures 6 million new listeners, makes profit on both free and paid users

When Slacker launched its big software overhaul in February, many were skeptical that a refresh could bring it back to prominence. Apparently, all that doubt was misguided: Slacker says it's racked up 6 million new listeners in the past three months, 3.5 million of which are on mobile. They're more involved, too -- there are 100,000 new paying customers, iOS installs have tripled and members of all kinds tune in for an average of 25 percent longer. And did we mention that Slacker may even benefit from the rush? Where some peers face a constant fight to stay above water without enough premium customers, Slacker says both its ad-supported free radio and paid on-demand service are profitable. While there's no guarantee the company will hold on to those bedazzled new users, it's good to see renewed competition in a field with fewer and fewer participants.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/08/slacker-lures-6-million-new-listeners/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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Record-breaking star explosion is most powerful ever seen

Two NASA space telescopes have captured what appears to be the most powerful star explosion ever detected, a cosmic event so luminous that scientists dubbed it 'eye-wateringly bright' despite being 3.6 billion light-years from Earth.

By Miriam Kramer,?Space.com / May 6, 2013

The Swift space telescope caught sight of the most powerful star explosion ever recorded.

Stefan Immler / Swift / NASA

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Two NASA space telescopes have captured what appears to be the most powerful star explosion ever detected, a cosmic event so luminous that scientists dubbed it "eye-wateringly bright" despite being 3.6 billion light-years from Earth.

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On April 27, NASA's Swift Space Telescope and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope spotted the highest-energy gamma-ray burst (GRB) ? an explosion of a massive star in the last stage of its life ? ever before seen.

NASA scientists combined the observations into a video animation of the historic gamma-ray burst to illustrate the surprising brightness of this star explosion.

"We have waited a long time for a gamma-ray burst this shockingly, eye-wateringly bright," Julie McEnery, a project scientist for the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., said in a statement. "The GRB lasted so long that a record number of telescopes on the ground were able to catch it while space-based observations were still ongoing."

One of the gamma-rays emitted during the eruption ? seen in the constellation Leo ? was three times more energetic than any other gamma-ray burst recorded by Fermi's Large Area Telescope (LAT), the instrument on the spacecraft responsible for detecting these kinds of explosions.

The gamma-ray burst (named GRB 130427A) was also the longest ever recorded, NASA officials said.

"The GeV [energy] emission from the burst lasted for hours, and it remained detectable by the LAT for the better part of a day, setting a new record for the longest gamma-ray emission from a GRB," NASA officials added.

Gamma-ray bursts are the brightest explosions yet observed in the universe.

"Astronomers think most [gamma-ray bursts] occur when massive stars run out of nuclear fuel and collapse under their own weight," NASA officials said in a statement. "As the core collapses into a black hole, jets of material shoot outward at nearly the speed of light."

Swift's detection of this burst was delayed. The satellite was moving between cosmic targets at the time of the eruption, but the spacecraft captured the explosion less than a minute after it began. Swift also aided astronomers in placing the gamma-ray burst closer to Earth than most other star explosions of its kind, NASA officials said.

"This GRB is in the closest 5 percent of bursts, so the big push now is to find an emerging supernova, which accompanies nearly all long GRBs at this distance," Goddard's Neil Gehrels, principal investigator for Swift, said in a statement.

Scientists are hoping to find a supernova within the area of the explosion in order to trace the gamma-ray burst back to its origins.

Observatories on the ground are keeping an eye on GRB 130427A's area of the sky to locate the supernova by mid-May.

Follow Miriam Kramer on Twitter and Google+. Follow us on Twitter, Facebookand Google+. Original article on SPACE.com.

Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/science/~3/iqJanFx1hxI/Record-breaking-star-explosion-is-most-powerful-ever-seen

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Mathematicians help unlock brain function

May 3, 2013 ? Mathematicians from Queen Mary, University of London will bring researchers one-step closer to understanding how the structure of the brain relates to its function in two recently published studies.

Publishing in Physical Review Letters the researchers from the Complex Networks group at Queen Mary's School of Mathematical Sciences describe how different areas in the brain can have an association despite a lack of direct interaction.

The team, in collaboration with researchers in Barcelona, Pamplona and Paris, combined two different human brain networks -- one that maps all the physical connections among brain areas known as the backbone network, and another that reports the activity of different regions as blood flow changes, known as the functional network. They showed that the presence of symmetrical neurons within the backbone network might be responsible for the synchronised activity of physically distant brain regions.

Lead author Vincenzo Nicosia, said "We don't fully understand how the human brain works. So far the focus has been more on the analysis of the function of single, localised regions. However, there isn't a complete model that brings the whole functionality of the brain together. Hopefully, our research will help neuroscientists to develop a more accurate map of the brain and investigate its functioning beyond single areas."

The research adds to the recent findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in which the QM researchers along with the Department of Psychiatry at University of Cambridge analysed the development of the brain of a small worm called Caenorhabditis elegans. In this paper, the team examined the number of links formed in the brain during the worm's lifespan, and observed an unexpected abrupt change in the pattern of growth, corresponding with the time of egg hatching.

"The research is important as it's the first time that a sharp transition in the growth of a neural network has ever been observed," added Dr Nicosia.

"Although we don't know which biological factors are responsible for the change in the growth pattern, we were able to reproduce the pattern using a simple economical model of synaptic formation. This result can pave the way to a deeper understanding of how neural networks grow in more complex organisms."

The Complex Networks group at Queen Mary is headed by Professor Vito Latora. Aside from theoretical research about the structure and function of complex networks, the group is working on the characterisation of multi-layer brain networks, aimed at reconciling and integrating different brain signals to produce a more informative picture of the human brain.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Queen Mary, University of London.

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. Vincenzo Nicosia, Miguel Valencia, Mario Chavez, Albert D?az-Guilera, Vito Latora. Remote Synchronization Reveals Network Symmetries and Functional Modules. Physical Review Letters, 2013; 110 (17) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.174102

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/9MZnfezMlkE/130503132954.htm

David Rakoff

How to be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman

How to be a Good Wife
Emma Chapman
9781447218524



I sometimes feel as if it's best to read a book in a vacuum.

Knowing things about the author; their age, if they live locally, whether or not you'd love to raid their wardrobe will inevitably influence the way you feel about their book. ?I think this definitely happened with How to be a Good Wife. ?But I'll start at the beginning.

You may have seen a couple of posts ago that I saw Emma Chapman speak at the Perth Writers Festival. ?I was impressed by her focussed, almost quiet confidence (with the appropriate amount of timidity about said confidence, if that is possible) and by the way that her voice changed to a loving, calm tone when she read her own words to us. ?I find this happens with most writers when they read aloud. ?The book itself had been selling rather well as I understood it, due in no small part to the recommendation from none other than Hilary Mantel. ?Wow. ?No small achievement there! ?I'd sort of mentally made note to read this book, but I was in no tearing hurry until I heard Chapman speak about the novel and about her passion for writing it. ?So I think on some level my reaction to the book has been tampered with by my own expectations.

Coming into this novel straight off a weekend long reading binge, I immediately felt a slowing of pace. ?How to be a Good Wife is a psychological, character driven narrative, and the first one hundred pages or so document the main character, Marta, slowly losing her grip on reality (or 'reality'?) ?Interwoven with strange things happening in the present are recollections of the past- the narrative dips in and out of them in such a way that it sometimes seems as if the past and present are happening simultaneously. ?This was at times disorienting- I found myself having to backtrack in order to discover whether or not I'd missed something. ?However, Chapman has a skill for description which grounds the reader firmly in the eyes of the character, and it is easy to visualise the things Marta is seeing for yourself.

The book almost seems to have two parts to it. ?The first part of the book seems to be a slow moving drama about a mother's grief at her son leaving home, and her awkward relationship with her husband. ?This part of the book is easy to read in small chunks, simple to dip in and out of casually. ?I put the slow pace largely down to the awkwardness of writing from a first person point of view in present tense. ?A lot of sentences start with "I" or "My". ?The second half of the book- where Marta discovers the dark secret- is less willing to let you go. ?It's nearly impossible to review this book without giving spoilers, but suffice to say, this is the point in the book at which the genre becomes psychological thriller, and it is as if the pace of the story, like Marta has awakened. ?This part demands to be read in one sitting, and if you read this far, will change your opinion of the entire book. ?It's like an "oh, hello!" moment. ?So persevere.

Other minor gripes with this book include the very two dimensional insight into the married lives of older couples- troubles with the mother in law, a feeling of hopelessness after the child leaves- which is not ground-breaking, and offers no new insight. ?It is Marta's situation and the idea that all of it might be rooted in a lie and manufactured to brainwash her that make the book refreshing. ?I also really liked the way that Chapman has peeled back the dramatic edge of the story to make the mundane things seem spine chilling.

All in all, while I don't think that this book was as brilliant a debut as people were raving about I still thought it was a very good read, and I learned a lot about NOT overdoing it from reading it. ?Also, I do really really really want to raid Emma Chapman's wardrobe.

I give this book three out of five.

Source: http://elimy.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-be-good-wife-by-emma-chapman.html

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Wall Street ends down sharply after Fed minutes

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, "Doug" (24), and I (22) have been in a long-distance relationship for a year, but we were friends for a couple of years before that. I had never had a serious relationship before and lacked experience. Doug has not only been in two other long-term relationships, but has had sex with more than 15 women. One of them is an amateur porn actress.I knew about this, but it didn't bother me until recently. Doug had a party, and while he was drunk he told one of his buddies -- in front of me -- that he should watch a certain porn film starring his ex-girlfriend. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-index-futures-signal-more-gains-103747893--finance.html

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Do Low Doses of BPA Harm People?

Image: EPA

BOSTON ? Are people exposed to doses of bisphenol A in their canned foods and other consumer products that can harm them? Or are the amounts too low to cause any harm?

This is the crux of a vehement debate that is being waged as federal officials are trying to decide whether the chemical, known as BPA, should be regulated.

A group of toxicologists, including some who work for federal agencies, is questioning the likelihood that BPA is harming human health. But biologists studying the chemical?s health effects disagree, saying that what?s been detected in people is comparable to amounts that have harmed lab animals.

BPA is arguably the most controversial chemical in consumer products. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic as well as food and beverage can liners and some paper receipts and dental sealants

What is widely agreed upon is that exposure is ubiquitous. More than 90 percent of Americans tested have traces of BPA in their bodies.

BPA acts like an estrogen, disrupting hormones In laboratory animals. it alters how their reproductive systems and brains develop, and sets the stage for breast and prostate cancer. People with higher levels of exposure have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, according to some studies.

Nevertheless, the potential for human effects has been highly controversial among scientists who are debating whether the amounts in people?s bodies are in fact too low to be capable of inflicting harm.

On Friday, some of the toxicologists presented their arguments at the American Association for Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston.

Do the math. Is it harmful?

On one side of this debate are toxicologists who specialize in analyzing data with mathematical models, producing information often used to set regulatory limits on chemical exposures. Their work focuses not on physical effects observed in animals or cells but on developing models that use numbers to make predictions, in this case to describe the amount of a chemical in the human body and how it may behave.

What is widely agreed upon is that exposure to BPA is nearly ubiquitous. It has been found in more than 90 percent of the Americans tested.On the other side are scientists who study BPA?s health effects in animals and people. They include specialists in genetics, endocrinology, physiology and epidemiology from various academic institutions whose work is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. They have reported health effects in lab animals at very low levels of BPA exposure that they say are comparable to amounts people encounter through consumer products.

This debate, while arcane, is important because the scientific information is being used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration in deciding whether to regulate BPA in consumer products, such as canned foods. Reacting to consumer concerns, some manufacturers already have stopped using BPA in plastic baby bottles, receipts and other items.

Justin Teeguarden, senior scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Daniel Doerge, research chemist at the FDA?s National Center for Toxicological Research, have produced modeling studies that cast doubt on whether levels of BPA compounds being found in people are having any effects.

At the science conference on Friday, Teeguarden contended that the levels causing effects in animal studies, particularly those caused by BPA?s interaction with estrogen receptors, are much higher than the levels his models suggest are plausible in people. He said he used several methods to examine exposure data from more than 100 studies.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=68de97c21e7720acf65699d085b632f2

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Scott Speed gets energy help at Daytona - Scott Speed | 95

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• 28 notes
• 14 February 2013

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GOP warns Obama against tax increases, spending

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republicans dismissed President Barack Obama's State of the Union address as nothing more than big government spending and more tax increases. But a brief sip of water may have gotten more immediate attention than any policy ideas.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's mid-speech swig from a small Poland Spring water bottle during his GOP response generated instant reaction in social media circles and on cable television, even as Republicans offered fresh appeals on the economy and promises to rein in federal spending.

Rubio appeared to wipe away sweat during his rebuttal from the Speaker's conference room in the U.S. Capitol. At one point he stretched out his left hand, grabbed a small plastic water bottle and took a brief swig of water. As the water break gained notice online, Rubio sent a photo of the bottle from his Twitter account.

On ABC's "Good Morning America" Wednesday, Rubio explained: "I needed water. What are you going to do? God has a funny way of reminding us we're human."

In his GOP address, Rubio urged Obama to "abandon his obsession with raising taxes" and said the president had shifted the nation away from free-market economic principles that had helped middle-class families achieve prosperity.

"Presidents in both parties ? from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan ? have known that our free-enterprise economy is the source of our middle-class prosperity. But President Obama? He believes it's the cause of our problems," Rubio said.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, in a separate tea party response, said both parties had failed voters by driving up trillion-dollar deficits. "Washington acts in a way that your family never could ? they spend money they do not have, they borrow from future generations, and then they blame each other for never fixing the problem," Paul said.

Republicans sought to characterize Obama as overly reliant on government, even as the president made his case to the nation that he could generate new jobs without raising the federal deficit. Defending his policies against GOP critics, Obama said the nation needed a "smarter government" instead of a bigger one and pledged to boost the minimum wage and increase federal spending to fix roads and bridges.

Both Obama's address to Congress and the Republican responses around the Capitol sought to position each party as the champion of average Americans in a nation still grappling with high unemployment and a slow economic recovery. Republicans noted that the nation's jobless rate ticked up to 7.9 percent in January and the economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.1 percent in the final months of 2012.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Obama offered the American people "little more than more of the same 'stimulus' policies that have failed to fix our economy and put Americans back to work. We cannot grow the middle class and foster job creation by growing government and raising taxes."

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman accused Obama of promoting "the same big-government policies that have failed to get our economy up and running again."

Paul, a tea party favorite, said both parties had been guilty of "protecting their sacred cows" and engaging in "backroom deals in which everyone up here wins but every taxpayer loses." He said he would propose to balance the budget in five years and urged lawmakers to return to their duty of passing budgets. If not, Paul said, voters should "sweep the place clean. Limit their terms and send them home."

Rubio, a rising star in the Republican party and a potential 2016 presidential contender, pointed to his Miami roots to address Obama's frequent portrayal of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ? and his party ? as only caring about the wealthiest Americans. Rubio said he still lived in the "same working-class neighborhood I grew up in" and his neighbors "aren't millionaires" but retirees, workers and immigrants.

"His favorite attack of all is that those who don't agree with him ? that we only care about rich people," Rubio said.

Rubio pre-recorded his speech in Spanish for Spanish-language networks, a nod to Republicans who have said that they must do more to address their deficit with Hispanic voters. Obama won 71 percent of Hispanics last year against Romney, prompting concerns about the party's ability to compete with Democrats in future elections.

___

Follow Ken Thomas at: http://twitter.com/AP_Ken_Thomas

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/gop-warns-obama-against-tax-increases-spending-034411766--politics.html

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Teaching Jobs That School Teachers Can Sign Up - Article Submitter

Just like students, teachers also look forward to the summer vacation. It's practically the only time of the year when they can recharge, regroup and enjoy themselves away from the demands of the classroom. However, there are some who anticipate the school break to be able to take on other teaching jobs. School teachers- well, some of them- find summer as the perfect opportunity to augment their income by doing what they do best: teaching. A survey conducted among teachers revealed that a large number of them take advantage of the school break to earn extra money to set aside for possible early retirement or as a financial cushion lest another global economic shift transpires again. Apparently, necessity is mainly what propels these teachers to take on summer teaching jobs but there are some who claimed that summer teaching jobs actually revive their joy in what they do.

These "special" teachers who choose to work during the summer vacations not out of necessity claim that the season manages to inject more fun to their classes as typical summer classes are not very formal. Aside from this, they also say that a lot of summer teaching jobs are like moderated play; their presence is required not merely as repositories of knowledge but rather as mere overseers or witnesses to unique learning processes. Such teaching jobs for them are greatly enjoyable and the best thing about them is they get paid while having fun.

Meanwhile, there are other jobs that particularly require teachers. So for those who are looking for enjoyable and non-traditional teaching gigs over the vacation, here are some cool ones to look into.

1. Performing arts instructor - Communities across the country hold summer enrichment programs (SEPs) for young children where they're exposed to the different forms of art. Performing arts like dancing, singing and acting rank high among SEPs as they use up the children's energy in a productive manner. Aside from skills, the only other thing teachers need to bring along with them is patience.

2. Camp counsellor or director - These jobs typically require the strong character of an educator but the relationship teachers forge with campers is definitely more friendly and laidback. There's a lot of teaching done for these jobs especially for arts and crafts, drama, sports, life survival, et cetera.

3. Swim coach - So many parents enrol their children in swimming classes at the local Y or clubhouse. Teachers who know the basics of swimming just need to make sure that kids learn how not to drown and paddle their way to the safe end of the pool. Rates are considerably attractive for swim coaches.

4. Tour guide - It takes a confident and knowledgeable person to provide tours of the city and museum. A lot of teachers go for this summer job because aside from using their teaching skills in providing information to tourists, they get to enjoy the sights and learn as well.

Teachers in London can enjoy other teaching jobs even during the summer time from being a performing arts instructor to swimming coaches as well as being a tour guide.

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/teaching-jobs-that-school-teachers-can-sign-up-for-during-summer-vacations-316731

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Biological connections in microelectronics

Feb. 12, 2013 ? Miniaturization of electronic components is reaching a physical limit. While the solution of three dimensional assembly has the advantage of reducing bulk, the manufacture of electrical connections in these new products remains a technological challenge. Biologists and physicists from the CEA, CNRS, Universit? Joseph Fourier and Inra in Grenoble have developed a system of self-assembled connections using actin filaments for 3D microelectronic structures. Once the actin filaments become conductors, they join the various components of a system together.

The results are published in the February 10, 2013 issue of Nature Materials.

Computers and smartphone performance improves each year due to the increased density of the microelectronic components they contain. This densification is the result of increasingly advanced miniaturization. It is in the process of reaching a technical limit due to the size of certain components that is close to that of some atoms. The microelectronics industry is thus confronting a physical barrier for increasing the integration density of components that only a technological breakthrough can overcome.

One solution may be the integration of microelectronics in three dimensions. Current microelectronic circuits are flat. Stacking components on top of one another is a solution for further densification, improving performance and reducing electric consumption. This poses a new challenge: how to connect the components together once they are stacked. Although manufacture and stacking are based on mature technologies, creating vertical connections to link them together and running a current remains complex. While current 3D microelectronic technologies for these high density connections are effective, alternative methods are worth evaluating.

Biologists and physicists from the CEA, CNRS, UJF and Inra in Grenoble had the idea of using the extraordinary self-assembly properties of certain biological components so these connections can construct themselves. In human cells, many regular, complex structures are continually assembling and disassembling. This is the case of the filament networks that constitute the cell skeleton (cytoskeleton). Such filaments are primarily composed of actin. They interact to form braids, bundles, layers and columns whose architecture and mechanical properties regulate and control cell shape. The formation of these superstructures follows mechanical and geometrical laws that are studied and understood by a team from the Laboratory of Vegetable Cellular Physiology[1] (CEA/CNRS/UJF/INRA).

These researchers have developed a technique for controlling self-assembly of actin filaments in 3D between two glass plates. Using technologies of the Microelectronics Technologies Laboratory (CNRS/UJF/LTM) and CEA-Leti, the plates were placed 30 microns apart and microstructured with a laser beam. The researchers then injected between the two surfaces a solution containing actin monomers that polymerized due to the microstructure geometry. Actin columns in controlled shapes and sizes thus self-assembled from the two surfaces and joined to establish connections. In the same fashion, the researchers succeeded in making columns grow from a surface and entering in deep cylinders based on the shape of the other, like a male/female connection. Using the expertise of CEA-Leti researchers, these connections were made metallic with gold nanoparticles to run an electric current between the two surfaces.

These results demonstrate that the self-assembly process of actin filaments may have unanticipated industrial applications. They illustrate how fundamental research into basic cell processes may be an extremely rich source of inspiration for engineering processes, even in very far removed fields.

[1] The Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire V?g?tale is part of the Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences pour le Vivant (Life Science and Technology Research Institute).

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA), via AlphaGalileo.

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. R?mi Galland, Patrick Leduc, Christophe Gu?rin, David Peyrade, Laurent Blanchoin, Manuel Th?ry. Fabrication of three-dimensional electrical connections by means of directed actin self-organization. Nature Materials, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nmat3569

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/JOO6Rsg_uO8/130212100432.htm

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