Record Of Special Events: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Pakistan to seek terror charges against Americans (AP)

AP - Pakistani police said Thursday they plan to ask a court to charge five Americans arrested in early December with terrorism, and will seek life sentences against them.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Iran opposition leaders told to repent or else (AFP)

AFP - Hundreds of thousands of government supporters took to Iran’s streets on Wednesday in a show of force against the opposition, with a senior cleric telling their leaders to repent or face death.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Airliner plot raises fears about al-Qaida in Yemen (AP)

AP - A n****ian man’s claim that his attempt to blow up a U.S. plane originated with al-Qaida’s network inside Yemen deepened concerns that instability in the Middle Eastern country is providing the terror group with a base to train and recruit militants for operations against the West and the U.S.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Iran willing to swap nuclear material in Turkey (AP)

AP - Iran would be willing to swap nuclear material with the West in Turkey, the foreign minister said in the country’s latest counteroffer to a U.N.-drafted deal aimed at thwarting Tehran’s ability to produce atomic weapons.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Day-long Va. post office standoff ends peacefully

State police say a day-long standoff at a small-town post office has ended with three hostages being released and a suspect …

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Taliban blow up Pakistan girls school: official

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – The Taliban blew up a girls’ school in Pakistan’s Khyber district, where troops are fighting against militants in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan , an official said Wednesday.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Americans' views of health care steady this year (AP)

AP - The public’s views on health care have stayed largely steady this year, despite dramatic swings in the political battle over President Barack Obama’s drive to revamp the nation’s medical system, a survey says.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Brittany Murphy Vomiting Before Death; Prescription Drugs Found

UPDATE: Brittany Murphy died apparently of natural causes, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said.

Us Magazine: Before her shocking Dec. 20 death at age 32, Brittany Murphy “was taking prescription meds for flu-like symptoms she had been experiencing for several days,” TMZ.com reports.

According to the website, she began vomiting early Sunday morning and told family members she was feeling very ill. (She was “found unresponsive” Sunday morning at her Hollywood Hills home and was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.)

TMZ also reports that “vario

Friday, December 18, 2009

Los Angeles

There is no crazier place to live in America than Los Angeles, so many people, so many cars. It is a nightmare trying to get to work in the morning; you probably need to leave your house an hour early just to get to work on time. So many people live there, but why?

Who would really want to live in a place so crowded and full of people that the air actually gets dirty? If you get to a place out of the town so you can see Los Angeles you can actually tell the air is different, it is very thick and dark. It is like living in fog all the time. I doubt that is very healthy. I think it is wonderful to live in place where you can see tons of mountains and nature and not be surrounded by businesses and building. You cannot go for a hike or get fresh air. But places like Washington I know is a great place for outside activities.

Also something I have noticed is that places like Washington get all the seasons, we get winter, spring, summer, and fall; and places like Los Angeles only get one or maybe two. That is not fun at all, when you have children, during Christmas they will have no snow to play in. Now what kind of Christmas is that? I don't think I could get into the Christmas mood if we didn't have snow on the ground during Christmas. Christmas is all about snuggling up on the couch and drinking hot coco because it's too cold to go outside; it is not about going outside to go tan in the hot sun.

But there are some fun things you can do in LA and not in Washington, for example, in Washington we have to close down our amusement parks because it gets to cold and the rides wouldn't work. In LA they don't have to worry about the weather getting so bad that they have to close down all there rides. Also they can go to the beach whenever they want during the year. It would be nice to have a yearlong tan but then again, the wont have snow for Christmas.

Some people think that LA holds a reputation of how only pretty girls go to the beach, how many times do you see an unattractive or a girl in a modest swimsuit? Mostly all the girls there are there for looks, they don't care about having fun, they want to get a tan and show off their bodies in their little polka dot bikinis. I think that would be intimidating for people that actually want to enjoy themselves on the beach. But places like Washington it isn't like that, there are different kinds of people everywhere and we don't judge and we make everyone feel included. Hopefully people down there will have a change of heart. Los Angeles is cool but Washington is way better.

Happy Winter!

There is a certain cheerful energy that makes winter so wonderful. With the first snow fall, winter weather nips at our nose and the winter spirit warms our souls. While you enjoy this winter season, gather friends and family and have a ball at one of the wintertime events on our top searched list.

Celebrate the winter holidays with a fabulous show! Winter brings with it extravagant stage productions that you can only enjoy once a year. Family favorites like ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ have entertained us for generations and are beacons of winter merriment. For high-kicking fun, you can’t miss the Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Show.

In the weeks before Christmas, Santa leaves the North Pole for a tour of American malls. No winter is complete with out little ones lined up with excitement to sit on St. Nick’s lap, read off their wish list and get a picture with Santa, number 5 on our top searched list.

After being tucked away all year, it is time to dust off your holiday CDs and song sheets. Spread holiday cheer by singing Christmas carols with friends, families and neighbors. Who can refuse a free Christmas song?

Deck the halls and trim the tree. Rockefeller Center lights their dazzling tree every year, and towns across the nation hold their own tree lighting celebrations too. Your eyes will light up at the sight of electric tree lights on a festive and decorative Christmas tree.

New Years Eve is the culmination of the year and the hottest time for parties during the winter. Despite freezing temperatures, bundled-up tourists flood the streets of New York City for New Years in Times Square while others party close to home.

What is your favorite winter event? Let us know! Search for more winter events on AOL Search and find out what celebrations are happening in your area with When.com.

Top Searched Winter Events on AOL Search:
1. ‘The Nutcracker’
2. Radio City Christmas Show
3. ‘A Christmas Carol’
4. Cirque du Soleil ‘Wintuk’
5. Pictures with Santa
6. Tree lighting
7. New Years Eve
8. Parade of Lights
9. Breakfast with Santa
10. Holiday concert

More Sponsored Links For: Radio City Hall, Santa suits, LED Christmas lights

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

High and lows: Bernanke honored then denounced (AP)

AP - Time’s Person of the Year one moment; object of Senate scorn the other.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Michael C. Hall, Morgan Freeman & More React To Their Golden Globe Nominations

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Sandra Bullock , nominated for Actress, Drama, for “The Blind Side,” and Actress, Musical or Comedy for “The Proposal.”

Poll: Action on climate will heat up economy, jobs (AP)

More Americans believe steps taken to reduce global warming pollution will help the U.S. economy than say such measures will hurt it. It’s a sign the public is showing more faith in President Barack Obama’s economic arguments for limiting heat-trapping gases than in Republican claims that the actions would kill jobs.

Are You Just on a Recession Diet?

If you are a chronic dieter, you know that long term, diets don’t work. You do really well for a while, pushing to lose the weight, but once you reach your goal, you gleefully go back to the habits that got you in trouble in the first place. I know. I’ve been there. In order for a diet to work, it has to be more than a, well, diet. It has to be a healthy lifestyle change. And that sometimes means that you make more gradual changes that you can live with, developing long term habits that stick with you long after you have reached your goals.

The recent recession has prompted many to save more and spend less. However, the worry is that this is more of a “recession diet”, rather than a long term lifestyle change. Which means that as the economy comes back online, people will slip back into their old ways. If you don’t want this to be you, the key is to look at things you have been doing to create a better financial foundation during this recession and hold on to them. Here are two of the major concerns associated with the end to a recession diet, and how you can combat them:

#1: Spending More

As signs of economic recovery emerge, it is likely that you will feel more confident. This means that you could start feeling more comfortable with spending more money again. The fact that this is the holiday season only reinforces the idea of opening one’s wallet a little wider. It doesn’t mean that you can’t do a little extra spending on occasion, but you do need to keep the impulse under control. Below are some suggestions for keeping your spending under control as the economy improves:

Set aside “splurge” money. Once that money is gone for the month, it’s gone.
Avoid places that are more tempting to you. Once your splurge money is gone, stay away from temptation and focus on less expensive excursions.
Think of what you could do with the money instead. Consider how you could grow the money for retirement, help your child pay for college or going on a nice trip in six months. Set goals so that the “extra” money you feel comfortable spending has a purpose.

#2: Saving Less

With high unemployment, less hours and open enrollment for health insurance reminding you that things are a bit tight, it’s easier to remember to save. But as the economy improves and you feel more financially secure, you might be tempted to put a little less away. In order to avoid this, consider making your savings automatic. Have a portion of your paycheck automatically deposited into a savings and/or retirement account. That way, the money is not even considered as part of your discretionary funds.

Realize that economic cycles are natural. Every time there is a boom, it is followed by a bust. Things can’t go on growing forever. Remind yourself of this recession, and prepare for the next. You don’t have to stop enjoying yourself, but you shouldn’t abandon the good habits you have started developing. Make the shift to a lifestyle of good financial choices, and you will find that when the next recession hits, you won’t be as susceptible to the money problems that come with it.

Who knows, you may not even need to go on a recession diet next time.

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Monday, December 14, 2009

Kourtney Kardashian's Baby Is Born

Kourtney Kardashian’s baby arrived early Monday — congrats!
Remember the scandal that took place last August when E! broke the story that Kourtney Kardashian was pregnant? At first, Kourtney was reluctant to reveal whom was the dad, but within a few days it was clear that Scott Disick, Kourtney’s longtime on-and-off boyfriend, had fathered the baby.

Polls show Dems might lose Obama, Biden Senate seats

President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. won’t be on the midterm ballot next year, but their former Senate seats will be, and both races are now either tossups or leaning Republican in high-visibility contests. Mr. Obama, who was a freshman senator from Illinois when he was elected president, and Mr. Biden, who was in his sixth term as a senator from Delaware, come from states that have been running strongly Democratic in past elections. No one doubts that Mr. Obama would have been a re-election shoo-in had he remained in the Senate and that Mr. Biden had …

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Jenny Sanford: The Savviest Spurned Wife in History

The cheated-upon spouses of the world have a new hero and her name is Jenny Sanford . The wife of the governor of South Carolina , who announced on Dec. 11 that she is filing for divorce, has handled the denouement of her marriage in a way that makes losing a husband to an affair almost look like…

Iran puts conditions on nuclear fuel swap (AP)

AP - After weeks of conflicting responses, Iran abruptly said Saturday that it is ready to exchange uranium for nuclear fuel — the key demand of a U.N.-sponsored initiative to defuse global fears over its nuclear program.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Chaz Bono: Sex change is his 'best decision' (AP)

AP - Chaz Bono says beginning the sex-change process to turn him from a woman to a man is “the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

China moves to indict top dissident for subversion

Liu Xiaobo lobbied to abolish a vaguely worded Chinese law against subversion, but now it appears the high-profile dissident …

10 Reasons to Have a Library Card

For those of us who pay attention to personal finance, the public library should be near the top of our list of money-saving resources. It's true that we have access to a lot of free information and services today, but there are still some expenses that can be significantly reduced if we take the time to use the library's resources.

Here are ten advantages that you can enjoy for free if you join the two-thirds of Americans who have library cards (as long as you return things on time, of course!):

Books. If you still enjoy turning the pages of a solid tome in your hands, there are many advantages to borrowing books from the library. Besides being free, library books can be requested online and picked up at any location you like. For e-books, see reason #4.
DVDs. No matter what you pay to rent movies, it costs more than renting them from the library. Picking up your DVDs from the library isn't as convenient as Netflix or Blockbuster's home delivery/home streaming services, but it's still frugal.
CDs. Again, pick them up for free, listen to them for free. Free!
Downloads. It's a little-known fact that many libraries allow cardholders to download audio and electronic books, movies, and MP3s from the comfort of their homes. How exciting is that?
Museum Passes. Lots of libraries hold one or two passes to local museums that cardholders can check out for a day in order to avoid entrance fees. These passes tend to be popular though, so it's a good idea to stop by the library early in the day to request them.
Software/Databases. We are fortunate to be able to access a lot of free information and tools from our homes thanks to Google and open source applications, but libraries often have subscriptions to resources like LexisNexis and the Adobe Creative Suite. All you need to access them is a library card.
Librarians. These people are trained to research and find answers to all of your most probing questions completely free of charge, and most of them seem to get a real kick out of doing it. I've asked librarians for help more than once in my professional life, and their support seems like a gift from above every time!
Classes. Libraries exist to encourage life-long learning, so they frequently offer classes or discussions on a variety of subjects. You usually don't need a library card to attend these.
Wi-Fi. Absolutely free. At Starbuck's, it's $3.99 for two hours.
A Place to Kick Up Your Feet. Also unlike Starbuck's, at the library you can settle in for some quality work, studying or reading without having to fork over $5.99 for a latte and a muffin (*personally, I feel bad about reading in a coffee shop and not buying anything, but I understand that not everyone feels this way). A library card is also not usually required for this.

Besides offering so many important things for free, libraries are community staples and a great place to learn about what's going on in your neighborhood. I encourage you to check out yours and report back to us the free things you discover that aren't on this list.

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Monday, December 7, 2009

Iran student protests bring out tens of thousands (AP)

AP - Tens of thousands of students, many shouting “Death to the Dictator!” and burning pictures of Iran’s supreme leader, took to the streets on more than a dozen campuses Monday in the biggest anti-government protests in months.

Wetzel's playoff plan: Money talks

Even Washington spin doctors can’t sell the BCS over a college football tournament. It’s all about the Benjamins.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

How Obama Came to Plan for ‘Surge’ in Afghanistan

When the history of the Obama presidency is written, the day he decided on a troop surge may prove to be a turning point, a high-stakes gamble to turn around a losing war.

Friday, December 4, 2009

I love cucumbers

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pingnews/

I have a sweet garden that I planted cucumbers in this year. They turned out really good. They were these huge cucumbers that I had so much fun cutting up and using in salads.

We also had some miniature cucumbers that we turned into pickles. They were really good. I hope that next year will turn out as good as this year ended up. I really enjoyed being able to eat fresh, crisp cucumbers that were fresh from the garden.

Not many people can say that they ate fresh cucumbers from their garden that they planted and grew on their own.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Key Players in Amanda Knox Trial

by Claudine Zap

It was a study-abroad adventure turned nightmare. Two years ago, 21-year-old Meredith Kercher, a foreign-exchange student from England, was found dead in her apartment in Perugia, Italy. That would have been shocking enough, but it got worse: One of the suspects charged was Kercher’s American roommate, Amanda Knox, a fellow foreign-study student. She and two others have been accused of murder, sexual assault, and theft. Their dramatic trial has fascinated the world, and the Web — searches on “amanda knox trial” are up over 100% in the last seven days. A verdict is said to be c

Today I was thinking about how the computer was invented

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

It seems crazy to me that a whole bunch of things were put together and it created a computer. I have no idea where this spark of genius came from. It's weird that computers weren't a part of my life and then suddenly they became a part of everything that I did.

It was really hard for me to make that transition. The poor kids nowadays don't even know what it's like not to have a computer around the house all the time. I don't know how I would feel about it if I had just grown up with it rather than having to make the transition.

Don’t Have Cash? Four Alternative Things You Can Donate

While it’s true that we should probably be thinking of others all year, it seems that we are more likely to want to give during the holiday season. Though with the recession dampening our holiday spirits (and our pocketbooks), it can be difficult to come up with the cash necessary to help others right now. The good news is that you don’t have to give cash in order to channel your feelings of generosity. Here are four alternative things you can donate:

1. Yourself. What?

Give the gift of yourself. Head down to the blood bank and donate blood or plasma. Consider donating bone marrow too. There are often shortages of these items, especially if you are a rare type. You can provide the gift of life and health to someone else, without spending more than what it costs to buy a gallon of gas to drive to the center. If your hair is long enough, you can donate your locks. Some programs will accept hair that is as short as six inches, although most programs require at least eight to 12 inches minimum. This gift can provide confidence to someone struggling with cancer or some other illness.

2. Time

You may not have extra cash, but do you have extra time? If so, consider heading to the soup kitchen to take a shift handing out meals to those who are less fortunate. You can also volunteer at woman’s and children shelters, food banks and to help with programs like Sub for Santa. Volunteer to help pick up items for charity drives, or agree to take a turn manning a booth at a charity fundraiser. Go to the senior center and spend an hour or two visiting with the lonely or playing a game of checkers or cards.

3. Stuff

Many of us have more stuff than we know what to do with. Instead of keeping it around, or selling it to get a few extra bucks, why not donate it for use by someone else? If you have items that are in good shape, but that you don’t want or need, you can donate them to a thrift shop, shelter or some other good cause. And, if you remember to get a receipt for the value of your donation, it can also mean a tax deductions for you come April.

4. Investments

Many people don’t realize that you can donate investments. If you have investments that you don’t mind unloading, you can donate those instead of cash. If your investment has appreciated in value, you can donate without having to pay capital gains, and you can deduct the entire value of the investment if you itemize. If you lost money though, you might be better off selling first, so that you can get the tax break for your long-term loss, and then donate that money to the charity of your choice (and get a tax advantage for the donation).

You can also donate other investments and assets. There are donor-advised funds available that can help you be generous while avoiding capital gains taxes. Life insurance policies and real estate are also possibilities. Just make sure you consult with a tax professional before you take the plunge.

Creative Donations

There is no reason to limit your generosity by your immediate cash reserves. There are many things that charitable organizations need, and you can provide these things. A little creativity, and a determination to help others in any way you can, will ensure that you share in the spirit of giving this holiday season.

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Meredith Baxter comes out

“I am a lesbian and it was a later-in-life recognition,” Meredith Baxter told Matt Lauer this morning on “Today.” "Some people would say, well, you're living a lie and, you know, the truth is — [but] not at all….

Read more of Meredith Baxter comes out…

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Iran releases 5 British sailors detained at sea (AP)

AP - Iran freed five British sailors detained last week when their racing yacht drifted accidentally into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Britain said it was delighted with Wednesday’s release and praised Tehran’s handling of the incident.

Monthly Net Worth & Goals Update - December 2009

Wow, December already…

Credit Card Debt
Up until now, I have taken money from credit cards at 0% APR and placed it into online savings accounts, bank CDs, or savings bonds that earn up to 4-5% interest (less recently), and keeping the difference as profit. However, given the current lack of good no fee 0% APR balance transfer offers , I am no longer playing this “game”. The balance that you do see is either before the end of the statement or during the grace period, where I’m also not paying any interest.

Retirement and Brokerage accounts
Mrs. MMB and I have both maxed out our 401k salary deferrals for 2009. We have also started to invest in regular taxable accounts by investing $30,000 that was previously being held as cash. I’ll outline the trade activity in an upcoming portfolio update.

Our total retirement portfolio is now $231,368 or on an estimated after-tax basis, $191,475. At a theoretical 4% withdrawal rate, this would provide $638 per month in after-tax retirement income, which brings me to 26% of my long-term goal of $2,500 per month.

We are also getting ready for a Traditional-to-Roth conversion once the income limits are removed in 2010. We’ll need to gather up some information in order to see how much tax we owe on any gains. More details on this to come.

Cash Savings and Emergency Funds
We keep a year’s worth of expenses in our emergency fund. Potential large expenses include $10,000 for home improvement projects (minor roof repair and solar water heating), as well as $15,000-$20,000 on a new car to replace our 1995 Nissan. Hope it can last us 15 years as well!

Home Value
I am no longer using any internet home valuation tools to track home value. Some people have suggested using my tax assessed value, but I also think that is too high. I simply picked what I felt is a conservative number based on recent comparables, $480,000, and keep it for at least 6 months if not a year. (Currently on month 3 out of 6.) For the most part I am concerned about mortgage payoff, which I still plan to accomplish in 20 years at most.

You can view previous net worth updates here.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Treasury steps up pressure on lenders to modify more mortgages

The Obama administration on Monday promised tougher scrutiny of lenders participating in its marquee foreclosure-prevention effort and threatened to penalize companies that don’t do enough to help struggling homeowners.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Monday, December 21, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

#1: Spending More

#2: Saving Less

Monday, December 14, 2009

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Friday, December 4, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

1. Yourself. What?

2. Time

3. Stuff

4. Investments

Creative Donations

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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