UM student documents the emotional growth of young dancers as they prepare for Nutcracker performance

University of Miami visual journalism student Monica Herndon spent several months photographing the advanced ballet students of the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet/Miami Conservatory in preparation for their annual Nutcracker held in conjunction with the New World School of the Arts. The young dancers spent hours in class and rehearsal each week. They do not even reach the advanced...

Read More..

NORAD Santa trackers draw record number of phone calls, social media followers

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – NORAD says it drew a record number of phone calls and social media followers during its NORAD Tracks Santa operation on Christmas Eve.The North American Aerospace Defence Command said Friday volunteers answered more than 114,000 calls, up 12,000 from 2011.NORAD’s Santa Facebook page had more than 1.2 million followers, up from about 1 million last year. More than 129,000...

Read More..

Best of 2012 Lists Movies TV Fashion Scandal

ETonline has spent the last week showing love to the Best of 2012 -- from film to television to fashion and celeb scandals, we reviewed and ranked the last 365 days, bringing you only the best!In case you missed any of our Year End Roundups, they're all available below!12 Most Exciting Stars of 201212 Best TV Shows of 201212 Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 201212 Most Gorgeous Gowns of 201212 Best Movies...

Read More..

Bronx mom in Newtown 'scam' also solicited funds claiming they were for Hurricane Sandy relief

MyFOXCTAlleged scammer Nouel Alba leaves Hartford Ct. Federal court after making $50K bail.The Bronx mom accused of posing as the aunt of Newtown massacre victim Noah Pozner to collect bogus charity donations also solicited funds she claimed were for Hurricane Sandy relief, The Post found. Nouel Alba -- out on $50,000 bond in the alleged Sandy Hook Elementary...

Read More..

Florida Blue teams up with Holy Cross Hospital

In its latest move to reshape how healthcare is delivered, Florida Blue, the state’s largest health insurance network, has formed an alliance with Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale to deliver integrated care intended to improve quality and lower healthcare costs.Starting Jan. 1, the insurer will join the 230 doctors in Holy Cross’ Physician Partners to form an accountable...

Read More..

Crime Watch: New computer for Christmas? Use it safely

Last week I received several emails from readers who wanted me to write again about computer safety since many got a computer for Christmas. Therefore, I pulled some information from one of our crime prevention partners, The National Crime Prevention Council, and here are tips you need to take seriously whether you are a senior or a parent:• Use anti-virus software and...

Read More..

iOS apps see Christmas sales spike shrink in 2012

Distimo just released its statistics on Christmas Day app downloads and revenue growth… and the download spike is far smaller than it was last year. Back in 2011, Christmas Day iOS app download volume spiked 230% above the December average. This year, the increase was just 87% — far below industry expectations. The revenue spike came in at 70%.[More from BGR: Google names 12 best Android apps...

Read More..

Brandy is Engaged

Looks like Brandy hasn't given up on love just yet.The singer, 33, is engaged to music executive Ryan Press, her rep confirmed to ET."They are thrilled and happy and Brandy feels this is so right," an insider tells Us Weekly.In October, Brandy told ET that prior to Press, she "had given up on love." She tells her personal story of past relationships and how she's gotten to the happy place where she...

Read More..

Galleon Group insider trader Raj Rajaratnam to pay $1.45m in civil suit settlement

A hedge fund founder currently serving the longest prison term ever given for insider trading will also be writing the government a big check.Raj Rajaratnam, 55, convicted last year of trading on inside information from 2003 through 2009, will pay nearly $1.45 million to settle a civil case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to...

Read More..

Gov. Scott reaches out to Obama to help avoid crippling strike at ports

Florida Gov. Rick Scott appealed to President Barack Obama Thursday to use his authority to halt a potentially devastating longshoreman’s work stoppage that could cripple ports along the eastern seaboard and Gulf Coast. On a conference call from Tallahassee with most of the state’s port directors, Scott asked the president to invoke the seldom-used Taft-Hartley Act to stop...

Read More..