Sports Briefing | Winter Sports: Speedskater Sergei Lisin Faces a Ban for Failed Doping Test

The Russian speedskating champion Sergei Lisin is facing a two-year doping ban after failing a test for the blood booster EPO, Russia?s governing body for the sport said.

? Ashley Wagner of the United States and Takahito Mura of Japan had strong free programs to win the Troph?e Bompard in Paris. Wagner nailed her jumps to overtake the 14-year-old Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia, while Mura finished ahead of the American Jeremy Abbott. (AP)

? Alexander Zubkov put together two solid runs to win the World Cup four-man bobsled event, depriving the local favorite Steven Holcomb of a gold-medal sweep on his home course in Park City, Utah. (AP)

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/sports/speedskater-sergei-lisin-faces-a-ban-for-failed-doping-test.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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The Johnny Football Heisman Campaign

The 2012 college football season is winding down, which means Heisman campaigning season is in full swing. Surprise candidate Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M?s freshman QB, announced his candidacy last week with an upset win over undefeated Alabama. Looking to capitalize on Manziel?s outstanding freshman year, Texas A&M has launched a dedicated Heisman site for him.

The site is headlined by a greatest hits video for Manziel?s freshman season, and then goes over some of the awards and accomplishments he?s collected so far this season. They also include an extended bio on the the enigmatic young passer, along with a photo and video gallery.

Manziel likely doesn?t have a chance at the Heisman as a freshman QB of a two loss team, but this is one of the best looking Heisman sites we?ve seen, so maybe the Aggies can earn an award that way.

I like good food, good whiskey and bad baseball, which is why I follow the Orioles. Comments/Complaints/Compliments can be emailed to Howard@Gunaxin.com

Source: http://sports.gunaxin.com/johnny-football-heisman-campaign/136747

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NIMBYs Strike in Adams-Morgan, Arguing That Church-to-Hotel Conversion Will Displace Local Businesses

Here's an odd one from the NIMBY files. Neighborhood groups claim that a plan to convert a church building into a hotel structure should be blocked because it "will displace local businesses and has been planned without sufficient input from the community."

Yesterday afternoon, the neighborhood groups staged a small protest in front of the church that's set to become the hotel's lobby. "Businesses that have been here for generations are threatened by this capital flow," organizer Chris Otten said into a microphone to the dozen or so neighbors gathered. "The wealthy customers step out of the hotel and see the small community businesses on Columbia Road, and see the fancy restaurants on 18th Street. Where do you think they go?"

This would make some kind of sense if we were talking about replacing an apartment building with a hotel, but even if nobody who stays at the hotel ever patronizes a Columbia Road small business they'll still have just as many customers as before.

But the bigger picture question is why should public policy be promoting the interests of incumbent business owners? There's a Korean restaurant on my block that's pretty good and offers a great happy hour bargain. But there's definitely better Korean food out there, much of it just inconveniently far away in Annandale. If the proprietor of a top-notch Korean restaurant in Virginia wants to open a DC location across the street, should the city step in to block that lest the restaurant that's already there be "displaced" by competition? That doesn't sound like a good idea.

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/11/16/adams_morgan_hotel_nimbys_say_it_ll_displace_businesses_but_who_cares.html

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How to build an effective online brand as a small business

Effective Online Brand Building

Branding is not your presence on the Internet (or elsewhere), it is not the amount of marketing that you do and it is not your advertising effort. It is the perception of your company, business, or your presence that people have. Branding has more to do with feeling rather than presence. So when you think of building an effective online brand you need to think in terms of how people perceive your presence. Do they have respect for you? Do the trust your products or services? Are they loyal to you? Do they recommend you to their friends and colleagues? All these tangible manifestations make up your brand, whether online or off-line.

Sure, marketing and advertising can have an impact on your brand and big businesses have an advantage from this aspect, but even as a small business you can build your brand effectively with a concerted effort. You don?t even have to spend lots of money. An advantage of being a small business is that your audience is going to be narrower and you will enjoy a direct contact with them, rather than as a domineering, unapproachable, big business. You can directly know your customers and clients and vice versa.

This blog post on Search Engine Journal has reviewed an infographic published elsewhere that lays down the basic tenets of building an effective online brand. Some of the highlights of the infographic are:

  • Know your customers and clients personally: This can be your biggest strength as a small business. You have enough scope to approach people personally and converse with them. Find out where your target customers and clients spend their time online. Start being there. Don?t be intrusive. Start creating engaging threads and very politely start pitching in.
  • Be known for good content: Whether you are publishing content on your own website or blog, or under your social networking profiles, be known for publishing good content. Make your content relevant, useful, timely and reliable. Try to establish yourself as an authority through quality content publishing.
  • Become an authority figure: Gain as much knowledge as possible about your field and then share that knowledge whenever there is a need. Remember that knowledge and wisdom is something you never run out of. So share them on your blog and on Twitter and Facebook. Encourage people to hold meaningful conversations with you. Visit other blogs and online forums and present your valuable opinion without bias and without being judgmental.
  • Organize meet ups: While big businesses can organize conferences and workshops, small businesses can definitely organize meet ups. If it is not physically possible to organize meet ups you can do it online using Google Hangout or some other service. You can also organize an event under your Facebook page. The basic idea is giving people something to come together and talk about it.
  • Stand out: Everything is too much on the Internet because it is very easy to get onto the web. Similarly it is very easy to slog on your computer day in and day out, create lots of noise, and be present everywhere. But this doesn?t mean that you?re doing something unique. You need to stand out. You need to do something exceptionally well in order to be noticed by your prospective customers and clients.
  • Be in touch consistently: This is especially necessary in the times of social networking. The timelines on Facebook and Twitter move extremely fast. Having more than 200 friends, followers or connections is a normal thing. With so many people talking to each other it?s often difficult to keep track of everybody. That?s why it?s important that you constantly keep in touch with your target customers and clients so that they remember you.
  • Be there in the time of need: During the recent Hurricane Sandy many businesses pitched in and provided help, irrespective of who the recipients of that help were. Digital companies like Google helped people trace the itinerary of the storm. Local businesses provided shelters and free supplies. Social networking websites created special forums where help and rescue missions could be coordinated. When you help people in the need of time they always remember you. Don?t do this because you want to strengthen your brand, do it because you are a part of this community.

Source: http://www.howtoplaza.com/build-effective-online-brand-small

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Christopher L. Seitz, 51, Naples, Florida

Christopher Leo Seitz, 51, of Naples, FL passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012.Chris owned and operated his own business, R&S Concrete, Inc. since 1989. He was well-liked by everyone who knew him. He was well-known for "always" wanting to help someone out. He gave unconditionally of himself.He is survived by his wife, Linda; son Christopher; daughter in law Lindsey; grandson Nathan; as well as surviving brothers, Mark, Charles, and Peter; and sisters, Susie, Mary, Char, Tina, Karen and Rose; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Mary Seitz; and a niece Christina Mock.A great man who is loved by so many. No words can express the sadness in our hearts. His presence and our memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.Friends may call on the family Monday, November 19, 2012 from 12PM until 2PM at the Fuller Funeral Home Pine Ridge Chapel, a memorial service will follow at 2pm.

Source: http://nbc2.tributes.com/show/Christopher-L.-Seitz-94743945

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Breakdown of costs involved in Washington's wolf pack kill

by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

Bio | Email | Follow: @gchittimK5

Posted on November 16, 2012 at 6:51 PM

Updated yesterday at 7:01 PM

The Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife this week released the costs of the controversial removal of the Wedge Pack of Wolves from the Colville National Forest. Here is a breakdown of the costs or killing the wolves compared to other factors of this still unfolding story.

In 2012 the state spent $376,000 on wolf management. Removing the Wedge Pack accounted to about 20% of that amount.

The wolves were removed because of continued predation of livestock belonging to the Diamond M Ranch, which leases National Forest Land for cattle grazing.

The National Forest Service reports that Diamond pays $1,034 per year for that lease. That works out to about $1.35 per animal. Using those numbers, it would take the Diamond M 73 years of lease payments to equal the amount paid by taxpayers to remove the wolves.

The cost to the public for an all access pass to National Forest land is $80. The Diamond M can raise 60 cows for the cost of a single pass.

But the State Cattlemen's Association correctly points out there are several much larger costs ranchers pay associated with the federal leases. They are required to spend their own money to fence off and protect sensitive areas and they must address any and all soil or water damages caused by the cattle.

Executive Vice-President Jack Field said those costs often equal or exceed the lease costs. And, he pointed out several benefits from having cattle on public lands. He said the cowboys on patrol often identify and report crimes such as poaching of animals and plants. He said they also maintain roads and trails that hikers, hunters and campers use.

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Source: http://www.king5.com/home/The-real-costs-in-the-hunting-and-killing-of-Washingtons-wolf-pack-179753761.html

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Teejays Bluehawk all set to fire in The Betfred Eclipse - Heat 5 at ...

Teejays Bluehawk all set to fire in The Betfred Eclipse - Heat 5 at Nottingham

Head Iton Hayesy becomes a useful sort when firing on all cylinders. But his current form does not suggest that he will be able to do so in fifth heat of the Betfred Eclipse, taking place at Nottingham on Friday night. In this situation, the best choice for betting is Teejays Bluehawk, who travelled quite nicely in the fresh trials.

The Northern Puppy Derby hero looks to be in good shape. In front of Newcastle?s audience, the blue dog demonstrated a fabulous show to take an easy 1?-length win over Lemon Pluto, who beat him earlier in October.

The draw is no concern for P. Young?s charge. He is expected to get an early advantage after leaving the second box and if he does so, his chances will automatically go significantly up. Besides the abovementioned pair, four high-weight hounds have entered the race.

Their names are: Jordans Chris, Hather George, Final Mccoy and Whiterock. According to the plan, the 500 metres heat will be begun at 21:07 GMT. The ultimate champion will receive a prize of 150 pounds.

Whiterock needs to brush up on his trapping skills. The son of Crash has reached here after facing an awful loss at Sheffield. So, it is going to be an uphill task for him to bounce back.

Jordans Chris should go close if steering clear of traffic. On each of the previous three outings, the black dog got crowded and as a result, failed to make an impression. Charlie Lister?s charge is not enjoying a handy draw this time. So, he really needs to play wisely to avoid trouble.

Hather George has an excellent chance of qualifying in current mood. On his latest trip, the brindle dog had every chance, but failed awfully. He requires a flawless act to fancy some chances.

Final Mccoy finally ended his lean patch at Monmore last time, when winning an A1 event despite getting crowded early on. The white and black dog is well housed, but will be under enormous pressure on his promotion to this class. We wish him and all others good luck.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com?s editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Teejays-Bluehawk-all-set-to-fire-in-The-Betfred-Eclipse-Heat-5-at-Nottingham-a201854

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'Fiscal Cliff' Won't Lead to a Severe Recession ... - Yahoo! Finance

President Barack Obama has taken a firm stand on the so-called fiscal cliff, telling Congressional Republicans that he would not accept a budget deal that excludes higher taxes on wealthy Americans. Obama wants to raise tax rates on household annual incomes above $250,000 ($200,000 for individuals), a platform he campaigned on during the presidential election and one that has garnered support from most Americans.

House Speaker John Boehner has said Republicans would be willing to compromise with Democrats to find new sources of revenue. But tax increases are still off the bargaining table, according to Boehner, who told reporters that Obama's budget proposal would "hurt our economy and make job creation more difficult."

Obama and the top four congressional leaders are set to continue their fiscal cliff negotiations at the White House Friday.

The fiscal cliff, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, involves the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts as well as across-the-board reductions in federal spending. The Congressional Budget Office and economic forecaster Decision Economics have determined that taxes could rise by nearly $6 trillion over a decade if these three possibilities become reality: the Bush-era tax cuts elapse, a temporary two-percentage-point payroll tax holiday is not extended by year-end and Congress fails to address changes to the alternative minimum tax. The realization that the fiscal cliff could in fact happen has put investors and business owners on edge.

But are they overreacting? David Kotok, chief investment officer at investment advisory firm Cumberland Advisors, says the U.S. may very well go over a "cliff" next year but it won't lead to a severe recession. He even recommends letting certain special tax breaks, such as carried interest, return to 1990 levels. Carried interest allows hedge fund and private equity managers to pay lower capital gains tax rates on their wages instead of a normal income tax rate.

Kotok says the recent decline in markets can be attributed to the expected increase in dividends and capital gains taxes. The S&P 500 Index (GSPC) is down more than 6% in one month and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) has fallen 6.57% in that time frame. Democrats would like to boost the rate on capital gains to 20% from 15% and investors have increasingly decided to take profits on high-performing stocks before the new rates become law.

"Investors are selling now because they want to lock in a 15% rate?I did the same," Kotok tells The Daily Ticker's Henry Blodget. "It's a readjustment of the portfolio ? a rational thing to do."

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Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/fiscal-cliff-won-t-lead-severe-recession-david-133640734.html

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The 10 Worst Memes of 2012

Whoa, trouble in TriBeCa! It seems that the tony downtown Manhattan neighborhood's two most famous residents, The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle actor Robert De Niro and Beyonc?'s husband Jay-Z, recently had something of a public spat. Well, it was actually more one-sided than a spat, as De Niro did most of the talking, scolding Jay for not returning his calls. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/10-worst-memes-2012-145411270.html

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