Notre Dame, Alabama arrive for BCS title game

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) ? Brian Kelly walked off the tarmac, hopped aboard one of Notre Dame's team buses that bore his image on the side and grinned broadly as he sat in the driver's seat.

Soon, the Notre Dame coach will know if his team ? or Alabama ? will finish college football's season in that proverbial spot.

The top-ranked Fighting Irish landed in South Florida on Wednesday, not long before the arrival of the second-ranked Crimson Tide. The teams meet Monday night to decide the BCS championship, a matchup that was set more than a month ago, the hype growing with each day.

"Going to play the national championship game in Miami, it's not like any trip that they've had before," Kelly said. "It's not like any trip that I've had before. And so there was an anticipation that when we got on the buses to the airport that they were really excited about this trip. It's something that you dream about when you play this game and when you coach this game."

For Notre Dame ? at least for this current batch of Fighting Irish ? this is all new, as one of the game's most storied programs has not won the national title since the 1988 season. For Alabama, the hubbub that goes with the BCS title game is familiar, as the Tide is trying to win its second straight crown and third in four years.

And for Alabama coach Nick Saban, it was a return to his former home. Saban coached the Miami Dolphins before going to the Crimson Tide, famously saying toward the end of his tenure in South Florida that he wasn't "going to be the Alabama coach."

He was hired by the Tide not long afterward.

Yet on Wednesday, Saban ? first off the Alabama plane ? was greeted like a visiting dignitary, with about a dozen TV cameras and twice that many reporters on hand to record the event.

"It's great to be back in South Florida," he said. "It's the first time we've been to the Orange Bowl. I'm sure these people here are going to do a great job of providing tremendous hospitality for our players and our entire family."

Grand welcomes were executed for both teams, including water cannon sprays over their planes and greetings from local officials and members of the Orange Bowl Committee. Notre Dame landed in Fort Lauderdale, Alabama in Miami, the teams about equidistant from Sun Life Stadium ? the site of Monday's showdown for the title.

Police escorts awaited the bus caravans, and all players were getting a gift bag that some started digging through immediately, even before leaving the airport.

"It's 'Rudy' vs. 'Forrest Gump,'" Notre Dame wide receiver Robby Toma said, referring to the still-popular films that featured the Irish and the Tide. "Both very storied programs, a bunch of national championships and we're excited to compete with the best because that's how you become the best."

And work is left in both Notre Dame's and Alabama's quest to finish at No. 1. Both teams are set to return to the practice field on Thursday, with workouts scheduled throughout the remainder of the week.

"We've got to do a little work this week," Kelly said. "But we feel good about our preparation."

Dozens of players, coaches and guests on the Notre Dame flight took photos of the mass of reporters, Broward Sheriff's officers and fans when they deplaned, a few carrying video cameras and a couple even tossed oranges ? a nod to the Orange Bowl Committee ? from one hand to another.

Kelly said Notre Dame will find ways to mix fun and relaxation with the element of it being a business trip as well.

"All the people that were looking out the window were pretty much amazed to see the kind of draw that this game has," Kelly said.

On the Alabama side, All-American center Barrett Jones wore a walking boot to protect the left foot he sprained during the SEC championship but said he was ready to go. Reserve offensive lineman Arie Koundjio had to be treated for dehydration when the plane landed, and tight end Harrison Jones did not travel with the team for what Saban called medical reasons. He's expected to arrive Thursday.

The other Tide players seemed focused.

"We want to reach this point," said defensive lineman Damion Square, who was recruited by Notre Dame. "To be here is great, but we have to finish the job."

___

AP College Football Writer Ralph D. Russo contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/notre-dame-alabama-arrive-bcs-title-game-215404779--spt.html

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Home Improvement Contractor, Hutchinson, MN | Larson Family of ...

Having always been a Minnesota Vikings fan, I usually learned the hard way and bet with my heart instead of my head.? It seemed as though my favorite team in purple always found a way to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory, and come up just a little short.?

Nothing reflects that statement more than Adrian Peterson?s attempt to break a 28 year old NFL record for most rushing yards in a season.? Peterson, after having knee surgery just a year ago, finished 8 yards short of Eric Dickerson?s record.? A mere 25? more, and a new record would have been established.? Peterson?s strong off season rehabilitation, and SMART goal setting allowed him to finish with the second most rushing yards in the history of the NFL.

SMART goal setting can be just as important when it comes to home improvement projects around the house.? Without a game-plan, the average home owner can, and quite possibly will, struggle with home renovation adventures.? The goal of your remodeling (or any) undertaking should include the following, use the acronym SMART to help remember this key aspect:

Specific:? Any goal must have complete details on what is to be accomplished.? The goal must be simple to understand, well defined, and filled with clarity.? A person cannot say, ?I want a more energy efficient house.?

Measurable:? Comparisons are usually employed at this level.? If you have windows that only have an R Value of 1, a measurable goal may be to increase the insulating value to a value of 4 or 5.

Attainable:? In laymen?s terms, ?you need to be able to hit the bulls-eye.?? The goal should stretch your comfort zone a little farther, but still be realistic and possible.? If you need more storage place in your house, adding onto the garage may not be realistic, but organizing your existing storage area may be possible.

Relevant:? A goal must directly relate to the purpose.? If your goal is to add on another bedroom, the additional expense of a theater room is not relevant to your goal.? This is a common mistake that homeowner?s make during the remodeling phase, and it is important to not let yourself slip into the depths of irrelevancy.?

Time-Bound:? This aspect defines a period for meeting the goal.? It provides for a deadline, and incremental measurements.? ?We want to replace our windows someday,? doesn?t cut it, but ?We want to replace the lower level windows this spring, and complete the upper level before winter,? is an excellent example of a time bound goal.

The use of SMART goal setting will?help make your remodeling project less stressful, and more enjoyable for yourself, your family, and for your contractor.

Source: http://www.larsonbuilders.com/twenty-five-feet/

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PFT: It's 'obvious' Browns are going after Saban

AP

As the regime changes in Arizona, the team?s most important player has spoken out.

?We all shoulder the blame for a disappointing season which began with such promise,? receiver Larry Fitzgerald said, referring to the team?s 4-0 start.? ?A unique relationship with all of my coaches past and present is a valued life experience.? I would like to thank them all, especially Coach Ken Whisenhunt and General Manager Rod Graves who gave me the opportunity to live my dream in the NFL.

?Even in the midst of a tumultuous season, it was still a pleasure to work with the staff we served under, and for that, we remain grateful.? Their professionalism will provide for renewed accomplishments in different environs.? We all, to a man, thank them and wish them the best.?

It?s classic Fitzgerald, who always says the right thing.? But we can?t help but wonder what he really thinks about the situation.? On one hand, Graves and to a lesser extent Whisenhunt have helped Fitzgerald become incredibly rich.? On the other hand, they failed for the past three seasons to provide him with a competent quarterback.

Then again, Fitzgerald made his bed in August 2011, when he chose a long-term deal over playing out his four-year, $40 million contract and forcing his way to the open market, given that the Cardinals were contractually prevented from using the franchise tag to keep him in Arizona.

And that?s the one question to which we?d love to know the true and unvarnished answer.? If Fitzgerald could go back to the moment he applied pen to paper, would he do it again?

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/01/nick-saban-talk-not-going-away-in-cleveland/related/

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Fiscal Cliff: Averted By Last-Minute Deal!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/01/fiscal-cliff-averted-by-last-minute-deal/

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Obama says fiscal cliff deal close, not done

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Agonizingly close to a New Year's Eve compromise, the White House and congressional Republicans agreed Monday to block across-the-board tax increases set for midnight, but held up a final deal as they haggled away the final hours of 2012 in a dispute over spending cuts.

"It appears that an agreement to prevent this New Year's tax hike is within sight," President Barack Obama said in an early-afternoon status report on negotiations. "But it's not done," he added of legislation that redeems his campaign pledge to raise taxes on the wealthy while sparing the middle class.

Even by the dysfunctional standards of government-by-gridlock, the activity at both ends of historic Pennsylvania Avenue was remarkable as the White House and Congress struggled over legislation to prevent a "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and spending cuts.

As darkness fell on the last day of the year, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their aides were at work in the White House, and lights burned in the House and Senate. Democrats complained that Obama had given away too much in agreeing to limit tax increases to incomes over $450,000, far above the $250,000 level he campaigned on. Yet some Republicans recoiled at the prospect of raising taxes at all.

A late dispute over the estate tax produced allegations of bad faith from all sides ? but no swift compromise.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell ? shepherding final talks with Biden ? agreed with Obama that an overall deal was near. In remarks on the Senate floor, he suggested Congress move quickly to pass tax legislation and "continue to work on finding smarter ways to cut spending" next year.

The White House and Democrats initially declined the offer, preferring to prevent the cuts from kicking in at the Pentagon and domestic agencies alike. Officials said they might yet reconsider, although there was also talk of a short-term delay in the reductions.

While the deadline to prevent tax increases and spending cuts was technically midnight, passage of legislation by the time a new Congress takes office at noon on Jan. 3, 2013 ? the likely timetable ? would eliminate or minimize any inconvenience for taxpayers.

For now, more than the embarrassment of a gridlocked Congress working through New Year's Eve in the Capitol was at stake.

Economists in and out of government have warned that a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts could trigger a new recession, and the White House and Congress have spent the seven seeks since the Nov. 6 elections struggling for a compromise to protect the economy.

Even now, with time running out, partisan agendas were evident.

Obama used his appearance to chastise Congress, and to lay down a marker for the next round of negotiations early in 2013 when Republicans intend to seek spending cuts in exchange for letting the Treasury to borrow above the current debt limit of $16.4 trillion.

"Now, if Republicans think that I will finish the job of deficit reduction through spending cuts alone ? and you hear that sometimes coming from them ... then they've got another think coming. ... That's not how it's going to work at least as long as I'm president," he said.

"And I'm going to be president for the next four years, I think," he added.

Officials in both parties said agreement had been reached to prevent tax increases on most Americans, while letting rates rise on individual income over $400,000 and household earnings over $450,000 to a maximum of 39.6 percent from the current 35 percent. That marked a victory for Obama, who campaigned successfully for re-election on a platform of requiring the wealthy to pay more.

Officials said any agreement would also raise taxes on the value of estates exceeding $5 million to 40 percent, but a late dispute emerged on that point as well as on spending cuts. Democrats accused Republicans of making a 11th-hour demand to have the $5 million threshold rise each year to take inflation into account. GOP officials said the White House had agreed to the proposal on Sunday night, a claim administration officials disputed.

Any compromise was also expected to extend expiring jobless benefits for 2 million unemployed, prevent a 27 percent cut in fees for doctors who treat Medicare patients and likely avoid a near-doubling of milk prices.

Much or all of the revenue to be raised through higher taxes on the wealthy would help hold down the amount paid to the Internal Revenue Service by the middle class.

In addition to preventing higher rates for most, any agreement would retain existing breaks for families with children, for low-earning taxpayers and for those with a child in college.

In addition, the two sides agreed to prevent the Alternative Minimum Tax from expanding to affect an estimated 28 million households for the first time in 2013, with an average increase of more than $3,000. The law was originally designed to make sure millionaires did not escape taxes, but inflation has gradually exposed more and more households with lower earnings to its impact.

To help businesses, the two sides also agreed to extend an existing research and development tax credit as well as other breaks designed to boost renewable energy production. Details on those provisions were sketchy.

Obama's remarks irritated some Republicans.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona they would "clearly antagonize members of the House."

There was no response from Speaker John Boehner, who has been content to remain in the background while McConnell did the negotiating.

Some Democratic officials said that with his comments, Obama was hoping to ease the concerns of liberals in his own party who feared he had given away too much in the current round of talks over taxes.

Obama campaigned on a call for higher tax rates on income over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples, far lower than the $400,000 and $450,000 that Biden and McConnell have set.

Similarly, the pending agreement on the estate tax would allow more large estates to escape taxation than many Democrats prefer.

By late afternoon, the two sides remained separated by a stubborn dispute over spending cuts scheduled to take effect on the Pentagon and domestic programs alike.

Officials familiar with the talks said the White House has been seeking agreement to stop the cuts from taking effect, either for a period of months or a year, and wanted to count higher taxes created elsewhere in the legislation to offset the cost.

Republicans have said they are willing to delay the across-the-board cuts, but only if Obama and Democrats agree to targeted savings from government programs to take their place.

___

Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor, Alan Fram and Ben Feller contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-says-fiscal-cliff-deal-close-not-done-212838977--finance.html

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Deadline passes for 'fiscal cliff'

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The "fiscal cliff" deadline has passed ? technically, at least.

The beginning of the New Year in theory means across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts kick in, but Congress is working to cancel them before they can have an impact.

The White House and congressional leaders hope to send legislation to President Barack Obama within a day or two, meaning consumers shouldn't notice any impact.

The goal of the legislation is not only to protect consumers' pocketbooks, but also to prevent the economy from the risk of another recession.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-01-Over%20the%20Cliff/id-9c991bb0abf04f669a3c4966ae4859ba

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Source: http://blog.cloud9realtime.com/managing-ap-ar-cloud-computing/

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