New Poll Shows the Public Wants EPA to Set Stricter Soot Health Standards

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Voters Support Setting Stronger Fine Particle Standards to Protect Public HealthWashington, D.C. — As the December 14, 2012, deadline approaches for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue updated health standards for fine particle pollution (soot), the American Lung Association is releasing polling results that examine public views on updating the standards and whether now is the right time to issue them.

Earlier this year EPA finally proposed updated clean air standards that will prevent thousands of premature deaths and take steps toward clearing hazy air. The EPA's proposal came in response to legal action filed on behalf of the American Lung Association and the National Parks Conservation Association by Earthjustice.

A new national survey of 942 registered voters conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for the American Lung Association finds that American voters support a proposal to strengthen air pollution
standards by placing stricter limits on the amount of soot released from industrial facilities by a better than 2-1 margin. Support for the plan is both broad and deep, crossing partisan, gender, racial, and geographic lines; the proposal maintains strong majority support even after hearing balanced messages on both sides of the debate.

At the outset, 62 percent of voters favor the proposal, compared to just 30 percent who oppose it, and 7 percent who are undecided. Nearly 4-out-of-10 voters (39 percent) strongly favor the standards, while only 20 percent express strong opposition.

After a balanced debate with messages in support of and opposition to the stricter standards on soot released by industrial facilities—including a discussion on the economic and health impacts of the proposal—a majority of Americans continue to support the plan by a large 20-point margin, 56 – 36 percent.

"This poll affirms that the public is sick of soot and wants EPA to set more protective standards," said Peter Iwanowicz, American Lung Association Assistant Vice President. "The public also does not buy the arguments being made by big polluters and their allies in Congress that this is not the right time to update soot standards and that doing so would be bad for the economy. They believe we can have clean air and a robust economy."

Key poll findings include:

An overwhelming 81 percent of Democrats favor the proposal, as well as 57 percent of independents; even a plurality of Republicans (48 percent) back the plan.
Voters in every region of the country express strong support for the plan. Nearly three quarters of voters (72 percent) in the Northeastern part of the country favor the proposal, with support from 6-out-of-10 voters in the Southern (60 percent support), Central (59 percent support), and Western regions (61 percent support).
Solid majorities of both men (59 percent) and women (65 percent) support the plan.
African American and Latino voters express high levels of support, with 68 and 73 percent, respectively, who favor the plan. Sixty percent of white voters also support the effort to strengthen soot standards.
"The survey clearly indicates that Americans strongly back the EPA taking action now to limit the amount of soot released by oil refineries, power plants, and other industrial facilities," said Missy Egelsky, Vice President at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. "In fact, voters overwhelmingly believe that stronger safeguards against air pollution provide reasonable, common sense changes that will protect Americans' health from the harmful effects of soot."

The full survey, along with slides and a memo from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research can be found here.

Methodology: These findings are based on a national survey of 942 registered voters conducted for the American Lung Association by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, November 14-18, 2012. The margin of error for results is +/-3.19 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence interval.

About the American Lung Association
Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.

About Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner is a global leader in public opinion research and strategic consulting. GQR helps elect progressive candidates in the U.S. and around the world, helps NGOs advance their issues, and helps companies understand their reputations and key audiences.

General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer State status at UN

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The General Assembly today voted to grant Palestine non-member observer State status at the United Nations, while expressing the urgent need for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians leading to a permanent two-State solution.

The resolution on the status of Palestine in the UN was adopted by a vote of 138 in favour to nine against with 41 abstentions by the 193-member Assembly.

“We did not come here seeking to delegitimize a State established years ago, and that is Israel; rather we came to affirm the legitimacy of the State that must now achieve its independence, and that is Palestine,” the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, told the Assembly before the vote.

Mr. Abbas noted that the world was being asked today to undertake a significant step in the process of rectifying the “unprecedented historical injustice” inflicted on the Palestinian people since 1948.



“Your support for our endeavour today,” he said, “will send a promising message – to millions of Palestinians on the land of Palestine, in the refugee camps both in the homeland and the Diaspora, and to the prisoners struggling for freedom in Israel’s prisons – that justice is possible and that there is a reason to be hopeful and that the peoples of the world do not accept the continuation of the occupation.”

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor, said his delegation could not accept today’s resolution. “Because this resolution is so one-sided, it doesn’t advance peace, it pushes it backwards,” he stated, adding that peace could only be achieved through negotiations.

“There’s only one route to Palestinian statehood and that route does not run through this chamber in New York. That route runs through direct negotiations between Jerusalem and Ramallah that will lead to a secure and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” he added. “There are no shortcuts. No quick fixes. No instant solutions.”

The Israelis and Palestinians have yet to resume direct negotiations since talks stalled in September 2010, after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

“Today’s vote underscores the urgency of a resumption of meaningful negotiations,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said after the vote was finalized. “We must give new impetus to our collective efforts to ensure that an independent, sovereign, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine lives side by side with a secure State of Israel. I urge the parties to renew their commitment to a negotiated peace.”

Addressing the same gathering, the President of the General Assembly, Vuk Jeremic, appealed to “my dear friends from Palestine and Israel” to work for peace, to negotiate in good faith, and ultimately, to succeed in reaching the historical settlement.

“I have no doubt that history will judge this day to have been fraught with significance – but whether it will come to be looked upon as a step in the right direction on the road to peace will depend on how we bear ourselves in its wake,” he said. “Let us therefore have the wisdom to act in furtherance of the goal I’m sure we all share.”

In the resolution, the Assembly also voiced the hope that the Security Council will “consider favourably” the application submitted in September 2011 by Palestine for full UN membership.

The Palestinian bid for full UN membership stalled last year when the 15-nation Council, which decides whether or not to recommend admission by the Assembly, said it had been “unable to make a unanimous recommendation.”

Today’s action comes on the same day that the UN observed the annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Established in 1977, the Day marks the date in 1947 when the Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning then-mandated Palestine into two States, one Jewish and one Arab.

AN ANGEL FOR MAY at Rockland Library

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AN ANGEL FOR MAY to screen on Dec. 20th
Rockland, Maine - On Thursday December 20 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Rockland Library there will be a film screening of AN ANGEL FOR MAY.

Nominated for an International Emmy Award and directed by Harley Cokeliss, An Angel for May is the wonderful screen adaptation of Melvin Burgess' critically acclaimed novel. Twelve-year-old Tom lives in a small town in England. Troubled by his parents' divorce and having problems at home and at school, he wanders to the ruins of a deserted farm. There he encounters a border collie who takes him 50 years into the past, to the time of the blitz in England during World War Two.  Tom meets a young girl named May, who was found in the rubble of a bombed terrace, several days after an air-raid. A distracted,
almost semi-feral child (she won’t come in the house, sleeping with the dog Tess in a kennel), May spent a short while in an institution and may have to go back there. Tom and May become unlikely friends and their relationship dramatically alters the course of both of their lives.

A carefully crafted tale of time travel, "An Angel for May" posits that one person can make a momentous difference, however overwhelming the odds.…thoughtful and beautifully played. - Variety
Special accommodations for persons with disabilities can be made with 48 hours notice. Please call the Library at 594-0310.

This evening is one in a continuing Thursday evening series of literary, film and musical offerings sponsored by the Rockland Public Library & The Friends of the Rockland Public Library. Admission is free.
Views expressed in public programs at the library are those of the presenters, and not necessarily those of the Rockland Public Library.

Cutter Mackinaw boasts all-female underway watch during Christmas tree transit to Chicago.

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LAKE MICHIGAN — Petty Officer 1st Class Erin Hunter (right), junior officer-of-the-deck on the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, assists underway officer-of-the-deck Ensign Katharine Braynard with monitoring the electronic charting system, Nov. 28, 2012.
One day prior, Hunter and Braynard were part of an all-female watch executed on the Mackinaw during the ship's transit to Chicago to offload 1,300 Christmas trees as part of this year's Chicago's Christmas Ship event.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Robert Butler
LAKE MICHIGAN — Underway officer-of-the-deck Ensign Katharine Braynard (right) works with junior officer-of-the-deck, Petty Officer 1st Class Erin Hunter, with the plan for mooring in Milwaukee to offload buoys, Nov. 28, 2012.
One day prior, Braynard and Hunter were part of an all-female watch executed on the Mackinaw during the ship's transit to Chicago to offload 1,300 Christmas trees as part of this year's Chicago's Christmas Ship event.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Robert Butler
LAKE MICHIGAN – Female officers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw designed and accomplished an all-female underway watch Tuesday during their transit to Chicago this week to participate in the annual re-enactment of Chicago's Christmas Ship.
The all-female watch was an idea devised last spring and was finally able to be realized this fall, once all the necessary positions were filled by qualified women.
Cmdr. Michael Davanzo, the ship’s commanding officer, was briefed on the idea and thought it was a great thing for the Mackinaw to accomplish.
"We value the leadership that women provide, demonstrated by their amazing initiative to undertake this project," Davanzo said. "The Coast Guard provides a great opportunity for women to advance, be successful, and have a rewarding career."
Lt. j.g. Meridith Palo and Ensign Katie Braynard organized the watch schedule to include all-female bridge and engineering teams and female duty cooks. The teams stood the 4-8 p.m. watch during the ship’s transit down the eastern coast of Wisconsin.
The female bridge team was: Braynard, from Temecula, Calif.; as the underway officer-of-the-deck; Petty Officer 1st Class Erin Hunter, from San Diego, as junior officer-of-the-deck; and Seaman Rebecca Smith-Heshley, from Toledo, Ohio, who stood lookout.
The engineering team was: Palo, from Newtown, Conn., as engineer-of-the-watch; Petty Officer 1st Class Brenda Daniels, from Lake Wells, Fla., as journeyman engineer; and Ensign Erin Nolan, from Lafayette, Ind., who was working towards her journeyman engineer qualification.
The two duty cooks for the evening meal were: Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa Wetenkamp, from Niles, Mich.; and Petty Officer 2nd Class Nichol Billow, from Las Vegas.
“This was a first for the Mackinaw, and possibly for the Coast Guard," said Braynard. "It’s great to see women advance in their roles in the afloat community, and it’s even better to be part of that community. We’re all very proud.”

First Lady Ann LePage Announces Selected Artists for Maine is ME Art Challenge

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First Lady partners with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to create Love.Read.Learn!™ Baby JournalAugusta, Maine - First Lady Ann M. LePage is announcing the selected artists for the Maine is ME Student Art Challenge. Artwork was submitted by 867 children in grades K-8 throughout Maine. The selected artwork will be featured in the First Lady’s upcoming family-friendly Love.Read.Learn!™ Baby Journal, to be published in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation. The journal is a scrapbook-style booklet that promotes literacy and health to Maine families with newborn babies. The baby journal will be provided at no cost to parents of newborns in 2013.
“I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to every child who participated in the Maine is ME art
challenge,” said First Lady Ann LePage. “Congratulations to the selected artists. Maine children are enthusiastic and creative and certainly made this a tough decision,” continued the First Lady.

Please join First Lady LePage at two showings of participants’ artwork:

December 16, 2012, at the University of New England in the George and Barbara Bush Center from 10 a.m. – noon for a display of student artwork from Androscoggin, Kennebec, Cumberland and York counties.

December 20, 2012, at the Maine Discovery Museum in from 4–6 p.m. for a display of all student artwork from Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, Lincoln, Waldo, Franklin, Knox and Somerset counties.

Selected artists were chosen based on the use of elements and principles of design, engagement of the viewer and competence and skill in the use of the selected medium.

The following is a list of artists whose work was selected to appear in Maine’s Love.Read.Learn! Baby Journal, which will begin distribution on June 1, 2013:

Olivia Boyle, Peaks Island

Anna Peterson, Cutler

Abby Fitzhenny, Cutler

Mary-Hollie Whitmore, Bradley

Ariana Dyer, Bangor

Autumn Ditzel, Bangor

Kaden Hannan, Bangor

Kaydence Lux, Bangor

Grace Dimik, Portland

Galen Gaze, Brunswick

Devon Roma, Auburn

Hannah Stauffer, Auburn

Emilee Morgan, Sanford

Kevin Duplessie, Caribou

Kelsea Fuller, Westbrook

Eva Jacot-Descombes, Rangeley

Abigail Bennett, Brewer

Mariah Hajduk, Winthrop

Holly Desjardins, Poland

Cade King, Windsor

Andrew Frost, Withrop

Samuel Lattin, Winthrop

Emma Lombardo, Westbrook

Kiara Lantiqua, Belfast

Chloe Lawrence, Hampden

Zoe Olsen, Bucksport

Macey Jordan, Hancock

Ian Gervais, Chelsea

Anna Sheikh, Waterville

Emma Fitzhenny, Cutler

Owen Moore, Gorham

For more information about the Barbara Bush Foundation please contact Elizabeth Hirst at 850-562-5300 or by email at Elizabeth@barbarabushfoundation.com.

Emergency Department Security Upgrade

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EMMC’s Emergency Department to Use Metal Detector and X-Ray MachineBangor, Maine - EMMC has taken many precautions over the years to provide a safe environment for our patients, visitors, and staff. Starting Thursday November 29, EMMC will implement a security screening process that includes a walk-through metal detector for patients and visitors and an x-ray machine for items such as backpacks, purses, and packages entering the Emergency Department. Rest assured, patients presenting with a life threatening condition will receive immediate medical treatment.
“The addition of the metal detector and x-ray machine is another layer to our security and will help keep those within the Emergency Department safe,” says Steve Russell, manager of Security, Grounds, and Parking Services. “We are deploying the same type of equipment and security screening used at other hospitals, courthouses, and schools.” While EMMC has not seen an increase in dangerous objects being brought into the Emergency Department, this type of screening has become commonplace in many organizations, and it is our goal to meet, and exceed, people’s expectations that we are being as vigilant about their safety as we can be.

Patient care will not be affected, however patients and visitors will notice changes to the Emergency Department’s entry because of the need to accommodate the security equipment.

iCarly Finale Draws 6.4 Million Total Viewers, Ranks as November’s Top Telecast with Kids and Tweens

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants Rank as Top Animated Series with Kids for the MonthMarvin Marvin Series Premiere Bows with 2.6 Million Total Viewers, Posts Double-Digit Gains with Kids and TweensNew York City, New York – Nickelodeon’s hit comedy series iCarly scored 6.4 million total viewers with its hour-long finale, “iGoodbye” (Friday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT). The finale ranks as the top telecast for the month with all kid and tween demos.  Also, SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) ended the month as the top two animated series with K2-11 across all TV and are basic cable’s top animated kids’ shows with total viewers, respectively.  Nickelodeon’s newest addition to its live-action roster, Marvin Marvin, debuted with a strong 2.6 million total viewers, posting double-digit gains over last year with kids and tweens.

iCarly’s “iGoodbye” ranks as the top telecast with kids and tweens for November, averaging a 8.4/2.8 million K2-11 (+100%),  11.7/2.3 million K6-11, 12.5/2.6 million T9-14 and 6.4 million total viewers.  The finale also ranks as basic cable’s top kids’ telecast with total viewers for the month.
For November, SpongeBob SquarePants and  TMNT rank as the top two animated series with K2-11 across all TV, with SpongeBob averaging 6.2/2.1 million and TMNT averaging 4.9/1.6 million.  The two series are also basic cable’s top animated shows among total viewers, with 4.1 million total viewers for SpongeBob and 3.3 million total viewers for TMNT.

Additionally, Nickelodeon’s brand-new live-action comedy series Marvin Marvin premiered on Saturday, Nov. 24, (8:30 p.m. ET/PT) and drew 2.6 million total viewers, winning its time period with all kid and tween demos. The premiere averaged a 4.1/1.4 million K2-11 and was up double-digits over last yearwith K6-11 (5.9/1.2 million,  +26%) and T9-14 (5.9/1.2 million, +79%). Marvin Marvin stars internet sensation Lucas Cruikshank in his first lead role since the beloved Fred Figglehorn character. The new half-hour series follows the adventures of Marvin, a teenage alien with special powers who was sent to Earth by his parents in order to protect him from evil invaders on his home planet of Klooton.  Marvin Marvin will air regularly on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Nickelodeon  closed the month of  November as basic cable’s  number-one network with kids 2-11
(2.8/949,000) and total viewers (1.8 million).

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years.
Photographs in this article are credited to Nickelodeon.

Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani Wins Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars Crown

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Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani
Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars Winners
ABC

Tuesday night, November 27th Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani won the Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars season. Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani were crowned champions of this all-star season, on the Season Finale of "Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars.

Shawn Johnson (Gymnast) and her partner Derek Hough (Dancer) finished the Dancing With The Stars: All-Star season as runner ups.

Here is a recap of the finale of Dancing With The Stars: All-Star season through photographs credited to ABC.

 Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough with the Fierce Five. Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough with the Fierce Five. #2 Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough with the Fierce Five. #3 Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough with the Fierce Five. #4 Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough with Tom Bergeron.  Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough  Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough #2Drew Lachey, Isabella Lachey, Anna Trebunskaya.

Oceanside West 7th Grade Girls Blue Team Defeats Troy Howard Results

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Photograph on Record

Oceanside West on Wednesday (November 28th) 7th grade Girls Blue team defeated Troy Howard Middle School of Belfast by a score of 49-12. Here are the results from last nights basketball game.


Scores by quarter:
1st 8-0 (Oceanside)
2nd 18-8 (Oceanside)
3rd 30-12 (Oceanside)
Final score 49-12 (Oceanside)

Oceanside Blue scorers:
Casey Pine 12

Gabby Simmons 11
Taylor Hamlin 10
Molly Spencer 6
Jordan Brackett 4
Zoe Goff 4
Kylie Farnham 2

FTs: 1-of-2

Troy Howard scorers:
Alison Defeo 4
Madison Hemingway 4
Callie Cook 2
Emma Mehuren 2

FTs: 0-of-2

Oceanside West First Quarter Honor Roll

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Thomaston, Maine - Oceanside West in Thomaston, Maine released the names of those who made the honor roll for the first quarter of the 2012/2013 school year. Here are the names of those who made the first quarter honor roll.

Grade 8

High Honors
Jordan Mini, Daigen Pierpont, Emmanuel Tung, Madelyn Young

Honors
Thomas Akselsen, Jackson Arnsdorf, Julia Barbour, Judith Barstow, Casey Benner, Josef Berger, Samantha Berry, Mariah Blake, Jillian Brooks, Kelsey Brooks, Cassie Butler, Natasha Chadbourne, Leila Chammas,
Jenna Conant, Chanel Courant, Isabella Cross, Zachary Davis, Mitchell DelFrate, Coby Dorr, Chase Flaherty, Kaydin Frederick, Aidan Giasson, Ian Goff, Sydney Hall, Lauren Hatch, Nathan Hersom, Isaiah Jones, Martin King, Brianna Knowlton, Danielle Ladd, Ryan Lawrence, Emma Lee, Kyle Long, Alexis Mazurek, Jaymie McMahon, Lily McVetty, Meredith Mitchell, Haley Montgomery, Levi Post, Jaida Rahkonen, Shannon Ripley, April Setaro, Rachelle Thompson, Sadie Thompson, Brianna White-Ortiz

Honorable Mention
Sierra Beal, Hunter Dinsmore, Chloe Edwards, Parrish Garver, Zachary Gledhill, David Kurr, Chase Nason, Bradley Nystrom, Gage Robinson, Bryanna Simons,  Travis Trask, Abigail Young

Grade 9

High Honors
Julian Abaldo, Jennifer Carter, Holly Clough, Kalie McGuirl, Krisandra McNichol, Molly Tobin, Mihaela Wright

Honors
Mary Allen, Caitlin Banda, Sadie Bartlett, Rebecca Boggs, Shannon Coccia, Paige Colson, Arianna Curtis, Cassandra Curtis, Kasandra Davis, Hope Doyle, Chloe Finger, Laken Fournier, Keenan Hendricks, Andrew King, Abigail Lacasse, Darrian Leonardi, Alden Mason, Nicholas Mazurek, Meghan McGonagle, Ashley Oakes, Keariel Peasley, Sarah Penney, Rory Polyblank, Anna Walker, Kyle Waters, Daly Winterich

Honorable Mention
Iris Aiken, Megan Eaton, Haley Follett, Brianna Garrett, Curran Grant, Kalyn Grover, Sydney Gustafson, Sophie Hall, Joshua Luttrell, Jonas Stone, Christian Straka, Charlotte Strong-Ames, Kassey Thompson, Abigail Ward

Congratulations to all the students at Oceanside West who made the first quarter honor roll.

Shawn Johnson finishes runner-up in Dancing with the Stars finale

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© ABC/Adam Taylor

• Relive Johnson and Hough's journey
• Dancing with the Stars website

2008 Olympic balance beam gold-medalist Shawn Johnson and her partner Derek Hough came in second on the 15th season of Dancing with the Stars Tuesday night. Johnson had previously won the title in 2009.Johnson and Hough remained near the top of the leaderboard throughout much of the 10-week schedule, receiving four perfect scores of 30.0 in the process (videos below). In the final dances, they recieved a total of 87 from the judges (out of 90). Fan voting accounted for 50% of the total score.
The thirteen celebrities that competed this season were Apolo Anton Ohno, Bristol Palin, Drew Lachey, Emmitt
Smith, Gilles Marini, Helio Castroneves, Joey Fatone, Kelly Monaco, Kirstie Alley, Melissa Rycroft, Pamela Anderson, Sabrina Bryan and Johnson.
Shawn Johnson and Hough's perfect score dances

• Week 7 - Tango/Paso Doble fusion (Danced with Mark Ballas)
• Week 9 - Bhangra
• Week 10 - Freestyle (Featuring the Fierce Five)
• Week 10 - Cha Cha instant dance (will be posted on Wednesday)
• Click here for the rest of Shawn and Derek's videos

Photos by ABC/Adam Taylor (performance/results)/Todd Wawrychuck (promo)

State Department Schedule for November 28, 2012

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SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

9:30 a.m. Secretary Clinton participates in the U.S.-African Union High Level Meeting, at the Department of State.

10:30 a.m. Secretary Clinton presents the 14th Annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.

2:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton delivers remarks at the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs (GLIFAA) 20th Anniversary celebration, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.

5:00 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, at the Department of State.

5:20 p.m. Secretary Clinton holds a joint press availability with African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, at the Department of State.

DEPUTY SECRETARY TOM NIDES

9:15 a.m. Deputy Secretary Nides speaks with U.S. Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank Ambassador Robert Orr.

10:00 a.m. Deputy Secretary Nides meets with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, at the Department of State.

2:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Nides attends the Secretary’s 20th Anniversary celebration of the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, at the Department of State.

3:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Nides meets with Department of Defense Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter, at the Department of State.

5:00 p.m. Deputy Secretary Nides participates in a video conference with the White House.

5:45 p.m. Deputy Secretary Nides speaks with Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Douglas Smith.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS WENDY SHERMAN

Under Secretary Sherman is on foreign travel to India, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through December 1.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ROBERT HORMATS

10:30 a.m. Under Secretary Hormats delivers remarks at the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.

12:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats participates in a working lunch with AU delegations, at the Department of State.

3:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats participates in a panel discussion with International Women’s Forum “Topic: Building A Culture of Trust”, at the Sheraton Premiere in Tyson Corner.

5:30 p.m. Under Secretary Hormats attends a USAID event to discuss a new alliance among governments, the private sector & civil society to help eliminate tropical deforestation, at the Decatur House.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS TARA SONENSHINE

Under Secretary Sonenshine is on foreign travel to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR CIVILIAN SECURITY, DEMOCRACY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS MARIA OTERO

10:30 a.m. Under Secretary Otero attends the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.

1:00 p.m. Under Secretary Otero is interviewed for the International Youth Alliance’s Youth Magazine.


CHIEF OF PROTOCOL AMBASSADOR CAPRICIA PENAVIC MARSHALL

12:30 p.m. Ambassador Marshall attends a reception to celebrate the National Day of Romania hosted by the Ambassador of Romania, His Excellency Adrian Cosmin Vierita, and Mrs. Adrian Vierita with the Chairs of the Romanian Congressional Caucus at the Library of Congress.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS ROBERT BLAKE

10:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Blake attends the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AFFAIRS ESTHER BRIMMER

2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Brimmer attends the Secretary’s 20th Anniversary celebration of the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, at the Department of State.
Pre set for video cameras:1:00 p.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS JOSE FERNANDEZ

9:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez leads the U.S.-Turkey Economic Partnership Commission meeting, at the Department of State.

10:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez delivers remarks at the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.
Pre set for video cameras: 9:30 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

6:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez attends the Kimberley Process Gala Dinner, at the National Museum for Women and the Arts.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MIKE HAMMER

1:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Hammer attends a luncheon with Ferenc Kumin, Deputy State Secretary for International Communications at the Embassy of Hungary, in Washington, DC.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON

9:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson participates in a meeting with educators from the International Visitors Leadership Program on “100,000 Strong: Expanding International Exchange in Higher Education,” at the Department of State.

1:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., Commander of U.S. Northern Command, at the Department of State.

COORDINATOR FOR INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS DAWN MCCALL

10:30 a.m. Coordinator McCall attends the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.
Pre set for video cameras: 9:30 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR MICHAEL POSNER

2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Posner attends the Secretary’s 20th Anniversary celebration of the Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, at the Department of State.
Pre set for video cameras:1:00 p.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR POPULATION, REFUGEES AND MIGRATION ANNE CLAIRE RICHARD

Assistant Secretary Richard is on foreign travel through November 30 to Jordan and Lebanon. Please click here for more information.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND COORDINATOR FOR COUNTERTERRORISM DANIEL BENJAMIN

12:00 p.m. Ambassador Benjamin attends a meeting at the White House.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS LUIS CDEBACA

2:00 p.m. Ambassador CdeBaca testifies about International Human Trafficking and Forced Labor before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, on Capitol Hill.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES MELANNE VERVEER

4:00 p.m. Ambassador Verveer meets with African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, at the Department of State.

6:30 p.m. Ambassador Verveer attends the event “Women on the Cusp of a New Era,” hosted by African Union Ambassador Amina Ali and welcoming African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, in Washington, DC.

OFFICE OF GLOBAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE-STEPHEN RAPP

Ambassador Rapp is on foreign travel to Beijing, China to meet with Chinese Foreign Affairs Officials and to speak at a conference on Nuremberg trials at Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS KRIS BALDERSTON

10:30 p.m. Special Representative Balderston attends the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence Ceremony, at the Department of State. Please click here for more information.
Pre set for video cameras: 9:30 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

6:00 p.m. Special Representative Balderston attends a reception to discuss opportunities for governments, the private sector, and civil society to work together to reduce tropical deforestation, in Washington, DC.

7:30 p.m. Special Representative Balderston attends a dinner with the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Collins, at the Ambassador’s Residence.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS RETA JO LEWIS

Special Representative Lewis is on foreign travel in Brazil through November 30 to further U.S.-Brazil subnational engagement in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

9:00 a.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis attends a briefing at U.S. Embassy Brasilia, in Brasilia, Brazil.

10:00 a.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis attends a panel on the Brazil sports industry, in Brasilia, Brazil.

11:15 a.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with state government representatives from World Cup host states, in Brasilia, Brazil.

1:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his delegation, in Brasilia, Brazil.

3:00 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with the Inter-American Development Bank, in Brasilia, Brazil.

6:30 p.m. LOCAL Special Representative Lewis meets with U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon, in Brasilia, Brazil.

U.S. FIGURE SKATING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2013 NOMINEES

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Lawrence Mondschein, the chair of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, November 27th announced the official ballot for the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

"Once again, we have an esteemed group of individuals who have made significant contributions to our sport in a variety of different capacities, as athletes, coaches, choreographers and administrators," Mondschein said. "The electors to the U.S. Hall of Fame will have a challenging task ahead of them, as each of these candidates is worthy of serious consideration to be inducted into the Class of 2013."



All nominees on the ballot have met criteria established by the Nomination Committee. An esteemed panel of 85 electors will cast votes for the Class of 2013, which will be announced Dec. 17. Induction ceremonies will be held at the 2013 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which will be held Jan. 20-27, in Omaha, Neb.

CATEGORY A: Outstanding Competitor / Ladies

None

CATEGORY A: Outstanding Competitor / Men

Rudy Galindo
Robert Specht
Michael Weiss

CATEGORY A: Outstanding Competitor / Ice dancing

None

CATEGORY A: Outstanding Competitor / Pairs

None

CATEGORY B: Outstanding Coach

Lynn Benson
Thomas McGinnis

CATEGORY C: Outstanding Contributor (non-athletic)

Albert Beard
Franklin Nelson
Claire Waters Ferguson

CATEGORY D: Outstanding Contributor (creative impact)

Lori Nichol

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton To Unveil The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation

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On Thursday November 29, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will commemorate World AIDS Day 2012 and unveil the PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation that provides a roadmap for how the U.S. government will work to help achieve an AIDS-free generation. Secretary Clinton will be joined by Ambassador Eric P. Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. The event will take place at 10:30 am in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.Secretary Clinton will be joined by:Ambassador Eric P. Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director
Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Florence Ngobeni-Allen, Ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS FoundationThis event is open to the press and will be streamed live at www.state.gov.

Survey Finds Parents Choose Holiday Toy Destination Based on Low Prices

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BENTONVILLE, Ark., Kids are willing to do almost anything to get the toys they want for Christmas according to Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey, which found that 68 percent of kids said they would clean their rooms daily for a year, while 84 percent would work hard and give up playtime. But every child has limits; only 23 percent of kids would eat spinach for a year to get their holiday toys. The Walmart-commissioned survey also found that mom and dad favor educational toys and are focused on price. “The survey reflects what we are seeing in our stores. Parents are intent on fulfilling their kids’ holiday toy wish lists and at the same time, are looking for the most affordable options,” said Laura Phillips, senior vice president of toys, seasonal and celebrations, Walmart U.S. “As the largest seller of toys in the U.S. we have a unique ability to leverage our size and scale in a way that meets those needs and helps parents deliver a Christmas to remember.”Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey, which polled 1,009 children between the ages of 3 – 11 and their parents, also discovered:

• Naughty or nice? Kids who’ve had a few time outs this year are in luck. While the majority of kids think their behavior impacts the amount of holiday toys they get, 78 percent of parents plan to buy the same amount of toys for their children regardless of how naughty or nice they’ve been throughout the year.

• Wish list toys – parents and kids disagree: The top toy gifts parents want to give their kids this Christmas are “toys that teach;” however, the top toys on kids’ wish lists are dolls and action figures.

“We have seen that educational toys – including kids’ tablets – are one of the most popular categories this year,” shared Phillips. “To meet this demand, we have significantly increased the quantity of educational tablets in our stores and are adding new products throughout the season. This is just one example of how we’ve worked closely with our suppliers to help ensure we have the toys both kids and parents want.”

• Those sneaky kids: Parents are in the dark when it comes to knowing whether or not their kids find their gifts ahead of Christmas. Nearly twice as many kids as their parents say they found their gifts before the big morning (23 percent vs. 14 percent). The top hiding place? The closet.

• Nagging works.  Asked about the most persuasive technique their child uses to get the toy he/she wants for Christmas, the top response for parents is their child asking them repeatedly for the gift. Similarly, when kids are asked what they think is the best way to ensure that they get the toy they want for Christmas, the most popular response was to keep telling Mom or Dad over and over and over again. 

• The toy store parents are looking for: Price is the most popular factor among parents for determining the type of store to shop at for Christmas toys. Walmart is committed to offering low prices and currently has hundreds of toy rollbacks in store and online. Walmart.com also features an expanded assortment of the hottest toys plus free shipping options that help customers save even more. Thousands of toys are eligible for free shipping to home on qualifying toy purchases of $45 or more, or free shipping to any Walmart store across the US.   

In addition, as part of Walmart’s Toyland Tuesday toy rollback program, where Walmart has been rolling back prices on toys every Tuesday beginning in October, the retailer is offering parents the opportunity to vote on their toy savings.  On Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 parents can choose between two toys to go on rollback the following Tuesday. For more on Walmart’s Talking Holiday Toys Survey, please visit news.walmart.com/holidaytoys.   Survey MethodologyThe “Walmart Talking Holiday Toys Survey” was conducted by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications utilizing GfK’s KnowledgePanel. The survey polled 1,009 children between the ages of 3 –11 and each child’s parent in September 2012.About Walmart Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices.  Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our 10,400 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of approximately $444 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.