Sales Force Training ? Learn How to Share the Company's Vision ...

Each employer during the course of running a business has to face challenges in their myriad forms. Sales professionals follow a certain formula to win new customers and retain old ones. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes not so much. The greatest nightmare of any business owner is when the success to failure ratio falls below what they want and need. This is where a sales training plan in Lenexa, KS comes into effect. Companies send their sales people to training so they can improve their skills. Often times, experienced people do not like that idea, but everyone should attend one at some point.?

Main kinds of selling skills handled at sales force training?

Basic day-to-day selling ? The training will concentrate on the methods involved in selling a product or service on a daily basis. The sales person should also have sound knowledge on the product/service he is selling and also the new things introduced in the marketplace every day. Every step of marketing a product will be mastered to perfection, so he will not make errors when he is on call.?

Tactical approach to win new accounts ? Every business thrives on new accounts won by the sales professionals and also on the tactical approach followed to retain the old ones. They?ll be supplied with full hands-on training so old methods may be improved and new ones may be created.?

Doing things differently ? Businesses are always thinking up new ideas and strategies to keep themselves a cut above the rest. It?s inevitable that every employee will reach a point where no more quality suggestions can be produced. Entering into a sales training plan will open up doorways that he never knew were there.?

The three points mentioned above should work with each other in perfect harmony in order to help establish your company as a unique force, perfect by all rights.?

Did the training work?

?
Evaluation of the sales force team prior to the training and after it is very important. Each employee in the sales force team should be evaluated separately and collectively to gauge the success of the training. Understanding the degree to which the training worked is important. The degree of success depends upon effectiveness of the understanding conveyed to each team member. If the evaluation falls far below your expectations, then it could be due to two reasons. The program itself was not very great, or your employees just didn?t grasp the content. That is why it?s highly important that you approach a business whose reputation for sales force training is impressive and successful.?

However, the effect of a successful training plan will come to light only in the long run. You can observe each team member and note the skills he is using to win clients. Lastly, ask them to run a self analysis of what they learned during the program.?

Visit this site to learn more about?sales force training in Kansas City, MO.?

Source: http://alfonso.sisko-hosting.com/sales-force-training-a-learn-how-to-share-the-companys-vision-and-mission-effectively/

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Microsoft details government requests for data

Devin Coldewey , NBC News ? ? ? 5 hrs.

Microsoft issued a report Thursday listing the number of requests for user data made by government agencies, as well as the amount complied with in one way or another.

The report covers all of 2012, although Microsoft says it plans to release this information every six months from now on. Google has issued a similar report for several years.

Overall, Microsoft received 70,665 requests for data on a total of 122,015 users. Turkey made the most requests, with 11,434, followed by the U.S. with 11,073, then next were the U.K., France and Germany.

The U.S., however, led the world in the number of requests actually producing content ? which Microsoft defines as "the subject or body of an email, photos stored in SkyDrive, address book information, and calendars." In fact, nearly all the disclosures including content were for requests originating in the United States.

Globally, about 80 percent of requests ended up producing some data, even if it was just a user name or IP address. In contrast, Google produced data for around 66 percent of requests in 2012, although in the U.S., that number jumps to about 90 percent.

Skype, which Microsoft owns but is tracked separately for legal reasons, received 4,713 requests for data, but none of them produced any content (such as conversations or call recordings). Skype IDs, email accounts, billing information, and other details, however, were provided in some cases.

A blog post by Microsoft's General Counsel Brad Smith summarizes the report and points out some extra statistics. The report itself, in various formats, can be downloaded here.

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653377/s/29d96583/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Ctechnology0Ctechnolog0Cmicrosoft0Edetails0Egovernment0Erequests0Edata0E1C90A0A70A43/story01.htm

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U.S. News Starts 2014 Best Colleges Rankings Data Collection

Work on the next edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings is under way.

U.S. News started to collect data from the three U.S. News statistical surveys--main, financial aid and finance--on March 19. That statistical data will be used for the 2014 edition of our college rankings, which will be published later this year.

These surveys gather information on such factors as enrollment, faculty, tuition, room and board, SAT and ACT scores, admissions criteria, graduation and retention rates, college majors, school finances, activities, sports and financial aid. This data is used in the Best Colleges rankings that will be published on usnews.com and in the print guidebook that will be available on newsstands.

More than 1,750 U.S. colleges, and a few outside of the United States, received a notification email from U.S. News with details on how to access our password-protected online surveys. Nearly all regionally accredited, four-year bachelor's degree granting U.S. colleges should have received such a notice. If you are from a college that did not receive the data collection survey email, please contact Diane Tolis, U.S. News data collection manager, at dtolis@usnews.com.

U.S. News has included questions for the second year in a row that ask for differential graduation rates based on family income level. These rates were used to produce separate lists, "How Successful Are Colleges at Graduating Low-Income Students?" among them. We also continue to ask for information about each college's connectivity, which was used to produce the Most Connected Colleges rankings.

If you are from a college and have questions about the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings or their methodologies, contact Robert Morse, U.S. News director of data research, at rmorse@usnews.com .

U.S. News works on the college rankings 12 months a year. We hold and attend meetings throughout the year with higher education experts in order to listen to their suggestions and criticisms, as well as to understand the latest campus trends. These consultations with college presidents, deans, institutional researchers and high school counselors give us an opportunity to gather feedback on our rankings methodology.

We would like to thank all the colleges that participate in our Best Colleges data collection. We understand that it takes a lot of work to fill out the surveys, and we appreciate the efforts taken to provide us with the most accurate data available.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/u-news-starts-2014-best-colleges-rankings-data-154159902.html

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The Engadget Podcast is live at 3:45PM ET!

It's hard to believe that last week was, well, only a week ago. A whole lot has happened in Engadgetland for a week that didn't involve a CES or MWC. A few hours after the last podcast, Samsung went ahead and launched a little phone. Our weekend was also fairly busy, spending time in San Francisco, you know, just hanging out and stuff. But don't worry, Tim's back, Brian's back and Peter's here from another jam-packed episode of the Engadget Podcast. We'd like to see you back, as well. Join us after the break, won't you?

March 21, 2013 3:45 PM EDT

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/ByaFxCXCo98/

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Malcolm Jamal Warner & Regina King Split!

Malcolm and Regina have called it quits! See more celeb pairs who are back to going solo.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/gone-splitsville-celebrity-breakups/1-b-16462?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Agone-splitsville-celebrity-breakups-16462

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Cushioned heel running shoes may alter adolescent biomechanics, performance

Mar. 19, 2013 ? Many of today's running shoes feature a heavy cushioned heel. New research presented today at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) found that these shoes may alter an adolescent runner's biomechanics (the forces exerted by muscles and gravity on the skeletal structure) and diminish performance.

Researchers recruited 12 adolescent competitive athletes from local track teams, and asked them to run on a treadmill in large heel trainers, track flats and without any shoes (barefoot) at four different speeds. Biomechanics -- stride length, heel height during posterior swing phase and foot/ground contact -- were measured with a motion capture system.

"Running barefoot or running in less of a running shoe (toe shoes, for example) is a newer trend," said Scott Mullen, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at The University of Kansas Hospital. "What we were trying to evaluate is whether or not the foot strike would change in an adolescent -- who doesn't yet have a permanently established gate -- when they changed their shoe or running speed."

The researchers found that shoe type "dramatically" altered running biomechanics in the adolescent runners. When wearing cushioned heel trainers, the athletes landed on their heel 69.8 percent of the time at all speeds. With the track flats, the heel was the first point of contact less than 35 percent of the time; and when barefoot, less than 30 percent of the time. Shoes with cushioned heels promote a heel-strike running pattern, whereas runners with track flats and barefoot had a forefoot or mid-foot strike pattern.

"What we found is that simply by changing their footwear, the runners' foot strike would change," said Dr. Mullen. "When they ran in the cushioned heel or an average running shoe ? even when running a 5-minute mile ? the athletes landed on their heel first."

Many adolescent runners train in cushioned heels and compete in track spikes, "which may give them less of a (performance) advantage" in competition, said Dr. Mullen.

As a 2010 study found that heel strike running distributes more energy to hips and knees, running in flat- soled shoes that promote a forefoot strike may "present a healthier foot strike for runners over a lifetime, possibly resulting in fewer hip and knee problems," said Dr. Mullen. More research is needed to determine the effects of shoes on foot strike.

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/WUae7gr8p2s/130319091420.htm

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Discovering Last second Offers Upon Lufthansa Air ...

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Bombs kill at least 50 on Iraq invasion anniversary

Mohammed Ameen / Reuters

Residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad. A series of apparently coordinated blasts hit Shiite districts across Baghdad and south of the Iraqi capital on Tuesday.

?

By Reuters

BAGHDAD - Car bombs and a suicide blast hit Shiite districts of Baghdad and south of Iraq's capital on Tuesday, killing at least 50 people on the 10th anniversary of the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.?

March 19, 2003: President George W. Bush addresses the nation from the Oval office announces the that war against Iraq has begun.

Sunni Islamist insurgents tied to al Qaeda have stepped up attacks on Shiite targets since the start of the year in a campaign to stoke sectarian tension and undermine Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government.?

Tuesday's car bombs exploded near a busy Baghdad market, close to the heavily fortified Green Zone and in other districts across the capital. A suicide bomber driving a truck attacked a police base in a Shiite town just south of the capital, police and hospital sources said.?

"I was driving my taxi and suddenly I felt my car rocked. Smoke was all around. I saw two bodies on the ground. People were running and shouting everywhere," said Al Radi, a taxi driver caught in one of the blasts in Baghdad's Sadr City.

Another 160 people were wounded in the attacks, hospital officials said.

No group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's blasts, but Iraq's al Qaeda wing, Islamic State of Iraq, has vowed to take back ground lost in its long war with American troops. Since the start of the year the group has carried out a string of high-profile attacks.?

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. ITV's John Irvine in Baghdad assesses a country that, ten years on, remains gripped by the violence of its sectarian divide.

Gunmen and suicide bombers stormed the well-protected Justice Ministry building in central Baghdad on Thursday, killing 25 people in an attack by the al Qaeda affiliate.?

A decade after U.S. and Western troops swept into Iraq to remove Saddam from power, Iraq still struggles with a stubborn insurgency, sectarian frictions and political instability among its Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish factions.?

Syria's civil war is further fanning Iraq's volatility as Islamist insurgents invigorated by the mainly Sunni rebellion against Syrian President Bashar Assad try to tap into Sunni Muslim discontent in Iraq.?

In the ten years since guided bombs brought "shock and awe" to Baghdad, almost 4,500 troops and 130,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed and Saddam Hussein has been captured and executed in a mission that has cost nearly $2 trillion. NBC's Richard Engel reports.

Related:

Iraq, 10 years on: Did invasion bring 'hope and progress' to millions as Bush vowed?

Waste, fraud and abuse commonplace in Iraq reconstruction effort

Full Iraq coverage from NBC News

This story was originally published on Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:34 AM EDT

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/19/17368610-bombs-kill-at-least-50-on-10th-anniversary-of-iraq-invasion?lite

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Hillary backs same-sex marriage (CNN)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

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Video: Where will they land?

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Lauren's Blog - Thinking About Products Of Dedi Server!

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 18th, 2013 @ 2:10 pm on the category Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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BB10 is ready to ship, BlackBerry's marketing department does its best Etta James parody (video)

Their phones are fine and dandy, but we liked the band before it sold out.

Filed under: Blackberry

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Via: AllThingsD

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/18/bb10-is-ready-to-ship-at-last-video/

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Column: Reaching for middle, pulled to edges

WASHINGTON (AP) ? It was a bipartisan spectacle, one served up for Americans craving cooperation in an era of divided government and persistent gridlock.

From one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other, President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress made what seemed like an attempt to work together. Republicans dined at and a few blocks from the White House and the president visited Capitol Hill, each side essentially on the other's home turf. Talk ? in public at least ? focused on areas of possible collaboration. The phrase "grand bargain" was tossed around as if big, across-the-aisle deals were in the works.

If only it actually had meant a sea change. But in reality, the past few weeks simply shone the spotlight on the tension of this nation's say-one-thing-do-the-other politics.

Both Obama and House Speaker John Boehner tempered expectations ? and put the onus on others to find common ground.

"We've had good conversations. But ultimately it's a matter of the House and Senate, both caucuses, getting together and being willing to compromise," Obama said, a measured prod as he left Capitol Hill after three days of meetings last week that, like the bipartisan meals of the week before, he had initiated.

Boehner was blunt: "This is going to take more than dinner dates and phone calls. It's going to take the president and Senate Democrats rolling up their sleeves, making tough choices about how we solve our nation's problems."

At the same time, Republicans and Democrats did the very opposite of reach for the middle. Each side offered up competing budget proposals filled with ideas drawn narrowly from their ideological wings. Both sides dug in on their positions.

Obama also spent time bucking up his biggest backers, who had huddled to plot how to help his agenda through Congress. Fighting for the middle class was the phrase of choice ? as they gathered for two days in the posh St. Regis hotel. Organizers sought to appear nonpartisan, promising to work with people of all political stripes, albeit those who wanted to help enact "a progressive agenda." That's essentially code for Democrats who back Obama's proposals.

"What we want is to make sure that the voices of the people who put me here continue to be heard," Obama told the gathering.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party's leaders of yesterday and tomorrow courted conservative activists during an annual conference that was both a pep rally for the GOP's most ardent backers and a three-day skewering of Democrats even as questions about the party's direction hung heavy. So-called red meat ? sound bites, refrains and slogans served up to energize supporters and demonize opponents ? topped the menu.

"Don't tell me Republicans are out of ideas when the entire Democrat agenda was articulated during the Truman administration," the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell, said. "Don't tell me Democrats are the party of the future, when their presidential ticket for 2016 is shaping up to look like a rerun of the 'Golden Girls.' We've got Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan and a slew of smart, young and energetic governors ready to take America into the future. They've got Hillary and Joe Biden."

The lesson: The pressures of a system dominated by the far wings of their political parties ? where liberals hold the power among Democrats and conservatives hold the power among Republicans ? cause leaders to speak out of both sides of their mouths. This has become the case all too often, even though the general public says it wants collaboration and some politicians truly want to collaborate.

So is the system itself preventing it?

For both sides, the mirage of bipartisanship is a political necessity. Polls show that Americans are deeply sour on the Republican Party. Now people are turning on Obama, too; he has lost his postelection bump in surveys. So, with their actions of comity, they're both trying to send a message: We get that you want us to work together.

But, as is usually the case in politics, the show obscures the truth.

Both sides feel intense pressure to rile up their core supporters, perhaps even more than the pressure they feel to address the nation's problems. Here's why: Those who are the most polarized in America are also the most passionate, motivated to raise money, knock on doors and spread the message of their favored candidates. That means those are the people who wield the most influence over politicians ? the ideological and the involved.

Not so much for the rest of the country. Centrist America is not at all homogenous in its views. It's certainly not passionate about the middle of the road. And because of that, it's much less willing to spend its time working for it. Nobody in this group marches en masse to chant, fervently, "We want common ground" ? which by definition means all sides bending a bit in their beliefs.

This is not a new phenomenon.

In May 1968, Richard Nixon spoke of a "silent center" ? "the millions of people in the middle of the American political spectrum who do not demonstrate, who do not picket or protest loudly."

With polarization and disgust with Washington at a high level ? common wisdom in recent years has suggested that the public's appetite was ripe for supporting politicians focused on the middle ground. Yet even when conditions are ripe for compromise, and people are willing to compromise, our nation struggles with it.

Even when the center of the electorate does get a burst of passion, often there's nothing for it to stick to because ? in this system, at least ? no candidate who takes the middle ground makes it very far. Efforts to draft like-minded candidates, through groups called Unity08 and Americans Elect, fizzled. And No Labels ? described as Democrats, Republicans and "everything in between dedicated to the politics of problem-solving" ? has generated little, if any, traction.

Despite this cantankerous environment, recent weeks have brought moments of true compromise.

Three times in as many months, Congress passed laws with bipartisan support: expanding the Violence Against Women Act, extending Superstorm Sandy aid and avoiding a "fiscal cliff" of automatic tax increases and spending cuts that economists said would have set back the slow-growing economy. Democrats drove the train on all three; Boehner, recognizing the perilous politics for his party should he block votes, agreed to break his usual stance that he wouldn't bring a measure to the floor without most Republicans supporting it.

What's more, Republicans and Democrats also are showing signs of coming together to overhaul the immigration system, if not other matters like cybersecurity.

Such developments may suggest the starting point of a period of increased compromise ? the conflicting images of the past few weeks, and Washington's history of speaking out of both sides of its mouth, aside. Silent though it may be, the center still pulls.

___

EDITOR'S NOTE ? Liz Sidoti is the national politics editor for The Associated Press. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/lsidoti

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/column-reaching-middle-pulled-edges-073430172.html

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Rand Paul Narrowly Defeats Marco Rubio in CPAC Straw Poll

Sen.?Rand Paul of Kentucky won a straw poll of Republicans at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday, narrowly defeating fellow Sen.?Marco Rubio?of Florida in a vote that reflected a looming battle?for the heart and soul of the party.

Paul received 25 percent of the vote to Rubio?s 23 percent of the 2,930 people polled. The two were far ahead of the rest of the pack, with third place going to former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania (8 percent), fourth to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was not invited to speak at the conference (7 percent), and fifth place to Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate (6 percent).

Paul?s victory comes on the heels of his 13-hour filibuster of CIA nominee John Brennan earlier this month, which raised his national profile and won him plaudits with many fellow Republicans and conservative activists. Young attendees at the conference flooded the halls sporting ?Stand with Rand? buttons and posters, the catchphrase of the social-media movement that cheered Paul on during his hours on the Senate floor.

The results show that Paul has wasted no time in capturing the support of the youth-driven movement that backed his father, former Rep. Ron Paul of Texas. The elder Paul won the straw poll in 2010 and 2011 before losing to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in 2012, who was by then the expected nominee of the party. Fifty-two percent of those who voted in the straw poll were between the ages of 18 and 25, the demographic that most identifies with the libertarian ideology of the Paul family.

But Paul's was a narrow victory, a 2-percentage-point margin (approximately 60 votes) over Rubio, who is often seen as the face of the next generation of the GOP. The two young, charismatic senators gave back-to-back speeches on Thursday, the first day of the conference, where they?highlighted the two visions for the party?that are likely to be locked in competition until the 2016 election.

Rubio?s message was that the longtime conservative worldview of opportunity conservatism, a robust presence abroad, and traditional social values needs a savvy messaging overhaul that will appeal to a wider swaths of Americans. Paul would prefer that the party refocus its work around fighting for civil liberties and reducing U.S. entanglements abroad.

In a reflection of the support for Paul?s foreign policy views, 50 percent of respondents said U.S. allies around the world should provide for their own defense, while only 24 percent said the United States should take a leading role in protecting its Asian and European allies.

Though the CPAC straw poll is hardly a scientific measure of the entire Republican Party, it does reflect the feelings of the most ardent activists. In the six years leading up to 2013, Romney won four times and Ron Paul twice -- the two politicians representing dueling ideologies during the 2012 primary election.

The second tier of results shows that the party has not united around a third person to perhaps take on these two in the coming years. Santorum, who has remained active in national politics since he tried to unseat Romney for the party?s nomination last spring, won 8 percent. Christie was not invited to speak because he criticized House Speaker?John Boehner, R-Ohio, during the congressional fight over a bill to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy. But his high-profile battles with unions have made him a popular figure with many in the party, and he still received 7 percent of the vote. Ryan, whose speech?focused?almost entirely on the budget he just authored for House Republicans, received 6 percent.

The poll was sponsored by The Washington Times and conducted by Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates. After Paul and Rubio, the results were: former Sen. Rick?Santorum, 8 percent; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, 7 percent; Rep.?Paul Ryan, 6 percent; Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, 5 percent; neurosurgeon Ben Carson, 4 percent; Sen.?Ted Cruz of Texas, 4 percent; Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, 3 percent; former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 3 percent. Other candidates received a combined 14 percent.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rand-paul-narrowly-defeats-marco-rubio-cpac-straw-182356217--politics.html

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Tiger Woods returns to Bay Hill back on top of the game of golf

It's been awhile, but Tiger Woods returns to Bay Hill this week in a familiar position.

For the first time since 2009, Woods arrives at the Arnold Palmer Invitational as defending champion, the odds-on favorite and playing the best golf on the planet.

The talk this week will not center on injuries, scandal, slumps or swing changes ? the topics du jour during recent visits to Bay Hill.

It will be all about golf. Finally. Just the way Woods likes it.

Woods' wire-to-wire win at Doral is his second victory in three stroke-play events in 2013. A win at Bay Hill would position him to have one of those monster seasons he used to reel off with machine-like regularity before his personal life and golf game came unglued.

Surely, no one would bet against Woods to win this week.

Arnie's place has been Tiger's playground ? site of seven of his 76 career wins on the PGA Tour, including 2012 when Woods captured his first official victory in 30 months.

"It's hard to believe," Orlando's Charles Howell III said of Woods' track record at Bay Hill. "I haven't even won that many times in my career.

"I think a lot of Tiger's achievements are underrated and underappreciated, and that's certainly one of them."

Howell, Woods' friend, has $25 million in career earnings, name recognition and a textbook golf swing. Now into his 14th season, the 33-year-old Howell also has two wins in 372 events, or five fewer victories than Woods has in 16 starts at Bay Hill.

Even Woods' contemporaries enshrined in the Hall of Fame have been helpless to watch Woods tee it up in a parallel universe much of his 17-year career.

"Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els are his closest rivals," said former Tour pro Notah Begay III, a college teammate with Woods at Stanford. "They're 10 majors behind him."

But the last time Woods came to Bay Hill, those days of dominance were behind him and Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors seemed safe.

At times, some observers openly wondered if Woods was finished.

One of them, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, said recently, "Since Tiger came back in 2010, none of us has a handle on him."

Now, Tiger looks like Tiger again. And Jack's record is firmly back in play for the 37-year-old Woods, who has been stuck on 14 majors since he won the 2008 U.S. Open.

Playing that week with a ruptured ACL in his left knee, Woods was invincible back then. He had talent, resolve and a flair for the dramatic unlike any golfer in history.

And Bay Hill would serve as the backdrop for some of Tiger's seminal moments.

Woods won four years in a row (2000-03) by a combined 20 strokes, a four-year stretch that featured 24 overall victories for Woods, including six major championships.

"We may never see that again," Begay said. "He was so dominant and had such a presence out here that I think players pretty had resigned themselves to the fact that, 'I have to play my best in order to beat him and he has to be a little off.'"

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-tiger-woods-bay-hill-0317-20130316,0,4303384.story?track=rss

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Pakistan's government resigns, smoothing way towards elections

This is the first time a democratic government has finished its term in the country, which has a history of coups.

By Rebecca Santana,?The Associated Press / March 16, 2013

Pakistan's parliament poses for a final photo after resigning, the first democratically elected government in the country's history to finish its term.

AP

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Pakistan's?government passed a major milestone Saturday, with the parliament becoming the first democratically chosen body to finish its term in a country that has faced three military coups and persistent political turmoil.

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But after years of militant attacks, worsening electricity blackouts and faltering economic growth, the political party that took office five years ago on a wave of sympathy following the assassination of iconic leader Benazir Bhutto will likely find it more difficult this time to win voters to its side.

Underscoring divisions, politicians failed to reach agreement on a caretaker government in time for the final session of parliament before new elections are held. The country's constitution calls for a vote within 60 days, although no date has yet been set.

RECOMMENDED:?How much do you know about Pakistan? Take this quiz.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who maintains his position in the meantime, hailed the peaceful transition as a success for his?Pakistan?People's Party,

"We have strengthened the foundations of democracy to such an extent that no one will be able to harm democracy in future," Ashraf said during a nearly hourlong televised address to the nation.

Ashraf portrayed the problems in the country as something inherited from the previous regime of ousted leader Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

One of the ruling party's main achievements has been its sheer survival ? no small feat in a country that has experienced three successful coups and many more unsuccessful ones.

President Asif Ali Zardari has shown a remarkable ability to hold together a warring coalition government whose members threaten to quit every few months or so. He's also managed a balance between the need for U.S. assistance amid a deteriorating relationship between the two countries and rising anti-American sentiment.

Washington needs?Pakistan's?help fighting al-Qaida and stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan, but a series of recent scandals have severely damaged ties. CIA contractor Raymond Davis shot and killed two Pakistani men in Lahore, the U.S. unilaterally killed Osama bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad and American forces accidentally killed 24 Pakistani troops along the Afghan border.

"That the government has survived five years, despite rumors every three months that the government is going, should also be viewed as a kind of achievement," independent political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said.

Zardari and the ruling party must share some of the credit. The army, traditionally eager to step in when they perceive?Pakistan?to be in crisis, has shown a reticence under Army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, to involve itself at least outwardly in politics.

The main opposition party,?Pakistan?Muslim League-N led by Nawaz Sharif, has bypassed numerous opportunities to make life difficult for the PPP. Sharif has just as much invested in strengthening the civilian government as the PPP does, and is no friend of the army.

Sharif's party and one led by former Pakistani cricket star Imran Khan will present the greatest challenge to the PPP in the coming election.

The government's most high-profile accomplishments in the past five years have involved changing the power structure, rather than dealing with basic problems facing ordinary Pakistanis.

Through a constitutional amendment passed in 2010 under pressure from the opposition, Zardari followed through on promises to strip the presidency of many of the powers it gained under Musharraf.

The amendment prevents the president from unilaterally dissolving parliament and gives the prime minister a major role in appointing the country's armed services chiefs. The amendment also transfers considerable powers from the central government to the provinces.

But it's questionable whether these moves will deliver many votes. It's mostly the economy that will be on voters' minds.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/yYyVo2FWuBI/Pakistan-s-government-resigns-smoothing-way-towards-elections

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Insert Coin semifinalist: Moedls 3D scanner for your phone hands-on

Moedls (pronounced moy-dles) inventor John Fehr, being a semifinalist in our Insert Coin competition, is obviously on hand here at Expand. While we were impressed with what we saw from afar, we were really excited to see the low-cost 3D scanner in person. The laser-cut housing for the lasers is delightfully DIY, but it will eventually be replaced with a more polished case. The specially sourced lights, which cast a delightful green glow, are part of what allows the scanner to create surprisingly high-quality results. For the moment they don't actually connect to the companion app on the phone, but Fehr promises to at least consider the possibility if he wins our $20,000 grand prize. There's no need for a direct connection, however. The camera on your smartphone is ultimately what is really doing the heavy lifting here. In conjunction with the aforementioned app of course.

The biggest stumbling block when trying to generate these 3D models is stability. To that end, Fehr has built a custom mount for a phone, based around a standard dashboard version. The robust joints minimize movement and the spring-loaded holster allows it to fit practically any device... at least until Samsung's 6.3-inch Note VII hits the market. The belt-driven turntable is also specially sourced -- this is not just a hacked up record player. The prototype is still a little bulky and wobbly, but the final version will be slimmed down, have an aluminum base and ball bearings under the platform to minimize vibrations. The models come together pretty quick under the app, which is still clearly under development and has a view rough edges, though it's certainly functional. In total we're still looking at about $300 in hardware and you'll have an opportunity to throw your weight behind the project on Monday when the Kickstarter launches. Head on after the break to get a quick video tour of the device.

Gallery: Moedls hands-on

Filed under: Misc

Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/16/insert-coin-semifinalist-moedls-3d-scanner-for-your-phone-hands/

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Russians Volosozhar-Trankov win 1st world pairs

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, of Canada, perform their free skate program in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday, March 15, 2013 in London, Ontario. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, of Canada, perform their free skate program in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday, March 15, 2013 in London, Ontario. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada perform their free skate program in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday, March 15, 2013 in London, Ontario. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, of Canada, perform their free skate program in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday, March 15, 2013 in London, Ontario. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

Alexa Scimeca is lifted by her partner Chris Knierim from the United States, as they perform their free skate program in the pairs competition at the World Figure Skating Championships Friday, March 15, 2013 in London, Ontario. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

LONDON, Ontario (AP) ? With the Sochi Olympics a year away, Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov are right on target.

Volosozhar and Trankov gave Russia its first pairs title in eight years at the World Figure Skating Championships on Friday, shattering two world records in the process. Their total score of 225.71 was almost eight points better than the previous mark, while their free skate score of 149.87 was exactly five points higher.

"It means we can fight for the gold in Sochi," Trankov said. "It would be big to give back for Russia the Olympic gold, because we lose it in Vancouver in 2010."

When they finished, she hopped up and down. He bent over, spent, and she smiled as she kissed the top of his head. The victory completed a sweep of the season's major titles ? Grand Prix Final, European championships, worlds ? for the Russians. They haven't lost a competition since finishing second at last year's worlds.

Volosozhar and Trankov's upset of four-time world champions Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy at Europeans set up what was expected to be an exciting rematch at the worlds. But the Germans turned out to be something of a dud, finishing about 20 points back with a subdued and sloppy performance. Canadians Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, second after the short program, dropped to third with a labored effort that also had errors.

Americans Alexa Scimeca and Christopher Knierim were ninth, an impressive debut for a pair that's been together not even a year. U.S. champions Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir were 13th, ensuring that the United States will be able to send two pairs to Sochi.

Russia has a sterling tradition in pairs, winning at least a share of the gold medal at every Olympics from 1964 to 2006. But that streak came to a thudding halt in Vancouver. Not only did the Russians fail to win gold, they didn't even have a pair on the podium. It was a tremendous embarrassment, made even worse by the fact the next Olympics are in Russia.

But Volosozhar and Trankov have restored the proud lineage. Despite this being only their third season together, they embody the best qualities of Russian pairs. And they were a welcome sight after an afternoon of mostly lackluster performances.

With nearly perfect unison and choreography that exquisitely fit their "Violin Muse" program, they were a pure joy. Their ballet training was evident in gorgeous lines and extensions, details that elevate a good program to greatness.

What makes pairs special, however, is that constant element of danger, and the Russians know how to thrill. She got so high on their triple twist she ought to have had clearance from Canadian aviation authorities, and they almost ran out of ice on their throw triple loop. On their final lift, not only did he carry her for what seemed like hours, he did most of it while gliding backward on only one foot, a feat that takes strength, dexterity and more than a little guts.

They weren't perfect, with him tripping after their throw triple salchow. But it hardly mattered when the rest of their program was so spectacular.

The Germans are known for brash, in-your-face programs, but they went for a different look with their flamenco "Bolero." Even their costumes, usually such a train wreck the snarky fashion folks at "Us" magazine have no words, were subdued: She wore a black dress with a colorful bikini-like top; he was in a matching shirt and black pants.

It didn't work. Any of it.

Savchenko and Szolkowy's errors were bad enough. He fell on their side-by-side triple salchows and she doubled both of the jumps in their triple toe loop-triple toe sequence. She also two-footed the landing of a throw triple axel and put her hand down, though they got a ton of points for even trying the difficult jump. But their program was so slow, it's a wonder snores weren't heard in the arena.

Fans booed when they saw Savchenko and Szolkowy's scores, which moved them ahead of Duhamel and Radford. But the Canadians had their issues, too. Their unison went off and on like a light switch in their combination spin, and they nearly bumped into each other on the last jump of their triple salchow-double toe-double toe combination.

Together less than a year, Scimeca and Knierim show tremendous potential. They have the daring athleticism that makes pairs skating thrilling ? she soared so high on their opening triple twist that he would have had time to bend down and relace his skates, and NBA players will be asking for tips on her hang time on the throw jumps ? but they're equally polished at the soft side of the discipline. Skating to "Life is Beautiful," fans could feel the connection between the two. (They're a couple off the ice as well.)

That's always the goal of pairs, of course, but some couples can only fake it. When Scimeca laid her head on Knierim's shoulder during a lift, it looked natural, not something a choreographer or coach told her to do.

Of course, the Americans have had a several other promising pairs the last few years, only to see them break up after a season or two.

"A big part of teams breaking up is they want quick success without the time behind it," said Scimeca and Knierim's coach, Dalilah Sappenfield, the premier pairs coach in the United States now. "You need that longevity."

And Scimeca and Knierim promised they will have it.

"We're in it forever," Scimeca said. "And you can quote me on that."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-03-15-FIG-World-Championships/id-9f8432b540864ce58e2ee1eef1c8ce4e

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No Scam: IRS Has Millions in Unclaimed Tax Refunds

It sounds like an e-mail scam, but this one is actually true. The Internal Revenue Service has hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed 2009 tax refunds, and you may be eligible for the money.

You better act fast: This offer expires on April 15.

The IRS said Thursday that it may have refunds totaling around $917 million waiting for approximately 984,400 taxpayers who didn't file a federal tax return in 2009.

The payoff could be substantial: The IRS said half of the potential refunds are worth more than $500.

Some people don't file a tax return because they had too little income, even though some taxes were taken out of their paycheck.

Under IRS rules, most taxpayers who don't file a return in a given year have three years to try to claim a refund.

You don't have to pay a penalty for filing late if you qualify for a refund.

For the 2009 returns, the three-year deadline will hit this April 15. After that, Uncle Sam gets to keep your money.

There are some catches, though. Your refund check may be held if you didn't file a tax return in 2010 or 2011. The IRS also may use the money toward any unpaid state or federal taxes, or toward unpaid child support payments or federal student loan debts.

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100557898

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New microscope measures nanomagnet property vital to 'spintronics'

Mar. 15, 2013 ? Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new microscope able to view and measure an important but elusive property of the nanoscale magnets used in an advanced, experimental form of digital memory. The new instrument already has demonstrated its utility with initial results that suggest how to limit power consumption in future computer memories.

NIST's heterodyne magneto-optic microwave microscope, or H-MOMM, can measure collective dynamics of the electrons' spins -- the basic phenomenon behind magnetism -- in individual magnets as small as 100 nanometers in diameter. Nanomagnets are central components of low-power, high-speed "spintronic" computer memory, which might soon replace conventional random-access memory. Spintronics relies on electrons behaving like bar magnets, pointing in different directions to manipulate and store data, whereas conventional electronics rely on charge.

"The measurement technique is entirely novel, the capability that it has enabled is unprecedented, and the scientific results are groundbreaking," project leader Tom Silva says.

As described in a new paper, NIST researchers used the H-MOMM to quantify, for the first time, the spin relaxation process -- or damping -- in individual nanomagnets. Spin relaxation is related to how much energy is required to switch a unit of spintronic memory between a 0 and a 1 (the bits used to represent data).

The nanomagnets used in experimental spintronic systems are too big to yield their secrets to conventional atomic physics tools yet too small for techniques used with bulk materials. Until now, researchers have been forced to measure the average damping from groups of nanomagnets. The new microscope enabled NIST researchers to study, in detail, the ups and downs of spin excitation in individual magnets made of a layer of a nickel-iron alloy on a sapphire base.

The H-MOMM combines optical and microwave techniques. Two green laser beams are merged to generate microwaves, which excite "spin waves" -- magnetic oscillations that vary with position across an individual nanomagnet, like waves in a bathtub. Polarized light from one laser is used to analyze the excitation pattern. By measuring excitation as a function of magnetic field and microwave frequency, researchers can deduce the damping of various spin waves in each nanomagnet.

Measurement and control of magnetic damping is crucial for spintronics, because the smaller the damping, the less energy is required to store a bit of data, and the less power a device requires to operate. The NIST study suggests that designing spintronic devices to have uniform spin waves could dramatically reduce the energy required to write a bit.

The new microscope is one outcome of an ongoing NIST effort to develop methods for measuring defects in magnetic nanostructures. At extremely small scales, defects dominate and can disrupt magnetic device behavior, resulting in errors in reading and writing information.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

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

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Journal Reference:

1. Hans T. Nembach, Justin M. Shaw, Carl T. Boone, T. J. Silva. Mode- and Size-Dependent Landau-Lifshitz Damping in Magnetic Nanostructures: Evidence for Nonlocal Damping. Physical Review Letters, 2013; 110 (11) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.117201

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

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/13pXLaFmZDU/130315151227.htm

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Retirement Community and Second Home Blog

The Cliffs Communities of the Western Carolinas announced last week they will offer "The Family Legacy Membership" to their membership and prospective buyers who purchase in their communities.? This Legacy membership will replace what was their "Full Golf Membership".? This new membership will extend privileges to immediate family members with no additional dues and reduced guest fees.??

Under this new plan, current "Full Golf" members' parents, children, grandchildren and respective spouses can now enjoy a Cliffs membership with no additional dues or fees.? The result of this is immediate family members can now have independent club access with their own member numbers, individual membershp cards and will not need to be accompanied by the "Primary Member" or register as a guest when using the Cliffs amenities and facilities.?

The "Primary Member" will not have an increase in their fee structure through their membership transitioning from "Full Golf" to a "Family Legacy" membership.? Their dues will remain the same.? "Legacy Access Members" of this Legacy enhancement will not have to pay monthly dues but rather, they will pay a $45 Greens Fee for golf and will receive a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased through the number of Cliffs retail shops, at any one of their communities.? Legacy Access members can enjoy unlimited access to The Cliffs? golf, dining, pools, any of the wellness centers and all Cliffs community activities throughout the year.?

Former developer, Jim Anthony, the founder of The Cliffs Communities, is no longer at the helm or involved in the day to day operations of the seven Cliffs communities, located in the Western Carolinas between the Asheville, Greenville and Lake Keowee areas.???

Full Golf Primary Members may extend Legacy Access invitations to their immediate family members;? parents, children, grandchildren and respective spouses.? Each application for a family member will have a one-time activitation fee of $100 that will be charged for each application.? This fee can be billed to the Legacy Access Member's new club account or paid for by the Primary Member.? The Legacy Access application will need to be co-signed by the Primary Cliffs Member.? The Legacy Access Members will be provided with their own Cliffs account and access number.? Each month, they will receive their own Cliffs member statement.

Features and Benefits of the Cliffs Family Legacy Membership -

??Primary Cliffs Members green fees for guests will be $45 year-round.? Cart fees are an additional charge.
??Legacy Access Members green fees will be $45, a significant savings compared to the current unescorted guest fee of $200 which is the rate for extended family members of a non- Legacy Membership.
??Legacy Access Members can arrange tee times after 11 am daily.? Tee times can be made 7 days in advance.? Weekends and holidays may have tee time restrictions.
??Primary Cliffs Members continue to have a 30-day home club advance on scheduling tee times and will receive priority for club tournament registration.
??Both Primary and Legacy Access Members receive 10% off all regular priced merchandise in The Cliffs Pro Shops.
??Legacy Access Members' food and beverage charges can be billed to their own Account,? but their charge amounts will apply to the Primary Member's food and beverage minimum.
??Legacy Access Members have access to Club amenities such as the Wellness Centers, Pools and Restaurants.? Guests of both Primary Members and Legacy Access Members will be subject to guest fees at the Wellness Centers, Pools and Tennis Facilities.
??Primary Cliffs Club Members will have advance invitations to some club and social events over the Legacy Access Members, just as Primary Members will have priority seating for dinner reservations during peak periods throughout the year.

Legacy Access Membership - Circumstances That Impact Their Membership

If the Full Golf Member resigns, becomes inactive or discontinues paying their dues at the full-golf level, the Legacy Access Membership privileges will be discontinued.? Just as, if the Primary Cliffs Member downgrades their membership level, the Legacy Access Memberships will be discontinued.? Additionally, a Primary Cliffs Member may elect to discontinue the Legacy Membership for a family member, at their discretion.

Legacy Access Membership Golf Privileges

Legacy Access Members can make tee times after 11 am and host up to 3 escorted guests per day on the course.?? The Club reserves the right to limit a Legacy Access Member's guest amount during peak times.? Only Primary Cliffs Members can arrange for unescorted guest play.

Going Forward...

The Cliffs Clubs have already announced they look forward to a new golf tournament, The Cliffs Legacy Tournament for Primary Members and their Legacy Access Family Members held each year.

Legacy Access Members may hold both private and corporate events at The Cliffs by contacting the Club's Private Events Manager.

Here at Southeast Discovery we see this announcement of the Family Legacy Membership from The Cliffs Communities as a positive move just as we did about 18 months ago when The Reserve at Lake Keowee, a golf and lake community nearby made a similar announcement to their club structure.??

Here are the potential benefits we see for The Cliffs and other golf club communities that create legacy membership structures for their members;

1.?? This creates an environment where more people will patronize the Club and its amenities.? Dining in the restaurants, golfing on the courses, purchasing products at the Pro Shops, usage of the Wellness and Tennis Facilities will have participation from more people, derived from the different layers of the family membership.? This increased level of activity has an impact on the club - both financially as well as the overall environment of a club.? There will be more 'customers' for the club's amenities, thereby more people to financially support the overhead that goes along with operating a club - the restaurant, the golf courses, the pro shop etc.? Furthermore, there are more people enjoying the amenities which positively impacts the environment of the club.? Activity begets activity - and people, both those that live in the development as well as those considering buying into the community like to see clubs that are active, fun, welcoming? and lively.

2.? The Legacy Club feature adds more people using the Club's facilities, this brings about a stronger sense of community.? And with the legacy feature, adding grandparents to grandchildren, it fosters people of all ages enjoying the amenities.? Friendships are formed on all levels.

3.? Clubs that offer Legacy Memberships attract family-oriented buyers.? After all, isn't that the reason many buyers today are looking at real estate in the Western Carolina region?? We believe so.? They want to create memories and moments for their entire family to enjoy.?? Being part of a Legacy Club provides today's buyers the opportunity to accomplish this.? They can invite their senior parents, their young adult children along with their young grandchildren to their home for quality multi-generational time together.? A Legacy Club offers a membership structure conducive for this scenario which we know firsthand, is what many of our firm's buyers are looking to create and what is the motivation behind their desire to own in the Western Carolina region.? With the notable attributes of both Asheville and Greenville, not to mention Lake Keowee, and all the outdoor recreation that is available to families to enjoy such as golf, boating, hiking, kayaking, fly-fishing and more, The Cliffs is well-positioned to capitalize on all this area has to offer - given the location of their communities.

4.? Clubs can cultivate new real estate buyers from within their own club by offering a Legacy Membership.? What do you think happens to the 30-something couple when the wife's parents have had their home at the (family-oriented) club for years and she has grown up with fond memories of her time spent coming to it as a child with her parents, siblings and family?? She wants to replicate that same experience for her own family.?? So, she and her husband decide to buy their own home within the community when they can, for their kids to enjoy, just as she did, when she was a young girl.???

5.? Today's real estate buyers are looking for value.? Both in terms of the home they will buy or build and also in the experience.?? In today's fast-paced world, buyers are trying to carve out moments in time to enjoy for themselves and with their loved ones.? If a club is conducive to making that happen, real estate buyers will perceive the legacy feature of a club as one that offers intrinsic value.? It is also perceived as a 'user friendly' feature of the development.?? This is positive for the underlining value of the club's real estate.??

We like the enhancements we are seeing at The Cliffs Communities.? Their location being in the Asheville, NC; Greenville, SC and Lake?Keowee, SC corridor?is a desirable one.??Avid golfer or not, the amenities and lifestyle The Cliffs Communities provides appeals to many who are looking to relocate at retirement or find the right second home community.? If you want more information on The Cliffs along with relevant information about this regional area, send us your inquiry and we'll be happy to give you a hand with your search -?just as we did last year for?quite a few clients?who are happy they purchased?in this region and many at?The Cliffs.??Email us at info@southeastdiscovery.com or call 877.886.8388.
?

Source: http://www.southeastdiscovery.com/southern-way-of-life/2013/03/the-cliffs-communities-announce-the-family-legacy-membership

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