A month before vote, 'eclectic' county deliberates

Cynthia Kopp and her dog Aires wait for customers at a farmers market, Saturday Oct. 6, 2012, in Doylestown Pa. Kopp, 56, lost her accounting job in the recession and now works part-time as a supermarket cashier and comes to the farmers market each week to sell $5 bags of her gourmet dog biscuits. "If Aries could vote he would vote for Romney," Kopp said. "Because mommy needs a job and she thinks Romney is the only candidate that could help get her one."(AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

Cynthia Kopp and her dog Aires wait for customers at a farmers market, Saturday Oct. 6, 2012, in Doylestown Pa. Kopp, 56, lost her accounting job in the recession and now works part-time as a supermarket cashier and comes to the farmers market each week to sell $5 bags of her gourmet dog biscuits. "If Aries could vote he would vote for Romney," Kopp said. "Because mommy needs a job and she thinks Romney is the only candidate that could help get her one."(AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

Jerry Krone, owner of Bucks County Preserves, talks with a customer at the farmers market, Saturday Oct. 6, 2012, in Doylestown Pa. When the recession cost Jerry Krone his longtime accounting job several years ago, he turned to his hobby, making gourmet jam in his Fountainville kitchen. Krone says neither President Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney truly understands what average families are going through. A registered Republican, Krone voted for Obama in 2008. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., picks a pumpkin at the Apple Holler farm pumpkin patch, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 in Sturtevant, Wis. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Janna Ryan, right, walks alongside her husband Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, center, R-Wis., as he pulls his sons Charlie, front, and Sam in a wagon holding his daughter Liza's hand on their way to the pumpkin patch at the Apple Holler farm, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 in Sturtevant, Wis. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Rick Renz, who plays drums in a "Jazz with Friends" band, packs away his instrument, Saturday Oct. 6, 2012, in Doylestown Pa. Renz, 58, a sales manager, says he has never felt so disheartened about his country. His two older children, ages 33 and 27, both with masters degrees, have had to move back home because they can't find jobs. And he has witnessed friends lose jobs or have their homes foreclosed on. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

(AP) ? When the recession cost Jerry Krone his longtime accounting job several year ago, he turned to his hobby ? making gourmet jam in his Fountainville kitchen. Now he's a fixture at Doylestown's weekly farmers market, selling his lilac jelly and rose petal jam for $4 and $8 a jar.

Ask him about the election, and he will tell you that neither President Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney truly understands what average families are going through. A registered Republican ? but "that doesn't really mean anything," he said ? the 58-year-old Krone voted for Obama in 2008, before his experience among the unemployed soured him.

Still, he is leaning toward voting for Obama again, but wants to see the president deliver a stellar performance in the remaining debates: "He can't be so wimpy. He has to stop being nice."

Across Bucks County over the weekend, people spilled into farmers markets and harvest festivals and fairs, celebrating a glorious fall day and talking about politics as well as pumpkins. More and more places in the United States are deep blue or red, but Bucks is not one of those; the county is politically eclectic, with some households divided into different political camps and plenty who say they are undecided. People were eager to discuss the aftermath of the debate and what to anticipate in the last month of the campaign.

And while jobs are a huge concern in this country north of Philadelphia, the recent unemployment numbers, which brought the jobless rate down to a level unseen since January 2009, did not impress.

"They only matter to the pundits and the politicians," said Cynthia Kopp, 56. She too lost her accounting job in the recession and so she works part-time as a supermarket cashier and comes to the farmers market each week with her soulful sidekick, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Aries, to sell $5 bags of her gourmet dog biscuits.

"If Aries could vote he would vote for Romney," Kopp said, laughing. "Because mommy needs a job and she thinks Romney is the only candidate that could help get her one."

Steeped in history ? this is where Gen. George Washington crossed the Delaware River in 1776 to march on Trenton and surprise Hessian mercenaries fighting for Britain, a turning point of the American Revolution ? Bucks County was once considered safely Republican. But Democratic voter registration now edges out Republicans, 185,605 to 175,196.

Neil Samuels, the executive director of the Bucks County Democratic Committee, describes this part of southeastern Pennsylvania as "a place where politics can be schizophrenic." He pointed to the borough of Doylestown. Eight years ago, he said, there were nine Republican borough members and a Republican mayor. Today, he said, there are nine Democratic borough members and a Democratic mayor.

The same shifting allegiances can be found in households around the county.

Take 41-year-old Michael Juhas of Ivyland and his wife Christine, who spent Saturday afternoon enjoying the Pumpkin festival at None Such Farm in Buckingham with two of their four children.

"Every four years everyone in Bucks County is reminded that we are the cradle of Democracy," joked Juhas, a facilities manager at Temple University. "And we proudly try to live up to it."

The couple ? she is Republican, he's a Democrat ? rarely talk politics at home. Juhas is scared of more cuts in subsidized student programs under Romney. Christine Juhas, 40, a hair stylist, said she was swept up by Obama's oratory and style when she voted for him in 2008, but she doesn't think he has delivered on his promise of change.

"He was such a great speaker," she said. "But we need action more than words."

Still undecided, she is leaning toward Mitt Romney after his debate performance.

Lindsay Nemec and her husband Eric, who were picking pumpkins with their 7-year-old son, Samuel, also steer clear of political talk at home.

Job security is their biggest concern, but they are divided over which candidate might be best. Nemec, of Abington, is a 35-year-old school counselor who works in Philadelphia and is worried about proposals to close or privatize dozens of schools.

"I don't want to be one of the millions of Americans who is unemployed," said Nemec, who will vote for Obama.

Her husband, who works in a Philadelphia car repair shop, said he doesn't trust politicians in general and is "firmly undecided" on his presidential pick.

He likes Romney because he seems like a "good family man" and, though he voted for Obama in 2008, he doesn't feel the president has accomplished enough. He also dislikes the health care reform, saying government shouldn't force people to buy insurance. But he believes the election is really about who can fix the economy and help the middle class. He plans to make a final decision after watching the rest of the debates.

The economy and its effect on the middle class was a constant refrain, even for those who are financially sound.

Packing up his saxophone after a morning session at the Doylestown market, Mike Siefried said the current situation reminded him of the "robber baron days of the 19th century," when a powerful elite controlled industry and politics.

A registered Democrat who used to be a Republican, the 66-year-old retired marketing executive from Doylestown will vote for Obama, because he is fearful of the Republican agenda.

He compared the economy to a house that needs fixing up.

"Republicans want to slap a coat of paint on it and make it look good," he said. "Democrats want to look at the foundation and see what it takes to make it last."

Fellow musician Rick Renz, who plays drums in their "Jazz with Friends" band, was far more skeptical about the ability of any one leader to enact real change, particularly given the congressional gridlock in Washington.

Renz, a 58-year old sales manager, said he had never felt so disheartened about his country. His two older children, ages 33 and 27, both with masters degrees, have had to move back home because they can't find jobs. And he has witnessed friends lose jobs or have their homes foreclosed on.

"I never thought I would see that in my lifetime," Renz said. "Everyone says the job numbers are good. But my two adult kids are sitting at home."

Renz says he will vote for Romney, mainly because of his disgust at how the last four years have gone.

Others said it was unfair to pin all the blame on Obama.

"I view the obstruction of Congress as treason, because it has brought the whole country down," said Ed Valenti, as he strolled down Newtown's main street, his snow white parrot, Puff Daddy, perched on his shoulder. While kids snapped photos and "Puffy" enchanted onlookers with coy calls of "hello," Valenti, a 53-year-old social worker, talked about his concerns for his clients, many with mental health and substance abuse problems. A former Republican, Valenti said he has been disillusioned by how far to the right the party has moved. And he is afraid of more cuts to social programs for the poor if Romney is elected.

Still, while Valenti will vote for Obama, he doesn't envision any real change for the country without more bipartisan efforts in Washington.

"The problems the country is facing are beyond one man," he said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2012-10-07-Politics%20and%20Pumpkins/id-dc6184819a3241fabad290fda0eb85a6

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Calif. gov takes action as gas prices keep rising

Costco members fill up with discounted gasoline at a Costco gas station in Van Nuys, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Costco members fill up with discounted gasoline at a Costco gas station in Van Nuys, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Gasoline prices higher than $5 per gallon are posted at a Menlo Park, Calif., Chevron station on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. The average price of regular gas across the state was nearly $4.49 a gallon, the highest in the nation, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge report. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Lorena Delara takes a picture of the total she paid after filling up her tank with gasoline at a gas station Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in San Diego. Delara paid $81.27 for a little over 15 gallons of gas. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Rudy Rocha delivers gas to a Costco gas station in Tustin, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lorena Delara fills up her tank with gasoline at a gas station Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in San Diego. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Gov. Jerry Brown is taking action in an effort to drive down the cost of gasoline as California drivers cope with record-breaking prices at the pump.

For the third straight day Monday, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular rose to an all-time high, hitting $4.668, according to AAA.

That topped Sunday's price of $4.655 and Saturday's price of $4.6140, which broke the previous record high of $4.6096 per gallon set on June 19, 2008.

Due to a temporary reduction in supply, California gas prices in recent days have surpassed those in Hawaii to become the highest in the nation.

Brown on Sunday ordered state smog regulators to allow winter-blend gasoline to be sold in California earlier than usual to bring down prices. Winter-blend gas typically isn't sold until after October 31. Few refineries outside the state are currently making summer-blend gas, putting the pressure on already-taxed California manufacturers.

In some locations, fuming motorists paid $5 or more per gallon while station owners had to shut down pumps in others.

A station in Long Beach had California's priciest gas at $6.65 for a gallon of regular, according to GasBuddy.com. Meanwhile customers at an outlet in San Pablo paid just $3.49, the lowest price in the state.

The average for a gallon of regular was $4.69 in Los Angeles, $4.71 in San Diego and San Francisco, $4.55 in Sacramento and $4.90 in Santa Barbara, according to GasBuddy.com.

The dramatic surge came after a power outage Monday at a Southern California refinery that reduced supply in an already fragile and volatile market, analysts said. The refinery came back online Friday and prices were expected to stabilize in the coming days.

Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, predicted the average price could peak as high as $4.85 before coming back down.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-10-08-California%20Gasoline%20Prices/id-14e3516739a14b15953e1ddc34e3370a

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Calif. gas prices hit record high 2nd straight day

Costco members fill up with discounted gasoline at a Costco gas station in Van Nuys, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Costco members fill up with discounted gasoline at a Costco gas station in Van Nuys, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Gasoline prices higher than $5 per gallon are posted at a Menlo Park, Calif., Chevron station on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Californians woke up to a shock Friday as overnight gasoline prices jumped by as much as 20 cents a gallon in some areas, ending a week of soaring costs that saw some stations close and others charge record prices. The average price of regular gas across the state was nearly $4.49 a gallon, the highest in the nation, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge report. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Lorena Delara takes a picture of the total she paid after filling up her tank with gasoline at a gas station Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in San Diego. Delara paid $81.27 for a little over 15 gallons of gas. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Rudy Rocha delivers gas to a Costco gas station in Tustin, Calif., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Lorena Delara fills up her tank with gasoline at a gas station Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, in San Diego. A 20-cent jump overnight in California gas prices has put the state ahead of Hawaii for the nation's most expensive gas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? California motorists faced another day of record-breaking gasoline prices Sunday, though relief appeared to be on the way.

In its latest update early Sunday, AAA reported that the statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $4.655. Saturday's average of $4.6140 was the highest since June 19, 2008, when it was $4.6096.

The four-penny-per-gallon jump Sunday was less than Saturday's increase, which was 12 cents.

Sunday's price, like Saturday's, was the highest in the nation, with the Golden State overtaking Hawaii as the state with the most expensive fuel due to a temporary reduction in supply.

Gov. Jerry Brown ordered state smog regulators Sunday to allow winter-blend gasoline to be sold in California earlier than usual to help drive prices down. Winter-blend gas typically isn't sold until after October 31. Few refineries outside the state are currently making summer-blend gas, putting the pressure on already-taxed California manufacturers.

In some locations, fuming motorists paid $5 or more per gallon while station owners had to shut down pumps in others.

A station in Long Beach had California's priciest gas at $6.65 for a gallon of regular, according to GasBuddy.com. Meanwhile customers at an outlet in San Pablo paid just $3.49, the lowest price in the state.

The average for a gallon of regular was $4.69 in Los Angeles, $4.71 in San Diego and San Francisco, $4.55 in Sacramento and $4.90 in Santa Barbara, according to GasBuddy.com.

The dramatic surge came after a power outage Monday at a Southern California refinery that reduced supply in an already fragile and volatile market, analysts said. The refinery came back online Friday and prices were expected to stabilize in the coming days.

Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst at GasBuddy.com, predicted the average price could peak as high as $4.85 before coming back down.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-10-07-California%20Gasoline%20Prices/id-2fb8356ab88b47ec8b143e9145eeecfb

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FTSE sags, earnings outlook in focus

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ftse-sags-earnings-outlook-focus-071359839--business.html

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The Royal Treatment: Planning a Princess-Themed Baby Shower

Every mommy-to-be wants to treat their newborn daughter like a princess, so why not throw a baby shower fit for royalty? A new mother, family and friends can follow a princess theme to create decorations, provide party favors and make tasty snacks for the special event. The princess theme of the baby shower offers the opportunity to enjoy reminiscing over the dreams of childhood and providing girl time for the mother-to-be with friends and family.

Consider Princess Themed Favors

The baby shower favors are provided to every guest at the event. The best baby shower favors for a princess themed event are based on favorite tales or the idea of a crown. According to Shannon Wilson on Yahoo Voices, the princess theme is a simple party idea that carries over to the favors.

Shannon Wilson suggests baby shower favors that have princess crowns on the packaging or are based around the theme of a princess. Favors for the princess themed shower can have pink and white candles, crown-shaped soaps or candies that are wrapped in pink with a princess crown.

Select a Favorite Princess Tale

Decorating for a baby shower can always start with inspiration from the new mother?s favorite fairy tale princess. The Riherd Family Blog provides an excellent example of using the inspiration from a favorite princess tale. According to the blog, the frilly and feminine party based on the tale of the ?Princess and the Pea? provided inspiration for decorative pieces, snacks and other party elements.

Picking out specific tale will add decorative ideas and game inspiration to make the party interesting. Using the new mother?s favorite tale will connect the future birth of a little girl to the past of a favorite childhood tale.

Provide Competitive Games

A simple game idea for the event is avoiding the word ?baby? in conversation. According to Christi B, the game provides a flower or similar object that is pinned to the shirt of every guest. When a guest says the word ?baby,? other guests can take away the item. The winner of the game gathers the most pins and is given a prize.

Princess board games or an obstacle course to save the princess baby doll can also provide excellent entertainment throughout the party. The winner of the game receives a princess themed prize and every guest is able to enjoy watching or participating in the activity.

Add a Wishing Tree

A wishing tree is a decorative piece, a simple tradition and a great tie to the theme of a princess. In many fairy tales, the princess is a dreamer who makes wishes. As a result, the wishing tree ties into the theme of a fairy tale. According to Christi B. on P is for Party, a wishing tree adds a sweet touch to the party. Guests at the party are provided a piece of paper or a tag to tie to the tree with their wishes for the new baby girl. They can write any wish and then tie it to the tree.

For an interesting decorative element, painting tree branches pink and adding sweet creatures that are associated with princesses like birds or butterflies to the tree is appropriate. The wishing tree is as much about the well-wishes of loved ones to the baby as the decorative features.

?

Annie Raines Annie studied retail and hospitality management and now writes fashion pieces for blogs and forums. In her down time, she volunteers at a local food bank.

Source: http://www.babyblogaddict.com/2012/10/08/the-royal-treatment-planning-a-princess-themed-baby-shower/

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Re: Link for Enhancement Requests - Family Tree Maker software ...

I'm not sure "why" SilverFox. I have seen different results, on other occasions, depending on the browser, but I tried 4 different browsers and always get the "ask a question" tab. Given your areas of research (checked your profile), you and I are both accessing from ancestry.com, rather than one of the other family of websites.

Source: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/topics.software.famtreemaker/9037.1.2.2/mb.ashx

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Venezuela vote a critical test for divided nation

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ? President Hugo Chavez's long run in power and his attempts to transform Venezuela into a socialist state are on the line Sunday in a closely fought presidential election for this bitterly divided nation.

The vote pitting Chavez against challenger Henrique Capriles is an all-or-nothing contest between two camps that deeply distrust each other and question whether the other side will respect the results of the election.

The stakes couldn't be higher.

If Chavez wins, he will have a free hand to dominate Venezuela for six more years on top of the 14 years he has already been in office, letting him push for an even bigger state role in the economy and cement his legacy.

If Capriles wins, it will likely mean an abrupt shift in foreign policy, an eventual loosening of state economic controls and an increase in private investment ? though a tense transition would likely follow until the inauguration in January.

Some Venezuelans were nervous about what might happen if disputes erupted over the election.

"Nobody trusts the other people, especially when it's their political rivals," said Maria Villareal, a teacher and Capriles supporter who stocked up on groceries Saturday. "We're in a divided country, and I think Chavez is the one responsible."

She and other critics of the president say Chavez has inflamed divisions by labeling his opponents "fascists," ''Yankees" and "neo-Nazis." During Chavez's final rally Thursday in Caracas, he shouted to the crowd: "We're going to give the bourgeoisie a beating!"

David Hernandez, a Chavez supporter, agreed the mood was tense, but he blamed the opposition.

"Chavez is going to win and Capriles will have to accept his defeat," Hernandez said, standing next to his parked motorcycle on a downtown street. "If Capriles doesn't accept his defeat, there could be problems."

Violence flared sporadically during the campaign, including shootings and rock throwing during rallies and political caravans. Two Capriles supporters were shot to death in the western state of Barinas last weekend.

Troops were dispatched across Venezuela to guard thousands of voting centers Sunday.

Chavez, who has said he emerged successfully from long treatment for cancer, held an impromptu news conference Saturday night, and when asked about the possibility of disputes over the vote, he said he expected both sides to accept the result.

"It's a mature, democratic country where the institutions work, where we have one of the best electoral systems in the world," Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace.

But he also said he hoped no one would try to use the vote to play a "destabilizing game." If they do, he said, "we'll be alert to neutralize them."

His opponents mounted a noisy "cacerolazo" protest in Caracas on Saturday night, beating pots and pans from the windows of their homes to show displeasure with Chavez ? and also their hopes for change. Drivers on downtown streets honked horns, joining the din from the banging pots.

The 40-year-old Capriles, a wiry former governor affectionately called "Skinny" by supporters, infused the opposition with new optimism, and opinion polls pointed to him giving Chavez his closest election.

Many Venezuelans said they expected a close vote. Some recent polls gave Chavez a lead of about 10 percentage points, while others put the two candidates roughly even.

"Chavez is going to fight until his last breath. He doesn't know how to do anything else," said Antonio Padron, a bank employee supporting the president.

Padron expressed optimism the 58-year-old Chavez would win, noting the leader's survival of a fight with cancer that included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

But Padron predicted a close finish: "It's a tough fight. The opposition has never been this strong."

Chavez won the last presidential vote in 2006 with 63 percent of the vote.

A former army paratroop commander first elected in 1999, Chavez has presided over an oil boom and has spent billions of dollars on government social programs ranging from cash benefits for single mothers to free education.

But he has suffered declining support due to one of the world's highest murder rates, 18 percent inflation, increasing blackouts and government services riddled with accusations of corruption and mismanagement.

While his support has slipped at home, Chavez has also seen his international influence wane since the mid-2000s, when he emerged as the tough-talking anti-U.S. spokesman for a group of like-minded Latin American leaders.

"I want to tell President Chavez, I want to tell him his cycle is over," Capriles said at his final campaign rally Thursday.

Capriles accused Chavez of stirring up hatred, hobbling the economy by expropriating private businesses and squandering oil wealth. He criticized Chavez's preferential deals supplying oil to allies, including one that lets Cuba pay with the services of Cuban doctors.

"We aren't going to finance the political model that exists in Cuba," Capriles said in a televised interview last week. "But we aren't going to break off relations with Cuba."

Chavez accumulated near-absolute power over the past decade thanks to his control of the National Assembly, friendly judges in the courts, and pliant institutions such as the Central Bank.

Gino Caso, an auto mechanic, said he would vote for Capriles because Chavez is power-hungry and out of touch with problems like crime. He said his son had been robbed as had neighboring shops.

"I don't know what planet he lives on," Caso said, gesturing with hands blackened with grease. "He wants to be like Fidel Castro ? end up with everything, take control of the country."

Political analyst Ricardo Sucre said he expected the election to show "two halves, more or less even." Regardless of the result, he said, Venezuelans are likely to remain deeply divided by politics for years to come.

___

Associated Press writers Christopher Toothaker and Jorge Rueda contributed to this report.

___

Ian James on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ianjamesap

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-vote-critical-test-divided-nation-050955556.html

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Solo Smarts Episode #35: Running a Business, Fighting Breast ...

There hasn?t been any breast cancer in my family.? The same isn?t true for Teresa Smolinski of Pre Wrap.? She has always been diligent in taking care of herself, doing self exams and regular mammograms.? In March this year, she found a tiny lump that changed the direction of her world.? I met Teresa way back in 2005 when she joined us at Solo Masterminds. I admire her business smarts and I?m blown away by her grace and strength as she fights cancer.

Listen in to hear her story ? and gals, listen well.

It was Nicole Dean?s idea to take Teresa?s October 1st Facebook status and turn it into a graphic that could be placed on a t-shirt or mug.? I?m so glad she asked me to get involved!? We had the graphic designed and a Zazzle store set up the same day.

Here?s me sipping coffee from my own mug.

You can shop for your own Mug or t-Shirt. Anything you order will be a show of support for Teresa, a positive message to other women to take care of themselves. There is a small amount of profit in your purchase that goes to Teresa too, so please help us spread the word about it.? Tweet the link, post it to FB, anything is a help.

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Source: http://www.solosmarts.com/solo-smarts-episode-35-running-a-business-fighting-breast-cancer/

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What is Charisma? Can it be Learned?

When you think about charisma, who do you think about? Bill Clinton? Martin Luther King Jr.? Steve Jobs?

What about you? Do you have charisma?

Many speakers and non-speakers hold the belief that charisma is an innate gift ? either you are born with it, or you aren?t.

But can you learn charisma? Recent research suggests that you can!

Charismatic Leadership Tactics (CLTs)

Researchers at the University of Lausanne have identified 12 tactics demonstrated frequently by charismatic leaders. These charismatic leadership tactics (CLTs) include 9 verbal and 3 non-verbal tactics.

Verbal Tactics

  1. Demonstrate moral convictions.
    Link your messages with underlying moral principles and state your intention to ?do the right thing.?
  2. Reflect the sentiment of the group.
    Listen to the concerns of your audience, and emphasize shared history, struggles, or desires.
  3. Set high expectations.
    Set daring goals for both yourself and your audience.
  4. Communicate confidence.
    Assure your audience that the high goals can be achieved.
  5. Tell stories and anecdotes.
    Engage your listeners and wrap lessons in real-life stories.
  6. Use metaphors, smiles, and analogies.
    Help your audience understand your messages in terms of concepts or experiences which they already know.
  7. Employ contrast.
    Define yourself (and your ideas) clearly by emphasizing what you (and your ideas) are not.
  8. Organize content into triads (three part lists).
    Leverage the magical rule of three to make your messages easier to remember.
  9. Ask rhetorical questions.
    Engage your audience with questions that prompt them to get involved cognitively.

Non-Verbal Tactics

  1. Gesture naturally.
    Punctuate your words with appropriate symbolic gestures.
  2. Speak through facial expressions.
    Express the emotion of your words consistently with your eyes and face.
  3. Animate your voice.
    Vary the volume, tone, pacing, and pauses to emphasize your message.

Research Studies

In the first study, 34 managers were rated on their charisma and how much they behave like a leader. Half of the managers were then trained in the use of charismatic leadership tactics (CLTs), while the other half were a control group. Three months after the training, the 34 managers were again rated.?Managers who received the CLT training experienced significant growth in their charisma ratings, relative to the control group.

In the second study, a group of 41 MBA course students delivered speeches before and after CLT training. The before and after speeches were then evaluated.?Speakers who demonstrated more CLTs received higher ratings on trust, competence, influence, and leadership.

This is compelling research, but keep in mind that it?s not these tactics which define one as a charismatic leader. There is no recipe for charisma. Having said that, all twelve tactics mentioned above will make you a more effective and persuasive speaker, if incorporated with moderation.

Further Reading

Here?s the original research paper on which this article is based:

If you don?t want to wade through the academic research, an easier-to-read overview written by the authors is also available. Harvard Business Review requires you to register to read the whole article, but it is free to do so.

What do you think?

Can charisma be learned? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

?

Andrew Dlugan ?is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an award-winning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada.

Source: http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/charisma-learn/

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