Pope to meet Argentine president he clashed with

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Francis' diplomatic skills are being put to the test in his first audience with a visiting head of state: Argentine president Cristina Fernandez, with whom he clashed over her socially liberal policies.

Fernandez calls on the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires Monday at his makeshift home, the Vatican hotel on the edge of the Vatican gardens, a day before she and other world leaders attend his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square.

Fernandez and her predecessor and late husband Nestor Kirchner defied church teaching to adopt a series of measures with popular backing, including mandatory sex education in schools, free distribution of contraceptives in public hospitals, and the right for transsexuals to change their official identities on demand. Argentina was the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriages.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/delicate-diplomacy-pope-meets-argentine-president-101239047.html

supreme court health care joe oliver joba chamberlain new york mega millions jetblue jetblue michelle malkin

Bow Wow Loses Lawsuit With French Porn Star

A judge ordered the rapper to pay Katsuni nearly $80,000 for using pole dancing footage in his music video without her permission.
By Driadonna Roland

Bow Wow
Photo: Louise Wilson/ WireImage

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1703894/bow-wow-lawsuit-french-porn-star.jhtml

revenge revenge adam shulman adam shulman peanut butter recall jason aldean Brigitte Nielsen

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-Ray Combo Pack ...

One of the books I remember really enjoying reading as a teen was The Hobbit. Well, actually, several books ? The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I missed seeing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey when it was in theaters, so I?m really looking forward to it?s release to DVD and Blu-ray this month.

J.R.R. Tolkien?s epic adventure follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an amazing quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.

Here?s the trailer.

And a fun app.

WIN IT!

One (1) winner will receive a copy of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-ray Combo Pack.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter check out the Hobbit app above and then leave a comment on this post telling me how Hobbit you are. (I?m 77% Hobbit according to the quiz.)

BONUS ENTRIES ? LOTS OF THEM!

4 ? Subscribe to my RSS feed by email (sidebar). Be sure to confirm your subscription. Leave four comments here for this.
3 ? Follow valmg on Pinterest. Leave your Pinterest name and three comments here for this.
2 ? Subscribe to my YouTube channel (sidebar). Leave two comments here for this.
2 ? Follow @valmg on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. Leave two comments for this.
2 ? Tweet this giveaway. ?I entered to #win a @TheHobbitMovie #giveaway from @valmg. Enter at valmg.com?
1 ? Subscribe to my newsletter (sidebar).
2 ? Blog about this giveaway, including a link here. Leave two comments here for this.
3 ? Place my button on your blog. (in sidebar) Leave three comments for this.
1 ? Leave a RELEVANT comment on any other non-giveaway post on this blog. Unlimited entries for this.
2 ? Visit my other blog ? From Val?s Kitchen ? and leave a comment on any non-giveaway post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That?s three comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and two here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 ? Visit my Mom?s blog HereAndThere.US and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom?s blog. (That?s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry. Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

The winner will be selected using the ?And the winner is? plugin. US addresses only please, no PO Boxes. This contest will end on Sunday 03/24/13 at 11:59 pm est. If you?ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. Good luck to everyone!

I am working with Warner Bros. to promote this title and was supplied these materials to share with my readers. This post has not been monetarily compensated. Please note that any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Tags: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Category: Current Giveaways, Giveaways

Source: http://www.valmg.com/index.php/2013/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-blu-ray-combo-pack-giveaway/

saturday night fever glamping forgetting sarah marshall taraji p. henson shuttle discovery bonnie raitt internal revenue service

How Does the PFCE Framework Assist with School Readiness?

The Parent, Family, Community Engagement Framework was introduced by Head Start in 2011 as a set of technical assistance resources and research-based methods for implementing Head Start Performance Standards. The PFCE Framework is designed to be a system where agencies can self-assess their programs to identify weaknesses in programming, then provide the tools to help strengthen those areas. The framework itself is not mandated, but with the second round of recompetition already begun, the writing is on the wall that this framework could be the key to keeping a program off the chopping block.

The PFCE Framework works under the assumption that parent, family, and community engagement are the keys to school readiness and sustaining learning gains through third grade. In ?Bringing Parent, Family, and Community Framework to Your Program: Beginning a Self Assessment? OHS defines this engagement as:

?building relationships with families that support family well-being, strong parent-child relationships and ongoing learning and development of parents and children alike. It refers to the beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and activities of families that support their children?s positive development from early childhood through young adulthood. Family engagement happens in the home, early childhood program, school and community, and is a shared responsibility with all those who support children?s learning.

At the same time that OHS seeks to define engagement, it also admits that each family?s experience with HS/EHS is unique. As a result, the framework it meant to be fluid and dynamic. But it also recognizes that individualized attention with families can only be successful as long as strong, research-based program foundations are in place.

The framework outlines seven ?Family Engagement Outcomes? as the goals of a strong program:

? Family Well-being
? Parent-Child Relationships
? Families as Lifelong Educators
? Families as Learners
? Family Engagement in Transitions
? Family Connections to Peers and Community
? Families as Advocates and Leaders

In my opinion, part of what the PFCE Framework is trying to do is make the most of the short time we as Head Start teachers have with children and their families. Analysis of the Head Start Impact study has shown that parent involvement is one of the most enduring benefits of the Head Start program. But it?s more than just getting them involved, what can we do to make sure that their enduring involvement is as valuable as possible to their children for the future? If we can encourage parents and families to be lifelong educators or leaders in their communities, then their children will benefit long after they leave Head Start. Children will not only be ready for school, they?ll be ready for life.

At The Gravely Group, we encourage agencies to ask themselves, do you know where your program stands with Parent, Family, and Community Engagement? Have you done the assessment?

Source: http://www.thegravelygroup.com/blog/how-does-the-pfce-framework-assist-with-school-readiness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-does-the-pfce-framework-assist-with-school-readiness

Sam Champion Engaged Infield fly rule Taken 2 Venezuela Elections Skyfall Chicago Marathon 2012 texas rangers

travel & leisure: Top Tips for Travelling with Babies

By Steve Alexander

Having a baby can sometimes put people off travelling, but this doesn't have to be the case. Whether you've got the one baby or a few children, there are a few tips to make travelling with the kids an absolute doddle.

A plane journey can often be quite uncomfortable, and your baby is sure to agree! In order to keep them at a comfortable temperature, think about layering up your baby in comfortable and loose clothing. Packing a blanket or a lightweight scarf from home will give them a familiar smell to help them settle on the plane.

When you arrive at your destination, hailing a local taxi or negotiating the local trains can be a hassle and time consuming, especially with a baby, so book your transfer before you travel. There are many different options available to you and it will make your lives much easier to pre-book a transfer to your hotel.

After you've arrived at your resort in Puerto del Carmen or anywhere else, it's time to start enjoying your holiday and to do this, preparation is key. Take a few moments to get everything sorted for the baby, even if it means missing out on moments in the sun. When travelling with a baby, a parasol is an absolute must along with a high factor SPF, lots of water, and plenty of shade.

You want your baby to enjoy their new surroundings and play, but safety must come first with a baby especially when the sun is strong. Pack a cooling spray, which can be purchased from many High Street stores, to spray onto your baby to cool them down when necessary. This is also a great time for teaching your baby how to swim and become acquainted with the water. Let them splash around with your supervision and they'll soon become a water baby.

Source: http://bidding-travel.blogspot.com/2013/03/top-tips-for-travelling-with-babies.html

marquette university marquette city creek center hilary duff michigan state michigan state andrew luck pro day

Golf-South African Aiken soars to three-shot lead in India

NEW DELHI, March 16 | Sat Mar 16, 2013 5:54pm IST

NEW DELHI, March 16 (Reuters) - South African Thomas Aiken carded a blemish-free round of 10-under-par 62 to grab a commanding three-stroke lead after the third round of the Avantha Masters on Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Johannesburg, trailing by four at the halfway stage, hit eight birdies and an eagle to be 18-under 198 and move ahead of 36-hole joint-leader Liang Wenchong of China, who shot a 69 for outright second.

Thailand's big-hitting Kiradech Aphibarnrat (66) and Scotland's David Drysdale (68) were tied third, a further shot behind on 14-under.

Aiken started with a birdie on the first and a eagle on the second and never looked back from there.

"I concentrated very hard to play one shot at a time and it seemed to work," Aiken told the European Tour website (www.europeantour.com).

"I got off to a great start... holing a pitch shot on the second for eagle always helps.. and from then on I just stuck to my game plan. All in all I'm very pleased with the way I played."

Some scintillating iron play ensured that the South African, who briefly shared the lead with Kiradech, could set up more birdie opportunities.

"I've been playing very well the last four months and just haven't converted opportunities," said the world number 129, chasing a second European Tour win after his maiden victory in 2011.

"Fortunately this week I've converted a lot of the opportunities that I've had. The majority of them have gone in from inside ten feet and that's what makes the difference from a scoring point of view."

Former Asia number one Liang's round was spoiled by two bogeys when he missed a couple of short putts but he did not lose hope.

"The key is to stay patient," Liang said. "I'm just three shots back and I'm confident that the gap can be closed.

"Anything can happen in golf and I only need to believe that I can do it. Hopefully luck will play a part as well." (Writing by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Tom Pilcher)

Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/INgolf/~3/ELdznrRCjHM/golf-european-idINL3N0C806G20130316

world series giants Natina Reed Sandy Hurricane flight tracker Marina Krim Justin Bieber cancer

Tourist gang-raped in India

AP

A Swiss woman, center, who, according to police, was gang-raped by a group of eight men while touring by bicycle with her husband, is escorted by policewomen for a medical examination at a hospital in Gwalior, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Saturday, March 16, 2013.

A Swiss woman who was on a cycling trip in central India with her husband has been gang-raped by eight men, police said Saturday. The attack comes three months after the fatal gang-rape of a woman aboard a New Delhi bus outraged Indians.

Authorities detained and questioned 13 men in connection with the latest attack, which occurred Friday night as the couple camped out in a forest in Madhya Pradesh state after bicycling from the temple town of Orchha, local police officer R.K. Gurjar said.

The men beat the couple and gang-raped the woman, he said. They also stole the couple's mobile phone, a laptop computer and 10,000 rupees ($185).

---

The woman, 39, was treated at a hospital in the nearby city of Gwalior, Gurjar said.

A photo showed the woman walking while being escorted by police to the hospital. Her face was concealed with a hood, a common practice in India, where law does not allow rape victims to be identified publicly to protect them from the stigma attached to rape in the conservative country.

Police detained 13 men and questioned them, Gurjar said. Six of the men were released after questioning. No other details were immediately available.

Indian television stations showed scores of police searching the forest where the attack occurred.

Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Tilman Renz described the case as "deeply disturbing" and said Swiss diplomats were assisting the couple.

The diplomats called on Indian authorities "to do everything to quickly find the perpetrators so that they can be held accountable," Renz said in a statement.

Last month, the Swiss government issued a travel notice for India that included a warning about "increasing numbers of rapes and other sexual offenses" in the South Asian nation.

India has seen outrage and widespread protests against attacks on women since December's fatal gang-rape of a young woman on a moving bus in New Delhi, the capital. The crime horrified Indians and set off nationwide protests about India's treatment of women and spurred the government to hurry through a new package of laws to protect them.

One of six suspects in the December attack was found dead in a New Delhi jail this past week. Authorities said he hanged himself, but his family and lawyer insisted foul play was involved. A magistrate is investigating. Four other men and a juvenile remain on trial for the attack.

?

The Associated Press.

Source: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/16/17340723-swiss-tourist-gang-raped-in-central-india?lite

Chicago teachers strike september 11 2001 september 11 2001 blake lively serena williams Espn Fantasy Football Grandparents Day 2012