Dr. Brown's Electric Steam Sterilizer

The Dr. Browns deluxe bottle sterilizer safely steam sterilizes six bottles in 12 minutes for your convenience. The easy to use one button operation makes it simple to quickly sterilize baby bottles. A removable basket perfectly holds all the bottles in a position for steam to directly reach inside each bottle. The accessory tray holds small items, such as breast pump parts, nipples and pacifiers, so you can conveniently clean all of your baby items at once. Tongs are included for you to grab the bottles out of the removable tray once they are finished being sterilized. Quickly sterilize all your baby items in just 12 minutes with this bottle sterilizer.

Product Features

• The Dr Browns deluxe bottle sterilizer safely steam sterilizes six bottles in 12 minutes for your convenience


• The easy to use one button operation makes it simple to quickly sterilize baby bottles


• A removable basket perfectly holds all the bottles in a position for steam to directly reach inside each bottle


• The accessory tray holds small items, such as breast pump parts, nipples and pacifiers, so you can conveniently clean all of your baby items at once


• Quickly sterilize all your baby items in just 12 minutes with this bottle sterilizer

Dr. Brown's Electric Steam Sterilizer

Do-All Outdoors Simple Shot Paper Target Stand

The Simple Shot Paper Target hanger is desinged to hold 2 larger paper targets all the way down to the smaller targets. This Paper Hanger is so easy to use and goes together in minutes. It can breakdown for easy transport and is a must have for those who are looking to sight in or just have some fun at the range.

Product Features

• Simple design steps into ground


• Holds every size paper target


• Holds 2 targets up high off the ground


• Designed for ever shooter

Do-All Outdoors Simple Shot Paper Target Stand

Coach Park Leather Swingpack (Item #49170)

BRAND NEW WITH TAGS. NEW COLOR FOR COACH. COACH PARK LEATHER SWINGPACK CROSSBODY IN FRENCH BLUE.

MSRP $168

GENUINE SOFT PEBBLED LEATHER

INSIDE ONE POCKET

ZIP-TOP CLOSURE

TEAL COLOR BLUE FABRIC LINING

FRONT FLAP EXTERIOR PODKET WITH TURNLOCK(PLASTIC STILL ON TURNLOCK)

GREEN EMBOSSED LEATHER COACH HANG TAG

GREEN LEATHER DOUBLE LOOP 2″ ACCENT ON HANGTAG

POLISHED SILVER NICKEL HARDWARE

ADJUSTABLE 24″ STRAP FOR CROSSBODY WEAR OR SHOULDER

7 1/2 ” LENGTH AND 8 1/2 ” HIGHT

COMES WRAPPED IN COACH TISSUE PAPER AND A COACH PAPER WHITE BAG WITH RED LETTERING

100% AUTHENTIC

Product Features

• coach shoulder bag

Coach Park Leather Swingpack (Item #49170)

SKLZ 7 Practice Net

Be prepared when the opportunity strikes with a little help from the SKLZ 7 Practice Net. Designed for solo practice, this lightweight net sets up and disassembles easily so you can perfect your defense almost anywhere. Perfect for use with the Quick Swing, this piece is also great with a variety of other training aides for baseball, golf, soccer, lacrosse, and even football. Complete with a compact nylon bag and stability stakes. Some assembly required. About SKLZ As an innovator in athletic training, SKLZ is the flagship brand of Pro Performance, a premier player in the development and marketing of training aids and equipment for basketball, football, soccer, baseball, softball, and golf. With products designed for players of all ages and skill levels, SKLZ focuses on finding innovative products and methods that help maximize athletic potential and meet goals. Located in San Diego, California, SKLZ and Pro Performance operate internationally, with their products found at major sporting goods retailers, specialty shops, and training centers everywhere. Lightweight net for easy transport and storage. Includes a compact nylon carry bag and stability stakes. For use with baseball training aids and the Quick Swing. Great for golf, soccer, lacrosse, and football, too. Dimensions: 84L x 60W x 84H inches.

Product Features

• Lightweight net for easy transport and storage


• Includes a compact nylon carry bag and stability stakes


• For use with baseball training aids and the Quick Swing


• Great for golf, soccer, lacrosse, and football, too


• Dimensions: 84L x 60W x 84H inches

SKLZ 7 Practice Net

Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket with Carrying Case

Our unique and innovative, water-resistant blankets are ideal for numerous indoor and outdoor activities.This generously sized all-weather blanket can mean the difference between picnicking at the park on a wet-grass day or keeping your child cooped up indoors. The durable construction, water-resistant backing, and light layer of padding make it perfect for tossing down on the sand, campground, or soccer sidelines. Easy to carry around with its shoulder straps and storage pockets, the blanket folds up to a compact and convenient size.

Product Features

• The blanket features water-resistant nylon backing while polyester batting provides a layer of cushioning


• An easy-to-carry sling with shoulder straps and storage pockets makes it easy tote around and store


• Blanket measures 54 x 84 inches, machine washable and dryable


• Folds to a compact and convenient size


• Ideal for the beach, picnics, camping, sporting events and around the house

Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket with Carrying Case

Miracles and Massacres: True and Untold Stories of the Making of America

HISTORY AS IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE TOLD: TRUE AND THRILLING.

Thomas Edison was a bad guy— and bad guys usually lose in the end.

World War II radio host “Tokyo Rose” was branded as a traitor by the U.S. government and served time in prison. In reality, she was a hero to many.

Twenty U.S. soldiers received medals of honor at the Battle of Wounded Knee—yet this wasn’t a battle at all; it was a massacre.

Paul Revere’s midnight ride was nothing compared to the ride made by a guy named Jack whom you’ve probably never heard of.

History is about so much more than memorizing facts. It is, as more than half of the word suggests, about the story. And, told in the right way, it is the greatest one ever written: Good and evil, triumph and tragedy, despicable acts of barbarism and courageous acts of heroism.

The things you’ve never learned about our past will shock you. The reason why gun control is so important to government elites can be found in a story about Athens that no one dares teach. Not the city in ancient Greece, but the one in 1946 Tennessee. The power of an individual who trusts his gut can be found in the story of the man who stopped the twentieth hijacker from being part of 9/11. And a lesson on what happens when an all-powerful president is in need of positive headlines is revealed in a story about eight saboteurs who invaded America during World War II.

Miracles and Massacres is history as you’ve never heard it told. It’s incredible events that you never knew existed. And it’s stories so important and relevant to today that you won’t have to ask, Why didn’t they teach me this? You will instantly know. If the truth shall set you free, then your freedom begins on page one of this book. By the end, your understanding of the lies and half-truths you’ve been taught may change, but your perception of who we are as Americans and where our country is headed definitely will.

Miracles and Massacres: True and Untold Stories of the Making of America

Halex Classic 10 Game Outdoor Combination Set

Halex classic combo set includes 10 different games; Volleyball, Badminton, Baseball, Kickball, Stik-ums, Splash Power Stik-Ums, Backyard Tennis, Splash Power Tennis, Flying Disc and Beach Ball. Something for everyone. All necessary equipment for games such as poles, net, ball, rackets, shuttlecocks and support systems. Customer care at 1-800-645-5190 (or) custsvc@regent-halex.com.Turn your backyard into a full-blown game center with the Halex Classic 10-game combination set. The combo set includes all the equipment you need to play 10 different games: volleyball, badminton, baseball, kickball, Stick-Ums, Splash Power Stick-Ums, backyard tennis, Splash Power tennis, flying disc, and beach ball. The set starts with a pair of 3/4-inch-diameter PVC poles that stand 5 feet 1 inch tall–the regulation height for a badminton net. Spanning the poles is an 18-foot-long by 1-1/2-foot-tall net, with a set of stakes and ropes to help the net stay taut. The remainder of the set encompasses a ton of sporting equipment: four steel-shafted badminton rackets, three shuttlecocks, a vinyl volleyball with a pump and needle, two Stick-Ums paddles with a soft Stick-Ums ball, and everything else you need to throw, kick, and hit your way to summertime fun.

Product Features

• 10-game combination set with net, balls, and other equipment


• Supports volleyball, badminton, baseball, kickball, and Stick-Ums


• Also supports backyard tennis, flying disc, beach ball, and more


• Pair of 3/4-inch-diameter PVC poles and 18-foot-long net


• 4 badminton rackets, 3 shuttlecocks, and vinyl volleyball

Halex Classic 10 Game Outdoor Combination Set

Franklin Sports Intermediate Bocce, 100mm

Introduce your family to the classic game of bocce with the Franklin Intermediate Bocce set. Includes eight molded bocce balls, 2 of each color and one 40mm pillion (scoring jack) in a convenient carry bag. Gather your family and friends and enjoy some backyard fun.

Product Features

• Set includes eight 100mm molded bocce balls, two of each color


• One 40mm pillion (scoring jack)


• Includes 150 denier structured carry/storage bag


• Great for backyard, park or field fun


• Instructions included

Franklin Sports Intermediate Bocce, 100mm

GSI Super Quality Waterproof Heart Rate Monitor Watch With Transmitter Chest Belt - For Exercise, Sports, Running, Jogging and All Outdoor Activities - Measures Calories Burned , Stopwatch, and Alarm Functions-Yellow

Multi Function New Heart Rate Monitor Watch from GSI – For All Forms Of Indoor-Outdoor Activities. Heart-Rate Monitoring Has Become an Integral Part Of Training and Sports Exercising, and the GK922 was designed with all functions and features necessary. Easy, User-Friendly and Affordable, it is a great alternative to other pricier Models Out There!

Product Features

• New Training and Exercise Tool – Multi Function Heart Rate Monitor Watch


• Vital For All Workouts And Cardiovascular Activities; Built In Calorie Meter


• Target Zone Alarm – Alerts When Reached Target Heart Rate – Daily Alarm


• Watch Your Current And Average Heart Rate – One Button Operation – Waterproof Up To 30 Ft.


• Comfortable Wireless ECG-Accurate Transmitter Belt – Transmits Heart Data to Watch

GSI Super Quality Waterproof Heart Rate Monitor Watch With Transmitter Chest Belt - For Exercise, Sports, Running, Jogging and All Outdoor Activities - Measures Calories Burned , Stopwatch, and Alarm Functions-Yellow

Gerber 31-000749 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Multitool with Nylon Sheath

The product of collaboration between Gerber and survival expert Bear Grylls, the ultimate multi-tool provides 12 stainless steel weather-resistant components. Its rugged construction, spring-loaded pliers, external locking tools, and extra-grippy handle make this tool the ultimate multitasker no outdoor enthusiast should be without. The ultimate multi-tool comes with a nylon sheath.

The Ultimate Multi-Tool
At a Glance:12 stainless steel weather-resistant external components

Spring-loaded jaw for simplified one-handed use

Safe.T.Plus system locks components in usage position

Included military-grade nylon sheath is mildew resistant and lightweight

Comes with Bear Grylls’ Priorities of Survival pocket guide and rescue instructions
The Ultimate Multi-Tool features Gerber’s Safe.T.Plus system, which locks components into their usage position.
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When not in use, this multi-tool folds down to 4 inches. View larger.Bear Grylls and Gerber Team Up
The ultimate multi-tool is part of the Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series of gear. This collaboration brings together Gerber’s 70-plus years of knife and gear expertise with Bear Grylls’ extensive outdoor survival and adventure experience to create a one-of-a-kind line of knives, tools, and gear.

From spending time in the British SAS to scaling Mount Everest, Bear knows what it takes to be a survivor in extreme situations and multiple environments. Now he brings that knowledge to the creation of a range of items that help you make the most of your outdoor adventures.

12 Components in a Single Compact Tool
The ultimate multi-tool lives up to its name by offering 12 components, including needle nose pliers, both fine-edge and serrated knives, a saw, a Phillips screwdriver, small and medium flat drivers, a lanyard ring, a bottle opener, a can opener, scissors, and wire cutters.

Lightweight, Comfortable Design
Lightweight and compact, with an open length of 6-3/10 inches, a closed length of 4 inches and an 8-4/5-ounce body, the ultimate multi-tool won’t weigh you down. External components make for easy access, while a spring-loaded jaw provides simplified one-handed use. And thanks to the ergonomic textured-rubber grip, you’ll enjoy maximum comfort without slipping.

Bear Grylls’ Pocket Survival GuideSafety and Storage Features
As safe as it is practical, the ultimate multi-tool features Gerber’s Safe.T.Plus system, which locks components into their usage position. A lightweight, military-grade sheath resists mildew as it protects the tool and makes it easier and safer to store.

Includes Bear Grylls’ Pocket Survival Guide
This tool comes with land-to-air rescue instructions and Bear Grylls’ informative Priorities of Survival pocket guide, loaded with survival basics designed to help keep you alive until you can be rescued or rescue yourself.

What’s in the Box
Multi-tool, nylon sheath, and pocket survival guide.

From the highest peaks of the Himalayas to the rainforests of South America, if world-renowned outdoorsman Bear Grylls is on an adventure you can be sure he’s equipped with the most durable outdoor gear Gerber has to offer.

Product Features

• Ergonomic textured rubber grip, maximizes comfort and reduces slippage


• Spring loaded jaw for simplified single-hand use


• Twelve stainless steel, weather-resistant components


• Patented Safe.T.Plus System, enhanced safety by locking components into usage position


• Nylon sheath, lightweight, military-grade, mildew resistant and land to air rescue instructions

Gerber 31-000749 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Multitool with Nylon Sheath

Philips Avent BPA Free Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer, 4+ Months, Clear

The new Philips AVENT toddler cup range was designed in cooperation with a nutritionist and a child psychologist to include the features that parents request most. Available in several fun and educational storytelling designs, colors and sizes relevant for different developmental stages, the cups also feature interchangeable spouts -softer ones for transitioning from a bottle, and harder bite resistant ones for older toddlers.

Philips AVENT Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer makes it easier for your child to transition from bottles to sippy cups. Ideal for babies four months and up, this Classic bottle features a soft non-spill spout. Babies learn to drink from the spout when they’re ready, while trainer handles make it easy for little hands to hold the cup. The Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer is made from BPA-free materials and includes a protective top to keep the bottle and its contents clean.

Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer, 4+ Months/Single, 4 Ounce At a Glance: Classic bottle to first cup trainer has interchangeable screw ring and spoutDetachable trainer handles for easier grippingIncludes top to keep bottle hygienic at home or on the goWorks with full line of Classic AVENT productsFor babies and toddlers four months and up

Features the familiarity of a bottle and the comfort of a soft spout to help babies transition to their first sippy cup.
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Designed for babies and toddlers four months and up. View larger.

Soft Spout for Easy Transition

The Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer is ideal for helping babies move from bottles to their first sippy cup. This design encourages your child to gradually get used to drinking from a sippy cup while providing the familiarity of a bottle and the comfort of a soft spout.

Trainer Handles Encourage Independence

To encourage independent drinking, this cup has trainer handles babies and toddlers can easily grip. The handles are detachable, so you can simply add them when your baby is ready.

BPA-Free Material with Protective Top

Safe for babies and toddlers, this cup is made from BPA-free materials. The trainer includes a separate hygienic top to keep the cup and its contents clean, whether at you’re home or on the go. All pieces are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Works with Full Line of Classic AVENT Products

For versatility, the bottle, spout, and trainer handles work with the entire line of Classic AVENT pumps, bottles, and cups so you can use different AVENT Classic products to meet your child’s changing needs.

About Philips AVENT

Since 1984, AVENT has been designing and manufacturing products that are inspired by nature and developed through extensive research and clinical trials. Now, as part of the Philips Group, Philips AVENT produces innovative solutions that make feeding and caring for your baby easier.

The Philips AVENT product range includes breastfeeding, bottle feeding, toddler feeding, baby monitors, and newborn gifts. These products are designed to fit your busy life and make it easier for you to make the best choices for your baby.

What’s in the Box

Once Classic 4-ounce bottle, one soft spout, and one pair of trainer handles.

Product Features

• Familiar bottle shape for easy transitioning


• Soft non-spill spout


• Dishwasher safe for convenience

Philips Avent BPA Free Classic Bottle to First Cup Trainer, 4+ Months, Clear

Billy Collins Live: A Performance at the Peter Norton Symphony Space April 20, 2005

In this exclusive audio publishing event, Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate, shares an evening of his poetry in a benefit reading for WNYC, New York Public Radio. Often compared to Robert Frost, his poetry has been embraced by people of all ages and backgrounds, and his readings are most often standing room only.

Performed by the author at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City, Billy Collins reads 24 of his poems, including “Dharma” –a spiritual yet humbling ode to man’s best friend, “The Lanyard–an amusing recollection about the popular, if not pointless, summer camp pastime, and “Consolation” –a tongue-in-cheek reflection of a cancelled European trip, and the benefits of staying home instead. In addition to the poetry readings, Collins also spends some time in a brief question and answer session where he reflects on what makes good poetry, his own process of reaching his audiences as a poet, the success of his Poetry 180 programs in schools nationwide, and an amusing sidebar on his memories growing up as an only child. At times pensive and sardonic, amusing and subtly sarcastic, Billy Collins Live celebrates both the simple and the complex in a language that appeals to all.

Billy Collins Live: A Performance at the Peter Norton Symphony Space April 20, 2005

Butler Creek 9mm-.45 Caliber LULA Universal Pistol Loader and Unloader

The amazing speed and convenience of our original LULA Speed Loader and Unloader is now available to handgunners. One size fits virtually all 9mm, 10mm, .357-, .40,- and .45-caliber mags – both single and double stack from all manufacturers.Speed up and simplify the pistol loading process with the Butler Creek UpLula universal magazine loader. Compatible with virtually all 9mm, 10mm, .357, .40-, and .45-caliber mags, the loader/unloader makes filling a magazine as easy as flipping a switch. The UpLula works with both single and double stack pistols from almost all manufacturers. Shooting has never been so easy on your hands.

Product Features

• Universal magazine loader/unloader for pistols


• Speeds up and simplifies the pistol loading process


• Makes filling a magazine as easy as flipping a switch


• Compatible with 9mm, 10mm, .357, .40-, and .45-caliber mags


• Works with single and double stack pistols

Butler Creek 9mm-.45 Caliber LULA Universal Pistol Loader and Unloader

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop

SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop

An indoor basketball hoop with the look, function, and durability of a professional hoop, the SKLZ Pro Mini small-scale basketball system changes the face of over-the-door basketball hoops forever. Goodbye Nerf hoops, hello realism. The Pro Mini features an 18-by-12-inch clear shatterproof polycarbonate backboard, giving it the appearance of the hoops at your favorite NBA arena. Even better, the Pro Mini includes a pro-grade, spring-action breakaway steel rim. Want to throw it down like Dwight Howard or LeBron? The breakaway rim will snap down and back up as you jam, protecting your hands with every dunk. It’s the perfect gift for the basketball freak in your family, and makes a great addition to the home, office, or dorm room. The easy-to-assemble Pro Mini–which mounts over your door or on the wall–includes foam padding on the door mounts to protect the paint and comes with a 5-inch-diameter mini basketball.

Features

Easy assembly, mounts over the door or wall Foam padded side on door mounts Includes 5-inch diameter Pro Mini Hoop Basketball 9-inch diameter spring-action break-away steel rim 18- by 12-inch clear polycarbonate shatter-proof backboard Comes with a 90 day warranty Some assembly required

About SKLZ

SKLZ is committed to elevating the athlete in each of us by guiding and serving athletes on their journeys to be their personal best. As the flagship brand of Pro Performance Sports, based in San Diego California, SKLZ develops innovative athletic performance and skill development training products, technology and knowledge for serious athletes of all ages, skill levels and sports including baseball, football, soccer, golf, softball and basketball. SKLZ is known around the world for delivering durable, high-performance training products used by professional and amateur athletes as well as their coaches and trainers seeking to improve on a sport-specific skill or a performance-focused goal such as speed, agility, balance or core strength.

Product Features

• Indoor miniature basketball hoop with look and feel of genuine outdoor hoop


• 18-by-12-inch clear shatterproof polycarbonate backboard


• Pro-grade, spring-action breakaway steel rim for real slam dunks; 8-loop, 3-ply nylon net


• Easy-to-assemble frame mounts over any door or installs on the wall (wall mounting hardware not included); features foam padding on door mounts


• 90-day warranty; includes 5-inch mini basketball (will arrive deflated, pump is not included with set)

SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop

The First Years 1 Pack Breastflow Bottle, 5 Ounce

Breastflow’s patented 2 in 1 nipple lets your baby control the flow of breast milk or formula as naturally as breastfeeding. By using, both suction and compression motions, your baby is able to regulate the flow of milk unlike any other bottle. Plus, Breastflow is designed to help prevent colic. Moms who participated in an independent in home bottle feeding research study said their babies experienced reduced colic symptoms such as less gas, spit up or fussiness when using Breastflow. Whether you choose to feed your baby breast milk or formula, Breastflow provides a unique bottle feeding experience unlike any other for a satisfied baby and happy mom.

Product Features

• Perfect for breast milk and formula


• 88% of moms surveyed in an independent in-home bottle feeding research study said their babies experienced less gas or less spit-up or less fussiness


• Breastflow is the only feeding system that requires both suction and compression, just like breast feeding


• Soft outer nipple mimics the feel of the breast, allowing baby’s tongue to stay in the same position as breastfeeding


• Patented inner nipple allows your baby to control the flow naturally like breastfeeding whether you use breast milk or formula

The First Years 1 Pack Breastflow Bottle, 5 Ounce

Cloudveil Women's Traverse Hoody

With shoulder embroidery and classically warm Isothermic velour fleece, this fashionable hoodie is an ideal basic. The piece is designed with princess seams, a relaxed crossover neckline and a trim fit so it layers well under a shell yet also looks good on its own.

Product Features

• Relaxed crossover neckline


• Princess seams for feminine fit


• Custom embroidery on shoulder

Cloudveil Women's Traverse Hoody

$1200 left in rented costume returned

After Shawn Freeman returned a rented tuxedo from Masquerade Costumes and Tuxedo Rental in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he realized he had misplaced a large amount of cash. Shawn, owner of a military surplus business, told KFOR Newschannel 4, “Couldn’t find my money. And I was like, 'Oh, maybe I left it in the pocket.'” Shawn rented the tux as a part of his Dia de los Muertos costume for his friend’s annual Halloween party. When he realized the money was missing two days after the party, he called the rental shop and spoke to owner, Christina Nguyen. Earlier that day Christina dropped the tuxedo off at Master Cleaners dry cleaning down the street. She raced back to search the tux and said, “When I reach in the back and I feel it. I like, ‘Oh my God, look at this!'” Christina found $1200 in cash wadded up in the back pocket of the tuxedo pants.

Shawn’s early disbelief changed to relief when he learned the total amount was found saying, “I didn’t fully expect it all to be there, but it was there…You would never think that somebody would be kind enough to return it and be that honest.” “He’s my customer and I think that might belong to him so I think I’m responsible to find it for him,” said the costume shop owner. Christina and her husband say that they work hard to maintain their solid reputation of the business they’ve owned for 13 years commenting, “I feel good, yeah, because we found it and he happy, so we happy.”

More info: KFOR

View the original article here

You can now take a zombie-themed diver certification course

No one is safe from the zombie apocalypse ? even underwater. (Woody Tinslow)

Zombies are everywhere these days ? even underwater.

From the premiere of George Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” in 1968 up through “The Walking Dead” of today, the question has been asked time and again, “What would you do if the zombie apocalypse became a reality?”

PADI master diving instructor Woody Tinslow has helped add another layer to the zombie mythology by offering scuba divers the opportunity to navigate the water while simultaneously fending off the undead in his Zombie Apocalypse Diver course.

“I cease to be an instructor and take on the role of a leader of a group of survivors trying to escape the zombie apocalypse,” Tinslow told Yahoo News in an interview from central Connecticut where the course takes place. “We cover areas like supply gathering, fishing and medical first aid.”

Tinslow has been using the PADI system of diver certification for years but says he came up with the unique course after he and some friends challenged themselves to come up with new and creative certification courses.

“I’ve liked zombies since before they were cool,” Tinslow said. “It’s a very challenging course but very fun and exciting.”

For the training course, Tinslow created a 28-page instruction manual and a certificate of completion. He enlists experienced professionals who dress up as zombies and pursue divers from both above and below the surface of the water.

“We use black lights underwater,” Tinslow said. “And we use a capture-the-flag method. If your flag gets pulled by a zombie, you’ve been infected.”

Participants work their way through a number of skill challenges, including swimming through hoops that have zombie body parts dangling from them.

Tinslow, who works full-time as a police officer, said the course covers essential diving areas including first aid. But he also designed the course to include skill stations that a lot of other scuba certification courses skip over, including buoyancy control.

“It entices a younger crowd to come in,” Tinslow said. “It may convince some people to come in just to get this certification.”

In fact, because the course has proven so popular, Tinslow has reluctantly given other diving schools permission to hold their own zombie diver courses. He said classes are being held in Kentucky, Arizona, Hawaii and Guam.

View the original article here

Pope Francis meets perhaps biggest, certainly cutest fan

A child embraces Pope Francis as he speaks at St. Peter's Square. (Reuters)

A young boy wandered onto the stage at the Vatican this past weekend, hugging Pope Francis as he tried to give a speech.

The boy, who looks about 6, was originally sitting on the steps near the pope, while Francis listened to followers address him at the Vatican's Year of Faith Celebration.

Boys will be boys, and this one wanted a closer look at the man in the robe. So he wandered up to give a personal hello.

But the boy's misadventure didn't end there. He kissed the cross around the Pope's neck.

He refused to be ushered back to his seat, and as other people came on stage to greet the pope, the boy did his best to keep them from honing in on his new buddy.

Eventually Francis convinced the child to take a seat. But he didn't go back to his spot on the steps. Instead, the rambunctious youngster sat on the pope's chair while he continued his speech, which led to this a-dor-a-ble photo that @pegobry posted on Twitter.

Love. Kid runs on stage during @Pontifex speech, hugs him, Pope sits him on his chair to continue the speech. pic.twitter.com/zxghWLpwtb

— PEG (@pegobry) October 29, 2013

The interaction goes to show a) the pope has some serious cross-generational appeal and b) you can get away with a lot when you're a kid and don't know any better. 

Pope Francis touches the head of a child as he speaks in St. Peter Square. (Reuters)

Society & CultureReligion & BeliefsPope Francis

View the original article here

Families say babies' births predicts Cardinals World Series win

The Lipcaman family of Perry, Illinois believes that the birth of their son Kase this year assures a 2013 St. Louis Cardinals World Series win. Since 1982 when Kase’s father was born, the family has had a baby born in a year the Cards took the fall classic. Sarah Lipcaman, Aaron’s mom, explained to KHQA what happened during labor, "When we got to the hospital, the doctor and my husband were about to have a fit, because the Cardinals were playing in the World Series and heaven forbid, they couldn't be in labor with me. So they had to get me going and luckily I had the baby, had Aaron, before the ballgame that evening." Aaron was even named after The Redbirds’ announcer, Mike Shannon’s son Aaron Michael.

The family’s ties to the Cardinals goes even further. Aaron and his wife Annette welcomed twin boys Lane and Wyatt in 2006 when the club defeated the Detroit Tigers. Again in 2011, the Lipcaman’s had a World Series birth with son Mason. With fourth son Kase born this month, Aaron has confidence in his favorite team’s chance for the title saying, "We're feeling pretty good about the Cardinals."

As amazing as that seems, other families also share similar connections to the Cards. Mike and Barb Stafford of Waterloo, Illinois had son Drew in 2006, then daughter Claire in 2011, and now Cole born this summer. If the streak continues Barb told KSDK, "It just will be a really cool thing that you know we will have known about the family." Also reported, a family from Scott County, Missouri can claim seven family members from multiple generations that were born in years that the Cards took the championship. Leah Faringer’s infant son Rhett born this year could be the eighth member of the family born in a title winning year. The tradition stretches back to 1926 with Leah’s grandmothers, then her mother and father in 1946, a brother in 1967, Leah in 1982, and Seth in 2011. So it’s no surprise that Leah told KFVS, “We think we have the ultimate good luck charm.”

At the time of publication the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox were tied 2-2 in the World Series.

More info: KHQA,KSDK, KFVS

View the original article here

Helly Hansen Men's Mount Prostretch Jacket

A great fleece jacket offering lightweight insulation in a soft, comfortable brushed fleece. Being one of our most versatile midlayers with a full zipper design, it has probably seen more resorts, mountains, oceans and ski hills than most other fleece jackets. The Polartec Classic 100g micro fleece is soft and warm with good stretch.

Product Features

• 100g Polartec


• Full YKK Coil zip front opening


• YKK coil zipped hand pockets


• HH logo embroidery at the chest


• Flatlock stitching for low bulk

Helly Hansen Men's Mount Prostretch Jacket

Psychic scammers find fertile haunting ground in Internet age

By Jeffrey B. Roth

GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - As pre-Halloween witches and ghouls sprout up on U.S. lawns, experts are warning people to be wary of modern occult scammers who have moved online to hawk virtual voodoo dolls, revenge spells and otherwise "haunted" items.

While the idea of spending money for a magic spell - to help with an endeavor or to inflict pain on an enemy - has been around for centuries, experts say the anonymity of online transactions can encourage people who would otherwise never think of visiting a storefront psychic to fall for a con.

"It's a new twist on an old idea," said Nicholas Little, legal director of the Center for Inquiry, a Washington-based nonprofit that promotes secular and rational thinking. "It's easy to hide your identity on the Internet, so people are willing to try scams online that they would never be willing to try in person."

While most scammers offer items in the small-dollar range - selling allegedly haunted items on auction sites for under $10 - some go for large sums of money. A Manhattan woman running a fortune-telling business earlier this month was found guilty of conning two women out of $138,000, claiming that the funds would be used to solve problems related to their past lives.

Alexandra Holzer Gargiulo, daughter of paranormal researcher and author, Hans Holzer, is publishing a 50th anniversary edition of her father's book "Ghost Hunter." She said paranormal scams prey on people who are "desperate for answers."

Television shows that depict investigators using gadgets such as electro-magnetic field detectors to document evidence of paranormal activity have driven up demand for those items, Gargiulo said. She added that the shows have also sparked growth in the number of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators, who charge homeowners as much as $1,500 to rid their homes of spirits.

The law relating to such activities is not always definitive, Little said, noting that fortune-tellers and others who offer occult services often use a "for entertainment purposes only" disclaimer to prevent legal problems.

Even as people who sell occult services move online, some continue to run storefronts, offering psychic readings for a small fee and trying to talk customers into paying more to resolve problems.

One New York woman who recently fell victim to such a scam was Maya Battle.

"It was a bad time for me and I was unhappy about a lot of things," said Battle. "Before, I had visited a psychic for a $5 reading for fun, but had never invested a lot of money for a reading."

But one day, while waiting for a friend outside a bar, Battle was approached by a doorway psychic, who told her she was the target of an evil curse.

She persuaded Battle to pay $100 to remove the curse. The psychic used an egg in the ritual, touching it against her forehead, shoulders and heart.

At the end of the ceremony, the psychic instructed Battle to break the egg, which appeared to be half-cooked and filled with black seeds, she said.

"That flipped me out," said Battle.

She said the psychic told her the seeds were the physical embodiment of the curse, and persuaded her to spend another $500 to have the egg properly disposed of.

Battle said she paid the money, but later regretted her decision. She did some research on the Internet and discovered she had fallen prey to a commonly used scam.

(Editing by Scott Malone and Gunna Dickson)

View the original article here

Maps are lying to you

Maps lie, and that's inevitable. That's what happens when you try to take a spherical object like our planet and flatten it on a piece of paper.

Inspired by a recent post on Upworthy that included a clip from "The West Wing" in which characters have their minds blown (blown!) by truth-telling cartographers, we decided to take another look at the maps mentioned.

In the clip from "The West Wing" that's going viral, the cartographers speak about the differences between the Mercator projection vs. the Gall-Peters projection.

Here's the Mercator map:
Mercator projection (Wiki)

Now, here's an example of the Gall-Peters projection, also mentioned in the clip:

Gall-Peters projection (Wiki)

See the differences? In the first map, created by a Flemish cartographer named Gerardus Mercator in the 16th century (here's the original), the rectangular grid made it relatively simple for sailors to navigate the oceans. The problem was that when it came to land masses, it wasn't exactly accurate.

In 1973, Arno Peters aimed to change that by creating his own map that more accurately took into account the size of developing nations. Mental Floss explains that the map was quite controversial, but many experts believed it was far superior and more accurate than Mercator's.

Via Mental Floss:

"Eventually his map became so well received that some were calling for an all-out ban on the Mercator map, believing it to be an outmoded symbol of colonialism.

"The thing is, cartographers agreed that the Mercator map was outdated, inaccurate, and wasn't the best way to represent the world's landmasses. They'd been calling for the use of a new projection since the 1940s."

There are, of course, countless ways to map the Earth. The National Geographic Society, which knows a thing or two about getting around, have used the Winkel tripel projection map since 1988. Winkel tripel projection (Wiki)

Happy exploring! Arts & EntertainmentGerardus MercatorMercator projection

View the original article here

Swarms of ladybugs overtake homes

Asian lady beetles have swarmed Tennessee homes. The ladybugs are covering houses throughout areas of the state and are attracted to light colored structures for warmth as outdoor temperatures drop.  Entomologist and Davidson County Extension Agent explained the swarms to WTVF Newschannel 5, "We have perfect weather conditions, and a large food population...This is a perfect insect storm." Lebanon resident Diane Stroud was hit with the 'insect storm' saying, "There were probably one million of them…They were all over the porch. I mean the whole porch was completely covered…I mean, it was almost completely black with ‘em." Ken Thompson, another Tennessean in Madisonville dealing with the insects told WBIR, "The ladybugs come from the north, over here, and it looked like a big swarm of hornets coming. And about 12 o'clock, they covered this whole side of the house from that side, all the way around."

David Cook said, “Some of our other county agents have called in and say, ‘What’s the deal with these? All of a sudden they just show up.’” The entomologist gave his assurance that the bugs are harmless but they have, “a very foul odor and a very bitter taste and so this protects these insects from being preyed on by lizards and birds.” Experts say the invasion will not end until several cold snaps cause the insects to die naturally. Guy Wilson of Wilson County told WKRN News 2, “Well I don’t like cold snaps, but uh, yeah, I’d like to see them go ‘cause it’s be a bit of a problem if we have to keep cleaning them up every, every day.” Adam Weckesser of Dayton’s Pest Control gave this helpful cleanup tip, "Pantyhose on the inside of a vacuum and so you suck ‘em into a vacuum and then you can throw the pantyhose away, and you can kind of collect them this way ‘cause once they get into the bag, it's just going to stink up."

Swarms of the Asian lady beetles have also been reported throughout the Midwest, parts of the Northeast and Canada. For those that are fond of insects, pest control experts say that there are more to come, as kudzu bugs are likely to follow.

More info: WTVF, WKRN, WBIR

View the original article here

Severed finger leads police to Ariz. theft suspect

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A severed finger left at the crime scene helped police in Arizona arrest a man suspected of trying to steal copper wire.

An air conditioning company employee told Glendale police someone tried to steal the wire from his truck on Oct. 7.

The spool of wire — worth more than $300 — had been pulled out about 20 feet from the truck, and what appeared to be a cut off finger was caught in the wiring.

Police retrieved the finger as evidence, and forensic technicians were able to match the fingerprint to 29-year-old Joshua Allen Goverman.

Goverman told detectives he lost part of a finger while working on a car. He was booked on suspicion of theft.

Authorities didn't know whether Goverman had a lawyer who could be reached for comment.

Crime & JusticeSociety & Culture

View the original article here

Bears break into car in Colorado, tear up interior

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado man who had some serious vandalism done to his car says he think he knows the culprits — a family of bears that has been roaming his neighborhood.

Bob Monzel of rural Jefferson County says he believes a mother bear and her cubs entered his Honda Element sometime late Monday or early Tuesday and went on a rampage while trying to get out.

KMGH-TV reports (http://tinyurl.com/qzto48n ) the bears clawed the car doors, smashed the plastic dashboard, and left electrical wires dangling from the ceiling. Yellow insulation is all that's left of the seat cushions.

There was no food inside, but Monzel's family did leave a package of gum and mints in the vehicle after washing it over the weekend.

Monzel says he was "floored" by the damage. The car is insured.

___

Information from: KMGH-TV, http://www.thedenverchannel.com

View the original article here

Dell laptop buyers make a stink over cat smell

NEW YORK (AP) — A noxious feline odor has some Dell customers caterwauling.

People who own Dell Latitude 6430u laptops are complaining that their pricey new computers are emitting a smell similar to cat urine. Some of them said on the company's online customer forums that the odor seems to be coming from the keyboard or palm rest.

The Round Rock, Texas, company originally advised buyers through its forums to try cleaning their keyboards with a soft cloth or compressed air, but the smell persisted.

"The machine is great, but it smells as if it was assembled near a tomcat's litter box," wrote a customer using the handle "three west" on a Dell forum back in June. "It is truly awful!"

On Wednesday, another customer writing under the handle "passflips" said he felt terrible for repeatedly scolding his cat Jerry, because he thought the elderly cat kept spraying the computer. The poster also said he wasted money on veterinarian bills in an attempt to determine whether his cat had a medical problem.

Dell said Thursday that its investigation revealed strange scent is related to a manufacturing process, which the company has since fixed. But if your portable PC isn't purrfect, Dell recommends contacting the company's technical support team to have your laptop's palm rest assembly replaced.

Company spokesman David Frink said the odor isn't related to a "biological contamination" and doesn't present a health hazard. He added that newly assembled laptops that are currently in stores aren't affected.

The laptops in question are ultrabooks designed for business use. The base model starts at $900 on Dell's website, but Dell charges close to $1,300 for higher-end versions that include Windows 8 and Intel Core i5 processors.

While laptop users may find the smell of cat urine offensive, "cat's pee" is a term sometimes used by wine lovers to describe a wine's aroma.

And while the smell coming from the Dell computers is apparently unintentional, more than one group of engineers is working on "Smell-o-Vision" TV to engage viewers' olfactory senses. In addition, a host of recent smartphone add-ons make scents, too, including the Scentee, a Japanese smartphone attachment that plugs into a phone's earphone jack and dispenses scented vapors through dedicated cartridges.

Technology & ElectronicsComputingDell LatitudeDell

View the original article here

Blog attempts to answer when the dead will outnumber the living on Facebook

We're all going to die (hopefully not too soon). And that means that someday, everyone currently on Facebook will be six feet under (metaphorically speaking).

The blog What If? recently attempted to determine when (in ballpark figures) the number of dead people on Facebook will outnumber those who are alive.

It's a morbid but fascinating question, and the unidentified blogger behind What If? is more than up to the challenge.

The conclusion: Depending on whether Facebook stays popular, the answer is either in the 2060s or the 2130s.

The blogger writes, "Based on the site's growth rate, and the age breakdown of their users over time, there are probably 10 to 20 million people who created Facebook profiles who have since died."

Looking down the road, the blogger writes, "About 290,000 US Facebook users will die (or have died) in 2013. The worldwide total for 2013 is likely several million. In just seven years, this death rate will double, and in seven more years it will double again."

The question, the blogger argues, is whether or not Facebook will continue to add more young users "to outrun this tide of death for a while."

If the social network can get young people to keep joining, the blogger estimates that the dead won't outnumber the living on Facebook until around 2130.

On the other hand, if Facebook face-plants and young people abandon the social networking site for something else, the crossover date will come much earlier, around 2065.

For more questions from What If?, check out the archives. There you'll learn how much Force power Yoda can output, the odds of correctly guessing every answer on the SAT, and what would happen if the sun suddenly shut off.

Social & Online MediaArts & EntertainmentFacebook

View the original article here

Republican bumper sticker mocks Obamacare website's problems

404 stickers from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The problems with Healthcare.gov, the online portal for Americans to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, have been well-documented, infuriating users and inciting congressional hearings. And now, they're the inspiration for a new series of Anti-Obamacare-themed bumper stickers.

The "Error 404" is, of course, a reference to the code that Internet users get when accessing a site that doesn't work. A $5 donation to the National Republican Senatorial Committee gets you one of these. "Your contribution fuels our fight to build a Republican majority in the Senate in 2014, which is absolutely critical if we want to repeal and replace Obamacare."

Just don't everyone go at once. That'd crash the NRSC site, and boy, would that be embarrassing.

Contact Jay Busbee at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or on Twitter at @jaybusbee.

View the original article here

Hallmark's ugly sweater ornament stirs controversy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Greeting card giant Hallmark said Thursday that it shouldn't have changed the lyrics to "Deck the Halls" on a new holiday ornament that stirred a backlash from customers online.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based company has been defending itself after it began selling a miniaturized version of a tacky holiday sweater that changes the lyrics to the holiday carol. The ornament removes the word "gay" and emblazons the sweater with the phrase: "Don we now our FUN apparel!"

Critics took to Twitter and Hallmark's Facebook page, accusing the company of making a political statement by using the word "fun" to replace "gay." Some Facebook commenters said they would never again buy Hallmark merchandise and that the change amounted to the company rewriting Christmas classics in the name of political correctness. Others suggested removing the word "gay" demonstrated a homophobic bias.

The company initially responded by saying the multiple meanings attached to the word "gay" meant the sweater's lyrics would be "open to misinterpretation."

"The trend of wearing festively decorated Christmas sweaters to parties is all about fun, and this ornament is intended to play into that, so the planning team decided to say what we meant: 'fun.' That's the spirit we intended and the spirit in which we hope ornament buyers will take it."

The company updated its statement Thursday, saying it was surprised by the public's response and that it now realized it shouldn't have changed the lyrics.

"We've been surprised at the wide range of reactions expressed about the change of lyrics on this ornament, and we're sorry to have caused so much concern," the statement read. "We never intend to offend or make political statements with our products and in hindsight, we realize we shouldn't have changed the lyrics on the ornament."

But Hallmark spokeswoman Linda Odell said the company has no plans to stop selling the ornament.

View the original article here

What We Talk About When We Talk About God CD

“I’ve written this book because there’s a growing sense that when it comes to God, we’re at the end of one era and the start of another, an entire mode of understanding and talking about God is dying as something new is being birthed.”—from What We Talk About When We Talk About God

How God is described today strikes many as mean, primitive, backwards, illogical, tribal, and at odds with the frontiers of science. At the same time, many intuitively feel a sense of reverence and awe in the world. Can we find a new way to talk about God? Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell shows how traditional ideas have grown stale and dysfunctional and reveals a new path for how to return vitality and vibrancy to how we understand God. Bell reveals how we got stuck, why culture resists certain ways of talking about God, and how we can reconnect with the God who is with us, for us, and ahead of us, pulling us forward into a better future—and ready to help us live life to the fullest.

What We Talk About When We Talk About God CD

Curious crowds disrupt Istanbul's new Europe-Asia rail service

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turks intrigued by Istanbul's new underwater rail line linking Europe and Asia are overcrowding trains by riding to and fro under the Bosphorus, forcing closure of one station and causing delays by pressing emergency stop buttons, state railways said.

The service was also hit by a brief power cut in the morning rush hour, prompting television footage of passengers walking through the tunnel next to a stationary train.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan opened the multi-billion dollar Marmaray, a 13 km (8-mile) tunnel, to great fanfare on Tuesday. It is expected eventually to carry some 1.5 million passengers a day under one of the world's busiest waterways.

State rail company TCDD said the service was facing strong demand. It had closed one of its stations to alleviate overcrowding. Some passengers riding the trains for the first time and unfamiliar with the systems had pressed 'emergency stop' buttons, causing delays.

"We expect our passengers to take into account the crowds and to avoid constantly going back and forward if possible to make space for other passengers," it said.

The two bridges and ferry services crossing the Bosphorus are heavily crowded with commuters in Europe's biggest city.

Government critics say the opening of the tunnel, one of Erdogan's "mega projects" designed to change the face of Turkey, was rushed to coincide with Tuesday's 90th anniversary of the founding of the modern Turkish republic.

(Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Nick Tattersall and Ralph Boulton)

View the original article here

Craft Zero Skull Hat

Craft Zero Layer creates the best microclimate for extreme endurance in fair and cold weather. Air-channeled polyester expels excess heat away from the body while filament yarns move the moisture. Zero Layer is the most trusted base layer for moisture transport during extreme endurance training or racing. The function dictates the form. Lab and race tested.

Product Features

• 100% polyester; Machine wash and dry, no bleach


• slim fit


• soft, lightweight fabric


• excellent moisture transportation


• Canada

Craft Zero Skull Hat

Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger

Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger is much more than a trickle charger. It has a brain, is lightweight, compact, fully automatic and very easy to use especially in small spaces. This battery charger will keep the battery fully charged so that it is ready to go always. It has a microprocessor controlled fully automatic charger and maintainer and is designed to extend the life of any lead acid battery commonly used in automobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, RVs, boats, airplanes, golf carts, back-up generator systems, etc. Any vehicle or battery-operated piece of equipment not used on a daily or regular basis is a candidate for a Battery Tender charger. The advanced technology will bring the battery back to a full charge without overcharging and then float or maintain the battery for an indefinite period of time. The Battery Tender Junior comes equipped with alligator clips and ring terminals for easy hook up. An optional 25 feet extension cord (part number 081-0148-25) is sold separately. The Battery Tender Junior 12-volt/.75-amp battery charger is the small and simple solution to the challenge of keeping vehicle batteries optimally powered when not in use. It is able to charge any lead-acid battery, including standard and sealed AGM and GEL Cell battery types and is also designed to be easy to use in small spaces, to utilize a 4-step charging program and safely function in a fully automatic mode. Taken together this makes the Battery Tender Junior 12-volt charger an excellent means of ensuring that your battery is fully charged and ready to go when you are. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1. 3em; } td.vgoverview { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; }
4-step charging with automatic float mode.
View larger.
Charge any lead acid battery, including AGM and gel cell.
View larger. Safe, 4-step Battery Charging
The Battery Tender Junior 12-volt charger is much more than a trickle charger. It has a “brain”. Utilizing a 4-step charging program (initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode and float mode), it allows you to simply connect the charger to a battery, either in or out of a vehicle, and forget about it until you are ready to put the battery to work. Like all Battery Tender chargers, at the end of the regular charger cycle it automatically switches its output voltage to a safe, storage or float level that eliminates the need to worry about the damaging effects of overcharging, and the resulting need to check on the condition of the battery. If/when the battery voltage drops too far under load, output power resumes and the charging cycle begins again. The unit also features sparkproof connectors, short circuit and reverse polarity protection, an easy to understand charging status indicator consisting of a single LED, and almost no current draw from batteries connected to it. Key Features: Perfect for all lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell). Complete 4-step charging program (initialization, bulk charge, absorption mode and float mode). Automatically switches to float / maintenance voltage after fully charging the battery. If the battery voltage drops too far under load, full charger output power resumes. Solid state two color LED indicates stage of charger. Spark proof and reverse polarity protected. 12′ output cord. 5 year warranty. Charger Models Output Voltage Output Current Charging Software*/
Battery Type AC Voltage/
Frequency Input (Volts) (Amps) Battery Tender Junior 6V Battery Charger 6V 0.750A 3 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger 12V 0.750A 4 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz Waterproof 800 12V Battery Charger 12V 0.800A 3 Step STD & AGM 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Battery Tender Plus 6V Battery Charger 6V 1.25A 4 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger 12V 1.25A 4 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz Battery Tender Plus 12V Battery Charger (Gel Cell) 12V 1.25A 4 Step STD & AGM or GEL 120 VAC, 60 Hz Battery Tender Twin 800 12V Dual Battery Charger 12V 0.800A 3 Step STD & AGM 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Battery Tender 12V 2-Bank Battery Management System 12V 1.25A 3 Step STD & AGM 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Battery Tender 12V 4-Bank Battery Management System 12V 1.25A 4 Step STD & AGM 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Battery Tender 12V 5-Bank Battery Management System 12V 2.0A  4 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz Battery Tender 12V 10-Bank Battery Management System 12V 2.0A  4 Step STD & AGM 120 VAC, 60 Hz *Note: All Deltran battery chargers will charge all types of lead acid batteries: either flooded (standard STD), sealed maintenance free Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), or sealed maintenance free gelled electrolyte (GEL) batteries. However, for optimum battery performance in deep cycle applications (for example, running a trolling motor), it is best to chose the Deltran charger that has the charging software specifically designed for the battery type. Fortunately, since the technical staff at Deltran has developed charging software that works equally well for both STD & AGM batteries, the only choice to be made is between 2 models: either STD & AGM or GEL software. Five-year Limited Warranty
Deltran provides a limited five-year warranty on its Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger to the original purchaser based on defective material or workmanship. Warranty is void in cases of product misuse, disassembly or modification. Other details regarding warranty limitations and procedures are contained in the Deltran Battery Tender Charger’s general limited warranty information sheet enclosed with this product.

Product Features

• Spark proof during lead connection, reverse polarity protected and includes a 12-foot output cord and 5-year warranty


• Perfect for charging all 12-volt lead-acid, flooded or sealed maintenance free batteries (AGM and gel cell)


• Complete 4-step charging program (Initialization, Bulk Charge, Float Mode) allows for optimization of battery power, without overcharging


• Automatic charge cycle functionality switches to float mode after fully charging the battery


• Solid state two color LED indicates stage of charger

Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger

Apps help parents track Halloween trick or treaters

By Natasha Baker

TORONTO (Reuters) - Parents worried about letting their children go trick-or-treating at Halloween can download new apps that track kids and send alerts when they venture outside designated safe areas.

With the free iPhone app Track n Treat, children send a time-limited link of their location via a phone number or email. This then allows parents to track their whereabouts via a web browser for the next four hours.

"Kids are out and about and their parents want to know where they are, so Halloween is a great use of a temporary location-sharing technology," said Bryan Trussel, CEO of Seattle-based Glympse, which creates person-to-person location sharing technologies.

Another free app, Family GPS Tracker for iPhone and Android, not only lets parents see where their children are in real-time, but also sends alerts when a child strays outside of an set area.

"With the app you can always be aware of where your children are located, and can call them immediately if they venture outside of the safe zone," said Michal Štencl, the CEO of Sygic, which is based in Slovakia.

Life360, another free app for iPhone and Android, lets family members view each others' location on a map and keep in touch via group messaging.

"A twelve-year-old might be too young to go out completely on their own, but an app can give them more freedom," said Chris Hulls, CEO of Life360, which is based in San Francisco.

The app allows users to set up zones and notifications showing, for example, when a child arrives at school, or when a spouse leaves work or gets home.

"We're trying to build a family graph," Hulls said. "You have Facebook for your friends and LinkedIn for your work contacts, but what is the equivalent for your family life?"

(Editing by Patricia Reaney; Editing by David Brunnstrom)

(This story was refiled to fix typo in the headline)

Technology & ElectronicsSoftware

View the original article here

Maine 'hermit' sentenced to re-enter society with counseling

By Dave Sherwood

AUGUSTA, Maine (Reuters) - A Maine man who claims to have spent 27 years living in the woods as a hermit pleaded guilty on Monday to burglary and theft in a deal in which he will receive mental health counseling to re-enter society.

Judge Nancy Mills, of Maine Superior Court, ordered Christopher Knight, 47, to check in weekly with the court to confirm that he is either working full time, attend schooling or volunteering, and undergoing mental health counseling for a year to ensure a "successful" return to the community.

"This is someone who has had no involvement with anybody for 27 years," Knight's lawyer, Walter McKee, said. "It's a very unique case, a very unique sentence for a very unique person."

Knight said he walked into the woods in 1986 shortly after he heard about the Chernobyl nuclear accident and claims to have had little human contact since.

He pleaded guilty on Monday to 13 counts of burglary and theft, and was returned to jail to await his release when terms of the agreement are finalized.

Knight was arrested in April after police said they caught him stealing food and supplies he needed to survive from a summer camp for the disabled along North Pond about 20 miles west of Maine's capital of Augusta.

Gaunt and pale with a full beard, Knight listened quietly as Mills asked if he understood he would be required to tell his court-appointed case manager "the truth" in order to receive the best rehabilitation treatment possible.

"Who will decide what is the truth?" Knight replied.

McKee said Knight poses no threat to society, but it was still unclear where he would reside upon release.

"That's been the big issue since day one, where is he going to go?," said McKee, who said no one knew how Knight might respond to the everyday pressures of society.

District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said the agreement hinged on the nature of Knight's crimes.

"He was stealing peanut butter. He was not stealing jewelry. And he did not at any point attack a human being. Those were top considerations," she said.

Knight initially pleaded not guilty when indicted in August, but changed his plea on Monday after lawyers and the judge agreed to the alternative sentence and rehabilitation.

Knight's case has been romanticized by many, but police say that he committed as many as 1,000 burglaries in order to survive.

Knight's camp, well-appointed with a tent, sleeping bags and cook stove, was just a few hundred yards from the nearest house. It was hidden among boulders and crevices on a hillside of evergreens, leaving neighbors uneasy for decades.

(Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Leslie Adler)

Society & CultureCrime & JusticeMaine Superior Courtmental health counseling

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Penguin Brands Penguin Sport Wash

Penguin Brands Sport Wash is designed to correct the problems associated with using normal detergents on technical clothing. Keeps high-tech fabrics looking & working like new, and removes trapped odors, blood and grass stains from garments. Removes trapped odors from fabrics Restores factory applied waterproofing (DWR) Keeps high-tech fabrics looking & working like new Restores wicking properties and eliminates odor to Dri-Fit, Under Armour, Coolmax and engineered polyester fibers Restores the loft & effectiveness to down & synthetic insulation Prevents color fading Removes tough stains like blood and grass Biodegradable!

Product Features

• Keeps technical fabrics looking & working like new


• Restores factory-applied waterproofing (DWR)


• Restores wicking & maintains breathability


• Prevents damage done by residual chlorine


• Completely removes odors

Penguin Brands Penguin Sport Wash

BARSKA Biometric Safe

Rest assured knowing your valuables are stored securely in Barska’s Biometric Safe. Compact, convenient, and state of the art, the safe offers a unique fingerprint pad that recognizes only your fingerprint and others you designate. Fingerprint recognition guarantees you’ll never again have to fumble for your keys or remember complicated combinations. Just touch your finger to the pad–which accepts up to 30 fingerprints–and you’ll receive instant access to your money, passport, firearms, medicines, jewelry, and other treasured items. In the end, the safe gives you complete control over who can open the interior and retrieve the contents–and more importantly, who can’t.

The safe holds jewelry, important documents, and other valuables. A biometric safe is the most secure means of keeping valuables stored safely in the home. Prior to the invention of the locking mechanism on this safe, many people lived in fear that a child or a thief would gain access to their valuables. Peace of mind is possible with the use of a safe that has a biometric lock and can only be opened with up to 30 specific fingerprints of your choosing. The smaller dimensions of the safe mean that it can be kept out of reach of small hands, but still accessible to the owner.

If the contents of the safe must be accessed quickly, the touch of a finger in the correct position against the locking mechanism will open the lock and provide immediate access. No more need to remember a complex numeric combination under duress. This safe includes a key for traditional access in the event access to the fingerprint is not available.

The safe is built to operate on four AA batteries (not included), weighs 31 pounds, and carries a one-year limited warranty. The safe also comes with mounting hardware.

Features:

Biometric safe opens with fingerprint recognition technology Up to 30 fingerprints can be stored Two solid steel locking bolts Mounting hardware included

The safe opens with fingerprint recognition and can store up to 30 fingerprints. Includes two backup keys Store important documents, valuables, jewelry Compact design hides nearly anywhere

Specifications:

Interior dimensions: 16.25 by 7 by 14.25 inches (W x H x D) Exterior dimensions: 16.5 by 7.75 by 14.5 inches Fingerprint compatibility: Stores up to 30 unique fingerprints Batteries required: 4 AA (not included) Weight: 31 pounds Manufacturer’s Warranty: One-year limited warranty

What’s in the Box?
Biometric safe, mounting hardware, two emergency back-up keys

About Barska
Barska is a worldwide sport optics company with strong brand recognition within the optics industry, with corporate offices in La Verne, California, and warehouses and distribution centers in La Verne and Shanghai, China. Barska offers an extensive line of precision sport optics products, such as binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes, and telescopes. The product range has been designed and built with the latest optical technology, allowing users to enjoy all their favorite leisure time outdoor activities, including bird watching, outdoor observation, hunting, fishing, stargazing, concerts, and sporting events.

Product Features

• Compact safe with unique fingerprint pad for easy, secure access


• Opens with the touch of a finger; stores up to 30 fingerprints


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BARSKA Biometric Safe

Study sees relationship signals in Facebook data

Think your relationship is strong? Think there is nothing in this world that could possibly tear you and your beloved apart? Have a seat, grab a tissue. Facebook would like a word with you.

Cornell University computer scientist Jon Kleinberg and Lars Backstrom, a senior engineer at Facebook, have written a research paper that explains how the giant social networking site can use its data to anticipate which personal relationships might fail.

The process is rather complicated, but The New York Times broke it down in an easy-to-understand blog post.

One might think that a relationship's strength is best illustrated by the number of friends two people have in common on Facebook. The new study say that isn't the case.

Using a data set of roughly 1.3 million Facebook users, all over the age of 20, all with a significant other and all with 50 to 2,000 friends, the researchers found that a network measure called "dispersion" is a better indicator of romantic relationships.

From the New York Times:

(Dispersion) measures mutual friends, but also friends from the further-flung reaches of a person’s network neighborhood. High dispersion occurs when a couple’s mutual friends are not well connected to one another.

So when a couple has a high dispersion rate, their relationship is likely to be easier for an algorithm to identify and is probably stronger, the research suggested.

Via the New York Times:

Particularly intriguing is that when the algorithm fails, it looks as if the relationship is in trouble. A couple in a declared relationship and without a high dispersion on the site are 50 percent more likely to break up over the next two months than a couple with a high dispersion, the researchers found. (Their research tracked the users every two months for two years.)

Of course, Facebook doesn't have a monopoly on prophesy. Twitter has long been lauded for its ability to predict things like elections and flu outbreaks. Some computer scientists have even used the social network to predict where you are most likely to get food poisoning.

Arts & EntertainmentMediaFacebook

View the original article here

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Venezuelan leader says construction workers see Chavez apparition

By Andrew Cawthorne

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said an image of his political idol and predecessor, the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, had appeared miraculously in the wall of an underground construction site.

In the latest of a series of accusations since taking office in April, Maduro also accused U.S.-based social network Twitter of colluding with his foes in a "massive attack" on his and other prominent government members' accounts.

Since his death from cancer earlier this year, Chavez has taken on mythical proportions for supporters, and Maduro has spoken of seeing his former mentor's spirit several times, including in the shape of a bird.

In the latest incident, Maduro said Chavez's face briefly appeared to workers building a subway line in Caracas in the middle of the night.

"My hair stands on end just telling you about it," Maduro said on state TV late on Wednesday, showing a photo of a white-plaster wall with marks that appear like eyes and a nose.

"Who is that face? That gaze is the gaze of the fatherland that is everywhere around us, including in inexplicable phenomena," added Maduro, who won an April election to replace Chavez after his 14-year presidency.

Maduro's reverence for Chavez plays well with government supporters, who treat the charismatic former leader's memory with religious adoration. The 50-year-old Maduro, who mixes Catholic beliefs with a penchant for Asian spirituality, has been a devoted personal follower of Chavez since first meeting him at a jail in 1993.

Workers took the photo with a mobile phone during the image's brief appearance, the president added.

"Just as it appeared, so it disappeared. So you see, what you say is right, Chavez is everywhere, we are Chavez, you are Chavez," Maduro said during an event on live TV.

Stories of Chavez appearances draw mockery, however, from the roughly half of Venezuelans who do not support Maduro. Many of them regard him as a buffoon riding on Chavez's image and causing embarrassment for Venezuela's international standing.

Both sides are gearing up for local elections in December that will be a major test of Maduro's standing in the OPEC nation of 29 million people. Rampant violent crime and economic problems are the main issues taxing voters.

On Thursday, Maduro's information minister, Delcy Rodriguez, said 6,600 followers of the president's @NicolasMaduro account had been suspiciously taken off, while her own and others' accounts had been suspended.

A formal complaint to Twitter was being made, she said.

"We are discovering a massive attack by the Twitter company and the international right wing against the accounts of Bolivarian and Chavista patriots," Maduro said on state TV.

There was no immediate response to queries sent to San Francisco-based Twitter's press office.

The president's first six months in office have been characterized by dozens of accusations ranging from assassination and coup plots to sabotage of the power grid. Critics say that is a smokescreen to cover up domestic problems.

(Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Politics & GovernmentHugo ChavezTwitter

View the original article here

Born Free 3 Count Glass Bottle with Bonus Sleeve, 5 Ounce

The Born Free bottle system is uniquely designed to address the feeding needs of all babies- whether they are breastfed, formula fed, or both- making it the natural feeding choice for all mothers. The patented active flow venting technology helps extend breastfeeding by mimicking mother’s natural flow which is controlled by baby while nursing. This active feeding helps prevent nipple confusion and reduces air ingested by baby while feeding. The active flow technology is also clinically designed to reduce colic symptoms such as gas pain and fussiness which can be experienced particularly after drinking formula.

The Born Free Glass Bottle with Bonus Sleeve features patented ActiveFlow Venting Technology that reduces air pressure and vacuum build-up, resulting in reduced gas and colic symptoms. The leak-free vent allows your baby to control the flow of milk, and prevents nipple confusion. Because Born Free provides an experience closer to breastfeeding, your baby can easily switch between breast and bottle-feeding, allowing you to breastfeed longer. Made of thick-walled, high-quality glass, the bottle can be safely cleaned in the top rack of your dishwasher. As an added bonus, the included silicone bottle sleeve (one sleeve per 3-pack) protects the glass bottle, provides a more secure grip when feeding, and minimizes heat transfer.

Glass Bottle
with Bonus Sleeve
(5 Ounces) At a Glance: Reduces air pressure and vacuum buildup to prevent gas painBaby can control milk flow for an experience similar to breastfeedingIncludes sealing discs, bottle caps, and silicone sleeveClear, high-quality glass bottleAll pieces are dishwasher safe and can be sterilized by boiling

Born Free nipples come in five different flow rates to fit your baby’s stage of development. View larger.

The silicone sleeve helps to secure grip when feeding and minimizes heat transfer. View larger.

ActiveFlow Venting Technology allows your baby to control the flow of milk, reducing the amount of air ingested during bottle-feeding. View larger.

Patented ActiveFlow Reduces Gas Pain and Mimics Breastfeeding

The Born Free Glass Bottle features patented ActiveFlow Venting Technology to reduce air pressure and vacuum buildup-resulting in less air ingested by baby during bottle feeding of either breast milk or formula. The leak-free vent allows your baby to control the flow of milk, providing a feeding experience that’s closer to breastfeeding. The ActiveFlow Venting Technology in each Born Free Classic Bottle helps prevent colic symptoms such as gas pain and fussiness.

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Made from clear, thick-walled glass, the Born Free Glass Bottles are safe to wash in the top rack of your dishwasher. For sterilization, you can safely boil the bottle-feeding system for five to ten minutes.

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Born Free provides a feeding system that mimics breastfeeding by allowing your baby to control milk flow-preventing nipple confusion so you can breastfeed longer. All bottles feature the ActiveFlow Venting Technology to reduce colic and gas, and provide a calm, natural feeding experience. The range of Born Free products includes a variety of bottles (Classic, Glass, and Deco, all of which use the same ActiveFlow technology), transition cups, feeding accessories, electronics, and pacifiers. All Born Free products are designed with safety in mind, and do not contain any BPA or PVC materials.

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Born Free 3 Count Glass Bottle with Bonus Sleeve, 5 Ounce

Congress announces it will be in session fewer days in 2014

Imagine that someone asked you to name the one group of people who've earned the right to spend less time at the office next year. To just relax. Because, darn it, they've really busted their humps in 2013, and everyone is extremely pleased with the job they're doing.

We're guessing "United States Congress" wouldn't be at the top of your list.

Well, guess what? Congress, the group of esteemed lawmakers who brought you the government shutdown of 2013, has announced that they plan to be in session for fewer days next year.

The news came from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., who announced the schedule on Twitter.

I am pleased to announce the 2014 House calendar: http://t.co/8Pl84VK2sp

— Eric Cantor (@GOPLeader) October 31, 2013

Follow the links and you'll get to this handy-dandy schedule (PDF) that lists the days when Congress will be in session. The grand total for 2014: 113 scheduled days. In 2013, the expected total was 126 days.

To be fair, members of Congress spend a considerable amount of time in their districts. As RollCall puts it, "the work doesn't end when lawmakers leave Washington."

Still, the shorter session begs the question: Why? Not to mention that the shorter session has the potential to be more bad PR for a group in the single-digit job-approval ratings and, as of early October, less popular than cockroaches.

View the original article here

Study: 38 percent of kids under 2 use smartphones or tablets

More than a third of children under the age of 2 use mobile media, according to a recently released report from Common Sense Media. Specifically, the study found that 38 percent of kids under age 2 have used tablets or smartphones.

The nonprofit agency conducted a similar study in 2011. And two years is apparently a long time. Back then, in the halcyon days of the iPhone 4, the number of kids under 2 messing with mobile devices was roughly 10 percent.

When it comes to daily use of technology, the numbers are also rising. "The percent of children who use mobile devices on a daily basis ? at least once a day or more ? has more than doubled, from 8% to 17%," according to the report.

Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, spoke to Mashable about the report's findings.

Via Mashable:

"We're seeing a fundamental change in the way kids consume media," Steyer said. "Kids that can't even talk will walk up to a TV screen and try to swipe it like an iPad or an iPhone."

The group's 40-page report is full of statistics, many of which are likely to make you mourn for the changing nature of childhood. In 2011, for example, kids under the age of 8 spent, on average, about five minutes per day on phones or tablets. In 2013, the number tripled to 15 minutes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under the ago of 2 not spend any time in front of media screens, including phones, tablets and television. "A child's brain develops rapidly during these first years, and young children learn best by interacting with people, not screens," the AAP writes.

Technology & ElectronicsCommon Sense Media

View the original article here

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North Dakota woman plans to give obese kids letters on Halloween

By David Bailey

(Reuters) - A North Dakota woman told a local radio station that on Halloween she will give children she considers obese a sternly-worded letter for their parents along with candy.

The woman, who gave her name only as "Cheryl," said she would still hand out candy but planned to give some trick-or-treaters a sealed envelope with a letter for their parents, she said Tuesday in a call to a radio station in Fargo.

"I am not denying any of the kids candy," she said. "I am just hoping the parents are going to read this and think about it while they watch their kids get into bigger and bigger sizes of clothes," according to a recording of the radio show.

"As far as we know Cheryl is a local Fargo woman that thinks it is her mission to watch out for the overweight children of Fargo," radio host Corey Schaffer said Wednesday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has said the percentage of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in the United States who were obese in 2010 was 17 percent.

Schaffer, who goes by Zero as a host of the Y94 show, said the woman exchanged emails with the station for a couple of days and was scheduled in advance to call in Tuesday.

Schaffer said Cheryl's Halloween plan has sparked some "nasty, nasty responses."

Among the responses was "Ready, Eggs, FIRE." Others suggested she pass out healthier treats or not answer her door.

Cheryl's letter reads in part, "Your child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar and treats to the extent of some children this Halloween season.

"My hope is that you will step up as a parent and ration candy this Halloween and not allow your child to continue these unhealthy eating habits."

Halloween has been a season of radio pranks since Orson Welles radio broadcast adaptation of "War of the Worlds" sparked fears of an East Coast alien invasion 75 years ago, but Schaffer said the station was not perpetrating a hoax and he did not believe Cheryl was either.

In the radio appearance, the woman said, "I just think that parents should take more responsibility for their kids becoming little fat kids."

Cheryl added, "I don't want to be the mean lady. I don't want to be the lady that everybody avoids."

(Reporting by David Bailey; Editing by Greg McCune and Kenneth Barry)

View the original article here