Same-sex marriage in Michigan has been a matter of national interest following a series of events that left nearly 300 gay and lesbian couples in a state of matrimonial limbo. The U.S. government announced recently that it will recognize those marriages for purposes of federal law even if the Michigan government does not recognize them at the state level. This means that same-sex married couples in Michigan have access to federal marriage benefits, including the option of filing jointly for federal taxes and bankruptcy. New U.S. policy interprets gay marriage rights ...

Last year, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed into law a medical marijuana "dispensary bill." Prior to the legislation, those with Oregon Medical Marijuana Patient cards had no legal option to obtain marijuana other than to grow it themselves. And those who sold medical marijuana opened themselves to possible Oregon drug distribution charges. The legislation gave the Oregon Health Authority until March 2014 to set up a registration system for stores that sell medical marijuana. The OHA was also tasked with creating rules for security and marijuana testing. Some ...

A recent article in The Boston Globe touched on new technological advances that could translate to a decreased risk of bicycle accidents. The advances were designed by engineering students at Northeastern University and replicate some of the safety measures becoming more standard in cars - namely, the ability to warn a biker that a crash is imminent. In response to a potential crash, the bicycle's handlebars would vibrate warning the cyclist to avoid danger. More on tech advances and bikes The project is officially called the Interactive Bicyclist Accident Prevention ...

Teens are smart enough to know the danger of drinking and driving, but naive enough to choose to take the risk according to an article recently published in Forbes. The conclusion was based on research compiled and reviewed by Liberty Mutual Insurance. The study focused on teens making dangerous decisions while driving, like driving while under the influence of alcohol or texting while behind the wheel. Such decisions are dangerous, since both are connected to a higher risk of involvement in a car accident. More on the study The Insurance giant teamed up with Students ...

President Obama has issued a call for deportations to be handled more humanely in the United States, according to a recent statement from the White House. The President has ordered a system-wide review of the methods used by the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the nation's immigration laws, saying that too many families are subjected to the pain of separation due to the nation's "broken immigration system." In recent months, Obama has come under increasing pressure from immigrant rights advocates to stop deportations until comprehensive immigration reforms ...

Lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a proposal that could have a substantial impact on people convicted of driving while intoxicated. The bill would expand the New Jersey's ignition interlock program and limit the use of mandatory driver's license suspension for many DWI offenders. Expanding the ignition interlock program If passed into law, the DWI bill would require mandatory interlock use for anyone convicted of DWI in New Jersey -- including first-time offenders. An ignition interlock is an electronic alcohol testing device that attaches to a vehicle's ignition ...

Both in California and throughout the nation, heroin use has been on the rise recently, marked by higher overdose rates and greater quantities of the drug seized by law enforcement agencies. In Southern California, the increase in heroin use has been especially pronounced among teenagers, NBC Los Angeles reported recently. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, first-time heroin use among people between the ages of 12 and 17 has increased by 80 percent in recent years. Fatal heroin overdoses have also spiked dramatically in a relatively ...

Like other states, North Carolina has adopted laws that place restrictions on teen drivers in an effort to keep them safe while they adapt to the responsibilities of driving. These restrictions, known as graduated licensing laws, have been widely touted in recent years as a way to help keep teens safe from traffic accidents -- the leading cause of death in that age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, new research suggests that although these laws are effective at reducing the fatal crash risk for some teens, they may also increase ...

Under Pennsylvania's "implied consent" law, all motorists are deemed to have given consent to chemical testing if arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Indeed, the simple act of operating a vehicle within the state subjects drivers to this "implied consent." Specifically, this particular law states that when a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver has operated a vehicle while intoxicated, the officer can request the driver to submit to chemical testing, such as breathalyzer, blood or urine tests. And, while the officer typically ...

A pre-existing condition can complicate an Oregon workers' comp claim The workers' compensation system provides a safety net for employees who suffer serious on-the-job injuries. Unfortunately, studies conducted over the years show that many Oregon workplace accidents and injuries go unreported. Failing to report an injury or illness that appears minor at the time could cause problems down the road. For example, a firefighter suffered a shoulder dislocation after a fall. She believed it was not serious and failed to report the injury. After years dealing with frequent ...

Costello & Mains founding partner, Kevin Costello, a trial lawyer concentrating his practice in employment, school bullying and civil rights, was, along with state senator Linda R. Greenstein, a keynote speaker at an anti-bullying "summit" which took place at Rutgers Law School in Newark, called "Workplace Bullying: Seeking Solutions." Other speakers included educational, health and union professionals. "The purpose of the event," Kevin says, "was to raise awareness of workplace bullying in New Jersey and throughout the nation. Recent surveys suggest that between a ...

Anaheim Automation's CP2000 Series Delta Variable Frequency Drives are the core of their VFD product line. Specifically targeting the HVAC and plumbing industries, the CP2000 is used in a wide variety of applications. Anaheim Automation's CP2000 Series stands out among their VFD product line as providing the most features at the best prices, bringing forth the best value. The CP2000 Series VFD was created to offer sensorless vector control. With an intelligent PID control, this VFD has a detachable LCD keypad with a text panel in order to allow for easy parameter set-up. ...

Tablet2Cases (T2C), the Internet's definitive resource on tablet cases, is pleased to announce the availability of the sharp new Kai S360 Clamshell Keyboard Case for the Apple iPad Air. Produced by Cooper Cases, the Kai S360 is typical of the budget tablet accessory producer in terms of good quality at incredibly low prices. The Kai S360 is another in the growing line of keyboard cases seeking to enhance tablet functionality, to the extent that the given device may approximate a full-on laptop. Beginning with its build, the Kai S360 is comprised entirely of polycarbonate ...

Fans and clients of Enchantress Jan Windglows will be excited to find a new way to keep in touch with her. She has recently made her debut into social media with both Twitter and Facebook accounts. Jan Windglows already enjoys a robust online following that is centered around her website, jan-windglows.com. Enchantress Windglows welcomes visitors to peruse her website for information. Here, visitors can learn about Jan's early life and her long journey into the realm of magick. Visitors are also able to contact Jan, learn about the types of magick she practices and see ...

When hosting an event, leaving a lasting impression on guests is important. There is no better way to impress your guests than by hosting an intimate event in a beautifully decorated wine cellar. These versatile event spaces are perfect for corporate or social gatherings, especially when the original structure has been preserved and remodeled like the cellars available at The Estate, an Atlanta event venue. A Sense of Originality If you really want to give your guests a unique experience, choose The Estate's wine cellars for your private event space in Atlanta. Conveniently ...

Throwing a fun and enjoyable party during the grueling months of a Georgia summer can be a challenge. But Atlanta catering experts A Legendary Event have a few tips to ensure a successful summer celebration. First, make your guests' comfort your No. 1 goal. Keep the AC at a constant cool temperature, and if you're holding your party outdoors, make sure your guests are adequately sheltered from the harsh Georgian sun. Second, have cool drinks available to your guests throughout the party. Offer a variety of beverages, including cold water of course, and encourage ...

As the new year begins, many successful companies are hosting a series of strategic planning meetings to determine the goals for their business and how to achieve them. FindaFacilitator.com, a database of meeting facilitators, recommends that businesses use the proven strategic planning model, The Drivers Model, to guarantee success. The Drivers Model is a simple and elegant strategic planning solution that is able to scale from the largest company down to individual teams within a company. When combined with the skills and experience of a certified master facilitator, ...

Mazda's SkyActiv technology has only been on the market since late 2011 and it's already made an impact for guests at Mazda dealers in Tampa. The 2012 Mazda lineup was named the most efficient fleet by the EPA, thanks to features like the direct injection system used in the engines and the efficiency optimized transmissions developed by engineers, among other improvements. (1) However, Tampa Mazda drivers should know that the improvements for SkyActiv do not stop there. Powertrain executive Mitsuo Hitomi told reporters that the next generation of the system, known as ...

If you need to get a mortgage in order to buy a house, make sure your credit is in good shape. Get a copy of your credit report a few months before you start looking at houses. Check it carefully to see that it is accurate and fix any problems you may find. If you are not planning to stay in one place for a few years, it's probably not a good idea to buy a house just yet. Bid on houses that you can actually afford. Use a reliable mortgage calculator to find out how your income, debts and monthly expenses impact the amount of mortgage you can easily afford. The above ...

Wrinkles are caused by the skin becoming thinner as you age, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and chronic or excessive sun exposure can cause the look of wrinkles to become exaggerated. However, while wearing broad spectrum sunscreen and quitting (or never starting) smoking will help avoid exacerbation of wrinkles, they are unfortunately an unavoidable part of aging, and no one can escape them altogether. The good news is that help is available. There are a number of treatments aimed at reducing the look of wrinkles, and the experts from Medicus Veincare discuss ...

After a successful cabinet refacing project in your kitchen, it's time to update the rest of your tired and worn cabinets in the other rooms of your house. Carolina Cabinet Refacing can do an exceptional job with any cabinets in your home. If you're thinking of selling your house, new custom cabinets increase the value of your property and make it more appealing to prospective buyers. On the other hand, if you have no plans of moving any time soon, they increase your enjoyment of your home. Either way, refacing the cabinets all over your house is a step in the right direction. If ...

If there is one thing that living in Atlanta during the summertime will teach you (other than that air conditioning is wonderful), it will teach you that electricity can be incredibly expensive. With spring right around the corner, residential electrical contractor Pat Murphy Electric wishes to offer you some tips on how to save on your electric bill. Your first step in saving on your electric bill is to turn things off if you are not using them. Try to ensure that you turn the lights off whenever you leave a room and turn the TV off when you aren't watching it. Many ...

It's common knowledge that driving conditions can be dangerous during inclement weather, but when it's nice outside, driving is still a dangerous activity. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, two out of three people will be involved in a car accident in their lifetime. For most, getting behind the wheel of a car or truck is the most dangerous thing a person can do on any given day. Given the frequency with which accidents occur and the inherent dangerousness of operating a motor vehicle, it is important to take steps to make sure you ...

Cosmetic bonding is a dental procedure that involves the careful application and sculpting of tooth-colored resin onto teeth that have flaws or damage. Perfect Smile Tulsa, a Tulsa cosmetic dentistry practice, has seen the benefits that cosmetic bonding can provide patients and believes the procedure can help to notably improve certain patients' smiles. Cosmetic bonding is most commonly used to repair tooth decay or cracks, chips and other breakage teeth may have suffered. However, the procedure also can help to whiten discolored teeth, fill in gaps between teeth, add ...

Warpia announced today two new additions to their lineup of USB based connectivity devices, the Dock n' Charge & Plug n' View product families, both based on the ultra fast USB 3.0 platform. The Dock n'Charge USB 3.0 universal dual monitor docking station with fast charging USB power for smart phones & tablets is a cutting edge docking station for Windows based laptops and tablets. It enables users to easily connect their laptop or tablet to multiple displays, keyboard, mouse, speakers, Ethernet & peripherals with a single USB connection. The Dock n' Charge ...