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It's obvious why these brilliant scissors with a built-in tape dispenser aren't available in every office supply store in the country. They want you to have to buy both products separately—increasing the store's profits while you sit at home fumbling your way through another botched attempt at wrapping gifts. More »

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Day Trading Penny Stocks Strategies | Penny Stocks

April 12, 2012 in penny stocks | Comments (0)

Tags: Penny, Stocks, Strategies, Trading

While there are common fundamental everyone must learn, individual strategies for day trading penny stocks online vary much the way one?s taste in music or film might vary. After you learn the fundamentals, you need to experiment for yourself and learn what works with your aptitude and sensibility. While reading this article keep the following queries in mind and be honest with yourself:

Humans are subjective beings. Can you stick to this strategy even if you dislike the stock?s company? Do I have the time and resources to stay on top of this particular strategy? What is my risk tolerance? Can I endure the psychological volatility of this strategy? Do I have the liquid capital to really make this strategy work without ruining my finances if things go wrong? Do I have the time and, be honest here, the patience and attention span to stay focused on this strategy long enough to fulfill its potential?

Diversify and Learn Before You Day Trade

Straight investing can be simple if you choose. The bottom line on this beginner?s strategy is to research and monitor a business?s financial data, then way them in the context of general economic factors. From a trader?s perspective, this requires understanding mechanical stock trading strategies. This means you back test to arrive on a set of indicators consistent with a particular stock?s past behavior. You then trade on predetermined trigger points. This isn?t an aggressive trading strategy, and thus evaluations are often only made every quarter when new information becomes available.

As long as you diversify and take your time with your research, this strategy does not involve too much volatility. It is a good approach for people who don?t mind thoroughly researching a company and the market once every three months. The down side is that you must be very careful to do proper research when you buy and sell quarterly or you could waste a lot of time and money.

Work Your Way Up to Day Trading Time Frames

Stock trading strategies are often identified by time frames. Reduce trade time to decrease risk, or increase trade time to decrease mental stress and trading commissions. If you have the time, resources and personal focus and intensity, fast and frequent trading can be profitable once you know what you?re doing. But many people burn out before they follow their strategy through to fruition, so sometimes the aforementioned simple investing strategy is best, even if not technically optimum from a financial standpoint. You have to be realistic with yourself.

Chart Your Penny Stocks

Learning to chart stocks is a key strategy. Essentially, you develop visual cues you associate with mathematical equations. As you learn more and more about how different historical equations manifest themselves in the patterns of the stock market, you start to spot patterns much like the way some people like to spot animals in the shapes of the clouds. This allows you to evaluate large volumes of data more quickly and intuitive make top-level decisions before delving down into the details.

Swing Trading Penny Stock

Another fundamental strategy will be swing trading. Swing trading occurs when savvy investors use historical tools such as resistance and support point and Fibonacci numbers to make money on short-term price corrections. These corrections are identified within a general incline of a stock?s behavior. Essentially, you?re identifying extreme behavior in a general trend, and that extreme behavior usually corrects itself pretty quickly. So you identify and exploit these quick corrections to make the most with day trading penny stocks.

Learn what it really takes to do day trading for a living at this great new site for beginner to intermediate stock investors:

Day Trading Penny Stocks

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Leaked Microsoft roadmap reveals Office 15, IE 10 and Windows Phone details

If it's accurate, then this leaked Microsoft roadmap has revealed the company's plans for many of its forthcoming products. Here's the basics: Internet Explorer 10 is due part-way through the year, at the same time that we hope to see Windows 8 appearing. Office 15 will enter beta-testing partway through 2012 and become "available" next year, but that's no sure sign of a release date. On the Windows Phone front, there's a launch expected in the summer that's labelled as "future investments," which we can only hope is a euphemism for Apollo. Oh, and any Silverlight fans better pour one out for their beloved flash-killer: nothing was marked on its timeline after the December 2011 release of Version 5. After the break we've got another shot of the internal document that Windows fans will spend the next few days analyzing with Zapruder-esque fervor.

[Images courtesy of Maarten Visser]

Continue reading Leaked Microsoft roadmap reveals Office 15, IE 10 and Windows Phone details

Leaked Microsoft roadmap reveals Office 15, IE 10 and Windows Phone details originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Football 7-a-side | HHoliday Rentals

Exciting, end-to-end action is guaranteed at the 7-a-side Football tournament, one of two Football competitions at the Paralympic Games.

The sport is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA)

Key facts

Venue:?Olympic Park -?Riverbank Arena
Dates: Saturday 1 September ? Sunday?9 September 2012
Medal events: 1
Athletes: 96 (all men; eight teams)

One of two Football variations played at the Paralympic Games, 7-a-side Football is a fast-moving and fiercely competitive sport played by athletes with cerebral palsy. At London 2012, the?Riverbank Arena will host eight men?s teams in a 20-match tournament, culminating in the gold medal match on 9 September.

The basics

7-a-side Football follows FIFA rules, with some modifications: each team consists of seven players; the playing field is smaller, as are the goals (5m by 2m); there?s no offside rule; throw-ins may be made with one hand only; and each half lasts 30 minutes. Teams are made up of ambulant cerebral palsy athletes, and each side must maintain a line-up featuring players with varying levels of impairment.

The Paralympic tournament will feature eight men?s teams, initially two groups of four teams playing in a round-robin format. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winning semi-finalists going head to head for the gold.

Football 7-a-side at the Paralympic Games, past and present

?

7-a-side Football has been part of the Paralympic programme since the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games. At London 2012, all matches will be played at the brand new Riverbank Arena in the Olympic Park, which will also stage the 5-a-side Football competition.

Jargon buster

?

- Extra time:?If a match in the knockout stages is tied at the end of 60 minutes, the teams play 20 minutes of extra time in a bid to find a winner.
- Penalty shootout:?If a match remains tied after extra time, it is decided by a penalty shootout following standard FIFA rules.
- Pitch:?The playing area, measuring no less than 70m x 50m and no more than 75m x 55m.

See the London 2012 Paralympic Games competition schedule

?

Get involved

To find out more about grassroots development programmes, visit the websites of?the FA,?the Scottish FA,?the Football Association of Wales?and?the Irish FA, all of which organise opportunities for athletes with a disability.

It?s easy to get started ? you can find a local club through the?Disability Footballclub directory, by contacting your county Football association or on the?Parasport website. The?Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association?(or CPISRA) governs the sport at international level.

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Apr

Posted:

April 12, 2012 Thursday at 11:15 am

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Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt Engaged

'It is a promise for the future and their kids are very happy,' Pitt's manager tells People.
By Jocelyn Vena

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are engaged, Pitt's manager confirmed Friday (April 13).

"Yes, it's confirmed," Cynthia Pett-Dante told People. "It is a promise for the future and their kids are very happy. There's no date set at this time."

Click here to see photos of Brangelina

It's being reported that Robert Procop worked with Pitt to design a ring for his longtime love. A statement from the jewelry designer to The Hollywood Reporter, which originally reported the engagement, read: "I can confirm that, yes, Robert Procop did indeed design an engagement ring for Angelina Jolie, designed in collaboration with Brad Pitt."

People also obtained a statement from the designer: "Brad had a specific vision for this ring, which he realized over a yearlong collaboration with Robert. He wanted every aspect of it to be perfect, so Robert was able to locate a diamond of the finest quality and cut it to an exact custom size and shape to suit Angelina's hand."

Procop, who works with Jolie on her "The Style of Jolie" jewelry line, added, "Brad was always heavily involved, overseeing every aspect of the creative design evolution. The side diamonds are specially cut to encircle her finger. Each diamond is of the highest gem quality."

Rumors of an engagement originated when Jolie — along with Pitt and their son Pax — was spotted with a whopping piece of bling on her finger. The family was photographed at a private viewing at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Chinese Galleries on Wednesday.

The pair got together in 2005 after meeting on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," when Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. They have six kids together, who frequently travel with the couple across the globe.

The twosome have been pretty vocal over the years about not getting married until everyone has the right to marry, but in an interview earlier this year with THR, Pitt seemed to be warming up to the idea, mostly because of their kids.

"We'd actually like to," he said of his seven-year partner, Jolie, "and it seems to mean more and more to our kids. We made this declaration some time ago that we weren't going to do it till everyone can. But I don't think we'll be able to hold out. It means so much to my kids, and they ask a lot. And it means something to me, too, to make that kind of commitment."

He added, "I'm not going to go any further. But to be in love with someone and be raising a family with someone and want to make that commitment and not be able to is ludicrous, just ludicrous."

Related Photos

• Lovebirds: Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie

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Start Out Your Mesothelioma Promises Immediately ? Thanks For ...

? ? Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can certainly file their mesothelioma claims because of the injury they are suffering from working to asbestos environment. ?Mesothelioma is a disease caused severe exposure to asbestos particles causing cancer usually affecting the lining of the lungs, chest, cavity, abdominal cavity and the cavity across the heart. The indications of this fatal condition may appear after 10-50 years of exposure to asbestos fibers. ?When asbestos fibers are inhaled, it can cause physical injury to mesothelium cells that could cause cancer. ?Asbestos fibers can also cause injury to the lung cells that can result cancer in the lung or asbestosis. The exposure to asbestos particles is mainly work-related but it can be environmental. ?A worker whose working in an asbestos environment usually takes the asbestos fibers to their home from the work clothes or uniform they work and this can also affect the family members of the employee. It is essential to know the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer since they might appear in the latter years of the workers? ?lives. ?Most of the signs and symptoms are common and not specific to the disease itself. ?Most of the people are mistaken these for daily sickness and ailments such as common cold. ?However, there have been people who have diagnosed with mesothelioma who were having these symptoms only for a few months. Since the symptoms appear after a few years of exposure, once the victim is diagnosed, the disease is on its terminal stage. ?Once you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, file your mesothelioma claims against your previous employer even if the business does not longer exist. Common signs of this fatal disease include pain at the side of the chest or in the lower back. ?Shortness of breath is nearly always a symptom suffered by the patients. ?Some suffered from coughing, fever, sweating and fatigue, as well as difficulty in swallowing and immediate weight loss. ?Serious

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What Pet dog Groomers Don't Want You to Know

A number of most people drop their canine off at a groomer and never ever actually give it a 2nd assumed. In most scenarios their puppies are returned browsing sharp and smelling good. Even so there have been quite a few instances where by this has not been the situation. Dying and injuries at the pet grooming salon is an extra typical event then it must be. Sorry to say their purely are not many regulations in area when it happens to protecting our furry adored kinds from hurt.

There have been a lot of scenarios of canines that have been left in cage dryers and overlooked before it was also late. There have been scenarios of ears, tongues, and tails currently being flat out lower off by a negligent groomers. Dogs have been burned by clippers or gotten ear infections owing to drinking water coming into the ear canal when being bathed. The most regrettable issue is that most all of these scenarios could have been simply prevented.

What most men and women do not know is that in a lot of states there are no rules are legal guidelines to ruled pet groomers. There is no license necessary, no inspections manufactured and no suggestions that will have to be adopted. This indicates that everyone with a pair of clippers can name themselves a puppy or pet groomer and it is certainly legal. They can have no training what so ever. Even the so called ?Certified? Groomer is not essentially accurately experienced to manage your pet. There are countless grooming educational institutions that make available this so called certification and to be totally genuine most of it implies positively next to nothing. There are even on the internet classes that make available certification. There is no way that you can find out all there is to know about competently handling pets and grooming on the net. There are certifications that are alot more legit then other people and some do have earned regard. Groomers that have been certified Grasp Groomers by the Nationwide Dog Grooming Affiliation have proven their talents time and time all over again in purchase to find this title. However there are a large number of faculties that are certifying folks as ?Learn Groomers? that have no actual screening nor do they have the suitable to use this title. The NDGAA had the expression Learn Groomer Copy Righted lots of a long time in the past and the only real Learn Groomers are licensed by NDGAA.

Even though your regular pet proprietor does not know this. The most beneficial way for a groomer to master is to serve a substantial apprenticeship below a skilled groomer. This apprenticeship really should final at the very least 2 many years. However there are many educational facilities turning groomers out in two weeks or at times even a lot less. There are several excellent groomers who are self-confident in their skills and are a great deal more then professional to groom pets. Though, these fly by night time colleges that are turning out the so referred to as Qualified Groomers are seriously diminish the earned accomplishments of true pet dog groomers. Pet proprietors almost everywhere should really be outraged.

Pet proprietors really should extensively query their groomers about how and just where they learned to groom well before leaving their cherished types in his or her care. Will not be scared to talk to it seriously could be an everyday living or loss of life make any difference for your pet dog. Worried pet proprietors will need to also start off producing their congressman and state governments about regulating the pet grooming sector for the benefit of most people. If your groomer is not ?Accredited? never get worried they can be an superb groomer who has figured out the suitable way. In excess of several years of apprenticeship which you can not educate in a two week study course. If your groomer is ?Certified? I would run except if it is from the NDGAA or other upstanding grooming affiliation. Most of all do not be scared to consult how extended they have been grooming and how extended it took them to get this ?Certification?.

Looking for added information Dog Groomers?Explore our web page for extra information.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

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Payday advances Toronto Toronto ? Make application for a Loan ...

There initially were a whole lot of developments possess brought on by the development of the overall of which this includes the available appointments of loan facilities over the internet. This is not just convenient, this could be also fantastic for those who are seeking an effective technique to have a loan to get an agreement. By the use of on-line internet websites, to lower the number to move in the property and commute or drive to a new lenders location of enterprise. Acquiring Fast payday loans Toronto finance via this course may appear far more popular than these as additional ndividuals are seeking loans which are often only outstanding for one limited time frame. Had not been rates are typical higher, there exists need not worry since the minimal time span will make amends for our prime rates beyond the loan are only outstanding for 4 weeks.

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One of the many greatest factors concerning Fast payday loans Toronto finance online form which were given by lenders whore working on-line is definitely the obvious simplicity of ones types that possibly they are issuing at the applicants. An excessive amount of women and men would surely lose the patience in endeavoring to accomplish an extended and stressing form this is certainly hard to complete. By purchasing a short application, it would not be challenging to carry out the proper execution instantly and dump the whole set of hassles which have been associated to processing extended and complicated forms to get the cash loan finance.

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WWW.ARTIKELSCHRIJVEN.NET ? All about Bridging Loan Financing

Bridging loans, also known as swing loans, are noticed as a possible interim loan that can help to ?bridge the gap? so-to-speak until next stage financing or perhaps a more permanent loan solution could be sought after and instated. Most bridging loans can be found in two forms, commercial bridging loans and residential bridging loans. Bridging finance loans are set up that they?ll be repaid in some short weeks however some bridging loan rates enable years before repayment. Borrowers of your bridging loan need to take this into account ? since these types of loans can be used to help solve frustrating problems and require lenders to create a fast decision, often only nominal leverage must be used in loan negotiations and there can be high ridging loan rates for repayment.

The main problem bridging loans look to solve are timing. As the borrow is stressed for time, the financial loan company includes an extra leverage on the negotiating table and can charge higher bridging loan rates of interest. For commercial bridging loans, lending institutions may ask for something to ?sweeten the offer,? like collateral or equity participation. A bridging loan may last for about half a year before monthly obligations start to kick in. The lender can offer bridging loan extensions if the borrower incurs payment delays, but when no extension is granted, the borrower has to start paying or lose the property through foreclosure proceedings.

Just what exactly to bridging loans do? Regarding an individual, residential bridging loans aid in paying off a home loan that exists so they can position the down payment over a home. Or, in another common example, this kind of bridging loan will help someone buy a new home when they have to move, including for work, but their current home has not yet yet sold. Both in scenarios, the person is merely paying monthly mortgage payments on one home. After the old house is sold, the person will pay the balance around the residential bridging loan in addition to any accrued interest. In the case of commercial bridging loans, if your contractor is looked to get rundown property for your reason for redevelopment but is unable to obtain a commitment for any permanent loan from the lender with time, the commercial bridging loan will allow the contractor to purchase said property and buy renovation.

Many new entrepreneurial companies utilize bridging loans as a part of funding programs. For instance, a higher technology business in the early state might be managing a bit tight on the belt and needs profit a rush. There?s a venture capitalist firm contemplating investing a couple of million dollars in this company, however in several months some time and not right now. In cases like this, the company can look to obtain a bridging loan to assist in continuing to perform the company before venture capitalist firm invests.

All about Bridging Loan Financing. Click here to know more about bridging finance.

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Entertainment Calendar ? Issue of April 12, 2012 - Pomerado News ...

LOCAL

MUSIC

The Sandy Devito Combo is performing 7 ? 10 p.m. Friday, April 13 at the Rancho Bernardo Courtyard by Marriott, 11611 Bernardo Plaza Court. Guest musicians will be the six member Sounds Devine Jazz Vocal Ensemble. The program will be a mix of sets by the Ensemble and the Combo playing instrumental jazz with Devito on guitar, Bruce Grafrath on bass and Don Bunin on drums. No cover charge, $15 minimum for food and beverages.

The Poway Library presents singer-songwriter Howard Payne, performing as part of the San Diego County Library?s Acoustic Showcase Concert Series 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the library, 13137 Poway Road, Poway. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 858-513-2900.

The ?Pleasure of Your Company? music series presents the Volante Piano Quartet performing a concert of 20th century music of Russia and America 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 15. The performance will be accompanied by a mini-lecture highlighting the composers? histories, biographies, and musical styles. Free, donations accepted. Meet the artists at a post-concert reception. Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center is located at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive. Visit www.srfol.org or call 858-538-8158 for more information.

Award winning folksinger-songwriters Bill and Kate Isles are performing a special concert 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at St. Bartholomew?s Episcopal Church, Poway to benefit Interfaith Community Services. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.stbartschurch.org/signup/ or at St. Bartholomew?s, 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway.

A fundraising concert for the Chelsea?s Light Foundation, ?A Night for the Light,? is being held 5:45 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Poway Community Center, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Organized by Josh Miranda, a senior at Poway High School as his senior project, all proceeds to the show will be donated directly to the foundation. The show includes performances by local bands and performers, including Burnout Kids, Roxy King, Sleepless Pacific and Revolt-Age. Tickets are $5 pre-sale and $7 at the door. For more information visit www.facebook.com/anightforthelight.

The Classical Music Society presents the Romantic Trio playing French horn, oboe and piano trios by Classical and Romantic composers 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 16889 Espola Drive, Poway. Cost is $5 students, $25 adults. For more information, call 858-385-0659 or contact classical@san.rr.com.

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts hosts the Poway High School Jazz Festival, 2 p.m. Friday, April 27. The festival will feature 12 middle school and high school jazz ensembles from all over Southern California. The main attraction will feature the Palomar Jazz Orchestra at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults (18-plus), students $5. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, contact Chase Pado at ChasePado@cox.net.

Hope United Methodist Church of Rancho Bernardo presents Quartet Nouveau, a string quartet, performing classical music, 1 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Admission is free, but a freewill offering will be taken. Proceeds will benefit the Music Ministry of Hope. The church is located at 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway (at the corner of Bernardo Center Drive.

Oak Valley Middle School?s music program is holding its fifth annual benefit concert, ?Live at the Oak Valley Theater!?, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, on campus, 16055 Winecreek Road in 4S Ranch. The show will feature the school?s chamber orchestra, jazz band, choir, student and faculty soloists, and local professional musicians. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and OVMS faculty. Starting at 5:30 p.m., pizza, drinks and baked goods will be sold. Pre-order tickets by contacting Jackie Marcum at ovmsmusic@yahoo.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the concert.

Want to get back to playing that flute? The Del Dios Jazz Flute Choir is accepting new members. Join us 7 ? 9 p.m. Tuesday nights at a private home off Del Dios Highway, near Via Rancho Parkway. The group performs a few times per year and has a relaxed attitude toward flute playing ? you don?t have to be a pro. For more information on the choir, see www.fluteguy.com or email pacificcoastjazz@gmail.com. Fun and it?s free. Open to all players of any level, ages 18 ? 108. 858-484-8609 for more information.

The Poway Folk Circle, a group of local musicians, host folk song circles and acoustic jams. Folk Song Circles meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month in Templar?s Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Bluegrass Jams meet on the second Monday of every month at Round Table Pizza in Rancho Bernardo, 16761 Bernardo Center Drive. The Craft Fair Jam is 9 a.m. the first Saturday of the month in Old Poway Park, and Slow Jam Sunday is 1 p.m. the last Sunday of the month in Old Poway Park. These events are free and open to the public. For further information, visit www.powayfolkcircle.org.

DANCE

Southern California Ballet presents ?Cinderella,? 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. Tickets range from $15 ? $28. For tickets and more information, call 858-748-0505 or visit www.powayarts.org.

CStar Productionz is holding Thriller dance classes 10 ? 11 a.m. Sundays in front of the fountain in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, and 6 ? 7 p.m. Wednesday evenings in Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Dr., in front of the swim center, through June when the group will perform at the San Diego County Fair. Free, no experience necessary. For more information, call Helen Flaster at 858-232-2720 (Sunday classes) or Carol Legg 619-871-3205 (Wednesday classes). Will not be held if raining.

The San Diego English Country Dancers are holding classes 6 ? 9 p.m. every Sunday night at the Rancho Bernardo Swim and Tennis Club, 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Beginners welcome, partners unnecessary. No special clothing is needed, other than clean shoes that won?t skid or stick on a wood floor. Admission is $6-8, with discounts available for students with I.D. and children under 18. For more information, visit www.sdecd.org or call 858-486-9160.

Dance to ballroom dancing with DJ Rudy Vidal?s Funtastic Sounds 7- 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Mike Krause?s live dance band Saturdays at The Growing Place Montessori School, 13242 Pomerado Road, Poway. Entrance fee is $10/person. Location features 1,000 square feet of wood floor for dancing and free off-street parking. For more information, call Mike Krause at 619-922-6765.

Tap dancing classes for adults, taught by Gigi St. John, are Tuesdays at the RB Swim & Tennis Club. Each class is one hour, intermediate at 11 a.m. and beginners at noon. Just show up or sign up by calling St. John at 951-282-3639.

The Academy of World Dance n Arts offers a free introductory class to swing, salsa and ballroom 7 to 8 p.m. every Friday, year-round for ages teen through adults. No previous experience needed. For more information, visit www.worldancenarts.com or call 858-679-8277. The academy is located at 12621-A Poway Road, Poway.

THEATER

PowPAC, Poway?s Community Theatre, presents the comedy ?Getting Sara Married,? opening Friday, April 20 and running through Sunday, May 20 at its theater, 13250 Poway Road. Performance times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets and more information, call the box office at 858- 679-8085 or contact boxoffice@powpac.org.

The Scripps Ranch Theatre presents ?Almost Maine,? running through Sunday, April 22 at their theater, on the campus of Alliant International University, Avenue of Nations off Pomerado Road, Scripps Ranch. Performance times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $22 for students, seniors and active military. For reservations, call the theater box office at 858-578-7728.

PowPAC, Poway?s Community Theatre announces the premiere of a new, one-act play, ?Memories of Gettysburg,? in one performance only, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at its theater 13250 Poway Road. The play will be followed by a talk back with author, Annette Hubbell, who also plays the role of Hattie Elizabeth Turner, a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg. Tickets are $10 each. Proceeds will be used for capital improvements to the theater. For reservations, contact the box office at 858-679-8085 or boxoffice@powpac.org.

Tickets for the 2011-2012 season at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts are on sale on the center?s website, www.powayarts.org, by calling 858-748-0505 or at the box office, 15498 Espola Road, noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

PowPAC, Poway?s Community Theatre, is offering a number of varied volunteer opportunities for its award-winning theater. For more information, contact Maxine Brunton at 858-679-0640, or call the theater box office and leave your name and telephone number at 858-679-8085.

ART

The Rancho Bernardo Art Association presents their annual Spring Art Show, beginning 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the RB Swim & Tennis Club located at 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive. The theme this year is ?San Diego the Beautiful.? Jack Ragland will be the juror. Viewing open to the public. A charge of $5 is requested from non-members.

RBAA member Terry Anderson?s paintings will be featured at the Bernardo Winery Tasting Room. Anderson is the featured artist for the month of April at the Gallery located 13330 Paseo Del Verano.

The North County Society of Fine Arts is a local nonprofit group devoted to bringing the visual arts to public attention and fostering art education.

Members? artwork currently displayed includes Janet Perkin and Kathryn Peterson at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, group exhibit of plein air paintings at Bernardo Heights Community Center, 16051 Bernardo Heights Parkway, and Margaret North at Luc?s Bistro, 12642 Poway Road.

NCSFA?s exhibit is scheduled for April at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. The reception is noon ? 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21.

The Palomar Council PTA is having an art reception 6 ? 8 p.m. Friday, May 4 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Over 100 Poway Unified School District student artists will be recognized with an art reception for their entries in the 2011-2012 National PTA Reflections Art Program. After the reception the hung art will remain on display through May 25. Lobby art gallery viewing times are 9 a.m. ? 5 p.m. Tuesday ? Friday, 10 a.m. ? 3 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays. This event is free and open to the public.

The Village Quilters Guild presents Cathie Hoover speaking on ?The Color Red,? a slide lecture revealing how she found the freedom to use many different printed fabrics in her quilting and how often she used the color red, 9:30 a.m. ? noon Saturday, May 12 at the Scripps Ranch Library, 10301 Scripps Lake Dr., San Diego. Members free, guests $5. For more information, contact Kapi Kizer at kapikizer@aol.com

Rancho Bernardo Art Association is looking for artists who want to meet others who share the same interest, learn from demonstrations and exhibit their work. The members have critique nights and an award show. For membership, contact Phyllis Hensperger at 858-675-2262. Adult membership is $25, couples $30, students $15. More information at ranchobernardoart.com.

LOCAL MARKETS

The Poway Arts & Crafts Guild presents the Boardwalk Craft Market 8 a.m. to 2 p.m the first Saturday of the month in Old Poway Park. Featuring locally produced and sold clothing, jewelry, household furnishings and gift items, the craft market will continue on the first Saturday of the month thru May. The next two shows will be Saturday, April 7 and Saturday, May 5. For information on the craft market, call PACG at 858-486-3497.

Poway Farmers Market is 8 to 11:30 a.m. every Saturday next to Old Poway Park, at Midland Road and Temple Street. The market, sponsored by the City of Poway and operated by Outback Farms, features certified organic produce, most of which is grown in San Diego County. For more information, call 858-668-4576.

The Bernardo Winery hosts a farmers market which includes fresh produce, vendors and food stalls every Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte.

The Mt. Carmel High School PTSA hosts a certified farmers market 11 a.m. ? 3 p.m. every Sunday in the school parking lot, 9550 Carmel Mountain Road.

The Scripps Ranch Farmers Market & Art Festival is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at 10380 Spring Canyon Road, the site of the old E.B. Scripps Elementary School. For more information, visit www.srfm.org.

MUSEUMS

Walk in the footpath of Poway?s first residents every Saturday morning at Poway?s Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center. Savor the smell of blooming native plants that Kumeyaay people smelled each spring for more than 2,000 years. Trained guides will share the culture, history and botany of this five-acre archeological jewel for free from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at 13104 Ipai Waaypuk Trail (formerly Silverlake Drive). For information, go to www.poway.org/kiic.

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society runs a free museum at the Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, Rancho Bernardo. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Call 858-487-4599.

The Poway Historical and Memorial Society operates the free Poway Heritage Museum and the Nelson House in Old Poway Park, 14114 Midland Road in Poway. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Call 858-679-8587 or visit www.powayhistoricalsociety.org.

OTHER EVENTS

The Poway Valley Garden Club is hosting the Annual Standard Flower Show 9 a.m. ? 3 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at Old Poway Park. See various flower arrangements and horticultural displays, learn new gardening ideas, visit the plant sale and more. The Poway Arts & Crafts Guild will also be holding an arts and crafts market at the show. For more information, call 858-668-4576.

The Poway Spring Street Fair 2012 is being held 10 a.m. ? 4 p.m. Sunday, April 15 on Midland Road. The street fair will feature 150 different vendors and businesses ranging from kid activities to green products for your home, a food court with a wide variety of treats, live music and a fun-filled kids zone. This event is free and open to the public.

The American Cancer Society?s Relay for Life of Mira Mesa/Rancho Penasquitos is seeking cancer survivors and their families and caregivers for ?A Survivor?s Soiree,? 5 ? 8 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at the Doubletree by Hilton Golf Resort San Diego, 14455 Penasquitos Drive. Featuring hors d?oeurves, beverages and desserts, a ?Project Relay? fashion show, a fundraising dance segment and more. Evening attire preferred but not required. This event is free. RSVP to Carole Harland at 858-672-6284 or charland@san.rr.com.

A new free monthly film series sponsored by Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library premieres with screenings of several classic films by Alfred Hitchcock. Scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month from 6 ? 8 p.m., the first offering on Wednesday, April 18 will feature The Lady Vanishes. Subsequent films scheduled include Strangers on a Train on May 16 and The 39 Steps on June 20. Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center is located at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive. ? For more information, visit www.srfol.org or call (858) 538-8158.

Temple Adat Shalom is hosting the third annual Jewish Food Festival 11 a.m. ? 7 p.m. Sunday, April 22 at the temple, located at 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway. The festival will feature celebrity chef demonstrations, food booths and a wide assortment of deli and bakery delights from local sponsors such as DZ Akins, Milton?s and City Deli, as well as live music and hands-on activities for children of all ages. For complete Jewish Food Festival details and advance purchase Nosh cards with free admission offer, visit

www.sdjewishfoodfest.com/tickets.htm.

Come enjoy the Train Song Festival ? The Age of Steam noon ? 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway. Ride the trains, enjoy watching old west shootouts, learn the play the banjo in a frontier musician camp and much more. Food and other items will be available for a nominal fee. For more information, call (858) 668-4576.

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts hosts the 50th annual Miss Poway and Miss Teen Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by the Poway Lions Club, 4 p.m. Saturday, April 28. Tickets are $5 general admission. For more information contact Sharon Gruber, Pageant Director, at MissPoway@gmail.com.

The Ed Brown Senior Center is holding its annual fundraiser ?Table for 8? 5 ? 9 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Center, in Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Tickets are $40 each if purchased prior to April 20; $45 each if purchased after that date. Also available are tables for eight, which may be purchased for $300?a $20 savings over the individual ticket price. Proceeds will be used to underwrite the cost of participation in Ed Brown Senior Center activities for those who are on a fixed income and unable to pay. Space is limited, so reserve early by calling 858.487.9324.

REGIONAL

MUSIC

The Pomerado Community Band presents its spring concert, ?Whither Points the Compass,? 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at Canyon Crest Academy Theater, 5951 Village Center Loop Road, San Diego, 92130. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door or by calling 858-391-7309. For more information, contact PomeradoBand@san.rr.com or visit www.pomeradoband.org.

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents the 1st Marine Division Band, featuring US Navy Band Country Current, the Navy?s premiere country-bluegrass ensemble, 7 p.m. Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24. There will be a drumline competition between local high schools at 6 p.m. prior to the concert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 800-988-4253.

The Coastal Communities Concert Band presents its annual Encinitas Pops concert ?A Salute to Young Musicians,? 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29 at San Dieguito Academy, 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 students. For more information and tickets, call Kris Sims at 760-436-6137 or Buck Abell at 858-793-8258, or visit www.cccband.com.

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents ?Orchestra Nova,? featuring guest pianist Gordon Cheng, 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29. Orchestra Nova will be performing ?Masterpiece Hits,? featuring music from Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Bernstein, Gershwin and many more. A limited number of free tickets for children 12 and under are available with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information, call 800-988-4253.

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents ?WOW First Wednesdays: Ballet Folklorico Tierra Caliente,? 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2. The history of Mexico is shown through the exciting art of dance in costumes that reflect Mexico?s colorful traditional culture. Mexican catering will be available outside the theater between performances. This event is free, limited reserved seats are available for $7 until one hour prior to curtain. For more information, call 800-988-4253.

The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents ?Symphonies for Spring,? 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6 at the Mandeville Auditorium, on the UCSD campus. The show features soloists soprano Kerrie Caldwell, mezzo-soprano Sasha Hashemipour, tenor Christopher Bingham and the North Coast Singers children?s chorus. Free pre-concert lecture one hour prior. Ticket prices range from $15 ? $29. For more information, call 858-534-4637 or visit www.lajollasymphony.com.

DANCE

THEATER

The Welk Theatre presents ?Stepping Out,? a hilarious, poignant comedy musical, opening Thursday, April 12 and running through Sunday, May 20 at the resort theater, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido. Tickets range from $44 ? $47 for performances, $59 ? $63 for show and buffet. For tickets call 888-802-7469 or you can order online at www.welktheatersandiego.com.

Patio Playhouse Youtheatre presents ?Lost and Found,? a musical retelling of the biblical parable, The Prodigal Son, opening Friday, April 13 and running through Sunday, April 22 at at Patio Playhouse, located at 201 E. Grand Ave., Suite 1D, Escondido. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, ages 60-plus and youth under 16. For reservations, contact the Patio Playhouse box office at 760-746-6669 or email www.patioplayhouse.org.

The Old Globe Theatre presents two shows, ?A Room with a View,? running through Sunday, April 15 at the Old Globe Theatre, and ?Anna Christie,? running through Sunday, April 15 at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre. Tickets begin at $29 for ?Annie Christie? and $39 for ?A Room with a View.? The Old Globe is located in San Diego?s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. For tickets, call 619-23-GLOBE or visit? www.TheOldGlobe.org.

The Broadway Theater continues its 8th season with ?I Take This Man,? running through Sunday, April 22, at the Broadway Theater, 340 East Broadway, Vista. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $17.50. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 760-806-7905 or visit www.broadwayvista.com.

The Welk Theater presents, by popular demand, the return of ?Late Night Catechism,? 8 p.m. selected Saturdays through May 19. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 888-802-SHOW or visiting www.welktheatersandiego.com.

The Lyceum Theater presents ?Respect: A Musical Journey of Women,? opening Wednesday, April 18 and running through Sunday, June 24 at the Lyceum Theater, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego. Tickets are $42 to $57 and available at the Lyceum Theatre Box Office at 619-544-1000 or online at www.lyceumevents.org. Group discounts are available for 20 or more by calling 1-888-264-1788.

J*Company Youth Theatre presents the musical ?Xanadu,? Friday, May 4 ? Sunday, May 15 at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Ticket prices are $14 for JCC members, $16 non-members. For more information, call the box office at 858-362-1348.

ART

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP) presents a solo exhibition by award winning nature photographer Scott Streit. This exhibit will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery Saturday, April 14 through Friday, May 4. The MTRP Visitor and Interpretive Center is located at One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, and it is open daily from 9 a.m. ? 5 p.m. Admission is free.

California State University San Marcos presents an exhibition of student work through Saturday, April 14 at its new off-campus art gallery, located in the Village Shops area of Old California Restaurant Row, 1080 W. San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos. The exhibition features work by five current Visual and Performing Arts students at CSUSM ? Marissa Daly, Meredith Daly, Meghan Freund, Michele Grayeb and Natalie Shapiro. Included in the showcase are drawings, paintings, mixed media and three-dimensional pieces. Admission is free and open to the public. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 ? 8 p.m. For more information, contact Marilyn Huerta at 760-750-8889.

The ninth annual ?Paint-Out? takes place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at the San Diego city-supported Water Conservation Garden. Artist Chuck McPherson will give a painting demonstration to introduce techniques that can be used to interpret the water-wise garden. This event is free. Bring your own materials. The garden is located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. For more information, contact Destree Bascos at 619-232-2112, ext. 115, or at DestreeB@CollaborativeServices.biz.

The Escondido Art Association presents ?April Showers,? an open, juried exhibit of framed fine artworks by association members and other local and regional artists, running through Saturday, April 28, at the Artists Gallery, 121 W. Grand Avenue. An artists? reception and ribbon award ceremony will be held 5 ? 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14. Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. ? 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, 760-489-0338 or 760-741-3117 or www.escondidoartists.org.

St Clair Gallery will hold a free art reception from 6:30 ? 9:00 p.m. Friday, April 20. The grand re-opening will feature coffee and hot chocolate from Treehouse Coffee Company along with works from Harry Brennen, Berta Villascusa and other local artists. St Clair Gallery is located at 7317 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa. For more information, visit www.zhibit.org/stclairgallery.

The Ramona Art Guild hosts artist Marsha Boston, 7 ? 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 in the held in the Community Room at the Ramona Public Library, 1275 Main St., Ramona. During the artist demonstration Boston will be addressing ?Abstract Acrylics.? Open to the public with refreshments available.

Painter Rich Hawk will provide a four-hour workshop from 9:45 a.m. ? 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the Ramona Library. For supply list, and more information, visit ramonaartguild.org.? Artists of all levels are welcome to join.

Local high school students and their teachers may submit artwork to the Escondido Municipal Gallery for the ?Emerging Student Artist? exhibition Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28. This annual exhibition will take place from Friday, May 11 ? Friday, June 1 with the opening reception taking place Saturday May 12 during Artwalk in downtown Escondido. The Municipal Gallery is located at 262 E. Grand Ave. in Escondido. For more information, visit www.escondidoarts.org.

REGIONAL MARKETS

The North San Diego Farmers Market is held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive in Escondido. For more information, visit www.NSDCFM.com.

MUSEUMS

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar has its Bell 214ST Iraqi ?Super Huey? helicopter on display. Also on display is the Sikorsky HRS.

Another feature is a single-seat flight simulator, which gives members of the public a 20-minute ?flight? for $15.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Call 858-693-1723 or visit www.flyingleathernecks.org for more information.

OTHER EVENTS

The Balboa Park Puppet Theater presents new holiday shows for kids 10 and 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays ? Fridays and 11 a.m. and 1 and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, Balboa Park. Wednesday, April 11 ? Sunday, April 15 is ?Peter Rabbit.? Wednesday, 18 ? Sunday, April 22 is ?The Princess and the Pea.? Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 seniors and $3 children ages 2 and up. For more information, visit balboaparkpuppets.com.

The Del Mar Antique Show and Sale is being held 11 a.m. ? 7 p.m. Friday, April 13 and 11 a.m. ? 5 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The show will feature ?everything from tin to Tiffany.? Admission is $8 with free return privileges, 50% discount available at www.calendarshows.com. For more information, call 1-800-943-7501.

The 2nd Annual College Area Taste is being held 11 a.m. ? 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15 in the College Area, San Diego. There will be 25 restaurants participating. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of and include complimentary transportation on the Old Town Trolley. For tickets and an updated list of restaurants, go to collegeareabid.com or call 619-582-1093.

Wine and Dine: Prohibition returns to San Diego 7 ? 11 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter. Wine & Dine is an event fundraiser for Elderhelp and all funds raised goes back towards Elderhelp?s mission of helping San Diego?s senior population remain independent in their own homes. Wine & Dine features an evening of gambling, live entertainment and cuisine from San Diego?s finest restaurants. For ticket information go to: http://www.elderhelpofsandiego.org.

Cirque du Soleil returns to San Diego with their latest show, ?Totem,? opening Wednesday, April 25 and running through Sunday, May 13 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For more information and tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

The 29th Annual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo is being held 3 ? 10 p.m. Friday, May 4, 11 a.m. ? 10 p.m. Saturday, May 5 and 11 a.m. ? 5 p.m. Sunday, May 6 in historic Old Town. This free event will feature three stages with live entertainment, over 40 bands, traditional ballet folklorico dancers, Lucha Libre performances, equestrian shows, a mercado with over 100 retail and food booths, beer garden, a children?s area and Lowrider Lane. For more information, call 619-291-4903 or visit www.fiestaoldtown.com.

The Ramona Main Street Parade is being held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19 on Main Street between 14th and 5th Street. Businesses and restaurants along the route will be having special sales and events in honor of the parade. Parade entry applications are being accepted now through Sunday, April 15 at www.ramonarodeo.net.

Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=23384

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Article about Adoption that includes my little family. - Another Small ...

We join President Bush in honoring our
adoptive and foster parents throughout November as they raise our most
precious commodity: children of conviction and character.


Our own Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Liz Hale, is a tremendous fan of the adoption process. Just looking at these open adoptions, Dr. Liz, you can see that it's all about love.

____________________________________________________________

When it comes to adoptions, "Love" is indeed the operative word. Perhaps that is the biggest misunderstanding of birth mothers and birth fathers. When we don't have a better understanding, we might wonder, "How could anyone give their child away?" In all respect, that is a very short-sighted question. Birth parents place their babies with stable, secure, loving adoptive parents when that couple can provide everything for their child that the birth parents personally cannot. The question I propose is how could anyone in this painful situation NOT consider adoption? I have great respect for both birth parents AND adoptive couples - they both make unbelievable sacrifices for their children. They both have my greatest admiration. Birth parents are still "parents," but they have relinquished the "parenting." Adoption doesn't take away from the fact that that child is still the child they gave birth to. When birth mothers call their child "my child," many of the adoptive couples I've visited with are not offended. When I think of the definition of "parent," I think of someone who loves, adores, protects, provides, secures, sacrifices, is selfless, puts their child's interest first?.a birth parent in tandem with an adoptive couple ensures that a child has all that. Kids have superheroes in their lives?but I can't think of a better superhero than a birth mother.
Some adoptive couples and even birth parents are uncomfortable with the idea of an "open adoption" and worry there may be harm of confusion in so much openness. Open adoptions have been around for quite some time. It has proven better for a child to have more information. Not every adopted child requires a great deal of information but for many, it seems to prove a great deal of comfort. There is also a great deal of peace-of-mind offered to birth parents, as well, however openness is not for everyone. There is great flexibility between closed and open adoptions - there are many things that can be personally negotiated between adoptive couples and birth parents so know that anything is possible. Should any line be crossed, it's up to adoptive parents to set the boundaries. That's what good parents do!

Be a Foster Parent

For those wanting to bring children into their home, start by looking at being a foster parent. There are over 513,000 American youth in foster care. No matter how much time you have to give, you can do something positive that will "change a lifetime" for a young person in foster care.
Resources to Note: www.utahfostercare.org 1-877-505-KIDS

Spread the Adoption Word

It is important to spread the word that you are hoping to adopt a child. Brad and Brenda Horrocks are a dear couple I know who have already adopted two children. They would like to adopt another child?they believe they have one more coming to their family so they will continue to inform everyone they know. Just before they adopted their son, they held an Adoption Kick-off and invited all their family, friends, church members, and neighbors to a party where they educated everyone on adoption. They made the plea to have their support group be open to telling any birth mother they knew who was open to adoption about the Horrocks family. Brad and Brenda had their adoptive profile on many websites, such as:

www.Itsaboutlove.org
www.Adoption.com
www.Hopetoadopt.com

At their kick-off, they had little note cards printed, like business cards, introducing themselves and their desire to adopt. A potential birth mother could go to a website and find out more about them. (Cameron's birth mother found the Horrock's family on a website.) And, Haley's birth mother, Sara, had a friend that worked with Brad who was the first person to even mention the option of adoption to Sara. You never know when you can provide an instrumental link between birth parents and adoptive couples. And we all have a responsibility, Brooke, to suggest adoption to someone who is in a tough situation to care for themselves, let alone a newborn.

Ask, "What Can I Do?"

For those who are not in a position to adopt or be a foster parent, there are still ways to help. Kids in foster care are often in need of suitcases or toys. Start a toy drive for these children or for other children - those who are receiving cancer treatments in a local hospital, for example. Our service can even be less direct: clean up a local park or offer to paint over a wall covered in graffiti, or stay up-to-date on local and national policies and simply vote during elections! This time of year, start saving shopping money for the holidays to provide gifts to a family or children living in a local shelter. Another great resource is 211 - there your time and energy can be matched with needs in our community.

Acknowledge Children of all Ages

There are many other ways to make a difference in the lives of a child. The little things can make a big difference. Speak to every child you meet, with courtesy and kindness. It really doesn't take much effort to make a positive impact on a child's life especially those who may have little going for them. Take an interest in a neighbor child or a child in your extended family - never underestimate the power of your attention and acceptance. Parents are thrilled to add to their child's life other adults to love, encourage, and support their little ones (and big ones!) One of the most important questions we can ever ask ourselves is "What and how can I be of service?" It doesn't take a Harvard degree of millions of dollars to make a difference in a child's life?.it just really takes a commitment and will to do better.

We need to raise the bar on our expectations and that each one of us is responsible for creating a better world, whether we are parents or not. We are all responsible for keeping families together. There would be no infidelity if there was one agreeing to infidelity and potentially breaking up marriages and families. There would be fewer single-parent families if there were more of us agreeing that it's in the best interest of a child to have both a mom and a dad to raise and care for them. Do not settle for mediocrity - let's expect more of ourselves and want more for our children. If we don't keep raising the bar, the bar will fall and the greatest victims will be our children.

________________________________________________________

Note:? She refers to Camden as "Cameron" but it really is Camden.? :)

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Radical Muslim can be sent to US, court rules

John Stillwell / PA via AP, file

Abu Hamza, who can now be lawfully extradited to the United States to face terror charges, along with five others.

By Alastair Jamieson, msnbc.com, and Michele Neubert, NBC News producer

A radical Muslim preacher can be lawfully extradited from Britain to the United States to face charges that he helped set up an al-Qaida terrorist training camp in Oregon, a court in Europe ruled Tuesday.

Abu Hamza, whose amputated forearms are replaced by hooks, is accused of conspiring to establish a training camp in Bly, Ore., where followers received combat and weapons training for violent jihad, or holy war, in Afghanistan.

---

The U.S. also believes he helped the extremists who kidnapped 16 foreign tourists in Yemen in 1998. Three British tourists and one Australian visitor were killed in a shootout between Yemeni security forces and the captors.

His extradition ?and that of five others on similar charges ? has been on hold since 2008 while European judges considered whether conditions at the high-security ADX Florence prison in Colorado would constitute a breach of human rights, making extradition unlawful.

Al-Qaida's top man in Europe freed from British jail

Based on charges filed in the U.S., the suspects could get lifelong jail terms without parole in maximum security conditions, such as with concrete furniture, timed showers, tiny cell windows and no outside communications.

The European Court of Human Rights, based in Strasbourg, France, finally ruled Tuesday that five of the six would not be subject to "ill-treatment" at ADX Florence. The court put off its decision on a sixth accused, Haroon Rashid Aswat, as it awaits further information, including details about his mental health.

The other five may now be legally extradited, although the court said procedures should not start until a possible appeals process is completed.

Britain?s home secretary, Theresa May, told NBC News efforts to extradite the five to the U.S. would begin ?as soon as possible? after the appeals window has passed.

?These are individuals who have been accused of some very serious offenses, it is right that they stand trial, I believe it is right that we were able to extradite them," she said.

Lord Carlile, a Liberal Democrat party lawmaker and lawyer with expertise in anti-terror legislation, told NBC News Tuesday's ECHR ruling was ?entirely sensible?.

He said: ?It's a great shame it has taken so long for the European Court of Human Rights to produce it, at the best part for two years.

?If I sit in London and commit an offense on the internet in the United States, which affects allegedly American national security and safety of American citizens, in my view it would be entirely reasonable for me to be tried in the United States.?

Egypt-born Hamza, also known Mustafa Kamal Mustafa, is already serving a seven-year sentence in Britain for soliciting to murder and inciting racial hatred.

His case had become the focus of growing concern that the European court could over-rule Britain?s attempts to extradite him, potentially compromising national security.

He came to the UK to study in the early 1980s, meeting and marrying an English woman, Valerie Fleming, and receiving British citizenship - although the couple are divorced.

His forearms were amputated after he was injured in Afghanistan, although the exact circumstances have never been clear, according to previous BBC reports. The cause of the accident that led to his disability was not discussed in Tuesday's court ruling.

More from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world

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SEO - 6 Online Marketing Problems Local Business Owners Face ...

April 10, 2012

If you own or manage a store or business that depends on customers coming in the door, you?ve probably wondered the best way to use the Internet to drive more foot traffic. Regardless of your place in the spectrum of web-savviness, there are things you can do to establish a web presence that can be found online and leveraged into new customers.

If you?ve considered how investing in a website, social media profiles or even daily deals like Groupon might help your business, there?s a good chance you?ve faced one of the following questions of local business owners making a name for themselves online. Here are six common problems local businesses find online along with the info and resources you need to solve them.

Does my business need a website?

While it?s certainly possible to create and maintain a strong online presence without a website, a word of warning. In an ideal world, you?d prefer to own your property rather than rent, right? You can have a successful business but if the landlord decides to double rent, you may find you?re forced to move and your business may be upended along with it.

Think of your website as the property you own online. Sometimes referred to as digital sharecropping, your Facebook page and your Google Maps listing are the places you rent and fix up nice so they remind you of home, but they?ll never be yours to control. While it?s recommended that a business be present wherever customers visit or hang out on the web (see the social media section below), there are many reasons why it?s prudent to have a website that acts as the online hub for your business:

• It?s another opportunity for your business to show up in search results.
• It?s a trust signal to users.
• It?s the only place online you have full control over.

A website doesn?t have to be a high-cost investment. Simply include all the info a customer would need to find your business and answer any questions they might have. That includes:

• Address: Very important it?s consistent across the web.
• Phone number: Also very important to be consistent. Local area codes are believed to be a better signal than 800 numbers.
• Hours of operation
• Popular brands or product lines: Helps for ranking if people are searching for what you sell.

It?s best if the site is easy to navigate, and depending on the business a single page might due. You may also consider including a map and directions to your store. An easy way to do this is to use Google?s maps and directions widget. Our Localware offering is an elegant solution for a local business looking to create an effective website.

How do I get customers to leave my business reviews on Yelp and Google Places?

According to a 2010 consumer study on local search behavior, at least 6 to 10 reviews are required for a searcher to trust a business. Nearly three-fourths of respondents consult local reviews at least occasionally, and more than half say they trust a business more after reading positive reviews online. Now, it?s not only important to get good reviews, because bad reviews play a role in gaining credibility, too. A recent study suggests that consumers trust reviews when they see both good and bad scores, and when a shopper goes out of the way to read bad reviews, he converts 67% more than average. So how can you encourage customers to review your business online?

Ask them. I?ve seen and heard of many creative ways to go about this, but it starts by letting customers know. Post a Yelp icon next to the register or a place a QR code that links to your Google Places reviews by the door. Google has said that businesses shouldn?t pay customers for leaving reviews, and you can see all of Google Places guidelines for reviews here. But don?t be afraid to ask, perhaps after a particularly stellar effort to give a customer what they want. For those online, make it easy by including links on your website to your business profile on review sites. Again:

• Give good service.
• Ask for reviews.
• Make it easy to review your business online.

Realize that bad reviews can be an opportunity. If you find someone has published a negative review, if you can convert them to a happy customer you may find yourself a lifetime brand enthusiast. Find them and fix their problem, then ask them to update their review.

I interviewed a local SEO specialist to get his pointers on soliciting reviews online.

There?s a lot of ways that we?ve been able to incorporate for customers and we find that our clients? customers have responded well to. One of which is having, on a local website, usually in the sidebar or in the footer space, links to about four review portals. So generally we?ll look at a place like Yelp; I think Yelp is an extremely important review portal. Other ones, like CitySearch, of course Google Places, and then maybe an industry specific one, just depending on what industry you?re in.

We?ll have some kind of phrase like ?read our reviews? or ?leave us a review? and you can generally, over the course of natural site traffic, people will go, they?ll read a few reviews. Chances are if they enjoy your service they?ll leave one. If you do a bad job, they?ll leave one as well.

A few other things we?ve seen work extremely well. [...] Let?s say you have a customer e-mail list, identifying everybody that uses a Gmail account, identifying everybody that uses any other service. Maybe if you have them on Facebook then you push them toward CitySearch since you can log in to CitySearch with Facebook. Start trying to get your users and push them toward the place that they?re most likely to leave reviews. It works great. I mean, Gmail account users, if you send them a link to Google Places, they?re already logged in. You can send them a direct link to the review spot and it?s fairly easy to pick up quick reviews like that.

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest? How do I know what social media networks my business should be on?

Here?s an interesting stat: 63 percent of social networkers are more likely to use a local business if the business has information available on a social networking site. From the same study:

With the rise of social networks and daily deal providers introducing location-based services, consumers are becoming savvier about accessing local business information. In fact, social network local business search usage has increased 67 percent since 2010 and 35 percent of individuals that primarily use social networking sites for local search do so on a daily basis, according to the study. Also, local business searchers are heavily engaged with social local content through consumer reviews, with 45 percent of social network local business users submitting reviews online for local business.

Social networks and user review communities have direct ties to the brick-and-mortar world. Consumers today expect a business to be engaged with customers online. It?s a minimum standard that must be met to gain trust and credibility as it shows that the business?s leadership understands customers needs and behaviors. Consumers expect that a business that?s easy to work with and can be counted on for good customer service will be available through the communication channels they use and are familiar with. Of course, even if you understand that you must be present on social networks, the decision of which to be active on may pose a challenge.
Your first step may be to create a social media playbook ? an outline of the goals you expect to meet through social media engagement, the platforms on which you plan to participate, and rules of engagement for anyone representing the brand online. Make sure the plan starts with the goals and everything can be drawn back to the goals from there. It?s your goals for your social media efforts that will help you decide which networks or channels to participate in.

A social media guide from marketing firm Eloqua (pdf) covers the major platforms, Twitter and Facebook, and key platforms like blogs, LinkedIn, YouTube, as well as geosocial networks like Foursquare and Gowalla. You?ll find best practices for each platform and how to link your engagement on each platform to your specific goals. The guide is from 2009, and as evidence of just how quickly technology progresses, Google Buzz is included instead of Google+. Also consider that new services are popping up all the time. Like, what?s the deal with Pinterest?

Not to fret. Dig in for platform-targeted guidance straight from the source:

• Twitter for Small Business outlines ways to use the service to benefit your business, including best practices like responding in real time and rewarding followers with deals, widgets and resources for integrating Twitter on your site, and case studies to learn from.
• Facebook Marketing Solutions offers resources and news about features and a classroom where you can watch videos about Facebook ads, building a community of fans, Sponsored Stories and more.
• Google+ for Business gives businesses a way to interact with customers through multiple mediums, makes it easy for customers to share with friends and comes with valuable measurement tools with which to improve your online communications.
• Foursquare for Business has the info you need to claim your business or brand and star using the service to increase foot traffic and encourage customer loyalty.

There are multiple or incorrect listings for my business in Google. How do I claim and clean up my listing?

Search is a very important channel for businesses to be aware of. Think of how you navigate the web. Chances are search plays an important role in how you find things you?re looking for in the physical world. The same is true for your customers.

Google is the most popular search engine in the U.S., followed by Bing. When a search engine delivers local results to a searcher, they present them in a unique format, listing businesses that meet the searchers criteria along with a map of where those businesses can be found. A business?s listing must be accurate and complete for the business to have the best chance of being deemed the top result by the search engine and human user alike. Therefore you want to claim your business listing and complete the profile as thoroughly as possible:

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your business profile in Google Places and Bing Business Portal, as shared in our Small Biz Discovery Contest last year.

Once you?ve claimed your listing and are able to edit it, the next step is to make sure that your listing is accurate and complete. Pay close attention to each field and enter accurate details for each. Be sure to fill in your business description with unique information; do not copy and paste your description text from your website or anywhere else. Also, if you have a toll-free phone number, enter your local number as your main phone number and the toll-free number as the alternate.

Select your business description categories carefully, as it is extremely important to choose the categories that match your business?s products and services that you want to be found for. Don?t attempt to stuff keywords into your business name, listing details or categories ? Google knows very well how to detect keyword spam and will penalize you for it.

Categories work essentially the same as keywords that you may be found by, which is why selecting highly relevant categories is very important.

A few more tips for Google Places optimization from SMX West earlier this year:

• URL: Single location, point to your home page
• Select up to 5 categories: Build web pages for each category. This is the only way to get 2 listings in blended search results ? one in organic, one in blended
• Multiple location pages: Build landing pages for each location in your site and use that in Google Places.

What?s a citation and if they?re so important how can I get them?

Obviously the return on investment on any online marketing tactic will weigh heavily in your decision making process when it comes to choosing what to do online. So, you should familiarize yourself with the most important local search ranking factors so you can focus your efforts on tactics that deliver the highest return. An annual study of local search ranking factors lists and describes the top 10 as reported by industry experts. In the top half of the list (after the business?s address in the city, an owner-verified Google Places page, and proper category selection) is the volume of citations.

A citation is an online mention of your business name, address and phone number (NAP) and it?s crucial that the NAP for a business is consistent across the web. Having a high number of citations on the web is a signal to Google that a business is trustworthy and worthy of ranking. Individual citations also vary in value, which depends on:

• PageRank of sub-domain of citation
• Content and keyword density on the page
• Backlinks to the page
• Frequency of crawl on the sub-URL where citation exists

If a link to the business being cited is also included, that?s a high-value signal. Traditional sources of citations include online directories, local newspapers that have business directories, and directories for certain industries or verticals. For other ideas of where to obtain citations, go to competitors? Place page to see what citations they have that you could get too. A long list of more unorthodox citation sources were shared at an SMX West session on advanced local SEO tactics.

Web Equity by Mike Blumenthal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.blumenthals.com. Click through for details.

To Groupon or not to Groupon? Are daily deals and offers right for my business?

You?ve heard of Groupon, Living Social, Google Offers. You?ve probably purchased one or 20 yourself. Daily deals sites blew up overnight! But how do you know if your business is a good fit for the daily deals shopper? Beyond the hype and popularity, is it profitable? The sustainability of business driven by online offers remains to be seen:

Yes, Groupon promises a heavy flow of traffic, but the business ends up holding the bag because of long-term deep discounting. In addition, there seems to be trouble turning one-time customers into repeat business. According to Rice University, only 20 percent of Groupon patrons are returning to the businesses[...]

When it comes to daily deals, understand that it works better for some types of businesses than others. Last year at an SMX East conference session called Doing Offers Right, experts weighed in on who daily deals are working for and laid out the shifting landscape.

Deal or no deal?

• Determine true business needs and program goals.
• Consider product/brand fit.
• Talk to multiple deal originators.
• Be prepared to treat deal customers like gold.

The offers industry leader board:

1. Groupon
2. LivingSocial
3. Travelzoo
4. WagJag
5. Gilt City
6. BuyWithMe
7. Lifebooker
8. DealFind
9. BloomSpot
10. Amazon Local

Cost and benefit for merchants:

• Average order value is a key factor of determining the deal value to go to market with.
• Cost per order ? what?s the goal when leveraging a group buying site.
• New vs. existing ? customer loyalty and long term value.

Merchant cost is calculated:

• Total Cost = Groupon revenue for fulfilled orders + Discount size fulfilled orders ? Merchant deal revenue (from breakage)
• Breakage = bought voucher without consumer using it = money in your pocket
• Breakage rate last year was about 20%.

The following business categories tend to perform best:

• Apparel
• Travel, hospitality, tours
• Auto
• Arts and entertainment
• Subscriptions
• Photo
• Floral
• Sporting events
• Beauty, spa and massage
• Fitness and nutrition
• Fun and adventure
• Sports and recreation
• Health, medical and dental
• Personal assistance
• Food and drink
• Kids
• Museums
• Classes, workshops and training

While I started this post hoping to tie a neat little bow around the challenge that is online marketing for local business, nearly 3000 words later it?s obvious it?s not easy. There are many resources available to a local business owner engaged in online marketing, still it?s helpful to have an expert to turn to and we?re always here to help. Beyond that, if you want an expert to guide and manage your online presence, consider our local SEO services. Check out Localware and if you?re interested in what we can do to build your web presence, give us a call.

Related posts:

1. Google Places Business Kits Make Local Really Local
2. Why the Daily Deals Business isn?t as Simple as it Appears: an SEO Perspective
3. Small Business Guide to Using Local SEO to Get New Customers
4. Local Rankings: Business Listings and Directories
5. Local Myth Busters: Local Optimization Facts Proven or Debunked ? SESNY

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