Saturday, December 21, 2013

Worthy causes getting just 10pc of some Christmas card sales

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JUST €1 out of every €10 spent on some of the country's most popular charity Christmas cards goes towards the work carried out by the charity.

Purchasers of charity cards, often more costly than regular Christmas cards, don't know how much of their cash goes directly to the worthy causes because most festive cards on sale in shops fail to state the proportion given to the charity.

In some cases cards produced by third parties for well-known charities result in as little as 10pc, or less than €1 of the the price of the packs, going to the charity whose name is displayed on the package.

The festive sales result in a five-figure boon for charities, and many say they are "delighted" with the vital income from little expenditure at a tough time of year.

Charities say the best way of buying the cards is to purchase them directly from them, and most of the sale price will go to the charity. They also point to the fact that they reach a wider market through the high street stores, and incur no costs when they sell through a third party.

The National Consumer Agency states there is "no consumer law" that requires the trader to include the percentage going to charity on the packaging.

"Consumers have the right to clear and accurate pricing," a spokeswoman told the Sunday Independent, adding that the agency would be in favour of "greater price transparency" to allow consumers to make more informed choices.

Dunnes Stores' €2.50 packs of cards state 10 per cent, or 25c, goes to St Vincent de Paul, while Marks and Spencers' packs also inform customers that 20 per cent of its €7 packs is split between Focus Ireland and the Marie Keating Foundation.

Clothes chain Next's packs state that 15 per cent goes towards Make A Wish and beagle christmas cards.

Other major retailers such as Arnotts, Clerys and Easons sell Christmas cards for charities including the Irish Heart Foundation, Irish Cancer Society and Barnardos but don't indicate on the box the amount going to the charity.

Card manufacturer Lantz Stationery has stated that it has donated more than €450,000 to Irish charities since 2004. But the percentage gifted is not on the box of the cards it manufactures.

In Easons and other stores, the Special Editions Cards clearly state they deliver 63c per pack of €6.50 to Temple Street Children's Hospital, with the same packs also selling for Focus Ireland.

Aid charity Oxfam Ireland took in €100,000 from its cards last Christmas -- which only retail in their 51 shops -- with 70 per cent of the price going towards "life-saving work". Concern pointed out that its online card and catalogue sales raised €9,472 with 73 per cent going to its work.

Both Temple Street Hospital and Trocaire, which took in €4,000 last year, are trialling the sale of there Christmas cards through independent retailers for the first time, where they will receive 10 per cent of the cost.

Focus Ireland, which gathered €30,000 last year, pointed out that the amount it received was clearly stated on the Special Editions Cards, and there were no production costs. The Marie Keating Foundation was "delighted" with the €16,000 it raised last year, and said it felt it reached more people through the high street stores and had to do "little or no work for it".

The Irish Heart Foundation and Irish Hospice Foundation incurs no cost and hopes to raise €20,000 from the sale of charity Christmas cards through a third party, while children's charity Barnardos sells direct but also feels it reaches more people by selling through a third party in shops.

Irish Independent



Monday, December 9, 2013

NFL Playoffs: AFC Ins and Outs

With Week 14 of the NFL 2013 season about to go into full swing on Sunday, positions for the playoffs are beginning to solidify for fans and all the teams fighting for a spot. A handful of teams are on the cusp of being in, while another handful of teams are now officially out of playoff contention for the year. The division leaders became obvious earlier in the season. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos are projected as 1st seed at 10-2, with the New England Patriots a close 2nd seed at 9-3.

The Broncos first loss of the season came at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts lead by second year quarterback Andrew Luck. There was an enormous build up to the game, as it was the first time since his release that former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning returned to the stadium his leadership made possible. Manning's loss at the hands of his replacement was a hard-fought battle and proved Luck was a genius pick by Colts owner Jim Irsay.
However, that genius was tempered by the fact that Manning himself told Irsay that he was "crazy" if he did not take Luck in his absence.

Their second loss to the New England Patriots was another 60-minute war that ended in overtime with a Patriots field goal. The Patriots' earlier losses to the Cincinnati Bengals (13-6, Week 5), the New York Jets (30-27, Week 7) and the Carolina Panthers (27-17, Week 8) put them behind the Broncos in the playoff race. Neither has clinched a spot but this Sunday's games should crystallize positions for the division leaders.

The Broncos are scheduled to host the Tennessee Titans (5-7) this week, a team in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Patriots are playing the Cleveland Browns (4-8), also trying to muscle their way into post-season play. Losses by either or both the Patriots and Broncos would not knock them completely out of playoff contention; it would simply diminish their chances at a bye or home field advantage. For the Browns and Titans however, a loss puts them closer to the final curtain call for their 2013 season.

Outside of these two teams, we have the AFC Wild Card contenders. This is comprised of teams that may or may not move forward into the playoffs. It all depends on wins and losses this Sunday and next.

The Indianapolis Colts hold the best chance for 3rd seed in the AFC. Their 8-4 record puts them ahead of the 9-3 Kansas City Chiefs, projected 4th seed, and the 8-4 Cincinnati Bengal, projected 5th seed, because of divisional wins and losses between the three teams (see table below). The reigning Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens round out the AFC Wild Card teams with a surprising projection of 6th seed at 6-6.

With Luck at the helm of the offense, the Colts have put up impressive numbers and won games they were expected to lose since the young quarterback slipped on the horseshoe emblem. Luck fully established himself and his team as serious contenders for the playoffs with Indy's victory over Manning and the to-that-point perfect Broncos, but another team fell to the Colts that popular thought did not expect.

The Colts are the only team to beat the Seattle Seahawks (34-25, Week 5) this season. They solved a puzzle no other team has managed to crack against the 1st seeded NFC team. That win put them in the mix for playoff contention and the victory over the Broncos cemented it. As long as they are in top form against the Bengals this Sunday, they should continue their march into the postseason.

The Chiefs are bewildered as they try to work their way back from a third loss in a row. Manning and his Broncos handed the last undefeated team in the league their first and third losses of the season. In between, the Chiefs managed to fall to the 5-6 San Diego Chargers, 41-38.

Quarterback Alex Smith is still careful with the ball and continues to read the coverage as well as he did in the beginning if the season. Looking at the Chiefs' wins and losses and Smith's stats for each game, there is no glaring stat that jumps out to explain why KC is suddenly getting handed marks in the "L" column. Over the course of these three losses, Smith was sacked a total of six times by Denver and San Diego. He threw 2 interceptions over the three-game losing streak, and only fumbled once. Whatever is going on with the Chiefs, it is not their quarterback.

In recent weeks, KC has seen injuries at key positions. On defense, linebacker Tamba Hali has been dealing with an ankle injury and his counterpart, Justin Houston has been dealing with an elbow injury. Between them, these two combine for 20 of the Chiefs 34 sacks. Hali has been in full practice this week, but Houston has not practiced and is listed as out. On offense, Donnie Avery, who has been so effective throughout the season, is probable with a shoulder injury. He has been in full practice and he is listed as probable.

Running back Jamaal Charles still leads the Chiefs in rushing and receiving yards and has not slowed his stride. He has 219 carries for 1011 yards and nine touchdowns; on receiving he has 55 catches for 452 yards and two touchdowns. Of four fumbles he has only lost two all season.

The Chiefs have not won since their bye in Week 10. This week, they are on the road to face the Washington Redskins. Considering the recent debacle that is Washington, KC probably has a chance to get back on the winning side of things on Sunday. The trick is staying there. If the Chiefs recapture their mojo, they can come out of the Wild Card race with a playoff berth.

The Bengals are one of the surprises of the season at 8-4. They were the first team to beat the Patriots this season (13-6, Week 5) and they did beat the Colts in preseason, 27-10. Quarterback Andy "Red" Dalton has wide receivers A. J. Green and Marvin Jones to work with. Together they have 14 receiving touchdowns. Dalton also has running backs Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who are carrying the running game in impressive fashion. Between them these two workhorse players have scored all eight of the Bengals rushing touchdowns.

Filling out Dalton's arsenal are tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, each contributing two and one touchdowns to the scoring drives respectively. There's also wide receivers Brandon Tate, Ryan Whalen and Mohammed Sanu, each with significant catches and scores. Green (groin) and Eifert (knee) are both probable with injuries this week but both were in full practice on Thursday and Friday. Offensively speaking, the Bengals could not be more prepared to make a run for the playoffs.

Defensively, they lost their captain, defensive tackle Geno Atkins in Week 9 to injury as well as cornerback Leon Hall in Week 5 for the year. Their replacements are holding firm, of course, but as banged up as the Bengals defense is, they may have some trouble with the Colts energetic offense. The other side of the Atkins coin is linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who is dealing with an ankle injury. Like his offensive teammates, he was in full practice and is listed as probable.

As long as the Bengals can pressure Luck and keep him unbalanced they have a chance to advance. They also need to capitalize every offensive opportunity with a score. The Colts are far too good at getting the lead and keeping it to depend on a last minute comeback.

The Ravens were effectively "gutted" on offense and defense after their Super Bowl win last season. Emotional and defensive leader Ray Lewis retired. Safety Ed Reed moved on to the Texans and then the Jets. Running back Ray Rice has had perhaps the most lackluster season of his career, and quarterback Joe Flacco simply has not recaptured that same magic that ran him 11 games without an interception last year.

The Ravens were devastated on opening day by Manning's record-setting seven touchdowns in a loss that it seems they have not yet recovered from (49-27, Week 1). Their wins have been sporadic and their play spotty. No one is quite sure why the Ravens are not running the table on the teams like the Buffalo Bills (L 23-20, Week 4) and the Cleveland Browns (L 24-18, Week 9), except to say that they have become unfocused. The fire that drove them to the championship has burned low and it may not flare back soon enough to lift them past .500 and into serious postseason contention.

This week they play the Minnesota Vikings (3-8-1), who are on the verge of elimination from the playoffs. With quarterback Christian Ponder back in charge and firing on all cylinders and running back Adrian Peterson on pace to match last year's numbers, the Ravens may be closing down their season far sooner than they expect this year.

The list of teams that are definitively Out of playoff contention is clearer, at this point, than the In list. As of today, only one AFC team has been eliminated from playoff contention. Holding a disappointing record of 2-11, the Houston Texans are no longer in the race.

They are playing now for pride and draft picks. With their 11th loss on Thursday Night Football to the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9), the Texans front office decided to release Head Coach gary kubiak stats Kubiak. General Manager Rick Smith sat beside owner Bob McNair at a press conference announcing the end of Kubiak's 8-year run with Houston on Friday.

As they finish up the last three weeks of their "nightmare season" the Texans will be under interim Head Coach Wade Phillips. Speculation on who will step into Kubiak's vacated spot is already running through the league. Names like former Chicago Bears' coach Lovie Smith (2004-2012) have been thrown around, but McNair has not specifically named anyone except Phillips and Smith at the current time. Whether Phillips will remain as head coach or step aside and continue as defensive coordinator is also a question that remains open to speculation.

The remaining contenders are all fighting to survive another week. They are listed in projected order of rank as of Week 14 and sorted by win/loss record in the table. Each of the teams "In the Hunt" is facing almost certain elimination this week or next week according to their schedules. They must win or go home.

For the AFC, the playoffs are still up in the air. The divisional leaders are almost guaranteed to go forward in the playoff race but they still need to win. All the Wild Card teams are jostling for position and are in must-when situations. None of the teams are in or out for the AFC as yet, but this week's games should shuffle out the chaff and further reveal the final cut for the playoffs.

By Brandi Tasby

AFC/NFC Breakdown NFL Standings AFC Photo Gallery

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Portarlington news

FASHION SHOW

The residents of Oakdale Nursing Home invite you to a special Christmas fashion show/mulled wine and mince pie reception on Friday December 6 at 7pm. Local businesses giving you some Christmas present ideas will include Mary Miller No. 57, Eamon Bracken's Menswear, Lyle's Footwear, Earley's Fashions, Monasterevin, and Portarlington Pharmacy. Why not treat yourself to a make-over or new hairdo? Kids face painting, spot prizes and much, much more. Super draw, All proceeds from this event in aid of St Vincent de Paul Portarlington.

Drama Society

The Portarlington Drama Society is holding a social night on the Friday, December 6 in The Anvil Inn. It is a themed night to come as your favourite James Bond character. Tickets from in The Anvil for €10. The Society will be presenting The St Vincent De Paul with a cheque from our proceeds from our last production the Aquinas Moth last May. SDVP Christmas toy collection on the night.

The Society is also in production for our Christmas play of Ebony Scrooge in collaboration St Paul's Church on Saturday, December 21 at 4pm in St Paul's Church. All proceeds to their renovation funds.

Community Awards

A great night in the Heritage Portlaoise on Wednesday November 27 last at the Laois Forum Awards. Great community groups from all over Laois. Portarlington was well represented. Meals on Wheels were runners up in their category. Donie Molloy and the 4th Laois Scouts Portarlington received 1st place in their category and the Coder Dojos were runners up in their category. In the Unsung hero awards with 33 people from around the County nominated, Portarlington had 3 people nominated. They were Gerry Conway, Lillie Champ and Ann (Bourke) Dunne. The calibre of people who do great work and have been doing it all their lives was amazing and it was wonderful to see Ger Lynch from Mountmellick receiving the award. Ger Lynch is a great example of a great community worker. Working for Mountmellick town for over 50 years. A big well done to Killenard Tidy Towns who were also acknowledged on the night.

Christmas Extravaganza

A fundraising night takes place in the Heritage Hotel Killenard on Sunday December 15 at 8pm. Mulled wine reception at 7pm. The night features the Irish Midland Concert Orchestra and local musicians and singers. All proceeds go to Portarlington Lions Club and St Vincent de Paul. Tickets on sale for €10. Contact Kim at 086 3751604, Lillian at 0872213591 and Ann Dunne at 087 4116101. A great night is assured.

On The Move

The Portarlington Community Development Assoc (PCDA)/Love Port office have now moved to the Catholic Club Main St. The phone number and email address remains the same. Phone 085 8568801, or info@portarlington.ie. You can also check out our website www.portarlington.ie. Opening hours Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm. Fridays 99am to 1pm. Come in and see us at any time.

Arch Club Dancing

Dancing takes place in The Gandon Inn, Emo every Monday night from 9.30 till midnight. December 9 music by Donie O Sullivan, December 16 music by John & Terry. Christmas party on December 23, music by Twice Shy. December 30, music by Black Lace. Come along for a great night out. Admission only €5.

Car Boot Sale

Portarlington GAA monthly car boot sale on the first Saturday of every month at McCann Park. To book a pitch contact 086 2712121 or email portarlingtongaaclub@gmail.com.

Christmas Sale

Port GAA Christmas sale on December 7 from 10am until 2pm. €10 per stall. Contact portarlingtongaaclub@gmail.com or call 086 2712121 for details.

Port GAA Lotto

Results for November 26. Jackpot €2,700. No winner. Numbers 3-9-19-28. €50 went to Niamh McElwayne c/o Rose McCann and Canice McCarthy c/o C McCarthy. €25 each to Darragh Ward c/o C Ward and Emily Kelly c/o Rose McCann. Promoters prize to M Lawlor. Jackpot next week €2,800.

Arlington Lotto

There was no winner of the recent Lotto jackpot. Letters drawn were A-J-X-Y. €25 winners were Eimear Connolly and Morgan Hennessy. Sellers prize to Ter Lawlor. Next draw takes place on Tuesday December 3 in the Barrow Lodge. Jackpot is now €10,000.

Comhaltas

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann proudly presents the Bridge Ceili Band in Concert in St Paul's Church, French Church St on Saturday December 7 at 8pm. The night is supported by All Ireland musicians and singers, with guest artists, Balladeer, Michael Ryan and Aoife and Mairead Good. Admission €10. Proceeds in aid of St Paul's heating fund.

Irish Guide Dogs

On sale now, Christmas cards, calendars for 2014 and gift black lab christmas cards baubles. Discounts available. Please contact Anne Allman at 087 9177324. Also on sale in the Parish Office.

Charity Football Game

The annual St Stephen's Day charity game in Courtwood GAA Club will feature a Laois/Courtwood over 25 selection against a Laois/Courtwood under 25 selection.

There will also be a few guest appearances from neighbouring clubs and a lot of the current county players are also expected to line out. A large sum was raised for charity last year and, weather permitting, it is hoped that this year's game will be every bit as successful. All are welcome along to Courtwood GAA grounds from 11.30am.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2013 AGM of Courtwood GAA Club will take place in the clubhouse on Saturday December 7 at 7.30pm.

Men's Shed

Portarlington Community Men's Shed. Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm at ALERT Forklift and Safety Training Unit at Botley Lane Business Park. Contact Darren (co-ordinator) at 085 7434884.

Port GAA Lotto

Results for November 26. Jackpot €2,700. No winner. Numbers 3-9-19-28. €50 went to Niamh McElwayne c/o Rose McCann and Canice McCarthy c/o C McCarthy. €25 each to Darragh Ward c/o C Ward and Emily Kelly c/o Rose McCann. Promoters prize to m lawlor. Jackpot next week €2,800.

BOOK LAUNCH

Portarlington GAA are launching their History of Portarlington GAA book on Thursday December 5 in the GAA center at 8pm. The book is packed with over 400 pages of photos and details of the past 125 years of the club. All are welcome to attend the night. Guest speakers include Liam O'Neill, president of the GAA and the author Joe Dwyer.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

UPDATE: Sigma has released firmware to fix compatibility problems with Nikon D5300

<Nikon D5300 Buy Cheapp>You can now download firmware for a number of Sigma lenses that should correct the problems Nikon D5300 users may experience with its lenses

UPDATE 22/11/13:

Sigma has released firmware to fix the problems with the following lenses:

・35mm F1.4 DG HSM A012 NIKON
・17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C013 NIKON
・30mm F1.4 DC HSM A013 NIKON
・18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A013 NIKON
・120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM S013 NIKON

The update should make these lenses fully functional with the Nikon D5300. See here for more information and the download link.

ORIGINAL STORY 19/11/13:

In a statement on its website, Sigma has said that the current firmware of its Nikon-fit interchangeable lenses 'may not work properly with the Nikon D5300's OS and Live View Auto Focus functions'.

Though it hasn't released specific details, Sigma has said that the problem occurs specifically with Nikon-fit interchangable lenses that incorporate an internal motor.

Sigma will be releasing a free firmware update tomorrow (November 20) that it says should correct the problem. You can contact your nearest Sigma dealer in order to receive the update; Sigma provides a full list here.

See Sigma's website for the full statement.

--

We recently completed the What Digital Camera review of the Nikon D5300


Source: Whatdigitalcamera

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Nikon Releases D5300 Digital SLR Camera

<Nikon D5300 Cheapp>/PRNewswire/ --

The new Nikon D5300 with built-in Wi-Fi® and GPS makes it simple to share high quality images

Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd is pleased to announce the release of the D5300, Nikon's latest entry-level DX-format digital SLR camera.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131110/652912 )

The D5300 offers an effective pixel count of 24.2-million pixels and is equipped with a Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, as well as the new high-performance EXPEED 4 image-processing engine. It is Nikon's first digital SLR camera to offer built-in wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®) and GPS functions, so users can easily share high-quality images captured with the D5300 and NIKKOR lenses via a smart device. These functions also allow users to look back on routes taken on vacation or with outdoor activities using a log feature that is part of the built-in GPS function.

The D5300 is designed with a structure made of a new material to bring about a smaller and lighter body while maintaining the necessary strength and durability. The camera is also equipped with a number of features that support various shooting situations, including a 3.2-inch, approximately 1037k-dot vari-angle monitor with a wide viewing angle for shooting from a variety of angles, a full-HD movie recording function that supports recording of smooth 1920 × 1080/60p movies, and a Special Effects mode with nine options that can be applied to photos and movies with shooting for a variety of creative effects.

The Zoom/Focus Assist Lever NAL-1 for exclusive use with NIKKOR lenses will also be released at the same time as the D5300. The NAL-1 is a lever that enables smoother zooming and focusing when attached to the zoom ring or focus ring on a NIKKOR lens and is especially convenient for movie recording.

D5300 Primary Features

1. An effective pixel count of 24.2-million pixels anda Nikon DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, and the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 4, for superior image quality and definition

The D5300 offers an effective pixel count of 24.2-million pixels and is equipped with a DX-format CMOS image sensor developed exclusively by Nikon. It supports a broad range of standard sensitivities from ISO 100 to 12800, as well as an additional expansion of up to ISO 25600 equivalent (Hi 1) for high-definition images exhibiting very little noise with shooting at a broad range of sensitivities. In addition, the high-speed performance of the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 4, optimized for high-performance digital SLR cameras, provides superior results with noise reduction (NR), auto white balance, color reproduction characteristics, tone processing, and image quality at high sensitivities. The absence of a low-pass filter maximizes the superior resolution of the high pixel count and rendering capabilities of NIKKOR lenses.

2. Built-in Wi-Fi for transferring high-quality images to a smart device for ease of sharing

As Nikon's first digital SLR camera equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi function, high-quality images with an effective pixel count of 24.2-million pixels captured from a variety of angles using the flexible vari-angle monitor can be transferred to a smart device for sharing with others[*1]. This expands the ways in which images are enjoyed after they are taken by enabling immediate image transfer for sharing photos with family and friends via blogs or social networking sites anytime, anywhere.

    Transfer function: Images captured by the D5300, or already saved to a memory card inserted in the D5300, can be transferred to a smart device over a wireless connection. These images can then be viewed in the smart device display, or uploaded to a blog or social networking site. In addition, the size at which images are transferred to a smart device can be selected from two options to fit the storage capacity of the smart device.
    Remote shooting function: The camera's live view shooting display can be shown on the display of the smart device in real time, allowing users to accurately frame photos and predict results with remote control while shooting[*2].
    Manual upload function: Users can select images to be uploaded to a smart device using the D5300 monitor display. In situations or environments that do not sufficiently support immediate image upload, or when a smart device is not readily available, the camera can be used to specify images, and image file size, to be uploaded to the smart device at a later time.

[*1] The Wireless Mobile Utility app must first be installed on the smart device (the app can be downloaded free of charge from the smart device's app store).

[*2] Effective only when AF-area mode is set to "Normal-area AF" or "Wide-area AF".

3. A built-in GPS function that records location data and tracks movement

The D5300 is Nikon's first digital SLR camera with a built-in GPS function, enabling recording of location data (longitude, latitude, altitude) with images. It also works seamlessly with ViewNX 2, NIKON IMAGE SPACE, and commercial mapping software enables display of images where they were captured on maps, as well as sharing of images with location data. The A-GPS function also makes detection of location data smoother. This capability allows users to look back on memories or track their movement, on vacations or with outdoor activities by shooting location, and date and time of capture.

4. Designed using a new material for a smaller and lighter body that is strong and durable

The D5300 is designed using a new material. As the camera cover and body are formed with a rigid, integrated structure, there are fewer joints. This enables a smaller and lighter camera with a width of 125 mm, height of 98 mm, and depth of 76 mm, and weighing just 530 g[*], all while maintaining the necessary strength and durability.

* Including battery and SD memory card; excluding body cap.

5. A 3.2-inch, 1037k-dot vari-angle LCD monitor with wide viewing angle for simple shooting from any angle

The D5300 features a larger 3.2-inch (approximately 1037k-dot) LCD monitor with wide viewing angle for a crisp and clear display. The side-hinged vari-angle monitor opens from 0 to 180° at the side, and can be rotated up to 90° clockwise and up to 180° counter-clockwise. This enables shooting from a wide variety of angles, from low to high, making even self-portraits possible.

6. D-Movie function for recording full-HD 1920 × 1080 60p movies

The D5300 is equipped with a D-Movie function that supports recording of 1920 × 1080/60p movies. The combination of NIKKOR lenses, a high pixel-count CMOS image sensor unit which does not include an optical low-pass filter, and an effective pixel count of 24.2-million pixels, enables recording of high-definition movies exhibiting superior rendering characteristics. In addition, autofocusing during movie recording is possible using contrast-detect AF. When the focus mode is set to full-time-servo AF (AF-F) and AF-area mode is set to Subject-tracking AF, the camera automatically maintains focus on moving subjects. Manual movie settings are also available, allowing users to choose the desired shutter speed and ISO sensitivity in live view mode and with movie recording. Movie frame rate with full-HD recording can be selected from 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, and 60p. In addition to recording of high-quality sound via the built-in stereo microphone, the optional Stereo Microphone ME-1 can also be used to record stereo sound.

    Toy Camera Effect: Create photos and movies in which colors have been changed and edges have been shaded so that they appear to have been recorded with a toy camera. Users can adjust the vividness and degree of vignetting (peripheral shading) from three options each to suit their individual preferences.
    HDR Painting[*]: The camera shoots two frames at different exposures and combines them, with processing that changes color tones, for HDR images with a painterly effect.

7. Toy Camera Effect and HDR Painting added to Special Effects mode (total of 9 effects) for more creative expression with still images and movies

The D5300 is equipped with a Special Effects mode, with which effects can be selected and applied with recording of both still images and movies. The effects can also be previewed in the camera monitor in real time before shooting or recording begins. A total of nine special effects are available, including the seven built into the D5200 (Selective Color, Color Sketch, Miniature Effect, Night Vision, Silhouette, High Key, Low Key), as well as the new Toy Camera Effect and HDR Painting*. This allows users to easily utilize dramatic effects like those seen in art and the movies. This mode was incorporated into the D5300 to respond to the creative intent of users who were searching for a way to express their own unique style and creativity.

* HDR Painting cannot be applied to movies. Further, results of the HDR Painting effect cannot be previewed in the camera monitor.

8. Designed with a firm grip using just one hand and available in 3 colors, including a new gray option

The grip on the D5300 is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand for a firm hold using just one hand, making framing via both the optical viewfinder and the monitor's live view display easier. In addition to the popular black and red colors, the D5300 is also available in a new gray option. Metal parts on the D5300, such as the microphone cover and plate over the mode dial, have also been designed with a surface finish that gives the camera an elegant appearance.

About Nikon

Pricing and Availability

The Nikon 5300 will be available in three colors (Black, Red and Gray), starting in November 2013 at the suggested retail price (SRP) of AED 3,999. For more information on the new Nikon D5300 and other Nikon products, please visit http://www.nikon-mea.com.

Nikon, At the Heart of the Image. Nikon is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognised for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX compact digital cameras; Nikon sports optics as well as the Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lens system in over 50 countries.

For more information, visit http://www.nikon-mea.com. Connect with Nikon and other photographers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NikonMEA and get the latest news and information from Twitter by following @NikonMEA.

SOURCE Nikon Corporation

* Read more articles by Nikon Corporation



Source: Sacbee

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Nikon D5300 Rumors, Specs, Price and Release Info: Camera Company Recently Releases Full Specs

<Nikon D5300 Cheapp>Nikon has recently come out with a full list of specs for the new D5300.

The latest model of the DX-format DSLR has 24.2 megapixels, a DX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, a built-in GPS, a durable light body, a 3.2-inch 1037k-dot vari-angle LCCD monitor with wide viewing angle, NAL-1 features for zoom/focus assist, and more.

It also has a full-HD 1920x1080/60p capability for movies, where selection can range from 24, 25, 30,50, and 60p. There are also 9 special effects for creative expression.

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As previously reported, Nikon Rumors reports that the Nikon D5300 is expected to be introduced before the Photo Plus show in NYC at the end of the month or the CES show in Las Vegas in January.

It is reported that this will be the first camera to get the new EXPEED 4 processor. Some other rumored specs include 24 Megapixels, 39 AF points, built-in Wi-Fi and built-in GPS.

Photography Bay reports that the D530 will be introduced as an entry-level APS-C format camera. There are no reports yet of whether or not it will have better image quality over the D5200, but it would make sense to add additional video features to the D5300.

No prices have been reported yet either, but Inferse reports that it may be priced lower than the D5200 was when it first was released.


Source: Designntrend

Monday, October 28, 2013

Get cashback on Nikon cameras at BT Shop

<Nikon D5300 Cheapp>If you're looking to pick up top-quality digital cameras for less this Christmas, look no further than leading online electronics retailer BT Shop - because Nikon's Christmas Cashback promotion could help you make a huge saving.

Whether you're looking to treat yourself or a loved one to a camera, Nikon's Christmas Cashback offers you the opportunity to claim cashback on a huge selection of Nikon equipment ( http://www.shop.bt.com/category/electronics,cameras-and-camcorders,digital-cameras/11193-50584) - including a number of its sought-after D-SLR cameras. Selected lenses and accessories - including speedlights - are also included in the promotion.

"Nikon cameras are renowned around the world for their quality, versatility and durability - so there's no better time to get your hands on Nikon equipment than now," said Caroline Hodgson, Marketing Executive at BT Shop. "It's important to remember, though, that this promotion runs for a limited time only and so anyone who wants to take advantage of this fantastic offer should move quickly."

As part of the Christmas Cashback promotion, customers can claim £20 cashback on Nikon's D3100 D-SLR and Nikon 1 S1 cameras, £30 cashback on the Nikon D3200 range and £50 cashback on Nikon D5200 cameras. Also, there's £70 cashback on offer on purchases from the Nikon D7000 range as well as DX lenses and accessories, £80 on Nikon 1 V2 cameras and £100 cashback on D7100 cameras.

This year's Christmas Cashback is Nikon's biggest yet, so now's the perfect time to pick up selected Nikon cameras and accessories. But remember, this offer is only available for a limited period - only customers who purchase selected Nikon equipment between October 16 th 2013 and 26 th January 2014 will be eligible to claim cashback.

To find out more about the extensive range of digital cameras ( http://www.shop.bt.com/category/electronics,cameras-and-camcorders,digital-cameras/11193) and other equipment available at BT Shop, simply pay our website a visit at www.shop.bt.com.

Caroline Hodgson
BT Shop Marketing Executive
0870 429 3700
CHodgson@dabs.com


Source: 4-traders

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Camera Deals of the Day: Save up to $600 on Nikon DSLR bundles; refurb Nikon D600 body $1,325; Canon 5D Mark III body $2,550 and much more!

<Nikon D5300 Buy Cheapp>by William Brawley

Happy hump day! We've found a big selection of DSLR-related deals for you to browse through this morning! There's a new promotion for Nikon DSLR bundles from B&H Photo Video, as well as a new set of Canon mail-in rebates. We've also uncovered some great discounts on Canon and Nikon DSLRs, plus special savings on a fast Canon prime lens. Lastly, we found a nice little bargain on some cool neoprene DSLR lens pouches to safely haul you new glass. Check back tomorrow for all new camera deals and discounts.

  • Save up to $600 on Nikon DSLR when bundled with lenses and speedlights - Free Shipping
    B&H has started a new Nikon promotion where you can get up to $600 off with select bundles of lenses and speedlights. Eligible DSLRs run the full gamut of Nikon models from the the D3100 and D5200 to the D800 and D4. Visit the special promotion page for all the details and various configuration of bundles with corresponding discounts. Offers expire at different times depending on the models, but most expire on Nov. 11.
    Read ourNikon D3100 review, Nikon D5200 review, Nikon D800 review and Nikon D4 overview for more details.
  • Mail-in rebates on select Canon EF lenses - Free Shipping
    Canon has a new round of mail-in rebates for select full-frame EF lenses, the vast majority of which are L-series lenses. Eligible lenses include the EF 17-40mm f/4L with $100 off, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II with $300 off or both EF 24-70mm L zoom lenses in either f/2.8 II or f/4 IS versions at $300 off. See the full selection of lenses at Adorama, B&H or on the official mail-in rebate form (PDF).
    Read ourCanon lens reviews for more details.
  • Canon 5D Mark III body - $2,550 (compare to $3,100) - Free Shipping
    BigValueInc via eBay has the Canon 5D Mark III body-only for $2,549.99 with free shipping. Limited quantity available.
    Read ourCanon 5D Mark III review for more details.
  • Refurbished Nikon D600 body - $1,325 (compare to $1,897 new) - Free Shipping
    RobertsCamera via eBay has the Refurbished Nikon D600 body for just $1,325 with free shipping. Limited quantity available.
    Read ourNikon D600 review for more details.
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens - $1,259 (compare to $1,619) - Free Shipping
    Adorama has a special deal on the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens for a final checkout price of $1,259 with free shipping, plus extra accessories like an Adorama lens cleaning kit, 16GB USB flash drive and a 72mm filter kit. In addition to the $150 mail-in rebate (PDF), Adorama is tacking on additional discounts for this lens. You must go all the way to checkout to see the final lowest price.
    Read ourCanon 50mm f/1.2L lens review for more details.
  • Neoprene DSLR lens pouch 4-pack - $10 (compare to $15) - Free Shipping
    Hottest Deal Ever via eBay (98.9% positive feedback) has a Neoprene DSLR Lens Pouch 4-Pack for $9.95 with free shipping.

Source: Imaging-resource

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

gdgt's best deals for October 21st: MakerBot Replicator 2, Nikon D800

Nikon D5300 Cyber Monday DealReady to save some cash on your tech buys? Then you've come to the right place. Our friends at sister site gdgt track price drops on thousands of products every day, and twice a week they feature some of the best deals they've found right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long.

Whether you're taking snapshots, making films or designing the next big whatchamacallit, these deals will help you on your way. Making all that magic happen will definitely burn some calories, and Garmin's Forerunner 610 fitness tracker can tell you if earned that extra cookie. And 3D printing? The sky's the limit. We won't try to box in your imagination, but we will point you in the direction of a sale when we see one. Join gdgt and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list -- every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!

It's not too late to join the 3D printing revolution, and whether you plan to do some rapid prototyping for your new Kickstarter project or just replace a few doorknobs around the house, you'll have the tools for the job. Not only will you save $150 off the regular price, but for all you CAD fans out there, this version also comes with a custom AutoDesk 123D face and build plate.

All for living the quantified life, but not really interested in tracking your sleep patterns? Garmin's Forerunner 610 may be just the thing to help monitor your workouts and save some cash. It's not the newest gadget in town, but its rain and sweat-resistant touchscreen interface can display distance, time, laps, history and more, while allowing you to leave the smartphone at home. If your workout takes you to the treadmill instead of the park, it also works with ANT+ compatible fitness machines. This deal is for a manufacturer-refurbished model, but it comes with a heart rate monitor and a one-year warranty. Plus, it earned a pretty decent 82 rating at gdgt, so it's still a solid buy.

Yep, that's right: 36.3 megapixels. Even though this shooter was released back in 2012, it's still a more than capable DSLR for professional snaps and even HD video. Image quality is one of the major benefits here, and while there may be slight delays when writing these huge RAW files to a memory card, the final results are worth the wait. Both users and critics have weighed in, resulting in a respectable gdgt Score of 88. It's still a pricey bit of kit, but this is a significant price drop, and that extra savings can be used toward a lens for this body-only offering. Don't worry, there's no shortage of Nikon lenses that are compatible with this shooter.

Hands-free interfaces like the Leap Motion controller aren't quite ready for primetime, and most people can only take so much touchpadding. So unless you're looking for Logitech's freshest offering, the Performance MX will suit your needs with aplomb. The ratings are solid and we're told this mouse will even track well on glass surfaces, reducing those annoying cursor jumps in case your office work surface was ill-planned.


Source: Engadget

Friday, October 11, 2013

Crime Stoppers

We need your help to locate this person

Crime Stoppers is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the location that directly results in the arrest of Nicholas E. Johnson. Johnson is a white male, 34 years old, 5 foot, 10 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds. Nicholas should not be confronted by citizens, as he is considered armed and dangerous. Johnson is wanted for questioning in several vehicle thefts and has an active arrest warrant.

***

We need your to finish solving this case

On Sept. 16, a burglary was reported in the 1000 block of Route A. Among the items stolen was a Remington 12-gauge auto shotgun, model 48 Mohawk. Also stolen was a large number of antique coins, 10 trade tokens inside a glass showcase, rhinestone jewelry, two rings and a key cutter knife.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in this theft.

***

How do you contact Crime Stoppers?

There are several ways to make a tip. Contact Detective Rick Hamilton at 417-880-9387, Crime Stoppers supervisor Detective John Everett at 859-2247 or Detective Joshua Duncan at 417-830-2083. Send email at crimesolver@att.net or jeverett@webstercountymo.org. If you leave your email address, you may be contacted by email if we need more information. Your email address will be kept confidential. Or send mail at Webster County Crime Stoppers, attention John Everett, C/O the Webster County Sheriff's Department, 101 S. Crittenden, Marshfield, MO 65706.

Regardless of the method you choose to use, your identity will be protected. In many 5s iphone cases rhinestone, your identity is not even known to us.

***

Warrant information

The following people have had recent warrants out of Webster County. It is possible some of the warrants may have been served prior to the publication of this week's newspaper. (Information in regards to these warrants carry no reward, but your help in regards to locating these individuals is greatly appreciated.)

The following people have had recent warrants out of Webster County. It is possible some of the warrants may have been served prior to the publication of this week's newspaper.

Johnny P. Heckman, Dec. 2, 1973, felony

James D. Smiley, June 29, 1964, misdemeanor

Jacki L. Shover, Jan. 4, 1982, misdemeanor

Chasity M. Burgess, Dec. 8, 1989, misdemeanor


Source: Southcountymail

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Deals: Windows 8.1, Amazon Warehouse, iPhone 5S/C, $20 Otterbox

<couponp>

The start button you've always wanted.

Top Deals

Windows 8.1 is now available for pre-order, and we've got the first deal on the Pro version. It's a free upgrade for those who already own Windows 8, so you know, don't buy this if you're in that category.

Update: Expired.

Amazon Warehouse is offering a rare 10% off promotion on everything except select Media. If you're ok with used (and you should be, Amazon returns couldn't be any easier), you can dig for many lowest prices ever on that TV, Camera, or whatever else you've been wanting. It's a great opportunity to grab a product you've been waiting for that never goes on sale. While you're at it, post your best finds in the comments!

Rechargeables are the best batteries, and Eneloops are the best rechargeables, no contest. Eneloops are also expensive, much more so than these AmazonBasics, which are a great, affordable second choice.

    Discounted unsubsidized iPhone 5S and 5C on Virgin Mobile

If you're down with both unsubsidized phones and Virgin Mobile, you can get $100 off either of the newest and greatest iPhones. Brand new unsubsidized iPhone deals are obviously rare, and Virgin will let you unlock anytime.

Sprint is also knocking $100 off new iPhones for new customers who sign a contract.

Storage

Audio

Video

Input

Computers

...

PC Parts

Networking

...

Tablets and Phones

Gaming

Check out the Kotaku Moneysaver for our full gaming deals roundup.

Media

Photography

iOS

Android

Clothing

Life

Hobomodo

Keep up with Shane Roberts on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Tumblr, or Pinterest to get Moneysaver and Dealzmodo in your social networks of choice.

Join us every weekday at 3pm ET for Dealzmodo, brought to you by the Commerce Team. We're here to bring Gizmodo readers the best tech deals available, and to be clear, we also make money if you buy. We want your feedback.
Source: Gizmodo

Practical Magick II in Pompton Lakes is the stop for the metaphysical

<iconicp>Practical Magick II, a charmed shoppe of notions, potions, and inspirations in Pompton Lakes, has undergone a lot of change since July. Store Owner Robert Vecchio had his grandmother and long-time Practical Magick II helper and reader, Annette Verra, pass away. Since then, he has overhauled the store and has been running it by himself.

STAFF PHOTOS BY JOE SARNO

"I am going back to basics like it was when we first started the business," he said.

Practical Magick II offers a wide array of items, gifts, classes, and psychic readings. Vecchio himself teaches the Wicca class. Wicca is an Earth-based religion that centers on nature and karma. In his class, Vecchio teaches students about the Wiccan belief system, the different Gods and Goddesses, the elements surrounding Wicca as well as how to perform a ritual and so much more.

"Many people can take it as a way of life and still be Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or whatever they want to be," he said. "Or they take it as a religion."

Vecchio explained that witches usually get a bad rap in the media and are constantly portrayed as evil people who cast spells against innocent people for no reason other than to cause harm.

"Our Wiccan "Family" is not like that," Vecchio continued. "We are normal people who have normal jobs. We only do things for good. But if someone sends us negativity, we will send it right back to them. We have every given right to protect us."

Other classes taught at Practical Magick II include astrology, numerology, tarot, feng shui, yoga, couples yoga, past life regression, reiki, dowsing, and meditations.

Practical Magick II offers a variety of readings with a multitude of people. One of the store's more popular attractions are the psychic readings with Ellie, a pet psychic, who is available for readings Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m. On Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. readings are available with Fernando, who specializes in Espiritismo." Janice is available on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. She is an intuitive counselor and a 2nd degree Wiccan Priestess. Jodie, a psychic, offers readings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m.; and Rev. Teresa is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. as well. All readings are by appointment only and are available during regular store hours. Vecchio himself is available for mediumship readings on Wednesdays. For more information about each reader, visit PracticalMagick2.com/readers.html and read their complete bios.

The shop sells many different items including scented candles, incense, oils, window decals, statues, tarot cards, books, coffee mugs, sage, handmade authentic Native American items, wolf items, fairy items, dragon items, playing cards, Witch's hats, and much more. There are always new items as shipments are delivered weekly. Vecchio also sells a variety of hand-made jewelry that is locally supplied as well as Anderson's custom pottery. Since it is October and Halloween is imminent, many holiday items are currently for sale, many of which are handmade.

"We are heading into Halloween, which is a great time to burn a candle for your deceased loved ones," Vecchio said. "It is also a great time to speak to them and feel them around you."

There is something for everyone at this store, and as Vecchio puts it, "We specialize in helping people."

Practical Magick II is located at 322B Wanaque Ave. in the heart of downtown Pompton Lakes. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit online at Practicalmagick2.com.

Email: canning@northjersey.com


Source: Northjersey

Otterbox Introduces New iPhone 5/5s Case With Space for Credit Cards and Cash

Otterbox has introduced 5s iphone iphone 5s cases otterbox impact case/wallet combination, the Commuter Series Wallet. The $45 case includes space for 3 credit cards and a single dollar bill, while coming in black, white/grey and pink/grey color combinations.

The new case competes against other wallet cases like TwelveSouth's BookBook, as well as dozens of other wallet cases on the market.

- Multi-layer case guards against damage to your device
- Slimline design hides contents, keeping them safe and secure
- Self-adhering screen protector guards against scratches and scrapes to the glass display
- Access drawer holds up to three cards and one bill
- Audible click closure gives you peace of mind knowing your items are securely enclosed
- Access Wallet drawer contents without turning case over


The Commuter Series Wallet case, for the iPhone 5 and 5s, is available from Otterbox and other retailers for $45.
Source: Macrumors

Pot Shots: Drive-By Photos of L.A.'s Transient Marijuana Dispensaries

Sometimes photography doesn't need to be complicated. Take , for example, a project shot from a car with an iPhone over the course of a couple months.

Artist Ryan Mungia and cultural anthropologist Jim Heimann both noticed how marijuana dispensaries were popping up across Los Angeles, where they live, and realized there were very few photos of them if any existed at all.

"We started taking pictures and texting them to each other," says Mungia whose drive-by photographs of LA's pot shops were made in just a one-and-a-half month period in 2012. Sometimes, Mungia and Heimann would cruise the streets for an afternoon after Googling "marijuana dispensaries," but mostly it was all off-the-cuff.

Inspired by zines' DIY approach, the pair laid out the collected images in a book format and self-published the 32-page Pot Shots. The final page states, "All images shot from car by iPhone."

"IPhones are part of the cultural zeitgeist and so are marijuana dispensaries to a certain extent," says Mungia. "We felt it was appropriate to list our gear and method for this project because documentation was the primary goal. Shooting from the car was a practical necessity. We didn't want to draw attention to ourselves. Despite being legal, it's still a very paranoid business and most of these establishments don't appreciate a camera pointed their way."

Since California passed State Bill 420 (yes, you heard right, 420) in 2004, the Medical Marijuana Program Act (MMP) has allowed qualified patients with a physician-issued medical card to buy weed.

As well as the ever-present State vs. Fed battles over marijuana production and distribution, Angelenos themselves are at odds with one another over the issue. In May, voters approved Proposition D, a city ordinance that would limit the number of dispensaries in LA to 134, all of which were in operation prior to 2007. The proposition is to be challenged by pot shops. The 134 cap is a sharp reduction from the 2010 limit of 186 dispensaries in the city and only a fraction of the number of pot shops thought to operate openly and clandestinely throughout the City of Angels. The figures just don't add up. Los Angeles officials have said more than 750 pot collectives have registered with the city and a couple hundred more could exist. The California State Board of Equalization calculates the number of dispensaries for the entire state at approximately 500.

Mungia estimates 30 percent of the shops he and Heimann photographed have closed since the book came out.

"We were very conscious of the transient nature of these pot shops. Looking to the future, hopefully someone will look at these places as we look at speakeasies from the Prohibition era. The difference is that these establishments aren't as clandestine in their exterior appearance as speakeasies were," says Mungia.

Pot Shots is a typological survey of a fleeting vernacular architecture in a city that is constantly reinventing itself. In some 5s iphone cases tree houses for kids designs, the names of shops are blatant clues (Zen Garden, WEEDeliver, Euphansia, Peace Tree, Hemporium) whereas other are marked by only a green cross. Some buildings are painted top to bottom in every shade of green while others try to hide in their bland strip mall surroundings.

All is not what it seems.

"The other untold story is what goes on behind the facades," Mungia points out. "The paranoia is not isolated to Federal and police raids. It's a cash-only business and robberies are a constant possibility. There's also a behind-the-scenes industry that provides the product, which very much parallels what was going on during Prohibition."

Raids, licensing and the shifting of legislative sands make dispensaries less than permanent, which Pot Shots duly reflects.

"Hopefully, a decade from now, if someone picks up the book, it will evoke a very specific time period."

As more states loosen their stance on medical marijuana sales, Mungia believes liberally minded and business-driven California will "inevitably" expunge existing laws. Until then, the glances over the shoulders shall remain. Pot Shots' final image is of a security guard holding up his cellphone making a photograph back at Mungia.

"He ran up to our car and asked what we were doing," recalls Mungia. "We told him we were taking pictures, to which he said, 'Well, I'm gonna take pictures of you!' Fine. He circled our car taking pictures of it and the license plate. That shot in the book was what we saw as we were pulling away."

With references to car culture, commercial signage and urbanism, Pot Shots falls into line with contemporary photography practice in Southern California, not least Ed Ruscha's photo survey Every Building On Sunset Strip and Thirty Four Parking Lots. The pioneering Ruscha was an early practitioner of self-publishing, too.

Battling against distribution giants like Amazon is incredibly tough for independent artists, but Mungia has kept his expectations realistic. It's a victory that he found supportive sellers across the U.S. in stores such as Ampersand (Portland), Dashwood (NY) and Pop Hop Books & Prints (Los Angeles). The first run of 250 is very nearly sold out, and Mungia is considering a second edition.

"Publishing on a modest scale is very do-able. It's a labor of love for sure, but very gratifying in the end," he says.


Source: Wired

Otterbox releases the Defender Series case for iPhone 5s

Protection, protection is one of the greatest needs of human. Not just from the malicious intent of other people that might cause harm to them. Well, dying is the worst result without it and it's really frightening. Other than that, we need protection from natural disaster, you know, something that happen naturally like it can't be helped to be harm if you're not being careful in an accident. To put into a scenario, it's like driving a motorcycle on a rainy day and on the wet road without a helmet or a police diving into a bank robbery scene alone without a bulletproof vest, yes it's suicidal. Well, danger is only right there (please don't ask where. >.<) and all we can do is to be more careful, sharp and use materials for protection and safety assuring devices. Right, protection is something you, me, and everyone needs.

But in this world, we are not the only ones that need protection. Of course, even plants and animals need it. And on the other side, even "Things" need it. Like your beloved PC or laptops, you install an anti-virus into it in able to avoid the incoming information with harmful data in your computer. That is to avoid harming the system or the parts of your CPU, or corruption of files and many other annoying results that a virus can bring to your life.

Now, let me tell you the main story of this article. You probably know it already by now. Yes, I want to tell you guys that even your precious iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c is still in danger. Talking about inevitability, we can't help sometimes to experience that, "whoops!" and then found your iPhone 5s lying on the floor, with a crack on its screen then you give the final roar, "OMG !!!" Yes, that's how it is.

OtterBox

So let me introduce you the Otterbox, a company with the innovation of protective solution for the leading global handheld manufacturers, wireless carriers and distributors, they've got technology covered! Yes, they also produce a tough case to provide protection from any accident that might face by your precious smartphones. OtterBox is also known for its 5s iphone cases otterbox black latchseries with the capability of handling rugged conditions, protecting iPhone owners from drops with three layers of material. It's a huge case, but many swear to it.

Defender Series

They already release the Defender Series for iPhone 5s days after the Apple released their latest mobile to the public. This three layers in Defender Series can be found on its screen protectors, carbonate inner layer, and a silicone outer layer that handles the protection you need. Other than this Defender series are Commuter series, Reflexive series and Prefix Series for iPhone 5s.

Commuter Series

As the Defender series has three layers. The Commuter Series possess with only two layers, they made it for user who needs protection but they don't like the size of the natural case so OtterBox deduct one layer to make its physical appearance smaller than a three layer.

Reflexive Series

It is the lightest case among the four cases released by OtterBox.

Prefix Series

Prefix series is like what they had done to commuter series. This series offer only one layer for protection.

And this is the OtterBox. It provides protection for your smartphones. I hope you discover a new way to protect your devices. As for others who know it already. Thumbs up for OtterBox.


Source: Thebitbag

Burlington Stores Inc. stock debut a smash hit

<10700412p>The Burlington, N.J.-based discount retailer sold 13.3 million shares of common stock for $17 per share in an initial public offering that raised about $226.1 million.

It also granted the offering's underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to 2 million more shares, which would raise an additional $34 million. After discounts, commissions and expenses, Burlington says it expects to net $205 million in proceeds, which it plans to use to pay off debt.

The strong debut comes as the venerable chain, which competes with the likes of Ross Stores Inc. and TJX Cos., the parent of T.J. Maxx, has found itself in the sweet spot of the slow recovery: It sells coats and other clothing at deep discounts to top brands, appealing to shoppers still smarting from the recession.

"It has many famous name labels and it has a good reputation," said Walter Loeb, a New York-based retail consultant. "I am not surprised that it is surging."

In 1972, Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta, founded Burlington Coat Factory, selling coats and outerwear from a single outlet in Burlington, N.J. But Milstein always claimed that the chain's roots go back to 1924 when his father, Abe, opened a wholesale coat business in the garment district in New York City.

Burlington Coat Factory then began to gradually expand with other outlets while moving into other areas like sportswear, suits and toys. The company became a Delaware corporation in 1983 under the name Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. when it first became a public company.

Monroe Milstein, whose wife died in 2001, sold the company in 2006 for a little over $2 billion to the private equity group Bain Capital Partners. At that time, a holding company, Burlington Coat Factory Holdings Inc., was formed to be the ultimate parent.

In February, there was another corporate restructuring and a new holding company, Burlington Holdings Inc., was created to be the ultimate parent corporation. The parent corporation changed its name again to Burlington Stores Inc. on Sept. 10.

Since 2006, Burlington has added an average of 23 stores per year for a current total of 503, spanning 44 states and Puerto Rico.

The company reported a loss of $25 million on total revenue of $4.16 billion for the year ended Feb. 2.

Thomas Kingsbury, CEO of Burlington, couldn't be reached for an interview.

The shares are trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BURL."


Source: Tulsaworld

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The 13 Weirdest Baby Costumes You Can Buy This Halloween

Time to face reality - to get a totally unique baby halloween costumes costume, you might have to DIY-it, spending hours sewing, bedazzling, hot gluing and possibly welding.

Ain't nobody got time for that.

Fortunately, there are some pretty weird baby costumes that can be yours for less than the cost of the future therapy sessions your kid will surely demand someday after seeing pictures of his infant self in these outlandishly awesome get-ups.

Don't miss a post! Follow Alice on Twitter and as "Mildly Inappropriate Mommy" on Facebook 11 Unbelievably Adorable Baby Animal Halloween Costumes (BabyZone) 7 Reasons My Baby Would Be an Awesome Baby DJ 7 Everyday Kitchen Items to Distract Your Baby

-

Images courtesy TotallyCostumes.com.

Disney Online Mom & Family Portfolio

The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.


Source: Babble

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Three men rob convenience store in Halloween masks

<halloween 3 masksp>SAN ANTONIO -- Three men in Halloween masks robbed a convenience store on Palo Alto around 12:45 a.m. Sunday, according to police.

Three Hispanic males walked in to the store with their masks and pointed guns at the clerk, police said. They told him to get on the floor and then emptied the register and ran out.

The clerk was not hurt, according to police.


Source: Kens5

Breast Cancer calendar

MONDAY

Bosom Buddies, support and education program for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

TUESDAY

SenioRITAs Tennis Tournament to benefit The Rita Foundation, Oct. 1, 16 and 18-20. (904) 806-3613 or the-rita-foundation.org/senioritas.

■ Kick-off Party, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Pusser's Caribbean Grille. $25, includes two drinks, hor d'oeuvres and a raffle.

■ Auction and Cocktail Party, 6 p.m. Oct. 16, Sawgrass Country Club. Includes light cuisine and a cash bar. $40, included in player registration fee.

■ Women's Doubles Tennis Tournament, for women 40 and older, 8 a.m. Oct. 18-20, Sawgrass Country Club. $85, includes auction and party (not kickoff party on Oct. 1).

Breast Cancer support group, presented by Mayo's Breast Clinic and the Pink Sisters and Friends, 6:30-8 p.m., Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Stabile Building, 125N. (904) 953-0707.

Breast Cancer Support Group of St. Augustine, 7 p.m., Flagler Hospital, 400 Health Park Blvd., Suite 1010. (904) 501-7100 or bcsg-staug.com.

WEDNESDAY

Bosom Buddies of Amelia Island, 5:30 p.m., Fernandina Beach Police Department, Lime St. (904) 225-0067.

SATURDAY

Pink Ribbon Symposium, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, St. Johns River Community College, 283 College Drive, Orange Park. Speakers are comedians Gwen Templeton and Roz McCoy on "Laughter is the Best Medicine," an insight into how laughter can ease pain and help the cancer journey in an up-close and personal way. Includes a healthy, continental breakfast, discussions, a Meet the Experts panel, exhibits and a silent auction. Free. (904) 838-2950 or pinkribbonsymposium.org.

OCT. 7

Bosom Buddies, support and education program for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

Young Survivors Group, presented by the Bosom Buddies program, 7-8:30 p.m., Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. Group meets again Oct. 21. Registration, (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

OCT. 11

Upbeat Pink: A Musical Tribute to Breast Cancer Survivorship themed "An Evening with James Bond and Friends," 7:30 p.m., University of North Florida's Lazzara Performance Hall. Featurse the UNF Wind Symphony and guest ensembles. Free. (904) 953-0707 or facebook.com/breastclinic.

OCT. 12

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Jacksonville 5K Walk, 9 a.m., Best Bet, 455 Park Ave., Orange Park. Wear a pink bra (optional). (904) 284-2661 or facebook.com/makingstridesagainstbreastcanceroforangepark.

Shop Pink Women's Health Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Augustine Outlets, Interstate 95, Exit 218, east side of interstate. Features information on healthy living, demonstrations, giveaways, health screenings, Chase the Pink Heals firetruck and a gift bag. Includes Bobbi Hanks, founder of Bosom Buddies at 1 p.m. and Managing Diabetes at 2 p.m. (904) 826-1052 or staugoutlets.com.

OCT. 14

Pink Ribbon Ladies breast cancer support group in Nassau County, 6-7:30 p.m., Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Conference Room. (904) 321-2057 or 261-2976.

Bosom Buddies, support and education program for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

OCT. 15

Candid Conversations about Breast Cancer, educational support group for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers, 6-7 p.m., St. Vincent's Mary Virginia Terry Cancer Center, 2 Shircliff Way, second floor. Park free on second floor of the DePaul Building parking garage. (904) 308-5490.

OCT. 19

Touchdown Against Cancer Games, 8 a.m., Bob Hayes Sports Complex, 5054 Soutel Drive. Breast cancer survivors who are ex-flag football players will be honored. Includes several flag football games. Donations being accepted for the Sister/Hermane Foundation, beginning in 2014. (904) 765-4321.

OCT. 21

Bosom Buddies, support and education program for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

Young Survivors Group, presented by the Bosom Buddies program, 7-8:30 p.m., Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. Registration, (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

Wrap Up halloween ribbon wired Party for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Best Bet, 455 Park Ave., Orange Park. (904) 284-2661 or facebook.com/makingstridesagainstbreastcanceroforangepark.

OCT. 26

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Jacksonville 5K Walk/Run, 9 a.m., The Jacksonville Landing. Wear a pink bra (optional). (904) 285-4225, makingstrideswalk.org or facebook.com/makingstridesjax.

OCT. 28

Bosom Buddies, support and education program for breast cancer survivors and women at high risk, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Women's Center of Jacksonville, 5644 Colcord Ave. (904) 722-3000, ext. 224.

UPCOMING

Bike 26.2 with Donna, check-in, 6:30 a.m. Nov. 10, Bartram Trail High School, 7399 Longleaf Pine Parkway, St. Johns. Includes a 110-mile ride, 7:45 a.m.; 52.4-mile ride, 8 a.m.; 26.2-mile ride, 8:15 a.m.; and 13.1-mile ride, 8:30 a.m.; postrace celebration with free lunch for registered participants, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Register online by Nov. 4. breastcancermarathon.com.

Fax to (904) 359-4478 or email events@jacksonville.com. Complete listing at jacksonville.com/calendars. To put your event in the free online calendar, go to events.jacksonville.com.


Source: Jacksonville

Saturday, September 28, 2013

AXIS Camera Companion 2.10 Unveils with 360 degrees Overview and De- warped Recording - HispanicBusiness.com

Axis Communications, a company focusing on network video surveillance, announced version 2.10 of the AXIS Camera Companion software, a digital surveillance solution for installations of 16 cameras or less.

According to a release, AXIS Camera Companion 2.10 includes support for 360 degrees overview recording with de-warped views when zooming into the image. This allows users to take advantage of the benefits from Axis' 360 degrees fixed dome HDTV cameras, providing great overview and scene details with only one camera.

While most AXIS Camera Companion solutions record video directly to SD-cards inside Axis network cameras, the new release also includes support for easier integration of network-attached storage (NAS) when increased storage capacity is needed. A set-up wizard makes it possible to integrate any NAS device on the market and, for further simplicity, Axis has included automatic configuration in the software client for select NAS products.

"Usability is a key feature of AXIS Camera Companion, and the latest version provides end-customers with more capabilities to fully leverage the benefits of IP video for their small surveillance systems," said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager, Axis Communications, Inc. "While small systems have traditionally been limited to analog CCTV, the market is now moving to digital networked technology thanks to the new concept of having the intelligent network cameras be the recorder, providing HDTV quality, 360 degrees surveillance and truly scalable solutions with AXIS Camera Companion 2.10."

As described by the company, the features include:

-Multi-view streaming to increase surveillance efficiency for multi-megapixel cameras

-Search filter for navigation to different sites

-Visual system status notification

-Windows 8 touch screen support

-Third-party apps for viewing live and recorded video from EyeSpyFX and BrightSentry

-Automatic NAS configuration currently compatible with units from QNAP

Unlike traditional surveillance installations, AXIS Camera Companion does not require a central recording device - such as a digital video recorder (DVR), network video recorder (NVR) or even a computer - to run. All video can be recorded onto a standard SD- card in each camera, and the cameras keep recording even if the network fails. The cameras can be powered over the network, eliminating the need for separate power cables.

Complete details:

http://www.axis.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))


Source: Hispanicbusiness

SteamOS: who is it for exactly? - opinion

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SteamOS was announced last night to much excitement across the internet. Now he's had a chance to sleep on it, VG247′s Dave Cook talks about some of the feedback he's seen so far.

I absolutely didn't see SteamOS coming last night. Like many gamers, I watched the countdown on Valve's teaser site fritter away, fully expecting to see a Steambox console announcement at the end.

Instead, we were introduced to SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system designed to bring Steam into the living room in a more fluid and accessible manner. Valve founder Gabe Newell is a keen admirer of Linux, and its malleable nature, so it's little surprise to see the company using it as their operating system's base.

SteamOS is just one of three new announcements due from Valve, so its possible that the Steam Box reveal is currently in the mail. There's already a sense that the company is keen to tear down the barriers between the old notion of PCs or laptops being resigned to studies or bedrooms, and to establish them as a focal point in the family home.

Key to this vision is the ability to stream content from a SteamOS device to any living room appliance with a screen. I saw a few gamers last night exerting a degree of caution in regards to this promise, seeing as there is a potential for lag between your native device and the receiving screen, but as we all surely know by now, Valve is smart. It's a company that solves problems and thinks hard about solutions. It's not infallible of course, but I'm certain Gabe and his posse wouldn't settle for a mediocre service.

But those raising concerns have a point. Sure, SteamOS streaming isn't cloud-based, so concerns regarding broadband speed needn't necessarily apply to the same degree as say, Gaikai. We recently saw Sony's Shuhei Yoshida expressing doubt over Gaikai's launch in Europe due to the regions broadband services. I doubt we'll see the same level of logistical issues with SteamOS, but I think many of you would like to see it running in front of the naked eye first before putting lag concerns to bed. It's understandable.

Personally, I can't wait to see SteamOS in action and to try it for myself. It's free after all, and from what Valve stated yesterday, it seems that it's a platform engineered with gaming at the forefront. It's likely it will be robust and support a wide range of gaming tech. With the promise of hundreds of native games coming in 2014, as well as streaming support for Steam's existing library, it's going to get off to a solid launch in terms of content alone.

It's an exciting prospect for someone like me, as I recently saved up for a new gaming rig to use like a console in my living room. With Big Picture mode enabled, I'm having a blast playing Steam games on my telly. So absolutely, SteamOS speaks to me. I can take or leave the promised music, TV and movie services, but they're a nice little addition for others I'm sure.

All this said and done, I've seen a lot of people expressing some confusion as to who, exactly SteamOS is for. Many of them have big, expensive rigs away from their living room and are entirely content to separate their PC space from their living space. Others don't want a second operating system when they're already perfectly happy and familiar with Windows, Mac OS, or existing Linux set-ups. For many people, dual-booting two OS at the same time simply isn't an attractive option.

Does - for argument's sake - SteamOS offer the same functionality as Windows to the extent that you can swap one OS for the other? Can I run Microsoft Word and Photoshop through it? Can I install Chrome and fire up Spotify? Or is it purely a game and media launcher solely designed for the purpose of streaming content to other devices? Is it actually an alternative to Windows in full, or is it a service to be used on top?

These are all questions I saw raised last night, and while I'm personally not bothered or concerned, I think these are things people really want to know about. I think it largely has to do with how potentially disruptive SteamOS can be. Should it offer a free alternative to Windows, then that potentially breaks a decades-long monopoly on the OS market. It's exciting and a little unnerving to think about. Most of us know Windows like the back of our hands, so to see something new come along can get us a little nervous.

These are all broad questions and stray observations I made while reading your comments, and those on other sites last night and this morning, so I'm not saying anything concrete here as the jury's still out.

What I would like to do however is to continue the discussion further. So with that in mind, what do you think of the above?

Let us know below.

At the time of writing. Announcement two will drop in 31 hours.

Source: Vg247

Monday, September 23, 2013

Honeywell helps retailers get mobile with new scanning and payment accessories for iPod touch and iPhone 5 mobile devices

Honeywell's Captuvo SL42 and SL22 are encasements for the Apple iPhone 5 and fifth generation iPod Touch mobile digital devices, respectively, turning the consumer devices into selling tools that allow retail workers to look up inventory, scan barcodes and securely process payment, bringing the check out to the shopper so no one has to wait in line.

Both new products feature Honeywell Adaptus 6.0 imaging technology, which accurately reads virtually any bar code, including coupons or loyalty club bar codes increasingly found on the reflective screens of mobile devices.

"Mobile POS enablers like our Captuvo line are quickly changing the way customers and stores do business, and you will continue to see innovation from Honeywell in this area," said Tony Nasr, Regional Director - Middle East & Africa at Honeywell Scanning & Mobility. "What sets apart Honeywell devices is our technology with the industry's best scanning capability, security features and durability."

"The Honeywell Captuvo SL22 is a great fit for the Middle East's low-key shopping environment: it extends workers' product and inventory expertise, and is much easier for customers and workers to use than a traditional aisle-based check-out lane," continued Nasr. "And because it's based on the Apple iOS, we find our client's employees already are familiar with the user interface, so there is very little training needed, even for temporary or seasonal help."

The Captuvo SL22 is now shipping across the Middle East, and the SL42 will ship this month.

Posted by Siba Sami Ammari
Wednesday, September 18 - 2013 at 09:45 UAE local time (GMT+4)

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Source: Ameinfo

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Axis' M7016 and P7216 Video Encoders

CHELMSFORD, Mass. - September 12, 2013 - Axis Communications, the world leader in network video, today announces two cost-effective additions to its line of video encoders that have been developed to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized surveillance installations. Offering full frame rate video, AXIS M7016 Video Encoder provides an attractive, cost-effective and easy entry to network video, while the flexible AXIS P7216 Video Encoder adds audio and I/O ports and is equipped with a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) slot for use with fiber optics.

"With tens of millions of analog cameras still in operation around the world, video encoders allow these end-customers to leverage existing investments while providing a scalable solution to network video - now at a more cost-effective price starting at $81 per channel," said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager, Axis Communications, Inc. "We continue to invest R&D into video encoder technology to increase performance and lower cost so that analog CCTV users can migrate at their own pace and still benefit from the advantages of IP video. These two new encoders in particular address the needs of small- to mid-sized applications where cost and scalability are often barriers to going fully IP, like in many retail environments."

Unlike many encoder solutions that require four network ports per 16-channel unit, AXIS M7016 and AXIS P7216 Video Encoders utilize one single network port, which helps drive down overall cost and port density of the surveillance system infrastructure. Both AXIS M7016 and AXIS P7216 come with a power supply, offer simultaneous H.264 and Motion JPEG streams and include four micro SD-card slots supporting up to 64 GB (cards not included).

Additionally, AXIS P7216 features a separate Ethernet service port to allow direct connection for maintenance and configuration, while its SFP slot offers network redundancy by automatically switching traffic over to the Ethernet port if the SFP module fails.

The video encoders join a product portfolio that has expanded to include solutions for systems of all sizes. The recently announced AXIS Q7436 Video Encoder Blade and complementary AXIS Q7920 Video Encoder Chassis create a high-performance solution for large-scale, mission-critical applications. Axis also recently claimed the number one spot globally in the video encoder category for 2012 according to a report from information and analytics firm IHS.

AXIS M7016 and AXIS P7216 are supported by AXIS Camera Station video management software as well as the industry's largest base of application software through the Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) program. Furthermore the video encoders support AXIS Camera Companion, Hosted Video and ONVIF for easy system integration.

The new 16-channel encoders are planned to be available to order in Q4 2013 through Axis' standard distribution channels at the suggested retail prices of $1299 for AXIS M7016 ($81 per channel) and $1599 for AXIS P7216 ($100 per channel). Affordable surveillance kits including the encoders and 16 licenses of AXIS Camera Station will also be made available for $1499 and $1799, respectively.


Source: Securityinfowatch
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BANGALORE: Karnataka government employees reaching office late will lose half-day leave or salary from November 1. The government is gearing up to discipline errant government employees by introducing biometrics attendance system and monitor their login time live online.

According to a circular issued by principal secretary (department of personnel and administrative reforms) Shalini Rajneesh on September 4 (a copy of which is with The Times of India), all government offices must install the biometric system by October 31. This will replace the old system of manually recording the attendance of employees in a register.

When an employee swipes his/her smart card in office, the system records the details of arrival and departure, and any office-related outdoor duty. The employees get a 30-minute cushion to enter the office. Any delay more than 30 minutes attracts half-day leave or pay cut, a senior official in the e-governance department said.

The move follows complaints flooding the government against employees' late arrivals and bunking office. A senior DPAR officer said: "The employees raised a hue and cry when we introduced the dress code, which was, in fact, based on a request by their association's office-bearers. We hope they won't complain now. This e-attendance initiative is a step towards e-governance."

According to sources, some employees would attend office once a week, but sign in the register for all the seven days and avail salary. Some others sign the attendance register and leave the office for unofficial work. The introduction of biometric system will help the government check this menace.

As per the circular, the departments must buy the biometric-reader system from the empanelled gadget suppliers, and the e-governance department will provide the technical help. "The secretariat has successfully introduced the system. We've no qualms about such plans,'' Karnataka State Government Employees' Association president L Byrappa said.

Strict vigil

Branded biometric attendance system costs between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000

System introduced in the secretariat, Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and major departments and government colleges in Bangalore three years ago as a pilot

Once all offices introduce biometric system, attendance will be monitored live by department heads

There are about 5.5 lakh Karnataka government employees


Source: Indiatimes

By The Associated Press
The Associated Press

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:

1. KENYA'S MILITARY LAUNCHES OPERATION TO END HOSTAGE CRISIS

The Kenya Defense Forces says it has rescued "most" hostages and has taken control of most of the mall in Nairobi, where militants from al-Shabab killed at least 68 people.

2. 'THEY'RE ON THE RISE, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM NAIROBI'

The White House comes under pressure to ramp up counterterror action against al-Shabab in Somalia after the group's deadly Kenya mall attack.

3. WHO'S FINDING UNEXPECTED DIPLOMATIC OPENINGS

With the U.N. General Assembly meetings beginning, President Obama sees possible progress with Israel and the Palestinians, Iran and Syria.

4. 'OUR TEARS ARE NOT ENOUGH'

President Obama joins military leaders in eulogizing the dozen victims killed in last Monday's shootings at the Washington Navy Yard.

5. QUESTIONS ARISE OVER NSA REVIEW PANEL'S INDEPENDENCE

The advisers have effectively been operating as an arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the NSA.

6. BUDGET FIGHT BLAME GAME COMMENCES

GOP and Democratic lawmakers are denouncing each other for a government shutdown many are treating as inevitable.

7. WHERE CUBANS ARE GETTING A TASTE OF TOURISM

As Cuban government eases some travel restrictions, more are flying from Havana to Miami to sample an American vacation.

8. JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS WINS EMMY FOR 'VEEP'

Her victory honored her for a portrayal of the cynical Selina Meyer in the send-up of modern-day Washington.

9. HOW CASINOS ARE CATCHING CARD SHARPS

Gaming resorts from the U.S. to Australia use their own intelligence network to warn one another about cheaters.

10. YANKEES PAY HOMAGE TO RETIRING 'SANDMAN'

'It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be the last player to ever wear number 42," closer Mariano Rivera said during the ceremony in The Bronx.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Source: Njherald

The dodgers have a plethora of outfielders. They have , Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford. They have one problem. They can't play all of them at the same time. Because of that, don't be surprised if they look into trading one of those four to upgrade other positions.

Rival executives expect the Dodgers to move "at least" one of their elite outfielders, according toFox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. He says that Yasiel Puig is the most unlikely to be dealt, which is smart, considering he is the cheapest of the "big four" outfielders.

While it would be tough for the Dodgers to trade one of their outfielders, it would be smart. It would save them some money and maybe help them make a run at some players that may command a good amount of money.

I'm not exactly sure who would be dealt in this group, but I know for sure that Yasiel Puig isn't going anywhere. This is a very exciting situation for teams in need of an outfielder. While they may have to give up some of their elite prospects for a guy like Kemp, it could make the difference between almost making the playoffs and actually getting into the playoffs.

Follow Robert on Twitter@RobertMurrayMLB
Follow @mlbinjurynews


Source: Mlbinjurynews