Berlusconi criticizes Monti's campaign about-face

ROME (AP) ? Ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi sharply criticized the decision by Mario Monti to run in Italy's general elections and vowed Saturday to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the 2011 fall of his government and appointment of Monti as Italy's premier.

Berlusconi spoke out after Monti ended weeks of hedging and announced Friday he would head a coalition of centrist forces, businessmen and pro-Vatican forces running for office in Feb. 24-25 elections.

Berlusconi said he never expected Monti would renege on his repeated assurances that he "wouldn't use the public prominence as head of a technical government for an ulterior presence in politics."

He said the decision represented a "loss of credibility" for Monti, a respected economist and former European Commissioner, and said if he is elected premier he would immediately launch a parliamentary inquiry into the fall of his government.

"There was a serious wound to democracy inflicted not just on us but on all Italians," Berlusconi said as he arrived at Milan's train station after a trip from Rome.

Berlusconi's People of Freedom party, beset by local corruption scandals and still tainted by Berlusconi's ill-fated last term, trails significantly in the polls behind the center-left Democratic Party. The Democrats, headed by Pier Luigi Bersani, are expected to win the election with about 30 percent of the vote.

Monti was named by Italy's president to lead a technical government after Berlusconi, hobbled by sex scandals, legal woes and defections from his party, was forced to resign in November 2011 amid Italy's slide into the eurozone's debt crisis.

Berlusconi's party, Parliament's largest, had initially supported Monti's government, backing tax hikes, raises in the retirement age and other unpopular reforms that were deemed necessary to restore Italy's financial credibility.

But earlier this month, Berlusconi yanked his party's support, accusing Monti's government of leading Italy into a "spiral of recession." Monti promptly resigned, forcing elections to be moved up by about two months.

Monti had long said he wouldn't run for office but would be available to serve the country if asked. European leaders, however, made clear they wanted Monti to gun for a second term, and he was wooed by centrist leaders and backed strongly by the Vatican, an important force in Italian politics.

As Monti weighed whether to enter the fray, Berlusconi initially offered an alliance, aware that he could use the votes that a Monti-headed centrist coalition might bring.

But Monti publicly spurned the offer last week and by Saturday Berlusconi was returning the favor. At best, the centrists with Monti leading them are expected to garner no more than about 15 percent of the vote.

Instead, Berlusconi reached out Saturday to his onetime ally, the Northern League, which split with the billionaire media mogul over his initial support for Monti's government. From the start, the euroskeptic League refused to back Monti.

Angelo Alfano, Berlusconi's hand-picked party leader, said the discussions with the League weren't going terribly well. "Discussions with League ongoing. Some important questions, but we're not convinced and they could lead us to separate our path," Alfano tweeted.

Berlusconi noted that the League has more to gain if it joins up with his party.

"I hope we can do it, but it's not necessary because we think we can win even if we go our separate ways," Berlusconi said.

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Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/berlusconi-criticizes-montis-campaign-face-192127974.html

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Wanting To Invest In Commercial Real Estate? Here's How ...

Many people have made it big investing in commercial property. However, there is no surefire plan for replicating this success. In addition to putting effort into buying and selling properties, you need to educate yourself about the commercial real estate market. You will become more successful as you gain more experience in the market. Keep reading for tips on how to successfully invest in and manage commercial properties.

If you are considering a commercial real estate investment, think big! If you want to get a building that has five units, you need to know that?s it?s no different to manage than 50. Regardless of the size of the building, you will need commercial financing. However, you will be able to obtain a much better per unit deal on a larger building.

Before you buy commercial real estate, make sure you have a firm vision of your goal for the property. Will you lease the property out or conduct business there yourself? Having specified objectives prior to seeking out a commercial property saves you time and labor, since foresight and vision narrow down your search.

If you desire to rent out commercial real estate, then you need to find solidly yet simply constructed buildings. These types of buildings attract tenants more quickly than other buildings, as prospective tenants know that the building is less likely to have maintenance issues. These buildings also provide much easier maintenance for both the tenants and the owner, as they are less likely to require repairs.

Always go through the disclosures of an agent before hiring him or her. Understand the meaning of dual agency. Dual agency refers to a situation in which a real estate agent represents both the landlord and the tenant in a commercial transaction. In other words, the agency represents the landlord and the tenant simultaneously. You and the other party should both agree if dual agency is to be okay.

Stick with a firm that is looking out for your best interests before you enter into an agreement. If you don?t do this, you could end up with a bad deal and lose more money as time goes on.

Be certain the commercial property you are considering has good utilities access. Your business has utility needs of its own, but you will also need water, electric, sewer and maybe even gas.

When you are looking at a commercial property, be sure to look at the neighborhood, too. Purchasing a property in a neighborhood that is filled with well-to-do potential clients will give you a lot better chance of becoming well-to-do yourself! If your business services will do better in a poor neighborhood, buy property there!

Get a commercial loan approval before looking at commercial property. Get plenty of references to lenders from experienced investors or friends who have invested in real estate before. Before beginning the task of purchasing a property, take time to research the lenders and choose one who will fulfill your needs. If you take time to organize your options now, you can streamline your transaction later on.

You should concentrate your efforts on one real estate endeavor at a time. You need to focus on one type of investment, whether it be offices, apartments, land, retail, etc. Each of these investments will need to be closely monitored and given your full attention. You are better served by mastering one investment than floundering with many.

While success is never guaranteed in any real estate venture, with the right knowledge you can greatly enhance your chances of success when buying and managing commercial properties. Keep in mind the advice given to you in this article, and incorporate them as you see fit in your endeavors. Continue to educate yourself about the industry, and learn about ways to improve. Experience is the key to success.

Were you aware that there was this much to learn about best stocks? Begin using your knowledge of best stocks today. Put these tips to good use and do more research on best stocks. Hopefully, you will want to learn more.

Source: http://thenasdaqstockexchange.com/2012/12/29/wanting-to-invest-in-commercial-real-estate-heres-how/

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Canada dollar at 5-week low as U.S. budget talks struggle

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar ended slightly weaker against its U.S. counterpart on Friday as the White House and U.S. lawmakers made a late attempt to avert the "fiscal cliff" and investors choose safe-havens to wait out the negotiations.

World stocks slipped and the U.S. dollar gained as the deadline looms for reaching a budget deal to avert massive tax increases and spending cuts that could drag the U.S. economy, the destination for most Canadian exports, into recession.

President Barack Obama was not planning to make a new offer to avert the tax hikes and spending cuts that loom on January 1 at a White House meeting with congressional leaders on Friday, a source familiar with the meeting said.

At the meeting, Obama was set to ask lawmakers to hold a vote on a plan that would allow taxes to rise on those who earn $250,000 and up, and that would extend unemployment insurance benefits, according to the source.

"We saw some hint of progress on the fiscal cliff negotiations, a mini deal, and for everyone that is a disappointment," said Adam Button, currency analyst at ForexLive in Montreal.

Commodity-linked currencies like the Canadian dollar tend to benefit when U.S. budget negotiations run smoothly, but when there are snags, investor flows go into the highly liquid U.S. dollar.

The Canadian dollar ended the North American session at C$0.9965 versus the U.S. dollar, or $1.0035, weaker than Thursday's North American session close at C$0.9949 versus the U.S. dollar, or $1.0051.

Earlier in the session the Canadian currency hit C$0.9969, its weakest level since November 23, but seemed bound by a tight range approaching parity with the U.S. dollar.

"The Canadian dollar is once again just above parity and in no rush to go anywhere, which is fitting - we end the year very close to parity because that has been the story day after day in 2012," Button said.

He warned, however, that the final trading day of the year on Monday may bring some volatility as investors square positions.

"Historically, this holiday time is very quiet, but we've had very large moves in the yen and euro, so I would rule out nothing on Monday in terms of substantial moves. Desks are thinly staffed but that hasn't kept markets from moving," he said. "And in this kind of environment, you can't look for moves to make sense - you just have to go with momentum."

Canadian government bond prices were higher across the curve on the flight to safety. The two-year bond was up 1 Canadian cent, yielding 1.132 percent, while the benchmark 10-year bond rose 18 Canadian cents to yield 1.774 percent.

(Additional reporting by Jeffrey Hodgson; Editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/canada-dollar-5-week-low-u-budget-talks-213509381--finance.html

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Source: http://www.odwyerpr.com/blog/index.php?/archives/5607-PR-Snapshots-Black-PR-Society-Conference.html

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Water Library- Restaurant, Wine Room & Cocktail Bar in Bangkok

Masterful combination of innovative fine dining, superlative cocktail program, and formidable wine cellar.

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The original Water Library Restaurant was established back in 2008, located within central Bangkok?s Chamchuri Square residential and office tower complex. Serving first-class Modern European cuisine and outstanding wines in a stylish, casual-chic environment, Water Library Chamchuri has garnered much acclaim and an enduring popularity with Bangkok?s discerning diners.

Inspired by the success of the first Water Library, the owner embarked on the opening in early 2012 of a second Water Library outlet, in Bangkok?s upscale residential district of Thonglor. Introducing to Bangkok a delightfully ambitious culinary concept not previously attempted, Water Library Thonglor has asserted itself into the upper echelons of fine dining in Bangkok, and consequently, international recognition. The restaurant serves a set 12 course menu of Modern European cuisine focused on the finest seasonal produce, with a creative preparation and presentation. A maximum of 10 guests per evening are seated at a single long bar counter ? behind which the culinary team of 10 chefs headed by Executive Chef Haikal Johari?prepare the dishes and engage directly with the diners- assuring a peerless dining experience.

Water Library Thonglor transcends being solely a fine dining restaurant- as a truly multi-faceted concept it also encompasses a terrific cocktail bar, an intimate wine room with exceptional cellar, and an open-air lounge space for comfortable relaxation and live music on weekends.

Water Library Thonglor is open in the evenings only, Monday to Saturday, with the cocktail bar, lounge and wine room open from 6:30 pm, and the Restaurant dinner service commencing at 7:30 pm. Advance bookings are essential for the Restaurant, and recommended on weekend nights for both the cocktail bar / lounge and wine room.

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water library bangkok

The open facade of the Lounge at Water Library and entrance to the glass encased Cocktail Bar and upstairs Dining Room?

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Water Library Bar

Located on the ground floor level, the Water Library Bar is a stylish sanctum of exceptional cocktails. Under the direction of?Mixologist and Bar Manager, Mirko Gardelliano, a dedicated and enthusiastic team of bartenders create sublime drinks from a stellar list of over 90 cocktails. A multi-awarded mixologist / bartender in European competitions, Mirko has crafted an inspired cocktail program for the Water Library Bar- with over 40 original cocktail creations supplemented by 50 renditions of classic cocktails. Additionally, a house specialty are the homemade infused spirits- with an impressive current total of 40 varieties- featuring intriguing combinations such as kiwi infused gin, tamarind infused bourbon, and a?unique range of Haribo Gummy Bear infusions of tequila, gin, vodka, rum and scotch. The informative Bar Menu runs to 27 pages- in addition to the cocktails, listing a well-formed selection of premium spirits, single malts, digestifs, Cuban cigars, and non-alcoholic drinks. ?Champagnes and wines are available from the separate wine list of over 370 labels. The Bar Food Menu created by Executive Chef Haikal Johari and Swiss Chef Urs Lustenberger?offers gourmet bites and dishes from the kitchen- created to pair with the cocktails- either shareable bites, or as full dinner dishes. A cocktail pairing menu of 3 tapas dishes matched with 3 cocktails- titled ?Open Your Sense Menu? is available nightly- priced at THB790.

Some highlights from the original creations- ?Mixology?& Cuisine Style Cocktails? include-?Water Library Cocktail-?Gin, Watermelon Liquor, Fresh Watermelon, Fresh Lemon, Homemade Long Pepper,?Sugar Syrup, Dry Apple, Champagne Brut;?Bangkok Cocktail-?Homemade Ginger & Kaffir Lime Vodka Infusion, WL Homemade Bangkok 2013 Bitter, Lychee Liquor, Fresh Lemon, Sugar Syrup, Fresh Lychee, Ice Ball; and?Malt of Fantasy-?Glenfiddich 12y, Aperol, Fresh Lemon,?Fresh Orange Juice, Homemade Ginger,?Sugar Cane & Scent of Glenfiddich 18y.

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water library bangkok

The handsome bar room features unpolished timber flooring and wall paneling, seating at low tables with antique-style black leather chairs, and black metal bar stools facing the bar counter. The staircase leads to the upstairs dining room.

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water library bangkok

The front section of the bar room- the glass shelving separating the staircase showcases bottles of champagne.?

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water library bangkok

The bar counter and back bar display exude a functional and elegant simplicity.

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water library bangkok

Open shelving across the rear, timber- paneled wall showcase bottles of premium spirits.

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Water Library Wine Room

The extensive wine list of Water Library Thonglor, expertly curated by Sommelier Thibed Panyalert ( formerly Head Sommelier at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok), features over 370 labels from global wine districts, including some exceptionally rare vintages and limited bottlings from artisan producers. There is a strong emphasis on wines from the ?USA, France and Italy, with prices accessible- commencing at around THB900 per bottle, and with a good selection priced between THB1,500 and THB3,000 per bottle. Wines by the glass are available.

water library bangkok

The compact and cosy Wine Room is housed in a separate building directly adjacent to the open-air Lounge space.?

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water library bangkok

Intimate alcove section exudes gravitas with its classic dark brown leather Chesterfield lounge and shelves showcasing the most exclusive vintage wines.

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water library bangkok

The Wine Room has a few tables for dining or wine tasting, and is also an ideal space for private dinners.

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water library bangkok

The glass-encased, walk-in wine cellar displays the ?370+ ?wine label selection of mostly French, Italian and American wines.

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The Outdoor Lounge

The open-air Lounge space occupies the space between the main Restaurant and Bar section, and the Wine Room on the opposite side of the compound. The casual space features comfortable lounge style seating arrangements. Drinks and food are served from the cocktail bar menu, and a good selection of Cuban and Dominican cigars are available from the humidor. On Friday and Saturday nights from 9 pm guests can enjoy live bands playing soul and jazz music.

water library bangkok

The Outdoor Lounge- full height glass separates the Lounge from the cocktail bar inside.

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water library bangkok

The Lounge has a permanent overhead awning, open sides and synthetic grass floor covering for a relaxed, casual setting. Subdued lighting is primarily provided by candle-lit lanterns, with seating at arrangements of woven faux-rattan sofas.

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Selections from the Water Library Bar Menu

water library bangkok

?Las Vegas Nitrogen? ? Select your favorite mixology cocktail, in a truly memorable size. Serves 2-4 people.

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water library bangkok

?Wasabi White Chocolate? -?Homemade Wasabi White Chocolate?Vodka Infusion, WL Bangkok Bitter 2013,?Fresh Lemon, Sugar Syrup, White Chocolate.

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water library bangkok

?Tiki Tiki Crusta? -?3 different Rums, Grand Marnier Liquor, Maraschino Luxardo Liquor, Orgeat Syrup,?Fresh Lemon, Fresh Orange-Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Peach Bitter Fee.B.

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water library bangkok

?Gummy Bear? -?Homemade Gummy Bear Gin Infusion,?Fresh Mango, Fresh Passion Fruit, Sugar Syrup, Fresh Orange Juice, Fresh Lemon, Gummy?Bear Pipette!

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water library bangkok

?Miss Penelope? -?created for Penelope Cruz -?Bacardi Lemon, Fresh Passion Fruit, Mandarin Syrup, Fresh Orange Juice, Cream, Picasso Chocolate, Orange Flamb?. ?German Cocktail Championship 2004.

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water library bangkok

WL Seasonal Tapas for 2 persons.

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water library bangkok

Cold Capellini?Pasta -?Caviar, Hijiki seaweed, white truffle oil.

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water library bangkok

Japanese Hiroshima beef burger-?Foie gras, bacon, cheese, potatos frites.

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water library bangkok

Desserts-
(L) Warm chocolate brownie -?Yoghurt ice cream, salted caramel espuma.
(R)?White chocolate -?Panna cotta with frozen cherry.

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water library bangkok

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Water Library- Restaurant, Wine Room & Cocktail Bar

Address: ?Street level at GRASS THONGLOR, ?264 Soi Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55 Bangkok. 10110 Thailand
Skytrain: ? ?Thong Lo ?BTS
Website:? ??www.mywaterlibrary.com/
Facebook: ?www.facebook.com/pages/Water-Library/53349802244
Reservations: +66.2. 714 9292
Opening?Hours?:??Monday to Saturday ?6:30 pm ~ 1:00 am
Live music on Friday and Saturday from 21:00 until midnight
?Sundowner Cocktails?- Daily ? ?6.30 pm ~ ?8.30 pm ? All cocktails at THB190++

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Have you been to Water Library?
You can add your vote to the star rating below- or write a comment or review in box provided.

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Source: http://www.asia-bars.com/2012/12/water-library-restaurant-wine-room-cocktail-bar-in-bangkok/

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Mars rover snaps amazing self-portrait

NASA has snapped its most amazing self-portrait yet of the Curiosity rover on Mars, showing the robot posing with its ultimate destination: a huge Martian mountain.

The new view of Curiosity on Mars is actually a mosaic of dozens of high-definition color photos taken by the rover between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The image shows Curiosity surrounded by the tracks of its wheels, with the 3-mile-high Mount Sharp rising into the sky in the distance.

NASA featured the latest Curiosity portrait as its image of the day Dec. 27 after releasing the photo earlier this month.

  1. Space news from NBCNews.com

    1. Cassini orbiter captures Saturn's swirling storms

      Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: The storms of Saturn ripple through the frame of a black-and-white close-up captured by the Cassini orbiter on Christmas Eve.

    2. 2013 might be the year for first 'alien Earth'
    3. Mars rover spends holidays at 'Grandma's House'
    4. After setbacks, Russia boosts space spending

The prominent Mount Sharp is the central peak of Curiosity's vast Gale Crater landing site. Another mountain in the image, on the rover's left, makes up the northern wall of the expansive crater.

To create the eye-popping Mars photo, Curiosity used its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), a powerful camera mounted at the end of the rover's robotic arm. Curiosity turned the camera on itself much like a human tourist might when traveling alone, snapping a series of photos that rover team members then stitched together into a high-definition composite view.

The rover had to move its robotic arm through more than 50 positions in a single day to capture its entire car-size body on camera. ?NASA scientists used a test version of Curiosity on Earth to practice the Martian photo session.

NASA unveiled an earlier version of Curiosity portrait, composed out of 55 separate images, in early November, but the latest view includes significantly more detail and a wider view.

The Mars rover Curiosity is headed toward a spot near the base of Mount Sharp called Glenelg, and will continue to perform experiments along the way. The $2.5 billion rover's primary mission is to determine if its Gale crater landing site could have ever supported primitive microbial life.

Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter@Spacedotcomand onFacebook.

Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50313865/ns/technology_and_science-space/

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Los Angeles police offer gift cards to take guns off streets

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Police traded gift cards for guns in Los Angeles on Wednesday, in a buyback program Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced as a crime-fighting response to the deadly shooting rampage in Newtown, Connecticut.

Police officers handed out $200 grocery store gift cards to people who turned in an automatic weapon, and $100 gift cards to those who provided a handgun, rifle or shotgun.

Los Angeles has held an annual gun buyback since 2009, and similar events have been organized in years past in several other cities, including Detroit and Boston. Police in San Diego had a buyback earlier this month.

Some experts say the buybacks have little effect in reducing gun violence, but Villaraigosa touted the buyback program as one step that can be taken in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14 that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adult staff members.

The shooter, Adam Lanza, killed himself and also shot to death his mother at the home he shared with her, police said.

Los Angeles normally has its gun buyback in May, but Villaraigosa announced last week that the city would have this special buyback in response to the Newtown tragedy.

"There are a number of things we can do. This is just one of them," Villaraigosa said on CNN. "We've got to also address the culture of violence that we've got in this country."

At last count, the Los Angeles gun buyback had collected 1,366 firearms, including 477 handguns and 49 assault weapons, said Vicki Curry, a spokeswoman for the mayor.

The buyback ended at 4 p.m. local time, but a final tally of guns collected was not expected to be released before Thursday. In May, the city's annual gun buyback program collected 1,673 firearms at six locations, compared to two locations used for the program on Wednesday, Curry said.

At each of the locations where the buyback was held, a line of cars stretched around the block, Curry said. People dropping off their guns were asked to leave them in the trunks of their cars, where officers retrieved the weapons. Those surrendering their guns were allowed to remain anonymous.

While officials in Los Angeles and elsewhere have said the gun buybacks help keep streets safe, a 2004 report by the National Research Council of the National Academies questioned that conclusion.

Among the report's findings were that guns surrendered in buybacks tend to be old or inherited from previous owners, and not likely to be used in crime. Also, gun owners find it easy to replace their firearms, according to the report, which was titled "Firearms and Violence: A Critical Review."

(Reporting By Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-police-offer-gift-cards-guns-off-012126480.html

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DC hotels less busy for Obama's 2nd inauguration

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Visitors coming to the nation's capital for President Barack Obama's second inauguration can't stay in the one place President Ronald Reagan's family once called an eight-star hotel. That spot is the White House, and it's booked for the next four years. Still, inauguration-goers have a range of lodging options ? from crashing on a friend's couch to rooms that cost thousands of dollars a night.

With second inaugurations tending to draw fewer spectators, finding a place to stay in Washington won't be nearly as difficult as in 2009.

City officials are expecting 600,000 to 800,000 visitors for the Jan. 21 inauguration, far less than the 1.8 million people who flooded the National Mall four years ago to witness the inauguration of America's first black president. Back then, some hotels sold out months in advance and city residents rented out their homes for hundreds of dollars a night. This time, hotels say they're filling up more slowly, with rooms still available and prices at or slightly below where they were four years ago.

"Very few hotels are actually sold out at this point, so there's a lot of availability," said Elliott Ferguson, CEO of the tourism bureau Destination DC, who added that he expected demand to pick up after Christmas.

In 2009, hotel occupancy in the city for the night before the inauguration was 98 percent, and visitors paid an average daily rate of more than $600 that night, according to STR, a company that tracks hotel data. This time, some hotels still have half their rooms available. As a result, some establishments have relaxed minimum stays from four nights to three and could drop prices closer to the inauguration if demand does not increase.

Despite the muted enthusiasm, many of the city's posh hotels are still offering pricy packages. Visitors with an unlimited budget can check in to accommodations almost as grand and historic as the White House.

At The Willard hotel, about a block from the White House, rooms were still available starting at more than $1,100 a night with a four-night minimum. That means every guest will pay more than President Abraham Lincoln did when he checked out after his 1861 inauguration and paid $773.75 for a stay of more than a week.

At the Park Hyatt hotel in northwest Washington, where rooms start at $849 a night with a four-night minimum stay, the presidential suite is still available. For the 57th presidential inauguration next month, the hotel is charging $57,000 for a four-night package in the suite that includes butler service. And no one has yet booked $100,000 packages at the Fairmont hotel or the Ritz-Carlton.

A number of the city's luxury hotels plan special treats for guests, some of whom will be paying two to five times as much to stay during the inauguration compared with staying in the same room a week before. At the Ritz-Carlton, for example, where rooms start at about $1,100 per day, guests will get to bring home commemorative pillowcases embroidered with the official inauguration seal and their initials.

There are options for visitors looking to spend less, too, though some wallet-friendly choices have filled quickly.

Rooms at HI-DC, a hostel in downtown Washington, were sold out the day after the Nov. 6 election, with a bed in a dorm room going for $50 a night and private rooms for $150. With all the rooms sold, the hostel is finalizing plans for an election trivia night for guests.

Aunt Bea's Little White House, a six-room bed and breakfast in northeast Washington, still had two rooms available the week before Christmas, with rates starting at $225 a night. Innkeeper Gerald Duval said that included a bottle of champagne and a commemorative coin. There'll also be red-and-white bunting on the home's porch along with cutouts of the president and first lady.

Farther from downtown, the Best Western Plus hotel in Rockville, Md., was about 80 percent full with rooms at about $180 a night, down from a $209 starting rate. Director of Sales Ron Wallach said the hotel targeted some groups before the election, including students, journalists and the Secret Service, in order to fill its rooms.

Other travelers looking for budget-friendly prices may have success with websites like Craigslist or Airbnb, where homeowners offer their places for a price. More than 200 Craigslist housing posts in the area included the word "inauguration." Airbnb said it expected approximately 2,000 people to stay in Washington during the inauguration using its site.

Other travelers have told friends and family living in the area to plan on having guests. Lauren Hines and her husband had three people stay at their small Capitol Hill apartment during the 2009 inauguration, so many that one slept in a hallway. She and her husband now live in nearby Alexandria, Va., and planned to host her father-in-law, and maybe mother-in-law, from Ohio. Hines said they didn't even consider a hotel.

"They know that they've always got a place with us," she said.

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Follow Jessica Gresko at http://twitter.com/jessicagresko

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dc-hotels-less-busy-obamas-2nd-inauguration-160239105--politics.html

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PFT: Sanchez to start for Jets this week

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Former Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown, who boasted last week that he intentionally missed a block so teammate Scott Mitchell would get hurt, now says he regrets it. But Brown, who is now an ESPN commentator, didn?t quite come clean.

?That was 1994, and I was extremely frustrated with the situation that was going on. And, you know, I didn?t try to get the guy hurt, but that?s what ended up happening,? Brown said on ESPN First Take today.

Brown?s claim that ?I didn?t try to get the guy hurt? doesn?t make any sense. He explicitly stated in a radio appearance last week that he purposely missed a block because he wanted Mitchell to suffer an injury, that he told a teammate that?s what he was doing, and that he was glad when Mitchell did, in fact, leave the game with an injury. Brown then boasted about the fact that backup quarterback Dave Krieg came in and played much better than Mitchell had, as if Brown deserved credit for forcing the Lions to make the switch.

Brown?s claim also doesn?t make sense because in the next breath he expressed regret for what he did.

?Do I regret it happened? Yeah, I regret it happened. Did I regret it happened then? No, I didn?t regret it then,? Brown said, later adding that he estimates he played 18,000 plays in his football career and, ?It?s one play out of the 18,000 that I regret.?

So Brown does regret what he did, and is acknowledging that he did it, even after he said he wasn?t trying to get Mitchell hurt.

Mitchell said on Wednesday that he was stunned by Brown?s comments, noting that Brown had been a guest in his home and had always acted to his face like they were friends. Brown acknowledged being friendly with Mitchell.

?Yeah, Scott did have us over to the house and everything, and I felt that I was a good teammate to Scott,? Brown said. ?I expected Scott to react that way. That?s the way he should have reacted. I don?t blame him for reacting that way. But Scott knows a lot of things that went on, too, in Detroit. So I don?t know what I can say now. I?ve already said it, it?s out there. And like I said I expected him to react in that way. I probably, if the shoe had been on the other foot, I probably would have reacted that way too. No, not probably. I would have reacted that way ? probably a little worse than that. So I don?t blame Scott, and hopefully we?ll talk about it.?

Well, it?s good to know that Brown doesn?t blame Mitchell for Brown intentionally letting Mitchell get hurt.

Brown also said that he wishes he had expressed himself differently on his radio appearance last week and not come across like he was bragging about letting Mitchell get hurt.

?I should have been more tactful about how I said that,? Brown said. ?It came off boastful. And I shouldn?t have said it that way. I said it, I can?t take it back, but I shouldn?t have said it the way I said it.?

After those comments, First Take host Cari Champion closed the segment by telling Brown, ?Well done, big fella.? Brown?s ESPN co-workers might be willing to let him off easy, but the rest of us don?t have to. What Brown did to Mitchell was despicable, and Brown has permanently damaged his reputation.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/27/mark-sanchez-to-start-for-the-jets-this-week/related/

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