Tuesday, December 18, 2012

What's New: Canada ranked as worst performer in the developed world on climate change

Canada won a sad distinction today, falling? to 58th?place out of 61 countries analyzed for their policies and action on climate change this year, trailed only by Kazakhstan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, according to Climate Action Network Canada (CANC).? Here's what CANC has to say on the matter:

The annual Climate Change Performance Index is released by Germanwatch and Climate Action Network Europe and is based on an analysis of government climate policy in each country.

?At a time when institutions such as the World Bank and the International Energy Agency are calling for more climate action it is disappointing to have so many countries still being reluctant to move forward. Canada is a strong example of this lack of willingness to improve climate policies,? said Wendel Trio, Director of the European Climate Action Network.

The report examines current emissions levels, development of emissions, renewable energy, efficiency, and climate policy. Canada scores the lowest ranking of ?very poor? with respect to current emissions, renewable energy, and climate policy. On efficiency Canada is given a ranking of ?poor?, and in development of emissions a ranking of ?good,? with a strong caveat that it is not cause for celebration if progress in some sectors is completely negated by soaring emissions from the oil and gas sector.

The report also notes that in light of recent extreme weather events as well as sobering reports on the world?s current pathway towards 4 degrees of global warming, no developed country is doing their fair share when it comes to action on climate change.

?Canada has become the poster child for climate inaction, which represents a really long fall from where we were less than a decade ago,? says Patrick Bonin of Greenpeace Canada. ?It has been hard to watch the unraveling of a rational and reasonable approach to science, while at the same time seeing more devastating extreme weather impacts all around us, it just makes you wonder what it is going to take for this government to get it.?

Environment Canada reports show that the government does not have the policies in place necessary to meet their current goals, which have been widely criticized for being among the weakest in the industrialized world. Canada was the only country to weaken its climate target under the Copenhagen Accord and has since become the only country to withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol. This indifference and inaction in the face of global climate change has drawn sharp criticism from leaders around the world.

The report comes as Ministers and high-level officials arrive in Doha, Qatar for the conclusion of this year?s United Nations climate change conference. Canada has also been singled out at these negotiations for failing to live up to commitments to support poorer countries as they adapt to a problem they did nothing to create.

?The world has had enough of Canada?s inaction on climate change ? it is clear that this government?s reckless fixation on the tar sands is going to cost us not only a safe and healthy future and economy for our children, but also our international credibility,? says Steven Guilbeault of Equiterre

The full report can be found here:?http://germanwatch.org/en/5698

Learn more about Canada, Big Oil, and climate change. Read "Extract: The Pipeline Wars Vol. 1 Enbridge", based on the last year of VO reporting on the issue. Buy it here.

Source: http://www.socialistproject.ca/go.php?id=977

doppler radar colorado rockies moonshine news channel 4 radar weather morosini death jacoby ellsbury

Cream of the crop: Sandwich chips combining the best of two technologies

Dec. 18, 2012 ? Two Leibniz institutes broke new technological ground and successfully combined their -- up to now separate -- technology worlds. Due to their high performance the novel chips developed within the HiTeK project promises to open up new applications.

Wolfgang Heinrich and Bernd Tillack are convinced of holding the key to faster and more powerful terahertz chips. The two scientists and their teams come from the Berlin-based Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) and from the IHP-Leibniz-Institut f?r innovative Mikroelektronik in Frankfurt/Oder -- and thus from two different technology worlds. FBH is one of the leading institutes in developing III-V semiconductors, while IHP is specialized in silicon-based systems and circuits. Both Leibniz institutes joined forces within the HiTeK project to combine the advantages of silicon-based CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) circuits from the IHP with those of indium-phosphide circuits from the FBH. The partners now accomplished an important step within the project by successfully integrating both circuits on a semiconductor wafer, with measurement results demonstrating their high performance. With the integration on one chip, new ambitious applications in the THz range are within reach such as high-resolution imaging systems for medical and security technology as well as ultra-broadband mobile communication applications.

For such applications high output powers along with faster computer processors are needed offering enhanced computer operation per second. In order to achieve this, circuits on the chips have to become smaller -- the key reason which boosts miniaturization in semiconductor industry. If the frequency range around 100 gigahertz and beyond is to be covered, however, the breakdown voltage in the CMOS switching circuits decreases significantly. Accordingly, the available output power of the chips declines, which implies that the capability to generate sufficiently strong signals to establish a radio link and to detect material defects becomes insufficient. To find a solution for this problem, IHP conducts research on bipolar CMOS based on silicon-germanium enhancing the breakdown voltages at high speed compared to pure CMOS. By combining a standard CMOS circuit with a second indium-phosphide circuit promises further improvement. Both circuits are realized "sandwich-like" on top of each other. Where the traditional silicon-based CMOS technology reaches its limits, this novel material combination delivers the desired properties: high output powers at high frequencies. The sandwich chips allow to keep benefiting from the high level of production routine and integration of CMOS circuits -- particularly regarding the fact that 95 % of all digital and analogue-digital circuits base on this technology.

"It was particularly challenging to make both technologies compatible at the interfaces," underlines Wolfgang Heinrich from the FBH. To achieve this, the whole development environment of both processes as, for example, the software for the circuit layout had to be merged in a first step. Subsequently, both layers had to be dimensioned so that they reach the essential good transmission properties for frequencies around 200 gigahertz. Precision work was also highly demanded to adjust the circuits precisely to each other with an accuracy of less than 10 micrometers. Heinrich is especially proud of the friction-less cooperation: "We managed to align both technology worlds so smoothly that the circuits deliver fully the specified high-frequency performance. This also demonstrates what added value can be created by bundling the competencies of two institutes like IHP and FBH."

The next steps are now to further stabilize the process and to optimize the circuits. A follow-up project has already been granted. This way, the potential of the hybrid chips shall be exploited fully to reach the borders of what is feasible -- thus setting the stage for the novel sandwich circuits to be integrated in sophisticated applications soon.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB), via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


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/electronics/~3/7KpNBk_Aduo/121218081744.htm

psychosis dianna agron million hoodie march tebow trade mike the situation jacksonville jaguars jacksonville jaguars

Monday, December 17, 2012

'Survivor' shocker: Who won the $1 million?

CBS

"Survivor: Philippines" final four.

By Bruna Nessif, E! Online

The sole survivor and winner of $1 million from this season of "Survivor: Philippines" was named Sunday night, but not before two-hours of struggles, challenges, sweat and tears.

Lisa Whelchel, Michael Skupin, Malcolm Freberg and Denise Stapley made it to the final four, but all anyone was thinking about now was who would be cut when it came to the three going to the final. It seemed like Denise was the likely competitor to get the boot. Was she??

Before we found out, they faced their first challenge, which required each person to race through an obstacle course and collect three bags that contained puzzle pieces. It's always a puzzle! The first person to complete the dragon puzzle would win an advantage in the final Immunity Challenge the next night.

"Survivor's" Jeff Probst talks sharing custody with Mark-Paul Gosselaar

Michael and Malcolm were off to a good start, until it came to untying knots. That's when Denise zoomed by and it was neck-and-neck between the three of them with Lisa falling behind. However, it wasn't about who got the bags fastest, it was all about the puzzle, and everything seemed to be going in Denise's favor because she was killin' it.?

But nope, it was Malcolm who won (duh). So the guy who was already a huge threat, was an even bigger threat. Back to the final three discussion -- where do the alliances stand? Malcolm refused to commit to his lady Denise, so she went off to Lisa to form something with her, and then told Skupin that she decided to turn against Malcolm. Whaaat?!

The top reality shows of 2012

Mike and Lisa formed a pact with both Malcolm and Denise without the other person knowing, so they were in a pretty sweet spot. For now. The sad part was they wanted Denise because they felt so strongly that she was beatable. Yes, smart thinking, but still sad.?

Before backs started getting stabbed, the foursome did the Lost Comrades Walk, to remember those who were sent home this season. Once that trip down memory lane was over, it was back to the game and time for the last Immunity Challenge. And boy was it a doozy. Each player had a cylinder block that was cut into several pieces. With two handlebars, they had to hold a piece up in the air while balancing a ball on the block. Every five minutes, they'd add more blocks and attempt to balance the ball again. If at any point the ball fell, they were out. Deep breath.

Top 10 TV OMG moments of 2012

Don't forget! Malcolm won the advantage, which was revealed as a second chance. If his ball dropped, he would get a free reset. Good thing for that, too, because he was the first to drop his ball, causing everyone to start that round all over again. And yet again, a shaky Malcolm failed the challenge and was the first person out. Told you, this was intense.

Denise was the second person out, leaving Mike and Lisa up for immunity. After what seemed like a lifetime of wobbly arms, wind slightly moving the ball, close-ups of Mike's stomach sweat and Jeff Probst commentary every two seconds, Lisa dropped her ball, giving Michael immunity and a spot in the final three.?

"Survivor's" Lisa Whelchel has West Nile Virus

Now Mike was facing a dilemma: Should he stick with Denise or Malcolm in the finals? On the one hand, Denise would be easier to beat. On the other hand, Skupin's competitive, male ego really wanted to face-off with Malcolm in a head-to-head battle to see who would win in the end.

Once at Tribal Council, Denise voted for Malcolm and vice versa (obvious), Lisa made it clear she wanted Malcolm out, so the vote that really mattered was Mike's. Was he going to take the favored road and boot his strongest competitor or let his ego take over? Well, if you were hoping to see Mike and Malcolm battle it out in the finals, sorry, it won't happen.

The final three are Lisa, Mike and Denise, with Malcolm joining the jury.

Lisa Whelchel breaks down on "Survivor: Philippines": "Maybe I'm just not able to play the game"

After a hearty breakfast, full of sausage, bacon, peppers and orange juice (to name a few things), the trio faced the jury at the last Tribal Council.

During opening statements, Denise, Lisa and Mike each discuss their similar yet also somewhat different tactics on what got them to the finals, but it was pretty much a bunch of talk that we already expected. It was during the jury questioning that things got a little saucy. Veteran Jonathan Penner revealed Lisa's child star past -- gasp! So did that change things up?

Possibly, because when the votes were tallied and all was said and done, it was Denise who won it all.

Were you happy with the results?! Let us know on?Facebook!

More in The Clicker:

?

Source: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2012/12/17/15967554-survivor-philippines-shocker-who-won-the-1-million-prize?lite

m.i.a super bowl coin toss madonna super bowl halftime kelly clarkson super bowl giants super bowl 2012 half time show halftime show 2012

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Movie review: Hopkins cuts a fine figure in 'Hitchcock' | The Salt ...

This film image released by Fox Searchlight shows Anthony Hopkins as Alfred Hitchcock in "Hitchcock." (AP Photo/Fox Searchlight, Suzanne Tenner)

Review ? Story behind ?Psycho? a fun time for movie lovers.

"Hitchcock" is a movie lover?s movie ? a fun, free-wheeling look at the creation of a classic movie and a tender profile of the little-known life of a Hollywood legend.

Of course, the legend is Alfred Hitchcock, and director Sacha Gervasi and screenwriter John J. McLaughlin catch the "Master of Suspense" at a suspenseful crossroads. As the movie begins, it?s 1959 and Hitchcock (played by Anthony Hopkins) is coming off the success of his latest film, "North by Northwest," and casting about for his next project.

?

HHH

?Hitchcock?

Anthony Hopkins impersonates the great director in a behind-the-scenes drama loaded with treats for movie lovers.

Where ? Broadway Centre Cinemas.

When ? Opens Friday, Dec. 14.

Rating ? PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material.

Running time ? 96 minutes.

The studios, being studios, offer him variations on the tried-and-true. (He rejects a pitch to adapt Ian Fleming?s "Casino Royale," with Cary Grant as James Bond, saying, "I?ve already made that movie. It?s called ?North by Northwest.??") Instead, he becomes fascinated with Robert Bloch?s novel about a murderer, based on the real-life case of killer Ed Gein. The novel?s title: Psycho.

The studios are repulsed by the idea, saying they won?t bankroll what is essentially a schlocky B-grade horror movie. But Hitchcock persists, arguing that horror movies are deemed unworthy because a really good director has never made one.

Hitchcock has support in his corner: his agent, Lew Wasserman (Michael Stuhlbarg), and, most important, his wife, Alma Reville (Helen Mirren). Alma is Hitch?s toughest critic, best sounding board, shrewdest editor and smartest casting director (she suggests Hitchcock cast Janet Leigh ? smartly played here by Scarlett Johansson ? based on her performance in Orson Welles? "Touch of Evil"). She also has endured decades of Hitchcock?s obsessions over blond starlets and the slights that come with life in the great man?s shadow.

Mirren is utterly winning as Alma, even though she?s saddled with the movie?s silliest melodrama. This involves Alma, feeling left out of Hitchcock?s world, spending time on a writing project with an old acquaintance, screenwriter Whitfield Cook (Danny Huston) ? who may have amorous intentions toward her.

The best parts of "Hitchcock" come when Gervasi (whose previous credit is the rock documentary "Anvil! The Story of Anvil") immerses us in the life on the set. Johansson is joined by solid performances from James D?Arcy (as the nervous and deeply closeted Anthony Perkins) and Jessica Biel (as co-star Vera Miles, a former Hitchcock favorite reduced to second-tier status). Movie fans will gobble up the rich backstage details of filming "Psycho" and Hitchcock?s efforts to get it past the censors. And Gervasi has embedded sly references to eight Hitchcock classics, just for the heck of it.

Mostly, "Hitchcock" lets Sir Anthony Hopkins play while we watch. His impersonation of the director?s avuncular cadences is dead-on, his chemistry with Mirren is charming, and his connection to Ed Gein (who also was an inspiration for "The Silence of the Lambs") adds a layer of ironic wit. Somewhere, Hitch is probably enjoying a good chuckle.

movies@sltrib.com

Twitter: @moviecricket

story continues below

www.facebook.com/seanpmeans

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/55453280-223/hitchcock-movie-hopkins-anthony.html.csp

adele NBA draft 2012 alicia sacramone Don Grady ann curry euro 2012 Colorado Springs

Extending Einstein's ideas: New kind of quantum entanglement demonstrated

Dec. 14, 2012 ? Physicists at the University of Calgary and at the Institute for Quantum Computing in Waterloo have published new research in Nature Physics which builds on the original ideas of Einstein and adds a new ingredient: a third entangled particle.

Quantum entanglement is one of the central principles of quantum physics, which is the science of sub-atomic particles. Multiple particles, such as photons, are connected with each other even when they are very far apart and what happens to one particle can have an effect on the other one at the same moment, even though these effects can not be used to send information faster than light.

The new form of three-particle entanglement demonstrated in this experiment, which is based on the position and momentum properties of photons, may prove to be a valuable part of future communications networks that operate on the rules of quantum mechanics, and could lead to new fundamental tests of quantum theory that deepen our understanding of the world around us.

"This work opens up a rich area of exploration that combines fundamental questions in quantum mechanics and quantum technologies," says Christoph Simon, paper co-author and researcher at the University of Calgary.

This research extends the theories of Einstein, seventy-seven years later. In 1935, Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen, commonly referred to as EPR, published a thought experiment designed to show that quantum mechanics, by itself, is not sufficient to describe reality.

Using two entangled particles EPR tried to demonstrate that there must be some hidden parameters that quantum mechanics does not account for. Later John Bell and others showed that the kind of hidden parameters EPR had in mind are incompatible with our observations. The mystery at the heart of quantum mechanics thus remains intact. But the entanglement first proposed by EPR is now a valuable resource in emerging quantum technologies like quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum precision measurements.

"It is exciting, after all this time, to be able to finally create, control, and entangle, quantum particles in this new way. Using these new states of light it may be possible to interact with and entangle distant quantum computer memories based on exotic atomic gases, " says Thomas Jennewein, whose group at the University of Waterloo carried out the experiment.

The next step for the researchers is to try to combine the position and momentum entanglement between their three photons with more traditional types of entanglement based on angular momentum. This will allow the creation of hybrid quantum systems that combine multiple unique properties of light at the same time.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Calgary, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. L. K. Shalm, D. R. Hamel, Z. Yan, C. Simon, K. J. Resch, T. Jennewein. Three-photon energy?time entanglement. Nature Physics, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/nphys2492

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/~3/rCWIB-PpS6c/121214191522.htm

Prop 30 Election 2012 Michigan Election Results Missouri Election Results Amendment 64 marijuana huffington post

Friday, December 14, 2012

VA Property Financial loan With Negative Credit score ... - JLPT Study

Thankfully, nevertheless, it can be simpler to obtain the eco-friendly gentle over a VA house financial loan with terrible credit score than from any typical home finance loan supplier.

This is certainly great news, but there's no these matter as free of charge cash. Fulfilling loan company standards is usually needed, but specially when trying to get approval irrespective of a reduced credit score ranking.

But so long as finances are in rather great buy and evidence of provider from the armed forces is offered, there exists tiny problems in qualifying for consideration. After which, when the containers are ticked, the likelihood of securing the VA residence bank loan are robust.

Essential Qualifying Requirements

Like each other variety of mortgage, obtaining a VA property personal loan with undesirable credit score boils down to gratifying the qualifying standards which the financial institution lays down. In terms of the VA, there are a selection of requirements that instant payday loans increase further than the conventional earnings associated situations.

Certainly, an applicant ought to be possibly a present-day or even a previous member in the armed service. That features, don't just the armed forces, but in addition if time was served during the Countrywide Guard or simply as being a reservist. Having approval in spite of a reduced credit score ranking can be done when there is evidence of no late financial loan repayments or personal bankruptcy inside a selected interval.

A different situation is the fact the house to become purchased aided by the VA property mortgage would be to become a key home of your household customer. So, somebody looking for to get a summer months house or to purchase real estate for leasing uses are unable to qualify.

Earnings and Reimbursement

Not surprisingly, the principle affliction for every mortgage is evidence of the common revenue. Whilst there are lots of gains out there for any person trying to find a VA property financial loan with terrible credit score, it truly is equally as essential for an applicant to verify they're gainfully utilized. This generally usually means delivering affirmation with fork out slips or possibly a lender account record.

Even so, it is only 50 percent the prerequisite. It is usually essential to present an capacity to fulfill the repayments on a monthly basis, which is often a small difficult to do. The debt-to-income ratio is utilized to compute this, with loan companies not enabling the ratio to exceed forty:sixty. What this means is that, to obtain approval inspite of a very low credit score ranking, it's important to demonstrate only 40% with the readily available revenue is taken up by financial debt repayments.

It can be potential to qualify to get a VA household financial loan in case the present obligations are reduced plenty of to guarantee a wholesome ratio exists. Even so, should the personal debt is simply too significantly, the appliance is ready to become rejected.

Locating a Loan provider

It is necessary to make note of that, whilst acquiring a VA dwelling bank loan with lousy credit score is usually a good deal additional probably than the usual typical house loan, apps are certainly not created on the VA alone. Alternatively, it's important to visit home finance loan supplier, who'll then submit the applying to your VA on your own behalf. The theory is the fact that significantly in the paperwork is then held away from the fingers on the VA.

In almost any instance, the advantages to become appreciated increase to your quarter of your volume borrowed getting secured by VA, thus permitting the rate of interest to get reduced and eliminating any need to have for your deposit. Obviously, this tends to make it much easier to get approval inspite of a lower credit score score.

Even so, it's important to search out a loan provider with superior conditions initially, and convincing them to approve the applying could be the very first phase to obtaining a VA property financial loan. So, pick the financial institution meticulously.

Source: http://www.jlpt-study.com/forum/va-property-financial-loan-negative-credit-score-whats-desired-protected-approval

gillian anderson leah remini desean jackson kyle orton kyle orton ncaa tournament schedule black and tan

California in for more unusually high 'king tides'

Pedestrians cannot resist getting close to Thursday's king's tide cresting along the San Francisco Embarcadero on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The tide measured 7.2 at the Golden Gate and was the highest of the year. The king tides are expected to peak during the next several days, with surges over 9 feet in some areas. The phenomenon is caused by a unique alignment of the sun, moon and earth. (AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, Karl Mondon) MAGS OUT; NO SALES

Pedestrians cannot resist getting close to Thursday's king's tide cresting along the San Francisco Embarcadero on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The tide measured 7.2 at the Golden Gate and was the highest of the year. The king tides are expected to peak during the next several days, with surges over 9 feet in some areas. The phenomenon is caused by a unique alignment of the sun, moon and earth. (AP Photo/Bay Area News Group, Karl Mondon) MAGS OUT; NO SALES

Newly moved in resident Juliana Chen steps out of her garage with her daughter into the overflowed street onto Pacific Coast Highway in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Astronomical high tides have caused minor street flooding in some low-lying areas along the Southern California coast. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A surfer rides a wave in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The National Weather Service says so-called King Tides ? caused by a rather unique combination of how the sun, the moon and the earth align ? will bring the highest tides of the year on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Along with the high tides, forecasters say a building swell will bring large breaking waves to area beaches. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Visitors watch waves crash on a cliff in Pescadero, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The National Weather Service says so-called King Tides ? caused by a rather unique combination of how the sun, the moon and the earth align ? will bring the highest tides of the year on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Along with the high tides, forecasters say a building swell will bring large breaking waves to area beaches. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Visitors watch waves crash on a cliff in Pescadero, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. The National Weather Service says so-called King Tides ? caused by a rather unique combination of how the sun, the moon and the earth align ? will bring the highest tides of the year on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Along with the high tides, forecasters say a building swell will bring large breaking waves to area beaches. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) ? The tide is high, and it's holding on.

Some Californians were in for another day of ankle-deep seawater in low-lying coastal communities Friday as unusually high "king tides" pulled the Pacific farther ashore than normal.

The tides, the result of an occasional astronomical alignment, caused some damage Thursday but proved mostly just a nuisance.

Water flooded Pacific Coast Highway and side streets in Sunset Beach, a sliver of Huntington Beach between the ocean and a yacht harbor. Down the Southern California coast, Newport Bay was brimming, while just north of San Francisco the tide swamped a commuter parking lot in Marin City and seeped into dozens of cars.

Bruce DuAmarell, an 18-year Sunset Beach resident, said he got a call at work from an alarmed neighbor and came home.

"My garage had flooded. There were four to five inches in my garage," he said, as he took a break from sweeping water onto the street. "It came up over the seawall and literally filled up the harbor."

DuAmarell said he lost a vacuum cleaner and some Christmas presents for his children, but otherwise was unscathed.

Occurring several times a year, king tides happen when the Earth, moon and sun align in a way that increases gravitational pull on the Earth's oceans, raising water levels several feet above normal high tides. The non-scientific term also refers to extremely low tides.

Residents of Sunset Beach expect flooding, but that didn't keep 13-year resident Fred Grether out of trouble.

He tried to drive his 2004 Porsche to a car wash to rinse off the salt water after the flooding reached the rims and undercarriage. But driving to the car wash did more damage than staying put, he said as a tow truck prepared to haul his car to the shop.

"I didn't realize how deep it was at the intersection and as soon as I got to the intersection, I heard this frizzling noise and my car alarm started going off and I realized that I had burned out the electrical system on my car," he said.

"Now I'm off to my local mechanic today about me doing something very, very stupid," said Grether, who's seen flooding three times.

The tide at Marin City reached 7 feet, slightly higher than during last December's king tides, which prompted the California Highway Patrol to temporarily close a local highway connector ramp due to roadway flooding midmorning.

The damage could have been much worse if the weather had brought big waves along with the high tides, National Weather Service forecaster Larry Smith said.

"Right now it's just a neat thing.... When we have the low tide this afternoon you will be see father out than you normally would," Smith said. "It kind of does give you a glimpse of what the future might be with the sea level rise."

The tides reached over 10 feet in Redwood City, a bit above predicted levels, the National Weather Service said.

The event provided organizers of the California King Tides Initiative an opportunity to get California residents thinking about and preparing for the future. The 3-year-old initiative, sponsored by government and nonprofit groups, enlists camera-toting volunteers to photograph the King Tides as an illustration of what low-lying coastal areas could look like if predictions about the Earth's climate come to pass.

As of Thursday afternoon, about 100 new snapshots had been uploaded to the photo-sharing project, coordinator Heidi Nuttles said.

"It's definitely very high tides this year, and we just encourage people to use this opportunity to go out, take pictures and reflect what this means for our shoreline and the fact that's its constantly changing even today, and how that might affect how we think about sea level rise in the future," Nuttles said.

___

Leff reported from San Francisco. Los Angeles science writer Alicia Chang contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/b2f0ca3a594644ee9e50a8ec4ce2d6de/Article_2012-12-14-California%20King%20Tides/id-1d81a6c9394c437ca0f3252db43e87d2

2012 oscars the shore meryl streep oscar wins sasha baron cohen oscars oscar winners the artist sacha baron cohen oscars