New iPhone apps worth downloading: Squrl and Resultly updates, RunSanity

Search your way through all kinds of video with a new update to Squrl. Today?s leading app makes searching through everything from YouTube to Netflix quick and easy. Next up is Resultly, an app that creates notifications for anything you want, sort of like Google Alerts for your life. Finally, RunSanity takes the endless runner formula and throws in the ability to compete against friends.

Squrl update (Free)

What?s it about? Squrl is a search app for finding videos, able to scour YouTube, Hulu, Netflix and more in just a few seconds.

What?s cool? The latest update for Squrl brings in a lot more streaming capabilities and reorganizes video navigation to improve efficiency. Squrl lets you input your subscriptions services such as Netflix, Hulu and others, and it also includes the ability to search through a number of live streaming TV channels and sites, like Huffington Post Live, Bloomberg, and This Week in Tech. You can also send your favorite videos using social networking capabilities that link the app to Facebook and Twitter.

Who?s it for? If you like to watch a lot of online videos, and especially if you have access to different subscription sources such as Netflix and Hulu, Squrl might be an easy way to navigate it all in one place.

What?s it like? Google?s YouTube app is no longer built in to iOS 6, so you might want to pick that one up. Netflix is also pretty robust for subscribers to that service.

What?s it about? Resultly is like a Google Alert generator that?s a lot more specific. You can add any interest you want into the app, like finding an apartment in a certain place for a certain price, or wanting to know when news stories about time travel are published. Resultly will notify you if anything pops up on the web.

What?s cool? Resultly sends article alerts while looking out for deals on iPhones, local sales, ?stock price changes, apartment availability in your neighborhood, and more. When one of your interests gets a ping, it can notify you on your iOS device, send you an email, or both. The app recently overhauled its user interface and squashed a few more bugs.

Who?s it for? If you?re looking for certain key information but don?t want to keep making the same searches around the web every few days to find out what?s changed, check out Resultly.

What?s it like? Try AmazonLocal for keeping up on deals around your area, and MyApartmentMap if you?re in the market for a new place to live.

What?s it about? RunSanity is a side-scrolling running game, in which your goal is to grab coins and get as close to obstacles as you can without hitting them to rack up points.

What?s cool? On its surface, RunSanity is just another running title, but while it handles the basics competently enough, it has a few additional cool social capabilities that make it stand out. The game allows you to compete against friends in Challenge Mode, in which you and others run through the same level trying to beat one another?s times and scores. The app uses a ?ghost? system that lets you see how your friends did on a level, giving you the chance to compete with them indirectly. There?s also a full single-player game, with multiple characters and 20 levels through which to test yourself.

Who?s it for? If you?re a fan of running games, and have friends who are too, RunSanity is a solid pick.

What?s it like? There are lots of running titles out there, but Jetpack Joyride and Canabalt are among the best.

Download the Appolicious Android app

Source: http://www.appolicious.com/tech/articles/12998-new-iphone-apps-worth-downloading-squrl-and-resultly-updates-runsanity

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Biggio on the ballot (Offthekuff)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/267155280?client_source=feed&format=rss

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The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) | Coordination - tice

The EQF aims to relate different countries'
national qualifications systems to a common European reference
framework. Individuals and employers will be able to use the EQF to
better understand and compare the qualifications levels of different
countries and different education and training systems. Agreed upon by the European institutions in
2008, the EQF is being put in practice across Europe. It encourages
countries to relate their national qualifications systems to the EQF so
that all new qualifications issued from 2012 carry a reference to an
appropriate EQF level. An EQF national coordination point has been
designated for this purpose in each country.
Shifting focus
The core of the EQF concerns eight reference levels describing what a learner knows, understands and is able to do ? 'learning outcomes'. Levels of national qualifications will be placed at one of the central reference levels, ranging from basic (Level 1) to advanced (Level 8). This will enable a much easier comparison between national qualifications and should also mean that people do not have to repeat their learning if they move to another country. The EQF applies to all types of education, training and qualifications, from school education to academic, professional and vocational. This approach shifts the focus from the traditional system which emphasises 'learning inputs', such as the length of a learning experience, or type of institution. It also encourages lifelong learning by promoting the validation of non-formal and informal learning. This reflects a wider shift within which the EQF is acting as a catalyst for reforms: most Member States are now developing their own National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) based on learning outcomes. Several countries (IE, MT, UK, FR and BE-Flanders) already have one in force.
Easier comparison
At present, an enterprise in France may hesitate to recruit a job applicant from, say, Sweden, because it does not understand the level of the qualifications presented by the Swedish candidate. But once the EQF is fully implemented, a Swedish person's certificates will bear a reference to an EQF reference level. The French authorities will have already decided where their own national certificates in the field concerned lie, so the French enterprise would use the EQF reference to get a better idea of how the Swedish qualification compares to French qualifications. An EQF advisory group brings together representatives from national authorities and other stakeholders to help with the implementation of the framework. Its work is complemented by the EU-wide Learning Outcomes Group which supports debate and peer learning on relevant issues, focusing on the development of national qualifications frameworks and the validation of non-formal and informal learning. The EQF initiative is closely related to the qualifications framework for the European Higher Education Area: the two frameworks are compatible and their implementation is coordinated.
More information EQF internet portal

• Referencing the Lithuanian Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area,

• Portal dedicated to the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning

Reports on the referencing of national qualifications frameworks to the EQF

• Referencing the Lithuanian Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area,

• Referencing of the Estonian Qualifications and Qualifications Framework to the European Qualifications Framework

• Referencing the Danish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning to the European Qualifications Framework

• Referencing of the Latvian Education System to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area

• The referencing document of the Dutch National Qualification Framework to the European Qualification Framework

• Referencing of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) to the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.

• Referencing of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF/EHEA)

• Referencing the Qualifications Frameworks of the United Kingdom to the European Qualifications Framework

• R?f?rencement du cadre national de certification fran?ais vers le cadre europ?en de certification pour la formation tout au long de la vie

European Qualifications Framework Series EQF Newsletter

Source: http://blog.univ-provence.fr/blog/coordination-rgionale-paca/qualification/2012/11/29/the-european-qualifications-framework-eqf

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Golf's guardians want long putters to go belly-up

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2011, file photo, Keegan Bradley putts on the third green during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, two of the major faces in the debate over belly putters, said Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, they would not fight a change in the rules if golf's governing bodies decide to outlaw putters anchored to the body. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2011, file photo, Keegan Bradley putts on the third green during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, two of the major faces in the debate over belly putters, said Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, they would not fight a change in the rules if golf's governing bodies decide to outlaw putters anchored to the body. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2011, file photo,Webb Simpson putts on the 18th hole during the third round of the Wyndham Championship golf tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, two of the major faces in the debate over belly putters, said Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, they would not fight a change in the rules if golf's governing bodies decide to outlaw putters anchored to the body. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

FILE - This July 19, 2012 file photo shows Ernie Els of South Africa reacting to a putt on the 11th green at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club during the first round of the British Open Golf Championship in Lytham St Annes, England. Golf's governing bodies, worried that players will turn to long putters as an advantage instead of a last resort, proposed a new rule Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, that would ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)

FILE - This june 12, 2012 file photo shows Webb Simpson reacting on the 18th hole during the fourth round of the U.S. Open Championship golf tournament at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Golf's governing bodies, worried that players will turn to long putters as an advantage instead of a last resort, proposed a new rule Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, that would ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions. This year, Simpson won the U.S. Open and Ernie Els won the British Open using belly putters. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2011, file photo, Keegan Bradley putts on the third green during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, two of the major faces in the debate over belly putters, said Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, they would not fight a change in the rules if golf's governing bodies decide to outlaw putters anchored to the body. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) ? Brace yourself ? just not your putter.

In a proposal that would affect major champions as well as amateurs at their local clubs, the guardians of the 600-year-old sport want to write a new rule that would outlaw a putting stroke they fear is taking too much skill out of the game.

The U.S. Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club said Wednesday they are not banning the belly putter or the longer "broom-handle" putters ? only the way they are used. The proposed rule would prohibit golfers at all levels from anchoring a club against their bodies while making a stroke.

The rule would not take effect until 2016.

"We believe a player should hold the club away from his body and swing it freely," USGA executive director Mike Davis said. "Golf is a game of skill and challenge, and we think that's an important part of it."

Three of the last five major champions, starting with Keegan Bradley at the 2011 PGA Championship, used a belly putter.

What concerned the governing bodies, however, was an increasing number of players who were turning to the long putters because they saw it as an advantage, not as a last resort to cure their putting woes.

"Anchored strokes have very rapidly become the preferred option for a growing number of players, and this has caused us to review these strokes and their impact on the game," R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said. "Our conclusion is that anchored strokes threaten to supplant traditional strokes, which with all their frailties are integral to the longstanding character of our sport."

Players could still use a broom-handle or belly putter ? as long as it not pressed against their body to create the effect of a hinge.

The R&A and USGA now offer a three-month period for open comment on the proposal before they approve it. But this already is shaping up to be a divisive issue, from industry leaders worried about the growth of golf to players who have been using these putters for years.

"Any competitive player likes to have an extra advantage," Matt Kuchar said. "I think you're going find anyone using the short putter is glad, and anyone using the belly putter or long putter is not happy."

Kuchar used a mid-length putter that rested against his left arm when he won The Players Championship. That style is OK.

Fred Couples, the 53-year-old former Masters champion, uses a belly putter, though it rests against his stomach ? it is not anchored ? and the end of the club moves freely. He was not sure if that would be allowed, and he wasn't sure golf needed such a rule anyway. Couples' argument is that if the anchored stroke was that much of an advantage, everyone would be using it.

None of the top 20 players on the PGA Tour's most reliable putting statistic used an anchored putting stroke.

"In my opinion, they haven't screwed up golf yet, and I don't think this will screw it up," Couples said. "But I feel bad for Keegan Bradley, because I'll tell you what: If they banned it tomorrow and we played a tournament, I think I'll be a better player than Keegan. And I don't think that's fair."

Bradley and U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, who both use a belly putter, had said they would go along with the new rule, though they weren't happy about it. Simpson already has been working with a conventional putter. Bradley used a regular putter until he got to college.

"That doesn't take away from the last five years of hours of practice I've put in" on the belly putter, he said. "I'm going to really in the next couple of years figure out a way that's best for me to putt."

Carl Pettersson of Sweden and Tim Clark of South Africa have used broom-handle putters all their careers, and they have talked about a possible legal recourse. Neither could be reached for comment. Pettersson was in South Africa for the Nedbank Challenge and did not return a phone call.

Davis said there was no concern about a lawsuit.

"We need to do what we think is right," Davis said. "And shame on us if we are scared of litigation for doing the right thing."

Even some of those who support a ban on the anchored stroke ? a group that includes Tiger Woods ? wonder what took the governing bodies so long. Such putting strokes date as far back as the 1930s, and they first gained some measure of notoriety when Orville Moody won the 1989 U.S. Senior Open with a long putter held against his chest. Paul Azinger won the 2000 Sony Open with a putter he pressed into his belly.

But the longer putters got serious attention when majors were won last year ? by Bradley at the PGA, followed by Simpson at the U.S. Open. Then, Ernie Els won the British Open this year.

Adding to the attention was Guan Tianlang, the 14-year-old from China who used a belly putter this month when he won the Asia Pacific Amateur, which earned him a spot in the Masters. He will be the youngest player ever at Augusta National. Guan started using the belly putter about six months before his big win.

Even so, Dawson and Davis said the catalyst for a new rule was not who was winning tournaments, but the number of players switching to that style of putting.

Their research showed no more than 4 percent of players on the PGA Tour used the clubs for several years. It went to 6 percent in 2006, and then to 11 percent in 2011 and to 15 percent this year, with some events having as much as 25 percent of the players using the long clubs.

There was no empirical data to suggest a long putter made golf easier, and they made it clear that the proposed rule was not about performance.

"This is about defining the game and defining what is a stroke in golf," Dawson said.

Why now?

Davis said it was one thing for a few players who use a long putter because they struggled on the greens or had health issues. What changed was the spike in number of players using the putters, as well as instructors believing it was a better way to putt.

"It was this recent increase, it was this recent advocacy of players, instructors, to move toward the anchored stroke that really got us to the point where we said, 'We need to act in the best interests of the game moving forward,'" Davis said. "This is all about the future of the game. It's about us defining the game, defining a stroke, clarifying a very controversial and divisive situation."

The penalty for anchoring the club would be loss of hole in match play and a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.

The PGA Tour, European Tour and LPGA Tour said it would evaluate the proposed rule with its players. The PGA Tour has a mandatory players' meeting in San Diego at the end of January, which former U.S. Amateur champion Colt Knost tweeted would be a lively session. Knost uses a belly putter.

The PGA of America said it was concerned that such a ban would drive people from the game.

"As our mission is to grow the game ... we are asking them to seriously consider the impact this proposed ban may have on people's enjoyment of the game and the overall growth of the game," PGA president Ted Bishop said.

Woods walked quickly by reporters after his pro-am round at the World Challenge, saying only, "I think it's a good one," when asked about the new rule. On Tuesday, he said using an anchored stroke takes away from nerves in the hands.

"I just believe that the art of putting is swinging the club and controlling nerves," Woods said Tuesday. "And having it as a fixed point, as I was saying all year, is something that's not in the traditions of the game. We swing all other 13 clubs. I think the putter should be the same."

Jack Nicklaus recalls that croquet-style putting was banned decades ago and golf moved on. Even though far more golfers use long putters, he expects the same outcome.

"They'll all learn to adjust," Nicklaus told the Golf Channel. "Like anything else, they'll get used to it and get over it. ... We've had changes with balls, wood heads, grooves, all kinds of changes. Players have adjusted to those and they'll adjust to this."

Davis, meanwhile, did not accept the premise that golf would lose even greater participation by taking away the anchored putting stroke. He even cited a PGA of America program that showed fewer people were playing because of the expense and time.

"Difficulty is way down the list," he said. "And anchoring would only be a very, very small part of that."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-28-Long%20Putters/id-0c74488f73c542ffb96aaff67240aa4d

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Hill's clutch shot pushes Pacers past Lakers 79-77

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Kobe Bryant is often at his most dangerous when he's fighting the flu, and the ailing superstar carried the Los Angeles Lakers to the brink of yet another under-the-weather win.

One dramatic shot by George Hill left the Indiana Pacers feeling a whole lot healthier.

Hill's high-arching shot banked in over Dwight Howard with 0.1 seconds left, and the Pacers withstood Bryant's 40-point performance and the Lakers' last-minute rally for a 79-77 victory over Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

Hill scored 19 points for the Pacers, who benefited enormously from the Lakers' 23-for-43 performance at the free throw line. Indiana led for most of the night, but couldn't put it away until Hill took charge on a pick-and-roll play with David West, dribbling past Pau Gasol and delicately lofting the ball over the shot-blocking Howard.

"It's something you always dream about, to hit game-winners," Hill said. "So to do that and help this team win a game just makes it that much better."

Coughing and wheezing on the court and in the locker room, Bryant still hit a tying 3-pointer with 24.5 seconds left and produced the 114th 40-point game of his career.

"It was just a tough game for us, because we didn't make shots," Bryant said. "On top of that, we didn't make free throws. I've got to minimize my mistakes. Ten turnovers is way too many for me, so I have to work on perfecting that and bringing that down. I just felt like I played to the crowd too much."

The Lakers dropped to 2-3 under new coach Mike D'Antoni. They mostly played the way Bryant felt, flirting with the lowest-scoring game and worst shooting percentage in franchise history before finishing with 31.6 percent shooting and surpassing the club low of 70 points in a game with eight consecutive points in the waning minutes.

Los Angeles tied it at 74 on Howard's dunk with 1:56 to play. After West made one free throw, Howard and Metta World Peace combined to miss four straight free throws. After Hill made a running shot, Bryant hit a 3-pointer in front of the Lakers' bench to tie it ? but Hill dribbled down the clock and won it for Indiana.

"I'm a little bit proud of the guys, the way they fought and had a chance to win, which defies statistical logic," D'Antoni said. "That was not nice. That was tough."

The Pacers' sturdy defense stifled the Lakers' up-tempo offense for most of the night, turning the game into an ugly grind before the thrilling finish. Indiana won its third straight road game over the Lakers after losing its first 11 regular-season meetings after Staples Center opened in 1999.

West scored 16 points and Paul George had 12 in the opener of a four-game road trip for the Pacers, who had lost six of eight away from home to start the season.

"We need road wins to build our togetherness, our belief in ourselves and our new identity, and to build confidence," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "This is a big one, and one that we were looking for."

Before outscoring the rest of his team combined, Bryant missed the Lakers' morning shootaround when he fell ill. He spent the day in bed, drinking fluids and listening to Bob Marley, before giving another high-scoring performance, albeit with 10 turnovers and 12-for-28 shooting.

Howard blocked four shots and scored 17 points despite 3-of-12 shooting at the free throw line.

"It shouldn't have got to that point," Howard said. "It's been a tough stretch for us early in the season. We can't lose our faith. We'll find a rhythm and we'll get in a groove, but we can't let what we're going through get us down right now."

The Lakers returned from a three-game trip for a three-game homestand, their final multigame stretch at home before Christmas. After playing six games in a nine-day stretch earlier this month, the Lakers are clearly running near empty ? and they had little to give in the first half against Indiana.

The Pacers jumped to an early lead and hung onto it despite falling into a 1-for-23 shooting slump in the first half, playing more than 12 minutes with just one field goal. The Lakers couldn't take advantage, missing 14 of their 18 shots in the second quarter and repeatedly failing to move the ball at D'Antoni's preferred pace.

Bryant made five of his first six shots, but fell into a 1-for-10 slump before getting rolling again late in the third quarter while Los Angeles made a 13-2 run. Bryant had nine turnovers in the first three quarters, but also had 29 points ? more than his teammates' combined 28.

NOTES: The Pacers stay in California to face Sacramento and Golden State before stopping in Chicago on the way home from their trip. ... The Lakers handed out bobblehead dolls in the likeness of the late Chick Hearn, their beloved broadcaster who would have turned 96 on Tuesday. ... Ashton Kutcher, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Kaley Cuoco, Gene Simmons, Shannon Tweed and Tenacious D band members Jack Black and Kyle Gass watched from courtside.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hills-clutch-shot-pushes-pacers-past-lakers-79-062019699--spt.html

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Canada, Mexico to work on easing visa restrictions

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday that he and his soon-to-be Mexican counterpart are working to make it easier for Mexicans to travel to Canada.

Harper and Mexican president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto met on Parliament Hill Wednesday. The two men talked about improving trade ties and about North American security.

But they also spoke about ways to get Canada to drop a visa requirement for Mexican visitors to Canada.

Canada imposed the visa requirement after getting a flood of fake refugee claimants from Mexico.

"We would ultimately like to see visa-free travel," Harper said at a joint news conference the two men gave.

Mexico is the top warm-weather vacation destination for Canadians and Canadians travelling for tourist reasons do not need a visa.

Nieto, who will officially take office on Dec. 1, also said he hopes to open up his energy sector to more foreign investment.

Right now, energy development in Mexico is largely restricted to the state-owned oil company, Pemex. Many Canadian and international companies have been keen to put money into Mexico's energy sector.

Nieto said Pemex will remain the central player but he hopes to find a way for foreign companies to work with Pemex or invest in Pemex.

"It will be essential to develop greater infrastructure and have access to greater investments for development and exploration of this important resource," Nieto said in Spanish. "We can't postpone the benefits that Mexicans deserve to get through energy development."

Mexico is Canada's fifth-largest export destination. After the U.S. and China, Mexico is Canada's third-largest source of imports.

Source: http://www.canoe.ca/Travel/News/2012/11/28/20392461.html?cid=rsstravelnews

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New Jersey gay conversion therapy group sued for fraud

(Reuters) - Four gay men who underwent treatment designed to change their sexual orientation filed a lawsuit in New Jersey on Tuesday accusing their therapists of fraud, in what may be the first suit of its kind against conversion therapists.

Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), a Jersey City-based non-profit organization, falsely claimed to be able to eliminate the four men's homosexual desires through a scientifically proven process, according to a complaint filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

JONAH clients would pay a minimum of $100 for weekly individual counseling sessions and another $60 for group therapy sessions.

The plaintiffs charge that during therapy sessions they were sometimes ordered to remove all of their clothing; in other sessions they were told to beat effigies of their mothers with tennis rackets or were subjected to homosexual slurs, according to the complaint.

Another JONAH client was instructed to break through a human barricade to retrieve a pair of oranges, drink the juice from them and place them down his pants to symbolize the recovery of his testicles and, by extension, his heterosexuality, according to Michael Ferguson, one of the plaintiffs.

The so-called conversion therapy that JONAH practices is "unconscionable and a sham" and a violation of New Jersey's consumer protection laws, said Sam Wolfe, a staff attorney at the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the groups representing the plaintiffs, at a press conference on Tuesday.

JONAH founder Arthur Goldberg and JONAH-affiliated counselor Alan Downing, each of whom were also named in the suit, did not return calls requesting comment.

Since it began operations over a decade ago, JONAH has provided its conversion therapy to thousands of clients, according Christine P. Sun of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Despite its name, JONAH is not a religious-based organization, though it does target Orthodox communities in New York and advertises in Jewish publications, Chaim Levin, one of the plaintiffs, told reporters.

Professional groups that have been highly critical of conversion therapy include the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and other peer organizations, the complaint says. The notion that an individual's sexual orientation can be changed has been rejected by the American Psychiatric Association, the complaint adds.

States are beginning to take action against providers of conversion therapy. California outlawed the practice for minors in October, and a New Jersey state assemblyman has introduced a bill that would do the same for his state.

The amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking was not specified but includes the costs of JONAH therapy sessions, the costs of mental health services to address alleged damages from JONAH's treatments and attorneys' fees. They are also seeking the revocation of JONAH's business license.

(Reporting By Peter Rudegeair; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/jersey-gay-conversion-therapy-group-sued-fraud-195201336.html

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Kenya's Safaricom revamps mobile phone banking with CBA

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's top telecoms operator, Safaricom, will offer a new mobile phone-based banking product with Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) to tap into an underdeveloped market for financial services.

The firm, which is 40 percent owned by Britain's Vodafone, has been looking to build on the success of its phone-based money transfer service, M-Pesa.

Started in 2007 as the world's first mobile-phone based service for moving money around, M-Pesa has grown to account for a sixth of Safaricom's revenue or 10.43 billion shillings in the firm's first-half ended September .

It has also given the east African nation of 40 million people a reputation as a pioneer in financial innovation.

Known as M-Shwari, the new service will allow Safaricom's subscribers to save money and access short-term credit from CBA.

Although the country has seen an increase in the population's access to financial services in recent years, about a third of the population still lacks access, the central bank says.

Total deposit accounts in the financial sector leapt to 15 million at the end of September this year from 2.5 million in 2005, the central bank said, but many poor people especially in rural areas still keep their cash in mattresses at home.

"Research indicates that a staggering 200 billion shillings remains unbanked, not earning interest and not generating much value to their owners," said Bob Collymore, Safaricom's chief executive.

He said that M-Shwari "will foster a culture of saving."

Unlike a previous attempt to offer a similar service with Equity Bank, users of M-Shwari will not be required to directly open a bank account with CBA.

Known as M-Kesho, the previous service required users to also open an account with Equity Bank, to access banking services on their mobile phones.

M-Shwari users will save money at an annualised deposit interest rate of up to 5 percent and allows them to borrow amounts of up to 20,000 shillings for up to 30 days at a one-time interest rate of 7.5 percent, both firms said.

"With this mobile banking product we will leverage on Safaricom's customer base of over 19.2 million subscribers - 15 million of whom are already on M-Pesa," said Isaac Awuondo, CBA's managing director.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/kenyas-safaricom-revamps-mobile-phone-banking-cba-051730651--sector.html

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RolePlayGateway?

(Quick notes: This is a 'what if' written for one of my characters, where he... Uh... Confronts the mother who abandoned him as a toddler. The word 'life' here when capitalized also stands for the God of Life. Any type of feedback is welcome always.)

Some silences cannot be broken by simple questions such as 'why?' or 'how could you?'. The kind of silence that lingered in between two people whose fates were once bound and were now estranged was one such silence; it was a thick, smothering, silence only interrupted by occasional pacing and heavy breathing that echoed through the dark dungeon-like basement.

?I used to believe everyone was innocent once. It was just my way to blame the world for my actions, I guess... As if saying that Life has tainted me through no fault of my own; if I am evil, it?s because I was made to be so. The world decided my fate for me, so why should I ever be responsible??

?...Please...?

?No, no... Not done talking. Don?t be rude now.? The young black haired man said; a slightly manic giggle escaping him as he gave the, bleeding, shackled woman a condescending pat on the head. ?Besides, you shouldn't bother wasting your breath and dignity with pleading. Pleading won?t get you out of here. Actually; nothing short of Divine intervention could save you from me, and until now the Gods have never bothered with stopping me. Not for anyone. I doubt that, after everything they allowed me to do, they would intervene for you.?

The dim light of torches on the moldy stone walls reflected off the woman?s pleading green eyes as she stared into the darkness of his gaze, as if searching for something that was no longer present, and she knew it was true; the end. Acceptance at last. He smiled, a much softer smile, almost compassionate as he stared back at her, his eyes lighting up from their usual hollow black color to an only slightly lighter tone of grey; a very discrete change, but noticeable enough to the woman as his eyes were locked with hers. ?Now we understand each other.? He spoke softly.

?You can kill me, fine...? She spoke, a shuddering breath escaping her as the pain of her wounds seemed to come alive at the simple act of speech. ?I?m sure once I?m dead you will feel better, so why wait any longer??

?I appreciate the consent, but like I said... Not done talking.? He muttered in reply, the thin branch of bamboo that had been his latest punishing instrument still secure in his hand. A smirk crossed his features as he lifted the branch and caught a wince from his captive. ?You think you know pain...? He snickered softly, running the tip of the instrument across her left cheek, almost in a caress. ?As I was saying...? He grinned, pulling the instrument away from the woman?s skin abruptly as if he was going to suddenly strike her with it, but pulling away instead. ?I used to believe in innocence, but now I?m not sure anymore. Some would argue that if innocence can be so easily destroyed, there is actually no such thing as innocence in the world, but... How can something not exist, if it can be destroyed? I was told, a part of me is innocent. I was told, I am soulless. I was told I can choose my path, and I was told that my fate is sealed. I was given many answers, and come to no conclusions. This... This probably won?t change anything, but I would still like to hear it from you... Do you believe in innocence??

?A bit late for me to teach you right from wrong, don?t you agree?? The woman replied softly. ?I assume my answer won?t do anything to change the outcome of this, correct??

?This isn?t a matter of ?right? or ?wrong?. My question has to do with human nature.? He explained, pacing away from the bound woman and dragging a chair from the dark area of the room and into the torchlit circle, sitting on the blood stained piece of furniture he looked up at her as if expecting her to tell him a story. ?I?m asking if you believe all human beings are born innocent, or if some of us are born fated to be evil.? he shrugged dismissively; a half-smile marking his features. ?...And no, there is no answer you can give that will change the outcome of this. You are going to die down here, and I will be the only one around to hear your final breath.?

The woman took a couple of deep breaths as if trying to push the pain away enough to stay coherent, her voice coming out more steady this time as she spoke. ?Honestly, I believe that it doesn?t matter what the truth is. Either way, you are searching for an excuse. If you are born evil, then this is not your fault, because it?s in your nature. If you are born innocent then it?s not your fault because the world made you this way... I?m not going to choose one and give you a reason why you are not responsible for your actions. You want to know what I believe? I believe nature is irrelevant here. You are only a monster because you chose to act like one.?

?Really? Personally I?d say my choices are irrelevant to the subject at hand. I mean, yes I could have chosen to act according to what is socially accepted as ?good?, but wouldn?t change the fact that this is what feels right to me. To me, this is ?good?. What I want to know is why. If this is something anyone would feel if they had been in my particular situation or if it was something I would still feel if my situation was entirely different.?

?Is that why you torture people? To see if they turn out like you?? The woman muttered. ?Are you that desperately alone??

?I don?t always torture people, no... Just in certain occasions. You should be glad.? He snickered softly. ?You are still special to me after all this time.?

?That only answers half my question.? She pointed out.

?We?re not here so you can have answers.? He replied, an angered tone suddenly raising his voice. ?I don?t owe you answers. I owe you nothing.?

?You want to know about human nature, yes? Well, we are social creatures by nature, the fear of being alone is a great motivator... You don?t want to know why you are... Evil... You want to know why you feel lonely.?

The man stood up abruptly, an angered glare in his eyes as he struck the woman swiftly across the face with the bamboo branch, opening a bloody gash across her cheek. ?Don?t tell me how I feel.? He warned; his voice soft yet intense and undeniably dangerous. ?Don?t try to act like you know me. Answer the question: Do you believe that we are all born innocent??

The woman responded with a groan of pain and anger, her face turned away from his dark gaze, her breathing shallow as if the new punishment had brought back the pain of all the others. She knew there was no way to leave that room alive and she also knew that he would not let her die until she gave him an answer... Yet she resisted. Maybe in some level they both knew this was the only thing close to a bond they would ever share and didn?t want to see it end just yet, maybe she just didn?t want to give him the satisfaction... Whatever the reason, they both suddenly fell into a dense and stubborn silence, as if daring each other to speak another word and break the moment. When finally she couldn?t keep from turning to face him once more, she found him standing with his arms crossed over his chest, an emotionless expression and an intense dark stare in his eyes that nearly burned its way right through her. The only sounds to echo in that filthy dark dungeon was that of breaths and heartbeats as she once again searched his eyes and found herself gazing into two windows to an empty and endless abyss. Tears began to form in her eyes as if for the first time she actually asked herself what could make a person this way and as they began to run down her face the silence was broken.

?I?m waiting.? He told her, unmoved by the display of emotion from the woman, or perhaps it was the tears that had moved him to speak even if he seemed uncaring as to what they represented.

?Why... What does it matter to you, what I think?? She asked, attempting to keep her voice steady, her breaths coming out shakened as if she was struggling not to break into a sobbing mess. ?What are you after really??

?I?ve told you... You are still special to me even now. Perhaps not in the way it would be prefered, but nonetheless: Special. All the others were a matter of instant gratification, but not you... Our moments, however brief they may be, will be mine to cherish long after they end and I will finally have something of yours in me after all these years. It?s unlikely this will bring me peace, or make me better, but it?s the only way I know to move on from you.? A half smile formed itself on his lips as he averted his eyes from her, staring into the darkest corner of the room as if the sight of shadows brought him some level of comfort. ?You left me and moved on. You forgot me and made a life for yourself. You lived all this time while I died and went to hell. I may have done the things I?ve done, and be the monster I admit that I am, but I still deserve to move on the same as you. If this is the only thing you have left in you to give, I will take it because you owe me.? As he turned his eyes back to her his smile shut completely. ?I?ve given you more answers than you deserve. If I recall correctly, this is how it always goes with us; I give you more than you deserve, and get nothing... Not this time though. This time I get what I want... Or I will make sure to play out in details what my reality has been from the day you left me. It?ll only take six years or so to go through it all, and I?ve got nothing but time.?

The woman exhaled, a choking sound escaping her; it could have been originally laughter or a whimper, it was hard to tell. ?Which is more important, I wonder... Hurting me, or knowing me??

?A bit late to try and pretend you want to know me now...? He muttered. ?...I can always do both, if you rather. I was trying to show some level of... Leniency, in exchange for the answer though, since it is clear that either way I will kill you. I?m not known for my fairness, so I suggest you stop stalling me before I change my mind completely.?

This time she laughed without a doubt, even though the sound was weak it was clearly, undoubtedly, laughter. ?You know the answer already now, don?t you? You just want to hear me say it.? Her laughter ended in a small coughing fit and she was forced to take a few moments to breathe before speaking any further. ?It?s fair, I suppose... I do owe you this much... Gabriel...?

?Luckas.? He stopped her. ?It?s Luckas now.?

She sighed, shaking her head at the interruption and moving forward with what she meant to say. ?...Gabriel was an innocent boy. He was born innocent, and for what you told me of your life he died innocent. You were born evil, you?ve lived an evil life, my guess is that this is how you?ll die, but I can?t be certain. My opinion? We are all born innocent, and we are all fated to be guilty sooner or later. You asked me this because you wanted me to admit, and take responsibility for you... You know this is what would hurt the most, but I can?t give you that. I can take responsibility for the boy I abandoned, but you are far from being him. And now you know that for a fact.? Another coughing fit stopped her speech, a few specks of blood dropping to the floor at her feet. The next breath was a difficult one, but she managed to take it and speak. ?I am responsible for my child?s death... I can?t be responsible for your life.?

Luckas was silent as the woman spoke, his eyes momentarily closing as if he struggled to accept her words, but eventually continuing to stare at her with intense curiosity until she spoke her final word. His expression was unaffected overall, as if everything spoken there was simply something new to consider, and not something that pertained to his own personal history. ?Children.? He stated simply. ?There were two of us, in case you don?t remember. Of course I can?t speak for my brother, nor could he speak for himself if he was standing here alive... He never spoke again after that day.?

?Are we through now?? She asked, turning her face away from him in the direction of the dark area he had looked into earlier, but unable to turn around enough to know if there was anything actually there to see. ?You have your answer.?

?So I do... And you and I share a common trait. You may take responsibility for what you have done, but you... Are not sorry. I?m not used to the feeling myself, but I know regret when I see it; there is nothing even remotely like it in your eyes, or in your tone... Remorseless, just like me.? A satisfied grin slowly spread across the man?s features as he dropped the piece of bamboo onto the the floor; the sound of wood hitting stone echoing faintly through the air for what seemed like a ridiculously long moment. Slowly and carefully he pulled a knife from his belt, raising the blade to eye level and staring at the sharp metal surface as it reflected the light of the torches. ?I was told once, that a person?s blood carries a part of every generation of their family line, so from the moment your heart starts to beat it carries a part of everyone who made your existence possible through your veins, to become a part of you for as long as you live. Because of that, some people believe that blood is something sacred. For me though... Blood never meant anything more than a pretty shade of red to paint the walls with.? Pulling his eyes from the knife he once again took in the sight of the woman before him; tears in her dress, dirt and blood staining her skin, bound wrists and bound ankles, messy black hair, beautiful green eyes sparkling in the darkness... He would remember her this way now, and not as a faceless figure walking away in the dark. This moment was his to keep forever.

Calmly he paced towards his captive until there was less than an inch of space between the two of them, long deep breaths leaving his body in a steady and continuous flow as he reached with his empty hand towards her face, causing her to wince and close her eyes. He stopped himself from touching her skin however, letting his hand hover just short from grazing her wounded cheek. Lowering his hand he took one last step towards her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against his chest, the tip of the knife pressed against her back. It wasn?t an affectionate gesture on his part. If there was any feeling at all behind it, it was aggression. He stood there for almost a full minute, his hold on her tight as if he meant to simply crush the life out of her, and then... He slowly pushed the knife through her skin, through her flesh, all the way to her heart, and then further; only stopping when he could actually feel the sharp end of the blade against his own chest. Still holding her tightly against his chest he could feel her body tense with the blade?s entrance and go limp once he pulled the knife away in one quick motion, dropping the weapon behind her back. And there he stayed, holding the woman close to him, feeling her heartbeats slowing into stillness and the sounds of her breath fading into silence. No words were spoken because he had nothing left to say to her. They were through.

When Luckas was younger he had heard someone say that the mother?s heartbeat was the first sound a baby hears upon entering the world, and as he grew older he had come to believe that somehow everything ends the same way it begins. Whether that was true or not was yet to be seen, but it was the one belief that gave him some sense of order and balance... Some certainty amongst what seemed to be a never ending stream of madness. We die as we live and we end our relationships in the same way they began. As we departure, we leave the world in the exact same state as we once discovered it... Nothing truly changes. Nothing truly ends.

Except maybe innocence; innocence always dies.

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RolePlayGateway

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Local Veterans Day ceremonies pay tribute to America's military heroes

James Potts of Chesterfield sat in the front row at the Colonial Heights Veterans Day memorial service in order to have a clear view of his nephew's name that is engraved on the War Memorial. Pfc. Robert A. McGill died at the age of 19 during the Vietnam War.

Source: http://powhatan.nbc12.com/news/88341-local-veterans-day-ceremonies-pay-tribute-americas-military-heroes

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Illuminating the no-man's land of waters' surface: Strong electric charge observed at the interface between oil and water is not due to impurities

ScienceDaily (Nov. 27, 2012) ? Water repelling molecules are said to be hydrophobic. The hydration -- or formation of water interfaces around hydrophobic molecules -- is important for many biological processes: protein folding, membrane formation, transport of proteins across an interface, the transmission of action potentials across membranes. It is involved as well in the process of creating mayonnaise, or in the fact that you can get rid of fat with soap. Hydrophobic interfaces although long studied, are poorly understood.

Here's an amusing kitchen-table experiment to illustrate waters unusual properties: put a drop of pure insulating oil in a glass of pure, non-conducting water, and create an electric field using two wires hooked up to a battery. You'll see the oil move from the negative to the positive pole of the little circuit you've created. You have created charge in a mixture that was neutral, and a huge amount of it too, judging from the speed at which the droplets move. The same thing happens for gas bubbles in water; the phenomenon of charging applies to all hydrophobic/water interfaces.

A century of debates

It's not a new discovery; scientists have observed the phenomenon in the middle of the 19th century. But despite more than a century of research, the reason why such a huge electric charge exists is still the subject of heated debate.

In an article published this week in Angewandte Chemie -- a journal of reference in the field -- EPFL scientist Sylvie Roke challenges a hypothesis put forward last spring in the same journal. With experimental proof to back her up, the holder of the Julia Jacobi chair in photomedicine makes her case: the phenomenon is not caused by the inevitable "impurities" present in oils, as her colleagues claim, but rather by certain intrinsic properties of the water molecules involved.

Show the unseeable

For proof, Roke turns to the technologies in which she is an expert -- nonlinear optics and light diffusion. Using carefully filtered lasers channeled through a complex circuit of mirrors and lenses, she "hits" her sample -- barely a drop -- and measures the wavelength of the light that escapes from it. With this she can detect whether or not there are nanoscopic molecules on the interface between the oil and the water.

The precision of the observations "shows that negative charges exist even in a total absence of surface impurities, and thus the explanation put forward by my colleagues, which was derived from charge measurements and chemical titrations of the bulk liquids, doesn't hold up," says Roke. "We have developed a unique apparatus that can distinctly measure the interfacial structure of a layer on the sub-nanometer length scale that surrounds a droplet of oil in water. Thus, we can 'see' what is on the interface, and do not have to deduce it from comparing bulk properties, which is far less accurate."

Disproving a hypothesis isn't enough to explain a phenomenon, however. Roke is studying a promising avenue, that explores the intrinsic quantum nature of the water molecule itself, which might be responsible for the phenomenon. "The measurements we've made as part of this refutation could be used to try and prove this explanation," she says. "It's fascinating, because quantum effects (the smallest of the smallest) might be responsible for macroscopic charging effects that influence so many properties that relate to the functioning of the human body."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Ecole Polytechnique F?d?rale de Lausanne, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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. Kailash C. Jena, R?diger Scheu, Sylvie Roke. Surface Impurities Are Not Responsible For the Charge on the Oil/Water Interface: A Comment. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2012; DOI: 10.1002/anie.201204662

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/matter_energy/biochemistry/~3/4sUdXJpBTXU/121127130250.htm

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Will, Grundy hospitals host health programs ? Joliet Herald News

November 14, 2012. Posted 16 hours ago.Posted in: Acupuncture and Energy Therapies

Will, Grundy hospitals host health programs Joliet Herald News Emotional freedom technique for smoking cessation: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20 offered by the Lockport Township Park District for people 16 and older at Challenge Fitness Courtside Lounge, 2021 S. Lawrence Ave. in Lockport. This tapping technique is one of ? and more??

Source:Will, Grundy hospitals host health programs ? Joliet Herald News

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Source: http://www.revolutionarywellbeing.com/will-grundy-hospitals-host-health-programs-joliet-herald-news/1156

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Daily Deals: Salon Services, Mani-Pedi, Car Wash, Cosmic Mini ...

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$35 for 40 Holiday Photo Cards at MyPublisher ($87.60 Value)

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$50 for Fresh-Cut Fraser Fir Christmas Tree at Five Star Christmas Tree Co. ($139 Value)

You can't wait to delicately adorn your tree with heirloom ornaments, but you're dreading the part where you have to wrestle a tree to the top of your hatchback. Enter this deal from Five Star Christmas Tree Co.: For $50, get a 5- to 6-foot fresh-cut Fraser fir Christmas tree delivered to your door (a $139 value). For even more cheer, order a 6- to 7-foot tree for $60 (a $159 value), or get a 7- to 8-foot Fraser fir for $70 (a $179 value). Free delivery is included for homes within approximately a 30-mile radius of most major city centers in the continental U.S. Based in Utah, this consumer-friendly company has streamlined the process of tree selection and delivery. By partnering with tree farms across the nation, Five Star finds the best trees (no more picked-over pines) and expedites holiday cheer with a 24/7 call center, a mobile app, and more to make ordering simple and fun -- as it should be.

$15 for Box of The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears at Harry & David ($30 Value)

Food plays a starring role in your holiday traditions, and today, it takes center stage as your new favorite gift to give. With this deal from Harry & David, pay $15 (regularly $30) for one box of The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears, famed for their delicate, smooth flavor. Savor seven to twelve impeccable, handpicked pears "so big and juicy, you eat them with a spoon." These luscious fruits are expertly grown in orchards in southern Oregon, carefully harvested at maturity, chilled to reach their full sweetness potential, and wrapped in gold foil for a regal presentation. Give thanks, show appreciation for a party host, delight a coworker, or shower friends and family with one of life's sweetest pleasures: a perfect bite.

$25 for Pound of Coffee and Reusable Single-Serve Filters at The Bean Coffee Company ($50 Value)

Give your java routine a jolt of 100-percent organic and natural ingredients with this deal from The Bean Coffee Company: $25 for two Ekobrew reusable cups and one pound of Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee (a $50 value). The Ekobrew reusable filters are cleverly designed for use with single-cup brewing machines to eliminate plastic waste. Brew up your choice of distinctive coffee: Breakfast Blend, Pumpkin Spice, Aloha Hawaiian Hazelnut, French Roast, or Decaf French Roast. A family-owned business, The Bean Coffee Company began distributing its high-quality, 100-percent Arabica beans at farmers' markets in Southern California before growing to serve customers nationwide. Beans are roasted in small batches to ensure freshness and the optimal amount of healthful benefits, so you can start your day with a caf?-worthy cup -- sans the lines.

$46 for Ostrich Handbag at Robert Matthew ($210 Value)

What you carry in your purse says as much about you as the accessory itself. Make a statement with a Robert Matthew original: Pay $46 (regularly $210) for the Lily 2-in-1 ostrich tote in one of ten stunning colors, which features silver hardware, a 12-inch handle, and a zipper closure. This clever carryall contains a smaller matching handbag inside to easily store and separate your essentials. Or, pay $59 (regularly $210) to spruce up your look with the Brooklyn tote in one of 12 shades. Made of animal-friendly PVC leather, this structured purse has light gold hardware, a 10-inch handle, and a zipper closure. The lined interior has a center divider and two open pockets -- so you can always appear organized and elegant.

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From twirling through ballet to tearing up the field, your princess rocks an eclectic collection of activities. Give her a whimsical wardrobe to match her personality with this deal from FabKids: Pay $40 (regularly $80) for two complete outfit credits from this unique clothing delivery service for girls sizes 2 to 8. Simply complete the site's foolproof style profile quiz -- designed by a team of parents including celebrity mom Christina Applegate -- and she'll receive a high-quality, three-piece outfit per credit, with shipping included. Whether she prefers capris to cutoffs or skirts to slacks, your budding fashionista's tastes will be masterfully matched. Forget sticking to the same old, same old -- thanks to the folks at FabKids, your youngest style star's individuality is sure to shine.

$37 for Spa or Salon Services at Skyline Downtown Salon ($75 Value)

When you see a salon filled with gorgeous wooden work stations and vibrant artwork, it's no surprise that it customizes treatments to fit the client. Check out the one-of-a-kind Skyline Downtown Salon for a one-hour Signature facial for $37 (regularly $75), and enjoy a visit that's as unique as this spot's personality. Overlooking downtown Kansas City, this Grand Boulevard studio is a renovated historic locale with plenty of style and personalized services. Your customized facial is geared toward your skin type and includes a deep pore cleansing; scalp, shoulder, and d?collet? massage; and a mask. Opt for a single-process hair coloring or get a haircut with a hair moisturizing treatment for $37 (regularly $75). There's also free parking near the building, making for a salon that really fits your needs.

$349 for Memory-Foam Mattress at Zen Bedrooms

Luxury memory-foam mattress for twin, full, queen-size, or king-size bedsThree layers for the best in back support and whole-body comfort Cooling knitted cover rests atop two inches of advanced viscoelastic foam and six-inch baseDesigned by sleep experts and made in America For more info, visit Zen Bedrooms's website and Facebook page.

$15 for $30 to Spend on Oils, Perfumes, Spices, Tea & More at Phoenix Herb Company ($30 Value)

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can clean out your pantry faster than you can say "gobble, gobble." Restock with today's deal at Phoenix Herb Company: Pay $15 for $30 to spend on oils, perfumes, spices, teas, and herbs. This Main Street establishment, open seven days a week, carries herbal extracts; supplements; culinary spices; white, red, green, oolong, and black teas; essential oils; perfume oils; and more. Amp up your traditional American meals with imports from Africa, Hungary, Japan, France, Morocco, India, and other exotic locales as you're guided by a knowledgeable staff with nearly 100 years of combined experience with botanicals -- and your cabinets might be busting until next year. Want more? Check out Phoenix Herb Company on Facebook.

$16 for Two Cooking Baskets at Super Gadgets ($38 Value)

When you're in the kitchen zone, bustling back and forth to prepare a big meal, digging through drawers for the right tool is a recipe for disaster. Be ready for anything with two nine-inch cooking baskets on hand from Super Gadgets for $16 (regularly $38). These lightweight, stainless steel baskets are ideal for a variety of culinary needs, no matter what you cook up. Strain pastas, steam veggies, or deep-fry your favorite indulgence; when you're done eating, the dishwasher-safe baskets fold up and store easily. With these gadgets at your fingertips, you can stay focused on the food.

$25 for Warrior Care Pack or Other Efforts for US Troops at USO ($60 Value)

As you consider all that you have to be thankful for this season, take a moment to show your appreciation for those who've proudly served and sacrificed for our country. This Veterans Day, pay $25 and the USO will provide a Warrior Care Pack valued at $60 -- or put your donation toward other morale-lifting efforts -- for wounded men and women of the US armed forces. The USO will also send you a T-shirt to show their appreciation. Each Warrior Care Pack is filled with essentials that our wounded, ill, and injured vets need now to aid their path to recovery. Show your support with this thoughtful approach, and share some necessities -- and cheer -- this season.

$37 for Six-Piece Towel Set Including Shipping at Linum Towels ($108 Value)

Is your favorite part of staying in a nice hotel leaving with the bath linens? Get your own five-star towels guilt-free with today's deal from Linum Towels: Pay $37 for a six-piece towel set with included shipping (a $108 value). Or, pay $52 to have the same set monogrammed with up to three letters (a $138 value). The two 27x54-inch bath towels, two 16x30-inch hand towels, and two 13x13-inch washcloths are made of 100% Turkish cotton, so they start out soft and get softer with each wash. Double-stitched borders ensure long-lasting quality, while the absorbent, pure white terry texture is resistant to shedding, pilling, and color contamination. Wash your hands of the dirty practice of pilfering towels with this suave set, and you'll be drying off in luxury for a long time to come.

$29 for Personalized Canvas Print at MyPix2Canvas ($86 Value)

From fireside poses to caroling candids, your holiday plans include snapping an overload of seasonal photos. With this deal from MyPix2Canvas, you can take your yuletide shots from the memory card to the family room: Pay $29 (regularly $86) for one 16"x20", 1.5"-thick canvas print, or $45 (regularly $129) for one 20"x30", 1.5"-thick print from this leading online photo-to-canvas provider. Using their innovative gicl?e technology, these pros will transfer your digital images onto a real, museum-quality, 1?-inch-deep canvas. You simply upload your favorite snaps, choose your preferred edge wrap, and wait for your print to be delivered to your door ? meaning after you unwrap this deal, you can display your prints from seasons past for years to come.

$20 for Digital Measuring Cup Scale at Widget Love ($40 Value)

Cooking up a holiday feast may be an art, but it's nothing without a dash of science behind it. Precisely measure out the ingredients for those heirloom dishes with the All in One Miracle Measuring Cup from Widget Love for $20 (regularly $40). This battery-operated kitchen gadget will fast become a staple; it has a capacity of 20 ounces and can handle dry or wet ingredients. The digital scale and LCD display integrated into the handle show you the exact amounts of ingredients you've measured out, and the thermometer indicates temperatures from -40? to 240? Fahrenheit. Plus, five ingredient presets -- for flour, sugar, milk, water, and oil -- easily convert ounces to cups, so you won't have to guesstimate your way through another pumpkin pie recipe.

$9 for Smartphone Touch Screen Gloves at Touch Screen Gloves & Co. ($40 Value)

Your holiday window shopping has inspired a purchase, if only you knew what size to pick up. Text to ask -- without shedding your mittens -- with a pair of Touch Screen Gloves for $9 (regularly $40) from Touch Screen Gloves & Co. Using sensor technology, you can keep your digits warm while you tap, touch, and text away on your iPhone or Android. The gloves, available in pink and black, provide accurate navigation from app to app, and feature more than 200 polyurethane bumps to help you keep a grip on your phone. The newest version offers doubled thickness for extra warmth without being cumbersome, and one-size-fits-all sizing will keep everyone's hands warm and toasty this season.

$10 for $20 to Spend on Home D?cor, Jewelry, and More at Overstock.com ($20 Value)

Whether you've been eyeing a designer dress for an upcoming party or want to transform your home for your own celebration, see how the O can score you high-end goodies for less with this deal from Overstock.com. Pay $10 and get $20 to spend at this online retailer, whose massive inventory features brand-name merchandise at steep discounts. Overstock.com boasts department after digital department of jewelry, home d?cor, men's and women's apparel, furniture, luggage, and more. Explore a treasure trove of on-trend wardrobe staples and special occasion garments; bedeck your living space with seasonal accents; or delight someone with a gift like a coveted KitchenAid stand mixer or fresh flowers and chocolate. Catering to all tastes -- and all price ranges -- you can bet Overstock.com will elevate your next shopping experience.

$35 for Four-Piece Luxury Sheet Set at Luxor Linens ($135 Value)

When you decide what to wear each morning, you zero in on the most comfortable, stylish ensemble. Dress your bed to match with this deal: a four-piece sheet set from Luxor Linens for $35 (regularly $135), or a four-piece set with a single-letter monogram in a coordinating color on each pillowcase for $49 (regularly $149). Each set of microfiber comfort sheets includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases in full, queen-size, king-size, or California king-size. This incredibly soft fabric has wicking properties and breathes better than cotton to keep you comfortable throughout the night. With your choice of 12 shades that won't shrink, wrinkle, or fade in the wash, these high-quality sheets will outfit your bedroom with class and coziness that lasts.

$79 for Two Viscolite Dual Memory Foam Pillows at Nature's Sleep ($160 Value)

Endless tossing and turning has transformed your sweet slumber into a string of sleepless nights fighting with your pillowCreate a more comfortable cradle with two Viscolite pillows from this global manufacturer of specialty sleep productsCutting-edge memory foam formulation molds to support your head, shoulders, neck, and spine, minimizing pressure points and reducing stressHypoallergenic pillow comes with a removable, washable cotton cover for easy care Want more? Check out Nature's Sleep's website and Facebook page.

$10 for $20 to Spend on Girls' Dance and Cheer Apparel at Danskin ($20 Value)

Lively girls of yesteryear burst through life in patterned petticoats and pastel ankle socks. Your modern maiden needs a wardrobe that's more attuned to her ambitious lifestyle, so encourage her development with this deal from Danskin: Pay $10 for $20 to spend on dance and cheer apparel and accessories. With roots as a family-owned business established in 1882, this leading women's outfitter has evolved with fit females for more than 125 years. Whether she's a devoted dancer, aspiring athlete, or competitive cheerleader, you'll find just what a young woman needs to keep her body in motion. From tights and leotards to warm-up gear in a range of sizes, this deal delivers everything an empowered little lady needs to barrel through her dynamic days.

$50 for $100 to Spend on Tile and Stone at Tile and Stone Warehouse ($100 Value)

Prepare to be floored by the selection of travertine, granite, glass, mosaics, and more at this expansive warehouseInstantly update your bathroom with modern tile or install a sleek marble floor in the foyerFeaturing friendly customer service and in-house interior designers available for guidance Want more? Check out Tile & Stone Warehouse's website and Facebook page.

$50 for Exterior Cleaning of 20 Windows at Green Team Window Cleaning ($100 Value)

Get an exterior cleaning of 20 windowsAllows more light to come in, helping heat your home and keep energy bills low Servicing a 20-mile radius of the 66203 zip code For more info, check out Green Team Window Cleaning's website and Facebook page.

$40 for On-Site or Remote Computer Services at My Geek USA ($80 Value)

We know it's boot season, and while your feet have a stylish new look, your computer is looking for a fitting reboot. Try out the pros from My Geek USA and pay $40 for an hour-long on-site weekday computer service (a $80 value) or enjoy remote computer service for $20 (regularly $40). Receive an in-depth analysis and consultation on any number of issues, including virus removal, tune-ups, upgrades, basic diagnosis, and more. A qualified technician will travel within 20 miles of the 64155 zip code to guide you through the proper one-on-one steps in helping understand your computer. Also offering in-depth tutorials online, this service can help you master your way around frozen screens, OS troubles, and more -- allowing you to keep your newfound computer skills kicking. Want more? Check out My Geek USA on Facebook.

$49 for Dental Exam, Cleaning, and X-Rays at Thomas Anderson & Associates ($265 Value)

You were always good at exams in grade school, and the same holds true in the dentist's chair. Ace today's deal from Thomas Anderson & Associates when you get a dental exam, teeth cleaning, and X-rays for just $49 (a $265 value). Dr. Thomas Anderson and his staff at Thomas Anderson and Associates have been serving the Kansas City area since 1986. Head to any of three locations in the metro area -- Downtown, The Plaza, and Independence -- and you'll also receive an Invisalign consultation. No need to sharpen your pencils -- just bring this 82%-off deal and A-plus smile to this exam.

$39 for Fall Furnace Tune-Up at Blue Heating and Cooling ($79 Value)

Get a fall furnace tune-up -- which cleans your burners and checks the thermostat, blower, and much more -- to keep your system running smooth and your home warmOpt to add a spring A/C tune-up -- which checks belt condition, fan speed, filters, and more -- to prepare you for future changing seasonsServices a 30-mile radius of the 64151 zip code For more info, check out Blue Heating and Cooling's website and Facebook page.

$49 for In-Studio Photography Session at Susan Noeller Photography ($150 Value)

Sluggish shutter speeds and shaky shots are not things you want to focus on when you look at photos of loved ones. With today's deal from Susan Noeller Photography, get an in-studio photo session for your children and family, graduating senior, or pet -- even if that pet is a horse -- for $49 (regularly $150). Head to Susan's studio in Liberty on Northeast 116th Street with as many outfits as you'd like for your shots. Offering unlimited time for your session, Susan's main priority is to provide you with a worry-free session that allows you to relax, have fun, and get the shot you want -- while this up-to-67%-off deal takes care of any price-related anxiety you might have had.

$20 for Discover Scuba Experience with Equipment Rental at TD Scuba ($40 Value)

You typically like to test the waters one toe at a time, but today's deal at TD Scuba shows you how to jump right in: Get a two-hour Discover Scuba experience including equipment rental for $20 (regularly $40). Landlubbers age 10 and up with watery wanderlust can get their feet wet in the indoor swimming pool at this PADI-certified facility in Lee's Summit. A professional diving instructor will teach you about scuba safety, equipment, and technique, and you'll have the opportunity to swim underwater. If your child is age 8 to 10, pay $12 (regularly $25) for the Bubblemakers experience to introduce him to the scuba world in shallow water, under the close supervision of a trained instructor. To learn potentially life-saving skills, get certification to administer First Aid and CPR to adults for $60 (regularly $120), including a manual, disposable gloves and face shield, instruction and certification fees, the use of training mannequins, an AED simulator, and an oxygen kit. Or, for $75 (regularly $150) receive certification to administer First Aid and CPR to an adult, child, or infant, including the items mentioned above plus a discussion on preventing many childhood injuries. If you find yourself in the deep end, this deal might help get you out. Want more? Check out TD Scuba on Facebook.

$15 for $30 to Spend on Personal Training at Wello ($30 Value)

Take workouts from the crowded fitness floor to the privacy of your home with this deal: Pay $15 for $30 to spend on at-home personal training sessions from Wello.co. Founded by fitness fans in 2011, this innovative company has been featured in USA Today, TechCrunch, Mashable, and other outlets. Wello provides an interactive, personalized, affordable experience with a certified trainer via live video anywhere you can score a broadband Internet connection. Sneak in a workout at your office, get your cardio fix from a hotel room while traveling, or just let loose in your living room. Simply search the site's roster of high-quality, Wello-vetted trainers by schedule, workout type, gender, and more to snag your perfect match. From yoga to CrossFit, all styles of exercise are covered -- just log in to get moving. Want more? Visit Wello on Facebook.

$25 for Month of Irish Dance Lessons at O'Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy of Irish Dance ($80 Value)

Kansas City may not be close to the Emerald Isle, but we're never far from celebrating Irish heritage. Get up on your feet and head to O'Riada-McCarty-Manning Academy of Irish Dance with today's deal: one month of Irish dance classes for $25 (regularly $80), or three months for $79 (regularly $190). The owners, born and raised right here in KC, have been providing a range of classes for children and adults for more than two decades. You'll find ten different levels of classes, from those for ages 3 to 4 to sessions dedicated to jigs, hornpipes, and national competitions. And since the school has locations in KC, Lawrence, Leavenworth, and Lee's Summit, you're never far from the rhythm of the Irish.

$50 for One, Two, Three Hours of Face Painting at Art is Essential ($100 Value)

It's funny how your child doesn't know how those markers magically wrote on your white walls or how those finger paints ended up all over the dining room table. Thankfully today's deal from Art is Essential lets your kids express themselves while the paintbrush is in the hand of a professional. Spice up a birthday party or just a Tuesday afternoon with one hour of face painting for $50 (a $100 value), two hours of face painting for $90 (a $200 value), or three hours of face painting for $125 (a $300 value). Artist Susanne Andersen can conjure creatures like dolphins, dragons, unicorns, centaurs, angels, fairies, or whatever your little one can dream up. Let your cute kiddo's face be the canvas -- and save your walls from a cleaning that would surely require magic powers.

$199 for Security System Installation at SecureNet ($999 Value)

Get a security system installed with a control panel, keypad, motion detector, siren, and three open-door sensors, plus three months of 24-hour-a-day monitoring Trained professionals are available around the clock to take action on your emergencyMeets the standards of Underwriters Laboratories, an independent, not-for-profit certification organization who tests products for public safetyServicing a 45-mile radius of the 64119 zip code For more info, check out SecureNet's website.

$49 for One Month of Unlimited Dance Classes at TaJazz School of Dance ($145 Value)

You believe in bestowing upon your little princess the autonomy to dress and entertain herself. But when the clock strikes bedtime, getting her to shed the tutu can be a royal pain. Today's deal from TaJazz School of Dance gives your twinkle-toes free reign: Pay $49 and get one month of unlimited dance classes for one student age 3 to 18 (regularly $145). This Blue Springs studio has been teaching young dancers of all levels for more than eight years and will work with your twirling tot on techniques in acrobatics, ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, and hip-hop. With small class sizes and energetic instructors, your pirouetting princess will have the dancing kingdom of her dreams. Want more? Check out TaJazz School of Dance on Facebook.

$15 for Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run at LivingSocial Adventures ($30 Value)

While it's up for debate whether everything happens for a reason, ugly sweaters were certainly printed with purpose. Start your yuletide celebrations right with a dollop of sillies and endorphins with this Adventure: a 5K ugly sweater run through Downtown Lawrence on December 1, with snow machines, reindeer games, holiday music during, post-race, kid and adult drinks (Sam Adams Angry Orchard, Winter Lager, and Boston Lager), and more. We'll line up in our worst threads and any other frivolous frock or accessory we can think of?think mustaches, large glasses, beads, and more. We can get started on pre-race drinks if we choose, but at 2 p.m. we'll get on our marks and start the great Ugly Sweater Run. Less racing and more meandering, we'll shuffle our feet through the course and take part in sanctioned distractions like sledding off-course, holiday-themed stands every mile, and hot chocolate stations. There will be snow?real or otherwise?so expect a winter wonderland regardless. Upon completion, we'll take advantage of our complimentary Sam Adams beer or additional hot drinks for the kiddies. In addition to mementos like an event bib, take-home pint glass, souvenir Santa hat, and fake mustache, we'll get our seasonal cheer on through event competitions. And be sure to really turn out the ugliest threads possible -- we'll all be rated for worst sweater, best fake and real mustache, best sweater, best beard, and all around best of the best. Now that's what we call fun with a purpose.

$5 for Skating Admission for Two with Skate Rental at Landmark 2 Skate ($11 Value)

Whether your kids are honor roll students or just skating by this semester, everyone deserves a little fun, and today's super-smart deal from Landmark 2 Skate offers just the stuff. For $5, you'll score skating admission for two, including skate rental, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday (an $11 value). Or, pay $6 for skating admission and skate rental for two on Friday or Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. (a $13 value). Looking for even more fun? Pay $19 for all-you-can-skate privileges and skate rental from December 21 through 30 (a $38 value). This family-owned-and-operated skate center offers an enjoyable family-friendly environment for all ages, and it's the perfect place to get some exercise and enjoy this tried-and-true form of fun -- at a price that's worthy of an A+. Want more? Check out Landmark 2 Skate on Facebook.

$27 for Gel Polish Manicure and Pedicure at Sao Polished ($55 Value)

Your trial run with a turkey went great, but stuffing a bird doesn't do much for your cuticle beds. Treat yourself to a little pampering this season with today's deal from Sao Polished: Pay $27 for a gel polish manicure and pedicure (regularly $55), or keep the focus on your fingers with a gel polish manicure for $12 (regularly $25). This nail boutique in Overland Park is ready to pamper your feet and hands with a soothing foot soak, followed by an application of gel polish, a gel-and-laquer hybrid that is cured under an LED light to keep your nails chip-free for up to 14 days. Open Wednesday through Saturday and on Monday, Sao Polished will leave you feeling fabulous, and your high-shine polish will surely draw compliments -- no matter how browned that bird gets in the oven. Want more? Check out Sao Polished on Facebook.

Johnson County, KS: $4 for One Car Admission to Seasonal Light Show at Holiday Display Services ($8 Value)

Here in the Midwest, winter usually just feels like the North Pole, but once a year some parts actually start to look like it. Get an eyeful of the holiday action with this deal: Pay $4 (regularly $8) for one car admission to the Jingle Bell Drive at the Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe. One half mile of concentrated Christmas cheer, this wildly decorated strip shows what the spirit of the season is all about. Pile family and friends into your car, tune the radio to 96.9 FM for constant holiday jingles, and cruise around the most extravagant decorations -- the Jingle Bell Drive features more than 100 displays made up of more than 100,000 lights, whimsical set pieces, and plenty of tinsel, holly, and glowing figurines. That honking you hear? Just people getting into the holiday spirit.

Johnson County, KS: $45 for Auto Detailing Package at Diamond Finish Car Wash & Detail Center ($90 Value)

Your daily commute mostly consists of fighting traffic on I-35, but the grimy tires and bug splatter on your windshield make it seem like there was some serious off-roading involved. Luckily, today's deal from Diamond Finish Car Wash & Detail Center will give your car some much-needed TLC. Pay $45, and enjoy a supreme detailing package (a $90 value). Simply stop by this Mission auto center; while you wait, these car-cleaning pros will hand wax your whip's outside, shampoo and clean all carpets and mats, and apply vinyl treatment to all interior vinyl. With winter around the corner, there's no better time to revitalize your ride. This BBB-accredited business is even open seven days a week for maximum convenience, meaning you're sure to arrive at work in squeaky-clean style.

Johnson County, KS: $59 for 90-Minute Ninja-Themed Birthday Party for 10 Kids at Samurai Club Kansas ($150 Value)

If you'd rather have a barrage of ninjas battle inside your home than unleash ten little sugar-fueled kids on it, turn the tables and take the party to the dojo with today's deal from Samuri Club Kansas. For $59, get a 90-minute birthday party for up to ten kids, broken into a 60-minute ninja-themed martial arts class followed by 30 minutes in the party room (a $150 value). At this Lenexa locale, your child will don a ninja uniform and nine of his or her closest friends will receive headbands, while the party room lets you enjoy the cake and presents you brought -- the birthday boy or girl can even cut the cake with a sword. Or, opt for eight classes of aikido and kenjutsu, including a uniform, for a child or an adult for $19 (a $130 value). Aikido teaches practical self-defense, while kenjutsu introduces its students to swordsmanship. Instructor Mick Chambers Sensei has more than 15 years of teaching experience, and he -- and this up-to-85%-off deal -- can save your home from havoc-wreaking little warriors.

Johnson County, KS: $59 for Three Baseball or Softball Lessons at Kansas City Fieldhouse ($180 Value)

We know diamonds are a girl's best friend, but with the right skills, diamonds can be a boy's best friend, too. Help your kid shine at Kansas City Fieldhouse when you pay $59 for three baseball or softball lessons (a $180 value), or opt for an eight-week winter workout for $199 (regularly $400). Opened in March, this indoor Lenexa facility features experienced baseball and softball instructors that will help guide your little player through proper stance and batting techniques. Using a video analysis, these pros will help pinpoint any problematic habits while helping give your kid a boost of self-esteem as he improves his fielding, pitching, and hitting. Or, from January 6th to February 24th, your kid can join in on training sessions to improve his offseason skills. With turf fields, 20-foot ceilings, and two 70-foot batting tunnels, this locale will help your kid truly rock -- both on and off the diamond. Want more? Check out Kansas City Fieldhouse on Facebook.

Johnson County, KS: $70 for Carpet Cleaning for Three Rooms at Eco-Pure Carpet Cleaning ($162 Value)

You consider yourself the artistic type, but the faded stains, streaks, and spots on your once-beautiful carpet hardly constitute abstract art. Paint a happier picture with today's deal from Eco-Pure Carpet Cleaning, where you'll pay $70 for full vacuuming and shampooing for three rooms up to 900 total square feet, along with an optional second vacuuming (a $162 value). Or, opt for a cleaning of up to 150 square feet of hardwood or laminate flooring for $79 (regularly $187). Armed with top-of-the-line products and dedicated service, these carpet commandos -- servicing all of Johnson County -- will work to scrub out those mysterious marks and sticky stains. The best part? They use a low-moisture method that lets your carpets dry faster -- meaning no more boring hours that feel like watching paint dry. Thanks to this deal, you'll score a masterpiece at a price even a starving artist can afford. Want more? Check out Eco-Pure Carpet Cleaning on Facebook.

Johnson County, KS: $59 for Nonsurgical Facelift Treatment + Foot Reflexology at Beautiful Image ($125 Value)

You're only as old as you feel and, because you've never felt better, you'd like the rest of the world to see it. Help your outer appearance reflect your inner appearance with today's deal from Beautiful Image: Pay $59 (regularly $125) for a 30-minute nonsurgical facelift treatment with a 30-minute foot reflexology treatment; or, pay $85 (regularly $190) for two 30-minute nonsurgical facelift treatments. Step into this Olathe clinic, where a series of microcurrents are used to firm and tone your face, resulting in a reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. These procedures mimic your body's own bio-electric currents to produce a naturally youthful look without damaging any skin tissue, and the foot reflexology can reduce tension in muscles and joints. With none of the risks associated with surgical facelifts, including pain, these treatments will help you prove that age is only a number.

Johnson County, KS: $17 for 30-Minute Classic Facial at Suite T Aesthetics ($35 Value)

When it comes to sleeping in, you rely on your trusty mask to keep the sun's harsh rays out -- but you're looking to for a way to mask your lackluster visage. With Suite T Aesthetics, you can unveil a fresh look when you pay $17 for a 30-minute men's or women's classic facial (a $35 value), $10 for an eyebrow wax (a $20 value), or $17 for a bikini wax (a $35 value). Located in Overland Park, this calming beauty spot provides relaxing facials with friendly service to boot. Head in Tuesday through Saturday and let owner Tasha Smith customize the perfect facial -- tailored to fit your skin tone and type. You'll receive a relaxing treatment utilizing minerals and oils to help cleanse and refresh your complexion. Or opt for a precise wax for either your eyebrows or bikini line with smooth results. Whichever treatment you choose, your pampering will have you awakening to a beautiful appearance.

Johnson County, KS: $45 for Chiropractic Consult, Exam, Report, & Adjustment at Whole Life Chiropractic ($135 Value)

You've been carrying your team so much that your back is starting to hurt -- the trouble is, the pain doesn't stop when the game ends. Straighten things out with today's deal from Whole Life Chiropractic: Pay $45 for an initial chiropractic consultation, exam, follow-up report of findings, and one adjustment (regularly $120); or, pay the same price for an initial acupuncture consultation, exam, follow-up report of findings, and one treatment (regularly $135). Head to this Overland Park clinic to identify the source of your discomfort. Armed with her findings, Dr. Nicole Murphy can tailor the treatment to your individual needs, helping to alleviate spinal pressure and joint pain. Open all day Monday through Friday, this practice will help get you back into game-changing shape for the rest of the season. Want more? Check out Whole Life Chiropractic on Facebook.

Johnson County, KS: $29 for Two Custom Spray Tans at Diva Sprays ($80 Value)

Shall we compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and just as hot, but thy fair skin could use a touch of bronze. Get thyself to Diva Sprays with today's deal: Pay $29 for two custom spray tans (regularly $80) at this comfortable Prairie Village salon. For more than seven years, these sunless experts have been blending UV-free, FDA-approved tints to brighten up even the lightest complexions. During your ten-minute session, one of the prose at this Roe Avenue locale will carefully coat your skin using a top-of-the-line airbrush that doesn't leave unsightly streaks or splotches. Your new golden base will appear within 24 hours and last up to ten days. Parting from this spa -- with its friendly staff, excellent service, and gorgeous results -- will be such sweet sorrow.

Johnson County, KS: $25 for Photo Session with One 8x10 or 5x7 Print at Design and Capture Studio ($50 Value)

Taking good family photos can be as elusive as seeing Bigfoot in the broad daylight, but today's deal from Design and Capture Studio can help you overcome insurmountable obstacles. Get irrefutable proof of the existence of your fabulous family when you pay $25 for an individual or family photo session with one 8x10 or 5x7 print (a $50 value). This stylish Shawnee studio goes to great lengths to capture people's real personalities, with a professional eye for detail. Memorialize moments that, unlike a highly profitable shot of Sasquatch, are simply priceless.

Source: http://kansascityonthecheap.com/2012/11/kansas-city-daily-deals-5/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kansas-city-daily-deals-5

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