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Source: http://cjonline.com/news/business/2013-02-26/some-kansas-farmers-support-crop-insurance-changes

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Trial set to open for Gulf oil spill litigation

FILE - In this aerial file photo madeWednesday, April 21, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, an oil slick is seen as the Deepwater Horizon oil rig burns. Nearly three years after the deadly rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico triggered the nation's worst offshore oil spill, a federal judge in New Orleans is set to preside over a high-stakes trial for the raft of litigation spawned by the disaster on Monday Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

FILE - In this aerial file photo madeWednesday, April 21, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 50 miles southeast of Venice on Louisiana's tip, an oil slick is seen as the Deepwater Horizon oil rig burns. Nearly three years after the deadly rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico triggered the nation's worst offshore oil spill, a federal judge in New Orleans is set to preside over a high-stakes trial for the raft of litigation spawned by the disaster on Monday Feb. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) ? Nearly three years after a deadly rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico triggered the nation's worst offshore oil spill, a federal judge in New Orleans is set to preside over a high-stakes trial for the raft of litigation spawned by the disaster.

Barring an 11th-hour settlement, U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will hear several hours of opening statements Monday by lawyers for the companies involved in the 2010 spill and the plaintiffs who sued them. And the judge, not a jury, ultimately could decide how much more money BP PLC and its partners on the ill-fated drilling project owe for their roles in the environmental catastrophe.

BP has said it already has racked up more than $24 billion in spill-related expenses and has estimated it will pay a total of $42 billion to fully resolve its liability for the disaster that killed 11 workers and spewed millions of gallons of oil.

But the trial attorneys for the federal government and Gulf states and private plaintiffs hope to convince the judge that the company is liable for much more.

With billions of dollars on the line, the companies and their courtroom adversaries have spared no expense in preparing for a trial that could last several months. Hundreds of attorneys have worked on the case, generating roughly 90 million pages of documents, logging nearly 9,000 docket entries and taking more than 300 depositions of witnesses who could testify at trial.

"In terms of sheer dollar amounts and public attention, this is one of the most complex and massive disputes ever faced by the courts," said Fordham University law professor Howard Erichson, an expert in complex litigation.

Barbier has promised he won't let the case drag on for years as has the litigation over the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, which still hasn't been completely resolved. He encouraged settlement talks that already have resolved billions of dollars in spill-related claims.

"Judge Barbier has managed the case actively and moved it along toward trial pretty quickly," Erichson said.

In December, Barbier gave final approval to a settlement between BP and Plaintiffs' Steering Committee lawyers representing Gulf Coast businesses and residents who claim the spill cost them money. BP estimates it will pay roughly $7.8 billion to resolve tens of thousands of these claims, but the deal doesn't have a cap.

BP resolved a Justice Department criminal probe by agreeing to plead guilty to manslaughter and other charges and pay $4 billion in criminal penalties. Deepwater Horizon rig owner Transocean Ltd. reached a separate settlement with the federal government, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge and agreeing to pay $1.4 billion in criminal and civil penalties.

But there's plenty left for the lawyers to argue about at trial, given that the federal government and Gulf states haven't resolved civil claims against the company that could be worth more than $20 billion.

The Justice Department and private plaintiffs' attorneys have said they would prove BP acted with gross negligence before the blowout of its Macondo well on April 20, 2010.

BP's civil penalties would soar if Barbier agrees with that claim.

BP, meanwhile, argues the federal government's estimate of how much oil spewed from the well ? more than 200 million gallons ? is inflated by at least 20 percent. Clean Water Act penalties are based on how many barrels of oil spilled.

Barbier plans to hold the trial in at least two phases and may issue partial rulings at the end of each. The first phase, which could last three months, is designed to determine what caused the blowout and assign percentages of blame to the companies involved. The second phase will address efforts to stop the flow of oil from the well and aims to determine how much crude spilled into the Gulf.

The trial originally was scheduled to start a year ago, but Barbier postponed it to allow BP to wrap up its settlement with the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee.

Barbier, 68, was nominated by President Bill Clinton and has served on the court since 1998. He had a private law practice, primarily representing small businesses and other plaintiffs in civil cases, and served as president of the New Orleans Bar Association before he joined the bench.

Dane Ciolino, a Loyola University law professor who has represented criminal defendants in Barbier's court, described him as a "no-nonsense" but even-tempered judge.

"He's very good at getting down to the pertinent issues," Ciolino said. "Some judges could be described as impatient, short or gruff. He is none of that."

Despite the bitter disputes at the root of the case, Barbier has maintained a collegial atmosphere at his monthly status conferences with the lawyers, cracking an occasional joke or good-naturedly ribbing attorneys over their college football allegiances.

Cordial with each other in the courtroom, the competing attorneys have saved their harshest rhetoric for court filings or news releases. Despite its settlement with BP last year, the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee attorneys won't be allies at trial with the London-based oil giant. And they still haven't resolved civil claims against Transocean or cement contractor Halliburton.

"These three companies' reckless, greed-driven conduct killed 11 good men, polluted the Gulf for years and left the region's economy in shambles. Any statement to the contrary is self-serving nonsense," Steve Herman, a lead plaintiffs' attorney, said in a recent statement.

A series of government investigations has exhaustively documented the mistakes that led to the blowout, spreading the blame among the companies. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said witnesses scheduled to testify at trial will reveal new information about the cause of the disaster.

"I think you're going to learn a lot, particularly about the culture that existed at BP and their priorities," Strange said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-25-Gulf%20Oil%20Spill-Trial/id-8bc2488d4a84478aa154cb30fdeac83d

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Chinese characters not showing, Deal breaker T.T !

Doubletwist doesn't seem to support Chinese song names? My songs simply come up as . Is there a way around this ?? please solve it as soon as possible T.T.

Thanks.

Below are details for the problem. Same thing happen to my android !

Using Samsung Nexus 10 version JellyBean 4.2.2

Source: http://support.doubletwist.com/doubletwist/topics/chinese_characters_not_showing_deal_breaker_t_t

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Keyport Slide 2.0 hits Kickstarter, still has a drinking problem

We were sold on the Keyport Slide when it promised not only to banish key-based clutter, but also incorporated two of our favorite things: flash storage and a beer access device. Now, the team behind it has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Keyport Slide 2.0, which is faithful to the original design but adds more scope for customization. Six slots play host to keys (obviously) and a mixture of inserts, such as the familiar USB drive (up to 32GB) and bottle opener, as well as the new mini-torch and barcode holder. The inserts can be switched out easily, and several others are in the pipeline, including a Bluetooth locator, "aftermarket auto remote," pen, stylus, and the pièce de résistance, a letter opener.

An important question remains: how do you stuff keys inside it? If you reside in the US, you'll need to fill out a form, send off pictures of your keys, and you'll be provided with blank "Blade" inserts for making compatible copies. It's a little more complicated for international folks, as they'll need to ship out the actual keys for conversion. This all depends on whether you decide to back the Keyport Slide 2.0, of course, and at the time of writing, over a third of its $75,000 goal has been met, just one day in. Head to the Kickstarter page if you're already interested, or check out the video below for the full pitch.

Filed under: Misc, Household

Comments

Source: Kickstarter

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/T7d4PevXT4k/

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Microsoft Tablet 'Surfaces'

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Source: http://ezinearticles.com/7510410

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Japan PM won't 'tolerate' China island challenge

Saturday, 23 February, 2013

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Source: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/asia/japan-pm-wont-tolerate-china-island-challenge-20130223

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iPhone 5 Case Review: uNu ECOPAK for iPhone 5 Review

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&Number=44268

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Edward Gorey Self Taught Writer & Artist Celebrated With Google Logo

Today on Google's home page is a special Google logo, aka Google Doodle for the 88th birthday of Edward Gorey. Edward Gorey was a well known and respected writer, illustrator and poet known for the works named The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Doubtful Guest, Animation introducing Mystery! on PBS.

His work was a goth style and he was mostly self-taught, with very little schooling. He was never married and wasn't much into relationships.

He was born 88 years ago on February 22, 1925 in Chicago and died at the age of 75 on April 15, 2000 in Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, Massachusetts.

The Google logo is one of the widest logos I've seen from Google ever, measuring 818 pixels wide. It is an obvious representation of his illustration and story telling style.

Forum discussion at Google Web Search Help.

Source: http://feeds.seroundtable.com/~r/SearchEngineRoundtable1/~3/2sx0laheaUg/edward-gorey-google-doodle-16402.html

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UK watchdog takes aim at UK accounting deals

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's listed companies could be forced to switch accountants to boost competition and end the cozy relationships that have dismayed shareholders, a UK watchdog warned on Friday.

Competition in the UK audit market is restricted by factors that make it hard for companies to switch accountants, the Competition Commission said in preliminary findings from a probe it began in 2011.

There is also a tendency for auditors to focus on satisfying management rather than shareholder needs, it said.

The commission's findings disappointed the big accountants but raised a cheer among their smaller rivals and will bolster a draft European Union law which contains similar plans for boosting competition in the 27-country bloc's audit market.

The United States is also mulling auditor rotation as the sector globally faces questions after it gave banks a clean bill of health just before governments had to rescue them in the 2007-09 financial crisis.

The "Big Four" - KPMG, PwC , Ernst & Young and Deloitte - check the books of nearly all big companies in Britain and around the world and have often served the same clients for decades.

"We have found that there can be benefits to companies and their shareholders from switching auditors but too often senior management at large companies are inclined to stick with what they know," said Laura Carstensen, who chaired the watchdog's audit probe.

The lack of competition is likely to lead to higher prices, lower quality and a failure to meet the demands of shareholders and investors, the commission said.

There was "significant dissatisfaction" among big investors and changing the "long standing and entrenched" system will take time.

It proposed a mix of reforms, including forcing companies to put out their audit work to tender every five to seven years, and change accounting firms every seven to 14 years - roughly in line with changes being discussed at the EU level.

This goes further than a recent change introduced by Britain's accounting policeman, the Financial Reporting Council, which requires companies to consider changing accountants every decade. The FRC said it was pleased the Commission was looking at taking more steps to enhance competitiveness and switching.

The commission also proposes banning "Big Four only" clauses, meaning banks could not insist on a borrower using one of the four top audit firms.

"GROSSLY UNDERESTIMATED"

The probe found that 31 percent of the top 100 companies and a fifth of the next 250 firms had had the same auditor for over 20 years.

The Big Four insist there is strong competition and point to downward pressure on fees and some recent switchings of auditors among big companies.

PwC said its audits clearly report to shareholders and that the Competition Commission has "grossly underestimated" the critical role the audit committees at clients play in protecting shareholder interests.

Ernst & Young said it was pleased the watchdog found no collusion, abuses or excess profits but rejected accusations that the audit market was not serving shareholders.

"In addition, we believe that competition between audit firms is healthy and robust and that the evidence supports this," E&Y said.

But second tier of audit firms, such as Mazars, BDO and Grant Thornton, welcomed the findings after having argued it would not be worthwhile expanding unless there was some intervention to help prise open the market.

"It's clearly going to make a significant contribution in Brussels as the European institutions decide the way forward on the future shape of the EU audit market," said David Herbinet, Mazars' UK head of public interest markets.

Herbinet urged the UK watchdog to go a step further and put a limit on the advisory services accounting firms sometimes also supply to clients they audit.

BDO said the mix of changes would create a healthier market.

The watchdog rejected curbing the Big Four's advisory services such as tax to clients they audit, and said joint audits, whereby one of the Big Four must share a customer with a smaller accountant, was also a non-starter for now.

Joint audits were a top demand from several mid-tier firms and could still be included in the EU law.

The Competition Commission will publish its full report next week and final, binding recommendations by year end.

The European Parliament's legal affairs committee is due to vote on the bloc's audit shake-up next month after a delay to await the outcome of the UK findings.

(Editing by Jeremy Gaunt.)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-watchdog-takes-aim-uk-accounting-deals-101916316--finance.html

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90% Lore

All Critics (60) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (54) | Rotten (6)

We know where this is going pretty early on, but that doesn't prevent "Lore" from being riveting stuff, start to finish.

This striking, slow-building drama ... uses fractured, impressionistic imagery as a mirror of moral dislocation as the children make their way through an unfamiliar landscape.

It's a remarkable accomplishment.

Saskia Rosendahl is a highly expressive actress within the limited confines of her character, and the film is studded with memorable scenes.

"Lore" is the sort of movie you'd already expect to rip your heart out, but that doesn't diminish the tragedy when it does arrive.

If "Lore" is an upsetting and uncomfortable film set in a morally bleak landscape, it also offers a guardedly optimistic vision of the possibility of human change.

An unusual, constantly surprising post-WWII odyssey, this film may feel a bit thin and episodic, but it tells an evocative story with darkly moving emotion.

Shortland does an impressive job of evoking the rotten heart of a country turning in on itself.

The film is ultimately about a spectacular fall from innocence that feels both highly personal and universal.

As with all the best fairytales, there is a blackness and brutality at its centre.

Not even safety and sanctuary quite wipe clean the trauma slate. New autocracies lie in wait, ready to replace the old.

Shortland and her ferocious lead actress, Saskia Rosendahl, burrow so deeply into the thoughts of the stubborn, infuriating protagonist that you leave the movie unable to stop wondering what the rest of her life will be like.

A tough yet rewarding viewing experience!

Certainly sounds good on paper, but a little shallow and overstated in reality.

While prone to arty lingering, thus wasting time that would have been more wisely spent plugging gaps in the narrative, Shortland slathers the story in enough mud and horror to make it a compellingly visceral experience.

A provocative and emotionally complex drama with a terrific central performance from newcomer Saskia Rosendahl.

It's a close, intimate film - sometimes so close you can feel the breath of its characters in your face.

Shortland creates a palpable sense of atmosphere, and coupled with fluid camerawork and a verdant forest backdrop, Lore looks and feels a world apart from other World War II-set dramas.

This oblique and understated tale of lost innocence conveys both an individual's experiences and a powerful sense of a ruined nation.

Shortland's measured pacing and hypnotic visuals make this a mesmerising journey through a defeated landscape.

The result is a stimulating portrayal of an under-examined aspect of Nazism's terrible legacy.

Enough cannot be said about its leading lady, a truly captivating actress at a very young age who should be an international star.

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lore/

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#SciAmBlogs Thursday - Testing Kids DNA, medical apps, Einstein Writings, 3-D Printed Octopus Suckers, Stormwater, ENCODE, and more.

By Bora Zivkovic?| February 21, 2013 |??

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Bora Zivkovic is the Blog Editor at Scientific American, chronobiologist, biology teacher, organizer of ScienceOnline conferences and editor of Open Laboratory anthologies of best science writing on the Web. Follow on Twitter @boraz.

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Bora Zivkovic is the Blog Editor at Scientific American, chronobiologist, biology teacher, organizer of ScienceOnline conferences and editor of Open Laboratory anthologies of best science writing on the Web. Follow on Twitter @boraz.

More??

#SciAmBlogs Thursday ? Testing Kids? DNA, medical apps, Einstein Writings, 3-D Printed Octopus Suckers, Stormwater, ENCODE, and more.

About the Author: Bora Zivkovic is the Blog Editor at Scientific American, chronobiologist, biology teacher, organizer of ScienceOnline conferences and editor of Open Laboratory anthologies of best science writing on the Web. Follow on Twitter @boraz.

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The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=8fd849d1d364fa35ca0bd9977619a59f

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The Entire NBA Is Baffled By This Sacramento Kings Trade

Last night the Sacramento Kings pulled the trigger on the most inexplicable NBA trade of the year ? sending Thomas Robinson to the Houston Rockets for role players just 55 games after taking him with the #5 pick in the 2012 Draft.

The full trade:

• Houston gets: Thomas Robinson, Francisco Garcia, Tyler Honeycutt
• Sacramento gets: Patrick Patterson, Cole Aldrich, Toney Douglas

According to Grantland's Zach Lowe, the NBA world can't believe the Kings gave up on Robinson so soon. He?reported on Twitter, "Also for the record: Folks around the league seem largely aghast/shocked/confused by what Kings did here."

The Kings are rebuilding and need young potential game-changers like Robinson more than low-ceiling role players like Patterson.

So all indications are that this deal had nothing to do with basketball, and was a straight-up financial move by the Kings' owners, the Maloofs ? who are planning to sell the team to a Seattle-based group before next season.

The three players Sacramento traded are getting paid a combined $10.2 million this season. The three players they took back are getting paid $6.5 million.

Since roughly two thirds of that money has already been paid, this trade will save the Maloofs ?~$1.2 million when all is said and done.

So, to put it crudely, it appears that the Kings' owners sacrificed a key piece of the team's basketball future so that they could save $1.2 million in their dying months as NBA owners.

The trade makes no sense from a basketball standpoint. It makes the saddest kind of sense from a business standpoint.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/sportspage/~3/q_L4Tq4AzLU/kings-trade-thomas-robinson-to-rockets-2013-2

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Major snowstorm moves into U.S. Midwest, threatens New England

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - A major winter storm moved into the U.S. Midwest on Thursday, blanketing states from Minnesota to Ohio with a mix of blinding snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The same storm dumped more than a foot of snow in Kansas, stranded motorists on highways and forced airports to cancel hundreds of flights.

The storm is expected to eventually reach the East Coast this weekend, delivering heavy snow to parts of New England for a third straight weekend, from northern Connecticut to southern Maine.

Kansas bore the brunt of the storm, with up to 15 inches of snow in some parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service. A 200-mile (323-km) stretch of Interstate 70 in central Kansas was closed and strewn with cars stuck in snow.

National Guard troops riding in Humvees were dispatched to look for stranded motorists along the interstate and other highways, said Sharon Watson, a spokeswoman for Kansas emergency management services.

The fierce storm triggered severe thunderstorms from eastern Texas to Georgia.

Thunder accompanied snow in Kansas City, hit by 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour on Thursday morning.

"When there is thunder and lightning, it's a pretty screaming clue that you are going to have massive snowfall," said Andy Bailey, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback declared states of emergency because of hazardous travel and possible power outages. Brownback ordered state offices closed because of the storm.

STORM BRINGS SOME DROUGHT RELIEF

Kansas City International Airport was closed on Thursday while crews cleared runways. It was unclear when the airport would reopen, spokesman Joe McBride said.

At the Denver International Airport, some 55 commuter flights were canceled overnight, spokeswoman Laura Coale said. More than 320 flights in and out of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport were scrapped and nearly 50 flights in and out of Omaha's Eppley Airfield were listed as canceled by midday.

In Nebraska, a 19-year-old woman was killed in a two-car accident on Wednesday on Interstate 80 near Giltner. The Nebraska State Patrol said weather was a factor.

An 18-year-old man died in Oklahoma when his vehicle slid into a semi-truck on a slushy state highway, the state's highway patrol said.

Drought-stricken farmers in the Great Plains, one of the world's largest wheat-growing areas, welcomed the moisture brought by the storm, although experts said more rain or snow would be needed to ensure healthy crops.

"It's a travel nightmare, but all I hear are good things from farmers about how much this moisture is needed," said meteorologist Jeff Johnson of the National Weather Service in Dodge City, Kansas.

(Additional reporting by Ian Simpson, Ben Berkowitz, Keith Coffman in Denver, Suzi Parker in Little Rock, Kay Henderson in Des Moines, Steve Olafson in Oklahoma City and Tim Bross in St. Louis; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Kevin Gray and Lisa Shumaker)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/major-snowstorm-moves-u-midwest-threatens-england-032147753.html

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Conlon extends LA Opera contract through 2017-18

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? James Conlon has extended his contract as music director of the Los Angeles Opera through the 2017-18 season.

The 62-year-old's new deal was announced Wednesday. He was hired in 2004 to start with the 2006-07 season, and he extended previously in 2007 and 2010. His current agreement ran through the 2012-13 season.

Conlon has conducted 18 company premieres, 33 different operas at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and 190 main stage performances with the LA Opera.

He also has been music director of the Ravinia Festival outside Chicago since 2005 and of the Cincinnati May Festival since 1979.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/conlon-extends-la-opera-contract-2017-18-030145223.html

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Sweet 'tea' is not a better choice

When discussing food choices, one of the first questions I often ask is "What do you drink?". One of the more common answers that I have been getting lately is that people are drinking a lot of 'tea'. Often the tea that is being referred to is a sweetened (or sometimes sugar-free) bottled beverage. Many people will often drink several cups or bottles of 'tea' per day. Often, they tell me that they are drinking tea because they see it as a healthier alternative to soda. This week we talk about tea, and some of the beverages out there that pass for tea and provide some information about what is known about tea and its health benefits.

What is tea?

Tea refers to a beverage made from the dried leaves of a plant (camelia sinensis) that is native to Asia. It is the major beverage of many people around the world. There are several types of tea (e.g. green, black, white, oolong) these are made by different methods of drying and preparing the tea leaves. In the US, green and black tea are the most common types. There are also herbal teas that are not made from tea leaves and often contain a mixture of dry herbs.

What is not tea?
Many people are now drinking bottled tea beverages and have been given the impression through marketing and packaging that these drinks represent a healthful alternative to soda. They are not. Many of these (sweetened tea beverages) are little more than sugar water. They contain small amounts of tea and lots of added sweeteners. One 20 oz bottle of sweetened tea often contains more than 200 calories. If you drink an average of one bottle of tea daily, that is 20 pounds of calories a year just from tea. These beverages retain little to none of the health benefits of brewed tea. They provide excess calories that are likely to contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of developing diabetes and other chronic health conditions. Sugar free bottled teas may have few to no calories but artificial sweeteners may actually encourage your body to eat more due to their overly sweet flavor which has been shown to stimulate your appetite.

What are the health benefits of tea?
Brewed tea contains chemical compounds called anti-oxidants and are especially rich in one form of anti-oxidant called catechins. These catechins are highest in green tea but are also present in black tea and to a lesser extent in decaffeinated tea. Bottled tea beverages contain almost none of these anti-oxidants. Catechins are thought to promote beneficial health effects by helping the blood vessels in the body to function better. When people drink green tea, their blood vessels have been observed to dilate more, aiding in blood flow. This may explain some of the observed health associations with regular tea consumption. For instance, drinking 3 cups of black tea daily has been shown to have modest effects on lowering blood pressure. Studies have also suggested potential benefits of regular green tea consumption on lowering stroke and heart disease risk. However, the results are not consistent or fully proven. Green tea (and more specifically chemical extracts from green tea) has been reported to aid in weight loss, weight loss maintenance and cancer prevention. However, studies have not consistently proven this.

Should you start drinking tea?
If you currently are not a regular brewed tea drinker, you could consider adding a cup or two of brewed tea to your diet everyday. It should be noted that tea (unless decaf) contains caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and can help people feel more alert and focused, especially in the morning. However, if you drink too much or are very sensitive to caffeine, it can make you feel anxious or jittery or if taken late in the day it can sometimes impair sleep. If you are a sweet tea drinker, consider switching to fresh brewed tea. It is cheaper and has some potential health benefits. If you need to add a little sweetener, consider adding a small amount of honey or sugar. This will still have many fewer calories than the bottled variety. You can also add some milk to your tea, however, be aware that this may reduce the benefits of tea on blood vessel function.

Evaluate how you hydrate
Our body needs fluids to function properly. When I am asked by patients, 'What should I drink?', my first answer is always water. However, as we have discussed brewed tea can also can be a healthful addition and can provide some variety in terms of taste.

Dr. Winbush is a family physician practicing at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center. She has a strong interest in wellness and patient education to help individuals feel empowered to optimize their health and functioning. She wants to hear from you: To request topics for future articles and for additional resources visit www.functionwellmedicine.com or LIKE Function Well Medicine on Facebook.

The information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a healthcare provider if you suspect you are ill.

Source: http://www.insightnews.com/health/10307-sweet-tea-is-not-a-better-choice

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Winners of the Rome Symphony Orchestra's third-annual concerto competition announced

Winners of the Rome Symphony Orchestra's third-annual concerto competition announced

by press release Rn T.Com

The Rome Symphony Orchestra has announced the winners of its third annual concerto competition, which took place in Brookes Chapel on the campus of Shorter University on Sunday, February 17.

Grace McMullen from Berry College won the collegiate instrumental division for her performance of the allegro movement of Shostakovich?s ?Piano Concerto No. 2?. McMullen, a music major and a sophomore at Berry, is from Waxhaw, NC. Her piano instructor is Kris Carlisle, associate professor of music at Berry College.

Caleb Cole, a student at Pepperell High School, won the high-school instrumental division. He performed the first movement of Mozart?s ?Concerto for Horn, No. 3, in E-flat major, K. 447?. Cole is a junior and plans to major in music.

He studies French horn with Ellie Jenkins, assistant professor at Dalton State College and adjunct professor of horn at Berry College.

This year?s competition included an Aria division for the first time. Michael Loredo, a senior at Shorter University won in the collegiate division. Loredo, a tenor, performed Handel?s ?Comfort Ye, My People? and ? Ev?ry Valley Shall be Exalted? from ?Messiah?. Loredo is majoring in Church Music at Shorter. His voice instructor is Rianne Chandler, adjunct instructor of music-voice at Shorter. Kayla Holcomb, a senior at Gordan Central High School in Calhoun, won for her performance of ?O mio babbino caro? from the opera ?Gianni Schicchi? by Puccini. Ms. Holcomb is the daughter of Kim Holcomb and LaDonna Holcomb and plans to major in music. Her instructor is also Chandler.

All four winners will perform their winning concerto/aria pieces at the Rome Symphony Orchestra?s spring concert at the City Auditorium on April 27.

?These 4 talented young people prove that Northwest Georgia has no deficit of serious talent, and we hope many people will turn out for our spring concert to hear the quality of their performances,? said Barbara Beninato, president of the RSO.

A total of eight entrants competed in the RSO?s concerto competition. The competitors were judged by two judges, including the RSO?s music director and conductor, Richard Prior, who also serves as the conductor of the Emory

University Orchestra and the Emory University Youth Orchestra. Jessica Wu, a member of the Vega Quartet at Emory University also served as a judge.

Click here to read additional press releases on RN-T.com.

Source: http://rn-t.com/bookmark/21765589

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Cure for common hangover? 'Pill' mimics action of human liver in fighting alcohol intoxication

Feb. 20, 2013 ? In a discovery that could promise a quick fix to the common hangover, a team of researchers led by UCLA engineers has identified a method for speeding up the body's reaction to the consumption of alcohol.

In a paper published online Feb. 17 in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Nanotechnology, Yunfeng Lu, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and his colleagues describe successfully placing two complementary enzymes in a tiny capsule to speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body. The enzyme combination within the capsule essentially processes alcohol the way the liver does.

Lu, the principal investigator, said the enzyme combination could be ingested as a pill, chemically altering alcohol in the digestive system, even as the liver does its work.

"The pill acts in a way extremely similar to the way your liver does," Lu said. "With further research, this discovery could be used as a preventative measure or antidote for alcohol intoxication."

Naturally occurring enzymes within cells often work in tandem to transform molecules or eliminate toxins. Lu's group assembled multiple enzymes to mimic the natural process. An enzyme known as an alcohol oxidase, for example, can promote the oxidization of alcohol but also produces hydrogen peroxide, which is toxic. Another type of enzyme, a catalase, prompts the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Placing the two enzymes next to each other can effectively remove alcohol.

The researchers placed the two enzymes in a polymer capsule measuring just tens of nanometers in diameter. The wall of the polymer capsule is only one nanometer thick -- about 100,000 times thinner than a strand of human hair. The capsule protects the enzymes and allows them to freely enter an alcohol molecule. In this way, the nanocapsule mimics an organelle, a structure found in cells that spurs chemical reactions.

The researchers used a mouse model to test how well the enzyme package worked as an antidote after alcohol was consumed. They found that blood alcohol levels in mice that received the enzyme package fell more quickly than in mice that did not. Blood alcohol levels of the antidote test group were 15.8 percent lower than the control group after 45 minutes, 26.1 percent lower after 90 minutes and 34.7 percent lower after three hours.

In a test of how well the enzyme delivery system worked as a prophylactic when consumed at the same time as alcohol, the researchers found that blood alcohol levels in the mice that received the enzymes were 10.1 percent lower than in control-group mice after 45 minutes, 31.8 percent lower after 90 minutes and 36.8 percent lower after three hours.

"Considering the vast library of enzymes that are currently or potentially available," the authors write, "novel classes of enzyme nanocomplexes could be built for a broad range of applications."

The study's lead authors included Yang Liu and Juanjuan Du of UCLA Engineering's chemical and biomolecular engineering department.

Additional authors of the research include Wei Wei of UCLA Engineering; Ming Yan of UCLA Engineering and the UCLA Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics; Mo Yin Lau, Jay Hu, Hui Han and Cheng Ji of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California; Dr. Otto O. Yang of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Sheng Liang and Hui Wang of Xinhua Hospital, affiliated with China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Jianmin Li and Wei Chen of China's Beijing Institute of Biotechnology; Xinyuan Zhu of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Linqi Shi of China's Ministry of Education and Nankai University.

The research was partially supported by the Defense Threat Reducing Agency, the National Institutes of Health, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Basic Research Program of China.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California, Los Angeles. The original article was written by Bill Kisliuk.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Yang Liu, Juanjuan Du, Ming Yan, Mo Yin Lau, Jay Hu, Hui Han, Otto O. Yang, Sheng Liang, Wei Wei, Hui Wang, Jianmin Li, Xinyuan Zhu, Linqi Shi, Wei Chen, Cheng Ji, Yunfeng Lu. Biomimetic enzyme nanocomplexes and their use as antidotes and preventive measures for alcohol intoxication. Nature Nanotechnology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2012.264

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/matter_energy/biochemistry/~3/0ZLTSiBDES0/130220114337.htm

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Hundreds of Palestinians Rally for Jailed Hunger Striker, Clash With Israeli Troops

An estimated 500 Palestinian protesters marched against Israel?s notorious Ofer Prison in the West Bank today, demanding the release of hunger striker Samer Issawi, who is said to be in failing health after an off-and-on strike for nearly a year.

The protesters clashed with troops, throwing rocks as troops fired tear gas canisters against them. Dozens of protesters and two soldiers were lightly wounded in the incidents. Israeli troops also moved against a nearby Palestinian village where protesters were ongoing and attacked them.

Issawi spent nearly ten years in Israeli prison before being released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap. As with many other detainees, Israel quickly reneged on the releases and re-detained Issawi.

Issawi is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian and was arrested on charges of ?possession of weapons? during the 2002 Israeli attacks on Ramallah, and sentenced to 30 years for the charge.

His rearrest came after he visited the village of Himza, part of metro Jerusalem. Israeli officials insisted that this violated the terms of his release, because he was told he could never leave Jerusalem. Interestingly, Israeli officials have maintained that Himza is part of Jerusalem in the past.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

Source: http://news.antiwar.com/2013/02/15/hundreds-of-palestinians-rally-for-jailed-hunger-striker-clash-with-israeli-troops/

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Weeping Pistorius faces life in prison in shooting

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) ? Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius wept in court Friday as prosecutors said they'll pursue a charge of premeditated murder against him in the killing of his model girlfriend, meaning the man who once inspired the world could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Pistorius' family and London-based management issued a statement disputing the murder charge he now faces for the slaying of Reeva Steenkamp. The athlete himself initially appeared solemn and collected in his first court appearance, but later sobbed loud enough for his cries to be heard over the more than 100 spectators gathered for the hearing.

His tears even drew the attention of Chief Magistrate Desmond Nasir, who at one point simply said: "Take it easy."

The double-amputee athlete's arrest stunned South Africa, which awoke the morning of Valentine's Day to hear that Steenkamp had been shot to death at Pistorius' home in a gated community in an eastern suburb of South Africa's capital, Pretoria. Police said investigators recovered a 9 mm pistol from the home.

In Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday, throngs of photographers, videographers and journalists besieged the brick-walled Courtroom C, where Pistorius appeared. Nasir's first ruling in the matter focused on the press: He dismissed requests from a private television station and the state broadcaster to air the hearing live.

Nasir also ordered that no photographs be taken while court was in session. That left kneeling photographers less than a meter (three feet) from Pistorius to simply stare at a man some previously photographed sprinting on his famous carbon-fiber blades as he cried uncontrollably. Pistorius' brother, Carl, and his father, Henke, reached out at separate times to comfort him as he sat in the dock.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said in court he would pursue a charge of premeditated murder against Pistorius for allegedly killing Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model known for her vamping, bikini pictures in men's magazines and appearances in cosmetics commercials. Police have said Steenkamp is 30. The discrepancy has not been explained.

Police said Friday that investigators conducted an autopsy on Steenkamp's body. Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale said the results of the autopsy would not be published.

Pistorius entered no plea at the hearing and his family left quickly, without speaking to journalists who followed them outside. In a statement later Friday, his family and management questioned the criminal charge the 26-year-old athlete faces.

"The alleged murder is disputed in the strongest terms," the statement read, without elaborating.

The statement also said Pistorius wanted to "send his deepest sympathies to the family of Reeva."

"He would also like to express his thanks through us today for all the messages of support he has received ? but as stated our thoughts and prayers today should be for Reeva and her family ? regardless of the circumstances of this terrible, terrible tragedy," the statement read.

South Africa continues to question itself over what to think about the shooting, with local newspaper headlines veering from the lurid to "Blade gunner?" on Friday morning, playing on Pistorius' nickname given for his running blades. The nation of 50 million has one of the world's highest rates of shooting deaths, behind only Colombia. South Africa as whole recently recoiled at the brutal gang rape and attack that killed a 17-year-old girl and many wore black Friday to demonstrate against the high levels of violence against women in the country.

Others focused their attention on Pistorius, who is fascinated by fast cars, cage fighting and firearms. He crashed a speedboat in February 2009, breaking his nose, jaw and several ribs and damaging an eye socket. He later required 180 stitches to his face. Witnesses said he had been drinking, and officers found alcoholic beverages in the wreckage, though they did not do a blood test on Pistorius.

His love life, the fodder of gossip columns in the country, also saw turmoil. In November, Pistorius was involved in an altercation over a woman with a local coal mining millionaire, South African media reported.

Gianni Merlo, who co-authored the 2009 biography "Blade Runner" with Pistorius, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Friday from Italy that Pistorius once drove out in the middle of the night to see his first love after a fight. Pistorius crashed his car when he fell asleep behind the wheel, though Merlo said it showed his devotion.

However, he said Pistorius once threw a friend's girlfriend out of his house, prompting police to investigate and take him in for questioning.

"He explained that this was a kind of (plot) against him, planned against him," Merlo said.

At the defense's request, the chief magistrate delayed Pistorius' bail hearing until Tuesday and Wednesday. Prosecutors and defense lawyers agreed to keep Pistorius in a police holding cell, rather than transfer him to prison like most normal suspects. While Nasir acknowledged that could give them impression that the athlete was getting "preferential treatment," he agreed to it. Police have said they oppose Pistorius being freed on bail.

In saying they'll seek a premeditated murder charge against Pistorius, prosecutors likely are claiming they have evidence that the athlete planned the killing ahead of time, said William Booth, a prominent defense lawyer from Cape Town. The charge, which carries a sentence of life in prison, also makes it more difficult for Pistorius to successfully apply for bail, Booth said, though it could be a challenge to get a conviction.

"It's quite difficult to prove that in a situation where there isn't a witness," the defense lawyer said. "If I just plan it in my mind and I arrive at somebody's house and there's no witnesses and I shoot the person, it's really tough for the prosecution to show that planning."

On call-in radio shows and in private conversation Friday, some in South Africa compared Pistorius' case to that of O.J. Simpson, a former football star accused of the slayings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. That case, drawing international media attention, saw Simpson acquitted by a jury in 1995. However, in South Africa, there is no jury system, leaving Pistorius face largely to the judge who will oversee his possible trial.

Pistorius made history at the London Olympics last year when he became the first double-amputee track athlete to compete at any games. He didn't win a medal but did make the semifinals of the 400 meters and the final of the 4X400 relay, propelling the world's best-known Paralympian to the level of an international track star and one of the world's best-known sportsmen.

But police hinted at a troubled lifestyle away from public scrutiny for the runner Thursday when they said there had previously been domestic incidents at Pistorius' home.

___

AP Sports Writer Gerald Imray reported from Johannesburg. Associated Press writer Michelle Faul in Johannesburg contributed to this report.

___

Jon Gambrell can be reached at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP . Gerald Imray can be reached at www.twitter.com/geraldimrayAP .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/weeping-pistorius-faces-life-prison-shooting-164118873--oly.html

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A Brummie Family Tree: William and Annie Millington

William Joseph Millington was born in Birmingham in 1873. His parents were John Millington and Alice (nee. O'Hagan). William was the older brother of my great grandfather Terence Millington.

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Between 1894 and 1919, William served in the Royal Navy on 22 different ships. He enlisted at Portsmouth on 4th September 1894 and completed his service on 22nd March 1919. on 27th September 1895 he was promoted to Stoker on HMS Victotry. On 1st July 1906 he was promoted to Stoker 1st Class at HMS Racer which was the training cellege at Osbourne House on Isle of Wright.??

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On 31st May 1916 William was wounded in action on the HMS Princess Royal during the Battle of Jutland.

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On 2nd September 1905 William married 24 year old Annie Jones at Birmingham Register Office. His profession was Stoker Royal Navy. Both of them put their address as 5 Wheeleys Lane. Annie's father was Thomas Jones who was a railway worker. The witnesses to the wedding were Terence and Phoebe Millington (my great grandparents).

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In the 1911 Census, William and Annie Millington were residing at 1 house 1 court Hollier Street, which is a small street next to Highgate Park.

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In the household there were three daughters listed, though further on in the record it says that 3 children had been born and 1 had died.?I have subsequently found out that the second child died in early infancy, but it's interesting they have entered her name on the form.

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The children listed are?Phylis A aged 3, Edna J S aged 2 and Lillian M R described?as a?baby. On the official?death indexes there is an entry for the death of an?Edna Joan S Millington in Birmingham aged 0 in 1909.?So I believe Edna must have been mistakenly entered on the 1911 census.?????

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In the 1925 Polling register, William Joseph and Annie Millington are recorded living at back 176 Darwin Street (which is very close to Hollier Street in Highgate / Deritend - see map below)

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The couple are listed at the same address in 1927

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In 1935, Annie is not listed at the Darwin Street home, but Lilian May Rose and Phylis Aurora Millington are listed to vote alongside their father William?Joseph?

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In 1939 only William Joseph is registered to vote at back 149 Darwin Street?

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But in 1945, William Joseph's name has gone from the family home. Annie Millington is now living at 8 South Terrace, South Road, Deritend Ward with her daughter Phylis A Haylett and husband Robert E Haylett. The couple married in 1937.

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In 1950,?Robert Haylett's name is also missing?and Annie E and her daughter Phylis Haylett continue to reside at?8 South?Terrace, South Road, Deritend Ward.??

In 1955, Annie E Millington and Phylis Haylett continue to be the only?names registered in the family home at 8 South Terrace.

Source: http://brummiefamilytree.blogspot.com/2013/02/william-and-annie-millington.html

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Hundreds hurt as meteorite hits Russia

CHELYABINSK, Russia (Reuters) - More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings.

People heading to work in Chelyabinsk heard what sounded like an explosion, saw a bright light and then felt a shockwave according to a Reuters correspondent in the industrial city 1,500 km (950 miles) east of Moscow.

A fireball blazed across the horizon, leaving a long white trail in its wake which could be seen as far as 200 km (125 miles) away in Yekaterinburg. Car alarms went off, windows shattered and mobile phone networks were interrupted.

"I was driving to work, it was quite dark, but it suddenly became as bright as if it was day," said Viktor Prokofiev, 36, a resident of Yekaterinburg in the Urals Mountains.

"I felt like I was blinded by headlights," he said.

No fatalities were reported but President Vladimir Putin, who was due to host Finance Ministry officials from the Group of 20 nations in Moscow, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev were informed.

A local ministry official said such incidents were extremely rare and Friday's events might have been linked to an asteroid the size of an Olympic swimming pool due to pass Earth at a distance of 27,520 km (17,100 miles) but this was not confirmed.

Russia's space agency Roscosmos said the meteorite was travelling at a speed of 30 km (19 miles) per second and that such events were hard to predict. The Interior Ministry said the meteorite explosion had caused a sonic boom.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said 514 people had sought medical help, mainly for light injuries caused by flying glass, and that 112 of those were kept in hospital. Search groups were set up to look for the remains of the meteorite.

"There have never been any cases of meteorites breaking up at such a low level over Russia before," said Yuri Burenko, head of the Chelyabinsk branch of the Emergencies Ministry.

WINDOWS BREAK, FRAMES BUCKLE

Windows were shattered on Chelyabinsk's central Lenin Street and some of the frames of shop fronts buckled.

A loud noise, resembling an explosion, rang out at around 9.20 a.m. (12:20 a.m. ET). The shockwave could be felt in apartment buildings in the industrial city's center.

"I was standing at a bus stop, seeing off my girlfriend," said Andrei, a local resident who did not give his second name. "Then there was a flash and I saw a trail of smoke across the sky and felt a shockwave that smashed windows."

A wall was damaged at the Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant but a spokeswoman said there was no environmental threat.

Although such events are rare, a meteorite is thought to have devastated an area of more than 2,000 sq km (1,250 miles) in Siberia in 1908, smashing windows as far as 200 km (125 miles) from the point of impact.

The Emergencies Ministry described Friday's events as a "meteor shower in the form of fireballs" and said background radiation levels were normal. It urged residents not to panic.

Chelyabinsk city authorities urged people to stay indoors unless they needed to pick up their children from schools and kindergartens. They said what sounded like a blast had been heard at an altitude of 10,000 meters (32,800 feet).

The U.S. space agency NASA has said an asteroid known as 2012 DA14, about 46 meters in diameter, would have an encounter with Earth closer than any asteroid since scientists began routinely monitoring them about 15 years ago.

Television, weather and communications satellites fly about 500 miles higher. The moon is 14 times farther away.

(Additional reporting by Natalia Shurmina in Yekaterinburg and Gabriela Baczynska in Moscow, Writing by Alexei Anishchuk and Timothy Heritage, Editing by Michael Holden)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/possible-meteor-shower-reported-eastern-russia-052833588.html

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LeAnn Rimes Sues Dentist: You Effed Up My Career!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/leann-rimes-sues-dentist-you-effed-up-my-career/

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13.02.16 08:00 Spaghetti Dinner Boy Scount Troop 151 - Saturday February 16, 2013 from 8:00 am to 9:00 am @ Asbury Church

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/popup.php?op=view&id=57521366&crd=wmdt

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What the American-US Airways merger means for you

NEW YORK (AP) ? While American Airlines and US Airways announced plans to merge Thursday, it will be several months ? if not years ? before passengers see any significant impact.

Passengers with existing tickets on American or US Airways ? and members of both frequent flier programs ? shouldn't fret. No changes will come anytime soon.

American's parent company, AMR Corp., is still under bankruptcy protection and will need the court to approve the deal. US Airways shareholders will also have to vote for a merger. Then the Department of Transportation and the Justice Department must sign off. Finally, once a deal closes, the new company could operate two separate airlines for a number of years.

When the airlines finally do merge, here's what passengers can expect:

? AIRFARE

During the past five years, the airline industry has seen the combinations of Delta with Northwest, United with Continental and Southwest Airlines Co. with AirTran. Further consolidation is likely to raise airfares. The price of a domestic round-trip flight has climbed more than 11 percent since 2009, when adjusted for inflation, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The merger will give a combined American and US Airways Group Inc. the ability to increase fares. United, Delta and Southwest would be likely to follow. Although it could also pave the way for further expansion by discount airlines such as Spirit Airlines Inc. and Allegiant Travel Co.

? FREQUENT FLIER MILES

Your miles will be safe. After the merger is approved, the two airlines will likely combine the miles into one program and elite status from one airline will likely be honored on the other. That puts the occasional traveler closer to rewards.

The merged carrier will continue American's participation in the OneWorld alliance, which was founded by American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. Today, it has 12 airlines including Finnair, Royal Jordanian and Japan Airlines. US Airways will leave the Star Alliance, which includes rival United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada and 24 other airlines. Alliances allow passengers to earn and redeem miles on partner airlines.

? DESTINATIONS

A key reason for merging is to link both airlines' networks, creating a system on par with Delta Air Lines and United, part of United Continental Holdings Inc.

There is little overlap between the two airlines' existing routes. The combined carrier will offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries, making it more attractive to companies seeking to fly employees around the globe with few connections.

US Airways passengers will gain access to American's international destinations, particularly London and Latin America. American's passengers will be able to better connect to smaller U.S. cities that US Airways serves.

The combined carrier will have considerable presence in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Charlotte, N.C., Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles. It is unclear how many of those cities will keep their levels of service. In past mergers, airlines have promised not to close any hubs but have gone ahead and dramatically reduced service in once-key cities.

? PASSENGER CONFUSION

The merger of two airlines often means confusion and hassle for customers. Which terminal or ticket counter do they go to for check in? If there is a problem with a ticket, which company should they call? For a while, United and Continental were issuing two confirmation numbers for each ticket so either airline's staff could make changes. Problems with the integration of their frequent flier programs angered many loyal road warriors and computer glitches caused repeated flight delays. It could be months, if not years, until all American and US Airways planes get a uniform paint job.

"These things are never as seamless as they seem," said Thomas Lawton, a professor of business administration at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of business. "There will probably be some initial teething problems."

___

Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/american-us-airways-merger-means-175905774--finance.html

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Opening practice at Daytona includes 5-car wreck

Denny Hamlin (11) and Kyle Busch (18) lead a group of cars through the front stretch during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Denny Hamlin (11) and Kyle Busch (18) lead a group of cars through the front stretch during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Matt Kenseth looks over the damage to his car in his garage after he was involved in a crash during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Kurt Busch drives back to the garage area after he was involved in a crash with other cars during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks under the hood as crew members makes adjustments to his car after practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Driver Carl Edwards watches the replay on a TV monitor of a wreck that he was involved in during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited Shootout auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) ? It took about 10 minutes to wreck several cars at Daytona International Speedway on Friday.

Matt Kenseth triggered a five-car accident in the opening practice for the Sprint Unlimited, the non-points race that kicks off the season.

Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Juan Pablo Montoya also were involved in the crash.

Busch's No. 78 Chevrolet sustained the most damage, forcing the team to switch to a backup car for Saturday night's exhibition event. Edwards and Martin also went to backups.

"It's tough," Busch said. "A lot of hard work goes into these cars, and six weeks of preparation can be trashed in six laps."

Kenseth took blame for the melee, saying he didn't see Busch gaining ground inside his No. 20 Toyota on the 2 1/2-mile superspeedway.

"That was 100 percent driver error, my driver error," Kenseth said. "I had no idea anybody was there and he had a run at the same time and I came down in front of him and he couldn't get slowed up from staying out of me. It was a hundred percent my fault."

The accident came less than 10 laps into the first practice of Speedweeks. It was supposed to be a learning session for NASCAR's redesigned race car, the one dubbed "Generation 6," and a preview of next weekend's Daytona 500.

Instead, it turned out much like a test at Daytona last month. Dale Earnhardt Jr. caused that big one when he turned Marcos Ambrose, causing a 12-car wreck that essentially ended the three-day session.

Teams returned to the track this week in hopes of learning more about the new cars, which have been tweaked to more closely resemble those that are in manufacturer showrooms. They also have different driving characteristics.

The biggest issue, especially for those teams with damaged cars, could be a lack of inventory. NASCAR's development process took time, and outside vendors struggled early on to keep up with demand.

That left several teams, including some of the big-budget ones, trying to play it safe at a track where side-by-side, bumper-to-bumper racing at 200 mph usually leads to massive collisions.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne predicted at Media Day on Thursday that practice would be conservative.

"There is definitely a shortage of cars right now," Kahne said. "There may not even be an Unlimited practice because nobody ... we can't lose a car. We lost that one at the test, which you don't expect, so we need to make it through."

It didn't happen ? at least not for the five teams involved.

The wreck caused several teams to sit out the second practice session Friday night.

"As soon as we saw one wreck, I think everybody was going to play chicken and not go out much after that," defending event winner Kyle Busch said.

The season-opening event used to be called the Budweiser Shootout. NASCAR changed the name this year along with the entry rules.

The sanctioning body went back to race's roots, inviting pole winners from the previous season and former event winners who raced at least once during the previous season to enter.

The result was a made-for-TV event that included five former Cup champions and nine former Shootout winners in the 19-car field.

Five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, four-time champion Jeff Gordon and three-time champion Tony Stewart are in the field. So are two-time race winner Kevin Harvick and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Reigning Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski, though, didn't earn a spot in retooled race.

"I think any driver that's not in a race is disappointed to not be in it," Keselowski said. "I think it limits some of your ability to win the 500, not all of it, but some of it. But at the end of the day, this is not tee ball. Not everybody plays. We didn't earn our spot; we don't play. Pretty simple.

"We spent our time and energy working on what we could to do to win a championship, not winning a pole. Quite frankly, if I had to choose between being in the Shootout or winning the championship, I would take the damn championship a hundred out of a hundred days."

The 75-lap race will be divided into three segments, and fans were given unprecedented say in determining aspects of the format.

NASCAR is holding open voting to determine what kind of pit stop, if any, teams will be allowed to make after the first, 35-lap segment. Fans also can decide whether two, four, six or no cars are eliminated after the second, 30-lap segment.

But none of that should affect the bottom line, which is getting better prepared for the Daytona 500.

"I think it is going to show how the cars are going to draft and how they are going to run," Montoya said. "I'm glad I'm in it."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-02-15-CAR-NASCAR-Daytona-Unlimited/id-260e3fba10ac4402ac037f27c2053072

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