Mexico's hippie haven of Zipolite

ZIPOLITE, Mexico –  "You're going to like it here in Zipolite," Daniel Weiner, the owner of Brisa Marina hotel said with a wry smile as he handed me the keys to my quarters. "You're not going to want to leave in five days."

A few lazy days later, I began to realize why so many guests rent their rooms by the month. Whether it's the laid-back vibe or the tranquil setting, Zipolite has a way of making people stay longer than expected.

A sleepy town with one main street and no ATMs, Zipolite is one of many tiny coastal pueblos that dot the Pacific in Mexico's Southern state of Oaxaca. Stretching from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco, the region is sometimes called the Oaxaca Riviera.

The hippie crowd discovered Zipolite in the 1960s and since then it has slowly evolved into an offbeat tourist spot popular with a certain type of visitor. Its pristine beach stretches two kilometers (1.2 miles) between two high cliffs at either end, and the crowd is fairly evenly split between middle-class Mexicans and free-wheeling liberals from across the globe. Old hippies, young adventure-seekers, and locals all mingle with a flower-child type harmony.

It feels light years away from the areas of Mexico that tourists now avoid due to drug violence. Not only has the U.S. State Department spared Oaxaca from its travel warnings about Mexico, but Zipolite in particular seems lost in time, a place where visitors think nothing of leaving their belongings unattended on the beach and backpackers sleep in hammocks strung along the coast.

Zipolite also has a few claims to fame. The climactic beach scenes in the Mexican blockbuster movie "Y Tu Mama Tambien," were filmed here. And it's gained notoriety as one of Mexico's few nude beaches, although the majority of sunbathers remain clothed. (Farther east, past an outcropping of rocks is the cove known as "Playa de Amor" where nudity is more openly practiced.)

Mike Bolli, a retiree from Vancouver, Canada, says he has been visiting the area for the last 10 years without "accident, issue or injury."

"I have only ever met the nicest and friendliest eclectic mix of locals and visitors — it's a great throwback to the '60s," Bolli said. "So it's all good and safe from my viewpoint."

Zipolite has no high-rise hotels. Many of the beachfront structures are thatched-roof palapas, umbrella-shaped huts with no walls. Brisa Marina itself started off as a wooden structure with a palm roof, but after a major fire in 2001 that destroyed 23 buildings, Weiner rebuilt it with cement.

Visitors expecting a party-all-night Cancun-like atmosphere with fishbowl-sized margaritas and waitresses in bikinis passing out shots of tequila will be disappointed. There is a night life here, but it's nothing like that. Instead, folks gather on the beach in an end-of-day ritual to watch the brilliant sunsets. Many restaurants and bars offer live music and entertainment. And the only paved road in town turns into a carnival-like scene at night, with artists and jewelry makers selling their wares, while musicians, jugglers and fire dancers perform for tips in the street.

"Zipolite after six is awesome," Bolli said, "with all the dreadlocked kids hoping to sell their creations along with a great choice of different restaurants. It's not overcrowded but you can find a crowd if you want."

Some of the most interesting diversions can found at Posada Mexico, an oceanfront restaurant. One night I watched a Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatic performance and another night I rocked out to Cainn Cruz, an amazing child guitar prodigy who brought the house down with his covers of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.

Adding to the groovy ambience is Shambhala, a spiritual retreat perched high on a hill in a bucolic setting. Tourists are welcome to hike up the resort*s stair pathway where a meditation point sits atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Shambhala advertises the "Loma de Meditacion" as a sacred location where visitors may experience a higher consciousness and oneness with nature. The center rents rustic cabins and hosts visiting artists and healers.

The name Zipolite is said to derive from indigenous languages. Some sources say it means "bumpy place," a reference to the local hills, and other sources translate it as "beach of the dead," a reference to strong ocean currents. The beach has volunteer lifeguards and areas with dangerous currents are marked with red flags.

Weiner, who has a deep tan, a working uniform of board shorts and flip-flops, and a crusty, carefree sense of humor, splits his time between California and Zipolite. He's owned his hotel since 1997 and estimates that about 50 percent of his guests are repeat customers.

"This gets us through swine flu times, protests, drug war scares, etc.," he said. "People come back knowing we are OK, and they tell their friends too."

And sometimes they have a hard time leaving. As Weiner predicted, after a few days in Zipolite, I called the airline to change my flight. I had to stay another week.

___

If You Go...

ZIPOLITE, MEXICO: Beach town in Oaxaca on the Pacific, http://mexicobeaches.net/zipolite/

GETTING THERE: The closest airports are Puerto Escondido, an hour's drive west, or Huatulco, an hour south. You can take a bus or taxi from either airport. The closest bus station is in Pochutla, 20 minutes away by taxi or shuttle.

MONEY: The closest ATM is in nearby Puerto Angel, 10 minutes by taxi. The nearest bank is in Potchutla. Most hotels will accept and/or exchange U.S. dollars or euros.

LODGING: Brisa Marina offers oceanfront rooms with balconies and hammocks as well as less expensive courtyard options. Guests can also relax on the large beachfront ramada (shaded outdoor area). Nightly rates range from 200-650 pesos ($16-$51) depending on the season, http://www.brisamarina.org . A spiritual retreat, Shambhala, offers lodging on the hill at the western end of the beach, http://shambhalavision.tripod.com/id2.html .

DINING: Zipolite is home to an impressive variety of quality restaurants with many beachfront choices, including several authentic pizzerias and trattorias, thanks to a number of Italian expats residing locally. For a romantic candlelit experience on the beach with entertainment, try the restaurant at the Posada Mexico inn. You can enjoy the entertainment without dining there by spreading your blanket on the sand nearby.

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Bus carrying Maine women's basketball team crashes north of Boston

GEORGETOWN, Mass. –  A bus carrying University of Maine women's basketball players ran off a highway north of Boston on Tuesday night, seriously injuring the driver, who police said may have had a medical episode.

State police said 22 other people on the bus, including students and athletic staff, had only minor injuries.

The driver, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken by helicopter to a Boston hospital.

The bus was southbound on Interstate 95 at about 8:30 p.m. when it crossed the median, went across the northbound lane and down an embankment into woods near Georgetown, a town of about 8,000 residents 30 miles from Boston.

Georgetown Fire Chief Al Beardsley said it was a miracle no other cars were involved.

"This is a very heavily traveled road, day and night, and for a bus that size to basically catapult across the road, I couldn't imagine being northbound and seeing that thing coming at me," Beardsley said at the scene.

The University of Maine said Coach Richard Barron was treated for minor facial cuts and three others -- players Ashleigh Roberts and Corinne Wellington, and Samantha Wheeler, the team's director of basketball operations -- were taken to a hospital for observation. The team was en route to play Boston University on Wednesday night.

"We're very thankful that this accident was not any worse than it was," Robert Dana, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said in a statement. "The thoughts of the entire University of Maine community are with the bus driver and the team as they contend with this very frightening event."

Beardsley said authorities are still investigating what caused the driver to veer off the highway, which has four lanes in each direction and a broad median. Police say their preliminary investigation indicates he had a medical issue.

The bus remained upright and appeared to have plowed through a roadside snowbank, knocked down a mile marker, and crashed into woods along the road before coming to rest pointing down an embankment.

"He hit pretty high up on the tree, you can see marks," Beardsley said.

The bus was owned by the John T. Cyr & Sons Inc. bus line of Old Town, Maine. A man who answered the phone at the company's office late Tuesday said company officials were gathering information and had notified their insurance carrier.

UMaine Athletic Director Steve Abbott told WHDH-TV in Boston that it was "quite a traumatic ride" and that although passengers were shaken up none were seriously hurt. He said the university has used the bus company extensively and found it to be a "terrific carrier."

A state police car that stopped at the scene was struck by another car. The trooper who had been driving it was taken to a hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries, police said. Police said the driver of the car was not hurt.

Earlier this month, a bus crash in Boston injured 35 people, including high school students and chaperones, from Pennsylvania. The coach slammed into a 10-foot-high overpass on Feb. 2 while returning to the Philadelphia area from a trip to Harvard University.

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Members of 1st US team to top Everest reunite

BERKELEY, Calif. –  It might be hard to conceive now, in an era of extreme sports and ultra-light equipment, but there was a time when Americans who set out to conquer mountains engaged in a pursuit that was as lonely as it was dangerous.

But four men — Norm Dyhrenfurth, 94; Jim Whittaker, 84; Tom Hornbein, 82, and Dave Dingman, 76 — remember. The leather boots that stayed wet for weeks. Oxygen canisters that weighed 15 pounds. The shrugs of indifference most of their countrymen gave a half-century ago to what it would take to get a U.S.-led mountaineering expedition to the top of Mt. Everest.

"Americans, when I first raised it, they said, 'Well, Everest, it's been done. Why do it again?'" Dyhrenfurth recalled Friday as he and three other surviving members of the 1963 expedition gathered in the San Francisco Bay area for a meeting honoring the 50th anniversary of their achievement.

The American Alpine Club is hosting lectures, film screenings, book-signings and a dinner this weekend recognizing the pioneering climbers and what their feat, captured in a Life magazine cover story, came to represent in the years after President John F. Kennedy honored the Everest team with a Rose Garden reception: the birth of mountaineering as a popular sport in the U.S.

"When they were talking about a reunion three years ago, I thought, who the hell cares about that? I figured we'd just together for some beers," Dingman said between interviews with National Geographic, Outside magazine and the Alpine Club's oral history project. "It's turned into this big event, and I'm glad it has."

Whittaker, who lives in Seattle and went on to become chief executive of outdoors outfitter Recreational Equipment Inc., was the first American to summit Everest. He and his Sherpa companion, Nawang Gombu, reached the top of the world on May 1, 1963, a decade after Great Britain's Edmund Hillary and about six weeks after another climber on the U.S. expedition, Jake Breitenbach, died in an avalanche.

Memories of how close he came to his own death on Everest — he and Gombu ran out of oxygen on the summit and had to climb up and back without water after their bottles froze — infused every day of his life since with gratitude and child-like wonder, he said.

"I think I will probably take it with me into my next life, if I have one," Whittaker said.

Three weeks after Whittaker's ascent, two other Americans, Hornbein and the late Willi Unsoeld, became the first men ever to scale Everest via a more dangerous route on the mountain's west side. The next day, they descended by the southern route that Hillary, Whittaker and by then, two more members of the American team, had taken to the summit.

The adventure, which included spending the night without sleeping bags or tents at 28,000 feet, made them the first men ever to traverse the world's highest peak — and cost Unsoeld nine frost-bitten toes.

Dingman has been lauded over the years for sacrificing his own chance to scale Everest to belay Hornbein, Unsoeld and two other climbers, Barry Bishop and Lute Jerstad, who had gotten stuck out in the open with them, back down to base camp.

Dingman never made it back to Everest. As a doctor in training, a Vietnam War draftee and then a physician with a young family, he never could find the time to make the trip. He said he had no regrets then and has none now.

"It would have made no difference to get two more people on to the summit, but if we had lost two or three people on the way down that would have been a very different story," he said.

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Suspect in Guam crash, stabbing pleads not guilty

Published February 27, 2013

Associated Press

A man whom authorities say killed three people in a crash and stabbing rampage in a Guam tourist district has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness.

Spokeswoman Carlina Charfauros (CHAR'-fer-us) of the Guam attorney general's office said 21-year-old Chad Ryan DeSoto entered the plea during a hearing Wednesday local time.

Charfauros says Superior Court Magistrate Judge Alberto Tolentino ordered a psychiatric evaluation to be completed within 10 days. A hearing is set for March 20.

DeSoto is accused of driving onto a sidewalk and striking seven tourists in an upscale shopping area fronting the Outrigger Guam Resort in Tumon Bay. Authorities say he crashed his car into the wall of a convenience store, then got out and started stabbing people.

Three Japanese tourists were killed in the incident.

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Suicide bomber attacks Afghan army bus; 7 wounded

KABUL, Afghanistan –  A suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan soldiers to work in the capital early Wednesday, wounding seven people in an explosion that engulfed the undercarriage of the bus in flames, officials and witnesses said.

The attack comes three days after a would-be car bomber was shot dead by police in downtown Kabul. That assailant was driving a vehicle packed with explosives and officials said he appeared to be targeting an intelligence agency office nearby.

Wednesday's attacker was on foot. He wore a black overcoat and carried an umbrella as he crossed the snowy street toward the bus, said Ahmad Shakib, who was waiting on the opposite side of the street for a car from his office to take him in to work. The Afghan government uses buses to ferry soldiers, police and office workers into the center city for work every day. These vehicles, which run regular routes, have been a common target for insurgents.

The attacker set down his umbrella in the middle of the road as he approached the bus, then lay down next to the bus and pushed himself underneath, Shakib said.

"I thought to myself, 'What is this crazy man doing? And then there was a blast and flames,'" Shakib said.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message to The Associated Press.

The early morning blast in western Kabul wounded six soldiers and one civilian, the Kabul police chief's office said in a statement. Spokesmen for the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry said no one was killed in the blast.

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NASCAR fans injured in Daytona crash consider lawsuits

ORLANDO, Fla. –  The attorney for three NASCAR fans injured last weekend during a race the day before the Daytona 500 says they are exploring a possible lawsuit, but some experts say they could face tough obstacles in winning damages.

Matt Morgan, the Orlando-based lawyer for the fans, said at a news conference Tuesday than any suit would focus on the safety fence used along the track at Daytona International Speedway. He said he hopes to reach a settlement with NASCAR to avoid a lawsuit.

More than 30 people were injured last Saturday after a horrific wreck in a second-tier NASCAR series race sent chunks of debris, including a heavy tire, into the stands. Morgan declined to provide the identities of his clients, but said two of them were seated directly in front of the crash and sustained injuries ranging from a fractured fibula to abdominal swelling. All have been released from the hospital.

Some experts say there could be grounds for a lawsuit, and that courts have looked past liability waivers written on the backs of sporting event tickets. Others maintain the ticket is a legal contract that could be hard to overcome in court.

"Ultimately, I believe it would be gross negligence," Morgan said. "We all know that when you go to a race you assume a certain amount of risk. But what people don't assume is that a race car will come flying into the stands... That's why they make the fences."

Asked to comment on the fans' retention of a law firm, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon wrote in a statement, "We are unaware of any lawsuits filed."

Daytona International Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corp., a NASCAR sister company. Spokesman Andrew Booth said, "As per company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation."

Donnalynn Darling, a New York-based attorney who has been practicing personal injury law for 30 years, said there is a theory that a spectator who buys tickets to a sporting event assumes the risk of objects coming out of the field of play, such as a foul ball at a baseball game.

But she said there is also a foreseeable risk question that promoters of events also accept.

"Did the sporting event promoter take action to prevent that specific risk?" Darling asked. "In terms of this fence...it was put up to prevent people from being hurt. You have people who were not only injured by falling debris, but by the failure of the fence."

Others say such restrictive clauses on the back of tickets are generally disfavored by Florida courts.

"If it's just something written on the back of the ticket and not called to the attention of the person purchasing, there's reason to believe many courts in Florida won't hold that they consented efficiently," said University of Florida emeritus law professor Joseph Little.

Still, Paul Huck, an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, said contract law could take precedence.

"A ticket to one of these events is like a contract -- and its provisions limiting liability are generally enforceable," he said. "We enter into these types of contracts on a regular basis, and we often don't give it a second thought that we may be limiting or even giving up certain legal rights when we do so."

Darling also said that the fence's manufacturer at Daytona would likely be "very much responsible" because of it being foreseeable that debris could go through a fence that has holes in it.

That seems to be theory that Morgan is adopting. He referenced a 2009 crash at NASCAR's racetrack in Talladega, Ala. in which a car that launched into the catch fence sent debris into the stands and injured several fans.

"At that point in time a group of engineers got together and they said `It's time for us to manufacture a safer fence,"' Morgan said. "To my knowledge, that was done. But what we have to investigate at this point in time is what was done...If you can ever point to monetary considerations being put ahead of people, then there's a big problem."

Darling predicted that NASCAR would try to settle with the injured fans.

NASCAR "had an obligation to protect the fans that are so loyal, and it is bad from a public relations standpoint," Darling said. "So they're going to do something."

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Court tosses suit over cashless flight policy

Published February 25, 2013

Associated Press

• 

NEWARK, N.J. –  A New Jersey court has thrown out a lawsuit that claimed an airline was at fault for not accepting cash on its flights.

Michael Rosen sued Continental Airlines after he was unable to buy a set of headphones or alcohol using cash on a flight from Honolulu to Newark in 2010.

He sued for breach of contract, unlawful discrimination against low-income people who don't possess credit cards and violation of New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.

A lower court judge dismissed the case and Rosen appealed.

In Monday's appeals court ruling, the three-judge panel concluded that federal airline deregulation law pre-empts claims under state law.

It also ruled Rosen didn't have standing to bring a class action on behalf of low-income people.

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Williams scores 33, Lopez 20 as Nets snap 2-game skid with 101-97 win over Hornets

NEW ORLEANS –  Deron Williams snapped out of a lackluster second half in time to save the Brooklyn Nets from a painful collapse.

One game after coming up empty in the final minutes of a close loss to Memphis, Williams scored for 11 of his 31 points in the final 1:24 in New Orleans, and the Nets snapped a two-game skid by holding off the Hornets, 101-97 on Tuesday night.

"I especially wanted to step up after how the last game went down the stretch for me personally," Williams said. "It feels good to get it going, especially down the stretch and be able to close out a game. It's something I've kind of struggled with this year and I was really successful at it most of my career, so it feels good to be able to finally have a game like that."

Williams was coming off a game against the Grizzlies in which he went scoreless during the last six minutes, with one shot blocked and a turnover with 10.9 seconds left with his team trailing 74-72.

After scoring 20 points in the first half in New Orleans, Williams had only one basket during the next 22:36 as the Hornets nearly erased a deficit that had been as large as 22. Then Williams drained a timely 3, added a fadeaway jumper, and followed that with six free throws in the final 18.7 seconds to seal it.

"He played a great game. That's why he's an All-Star," Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo said. "When he plays like that, we are hard to beat."

It was a timely performance as well. Joe Johnson missed his third straight game with a sore left heel after going through warm-ups with the hope of coming back. Brooklyn had lost its last two without him.

"We thought he was going to go tonight until right before the game," Williams said. "So that was kind of a blow and I just wanted to be there for my team."

Brook Lopez added 20 points and four blocks while playing against his twin brother, Robin, and Keith Bogans added 12 points for Brooklyn, hitting all four of his shots, including three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Williams made four of his eight 3-point attempts, and the Nets shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from long range as a team.

Greivis Vasquez scored 20 and Robin Lopez 14 for New Orleans, which has lost four of five.

"They just kind of jumped on us early," Robin Lopez said. "It was a combination of their aggressiveness and they hit a few jumpers."

The Nets hit seven of their first nine shots in racing to a 17-8 lead. By the end of the opening quarter, Williams had 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and Brooklyn led 31-20.

"That is unacceptable," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "We have to bring the energy and effort because we don't have high-level talent at every position. We just didn't have it in the first quarter."

The lead grew to 51-29 on Williams' free throws with 4:36 left in the second quarter. Then Eric Gordon, who had 10 points, made a jumper and layup in succession, helping the Hornets close the quarter on a 12-6 run to cut their deficit to 57-41 at halftime.

New Orleans was still down by 18 early in the third quarter, but later used an 8-0 run ignited by Robin Lopez's putback and Anthony Davis' layup to get as close as 66-59 in the period, and trailed only 73-65 heading into the final quarter after Jason Smith's fast-break layup in the final second.

Smith's jumper had New Orleans as close as 84-80 with more than five minutes still to go, but Lopez and Williams began to take over again, scoring the rest of the Nets' points and briefly building the lead back to nine inside the final two minutes.

"It's definitely good to get a win like this, but I try not to put too much stock into one game," Brook Lopez said.

The Hornets cut it to three three times inside the final half-minute, with Ryan Anderson, who scored 13 points, hitting a 3 and a tough turnaround, and Vasquez adding a 3.

Each time, however, Williams responded with free throws to keep New Orleans at bay.

NOTES: Davis left the game late in the third quarter with a left shoulder injury. Hornets officials said he was available to return to the game and he remained on the bench, but Williams said he chose not to play him again. ... Brooklyn's C.J. Watson, who started for Johnson, had 10 points. ... This was the first meeting between the teams this season, with the second coming March 12, the day after the Hornets' Davis turns 20. ... The Hornets had won their previous four at home against the Nets. ... Brooklyn improved to 14-12 on the road, while the Hornets fell to 10-18 at home.

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National Hockey League Game Capsules

Toronto, ON –  Braden Holtby stopped all 33 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season, as Washington took down Carolina, 3-0, at Verizon Center. Nicklas Backstrom, John Erskine and John Carlson lit the lamp once each for the Capitals, who have won five of their last seven thanks to a season high in shots on net. Cam Ward made 37 saves in defeat for the Hurricanes, who have lost four of five. Former Capital forward Alex Semin made his return to America's capital and was a minus-one with four shots on net in more than 21 minutes of ice time.

Final Score: Dallas 5, Columbus 4 (OT)

Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Loui Eriksson scored with 1:57 to play in overtime as the Dallas Stars took a 5-4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. In the extra session, Dallas' Brenden Dillon sent a pass from the high slot off the right boards where Derek Roy one-timed it on net. The shot wasstopped, but Eriksson was able to reach the puck and tuck it in past the right pad of Sergei Bobrovsky for the win. Cody Eakin, Antoine Roussel and Roy each had a goal and an assist, while Brenden Morrow also scored for the Stars, who had lost four of six coming into the game. Richard Bachman made 16 stops in the win. Nikita Nikitin, Cam Atkinson, Derek Dorsett and R.J. Umberger all scored for the Blue Jackets, who have lost three straight and six of seven overall. Bobrovsky stopped 34 shots in the loss.

Final Score: Winnipeg 4, NY Rangers 3

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Evander Kane and Olli Jokinen each scored a pair of goals as the Winnipeg Jets continued the New York Rangers' recent struggles with a 4-3 victory at Madison Square Garden. Kane added an assist, while both Anthony Peluso and Ron Hainsey came up with a pair of helpers to help the Jets close out a successful five-game road trip with a 4-1-0 record. Winnipeg also used a three-goal second period and a solid 30-save effort from Ondrej Pavelec to prevail and deal the reeling Rangers a fourth consecutive defeat (0-3-1). Anton Stralman registered a goal and an assist for New York, which also received goals from Ryan Callahan and Taylor Pyatt. Henrik Lundqvist came up with 28 saves in the setback.

Final Score: Boston 4, NY Islanders 1

Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - Brad Marchand and David Krejci tallied in the second period, as Boston downed the New York Islanders, 4-1, at Nassau Coliseum. Adam McQuaid scored in the first period and Gregory Campbell added a late marker for the Bruins, winners of four straight contests and seven of their last nine. Tuukka Rask made 36 saves, as Boston concluded a five-game road trip at 4-1-0. Casey Cizikas provided the sole offense for the Islanders, who have lost two in a row and four of six. Evgeni Nabokov yielded three goals on 33 shots in the setback.

Final Score: Buffalo 2, Tampa Bay 1

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Tyler Myers scored the game-winner less than a minute into the third period to help Buffalo Sabres interim head coach Ron Rolston earn his first NHL victory with a 2-1 decision over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rolston, who replaced long-time Buffalo bench boss Lindy Ruff, had led the Sabres to back-to-back losses, but got 30 saves from Ryan Miller on Tuesday, as Buffalo snapped a four-game skid. Cody Hodgson added a goal and an assist, while Thomas Vanek finished with a pair of helpers in the victory. Steven Stamkos extended his goal-streak to six games with his 14th tally of the season, but it wasn't enough, as Mathieu Garon gave up two goals on 21 shots in Tampa Bay's second consecutive setback.

Final Score: Florida 6, Pittsburgh 4

Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) - Tomas Kopecky notched the first hat trick of his career and the Florida Panthers hung on for a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Tomas Fleischmann scored the winner in the third period and added two assists and Brian Campbell also had a goal and two assists for the Panthers, who blew a 4-1 lead but survived to win for just the second time in their past nine games. Chris Kunitz and James Neal each posted a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who had won five of six coming in but faltered without Evgeni Malkin, who was placed on injured reserve Monday with a concussion. Neither starting goaltender survived the game as Jose Theodore was pulled after the second period for giving up four goals on 19 shots for Florida, while Tomas Vokoun was yanked by Pittsburgh halfway through the second period for allowing four goals on 22 shots. Scott Clemmensen stopped all 15 shots he faced in the third for the win, while Marc-Andre Fleury allowed one goal on 13 shots in the loss.

Final Score: Minnesota 2, Calgary 1 (OT)

St. Paul, MN (Sports Network) - Zach Parise scored a power-play goal 27 seconds into overtime to cap a late Minnesota rally that lifted the Wild to a 2-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames at the XCel Energy Center. The Wild trailed 1-0 until Jason Zucker found the back of the net with 4:19 remaining in regulation, while Niklas Backstrom stopped 20-of-21 shots to help Minnesota avenge a 3-1 loss to the Flames in Calgary on Saturday. Alex Tanguay potted the lone goal for the Flames, who were seeking their first three-game win streak of the season, with Joey MacDonald coming up with 28 saves in defeat. MacDonald, who turned back 30 shots in Saturday's victory over the Wild, was up to the task for the majority of this one as well. The Calgary netminder recorded 20 saves over the first two periods, enabling his team to carry a 1-0 edge deep into the final frame.

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James finishes with 40, Wade 39 and Heat win 12th straight, top Kings 141-129 in 2OT

MIAMI –  Heat coach Erik Spoelstra summed up the efforts of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in three words: "Video game numbers," he said.

Both put up monster stat lines.

And the Miami Heat needed them.

James scored 40 points and added a career-high 16 assists, Wade had 39 points, and the Heat pushed their winning streak to 12 games by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 141-129 in double overtime on Tuesday night.

"Some great stat lines tonight," James said. "But I'm happy I was able to do what I did and help our team win."

Great stat lines might be calling it an understatement. Consider:

— A season high in scoring for James, who capped off the best shooting month of his career.

— A season high in scoring for Wade, who tied a career best with 19 field goals.

— A 36-point night for the Kings' Marcus Thornton, the most by any non-starter in the NBA this season.

— The 141 points tied a Heat franchise record, set in 1991.

— Add James' assists to the mix, and he put up the NBA's first night of at least 40 points and 16 assists since April 1994. The man who did it then? None other than Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson, now, ironically enough, the mayor of Sacramento. And for February, James finished 139 for 217 from the floor, that 64.1 percent clip the best of his career for any month.

"It was a great atmosphere," said Thornton, who made 11 of 18 shots, including 8 of 12 from 3-point range. "To be able to take that team to two overtimes just shows the testament of us growing. A team like that — championship team — they play great together. Obviously I hate losing but it was a great effort by us."

Ray Allen added 21, Chris Bosh finished with 15 and Chris Andersen had 10 for the Heat, who remained six games clear of second-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.

Miami's 12-game winning streak is the longest in the NBA and matches the second-longest in franchise history.

Tyreke Evans scored 26 points for Sacramento. DeMarcus Cousins finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, John Salmons added 15 and Isaiah Thomas 14 for the Kings, who lost their sixth straight.

"They've got a couple of guys that can turn the notch up pretty quickly," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "LeBron and Dwyane played an incredible game. It took a Superman-type game from both of those guys."

Smart said before the game that sometimes "great teams get a little bored with the regular season and they need something to get them going."

The Heat didn't seem to be bored by the second overtime.

After a late non-call that James wanted, he simply seemed mad.

James scored inside to open the second extra session, yelling "and one" at referees as his way of insisting he was fouled as well. But after one sensational sequence, the game was pretty much sealed.

Thornton had a chance to give the Kings the lead after a Heat turnover, but his shot at the rim was blocked by Wade, who came down and set up James for a 3-pointer — a five-point swing, in essence, and the Heat had a 131-127 lead. James scored again, then added two free throws and found Bosh for a dunk and 10-point lead with 1:29 remaining.

"It's tough but this is a loss I consider a good loss," Cousins said. "Our effort tonight was incredible. We come out and play like that every night, we can beat a lot of teams."

Sacramento fell to 1-17 against Miami since March 2004.

James was perfect in the second overtime: 3-for-3 from the field, 4-for-4 from the line. He had more points (11-5), rebounds (3-0), and assists (3-1) in the final five minutes than the Kings had combined.

"No matter what their record is, they made plays just like us. They gave everything they had and more," James said.

The Heat missed key free throws late in both regulation and the first overtime — Wade missing a pair with 21 seconds left in the fourth, and James missed one of two with 29.3 seconds left in the opening extra session.

Those two free throws were the only ones Wade was awarded all night.

"I knew we came out a little flat and they came out so free," Wade said. "So I told myself to be a little aggressive and kept us afloat a little bit. And in the overtime, LeBron got going a little bit. We kept going to him and he delivered."

In the first OT, the Kings had a chance for the late lead and potentially the win, but Thomas had a layup blocked by Bosh, and Allen grabbed the rebound for the Heat with 5.7 seconds left.

Miami put the ball in Wade's hands, and he found James near the basket. James' shot missed, and he complained he was fouled by Salmons on the attempt. Referees disagreed with that, but after a lengthy review to determine possession, they awarded Miami the ball with 0.4 seconds remaining. It was much ado for nothing, as Bosh's shot sailed long and the teams went to double overtime.

The game was tied at 92 midway through the fourth before Wade — with six points and an assist — led a 13-4 run that looked like it would give Miami breathing room. Miami was up 105-96, and still led 112-104 when James scored with 1:40 remaining.

Sacramento roared back, scoring the final eight points of regulation. Thornton hit a pair of 3-pointers, the second coming with 23 seconds left to get the Kings within 112-110. And after Wade missed a pair of free throws, Cousins grabbed an offensive rebound and laid it back with 8.5 seconds remaining to knot the game at 112-all.

Out of a timeout, the Heat went to Wade, whose step-back 20-footer bounced off the rim as time expired, sending it to overtime.

They were just getting started. And when it was over, the Heat streak survived.

"We're coming together," James said. "We're doing it the right way. We're executing offensively. We're sharing the ball. And we're not getting rattled. We've been in some crazy games. We just stay the course and figure out a way to get the victory."

NOTES: Miami finished February with a 12-1 record, with the one loss to start the month. ... The Heat have allowed 68 third-quarter points in their last two games, both at home. They gave up 67 third-quarter points in their previous three games, all on the road. ... One day after celebrating his 24th birthday, Kings G Jimmer Fredette did not play. ... The Heat played without F Shane Battier, sidelined by right hamstring tightness. He's day-to-day.

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Parties may struggle to form government in Italy

ROME –  A center-left group of parties appears to have the best shot at forming a coalition government in Italy after an inconclusive national election, but the challenge is steep and comes amid public anger over austerity measures.

If Italian parties fail to form a governing coalition, new elections would be required, causing more uncertainty and a leadership vacuum, and that possibility has rattled financial markets across Europe.

Pier Luigi Bersani and his center-left allies appeared on Tuesday to have won a narrow victory in the lower house of parliament, while the Senate looks split with no party in control. Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian premier whose center-right coalition did better than expected, is a key player since his coalition is now the second-biggest bloc in the upper chamber.

Comic-turned-political leader Beppe Grillo, whose 5 Star Movement capitalized on a wave of voter disgust with the ruling political class, had a surprisingly strong showing. His bloc of seats in Parliament could prove crucial in making any coalition government viable.

The two-day election on Sunday and Monday also was a clear rejection of the previous technocratic government led by Mario Monti. That government enacted wide-ranging reforms to the budget and the economy. Though its borrowing rates have fallen in financial markets, the cost to Italians has been high, with Italy mired in recession and unemployment on the rise.

Berlusconi has already ruled out an alliance with Monti, his predecessor, whom he blamed for driving Italy deeper into recession.

On Tuesday, a few seats in Parliament based on Italians' voting abroad still remained to be decided, but their numbers won't ease the gridlock. European leaders pleaded with politicians in Italy to quickly form a government to continue to enact reforms to lower Italy's critically high debt and spare Europe another spike in its four-year financial crisis.

Bersani said he was not opening talks with any potential partners until he submits his program to Italy's president, who taps a candidate to form a government.

Stinging from a loss of some 4 million votes compared to the last election in 2008, Bersani hasn't yet identified who he could try to form alliances with. But top officials in his Democratic Left (PD) party were quick to rule out any deal with Berlusconi.

"As far as I go, absolutely not," Stefano Fassina, a PD official, said of a possible Bersani-Berlusconi alliance.

Italy's FTSE MIB index closed trading Tuesday 4.89 percent lower at 15,731, having earlier been nearly 5 percent down. Some of its banking stocks were briefly suspended after precipitous falls at the bell.

Whether Tuesday's negative market reaction extends further into the week may hinge on how quickly a solution is reached in Italy.

Berlusconi insisted that a government can be formed and called on Italians to ignore the "crazy" markets.

"Markets go their own way. They are independent and also a little crazy," he said, adding that a government can be cobbled together, if rival politicians are willing to "make some sacrifices."

Grillo said his forces would seek to thwart any Bersani-Berlusconi deal. Raising the specter of early elections, he predicted any such coalition will "last seven, eight months. The economy won't let them escape."

Bersani himself later made subtle overture toward Grillo's forces, conceding that the center-left campaign had not gone deep enough for change. "We finished first, without winning," he conceded.

Italy is hugely important for the future of the euro, and its apparent stability over the past six months has been one of the reasons that concerns over the currency have eased. Of the 17 European Union countries that use the euro, Italy has the second-highest debt burden as a proportion of its gross domestic product, at 127 percent.

Only Greece's is higher. Italy has to spend around €80 billion a year just to service its debt.

The worry across financial markets is that Italy's appetite for reform may wane and its debt situation may deteriorate.

Though Italy's annual borrowing — its budget deficit — is relatively small compared with other euro countries at 3 percent of its annual gross domestic product, its overall debt stands at a colossal €2 trillion.

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Conan O'Brien to headline White House correspondents dinner

Conan O'Brien is taking his talents to D.C.

The Emmy award-winning late-night host and comedian was announced Wednesday as the headliner for the White House Correspondents Association dinner in April.

Association president Ed Henry said he's "thrilled" that O'Brien accepted the invite.

"Conan is one of television's most innovative and influential talents and I am absolutely thrilled that he has agreed to be this year's featured act," said Henry, who is also Fox News' White House correspondent. "As social media has changed all aspects of the media business, Conan has embraced this shifting landscape to become a creative force both online as well as in the traditional television model."

The comedian's appearance at the April 27 dinner marks a long-awaited return to the capital.

He performed at the 1995 correspondents dinner, just when he was beginning his 16-year run as host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

His career took several sharp turns as he transitioned out of "Late Night." He briefly took over "The Tonight Show," but later gave the slot back to Jay Leno and ultimately launched a new show, "Conan," on TBS.

Proceeds from the dinner help fund more than $100,000 in scholarships. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will also attend, as they have in prior years.

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Rubio PAC offers official water bottles after viral 'water break'

Sen. Marco Rubio is cashing in on his now infamous "water break" during the Republican Response to the State of the Union address.

Rubio's PAC, Reclaim America, is sending Marco Rubio water bottles to supporters who donate $25 or more to the cause -- urging them to "send liberal detractors a message that not only does Marco Rubio inspire you ... he hydrates you too."

The Florida Republican tweeted to followers a link to purchase the bottle with "RUBIO" in bold red letters on the side with a message, "Quench your thirst for conservative leadership? Order a bottle."

Quickly after the sip that went viral, Rubio made light of the situation by tweeting a photo of the water bottle in question and joking that next time he will use a straw. After picking up thousands of new followers on twitter, he tweeted "I'm going to start drinking #water in the middle of all of my speeches!"

The parched senator brought his own water bottle and stayed hydrated during his "Fox & Friends" interview the morning after "water-gate." He explained that it was a long day and his mouth was really dry after taping the 18-minute Spanish-language response. He said, "I figured I'm better off just taking that water and taking the hit for it than being unable to pronounce my words at the end of it."

The PAC supports candidates "just like him all across the country." Previous beneficiaries have been Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and former Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

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Rep. Collins: President’s answer to sequestration is like ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

By Lucas Tomlinson

Reminding viewers of John Hughes's 1986 classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and Ben Stein's famous classroom roll call, "Bueller... Bueller... Bueller," Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., said the president's only answer to the country's fiscal crisis is "Taxes... Taxes... Taxes."

On "Power Play with Chris Stirewalt" Collins said the president is to blame for first creating and then failing to avert the automatic reductions to increases in federal spending set to begin Friday. Collins would like to see the president "stop the road show...and travel a little over one mile to Harry Reid's office and say 'Let's get something done here.'"

When asked about the expiration of legislation funding the government in lieu of a budget on March 27, Collins said he favors preserving spending rates in the so called "sequester" because "we cannot continue the spending levels we are on."

Collins did not sound optimistic about the president helping Congress solve the sequestration issue. "This president is out of touch with reality if he doesn't think we have to deal with spending."

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Gortat hits big shots in regulation and overtime to lead Suns to 84-83 win over Timberwolves

Published February 27, 2013

Associated Press

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  Minnesota Timberwolves' Luke Ridnour (13) passes between Phoenix Suns' Jared Dudley, left, and Marcin Gortat, of Poland, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)The Associated Press

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  Minnesota Timberwolves' Andrei Kirilenko, bottom, of Russia, falls into Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Michael Chow) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALESThe Associated Press

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  Minnesota Timberwolves' Derrick Williams (7) dunks over Phoenix Suns' Wesley Johnson (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)The Associated Press

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  Minnesota Timberwolves' Nikola Pekovic (14), of Montenegro, drives between Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris (11) and Jermaine O'Neal during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)The Associated Press

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  Minnesota Timberwolves' Luke Ridnour (13) passes against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)The Associated Press

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PHOENIX –  Marcin Gortat hit big shots at the end of regulation and overtime, helping the Phoenix Suns end a three-game losing streak with an 84-83 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Gortat hit a runner with 13 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime and scored on a hard drive with 45 seconds left in the extra period.

Derrick Williams followed with a 3-pointer that cut Phoenix's lead to 84-83 and Nikola Pekovic blocked Wesley Johnson's runner at the other end to give the Timberwolves a shot. Alexey Shved got a good look, but his layup rolled off the rim.

Gortat, Johnson and Markieff Morris had 14 points apiece. Jermaine O'Neal added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, who ended a four-game home losing streak.

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California couple missing in Peru reportedly spotted in remote village

A California couple that vanished while on a biking trip in Peru and were feared kidnapped have reportedly been spotted in a remote village. 

Garrett Hand and Jamie Neal were last heard from Jan. 25 while traveling from the highlands city of Cuzco to Lima, but U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Leslie Goodman said Tuesday that Peruvian police say the two had been spotted in the Amazon.

Reuters reports Peru's tourism ministry issued a separate statement Tuesday, saying, "the American tourists are continuing to enjoy their trip in the Peruvian Amazon" and were safely on their way by river boat north to the border with Ecuador.

National police spokeswoman Betty Lazo tells the Associated Press she was told by the hostel manager in the jungle city of Iquitos that the two departed on a boat trip on the Napo river.

However, Hand's mother says that until the family has "proof of life" they will not stop their search. 

"Proof of life is my son's voice on the phone and a picture of him holding the missing poster," Francine Fitzgerald said in a statement. 

Fitzgerlad said she was told a plane was being sent to meet the couple but that she was given few other details of their whereabouts or well-being.

Hand and Neal left for Peru in December and were said to have vanished while en route to Lima
from Cusco, an area where U.S. citizens have been warned by the embassy of kidnapping risks.

"The information told to me is that they are on a boat on the river and that they are sending a plane to find them.  I am told to expect information by tomorrow sometime," Fitzgerald's statement reads. "While I appreciate the extraordinary efforts of the media, the U.S. and Peruvian governments, until I hear from and see my son directly, we will not stop." 

 Friends and family have said they were worried the pair had been abducted and that their bank accounts had remained idle since they went missing.

Reuters reports Peru's ministry of tourism said in its statement that the couple were in good health and surprised to learn that they had been reported as missing.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Waiters scores 25 as Cavaliers stop 11-game slide against Bulls with 101-98 victory

CHICAGO –  Dion Waiters scored on jumpers, turnarounds and an assortment of moves in the lane. Shaun Livingston made a couple of a big plays in a rare start, and Wayne Ellington provided some scoring punch when the reserves were in the game.

Even without Kyrie Irving, the improving Cleveland Cavaliers had too much talent for the banged-up Chicago Bulls.

Waiters scored 25 points, Livingston added 15 in the same state where he starred in high school and the Cavs held on for a 101-98 victory on Tuesday night that snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Bulls.

"Without Kyrie, we knew it was going to be tough, period," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. "But I thought guys stepped up big time."

While Irving rested a sore right knee in street clothes on the sideline, Waiters converted a fadeaway jumper and a layup before Tyler Zeller drove along the baseline for a layup that helped Cleveland open an 87-78 lead with 7:33 left in the game.

The Bulls were down two when they got the ball back with 37.8 seconds left, but Luol Deng missed a long jumper and Livingston hit two free throws to make it 100-96. Luke Walton then forced a turnover to get the ball back for the Cavs.

Ellington finished with 13 points as Cleveland held on for its third win in the last four games, bouncing back from a difficult 109-105 loss at Miami on Sunday.

"We've been playing some very solid basketball last month, month-and-a-half," Walton said. "We still struggle down the stretch once in a while, here and there. But we're grinding and we're learning and we're definitely a much better team right now than we were at the beginning of the season."

Carlos Boozer scored 27 points and Deng had 26 for Chicago, which has dropped five of seven. Kirk Hinrich returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive games with a lingering right elbow issue and finished with 11 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.

"Until we get the level of intensity up and play with high energy on both ends of the floor, play for 48 minutes, the results are not going to be good," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "You get what you deserve in this league and we're getting what we deserve right now, so until we change that we're going to have problems."

The Bulls played their first game of the season without reserve forward Taj Gibson, who sprained his left knee when he stepped on the foot of Oklahoma City guard Reggie Jackson in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 102-72 loss to the Thunder. Gibson is expected to miss at least two weeks in another devastating injury for Chicago.

Derrick Rose has missed the entire season while he recovers from major left knee surgery, and Hinrich also has missed a bunch of games due to a myriad of injuries.

"We have to find a way," said Bulls center Joakim Noah, who has been playing with a right foot injury. "We have to play with more urgency and play together. I think that is disappointing right now. It's been a long stretch where we haven't been playing great basketball."

Alonzo Gee finished with 11 points for the Cavaliers, who open a five-game homestand against Toronto on Wednesday. Tristan Thompson added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Chicago and Cleveland handed the lead back and forth for much of the third quarter. Three consecutive charging calls on the Bulls helped the Cavaliers open a 72-67 advantage on Walton's long jumper with two minutes left in the period, but Noah found Deng inside to help Chicago get within one.

The Bulls had a chance to go in front in the final seconds of the third, but Marco Belinelli's 3-point attempt was blocked by Livingston, and Ellington hit a 3 as time expired to lift Cleveland to a 75-71 lead.

Waiters was 10 for 16 from the field and is averaging 19.8 points in his last five games. The rookie, who was the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, had 26 points in the loss to Miami.

"Just being patient, letting the game come to me, and just taking what the defense gives me," Waiters said. "That's what I'm trying to do is just be aggressive, looking to attack, keep the defense on their heels."

NOTES: Rose and Irving have never faced each other in an NBA game. "Well, I think we're all looking forward to that," Scott said. "My greatest hope is that No. 1 that Derrick Rose comes back and he's back to being the old Derrick Rose. If that happens and they get a chance to go against each other, I think that would be very interesting." ... Livingston played his prep ball at Peoria Central H.S. ... Chicago's 115-86 win at Cleveland on Nov. 2 is the worst loss of the season for the Cavaliers.

___

Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap

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Are your hot air balloon travel excursions safe?

The tragic hot air balloon accident in Egypt that killed at least 19 people and injured two others has thrust the safety of hot air balloons into the international spotlight and has shaken the public's trust of tour operators.

While hot air balloon accidents rare, accidents like the one in Eqypt have resulted in a number of fiery deaths over the years.

In August 2012 six people were killed and 26 injured when a hot air caught fire and crashed near the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. Earlier that year, a hot air balloon struck power lines near Carterton, New Zealand and exploded, killing all 11 people on board. And in 2009 four Dutch tourists were killed in Guangxi, China, after pilots lost control and their hot air balloon burst into flames and crashed.

“Most of the time balloon accidents are not fatal. Most of the time they’re high wind incidents resulting in broken arm or leg,” Michael Gerred, the president of balloon operator Light Flight in Maryland, told FoxNew.com.

Initial reports from Egypt say the accident occurred after a cable got caught around a helium tube while the balloon was landing. A fire erupted, according to an investigator with Egypt’s state prosecutor's office, which caused the balloon to shoot up in the air in a fiery ball and then plunge some 1,000 feet to the ground.

While it’s too early to say who’s at fault, some industry experts caution that in countries like Egypt and Burma where hot balloon rides over the ancient temples and rivers are the cornerstone of the tourist trade, highly experienced pilots from the U.K. or the U.S. are increasingly being replaced by locals who may not have the same level of experience.

There are no international standards that regulate the ballooning industry, and tour companies must adhere only to safety regulations imposed by each country. In developing countries, the regulations are more lax than those in the U.S. or the U.K., although most large operators follow the stricter U.S. and U.K. safety guidelines.

But if you’re considering a hot air balloon excursion, how do you know if a company you’re booking is trustworthy or not?

Gerred says one of the biggest obstacles when booking a hot air balloon trip overseas is finding the tour company’s safety record and information about the pilots.“To find the level of experience is next to impossible. The best thing to do is go through a reputable company.”

Austin-Lehman Adventures owner and founder Dan Austin says one thing you can do is to look for a fully insured tour operator. They must have a crisis management plan for emergency scenarios–and practice it regularly—a requirement for the top insurance company.

If you’re booking a hot air balloon excursion in the U.S. finding information about an outfit or pilot is much easier. The Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses and regulates all balloon pilots, has a database which enables users to look up pilots by name. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board keeps accident records that are available to the public.

Austin says to start your research by first creating a short list of potential tour operators. “Google is your friend. Pour through your travel magazines. They often list the ‘best of the best’ in special annual editions. Look for them online.”

Gerred says not to be afraid to pick up and phone and ask the company about its safety record and if it ever had an accident. He advises looking for a company that has multiple pilots who’ve had five or more years’ experience.

Some good questions to ask are:

How long they’ve been in business.

Do they run their own tours or outsource them to others?

What is the average group size (there are regulations on the amount of people you can have in the basket at one time)?

Do they own their own equipment or rent it?

Also ask them to give you referrals, and find out about deposit and cancellation policies.

Austin says the key is to track all interactions. ”If a company fails to get back to you in a timely manner and/or answer your questions accurately and thoroughly, do you really want to trust your vacation to them?” Bottom line, they should handle their customers like their business.

And one final bit of advice, consider a good travel insurance plan. While situations beyond your control do arise, making sure you have access to a medical evacuation if you need it will give you peace of mind.

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Plan your spring break: The Caribbean A to Z

It’s time to get your spring break plans in order, and if you’re looking for some fun in the sun, the Caribbean is a prime destination. But with thousands of islands (although only a few dozen are inhabited) to choose from, that doesn’t narrow things down much. That’s why we at Oyster have created an A to Z (well, actually, an A to V) guide to the Caribbean, so choosing your island and resort will be a piece of cake. First stop: Anguilla.

Anacaona Boutique Hotel, Anguilla

The boutique Anacaona has two pools.
 

Anguilla is a tiny British territory that covers fewer than 40 square miles and is a popular spot for couples and celebs (Sofia Vergara went on a girls’ trip to the island) due to its small size and upscale vibe. Visitors must either fly to St. Martin and take a short ferry to the island, or fly in directly (by way of a small seaplane) from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thus, getting to the island can be pricey. So once you’re there, we’d recommend staying at the boutique Anacaona in the island’s West End. Though its not quite as luxe as the CuisinArt or Viceroy, it offers access to the same gorgeous white-sand beach as the neighboring Viceroy – through an off-property path — as well as to the nearby Greg Norman’s golf course and a few restaurants, and it’s prices are considerably lower. With two small pools, a great restaurant serving Caribbean fare with a twist, and a massage hut on the beach, the hotel is a good pick for value.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino

The Hyatt boasts beautiful landscaping.
 

Aruba is often considered the top gaming destination in the Caribbean, so if you’re looking to gamble, it’s a great spot to visit. Even if you already have your spring break destination picked out, Aruba sits outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt, making it a nice spot to visit year-round.  One of the nicest resorts on the island, the Hyatt Regency not only boasts a large casino, but also has plenty to offer families and couples as well, with water sports, a playground, and a luxe spa.

Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbor, Bahamas

Old Bahama Bay Resort sits on one of the nicest stretches of sand on the island.

An English-speaking archipelago that begins about 50 miles off the south coast of Florida, the Bahamas is a great spot for East Coasters looking for a quick getaway. With 29 islands, 661 cays, and a few thousand rocks, the Bahamas differ dramatically from one to the next — but, uniformly, you’ll find a pleasantly infectious culture focused on conch, beer, and slow-paced good times. Everyone’s heard of the family-friendly megaresort Atlantis, and the ultra-luxe One&Only Ocean Club (where scenes from the 2006 remake of Casino Royale were filmed), and we’d argue that Old Bahama Bay is the perfect mix of the two; it lacks the crowds of Atlantis and the exorbitant prices of the Ocean Club, but has the upscale vibe of the Club and a good number (although certainly not all) of the activities offered at Atlantis. Guests stay in big, beautiful suites, and have access to a marina, top-notch snorkeling excursions, free bicycle rentals, and one of the best hotel beaches on the island.

Sandy Lane, Barbados

Sandy Lane is the creme de la creme of Caribbean resorts.
 

At first glance, it might be easy to view the white and pink sand beaches and breathtaking coral reefs of Barbados as a clichéd Caribbean island experience, but there’s more to it than that. The friendly locals (known as Bajans) maintain a noticeable amount of British customs from their colonial past, such as afternoon tea time and driving on the left. And even the local cuisine is a hybrid: expect to see flying fish on every menu, and spicy Caribbean stews served next to starchy English staples such as potatoes. Barbados is also home to Sandy Lane, not only one of the very top resorts in the Caribbean, but in the entire world. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super exclusive Green Monkey golf course. A Rolls Royce Phantom, top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are just a few aspects that set the elegant Palladian-style hotel apart from the rest.

Sivory Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Sivory has a tranquil vibe that many all-inclusives lack.
 

Almost everyone who visits the Dominican Republic stays at an all-inclusive resort. While “all-inclusive” often  brings to mind large crowds, bad food, and poor service, it doesn’t have to (as long as you’re willing to pay for the upgrade). The Sivory is one of a handful of boutique hotels in Punta Cana, and is part of an even smaller group as one of the rare crossbreeds of both a boutique hotel and an all-inclusive one. Everything is designed to promote relaxation — from the comfortable rooms to the spa to the reflecting pool attached to the lobby.

Moxons Beach Club, Jamaica

Decks stretching into the water allow for extra spots for lounging.
 

Beyond the nonstop all-inclusive, booze-fest — which can be a lot of fun — there’s a different Jamaica: brilliant reggae, jerk chicken, rugged cliffs, blue lagoons, and friendly locals. And with direct flights from many major U.S. cities, getting to Jamaica can be relatively easy and inexpensive. But if you’re looking to save as much cash as possible, we recommend smaller, lesser-known hotels, such as Moxons Beach Club. Authentic Jamaican food, great cocktails, a friendly staff, and a beautiful, intimate setting bring guests back to the remote, beachfront Moxons year after year. The beach area may be small, but its uncrowded and over-water decks provide plenty of lounge chairs.

W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

The W has a cool, modern vibe.

Once under Spanish rule and now a commonwealth of the U.S., Puerto Rico has features of both the Caribbean and the States. Huge malls, golf courses, and casinos meet tropical rainforests and beautiful white-sand beaches, while well-preserved 15th-century Spanish forts loom over charming towns with colorful colonial buildings. Though the mainland can be crowded, Vieques is a small, 20-mile-long island about eight miles off the mainland, with beautiful white-sand beaches and a bioluminescent bay. One of just a handful of resorts on the island, the W has the modern, funky feel of the W brand with a tropical twist — it’s right on two private beaches, the lobby and rooms feature bright colors and concrete floors, and the infinity pool overlooking the ocean has a pool bar serving up poolside drinks and meals.

Fond Doux Holiday Plantation, St. Lucia

Rooms are simple and quaint, and surrounded by lush greenery.

Unlike more developed Caribbean islands, such as Aruba and the Bahamas, the sparsely populated island-nation of Saint Lucia still maintains a sense of unspoiled, exotic beauty. Its landscapes of pristine beaches and mountainous terrain are among the most stunning you’ll find anywhere in the Caribbean. With just 10 freestanding cottages on 130 acres, the eco-minded Fond Doux is intensely lush, filled with coconut groves, fruit-bearing trees, and a working cocoa plantation. Though tour groups perusing the grounds can be distracting to some, the hotel offers quaint rooms, two excellent restaurants, a small spa, and best of all, a solid value.

Gansevoort Turks and Caicos, a Wymara Resort

The pool at the Gansevoort is sleek and sexy.
 

Generally speaking, Turks and Caicos is relatively pricey — but for a reason. This 37-mile chain of islands radiates a particular Caribbean-ness, with dreamy blue waters, golden beaches, excellent snorkeling, and bioluminescent glow worms lighting up the water at night. If you want to fit in with the classy vibe, we recommend the Gansevoort, without a doubt the sexiest resort on Grace Bay. Its stunning pool and breeze-filled lobby wow guests from the moment they set foot on the property. Equally enticing are the resort’s gourmet restaurant, poolside and beachside service, sleek rooms, and Exhale Spa.

Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda

Cottages at Bitter End boast gorgeous views.

Virgin Gorda is one of the four main islands that make up the British Virgin Islands, clustered to the east of Puerto Rico. It’s a beautiful spot in the Caribbean and even Richard Branson owns a couple of islands in the area, which is known as a premiere sailing destination. The Bitter End Yacht Club, snuggled into a steep hill on the scenic North Sound, is a relaxed resort where families and couples come to recharge and reconnect (rooms are purposefully tech-free). Many feature stunning views from the balconies, and the sliding doors allows breezes to sweep through; some rooms do not have air-conditioning but most guests find they don’t miss it.

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Large shark kills man in New Zealand; beach closed

AUCKLAND, New Zealand –  A shark possibly 14 feet long killed a swimmer near a popular New Zealand beach on Wednesday, then disappeared after police attempting to save the man fired gunshots at the enormous predator.

Muriwai Beach near Auckland was closed after the fatal attack, one of only about a dozen in New Zealand in the past 180 years.

Pio Mose, who was fishing at the beach, told The New Zealand Herald he saw the swimmer struggle against the "huge" shark. He told the man to swim to the rocks, but it was too late.

"All of a sudden there was blood everywhere," Mose said. "... I was shaking, scared, panicked."

Police Inspector Shawn Rutene said in a statement that the swimmer, who was in his 40s, was about 200 meters (650 feet) offshore when the shark attacked. He said police went out in inflatable surf-lifesaving boats and shot at the shark, which they estimate was 12 to 14 feet long.

"It rolled over and disappeared," Rutene said, without saying whether police are certain that they killed the creature.

About 200 people had been enjoying the beach during the Southern Hemisphere summer at the time of the attack. Police said Muriwai and other beaches nearby have been closed until further notice.

Police did not say what species of shark was involved in the attack. Clinton Duffy, a shark expert with the Department of Conservation, said New Zealand is a hotspot for great white sharks, and other potentially lethal species also inhabit the waters.

Attacks are rare. Duffy estimated that only 12 to 14 people have been killed by sharks in New Zealand since record-keeping began in the 1830s.

"There are much lower levels of shark attacks here than in Australia," he said. "It's possibly a function of how many people are in the water" in New Zealand's cooler climate.

He said that during the Southern Hemisphere summer, sharks often come in closer to shore to feed and to give birth, although that doesn't necessarily equate to a greater risk of attack.

"Ninety-nine percent of the time they ignore people," he said. "Sometimes, people get bitten."

Around the world, sharks attacked humans 80 times last year, and seven people were killed, according to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File. The death toll was lower than it was in 2011 but higher than the average of 4.4 from 2001 to 2010.

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Suicide bomber attacks Afghan army bus; 7 wounded

KABUL, Afghanistan –  A suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan soldiers to work in the capital early Wednesday, wounding seven people in an explosion that engulfed the undercarriage of the bus in flames, officials and witnesses said.

The attack comes three days after a would-be car bomber was shot dead by police in downtown Kabul. That assailant was driving a vehicle packed with explosives and officials said he appeared to be targeting an intelligence agency office nearby.

Wednesday's attacker was on foot. He wore a black overcoat and carried an umbrella as he crossed the snowy street toward the bus, said Ahmad Shakib, who was waiting on the opposite side of the street for a car from his office to take him in to work. The Afghan government uses buses to ferry soldiers, police and office workers into the center city for work every day. These vehicles, which run regular routes, have been a common target for insurgents.

The attacker set down his umbrella in the middle of the road as he approached the bus, then lay down next to the bus and pushed himself underneath, Shakib said.

"I thought to myself, 'What is this crazy man doing? And then there was a blast and flames,'" Shakib said.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message to The Associated Press.

The early morning blast in western Kabul wounded six soldiers and one civilian, the Kabul police chief's office said in a statement. Spokesmen for the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry said no one was killed in the blast.

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One reportedly injured in shooting at Coastal Carolina University

CONWAY, S.C. –  One person was wounded Tuesday night in a shooting at a residence hall near a South Carolina college campus, prompting school officials to order a lockdown of campus buildings.

Coastal Carolina University spokeswoman Martha Hunn said the gunman left in a vehicle and was still at large Tuesday night. The State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the investigation into the shooting.

Hunn said dispatchers received a call at around 7:20 p.m. regarding a shooting at University Place, an apartment-style residence hall that is adjacent to S.C. Highway 544. Students were alerted by email and text message. The school is in Conway, 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach.

Hunn said the victim was transported to Grand Strand Regional Hospital. There was no information on the condition of the shooting victim, who wasn't immediately identified.

University Place resident Kaitlin Eriksen told The Sun News of Myrtle Beach that she was inside her apartment when she heard four or five shots. Eriksen said she went to her balcony to see where the shots came from and saw a man fall against the back of a car's rear window.

"He took about two steps back and then collapsed. He just fell out there," Eriksen said.

Students were allowed to leave classroom buildings late Tuesday and return to their dorms, but residence halls remained on lockdown.

According to the school's website, University Place houses almost 2,000 students.

Coastal Carolina University has an enrollment of slightly more than 9,000 students. The liberal arts school was founded in 1954.

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Rights group urges probe into Thai activist death

Published February 27, 2013

Associated Press

BANGKOK –  An international human rights group is urging Thailand to investigate the slaying of an environmental activist who exposed the dumping of toxic waste. It is also calling for better protection of human rights defenders in the country.

Village headman Prajob Nao-opas was shot dead in the eastern province of Chachoengsao on Monday. He had been campaigning for the past year against the dumping by factories.

Human Rights Watch said Wednesday that the Thai government should immediately bring those responsible for his death to justice regardless of their influence.

The group says more than 30 human rights defenders and environmentalists have been killed in Thailand since 2001.

Department of Special Investigation official Pongin Intarakhao said his team will provide information to help investigators in the case.

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Volunteers in Newtown hand-writing thank you notes after 175,000 cards and letters received

HARTFORD, Connecticut –  Some letters come from church groups, others from parents who've lost children of their own. One came from a police officer who responded to the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City.

They're some of the estimated 175,000 cards and letters of support and condolences that have poured into Newtown from around the world since December's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and volunteers are working to preserve them and say thank you to as many senders as they can, one handwritten note at a time.

The archiving project is the brainchild of resident Yolie Moreno, who said she was floored to see the trays and trays of letters lining the walls of the town's municipal building after the mass shooting, many containing artwork or the thoughts of schoolchildren.

One that particularly touched her was a child's watercolor painting, with "You don't know how strong you are until being STRONG is the only option you have," written over it in magic marker.

"It's incredible, incredible stuff," she said. "And I imagine everyone who sent something would like to know that it was held, read, touched, photographed and shared."

With the permission of town officials, Moreno and a handful of other volunteers have begun photographing as much of it as they can.

"Tray by tray, we'd take the letters out of the envelopes and photograph them, sometimes as a group, sometimes single letters, and try to motor through as much as we could," Moreno said. "We are trying just to document the outpouring from around the world."

The letters were boxed this week and taken to a storage unit, where Moreno and her team will continue to have access to them. Once they are archived, the plan is to incinerate all of the items and use the ashes to help create concrete for whatever memorial to the shooting victims is built, she said.

Moreno said it's not clear what will be done with the digital photographs. She would like to create a website where the public could view them online.

"The victims' families, I know, many of them are not ready to see all this stuff yet," she said. "A lot of people aren't ready. But maybe later down the road, maybe they will want to see it. And the only way they would be able to is if somebody documented it."

One side benefit, she said, is the group has found checks or other gifts in the mail that were overlooked earlier. Those were handed over to the town or charities to which they are addressed.

Meanwhile, another group, the Newtown Volunteer Task Force, has begun answering some of that mail.

The organization, which is coordinating all the volunteer work being done for Newtown, created thank-you cards that read in part, "Your voice has been heard and your caring is deeply appreciated."

Under that printed message, a volunteer includes one or two handwritten lines to let the recipient know that their letter was read.

Volunteers are going through letters and picking out ones that touch them personally, said Robin Fitzgerald, a task force organizer.

Because the task force has no budget, the volunteers are asked to bring their own stamps.

"It's another exercise in healing for our town, to recognize all the love that was sent from literally everywhere," she said. "So we would just like to send as much of that back as we can."

Renee Berger, 60, lives in neighboring Monroe and volunteers at the center. She says she's answered letters from parents and grandparents who have lost children of their own to cancer or some other tragedy, and many church groups.

She said one of the most touching and emotional was from a police officer in Oklahoma City, who talked about responding to the bombing at the federal building there in 1995, and wanted to send his love to Newtown's first responders.

"We have a box of tissues on the table because you can't read these letters without reacting," she said.

Fitzgerald acknowledged the group likely will only be able to respond to a fraction of the correspondence but said the project is open-ended, and the more volunteers the group gets, the more thank-you notes they will be able to write.

One of the thank-you cards was sent to Beloit High School in Wisconsin, where students in Megan Miller's English class had each made personal sympathy cards.

In her thank you note, volunteer Nancy Roznicki wrote, "Your colorful cards with messages of peace and love and your prayers help with our healing. All `one of a kind!"'

Melissa Badger, as spokeswoman for the Beloit school district, said they were amazed that someone took the time to respond.

"To find out that yes, they were received and appreciated reinforces that lesson to these students that you can make a difference, you can maybe make things better and the effort is definitely worth it," she said.

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Indians LF Brantley spiked in left forearm, leaves for stitches in 14-10 win over Athletics

Published February 25, 2013

Associated Press

PHOENIX –  Cleveland left fielder Michael Brantley needed stitches in his left forearm after being spiked Monday during the Indians' 14-10 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Brantley was spiked by third baseman Josh Donaldson in a play that ended the third inning. Brantley, who hit .288 with 60 RBIs last season, was taken to a hospital for stitches. He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

Justin Masterson threw two perfect innings for Cleveland in his first start of the spring. Matt Carson and Yan Gomes homered for the Indians, who improved to 5-0 in exhibition play under new manager Terry Francona.

Shane Peterson and 2010 first-round draft pick Michael Choice homered for the Athletics.

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