Is it my age?? or is there a GOD? | at least i have a brain

Happy Easter ?

God is risen?

what God?

is this a stage of life?

I am 48.

is that old?

I seem to be surrounded by tragedy?.illness?injustice?why?

Cancer ?- everywhere?family, friends, children of friends. babies!

Lifelimiting conditions ? friends, family, friends? parents.

Death - not-logical deaths ? daughter?s friend, a young mum, c colleagues sister, a recent pupil, a ?suicide of a child who was friends with my younger kids.

Mental illness ? everywhere ? indiscriminate ? me, family, friends, children of friends, children of family.

Hardships- ?a young mam taken from young family ?her husband died last year.

Illness?the amount of illhealth in my family alone. NOBODY could believe it. my children, my husband, myself, my parents?.i could go on.

what next -the ?what are the odds? ?- the what the feck else can be flung at us? or at my friend and her family? another friend and his life?

unpredictables -?what is next with hubbies ADR to drugs? So many tests to be done?both for him and for me? Which of us gets news first?

Injustice -WHY do good people seem to attract life?s challenges? why do we call them challenges? They are fecking nightmares!

Why do life?s?bad people?seem ?to go through life dumping on people, harming people, mentally damaging all they come into contact with, lying, mentally abusing?.and yet unscathed?? how the hell is that fair?

Is this a coming of age?

Is it the fact that we do more Wakes than Weddings?

We are the generation who are burying their parents? but it can?t be ? these friends are dying YOUNG, ?far too young!

this weekend on one evening was texting 2 friends ? about child seriously ill, a husband seriously ill. a mam seiously ill?.where do you stop?

WHAT IF WE HAVE IT ALL WRONG?

is this it?

HOW can there be a God?who cares?

How can so much tragedy affect a few?

Life is too short?

but WHY would a God do this ?

i AM a Christian, but you know what, it gets harder to have much conviction with so many challenges and so few reasons.

Is this the loving God we learned about in school?

yet if i didn?t believe?could i cope?

hx

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Categories: The new me | Tags: mental-health, family, baby, what next?, cancer, children, pain, illness, parents, tragedy, injustice, good friends, serious illness, death, God, faith, life-threatening, christian, is there a God, suffereing, wakes, bad people, painful | Permalink.

Source: http://atleastihaveabrain.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/is-it-my-age-or-is-there-a-god/

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Lawsuit claims Ford 'design defect' can cause sudden acceleration

Paul A. Eisenstein , The Detroit Bureau ? ? ? 1 hr.

A new lawsuit claims that nearly a decade?s worth of vehicles produced by the Ford Motor Co. suffer from a ?design defect? that can make them susceptible to suddenly and unexpectedly racing out of control.

The lawsuit, filed in West Virginia federal court on behalf of 20 different owners in 14 states, is seeking class-action status that could, if approved, come to involve the owners of millions of Ford vehicles produced between 2002 and 2010.

"For too long, Ford has put its own financial interests ahead of its consumers' safety," said lead attorney Adam Levitt. "We hope this lawsuit sheds light on this important situation and requires Ford to correct its ways, compensate its customers and put them first."

Chevy Rolls Out New 2014 Camaro

Ford is the latest in a string of manufacturers whose vehicles have been accused of experiencing so-called ?unintended acceleration,? dating back to the late 1980s when Audi?s U.S. subsidiary became embroiled in a case involving its old Audi 5000 model. In 2009 and 2010, Toyota recalled nearly 8 million vehicles due to a variety of problems including sticky accelerators and loose floor mats that could jam gas pedals wide open.

Audi ultimately was vindicated by federal regulators who largely put the blame on driver error. The automaker eventually redesigned the layout of its pedals to make it more difficult for consumers to inadvertently hit the gas instead of the brake. And Toyota is turning to so-called brake interlock systems that automatically throttle back if a motorist hits both pedals simultaneously.

In the lawsuit, attorneys insist Ford should have used a similar override as a ?failsafe.?

Subaru Plans More Hybrids, Battery Cars ? Eventually

According to the lawsuit, a 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that Ford products racked up 22 percent of the complaints involving unintended acceleration between 2003 and 2009. Ford not only ?concealed? the defects cited in the lawsuit, but ?could have and should have? used a brake override system, the lawsuit alleges.

In response, Ford issued a statement asserting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ?has investigated alleged unintended accelerations many times over many years and has concluded that driver error is the predominant cause of these events. NHTSA's work is far more scientific and trustworthy than work done by personal injury lawyers and their paid experts. In rare situations, vehicle factors, such as floor mats or broken mechanical components, can interfere with proper throttle operation, and manufacturers have addressed these rare events in field service actions."

Virtually every automaker has, at one point or another, fielded complaints related to unintended acceleration. While a few, notably including Toyota, have been forced to take actions to deal with defects that could cause cars to race out of control, NHTSA has largely echoed Ford?s contentions.

The federal agency authorized two separate studies, one by the National Academy of Sciences, the other by NASA, that essentially cleared Toyota of electronic problems ? though NASA researchers did note that it can be next to impossible to track some digital issues that may not be repeatable.

Mercedes Plugs In With B-Class Electric Drive

Nonetheless, Toyota recently reached a $1.1 billion settlement involving owners who claimed the unintended acceleration scandal resulted in lower trade-in values for their vehicles. And it has negotiated settlements involving some claims of wrongful death and injury.

Among the Ford models targeted in the new lawsuit are the 2008-2010 Taurus sedan, 2007-2010 Edge Crossover and 2004 to 2010 Explorer, as well as the 2006-2010 Lincoln MKZ luxury sedan. A number of models produced by the now-abandoned Mercury division, such as the 2005 to 2009 Grand Marquis, also are cited.

(Ford official wants EPA to come up with more accurate mileage numbers. Click here for that report.)

Copyright ? 2009-2013, The Detroit Bureau

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653351/s/2a23c4ea/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Cbusiness0Clawsuit0Eclaims0Eford0Edesign0Edefect0Ecan0Ecause0Esudden0Eacceleration0E1C9142466/story01.htm

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Ohio State advances past Arizona on late 3-pointer

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? When LaQuinton Ross found out Ohio State was using the Los Angeles Lakers' dressing room this weekend, he immediately called dibs on Kobe Bryant's locker for the first NCAA tournament game ever played at Staples Center.

And with a dramatic flair that would make No. 24 proud, Ross sent the Buckeyes to the brink of another Final Four.

Ross hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer on a pass from Aaron Craft with 2 seconds to play, and Ohio State advanced to the West Regional final with a 73-70 victory over Arizona on Thursday night.

Ross scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half for the second-seeded Buckeyes (29-7), who rallied from an early 11-point deficit. With Ross making a series of tough shots capped by that dramatic 3, Ohio State weathered the sixth-seeded Wildcats' late charge for its 11th consecutive victory since mid-February.

"It feels great, man," said Ross, a once-ballyhooed recruit who has grown into a key reserve role in the past few months. "This is what every player grows up looking at on TV, and wants to hit that big shot, wants to win the game and hit the big shot in the NCAA tournament or the NBA. It just feels great to be here right now."

Ohio State faces ninth-seeded Wichita State on Saturday, and the Buckeyes could be Atlanta-bound with one more win.

Deshaun Thomas scored 20 points for the Buckeyes, and Craft added 13 before ceding Ohio State's final shot to Ross when the Wildcats didn't make the proper switch on the Buckeyes' screen. Ross coolly drilled his second 3-pointer and set off a wild celebration in the Ohio State section of the Arizona-dominated crowd.

Craft hit an awfully similar 3-pointer against Iowa State last Sunday to send the Buckeyes forward with a 78-75 victory, but Ross didn't flinch at his turn under pressure in this increasingly magical Ohio State season.

"LaQuinton has really grown in a lot of areas," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "I think the biggest thing he's done is he's engaged himself in all the little things, and that's made him a better basketball player. We're proud of him."

Arizona couldn't get off a shot on its last-second inbounds heave, and Mark Lyons greeted Ross in the postgame handshakes with a joking "I can't stand you!"

Lyons' acrobatic three-point play for the Wildcats (27-8) had tied it with 21.8 seconds left, thanks to a foul by Ross.

"It was similar to the play we ran last game," Ross said. "We like to get the (big men) on a pick-and-roll. It so happened they messed up the switch there, and I was able to knock down the shot."

Lyons scored 23 points including his gutsy three-point play for the Wildcats, who rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half before falling just short of their second NCAA regional final in four years. Solomon Hill added 16 points in his native Los Angeles, but the rest of Arizona combined for just 31 points on 10-for-29 shooting.

"The only thing I regret is not getting past the Sweet Sixteen, because I've been there so many times and I just feel like I can't get over that hump," said Lyons, the Xavier transfer. "But I've got no regrets. I played with a great bunch of guys this whole year who had a lot of faith in me, and I'm just happy they accepted me."

Sam Thompson added 11 points for the Buckeyes, who trailed for nearly the entire first half before pushing ahead and nursing a small lead throughout the final minutes. Ohio State mounted a 33-13 surge spanning halftime, taking a 53-43 lead with 11 minutes left.

The Wildcats finally got rolling, but Ross kept the Buckeyes in front with nine consecutive points down the stretch.

Although Arizona coach Sean Miller lamented his team's coverage mistake on the final possession, he still praised his players.

"I'm proud of our guys' effort," Miller said. "We tried hard, and losing in this tournament when you play hard to the end hurts more in the beginning, but I think you leave with a lot of pride knowing you played your heart out."

The game was the second NCAA tournament meeting between Matta and Miller, whose friendship goes back two decades to their time together at Miami of Ohio and Xavier.

Ohio State hasn't lost since Feb. 17, beating Indiana on the road before winning the Big Ten tournament. The Buckeyes had much more trouble than Arizona in their first two NCAA games, but they're showing a knack for last-minute heroics at the perfect time.

Arizona took the lead on its first basket, a 3-pointer from Lyons in the opening minute, and held it throughout a slow-moving first half featuring 19 fouls. With superior ball movement and scoring balance, the Wildcats eventually pushed the margin to 31-20 on Nick Johnson's 3-pointer with 7 minutes left in the half.

Ohio State finally awoke when Craft returned to the game after sitting early with two fouls, trimming the margin to 38-34 by halftime. The Buckeyes finished the half on a 14-7 run capped by the second 3-pointer from Thomas, who scored 16 of their 34 first-half points with his steady all-around game.

Thompson's layup with 17:39 left gave Ohio State its first lead since 2-0, and the Buckeyes opened the second half with a 10-0 run while holding Arizona scoreless for more than 6? minutes spanning halftime.

As the only school west of Wichita left in the regional, Arizona had a significant home-crowd advantage at the cavernous Staples Center, packing the lower bowl with thousands of fans. But Ohio State also had a healthy fan turnout led by Cleveland's favorite son, "The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-state-advances-past-arizona-3-pointer-044347920--spt.html

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Lindsay Lohan and Kristen Stewart: Unexpected BFF Alert!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/03/lindsay-lohan-and-kristen-stewart-unexpected-bff-alert/

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7 States Running Out Of Water: 24/7 Wall St.

From 24/7 Wall St.: The United States is in the midst of one of the biggest droughts in recent memory. At last count, over half of the lower 48 states had abnormally dry conditions and are suffering from at least moderate drought.

More than 80 percent of seven states were as of last week in ?severe drought,? characterized by crop or pasture loss, water shortage and water restrictions. Depending on whether the hardest-hit regions see significant precipitation, crops yields could fall and drought conditions could persist for months to come. Based on the latest data provided by the U.S. Drought Monitor, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the seven states running out of water.

Click here to see the seven states running out of water

U.S. Department of Agriculture meteorologist and Drought Monitor team member, Brad Rippey, explained that when the drought began in 2012, the worst of the conditions were much farther east, in states like Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan ? the corn belt states. Based on pre-drought estimates, corn used for grain lost slightly more than a quarter of its potential. By the Summer of 2012, 59 percent of U.S. rangeland and pastureland was rated by the USDA as being in poor or very poor condition. The growing drought decimated national hay production, causing feed shortages, which in turn drove up prices in livestock.

By the fall of 2012, drought conditions continued to expand westward to its current epicenter ? states like Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. Rippey explained that most worrying is the drought?s effects on the winter wheat crop, which is one of the biggest crops grown in the U.S., and which is grown almost entirely in the states in severe drought. While the region has had some precipitation recently, ?winter wheat crop will need ideal conditions heading through the next few weeks just to break even. We?re still trending towards a very poor hard red winter wheat crop at this point,? Rippey said.

In addition to severe drought conditions, relatively large areas in the worst-off states are in ?exceptional? drought, which the USDA identifies as ?exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses, shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies.? More than 70 percent of Nebraska is currently classified as being in a state of ?exceptional drought,? which includes Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies.

The last time the U.S. saw a drought close to this level of severity was in the 1980s, Rippey explained. But even compared to that drought, the current conditions may be worse. ?You really need to go back to the 1950s to find a drought that lasted and occupied at least as much territory,? Rippey said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, is produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the seven states that had at least 80 percent of the total area classified in at least a state of severe drought as of March 14th. We also reviewed agricultural statistics, such as crop yields, in these states, using data collected from USDA state agricultural overviews. Most of these data are for 2011.

Here are seven states running out of water, according to 24/7 Wall St.:

• 7. Oklahoma

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 83.2% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 56.7% (4th highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 9.7% (6th highest) Over half the area of Oklahoma currently suffers from extreme drought ? the second worst level listed on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Oklahoma shares this distinction with just four other states. Drought conditions have actually improved since the start of the year. The percentage of the state facing exceptional drought ? the worst category of drought ? has fallen from 37% at the start of the year to less than 10% currently. In January, the USDA declared a large part of the winter wheat belt, spanning from Texas to North Dakota, as a disaster area due to the lack of moisture. According to the Scottsbluff Star-Herald, recent precipitation has not been enough to help the winter wheat crop in the state that had to be planted in dry soil. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 6. Wyoming

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 83.7% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 54.7% (5th highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 10.1% (5th highest) Wyoming is one of the driest states in the country, a condition not likely to improve in the near future. According to the National Weather Service, the drought is expected to persist or worsen in most of the state over the next few months. The most critical drought problems are taking place in the eastern portion of the state. In the summer of 2012, Governor Matt Mead had to ask the federal government for disaster relief due to the drought. During the year before the request, ranchers working on non-irrigated land had lost about half their pasture grass and hay production because of the drought, a state agriculture official told Reuters. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 5. South Dakota

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 86.3% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 67.5% (2nd highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 20.1% (4th highest) More than two-thirds of South Dakota suffers from extreme drought, the second highest portion of any state. Additionally, South Dakota is one of just four states where more than 20% of its area faces exceptional drought. As with many other states, much of South Dakota?s winter wheat crop was hurt by the lack of precipitation. According to the USDA, at the end of February, 66% of winter wheat crop was considered to be in poor or very poor condition, up from 31% in February 2012. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 4. Colorado

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 89.0% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 48.1% (7th highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 21.2% (3rd highest) Colorado is one of five states where all of its area is considered to be in moderate drought, with nearly 90% of the state experiencing severe drought. With the exception of the Northeast corner of the state, the drought is expected to either persist or get worse over the next several months. Yet even most the Northeast corner is experiencing either extreme or exceptional drought. Due to the ongoing problems, several of Colorado?s largest municipal water providers are considering restricting spring and summer lawn-watering, potentially limiting landowners to watering their grass just twice a week. Crop production declined significantly in 2012 compared to 2011, with wheat production falling 9.3%, while corn production falling a whopping 29%. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 3. New Mexico

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 89.9% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 49.9% (6th highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 4.3% (8th highest) As of early March, normal weather conditions persist in only about 0.21% of New Mexico ? the highest percentage in nearly a year. However, for most of the state problems remain. Last July, the USDA designated Cibola County as a primary disaster area due to drought. Six counties bordering Cibola, including Bernalillo County where Albuquerque is located, also qualified for natural disaster assistance. In late February, Albuquerque?s water board announced a ?drought watch,? which raised fines for wasting water to $40 for first offenders. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 2. Kansas

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 96.4% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 64.6% (3rd highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 21.4% (2nd highest) Severe drought conditions persist in more than 96% of Kansas. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of the state is experiencing extreme drought, while more than one-fifth is experiencing exceptional drought. The good news for Kansas is that rain in March has eased the drought, although National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Kleinsasser told the Associated Press earlier this week that the state is still experiencing ?precipitation deficits? of as much as 20 inches in many parts of the state. Kansas produces about 20% of the nation?s wheat, more than any other state. Wheat production was up 38% in 2012 compared to 2011, although the drought affecting the state probably will make this level of production unsustainable for 2013. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

• 1. Nebraska

  <strong>Percent of state in severe drought:</strong> 100% <strong>Percent of state in extreme drought:</strong> 96.1% (the highest) <strong>Percent of state in exceptional drought:</strong> 76.4% (the highest) Nebraska is unique among all states in that all areas are experiencing at least a severe drought. Worse, extreme drought conditions persist in more than 96% of the state, with a stunning 76% of the state experiencing exceptional drought. In the next worst-hit state, Kansas, just 21.4% of all area suffers from exceptional drought. Drought has hurt much of the state?s winter wheat crop, 50% of which was in poor or very poor condition at the end of February, up from just 6% last year. The National Weather Service?s Climate Prediction Center estimates that the drought in Nebraska will last ? with some improvement in conditions ? through at least the end of May. <a href="http://247wallst.com/2013/03/21/the-seven-states-running-out-of-water/#ixzz2P2lNh39V" target="_blank">Read more at 24/7 Wall St. </a>

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/30/states-running-out-of-water_n_2984979.html

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Calm Down, No One's Getting Fired Because Of FireMe!, New Site That Exposes People Tweeting Horrible Things About Their Jobs

Anytime there's a lull in our outrage over the public nature of social media, a new site shows up to again demonstrate its dangers. Like clockwork, the latest to play on users' fears is FireMe!, a website that tracks when people are saying inappropriate things about their jobs on Twitter, including their hatred for their boss, their desire to murder said bosses or co-workers, and even those making comments about "sexual intercourse," in relation to their jobs.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Q6xTk7DuUEM/

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2013 Northwest Bicycling Events: Expanded list - Spokesman.com ...

The S-R?s ?you snooze, you lose? story posted in January listed several of the most popular summer events that require applicants to be on the ball during winter.

February

Chilly Hilly, Feb. 24: Kicking off the cycling season for 40 years, 33-mile route around Bainbridge Island attracts about 6,000 riders. About $30 with ferry fare.

March

Gran Fondo Ephrata, March 10: Ride 80 miles on mixed surface roads out of Ephrata, Wash. One of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65.

April

Daffodil Classic, April 14: Ride 40, 60 or 100-mile loops in the Orting Valley southeast of Tacoma; treats finishers with strawberry shortcake, sponsored by Tacoma Wheelmen?s Bicycle Club. $30.

Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride, April 28: Ride 15, 25, 50, 66 or 100 miles starting at Spokane Falls Community College, with food stops and baked potato at the finish. (Also note the 5K and duathlon opportunity.) Sponsored by Aurora Northwest Rotary. Email: lilaccentury@gmail.com. $40-$50. Register in advance for discount, but event accepts same-day entries.

May

Tour de Frog, May 4: Choose from 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile courses through Walla Walla Valley wheatland and wine country. Sponsored by Eastern Oregon Sports Training. $35-$50.

Seattle Brews Cruise, May 5: A new urban ride exploring Seattle breweries, with routes of 16, 30 or 45 miles, sponsored by Cascade Bicycle Club. Limited to 500 riders. $35.

Inland Empire Century, May 11: Ride 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes through orchards, vineyards and farm fields in the lower Yakima-Columbia river valleys, sponsored by Kiwanis and Group Health. $10-$50.

Skagit Spring Classic, May 11: Skagit Bicycle Club?s 23rd annual event plans new routes this year ranging from 25 to 100 miles between Burlington and Bellingham. $35.

Ride of Silence , May 10: Spokane Valley?s event one of hundreds around the world for 10th anniversary commemorating cyclists killed in traffic. Loosely organized, it starts at 6 p.m. and runs 3-6 miles. Meet at Riverfront Park along Spokane Falls Boulevard near runner statues.

STOKR, May 11-12: Ride 82 or 135 miles in two days in the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River based out of Libby, Mont. Limit of 400 riders filled by lottery. Applications available in February.

Bike to Work Week, May 13-19: About 1,500 cyclists participate in Spokane?s bike commuting event, which kicks off with a free bike commuter breakfast and other activities.

TOSRV-West, May 18-19: The 43rd annual Tour of the Swan River Valley follows the original two-day, 226-mile loop from Missoula to Bigfork, returning along Flathead Lake to Missoula, with great food stops. Limited to 200 riders (down from 300 in 2012). $105 plus Missoula Bicycle Club membership.

Century Ride of the Centuries, May 25-27: Three days of fully supported riding and meals with new route options each day through Eastern Oregon farmlands near Pendleton and Blue Mountains. Limited to 275 riders. $195.

R7 Hills of Kirkland, May 27: A 40-mile ?seven hills? route, a 62-mile metric century or a 100 miler from urban to rural roads on a low-traffic holiday. $30-60 with early registration discounts.

June

Apple Century, June 1: Routes are 25, 50 or 100 miles in the 26th annual event starting from Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee. By Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary; about 900 riders. $65.

3 Rivers Race, June 1: Ride 55, 75 or 100-mile routes (also running options) based in La Grande, Ore., through Grande Ronde Valley. Benefits fight against domestic violence. Includes poker run for prizes. $50 minimum pledge.

Pedal Around a Glacier, eh!, June 1-2: PAGE starts in Nelson, British Columbia, for a two-day, 140-mile ride along Kokanee and Slocan Lakes and twice across the spine of the Selkirk Mountains to loop around Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Overnight in New Denver along Slocan Lake. Event cancelled if minimum sign-up not achieved by April 1. $95.

Flying Wheels Summer Century, June 8: Based from Redmond, ride rural Puget Sound routes of 24, 45, 65 or 100 miles in what?s billed by Cascade Bicycle Club as the largest century in Washington. $35.

Bicycle Poker Run, June 9: Third annual event sponsored by Missoula Lions Club, ride 50 or 100 miles along the Clark Fork River starting east of Missoula at Bearmouth. Draw cards at aid stations for prizes. $50.

Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic, June 15: Ride 30-, 60- or 100-mile routes from Walla Walla?s Pioneer Park, includes food stop and post-ride wine and buffet. Organized by Wheatland Wheelers. Benefits cycling safety. $45.

I Made the Grade, June 15: Based out of Chief Timothy Park near Clarkston, the 33rd annual 18-mile ride climbs 2,000 feet up the Lewiston Grade via the Old Spiral Highway. Organized by Clarkston High School Band. $25-35.

Loreen Miller Bike Ride, June 15: choose from 12, 25, 50 or 100-mile courses based out of Mt. Spokane High School. Post-ride music and food. Fundraiser for cancer patient care. $25-$50.

Spokane Summer Parkways, June 19 on South Hill at Comstock-Manito Neighborhood, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Event designed for families to ride streets free of motor vehicles. Free.

Ride the Wall, June 21 (Not confirmed for 2013): About 150 riders of all ages celebrate the summer equinox in this 13-mile evening ride along the Coeur d?Alene River from Enaville Resort, followed by a barbecue. Benefits Habitat for Humanity.

Cannonball, June 22: A one-day ultra endurance ride totaling 276 miles mostly on I-90. Attacts a small field of top riders, but still considered an easier version of the July 6 S2S ride between Seattle and Spokane via U.S. 2. Entrants must join the Redmond Cycling Club. $20.

Mazama Ride, June 22-23: runs 75 miles each day on North Cascades Highway from Marblemount to Mazama for the overnight and back. $140-$190.

Lake Chelan Century Challenge, June 22: Join 500 riders on one-to-three loops ranging from 30-40 miles each past Lake Chelan vineyards. Do the entire century ride and bag 8,606 vertical feet of elevation. $55.

Tour de Hood, June 22-23: Tour follows Mount Hood Cycling Classic race in Columbia Gorge near Hood River, Ore., 42 miles first day, 44 or 72 miles second day. Sponsored by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. $50-$100.

Gran Fondo Leavenworth, June 23: Ride 87 miles on mixed surface roads out of Leavenworth, Wash. Second of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65.

GGG Wild West Cycling Tour, June 28-30: Women-only ride, 85 miles in three days out of Winthrop, Wash.; route scales Washington, Rainy and Loup Loup passes. Women only. Sponsored by Go Get It Gal. $175.

RATPOD, Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day, June 29: Ride 130 miles through Pioneer mountains out of Dillon, Mont. Rider quota usually fills by March, but waiting list is maintained. $100.

Bite the Bullet Tour, June 30: Details not available for 2013. Loosely organized by Twin River Cyclists (Lewiston-Moscow area).

July

Northwest Tandem Rally, Bellingham, July 5-6, CANCELED.

Gran Fondo Kootenai, July 6-7: Ride 76 miles from Libby to Eureka, Mont., and return on a 98 mile route with plenty of elevation gain the next day. Cyclocross wheels recommended for 1.5 mile gravel section. Fully supported. Benefits Kiwanis-Lions programs. $125 (more after June 15).

Seattle 2 Spokane, July 6: One-day ultra endurance ride totaling 284 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing, mostly on U.S. 2. S2S considered tougher version of the June 22 Cannonball ride between Seattle and Spokane via I-90. Redmond Cycling Club membership required. $20.

Huckleberry Ride, July 7 (Not confirmed for 2013): Loosely organized by Twin River Cyclists (Lewiston-Moscow area), the ride starts in Deary City Park at 9 a.m. and runs 54 miles to Elk River and back.

Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, July 13-14: STP goes 200 miles, fully supported. Largest of region?s cycling events with 10,000 riders, sponsored by Group Health. Tight schedule? Ride all 200 miles in one day. Return by bus. (Sold out March 21 in 2011; Feb. 21 in 2012 and Feb. 14 this year.)

One Helena Hundred, July 13: Ride 63 miles along Missouri River from Cascade to Wolf creek and back, sponsored by Helena Bicycle Club. $55.

CHaFE 150 Bike Ride, July 20: a 150-mile loop, timed Gran Fondo, with five food stops from Sandpoint, through Troy and Bonners Ferry and back. Benefits autism programs in local school district, sponsored by Sandpoint Rotary. Limited to 500 riders. Team options. $75 (plus $50 pledge requirement).

Spoke-d?Alene Purple Ride and picnic, CANCELED.

Jedermann Gran Fondo, July 20: Timed recreational ride with three distances for 2nd annual event ? 30, 66, 112 miles, based out of Cheney, organized by Emde Sports. Supported, cool finisher medals, post ride BBQ and beer garden. $25-$80.

50 Miles at the Pass, July 21: 3rd annual mountain biking event at 4th of July Pass east of Coeur d?Alene. Gran Fondo format, a timed recreational ride, includes routes of 10, 17, 35 and 50 miles. Benefits Lake City Trailbuilder?s Association. Post ride BBQ. Info: (208) 667-8969.

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration, July 28: Ride 10, 25 or 50-mile routes based from Mirabeau Meadows Park in Spokane Valley, with food stops sponsored by ValleyFest organizers. $10, $20 for family.

August

Double Divide Ride, Aug. 3-4: Sponsored by Helena (Mont.) Bicycle Club, goes 129 miles in two days crossing Continental Divide twice, (75 miles first day, 54 miles second day) through rolling hills, valleys and challenging MacDonald and Flesher passes. $100.

Ride Around Washington , by Cascade Bicycle Club, Aug. 3-10: 15th annual RAW goes from Curlew Lake State Park to Maryhill State Park on the Columbia River Gorge, 439-mile fully supported tour. Limited to 250 riders. $989.

Ride Idaho, Aug. 4-10: annual seven-day, fully supported, 400-mile bicycle tour that moves to different region of the state. 2013 route starts and finishes in Coeur d?Alene, including Trail of the Coeur d?Alenes, Clark Fork River valley and Sandpoint. Organized by non-profit group of cyclists. Limit: 350 riders. $735.

Eight Lakes Leg Aches, Aug. 3: Ride 15-, 30-, 45-, and 75-mile routes, starting from Spokane?s Sunset Hill and out around lakes in Spokane County with about 800 riders to benefit Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Response Center. $45. Info: (509) 343-5020.

Courage Classic, Aug. 3-5: Ride 172 miles in three days over three mountain passes ? Stevens, Blewett, Snoqualmie. Sponsored by Multicare Hospital. Limited to 700 riders. $750 in pledges minimum.

Gran Fondo Winthrop, Aug. 4: Ride 80 miles on mixed surface roads out of Winthrop, Wash. Last of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65.

Le Tour de Koocanusa, Aug. 10: From Libby, Mont., ride 83 miles along Lake Koocanusa in 3rd annual event by David Thompson Search and Rescue. Coincides with annual Riverfront Blues Festival. $60.

Tour de Lentil metric century, Aug. 17: has 50K and 100K courses with pit stops through rolling Palouse hills based out of Pullman. Post ride BBQ. Email: cycling@wsu.edu. $35.

September

Great Northwest Fall Tour , Sept. 1: Ride 15, 30, 50 or 85-mile routes beginning at Newport City Park. Benefits Newport/Priest River Rotary Club. $25 ($50 per family).

Labor Day Tandem Rally and Bike Ride, Sept. 2: Loosely organized for 61 years by the Spokane Bicycle Club. Check website for updates. No fee.

SpokeFest Sept. 8: Spokane event attracts 2,000 participants, families as well as serious riders; 6th annual event has four tour options: a 1-miler kid-ride and rodeo with amusements in Riverfront Park that crosses no streets, a 9-mile loop, the classic river loop of 21 miles in Riverside State Park, and a 47-miler extending Classic Loop into the Four Mounds area. Music at finish. $8-$20.

High Pass Challenge, Sept. 8: Cascade Bicycle Club thigh-burner gives up to 600 riders 10 hours to pedal 114 miles and conquer 7,500 feet of climbing around Mount St. Helens. $80.

Bike MS 150, Sept. 14-15: ride 150 miles in two days or 84 miles in one day on Trail of the Coeur d?Alenes to benefit local Multiple Sclerosis. Minimum donation $250.

Kootenai River Ride, (Date not set): Ride 16, 60 or 100 kilometers near Kootenai River out of Bonners Ferry fairgrounds supported by Rotarians, followed by baked potato feed. $20.

Huckleberry 100, Sept. 14: Chose from short family ride or longer courses of 25, 50 or 100 miles from downtown Kalispell through region between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. Sponsored by Fresh Life Radio and local businesses. $25-$55 depending on course and date of registration.

Mica Peak Century Plus, (Not yet confirmed): Ride routes of 15, 30, 70 or 100 miles starting from Coeur d?Alene, fully supported, sponsored by St. Luke?s Episcopal Church. Info: (208) 640-1099.

RIM Ride, Sept. 15: Rotary In Motion Family Fun Ride starts and finishes in Liberty Lake with rides of 5, 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles; finishes with Quizno?s lunch. $15-$45 with family discounts.

WaCanId Ride, Sept. 16-21: Rare international bicycle tour on the Selkirk Loop; 4th annual ride includes up to 355 miles or shorter segments. Start in Sandpoint, Idaho, or at Nelson, British Columbia. Limited to 50 riders from each start. Passport required. $495, includes jersey.

Blazing Saddles Bike Ride, Sept. 21: First annual event combines 40, 62 and 100-mile cycling routes out of Colville, Wash., with the Northwest International Chili Cook-Off. Sponsored by Rotary Club. $25-$50, includes t-shirt and entry to chili festival.

Tour de Blast, Sept. 21: attracts 1,400 riders to national monument roads in Mount St. Helens volcanic blast zone. Routes cover 33, 54 or 82 miles, with longest tackling 6,240 in elevation gain to fantastic views. Sponsored by Longview Rotary. $65 includes shirt and pasta feed.

Valleyfest Trail Ride, Sept. 22: Family bike tour on the Centennial Trail starting at 11 a.m. with other festivities at Mirabeau Point Park. Choice of 6.8-, 8.8- and 15.6-mile routes. $10 or $5 for kids under 11.

Apple Valley Kiwanis Wine Country Trek, Sept. 28-29: Ride 120 miles in two days through the Yakima Valley between Moxee and Prosser visiting wineries. Fully supported with meals; camping indoors or out. $75-$135.

Swan Lake Mountain Bike Festival, (Not yet scheduled): Free family event with clinics, kids? courses, women?s ride, poker rides, Dutch oven cooking and more, south of Republic, Wash. Camping available. Co-sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation and Republic Ranger District. Info: ( 509 ) 775-3305.

Coeur d?Fondo, Sept. 28: The 2nd annual Gran Fondo style timed event begins and ens in Coeur d?Alene with competitive and non-competitive options. Choice of five distances this year: 15, 37, 47, 85 or 108 miles. Riders end with entry to Oktoberfest. Course features Lake Coeur d?Alene and Idaho?s Highway 97 Scenic Byway through Harrison and St. Maries. Shorter ride participants board a partyboat back to Coeur d?Alene from Harrison (Riders on new 47-mile ride board boat to start at Harrison). Sponsored by Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. $10 for family ride, $75 for others.

October

Cycle for Life, Oct. 5: Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser starting in Spokane?s Browne?s Addition. Ride 30 or 65 miles on Fish Lake Trail and routes near Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge; fully supported, rest stops every 10-12 miles. Riders must be at least 18 years old and raise at least $165 in pledges.

Tour de Rock Mountain Bike Ride & Rough Ride , (Not yet scheduled): At 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Choose from a fun mountain bike ride at resort or challenging climb starting in Chewelah and gaining 4,000 feet of elevation on a variety of surfaces. Benefits ski patrol. Info: (509) 937-4922 or baker9454@gmail.com

Manastash Metric Century, Oct. 5: includes 50-mile or 62-mile options along the Yakima River from Ellensburg to Cle Elum and back. $30.

Chewelah Valley Lions Fall Half-Century Bike Tour, (Not yet scheduled): Ride 25 or 50 miles from Chewelah to Springdale and back via Stevens County loop around Waitts Lake. Sign ups allowed up to the 10 a.m. start in Chewelah City Park. Info: Becky Washington, rebecca214@centurytel.net

Add an?event

If you don?t see your regional cycling event listed, send information by email to Outdoors editor Rich Landers.

Source: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/28/2013-northwest-cycling-events/

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Gym Equipment 2013

At the 2013 International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association trade show, thousands of gym owners and trainers converged to try out innovative fitness and health products. This year, it was all about bringing the fun back into fitness. Click through for nine fitness products we found at the trade show that making working out fun ? from workouts that mimic outdoor sports to equipment that would be at home on a playground ? and then vote on whether you'd want to see them at your gym!

Source: http://www.fitsugar.com/Gym-Equipment-2013-28902970

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Three Crazy James Bond Villains Were Caught Trying to Cut Through The Internet's Undersea Cables

While the Internet at large was freaking out about an apocalyptic attack that wasn't really happening yesterday, something nefarious was going down at the bottom of the sea. Egyptian authorites found a trio of divers down there attempting to sever a crucial submarine communications cable. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/4ZonXE-rbp8/three-crazy-james-bond-villains-were-caught-trying-to-cut-through-the-internets-undersea-cables

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How to build your own R2D2

R2D2 greets the crowd at this year's WonderconANAHEIM, CA - The power of the Force may be elusive outside the fictional Star Wars universe but fans of R2D2 can take home their very own astromech droid if they have the time and money to build it.

Hundreds of potential droid crafters waited in line to hear from a panel belonging to the R2D2 Builders Club, a group of hobbyists who have been assembling their own functional Star Wars robots out of aluminum, plastic and even wood since 1999.

But how much time does it take to build a bleeping and whirling R2 lookalike?

"Thats the magic question," said Victor Franco, who has been building his own droids for over a decade. "It's the one you don't want your spouse to know the answer to."

And the answer varies, depending on just how detailed and capable you want your droid to be, with the final price ranging from as little as $500 up to $10,000.

"The average cost is a little over $5,000," Franco said. "A single small aluminum part can cost $100. It's not for the faint of heart."

Not surprisingly, a large variety of parts and electronics go into replicating one of the droids, with potential parts including plywood, aluminum, resin, styrene, transmitters and receivers speed controller servo motor and circuits.

"There's no one way to make an R2 unit," said William Miyamoto. "The plus side of using plastic is you pretty much can just use an cacti knife and glue."

At the other end of the spectrum, a finished R2 unit made from aluminum can weight more than 200 pounds and forces the creators to decide if they want their droid to be remote controlled or less mobile.

"I did run over a kid once," deadpanned Chris Romines.

But the four R2 builders said it is a project worth both their time and money. And when a droid is complete, it is almost immediately put into service, appearing at conventions and events for children. The droids have even starred in television commercials for companies like Verizon and ESPN and cruised across the red carpet at movie premiers.

When a pair of the hand crafted R2 units took to the stage on Friday at Wondercon, They were greeted with the type of "oohs and ahhs" normally reserved for cute animal videos or small children performing adorable tricks.

"I was poor when I was a kid so I took my toys apart and put them back together," fellow builder Mike Senna said of how he first became inspired to join the R2 club.

The R2-D2 Builders Club had humble beginnings when creator Dave Everett first launched the club as a Yahoo group, posting the blueprints showing how other aspiring builders could follow his lead.

Today, the club has thousands of members around the world and brought dozens of their robots to the most recent, annual Star Wars Celebration event.

" At the StarWars Celebration we even have droid races, including a mouse droid race," said Michael McMaster. "But when I started I was electronics illiterate."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/build-own-r2d2-062419995.html

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When it comes to sports & recreation, what does Bend/Central ...

The Bend Parks & Rec. passed their bond and we know we?ve got an ice rink on the way. We are trail town USA and perhaps the most dog-friendly town in the world. We?ve got a ski resort, rivers, lakes, golf courses? what else do we need?

Seriously though, what would you like to see come to Bend or Central Oregon?

Something new? More of something we already have? A better version of something we already have?

As a tennis coach, I can tell you that Bend needs more tennis courts. As a basketball coach I can also tell you that Central Oregon could use more basketball courts.

I also know that many want a new skate park, we are on our way to having more pickleball courts? but what say you?

Author Description

Josh Cordell

I'm a sportswriter, coach, photographer, video producer and all-around sports nut. To find out more about me go to http://joshcordell.com/

Source: http://www.centraloregonathlete.com/when-it-comes-to-sports-recreation-what-does-bendcentral-oregon-need/

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AP Source: CBS buys half of TV Guide net for $100M

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Broadcaster CBS Corp. is buying a 50 percent stake in TV Guide's pay TV channel and website for nearly $100 million, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The price is less than the $123 million that JPMorgan Chase's One Equity Partners paid for a 49 percent stake four years ago. It brings CBS Corp. into an equal partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

The deal terms come from a person who wasn't authorized to speak publicly and who spoke on condition of anonymity.

CBS said the channel, available in more than 80 million homes, will continue to focus on entertainment. Details about rebranding it will come. It will combine CBS' programming, production and marketing with Lions Gate's resources in movies, TV shows and digital content.

Previously, the channel had mainly been used as a guide for other channels, but set-top boxes come with their own guides these days. The channel, called TVGN, currently shows reruns of such programs as "Who's The Boss," ''Ugly Betty" and older movies. Most viewers don't see the scrolling TV listings guide any more.

TV Guide magazine, which is owned separately by OpenGate Capital, isn't part of the deal.

Analysts have said the channel will benefit from CBS's operational and TV programming expertise. Aside from the CBS network itself, it will become the most widely distributed channel that CBS operates. CBS also owns the Smithsonian Networks, CBS Sports network and premium channel Showtime.

CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves said in a statement the channel will offer a strategic way for CBS to use its brands "and gain access to a highly distributed basic cable network that has a lot of upside."

CBS and Lions Gate have worked together in the past. Lions Gate produces the shows "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" for Showtime.

CBS shares were up 4 cents in after-hours trading at $45.75 following the announcement, after closing up 29 cents at $45.71 in normal trading. Lions Gate shares rose 19 cents to $24, after rising 2.7 percent to close at $23.81 in the regular session.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-03-27-US-TV-Guide-Network-CBS-Sale/id-d217c0deadcb49cbae158147169857b7

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Complementing Fine Arts: Folded Book Sculptures by Luciana Frigerio

In case you thought books are just for reading, well, here?s something we want to show you, that might exceed your expectations!?We figured out that books are a wonderful way to express art. Yes, of course, a book is a piece of art itself, but beyond our regular perception, there?s another one. And another. And so on! We are so excited to see that creativity has no limits when it comes to arts! ?Luciana Frigerio, a?Vermont-based artist created a unique collection of paper art, simply called?Folded Book Sculptures. Basically that was exactly what she did. She folded page by page, creating emotional (timeless) messages by using books. She only used Times New Roman and Helvetica as fonts, because of their impact upon the viewers.

And what a better way to complement art than blending one?s exquisite taste in books with talent, devotion and hard work! The result is simply spectacular, as you can see! All the messages have a positive and powerful impact. The intriguing amount of creativity of this paper art collection determined a man to propose to his fianc?, by setting ?the book messages? on the shelf in a bookstore.?Her ?universe of paper? can be actually bought from her online Etsy Store.

Source: http://freshome.com/2013/03/27/complementing-fine-arts-folded-book-sculptures-by-luciana-frigerio/

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Mortar kills 15 at Damascus University, Syria says

By Oliver Holmes and Hamdi Istanbullu

BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Fifteen Syrian students were killed when rebel mortar bombs hit a Damascus University canteen on Thursday, state-run news agency SANA said, as attacks intensified in the center of the capital.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition monitoring group, said a mortar killed 13 people at the university, without saying who fired the bombs.

Other activists confirmed the attack but no opposition group has denied or claimed responsibility.

Insurgents trying to end four decades of rule by the family of President Bashar al-Assad have formed a semi-circle around the capital and intensified attacks from positions on the outskirts this week.

A bastion for Assad's forces, the capital city is a crucial prize in a two-year-old uprising that has developed into a war in which more than 70,000 people have been killed.

Another 1.2 million Syrians have also fled to neighboring countries and North Africa, where they have registered as refugees or are awaiting processing, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Highlighting the strain the conflict is placing on neighboring states, Turkey, host to about 260,000 of the refugees, denied on Thursday it had rounded up and deported hundreds of Syrians following unrest at a refugee camp.

SANA said mortar rounds landed in a canteen at the College of Architecture in Baramkeh, a central district near several government buildings, including the Defense Ministry, the headquarters for state media and Assad's official residence.

Pro-government Al-Ikhbariya TV showed images of doctors trying to resuscitate at least two young men and blood on the floor of what appeared to be an outdoor canteen. A young woman was shown walking in a hospital, her face bleeding heavily.

SANA quoted the president of Damascus University as saying the death toll, initially put at 12, had risen to 15 in what state and pro-government media called a terrorist attack.

Last weekend rebel groups sent out warnings on the Internet that they planned to intensify strikes on government and military sites in the city and warned residents they should leave to avoid what they called "Operation Shaking the Fort".

The United Nations said on Monday it would withdraw about half of its international staff from Damascus after a mortar bomb landed near their hotel.

The Syrian military has responded to rebel attacks with artillery shelling and air strikes on suburbs where rebels are entrenched among thousands of civilians trapped in crossfire.

On Thursday, opposition activists said rebels had taken the main bus station in northeastern Damascus. They provided footage of fighters walking around a deserted area and stamping on a framed picture of Assad. (http://link.reuters.com/peg96t)

Government reporting restrictions make it difficult to verify such accounts independently.

TURKISH DENIAL

The foreign ministry in Turkey denied on Thursday any Syrians had been expelled following unrest at the Suleymansah refugees camp, near the Turkish town of Akcakale

A group of 130 people, identified with the help of camera footage as being "involved in the provocations", decided to cross back into Syria voluntarily, either because they did not want to face judicial proceedings or because of repercussions from other refugees, the ministry said in a statement.

Witnesses said hundreds of Syrians were bused to the border after Wednesday's clashes in which refugees threw rocks at military police, who fired tear gas and water cannon.

"There has been a big deportation operation here, they got rid of lots of people. They kicked out two of my boys and three of my brother's sons. They came for my boys last night and told them to get their bags," one refugee at the camp told Reuters by telephone, giving her name as Saher.

Camp residents said young men started the protest against living conditions after faulty electrics set a tent on fire, injuring three brothers aged seven, 18 and 19, one of whom later died in hospital, according to Turkish media reports.

UNHCR said it was concerned about the reports and had taken them up with Turkey. Such action would violate U.N. conventions.

In a sign of divisions hampering international efforts to stem the conflict, Russia on Thursday accused the Arab League of abandoning support for a peaceful solution by giving a summit seat to the Syrian opposition.

Opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib took Syria's vacant seat on Tuesday at the Arab summit, which also lent its support to giving military aid to rebels fighting Assad.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also cast doubt over the mandate of U.N.-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi.

"I just don't see how Mr. Brahimi can continue to be considered the representative not just of the United Nations but of the Arab League," Lavrov said in Moscow.

Russia has in the past vocally supported Brahimi, who has met in recent months with Russian and U.S. officials in talks which failed to bridge disagreements over Syria.

Russia, which has long supplied arms to Assad's government but says it is not delivering weapons that can be used in the civil war, vehemently opposes arming the rebels.

Moscow says it has pressed Assad's government to end violence and accuses Western and Arab states of failing to put enough pressure on his opponents to do so, and in many cases encouraging them to keep fighting.

Russia and China have blocked three resolutions in the U.N. Security Council, and Moscow says Assad's exit from power must not be a precondition for peace talks

(Additional reporting by Reuters TV, Erika Solomon in Beirut and Steve Gutterman in Moscow; Writing by Jason Webb; Editing by Michael Roddy)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/mortar-kills-15-damascus-university-syria-says-190632299.html

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Strong quake sways buildings in Taiwan, kills 1

Mar 26 (Reuters) - Leading money winners on the 2013 PGATour on Monday (U.S. unless stated): 1. Tiger Woods $3,787,600 2. Brandt Snedeker $2,859,920 3. Matt Kuchar $2,154,500 4. Steve Stricker $1,820,000 5. Phil Mickelson $1,650,260 6. Hunter Mahan $1,553,965 7. John Merrick $1,343,514 8. Dustin Johnson $1,330,507 9. Russell Henley $1,313,280 10. Kevin Streelman $1,310,343 11. Keegan Bradley $1,274,593 12. Charles Howell III $1,256,373 13. Michael Thompson $1,254,669 14. Brian Gay $1,171,721 15. Justin Rose $1,155,550 16. Jason Day $1,115,565 17. Chris Kirk $1,097,053 18. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/strong-quake-sways-buildings-taiwan-kills-1-053430021.html

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Kerry heads home after Iraq, Afghanistan visits

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, walks to a meeting with France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at the Quai d' Orsay in Paris, March 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, right, walks to a meeting with France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at the Quai d' Orsay in Paris, March 27, 2013. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)

Secretary of State John Kerry arrives in Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Kerry went to Paris for talks with French officials about aid to the Syrian opposition and the situation in Mali. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)

Secretary of State John Kerry reaches to shakes hands with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the end of their joint news conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Monday, March 25, 2013. Kerry and Karzai made a show of unity Monday, shortly after the U.S. military ceded control of its last detention facility in Afghanistan, ending a longstanding irritant in relations between the two countries. Kerry, in Afghanistan for an unannounced visit, said he and Karzai were "on the same page" when it comes to peace talks with the Taliban. (AP Photo/Jason Reed, Pool)

PARIS (AP) ? U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry headed for home Wednesday after making clandestine journeys to Iraq and Afghanistan, where he delivered a stern warning to Iraqi leaders about Syria and sought to patch up differences with Afghanistan's president.

Kerry was flying back to Washington from Paris, having piggy-backed off President Barack Obama's trip to the Middle East to make unannounced stops in Baghdad and Kabul, as well as following up on Obama's discussions with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

In Iraq, he told Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that shipments of Iranian weapons and fighters through Iraqi territory must stop. In Afghanistan, he put on a show of unity with President Hamid Karzai, whose recent anti-American comments had angered U.S. officials.

Kerry's first foray as secretary of state into the war zones were shrouded in secrecy for security reasons.

Using Jordan ? the last stop on Obama's tour ? as a base, Kerry flew surreptitiously to Baghdad aboard a military transport plane Sunday for meetings with al-Maliki and other Iraq officials just four days after the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

A key message, officials said, was to warn Iraq that unless it cracks down on Iranian planes and trucks using Iraqi territory to supply Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime with arms, it will not have a voice in ongoing preparations for a post-Assad Syria. He also urged the Iraqis to overcome deep sectarian differences that have fueled consistent instability since the departure of U.S. troops in late 2011, and to hold inclusive, transparent local elections next month.

After returning to Jordan, where he had dinner with Pakistan's army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Kerry flew to Afghanistan on Monday for talks with Karzai amid fears the Afghan leader might be jeopardizing progress in the war against extremism with anti-American rhetoric.

While Kerry was there, the Taliban claimed responsibility for eight suicide bombers attacking a police headquarters in the eastern city of Jalalabad, killing five officers and wounding four.

Karzai infuriated U.S. officials earlier this month by accusing Washington of colluding with Taliban insurgents to keep Afghanistan weak even as the Obama administration pressed ahead with plans to hand off security responsibility to Afghan forces and end NATO's combat mission by the end of next year.

But after their talks, which coincided with the U.S. military ceding control of its last detention facility in Afghanistan, Kerry brushed aside concerns about Karzai's comments.

"We're on the same page," Kerry told reporters. "I don't think there is any disagreement between us and I am very, very comfortable with the president's explanation."

Karzai said he had been trying to make the point that if the Taliban really wanted foreign troops out of Afghanistan they should stop killing people.

Speaking to staffers at the embassy in Kabul before he left Tuesday, Kerry joked about the rapprochement, noting that the weather before his arrival had been cold and rainy. "President Karzai and I stood up and it was like the sun had been shining forever between us," he said to laughter. "It was wonderful."

Kerry then flew to Paris, where he met French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to discuss the crisis in Syria and also promoted a new trans-Atlantic trade agreement that the Obama administration is pushing.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-03-27-Kerry/id-39bf9f6f818d4985927a638b0824202f

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How herpesvirus invades nervous system

Mar. 27, 2013 ? Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a component of the herpesvirus that "hijacks" machinery inside human cells, allowing the virus to rapidly and successfully invade the nervous system upon initial exposure.

Led by Gregory Smith, associate professor in immunology and microbiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, researchers found that viral protein 1-2, or VP1/2, allows the herpesvirus to interact with cellular motors, known as dynein. Once the protein has overtaken this motor, the virus can speed along intercellular highways, or microtubules, to move unobstructed from the tips of nerves in skin to the nuclei of neurons within the nervous system.

This is the first time researchers have shown a viral protein directly engaging and subverting the cellular motor; most other viruses passively hitch a ride into the nervous system.

"This protein not only grabs the wheel, it steps on the gas," says Smith. "Overtaking the cellular motor to invade the nervous system is a complicated accomplishment that most viruses are incapable of achieving. Yet the herpesvirus uses one protein, no others required, to transport its genetic information over long distances without stopping."

Herpesvirus is widespread in humans and affects more than 90 percent of adults in the United States. It is associated with several types of recurring diseases, including cold sores, genital herpes, chicken pox, and shingles. The virus can live dormant in humans for a lifetime, and most infected people do not know they are disease carriers. The virus can occasionally turn deadly, resulting in encephalitis in some.

Until now, scientists knew that herpesviruses travel quickly to reach neurons located deep inside the body, but the mechanism by which they advance remained a mystery.

Smith's team conducted a variety of experiments with VP1/2 to demonstrate its important role in transporting the virus, including artificial activation and genetic mutation of the protein. The team studied the herpesvirus in animals, and also in human and animal cells in culture under high-resolution microscopy. In one experiment, scientists mutated the virus with a slower form of the protein dyed red, and raced it against a healthy virus dyed green. They observed that the healthy virus outran the mutated version down nerves to the neuron body to insert DNA and establish infection.

"Remarkably, this viral protein can be artificially activated, and in these conditions it zips around within cells in the absence of any virus. It is striking to watch," Smith says.

He says that understanding how the viruses move within people, especially from the skin to the nervous system, can help better prevent the virus from spreading.

Additionally, Smith says, "By learning how the virus infects our nervous system, we can mimic this process to treat unrelated neurologic diseases. Even now, laboratories are working on how to use herpesviruses to deliver genes into the nervous system and kill cancer cells."

Smith's team will next work to better understand how the protein functions. He notes that many researchers use viruses to learn how neurons are connected to the brain.

"Some of our mutants will advance brain mapping studies by resolving these connections more clearly than was previously possible," he says.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Northwestern University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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. Sofia?V. Zaichick, Kevin?P. Bohannon, Ami Hughes, Patricia?J. Sollars, Gary?E. Pickard, Gregory?A. Smith. The Herpesvirus VP1/2 Protein Is an Effector of Dynein-Mediated Capsid Transport and Neuroinvasion. Cell Host & Microbe, 2013; 13 (2): 193 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2013.01.009

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/DpfJns9Ndl0/130328091754.htm

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Business Insider Is Looking For A Reporter To Cover Advertising ...

Business Insider needs a reporter to write about advertising and to help build our coverage of marketing and media.

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Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/business-insider-is-looking-for-a-reporter-to-cover-advertising-and-marketing-2013-3

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