Build Your Own Arduino-Powered Bicycle Lights, Turn Signals, and Odometer for Safe Night Riding

Riding a bicycle at night is a bit dangerous, but electronics blogger Jenna DeBoisblanc shows off how to build a system that includes turn signals, a strobe light, speedometer, and brake lights to keep you safe.

The entire system is built on the backbone of an Arduino Uno with a few other parts totaling at about $150. That seems expensive, but DeBoisblanc's build covers a lot of ground. You not only get safety-centric features like turn signals and brake lights, you also get a handy speedometer and odometer so you always know how far you travelled. You can find the full guide, including videos, schematics, and code, over on DeBoisblanc's blog.

PIMPMYBIKE | Jenna Deboissblanc via WonderHowTo

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/MZ3x3hLZnIA/build-your-own-arduino+powered-bicycle-lights-turn-signals-and-odometer-for-safe-night-riding

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A Blood Test That Screens For Cancer

Some screening tests for cancer byproducts already exist, like the PSA test for prostate cancer. Other early-detection tests abound, such as Mammograms and Colonoscopies. While some of the screening tests, such as the Pap Smear, have shown to dramatically reduce cancer deaths, others, such as the PSA and Mammogram have detected a lot of cancers, but done absolutely bupkis to reduce death rates when given to populations not otherwise at high risk. Colonoscopies work, but are extremely expensive vs. the benefit they provide. (As in, it'd be a lot more efficient to spend healthcare dollars elsewhere, and there are other screening tests nearly as effective that are much cheaper.) Apparently they don't do a good job detecting aggressive cancers in those populations early enough to make a difference. With how fast some aggressive cancers work, the tests might have to be administered several times a year (at the cost of countless billions) to make any difference.

In addition, the PSA and Mammogram HAVE caused billions to be spent on procedures with quite severe side effects to further diagnose, and treat, problems that almost certainly would not have killed their "victims." Most Prostate tumors grow slowly enough that you could leave it alone for the rest of your life, and die of something else instead; meanwhile, prostate cancer treatment almost always causes problems with incontinence and impotence; two major quality of life issues. Most "breast cancers" detected by mammograms are Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, another type of cancer that is unlikely to kill you any time soon.

We need to think VERY carefully before rolling out any MORE widespread cancer screening tests, since many of the ones we have now simply don't work.

Source: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/JD8wshr16X0/story01.htm

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Payroll tax cut expiration lurks in 'fiscal cliff's' shadow

The expiration of the payroll tax cut would increase taxes by $115 billion in 2013, Maag writes,?yet President Obama and others have been strangely silent ? arguing instead about the fate of the 2001-2003 tax cuts.

By Elaine Maag,?Guest blogger / November 30, 2012

President Barack Obama gestures as he speaks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the White House campus in Washington Wednesday. The expiration of the payroll tax cut would affect more households than any other, Maag writes.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Enlarge

If a tax cut is scheduled to expire, but the focus of the debate is elsewhere, will people notice? Will the average family be surprised when their taxes rise by $1,000 or more next year, even if most of the rest of the 2001-2003 tax cuts are extended for all but the wealthiest Americans? That?s precisely what could happen to a family earning $50,000 when the current law reducing payroll taxes by 2 percent expires at the end of the year. This same thing was scheduled to happen at the end of 2011, but politicians assured us then this was a bad idea. This year, they don?t appear as concerned.

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The Tax Policy Center is a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution. The Center is made up of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget, and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government. TaxVox is the Tax Policy Center's tax and budget policy blog.

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According to my colleagues at the?Tax Policy Center, the expiration of the payroll tax cut would?increase taxes?by $115 billion in 2013. This provision affects more households than any other, yet President Obama and others have been strangely silent ? arguing instead about the fate of the 2001-2003 tax cuts.

As I noted last month on?TaxVox, focusing only on the 2001-2003 tax cuts?ignores important changes to the Child Tax Credit for very low-income families that will?expire at the end of 2012. But the payroll tax cut affects nearly every worker. No doubt, the 2010 version was expensive and?poorly targeted. But it had its roots in a better-designed predecessor ? the Making Work Pay (MWP) tax credit? that might offer a palatable step down from current policy, without sending those who remain vulnerable over the cliff.

To refresh your memory, in 2009 and 2010, the MWP provided a credit of 6.2 percent of earnings, up to $400 for singles ($800 for married couples). MWP started to phase out once earnings reached $75,000 ($150,000 for couples), with no credit available once earnings reached $95,000 ($190,000 for couples).?

GDP continues Q3 expansion

Real GDP increased at an annualized rate of 2.7 percent from Q2, according to the?Bureau of Economic Analysis.

By SoldAtTheTop,?Guest blogger / November 29, 2012

This graph tracks real gross domestic product since 1999, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. On a year-over-year basis, real GDP increased 2.67 percent in Q3.

SoldAtTheTop

Enlarge

Today, the?Bureau of Economic Analysis?(BEA) released their second?"estimate" of the Q3 2012 GDP report?showing that the economy continued to expand with real GDP increasing at an annualized rate of 2.7% from Q2 2012.?

Skip to next paragraph SoldAtTheTop

Writer, The PaperEconomy Blog

'SoldAtTheTop' is not a pessimist by nature but a true skeptic and realist who prefers solid and sustained evidence of fundamental economic recovery to 'Goldilocks,' 'Green Shoots,' 'Mustard Seeds,' and wholesale speculation.

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On a year-over-year basis, real GDP increased 2.67% while the quarter-to-quarter non-annualized percent change was 0.66%.?

The latest quarterly results indicate that the most notable source of weakness in the economy came from declines to fixed non-residential investment in structures, equipment and software with the nonresidential investment component declining at an annualized rate of -2.2% from Q2.?

Residential investment, on the other hand, worked to buoy the overall fixed investment component growing at an annualized rate of 14.2% from Q2.?
Keep in mind that these results are likely very poorly estimated and are sure to be revised notably in following quarters and even years to come.

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best economy-related bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here.To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on paper-money.blogspot.com.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/ZTNJvM3a4Xg/GDP-continues-Q3-expansion

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BJ Upton, Braves finalize $75.25M, 5-year deal

Atlanta Braves newly-signed center fielder B.J. Upton, right, and general manager Frank Wren pose with Upton's jersey during a news conference introducing Upton, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. Upton replaces free agent Michael Bourn in center field and should provide needed power from the right side. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves newly-signed center fielder B.J. Upton, right, and general manager Frank Wren pose with Upton's jersey during a news conference introducing Upton, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. Upton replaces free agent Michael Bourn in center field and should provide needed power from the right side. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves newly signed center fielder B.J. Upton speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. Upton, who was introduced during the news conference, replaces free agent Michael Bourn in center field and should provide needed power from the right side. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Atlanta Braves newly signed center fielder B.J. Upton, right, speaks as general manager Frank Wren looks on during a news conference, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Atlanta. Upton, who was introduced during the news conference, replaces free agent Michael Bourn in center field and should provide needed power from the right side. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

FILE - In this July 6, 2012, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays' B.J. Upton hits an RBI-single off Cleveland Indians' Nick Hagadone in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press Wednesday, Nov. 28, the Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement on a five-year deal with Upton. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

ATLANTA (AP) ? Jason Heyward was in the audience as B.J. Upton was introduced Thursday as Atlanta's new centerfielder.

That made manager Fredi Gonzalez smile as he realized he didn't have to worry so much about finding the third starter in his outfield.

"Shoot, we may not even need a left fielder," Gonzalez said. "With him playing center and Jason, who just won a Gold Glove, in right, it's going to be fun watching these guys cover some ground in the outfield."

Upton was given a No. 2 Braves jersey after finalizing a $75.25 million, five-year contract ? the biggest ever given a free agent by the franchise. He gets a $3 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and salaries of $12.45 million next season, $13.45 million in 2014, $14.45 million in 2015, $15.45 million in 2016 and $16.45 million in 2017.

The 28-year-old spent his first eight big seasons with Tampa Bay. He hit .246 with 28 homers, 78 RBIs and 31 steals this year and replaces Michael Bourn in center. He is not expected to fill Bourn's role as a leadoff hitter.

Braves general manager Frank Wren said adding a right-handed hitter gives more balance to a lineup that includes left-handed hitters Brian McCann, Freddie Freeman and Heyward. Wren said the right-handed power from a centerfielder made Upton especially attractive.

"It's one thing to have a leadoff hitter, which has been great for us, having that true leadoff hitter," Wren said, referring to Bourn. "We feel like we can find that or create that. But to get someone who can play center field at (Upton's) caliber and can also hit 20 to 30 home runs, that's a different dimension. We felt like that would really add to our offense and make our offense deeper.

"We were so left-handed dominant over the last number of years," Wren added. "Now to be able to better balance our lineup left and right, that was something we felt could really enhance our team."

Martin Prado is expected to move from left field to replace the retired Chipper Jones at third base. Wren said he believes third base is Prado's best position, but he said Prado's versatility gives the team options during talks at next week's winter meetings.

"It narrows our focus a little more, whether it's leadoff or left field or that combination," Wren said. "Martin Prado can continue to play left field ... and he can go to third base, so we have some flexibility with the way our roster is constructed."

Wren said internal options in the search for a new leadoff hitter include Prado and shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who hit .289 as a rookie.

Upton, also courted by Philadelphia, said he was won over when he visited the Braves on Nov. 15. Gonzalez, Wren and former manager Bobby Cox were part of the Braves' welcoming committee.

"I came in on that trip and really never felt like that before," Upton said. "They really made me feel like I was part of the Braves family. ... Bobby was great. It feels like I've known him for years. These guys, they got me. There's no other way to put it. They had me when I came here and I left and I felt really good about it."

Upton's home run totals have increased in each of the last three seasons, but he has hit below .250 with more than 150 strikeouts in four straight years.

Upton said his goal is to hit "better than I've been the last three or four years."

"I expect a lot out of myself," he said. "I felt, yeah they were OK years, decent years, but I think I can be a lot better. Hopefully I can get the batting average up and cut down on the strikeouts and other than that continue to do what I'm doing."

Bourn hit .274 with 42 stolen bases this year but he had 155 strikeouts, almost as high as Upton's 169. The Braves believe Upton's big advantage in power over Bourn, who hit only nine homers, more than makes up for the additional strikeouts.

Wren said losing a first-round draft pick to Tampa Bay was not a factor because the team will gain a similar selection when Bourn signs elsewhere.

"The first-round pick we'll pick up for Bourn will be somewhere in the 26-to-30 range and we lost like the 26th pick," Wren said. "So it's negligible, probably within five picks of each other. It won't really be a difference at all. That's the projection we have now."

Heyward, who had 27 homers and 21 stolen bases this season, said adding a similar power-speed player in Upton is "awesome" for the team.

"He's able to do some things you have to worry about on the offensive and defensive side of the ball," Heyward said.

Upton won't be the only star in the Braves' lineup, but he'll be in the spotlight, thanks to the big contract.

"I hope there's no added pressure, but I've dealt with things like that in the past," he said. "I know what's expected of me. I won't put any added pressure on myself. I'll just go out and do what I can to help this team win."

Upton's parents and agent, Larry Reynolds, attended the news conference. Upton said his brother, Arizona outfielder Justin Upton, wanted to join the family but couldn't make travel arrangements.

B.J. Upton said playing with his brother "has been a big, big topic of conversation" for the two.

"Obviously he's under contract for three years," Upton said. "Is it a possibility? Yes. Is it going to happen? We don't know."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-29-BBN-Braves-Upton/id-4ccf9be3a405468c85b180bbcbaa818c

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Bright Yellow, Fall Wedding in Michigan

Laura & Kevin

October 6

Traverse City, Michigan?

~~~~~~~~

Q & A with the Bride:

1. What was the one thing about your venue that made you know it was the one?

The view for the on-site ceremony was breathtaking. ?It encompassed everything I wanted people to LOVE about Northern Michigan?the water, the changing colors of the leaves and everything surrounding us. ?It also uses all local food along with its own spirits, wine and beer. ?Its outdoor space was perfect for our outdoor games, fireplace and cocktail hour. ?It felt perfectly casual.

2. Which four details from your wedding were your favorites?

1. The place settings: I had a good friend of mine help me design each person?s place seating with their name and plated dinner they were getting (tying in the invitation graphics). ?These were accented with two billy balls that pulled the entire theme together.

2. The blankets and pillows by the fireplace for folks to stay warm: ?The blankets were knitted by Kevin?s 90-year-old grandmother, and the pillows were decorated by Laura?s mom and sewn by a close friend. Each were made with so much love.

3. The leaves on the aisle leading up to the altar: ?I love the fall, and I love walking on leaves when they fall from the trees. It has always made me so happy, and to have those on the aisle walking towards my groom with my dad next to me made the most perfect moment!

4. The centerpiece boxes: They were made by my father from an old farm in Michigan where we used to visit and play in when we were kids. The florist filled those with flowers, and they looked wonderful.

3. Give us the one moment from your wedding day that you can?t stop thinking about.?

When our best man was finishing his speech he said, ?There was a great philosopher who once said, ?Whoop, whoop whoop.?? And 30+ of our closest friends and cousins busted out with a flash mob to a choreographed Gangnam Style dance. ?I had not cried all day because I was just so excited and overly happy to marry my best friend, but this display of how many great people we had in our lives put me over the edge, and it?s something we will NEVER forget. ?I still watch the video whenever I need a pick me up! ?People approach me telling me how amazing it was.

Vendors:

Photography: Dan and Melissa?| Venue: Bower?s Harbor Inn Estate?| Event Planner: Pearls Events?| Floral Designer: Flowers by Marla Courtney Wood?| Videographer: Owen Video?| Dress Store: Gina?s Bridal?| DJ: Harbor View Entertainment?| Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Posh Studio?| Transportation: By the Bay Shuttle?| Tuxedo and Men?s Attire: Jos. A. Banks??| Officiant: Wendy Hutchinson of Weddings Your Way?| Pies and Donuts: Cherry Street Market?| Cider: Yates Cider Mill?| Guitarist: John Pomeroy?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Weddingwire/~3/xjBlEFB2Ab4/

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Troops debate risks, benefits of women in combat

Plaintiff Colleen Farrell, a U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant, speaks during a media conference Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, in San Francisco. Several active women military personnel have filed a federal lawsuit to demand combat action, requesting all branches of the military to remove the so-called combat exclusionary rule that bars women from fighting on the front lines. This suit, to be filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, is believed to be the first involving active duty military personnel. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Plaintiff Colleen Farrell, a U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant, speaks during a media conference Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, in San Francisco. Several active women military personnel have filed a federal lawsuit to demand combat action, requesting all branches of the military to remove the so-called combat exclusionary rule that bars women from fighting on the front lines. This suit, to be filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, is believed to be the first involving active duty military personnel. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

SAN DIEGO (AP) ? A federal lawsuit filed by four service members Tuesday challenges the Pentagon's longstanding policy barring women from serving in direct combat positions. Here are the issues:

WHAT IS THE CURRENT POLICY REGARDING FEMALE TROOPS?

The 1994 combat exclusion policy bars women from being assigned to ground combat units, which are smaller and considered more dangerous since they are often in the thick of battle for longer periods of time than the other units.

WHAT ARE THE ARGUMENTS FOR LETTING WOMEN FIGHT ON THE FRONT LINES?

Supporters of lifting the ban say women are already being wounded or killed in war, and the policy keeps them from being recognized for their battleground experience, which could lead to promotions and higher pay. They also say the policy hurts the U.S. military by limiting the chances of qualified women to move into more senior leadership ranks.

WHAT DO OPPONENTS SAY?

Opponents include some female troops who question whether women are physically capable of handling the rigors of being assigned to ground combat units. The first two women to volunteer for the Marine Corps' grueling 13-week infantry training course at its base in Quantico, Va., were unable to complete it. The Corps will open the course again to female volunteers in January.

WHAT DOES THE MILITARY'S TOP BRASS SAY?

Military leaders say they want to make sure lifting gender-based barriers would not disrupt the cohesion of the smaller combat ground units and military operations. The Marine Corps' top leader, Gen. James Amos, ordered a survey of 53,000 troops to get their views, including whether they believe women in those units would distract male Marines from doing their jobs. The results have not been released yet.

HOW CLOSE DO WOMEN GET TO THE FRONT LINES?

The blurred front lines of modern warfare, with suicide bombs and sniper attacks, have put more and more women in combat situations. More than 144 female troops have been killed and more than 860 have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began according to Pentagon statistics. Roughly 20,000 of the 205,000 service members currently serving in Afghanistan are women.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-11-27-Women-In-Combat-QandA/id-4b9e5780769947b2b28266dac957321a

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PlayMakers Rep's 2012 Holiday Show Is ?It's a Wonderful Life: A ...

Next up for PlayMakers Repertory Company is It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Connecticut dramatist and playwriting teacher Joe Landry. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?s professional-theater-in-residence will reenact the Christmas-Eve travails of troubled Bedford Falls building-and-loan executive George Bailey on Nov. 28-Dec. 2 and Dec. 4-9 and 11-16 in the Paul Green Theatre in UNC?s Center for Dramatic Art.

?It?s a Wonderful Life has become the American Christmas Carol, an inspirational tale that families share as an anticipated annual event,? said PlayMakers producing artistic director Joseph Haj in preshow publicity. Haj said, ?We invite everyone to experience the true spirit of the season with this unique opportunity to see one of the classic screen?s most cherished gems come to life.?

In reviewing previous productions of It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Mary Houlihan of the Chicago Sun-Times called the show ?One of the best holiday shows around? and added, ?This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption.? Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune praised the ?fresh theatrical context? of Joe Landry?s radio drama? and said it ?creates just the right kind of retro warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you?ll be blubbering away right on cue?. Guaranteed.? Indeed, Kerry Reid of the Chicago Tribune declared that the play is ?A well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch.?

Joe Landry based his radio drama, which premiered in December 1996 in Stamford, CT, on the screenplay that director Frank Capra, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Jo Swerling adapted from Philip Van Doren Stern?s 1945 story, ?The Greatest Gift.? Capra?s 1946 film starred Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, Donna Reed as his wife Mary, Henry Travers as George?s guardian angel Clarence Odbody, Thomas Mitchell as George?s absent-minded Uncle Billy, and Lionel Barrymore as ruthless businessman Henry F. Potter, who hopes to use an inadvertent error by Uncle Billy to bankrupt the Baileys? building and loan.

The PlayMakers Repertory Company cast for It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play includes (in alphabetical order: Ray Dooley as Freddy Fillmore/Announcer, Brandon Garegnani as Harry ?Jazzbo? Heywood/Clarence Odbody, Katja Hill as Lana Sherwood/Violet, Todd Lawson as Jake Laurents/George Bailey, and Maren Searle as Sally Applewhite/Mary Bailey.

?I first heard about this play adaptation of the movie when Joe Haj brought it to my attention while we were at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival together last season,? recalls PRC guest director Nelson T. Eusebio, III. ?I was familiar with the film, but had no idea that there was a theatrical adaptation of it.?

He adds, ?I?ve never worked on a production of this play ? I?ve never even directed a ?holiday show? before. So, when Joe sent me the script, I had to really focus on what I would bring to a holiday show. What came to me is that holiday shows are about the things I love best in the theater ? coming together to celebrate humanity, despite all the obstacles we face ? and that a huge part of what allows us to continue on is our belief and support in each other, our community.?

Eusebio confesses, ?In today?s theatrical landscape, it?s always refreshing to come back to a play that is without irony, and is genuine. There is an elegant simplicity and sincerity to the story that is courageous in such a cynical time. That heart is what I like best about Wonderful Life.

?? [T]his play is that it?s not only iconic, but it?s an amazing story and huge theatrical challenge in terms of how to make it really sing,? claims Eusebio. ?It is a story that is so resonant with our hard economic times and the challenge of the American everyman to make his dreams come true. I think we all have some George Bailey in us ? we as Americans are dreamers, but sometimes we lose perspective on the things that give our life value. This story not only reminds us of who we are, but who we aspire to be.?

Nelson Eusebio notes, ?In this adaptation of It?s a Wonderful Life, the play takes place within the framework of a 1940s live radio broadcast. Five actors come together on Christmas Eve to tell the classic tale of everyman George Bailey (Todd Lawson), a man who has given his entire life to the people of Bedford Falls, as he considers ending his life. His wife, Mary Hatch (Maren Searle), and the town pray for their friend George Bailey. Their prayers are answered in the form of the angel Clarence (Brandon Garegnani), who shows George what life in Bedford Falls would have looked like if he had never existed.

?What is slightly different about our production is that as the play progresses, we move further away from the radio broadcast convention, as the story (and Bedford Falls) begin to take over the radio station,? Eusebio explains.

In addition to director Nelson Eusebio and PlayMakers Repertory Company producing artistic director Joe Haj, the PRC creative team for It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play includes assistant director Nathaniel P. Claridad, production manager Michael Rolleri, scenic designer McKay Coble, costume designer Rachel Pollock, lighting designer Burke Brown, composer/musician Mark Lewis, sound designer/engineer Robert Dagit, voice coach John Patrick, movement coach Craig Turner, dramaturg Ashley Lucas, and stage managers Charles K. Bayang and Sarah Smiley.

Director Nelson Eusebio says, ?[Set designer] McKay Coble has done an amazing job recreating a radio station in the 1940s that turns into the town of Bedford Falls. The set also includes a beautiful skyline of New York City, and a couple of surprises later on in the play.?

He adds, ?Since we are constantly shifting between the world of the radio play and the world of Bedford Falls, the lighting design of Burke Brown becomes essential in telling the audience where we are?.

?[Costume designer] Rachel Pollock has done a wonderful job making the cast look beautiful and helping to tell the story,? Eusebio points out. ?All the costumes are true to the style of the 1940s, and because of the many characters that three of the actors have to play (Ray Dooley, Katja Hill, Brandon Garegnani) their costumes are flexible enough to suggest various townspeople of Bedford Falls.?

Eusebio admits, ?Perhaps the biggest challenge [in staging It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play on the thrust stage of the Paul Green Theatre] concerns how much do we let the choices made in the movie affect our storytelling. There are certainly many famous tableaus in the film that we try to recreate in this stage adaptation, but we certainly do not want to force ourselves into a corner where we find ourselves trapped by the choices made by Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart, and Donna Reed.

?The film exists not only as a real film, but in a place in the hearts and memory of our audience,? says Nelson Eusebio. ?The challenge is to evoke a resonance with that memory and yet free them to imagine the story in a new and different way.

?For the cast,? Eusebio declares, ?there is the huge challenge of these iconic performances and how people remember them. We are taking on that challenge by encouraging them to own the material ? they are free to make choices not based on the film performance, but if they want to steal a thing or two from those performances, that?s totally fair game. I always mention to them that they shouldn?t be trying to do Jimmy Stewart, they should be doing George Bailey ? and that will have a resonance with both the audience and their memory of Stewart?s performance.

?In terms of the design,? says Eusebio, ?the big challenge is not creating a 1940s radio station and stars ? the design team at PlayMakers is more than capable of handling that. No, it?s creating a 1940s radio station and performers that can transform into the world of Bedford Falls, and then transform again into the nightmare of Pottersville. They have done an amazing job of giving us flexible pieces ? whether it?s a prop or a costume or a sign ? that is both specific and transformative. That?s not an easy task, and they have supported this vision of the play in a way that is going to delight audiences?.

?If you come expecting the movie,? claims PlayMakers guest director Nelson T. Eusebio, III, ?you won?t be disappointed. If you come expecting a radio play, you will find that here ? and a whole lot more. If you have never seen the movie and don?t know anything about it, then you should really come ? this is a great story told in a highly fun and theatrical way that celebrates both our inner dreamer and our common bond of humanity.?

EDITOR?S NOTE: PlayMakers Rep?s production of It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is dedicated to the legacy of local civic and philanthropic leader Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans (1920-2012), who served as a trustee and the first female chair of The Duke Endowment and a trustee of Duke University.

SECOND OPINION: Nov. 16th Chapel Hill, NC WCHL/97.9 FM radio interview with radio interview with director Nelson T. Eusebio, III and actors Todd Lawson and Katja Hill, conducted by D.G. Martin: http://chapelboro.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6124942.

PlayMakers Repertory Company presents IT?S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28-30 Previews, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 Opening Night, 2 p.m. Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-7, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11-15, and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art, 120 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus.

TICKETS: $20-$50, except $10 UNC students, $12 all other students, and $15 general admission on Tuesdays (Community Night).

BOX OFFICE: 919/962-PLAY or http://www.playmakersrep.org/tickets.

GROUP RATES (15+ tickets): 919/843-2311, miwashin@email.unc.edu, or http://www.playmakersrep.org/tickets/groupsales.

SHOW: http://www.playmakersrep.org/wonderfullife.

SEASON: http://www.playmakersrep.org/season1213.

PRESENTER: http://www.playmakersrep.org/.

BLOG: http://playmakersrep.blogspot.com/.

VENUE: http://www.playmakersrep.org/aboutus/paulgreen.

PARKING/DIRECTIONS: http://www.playmakersrep.org/visitorinfo.

NOTE 1: There will be FREE post-performance discussions with the creative team on Dec. 5th and 9th.

NOTE 2: There will be two Student Matinees ? at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 6th and 12th. For details, click http://www.playmakersrep.org/outreach/matinees. To reserve tickets, click jwales@unc.edu.

NOTE 3: The UNC General Alumni Association will host a preshow reception and conversation with the artists at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7th. To reserve tickets, telephone 919-843-5115 or visit http://www.alumni.unc.edu/.

NOTE 4: The 2 p.m. Dec. 8th show will be an Open-Captioned Performance. For details, click http://www.playmakersrep.org/opencaption.

NOTE 5: Arts Access, Inc. (http://www.artsaccessinc.org/) of Raleigh will audio-describe an All-Access Performance at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11th, which will also feature sign-language interpretation and Large-Print and Braille programs and ? if requested in advance by e-mail to whitneywhite@unc.edu ? a tactile tour of the set.

NOTE 6: At 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15th and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 16th, the N.C. Psychoanalytic Foundation (http://www.ncpsychoanalysis.org/), the Lucy Daniels Foundation (http://ldf.org/), and N.C. Psychoanalytic Society (http://www.ncpsasoc.org/).will sponsor FREE post-show 50-minute ?Mindplay? discussions led by Jeffrey Chambers, MD, who will ask ?What Is a Wonderful Life??

OTHER LINKS: ?

The Greatest Gift? (the story): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Gift_(story) (Wikipedia).

?The Greatest Gift? (e-text): http://www.all-story.com/issues.cgi?action=show_story&story_id=132 (American Zoetrope: All-Story).

It?s a Wonderful Life (the film): http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79566/It-s-a-Wonderful-Life/ (Turner Classic Movies), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It?s_a_Wonderful_Life (Wikipedia), and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038650/ (Internet Movie Database).

It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (the play): http://www.playscripts.com/play.php3?playid=1064 (Playscripts, Inc.) and http://www.joelandry.com/wl/lic.htm (Joe Landry?s website).

It?s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (a sample from the script): http://www.playscripts.com/plays/itsawonderfullife.pdf (Playscripts, Inc.).

Joe Landry: http://www.joelandry.com/ (official website) and http://www.playscripts.com/author.php3?authorid=532 (Playscripts, Inc.).

Nelson T. Eusebio, III: http://www.nelsoneusebio.com/ (official website).

EDITOR?S NOTE:

Robert W. McDowell is editor and publisher of Triangle Theater Review, a FREE weekly e-mail theatrical newsletter that provides more comprehensive, in-depth coverage of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill theater than all of the other news media combined. This preview is reprinted with permission from Triangle Theater Review.

To start your FREE subscription to this newsletter, e-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type SUBSCRIBE TTR in the Subject: line.

To read all of Robert W. McDowell?s Triangle Theater Review previews and reviews online at Triangle Arts & Entertainment, click http://triangleartsandentertainment.org/author/robert-w-mcdowell/.

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Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Tagged as: Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Jo Swerling, Joe Landry, Nelson Eusebio, Nelson T. Eusebio III, Paul Green Theatre, Philip Van Doren Stern, PlayMakers Rep, PlayMakers Repertory Company, PRC

Source: http://triangleartsandentertainment.org/2012/11/playmakers-reps-2012-holiday-show-is-its-a-wonderful-life-a-live-radio-play-by-joe-landry/

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Peru radio host still broadcasting for kids at 97

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas, better known as Maruja Venegas, 97, reads during an interview at her home in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas, better known as Maruja Venegas, 97, reads during an interview at her home in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas, better known as Maruja Venegas, 97, points to pictures of herself during an interview at her home in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, a 1940's portrait of journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas, university titles and certificates are on display at her home in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas , better known as Maruja Venegas, 97, speaks during an interview at her home in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

In this Nov. 26, 2012 photo, a compact stereo system and a soundboard sit in the home of journalist and radio host Maria Julia Venegas, better known as Maruja Venegas, 97, in Lima, Peru. Venegas who began broadcasting ?Radio Club Infantil,? a show for Peru's children in the golden age of radio and World War II, has earned a citation from Guinness World Records as the globe's longest-running radio personality. (AP Photo/Karel Navarro)

LIMA, Peru (AP) ? It was the golden age of radio and World War II still raged when Maruja Venegas began broadcasting a show for Peru's children.

Sixty-eight years later, her "Radio Club Infantil" is still on the air, making the 97-year-old Venegas the globe's longest-running radio personality, according to Guinness World Records.

"The children of yesterday are all grown now. They've married. They are grandparents today. So it's them, the grandparents, who support me most," she told The Associated Press in an interview in her home in a middle-class district of the capital.

"A lot of grandparents sit their grandchildren down to listen to the program," she said, stooped by age but still elegant with earrings and a camel-colored coat.

Venegas was a popular announcer on music programs when she launched the show on Dec. 18, 1944, at the request of government officials to entertain ailing children at a public hospital. The first commercial black and white television broadcasts were still more than a decade in the future for Peru. In the United States, "Fibber McGee and Molly" and "The Al Jolson Show" were going strong.

Venegas' show became so popular in the 1950s that it drew Peru's top singers and performers. It had contests, helped make careers. Listeners persuaded her to open a school in 1956. But when the country fell on hard times in the late 1980s, Venegas was forced to close it.

The show went on, however, even if Venegas began doing it by telephone from home when she reached age 90, and the program that once aired twice a week is now down to a single half-hour slot at 6 p.m. on Sundays, carried by Santa Rosa, a religion-oriented station. She still prepares her own programs, which always include a story, music, advice and commentary.

And she does it without pay, as she always has through the decades, making her living from other programs and jobs.

"My mother told me that I should never charge for Radio Club Infantil because it was for children and for the ill," Venegas recalled.

She could have used the money.

Venegas, who never married, has limited funds and like most people her age, physical limitations to address. She says she suffers from diabetes.

"I've lost eyesight. I can only see through one eye," she said. "But I remain optimistic"

She lives alone on an $870 a month pension that is not sufficient to support her and the 89-year-old sister with whom she lives. In order to pay the two people who care for them, she had to sell the second floor of her house.

Now, she's thinking of selling part of the first floor.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-11-28-Peru-Radio%20Host%20at%2097/id-85684e5d08eb4d9899ca0a7682e06794

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Senate Dems divided over cuts to benefit programs

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Deep divisions among Senate Democrats over whether cuts to popular benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid should be part of a plan to slow the government's mushrooming debt pose a big obstacle to a deal for avoiding a potentially economy-crushing "fiscal cliff," even if Republicans agree to raise taxes.

Much of the focus during negotiations seeking an alternative to $671 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts beginning in January has centered on whether Republicans would agree to raising taxes on the wealthy. President Barack Obama has insisted repeatedly that tax increases on the wealthy must be part of any deal, even as White House officials concede that government benefit programs will have to be in the package too.

"It is the president's position that when we're talking about a broad, balanced approach to dealing with our fiscal challenges, that that includes dealing with entitlements," White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday.

But even if GOP lawmakers agree to raise taxes, there is no guarantee Democrats can come up with enough votes in the Senate to cut benefit programs ? as Republicans are demanding.

"I hope not if it means Social Security or Medicare benefit cuts," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.

There's a growing consensus among Senate Democrats and the White House that Social Security should be exempt from any deficit-reduction package. But some centrist Democrats in the Senate argue that fellow Democrats must be willing to consider cuts to Medicare and Medicaid in order to get concessions from Republicans on taxes.

"It has to be both ? a significant revenue increase as well as spending cuts," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who is retiring as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said rising health care costs in Medicare and Medicaid are helping to drive future spending, making them an essential part of a long-term deficit-reduction package.

"I've been part of every bipartisan group here. We've always put everything on the table," Conrad said. "If you're going to solve this problem, you're going to have to deal with where the spending is and the revenue can be raised."

But senators like Baucus and Conrad increasingly are being drowned out by other Democrats emboldened by the recent election results to fight against benefit cuts.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said he is willing to find savings in Medicare and Medicaid by making them more efficient. But, he said, he won't support benefit cuts.

"I think the election spoke very strongly about the fact that the vast majority of American people don't want to cut these programs," Harkin said.

Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate leadership ranks, said he doesn't think there should be a rush to overhaul entitlement programs in connection with the move to avert the fiscal cliff in the remaining weeks of the current session.

The Illinois Democrat said in a CNN interview Wednesday that "what we need to put on the table short-term is mandatory deficit reduction." Durbin said entitlement reforms to programs like Medicare and Medicaid should be "part of the long-term strategy" of reining in federal deficits.

Durbin repeated his position that Social Security should not be a part of the discussions. And he said that "we want to make sure that Medicare at the end of the day is a program that is solvent and we can count on it for years to come."

Congress and the White House are devoting the next three weeks to finding at least a bridge over the fiscal cliff by reducing the sudden jolt of higher taxes and spending cuts in January while laying a framework for addressing the nation's long-term financial problems next year.

Obama wants to let tax rates rise for wealthy families while sparing middle- and low-income taxpayers. Some Republican leaders, including House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, have said they were willing to consider making the wealthy pay more by reducing their tax breaks. But most Republicans in Congress adamantly oppose raising anyone's tax rates.

Negotiations are going slowly as each side waits for the other to make concessions.

Democrats already have tried to take Social Security off the table. Carney, the White House spokesman, said Monday that changes to the massive retirement and disability program should be done separately from any plan to reduce the deficit. That's the same position taken by 28 Democratic senators and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont in a letter to fellow senators in September.

"We will oppose including Social Security cuts for future or current beneficiaries in any deficit-reduction package," said the letter, which was signed by many top Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. In the House, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has taken the same position, not only on Social Security, but also on Medicare and Medicaid.

"There hasn't been the slightest suggestion about what they're going to do about the real problems, and that's entitlements," said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. "There's a certain cockiness that I've seen that is really astounding to me since we're basically in the same position we were before" the election.

Durbin has tried to find common ground, saying he would be willing to require wealthy seniors to pay more for Medicare benefits.

"If we simply stand by and say 'don't touch Medicare in any way, for any reason, ever' we are inviting a crisis that opponents can exploit to eviscerate Medicare or even to end it," Durbin said Tuesday. "Progressives should be willing to talk about ways to ensure the long-term viability of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, but those conversations should not be part of a plan to avert the fiscal cliff."

___

Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-dems-divided-over-cuts-benefit-programs-075320398--finance.html

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SEC Chairwoman Relinquishes Post

The head of the government's financial sector watchdog is stepping down.

Mary Schapiro, who chairs the Securities and Exchange Commission, announced today that she will leave her post next month after four years of working to retool the agency after a severe financial crisis it failed to prevent.

"Over the past four years, we have brought a record number of enforcement actions, engaged in one of the busiest rule-making periods, and gained greater authority from Congress to better fulfill our mission," Schapiro said in a statement.

Appointed by President Obama in January 2009 and unanimously confirmed, Schapiro was the first woman to lead the SEC.

"When Mary agreed to serve nearly four years ago, she was fully aware of the difficulties facing the SEC and our economy as a whole," Obama said in a statement. "But she accepted the challenge, and today, the SEC is stronger and our financial system is safer and better able to serve the American people - thanks in large part to Mary's hard work."

The administration has praised Schapiro, 57, for mounting more aggressive enforcement operations across the financial industry, initiating a record number of cases, and for helping shape the new set of regulations and consumer protections included in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street overhaul legislation.

But critics point out that Schapiro's SEC failed to nab and punish financial industry wrongdoers in any significant way, although some would likely agree that she has improved the agency from where it was in 2008, when, among the agency's many failures, it missed the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Obama has named SEC commissioner Elisse Walter - a George W. Bush appointee - to chair the agency going forward.

ABC News' Zunaira Zaki contributed.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sec-chairwoman-mary-schapiro-relinquishes-post-170441959--abc-news-politics.html

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Photos: Mount Everest litter transformed into art

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 51-year-old man. Three years ago, my first and only marriage ended after 20 years. Over the past two years, I have been in a wonderful relationship with a very bright woman, "Toni," who told me she had been married twice before.A year ago, her job required that she move out of state, but we have successfully maintained the long-distance relationship with frequent visits and daily phone calls.A few days ago, I learned by chance that she was briefly married a third time while she was in her early 20s. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/mount-everest-litter-becomes-art-slideshow/

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Medicare Solutions Blog ? Stay Healthy This Holiday Season Using ...

At this time of the year when so many of our social and holiday gatherings are food and drink-related, it is especially important to follow steps to maintain healthy habits.? Review your healthcare plan to uncover specific benefits which will help you remain healthy and prevent illness during the holiday season and the New Year.

Staying Active

If you are a senior, look for ways to keep yourself fit, strong and flexible to reduce holiday stress and help prevent ailments.? Not only will staying active promote positive mental and emotional health, but it will also increase your chances to remain independent long after the holiday decorations are stored away.

With many leading insurance plans, enrollment includes discounts for health club memberships and fitness classes.?? Many leading Medicare health plans also offer SilverSneakers Fitness Program designed to help older adults and seniors live fit, active and independent lifestyles.? (To determine if your health plan offers SilverSneakers, visit:? http://www.silversneakers.com/HealthPlanLocator.aspx.)

Quitting Smoking

The holiday season is a stressful time of the year for most people, and for those who are working to quit smoking, the holidays can be especially challenging.? Even though the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States is tobacco use, quitting smoking for most people is extremely difficult.

If you decide to quit on your own, there are several steps you should take to increase your chances of success, including:

• ?Setting a ?quit date.?? Tell family members, friends and co-workers about your decision and ask for their support.
• Get enough rest to reduce that run-down feeling and resist the urge for cravings.
• Reduce your caffeine when you need an energy boost; take a rest instead if you?re tired.
• Drink more water as not only is it a great craving-buster, but it will keep you well-hydrated and feeling better in general.
• Go for a walk to reduce stress and improve circulation.? When the urge to smoke strikes, head out for a quick walk.? You?ll come back relaxed and refreshed.
• Contact your healthcare provider and inquire if they have any programs to support you during your journey or ask them if they have any medicines that may help you quit.
• ?After you quit, keep yourself away from cigarettes and situations that may ?trigger? your desire to smoke.? If you slip and smoke; don?t give up!? Set a new ?quit date? and learn from your mistakes.

Many medical plans recognize the toll that smoking takes on a person?s well-being and offer programs that offer a variety of solutions to quitting.? Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling is a benefit that is now considered a preventative service, whether or not you have been diagnosed with an illness caused or complicated by tobacco use.? While it may be difficult, and at times uncomfortable, navigating the holidays without cigarettes is a vital part of your journey.? Put yourself in the best possible environment for success as you move through the next few months and keep your decision for a healthier, smoke-free life in focus.

No Cost Screenings

Although there are often too few minutes in the day during the holiday season, putting your health on the back-burner for the next few months is not a wise decision.? Take the time necessary to take advantage of the many preventative services that are covered under Medicare.

In particular, make certain you are up-to-date on vaccines that can prevent seasonal illnesses such as influenza.? If your holiday schedule includes parties and dinners and you are concerned about controlling weight or diabetes, seek out medical nutrition therapy and counseling to help manage these illnesses.

In addition, don?t put off doctor?s visits when necessary.? Even though you may be spending additional money during the holiday season, the list below includes preventative services that Medicare currently covers at no cost:

• ?Annual Wellness Visits:? This exam is a one-time review of your health as well as education and counseling about preventive services and other care.
• Screenings:? No longer will you need to pay a Medicare Part B deductible or copayment for these screenings if certain coverage criteria applies:

• Bone mass measurement
• Cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests and pelvic exams
• Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screenings
• Colorectal cancer screenings
• Diabetes screening
• Flu shot, pneumonia shot and the Hepatitis B shot
• Glaucoma tests
• HIV screening for people at increased risk or who ask for the test
• Mammograms
• Medical nutrition therapy to help manage diabetes or kidney disease
• Prostate cancer screening

Utilizing Available Resources

Making informed decisions regarding your medical conditions requires getting information from an educated source.?? Most insurance plans now provide written materials, including newsletters and dedicated websites to help you manage your health.? Whether you?re dealing with a specific health issue or trying to prevent problems, consult your health plan to determine if they offer any of the following:

• Nursing hotlines for easy-access information from home or away.
• Wellness discounts on health and wellness products, over-the-counter medicines and vision services.
• Caregiver Support for access to services for managing chronic conditions.
• Help after Hospitalization.? During the holidays when family members and friends may be busy traveling, it may be especially critical to utilize skilled nursing and home health aide services to ensure that on-going patient care is uninterrupted.
• Medicare coverage while traveling during the holidays.

Remember, with balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays in a healthy way.?? Knowing your health plan and the benefits it offers you is the first step towards taking care of yourself and enjoying the bounties of the season.

Our licensed agents at MedicareSolutions are available to assist you in selecting a Medicare plan that best fits your health care needs.? Call us today at 1-800-328-7305!

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Source: http://www.medicaresolutions.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/stay-healthy-this-holiday-season-using-your-health-plan-benefits/

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'Twilight,' Bond, 'Lincoln' lead record weekend

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Bella Swan, James Bond and Abe Lincoln have combined to lift Hollywood to record Thanksgiving revenue at the box office.

Kristen Stewart's finale as Bella in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ? Part 2" was No. 1 again with $64 million during the five-day holiday stretch that began Wednesday, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Daniel Craig's Bond adventure "Skyfall" came in at No. 2 with $51 million, while Daniel Day-Lewis and Steven Spielberg's Civil War saga "Lincoln" finished third with $34.1 million.

According to box-office tracker Hollywood.com, the three films paced Hollywood to an all-time Thanksgiving week best of about $290 million from Wednesday to Sunday.

That tops the previous record of $273 million over Thanksgiving in 2009, when "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" led the weekend.

This Thanksgiving also was a huge 25 percent jump from a year ago, when domestic revenues were a weak $232 million as some big holiday releases fizzled.

With a strong December lineup ahead, Hollywood has resumed its record revenue pace for the year after a brief box-office lull in late summer and early fall.

Domestic revenues for 2012 are at $9.75 billion, putting Hollywood potentially on track for its first $11 billion year, which would beat the 2009 record of $10.6 billion, said Hollywood.com analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

"We're barreling toward a record-breaking box-office year," Dergarabedian said. "It's built on the back of just a lot of really strong movies that have come out over the past few weekends. It bodes very well for the rest of the holidays."

The "Twilight" finale, "Skyfall" and "Lincoln" finished in the same top-three rankings for the second-straight weekend as new releases were unable to dislodge the holdovers.

Released by Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment banner, "Breaking Dawn ? Part 2," pulled in $43.1 million from Friday to Sunday, raising its domestic total to $227 million. The movie added $97.4 million overseas to bring its international total to $350.8 million and its worldwide take to $577.7 million.

Sony's "Skyfall" also topped $200 million domestically, ringing up $36 million for the three-day weekend to put its U.S. total at $221.7 million. With $41.3 million more overseas, "Skyfall" raised its international revenues to $568.4 million and its worldwide sales to $790.1 million.

"Lincoln," a DreamWorks film distributed by Disney, took in $25 million over the weekend to lift its domestic revenue to $62.2 million.

Leading the newcomers was Paramount and DreamWorks Animation's tale "Rise of the Guardians" at No. 4 with $24 million for the weekend and $32.6 million since opening Wednesday.

Based on William Joyce's "Guardians of Childhood" books, "Rise of the Guardians" gathers Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and other mythical beings as a team of heroes battling an evil overlord.

Close behind at No. 5 was director Ang Lee's shipwreck saga "Life of Pi" at No. 5 with $22 million over the weekend. The 20th Century Fox release has taken in $30.2 million domestically since its Wednesday debut and added $17.5 million in four Asian markets.

"Life of Pi" was adapted from Yann Martel's best-selling novel about an Indian youth adrift on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Many fans considered the introspective novel impossible to film, but Lee has charmed audiences and critics with an inspiring survival story told through dazzling 3-D images.

The weekend's other new wide release, a remake of the 1980s U.S.-invasion tale "Red Dawn," opened at No. 7 with $14.6 million, raising its total to $22 million since debuting Wednesday.

"Red Dawn" sat on the shelf for three years while studio backer MGM went through bankruptcy, with distributor FilmDistrict eventually picking it up for domestic release. The movie's cast includes Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") and Josh Hutcherson ("The Hunger Games") in a story of young guerrillas battling North Korean invaders.

In limited release, Fox Searchlight's "Hitchcock" opened solidly with about $300,000 in 17 theaters. The movie stars Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in a behind-the-scenes story of the making of "Psycho."

The weekend's overall strength came from a broad range of films that clicked with various audiences, from action and family fare to thoughtful drama.

"This is a marketplace that has something for everyone," said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox. "You have something deeper like 'Life of Pi,' yet you have a very successful sequel in 'Twilight' at the same time. Adult bio-drama, if you will, in 'Lincoln,' and you have Bond. That's the secret to a very successful and balanced marketplace."

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

1. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ? Part 2," $43.1 million ($97.4 million international).

2. "Skyfall," $36 million ($41.3 million international).

3. "Lincoln," $25 million.

4. "Rise of the Guardians," $24 million ($10 million international).

5. "Life of Pi," $22 million ($17.5 million international)

6. "Wreck-It Ralph," $16.8 million ($2.1 million international).

7. "Red Dawn," $14.6 million.

8. "Flight," $8.6 million ($723,000 international).

9. "Silver Linings Playbook," $4.6 million ($1.6 million international).

10. "Argo," $3.9 million ($6 million international).

___

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

1. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ? Part 2," $97.4 million.

2. "Skyfall," $41.3 million.

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

4. "Rise of the Guardians," $10 million.

5. "Argo," $6 million.

6. "Hotel Transylvania," $5.5 million.

7. "A Werewolf Boy," $4.2 million.

8 (tie). "Don't Cry, Mommy," $3.6 million.

8 (tie). "Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo," $3.6 million.

10. "Wreck-It Ralph," $2.1 million.

___

Online:

http://www.hollywood.com

http://www.rentrak.com

___

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

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/twilight-bond-lincoln-lead-record-weekend-164713039--finance.html

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GOP senator: It's fair to put idea of raising revenues on table as part of fiscal cliff talks (Star Tribune)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/266220657?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Rolling Stones mark 50th year with London show

LONDON (AP) ? The Rolling Stones are marking their 50th anniversary with a concert in London.

The band says R&B singer Mary J. Blige and rock guitarist Jeff Beck will be joining them on stage Sunday at the O2 Arena. Most of the tickets for the gig had sold out within minutes.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood will also be joined by former Stones members Bill Wyman and Mick Taylor, who will perform again with the band for the first time in more than 20 years.

The Stones are playing again in London on Thursday before going to the U.S. for a show in New York on Dec. 8 and in Newark, New Jersey, on Dec. 13 and 15.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rolling-stones-mark-50th-london-show-170252403.html

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What would you do, my mothers house or my house?

I am a 44 year old Independent Adult, that is temporarily living with my mother and step dad because of an injury I received a month ago which resulted in a broken leg. I was immobile and needed much care. Now I can get around on crutches but still not able to cook etc. I have a 14 year son and he stays with us also so that my mom can get him to and from school for me. My stepdad is very selfish man and he does not want us here and malkes us miserable but my mom is enjoying our company. I tried talking to my mom, but she does not allow anyone to talk negative about my stepdad. I am off work until next year and am now in a boot for 4 weeks,which makes it easier to get round. I want to go back home,I am loosing my sanity, but mom is tryna force me to stay with her. Mom is enjoying my company, and I as well.

HERE IS the situation, my mom is feeling guilty because she caused me to fall but it was an accident. We were coming out of a public building and she tripped on a step and fell into the back of me, without warning which pushed me over 6 flights of stairs. In my mind, I was angry at her at first because she never warned me that she was falling, I though she should have said HELP, MOVE, or I am falling help me, but I am glad that I took the fall instead of her because she is 61 years old. We were told that she is the 2nd customer to fall on the step and the company still has not fixed it so it was definately not her fault.

Long story short, me and my siblings cannot tolerate my step dad. I am helping my parents financially and I am also taking care of my home that I left my 19 year old son in that is doing lord knows what in my absence. My 19 year old is not working or going to school but have full range in my home. SORRY GUYS BUT I WOKE UP NEEDING TO VENT.I have been on my job 24 years, I have degrees, built my own home, and to date cannot walk and I miss normancy in my life, I cannot talk on the phone, step dad comes in room and listen to my conversations, leaves when they are over, if my boyfirends comes over to see my my step dad sits in the rooms with us until he leaves because he does not like visitors in his home. My step dad is my siblings biological dad and they will not come to see me when he is here because no one wants to be around him. SUGGESTIONS NEEDED,as many as possible, plese answer.

Update: November 25, 2012.
I did not mention but yes, I am thankful and appreciative of my mom caring for me and I tell her everyday. I have spoken to my step dad about his behavior but he is a user and a difficult person, and I am the only famiy member that tolerate him, please as many as possible continue share your opinion.

- Asked by Female, 36-45

Source: http://www.answerology.com/index.aspx/question/3155846_What-would-you-do-my-mothers-house-or-my-house.html

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Brash boxer 'Macho' Camacho dies in Puerto Rico

FILE - In this July 7, 2001 file photo, boxing champ Hector "Macho" Camacho acknowledges fans at KeySpan Park in New York's Coney Island. Camacho, a boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring, as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, has died, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, after being taken off life support. He was 50. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)

FILE - In this July 7, 2001 file photo, boxing champ Hector "Macho" Camacho acknowledges fans at KeySpan Park in New York's Coney Island. Camacho, a boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring, as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, has died, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, after being taken off life support. He was 50. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 1986 file photo, Hector "Macho" Camacho WBC lightweight boxing champion, is escorted by Marty Cohen, left, and boxing promoter Don King, right, during a news conference in New York. Famed Puerto Rican boxer Camacho is clinically brain dead, doctors said Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, though they said family members were disagreeing on whether to take him off life support. Dr. Ernesto Torres said doctors have finished performing all medical tests on Camacho, who was shot in the face Tuesday night. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)

FILE - In this July 11, 1982 file photo, Luis Loy Jr., left, ducks under a blow by Hector Camacho early in a scheduled 10-round junior lightweight boxing bout at Felt Forum in New York. Hector "Macho" Camacho, a boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring, as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, has died, after being taken off life support. He was 50. (AP Photo/Elias, File)

FILE - In this July 14, 2001 file photo, boxing champ Hector "Macho" Camacho celebrates after defeating Roberto Duran in their super middleweight National Boxing Association championship fight in Denver. Camacho, a boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring, as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, has died, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, after being taken off life support. He was 50. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, File)

FILE - In this March 7, 1989 file photo, Hector "Macho" Camacho jumps out of the way of a punch thrown by Ray Mancini during the third round of their WBO Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match in Reno, Nev. Camacho, a boxer known for skill and flamboyance in the ring, as well as for a messy personal life and run-ins with the police, has died, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, after being taken off life support. He was 50. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) ? Hector "Macho" Camacho was a brash fighter with a mean jab and an aggressive style, launching himself furiously against some of the biggest names in boxing. And his bad-boy persona was not entirely an act, with a history of legal scrapes that began in his teens and continued throughout his life.

The man who once starred at the pinnacle of boxing, winning several world titles, died Saturday back in the Puerto Rican town of Bayamon where he was born, ambushed in a parking lot in a car where packets of cocaine were found.

Camacho, 50, left behind a reputation for flamboyance ? leading fans in cheers of "It's Macho time!" before fights ? and for fearsome skills as one of the top fighters of his generation.

"He excited boxing fans around the world with his inimitable style," promoter Don King told The Associated Press.

Camacho fought professionally for three decades, from his humble debut against David Brown at New York's Felt Forum in 1980 to an equally forgettable swansong against Saul Duran in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2010.

In between, he fought some of the biggest stars spanning two eras, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Roberto Duran.

"Hector was a fighter who brought a lot of excitement to boxing," said Ed Brophy, executive director of International the Boxing Hall of Fame. "He was a good champion. Roberto Duran is kind of in a class of his own, but Hector surely was an exciting fighter that gave his all to the sport."

Camacho's family moved to New York when he was young and he grew up in Spanish Harlem, which at the time was rife with crime. Camacho landed in jail as a teenager before turning to boxing, which for many kids in his neighborhood provided an outlet for their aggression.

"This is something I've done all my life, you know?" Camacho told The Associated Press after a workout in 2010. "A couple years back, when I was doing it, I was still enjoying it. The competition, to see myself perform. I know I'm at the age that some people can't do this no more."

Former featherweight champion Juan Laporte, a friend since childhood, described Camacho as "like a little brother who was always getting into trouble," but otherwise combined a friendly nature with a powerful jab.

"He's a good human being, a good hearted person," Laporte said as he waited with other friends and members of the boxer's family outside the hospital in San Juan after the shooting. "A lot of people think of him as a cocky person but that was his motto ... Inside he was just a kid looking for something."

Laporte lamented that Camacho never found a mentor to guide him outside the boxing ring.

"The people around him didn't have the guts or strength to lead him in the right direction," Laporte said. "There was no one strong enough to put a hand on his shoulder and tell him how to do it."

George Lozada, a longtime friend from New York who flew to Puerto Rico on Saturday, recalled that just hours after he was released from prison after serving a murder sentence, he received a call from Camacho, who was waiting outside his apartment in a black Porsche.

"He said, 'Come down, I'm taking you shopping,'" Lozada said, wiping away tears.

"Because of him, man, I got what I got today," he said, pointing to pictures on his smartphone of his 6-year-old daughter. "Because of Hector, I stopped the drug scene ... He's helped so many people."

Drug, alcohol and other problems trailed Camacho himself after the prime of his boxing career. He was sentenced in 2007 to seven years in prison for the burglary of a computer store in Mississippi. While arresting him on the burglary charge in January 2005, police also found the drug ecstasy.

A judge eventually suspended all but one year of the sentence and gave Camacho probation. He wound up serving two weeks in jail, though, after violating that probation.

Camacho's former wife, Amy, obtained a restraining order against him in 1998, alleging he threatened her and one of their children. The couple, who had two children at the time, later divorced.

He divided his time between Puerto Rico and Florida in recent years, appearing on Spanish-language television as well as on a reality show called "Es Macho Time!" on YouTube.

Inside the boxing ring, Camacho flourished. He won three Golden Gloves titles as an amateur, and after turning pro, he quickly became a contender with an all-action style reminiscent of other Puerto Rican fighters.

Long promoted by Don King, Camacho won his first world title by beating Rafael Limon in a super-featherweight bout in Puerto Rico on Aug. 7, 1983. He moved up in weight two years later to capture a lightweight title by defeating Jose Luis Ramirez, and successfully defended the belt against fellow countryman Edwin Rosario.

The Rosario fight, in which the victorious Camacho still took a savage beating, persuaded him to scale back his ultra-aggressive style in favor of a more cerebral, defensive approach.

The change in style was a big reason that Camacho, at the time 38-0, lost a close split decision to Greg Haugen at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas in 1991.

Camacho won the rematch to set up his signature fight against Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez, this time at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Camacho was roundly criticized for his lack of action, and the Mexican champion won a lopsided unanimous decision to retain the lightweight title.

"Even though people say I beat him easily, it wasn't that way," Chavez told Mexico's ESPN-Radio Formula this week. "He was a very fast fighter, he faced everything and it was very hard for me."

"He revolutionized boxing, Chavez said. "It's a shame he got mixed up in so many problems."

After that loss, Camacho became the name opponent for other rising contenders, rather than the headliner fighting for his own glory.

He lost a unanimous decision to another young Puerto Rican fighter, Trinidad, and was soundly defeated by De La Hoya. In 1997, Camacho ended Leonard's final comeback with a fifth-round knockout. It was Camacho's last big victory even though he boxed for another decade.

The fighter's last title bout came in 1997 against welterweight champion Oscar De La Hoya, who won by unanimous decision. Camacho's last fight was his defeat by Saul Duran in May 2010. He had a career record of 79-6-3.

Doctors pronounced Camacho dead on Saturday after he was removed from life support at his family's direction. He never regained consciousness after at least at least one gunman crept up to the car in a darkened parking lot and opened fire.

No arrests and have been made, and authorities have not revealed many details beyond the facts that police found cocaine in the car and that the boxer and his friend, who was killed at the scene, had no idea the attack was coming. "Apparently, this was a surprise," said Alex Diaz, a police spokesman.

Survivors include his mother; three sisters, Raquel, Estrella and Ester; a brother, Felix; and four sons, Hector Jr., Taylor, Christian and Justin.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-24-Puerto%20Rico-Obit-Camacho/id-c495d20a313f493aad816bf8ae1c1d47

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