Mormon Church Wants More Compassion For Gays ? CBS Las Vegas

File photo of a Mormon temple. (credit: Jesus Alcazar/AFP/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) ? Mormon leaders unveiled a new website Thursday encouraging church members to be compassionate in discussions about homosexuality.

Church officials insist they haven?t changed the Mormon teaching that marriage is only between a man and a woman and that same-sex relationships are sinful.

However, the website includes an appeal to gay and lesbian Mormons to stay in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

?Reconciling same-sex attraction with a religious life can present an especially trying dilemma,? church leaders wrote on the website. ?Anyone who lives in both worlds can attest to its difficulty. But with faith, love and perspective it can be done.?

Mormons faced intense criticism after church leaders helped fund and lead the fight for California?s Proposition 8, a constitutional ban on gay marriage that voters adopted in 2008 after the state Supreme Court ruled that gay Californians could marry.

Mormon officials said they were stunned by the backlash from gay activists and from many Mormons who felt the church was wrong to take such a prominent role in favor of the ballot measure. Since then, church leaders in Salt Lake City and elsewhere have been trying to reach out to gays and lesbians to heal tensions.

?We must not judge anyone for the feelings they experience,? church authorities wrote, saying homosexuality ?should not be viewed as a disease or illness.?

The website does not use the words ?gay? or ?lesbian,? the terms preferred by the gay community. Instead, the site refers to people ?with same-sex attraction? and features testimony from gay Mormon men and women who are not in same-sex relationships.

Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center in Salt Lake City, called the campaign a step forward.

She said it could reduce the isolation Mormon gays and lesbians feel if church members don?t ?automatically reject somebody who wants to talk about this.? Many gay Mormons say they have been rejected by their families and have left the church.

Still, Larabee said the effort falls far short since the church hasn?t changed its opposition to gay and lesbian relationships.

(? Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Source: http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2012/12/06/mormon-church-wants-more-compassion-for-gays/

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Tsunami Hits Japan After Powerful Earthquake (Voice Of America)

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Special Report: Top CEOs Discuss Post-Recession Investment ...

December 5, 2012

Michael Ratliff, Associate Editor

Courtesy Steve Becker/beckermedia.com

The 2012 Global Real Estate Markets Conference hosted by the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate (Wisconsin School of Business) featured a premier keynote panel with some of our industry?s top CEOs. The venue at the main dining room of the New York Stock Exchange was a fitting one given that the main course of conversation was where to invest in the current climate of economic recovery. The overall tone was one of cautious optimism.

?We no longer fear that the light at the end of the tunnel is the train coming towards us,? said Bob Toll, executive chairman, Toll Brothers. ?We are out there buying. Almost all of the markets are operating on a normalized basis. Even Vegas, which was seen as a death market, has come back in that it has reset itself.?

Toll added that he has seen a tremendous recovery in residential real estate in 2012, especially since the last six years were akin to ?walking across the desert.? Still, Toll pointed out that the global economy is more connected than ever before, meaning no market is an island.

?To think that what goes on in Europe is not going to impact us is just silly. It is acting like an ostrich with its head in the sand,? he added. ?What goes on in Europe, Asia, India, or a little place like Israel?for God?s sake it is half the size of New Jersey and it can blow the whole world up?all has an impact.?

In spite of even greater success he expected for 2013, Toll still remained concerned over the uncertainty emanating from Washington. He was not alone.

?While our tenants are doing pretty good, and are perhaps ready to expand, they are not hiring new people because they don?t understand the regulatory or tax environment they are working under,? said Ric Clark, CEO of Brookfield Property Partners. ?We think that the economy will take off if Congress can get the debt in order. I like to think that at the end of the day the right thing will be done.?

Clark also feels that the United States is almost back to normal, and pointed out that consumer confidence has returned to his mall business, which has seen stores sales increase on a per-square-foot basis for three straight years to a current all-time high. His office business is also doing well, with 7 million square feet in leases signed in 2012, the company?s third highest number ever. As far as markets with room for growth, Clark remains bullish on Europe.

?We are more excited about Europe than anywhere else at the moment,? he said. ?The condition of the banks and balance sheets are worse there than they are here. They can?t step up, so that is where we step in.?

But Jeff Schwartz, co-founder & chairman, Global Logistics Properties, was not so keen on Europe as far as the logistics asset class is concerned.

?We don?t want to be in Europe simply based on price,? Schwartz said. ?Core high-quality Class A assets are very expensive on a risk-adjust basis.?

Global Logistics Properties is, however, very optimistic about Brazil. In fact, the company closed a joint venture investment to the tune of $2 billion on Thursday, Nov. 29. Schwartz?s company also remains strong on China. GLP is actually the largest provider of modern logistics space in both China and Japan with more than 177 logistics parks in 38 cities. He didn?t seem too concerned over slowing growth in China either.

?It is hard to call 7.7 percent GDP growth year to date falling apart. The rest of the world would die for that. China is still a massive opportunity,? he said, adding that the logistics sector is poised for continued growth thanks to the rise of e-commerce.

Brookfield has been in Brazil for the past 35 years, though Clark says that the company has only ?done well in the last 10 years, don?t ask about the first 25.? He attributes the recent success to 50 percent of the population being under 30 years old, which means there is a huge emerging middle class. Other positive attributes of Brazil are political and financial houses that are in good order.

?We are going to invest more in Brazil,? Clark said. ?At the moment we only have retail malls and high-rise residential, but we are building our first office there.?

As far as Asia is concerned, Brookfield does plan to enter the market at some point, in spite of the cost of admission being pretty steep. For now they have a few people in China and India doing research. Toll wasn?t revealing whether or not Toll Brothers had any plans for China (they are a public company after all), saying that ?We had some involvement looking around, and I don?t want to say anything more than that.?

In the meantime, Toll is happy with how things are looking in Queens, Hoboken, Jersey City and Long Island, which are closer to his roots.

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Source: http://www.cpexecutive.com/finance/special-report-top-ceos-discuss-post-recession-investment-environment/

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Home-Improvement Tips That Will Not Break The Bank |

Home improvement can be as simple as painting a room or more complicated like remodeling the house. Regardless, these are some tips you may find helpful to avoid unnecessary frustration and/or headaches.

If you are planning a home improvement project, consider doing the painting or at least, selecting a color scheme first. Having the fresh new paint on your walls can make your home look nice enough that it doesn?t need a whole renovation. If it still needs more work, the new paint might provide you with more ideas on where to go.

To save on your energy bill, try changing your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light bulbs cost more than regular light bulbs, but use less energy to light your home and last longer. You should see returns on your monthly energy bill in no time after replacing all of the normal bulbs in your home with these.

There are all types of things that can be done in order to improve your home. This includes many projects which can be done by yourself. One of the easiest and most rewarding projects that a beginner can try is to build a deck. Many people have been successful with this.

Improve the overall appearance of your home, by updating your kitchen. Many older homes have dated kitchens, with dark paint and wood paneling. A fresh coat of paint or new cabinets can make the difference in updating your kitchen.

If you have thought about adding an extra room to your house, then adding an extra bathroom, family room, or den to your home. Recreational areas add value as extra space, and they are a great area for entertainment needs. Have the blueprints drawn up for a family den or entertainment room, and see how it could benefit the value of your home.

Improving the air quality inside your home can be an invaluable home improvement for both your health and the resale value of your house. The first step would be to replace any old carpets or have them professionally cleaned, as they could be hiding contaminants, allergens and unpleasant odors. Secondly, if your budget allows, install an energy efficient air conditioning system.

Many homes don?t have a room made just for ?relaxation.? If you?re considering an addition when it comes to home improvements, consider putting in a family room or a game room or even just a den that has an atmosphere of casual and comfortable. This will draw people in and make them want to stay longer in the house.

Change up your home with each season. You can give your rooms a lift according to the season, simply by changing a few things. Get new pillows for the couch, and swap out autumn/winter candles for vases of fresh flowers. Change the duvet in your bedroom by replacing a heavy winter one for a light weight one in a bright, summery color.

Remember, home improvement does not have to be a daunting task! The right information can help you to make sound decisions. Whether you do-it-yourself or hire out the work, enjoy your ?new look? ? a little effort goes a long way!

Source: http://hydendesigngroup.com/2012/12/home-improvement-tips-that-will-not-break-the-bank/

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The 2012 Swamplot Awards for Houston Real Estate Begin Now ...

Yes, it is that time of the year. Swamplot?s annual end-of-the-year review of the best, most, and much too much of Houston?s local real-estate scene begins this week. Are you ready to help select the winners?

All this month we?ll be hosting the fifth annual Swamplot Awards for Houston Real Estate ? the Swampies. This year there will be 7 categories, honoring the designs, developments, neighborhoods, personalities, dreams, and absurdities that continue to make Houston real estate so entertaining. Today we?ll announce 2 of them; we?ll continue with the remaining categories over the rest of this week.

To make the Swampies work ? and more important, to make them fun ? we need your help. It?s always been our readers? discerning vision, clever coinages, and careful consideration that have made the awards into a great local attraction. This year is no different. For each category, we need your help to come up with the right slate of official nominees. You be the judge: What was notable in 2012? What caught your eye and wouldn?t let go? What valiant efforts deserve recognition? And what brilliant comments can you add to encapsulate the story?

The Swampies belong to you. All nominations and votes will come from Swamplot readers. We hope you?ll join in the fun!

Related Posts on Real Estate in Houston, Texas:

Read more about: Notices, Swamplot Awards 2012

Source: http://swamplot.com/the-2012-swamplot-awards-for-houston-real-estate-begin-now/2012-12-03/

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Winestyr, A Craft Booze Marketplace, Offers Wine ?Playlists? To Help You Choose

As a hardcore boozehound, there's nothing I like better than to create a mood by putting on a Rush album and drinking down a bottle of vodka. But what about special occasions like the birth of a puppy or a visit from the probation officer? Winestyr is a new wine website that hopes to offer "wine playlists" - wines matched to special events and life happenings - alongside their interesting selection of craft vino.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/YgcQcKTUEE0/

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How To Prepare For Breastfeeding While Pregnant - Ayushveda

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You may be in a dilemma when wanting to breastfeed your child while expecting another one. Being a mother, you may find yourself standing at crossroads desperately wanting to take the correct road to the destination ? health and well-being of all three of you!?Studies regarding breastfeeding during pregnancy may not be conclusive; it is usually considered safe to continue to breastfeed while pregnant.

Nonetheless, you should always consult your doctor for a comprehensive analysis of breastfeeding during pregnancy. For now, you can find here some useful information on breastfeeding during pregnancy.

Tips to Prepare for Breastfeeding While Pregnant

Safety of Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

Generally, breastfeeding may be safe through pregnancy. An uncomplicated pregnancy can be accomplished while breastfeeding a child. Adequate diet accompanied by prompt medical care can take care of the body?s special needs at this stage. But do not forget to check about consuming supplemental prenatal vitamins with your doctor.

You can feel concerned about the viability of the pregnancy in case you continue to breastfeed. Fortunately, a normal and healthy pregnancy can go along with breastfeeding your present child. Even if there is a miscarriage, it is not likely to be attributed to breastfeeding. In fact, your unborn child may be healthier than usual when you provide extra care and nutritional inputs during the second (or subsequent) pregnancy.

The colostrum, which is vital milk your baby receives soon after being born, is also (possibly) unrestricted. There can be withdrawal to breast milk due to change in milk taste but it remains harmless for your child.?Due to the lack of medical study/suggestion on the safety of breastfeeding during pregnancy, the decision whether to breastfeed or not while pregnant depends on your individual situation and emotions.

Uterine Contractions During Breastfeeding

Breast-feeding can cause mild uterine contractions. These contractions can be experienced during sexual activity also; but your health care expert may recommend you not to breastfeed during pregnancy if you have a background of preterm labor.

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Breastfeeding triggers the release of oxytocin which causes contractions. You may experience stronger-than-usual contractions toward the end of your pregnancy which may be harmless. Uterine pain or bleeding may also pose hindrance to breastfeeding at this stage.

Changes In Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

If you continue to breast-feeding while pregnant, you are likely to observe certain deviations from the usual breast-feeding (done during non-pregnancy). The breast milk may change in taste and texture, although the nutritional content may remain the same. Milk production can decrease with the progress of pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

When breastfeeding, you might have to keep a watch on your milk supply and the baby?s weight gain. This is important to track the health of your baby, particularly during the first six months when he/she is largely taking nutrition through breast milk. Consult your doctor (and the pediatrician, if needed) for altering your nutritional requirement to cater to all three of you in the best way.

You may experience more discomfort through nipple tenderness and breast sores which might even discourage breastfeeding. Fatigue and exhaustion can also add to the discomfort. The regular chores can be upset and you can crave for support and help from other people. It is a good idea to take help from your partner or other family member; at this demanding stage of life, managing everything at your own can seem impractical. Pregnancy has its own repercussions and the additional task of nursing can take a toll over your body and mind, especially during the initial months of being pregnant.

Also Read

Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Hormonal Changes During and After Breastfeeding
Healthy Diet for a Breastfeeding Mother
Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Mother?s Health During Breastfeeding

You may have apprehensions about your own health as well because it indirectly affects the health of both your children (one who is born and one who is yet to be born). There is no concrete evidence revealing the adverse effects of breastfeeding while pregnant. Preterm labor or miscarriage is possibly not linked to breastfeeding.

The uterus remains well protected during pregnancy. There is no suggestive evidence that a well nourished mother risks her nutrition upon breastfeeding during pregnancy. On the contrary, breastfeeding reduces the mother?s risk of breast cancer.

Balancing Breastfeeding and Pregnancy

Several well-respected sources assert that breastfeeding while pregnant is safe in healthy pregnancies. Complicated pregnancies need (more) complicated decisions regarding weaning or continuing to breastfeed. For many women, reduced nursing or withdrawal can seem best; for others, continuing to breastfeed throughout pregnancy can be the chosen way.

When deciding whether to breastfeed while pregnant, you should sort through your options. Your feelings and bodily needs are also important parameters in taking the decision. Be confident to make the best choice for your family. Your doctor can guide you in taking this decision best.

How To Prepare For Breastfeeding While Pregnant, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Source: http://www.ayushveda.com/magazine/how-to-prepare-for-breastfeeding-while-pregnant/

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