Summary Box: Siemens quarterly net down 17 percent (AP)

LOSING STEAM: Industrial equipment maker Siemens AG said Tuesday that net profit fell 17 percent to euro1.46 billion ($1.89 billion) in the final quarter of 2011 due to delays in major wind-power and rail projects.

EUROPE DEBT IMPACT: CEO Peter Loescher said the result showed that troubles In financial markets from Europe's debt crisis "have left their mark on the real economy" through weaker demand.

WORLD VIEW: Siemens fortunes are a clue to demand in the global economy, since the company is active far beyond its German home ? in the U.S., Asia and the developing world.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/earnings/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120124/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_germany_earns_siemens_summary_box

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Rollin' Justin learns to throw like a robot

Our pal Rollin' Justin proved the old adage about teaching old robots new robo tricks wrong back in April, when he learned to catch balls by tracking moving objects, calculating their flight paths and then snapping shut his cold metal claws at the moment of impact. Now he's besting himself, thanks to a handful of improvements imparted upon him by way of his fleshy masters at the German Aerospace Agency. Among the upgrades are are an improvement to old Justin's dynamic performance -- he's now 1.5 times faster in his arms, thanks to new gear ratios, helping to make his game of robo catch two-sided, with the ability to actually throw. He's also adopted the more flattering moniker Agile Justin and likes to play catch with his older, similarly named sibling. Video evidence of his new-found skills after the jump.

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Katherine Dean: Backyard Bliss: A DIY Guide To Getting Married At Home

This article originally appeared in Equally Wed Magazine. Equally Wed is the nation's premier online same-sex wedding and honeymoon magazine, providing articles, inspiration and ideas on everything from popping the question to saying "I do" to the glorious honeymoon, as well as the latest news headlines on the fight for marriage equality. The preeminent source for all things gay wedding, Equally Wed also offers the most comprehensive directory of gay-friendly wedding vendors in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

With the cost of weddings skyrocketing, and with many same-sex couples footing the entire bill for their big day, an intimate affair in your own backyard might start to look more appealing than the three-day destination gala you'd originally planned. Opting to tie the knot in your private outdoor sanctuary saves you the hassle of touring venue after venue and allows you and your betrothed to focus your time, energy and hard-earned cash on the things that matter to you most, be it fabulous photography from your city's top artists or a killer open bar, complete with signature cocktails and the very best bubbly.

Still, just because you'll be using your backyard doesn't mean planning your wedding will be a walk in the park. The work that goes into an event so close to home can far exceed hiring people to handle everything for you. Luckily, when it comes to planning backyard weddings, you are limited only by your creativity. From including your favorite furry friends to renting a photo booth to hiring a slew of outrageous circus performers, your backyard wedding can and should be a reflection of your and your beloved's unique style and personality. Here's how you do it:

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Before you begin to plan your backyard soiree, you'll need to consider the basics: primarily, determining if your yard is suitable for a wedding. Will your space accommodate your guest list? Where will your attendees park? Will your event require any permits from the city? Does your homeowner's insurance cover third-party liability? What about noise ordinances? Once you've got all these bases covered, it's time to dive into the details.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
We can think of nothing worse than having your neighbor crank his riding lawn mower just as you exchange vows, except perhaps walking down the aisle to the squeals of 20 delighted 8-year-olds enjoying a pool party just over the fence. To prevent a catastrophe, let your neighbors know of your nuptials and what you've got planned at least six weeks in advance. Better yet, invite them! If you're lucky, they might even volunteer their driveway for overflow parking.

GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS
No matter how meticulous a planner you are, it's next to impossible to host a backyard wedding without the help of family and close friends. Unless you've hired an assistant, every detail of your ceremony and reception rests on your shoulders. Your nearest and dearest are usually happy to help ensure your special day goes off without a hitch. Just make sure you don't rely on the same person for everything. It's poor form to request your maid-of-honor to arrange bouquets, transport your cake, set up the bar and usher guests all on top of her day-of duties. And please don't forget your manners. Whether you're asking Aunt Rita for the use of her punchbowl or soliciting able-bodied friends to string lights from tree to tree, thank everyone, and do it often.

SOMETHING BORROWED
Costs can quickly spiral out of control if you rent everything from the cutlery to the candleholders instead of inquiring as to what you can borrow from pals. Based on the vision you have for your wedding, figure out what you'll need to rent and what you have or can borrow. Plenty of companies offer glasses, plates and utensils for one night at a hefty price, but mismatched items collected from thrift stores, discount outlets and friends can lend charming sentimentality to your already special day.

When it comes to sound systems, tables, chairs and linens, get creative! Talk up your friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Local churches, businesses, recreation centers, even funeral homes often have these items on hand and may let you borrow or rent them at a reduced cost. It never hurts to ask, and it could save you a bundle of money.

WEATHER THE STORM
Neither rain, sleet nor threat of snow should keep you from taking your love's hand in marriage, but they can put a huge damper on the day. Likewise, gale force winds can wreck havoc on the delicate chiffon bridesmaids' dresses you've selected. When deciding on the date for your backyard wedding, consult the Farmer's Almanac for historic weather records for the weekend you've selected. Once you've picked that perfect day, with nary a cloud in sight, know that the weather still may not cooperate and that, in a pinch, it's best to have a backup plan. If you cannot accommodate your guests indoors, consider renting a tent for your reception that can double as your ceremony space if necessary. Tent rental companies will handle set-up and break-down of the tent before and after the event.

Don't forget to take the extra steps necessary to make your guests as comfortable, prepared and protected from the elements as possible. Ladies will likely forego the stilettos if you add a printed insert to your invitations advising them that your ceremony and reception will take place on soft terrain. Providing sunscreen, bottled water, bug spray and blankets are all nice touches depending on the season.

TIDY UP
It's best to get your yard in tip-top shape as soon as possible. Go ahead and fertilize that lawn, plant additional flowers or shrubs, fill any holes in the ground, and make all necessary repairs to patios and fixtures. Just before the big day, mow the lawn, trim any overgrowth and, of course, pick up behind your pooches.

LET YOUR LOVE FLOW
Since you'll have the benefit of unlimited access to your venue before you say "I do," you can spend ample time designing the layout and flow of traffic during your ceremony and reception. Take measurements of your space and create a scale drawing to determine where to place your tent, tables and chairs. Keep in mind; people gravitate toward food and beverage, so place these stations away from high-traffic entry and exit points.

SET THE STAGE
One of the biggest advantages to any outdoor wedding is the splendid backdrop that Mother Nature provides. Vibrant fall color and spring blossoms will eliminate the need for elaborate preparations. Potted plants, garden hooks with hanging baskets and strategically placed fabric, ribbon or tulle can fill in any gaps or cover imperfections. Use flowers and tree branches from your backyard to create centerpieces, and let your natural landscape do the rest!

LET THERE BE LIGHT
If your reception will extend into the nighttime hours, proper lighting is essential. Candles and paper lanterns lend an air of dramatic elegance, while tiki torches or strands of clear twinkle lights laced above your guests create a warm and simple, yet beautiful effect. Determine how many outlets you'll need for any lighting that requires a power source, and keep a fire extinguisher on hand if you plan to have any open flames.

CHANGE OF SCENERY
Unless your backyard is beyond spacious, your aisle may quickly need to become your dance floor. There are a few ways to handle the transition from ceremony to reception. If you plan on keeping your vows short and sweet, asking your guests to stand shouldn't be a problem (but please, by all means, set up a chair for your sweet 75-year-old nana). Skipping the seats during your ceremony allows you to set up the reception seating in advance.

If you prefer the formality of seating your guests during the ceremony, usher your guests to an unused location -- perhaps your front yard -- for a champagne toast or passed hors d'oeuvres while family or caterers convert your space.

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Got a talented friend? Recruit her to play guitar or violin for your stroll down the aisle. Get your guests dancing at the reception with a play list full of you and your love's favorite songs. A tech-savvy family member can easily cue up the tunes you've selected for your first dance and other special moments. Test your sound system the day before your wedding to ensure that your guests will be able to hear the music as well as carry on a conversation without shouting, and avoid placing seats directly in front of a speaker.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY
What you serve at your backyard wedding can range from champagne and caviar to barbecue and beer and just about anything in between. If you plan to use caterers, find out what they will need from you and whether your kitchen will accommodate them. If you forego caterers, you'll likely need to rely on those trusty friends and family members (again) to help prepare and present the meal. If your Uncle Jimmy has offered to whip up low-country boil for all 75 of your guests, you might have it made. But if firing up the grill isn't part of your vision, buffet lines lend themselves particularly well to backyard affairs. Just make sure you skip mayonnaise-laden dishes that can take a turn for the worse if not cooled properly. Likewise, advise your cake baker that your wedding will take place outdoors so that he can avoid frostings that will melt in mild heat.

When it comes to libations, consider hiring a bartender. Many guests aren't accustomed to mixing their own cocktails, which can lead to a serious waste of expensive liquor or embarrassing over-consumption. If you prefer to keep things simple, mix up batches of a signature cocktail or stick with bottles of wine and beer chilled in galvanized steel tubs.

WHEN NATURE CALLS
Decide upfront whether or not your indoor facilities will be available to guests during the event. If so, make sure they are well stocked with toilet paper, soap and hand towels. If not, you'll have to rent port-a-potties (at least two per 100 guests and one per 50 guests after that). If images of smelly outhouses with sprinkled-on seats have you concerned, never fear. The portable loo has gone luxe. Many rental companies offer top-of-the-line restrooms complete with flushable toilets, functioning sinks, full length mirrors and lighting.

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW
Lastly, backyard weddings do not have the time constraints that most venues impose and, as a result, some of your guests may decide to linger. If an all-nighter is what you had in mind, by all means, keep the party going. But if you prefer to spend the wee morning hours in the arms of your new husband or wife, consider a staged exit. Nothing says "it's time to go" like having the guests of honor hit the road.

Photos of Dani and Kelly's backyard wedding by Tinywater Photography.

MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT?> ??|?? <?PREV

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-dean/backyard-bliss-a-diy-guid_b_1211906.html

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In defeat, Romney aims to rebound with sharp focus on Gingrich (Reuters)

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) ? Decisively beaten in South Carolina, Republican Mitt Romney signaled a tougher approach to newly resurgent rival Newt Gingrich on Saturday to get his 2012 presidential campaign back on track.

Romney's loss punctured his aura of inevitability as the eventual Republican nominee to face Democratic President Barack Obama on November 6 that he had built up after a narrow loss in Iowa and a victory in New Hampshire earlier this month.

The pressure on Romney following his loss in the South Carolina primary is to right the ship for the January 31 contest in Florida. It is a state with a more diverse, moderate electorate that may play more to Romney's strengths, compared to South Carolina where many conservatives felt he lacked Gingrich's fighting spirit.

"In Florida it won't be a total consolidation of the conservative vote for Gingrich," said Republican strategist Charlie Black. "The next several states are good for Romney."

Romney conceded that the state-by-state battle for the Republican nomination will now be a long one.

Romney's challenge is to avoid the type of distractions that dogged him in South Carolina, where his campaign got caught up in a controversy over when and if he would release his personal tax records.

Romney, one of the richest men ever to seek the presidency, earlier in the week acknowledged that his income tax rate is "probably closer to 15 percent than anything," making it lower than the rate paid by most wage-earning Americans. Romney has an estimated net worth of $270 million.

The tax issue allowed his lead in the state's polls to disappear and Romney bowed to a surge of late support for Gingrich, who seemed to draw a better connection with South Carolina voters.

SETTLE THE TAX ISSUE

To try to put the tax return controversy behind him, the Romney campaign has a plan to settle the tax issue next week, a Republican official said.

This will allow Romney to concentrate on what he considers a stark choice between his executive experience outside of Washington and Gingrich's experience as a high-flying consultant who has made a fortune as a Washington insider. Romney is a former Massachusetts governor.

Romney, in his South Carolina concession speech, was sharply critical of Gingrich for attacking him over his leadership at Bain Capital, a private equity firm that bought and restructured companies, sometimes resulting in job losses.

Romney said Gingrich had assaulted the free enterprise system and demonized success and prosperity. Nominating him would make it hard for Republicans to topple Obama next November, said Romney.

"Our president has divided the nation, engaged in class warfare and attacked the free enterprise system that has made America the economic envy of the world. We cannot defeat that president with a candidate who has joined in that very assault on free enterprise," Romney said, a refrain that he is likely to repeat at the first of two Florida debates, on Monday in Tampa.

The campaign is also pushing Gingrich to reveal more about his ties with troubled mortgage giant Freddie Mac, which paid the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives $1.6 million for consulting work.

Romney aides said they knew South Carolina would be a hard fight for him given his fourth place finish in the primary in 2008 during his previous unsuccessful run for the White House.

"Nobody runs the table," said senior Romney adviser Stuart Stevens.

But Romney has now lost two of the first three states in the nominating process.

There was not a sense that the Romney campaign was about to undergo any major changes in his campaign, unlike what occurred in George W. Bush's operation when he suffered a surprise loss in New Hampshire to John McCain in 2000.

"You have to take the long view and say, yeah, it's disappointing that we didn't sweep South Carolina, but the truth is that was never really the expectation until a couple of weeks ago when expectations got out of hand," said one Romney adviser.

Campaign aides said they believed Romney is in good position to fight a lengthy, sustained campaign to outlast Gingrich, who they do not believe can built a strong organizational get-out-the-vote effort in many states.

"We have the organization built to compete and do well in every state. We have been able to get on every ballot and have a 50-state organization. Newt, for instance couldn't even get on the ballot in his home state of Virginia," a Romney aide said.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120122/pl_nm/us_usa_campaign_romney

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EU finance chiefs to meet as Greek talks stall (AP)

PARIS ? European finance ministers will try on Monday to give new momentum to talks on a Greek debt relief deal that is crucial to avoid a default, but a European diplomat warned that a final agreement may have to wait until a leaders' summit next week.

A deal would see Greece's private creditors ? banks and other investment firms ? swap their Greek bonds for ones with a 50 percent lower value, thereby cutting the country's debt pile by some euro100 billion ($129 billion). The new bonds will also have much longer maturities, pushing repayments decades into the future, and a much lower interest rate than Greece would currently have to pay on the market.

However, even though the Greek government and representatives for the private creditors are moving closer to a final deal, issues remain ? in particular over the interest rates on the new bonds.

If the interest rate is too high, a second, euro130 billion bailout for Greece may not be enough to put the country back on its feet. Several eurozone states and the International Monetary Fund would have to provide more loans, but they are reluctant to do so.

The talks with the private creditors will likely drag on until a summit of European Union leaders next Monday "even if technically speaking a deal is at hand," a European diplomat said Monday.

"This has to be fixed at the highest level," said the diplomat, who was speaking on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are confidential.

French finance chief Francois Baroin, who met German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble in Paris before heading to Brussels for a eurozone ministers' meeting, told reporters that a deal "seems to be emerging."

Investors appeared confident that a deal would be struck eventually, pushing the euro, stocks and bonds higher. The borrowing rates for fiscally weak countries like Italy and Spain continued to slide, suggesting growing confidence in their financial futures.

Greek officials say negotiations are continuing over the phone, while no appointment has been set yet for new face-to-face talks this week.

Last week, officials from the Institute of International Finance, which represents the private creditors, held three days of intensive talks with Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos on the bond swap, which is officially called-Private Sector Involvement, or PSI.

The negotiations had been due to resume Saturday, according to Greek officials. But IIF chief Charles Dallara left for a "long-standing engagement" in Paris on Saturday.

Dallara told The Associated Press over the weekend that the talks are "coming together."

The IIF's legal and financial advisers are still in Athens working on several "outstanding issues" and Dallara will return "as needed," a spokesman said.

Greek government spokesman Pantelis Kapsis said there was "absolutely no" question of the talks failing.

"Tonight's eurogroup meeting is important, and we hope significant steps will be taken there towards an agreement," he told state NET radio Monday.

On Sunday, Dallara was quoted by private Antenna TV as saying he had presented Athens with "the best possible" proposal on the debt writedown.

"I believe the elements now are in place for a historic voluntary PSI deal. It is a question now really of the broader reaction of the European official sector and of course the IMF to this proposal," he said.

Having the creditors accept the deal voluntarily would avoid the payout of insurance on the restructured bonds. The EU and IMF are trying hard to keep it a voluntary deal, but Dallara suggested their demands were pushing the limits of what the private creditors could consider voluntary.

"Our offer that was delivered to the Prime Minister is the maximum offer consistent with a voluntary PSI deal," he added. "We are in a crossroads. Either we choose a voluntary debt restructuring (or) the alternative is to choose the path of default."

Dallara said he was "quite hopeful" that common ground can be reached "in the very, very, very short term."

The writedown is a key part of Greece's second international bailout, agreed in October but not yet finalized. Since May 2010, the country has been surviving on a first euro110 billion ($142 billion) batch of rescue loans agreed on condition of deep spending cuts and sweeping public sector reforms.

Debt inspectors from the EU, the European Central Bank and the IMF ? collectively known as the troika ? will be meeting government officials in Athens this week on the course of the austerity program. Without approval from the troika, Greece will be cut off from its rescue loan lifeline, which would force it into a messy default on its debts in late March and even possibly see it leave the euro.

___

Paphitis reported from Athens. Gabriele Steinhauser in Brussels contributed to this story.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/business/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120123/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_europe_financial_crisis

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Wedding Magician

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Whether young or old by creating a "talking point" with his Fun Interactive Award Winning Close Up Magic known as Mix and Mingle Magic or Table Magic. This acts as an amazing ice breaker, while the photographs are being taken at the beginning of a Wedding, as well as performing at the Wedding Breakfast or Evening Reception keeping your guests highly entertained.

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Source: http://services.vivastreet.co.uk/event-planning+sutton-sm1/wedding-magic/18271359

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Does Microsoft Really Need A Windows Superphone?

WindowsPhoneRoadmapA leaked Windows Phone roadmap made the rounds earlier today, and if its contents hold true, then Microsoft will be going big on hardware when it comes time for Windows Phone Apollo to take the stage. Even though the budget-friendly Tango update will hit devices first, Microsoft has apparently made the development of "superphones" a priority for next year.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/TDMPVVa9G40/

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Pets deserve happy holiday, too | Davis Enterprise

Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless is a volunteer group of UC Davis veterinary students who, together with volunteer local and UCD faculty veterinarians, offer a free clinic monthly to care for the pets of the homeless in Sacramento. The Mercer Clinic began in 1993 and is adjacent to the Sacramento Loaves and Fishes facility where food and care are provided for the homeless.

In 1995, the staff VOICE newsletter committee for the UCD Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital started the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets tradition to brighten the holidays for these very special pets. Sadly, the need has grown significantly over the years and our goal every year is to make 130 baskets (80 for dogs and 50 for cats).

The program relies on donations from pet supply companies and from the public, to buy the pets gifts and treats. The baskets are distributed by the Mercer Clinic veterinary student volunteers to the pets of the homeless who attend the December Mercer Clinic. Donations are welcome and much needed all year-round, but this year the clinic has greater need for monetary donations than ever before.

Please help us continue this wonderful program and holiday pet basket tradition for these special pets who deserve a happy holiday, too. All donations for the Mercer Clinic or the Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets are tax-deductible.

To donate to the Holiday Pet Basket program, please make your check to UC Regents-Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Baskets and mail to our new mailing address: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Office of the Dean, P.O. Box 1167, Davis CA, 95617-1167 Attn: Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets.

If you would like to make a donation to the Mercer Clinic for the ongoing clinic needs, please make your check to Mercer Vet Clinic and mail it to Mercer Vet Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless, P.O. Box 297, Davis, CA, 95617. If you have any questions, please call (530) 756-5165 or email emsamitz@ucdavis.edu.

Eileen Samitz and the Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Basket Committee

Davis

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=119426

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Poll: What kind of case do you prefer for your iPhone?

What kind of case do you prefer for your iPhone?CES 2012 is coming up soon and before we get ready to amp up our accessory coverage, we thought we’d start by finding out what kinds of cases the TiPb Nation prefers to rock on the iPhone? There’s an...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/B9i3hHRi3Mo/story01.htm

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Idaho man's Museum of Clean ready to shine (AP)

POCATELLO, Idaho ? Don Aslett may be more than a half century into his fight against dirt and clutter, but he still can't take a stroll without bending to pick up litter from the sidewalk.

As a child, he can remember cringing at the site of spilled coffee grounds and in high school, finding it strange the other boys didn't like to clean their rooms. Even now at the age of 76, his battle against grit and grime has yet to relent.

Those who may not understand his devotion, he reasons, have likely never felt the satisfaction of making a toilet bowl shine.

"I'll tell you, clean is a hard sell," said Aslett, who has written 37 books on the topic and founded a janitorial business with branches in most states and Canada.

While mothers may threaten their kids with having to clean their rooms as punishment, Aslett knew he was different from an early age.

"I love to clean," he said with a shrug.

And now, he has a six-story shrine dedicated to his craft ? the Museum of Clean ? that recently opened to the public in southeastern Idaho.

Among the exhibits: A horse-drawn vacuum dating back to 1902; a collection of several hundred pre-electric vacuum cleaners; a Civil War-era operating table; a 1,600-year-old bronze pick that was used to clean teeth, and an antique Amish foot bath.

If visitors grow weary while touring the building with its estimated 6,000 historical cleaning devices, they can take a seat on chairs fashioned out of garbage bins, a claw foot bathtub and a washing machine from 1945.

There's also an 88-seat theater, an art gallery, and a gift shop with cleaning kits for kids priced at $9.95 and plush toys in the shape of germs. Aslett's most prized possession ? a 2,000 year old terra cotta water vessel used by the Romans to wash up_ is not quite ready for display and kept locked in a filing cabinet.

The idea for the project came several years ago, when Aslett came upon an old pre-electric sweeper vacuum at a Detroit museum.

"I thought, well there's horse museums, cow museums, train museums, plane museums. Why not a clean museum?" Aslett said.

He started his collection with an old pump vacuum he purchased for about $250 and tracked down more items at antique stores, while others were donated. He soon had enough for a display at his office in downtown Pocatello.

"I found out something interesting, people are into cars and food and sports," Aslett said. "Cleaning is way down on the list. But If you took something as dull as cleaning and made it humorous, then cleaning goes to the top."

Aslett started public speaking and writing cleaning handbooks with titles such as: "Is there Life after Housework?" and "Clutter's Last Stand." His personal monikers have included the Dean of Clean, the Sultan of Shine and, who could ever forget, Don Juan of the John.

He was featured in People Magazine. He's also been on Oprah. At one point, he started carrying a fiberglass toilet as a suitcase because he felt that was the symbol of his trade. He also enjoyed the suspense of his fellow travelers as they waited by the baggage carousel to see who would claim it.

As his cleaning business thrived, so did the cleaning tool collection. Things got serious when he found a Boston collector with 230 pre-electric vacuums he was willing to sell for $300,000.

"After I got that collection, I found out that I needed a lot more room," Aslett said. "I thought, if I'm going to do this, I'm going to leave a real legacy."

Over the years, as the museum missed several expected starts, but Aslett stood firm in his belief: "When you hear Pocatello, you're going to think clean."

He was quick to dismiss a website survey this year that ranked Pocatello among the dirtiest cities in the United States based on online sales of cleaning products.

"That's like saying Pocatello has the most ugly women in the world because we buy the least makeup," he said

The museum, which took six years to assemble at a cost of about $6 million, marked its grand opening last month. Tickets cost $5 per person or $15 for a family.

Inside, the history of clean begins to the right, with a giant model of Noah's Ark, a reference to the worldwide cleaning of Biblical proportions. To the left are interactive exhibits aimed at teaching kids how to properly make their bed, clean their room, sweep and recycle.

During a recent tour, Aslett stopped to clean a window display inside a children's play area. His squeegee glided across glass in a quick flurry of sweeping strokes, like an artist painting a canvas.

"That's how the professionals do it," Aslett said, leaning back to admire his work.

He would know.

Aslett first marketed himself as professional cleaner when he was 19 and attending Idaho State University in the 1950s. He charged $1.25 an hour and recalls his first job cleaning around a furnace took him 56 minutes. He was paid $1.18, an amount of money he keeps framed on his office wall.

"I thought, it's going to be a tough road after this," Aslett said.

But by the time he graduated, Aslett had launched a construction, facility services and janitorial company that employed about 500 and had branches in three states. Varsity Contractors now boasts annual sales of $100 million.

The cleanliness concept was ingrained into him from the time he was a child, growing up poor in the tiny south-central town of Dietrich, where the family grew beans, potatoes and wheat. His mother taught him that clean was something to be desired.

"She said: `The reason I married your dad is because he was always clean, he always washed his hands, he always had clean clothes,'" Aslett said.

He and his wife, Barbara, now split their time between their Idaho ranch and their home in Hawaii. He may be a millionaire, but he also embodies the de-cluttered lifestyle he preaches. He has two pairs of shoes, three suits and the last time he brought a new pair of Levis jeans, they cost $3.25.

"When you're a cleaner, you look at things a little differently," Aslett said. "You look at the stuff you have to clean up, the unnecessary bottles and the unnecessary towels, and the garbage ..." he said, his voice trailing off as the list went on.

___

Online:

Don Aslett's Museum of Clean: http://www.museumofclean.com

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/us/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111227/ap_on_re_us/us_museum_of_clean

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