Thursday, November 22, 2012

E-Commerce Web Design And Development Essentials

The world of marketing is has gone digital nowadays from advertising to actual transactions, there's a lot of involvement of the digital medium. To keep up with the fast moving times, one ought to adjust and get involved with the medium used by the rest of the industry, so as not to lag behind.


E commerce will work when:
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??? You Have An Engaging Web Design


The internet is mostly visual. Your web developer will have to design the most attractive and comprehensive web page for your business. This is essential since your customers should have an easy and memorable time while navigating your website. Contact information and dialog boxes should be visible and in use, to avoid inconveniencing your customer. In addition, a well planned and organized website will be effective as your customers are likely to come back more often, as well as recommend it to their peers. This is a bonus, as retention of customers and attracting new one means you are doing something right, directly affecting your advertising space positively. When deciding on the design, make sure that it is easy to navigate, legible and exciting.


??? Development:


This is the interactive part of the web design process. E commerce is business. You need to keep your clients as updated and informed as possible. This means that you need to have the website functional always, such that it is accessible, retains current customers and can reach potential ones.


This process also includes introducing your website to your clients. Your web developer will direct you o where to place your initial advertisements that link to the website. There are the websites where your clientele are likely to be. In addition, the links and advertisements will have to be attractive and attention grabbing to your clientele, such that they will want to visit your website.


There are important tools such as user accounts, password, and information of your clientele that need be considered. Since you are conducting your business online, and there's trade involved, as well as transactions, security is essential. Your developer should provide you with an impenetrable system. A secure system will ensure that your business will not be compromised or crippled since it can not be hacked. Detailed information your clientele and their passwords should also be in a taste of protections since any compromise will lead to loss of faith, soiling trust and business relationship.


There are lots of successful online business, all made possible by great and innovative ideas backed by competent and functional e-commerce web development and design. You can begin your business knowing that the right developer will help you attract and sustain a successful business.

We are provider of the most comprehensive and customized SEO serviceses, Web design services, Web development services and also provide web design overland park and e-commerce web development in overland park, lees summit and Kanas city.

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Source: http://www.workoninternet.com/business/reviews/miscellaneous/219998-article.html

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After new offer, Bettman says sides 'far apart'

NEW YORK (AP) ? NHL talks quickly broke off again Wednesday after the players made a new proposal they said left sides separated by less than $40 million annually over a five-year contract and Commissioner Gary Bettman immediately rejected the plan, saying "we're still far apart."

On the 67th day of a lockout that already has led to the cancellation of more than a quarter of the regular season, the sides didn't set a date to get back together.

"On the big things there was as of today no reciprocity in any meaningful sense, no movement on the players' share, no movement on salary-arbitration eligibility, no movement on free agency eligibility, no agreement on a pension plan," union head Donald Fehr said.

Union officials and nine players went to the NHL office in the morning and spent about an hour making the proposal. After a 90-minute break, the sides met again for two hours, said there was nothing more to talk about for now and headed off for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"I think it's frustrating for everybody and disappointing for everybody that's it's taken this long and we're still far apart," said Bettman, in his third lockout as commissioner.

Fehr said players made a percentage-based proposal and said it reflected the economic impact the work stoppage had caused to the NHL, which had $3.3 billion in hockey-related revenue last season.

"We have moved far more than halfway," Fehr said. "It is about as good as we can do."

Bettman on Oct. 16 proposed a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue. With guaranteed contracts likely to push the players' share over the halfway mark originally, management wants that money to come out of future years to bring the overall percentage down to an even split over the length of an agreement.

Players previously had proposed they receive a guaranteed amount of income each year.

"Gary said we were $900 million or a $1 billion apart," Fehr said, referring to the gap over a five-year deal. "At the moment we are exactly $182 million apart."

Fehr said players proposed they get $393 million over the length of the deal, while the NHL is at $211 million.

The league has canceled 326 games through Nov. 30 plus the Jan. 1 Winter Classic between Toronto and Detroit at Ann Arbor, Mich.

This is the league's fourth work stoppage in 21 years and third lockout since 1994. The previous lockout led to the cancellation of the 1994-95 season.

Attending the talks were San Jose center Adam Burish, free agent defenseman Chris Campoli, Detroit wing Dan Cleary, free agent wing Mathieu Darche, Winnipeg defenseman Ron Hainsey, St. Louis center Andy McDonald, Edmonton center Kevin Shattenkirk and Anaheim center Dan Winnik.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/offer-bettman-says-sides-far-apart-222019571--nhl.html

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Stocks slightly higher at the open on Wall Street

NEW YORK (AP) ? Stocks opened slightly higher Wednesday on Wall Street ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

In the opening minutes of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average was up seven points at 12,795. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up a point at 1,389. And the Nasdaq composite index was up five at 2,922.

Deere, the maker of tractors and other farm and construction equipment, opened down 3 percent. It reported a quarterly profit of $1.75 per share, missing Wall Street expectations of $1.88.

Chipotle Mexican Group, the restaurant chain, climbed 2.4 percent. It announced late Tuesday that it would buy back an additional $100 million of its own stock. It had announced a $100 million buyback plan Oct. 18.

The quiet open Wednesday followed an uneventful finish Tuesday. The Dow dropped as much as 94 points after a warning from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke about federal budget talks, then recovered to close down seven points.

The stock market will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and will close early Friday.

The price of oil climbed 95 cents to $87.70 per barrel. It fell $2.53 on Tuesday because of signs that Israel and Hamas were close to a cease-fire to end Israel's weeklong assault on the Gaza Strip, but a cease-fire remained elusive Wednesday.

In the bond market, the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose 0.01 percentage point to 1.68 percent.

European markets were modestly higher. Stocks climbed 0.3 percent in France and 0.1 percent in Germany. Asian markets fared better. The Nikkei index in Japan climbed 0.9 percent and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong 1.4 percent.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stocks-slightly-higher-open-wall-street-143612339--finance.html

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Sweat glands play major role in healing human wounds

ScienceDaily (Nov. 20, 2012) ? As poor wound healing from diabetic ulcers and other ailments takes heavy toll on healthcare costs, U-M findings pave way for new efficient therapies.

It turns out the same glands that make you sweat are responsible for another job vital to your health: they help heal wounds.

Human skin is rich with millions of eccrine sweat glands that help your body cool down after a trip to the gym or on a warm day. These same glands, new University of Michigan Health System research shows, also happen to play a key role in providing cells for recovering skin wounds -- such as scrapes, burns and ulcers.

The findings were released online ahead of print in the American Journal of Pathology.

"Skin ulcers -- including those caused by diabetes or bed sores -- and other non-healing wounds remain a tremendous burden on health services and communities around the world," says lead author Laure Ritti?, Ph.D., research assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

"Treating chronic wounds costs tens of billions of dollars annually in the United States alone, and this price tag just keeps rising. Something isn't working."

Now, U-M researchers believe they have discovered one of the body's most powerful secret weapons in healing.

"By identifying a key process of wound closure, we can examine drug therapies with a new target in mind: sweat glands, which are very under-studied," Ritti? says. "We're hoping this will stimulate research in a promising, new direction."

Previous understanding of wound closure was that new skin cells originate from hair follicles and from intact skin at the edge of the wound. The U-M findings demonstrate that cells arise from beneath the wound, and suggest that human eccrine sweat glands also store an important reservoir of adult stem cells that can quickly be recruited to aid wound healing.

"It may be surprising that it's taken until now to discover the sweat glands' vital role in wound repair," Ritti? says. "But there's a good reason why these specific glands are under-studied -- eccrine sweat glands are unique to humans and absent in the body skin of laboratory animals that are commonly used for wound healing research.

"We have discovered that humans heal their skin in a very unique way, different from other mammals," Ritti? adds. "The regenerative potential of sweat glands has been one of our body's best-kept secrets. Our findings certainly advance our understanding of the normal healing process and will hopefully pave the way for designing better, targeted therapies."

Additional authors include Dana L. Sachs, M.D.; Jeffrey S. Orringer, M.D.; John J. Voorhees, M.D.; and Gary J. Fisher, Ph.D., all of the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Michigan Health System.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Laure Ritti?, Dana L. Sachs, Jeffrey S. Orringer, John J. Voorhees, Gary J. Fisher. Eccrine Sweat Glands are Major Contributors to Reepithelialization of Human Wounds. The American Journal of Pathology, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.09.019

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gq996irXhqQ/121120100432.htm

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Church of England votes against women bishops

LONDON (Reuters) - The Church of England voted on Tuesday against allowing women to become bishops, guaranteeing more internal strife over an issue that has for years divided the mother church for the world's 80 million Anglicans.

After hours of debate, bishops and clergy in the General Synod, the Church legislature, comfortably backed the change but lay members were four votes short of a two-thirds majority.

"It was carried in the houses of bishops and clergy, but lost in the house of laity. The motion having been lost ... we do not proceed any further," said the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

Some women priests in the public gallery wiped away tears, knowing the measure cannot now be approved for at least another five years.

"Senior women clergy must feel despondent and most bishops and most clergy, male or female, feel hugely sad and, worse than sad, embarrassed and angry," said Christina Rees, a Synod member and former chair of the advocacy group Women and the Church.

"Women bishops will come, but this is an unnecessary and an unholy delay."

Women already serve as Anglican bishops in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, but Anglican churches in many developing countries oppose any female clergy and are working together to shield themselves against such reforms.

The Church of England finds itself somewhere in the middle, struggling to reconcile the views of reformers and traditionalists.

It had already agreed to allow women bishops in theory but Tuesday's vote, on provisions for those who are theologically opposed, had to be passed before any appointments could be made.

TEST FOR NEW LEADER

The outcome presents a major test for Justin Welby, who takes over as the spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican Communion when Rowan Williams steps down as Archbishop of Canterbury at year's end. Both of them supported the reform.

"How much energy do we want to spend on this in the next decade ... and how much do we want to bind the extraordinary energy and skills of the new archbishop?" said Williams as he implored the Synod to back the legislation before the vote.

After the result was known, he told the BBC:

"This vote of course isn't the end of the story. This is not an issue that's going to go away because the fact is three-quarters of the total membership of the synod voted for this ...

"Nobody wants to go on talking about this indefinitely."

More than 100 members spoke during six hours of discussion in Church House, the Church's central London headquarters.

The dispute centred on ways to designate alternative male bishops to work with traditionalist parishes that might reject the authority of a woman bishop named to head their diocese.

Conservative evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics argue that a male-only clergy is God's will, or say that ordaining women bishops would break with a tradition of male church leaders that stretches back to Jesus's Twelve Apostles.

In the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, only bishops can ordain priests and assure the continuation of the clergy.

Welby, an experienced conflict negotiator, urged members to vote for the measure.

"At this very moment, in places from Israel and Gaza to Goma in the Congo, there is killing and suffering because difference cannot be dealt with," he said.

But lay member Jane Patterson urged the Synod not to "bow to cultural pressure", warning that more priests would defect to the Roman Catholic Church, where there are no female clergy, if the law were passed.

About 60 traditionalist clergy, including five male bishops, and about 900 lay members have already switched to Catholicism.

(Writing by Michael Holden; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/church-england-votes-against-allowing-women-bishops-182348497.html

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How to Negotiate by Chloe Askwith ? Out Now | ACE Inspire


Have you wondered how you can negotite to get a better deal, save money and all whilst gaining confidence? Well Chloe Askwith, a member of the Create an EBook ecourse has just had her first book published through Brightword on this subject.

Chlo?? is an experienced negotiator and working mother who has worked for over 15 years in film and television both buying and selling across Europe the Middle East and Africa. She has experience of working with large corporations and small start up companies with deals from a few hundred pounds to many millions. While having a large amount of negotiating experience, Chlo? also understands the needs of start up businesses first hand.

Chloe said, ?I have worked for many years and have worked on both sides of the negotiating table. I have also been fortunate enough to attend several courses and I have learned some great tactics and techniques to use that will save you money and time. Now I am working for myself I can see even more how incredibly useful it is to know and use these simple skills. I wanted to share this knowledge with other business owners who may not have had much (or any) negotiation training. In this economic climate it is more important than ever to build strong relationships with your clients and suppliers. Following the negotiation steps I recommend will ensure that you look after your own interests when doing deals, while still maintaining strong business relationships.

Having good negotiation skills can be useful for so many areas of business (and life). Are you getting a new mobile phone contract, ordering stock for your company or signing up a new client? Before entering into any more agreements first read how you can strike a better deal and save yourself money.?

This book takes you through all the steps necessary for good negotiation. Starting with some golden rules which ensure that you don?t rush into a deal or make mistakes, we will to make sure you understand what you are wanting to achieve and then ensuring that you understand the needs of your supplier or customer to get to a ?win-win? situation.The book highlights the importance of building long term relationships and it gives tips on meetings, what to wear, language to use and body language to be aware of.

How to Negotiate by Chloe Askwith is available now as an ebook from all good online bookstores priced around ?5.

?

Related posts:

  1. Success achieved by ?From Knowledge to Profit? eBook course member.
  2. Are eBooks a consolation prize for people who aren?t good enough to get a book deal?
  3. Book Review: What?s Stopping You? By Robert Kelsey
  4. The seven types of eCommerce business ? and why it?s essential to know which type you are.

Source: http://www.aceinspire.com/2012/11/how-to-negotiate-by-chloe-askwith-out-now/

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Small retailers move upstairs in Market Square | SeacoastOnline.com

Small retailers move upstairs in Market Square | SeacoastOnline.com

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Sisters Shary Stevens, left, and Julie Alexenberg put their heart and soul into the Sheva Jewelry Boutique, which offeres items from local artists as well as international and national. The unique shop is at 16 Market Square, above Breaking New Grounds.Deb Cram photo / dcram@seacoastonline.com

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November 19, 2012 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH ? For a small retail business, a downtown location can be crucial to sales and survival. Yet for many, a first-floor, street-entrance location that offers maximum exposure can be cost-prohibitive. But for those who do make the leap to a second-story location, making a virtue out of necessity can be an alternative pathway to success.

"Being located on the second floor as a retail business has its challenges," said Julie Alexenberg, the co-owner of Sheva Jewelry, which is located above Breaking New Grounds in Market Square. "People are visual and spontaneous when it comes to retail shopping, and the funky heavy door and long staircase can seem daunting to many."

Inn the spring of 2008, Julie Alexenberg decided to move Sheva Jewelry out of her home. Like many local retailers, she wanted a prime location in downtown Portsmouth, but that was easier said than done as the economy began to slow down dramatically.

"We found a temporary retail space in Rye," she said. "We really wanted to be located in downtown Portsmouth, but with our business model initially focusing primarily on our Web site, along with my desire to maintain a flexible schedule and being a new business in a tough and uncertain economy, we opted for a less traditional retail location."

One December afternoon in 2008, Alexenberg was determined to find a space and checked out multiple locations while talking to store owners and downtown real estate brokers. "It was a fruitless search," she said. Before heading home, a friend told her about a possible vacancy above Breaking New Grounds. "I walked over and went up the stairs. The door was ajar and when I opened it, I fell in love with the space, which looks right out over the whole square," she said.

Alexenberg and co-owner Shary Stevens have embraced the downtown Market Square vibe and have gone out of their way to make personal contact with people sitting at outside tables. "I don't think you can get a much better location than this," Stevens said. "The smells alone are fantastic with (the coffee shop) downstairs, and our view of the steeple is wonderful."

Alexenberg and Stevens have also taken maximum advantage of getting the visual word out. "The city allows us to have a sidewalk sign, which is absolutely crucial," Alexenberg said. "We also place mannequins on either side of the street-level door, along with a small jewelry display that hangs against the building. When customers feel adventurous and come on up, they are surprised by what they find. We also rely on word-of-mouth advertising and are grateful that women have spread the word and keep coming back."

The two have also taken advantage of the flexibility that comes with a popular place in a unique location. "We have flexible hours and that allows us to keep family commitments," Alexenberg said. "We often accommodate our customers by opening early or actually returning to the shop later in the evening."


"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(870,625,window.document.location+zTemplate+'&img="+imgCounter+"')";

For businesses that depend on product turn-over, like a chocolate shop, it sometimes doesn't take long to find out a second-floor location doesn't work. Chocolatier Brenda Strum had high hopes earlier this year when she found a second-floor space above Attrezzi, the fine kitchen accessory store on Market Street, for her shop Chocolate Chic. But after four months, she discovered that customers weren't finding their way up the stairs to her shop and she had to close down.

"Location is very important, but rent can be very expensive in downtown Portsmouth," Strum said. "It was a great experience and I learned a lot. I was blindsided by how difficult it was for people to find me and it became a severe disadvantage. Those that came in downstairs were surprised and not expecting to see a chocolate shop upstairs."

Sheva has been at the same location for almost four years. Alexenberg said they have enjoyed integrating with their fellow upstairs businesses. They have embraced social media and the variety in the neighborhood out their window as their growing customer base comes from around the region to view and buy their collection of artisan jewelry.

"This alternative retail model works for Sheva because we are an e-commerce business as well. For this, our location is perfect. I am able to put a sign on the door, run down to the post office to mail packages and run back to the shop," Alexenberg said. "All summer and fall we have tourists who seem to be up for the unusual and are excited to find us hidden away upstairs. We have groups of women who day-trip or spend a night on the Seacoast and visit us regularly. We keep doggy treats for our regular canine visitors."

Sheva has evolved into a business shaped by its location. "We have made friends with many of the regular folks who sit at the cafe tables on the square," Alexenberg said. "We have been blessed to meet wonderful women from the Seacoast and from around the world. We share our stories and talk about music, books, films, progress in careers and relationships, and fun things to do." They have met women who survived wars in Iran and Iraq and recently, a couple from Wales that came to America for the election to hold candidate signs.

"Because Sheva does not get the throngs of folks streaming through our doors, Shary and I are able to actually visit with our customers," Alexenberg said.



We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or fill out this form. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication. Small retailers move upstairs in Market Square | SeacoastOnline.com

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Sisters Shary Stevens, left, and Julie Alexenberg put their heart and soul into the Sheva Jewelry Boutique, which offeres items from local artists as well as international and national. The unique shop is at 16 Market Square, above Breaking New Grounds.Deb Cram photo / dcram@seacoastonline.com

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November 19, 2012 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH ? For a small retail business, a downtown location can be crucial to sales and survival. Yet for many, a first-floor, street-entrance location that offers maximum exposure can be cost-prohibitive. But for those who do make the leap to a second-story location, making a virtue out of necessity can be an alternative pathway to success.

"Being located on the second floor as a retail business has its challenges," said Julie Alexenberg, the co-owner of Sheva Jewelry, which is located above Breaking New Grounds in Market Square. "People are visual and spontaneous when it comes to retail shopping, and the funky heavy door and long staircase can seem daunting to many."

Inn the spring of 2008, Julie Alexenberg decided to move Sheva Jewelry out of her home. Like many local retailers, she wanted a prime location in downtown Portsmouth, but that was easier said than done as the economy began to slow down dramatically.

"We found a temporary retail space in Rye," she said. "We really wanted to be located in downtown Portsmouth, but with our business model initially focusing primarily on our Web site, along with my desire to maintain a flexible schedule and being a new business in a tough and uncertain economy, we opted for a less traditional retail location."

One December afternoon in 2008, Alexenberg was determined to find a space and checked out multiple locations while talking to store owners and downtown real estate brokers. "It was a fruitless search," she said. Before heading home, a friend told her about a possible vacancy above Breaking New Grounds. "I walked over and went up the stairs. The door was ajar and when I opened it, I fell in love with the space, which looks right out over the whole square," she said.

Alexenberg and co-owner Shary Stevens have embraced the downtown Market Square vibe and have gone out of their way to make personal contact with people sitting at outside tables. "I don't think you can get a much better location than this," Stevens said. "The smells alone are fantastic with (the coffee shop) downstairs, and our view of the steeple is wonderful."

Alexenberg and Stevens have also taken maximum advantage of getting the visual word out. "The city allows us to have a sidewalk sign, which is absolutely crucial," Alexenberg said. "We also place mannequins on either side of the street-level door, along with a small jewelry display that hangs against the building. When customers feel adventurous and come on up, they are surprised by what they find. We also rely on word-of-mouth advertising and are grateful that women have spread the word and keep coming back."

The two have also taken advantage of the flexibility that comes with a popular place in a unique location. "We have flexible hours and that allows us to keep family commitments," Alexenberg said. "We often accommodate our customers by opening early or actually returning to the shop later in the evening."


"; aryZooms[imgCounter] = "javascript: NewWindow(870,625,window.document.location+zTemplate+'&img="+imgCounter+"')";

For businesses that depend on product turn-over, like a chocolate shop, it sometimes doesn't take long to find out a second-floor location doesn't work. Chocolatier Brenda Strum had high hopes earlier this year when she found a second-floor space above Attrezzi, the fine kitchen accessory store on Market Street, for her shop Chocolate Chic. But after four months, she discovered that customers weren't finding their way up the stairs to her shop and she had to close down.

"Location is very important, but rent can be very expensive in downtown Portsmouth," Strum said. "It was a great experience and I learned a lot. I was blindsided by how difficult it was for people to find me and it became a severe disadvantage. Those that came in downstairs were surprised and not expecting to see a chocolate shop upstairs."

Sheva has been at the same location for almost four years. Alexenberg said they have enjoyed integrating with their fellow upstairs businesses. They have embraced social media and the variety in the neighborhood out their window as their growing customer base comes from around the region to view and buy their collection of artisan jewelry.

"This alternative retail model works for Sheva because we are an e-commerce business as well. For this, our location is perfect. I am able to put a sign on the door, run down to the post office to mail packages and run back to the shop," Alexenberg said. "All summer and fall we have tourists who seem to be up for the unusual and are excited to find us hidden away upstairs. We have groups of women who day-trip or spend a night on the Seacoast and visit us regularly. We keep doggy treats for our regular canine visitors."

Sheva has evolved into a business shaped by its location. "We have made friends with many of the regular folks who sit at the cafe tables on the square," Alexenberg said. "We have been blessed to meet wonderful women from the Seacoast and from around the world. We share our stories and talk about music, books, films, progress in careers and relationships, and fun things to do." They have met women who survived wars in Iran and Iraq and recently, a couple from Wales that came to America for the election to hold candidate signs.

"Because Sheva does not get the throngs of folks streaming through our doors, Shary and I are able to actually visit with our customers," Alexenberg said.



HOMEWe reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or fill out this form. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication.
Subscribe to the Portsmouth Herald

Source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121119-BIZ-211190336

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Microsoft: Windows Phone 8 and 7.8 "to exist for quite some time"

Microsoft may have just launched Windows Phone 8-based products, but the company also plans to offer older Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 devices a new software upgrade to Windows Phone 7.8. The new version reportedly has reached the RTM stage.

Some owners of those older phones, particularly the Nokia Lumia 900, which was released in April, have express disappointment they would not be receiving the full Windows Phone 8 upgrade. However, in a new interview with TechRadar, Microsoft's Windows Phone corporate vice president Terry Myerson said we will learn more about Windows Phone 7.8 in the coming weeks.

Myerson added that Microsoft appreciates all of the people who have bought Windows Phone products since the company launched its revamped mobile OS in the fall of 2010. He said:

I would expect both platforms to exist for quite some time, from a global point of view. Windows Phone 7.8 devices will span much lower price points than Windows Phone 8 devices, initially, and given the application compatibility across the platforms, it makes the ecosystem stronger to have more device and more price points. We value every 7 and 7.8 customer we have; we'll continue to work for them as well but it is true that Windows Phone 8 is our future platform.

Myerson also added that while Samsung and HTC get their share of support from Microsoft, it is Nokia who gets some special treatment in terms of their own Windows Phone devices. He said, "Nokia is exclusive to Windows Phone and we definitely, on the engineering side, prioritise platform work to support their differentiation coming through."

Source: TechRadar.com

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/QxKyZdPjyi0/microsoft-windows-phone-8-and-78-to-exist-for-quite-some-time

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Economics vs. Politics ? News To News

Politics and economics are always intertwined. In Jordan, this was clearly the case when the government raised energy prices.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour went to great lengths on Jordan TV Tuesday night to explain to the Jordanian public why his government was forced to hike prices of gasoline, kerosene, diesel and cooking gas. But the problems facing the Ensour government are much deeper than simply the budget deficit or subsidised prices.

Ensour is correct to blame some of the problems on the Arab Spring, but he is wrong as to how the Arab Spring exacerbated the situation. He tried to blame the blowing up of the Egyptian gas pipe and the demonstrations of the hirak (movements) in Jordan for the financial crisis. However, the prime minister, who was opposed to the recently approved Elections Law, made no mention of this restrictive law that made an important sector of the society refuse to participate in the upcoming elections.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which opposes this law along with a number of nationalist movements, found in the current price hikes, a perfect vehicle to make its political position known. A brotherhood leader, Murad Adaila, made this issue perfectly clear on BBC Arabic the following morning, stating that the authorities? insistence on its controversial Elections Law has led people to protest both economic and political decisions.

The difficulty of the current government in Jordan goes beyond the problem with elections and Islamists. The fact that the country is preparing for elections that will, for the first time, have 27 seats that will be elected on a national list basis has weakened the ability of the government to rally political leaders to its position.

While the country is facing harsh economic realities, most leading politicians, especially those wishing to run in the upcoming elections, have chosen to stay quiet rather than defend an unpopular economic decision. This means that the brunt of the problem with raising the prices falls squarely on the shoulders of the prime minister.

Speaking frankly and directly to the Jordanian public, Ensour did insist that he and he alone bears the full responsibility of this difficult decision. While the premier alluded to the fact that this decision should have been taken a few years ago, he expressed understanding of how previous prime ministers had a hard time with it.

The reality of the economic and political situation in Jordan naturally has a security escape. With the Monarch having the power to reverse government decisions, some are looking to King Abdullah to intervene to address the popular protests. However, such an intervention, as witnessed during the Tarawneh government, is a two-edged sword. Having asked for the reversal of the price hike, the King provided the public with a precedent that might in some ways provide ammunition to the protesters. Some believe that if the protests continue, the King will intervene and change the decision of his government. Still others are talking about the exaggerated price hike the government imposed.

Whatever the reasons, politics have an important effect on the economic scene in Jordan. It is impossible to divorce the two.

In order to dig itself out of this economic situation, the leadership of Jordan has no choice but to find a political mechanism that ensures that all sectors of society, including the Islamists, are participating in the overall decision-making process. If not, the country will continue to suffer from ups and downs and changes of governments, which cannot be the formula for long-term political or economic stability in the country.

Article source: http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/98761

Source: http://www.newstonews.com/2012/11/17/economics-vs-politics/

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Switched On: The next microplatform

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

DNP Switched On The next microplatform

The case for rich operating systems supporting a wide range of applications has been proven out among PCs, tablets and smartphones. But the jury is still out for other devices such as televisions. While Samsung pushes ahead on attracting apps to its Smart TVs using its own platform and LG, Sony and Vizio align with Google TV, there are still reasons to believe that the smart TV will fail to have tremendous impact as Switched On discussed last year. Blu-ray players, video game consoles and cheap boxes from Apple, Roku, Netgear and others allow consumers to expand their video options while integrated networking provides gateways to content from smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Continue reading Switched On: The next microplatform

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Switched On: The next microplatform originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/18/the-next-microplatform/

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

How Israel's 'Iron Dome' intercepts incoming rockets in Gaza conflict

21 hrs.

As the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues along the Gaza?border, Israelis have been putting to use an anti-rocket defense system called "Iron Dome" meant to intercept Palestinian?rockets that are headed?for major population centers. Along with its tally of "terror target" strikes, the Israel Defense Forces' Twitter feed has announced the number of incoming?rockets grounded by the system.

Iron Dome is actually a nickname for the "Dual-Mission Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar and Very Short Range Air Defense System," a missile?battery?that works with?sensors?to detect and intercept short- to medium-range threats like rockets. It was?commissioned by Israel in 2007 following a year in which the country endured thousands of missile attacks, mainly concentrated in the country's?northern region.

Built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the full??system is?made up of three parts, all of which are relatively portable.?

A radar unit watches for threats in a radius up to about 40?miles.?

Information on spotted projectiles is passed to a Battle Management and Control truck, where the information is evaluated and the command is given to either intercept or ignore. The projectile data is then passed to the interceptor unit, which launches a missile programmed to cross paths with the incoming rocket or shell, and detonate it in a way that is as harmless as possible.?

This week,?Iron Dome has been up against the rockets fired by the Qassam Brigades, the?military faction of Hamas, the?Islamist political party and militant group that has been governing the Gaza Strip separately from the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority since 2007.

The rockets are crude, technologically speaking: Little more than an explosive charge attached to the end of a tube of propellant. While this means the rockets can be manufactured and deployed in great numbers, it also means that they have a relatively?slow, ballistic trajectory that is an easy target for a fast-moving, guided missile.

Each missile fired from an Iron Dome unit costs around $40,000, but the cost appears to be offset by effectiveness. The Israel?Defense Force has previously stated?that as high as?85 percent of the enemy?rockets can be intercepted?? although its effectiveness was tested under significantly less intense bombardments.?As of Friday evening,?current estimates. based on IDF reports.?place rockets fired into Israeli territory at just over 600, with nearly 250 reported to be?shot down by Iron Dome missiles.

That may sound like a far cry from?85 percent accuracy, but the Iron Dome batteries simply ignore?projectiles that are predicted to land in unpopulated areas like farmland or water. So while hundreds of rockets have been allowed to strike Israeli soil, comparatively few of them are causing serious damage or casualties.

The U.S. partly bankrolled?the development of Iron Dome, beginning with?$200 million requested by President Obama?in 2010?and?later approved by Congress. As much or more is currently being considered for inclusion with other defense spending, though it may be contingent on Israel consenting to a technology-sharing agreement.?The Iron Dome was first deployed in March 2011, and it intercepted its first enemy rocket that April. ?

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC?News Digital. His personal website is?coldewey.cc.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/how-israels-iron-dome-intercepts-incoming-rockets-gaza-conflict-1C7127842

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Reaching Out to the Family From West Africa


The book is available as a FREE download for the next six days. Just click the link and it will take you to the download page. Then choose the version to run on the device you wish to read it on..

Alternatively, you can simply download the Kindle version and start reading it immediately on your computer. This is what you do. Go to the Download page. Please note! There are two versions to download. The E-pub version is for iPad, iPhone and general Android machines. The second version is for the Kindle.

The fastest way to start reading straight away is to download the kindle version and then download the FREE kindle reader from Amazon dot com to you PC or Mac and you are good to go.

Source: http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/open-forum/51226-reaching-out-family-west-africa.html

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College Coach Freak Outs: Nick Saban, Mike Gundy, Will Muschamp And Augie Garrido Rant (VIDEO)

When it comes to using profanity, college coaches tend to take more after George Carlin than George Washington, who believed that "The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."

Clearly, Washington never tried to coach football in the SEC, basketball in the Big 10 or baseball in the Big 12.

Whether it's an attempt to exhort players to victory, address a mistake or merely to explain to reporters that he is a MAN, it seems that freak outs are as much a part of being a college coach as practice and recruiting violations. To the chagrin of television censors (and the delight of just about everyone else) hese epic meltdowns tend to include at least one of Carlin's "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." When profanity won't suffice to express a coach's emotions then, occasionally, a chair is thrown.

From Nick Saban and Mike Gundy to Augie Garrido and Bobby Knight, here are some of the most memorable coaching rants and explosions of all time, meaning it's earmuffs time for "every person of sense and character out there."

WARNING: College Coaches Tend To Use Offensive Language When They Flip

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/college-coach-freaks-out-nick-saban-mike-gundy_n_2142012.html

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

New Sports Program Hopes To Tackle Childhood ObesityYour ...

From The Redlands Daily Facts?..

A new program is springing up in the area that hopes to encourage children to take up a healthy, active lifestyle.

Hailing from Canada, Sportball is an innovative idea that helps children as young as 16 months up to 12 years of age develop gross motor skills in a fun, safe environment.

Founded in 1995 with a single location, the Sportball program has expanded to more than 300 locations in the U.S., Canada and Singapore.

Lori Digulla brought the program to the Redlands-Yucaipa area after moving to the area from Toronto, Canada.

While living up north, she had her young daughter, Kaitlyn, enrolled in the class.

Because of the success of the program for her daughter, Digulla contacted the people behind Sportball to see how easy it could be to bring the program to the Redlands-Yucaipa area.

?I honestly fell in love with it because of my daughter, and the experiences she had with it,? Digulla said.

Digulla loved the fact that her daughter not only embraced the program, but she gained confidence in herself, she said. ?And in her abilities and familiarity. It became everyday life for her. Soon basketball and soccer became part of her ?language.??

Moving to Redlands in February was a big step for Digulla and her family, but once settled, she and her brood ?embraced the community,? she said.

Knowing the success of Sportball from her personal experience, she felt the program would be beneficial to those living in the area. So, she approached the people behind Sportball to bring the program to her new home.

They jumped at the chance, she said.

?I was thrilled to bring my family here,? she said. ?There are lots of families who are looking for ways to engage and excite their children. There?s an epidemic across the country, so many distractions for kids to sit down and watch TV and play video games. Lots of things that discourage kids from being active. So this seemed like an activity that would be embraced by the community.?

Classes began in Redlands two weeks ago and are offered weekly.

Sportball?s mission is to help children develop socially, as well as physically through a curriculum that is designed in an environment that is free from the pressures of competition.

To read the full story?..Click here

Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=6682

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Plants and soils could exacerbate climate change as global climate warms

Plants and soils could exacerbate climate change as global climate warms [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 13-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Ellen Klicka
eklicka@ametsoc.org
202-355-9812
American Meteorological Society

WASHINGTON November 13, 2012 Scientists from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and University of California, Berkeley have demonstrated that plants and soils could release large amounts of carbon dioxide as global climate warms. This finding contrasts with the expectation that plants and soils will absorb carbon dioxide and is important because that additional carbon release from land surface could be a potent positive feedback that exacerbates climate warming.

The study was published today in a Journal of Climate paper titled, "Carbon cycle uncertainty increases climate change risks and mitigation challenges." The full text is available at http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00089.1.

"We have been counting on plants and soils to soak up and store much of the carbon we're releasing when we burn fossil fuels," Paul Higgins, a study co-author and associate director of the AMS Policy Program, said. "However, our results suggest the opposite possibility. Plants and soils could react to warming by releasing additional carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and leading to even more climate warming."

The research team used a computer model of Earth's land surface to examine how carbon storage might react to a warmer planet with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. The experimental design helps quantify the possible range in future terrestrial carbon storage.

Results indicated that the potential range of outcomes is vast and includes the possibility that plant and soil responses to human-caused warming could trigger a large additional release of carbon. If that outcome is realized, a given level of human emissions could result in much larger climate changes than scientists currently anticipate. It would also mean that greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could be required to ensure carbon dioxide concentrations remain at what might be considered safe levels for the climate system.

These findings could pose additional challenges for climate change risk management. Recognizing such challenges will afford decision makers a greater chance of managing the risks of climate change more effectively.

Dr. Higgins works on climate change and its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. His scientific research examines the two-way interaction between the atmosphere and the land-surface, which helps quantify responses and feedbacks to climate change. Dr. Higgins's policy analysis helps characterize climate risks and identify potential solutions. He also works to inform policy makers, members of the media, and the general public about climate science and climate policy.

Dr. John Harte, the study's other co-author, is a professor of energy and resources and of environmental science, policy and management at University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include climate-ecosystem interactions, theoretical ecology and environmental policy.

###

About the AMS Policy Program

Societal choices have the greatest chance to benefit the public when grounded in knowledge and understanding. The American Meteorological Society Policy Program makes the Earth science community's considerable knowledge base available and useful to the policy process by: 1) expanding scientists' capacity to engage the policy process, 2) keeping government decision makers aware of scientific advances, 3) enabling meaningful collaborations between scientists and decision makers, 4) conducting policy research and analysis, and 5) communicating our vision and results. To learn more, visit www.ametsoc.org/atmospolicy.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Plants and soils could exacerbate climate change as global climate warms [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 13-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Ellen Klicka
eklicka@ametsoc.org
202-355-9812
American Meteorological Society

WASHINGTON November 13, 2012 Scientists from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and University of California, Berkeley have demonstrated that plants and soils could release large amounts of carbon dioxide as global climate warms. This finding contrasts with the expectation that plants and soils will absorb carbon dioxide and is important because that additional carbon release from land surface could be a potent positive feedback that exacerbates climate warming.

The study was published today in a Journal of Climate paper titled, "Carbon cycle uncertainty increases climate change risks and mitigation challenges." The full text is available at http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/full/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00089.1.

"We have been counting on plants and soils to soak up and store much of the carbon we're releasing when we burn fossil fuels," Paul Higgins, a study co-author and associate director of the AMS Policy Program, said. "However, our results suggest the opposite possibility. Plants and soils could react to warming by releasing additional carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and leading to even more climate warming."

The research team used a computer model of Earth's land surface to examine how carbon storage might react to a warmer planet with higher atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. The experimental design helps quantify the possible range in future terrestrial carbon storage.

Results indicated that the potential range of outcomes is vast and includes the possibility that plant and soil responses to human-caused warming could trigger a large additional release of carbon. If that outcome is realized, a given level of human emissions could result in much larger climate changes than scientists currently anticipate. It would also mean that greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could be required to ensure carbon dioxide concentrations remain at what might be considered safe levels for the climate system.

These findings could pose additional challenges for climate change risk management. Recognizing such challenges will afford decision makers a greater chance of managing the risks of climate change more effectively.

Dr. Higgins works on climate change and its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. His scientific research examines the two-way interaction between the atmosphere and the land-surface, which helps quantify responses and feedbacks to climate change. Dr. Higgins's policy analysis helps characterize climate risks and identify potential solutions. He also works to inform policy makers, members of the media, and the general public about climate science and climate policy.

Dr. John Harte, the study's other co-author, is a professor of energy and resources and of environmental science, policy and management at University of California, Berkeley. His research interests include climate-ecosystem interactions, theoretical ecology and environmental policy.

###

About the AMS Policy Program

Societal choices have the greatest chance to benefit the public when grounded in knowledge and understanding. The American Meteorological Society Policy Program makes the Earth science community's considerable knowledge base available and useful to the policy process by: 1) expanding scientists' capacity to engage the policy process, 2) keeping government decision makers aware of scientific advances, 3) enabling meaningful collaborations between scientists and decision makers, 4) conducting policy research and analysis, and 5) communicating our vision and results. To learn more, visit www.ametsoc.org/atmospolicy.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/ams-pas111312.php

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Small town reeling from death of father, three children in weekend ...

ORRINGTON, Maine ? A predawn house fire Saturday that claimed the lives of four members of a local family left residents of this small Penobscot County town reeling from shock and sadness.

The four who died in the fire at 580 Dow Road were identified as 30-year-old Ben Johnson III, his sons Ben, 9, and Ryan, 4, and 8-year-old daughter, Leslie, state public safety officials said Saturday.

The sole survivor of the fire was wife and mother Christine Johnson, 31. On Sunday, Johnson remained at Eastern Maine Medical Center, where she was being treated for smoke inhalation. She initially was listed in serious condition but her medical condition since has improved, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said Sunday evening.

State investigators continued to comb the charred structure on Sunday searching for the cause of the fire, which was reported at 2:38 a.m. Saturday. Preliminary results of that investigation could be released sometime Monday, McCausland said.

The people who were the first to arrive on the scene of the fire said it appeared that Ben Johnson died after putting his wife out of harms way on a breezeway roof and then going back inside the burning house to save his children.

Neighbors Terri and Doug Winslow said they were alerted to the emergency by Christine Johnson?s pleas for help.

Terri Winslow said she was awake when the fire broke out shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

?I heard someone holler ?Help!?? Winslow said in an interview Sunday morning outside her home. She said she initially thought it was an animal noise from the nearby woods but kept listening nonetheless.

?I heard it again and I woke my husband up and I asked him if he heard it,? she said. ?And then we heard ?Help, please, help.? When I heard ?please? I knew it was a person. So we jumped out of bed and looked out the window and saw just orange light coming from that direction,? she said, referring to the Johnson?s home just down the road.

?I wasn?t sure what it was so I jumped on the phone and called 911. While I was talking to them, I was hollering out my window to her, just letting her know that we were getting help. And that?s when she said that her husband and kids were still in the house,? she said. Winslow said she could hear Ben and Christine Johnson talking to each other from across the yard.

?They were talking and it was anxious. like you can imagine. I could hear him talking but I couldn?t tell what he said,? she said.

?I told them ? 911 ? what was going on in the house and to hurry,? Terri Winslow said, pausing briefly to regain her composure.

The Winslows put their coats on, grabbed some extra jackets, and ran down the hill to the Johnsons? home. When they arrived, Christine Johnson was on the roof of a breezeway connecting the house to the garage behind it.

?She?s, as you can imagine, frantic and said, ?They went the wrong way, they went the wrong way,?? Terri Winslow said.

?I?m thinking her husband put her out the window and went back in for the kids because she (Terri Winslow) heard him talk to her before we got out of the house,? Doug Winslow said.

Doug Winslow said Christine Johnson ?was thinking they went down the stairs to the front door because the stairs emptied out right down to the front door, right in the middle of the house, right behind the fireplace,? a brick hearth with a woodstove set inside.

The Winslows told her ?to stay put, that she was safe and not try to get down,? Terri Winslow said. Johnson told them she thought the door was unlocked.

?We ran around the house [to the] back door. My husband threw a birdbath through the window and hollered in to see if we could hear any reaction but there was nothing,? she said. She said she was able to open the back door but the fire and smoke inside had built to the point that it was unsafe to enter.

The Winslows said that after a while they could hear glass breaking and parts of the house collapsing.

?You know, the worst thing is when you?re standing 30 feet away from someone who?s dying or dead and there?s nothing you can do,? Doug Winslow said. ?That?s the definition of helplessness.?

When fire crews arrived, the distraught wife and mother told firefighters she was fine and to save her family, the Winslows said. Soon after that, firefighters helped her down from the roof.

?We covered her up and we just held her,? Terri Winslow said.

Orrington Fire Chief Mike Spencer said firefighters were forced to withdraw shortly after entering the house because conditions were too unsafe. McCausland said the bodies of Johnson and the three children were found a short time after firefighters entered the burning house.

Dave and Brenda Chase, who live across the street from the demolished home, remembered Ben Johnson as a hard worker who held a full time job at the Bangor Walmart Supercenter and a part time job as a dealer at Hollywood Casino.

Dave Chase said Johnson was excited about being close to buying his first home. Brenda Chase said she sometimes helped Christine with home improvement projects.

The Chases liked all three of the Johnson kids. They said the younger Ben was protective of his younger siblings and Leslie adored her mother. Ryan was ?a tough little guy? who was always trying to ride his bicycle too close to the road and played mailbox pranks on them.

?He would put the red flag up and I would put it back down and he would put it back up again, David Chase said.

Until Saturday, life had been looking good for the couple, according to coworkers and friends. Christine Johnson, who had been writing out of their home, in October celebrated the release of her paranormal fantasy novel, The Quest for the Enchanted Stone.

Ken Goetz, casino manager at Hollywood Casino in Bangor, remembered Ben Johnson as an employee who customers and colleagues alike enjoyed.

?He was always happy, always smiling,? Goetz said. ?He was one of our best dealers.? Saturday was a difficult day at the casino, which provided quiet space for coworkers who needed that as well as counseling and other support through the company?s human resources and employee assistance programs.

?It?s just a tragic situation,? he said. ?I don?t think there are words to describe it. People including myself were devastated. It?s heartbreaking. I don?t think anybody will ever be able to make sense of something like this.?

Goetz said that last week, Ben Johnson ? who usually worked the Thursday night shift ? had asked to work dayside instead so he and his wife could host their first Thanksgiving dinner in the home they moved into about six months ago. Goetz said that instead, he gave his employee the entire day off.

?You should have seen the smile on his face as he walked away,? Goetz recalled.

Matthew Johnson, a close friend Ben Johnson but not a relative, is working at the Hollywood Casino to put together a benefit for the fire?s survivors.

He said that Ben, with whom he graduated from George Stevens Academy in 2000, Christine and the children had lived in several area communities, including Brewer, Bucksport and Bangor, before finding their dream home on Dow Road.

Despite the recent good years, Matt Johnson said Sunday that Saturday?s tragedy was not the first for his friends, who lost a child before giving birth to Ryan.

Superintendent Allan Snell said Saturday that Orrington school officials were briefed on the tragedy early that morning and notified staff at Center Drive School, where the younger Ben Johnson was in fourth grade and his sister, Leslie Johnson, was a third grader.

?They were both great kids, very nice kids,? Center Drive School Principal Roy Allen said early Saturday afternoon. ?This is just such a tragedy. It?s going to be devastating for the kids because it?s such a small school and everybody knows everybody.?

Snell and Allen said that the school already is seeing an outpouring of support, both from the community and nearby school units that have offered to provide assistance with grief counseling and any other services that are needed. Snell said local fire officials also have offered to be at the school if they are needed.

Despite Veterans Day observances on Monday, Snell and Allen said the school will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday for anyone who wants to come in and reflect. One or more counselors will be on hand during those hours, they said. They said that a crisis team is being mobilized for Tuesday, when classes resume.

The bodies of the four family members were taken to Augusta for autopsies. The results were still pending late Sunday.

Funeral arrangements, which are being handled by Brookings Smith Funeral Home, had yet to be set as of Sunday night.

CORRECTION:

An earlier version of this story requires correction. The Johnsons were not renting the house at 580 Dow Road with the option to buy. They were living there while their purchase was being processed.

Source: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/11/news/small-town-reeling-from-death-of-father-three-children-in-weekend-fire/

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Saturday, November 10, 2012

Guest Post - Queen Bee Consulting

?

So like many business owners, I subscribe to a lot of newsletters to continue my education and stay on top of industry trends and knowledge. I want to share one of my favorites with you here.

This week?s post is from my good friend, coach and one of my mentors, Sydni Craig-Hart. Her company is Smart Simple Marketing and she is always full of great tips and extremely useful information. This latest one I thought would be particularly helpful to all my readers. Enjoy!

?

How often have you seen an announcement for a course, ebook or teleseminar presented by an amazing duo? Instead of wishing you were part of an incredible partnership, take the steps to form one on your own. It?s easier than you think.

The benefits of partnering for a project are enormous. Partnerships will expose your work to new audiences increasing your reach much faster than you ever could on your own. Many people in your partner?s audience will become part of your tribe. Growing your audience leads to increased profits.

Another huge benefit is pooled resources. When you have a partner you get to share the workload and share the costs. Working together allows you to increase productivity without increasing your workload.

Choose your partner wisely and you?ll get a chance to learn from your peers. Look for someone with a skill set that complements your own. Ideally, your partner shares your vision and looks at business the same way you do. When you find someone who has the same picture of the future, you?re unstoppable!

Start with YOUR Strengths

When you are ready to begin your own partnership, start with what you bring to the table. Most entrepreneurs are open to offers and opportunities to work together, but it has to be mutually beneficial. Be up front about what you offer and what you expect.

The partnership will go sour if you aren?t clear up front about what you are able to give. Ask yourself why someone would want to partner with you. Consider your expertise and your strengths. Also think about the amount of time you have to devote to the project. Are you good with follow through? What is your reputation in the marketplace? Both partners should have something to offer.

Pick the Perfect Partner

Look for a partner whose skills complement yours or whose work you admire. If the right person isn?t already in your network, chances are, you know someone who knows that person. Your network is your most powerful tool, so activate it! Put the word out that you want to meet a specific person or someone with specific skills and expertise.

Ask your social media contacts if they can introduce you to the right person. Talk to everyone you know, not just your network of colleagues. Ask family, friends, neighbors, high school alumni associations, college alumni associations, fraternal associations, your gym, clubs, Meetup groups and sports teams. If you find someone local, invite them to lunch or coffee to talk get to know each other.

Ask for the Partnership

Once you find the right partner, make your offer. When you reach out, be specific about what you can contribute to the partnership and their business. Be clear in what results you?re looking to create for you both and how you see the collaboration developing. Also, be honest about what you expect to gain. An open conversation is the start of a great partnership.

Finding the right partner takes some work, but the advantages are endless. The boost in your reach and exposure to new markets make it worth the effort. With a little digging and a good offer, you can put together the perfect partnership to reach your goals.

Your Action Plan For This Week:

  1. Brainstorm?assets that you have to bring to a partnership. Be specific and honest.
  2. Determine?what types of businesses and/or professionals would make good partners, based on your current goals.
  3. Seek out?introductions to 3-5 experts in your industry who have services or skills that complement what you offer to your target market.
  4. Reach out?and let the potential partner know how you can be of service and add value for their market.
  5. Follow up?and continue the conversation until you?ve reached and agreement for a collaboration that is mutually beneficial.

Sydni Craig-Hart, The Smart Simple Marketing Coach, is founder of?SmartSimpleMarketing.com. Known for her easy, strategic and results-focused approach to marketing, she also has the unique ability to find untapped profit centers in her client?s businesses so they can create money NOW.

Source: http://queenbeeconsulting.com/2012/11/guest-post-how-to-develop-profitable-partnerships-to-grow-your-business/

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