Police Clear ‘Occupy’ Camps in LA, Philadelphia

 

Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia have cleared camps of Occupy Wall Street protesters, with more than 200 people arrested in Los Angeles and more than 50 people ending up in detention in Philadelphia.
In Los Angeles early Wednesday, many demonstrators willingly left the scene, as more than 1,000 police officers moved through the camp around City Hall where protesters had been situated for the past eight weeks. Police arrested those who refused to leave.
Across the country in Philadelphia, police emptied a similar makeshift camp. Later, protesters began an hours-long march through the city, resulting in the arrest of 52 people.
The removal of protesters in both cities was relatively peaceful, unlike previous evictions in other cities, including Oakland, California. Protesters were given a deadline of Sunday to vacate the camps.
Los Angeles city officials moved to clear what they called an “unlawful assembly” after raising concerns about crime, sanitation and property damage. As the sun rose Wednesday, tents, trash and a lingering stench were all that was left of the camp.
The city's mayor and police chief praised police officers for their restraint in carrying out the eviction, as they took measures to enforce the closure of the park.
But some protesters are saying police were too violent. One local television station has footage of several police officers throwing a man to the ground as he was trying to photograph them.
The loosely associated “Occupy” movement began in September in New York's Zuccotti Park, where a small group of people began protesting what it called economic inequality and corporate greed.
voanews

India Launches 'World's Cheapest' Computer

VOA News

 

Photo: Reuters

Students display Aakash, which means sky in Hindi, dubbed the world's cheapest tablet computer, after its launching ceremony in New Delhi, India, October 5, 2011.

India has unveiled what it is calling the world's cheapest computer, aimed at bridging the digital divide between the nation's rich and poor.

The tablet computer is called "Aakash", or sky in Hindi, and will be sold to students at the government-subsidized price of $35.

Indian officials and the company that developed the computer, DataWind Limited, handed out the devices Wednesday to hundreds of students in New Delhi. The company is planning a pilot-run of 100,000 units.

The computer tablet provides word processing, Internet browsing and video conferencing. The device also has two USB ports.

DataWind Chief Executive Suneet Singh Tuli on Wednesday called for competition in order to get the price of the tablet computer down to $10.

Indian Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal called the computer India's gift to all children, and a tool to help lift many out of poverty.

India has a reputation for creating affordable innovative products, including the compact "Nano" car, which sells for about $2,000.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters

JOB CUT & ECONOMIC NEWS:



LAYOFFS:
November 30 , 2011

Weiser Security Services - 72

Marine Harvest ( International ) - up to 60

Garlock Sealing Technologies - 14

SMART Bus System Detroit - 77 Layoff Notices

Irving Oil ( International ) - 78

CLOSING:
November 30 , 2011

The Village Coffee Shop at 2695 North Beachwood Drive in Hollywood CA

Bryan & Scott Jewelers Ltd in Colorado Springs CO

The Turnage Theater in Washington

Circle K in CA

Hoffman's Photography and Framing in Northfield MN Closed?

Quality Dry Cleaners in Bermuda?

Bailey's Pharmacy in Ocean City

Continental Jewelers in Tampa

INDEECO Closing its Boonville, MO plant by October 1, 2012

Smith Jewelers & Silversmiths in Wytheville VA

Sprouts Farmers Market is Closing 3 Austin Texas Locations

Allen’s Hamburgers on Hawthorne Avenue GA

Cafe Gratutide is closing up all seven of its Northern California locations

The Rubaiyat on Baraga Avenue in Marquette


HIRING:
Nov 30, 2011

SPi Healthcare NC - 75

Gannett Co - 108 in Indianapolis Area

Case Farms in Morganton - 100

TOP JOB LISTINGS:
 
Gannett Co - 108 in Indianapolis Area

Intelligrated HQ in Mason Ohio - 200

Lash Group in Charlotte NC - 450

General Electric Co in CA - 400

Ways to Earn $100 an Hour

Farnoosh Torabi  
  

While doctors, lawyers and corporate executives earn top dollar, the average worker in America takes home about $16 an hour, according to PayScale. But you don't necessarily need an advanced degree to bump up your pay. Experts say employing a few key strategies — even in today's economic climate — could increase your earning potential to as high as $100 an hour.
"It turns out that no matter what industry you work in, if you are one of the best in your field, it is possible to earn a six figure salary," says Nicole Williams, career expert and connection director at LinkedIn. "If you do good work and build a name for yourself, the sky is the limit."
First, specialization is key. Williams says the more niche your skill set is, the higher the salary you can make. "You may think being a Jack of all trades, or knowing a little bit about a lot of things will make you really marketable, but in fact the opposite is true. You want to develop one skill really well — and then be the very best at that one thing."
For example, oil and gas companies pay around $100 an hour for a saturation welder, a person who fixes pipes under water. That's more than what a regular welder or a commercial diver will make per hour, combined.
The second strategy is to treat your career as if you were an entrepreneur. "The reality is that everyone is a business owner. Even if you have a full time job, you're selling a product to your employer, which are your labor hours. So start working for yourself," says Williams. "Treat your marketable skills and talents like a commodity and know that one day, you can branch out on your own. Take courses, research your competition, and become a knowledgeable and engaged player in your own industry."
Going freelance or opening a private practice will usually earn you more than working for someone else because you take your employer's cut out of the equation. This is particularly true for massage therapists, interior designers or life coaches.
Another tip for freelancers: charge not by the hour, but by the project. In fact, experts say your clients shouldn't even know your hourly rate. "The number of hours an average person can work in a year is 2,080. If you continue to think in terms of dollars per hour, you will always be limited by the units you have to sell, which is a number you can't change. This would mean your business isn't scalable and can never grow," says Williams.
Some writers, artists and graphic designers who work on a "per project" basis have the potential to earn even more than the top rates in their fields, capping out at around $125 an hour. This strategy works in your favor if you're a particularly fast worker, or can stay booked with regular clients. And the best way to a fill out a client roster is to build your reputation.
"There's a reason why a couture handbag can cost $3,000, and it's not because of the cost of leather or the stitching. It's the reputation of the brand. Think of your career in the same way. Speak at conferences, write a blog, or become the kind of expert people hear about," says Williams. "I know a dog walker who earns as much as my lawyer friends, and that's because she built her reputation as the best dog walker in New York City. She has celebrities calling her, and she gets to name her own price."
Professionals who are sought after for the quality of their work include tattoo artists, fashion stylists and children's face painters. Top earners can sometimes earn $130-150 an hour. Work may not be full-time, but their talents are well compensated.
Finally, if you're re-entering or joining the workforce, find out what careers are currently in high demand and what industries are looking for your unique skills. Williams say don't necessarily expect to earn top dollar right away. "You don't become a sought-after, $100-an hour political speechwriter, for example, straight out of journalism school. You work for a number of years as a copywriter, then a reporter working on a campaign, then as an advisor, before you make the kind of money that writing speeches for senators and congressman can earn," Williams says.

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

JOB CUT & ECONOMIC NEWS:  LAYOFFS:  November 29 , 2011 America Airlines AMR - Trim Schedule Might = Layoffs AMSC - 20% of Workforce Cott's Dunkirk plant - 50 to 75? Nassau County NY - 400+ Layoffs Possible if no Concessions are Made Afni Inc - 375 Layoffs in San Antonio American Red Cross - 1,500 Nationwide This Year Detroit City Council - Seeks to Eliminate 500 Jobs Quebecor Inc ( International ) - 400 CLOSING: November 29 , 2011 Newell Rubbermaid plans to close its Wooster distribution center L'il Dipper in Downtown Roanoke VA The Steuben Glass flagship store on Madison Avenue Ho's Dynasty restaurant in Burke VA Stonegate Early College High School Indianapolis Charter School Cherry Picked Books in Easthampton Richard Dileo Jewelers in Norwalk CT El Azteca Mexican Restaurant in North Macon Caribbee Key Island Grille, 100 First St., Neptune Beach FLForever 21 at the Mall of Victor Valley Victorville CA Christopher & Banks Closing 2 Albany NY Stores Restoration Hardware, in MacArthur Centers HIRING: Avaya - 135 Jobs at Research Triangle Park NC TOP JOB LISTINGS: Intelligrated HQ in Mason Ohio - 200 Lash Group in Charlotte NC - 450 General Electric Co in CA - 400 Bed Bath & Beyond Jackson County GA - 900 Name Price Change Oil 110.82 +1.82 +1.67% Gold 1,712.20 +1.40 +0.08% Copper 3.3830 +2.45 +0.73% Rice 14.37 +0.23 +1.59% Cotton 92.75 +1.40 +1.53% Wheat 594.50 +19.75 +3.44% Sugar 23.49 +0.37 +1.60% Cocoa 2,320.00 -44.00 -1.86% Coffee 227.55 -0.25 Name USD Change EUR 1.33 +0.00 +0.00% JPY 0.01 +0.00 +0.24% GBP 1.56 +0.01 +0.62% BRL 0.54 +0.01 +1.05% AUD 1.00 +0.01

Name	Points	Change
DJIA	11,555.63	+32.62	+0.28%
S&P 500	1,195.19	+2.64	+0.22%
NASDAQ	2,515.51	-11.83	-0.47%
FTSE 100	5,337.00	+24.24	+0.46%
CAC-40	3,026.76	+13.83	+0.46%
DAX	5,799.91	+54.58

Michael Jackson's Doctor Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison

VOA News

Photo: AP

Judge Michael Pastor (R) listens as Jackson family representative, attorney Brian Panish (L) speaks at the sentencing hearing of Dr. Conrad Murray, who was sentenced to the maximum four years in the death of pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, November 29, 2011

A judge in Los Angeles has sentenced Michael Jackson's personal physician to four years in prison for the 2009 death of the pop superstar.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor Tuesday handed the sentence to Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted earlier this month of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.  Murray, however, could serve only half his sentence due to overcrowding in California's prison system.

In issuing the sentence, the judge described Murray as a reckless physician whose actions were "a disgrace to the medical profession." Pastor also said Murray was involved in "horrible medicine" that included a sophisticated scheme to get the powerful anesthetic, propofol, for Jackson.  Pastor said Murray lied repeatedly and had not shown remorse for his actions in the treatment of Jackson, who battled insomnia.

Prosecutors said Murray gave Jackson propofol, which is not approved for use as a sleep aid, and then abandoned the entertainer while he, Murray, attended to personal matters.  They said the doctor put off calling for emergency help after finding Jackson unresponsive. They also said Jackson put his trust in Murray and paid for it with his life.

Murray's lawyers argued Jackson gave himself the fatal dosage without the doctor's knowledge. They said there is no proof the doctor did anything wrong.  Murray did not take the stand in his defense.

Jackson died in his bedroom at his rented mansion in June 2009.  Prior to his death, he had been planning a series of comeback concerts.

Apart from the criminal trial, Jackson's father has filed a wrongful death suit, accusing Murray of lying to the doctors and paramedics who tried to save the singer's life.

Additionally, a hearing is set for January on a prosecution proposal that Murray pay more than $100 million in restitution to Jackson's family.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection

VOA News

Photo: AP

American Airlines planes sit at a gate at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. American Airlines and its parent company are filing for bankruptcy protection as they try to cut costs and unload massive debt built up by years of high fuel prices and labor struggles, November 29, 2011.

American Airlines' parent company, AMR Corporation, has filed for bankruptcy after failing to secure a deal with pilots to cut labor costs.

The nation's third largest airline said Tuesday it sought bankruptcy court protection to reduce its costs and debt to competitive levels. The airline said normal flight operations will continue during a reorganization.

American had been the only major U.S. airline that had not filed for bankruptcy protection. Its main competitors, Delta and United, used bankruptcy to scrap costly labor contracts and reduce debts. And both have also merged with other companies - Delta buying Northwest and United buying Continental.

In addition to higher labor costs than its rivals, American Airlines has also struggled with soaring jet fuel prices.

In its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in a New York court, the company listed $24.7 billion in assets and $29.6 billion in debt.

The Texas-based AMR Corporation also announced the retirement of its chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey and named company president Thomas Horton as his replacement.

JOB CUT & ECONOMIC NEWS

STOCK

Name	Points	Change
DJIA	11,538.34	+306.56	+2.73%
S&P 500	1,193.62	+34.95	+3.02%
NASDAQ	2,525.60	+84.09	+3.44%
FTSE 100	5,312.76	+148.11	+2.87%
CAC-40	3,012.93	+155.96	+5.46%
DAX	5,745.33	+252.46

CURRENCY

Name	USD	Change
EUR	1.33	+0.00	+0.17%
JPY	0.01	-0.00	-0.39%
GBP	1.55	+0.00	+0.21%
BRL	0.54	+0.01	+2.30%
AUD	0.99	+0.01	+0.65%

COMMODITIES 

Name	Price	Change
Oil	108.65	+2.25	+2.11%
Gold	1,710.50	+24.80	+1.47%
Copper	3.2680	-0.40	-0.12%
Rice	14.17	-0.07	-0.46%
Cotton	90.87	-0.04	-0.04%
Wheat	575.75	+1.25	+0.22%
Sugar	22.90	-0.19	-0.82%
Cocoa	2,346.00	-35.00	-1.47%
Coffee	233.00	+0.45

LAYOFFS:
November 28 , 2011
City of Inkster - 14

CLOSING:
November 28 , 2011
Really Cool Foods Closes Eastern Indiana Plant
Update: McCrorie Home Furnishings in Port Angeles Washington
Safeway Closing Watergate Store
Jac-Lyn Flowers in Spencer NC
Roses in Morehead Plaza Morehead City NC
Christine by Shelton Clothiers in TN
Ear X-tacy in Louisville KY Closed

HIRING:

Streit USA Armoring Charleston County SC - 50 over Next 3 Years
Alltech Medical Systems America - 72

TOP JOB LISTINGS:

Intelligrated HQ in Mason Ohio - 200
Lash Group in Charlotte NC - 450
General Electric Co in CA - 400
Bed Bath & Beyond Jackson County GA - 900

U.S. Post-Thanksgiving Shoppers Break Records

U.S. consumers spent their way to a new record in the days following the Thanksgiving holiday, giving retailers hope for better profits in a year of mostly gloomy economic news.
A retail federation survey Sunday said some 226 million people shopped in stores and on the internet, spending more than $52 billion, 16 percent more than last year at this time.
The National Retail Federation used actual sales figures from Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and projected figures for Sunday. Included was the annual “Black Friday” bargain bonanza that kicks off the U.S. holiday shopping season.
On “Black Friday” — which falls the day after Thanksgiving each year — many stores open early and sharply discount high-priced items such as electronics and the latest new toys. The name refers to the practice of recording profits in black ink, with losses recorded in red.
“Cyber Monday” is next in line. It is a more recent innovation in which online retailers offer extreme discounts in the hopes of encouraging shoppers to buy more online.
So far this year, the numbers indicate internet shopping may be increasing even faster than shopping at traditional “brick-and-mortar” stores. An analysis by the digital monitoring group ComScore shows that U.S. consumers spent some $816 million at web sites on Black Friday, up 26 percent under $650 million the year before.
voanews

US Cyber Sales Expected To Hit Record Monday

U.S. consumers are expected to set a new record for on-line sales Monday as retailers offer deep discounts to lure shoppers buying things for Christmas gift-giving in late December.
Experts and investors watch retail sales closely because consumer demand drives about 70 percent of U.S. economic activity. The U.S. economy is the world’s largest, and is a key market for many exporters around the world.
Two groups that track on-line sales predict they will set a record on what has become known as “Cyber Monday” when shoppers return to work after a the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The National Retail Federation predicts that 122 million Americans will shop on-line Monday, including many who use their computers at work for this purpose.
The prediction of strong on-line sales follows Friday’s record-high sales figures from traditional stores. Analysts at ShopperTrak say sales on the day known as “Black Friday” jumped 6.6 percent from the same day a year ago, and represented $11.4 billion in retail purchases.
Merchants call the day after the U.S. religious and patriotic holiday of Thanksgiving “Black Friday.” For many stores, it is the day when they change from loss to profit for the year. The name comes from the tradition of recording losses in red ink, and writing profits in black.
U.S. retail sales have been hurt by the economic crisis, high unemployment, and worries about the economic future. Many merchants say deep discounts and heavy advertising have apparently persuaded cautious consumers to spend money.
But some analysts warn that sales could decline once the “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” promotions end.
voanews

Tobacco Farmers Harvest Shrimp

Aquaculture is fast-growing industry

Mike Osborne | Springfield, Tennessee

It’s harvest time in Tennessee, but the Corbin family matriarch isn’t gearing up to harvest the typical corn, cotton, or soybeans.
Jane Corbin and her sons are draining a pond to gather the fresh water shrimp, or prawns, they’ve been raising for the past five months. Corbin says she got into aquaculture, a segment of the agriculture industry valued at $70 billion a year, almost by accident.

“I had never met anyone who had done this and I’d never seen a freshwater prawn," Corbin says, "but I had read about it and I just thought it sounded interesting.”


Curiosity may have led Corbin, who also grows tobacco, into aquaculture in the late 1990s, but other farmers in the American South gave it a try because state and federal agencies were encouraging them to switch from tobacco.

Although it has been a staple of American farming since the nation’s colonial days, tobacco has been in steady decline in recent years.

“It was advertised as an alternative to your tobacco crop as far as your income was concerned," Corbin says, referring to prawn farming."That did not ring true. That wasn’t why I got into it, of course, but a lot of people did and they saw that that was not a fact.”

VOA - M. Osborne

Some of the prawns harvested by the Corbin family, tobacco farmers who have gotten into aquaculture.

Tony Johnston, who teaches agriculture and food science at nearby Middle Tennessee State University, says the challenge in finding alternatives to tobacco is that most tobacco farms are relatively small. The average farm in Tennessee is less than 15 hectares.

“The big issue for all the tobacco growing states is to find those small crops, those niche crops," Johnston says, "that would provide enough cash flow with fairly similar amounts of area on which you plant your crop.”

According to Johnston, the niche crops that enjoy the most success seem to be those that get consumers down on the farm and invested in the process. Jee Jayme is a good example of that. She’s been buying prawns from the Corbins for years, and enjoys helping with the harvest.

“It’s their kindness and their genuine spirit that I keep on coming back here," Jayme says. "And more especially, it’s from here in the U.S., not from China or some other foreign country, but it’s more here in Tennessee.”

The same weekend the Corbins are harvesting their prawns, they're also harvesting tobacco in the same field.

While niche crops clearly haven’t replaced tobacco on American farms, Johnston says the experiment has had some value. “What I see is farmers who are realizing that they can’t rely on a single crop. They have to diversify. Basically, the door has been opened and people are starting to think outside the proverbial box.”

The Corbins still grow some tobacco, but they have diversified more than most: raising cattle, traditional row crops, flowers and vegetables, as well as prawns. It’s a challenge Corbin enjoys.

“I think it’s very rewarding to see what you’ve grown and what you’ve been able to produce," she says. "You just have a feeling of satisfaction.”

There may also be satisfaction in being involved in one of the fastest growing forms of food production in the world.
voanews

8 of the World’s Healthiest Spices & Herbs You Should Be Eating

By The Editors of EatingWe

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., Associate Nutrition Editor at EatingWell Magazine

As a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine, I know that herbs and spices do more than simply add flavor to food. They let you cut down on some less-healthy ingredients, such as salt, added sugars and saturated fat, and some have inherent health benefits, many of which Joyce Hendley reported on for EatingWell Magazine.

Modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as weapons against illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. "We're now starting to see a scientific basis for why people have been using spices medicinally for thousands of years," says Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and author of Healing Spices (Sterling, 2011).

Aggarwal notes that in his native India, where spices tend to be used by the handful, incidence of diet-related diseases like heart disease and cancer have long been low. But when Indians move away and adopt more Westernized eating patterns, their rates of those diseases rise. While researchers usually blame the meatier, fattier nature of Western diets, Aggarwal and other experts believe that herbs and spices-or more precisely, the lack of them-are also an important piece of the dietary puzzle. "When Indians eat more Westernized foods, they're getting much fewer spices than their traditional diet contains," he explains. "They lose the protection those spices are conveying."

While science has yet to show that any spice cures disease, there's compelling evidence that several may help manage some chronic conditions (though it's always smart to talk with your doctor). What's not to love? Here we've gathered eight of the healthiest spices and herbs enjoyed around the world.

Chile Peppers
May help: Boost metabolism.
Chile peppers add a much-appreciated heat to chilly-weather dishes, and they can also give a boost to your metabolism. Thank capsaicin, the compound that gives fresh chiles, and spices including cayenne and chipotle, their kick. Studies show that capsaicin can increase the body's metabolic rate (causing one to burn more calories) and may stimulate brain chemicals that help us feel less hungry. In fact, one study found that people ate 16 percent fewer calories at a meal if they'd sipped a hot-pepper-spiked tomato juice (vs. plain tomato juice) half an hour earlier. Recent research found that capsinoids, similar but gentler chemicals found in milder chile hybrids, have the same effects-so even tamer sweet paprika packs a healthy punch. Capsaicin may also lower risk of ulcers by boosting the ability of stomach cells to resist infection by ulcer-causing bacteria and help the heart by keeping "bad" LDL cholesterol from turning into a more lethal, artery-clogging form.
Don't Miss: Foods That Blast Belly Fat

Ginger
May help: Soothe an upset stomach, fight arthritis pain.
Ginger has a well-deserved reputation for relieving an unsettled stomach. Studies show ginger extracts can help reduce nausea caused by morning sickness or following surgery or chemotherapy, though it's less effective for motion sickness. But ginger is also packed with inflammation-fighting compounds, such as gingerols, which some experts believe may hold promise in fighting some cancers and may reduce the aches of osteoarthritis and soothe sore muscles. In a recent study, people who took ginger capsules daily for 11 days reported 25 percent less muscle pain when they performed exercises designed to strain their muscles (compared with a similar group taking placebo capsules). Another study found that ginger-extract injections helped relieve osteoarthritis pain of the knee.
Must-Read: 5 Foods That Fight Pain Naturally

Cinnamon
May help: Stabilize blood sugar.
A few studies suggest that adding cinnamon to food-up to a teaspoon a day, usually given in capsule form-might help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar, by lowering post-meal blood-sugar spikes. Other studies suggest the effects are limited at best.

Turmeric
May help: Quell inflammation, inhibit tumors.
Turmeric, the goldenrod-colored spice, is used in India to help wounds heal (it's applied as a paste); it's also made into a tea to relieve colds and respiratory problems. Modern medicine confirms some solid-gold health benefits as well; most are associated with curcumin, a compound in turmeric that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to help relieve pain of arthritis, injuries and dental procedures; it's also being studied for its potential in managing heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Researcher Bharat Aggarwal is bullish on curcumin's potential as a cancer treatment, particularly in colon, prostate and breast cancers; preliminary studies have found that curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens.

Saffron
May help: Lift your mood.
Saffron has long been used in traditional Persian medicine as a mood lifter, usually steeped into a medicinal tea or used to prepare rice. Research from Iran's Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences has found that saffron may help to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression. In one study, 75% of women with PMS who were given saffron capsules daily reported that their PMS symptoms (such as mood swings and depression) declined by at least half, compared with only 8 percent of women who didn't take saffron.
Must-Read: 4 Foods to Boost Your Mood

Parsley
May help: Inhibit breast cancer-cell growth.
University of Missouri scientists found that this herb can actually inhibit breast cancer-cell growth, reported Holly Pevzner in the September/October 2011 issue of EatingWell Magazine. In the study, animals that were given apigenin, a compound abundant in parsley (and in celery), boosted their resistance to developing cancerous tumors. Experts recommend adding a couple pinches of minced fresh parsley to your dishes daily.

Sage
May help: Preserve memory, soothe sore throats.
Herbalists recommend sipping sage tea for upset stomachs and sore throats, a remedy supported by one study that found spraying sore throats with a sage solution gave effective pain relief. And preliminary research suggests the herb may improve some symptoms of early Alzheimer's disease by preventing a key enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. In another study, college students who took sage extracts in capsule form performed significantly better on memory tests, and their moods improved.
Related: 5 Foods to Help Ward Off Colds

Rosemary
May help: Enhance mental focus, fight foodborne bacteria.
One recent study found that people performed better on memory and alertness tests when mists of aromatic rosemary oil were piped into their study cubicles. Rosemary is often used in marinades for meats and poultry, and there's scientific wisdom behind that tradition: rosmarinic acid and other antioxidant compounds in the herb fight bacteria and prevent meat from spoiling, and may even make cooked meats healthier. In March 2010, Kansas State University researchers reported that adding rosemary extracts to ground beef helped prevent the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs)-cancer-causing compounds produced when meats are grilled, broiled or fried.
Don't Miss: Drink This to Cure a Headache & 4 More Home Remedies From Your Kitchen

What are your favorite herbs and spices?

By Kerri-Ann Jennings

Kerri-Ann, a registered dietitian, is the associate editor of nutrition for EatingWell magazine, where she puts her master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University to work writing and editing news about nutrition, health and food trends. In her free time, Kerri-Ann likes to practice yoga, hike, bake and paint.


More from EatingWell:

• 4 Health Reasons to Keep Drinking Coffee (and 4 Cons to Consider)
• 9 Foods to Help You Get a Better Night's Sleep
• 3 Health Benefits of Cooking with Cast Iron
• Top 5 Foods for Weight Loss (and 5 That Make You Gain)

PERFORMANCE OF NINA BURRI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXI9I0DrjxU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Nina Burri - Goldeneye - 2011 International Contortion Convention 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfHGNma5D3E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jn8mqMfykE&feature=related

Paris Hilton Buys $300,000 California Spyder Ferrari on Black Friday

Celebrity News By Zach Johnson

Credit: Paris Hilton on WhoSay; Jonathan Leibson/FilmMagic (inset)

Clear the roads! Paris Hilton is coming through.
The hotel heiress, 30, treated herself to a brand new 2012 California Spyder Ferrari worth $300,000. The red sports car was delivered to her L.A. home just before noon Friday.


"When Paris walked in all of our eyes were on her," a source from the Ferrari dealership tells X17. "Ferrari is excited that she has purchased one of our cars. We know it's going to bring worldwide exposure, and Paris is the perfect fit for our brand."


Hilton waited to take her new ride out for a spin until Saturday, telling her Twitter followers: "Just drove my new car for the first time. Such a beautiful car and so much fun to drive! I love it!"


In addition to her new Ferrari, Hilton has a fleet of cars that includes two Bentleys, a Lexus LFA, a hybrid Escalade and a Range Rover.

Schedule D Tax Tips for Investors

 By William Perez, About.com Guide


Every year, clients come to me with all their brokerage statements asking me to figure out their capital gains on the Schedule D. This can be a time-consuming task. But here's some tips for staying organized and keeping track of your investments.
First things first. Let's start with the whole concept of capital gains. A capital gain is the difference between what you paid for an investment and what you received when you sold that investment. If you made a profit on the investment, then you have a capital gain. If you lost money on the investment, then you have a capital loss.
Long-Term and Short-Term Investments
You are taxed only on the profits you make. You are never taxed on your original investment (that money was already taxed when you earned it). The tax rate on your profits depends mostly on how long you have owned the investment. This is called the capital gains holding periods. There are two holding periods: short-term and long-term. Short-term means you have owned the investment for one year or less. Long-term means you have owned the investment for more than one year. What if you owned the investment for exactly one year? That's considered a short-term investment.
Getting Organized
The biggest challenge most investors (and tax accounts) face is organizing investment activity so that gains and losses can be calculated properly. Here's what you need to do.
Gather together all your brokerage statements, including any trade confirmations or a year-end statement detailing all your investment activities. Normally, I encourage my clients to keep track of their investments throughout the year, using personal finance software or a spreadsheet. There are online tools for tracking your investments too, such as the Gainskeeper web-software.
Figuring Your Profits
You need to calculate your cost basis and selling price in order to calculate your capital gain. Your cost basis is what you paid to buy the stock or other investment. Your selling price is what you sold the stock at. So let's say you bought 100 shares of XYZ stock at $4 per share and paid a $25 commission. You held the investment for two years, and sold the stock at $8 per share and paid a $25 commission to sell the stock. Your cost basis is calculated as follows:

• Purchase price (cost per share times number of shares): $4 x 100 = $400.
• Plus purchase costs (commissions): $400 + $25 = $425.
• Plus selling costs (commissions): $425 + $25 commission = $450.

Your selling price is easier to calculate. Simply multiply the price you sold the stck at times the number of shares. In our example, this is $8 per share times 100 shares, or $800.
Now, we can calculate the capital gains. Capital gains is the selling price minus the cost basis. In our example, the selling price is $800 and the cost basis is $450. So the capital gains is calculated as follows: $800 - $450 = $350.
Tax is calculated on total capital gains for the year. So investors need to tally up the gains or losses on all their investment activity for the year.
If you can organize this using a spreadsheet format, then transferring the information to a Schedule D is easier.
Learn More About Capital Gains
Capital Gains and Losses 101 - from Fairmark.com, an excellent website devoted to the tax aspects of investing.
Gainskeeper - from CCH, a web-based software program for tracking investments and capital gains.
Instructions for Schedule D - from IRS.gov
All About Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, and Investing - from About.com
This new software package is very easy to use (it matched trades and generates a schedule D in literally two clicks). Having tried a few different solutions, I can say this one works well. The price is very reasonable as well, without any limitations on number of trades

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEG6sGS0g4Y&feature=related

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