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The Obama Family Begins Its Annual Hawaii Vacation

December 21, 2013, 7:44 am
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HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama has begun his annual winter vacation in Hawaii.

The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia landed in Honolulu shortly before midnight local time. Their two dogs, Sunny and Bo, joined them aboard Air Force One. Obama has no public events scheduled while he's in Hawaii. On previous trips, he's enjoyed regular rounds of golf, visits to restaurants and family trips to get shave ice, a Hawaiian version of a snow cone.

Last year, gridlock in Congress forced Obama to return to Washington the day after Christmas. This year the Obamas are hoping their vacation will go uninterrupted.

The president, who was born in Hawaii, is scheduled to be in Honolulu through Jan. 5.
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Christmas In Hawaii: 7 Reasons It's Santa's Favorite

December 22, 2013, 11:23 am
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The thought of a tropical Christmas may confuse many, but Hawaii proves that you don't need snow or freezing temperatures to fully embrace the Christmas spirit. Below, 7 reasons Hawaii Christmases are amazing:

1. Who needs chimneys when you can keep your window open on Christmas eve? Also, malasadas instead of cookies for Santa? Hawaii must be his favorite:


2. After all, even our governor looks like Santa:
neil abercrombie

3. And our snowmen surf:


4. Our Christmas trees are edible:


5. And a white Christmas means something very different here:


6. Your options for an afternoon nap will be a touch more scenic than your couch:


7. Hawaii is Santa's last stop so it only makes sense that he and Mrs. Clause kick off their shoes, let loose, and stay a while:


Mele Kalikimaka, everyone!
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Obama Family Draws Cheers At Oregon State-Akron Game In Hawaii

December 22, 2013, 6:22 pm
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HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama and the first family are momentarily skipping the beach in Hawaii to take in a college basketball game.

Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia attended the Oregon State-Akron game Sunday at the Diamond Head Classic tournament in Honolulu. Oregon State is coached by Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson. The Obamas sat just behind the Oregon State bench.

The Obamas drew a standing ovation and loud cheers as they walked in to the small arena at the University of Hawaii. Fans took pictures while press photographers and videographers crowded an entrance to take pictures.

Obama is a noted basketball fan and recreational player. Oregon State is 4-0 with Obama in attendance, though Akron raced to a 10-0 lead.
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Massively Cute Kids Weigh In On Wormholes, Higgs Boson (VIDEO)

December 23, 2013, 5:19 am
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Children say the darndest things -- even about science. But if you listen closely, sometimes their words are wise. That was certainly the case when I visited first- and second-graders at the Montessori Academy of Chicago. The school focuses on teaching a "cosmic education," which encourages students to be aware of how everything in the universe is connected.

"The Montessori environment is its own microcosm of learning and discovery where the children independently guide their love of science through the use of materials and their own research," Fosca White, the academy's head of school, told The Huffington Post. "Learning from the child’s eyes can and should be pure joy, and their natural intelligence is only stimulated by their love of learning."

As White's students gave me their take on wormholes, dinosaurs, and even the Higgs boson, I couldn't help but wonder how the world may differ if adults held on to that innate enthusiasm we have for science. What do you think? Check out the video above and leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Talk nerdy to me!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TRANSCRIPT

See all Talk Nerdy to Me posts.
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Jerk Cats Return, This Time To Ruin Christmas

December 23, 2013, 7:08 am
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They may be warm and fuzzy on the outsize, but we all know cats are cold and spiky on the inside.

The internet has shown us their true selves. We've seen the cruel pleasure they get from stealing beds from their poor canine housemates. We've seen them rudely shushing their humans. We've seen them halting all those who try to pass with only an icy glare. They may not care if you tell them, but cats are jerks.

What's more, cats don't seem to like Christmas very much. Here we've rounded up a bunch who are bent on the destruction of their families' holiday decorations. The nerve of these cats!

Video produced by Eva Hill.
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Perfect Pipe Conditions Make For Epic Surf Photos

December 23, 2013, 10:09 am
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Forget the president. All anyone in Hawaii cared about this past weekend was the massive swell on the North Shore and the perfect Pipe conditions. Below, a round up of the best Instagram shots from the epic surf sesh for anyone who missed it.






























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Obamacare Deadline Extended For Last-Minute Shoppers

December 23, 2013, 10:59 am
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People now have until Tuesday to sign up for insurance via HealthCare.gov, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Monday. The previous deadline was Monday for those using the federal health insurance exchanges to secure coverage that will be in place on Jan. 1.

In effect, the announcement represents a one-day extension for people seeking to enroll into coverage for January, although a federal official nevertheless maintained that Monday remains the official deadline. The Washington Post first reported on the change, which is the latest of many maneuvers by President Barack Obama's administration to provide consumers with extra time to sign up. It's also an attempt to minimize the number of individuals who face gaps in their coverage since they hold policies that will be eliminated at year's end because they fail to meet Obamacare standards.

This week's deadline applies to people attempting to sign up for health insurance that will be in place on Jan. 1. The full enrollment period runs until March 31.

“The deadline for signing up for coverage to start Jan. 1 is today. We recognize that many have chosen to make their final decisions on today’s deadline and we are committed to making sure they can do so," Julie Bataille, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a written statement. "Anticipating high demand and the fact that consumers may be enrolling from multiple time zones, we have taken steps to make sure that those who select a plan through tomorrow will get coverage for Jan. 1.”

Traffic to HealthCare.gov exceeded 1 million visitors before 5:00 p.m. EST Monday, according to the Twitter account associated with the website. That nearly equaled the weekend total of 1.2 million and is more than five times the traffic last Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported.

That high demand was evident Monday morning, when HealthCare.gov, the portal to the health insurance exchanges in 36 states, began putting visitors into its queuing system because of high traffic. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the 11th-hour change to the hard deadline for January enrollments was put into place because heavy use of the website or other technical problems could ensnare people. Health insurance companies were also consulted, the agency said.

"Health plans will continue to do everything they can to help consumers through the enrollment process and mitigate potential confusion or disruption caused by all of these last-minute changes to the rules and deadlines," Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for the trade group America's Health Insurance Plans, said in a written statement.

Enrollments made via the federal system by 11:59 p.m. EST Tuesday will qualify for January coverage, and these consumers have until Jan. 10 to pay their first premium. Individuals using the state-run exchanges in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia must complete their enrollments Monday. Residents of Washington state who begin their enrollments Monday can complete them by Jan. 15 to secure coverage next month. Marylanders and Oregonians can enroll until Dec. 27, while Massachusetts residents, Minnesotans and Rhode Islanders have until Dec. 31.

In spite of the shift to Tuesday for enrollments via the federal system, the Obama administration urged consumers to act Monday. "Consumers should not wait until tomorrow. If you are aiming to get coverage Jan. 1, you should try to sign up today," Bataille said in a separate written statement. Assistance will be provided to individuals who encounter problems with the system today, she said.

Since the end of an intensive weeks-long effort to repair HealthCare.gov, which was largely inoperable on its Oct. 1 launch and problematic through November, the Obama administration has scrambled make up for lost time and facilitate enrollment this month. The deadline for January coverage originally was Dec. 15. Consumers were supposed to pay their first premium by Dec. 31, until the health insurance industry volunteered to accept late payments. And the Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that individuals whose enrollments are jeopardized because of ongoing technological problems may be eligible for retroactive enrollments to Jan. 1 if they miss this week's deadline.

The administration particularly has focused on attempts to prevent people currently covered from becoming uninsured next month because of the failings of the federal exchanges.

Individuals whose policies were canceled because they didn't comply with the new law's benefit mandates are now exempt from the individual mandate to have insurance and may choose bare-bones catastrophic plans previously available only to people younger than 30 or those who demonstrated a financial hardship. Previously, Obama asked state insurance regulators and health insurers to renew the policies that were being canceled, although this has produced mixed results. The administration also implemented a one-month extension of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, a temporary program for people who couldn't get private coverage that was supposed to expire on Dec. 31.

This story has been updated with information on HealthCare.gov web traffic for Monday and with Massachusetts' new deadline, announced Monday. A statement from America's Health Insurance Plans and a new statement from Julie Bataille were also added.
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The Best Ways To Find Santa Online

December 23, 2013, 12:25 pm
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In the past, kids waiting for presents could only imagine where Santa Claus was at any moment on Christmas Eve.

Today, they don't need that kind of patience.

A bevy of websites offer minute-by-minute updates of the big guy's journey. Others even let you talk to him online. We've run down the best here. (All these are free to use.)

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

norad

A classic. Since 1955, after a Colorado department store accidentally listed a North American Aerospace Defense Command office as Santa Claus's hotline, the defense organization has kept track of Santa's whereabout on Christmas Eve. Today, NORAD has both a call-in phone number and a website, which posts (some say overly militarized) videos of Santa's flight around the world in realtime. Of course, there are Facebook and Twitter accounts, too.


Google Santa Tracker

google santa

Since NORAD partnered with Microsoft to help build its Santa tracker, Google decided to create its own. Like NORAD, the search giant maps the big guy's journey and offers holiday games. Unlike NORAD, Google's Santa wears Google Glass and can leave you a voicemail.

google santa

"Even Santa has a legal team..."


SantaBot

santabot

Kids are used to texting their friends. Why not Santa?

Marvin Minsky, co-founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's artificial intelligence lab, created an IM simulator for Kris Kringle. This Santa isn't as jolly as others, but he can be pretty clever.

santabot


Portable North Pole

portable north pole

With this website (and app), parents can make a personalized video starring Santa for each of their kids. Just put in a child's age, dream gift and, yes, whether she's been naughty or nice, and out pops a clip in which Santa himself will tell your child to behave.
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This Video Puts The History And Future Of Everything In Serious Perspective

December 23, 2013, 2:09 pm
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Time flies, as they say.

It can be easy to forget something that seems like it's taking forever is barely a blip in the history of the universe. As the narrator of the video above remarks, time makes sense in small, manageable increments, but it becomes more unwieldy as generations pass.

Information design team Kurzgesagt and the WaitButWhy blog break all of time down for us in their awesome new video, from the Big Bang to the heat death of the universe, with a stop for coffee in between.



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Don't Just Clean Your Cupboards! Top 10 Items Food Shelves Want

December 23, 2013, 3:00 pm
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Tend to donate items you'd otherwise just discard? Instead, give the goods that are actually most desired by people in need.

Before donating to a school food drive, Reddit user potstickme101 posted a worthwhile question to find out what food pantries really need: "People who work at or have needed to get food from a food bank, Whats the one food that you wish more people donated and why?"

If you're donating this holiday season, heed the advice from donors, formerly homeless people and volunteers on Reddit below.

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How The Secret Service Protects The President's Hawaii Vacation

December 23, 2013, 5:31 pm
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It's not news to anyone that when the president comes to town, he comes with a ton of security. But when the president comes to a small island in the middle of the Pacific -- a small island that is already home to the nation's second worst traffic -- his security apparatus is a bit more noticeable.

The entire island of Oahu is essentially turned over to the Secret Service for the president's two week Christmas vacation, and while he limits his movements to a pretty predictable area, the security measures still affect tourists and locals alike.

By Land:
Concrete blockades and security patrols block the entrance to the neighborhood where the president stays and "no parking" signs keep the streets clear. Doug Miller lives just outside the security check-points and has devised a system using a little Chia Obama likeness to communicate Obama's movements to his neighbors.

"When we have him facing down the road that means that he's still out -- the motorcade is out," Miller told Hawaii News Now, "but if he's come in and is in residence then we just turn it back facing the place that he's staying. It's our little indication of whether the President is in residence or not."

Obama's rental home also undergoes a bit of an upgrade. While the existing security systems are disabled, bullet proof glass is installed as are additional, secure phone lines.

As always, the president travels with 20-30 vehicles, which makes a noticeable impact on Honolulu's already strained traffic. Obama's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, who lives in Hawaii, asked residents for their patience and understanding during the vacation. "Please forgive any traffic that is increased or made more dense as a result of his arrival," she said, "and know that he and the rest of the family are very thankful for this chance to find a retreat."

obama secret service hawaii
A US Secret Service Agent talks to people at a checkpoint for the area where President Barack Obama and his family are staying in Kailua.

By Sea:
The Coast Guard enforces a temporary security zone in the waters of Kailua Bay, near the president's rental home. Officials have contacted boat owners in the area to remind them that the canal and surf spots facing the home are off limits, and armed Coast Guard dinghies line the banks of the canal.

Any person entering the zone without the permission of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port is subject to a penalty up to $40,000 or a criminal penalty resulting in imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Unfortunately, the Secret Service's strategy for protecting against sharks and jellyfish remains classified.

kailua bay hawaii
A Coast Guard dinghie patrols the canal near Obama's rental home.

By Air:
The FAA files "temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement" during the president's stay. Any aircraft within a 30 nautical mile radius -- which, we'll point out, encompasses the entire island of Oahu -- must apply for special approval to fly from the FAA.

If you think this only affects commercial planes, think again. Oahu is home to a bustling tourism industry of helicopter tours, hang-gliding tours, and skydiving companies, all of which are affected to some degree by the FAA restrictions. Frank Hinshaw of Skydive Hawaii says that he's "very grateful to be flying while the president is in town," but his planes are grounded if the president decides to take a trip to the North Shore. "We're closed while he's in our vicinity," Henshaw says.

That's because the FAA has more strict restrictions for what it calls the "inner core," the 10 nautical mile radius that follows the president's movements. Only approved law enforcement and military flights directly supporting the Secret Service are allowed in this space, although exceptions are made for "lifesaving" or ambulance flights with proper approval.

If a wayward skydiving plane were to violate this airspace, two armed F-16s would appear out of nowhere to dance circles around the intruder and escort the aircraft down.

helicopter hawaii
Military helicopters patrol Waikiki Beach.

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Obama's Local Hawaii Vacation: What We Wish He'd Do

December 23, 2013, 11:10 pm
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Like the rest of us, the Obamas are creatures of habit. They make the Hawaiian island of Oahu their holiday trip every winter, they rent the same beachside house, and they frequent (more or less) the same restaurants and attractions.

This year, we have something else in mind for the Obamas. If you're listening, first family, we very respectfully ask that you try the below seven Oahu attractions -- like true locals.

1. Have a local breakfast at Hukilau Cafe.

The obvious choice for breakfast would be the famous Cinnamon's Restaurant in Kailua, not far from the Obamas' winter residence, but we'd like to see the president and his family do breakfast like a true local would. (Live up to that birth certificate, Mr. President!)

We would send the Obamas to the Hukilau Cafe, which is tucked into the quiet countryside of Laie on the east side of Oahu. Our presidential recommendations include the macadamia nut pancakes, a fried rice omelet and, of course, a loco moco -- an island breakfast-staple consisting of rice, a hamburger patty and a fried egg, all underneath a generous pour of hot gravy.

2. Do yoga on a stand up paddle board at Kawela Bay.

This beach stretches along one of the last few untouched bays on the island of Oahu and is at risk of being replaced by new hotels and condominiums. Although the quiet bay's future is up in the air, the Obama family can still enjoy the pristine beach now.

Protected by a reef and two points of land, the water in Kawela Bay stays relatively calm, especially during the powerful winter surf season on the North Shore. In our presidential dreamworld, we imagine Michelle, Malia and Sasha playing in shallow waters as Barack paddles deeper in the bay for a calming downward dog and sun salutation. Namaste, Mr. President.

3. Jump off the rock at Waimea Bay...

Just how brave can the Obamas be? The appropriately named "Jump Rock" at Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore is perfect for climbing and cannon-balling back into the ocean. Let's just hope that no one in the family has a fear of heights. The tallest point on the rock is about 30 feet and the water below is anywhere between 10 to 20 feet deep, depending on the tide.


4. ...or watch the massive waves.
waimea bay surf
It's very likely that the Obamas will be on the island to experience one of the massive swells that Hawaii's North Shore is famous for. When the conditions are just right, Waimea Bay hosts some of the biggest waves in the world, with wave faces up to 30 and 40 feet.

If the Obamas are extra lucky, they might be able to catch the world's most prestigious big wave competition, the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau surf competition, which can only be held when the waves are a minimum of 20 feet. The contest has only happened eight times since its inception in 1985, with the most recent contest in 2009.

5. Kayak to the Mokulua Islands.
mokulua islands kayak
The Mokulua islands, known as "the Mokes" to locals, are two small islands just off the coast of Kailua -- the little beach town where the Obamas are staying for the holidays. The bigger of the two islands, Moku Nui, is the perfect spot for a presidential beach day since it's only a thirty minute kayak ride from Lanikai Beach. The first family can bring beach towels, boogie boards, even a small grill for barbecuing, and spend hours exploring the beaches and coves on the tiny island.

6. Take a booze cruise during sunset.
waikiki booze cruise
What do you get when you have a 45-foot catamaran, endless beer and Mai Tais, and a Hawaiian sunset? One. Epic. Evening.

An island attraction for drinking-inclined tourists and locals, commercial sailing catamarans launch from Waikiki beach for a 90-minute boozy boat ride. Charters like Na Hoku II and Manu Kai have reputations as the hardest partying boats on the shoreline, both with open bars and impromptu dance parties. While it's very unlikely that the Obamas would actually end up on one of these, we can dream, can't we?

7. Get fresh produce at a local farmers market.
oahu farmers market
The first family can turn their next Hawaii meal into a true community experience by buying local food and produce at one of the many farmers markets on the island of Oahu. Hawaii imports about 85-90% of its food, which means promoting and supporting local food is an environmental priority. Obama can meet and greet farmers and pick up some of the island's signature fruits -- lilikoi, guavas, pineapples and the ever-strange-looking dragon fruit. There are many farmers markets around the island, including one in Kailua town near the Obamas' winter vacation rental.

Alongside fruits and veggies, many markets also offer a wide variety of food plates -- from sushi to desserts -- and unique gifts and crafts. The first family will be able to have a local and healthy meal while picking up last-minute holiday gifts, all while helping to support the local economy!
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NORAD Santa Tracker 2013: Here Comes Santa Claus!

December 24, 2013, 5:48 am
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With Santa's arrival imminent, The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has a firm lock on a glowing object moving quickly across the skies, and can confirm that it is indeed Rudolph's bright red nose, according to Susan Alexander, a volunteer for the organization, in a Christmas Eve interview with The Huffington Post.*

The group has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve, for 57 years, using radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighters.




It all started when Sears Roebuck & Co. advertised their Santa hotline in a 1955 publication. "Hey Kiddies, call me direct on my telephone," the ad said with a portrait of Saint Nick and ... the wrong phone number.

Instead of calling the store, children reached CONAD (the Continental Air Defense Command which later became NORAD). Luckily for everyone, Colonel Harry Shoup was in charge at the time. Rather than turn the kids away, he told his staff to check their radar and provide updates on Santa's location, all night long. And as the official NORAD website says, "a tradition was born."

Over the years, NORAD added more satellites to pinpoint Santa's exact location as he made his way from chimney to chimney. In 1998, the Santa Cam Network -- "ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many locations around the world... [to] capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey around the world" -- made its debut.




Now, you can track Santa's journey all day and night online. (Follow his journey, using the map above.) For an exact location, send an email to noradtrackssanta@outlook.com. Of course, the organization hasn't done away with good old-fashioned phone lines. Volunteers like Alexander are standing by to take kids' calls at 1-877-HI-NORAD or 1-877-446-6723.

If you cannot reach a NORAD representative right away, here are a few answers to FAQ's from their website.

When will Santa arrive at my house?

"NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house. We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep! In most countries, it seems Santa arrives between 9:00 p.m. and midnight on December 24th. If children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later, but only when the children are asleep!"

How can Santa travel the world within 24 hours?

"NORAD intelligence reports indicate that Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa it might last days, weeks or even months. Santa would not want to rush the important job of delivering presents to children and spreading joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that Santa somehow functions within his own time-space continuum."

Is there a Santa Claus?

"Mountains of historical data and more than 50 years of NORAD tracking information leads us to believe that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world."

Head over the noradsanta.org for more.


* Play along, people. It's Christmas.




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If You Really Love Christmas That Much, Why Don't You Prove It?

December 24, 2013, 8:17 am
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You may have seen your fair share of Nativity scenes and sipped your way through some grocery store eggnog, but we bet you still hum most of the words to "Silent Night" and aren't as sharp on your favorite Christmas movies as you'd like to think. One thing's for sure, you still have no freaking idea what's in Grandma's fruitcake. Yup, there are a whole lot of stories behind this holiday that we bet you never took the time to look up on Wikipedia. We rounded up some of our favorites into a very merry obscure facts of Christmas quiz:




Were you surprised at your Yuletide IQ? Consider this holly jolly knowledge our Christmas gift to you -- go forth and wow your entire family!
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7 Celebrities The Obamas Should Have Over For Christmas Dinner

December 24, 2013, 9:36 am
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The Obamas aren't the only VIPs in Hawaii this holiday season. While the first family will probably lay low and enjoy family time together, we've assembled a potential guest list for their Christmas dinner -- just in case they want to spice things up a bit this year.

1. Steven Tyler
The musician retreats to Maui where he is known to jam out with the occasional fire dancer and where he advocated unsuccessfully for Hawaii's "Steven Tyler Act," a strict anti-paparazzi law. He and the president could bond over their legislative woes.

steven tyler

2. Roseanne Barr
The actress and comedian owns a home on the Big Island of Hawaii, where she manages her very vocal Twitter account. We imagine she'd have a few choice words for the president about GMO laws.

roseanne barr

3. Oprah
Okay, maybe the First Family would actually have to leave their "winter White House" to experience Oprah's 780-acre Maui property. Seriously, their paltry $25,000/week rental has nothing on Oprah's organic farm, luxurious farmhouse and utter seclusion.

oprah and obama

4. Arianna Huffington
Our very own matriarch is on Hawaii's Big Island this Christmas. She could certainly provide the president with a few pointers on unplugging and recharging over the holidays.

arianna huffington

5. Jack Johnson
Two local boys, Jack and the president could compare their favorite shave ice spots or maybe Jack could teach Sasha and Malia how to play the ukelele.

jack johnson hawaii

6. Dog The Bounty Hunter
We have no idea what the president would actually talk about with Dog, but wouldn't that conversation be awesome?

dog the bounty hunter

7. Laird Hamilton & Gabby Reece
The athletic power couple lives on the island of Kauai where they blog about healthy living and fitness. Sounds like promising ambassadors for "Let's Move!" to us.

laird hamilton and gabrielle reece
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Oregon State Beats Boise State 38-23 In Hawaii Bowl

December 24, 2013, 10:20 pm
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HONOLULU (AP) — Rashaad Reynolds and Oregon State made the most of their final chance to stop a costly losing streak.

Reynolds returned two fumbles for touchdowns, helping the Beavers beat Boise State 38-23 in the Hawaii Bowl on Tuesday night. Oregon State won six of its first seven games of the season. Then a 20-12 home loss to then-No. 8 Stanford started a five-game slide that came to an end when the Beavers (7-6) set several records in handing Boise State its worst loss in two months.

Oregon State coach Mike Riley said stopping the skid was the biggest deal for his team.

"They've worked hard, they haven't lost their focus even though there's been some discouragement, they didn't let it stay with them," Riley said. "I loved how they've responded all year."

Biletnikoff Award-winner Brandin Cooks grabbed eight balls for 60 yards and a touchdown. He extended his Pac-12 single-season record to 128 receptions and broke the conference record for yards receiving with 1,730, passing Southern California's Marqise Lee.

Sean Mannion threw for 259 yards and a touchdown, giving him a Pac-12-record 4,662 yards passing for the season.

"When you win, you'd like to say it's a good ending — a good beginning for the upcoming year," Riley said.

Oregon State kept Boise State (8-5) out of the end zone until the third quarter, well after the Beavers had opened a big lead.

Reynolds had his first fumble recovery about 12 minutes into the game when Scott Crichton stripped Boise State quarterback Grant Hedricks in the end zone. The ball popped forward to the 3-yard line, where Reynolds picked it up and ran it in.

Reynolds tacked on another fumble return in the second quarter on his way to game MVP honors. Troy Ware caught a 6-yard pass near the sideline for Boise State, but Larry Scott punched the ball out as Ware was falling to the ground. Reynolds picked it up and ran 70 yards to the end zone.

"You just can't overcome those — it's very difficult to overcome those versus a Pac-12 team," Boise State interim coach Bob Gregory said. "That's tough when we're not on the field on defense, but we didn't make enough plays on defense either."

Matt Miller led Boise State with 11 catches for 206 yards and a touchdown, with most of the production coming after the game was decided. Miller, who set a school record with 88 catches this season, was the Broncos' MVP for the game.

Boise State's most successful drive came in the third quarter after Oregon State went 94 yards and scored a touchdown to make it 38-6. The Broncos responded with a nine-play, 76-yard drive spent partially in a hurry-up offense. Jay Ajayi took a shotgun handoff from Hedrick and ran up the middle for a 1-yard TD.

After the successful extra-point attempt went into the stands, the mostly-empty stadium provided its loudest ovation of the night in support of the fans who tried to keep the ball away from security by throwing it around the seats.

Oregon State finished with 454 total yards, averaging 6.8 per play. Storm Woods had 16 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown, and Terron Ward had a 9-yard TD run.

"That's exactly how we would like to look, we want to have that balance," Riley said. "We just frankly blocked better."

Hedrick threw for 382 yards and a touchdown, closing out a difficult stretch for the Broncos (8-5).

Joe Southwick was sent home by interim coach Bob Gregory after the quarterback was accused of urinating off a hotel balcony in Honolulu last week, though he later told a TV station he didn't do it and was unfairly dismissed.

It was Gregory's first major issue after taking over for Chris Petersen, who left the team to take over at Washington.

"I mean there were a lot of distractions for us, but we've got a bunch of resilient guys," Miller said. "It was looking like we were going to come out and play well and that just didn't happen there."

Gregory said he didn't think the distractions affected his team.

"There wasn't a loss of focus," he said. "I think we had really good bowl practices, I think we had good practices when we were here and again we just didn't make as many plays as we had to make to make a difference in the game."

Both teams started the game with similar drives, making progress on big plays before stalling in the red zone and kicking field goals. But Oregon State grabbed the lead for good on Cooks' 2-yard TD reception with 4:15 left in the first quarter, capping a 92-yard drive.

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Oskar Garcia can be reached on Twitter at http://twitter.com/oskargarcia
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The 5 Spices Of Christmas

December 25, 2013, 6:03 am
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We'd be kidding ourselves if we said our holiday diets were healthy. But amidst the excessive portions, festive sugar intake and, let's be honest, a couple of extra glasses of wine here and there, there is one holiday food group that is pretty unimpeachable in the nutrition department: Spices.

That spice blend in your cookies or cakes, the topping to your hot, seasonal beverage -- although they add flavor, dimension and color to the season's culinary masterpieces -- are also a source of anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and vitamin richness.

Read on for what is, quite possibly, the only nutritional information you won't be sad to read today.

Rosemary

rosemary

Add it to your roast meat, potato mash or even your cookies. Not only does rosemary's green, winter-y aroma evoke the holiday season, it's a health powerhouse, especially if you use a grill: One study at Kansas State University found that adding rosemary extract to hamburger patties reduced the meat's contents of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), which are carcinogens that form on red meat when it is cooked on a grill or broiled.

Ginger

ginger root

This anti-inflammatory root is found in just about every Christmas dessert worth eating, from gingerbread to pfeffernüsse. But ginger can also help if you've overdone it on the other tasty treats: Studies show that the root helps soothe stomachs by reducing feelings of nausea.

Cinnamon

cinnamon warming

Sure, you'll sprinkle it into your hot cider or spice your wine with it, but did you know that this bark is actually a health food? Some studies show that including cinnamon in your diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels if you suffer from Type 2 diabetes. There's also some evidence that cinnamon has antibacterial properties. That said, it's important to be moderate with the spice, which was most recently associated with liver damage, according to a report in The Guardian, because of its high levels of the compound coumarin.

Peppermint

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Yes, it's probably best not to eat all the candy canes lying around after you've finished decorating the tree, but there's no reason to avoid their star ingredient, peppermint. The mint brightens up chocolate and adds depth to confections, but it also delivers a vitamin-packed punch, thanks to high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C. What's more, research shows that the flavor may help prevent tension headaches, improve concentration, curb appetite and even reduce cold symptoms.

Nutmeg

spice nutmeg

While you're grating some over your eggnog, don't forget to give a little thanks for nutmeg, the powerhouse seed that contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
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Glow-In-The-Dark Piglets Created In China Using Jellyfish DNA

December 25, 2013, 9:42 am
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Just in time for Christmas, a team of scientists in China were able to create ten little piglets that glow green under black fluorescent lights, thanks to a technique developed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Medicine.

A group of scientists from South China Agricultural University were able to do this by injecting fluorescent protein from jellyfish DNA into pig embryos, thus creating the green-glowing pigs.

This same technique was used to create the world's first glow-in-the-dark bunnies in Turkey earlier this year, where they are currently working to produce similar results with fluorescent-glowing sheep.

Scientists, however, are not creating glowing farm animals for seasonal décor. The goal of the research is to have an efficient and cheap way of getting a beneficial gene into humans that could help treat many genetic disorders.

Dr. Stefan Moisyadi, a UH Manoa bioscientist with the Institute for Biological Research, says, for example, that this technique could benefit people who suffer with the rare blood-clotting disease hemophilia. "We can make [blood-clotting] enzymes a lot cheaper in animals rather than a factory that will cost millions of dollars to build," Moisyadi said in a press release.

According to Moisyadi, the now-green piglets have not been affected by the fluorescent protein and are expected to have the same life span as other pigs. "The green is only a marker to show that it's working easily," he said.

In the video below, the scientists in southern China show off their result by turning off the lights and shining a black light over the piglets. They are placed in a container to limit their movement.

Green Pigs demonstrate success of UH reproductive science technique from UHMed on Vimeo.

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These Beautiful Water Landscapes Will Totally Take Your Breath Away

December 25, 2013, 11:32 am
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There’s no doubt that water is essential. We drink it. We swim in it. We’re even made up of it. But sometimes, we should stop and appreciate the sheer beauty of it.

If you’re yearning for that feeling of serenity, the peaceful moment amidst the craziness of the world, these fifteen water landscapes will undoubtedly take your breath away and then, maybe, just maybe, reawaken your wanderlust:

Great Blue Hole

great blue hole
The Great Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole, or cave, in Lighthouse Reef, Belize. It was a vertical cave above ground during the past ice ages, but with time, the rising ocean levels flooded the 400 feet deep cave.


Eleuthera Island, Bahamas

Glass Window Bridge-18
(Flickr/Michael Harris)
In the 110-mile long and 1-mile wide island of Eleuthera, there is bridge called the Glass Window Bridge. There, you can see the incredible deep dark blue of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the aquamarine of the Caribbean Sea on the other.

Lake Hillier, Australia

Lake Hillier - Western Australia
(Imgur)
Like other pink lakes around the world, the beautiful pink color could have been caused by a combination of salt-attracted Dunaliella Salina bacteria and sunlight absorption.

Iguazu Falls

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This semicircular waterfall lies on the border of Brazil and Argentina and about 2 miles wide

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Colorado

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Located in the Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the third largest hot spring in the world

Great Barrier Reef

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Home to an abundance of marine life, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, consisting of 3,000 individual reef systems.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

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One of the most famous glaciers in Patagonia, visitors are allowed to hike this incredible glacier in the town of El Calafate, Argentina.

Abraham Lake in Alberta, Canada

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These magnificent ice bubbles in Abraham Lake are created by methane gas released by the plants at the bottom of the lake

Palau

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Palau, in Western Pacific Ocean, is a country made up of of volcanic and limestone islands and is a hot spot for scuba divers.

Fairy Pools, Scotland

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These gorgeous waterfalls, known as Fairy Pools, can be seen while hiking in Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Pamukkale Travertine Pools
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A UNESCO world heritage site, these hot springs were built in 2nd century BCE in Pamukkale, Turkey.

Five Flower Lake

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The Five Flower Lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley, China gets its beautiful colors from plant and mineral deposits.


The Dead Sea


(Imgur)
The Dead Sea lies between Jordan and Israel and is the saltiest sea in the world.

Glowing Waves

Blue tide of dinoflagellates
(Flickr/BMC Ecology)
You know the algal bloom that causes the red tide? A big enough movement (a wave in this case) can chemically change the same algal bloom and create these beautiful bright blue waves visible at night.
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Obama, First Lady Pay Tribute To U.S. Troops And Their Families During Christmas Visit To Hawaii Base

December 25, 2013, 9:32 pm
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KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — President Barack Obama stepped away from the seclusion of his quiet Hawaii vacation for what's become a Christmas tradition: paying tribute to U.S. troops and the sacrifices their families make during the holidays and throughout the year.

After a morning of presents and carols with their two daughters, the president and first lady Michelle Obama took a short drive to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where nearly 600 troops and their families gathered in a mess hall, half-eaten pieces of cake still on the table from Christmas dinner. "Michelle and I know that we would not enjoy the freedoms we do if it weren't for the incredible dedication and professionalism and work that you do," Obama said. "The least we can do is just let you all know we're grateful to you."

Obama, dressed informally in dark pants and a blue shirt, called out the names of some of the military units stationed here, prompting loud whoops from the troops. He recalled speaking by phone on Christmas Eve with 10 service members stationed in places like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

"It was just a sampling of the incredible sacrifice that you and your families make every single day," Obama said. The Hawaiian-born president wished the troops a "mele kalikimaka" — a local phrase for "merry Christmas" — before he and Mrs. Obama spent about an hour and a half posing for photos.

The visit to this wind-swept base on a peninsula on Oahu has become almost a ritual for Obama, who seeks refuge from the stresses of Washington during his annual vacation in Hawaii. He frequently visits the base's golf course and gym.

It's also one of the few moments when Obama appears in a public setting during his trip. Aside from a basketball game and dinner at a Honolulu restaurant, the Obamas have remained largely out of sight since arriving here over the weekend. Obama has played a round of golf nearly every day and the first family has spent much of the time at a vacation rental in an upscale neighborhood in Oahu.

This year's vacation comes at the end of a particularly vexing year in which a gun control push failed, an immigration overhaul stalled and the rollout of Obama's signature health care law crashed and burned. Reflecting on the year as he prepared to depart for Honolulu, Obama said he'd have better ideas for approaching next year "after a couple days of sleep and sun."

Among the troops Obama called Tuesday were those wounded over the weekend during a mission to evacuate Americans from South Sudan. Four troops were injured in that effort, but the White House has said they are in stable condition.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel also offered his holiday wishes to troops by phone, calling military members stationed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Pentagon said. And Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, paid a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where they visited patients and families. The hospital treats many military members wounded in war.

Mrs. Obama did not speak publicly during the stop at the Marine base, but in a Christmas video message released Wednesday, she said now that more troops are home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nation must find new ways to give back.

"It's our turn to step up and show our gratitude for the military families who have given us so much," she said.

The Obamas are expected to remain in Hawaii through Jan. 5.

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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP
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