IOC board to examine Armstrong and Athens doping cases, illegal ticket sales

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Four months after the highs of the London Olympics, the IOC is turning to less uplifting matters: drug-tainted medals from past games, ethics violations in ticket sales and suspension of national Olympic bodies. The fate of Lance Armstrong's bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Games and doping cases involving five medallists from the 2004 Athens Olympics are high on the agenda for the IOC's two-day executive board meeting starting Tuesday in Lausanne. Also on the table are proposed sanctions against Olympic officials and ticket agents accused of unauthorized sale of London tickets and the proposed suspension of the Indian Olympic Association for political interference. The IOC board also will receive reports on preparations for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. With concerns mounting about the state of progress in Rio, the IOC will be looking for assurances that the first Olympics in South America are on track. Doping issues will be at the forefront of the meetings, which have been moved to a Lausanne hotel because the International Olympic Committee headquarters are still being repaired after flood damage caused by a burst water main. Five doping tests from 2004 came back positive earlier this year when the IOC reanalyzed about 100 Athens samples to catch any drug cheats who had avoided detection. The IOC held disciplinary hearings for the five East European athletes — all medallists — over the weekend, and will now consider disqualifying them and removing the medals. The group includes shot put gold medallist Yuriy Bilonog of Ukraine and three bronze winners — women's shot putter Svetlana Krivelyova of Russia, discus thrower Irina Yatchenko of Belarus and weightlifter Oleg Perepechenov of Russia. Their names were first reported last week by German public broadcaster ARD. The identities were confirmed to The Associated Press by two Olympic officials with knowledge of the cases. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the cases remain confidential while the disciplinary process is ongoing. The fifth athlete is Ivan Tskikhan of Belarus, who won silver in the hammer throw in Athens. He was publicly identified by the Belarus Olympic Committee and sent home from the London Games. Whether or when the IOC would reallocate the medals is uncertain. If Bilonog's victory in the shot put is erased, Adam Nelson of the United States could move up to gold. In 2004, the Athens Games produced a record 26 doping cases and six medallists — including two gold winners — were caught. Since Athens, the IOC has been storing doping samples from each Olympics for eight years to allow for retesting when new detection methods become available. The Athens retests have caused a rift between the IOC and World Anti-Doping Agency. WADA leaders publicly criticized the IOC for not retesting more of the 3,000-plus samples. The IOC said it assessed the quality, quantity and chain-of-custody of the samples, as well as the considerable cost and logistics of retesting. The IOC, meanwhile, wants to get back the bronze medal that Armstrong won in the road time trial in Sydney, following the damning U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's report that led to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles from 1999-2005. The board could decide to strip the medal this week or wait another few weeks until cycling's governing body has officially notified Armstrong of the loss of all his results since August 1998. IOC lawyers are studying whether the eight-year statute of limitations applies. "The board is following a zero-tolerance policy on doping," IOC vice-president Thomas Bach, who heads the body's doping investigations, told The Associated Press. The IOC has no plans to reallocate Armstrong's medal, just as the UCI decided not to declare winners for the Tour titles revoked from the American. Spanish rider Abraham Olano Manzano, who finished fourth in Sydney, would not be upgraded and the bronze medal placing would be left vacant in the Olympic records. The IOC is also investigating Levi Leipheimer, a former Armstrong teammate who won the time-trial bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games. The American confessed to doping as part of his testimony against Armstrong in the USADA case. Also now in doubt is the silver medal in the women's discus from the London Olympics. Darya Pishchalnikova's sample from an out-of-competition test in May was negative at the time, but came back positive for a steroid when it was retested last month with a new method. The former Olympic and world champion's case now lies with the IAAF and may not reach the IOC for some time. On another matter, the IOC board will act on recommendations from the ethics commission for sanctions in connection with irregularities in the sale of Olympic tickets. The IOC opened a probe in June after Britain's Sunday Times reported that national Olympic committee officials and ticket agents in several countries were caught offering tickets on the black market for up to 10 times their face value. The paper turned its evidence over to the IOC, which has been studying it for several months. At issue are ticket allocations given by local organizers to the 200-plus national Olympic committees to sell in their home countries. The committees appoint a local organization to sell the tickets. IOC rules prohibit national committees from selling tickets abroad, inflating ticket prices or selling tickets to unauthorized resellers. The highest-profile official implicated in the newspaper's undercover investigation was Sypros Capralos, head of the Greek Olympic Committee. He has denied any wrongdoing. The IOC will rule on a proposal to suspend India because of government interference in the national Olympic body's elections, scheduled for Wednesday. The IOC has told the Indians they must adhere to their own constitution and Olympic Charter and not follow the government sports code.

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LeBron James wins Sports Illustrated annual award

(Reuters) - LeBron James of the Miami Heat was named as Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for 2012, the U.S. magazine announced on Monday. In an outstanding year, the 27-year-old James won his first NBA championship, his third league Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, was named MVP of the NBA finals and a won gold medal with the United States at the London Olympics. He became just the sixth basketballer to win the award, which began in 1954. The most recent was his team-mate Dwyane Wade in 2006. Two years ago, James became a hate figure for many American sports fans after he announced his decision to sign for Miami live on television after his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers had expired. He was booed at courts across the NBA and received intense criticism for his performance as Miami lost the 2011 NBA finals to the Dallas Mavericks. "Did I think an award like this was possible two years ago? ‘No, I did not," James said in an interview with the magazine. "I thought I would be helping a lot of kids and raise $3 million by going on TV and saying, ‘Hey, I want to play for the Miami Heat.' But it affected far more people than I imagined. "I know it wasn't on the level of an injury or an addiction, but it was something I had to recover from. I had to become a better person, a better player, a better father, a better friend, a better mentor and a better leader. I've changed, and I think people have started to understand who I really am." Previous winners of the award include swimmer Michael Phelps (2008), cyclist Lance Armstrong (2002) and golfer Tiger Woods (2000) while the first award was given to British athlete Roger Bannister in 1954 after he became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes.

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Riders urged to cooperate to lift doping taint

LONDON (Reuters) - A lobby group campaigning to clean up cycling has invited riders to back a plan it says could remove doping suspicions undermining the sport after the Lance Armstrong doping scandal. "The assistance we are seeking from the riders will be to put in place a system that will guarantee that the winner of the major tours has not blood doped," said doctor Michael Ashenden, a leading anti-doping campaigner. "It's a short-term intensive approach that will restore public confidence in the riders and the race outcome," Ashenden, an expert on combating blood doping, told a news conference organized by "Change Cycling Now". Ashenden gave no further details of his proposal but said he had briefed Gianni Bugno, president of the riders association, with a view to its swift implementation for next season. Cycling has been in crisis since Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after the United States Anti-Doping Agency accused him of being at the center of an organized doping conspiracy. "Change Cycling Now" has called for Pat McQuaid to quit as head of the UCI, the sport's governing body, accusing him of failing to root out doping. American Greg LeMond, who won the Tour in 1986, 89 and 90, said he was prepared to serve as an interim head of the UCI. "I would do whatever I can to help change the sport," LeMond told the news conference. "I would love to be part of the process to change (the sport) and if that means an interim presidency, I would be willing to do that." SUSPICIONS LINGER Bradley Wiggins, who rides for Team Sky, became the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 2012. Team Sky has a zero tolerance policy towards staff members with a doping history and Wiggins angrily dismissed doping-related questions en route to his Tour triumph in the summer. Ashenden said he was not accusing Wiggins of any wrongdoing but underlining the credibility issue the sport faces. "That would be a remarkable day, when a rider can stand up and say "I won and you know that I didn't dope", blood dope, I need to be specific there," he said. "The unfortunate reality is that everything that a rider can say today, Lance Armstrong already said. The reality is, no matter what a rider says, there is going to be doubt," he added. "Change Cycling Now", comprising former riders, journalists and anti-doping campaigners, has been put together by Jaimie Fuller, an Australian who is chairman of the SKINS sportswear company, a cycling sponsor. Fuller said he had approached more than 10 current cyclists about the campaign but they were afraid to speak out. "The vast majority were intimidated about what could happen to them if they stuck their head above the parapet and were critical of the UCI," he said. LeMond, who had long been critical of Armstrong, said he had also been the victim of intimidation. "I personally dealt with the threats, I dealt with the amount of money that he had to destroy people," he said. Dutch Rabobank pulled out of sponsoring a professional cycling team in the wake of the Armstrong scandal and there are fears other companies could quit. "He's done a lot of damage to cycling. It was a false bull market for cycling," LeMond said of Armstrong.

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LeMond says UCI's McQuaid must stand down amid Armstrong probe, offers to serve as president

LONDON - A group of the UCI's fiercest critics called for the president to step aside Monday, and asked three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond to put himself forward to run cycling in the interim. LeMond said after Change Cycling Now's inaugural meeting that International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid can't remain in his job while a panel examines possible links between the organization and the doping case involving Lance Armstrong. "I would love to be part of the process of change and if that means as interim president then I would be willing to do that," LeMond said. "I said if we can't find anyone more qualified," the 51-year-old American added. "I will do whatever I can to help change the sport. I am definitely not pushing myself ... cycling needs radical change, it needs new leadership." The sport is reeling from its most damaging scandal in which Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour titles among other victories and banned for life after a damning report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Pre-empting the Change Cycling Now meeting in London, the UCI announced Friday that a three-man panel will scrutinize McQuaid and his predecessor Hein Verbruggen over their relations with Armstrong. McQuaid was elected president not long after Armstrong first retired in 2005, and Verbruggen is now honorary president of the UCI. The governing body denies claims made by former Armstrong teammates to USADA that it covered up suspicious samples from Armstrong in exchange for payments totalling $125,000, or that the American rider enjoyed special protection. But LeMond questioned how McQuaid and Verbruggen could remain in their roles until the panel, headed by a retired British judge, files its report in June. "During this investigation you can't have the fox guarding the henhouse, and that means they need to willingly step down — now," LeMond said. "Will they? Most likely not because they are protecting their own position. It will take pressure." LeMond said cycling must be run by someone who is "beyond reproach." "We need to find a great leader who can take the sport forward and repair the damage that has been done," he said. Change Cycling Now is funded by sportswear company Skins, which is suing the UCI for $2 million after claiming its brand has been damaged by backing the sport as the Armstrong scandal unfolded. The International Olympic Committee executive board is this week discussing whether to strip Armstrong of his bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Games. "I still would love to see Armstrong come forward and reveal how, and I might even shake his hand if he would do this," LeMond said. "Because I think what he could offer is insight into really what was happening ... things don't happen by themselves. It was a huge effort by multiple people and he alone can reveal that. "It would be one redeeming thing he could do for cycling, because he has done a lot of damage for cycling." While Change Cycling Now is trying to pitch itself as the organization to lead the overhaul of cycling, no current riders attended its two-day meeting in London. Skins chairman Jaimie Fuller, who is fronting the group, claimed more than 10 cyclists rebuffed his invitation to attend. "There were a couple who it was geographically difficult for, but the vast majority were intimidated about what could happen to them if they stuck their heads above the parapet and were critical of the UCI," Fuller said. Speaking on the same media conference panel as Fuller, investigative journalist Paul Kimmage claimed cyclists are "terrified of what the repercussions might be — that's not the sign of a healthy organization." But Australian anti-doping scientist Michael Ashenden, who helped the UCI develop its anti-doping biological passport project, believes the organization has a future. "I don't believe there is a need to dissolve the UCI," said Ashenden, alongside Fuller.

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LeMond wants to run UCI after Armstrong scandal

LONDON (AP) -- Greg LeMond says the President of the International Cycling Union can't remain in his job while a panel examines possible links between the organization and the doping case involving Lance Armstrong. The three-time Tour de France winner said after Change Cycling Now's first meeting that he would be willing to run cycling in the interim. ''I would love to be part of the process of change and if that means as interim president then I would be willing to do that,'' LeMond said. ''I said if we can't find anyone more qualified, I will do whatever I can to help change the sport. I am definitely not pushing myself ... cycling needs radical change, it needs new leadership.'' Before the Change Cycling Now meeting in London, the UCI announced Friday that a three-man panel will scrutinize President Pat McQuaid and his predecessor Hein Verbruggen over their relations with Armstrong. The sport is reeling from its most damaging scandal in which Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour titles, among other victories, and banned for life after a damning report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. McQuaid was elected president not long after Armstrong first retired in 2005, and Verbruggen is now honorary president of the UCI. The governing body denied claims made by former Armstrong teammates to USADA that it covered up suspicious samples from Armstrong in exchange for payments totaling $125,000, or that the American rider enjoyed special protection. But LeMond questioned how McQuaid and Verbruggen could remain in their roles until the panel, headed by a retired British judge, files its report in June. ''During this investigation you can't have the fox guarding the henhouse, and that means they need to willingly step down - now,'' LeMond said. ''Will they? Most likely not because they are protecting their own position. It will take pressure.'' LeMond said cycling must be run by someone who is ''beyond reproach.'' ''We need to find a great leader who can take the sport forward and repair the damage that has been done,'' he said. Change Cycling Now is funded by sportswear company Skins, which is suing the UCI for $2 million after claiming its brand has been damaged by backing the sport as the Armstrong scandal unfolded. The International Olympic Committee executive board is this week discussing whether to strip Armstrong of his bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Games. ''I still would love to see Armstrong come forward and reveal how, and I might even shake his hand if he would do this,'' LeMond said. ''Because I think what he could offer is insight into really what was happening ... things don't happen by themselves. It was a huge effort by multiple people and he alone can reveal that. ''It would be one redeeming thing he could do for cycling, because he has done a lot of damage for cycling.'' While Change Cycling Now is trying to pitch itself as the organization to lead the overhaul of cycling, no current riders attended its two-day meeting in London. Skins chairman Jaimie Fuller, who is fronting the group, claimed more than 10 cyclists rebuffed his invitation to attend. ''There were a couple who it was geographically difficult for, but the vast majority were intimidated about what could happen to them if they stuck their heads above the parapet and were critical of the UCI,'' Fuller said. Speaking on the same media conference panel as Fuller, investigative journalist Paul Kimmage claimed cyclists are ''terrified of what the repercussions might be - that's not the sign of a healthy organization.'' But Australian anti-doping scientist Michael Ashenden, who helped the UCI develop its anti-doping biological passport project, believes the organization has a future. ''I don't believe there is a need to dissolve the UCI,'' Ashenden said.

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Sony’s radical PlayStation 4 controller concept: A motion-control device you can split in half

While Nintendo (NTDOY) has been busy innovating with unique controllers on the Wii and Wii U, Sony’s (SNE) DualShock controller for its PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 has remained virtually the same since 1997. A newly discovered patent reveals Sony might be planning on a radical overhaul of the DualShock for the PlayStation 4 that’s rumored to arrive next year. U.S. patent 20120302347A1 details a “hybrid separable motion controller” that resembles a DualShock controller with two PlayStation Move sensor balls attached to it. Much like how the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller combo separated the left and right hand input, the Sony controller patent goes one step further by allowing the two halves to be split and combined at any time – all without reducing the amount of buttons available. The patent also highlights the inclusion of a “connection sensor for determining whether the controller is in a connected configuration or a disconnected configuration.” One of the PlayStation Move’s biggest disadvantages is that it’s a separate controller and not the default one. As a result, most developers either saw it as merely a Wii Remote clone or as a niche controller with a limited install base not worth programming special controls for. If Sony were to include proper 1:1 motion controls within the default PS4 controller without turning its back on the “core” controller, it could greatly appeal to casual and core gamers. Such a controller can be considered a natural evolution of the current DualShock 3 controller that sports limited motion controls using its three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope. Of course, the controller is only a patent that may never make it to market, so don’t get your hopes up if it doesn’t happen.

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How Nintendo Shaped 30 Years of U.S. Gaming

1. The Crash The video game crash of the early 1980s was caused by very few controls on hardware and software and manufacturers. Designers released poor-quality games, including big-budget tie-ins like the E.T. game for Atari, which flopped so badly that all extra copies were taken to a landfill. Artwork courtesy of MBAOnline Click here to view this gallery. [More from Mashable: 5 Ways to Get Nothing Done] Nintendo has earned almost of 30 years of success in the American game market. Millions of people recognize iconic characters like Mario, and the company has sold consoles and handhelds in the hundreds of millions. But Nintendo came to America during a rocky time for video games, when bad systems and cheap, derivative games saturated the market. So, how did it manage to teach Americans to embrace gaming as something families could enjoy together? [More from Mashable: Your Talent Acquisition Strategy Needs SEO, Too] SEE ALSO: Meet the Super Fan Who Waited in Line for a Month for a Wii U Now, as Nintendo releases its newest console, we take a look at its commanding authority in the U.S. market since 1985.

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Synacor partners with Zynga to bring social games to pay TV

(Reuters) - Synacor Inc, partly owned by Intel Corp, said it partnered with Zynga Inc to allow pay TV and broadband providers offer social games to their customers. Zynga shares rose about 3 percent to $2.30 in premarket trading, while Synacor shares were up about 5 percent at $6.60. Synacor said certain pay-TV subscribers will get in-game currency each month as part of their subscription that can be redeemed for popular Zynga games such as Zynga Poker and FarmVille2. The partnership comes days after Zynga revised its pact with Facebook Inc to lower its dependence on the social network. Synacor, which debuted on the Nasdaq in February, offers authentication and management services to companies offering on-demand content, primarily cable and telecom service providers and consumer electronics brands.

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PlayStation 3 was the world’s No.1 Netflix streaming device this year

There are dozens of devices that can stream Netflix (NFLX), but only one can machine be crowned the king of the living room. According to Netflix, that device is Sony’s (SNE) PlayStation 3 console. Without revealing any specific figures, Netflix announced on its blog “in the U.S. and globally, PS3 is the largest TV-connected platform in terms of Netflix viewing” and that “at times, PS3 even surpassed the PC in hours of Netflix enjoyment to become our No. 1 platform overall.” Netflix’s blog is quick to mention why the PS3 is the most popular streaming device this year, applauding it for being the first console to have 1080p HD video and 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus surround sound, post-play, second screen controls, subtitles and easy app updates. While the Xbox 360 is gaining ground in terms of how many hours users spend watching videos on it, streaming video services such as Netflix requires an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription. One reason why the PlayStation 3 might be leading Netflix streaming is because it doesn’t require a subscription fee to have access to the Netflix app, or any other streaming video app such as Amazon (AMZN) Instant Video. “The PlayStation and Netflix communities both share a strong passion for high quality entertainment,” Sony Computer Entertainment of America CEO and president Jack Tretton said. “Netflix provides a fantastic experience for watching TV shows and movies on PS3, and our joint development will continue to produce innovations for our customers that further demonstrate PS3 as the true home for entertainment in the living room.”

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25 top-rated Facebook games from 2012

Games can be both a welcome and an annoying diversion on Facebook, the world's most popular online social network. This year, Facebook crossed a big milestone — reaching 1 billion active users. Game companies such as "FarmVille" creator Zynga Inc. and Rovio Entertainment Ltd. of "Angry Birds" fame seek to tap into that vast base of users to gain more players for their games. This week, Facebook Inc. issued a list of the 25 top-rated games that launched on Facebook in 2012. The company says the rankings are based on user ratings and engagement with the games. It's the same methodology that Facebook uses to rank apps in its App Center. Some of the games are played on Facebook's website, while others are only on Apple Inc.'s iOS or Google Inc.'s Android devices using Facebook's app. Here's the list: 1. "SongPop" (by FreshPlanet, on Facebook.com, iOS and Android) 2. "Dragon City" (by Social Point, on Facebook.com) 3. "Bike Race" (by Top Free Games, on iOS) 4. "Subway Surfers" (by Kiloo, on iOS and Android) 5. "Angry Birds Friends (by Rovio, on Facebook.com) 6. "FarmVille 2" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com) 7. "Scramble with Friends" (by Zynga, on iOS) 8. "Clash of Clans" (by Supercell, on iOS) 9. "Marvel: Avengers Alliance" (by Playdom, on Facebook.com) 10. "Draw Something" (by Zynga, on iOS and Android) 11. "Hay Day" (by Supercell, on iOS) 12. "Baseball Heroes" (by Syntasia, on Facebook.com) 13. "ChefVille" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com) 14. "CSR Racing" (by NaturalMotion Games, on iOS) 15. "Candy Crush Saga" (by King.com, on Facebook.com and iOS) 16. "Matching With Friends" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com) 17. "Legend Online" (by Oasis Games, on Facebook.com) 18. "Jurassic Park Builder" (by Ludia, on Facebook.com) 19. "Dungeon Rampage" (by Rebel Entertainment, on Facebook.com) 20. "Pockie Ninja II Social" (by NGames Ltd., on Facebook.com) 21. "Jetpack Joyride" (by Halfbrick, on Facebook.com) 22. "Social Empires" (by Social Point, on Facebook.com and iOS) 23. "Bil ve Fethet" (by Peak Games, on Facebook.com) 24. "Ruby Blast Adventures" (by Zynga, on Facebook.com and iOS) 25. "Pyramid Solitaire Saga" (by King.com, on Facebook.com)

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Should Seniors Live Alone or With Family?

Put Grandma in the garage? Yes. But a garage transformed into a well-appointed studio apartment with skylights and a patio for morning coffee. Home remodeling for those who can afford it is one answer to a growing issue: How do you take care of family members in their late-retirement and twilight years? And then, a tougher question: When a home solution won't work, what assisted-living or nursing home options are available? [See The Best Places to Retire in 2012.] Growth of multigenerational households (mostly grandparents, parents, and minor children, but also other extended-family relationships) accelerated during the economic downturn. Some families shared quarters because the unemployment rate (a 30-year high) forced some out-of-work adult children to move back home. Sometimes it was the senior generation that needed a housing solution because they were no longer able to physically or financially go it alone. The rate of this change is worth noting. In 2008, 6.2 million intergenerational households resided in the United States. That's 5.3 percent of all households. That number jumped to 7.1 million households, or 6.1 percent, by 2010. The two-year increase marked a faster rate of growth than the previous eight years combined, according to AARP's Public Policy Institute. Even if the economy improves, it's a trend that looks to stick as families address graying baby boomers who may be facing an underfunded retirement, according to aging and financial professionals. In the best and worst of times, the benefit of companionship and shared household duties, such as childcare, can't be dismissed. For some families, living together is not a solution to a problem but an exercise in bonding. There are also different cultural interpretations of the social value of multigenerational households. But for many families, finances are certainly a factor in their decision to merge under one roof. Kevin Young, a certified financial planner with Young Wealth Management in Davis, Calif., sees an increasing number of "sandwich generation" clients in his tax practice. "They're taking care of aging parents and children at the same time, sometimes working multiple jobs to accomplish that," he says. [See How to Avoid Being a Financial Burden on Your Children.] Young says some boomers and their parents are still playing retirement savings catch-up as corporate America (and the public sector too, in some cases) shifts from defined benefits such as pensions to market-reliant 401(k)s and other individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Others just dropped the ball and didn't save enough. Options. George Yedinak, editor and publisher of trade newsletter and blog Senior Housing News, sees an industry boom coming to meet the needs of multigenerational and senior housing. This includes concepts such as Greenhouse Project (modest stand-alone homes that include high levels of healthcare), senior villages, co-housing (unrelated seniors sharing space to reduce costs), in-law apartments, and other communal living solutions. Yedinak notes that regulation of these housing models isn't currently as comprehensive as regulation nursing homes and other traditional care facilities. Regulation catch-up could bring a mixed impact--more scrutiny of care but also reduced incentive for industry growth. As for home modifications, those are on the rise, too. "Those living in single-family homes will invest capital in their homes as more parents move in with their adult children. Using home office spaces, basements, attics and other existing solutions will make way for more formal renovations including the 'grannie apartment' as either an add-on or standalone," he blogs. "Unlike additions for bathrooms or kitchens, the resale value of 'grannie' renovation should be discounted greatly. Others may opt for pre-fab cottages or PODs as solutions that can be moved, stored, or re-sold when a senior needs to move to a more comprehensive care community." The longevity conundrum. Healthcare presents a mixed picture for boomers; active lifestyles and treatment developments are helping stave off some disease, but longer living also raises the odds of multiple serious conditions in advanced years and the need for body maintenance, such as joint replacement. Some households are able to accommodate parents with physical issues and the care industry is responding with more flexibility, often traveling to see patients. But eventually, no matter how welcoming younger generations are to opening their homes to the seniors, they may just not be able to handle the level of care needed. The home versus care-facility debate welcomes a whole new round of cost concerns. According to Genworth Financial's 2011 Cost of Care Survey, while the cost to receive care in an assisted living facility or nursing home increased over the past year, the cost to receive care in the home, Americans' preferred long-term care setting, remained unchanged. Nationally, the median annual cost of long-term care in an assisted living facility is $39,135, an increase of 2.4 percent from 2010. The comparable cost for a private nursing home room rose 3.4 percent, to $77,745. At $18 per hour for homemaker services and $19 an hour for home-health aide services, the median hourly cost to receive care in the home remained flat over the past 12 months. [See Should You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?] Aging consultancy Age Wave says some older Americans cling too much to the notion of independence in their own home and don't fully weigh the costs and benefits of retirement facilities. Based on a study, the group offers a list of five myth-busters that may help families make these tough decisions: -- My current home will be the best place to live in retirement. Many retirees believe remaining in their house gives them the most freedom and independence. But the reality is that by staying at home, they spend twice as much time doing housework and shopping as someone in a retirement center. -- My current home is the best option to lead an active life and stay connected. Among those over 80, nearly half report suffering from loneliness--twice the rate of younger adults. Depression, alcohol abuse, and obesity can follow. -- Home is less expensive. Among homeowners older than 65, 84 percent have paid off the mortgage. Still, a house is expensive. Taxes, utilities, upkeep, and insurance really add up. -- It would be easy to get any care I might need at home. This may be true. But home-health care can further isolate anyone unable to get out. It is also expensive and can add to burdens on extended family. -- Retirement centers are filled with people who are sick and dying. This may be the most off-putting myth. Today's centers are not where old people go to die. This is partly because most centers require new residents to be in good health and be able to live independently when entering the community. Let's talk. Families are challenged to communicate their needs and desires for a housing solution. Cultural differences certainly determine the "acceptance" of multiple generations in a single household, but for the most part, the concept has moved in and out of trend in the United States. Needless to say, it's a touchy subject. In a Metlife Mature Market Institute online survey of 2,123 Americans ages 21 to 65, conducted from June 29 to July 20, 2011, nearly half--46 percent across generations--believe children have a responsibility to provide financial support to their own parents or in-laws if they experience financial difficulty later in life. For many, this means allowing a parent to live with them if he or she is not healthy enough to live alone without caregiving (58 percent overall call this a strong or absolute responsibility), or allowing a parent to live with them if he or she is having financial trouble (50 percent). At the same time, however, many parents say they would not accept financial assistance from their children in old age. The sad truth is that they may not have much choice. Better to discuss these issues now, when all the stakeholders can play a role in determining what "home" will look like in the future.

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The arduous art of the chocolate taster

First study the colour, then the nose, the structure and taste: as for any good wine, tasting chocolate is both a treat and a serious art, requiring regular practice to fine-tune the senses. And who better to offer a lesson in chocolate tasting than Pierre Herme, the French master pastry chef? "You start by looking at the texture," he explained at a recent tasting organised in Paris by the "Chocolate Crunchers' Club" -- a 150-strong fellowship created three decades ago to celebrate a common passion for the cocoa bean. "I rough it up a bit first -- crushing it to test its resistance," Herme said, pressing a blade onto various parts of the chocolate bonbon on his plate. Then comes the time to taste, paying close heed to "intensity, acidity, the lightness of the texture, the finish" -- how the flavour lingers after each mouthful -- "and for flavoured chocolates the balance between the chosen aroma and the chocolate itself." Without forgetting the most important of all: "pleasure." Five times a year the club's members gather around some of France's top artisans to taste all manner of cocoa-based treats -- from truffle bars to mousses, biscuits, patisseries and ice creams. The ritual is always the same: each taster needs a small knife, a glass of water and some bread to cleanse the palate. "The knife is essential, especially for chocolate bonbons," explained Claude Lebey, the doyen of French food critics and one of the founders of the club, gathered for the occasion in a Paris mansion. "You have to slice the sweets in two, to see the thickness of the coating. It should offer resistance, but should not be too thick either, or it stops you from tasting what is inside." Lebey confesses to keeping chocolate stashed away in various corners of his apartment so he can indulge in a quick nibble at any moment. "Hmm, the coffee in this one is dosed just right," he mused approvingly, sucking on a bonbon named "Brasilia", created by Jean-Paul Hevin -- a star Parisian chocolatier with his own stores in Japan and Hong Kong. "It's a dark chocolate ganache, but I added a bit of milk to bring out the scent of the coffee," explained Hevin, who uses ground coffee from Colombia and Brazil -- rather than instant as is often the case. The club's expert crunchers sample another bonbon, this one flavoured with Earl Grey tea. "The bergamot could be a little more pronounced," reckoned one taster. "Yes -- but that's risky, bergamot will easily crush any other flavour," tempered another. For Hevin, "getting the right dose between different flavours is particularly difficult, it takes months of work." "Most often I will put the accent on the chocolate, above any other flavour." But sometimes, on a smoked tea bonbon for instance, he does the opposite: "I am a big tea fan, so on this one I pulled out the stops so you can really taste it. I wanted something more powerful, more virile."

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The Baby Boomer Number Game

There are 75 million baby boomers who are on the verge of retirement. For the next twenty years, an average of 10,000 people each day will reach age 65, which has historically been the retirement phase of life. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of people age 65 to 84 in the U.S. grew by 3.3 million. While 13 percent of Americans are currently age 65 or older, that proportion will jump to 18 percent by 2030. The current 40 million senior citizens will balloon to 89 million by 2050. These numbers and their impact are awe-inspiring and a bit frightening. Baby boomers entering retirement age will dramatically change today's business and lifestyle landscape. Baby boomers may stay in the workforce longer than their parents did, both because they need the money and they're not ready to leave behind fulfilling careers. And when they finally do retire, their need for health care and assisted living could permanently alter what retirement living arrangements look like for generations to come. Work. Americans didn't always aim to retire early. Back in 1880, 78 percent of men over age 64 were still in the workforce. In 1934, the official retirement age of 65 was introduced. And by 1990, only 30 percent of men over 64 remained in the workforce. Now the retirement age is increasing again. In today's era of economic uncertainty, many would-be retirees will need to keep working to make ends meet and be considered fortunate if they can find or hold on to jobs. Delaying retirement will certainly improve the finances of individual baby boomers, but could also lead to intergenerational conflict. Older employees who stay on the job longer than expected could be perceived as standing in the way of younger workers who are in search of their chance to contribute to society and make a living. And senior citizens who take up positions far beneath their experience levels could compete with students and recent graduates looking for a first job. As more seniors stay active in or re-enter the workforce, older workers will increasingly report to younger supervisors, which can also create tension if both parties don't learn to effectively communicate with one another. Without sensitivity on both sides and a willingness to work together, conflict is likely and the welfare of the company could be jeopardized. Living arrangements. Once they leave the workforce behind, aging baby boomers will face decisions regarding their living arrangements that will impact family and friends. In the ideal situation, baby boomers will remain able to cope with the responsibilities of home ownership, take care of themselves, and live safely where they are. But they are unlikely to remain healthy enough and sufficiently independent to go it alone indefinitely. As they continue to age, a growing percentage of baby boomers will reach the point where they cannot completely fend for themselves. At that time, moving in with family may be an option. But challenges are bound to arise when family members must adjust their lifestyle to incorporate the quirks and habits of new residents. Parents may face scrutiny in how they raise their children, with unwanted input from the grandparents. And the physical requirements involved in caring for seniors can tax the patience and finances of the rest of the family. When boomers require more attention than can be effectively provided by family members, nursing homes and extended care facilities will need to be considered. For families already challenged due to the economy and demands of raising a family, this can be brutal. Assisted living facilities that provide hands-on personal care for those who cannot live alone, but do not require the full-time coverage provided by a nursing home, cost an average of $3,261 per month, according to a Genworth Financial survey. Nursing homes with semi-private rooms are $5,790 per month, while those with private rooms ring in at $6,390 monthly. Baby boomers changed the world in their youth and as working adults. Their impact continues at a relentless pace and will likely change our notions about retirement as millions move into retirement age.

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Spring/Summer hair trends: five new looks to try

Slicked back Get the hair gel at the ready because slicked-back styles were all over the Spring/Summer 2012 runways, with everyone from Victoria Beckham to Mugler embracing the mullet-influenced style. Labels including Giambattista Valli, Rebecca Taylor, BCBG Max Azria and Viktor & Rolf also kept tresses smoothed off the forehead for a streamlined and almost futuristic look. Candy color Hair color has got bold for this season, with candy colors including purple and pink replacing classic springtime looks such as ombré tresses or beachy blondes. During the Spring/Summer 2012 shows labels including Issey Miyake, Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon showcased the trend, with the latter painting models locks blue, orange, purple or pink. Models at DSquared2 had pink streaks in their hair, while Peter Som livened up blonde locks with orange strands. Celebrities have taken to the trend too, with Katy Perry and January Jones just some of the big names reaching for the dye. Retro quiffs Having already made an impact during the Fall/Winter season, the quiff has confirmed its staying power and will be back for Spring/Summer 2012 after showing up at shows from the likes of Limi Feu and Rochas. While a retro aesthetic dominated at many presentations, Haider Ackerman showcased punkier varieties and Ohne Titel worked the trend for shorter styles. Meanwhile, Jean Paul Gaultier championed the victory roll for a perfect pin-up look. Futuristic up dos Cone-shaped chignons offered an interesting new silhouette at the Spring/Summer 2012 shows, with Rochas, Narciso Rodriguez and Issey Miyake all sculpting long locks into the most streamlined of shapes which had a science fiction feel. Meanwhile, exaggerated silhouettes were seen at Fendi with its "fobs" (faux bobs), and Diane von Furstenberg embraced dramatic beehives. Be warned: these styles require plenty of hairspray and close attention to detail. Experimental braids Braids were one of the most popular up-do styles on the Spring/Summer 2012 runways, whether in messy fishtail form at Michael Kors or sleek at Peter Pilotto and Danielle Scutt. Low slung braids were seen at Ashish, while romantic plaits were wrapped around the head at Moschino and Valentino. Stars including Dianna Agron have been seen working the fishtail headband trend on the red carpet recently, while Jennifer Lawrence's The Hunger Games alter ego Katniss Everdeen's side French braid has become the subject of numerous YouTube tutorials.

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Tattooist gives nipples, new life, to US cancer survivors

Few tattoo artists tell their clients they could win a wet T-shirt contest.Then again, few tattoo artists are quite like Vincent "Vinnie" Myers. In his shop in a modest strip mall in Finksburg, a half-hour drive from Baltimore, Myers specializes in tattooing nipples and areolas onto women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. Using precisely mixed pigments, he creates a perfect 3-D illusion of the real thing -- and in doing so, enables women who have undergone mastectomies to feel fully like women once again. "It's far more rewarding than anything else I have ever done," said Myers, 49, who has dedicated the last decade of his 28 years as a tattoo artist concentrating on post-op cosmetic tattoos. He has treated around 3,000 breast cancer survivors so far, including many referred to him by surgeons at Baltimore's prestigious Johns Hopkins medical center and other hospitals around the United States. "When it's completed and they see the final results, most women feel very emotional because they realize: 'The thing is over, I'm whole again,'" Myers said. Myers, a Baltimore native, discovered tattooing when he was a US army medic in South Korea in the 1980s. In 2001, a friend asked him if he might tattoo some patients who had undergone breast reconstruction. Typical of the women who have gone under the needle at Little Vinnies Tattoos is Susan, 58, an elegant retiree with a wish "to look as normal as possible." "I'm doing this for me. It makes you feel prettier," she told AFP the other day as Myers pulled on a pair of blue latex gloves and prepared to work is magic. -- 'There's a huge mental impact' -- "Any complications? Any allergies?" the tattooist asked before carefully mixing pigments in tiny pots and joking that Susan "might win" a T-shirt contest once the tattoo is done. "We're going to go with, not peach, but more like taupe, a little bit more blue," he said, before smearing a bit of pigment onto Susan's fair skin to determine if he had mixed the exact color for her complexion. "The perfect reconstructed breast doesn't look like a breast without a nipple," said Myers, whose fee ranges from $350 to $1,000 depending on the complexity of the task at hand. "You get out of the shower in the morning, you look out at yourself in the mirror, and you have no nipples -- there's a huge mental impact," he said. "It's critical that the visual appearance is as close to normal as possible." Hospitals also offer post-mastectomy tattoos, but Myers said they are typically carried out by nurses with no more than "a couple of days" training. On average, it takes Myers two hours to complete his work, during which he will determine the color and size of the areolas of each patient. "They will be some shade of color on the areola itself and a darker shade on the nipples because that is normally darker," he said. "Then you do a kind of grey shadow on the bottom side to highlight the top side so as to give it some depth ... using 'trompe l'oeil' to make it look like it's three dimensional." When he is not in Fricksburg, Myers is often on the road, treating women in New York, Philadelphia, Charleston in South Carolina and the Saint Charles surgical hospital in New Orleans. Myers reckoned that only a handful of his fellow tattoo artists do what he does, and in order to meet a growing demand, he has already trained two others in the secrets of his unique craft. Some 200,000 cases of breast cancer are detected in the United States every year. Half of them require breast reconstruction, even if surgeons using the latest techniques try to retain as much of the nipple area as possible.

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