More photos found in Calif. teacher abuse case

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy takes his seat following a closed-door meeting of the Board of Education in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Prosecutors have filed a lewd-acts complaint against the second of two teachers removed from a Los Angeles-area elementary school, and the Board voted to fire him in the closed-door meeting. On Monday night Deasy said that more than 120 staff members at Miramonte Elementary School ? everyone from the principal and teachers to the cafeteria workers ? were being replaced because a full investigation of the allegations will be disruptive and staffers will require support to get through the scandal. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy takes his seat following a closed-door meeting of the Board of Education in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Prosecutors have filed a lewd-acts complaint against the second of two teachers removed from a Los Angeles-area elementary school, and the Board voted to fire him in the closed-door meeting. On Monday night Deasy said that more than 120 staff members at Miramonte Elementary School ? everyone from the principal and teachers to the cafeteria workers ? were being replaced because a full investigation of the allegations will be disruptive and staffers will require support to get through the scandal. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

With portraits of school children behind him, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy takes his seat following a closed-door meeting of the Board of Education in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Prosecutors have filed a lewd-acts complaint against the second of two teachers removed from a Los Angeles-area elementary school, and the Board voted to fire him in the closed-door meeting. On Monday night Deasy said that more than 120 staff members at Miramonte Elementary School ? everyone from the principal and teachers to the cafeteria workers ? were being replaced because a full investigation of the allegations will be disruptive and staffers will require support to get through the scandal. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Unified School District board president Monica Garcia makes a statement following a closed-door meeting of the Board of Education in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Prosecutors have filed a lewd-acts complaint against the second of two teachers removed from a Los Angeles-area elementary school, and the Board voted to fire him in the closed-door meeting. On Monday night Superintendent John Deasy said that more than 120 staff members at Miramonte Elementary School ? everyone from the principal and teachers to the cafeteria workers ? were being replaced because a full investigation of the allegations will be disruptive and staffers will require support to get through the scandal. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Ivis Urbina, right, with her granddaughter Alexa Agillon, 6, protest with others outside Miramonte Elementary school in Los Angeles Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. About three dozen parents and supporters staged a protest at the Los Angeles-area school rocked by allegations of lewd conduct crimes by two teachers against children. They demanded greater communication with education officials and the placement of cameras in classrooms and hallways at Miramonte Elementary School. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Yolanda Sanchez talks about what she describes as documented child abuse of her son, outside the Miramonte Elementary school in Los Angeles, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. About three dozen parents and supporters staged a protest at the Los Angeles-area school rocked by allegations of lewd conduct crimes by two teachers against children. They demanded greater communication with education officials and the placement of cameras in classrooms and hallways at Miramonte Elementary School. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? The scandal embroiling an elementary school where two teachers were arrested last week on lewdness charges widened Wednesday with revelations of 200 more inappropriate photos of children and that one teacher sent warmly written birthday cards and presents to students who participated in his "games."

The case of a third-grade teacher accused of feeding children his own semen in bizarre "tasting games" in his classroom over a five-year period has garnered international headlines.

It has also roiled the nation's second-largest school district, which has a sizable number of students who come from homes with illegal immigrants. Many parents at the school have said they have been reluctant to report suspicions about the teachers because of their immigration status.

The new developments came as Los Angeles Unified School District prepared to reopen Miramonte Elementary School on Thursday with an entirely new staff.

According to three lawsuits filed against the district Tuesday, teacher Mark Berndt sent birthday cards to some of the girls, asking how they were adjusting to the fourth grade. He also wrote warm notes such as "surely no teacher could ever have a more wonderful student than you!!" and "P.P.S. The Roaches Say 'Hi!'"

He signed the notes: "Mr. B."

The cards were provided as exhibits in the lawsuits, which were filed on behalf of three former students of Berndt. They allege that the district and Principal Martin Sandoval failed to adequately safeguard them against Berndt and a second teacher arrested, Martin Springer, who faces three lewdness charges in connection with the fondling of a second-grader.

Berndt gave one girl a CD dated Feb, 12, 2010, writing on it "Happy 9th B-Day ? Hope You Enjoy the Songs!" that included such tracks as "Never on Sunday" and "Gonna Get Along Without You."

An email message seeking comment from LAUSD wasn't immediately returned

Sheriff's investigators, meanwhile, said Wednesday they have found 200 additional photos they believe were taken by Berndt who is accused of committing lewd acts on 23 children from 2005 to 2010.

The photos were found late last week at the same pharmacy where a photo lab technician had first noticed odd pictures that led to Berndt's arrest, sheriff's Lt. Carlos Marquez said. The recent discovery brings the total number of photos to roughly 600.

Many of the photos involve children already identified by authorities, but there may be other potential victims, Marquez said.

Like the other pictures, the photos show children ages 6 to 10 blindfolded and being fed a milky, white liquid authorities believe was semen on spoons or cookies, Marquez said.

Berndt, 61, taught for 32 years at the south Los Angeles school, where the 120-member staff, from janitors to principal, was replaced this week amid outrage among parents.

The school was closed Tuesday and Wednesday and will reopen with employees hired from a list of recently laid off workers.

The old employees will be based at a nearby school under construction as they undergo interviews in a district investigation as to how the alleged acts went undetected for so long.

The furor over Berndt's arrest led two parents to come forward last Thursday to complain that Springer, who had worked at the school for 26 years, fondled two second-grade girls in his classroom.

Springer, 49, pleaded not guilty Tuesday after he was charged with committing three lewd acts upon one girl in 2009. Bail was set at $300,000.

Detectives said there is no evidence that the two men acted in concert.

More allegations of inappropriate conduct by other school employees also surfaced.

The mother of an 11-year-old boy told the Los Angeles Times that a teacher's aide, a woman in her 50s, sent at least three letters to her son in 2009, including one that said: "When you get close to me, even if you give me the chills, I like that. Don't tell nobody about this!"

The aide signed one letter "Sad Girl" because she was being transferred to another school, the mother said.

The mother said she went to the sheriff's department, which directed her to the school. During a meeting that included the mother, her son, his teacher and an assistant principal, the teacher's aide acknowledged writing letters and said she had a grandmotherly affection for the boy.

The aide no longer works for the school system, district spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry said.

Parents at the school who are illegal immigrants have been reassured by sheriff's officers and district administrators that no cases will be referred to immigration agents.

Manuel Flores, father of a 9-year-old girl at the school, said he was anxious about even attending a parents' meeting at the school Monday night. "It was full of police," he said.

At that meeting, Superintendent John Deasy stressed to parents that no one will be even asked about their immigration status if they come forward to report a crime.

The district set up a confidential hotline for Miramonte parents who may be hesitant to speak directly to detectives.

Martha Escutia, a lawyer who represents several families, said fear is rampant in the community.

"One little girl told me she doesn't want to come forward because she's afraid her parents will be deported," she said.

After Berndt's arrest on Jan. 30, complaints about him surfaced dating back to 1994, but authorities did not act on them.

Berndt remains jailed on $23 million bail and could face life in prison if convicted.

___

Associated Press writer E.J. Tamara contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-02-08-Teacher-Classroom%20Bondage/id-18927c3076ba48718964c109c716f5e9

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Verzion drops Motorola Droid Razr to $200, cuts 16GB microSD (Digital Trends)

Motorola?s Droid Razr, one of Verizon?s high-end 4G smartphones, now costs $100 less than it used to ? but those savings come at a price. At the $300 price point, the Droid Razr came with 32GB of internal storage. Now, it?s down to just 16GB, thanks to the removal of an included 16GB microSD card. The $300 package is no longer available.

You might be saying to yourself, OK, but can?t I just pop my own microSD card into the slot? Yes, yes you can. And it will cost you far less than $100. A quick search shows that a 16GB SanDisk microSD card will only run? you about $15 on Amazon. Or you could upgrade to a 32GB card (the maximum storage size allowed by the Razr) for a mere $25 to $30. In other words, those of you who bought the Droid Razr for $300 got ripped off.

Of course, Verizon didn?t just drop the price for nothing. It did so to make room for the upcoming Droid Razr Maxx, which will fill in the $300 price point. This time, however, the premium price just might be worth it. The primary difference between the Droid Razr and the Droid Razr Maxx is greatly improved battery life. Motorola claims that the gigantic 3300mAh battery will last you all day long, with 21.5 hours of talk time, 15 hours of video playback (from local storage), 6 hours of HD video streaming over Verizon?s 4G LTE network, and 10 hours of continuous GPS navigation.

These specs put most other smartphones to shame, especially the early breed of 4G LTE phones, which have notoriously terrible battery life. The sacrifice is a minor increase in thickness ? about 1.9mm, which brings the Droid Razr Maxx?s heft to 9mm. This is noticeably thicker than the ultra-thin Droid Razr, which measures just 7.1mm at its thinnest, but still thinner than the 9.3mm-thick iPhone 4/4S.

Another downside to the Maxx is that it will ship without Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), and instead runs on Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread). There is currently no date set for the upgrade to ICS.

The Droid Razr Maxx is expected to hit Verizon in the next couple of weeks. In the mean time, potential customers can decide whether they want to save $100 for a thinner phone, with less-than-stellar battery life, or heave out the extra change for a phone that will last you all day.

*All prices listed here are contingent upon signing a new two-year contract with Verizon.

This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

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Syria ready to let monitors stay, rebel seeks U.N. action (Reuters)

BEIRUT (Reuters) ? Syria is ready to let Arab monitors extend their mission beyond this week, an Arab source said on Tuesday, but a rebel army chief said they should go as they had failed to curb a crackdown on protesters seeking President Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

Damascus opposes broadening the scope of the Arab League observer mission, the source at the League said, but would accept a one-month extension of its mandate which expires on Thursday.

However, Riad al-Asaad, the Turkish-based commander of the rebel Free Syrian Army, called for international intervention to replace the observer team which is monitoring Syria's implementation of a League plan to end 10 months of bloodshed.

U.N. officials say more than 5,000 people have been killed in the violence across Syria and the government says 2,000 members of its security forces have died.

The Arab League must decide whether to withdraw its 165 monitors or keep them in Syria, even though they are expected to report that Damascus has not fully implemented a peace plan agreed on November 2. Arab foreign ministers are set to discuss the team's future on January 22.

"The outcome of the contacts that have taken place over the past week between the Arab League and Syria have affirmed that Syria will not reject the renewal of the Arab monitoring mission for another month ... if the Arab foreign ministers call for this at the coming meeting," the source said.

The Arab plan required Syria to halt the bloodshed, withdraw troops from cities, free detainees, provide access for the monitors and the media and open talks with opposition forces.

"FAILED MONITORS"

Rebel commander Asaad opposed any extension of the mandate.

"The Arab League and their monitors failed in their mission and though we respect and appreciate our Arab brothers for their efforts, we think they are incapable of improving conditions in Syria or resisting this regime," he told Reuters.

"For that reason we call on them to turn the issue over to the U.N. Security Council and we ask that the international community intervene because they are more capable of protecting Syrians at this stage than our Arab brothers," Asaad said.

The source said Beijing and Moscow had urged President Assad to accept an extension of the monitoring mission as a way to avert an escalation at the international level.

Syria would agree to an increase in the number of monitors, he said, but would not allow them to be given formal fact-finding duties or be allowed into "military zones" that are not included in the existing Arab peace plan.

Any change in the scope of the mission, whether to militarize it or let it investigate human rights abuses and potentially assign blame, would require a new agreement with Syria, the source said.

Qatar has proposed sending in Arab troops, a bold idea for the often sluggish League and one likely to be resisted by Arab rulers close to Assad and those worried about unrest at home.

Syria's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it was "astonished" at Qatar's suggestion, which it "absolutely rejected."

AN OLD ALLY

The League could ask the U.N. Security Council to act, but until now opposition from Russia and China has prevented the world body from even criticizing Syria, an old ally of Moscow.

Western diplomats said a Russian draft resolution handed to the council on Monday did not make clear if Moscow would accept tough language demanded by the West.

French Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal described Moscow's latest draft as disappointing, saying Paris had proposed constructive amendments to the Russian text.

"After a month of silence a new text has just been submitted by Russia, which still falls far short of responding to the reality in Syria," he said. "We've been saying this for months now: the Security Council's silence is scandalous."

Few Western powers favour any Libyan-style military action in Syria, which lies in the heart of the conflict-prone Middle East. Bordering Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Israel, it is allied to Iran and the armed Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah group.

Iran condemned what it called foreign interference in the affairs of its closest Arab ally, Syria, and praised reforms President Assad has promised as "problem-solving."

"We are fundamentally against interfering in the affairs of other countries. We think it does not solve the problems but will only make them more complicated," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told a news conference.

Assad, while offering reform, has vowed to crush his opponents with an "iron fist," but Syrians braving bullets and torture chambers appear equally determined to add him to the list of the past year's toppled Arab leaders.

Army deserters and other rebels have taken up arms against security forces dominated by Assad's minority Alawite sect, pushing Sunni Muslim-majority Syria closer to civil war.

ROCKETS AND TANK FIRE

Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday that what it called terrorists had fired rockets, killing an officer and five of his men at a rural checkpoint near Damascus. Seven others were wounded in the incident, a day after gunmen assassinated a brigadier general near the capital.

Eight people were killed when a bomb hit a minibus on the Aleppo-Idlib road, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

In Homs, tank fire crashed into the Khalidiya district after a night rally against Assad there, activists said. YouTube footage showed a crowd dancing at the rally and waving the old Syrian flag used before the Baath Party seized power in 1963.

The British-based Observatory said eight people were killed in violence in Homs, a flashpoint city of one million racked by unrest, crackdowns and Sunni-Alawite sectarian killings.

Activists also reported fighting between rebels and troops trying to edge into Khalidiya, a neighborhood that is home to Sunni tribesmen and lies next to the Alawite district of Nozha.

Tanks were firing sporadically at the rebel-held town of Zabadani, near the Lebanese border, which has been under attack since Friday, activists said. They added that several soldiers who had tried to defect to the opposition had been killed.

Syrian forces shot dead a man at a roadblock in the restive Damascus suburb of Qatana, they said, and an activist was killed by sniper fire in the northwestern town of Khan Sheikhoun.

The United States, the European Union, Turkey and the Arab League have announced sanctions against Syria, but while these have hurt its economy, they have yet to prompt Assad to change course. Opposition to sanctions from some of Syria's trading partners, notably Lebanon and Iraq, also dilutes their impact.

Security Council members have been divided for months over the uprising against Assad, with Western countries pushing for strong condemnation of the government's bloody crackdown but Russia seeking to shield Damascus.

In October, Russia and China vetoed a European-drafted resolution that threatened possible sanctions. Russia presented its own draft on December 15 and Western countries agreed to discuss and negotiate it, but there has been little progress since then.

(Additional reporting by Ayman Samir in Cairo, Khaled Yacoub Oweis in Amman, and Mariam Karouny and Dominic Evans in Beirut; Writing by Alistair Lyon; Editing by David Stamp)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120117/wl_nm/us_syria

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PHOTOS: Sandra Bullock Smiles at Her Son

Sandra Bullock takes her little guy to school! Plus, see more photos of celebs spending time with their loved ones!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/star-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos/1-b-84707?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Astar-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos-84707

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Some like it hot: Popular yoga style cranks up the heat

ScienceDaily (Jan. 16, 2012) ? Yoga is one of the hottest fitness trends and a style known as "hot yoga" is gaining in popularity.

Hot yoga refers to yoga practiced in a heated environment, with the room temperature generally reaching 90 to 105 degrees. The theory behind it is that hot yoga helps the body to sweat out toxins while allowing the practitioner to safely achieve deeper poses. Bikram is a common form of hot yoga.

Almost 16 million Americans practice some form of yoga, according to a 2008 study in the Yoga Journal.

While the practice can offer health benefits and a sense of well-being, people practicing hot yoga, especially beginners, should take certain precautions, according to Diana Zotos, a certified yoga instructor and physical therapist in the Rehabilitation Department at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

"Yoga of any type is physically challenging, and the heated environment of hot yoga makes the practice especially demanding," Zotos says. "The heat makes people feel as if they can stretch deeper into poses and can give them a false sense of flexibility. This can lead to muscle strains or damage to the joint, including ligaments and cartilage."

Zotos says people over 40 who have never done Bikram yoga may be at greater risk of injury, and she recommends they familiarize themselves with it prior to trying a class. "There are many books and videos that describe this style and can demonstrate the poses and techniques," she says. "Since classes are constructed of the same 26 poses, people can become familiar with them beforehand."

Beginners should keep in mind that poses will require a certain level of leg, core and upper body strength, as well as balance, according to Zotos. People should also have a tolerance for stretching and moderate flexibility in their legs and spine.

"The heat factor also puts more strain on the heart and challenges endurance. That being said, people should be of good cardiovascular health; have healthy hip, knee, spine and shoulder joints; shouldn't have balance or neurological issues; and should have a general tolerance for excessive heat," she advises.

Zotos has these additional tips:

? Be well-prepared. Bring a mat and towel, and wear shorts and a tank top. If possible, bring a buddy. It can be more fun and less intimidating if you take your first class with a friend.

? Make sure you drink plenty of fluids well before class (but not coffee or soda). Don't eat anything too heavy (more than 200 calories) two to three hours prior to class.

? Make sure the studio and teachers have a good reputation. Ask about their experience and credentials. The teacher should be certified in Bikram or another form of yoga.

? Try to arrive early. This way you can introduce yourself and speak with the instructor, pick a good spot in the studio to set up your mat and get comfortable with your surroundings and the heat.

? Start slowly and learn the basics. Never push yourself to the point of pain while stretching or assuming a position.

? Listen to your body. Stop at the first sign of discomfort. If you are extremely fatigued, take a break. Do not try yoga poses beyond your experience or comfort level.

? Don't get discouraged if you can't reach a pose. It's not a competition.

? Ask questions if you're not sure how to perform a pose.

? If you get dizzy, lightheaded, overheated or experience chest pain, STOP immediately. Seek medical assistance if necessary.

Anyone who questions whether hot yoga is safe for them should consult their physician, Zotos says. "If you have sensitivity to heat, if you've ever had heat stroke or tend to get fatigued, dizzy or dehydrated quickly, you should ask your doctor before starting hot yoga. Anyone with osteoarthritis, any rheumatologic arthritis, pain in muscles or a joint, or any kind of previous injury should check with their doctor."

Zotos says it's especially important that anyone who has hypertension, low blood pressure or heart disease check with their cardiologist before trying hot yoga.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oC34dmDzsyA/120116095929.htm

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PIC: Nick Cannon Makes First Public Appearance Since Health Scare (omg!)

Mariah's man is on the mend!

A healthy Nick Cannon ascended the stage at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Saturday night for the BET Honors -- his first public appearance since his hospitalization and surgery for "mild kidney failure."? (Cannon left an Aspen, Colo. hospital last weekend.)

PHOTOS: Celeb health scares

Carrying son Moroccan Scott, 8 months, the 31-year-old America's Got Talent host presented his wife (clad in a form-fitting nude and black gown) Mariah Carey with an entertainer award and jokingly expained why Monroe, Moroccan's twin sister, was backstage.

PHOTOS: Moroccan, Monroe, and other babies of the year

"She's a diva like her mama." Added Carey: "We were both sewn into our dresses, so she couldn't make it out."

But Cannon paid emotional tribute to his wife (a "hero," he said) for tending to him during his illness -- making him soup at 3 a.m. "when my kidneys ain't acting right."

PHOTOS: Mariah and Nick's love story

"What most people don't get to experience is the human," he said at the podium. "To know you guys are honoring her tonight, I have to continue to honor her every day."

Get more Us! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on Facebook, Subscribe to Us Weekly

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Four Barrel Street Style: Fourteen Trendsetters Spotted (PHOTOS)

Hood: The Mission Day job: Fashion design student at CCA Favorite caffeine fix: Cappuccino Best people watching in the city: The Mission and school

Hood: The Mission
Day job: Fashion design student at CCA
Favorite caffeine fix: Cappuccino
Best people watching in the city: The Mission and school

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/four-barrel-street-style_n_1203381.html

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