Neighborhood briefs: Paul Quinn College in Dallas selects fundraising director

Halima N. Leak will be the inaugural executive director for Paul Quinn College?s Center for Fundraising and Philanthropy, scheduled to open in January.

Leak will be formally introduced to the public at Paul Quinn?s Media and Community Appreciation Day on Feb. 25.

Leak has nearly 15 years of experience as both a fundraiser and an educator. She?ll direct a center that will house an innovative academic program.

?When we began our national search, Halima?s name immediately grabbed our attention. To land her out of the gate is a true blessing,? said Michael J. Sorrell, Paul Quinn president.

The center?s programming will be aimed at encouraging the development of a deeper understanding of fundraising and philanthropy through teaching, training and research via professional development opportunities and by facilitating the exchange of resources and ideas related to fundraising and philanthropy.

Staff report

DUNCANVILLE

New uses for city?s field house proposed

In an effort to explore new opportunities for the revitalization of the Duncanville Fieldhouse, the Duncanville City Council has partnered with Northwood University in Cedar Hill for students to develop potential plans to generate profit from the city?s athletic facility on Main Street.

The students presented recommendations to the council about the facility that could attract new business. Some ideas included transforming it into a dance hall, small business incubator facility, apartments and condos or a convention center.

The council plans to share the students? recommendations with the Fieldhouse Task Force, a group of volunteers recently formed to research and present findings and recommendations.

Staff report

OAK CLIFF

Nonprofit group wins awards for film

Caring for the World Films, an Oak Cliff-based nonprofit, has won several awards for its film Hearts in the Himalayas, directed by Oak Cliff resident Debi Lang.

The film won the Award of Merit in the Women Filmmaker category from the Best Shorts Competition. The award was given for Lang?s humanitarian documentary that profiles the work of Himalayan HealthCare, an organization that provides medical care, education and income-generation opportunities to the people of rural Nepal.

The film integrates footage shot during a Mount Everest-size expedition fraught with challenges.

?It is a win not only for me and my team, but also the HHC volunteers and the people of Nepal,? Lang said.

In addition, Media Global News, the media arm of the United Nations, has made the movie its featured documentary on its website, media global.org.

Hearts in the Himalayas also won four Omni Awards for the 2012 season.

Staff report

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20121229-neighborhood-briefs-paul-quinn-college-in-dallas-selects-fundraising-director.ece

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First meteor shower of 2013 peaks this week

The first meteor shower of 2013 will kick off the year's night sky events this week, giving stargazers a chance to ring in the New Year with a celestial fireworks display.

The Quadrantid meteor shower is an annual meteor shower every January. While this year's "shooting star" show is not expected to outshine some of the more spectacular meteor showers of 2012, it may give stargazers with clear, dark skies a great start to the New Year.

"Those who brave the cold might see up to 40 meteors per hour, although moonlight will make faint meteors harder to spot," officials with the Hubble Space Telescope explained in a January skywatching video guide.

The waning gibbous moon will be out in full force during the shower's peak, but skywatchers in dark areas of the Northern Hemisphere during the wee hours of Thursday morning might still get a decent show.

Scientists suspect that the meteors of the Quadrantids are debris from the asteroid 2003 EH1 ? the same source of the Geminid meteor shower every December. The asteroid itself may be a chunk from a shattered comet that broke into pieces several hundred years ago, NASA officials said in a statement.

The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of debris from the comet. The fragments slam into the atmosphere at 90,000 mph (144,841 kph) and burn up 50 miles (80.5 km) above the planet in a dazzling display.

The meteor shower is named for the outdated Quadrans constellation, which is no longer recognized by astronomers, NASA officials said.

"Located between the constellations Bootes and Draco, Quadrans represents an early astronomical instrument used to observe and plot stars," they added.

However, the constellation was still relevant in 1825, when the meteor shower was first documented by astronomers.

1. Space news from NBCNews.com

   1. The night sky's top sights for 2013

      Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: The coming year could bring brilliant cometary fireworks as well as eclipses, meteor showers and more. But there's also the potential for disappointment.

   2. Get your fill of the year's final full moon
   3. Mars rover snaps amazing self-portrait
   4. Astronaut's song marks a space milestone

Just in case you aren't interested in braving the cold, NASA is streaming the shower for free online from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., has a light-activated camera pointed to the sky to record and live-stream the meteor shower during its peak.

Editor's note: If you snap an amazing photo of the Quadrantid meteor shower and would like to share it with SPACE.com, contact us at spacephotos@space.com.

Follow Miriam Kramer on Twitter @mirikramer or SPACE.com @Spacedotcom. We're also onFacebook & Google+.

? 2012 Space.com. All rights reserved. More from Space.com.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50333761/ns/technology_and_science-space/

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Israeli Supreme Court shortens whistleblower's prison term

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Supreme Court on Monday shortened by a year the 4-1/2-year prison term of a soldier who gave a journalist classified military documents, some relating to operations against Palestinian militants.

Ruling on Anat Kamm's appeal against the length of her sentence, the court said it was disproportionate to the penalty of four months of community service imposed on Uri Blau, a reporter for Haaretz, an Israeli left-wing daily.

Some of the 700 classified documents copied by Kamm, a clerk in a general's headquarters during her 2005-2007 army service, were the basis for reports by Blau that some assassinations of Palestinian militants authorized by senior officers may have violated Israeli law.

In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled the military had the right to assassinate members of Palestinian groups that Israel classifies as terrorist organizations. But the court said planners must have "strong and convincing" information that a killing is necessary and always try to avoid harming bystanders.

Although Blau's reports were submitted to the military censor, who approved their publication, he was accused of illegally possessing classified documents and agreed to a plea bargain in July.

Kamm, who cited ideological motives for her actions, admitted in a plea bargain to charges of espionage, collection and possession of secret information and passing it onwards. She began serving her sentence in November 2011.

(Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-supreme-court-shortens-whistleblowers-prison-term-121723383.html

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Top Five Stories of 2012 - #2 - Windows 8 and the Surface RT

To round out the rest of 2012, Windows Phone Daily is continuing our annual special edition of Top Five. Every day until the new year, we will be going back in time to recap a momentous 2012 for Microsoft and Windows Phone. Read Story #5, #4, and #3.

Despite the seismic activity surrounding Windows Phone 8 throughout the year, it should not come as a surprise that Microsoft prioritized the latest version of Windows proper this year. What should have come as a surprise was just how deftly Microsoft was able to renew their disparate services into a cohesive new ecosystem, completely reinvent their flagship operating system, and challenge the more affordable tablet market in a matter of months.

Looking back, we're surprised that Windows 8 was first shown off in mid-2011 during the D9 conference. Make no mistake though, because 2012 was the year of Windows 8 for Microsoft. After revealing that CES 2012 would be its last appearance at the show, Microsoft went on to host a series of hush-hush events that kept the media on their toes. Not only did the company unveil a reimagined version of their long-standing Windows logo,?but?a few weeks later the Consumer Preview was released for download online also accompanied by the soft-launch of the Windows Store.

In late May, Microsoft released its final pre-release build of Windows 8 to the public. That milestone release would lead to a huge June for the company. Microsoft of course attended E3 2012, and during its keynote unveiled Xbox SmartGlass ? an app which would unite mobile devices and Windows 8 devices alike to connect to the Xbox 360. The event was also where Microsoft announced Xbox Music, though details would not arrive for several months after. Shortly after their impressive event in Los Angeles, Microsoft quietly announced a surprise event for June 18th. Scheduled just days before a key Windows Phone event, there was much speculation about what this new event could be. in the end, Microsoft revealed the Surface RT and Surface Pro ? the first computers the company had built in its entire existence.

After releasing Windows 8's enticing upgrade price, the focus finally shifted towards launch day for Windows 8 and the Surface RT. Microsoft helped build up some attention through viral street art promoting the Surface, and eventually graduated to television commercials. Finally, October 26th came along and Microsoft held a number of massive events around the globe in celebration of the launch. None were as big as in New York City, where Microsoft crafted a 'Microtropolis' city composed of nearly all Windows 8 powered tablets and PCs to be released. In its first month on sale, Windows 8 sold 40 million licenses.

Come back every day until New Year's Day for the rest of our Top Five Stories of 2012!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/windowsphonedaily/DnwK/~3/q8HXsUboehE/top-five-stories-2012-2-windows-8-the-surface-and-microsofts-new-ecosystem.html

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Egypt's presidents warns unrest

CAIRO (AP) ? Egypt's Islamist president warned against any unrest that could harm the drive to repair the country's battered economy in his first address before the newly convened upper house of parliament on Saturday, urging the opposition to work with his government.

In the nationally televised speech, Mohammed Morsi said the nation's entire efforts should be focused on "production, work, seriousness and effort," now that a new constitution came into effect this week, blaming protests and violence the last month for causing further damage to an economy already in crisis since the fall of autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi denounced those who he said were spreading panic about Egypt's economy, saying the country will "not go bankrupt" and that its banks were healthy, after a rush on dollars the past week. He presented the country's foreign currency reserves, currently at $15 billion, as up slightly from last year, though he acknowledged they were still down dramatically from around $36 billion in 2010.

Soon after Morsi's speech, the Central Bank of Egypt warned that foreign reserves were a "critical" minimum level ? that is, the minimum for meeting obligations like international debt and covering the costs of strategic imports. Currency reserves have been sliding as foreign investment and tourism dried up amid the turmoil of the uprising against Mubarak two years ago.

Citing the economy, Morsi pressed the opposition to drop its refusals to deal with his government, repeating his invitation for it to join a national dialogue he has been holding ? and adding a warning that appeared directed at the opposition not to turn to protests that might cause unrest.

All sides must "realize the needs of the moment" and work only through "mature democracy while avoiding violence," he told the 270-member Shura Council. "We condemn and reject all forms of violence by individuals, groups, institutions and even from the nation and its government. This is completely rejected."

Last month, the largely secular and liberal opposition launched a wave of protests against decrees by Morsi grabbing new powers ? since revoked ? and against the draft constitution that his Islamist allies rammed through to finalization and put to a referendum, completed a week ago. In response, Islamists also launched mass rallies, and the two sides erupted into violence several times. The worst violence came in clashes outside the presidential palace in Cairo that killed 10 people, and though it was sparked when Islamists attacked a sit-in, Morsi's allies have depicted the opposition as to blame.

Opponents fear that Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, from which he hails, are monopolizing rule and that the new constitution will consecrate their power. The charter allows for a stronger implementation of Islamic law, or Shariah, than in the past and provisions that could limit many civil rights and freedoms of minorities. The charter was passed by 64 percent in the referendum, though turnout was only around 33 percent.

Under the new constitution, the upper house of parliament, which normally has few powers, is now serving as the law-making body until a new legislating lower house is chosen in national elections expected within a few months. The upper house, called the Shura Council, has an overwhelming Islamist majority, mainly from Morsi's Brotherhood and the allied ultraconservative Salafis.

Morsi has depicted the national dialogue that he launched earlier this month as a compromise giving all factions a voice. The dialogue is supposed to draw up key legislation to put before parliament, including a law organizing the parliamentary elections, and decide other issues. The opposition has dismissed the dialogue initiative as disingenuous, and so far mainly Islamists are participating, along with a few small liberal parties.

Ahmed Maher, head of the activist April 6 Movement that helped engineer last year's uprising against Mubarak, said Morsi's speech offered nothing new beyond his acknowledgement of Egypt's economic woes. He also said he would not enter into talks again with the president until the Brotherhood "gives up some of their arrogance and stubbornness."

"I sat with the president four times before. There are never any clear results from the conversations," Maher said, adding that the opposition wants changes to the new constitution and a Cabinet led by a new prime minister with a clear plan.

In his speech, Morsi repeatedly said it was time to return to "production" and "work." While he listed some new economic projects such as developing the Suez Canal area and Sinai, he did not give details on an overall economic program, including how the government will tackle a crippling deficit or carry out expected changes in taxes or reductions of subsidies.

His government has requested a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to bridge the burgeoning budget deficit. But talks have been put off for the moment after the government this month backed off plans to raise taxes on a number of products, fearing a larger backlash amid the political protests. Potential cuts in subsidies on food and fuel and plans to raise taxes are major concerns in a country where some 40 percent of the 85 million population live near or below the poverty line of surviving on $2 a day.

Standard & Poor downgraded Egypt's long-term credit rating one level this week to B-, six steps below investment grade.

"The reason (for the lower ranking) is the lack of political stability in the recent past," Morsi said.

He denounced those he said were spreading rumors that undermine the economy. "Those who talk about bankruptcy, they are the ones who are bankrupt. Egypt will never be bankrupt and will not kneel, God willing," he said to a round of applause.

The central bank announced the introduction of a new auction system for banks buying and selling U.S. dollars, urging citizens to "ration usage" of foreign currency in favor of the Egyptian pound. It urged Egyptians to avoid speculation after a rush to sell the pound for dollars over concerns of devaluation this week. The central bank has burned through billions of dollars over the past two years to prop up the pound.

Morsi appeared to chide the opposition for not working with him, saying all sides must past through the crisis together. "We all know the interests of the nation. Would any of us be happy if the nation goes bankrupt? I don't doubt anyone's intentions. But can anyone here be happy if the nation is exposed to economic weakness?"

In attendance at the session were leading national figures such as Egypt's new Coptic pope, Tawdros II, seated next to the country's top mainstream cleric, grand sheik Ahmed al-Tayeb of Cairo's Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's foremost seat of learning. The former head of the ultraconservative Salafi Nour Party and the head of the Muslim Brotherhood party were also seated front-row along with former interim prime ministers, the country's defense minister and other members of Cabinet.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/egypts-presidents-warns-unrest-174142065.html

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Police: Five dead, about 20 wounded in Oregon tour bus crash

LA GRANDE, Ore. (AP) ? A tour bus crash crashed Sunday on an icy stretch of interstate in Oregon, killing five people and injuring about 20 others, authorities said.

Police say the bus lost control around 10:30 a.m. on the snow- and ice-covered lanes of Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon. The bus crashed through a guardrail and went down an embankment a few hundred feet.

Rescue workers were using ropes to help retrieve people from the crash scene. State police said the charter bus was carrying about 40 people, but they did not say where the vehicle was traveling to or from.

The bus crash was the second fatal accident in Oregon on Sunday morning due to icy conditions. A 69-year-old man died in a rollover accident

State police have not released information on the company that owns the bus.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/5-killed-oregon-tour-bus-crash-84-215107655.html

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How to Make Your Small Business's Online Presence Known ...

In 1995, Clifford Stoll made a bold argument that because of the limits of the Internet (at that time), e-commerce wasn?t going to fly. Of course, with 20-20 hindsight we see his argument didn?t hold water. But who else in 1995 could possibly have imagined what the Internet could ? in just a few short years ? do?

Online marketing is giving traditional marketing a run for its money ? fast. That?s why these days, if you?re running a business, regardless of its size, having a web presence is crucial.

But maintaining a website isn?t all there is to online marketing. Not so long ago, having a website was enough so that when you built it, people would find you. Sure, there was a little marketing and SEO involved.

But times have clearly changed. Having just a website is no longer enough, and the search engine marketing game has shifted into some higher gears. That?s because the way people use the Internet to find information on products and services has dramatically changed.

But the changes that have taken place in the way we do business online shouldn?t turn you off. In fact, some of the recent changes in online marketing have made it a lot easier for small businesses to compete against the big ones.

Your website?s score card
Let?s start with the website, the centerpiece of your online business presence. Take a look at how your business performs with just your website. Try answering the following questions:

• Do you receive at least five inquiries a month through your site?
• Is there a way for you to measure your site?s performance (i.e., are analytics installed)?
• If you have analytics installed in your site, do you regularly look over the stats to monitor traffic, audience interaction, and everything else that tells you about your site?s progress?
• Have you updated your site or blog within the last two to three months?
• Do you have incoming links from other websites, especially those that are related to your site?
• Do you provide a way for your audience to find basic information via your website?

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So what?s your score? Here?s the thing: If you have more than two no?s among your answers to the above questions, chances are your web presence is not as effective as it could be. You may be missing out on crucial opportunities for your business each time visitors take a look at your site.

You should know by now that the key to an effective web presence is to operate a site that is interactive, supported by great content, and driven by engaging marketing activities.

The following are four areas you should look into to make your website the centerpiece of your business. Concentrate your energy on these items, and your site will have a more effective online presence and?perform better.

An interactive site
Having a website is a first step toward creating a strong web presence. However, it?s incredible to see how many people even today have assumed that a website isn?t necessary because of the explosion of social media. Social media has enabled the less techie entrepreneur to set up shop with just a Facebook or Twitter page.

Folks, having a website says a lot about the credibility and capability of your business. But the not-so-techie entrepreneur often finds?running a site an intimidating and tedious task. After all, it requires a firm grasp of programming and SEO, right?

Well, not actually. The good news is, along with the explosion of social media came the user-friendly features of website content management. WordPress is one of the most powerful and easy-to-use platforms; even a 12-year-old can use it to set up a working site from the ground up. With newer platforms, you can create highly engaging sites that run 24 hours a day without requiring you to learn about programming.

Also, the biggest advantage to running your small business on such newer platforms as WordPress is that they allow you to update your site easily, with fresh new content. I want to emphasize freshness, because it is one of the key ranking factors that the search engines are considering these days.

Content marketing
And of course, what?s a site without a great and highly engaging content, right? Content is still king. It still plays a huge role in attracting visitors and in ranking your site well in search.

With great content, you can attract massive followers for your business. You can also convert your visitors into paying and loyal customers.

And with great content, you can effectively position yourself as the go-to guy within your industry. But you can only achieve this if you constantly share valuable information that people will love you for.

Search marketing
A majority of the people using the Internet still use the search engines to find information on products and services. Sure, we all like to read the recommendations from people we are connected with on Facebook, but most of us still want some control over the information we?re looking for.

And because people still largely use the search engines, if your business isn?t on the first page of Google or Bing, your customers will move toward your competitors instead. Therefore, search marketing should form a huge part of your marketing activities.

Social media marketing
Lastly, one of the largest and newest challenges to achieving effective online presence for your business is immersing yourself in?social media marketing. It?s not the Holy Grail of online marketing, but getting social is a sure-fire way to achieve great exposure, higher traffic, and even conversion.

One of the keys to a successful social media marketing campaign is determining which platform is best suited to your type of business. Which audiences do you wish to interact with? Also, you need to be very determined to keep your social media marketing campaigns active by consistently posting updates on your social media pages.

To help you choose which social media platform is best for your business, remember the following:

• LinkedIn is great for B2B campaigns, and for networking with professionals and fellow entrepreneurs
• Facebook is great for finding new customers and marketing to people with whom you are already connected
• Twitter is great for marketing to strangers
• Google+ is great if you are looking to establish a strong presence not only in the social space, but also in search.

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Conclusion
In a nutshell, in order for you to create an effective online presence for your business, you need to create an interactive site, produce high-quality content on a consistent basis, follow basic SEO rules, and establish an active social media presence.

If you?ve got questions on how to create an effective online marketing campaign for your business, contact us for a free site assessment.

About the author

I am a Content Writer, SEO and Social Media Marketing Specialist and a full-time coffee lover.

Source: http://www.audiencebloom.com/2012/12/how-to-make-your-small-business-online-presence-known-effectively/

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What is VoIP Service - Basic Features

One of the most popular technological advancement nowadays is the Voice over Internet Protocol VoIP, which is being used by both small business and large corporations alike. For many business owners, Internet Protocol (IP) is not just a toll to communicate but it also makes a wide range of business applications much simpler, more structured and efficient. Telephony is the most apparent example. Moreover, VoIP initiated the trend of advanced integrated communications applications including those that can transform your business like online and video conferencing.

Ordinary consumers use the Internet to connect public Internet phone calls. However, business enterprises and companies choose to have their own IP telephony system for their own private networks in order to ensure security and service quality of communication. Having their own private networks will give companies the control when it comes to technical things such as voice quality. They will be able to give better services than they would have previously given with their traditional phone system.

Given how important modern telephony is, Erica Bell of TechRepublic enumerated the must-have features a VoIP system. A good communication system is without a doubt an element to the success of a business. Whether it is a small business or a large corporation, all business owners would want to be able to manage its affairs in the most efficient and effective way possible. With the right features, VoIP can make that happen. According to Bell, beyond the basics of voicemail number, here are the best features to consider when choosing a VoIP plan.

• Call routing and forwarding is basic and should not be discarded. Depending on the plan chosen by the business owner, this feature can support remote access and it allows employees to efficiently communicate with each other whether they may be in the office, at home, or on the road. A Skype, AT&T or?RingCentral voicemail number?even have special features which forwards messages to emails and phones.
• Some businesses make it a point to go the extra mile. They have a system called customer relationship management or the CRM which they use to improve their efficiency. These companies make in bound call screens. This is one way of showing to customers that the latter are being prioritized by the former.

• Arguably, the most important feature of Voice over Internet Protocol is its ability to conduct conference calls. Many VoIP providers offer business telephone systems which has features that will allow instant call conferencing as well as video and online conferencing.

Bell in her conclusion, takes time to remind business owners and entrepreneurs to consider all the important factors that their business telephone must possess. With the number of VoIP providers out there, they must pick one which suits the nature of their business the best. While there are phone service providers that will allow the business to keep their current phone plans, others may require the use of Internet protocol phones.

For companies, VoIP is the best option because owners and entrepreneurs will be able to eliminate traditional phone system with a single network and at the same time consolidate business utilities in order to give better services to customers and clients.

Author?s Bio:

Henry Conrad is a 29-year-old game developer from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Aside from gaming and being a tech junky, he also dabbles in creative writing, which allows him to create great storylines and backgrounds for his characters. Follow me on Twitter and join me in Google +.

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Source: http://www.goharsh.com/cell-phone/what-is-voip-service-basic-features/

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Kat Von D Shows Off Black Diamond & Skulls Engagement Ring (Photos)

Kat Von D Shows Off Black Diamond & Skulls Engagement Ring (Photos)

Tattoo artist Kat Von D may have been engaged for a couple of weeks now, but has finally debuted her striking engagement ring that was custom-designed just for her! Her engagement ring from DJ Deadmau5 features a black diamond center stone flanked by four skulls, which is very different but seems perfect for Kat! Kat ...

Kat Von D Shows Off Black Diamond & Skulls Engagement Ring (Photos) Stupid Celebrities Gossip Stupid Celebrities Gossip News

Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2012/12/kat-von-d-shows-off-black-diamond-skulls-engagement-ring-photos/

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Ability to metabolize tamoxifen affects breast cancer outcomes ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- For nearly a decade, breast cancer researchers studying the hormone therapy tamoxifen have been divided as to whether genetic differences in a liver enzyme affect the drug's effectiveness and the likelihood breast cancer will recur. A new study by researchers from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group provides evidence that genetic differences in the enzyme CYP2D6 play a key role in how well tamoxifen works.

"Our findings confirm that, in early breast cancer treated with tamoxifen, genetic alterations in CYP2D6 lead to a higher likelihood of recurrence and death," says Mayo Clinic oncologist Matthew Goetz, M.D., lead author of the study in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

In the clinical trial, Dr. Goetz and his colleagues studied the rates of cancer recurrence and death in two groups: postmenopausal women with primary estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who received tamoxifen for five years and those who received tamoxifen for two years followed by the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole for three years. Anastrozole is a breast cancer drug whose metabolism does not require the CYP2D6 enzyme.

The study showed that women who were born with genetic alterations of CYP2D6 that abolish the enzyme's critical metabolizing activity and who took tamoxifen for five years had recurrence of breast cancer, or died at a rate 2.5 times higher than women with normal CYP2D6 enzyme activity. Women with intermediate levels of the CYP2D6 enzyme had rates of recurrence or death 1.7 times higher than women with normal CYP2D6 activity. Importantly, Dr. Goetz notes, that genetic alterations in CYP2D6 did not affect the likelihood of recurrence or death in women who switched to anastrozole after two years of tamoxifen.

"Switching from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor may be one reason for the discrepant studies surrounding CYP2D6 and tamoxifen -- as information about whether a patient took an aromatase inhibitor after tamoxifen was not available in most of the prior studies," says senior author James Ingle, M.D., of Mayo Clinic, an expert on hormone therapies for breast cancer.

A blood test can determine whether a woman has alterations in CYP2D6 and predict how efficiently her body will convert tamoxifen to endoxifen. Approximately 5 to 7 percent of European and North American populations are considered poor metabolizers of tamoxifen.

"The results of this successful high-level international research collaboration are an important step forward in our quest to individualize breast cancer treatment and provide tailored care to women with breast cancer," says Michael Gnant, M.D., professor of surgery at the Medical University of Vienna and president of the Austrian study group.

So what should a woman do if she is unable to effectively metabolize tamoxifen into its most active form? Dr. Goetz believes that the current recommendation of switching from tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor is likely to result in the greatest benefit in women with decreased CYP2D6 metabolism. For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, avoiding tamoxifen altogether and starting out with an aromatase inhibitor may be the best approach, he says.

Dr. Goetz's group is working with the National Cancer Institute to develop endoxifen as an alternative to tamoxifen. If women can be given endoxifen, the active part of tamoxifen, it won't matter how tamoxifen gets metabolized, he says.

Source: http://www.sciencecodex.com/ability_to_metabolize_tamoxifen_affects_breast_cancer_outcomes_mayo_clinicled_study_confirms-104436

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Best paid iPhone apps

The App Store is flooded with apps, both good and bad, so it can be overwhelming to decided which apps you're going to spend your hard earned cash (or gift cards) on. Stress no more! We've gathered up some of our all time favorite apps that we believe to be worth every penny.

1Password 4

1Password is not only one of the best apps for your iPhone, but one of the best for your iPad, Mac, and PC as well. With 1Password, you can say goodbye to using the same, insecure password for all your logins all over the internet and instead give each login its own individual secure password yet only need to remember one password to gain access to them all.

1Password is not just extremely useful and practical, but it's extremely well designed that gives the perfect combination of functionality and beauty.

• First look: 1Password 4 for iOS
• $7.99 - Download now

Fantastical

Apple's built-in Calendar app is great and all, but if you want a superb calendar, take a look at Fantastical for iPhone. This awesome little calendar app lets you simply type your meetings in normal language and it translates them into an appointment for you. For example "meeting with Rene Ritchie next friday at noon" will automatically fill in the appropriate fields to schedule this event. If you're a quick typer, this is typically much faster than adding all the information yourself. Fantastical will make you wish you had more things to add to your calendar so that you can use it more. Seriously.

• Fantastical review
• $3.99 - Download now

Tweetbot

Tweetbot has been one of our favorite Twitter apps for quite some time, now. It's perfect for the power tweeter, with useful features like, intuitive gestures, granular notifications, and flexible mute filters all wrapped up in fun sounds and a great design.

• $2.99 - Download now

• See also: Twitterrific for iPhone

  • Twitterrific review
  • $2.99 - Download now

Camera+

The iPhone's is, without question, an excellent camera, but the iPhone isn't exactly equipped with all the tools to make the most use out of it -- but Camera+ is! Camera+ is a photography app that is useful for both taking photos and editing them. With features ranging from separate exposure and focus points, stabilizer, dozens of effects and borders, different scene modes, and more, Camera+ is sure to help you grow to become the awesome iPhone photographer you desire to be!

• $0.99 - Download now

iMovie

The still camera isn't the only great camera in the iPhone -- the video camera is also pretty great! But with the restrictions of simply shooting video and trimming clips, the built-in Camera app doesn't allow you to actually make movies, but iMovie does! iMovie is a fantastic video editor because it's super easy to make fun videos in just a matter of minutes. Videographers may yearn for more, but for everyone else, iMove is an excellent video editor for the iPhone.

• $4.99 - Download now

Clear

Clear is a task list app for those who don't like task list apps -- a new, gesture-based approach that's manages to be simple without being simplistic. It takes an almost Windows Phone Metro-style approach. It's not a task app for those who want power features or a more traditional interface. But for anyone new to todos, who wants something fresh and fun, who just has a few lists of a few items and finds Reminders far too much of a chore, Clear might be the perfect place to start.

• Clear for iPhone review
• $0.99 - Download now

Solar : Weather

Sure, the built-in Weather app on the iPhone gets you basic weather information in a somewhat appealing packages, but it's nothing compared to Solar : Weather. This little gem is a unique weather app for the iPhone that offers a one-of-a-kind interactive UI and experience. Instead of simply displaying the weather forecast for you, Solar: Weather will display different information based on gestures. For example, swiping up with scroll through the 24-hr forecast, swiping down will display the 3 day forecast, and swiping left/right will switch between locations. It's actually very fun to use.

• Solar for iPhone review
• $0.99 - Download now

Launch Center Pro

Tap an app icon on your Home screen and what happens? The app opens up, that's it. Tap an app icon in Launch Center Pro and what happens? Messages are ready to write. Events are ready to be added. Movie times are there for you to see. And much, much more. That's because Launch Center Pro doesn't just launch apps, it launches actions. Sure, iOS doesn't allow real app-to-app communication yet, but App Cubby, the makers of Launch Center Pro, have toiled away taking what Apple does allow -- the URL schemes that let apps send and receive small amounts of information in links -- and made something not only wonderful, but wonderfully productive.

• Launch Center Pro review
• $2.99 - Download now

Instapaper

Instapaper is one of the most popular read-later services on the web and iPhone that saves web pages and articles for offline reading and is optimized for readability on your device's screen. It offers a distraction-free text only environment with the ability to adjust fonts, text sizes, line spacing, and margins to truly satisfy your specific reading needs. You can save articles to Instapaper via a bookmarklet that you save in Safari or from one of the many Twitter, reading, and social apps in the App Store.

• $3.99 - Download now

Reeder

If you use Google Reader, you want Reeder - plain and simple. It's an RSS reader that will sync with your Google Reader account and present your feeds on a beautiful and clean interface. You can also choose to sync with Fever and Readability and Reeder allows you to share to nearly every social service out there.

• Reeder for iPhone review
• $2.99 - Download now

Instacast

Instacast 3 is the all new version of Vemedio's popular iPhone and iPad podcasting app. With it, Vemedio has switched out a lot of old methods for newer technologies like automatic reference counting and Core Data to make Instacast better and faster. Alongside these fancy new technologies is Instacasts new Cloud sync. Instead of using Apple's iCloud to keep your podcasts in sync, the folks at Vemedio put in a lot of work to create their own. All you need to do to use it is sign-up for a free account and all your data will be seamlessly moved to the cloud. If Apple's free Podcasts app isn't up to your needs, give Instacast a whirl.

• $4.99 - Download now

Byword

Byword is a text and Markdown editor that focuses on being simple, distraction free, and beautiful. It's available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac and can keep all your work in sync via iCloud or Dropbox. It also features a special keyboard with a swipable row at the top that includes selective word and character counters, a tab key, smart paring characters, and undo key, Markdown helpers, and more.

• Byword for iPhone review

• $2.99 - Download now

• See also: iA Writer

  • iA Writer for iPhone and iPad review
  • $0.99 - Download now

iWork: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote

Want to create posters, write papers, design spreadsheets, and create presentations? Apple's iWork suite consisting of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote has go you covered. All three of these apps are available on both the iPhone and iPad and sync over iCloud with their Mac counterparts.

• Pages - $9.99 - Download now
• Numbers - $9.99 - Download now
• Keynote - $9.99 - Download now

Your favorite paid apps for iPhone?

This really is just a short list of fantastic apps out there, and we know there's some other great ones that have been left out. That's where you come in! What are the best paid apps you have installed on your iPhone and use regularly? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/qYr411k1OII/story01.htm

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Destination Of Your Desired Product - ArticlesWide.com ...

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Source: http://bryantkirk2801.typepad.com/blog/2012/12/destination-of-your-desired-product-articleswidecom.html

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New Years Eve at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort - R ...

Whew! Did you survive the Christmas Holiday? ?Was it filled with hustle & bustle and now you're ready for a real break?

We actually had a nice and quiet Christmas break and are looking forward to planning the New Years Festivities. ?There are a few things to do around here (Austin) as a family, but I discovered another fun place to go for the holiday that I wanted to share as well.

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering fun events for New Years that has something for every age. ?Take a look:

• Crooked Branch Bar ? Live music will be playing from Ben McPeak and his 5-piece band; dance floor open; champagne tasting bar and menu
• Family Gamecation ? Families who play together will stay together: ?in the resort's ballrooms with games galore and Games2U experiences for all ages
• Teen Scene Glow and Toast party ? Glow sticks will light up the teen party with an 11 p.m. New York countdown and New Year's cider toast. ?Movie and music will be playing!
• Children's Pajama Party ? Activities galore for ages 4 to 12 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. that includes dinner, games, arts and crafts, movie with popcorn, New Year cider toasts at 9 pm and 11 pm
• New Year's specialty dinners at three of our restaurants
• Lantana Spa specials for a soothing celebration or post holiday rejuvenation
• Golf to relax or challenge your game on one of the two TPC San Antonio PGA TOUR golf courses?

"Named a Travel + Leisure?s 2011 top 50 Family Hotels, one of the 2011 Top 10 Family Resorts in Celebrated Living, a Travel + Leisure?s 2012 T+L 500 World?s Best Hotel and 2012 Top 10 Hotel for Value Overall and recently named to Fodor's Top 100 Hotels in the Fun for All Ages category, this sophisticated but relaxed destination offers the ultimate hillside retreat with world-class service and amenities that families, singles and all age groups can enjoy. ?The resort brings a new level of luxury to the legendary Texas Hill Country."

Sounds pretty fun, doesn't it? ?Resort rooms begin at just $199 a night - I imagine those will go fast! ?So jump on it and have a spectacular New Years!?

Source: http://www.rwethereyetmom.com/2012/12/new-years-eve-at-jw-marriott-san.html

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Auto Start(Compustar) not working - Vancouver's Top Classifieds ...

Audio, Video, & Security Tech Sponsored by Sounds Good Auto. In Car Entertainment (I.C.E.) Enter SPL Competitions, display your Setups, DIY Projects, show it off..

Yesterday, 09:37 PM	? #1
NEWBIE ACCOUNT! ? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: delta/surrey Posts: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	Auto Start(Compustar) not working I had my 2 way compustar alarm and auto start for a year now. The problem is that after the snow last week the auto start stopped working. You can hear the car cranking but it does not go through. However, manually starting the car works. Any ideas that I should check first before bringing it to a shop? It worked fine before the snow(cold temp) we had last week.
?

Yesterday, 10:00 PM	? #2
Rs has made me the man i am today! ? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Surrey/Guildfor Posts: 3,211 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sounds like it may be an issue with an immobilizer "by-pass" module perhaps. Or maybe tach sensing needs to be programmed. All depends on how it was installed and/or how it was set up. What kind of car is it? If you can go to the original installer you should be able to have it fixed under warranty. Posted via RS Mobile
?

Yesterday, 10:00 PM	? #3
RS.net Licensed Vendor ? Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 604 Posts: 13,962 Thanked 296 Times in 149 Posts Failed 27 Times in 10 Posts	Sounds like you need to adjust the crank time. As your battery gets older amd temperatures drop, takes longer the crank. __________________ Rise Auto Salon www.riseautosalon.com #140-5800 Cedarbridge Way Richmond, BC 604-284-5222 sales@riseautosalon.com Authorized Dealer for: Focal, Morel, Genesis, Clarion, Scosche, Escort, Compustar, Exoticspeed, GReddy, HKS, Blitz, Tomei, Motul + More We specialize in: Custom Car Audio Race Fabrication Forced Induction Engine Swaps General Maintenance/Mechanic Window Tinting RISE AUTO SALON HAS A NEW NUMBER! 604-284-5222 ***RISE Window Tinting Special!!***
?

Today, 06:06 AM	? #4
NEWBIE ACCOUNT! ? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: delta/surrey Posts: 17 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Failed 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your response guys! Car is a 2006 Honda Civic. I'll just get in touch with the original installer as I don't know how to check those things that you mentioned. Thanks again.
?

Today, 12:07 PM	? #5
My homepage has been set to RS ? Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: richmond Posts: 2,093 Thanked 811 Times in 300 Posts Failed 136 Times in 50 Posts	Crank time or relearn the tach __________________ Rise Auto Salon www.riseautosalon.com <---check out our new blog! #140-5800 Cedarbridge Way Richmond, BC 604-284-5222 sales@riseautosalon.com Car Audio: Focal, Morel, Genesis, Clarion, Scosche, Escort, Compustar, GReddy, HKS, Blitz, Tomei, Motul, Endless, Defi, Cusco, Nismo + More We specialize in: Custom Car Audio Race Fabrication Forced Induction Engine Swaps General Maintenance Window Tinting
?

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:44 PM.

Source: http://www.revscene.net/forums/678394-auto-start-compustar-not-working.html

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Stores look to week after Christmas for sales

Shoppers walk past an H&M location, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in New York. This holiday season is shaping up to be the weakest since the country was in the middle of a deep recession in 2008. That not only shows that stores misread Americans' willingness to spend during this period of economic uncertainty. It also could indicate that the days of throngs of shoppers spending thousands of dollars willy nilly on holiday gifts may be long gone. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Shoppers walk past an H&M location, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in New York. This holiday season is shaping up to be the weakest since the country was in the middle of a deep recession in 2008. That not only shows that stores misread Americans' willingness to spend during this period of economic uncertainty. It also could indicate that the days of throngs of shoppers spending thousands of dollars willy nilly on holiday gifts may be long gone. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Shoppers navigate their way around Toys R Us in Times Square Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in New York. This holiday season is shaping up to be the weakest since the country was in the middle of a deep recession in 2008. That not only shows that stores misread Americans' willingness to spend during this period of economic uncertainty. It also could indicate that the days of throngs of shoppers spending thousands of dollars willy nilly on holiday gifts may be long gone. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Shoppers navigate their way around Toys R Us in Times Square Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in New York. This holiday season is shaping up to be the weakest since the country was in the middle of a deep recession in 2008. That not only shows that stores misread Americans' willingness to spend during this period of economic uncertainty. It also could indicate that the days of throngs of shoppers spending thousands of dollars willy nilly on holiday gifts may be long gone. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Shoppers navigate their way around Toys R Us in Times Square Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in New York. This holiday season is shaping up to be the weakest since the country was in the middle of a deep recession in 2008. That not only shows that stores misread Americans' willingness to spend during this period of economic uncertainty. It also could indicate that the days of throngs of shoppers spending thousands of dollars willy nilly on holiday gifts may be long gone. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

In this Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, photo, a holiday shopper walks past a large Christmas tree at Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach, Calif. U.S. holiday retail sales this year are the weakest since 2008, after a shopping season disrupted by storms and rising uncertainty among consumers. A report out Tuesday that tracks spending, called MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, says holiday sales increased 0.7 percent. Analysts had expected sales to grow 3 to 4 percent. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Bargain-hungry Americans will need to go on a post-Christmas spending binge to salvage this holiday shopping season.

Despite the huge discounts and other incentives that stores offered leading up to Christmas, U.S. holiday sales so far this year have been the weakest since 2008, when the nation was in a deep recession.

So stores now are depending on the days after Christmas to make up lost ground: The final week of December can account for about 15 percent of the month's sales, and the day after Christmas is typically one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

Stores, which don't typically talk about their plans for sales and other promotions during the season, are known for offering discounts of up to 70 percent after the holiday. This year, they're hoping to lure more bargain hunters who held off on shopping because they wanted to get the best deals of the season.

Still, a powerful winter storm, which pounded the nation's midsection on Wednesday and is heading toward the Northeast, could hurt post-Christmas shopping. The storm is bringing high winds and heavy snow that disrupted holiday travel, knocked out power to thousands of homes and were blamed in at least six deaths.

The Macy's location in Herald Square in New York was bustling with shoppers on Wednesday. There were a variety of deals throughout the store: candy dispensers for 70 percent off, various men's clothes were "buy one get one free," belts for 50 percent off, a bin of ties for $9.99.

Ulises Guzman, 30, a social worker, was shopping in the store. He said he waited to shop until the final days before Christmas, knowing that the deals would get better as stores got more desperate. He said he was expecting discounts of at least 50 percent.

The strategy worked. He saw a coat he wanted at Banana Republic for $200 in the days before Christmas but decided to hold off on making a purchase; on Wednesday, he got it for $80.

"I'm not looking at anything that's original price," he said.

Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta was also crowded by midday on Wednesday. Laschonda Pitluck, 18, a student in Atlanta, was shopping after Christmas because she wanted to get the best deals. Last year she spent over $100 on gifts but this year she's keeping it under $50.

Pitluck said she found items for 50 percent off, including a hoodie and jeans for herself at American Eagle and a shirt at Urban Outfitters. She said she would have bought the clothes if they hadn't been 50 percent off.

"I wasn't looking for deals before Christmas," said Pitluck, who also bought boxers for her boyfriend.

The shopping rush after Christmas illustrates just how important holiday sales are. Consumer spending accounts for 70 percent of economic activity, and many retailers can make up to 40 percent of their annual revenue during the two-month holiday shopping period at the end of the year.

So far, holiday sales of electronics, clothing, jewelry and home goods in the two months before Christmas increased 0.7 percent compared with last year, according to the MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse report that was released on Tuesday. SpendingPulse, which tracks spending, said that's the weakest holiday performance since 2008 when sales dropped sharply, although the company did not know by how much.

The SpendingPulse data, which captures sales from Oct. 28 through Dec. 24 across all payment methods, is the first major snapshot of holiday retail sales. A clearer picture will emerge next week as retailers like Macy's and Target report monthly sales.

In the run-up to Christmas, analysts blamed bad weather for putting a damper on shopping. In late October, Superstorm Sandy battered the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states, which account for 24 percent of U.S. retail sales. That coupled with the presidential election, hurt sales during the first half of November.

Shopping picked up in the second half of November, but then the threat of the country falling off a "fiscal cliff" gained strength, throwing consumers off track once again. Lawmakers have yet to reach a deal that would prevent tax increases and government spending cuts set to take effect at the beginning of 2013. If the cuts and tax hikes kick in and stay in place for months, the Congressional Budget Office says the nation could fall back into recession.

Still, The National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, said Wednesday that it's sticking to its forecast for total sales for November and December to be up 4.1 percent to $586.1 billion this year. That's more than a percentage point lower than the growth in each of the past two years, and the smallest increase since 2009 when sales were up just 0.3 percent.

Kathy Grannis, a spokeswoman for the group, noted that the trade group's definition of holiday sales not only includes clothes and electronics, but also food and building supplies.

"Stores have a big week ahead, and it's still too early to know how the holiday season fared, at this point," she said.

___

Anderson reported from Atlanta and Choi reported from New York.

Ann D'Innocenzio in New York and Daniel Wagner in Washington contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-12-26-Holiday%20Shopping/id-bf281de4631b49778bc2fb1627afca4f

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How do you get pension payout estimates? - The Help Desk - CNN ...

My husband was downsized a year ago. He is eligible to start taking a pension from his former company, but they refuse to give him any information with regard to projections. How do we decide when to start his pension if they won't tell him the difference in payout for year 62, 65, etc.? ? M. Anderson

If you haven't done so already, refer to the section in your husband's summary plan description that deals with early withdrawals. If that doesn't answer your questions, Lisa Germano, president of Midlothian, Va.-based Actuarial Benefits and Design Company, says your husband should get back in touch with the benefits department at his former employer. He should request a statement that lists the estimated value of his pension, as well as what percentage of his pension benefit he'd be entitled to if he withdraws before the full retirement age of 65. Be sure to put the request in writing this time and send it by certified mail so there's a record of it.

According to the IRS, plan administrators must provide detailed financial information about benefit options in a timely manner. "If you have a need to get the information soon," Germano says, "emphasize that time is of the essence."

If you don't receive a reply to your written request within 30 days, you should call the Employee Benefits Security Administration at 866-444-3272. A representative at its hotline will guide you on how to get an answer, and may intervene on your behalf with your employer. Ultimately, if your employer still doesn't give you the information you need, EBSA can help you file a complaint as well.

? Marc Mewshaw

Got a question for the Help Desk? Send it to?helpdesk@cnnmoney.com.

Source: http://helpdesk.blogs.money.cnn.com/2012/12/26/pension-payout-estimates/

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Obama cuts vacation short as 'fiscal cliff' looms

President Barack Obama speaks as he and first lady Michelle Obama, not seen, arrive to visit with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks as he and first lady Michelle Obama, not seen, arrive to visit with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama visits with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks as first lady Michelle Obama listens during a visit with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks as first lady Michelle Obama listens during a visit with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama visits with members of the military and their families in Anderson Hall at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The first family is in Hawaii for a holiday vacation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

HONOLULU (AP) ? With a yearend deadline looming before the economy goes over the so-called fiscal cliff, President Barack Obama is cutting short his traditional Christmas holiday in Hawaii, planning to leave for Washington on Wednesday evening.

Obama was expected to arrive in Washington early Thursday, the White House said late Tuesday. First lady Michelle Obama and the couple's two daughters are scheduled to remain in Hawaii until Jan. 6.

In the past, the president's end-of-the-year holiday in his native state had stretched into the new year. The first family left Washington last Friday night.

Congress was expected to return to Washington on Thursday. Before he departed for Hawaii, Obama told reporters he expected to be back in the capital this week.

Without action by Obama and Congress, automatic budget cuts and tax increases are set to begin in January, which many economists say could send the country back into recession. So far, the president and congressional Republicans have been unable to reach agreement on any alternatives.

Lawmakers have expressed little but pessimism for the prospect of an agreement coming before Jan. 1. On Sunday, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said she expects any action in the waning days of the year to be "a patch because in four days we can't solve everything."

With the collapse last week of House Speaker John Boehner's plan to allow tax rates to rise on million-dollar-plus incomes, lawmakers were increasingly worried that no deal can be reached.

They were already preparing their arguments about who is to blame if the new year comes without an agreement.

Obama already has scaled back his ambitions for a sweeping budget bargain. Before leaving the capital on Friday, he called for a limited measure that extends George W. Bush-era tax cuts for most people and staves off federal spending cuts.

The Obamas were spending the holiday at a rented home near Honolulu. On Christmas Day, the president and first lady visited with members of the military to express thanks for their service.

"One of my favorite things is always coming to base on Christmas Day just to meet you and say 'thank you,'" the president said at Marine Corps Base Hawaii's Anderson Hall. He said that being commander in chief was his greatest honor as president.

Obama took photos with individual service members and their families.

On Christmas Eve, Obama called members of the military to thank them for serving the nation, then joined his family for dinner, the White House said. The Obamas opened gifts Christmas morning, ate breakfast and sang carols.

Friends were joining the Obamas for Christmas dinner Tuesday night, the White House said.

___

Reach Matthew Daly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewDalyWDC

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-12-26-Obama/id-aaccac67410940a0a6759a6bb8737e70

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