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I shared about some of my favorite lovely things a while back, and over time have become friends with the charming designer and owner, Ruthanne of Eclectic Whatnot (I found while searching etsy one day, and bought my camera strap, in Sea Breeze.) Her straps are for dslR cameras, but she also has flouncy aprons and will do custom orders, if you'd like. Win. I'm giving away a Lemon Drop Ruffled Camera Strap Cover [$35]. If you'd like to be entered to win, please visit Eclectic Whatnot and leave a comment here telling me your favorite of all her items. I'll choose one winner at random after tomorrow (Tuesday, 11:59 pm). This giveaway is open to winners in the US and Canada. I've received no compensation or product for this post. It's something I love that I wanted to share with you. Find Eclectic Whatnot on Twitter and Facebook. Oh, and me, too. :) Congrats to winner DesireeFawn! Oh how I would love to give this to a dear friend! It's gorgeous! As a photographer, of course my favorite item is her camera strap! But the I heart Cupcakes half apron makes me melt! While lemon drop is my favorite, I also love the cupcake apron. So cute! Ohh, her camera straps are darling! So fresh and feminine, I love them! The chocolate truffle caught my eye, and so did the mint julep. I love them all! I like the Sweet Cherry Pie apron. It looks like it could make housework fun! Lovely is exactly the right word for these. Her aprons made my day. Gorgeous! I love the Pink Lady - Ruffle camera strap! I'm sorry but I simply could not pick one...The French Roast strap is my fav strap and the Cupcake apron is my fav as well. My favorites right now are the Cue the music half apron and the I heart cupcakes apron. LOVE IT ALL!!! She is amazing. Oh I wanna win this..crosses fingers I like the French Roast - Ruffled, dSLR Camera Strap Cover and the gobstopper! Fun! LOVE her new watermelon sorbet strap cover! And the lemon drop too :) Her poppy seed apron is LOVELY! It would totally bring back the femininity in cooking for me, instead of wallowing in the drudgery. (And the camera straps? A-DORABLE!) Thanks for offering this giveaway! I loooove this camera strap, but I also really like the sweet cherry pie apron in her store! Very cute! oh what a shame that I live in EU :( Gorgeous. I love the lemondrop strap. I LOVE the Chocolate Truffle - Ruffled, dSLR Camera Strap Cover!!! SO PRETTY!!!! :o) Gorgeous! I love the Lemon Drop camera strap....and then French Roast camera strap right after that. And Orange Blossom, too! They're all so pretty! And the Sweet Cherry Pie half apron...consider this shop officially added to my Etsy "Favorites"! :) I LOVE the poppy apron, because I don't have a dslr camera... They are gorgeous, though!! Oh boy! That sweet cherry pie apron is adorable! But the camera straps are the best - I bet a fancy camera strap would make my camera even more appealing to my one-year old! (which could spell trouble...) I like "paint the town red" I love the Sweet Cherry Pie ruffled half apron too. I would feel like a queen cooking with that apron ;) Her work is amazing! It is really hard to pick a favorite... but if I had to it would be some cherry pie. Life would just be better with some cherry pie in it :) What a great giveaway!!! Don't enter me - I have FOUR of her camera straps! I'm only here to say they are wonderful. I love the Lemon Drop and the Orange Blossom camera straps:-) gorgeous! I love the gobstopper camera stap. But they all would look great on my new camera! I love I heart cupcakes apron. It would motivate me to stay in the kitchen more. I would give the strap to a special friend. They are all gorgeous! I think I love the Chocolate Truffle strap the best. i am in love with the watermelon sorbet camera strap. in love. my next paycheck better hurry itself up. I love the pink lady strap the best! Those aprons are adorable! You and Ivy look good, love the colors you both are wearing ( : That curtain looks good too! I love the lemon drop & the french roast! SO pretty! oh! love. i like the lemon and also the french roast straps. girlie camera upgrade! I was just looking at this store yesterday! My favorite thing is the poppyseed apron! LOVES it! I was just looking at this store yesterday! My favorite thing is the poppyseed apron! LOVES it! Awesome name for a shop! I love the Lemon Drop, but the Watermelon Sorbet is very cool too. The poppy seed apron! Love. Might go with the mint julep camera strap, since hubs and I share the camera. That is really super cute and I'd love to rock it! I went to her shop and this captured my attention. Nell How fun! I love the camera straps. I've seen other blogger photographers with them doting their cameras. I am trying to get a photography business going and would love to sport one of these. Pick me please!!! from her site... gobstopper camera strap=adorable along with sweet cherry pie apron...makes me want to go bake one!! I really like the poppy seed apron and the Gobstopper strap cover. They're all so amazing though! love the watermelon sorbet ruffly strap....ooh, delicious! ;-) I love this!!! I got my first DSLR on Friday and I'm so excited! This would be the perfect kind of accessory to make it more "mine". I love the Orange Blossom one too! Even if I don't get the opportunity to win, I may have found just the place to get one!! :) The ruffley aprons are fantastic, but my favorite is definitely the lemon drop strap cover you're giving away. I love me some yellow!!! I would love, love any of her camera straps!! Thank you for doing this I love the camera straps, especially the paint the town red and gobstopper choices. Too cute! I love the Poppy Seed apron, I would love to win this for Erica my lovely roommate from Evo. I don't have a dslr but she does and was talking about how she wanted a fun camera strap. These camera straps are awesome! We purchased a new dslr camera before the holidays and it was supposed to me mine, but my husband has taken it over. I think one of these straps would help me reclaim it! The Lemon Drop would be great because the colors are still neutral. I like the french roast ruffled camera strap cover! Everyting is PRECIOUS! isn't she great? i love her straps. Oh, I love them all! I've been eyeing fancy camera straps for a long time but I haven't found the money to splurge on myself just yet. The lemon drop is my favorite followed by seabreeze and orange blossom. Too beautiful. Oh I love the Poppy Seed - Ruffled Half-Apron, but I could I wear it as a skirt? So cute! The poppy seed apron is darling. She sells gorgeous things! Bookmarking her! Oh, I love everything, she is amazing! And so are you, thank you! (If I have to pick one, then it'll be the Watermelon Sorbet Ruffled Camera Strap Cover) The sweet cherry pie apron is to die for! I'm also loving the idea of jazzing up my camera strap. Maybe it will give me the books to make my pictures look better! I love the Watermelon Sorbet camera strap- so fun and fresh for the summer!! Love the colors in the lemon drop...but if I had to pick a different one, it would be the Mint Julep. The I (heart) cupcakes apron needs to be mice. adore the i heart cupcakes apron...and the watermelon sorbet camera strap. i just inherited a great camera when my dad passed away and would love a fun strap cover for it! Those are gorgeous! I love the French Roast!! Those are gorgeous! I love the French Roast!! My camera would look so lovely in orange blossom! What a fantastic giveaway- I puffy heart love it! :) I ADORE that Chocolate Truffle camera strap! Her shop is so much fun! I love the lemon drop camera strap! Adorable! jackiecollyer at hotmail dot com All of the straps are adorable, but I also love the half aprons (sweet cherry pie is too cute). What a great shop! Besides the lemon drop, I love the watermelon sorbet strap cover. I just got my first dslr and would LOVE to dress it up! :) I love the poppyseed apron. I have an etsy mei tai in the middle floral fabric. Bri Ohhh I am in LOVE with that Chocolate truffle! But really, you can't go wrong, they are all adorable. Loving the Sweet Cherry Pie - Ruffled Half-Apron. I love the camera strap covers but I have lost my camera strap so it is hard to love a cover without a strap to put it on. I would sooo find one if I won though. I LOVE the French Roast strap... WOW! I LOVE the French Roast strap... WOW! I was JUST looking on Etsy for cute camera straps! I'm so glad you featured your beautiful strap and where I can get one. And by the way, that picture is truly one of my favorites....although I know I've said that a lot. I just wanted to say hi. Happy summer to you and yours, my friend. Oh Oh!! I LOVE all of her camera straps. My favorites are the Lemon Drop and Watermelon Sorbet. I am a photographer, and I am always looking for cute straps. I think these are some of the cutest I have ever found! Thanks for posting this! So very nice of you, blue and yellow are my favorite color combos....I'll keep my fingers crossed. I love the poppy ruffled apron as well, ahh...to have that talent! :) That is so hard! Maybe the Lemon Drop. Or the Truffle. Or even the French Roast. Cute, cute, cute. Love the watermelon sorbet strap! :) Awesome! That blue/yellow one is so cute too! I love a ruffled tote bag she had on there a couple of weeks ago. All of her stuff is so sweet! ~Jenny I just love her Cue The Music Half Apron! The colors are gorgeous! ooohhhh so pretty! I love the Seabreeze - Ruffled, dSLR Camera Strap Cover...I'm a sucker for anything turquoise! But I gotta say I think I love the lemon drop one maybe just a teensy bit better! I automatically went for the french roast camera strap- but then decided to go out of my comfort level, cause the whole ruffle thing is way out of it anyway, so think the chocolate truffle would be fun. Love the chocolate truffle camera strap. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Those ruffled camera straps are adorable! I really like the Lemon Drop one and the French Roast one! :) the sweet cherry pie apron is really cute! Thanks! Very pretty! I like the Gobstopper and Orange Blossom styles. I LOVE the 'Mint Julep', however I would actually need to get a dSLR camera first. Oh, and seeing as how I'm a horrific cook, and avoid the kitchen whenever possible, I probably won't be needing an apron any time soon ;) Do people really wear aprons?!?! Lisa, I wear an apron!!! :) I have a few, but you can see my favorite one here. Steph I have tried twice to post a comment and it doesn't seem to be working so I apologize If a few duplicates pop up in an hour. I honestly love the lemon drop strap. So fun and pretty. If I buy one for myself I'll have to add the lens cap pocket, I am constantly losing that thing! Would be super cute to tote around at BlogHer... but I'd use it on my video camera, not photo camera ;) definitely the Poppy Seed Ruffled Half-Apron. fav-o-rite. the camera strap is super adorbs too. Such great camera straps! The French Roast is one of my favs :) i love ruffles. and polka dots. and my camera. <3 I do so love that camera strap and would hold on to it in hopes of soon getting a camera fit to wear it. But if I had to say something else... that cupcake apron is adorable and would be so fun to bake in! love all the aprons! I also love this camera strap... def my favorite of all! I love the lemon drop camera strap. I know the perfect friend who would love it... Love love the sweet cherry pie ruffled apron! Would probably get the most use from the camera strap- how lovely! Hey, now you're just like Oprah giving away your favorite things! LOVE the chocolate truffle camera strap! I love the Sweet Cherry Pie apron. :) It's beautiful. I'd have a hard time choosing between the Lemon Drop camera strap, and the Watermelon Sorbet camera strap... LOVE. LOve them all but I would have to say french roast is my favorite! I like the chocolate truffle!! Ooh la la -- I love the French Roast strap cover. What a pretty little thing! Best of luck to everyone! And thanks, Steph, for this chance to win! <3 These are lovely! I love the French Toast and Chocolate Truffle camera straps! I love French Roast, but I might have to go with Rustic Charm (for the hubs)if I were to buy one! I have a Nikon D90 and I'd love to cover the strap w/ this pretty pop of lemon color. I also like the Poppy Seed apron (cheery!) and the Pink Lady camera strap (girly!). [email protected] okay, the sweet cherry pie apron is SO cute! It reminds me of Mary Englebreit, who I LOVE! Thanks Steph! :) I love the Rustic Charm camera strap!! Love love love the gobstopper strap (I have a thing for dots). I love seeing what creative things people create! I love Etsy! I have to add myself to the Gobstopper camp...it's my kind of pattern :-) love fun camera straps! fave is honestly the lemondrop! :) I was about to go online and order one for a friend's birthday...would be so great to win one for myself! did i just miss this? let's rewind 10 minutes and say i said "the french roast is awesome! it's so versatile it can match pretty much any outfit." =) A fun camera strap would be lovely! I really do like the lemon drop...a splash of color is awesome!	http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2010/07/lovely-thing-im-giving-away.html?showComment=1279027393426	2013-05-18T10:53:09	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
I have this thing where I love to have my Christmas cards ready to send out the day after Thanksgiving. I love addressing the envelopes with a Sharpie finepoint, and I love putting them into the mailbox separated by city and state (I totally do). I'm even earlier this year- Tiny Prints again blessed me by letting me design our cards for the upcoming holidays. (See our last year's card). They also have new Flip greeting cards and Circular Ornament cards. I looked and looked until I found exactly what I wanted. Do you like what I chose? It makes my heart swell. I took the photo but my beautiful friend Mishelle Lane fancied it up for me. I am so thankful for kindness and goodness. We even put a little trademark-y logo on the back, and got address labels to match. And every time I order Tiny Prints I always use the live chat feature- I ask lots of questions- even silly stuff like, I like this card but I want it for a horizontal photo, what do you suggest... etc, and I have gotten immediate assistance every single time. Lulu says "that's me!" WIN! Tiny Prints is offering a $50 gift certificate to one reader here. Open to entries in US and Canada. Check out Tiny Prints and leave a comment here to enter. Let me know what you might get with your gift certificate- baby announcement? See a holiday card that you fall in love with (like I did?) Or any comment will do- nothing is really required to enter except be sure there is a way for me to get in contact with you if you win. Extra entries: follow me on twitter, follow @tinyprints on twitter like tiny prints on facebook Fine print: Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry. I will choose one comment at random after 11:59pm next Tuesdsay 11/16. Tiny Prints provided my cards and labels, as well as the $50 gift certificate. I happen to have another giveaway this week- $200 Modern Bird gift certificate. Enter here. I've never ordered from Tiny Prints, but I've always wanted to! I love Tiny Prints!! Great giveaway. [email protected] I'm not the only one who loves Christmas cards! Sometimes it seems like I am. I love sending them and receiving them. And these? Marvelous! Nell Definitely would get Christmas cards. We're having family photos made tomorrow! ~Ashley Oh my gosh! I LOVE tiny prints and I LOVE That photo! [email protected] I "like" Tiny prints on FB :) I'm subscribed via reader [email protected] Oh, I would totally get a Christmas Card for our family - my new DSLR just arrived on Tuesday, so I'm super excited about this year's picture! I LOVE your card. I love holiday cards...seems like a lot of people don't send them anymore, but I always do. I like receiving them and watching my little card holder fill up too! I follow you on twitter, I'm @posielove And I follow you on Twitter. When I get on :) Last year - for the first time, I was too overwhelmed to do Christmas cards. And I would like to do them again this year....would totally use this for Christmas cards. I follow you through my google reader. And email. Which is probably redundant, but oh well... ;) Oh gosh, I love Tiny Prints. Since I'm a design student I am constantly drooling over their cards. I'd love to win so I can drool over them in person. :) I love that DwellStudio has partnered with TinyPrints, too. :) Your Christmas card is beautiful Steph! I would love to get Christmas photo cards this year. Last year we did a newsletter through Publisher and just sent them out through email to save money. Holiday Cards...any one of about 37 designs that I love. Love love love. I was so happy to help you out. I just loved that photo so much! Not as much as I love you, though. I love all of the folded holiday photo cards. I can't decide which to use but I would probably swoon if I won a gift certificate. I just ordered my birth announcements from them! I can't wait to order our christmas cards from them. They have so many cute ones that I can't decide which one I would choose. I would love Xmas cards! I follow you on twitter! I love cards so much I save every invitation and Christmas cards. Would love to order some nice Christmas cards or just some really pretty anytime cards. Love your design! I follow tiny prints on twitter! I "liked" tiny prints on FB! I had never been to their website but now I like what I see. I would love to have the "Be Blessed" card for our family! @themamazine I follow you on twitter! @themamazine definitely a christmas card....so many great ones! I love these cards! I know exactly what picture to use too!!! So exciting! I "liked" Tiny Prints on Facebook! Your card's are beautiful - I'll take 50 (though I suppose it would seem funny to send out cards with someone elses' picture on them.) Or maybe baby announcements this spring? No, definitely Christmas cards. The Be Blessed is beautiful but I suppose it would depend on what photo I chose first... jennifer @ beautifulcalling.ca I chose that exact card last year! Loved it! i'd order more Christmas cards with that $50! [email protected] I follow you on twitter! [email protected] I follow tinyprints on twitter! [email protected] I liked tinyprints on fb! [email protected] Oh, I totally want this! We used Tiny Prints for my first baby's birth announcements, and loved the quality of them! Now I'm a much better photographer (16 months of practice!), so I know the announcements for Baby #2 (Due in April) will be so much better! Now following Tiny Prints on twitter! @themamazine I subscribe to you via email and google reader. : ) I LOVE tiny prints. Definitely would save the GC for baby's first birthday party invites!! I ordered birth announcements from tinyprints once. They were so cute. I love your, my favorite part is the pic on the back. So sweet. I like fashionable flakes. I liked tiny prints on facebook. I followed you on twitter. I subscribe to you via google reader. And I now follow tiny prints on twitter. thanks! I'm following babysteph on Twitter. I'm also following Tiny Prints on twitter. Okay, now I feel uber-creeper. I like tiny prints on facebook now! @themamazine I love Tiny Prints! Christmas cards, ahoy! I follow you on Twitter! I like Tiny Prints on Facebook! I subscribe to your RSS feed! Christmas cards, for sure. Your photo is darling--wish I could get one like that of my Fab Four! I'm a feed subscriber. I hope I win! So fun! I love what you chose. Your photography is so moving! I love Tiny Prints! Thanks for the giveaway! I love Tiny Prints! I would so get Birthday Cards Made for my dear Hannah's next birthday! [email protected] Cool! I really like the Nostalgic cutout xmas cards! [email protected] I love your family photo. :) This post has been a great reminder for me to get started on my Christmas cards and I just sent an e-mail to my favorite photographer to schedule our photo shoot. The Tiny Print cards are amazing (I especially loved Beth's birth announcement) and I plan on ordering the Striking Band in Black cards as soon as I get my photos. :) I'm also subscribed via reader at jenniferciraolo-at-gmail-dot-com. And I follow you on Twitter - @sweetpearoses. :) Baby announcement all the way! I was SO overwhelmed with a colic baby the 1st time that announcements never even entered my mind. Because I could hear her. Quite. Clearly. Then a seizure for her on day 5. Here's to hoping there's less drama with baby #2! (And some serious coffee/wine reserves!) I would get holiday cards made. The only problem would be picking which design! I subscribe in Google Reader I follow you on twitter. Oh I love tiny prints! I'm trying to find a great Christmas/birth announcement that I can send out for our baby girl who's coming on December 15th! stefanielritz at gmail dot com I follow you on twitter! @StefSays stefanielritz at gmail dot com I follow tinyprints on twitter @StefSays I "like" tinyprints on facebook stefanielritz at gmail dot com I subscribe to your blog via google reader. stefanielritz at gmail dot com I would use it for Christmas cards...got some stuff to share this Christmas! Wow it looks lovely! I found out about tiny prints last year, but never got around to ordering anything, but I should this year! I like the Refined Reindeer card or the Heritage Holiday one. I Like Tiny Prints on FB :-) I would love a Tiny Prints gift certificate! We just made a huge move and it would be great to send out Christmas/Change of Address cards (something, that with such a major life change, we won't be able to afford this year!) Thank you! I already got my Christmas card so I would probably make little Valentines in February. :) I love Tiny Prints! I love what you chose, Steph! Your photos are gorgeous. And I love carefully writing out each address with a fine tip Sharpie too! I've never ordered from Tiny Prints, but I do love their cards. I think I'd choose Christmas cards. Or maybe announcements . . . you know, for sometime in the future ;) Your card is fantastic! I intend on ordering the joyful ornament holiday cards. I am all over their ornament cards! What a great idea. I follow you on Twitter! I follow Tiny Prints on Twitter! I like Tiny prints on Facebook! And I subscribe to your Feed! I am just starting to think about Christmas cards, so this is perfect timing. I really like the yuletide frames design. Your card looks great! I can't believe it's already time to think about Christmas cards! YIKES! Good thing you've reminded me...and thank God for Tiny Prints! I'm totally loving the Peaceful Woods print. Goes well with my new love of cutesy birds. THANK YOU for the entry, Stephanie! I just "liked" Tiny Prints on Facebook! Oh Steph...my heart. I have used Tiny Prints for the last two years and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE them. LOVE. Anyway, I hope, hope, hope I win this as I'd really like to use them again! :D {I'm inspired to buy a Sharpie fine-tip marker. :D) I follow you on Twitter. {vanster} I also follow Tiny Prints on Twitter. I "like" Tiny Prints on Facebook. And I follow your blog via Google Reader. :) crosses fingers Hope I win! :D We've never done a photo card, just sent a photo along. It would be great to give it a shot! (get it?) :) Heather And I follow you in my google reader! Thanks, Heather I would totally do Christmas cards. I usually do my own but I haven't been feeling very creative lately!! I subscribe via Google Reader I'd probably go for Christmas cards, but I might hold off for post-Christmas birthday invitations instead! Tiny Prints has sooooooo many cute designs. :) I would totally get my christmas cards there! So many cute options! i could spend hours playing around! I would get the Christmas cards! [email protected] I liked Tiny Prints on FB! [email protected] and I follow you with Reader! [email protected] I LOVE the be blessed holiday card, so simple and lots of room for a great picture! What a fab giveaway! I absolutely love Tiny Prints. I would order my holiday cards with this great giveaway. I "like" Tiny Prints on FB your card is adorable! I would definitely order Christmas cards! I've been wanting to get Tiny Prints Christmas cards for a while, but haven't gotten around to it yet.... Thanks for the chance to win! I already follow you on Twitter, does that count for another entry? :-) ....AND I already follow your blog in my google reader... ...AND I've "liked" Tiny Prints on FB... ...AND, lastly, I'm now following them on Twitter. :-D Thanks again! Liked Tiny Prints on Facebook following you on google reader following tiny prints on twitter I would love to get some Christmas cards from there! I plan to send some out, but I'm still looking at designs. abbey with an e at gmail dot com I'd love to win! I've been seriously thinking about sending out cards this year. Great Christmas cards! My plan is to get ours printed early this year too. I like the Holiday words:Ivy design. [email protected] I love the Happy Everything card. So many amazing designs to choose from! I need to order some Christmas cards. Yay for you already having yours done. I think I would pick your exact design! bekahleger at gmail dot com i'd use it for the perfect christmas cards! thanks for the opportunity to win!! i 'liked' tiny prints on facebook! Oh gosh, the photo you chose for your cards is WONDERFUL! I'd LOVE to win this little giveaway -- such wonderful cards. [email protected] It turned out perfect! Love it. I've used them for birth announcements but never for Christmas. I need to check them out. So far Tiny Prints is the only place I have found that has a card in the style I want. See, I want a card with 8 photos on it, in the style of the Brady Bunch, because we have six kids--three boys and three girls and it would just be so cute. But I can't afford to buy them because of how many we send out. So I really hope I win. Love your cards. too cute! I'd definitely go for Christmas cards. Maybe the blessed on (haven't picked a picture yet). kjhall at nd dot alumni dot edu I follow you on twitter. kjhall at nd dot alumni dot edu Oooh I love your cards! I'd love to get some great Christmas cards :) I already follow you on twitter :) (@meagansandberg) I followed tiny prints on twitter too :) I would get holiday/second birthday cards for my daughter. Her birthday is 3 days before christmas. christy at jinxyisms dot com those look wonderful. i'd definitely use them for a baby announcement! I'm subscribed via reader, as well. I also follow you on twitter! (lyndzilla) would love to win!!! we just got our photos taken & I love the different cards tiny prints offers! i subscribe to your blog via google reader i like tiny prints on fb I would get birth announcements for my nephew who will be here soon! I'd let his mother pick the style of course, but one day, that will be my job! ;) -Lauren We used Tiny Prints for our daughters announcements and they came out beautifully. We definitely plan to order our Christmas cards through them. This GC would come in handy! love, love, love your card and the JOY card in black is so nice as well. But so many choices, I see us spending sometime working through the different styles. I follow you on Twitter I subscribed to your blog in my reader Love Tiny Prints...I'd get Christmas cards done with our family pic:) This comment has been removed by the author. would love to use this for Christmas cards this year. i follow your blog on google reader! I love what I've seen from Tiny Prints. I hope I win! megseven AT yahoo I keep creating and saving different designs for my Christmas cards. How would I ever choose which ones to actually get if I win? You have amazing taste.... that is the same style I used last year. Loved it! Hoping to get a good picture for this year over the weekend so I can make this year's cards using Tiny Prints again. How does one choose?!? I love the checkerboard chic Christmas card. I'm always looking for a card where I can use multiple photos, since it's so rare to get one that showcases all 6 of us well. Whether I win or not, that site is bookmarked for shopping. (I wish my Christmas cards were ready. That's a great tradition you have there.) I also follow you on Twitter. :-) And now I follow Tiny Prints. With enthusiasm. i never do christmas cards because i am too disorganized. it's kind of sad. your cards are beautiful. and i love that you call ivy lulu. my mom used to call me that. and lee-lee. Oh my, I need this! We have never done Christmas cards, but I totally would with something this gorgeous! Robyn ([email protected]) Ive never sent out christmas cards. If I ever do they would have to be from there. They have such great designs!! [email protected] oh my GOSH, i love your christmas cards! adorable. follow you @ShoutLaughLove and i got here through my reader feed Oh boy, lots of comments here already, but why not give it a shot! I spent some time today on the Tiny Print web site (before reading this) and wished I could justify spending over a $1 a card. Such beautiful things! I settled on their Joy card in black because it is exactly what I intend to feel this holiday season. No stress, just joy. Of course, winning this little contest might add to that joy a little ;) I just love Christmas card time. It makes my heart happy to send them and receive them. And sharpies? Well, don't tell anyone, but they are my secret addiction. When school sales happen, I buy buckets of them. All different colors, I'm not biased. :) I love tiny prints! I do follow you on Twitter :) I also follow you on Google reader! Love, love, love your Christmas card! Gorgeous! I could honestly be happy with almost all of the Tiny Prints cards - so hard to choose! saraingmire at gmail dot com I subscribe to your blog in a feedreader. :) saraingmire at gmail dot com I am a fan of Tiny Prints on Facebook. saraingmire at gmail dot com I subscribe via email!!! I love your card choice, as we are 1000 miles from our family I would probably do some sort of holiday card! I would get a Christmas card. I get them from Tiny Prints every year and LOVE them. Last year the matching address label was so cute...i love coordination. Super cute! [email protected] I follow you on twitter. :) And tiny prints, too. :) Your cards are beautiful! I would love to order some Christmas cards. I follow you on Twitter your card turned out awesome! i'd be creating some sort of holiday card to send out, too :) pulchrabliss at hotmail dot com I would LOVE to order Christmas cards! [email protected] I would order Christmas cards too. I love the photo you used. Your kids are so cute. I would definitely do baby announcements... my baby boy was born a week ago! [email protected] Love your card! The ornament cards are cool. I think I would choose one of those. [email protected] Love your card! The ornament cards are cool. I think I would choose one of those. [email protected] Love your card! The ornament cards are cool. I think I would choose one of those. [email protected] I love photo cards! Love the Happy Everything trifold and the posted wreath and so many other designs! orangetriangle2 AT yahoo Never ordered there...but I would love to try them out! your cards are gorgeous!!! i would use the win for my holiday cards :-) I LOVE that they have Thanksgiving cards! And beautiful designs too, I've been looking for them and this is the first company that I really am drawn to their designs, thank you! shannoncarman at yahoo dot com I follow Tiny Prints on twitter (@channynn). shannoncarman at yahoo dot com I follow you via twitter (@channynn). shannoncarman at yahoo dot com I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this! I would get Christmas cards too. WIsh I had a cool photo like this of my three. I would deff. use the gift card towards Christmas cards! [email protected] I am following you on twitter [Emmersynsmom]. [email protected] I am following Tiny Prints on twitter [Emmersynsmom]. [email protected] I liked Tiny Prints on Facebook [Allyssa Maupin]. [email protected] Would love to use Tiny Prints to make a holiday card this year! love the ornament idea - love, love, love it!! Misty C [email protected] I would choose a holiday card like the Ornament Fun in the Studio Basics line. :) scblog at hotmail dot com I would love to be able to get some special Christmas cards with the gift certificate, thanks! I follow you on twitter - idahojill I follow @tinyprints on twitter - idahojill I like tiny prints on facebook - Idaho Jill I am a happy email subscriber! I love Tiny Prints too. I'd use the certificate to get some new address labels! I also follow @tinyprints on Twitter (@melissity). Following you on Twitter (@melissity). Fan of Tiny Prints on FB!	http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2010/11/tiny-prints-giveaway.html?showComment=1289586594137	2013-05-18T11:02:46	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
more photos + pattern + yarn details on ravelry- I'm babywearknittery. I kind of just made it up as I went along, based on the Scarfish. It was my first time ever doing any sort of embroidery for the face, and the hair was yarn given to me for my birthday by Love. LOVE it! Ivy looks so cute wearing it. Bri Steph! It's beautiful!!! Hey- question for you. DO you like all yarn or just certain ones? I have some(couldn't tell you what it is) that I'm not using & was wondering if you'd like it. Ooh! SO cool :D so pretty. my girls would love this. i love it! and totally just joined ravelry to check out people's awesomeness there. i will learn to knit someday. it's so cute, steph. AWH!! It's precious! Very special. you are so talented. the mermaid is really cool. mermaids intrigue me. audrey loves them too. and that ivy is such a doll. so darling! i love the hair! :) that is awesome, she looks like she loves it! precious! i bet she LOVES it :) So, so, so cute! great job! You should have an Etsy shop, I don't care what you say. ;) That is absolutely adorable! I tried to teach myself to knit, but gave up on it ages ago. I may have to start trying again in hopes that someday I can make a scarf like that for one of my girls! you should totally sell those! Very cute! Great job! Steph, this is darling! My Mom re-taught me how to knit when she visited over Christmas and I'm knitting some very plain scarves now. This and the fish are super cute, I'll have to get brave and try it someday ;-) hugs, Heidi Just to reiterate. WANT. ;) --S.S. (also you win at that knitting thing) i want a scarf with a face and a bikini!! that is AWESOME, steph! You're so talented, Steph! You're just growing and growing in your gift of knitting! Nell This is so many kinds of awesome! It's so awesome, Steph! And it looks adorable on Ivy! I love it! How special for Ivy! Love it, it's gorgeous! Oh, my goodness! How cute! You did a great job, mama :-) Very creative. My daughters would love something like that. amazing! nice job! ivy looks adorable in it! nice job! ivy looks adorable in it! Cute. You are a knitting fool! I LOVE it! Me = green. (Over your knitting abilities. My gram tried to teach me once. Yeah, not so much... oh my, but that is the sweetest thing. one day. one day soon i'm gonna get me some mad knitting skillz. :) steph that is awesome! clever project :)	http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2011/01/mermaid-scarf.html?showComment=1295379814551	2013-05-18T10:12:41	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5367356359_75339de30c.jpg", "tail" ], [ "http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5367968096_c9d0827a75.jpg", "mermaid scarf(ish)" ], [ "http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5367356359_75339de30c.jpg", "tail" ] ]
Posts Tagged ‘India’ India’s Industrial Data Highlights ‘Dismal’ Economy Saturday, April 13th, 2013 Ind,… Tags: Economy, India markets. India’s African “Safari” Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 Submitted by Sudha Ramachandran via The Diplomat, Although its interests in the continent are broadly similar, India’s engagement with Africa differs significantly from China. Will it prove sustainable? Ind. Tags: China, India Posted in Markets \| Comments Off A Tale of Two BRICs — India Surges While China Struggles Friday, November 30th, 2012 by Bespoke Investment Group? Tags: BRIC, China, chindia, India Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Growing Pains in the BRICs Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 September 2012 by Neuberger Berman Investment Strategy Group The “BRIC” countries have been a focal point of investor interest since the early 2000s. Brazil, Russia, India and China account for about half of the world’s population, boast vast natural resources and are among the fastest-growing economies in the world. That said, progress at times has been uneven. Since 2010, the MSCI BRIC Index has largely underperformed the S&P 500 as economic growth flagged. In this edition of Strategic Spotlight, we discuss current conditions and the outlook for these markets. Separate Paths Following the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, the BRIC countries enjoyed a strong economic rebound as forceful policy measures reignited growth. However, a surge in capital inflows stoked inflation and led to tightening measures in 2010 and 2011. Currently, the BRICs are experiencing varying stages of easing as growth and inflation decline. Unlike the synchronous rebound we saw in 2009, progress in the BRIC countries is diverging due in part to idiosyncratic policy initiatives aimed at managing structural changes within their specific economies. BRIC GROWTH RATES HAVE SLOWED Source: FactSet Brazil: Reaccelerating? Brazil’s real GDP growth declined from 9.3% in the first quarter of 2010 to 0.5% in the second quarter of 2012—a number that disappointed investors looking for 3.5% GDP growth for all of 2012. The slowdown is partly a function of so-called macro-prudential measures—meant to fight inflation and control the appreciation of the real currency due to capital inflows—as well as a slowdown in exports. The tightening measures have had the desired impact of reducing inflation from 7.2% from last September to 4.1% in August 2012, but have also caused investment spending to plummet as the outlook for commodities (a key sector for Brazil) deteriorated. Domestic consumption, which accounts for about 60% of Brazilian GDP, has held up surprisingly well, supported by the country’s still-low unemployment rate. Since the end of 2011, the Brazilian central bank has reduced interest rates, complementing the government’s recent accommodative fiscal measures such as payroll tax cuts. The OECD expects growth to pick up gradually in the third quarter as these measures work through the system. Russia: The Limitations of Oil The Russian economy has held up reasonably well in the past few years despite turmoil in Europe. Since the end of June 2012, real GDP has grown at around 4% annually, which is close to the post-crisis peak of around 5% in 2010. This good fortune is mainly due to relatively high oil prices and, most recently, fiscal spending ahead of the presidential elections in March 2012. Unlike Brazil, Russia is grappling with rising inflation as record-low unemployment has supported wage growth. In September, the country’s central bank surprised investors by hiking interest rates as inflation had come in above the bank’s target range of 5%–6%. For the most part, Russia’s domestic consumption has been strong but the impact of declining oil demands from key trading partners such as Europe and China could have spillover effects—weakening the outlook for budget and current account balances. Concerns about an overheating economy have led to predictions that further tightening measures could be introduced, marginally reducing growth in 2013. PERFORMANCE AND VALUATIONS Source: FactSet as of Sept 17, 2012. India 2.0 Despite a year-to-date equity market return of about 20% (see display), India’s real GDP growth continuously slowed to about 4% in the second quarter—a level last seen during the crisis of 2008–2009. Declining global growth, reductions in foreign investments and monetary tightening measures have contributed to a slowdown in manufacturing and services. In June, government agencies reported that foreign direct investments had decreased by as much as 67% from a year ago, as economic reforms stalled and business conditions were increasingly viewed as being biased against foreigners. In addition, India is dealing with rising consumer price inflation, as recent cuts in government fuel subsidies and the effects of the monsoon season feed through the system. Consumer price inflation ramped up to 10% in August, reducing the scope for further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. Moreover, warnings of a downgrade have been issued by rating agencies, given that India’s government finances are weaker than other BRIC countries. Investors are closely watching reform measures designed to promote competition and improve market efficiency following the decision last week to expand foreign companies’ access to the retail and airline industries. China: Political Transitions Recent data indicate that China continues to slow from tightening measures enacted in 2010–2011 and a decline in exports. Investors have been somewhat surprised by the government’s passivity toward this slowdown. Following small cuts in interest rates and reserve requirement ratios earlier in the year, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) has not done more despite inflation dipping below its 3%–4% target. And while most analysts did not expect a repeat of the 2008–2009 RMB 4.0T fiscal stimulus, the government has acted less forcefully than expected. The failure to act could be a result of widely reported complications in the current once-in-a-decade change to the country’s political leadership. Moreover, the PBoC could be concerned about magnifying the inflationary impact of loose monetary policy in developed countries. The political transition is expected to conclude by March 2013, potentially paving the way for better policy engagement. Regardless, the IMF expects China’s growth to reaccelerate next year. A More Nuanced Progression In the past decade, the BRIC countries have experienced rapid growth, but are now showing signs of slowing down as cheap labor and abundant resources are beginning to yield a diminishing impact on their economies. As such, investors should consider looking towards the rising middle class to lead the charge in driving growth. Before we reach that point, however, we believe some structural reforms will need to be made. Investors should remain vigilant of the various policy prescriptions during this period to avoid potential speed bumps. Not every policy change will be successful, but if imbalances are adequately addressed, the BRIC countries should continue to offer investment opportunity. This material is presented solely for informational purposes and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. The views expressed herein are generally those of Neuberger Berman’s Investment Strategy Group (ISG), which analyzes market and economic indicators to develop asset allocation strategies. ISG consists of five investment professionals who consult regularly with portfolio managers and investment officers across the firm.. This material may include estimates, outlooks, projections and other “forward-looking statements.” Due to a variety of factors, actual events may differ significantly from those presented. Indexes are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment. Investing entails risks, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Tags: Brazil, BRICs, China, Commodities, energy, India, Natural Gas, oil, Russia Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Emerging Markets Radar (September 24, 2012) Monday, September 24th, 2012 Emerging Markets Radar (September 24, 2012) Strengths - China needs more subways, highways and sewage plants, and construction of those infrastructures will help the economy, Xu Lin, the head of the planning department at National Development and Reform Commission said this week. - Malaysia’s CPI stayed flat at 1.4 percent in August as in July. - The Federation of Thai Industries reported solid August auto production of 210,333 units (up 37 percent year-over-year), driven by strong domestic sales. Weaknesses - HSBC September Flash China PMI was 47.8 versus estimate 47.6 for August, which, though improved on a month-over-month basis, indicates that the economic activities still are contracting. However, new orders overall increased to 47.6 from 46.1. - Taiwan August export orders fell 1.5 percent year-over-year, improving from the contraction of 4.4 percent in July. The market expects export orders in tech products to revive going forward due to iPhone 5 and Windows 8 ODM plays. - Turkey GDP growth, which was 8.5 percent in 2011 and 3.3 percent in the first quarter of 2012, slowed down to 2.9 in the second quarter. Opportunities - Foreign investors have consistently put more money in Asia equity markets, such as the Philippines as shown in the graph above. Particularly, Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries are on the rise in consumer spending and infrastructure investments helped by an increasing middle class and growing government balance sheet. - India opened retail and aviation sectors for foreign investment, cut the fuel subsidy by 12 percent and cut the withholding tax on local corporate bonds held by foreigners 20 percent to 5 percent. - In a separate move, India’s central bank cut its reserve ratio requirement for the banks by 25 basis points, setting the stage for a rally in financials. Threats - The tension between Japan and China over disputed islands in East China and North Taiwan is escalating with some possibility of trade and military clashes. - Credit Suisse remains cautious on the Polish banking sector, and cut 2012 earnings forecast by 13 percent due to cyclical pressures from lower loan growth and higher provisioning charges. - President Putin was critical of the proposed budget for not incorporating provisions for several of his election promises. This higher expenditure will have to be financed through borrowing and/or higher taxes. Tags: India Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Could Earnings Growth Go Negative This Quarter? Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 The last two quarters we have seen quite a deceleration in S&P 500 earnings – in fact the S&P 499 has been flatlining. But Apple has a massive out sized effect on earnings (and hence supporting S&P 500 earnings growth). The NYT has a piece out this morning where they extrapolate a potential negative growth rate on said earnings, even with Apple. With export revenues hurt by Europe and to a lesser degree “emerging markets” (China, India, Brazil, et al) and profit margins falling from record highs, this is definitely an issue. That said stock prices are part earnings and part multiples – multiples are always an unknown; we saw how high they could get in 1999 when Uncle Alan flooded the world with liquidity ahead of Y2K. -.” -. -. (still a great figure) -. Tags: Brazil, China, Emerging Markets, Gold, India Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Gold Gains on Poor Jobs Report, QE Hopes, and Declining USD Saturday, September 8th, 2012 Gold Market Radar (September 10, 2012) For the week, spot gold closed at $1735.65, up $43.64 per ounce, or 2.58 percent. Gold stocks, as measured by the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index, rose 5.16 percent. The U.S. Trade-Weighted Dollar Index lost 1.29 percent for the week. Strengths - Gold surged on Friday to close at $1,735.65—up 2.58 percent for the week—primarily on the heels of a poor jobs report and the accompanying expectation of quantitative easing and the debasement of the U.S. dollar. Technically, gold extended its recent rally above the 200-day moving average, and is now within striking distance of its February highs. The dollar, on the other hand, plummeted below its 200-day moving average on Friday. If the price action is allowed to speak for itself, the question is not whether there will be QE, but when. - Significantly, a number of analysts raised their year-end forecasts for gold prices. A quick survey: J.P.MorganChase called for gold to close the year at $1,800; Goldman Sachs said $1,840; Bank of America Merrill Lynch suggested $2,000 in the event of QE, and one Citigroup analyst called for gold to reach $2,500 by the end of the first quarter 2013, and even higher in the event of geopolitical conflict. - The fall seasonality trade looks to be in full swing. This historically strong period of the year for gold prices is supported by a weakening dollar, a strengthening euro, and seasonally strong demand. Weaknesses - AuRico Gold decreased its production guidance substantially at its Ocampo project: 2012 guidance was essentially halved, 2013 guidance cut by 25 percent, and the stock finished down for the holiday-shortened week, off about 14 percent. - Continued strikes in South Africa are problematic. While the unions were said to be close to a deal this week, sending troubled Lonmin up midweek, the deals fell through, and strikes are ongoing with very few workers returning to work. Opportunities - Global accommodative monetary policies remain very much in play. The Fed meeting next week—on the heels of a poor jobs report—offers the possibility for further easing and may be an additional catalyst for gold prices. - Gold, as priced in euros, is rapidly approaching its all-time highs. - We mentioned last week that the dollar’s 200-day moving average might be defended from a technical standpoint. A decisive break below that average, as occurred on Friday, likely signals further weakness in the dollar to come and possible gains in gold. Threats - India—the world’s largest importer of gold—may raise the import duty on gold for the third time this year, potentially curtailing some Indian demand. Bloomberg reported that, “The government may look at increasing the duty to 7.5 percent,” according to the president of the Bombay Bullion Association. The time frame on this potential policy change remains unclear at this point. - There remains the risk that an inflation premium is cooked into the gold price, which, in the event of no quantitative easing, would cause prices to react negatively. The Fed’s next meeting is September 12-13. - A rapid move upward in gold and gold equities which does not successfully trigger meaningful short-covering might invite resistance, or additional short positions. The ultimate identifiable catalyst for short-covering remains government policy a la quantitative easing in the near term. Tags: Bullion, Gold Miners, India, Seasonal, Seasonal Trades, Seasonality Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Gold Market Radar (September 2, 2012) Saturday, September 1st, 2012 Gold Market Radar (September 2, 2012). Tags: Bullion, ETF, ETFs, Gold Miners, India Posted in Markets \| Comments Off Emerging Markets Radar (September 2, 2o12) Saturday, September 1st, 2012 Emerging Markets Radar (September 2, 2o12)_10<< - Indian relative equity valuations are no longer excessive given that India’s return on equity and return on assets exceed, and will likely remain, above those of emerging markets counterparts, maintains BCA Research. -_12<<. Tags: agricultural, Emerging Markets, India, Russia Posted in Markets \| Comments Off	http://www.advisoranalyst.com/glablog/tag/india/	2013-05-18T10:53:16	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/87b2f99ca2bd248996814eff39e69f6e.png", "Emerging Market GDP Emerging Market GDP" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/0eacd47969b59bb33b6c9cc965c0e0b2.png", "China's debt-fuelled growth potentially unsustainable China's debt-fuelled growth potentially unsustainable" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/9b57e6bb23112e1fb93265ed91d9084e.png", "Brazil's consumers are tapped out on credit Brazil's consumers are tapped out on credit" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/dc6ef67486aa9439ec7179a00c0f5598.png", "India's fiscal deficit expected to worsen before it improves India's fiscal deficit expected to worsen before it improves" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/f913e4804d1f7c80dc6352ba0a337d71.png", "Commodity prices have yet to gain traction Commodity prices have yet to gain traction" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/61c7c12ecdde2004d3d666acf6e8d968.png", "Inflation still a concern in Brazil and India Inflation still a concern in Brazil and India" ], [ "http://www.bespokeinvest.com/storage/india1129.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1354232012584", null ], [ "http://www.bespokeinvest.com/storage/china1129.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1354232025902", null ], [ "http://www.bespokeinvest.com/storage/indiachina.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1354245949892", null ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/8a52fa644ecd7846833a824f8e7a9249.gif", "Foreign Funds Increasingly Convinced of Best Structural Growth Story in Asia" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/6ac8ce745baaa7c6e77e2a2489ededdd.gif", "Investment Cycle in Philippines Accelerating" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/25e01fa1ce9a377191bdc15f0b451001.gif", "India's Equity Valuation Excesses Dropping" ], [ "http://advisoranalyst.com/glablog/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/789e5f8702c2ea8dd4a698dccd3e2bd8.gif", "Implementation of India's electricity Projects Lagging" ] ]
After a long four-year wait, trading of call and put options on the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) has finally come to pass. The regulatory hurdles faced by both the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have been resolved. Since gold is regulated by the CFTC whereas securities are regulated by the SEC, GLD's hybrid nature complicated matters, which slowed the process of listing options. Even though the trust's gold is held in a secured vault in the form of London Good Delivery Bars, GLD is still governed under the Securities Act of 1933. Judging by the initial volume, trading in GLD options has been brisk. Call options with a strike price of $90 for the September expiration already had over 6,000 outstanding option contracts. --- Ron DeLegge is the San Diego-based editor of.	http://www.advisorone.com/2008/08/01/gld-finally-gets-options	2013-05-18T10:24:18	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
As the end of the year approaches, pretty much every advisor out there is starting to worry about those dreaded annual client reviews. During a financial year that is being referred to as the worst since the Great Depression, one can only imagine how horrified clients will be when they realize just how much longer they'll have to keep digging ditches and frying fries. It's in years like this one that financial advisors earn their money and their grand award trips. If you can hang on to your clients through this mess, you can rest assured that they are yours for life. With that being said, what exactly can you say to ease your clients' pain? When the going gets rough, I always find it helpful to blame someone or something. One suggestion you may want to consider is to blame George Bush. With a presidential approval rating of -32 percent, he is as good a target as any. While you're throwing Mr. President under the bus, try to work in the phrases The Iraq War, Osama Bin Laden and Dick Cheney as often as you can. My guess is many of your clients will agree with your assessment. If blaming the commander-in-chief doesn't work, try blaming all those formerly ultra-rich Wall Street executives and hedge fund managers for manipulating the markets into oblivion. And for those New Age clients in your book, my suggestion is to simply say, "This has been a bad karma year." (Then bow your head and meditate: "Oooohhhmmmmmmm.") If you're uncomfortable with the blame game, another tack you might take is to try to convince your clients that this disastrous year has actually been a good thing. Remind them that when the share price of their mutual fund goes down, their re-invested dividends are actually buying them more shares! Some clients will understand this concept, while others will reach across your desk and slap you. Overwhelming clients with statistics is another tactic that can help prove to them that this year has been a blessing in disguise. You can tell them that -- in addition to all the food stamps and government cheese they are able to get -- there's a good chance the stock market will be up substantially in 2009. Inform them that, in years when the market has had a major decline, the stock market has rebounded the following year. You might even try the old line, "Now is a great time to buy; the stock market is having a major sale!" For safety's sake, step back out of arms' reach when you say this. You may also tell your clients that they are being tested right now. Years ago, when they still had money, you both came up with a rock-solid investment strategy. You both knew there would be up markets and there would be down markets. This just happens to be one of those down markets. Try saying something like, "In times like these, our strategies are tested. Do you want to cut and run now, or do you want to pass the test?" This might convince them to hang tough -- after all, who the heck wants to flunk a test (besides my kid)? If none of the above seems to be right for you, go with the ambiguous. Say something along the lines of, "The market didn't perform as well as we had hoped this year." Or, "We had a few hiccups in our economy that no one saw coming." Or, simply say anything with "subprime" in it at least three times. Will any of these techniques actually make your clients feel better about this year of economic Armageddon? Probably not. But if you have to go down, you might as well go down swinging. --- Once a mildly amusing comedian, Bill Miller now works as a recruiter for a top independent broker-dealer; reach him at [email protected].	http://www.advisorone.com/2008/12/01/what-can-i-say	2013-05-18T10:55:08	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
American women may think they’re good at penny-pinching, but it turns out that they’ll need to save even more if they want to feel secure in retirement. Women, especially widows and those age 80 and over, depend on Social Security benefits more than men, the latest U.S. government study on women in retirement shows, but they’re also doing a better job of contributing to their employer-sponsored retirement plans. In 2010, 16% of women age 65 and over depended solely on Social Security for income compared with 12% of men, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s July 25 report to the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging. At the same time, the share of household income women received from earnings increased over the period, but it was consistently lower than for men. Worse, women’s median income was approximately 25% lower than men’s over the last decade, and the poverty rate for women in this age group was nearly two times higher than men’s in 2010. “Moreover, divorce and widowhood had more pronounced effects for women than for men,” the GAO reported. “For example, women’s household income, on average, fell by 41% with divorce, almost twice the size of the decline that men experienced. For widowhood, women’s household income fell by 37% — while men’s declined by only 22%.” A Bright Spot: 401(k)s But a bright spot in the report is the finding that working women’s participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s has improved relative to men. “Indeed, from 1998 to 2009, women surpassed men in their likelihood of working for an employer that offered a pension plan, largely because the proportion of men covered by a plan declined,” the GAO said. Women’s participation rates in defined-contribution plans increased slightly over that period as men’s participation fell, thus narrowing the participation difference between men and women to just one percentage point. At the same time, however, women contributed to their DC plans at lower levels than men. “Specifically, the participation rate for women in any type of plan, defined benefit or defined contribution, declined slightly from 87% in 1998 to 86% in 2009, while the participation rate for men declined from 91% to 87%,” according to the full GAO report. The study’s findings were brought before the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging on July 25, according to Bloomberg. The hearing’s discussion focused on improving the Social Security Administration’s efforts to tell retirees about the advantages of waiting longer before claiming benefits. “SSA has a responsibility to educate people about their options, and it needs to make sure people understand just how much money they are losing when they take their benefits sooner rather than later,” Bloomberg reported Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., as saying. Kohl led the hearing. “All of these options have advantages and disadvantages that would need to be evaluated prior to implementation,” the GAO said. “For example, increasing Social Security benefits for widows could provide additional income for women who have few options to increase their retirement savings. However, increasing benefits would also increase costs to the Social Security program and have implications for its long-term solvency.” Read Advisors vs. the Bag Lady Nightmare: 4 Women Talk Money With Terry Savage at AdvisorOne.	http://www.advisorone.com/2012/08/03/keep-savin-sister-gao-says-women-saving-more-but-m?t=marketing-technologytincome-planningtlife-planning%3Ft%3Dthe-retiree&page=2	2013-05-18T10:32:30	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/08/03/Women_Group_MI-resize-380x300.jpg", "In 2010, 16% of women age 65 and over depended solely on Social Security for income compared with 12% of men." ] ]
, have demonstrated superior client service and have earned recognition from their peers and the broader community for the honor they reflect on their profession. Finding the nation’s finest financial advisors was made possible by our panel of four distinguished judges: Ronald L. DeLegge, editor, ETFGuide.com; Bill Good, chairman, Bill Good Marketing; Jay Nagdeman, president, Suasion Resources; and Stan Selbst, vice president, SmartPros Ltd. Susan Colpitts When Susan Colpitts co-founded Signature in 1994, there was something missing from the financial services landscape: the multi-family office. So she and her partner created one. “When we started, they didn’t exist—anywhere,” says Colpitts, a CPA. “It was novel at the time for a firm like ours to be owned by principals as opposed to being owned by a family. And we liked being fireable because it kept us good every day.” By any measure, Norfolk-based Signature has gone from good to great. The fee-only firm that started out with three employees and no clients now has 32 employees, offices in three cities, and $2.5 billion in assets under management. Colpitts herself manages $560 million in assets for 18 wealthy families. Why a multi-family office? Back in the 1990s, Colpitts was working as a CPA inside a boutique law firm run by Signature co-founder Anne Shumadine. The firm served a couple of very wealthy families. The problem: The complexity of managing different aspects of that level of wealth—investments, philanthropy, income taxes and estate planning—couldn’t be addressed within the framework of a law firm. “Most RIAs start out with investments and add services,” says Colpitts, 55. “We started backwards. We didn’t come at this with a preexisting notion of what investments should look like. We addressed it almost like a research project: If you could build any investment solution, how would you build it?” The partners settled on an endowment-like model with the additional requirement that it had to be tax-efficient. After the 2001-2002 downturn, they realized they needed to have access to alternative investments so they built a hedge fund solution—pooling clients’ assets to get the best managers at the best price point. In 2008, they made another adjustment by instituting a long-only equity fund. The business plan from the start was to develop Signature as a one-stop shop for, as Colpitts puts it, “the working rich.” The plan worked. Unlike many family offices, 85% of Signature’s asset base represents first-generation earned wealth. The firm’s minimum for new clients is $5 million in investable assets but Colpitts spends the majority of her time on family-office clients with more than $20 million in investable assets and complex problems. A liquidity event often brings the client to Signature’s door. “In the last several years, we’ve realized we are really good at working with the individual who has had his head down, building the business day in and day out and running that business,” says Colpitts, who holds the Personal Financial Specialist designation and started her accounting career with Price Waterhouse. “They’re not thinking about wealth. Suddenly, they sell the business and they have incredible opportunities—and a lot of decisions to make. Every client is different in that moment.” When she begins a conversation with a new family, she starts with a series of questions, including: How do you wish to be involved in philanthropy? How do you replace the paycheck? How do you make sense of the lifestyle? Notably, everyone in the firm trains with a psychologist so that they can help clients express feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken. “We’re trying to figure out what their investment personality is. They might say: ‘I don’t want to take any risk with my investments.’ If you don’t know how to open that up, it could be a door-shutting comment,” says Colpitts, whose firm also has offices in Charlottesville and Richmond. “We want to get at the root cause without putting them on a couch—keeping them in a conversation in a vein that’s comfortable but exploratory. They may have had advisory relationships before but it’s never mattered so much,” she adds. “They’ve taken the baby they birthed and grew for 20 or 25 years and converted it into a pile of money. Some can’t stand the notion of making a mistake with it because it’s so precious.” Colpitts, the go-to person at Signature for complex corporate and personal income tax structures, also frames the client’s personal balance sheet within a business context—in other words, in language that is instantly understood. “It’s a little less squishy,” she notes. As well, she helps families with other issues that might affect their lives: private aviation, personal security, public relations and household staff management. “Generally there’s a financial piece to it,” says Colpitts. “If you run a business, you would have your CFO or COO do this work. Again, there’s a business parallel.” Colpitts, who leads Signature’s client services team, is Signature’s brand builder. As the firm’s CEO Randy Webb observes: “What Susan does is challenge, engage and energize this team around the idea: If every Signature client were in a room no matter what level of wealth, they could compare their experience and the picture they paint would be the same. That’s huge. And it’s working.” Why Signature? Having been a CPA, Colpitts watched a lot of people sign a lot of things with their own unique signature. Signature clients, signature solutions, a signature firm. “It’s not that our clients have to fit into our boxes. We construct what they need and what they want and we do so in an environment of excellent planning and execution. We try to spend a lot of time just thinking in behalf of our clients,” says Colpitts. “We’re aiming before we shoot.” Lynn Faust Talk about a career of “firsts.” Not only was Lynn Faust the first female branch manager at Raymond James & Associates, she was also the first woman to serve on its executive council. With $350 million in assets under management, she is—no surprise here—one of the firm’s most successful advisors. No wonder Dennis Zank, COO of Raymond James Financial, says of Faust: “Because of her enthusiasm, professionalism, dedication and willingness to give back, we wish we had many more Lynn Fausts in our firm.” Faust, who describes herself as “driven” and “motivated,” does do things in an outsize manner. As an example, she has excelled at not just one career—but two of them. Faust, who grew up in a family of educators, taught elementary and middle school children for 12 years. After redesigning a university-level financial planning course, she decided to stick with teaching—only this time as a financial advisor. “Education is a passion of mine. It’s how I got into the business; it’s why I got into the business,” says Faust, 64. “Teaching is my natural talent. It’s taken me wherever I’ve gone.” Faust joined Waddell & Reed as a planner in 1979, then jumped to Paine Webber in 1981. A Raymond James & Associates advisor since 1988, Faust today serves 103 households with a typical account size of $2 million to $5 million. She also specializes in executive financial planning, working with senior executives in corporate settings. While she has made history at Raymond James, Faust treats her groundbreaking performance strictly as a matter of fact. As she puts it: “I wanted to be a branch manager. It was something I was qualified to do, I was asked to do, and I did it like anyone else. I don’t carry a banner. I never felt like I needed to.” As a producing branch manager, Faust for six years ran a Raymond James & Associates office in Greenville, S.C., that at its peak had 29 employees, including 16 advisors. Her chief challenge at that time: teaching employees to be organized. “I think the biggest problem in this business is putting organization into your day. There are so many multi-tasking things you have to do. Some of those things you’re going to love, some you’re not going to like doing at all. The tendency is to do only what you like to do. Eventually, you need to hire to your weakness,” says Faust, who ranked as the largest producer in her office and region while running the branch. “You’re not going to be successful without putting organization into your practice and learning to do what you like least to do first. That’s what I brought to the table.” In 2001, Faust gave up the branch to focus on her own practice with her son and business partner, Michael Faust. Ever the teacher, Faust helps clients create what she calls their “financial masterpieces of life.” When she first meets with a client, Faust starts out with a visual cue: a paper copy of a painting by Van Gogh or Matisse or another great artist that she then cuts into pieces. “The cut up pieces represent the different phases of life, different goals and objectives: education, retirement, estate planning. It’s one way I help people understand there is more to money than just paying your bills and balancing your checkbook,” says Faust, whose Greer, S.C.-based team includes four advisors and three assistants. “I never throw the pieces away. They all go into a client folder.” Faust also believes in keeping client conversations short. “Advisors frequently do not realize that adults have an attention span of 15 to 20 minutes. You need to learn that when you present a financial plan, there is no way you are going to present everything at once,” Faust says. “Before a meeting, I determine what I can accommodate in 15 minutes that will hold your attention. That’s why teaching skills are the real essence to the success I’ve had in business. Clients feel I’m connected to their needs.” “I also help clients understand how to achieve their goals. I don’t leave them out. And I use very simple explanations. Advisors as a rule tend to justify themselves by being very technical,” adds Faust, whose gold service standard includes a visit each year to all of her clients’ accountants. “I don’t think that wins the day.” Faust is nothing if not nimble, an attribute she believes that, along with teaching, underlies her success. “I’m never not energized. It’s true of anything I’ve ever done. I was not a burned out teacher. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever done,” says Faust. “And I’m not afraid of change. If you’re not flexible, you will not be successful in this business. You can’t learn how to do it one day and do it that way for the rest of your life. That’s good for me. I’m Type A. It’s energizing. If this business is a passion for you, the way it is for me, you won’t ever want to leave it.” Lorayne Fiorillo A lot of elite advisors like to say they offer white-glove Ritz-Carlton-style service. Lorayne Fiorillo isn’t one of them. “We take the gloves off and get down and dirty,” says Fiorillo. “Need a CPA who practices before the IRS to help with an audit—on a Saturday during a blizzard? Give us a call. Buying a car and need someone to negotiate with the dealership? Give us a call. If it’s beyond our professional capabilities, we’ll find someone in our professional network that can get the job done. We’re the cavalry who brings in the big guns or brings over the chicken soup. Whatever it is, the job gets done.” Fiorillo, who heads Fiorillo Financial Strategies Group, recently marked her 25th year as an advisor, and yet she approaches each day with exuberance. It’s not unusual for her to schedule 13 client appointments in a day. “A lot can change in somebody’s life,” says Fiorillo, 55, who likes to check in with clients as often as once a month. “It’s why we talk to people constantly. Plus, it’s so enjoyable.” Clients, she says, are like snowflakes—each one different from the next. “Just because someone is 55 with two kids, you can’t put them in a box,” says Fiorillo, who manages $235 million in assets for 300 households. “It’s not one size fits all.” And neither is Fiorillo’s approach to money management. While she was one of the first to embrace professional outside money managers, she brought portfolio management in-house 10 years ago after the Internet bubble tanked. “I bought into the idea that all they do all day long is manage money; they’re better than I was,” says Fiorillo. “You know, they weren’t.” Today, she and her partner, Frank Pranio, use fundamental and technical analysis to build portfolios that include individual stocks, bonds, options and a broad array of ETFs. They also do a lot of covered call writing. “The two of us manage it. It’s like playing the piano with four hands,” says Fiorillo. “Investing with us is like hiring a custom tailor. Everything is fitted to your exact measurements and then adjusted frequently to accommodate for life’s inevitable changes. We make sure that your investments suit you perfectly.” Fiorillo originally set out to become a doctor but switched to finance because she considers it, too, a helping profession. She got her start with Prudential Securities in Charlotte, N.C., where she still has many clients. “The first time I went with Lorayne to Charlotte to meet her clientele at an event we hosted, it was like they revered her like a rock star,” says Pranio. “At the end, people came up to me and said: ‘What’s it like working with Lorayne?’ as if I was in the presence of a celebrity.” Admittedly, Fiorillo does have an outsize personality. “She’s found prospects riding the Metro North and at the opera. The fact is she loves what she does. She has that passion,” Pranio adds. “I sometimes sit here and look over at her and hear that exuberance and hear her ‘Yippees!’ She just enjoys what she does. It’s genuine.” Not surprisingly, given her energy, Fiorillo fits a lot into her life. There’s her husband, a vet, and her 15-year-old son Max. At the moment, she is working on a charity event she is sponsoring for the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment in North Carolina. “I’m ADHD when it comes to philanthropy,” she notes. Fiorillo also hosts a cooking show, Everyone Can Cook, for her local cable TV station. And she’s working on several writing projects. One thing’s for sure, she is a communicator—and across platforms. She’s written a book, Financial Fitness in 45 Days: The Complete Guide to Shaping up Your Personal Finances. Until a few years ago, she was a personal finance columnist for Entrepreneur magazine. And when she still lived in Charlotte, she served as an on-air financial expert for a local TV station. But, clearly, her big passion is for her clients. The size of Fiorillo’s accounts are all over the place but, as she puts it: “I believe in dancing with the one that brung you. I have clients with $400,000 with me and $15 million to $20 million with me. People ask me, ‘What’s your minimum?’ It depends on how much I like you. Sometimes people really need help and they’re a nice person. I want to help them.” In addition to individuals, Fiorillo has two specialties. One is working with medical and veterinary practices, the other managing guardianships for people who have been declared incompetent. Twenty-five years out, Fiorillo says her most important achievement is “how my clients feel about me.” “One client, when she talked about working with me, said that when her CPA first introduced us, she thought I was a little weird. Now, that she has known me for 25 years, she is sure I’m weird, but I have also become her family’s most trusted advisor,” Fiorillo says. “Whenever anything goes wrong, she told me, no matter what it is, everyone says: ‘Call Lorayne.’” Victor Hazard Back in the mid-1980s, an entrepreneur named Herb D. Vest kept phoning Victor Hazard, inviting him to join a radical new start-up: a nationwide network of tax professionals who also offer investment advice. “He called several times and I said we weren’t interested. Finally, one day, I listened to him for half an hour and it seemed to make so much sense,” says Hazard, a CPA who heads Hazard Financial in Lomita, Calif. “Why not offer full financial planning? It allows you to do such a better job for your client. Why not take it to the next step?” Hazard, 69, was one of the early adopters of the pioneering business model and his practice today looks a lot like what Herb Vest envisioned 25 years ago. As H.D. Vest president and COO Roger Ochs puts it: “He’s the stereotype of the successful CPA and financial advisor who not only prepares tax returns but, more importantly, helps clients with all their financial needs. That was the vision 25 years ago, and that’s the vision today. Victor just does it better than most of us.” Hazard got his start in financial services in 1968 when he joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., then the world’s largest accounting firm. In 1982, he established his own CPA firm preparing taxes, audits, financial plans and financial statements for individuals and businesses. The H.D. Vest he joined in 1987 was, as he says, “hokey,” a much leaner version of today’s 4,800-advisor network. At their first meetings with Hazard, for example, Barbara and Herb Vest would make a homemade lunch in their hotel room to share in the conference venue. Potato salad was often on the menu. And when he signed up to take his first securities exam, the Vests sent a grainy video—Barbara shot it, Herb was the presenter—advising him how to pass the Series 7 test. The firm assigned Hazard the number 868 when he hooked up with Vest; that is still the number that appears on most client statements today. That, however, is about the only thing that has remained static at Hazard Financial, a full-service firm with $103 million in assets under management and an eight-person team that delivers multiple layers of service. At the top of the service tier: retirement and financial planning, tax advice and investment management. The Hazard team also offers advice in specialties such as insurance, estate planning, trust management, tax compliance, charitable giving, debt management and business planning. The firm’s tax compliance arm prepares over 1,000 corporate, fiduciary and personal income taxes each year. The firm’s growth trajectory has been strong and steady, and perhaps more importantly, it has been intentional. Hazard, for instance, heads the effort to plan for 20 high net worth families, representing 60 to 70 households. Does he want to grow that? No. “You can’t get too thin,” says Hazard, whose wife, Mary Jo, and daughters Jennifer and Jackie, work with him. “We don’t want to hire a lot more people and lose control of the personal relationship. To us, the personal relationship is everything. We decided to keep it at eight people—and that works perfectly for 20 families.” Hazard Financial clients also include families that are juggling college savings with other financial goals. Many are multi-generational clients. Notably, the Hazard family itself recently became the first to have five generations with investment accounts. Looking forward, Hazard says: “Markets are going to be more complex, no one knows the tax picture for next year, regulations require an extraordinary amount of effort, risk is everywhere and circumstances change daily. Our responsibility is to address all of the issues that managing wealth presents.” Just this past year, Hazard received the premier designation of Personal Financial Specialist from the American Institute of CPAs and daughter Jennifer recently got her mortgage loan originator’s license—part of an ongoing strategy to enhance the firm’s service quotient. Hazard’s own personal growth trajectory—applying for Medicare and Social Security—has also helped deepen the bench. “Five years ago, I applied for Medicare and found out, as most people do, that you can read up on it but you just don’t have a grasp unless you do it yourself. There’s so much that can fall through the cracks,” he says. “And there are so many different ways to deal with Social Security. There are hundreds of different options. Going through it yourself gives you a much different perspective. It’s made me a better advisor.” There is one thing that has not changed—and that is Hazard’s fundamental belief in the first credential he got: the CPA. “The one thing we focus on is having a written financial plan, and that’s what a CPA is trained to put together as opposed to someone who is more product-oriented. And here, you have someone who is trained in accounting as well as finance,” he says. “If you look at most people we compete with, they send out fliers with their 1099s saying: ‘We take no responsibility for taxes. See a tax professional.’ From Ameritrade to Merrill Lynch to Schwab, there’s always this fine print that says you’re on your own for tax,” he adds. “You won’t get that from us. You’re assured of having someone who is looking at both sides of the equation: tax advice as well as financial advice. Herb Vest got it right.” Howard Safer When some clients began to turn bearish earlier this year, Howard Safer seized the moment—launching a dialogue he calls “cliff conversations.” A lame duck Congress and the unknowns involving tax law, capital gains, income rules and estate planning—he put it all on the table in seminars and one-on-one talks. “Our role is to be the designated worrier for our clients,” says Safer, CEO of Argent Trust Company of Tennessee. “We take that to heart.” The 69-year-old Safer, well known in trust company circles, also used the opportunity to showcase two words he tends to use a lot: safety and security. “We believe trust companies are the peak of safety and security. It’s a good story to tell,” says Safer, a CPA who opened Argent Trust’s Nashville office in April. “We can do what everyone else can do, only better.” Safer has had a storied career. Early on, he served as a controller for a New York Stock Exchange public company, as chief financial officer of a substantial private company and as managing partner of a 90-person CPA and consulting firm. He went high profile, however, years, offering investment, estate and family office services. In an echo of his move from Bradford to Regions, he joined Argent when it was announced that the Morgan Keegan investment division was to be purchased by Raymond James Financial. “Our clients enjoy it most in smaller environments like Bradford. It’s where you can be the most responsive,” says Safer, whose credentials include the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. “Many of our clients wanted us to be in something smaller. Here, we can do it all and we can do it better. And what we know we absolutely can do is save millions of dollars in taxes through trusts.” Safer and daughter Mindy Hirt, vice president, oversee about $250 million in assets for 60 households. Senior investment strategist Frank Hosse rounds out the team. Hosse most recently served as chief investment officer for Regions Morgan Keegan Trust, a position he held with J.C. Bradford Trust before that. Most of the team’s clients are business owners in operations as diverse as bottle manufacturing, real estate and skating rinks. All are millionaires. Notably, most of the accounts Safer and Hirt manage are what’s known as agency accounts—not trust accounts. “There is a lot that’s misunderstood about trust companies. For one, you don’t have to have a trust to deal with a trust company. It’s a well-kept secret and that’s too bad,” says Safer. “The fact is this is a more extensive business to operate because we have more rules, regulations and auditors and, to me, that gives a high level of comfort to the investing public.” Many of Safer’s clients are multi-generational. Often, parents will ask Safer to intervene in family conflicts. “We’re the bad cop if we need to be with the next generation. They’ll tell the 28-year-old who wants to start up a business to ‘Go see Howard.’ I’ll ask for a business plan and there won’t be one. So I suggest taking a course or getting a job in that type of business,” Safer says. “It works well in protecting family assets. It doesn’t work well in terms of them liking us particularly. We get fired by the next generation half the time because we have done what we believe is best. As a trustee, that’s my judgment call. It’s what it’s all about.” Safer and Hirt have worked together for 10 years—a family dynamic that both say adds an extra dimension to the family office they operate..” Hirt adds that part of the pleasure of partnering with her father is designing creative solutions for clients. “There’s a level of excitement in terms of being able to come up with an idea that can save a thousand dollars a month by refinancing a loan or save a million dollars by creating a family limited partnership,” she notes. “Howard also taught me early on to go to a client with three bullet points. Keep it simple. A lot of things we’re dealing with are not simple concepts and it helps to present them in a digestible form.” Most firm mission statements gather dust. Not so here. Safer often quotes from Argent’s. “Argent’s mission statement involves our clients, associates and investors. We are passionate advocates for them, their heirs and their charities,” says Safer. “We’re energized when they are happier in achieving their goals. We’re fulfilled when their families live in harmony with positive values. When it’s all said and done, that’s what we’re about.” ------	http://www.advisorone.com/2012/11/21/2012-advisor-hall-of-fame?t=alternative-investmentstcareers&page=2	2013-05-18T10:14:21	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/11/14/RES_HallOfFame87-resize-380x300.jpg", null ], [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/11/14/SusanColpitts.jpg", "Susan Colpitts Susan Colpitts" ], [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/11/14/Lynn%20Faust.jpg", "Lynn Faust Lynn Faust" ], [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/11/14/Hazard_.jpg", "Victor Hazard Victor Hazard" ], [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2012/11/14/Safer.jpg", "Howard Safer Howard Safer" ] ]
One of many moving stories of Hurricane Sandy involved a family in an affluent area of New York awakened by the rush of water into their home. As the floodwaters rose, the father led his family up to their attic, whence they were rescued several hours later. A neighbor, who saw the father the next day carrying what few belongings he was able to salvage in a gym bag, asked him how he was doing. The fellow, who had just lost his house to Sandy, smiled and said “Thank God. Everything is great!” Seeing the neighbor’s jaw drop, he quickly added “I have my wife and kids. That’s all I need.” Sandy destroyed this man’s home, his possessions and his net worth, but it could not defeat his spirit. Indeed, it brought out his greatness. Let’s face it—losses can be psychologically devastating. Behavioral finance research has shown that people experience the pain of loss with something like two and a half times the intensity of the joy of gain. Indeed, there are people who spend their lives wallowing in misery over some past loss—the deal that fell apart, the cushy gig that seemingly slipped away, the relationship that just didn’t work out. And while many are stuck in the past, there are probably just as many who fantasize about a future that will likely never occur. If only I had this job, this relationship, or this whatever … I’d be happy. But the future cannot be acquired any more than the past recovered. The only reality is in the present, where an unfalsifiable accounting of your true spiritual and material resources resides. Troubled by your past? Then build yourself up—starting from those resources. Have a vision for a certain kind of future? Then build that future, realistically, using those resources at your disposal. It is an intrinsic part of our natures, and a necessary one too, to want things. Without powerful material drives, we’d never build, create or sustain anything. But it takes greatness to match your wants to your needs, as this storm-tossed man did. Hurricane Sandy confronted a large number of Americans with losses of things they might have taken for granted—like power, running water, a clean, safe home, and perhaps even their loved ones. How many people turn on a light switch, or bite into a fresh fruit, and express gratitude for that small miracle? In Sandy’s wake, and with the knowledge that life will inevitably bring fresh disturbances to our peace, we’d all do well to renew our appreciation for our own bountiful inventory of personal resources, which is probably greater than we might at first think. As Americans bathe in the glow of Chanukah and Christmas lights soon upon us, can we express our gratitude for having what we need?	http://www.advisorone.com/2012/11/21/do-you-have-what-you-need?t=wirehousestincome-planning	2013-05-18T11:05:17	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
An industry rule of thumb is that ETFs with less than $50 million in assets don’t long survive. But those between $50 million and $100 million? They may be just what your clients are looking for. Todd Rosenbluth, S&P Capital IQ’s director of ETF research, points to a number of ETFs with asset bases below $100 million that are ranked favorably by S&P Capital IQ. However, when looking at these ETFs, he cautions that it is important to understand the cost factor implications, as some of the smaller ETFs incur high costs. “There is a repeatedly shown wireless phone commercial about one company's 4G data services that claims, 'It's not complicated. Bigger is better,'" Rosenbluth begins in newsletter commentary. “For exchange-traded funds (ETFs), this is not always the case.” He explains that while some investors may look for the ETF with the most assets within a given style, others that have long focused on mutual funds may be drawn in by an ETF's strong performance record. “[We] believe both approaches miss out on a number of factors, including that ETFs with limited asset bases tend to have higher expense ratios, less liquidity due to limited trading activity, and trade above or below their net asset value, thus costing more.” Less frequent trading, he adds, can lead to wide bid/ask spreads, which is the gap between the price buyers are willing to pay for shares of an ETF and the price sellers are asking. The wider the spread, the bigger the bite taken out of investors' returns every time they buy or sell. A lack of liquidity also may cause the ETF to trade at a premium or discount to the net asset value of the fund's underlying holdings. “That means an investor buying the fund may overpay for that portfolio or the seller may get less than assets are worth,” he argues. “Ideally, you can find an ETF with a style you favor that has a tight bid/ask spread and trades in line with its NAV because you need to not only get in but also get at a later date. S&P Capital IQ uses these two cost factors, along with analysis of an ETF's expense ratio, to support our ranking process of 750 equity ETFs. According to BlackRock, over $47 billion was added to equity exchange traded products in the first two months of 2013.” He points to the small-cap ETF space as on such example these high costs, and specifically PowerShares. While PowerShares has gathered assets for a number of its fundamentally driven ETFs, PowerShares Fundamental Pure Small Core Portfolio (PXSC) is not one of them. PXSC has just $15 million in assets, and just over 800 shares trade hands each day. As a result, this ETF has a relatively wide bid/ask spread and a high 1.22% gross expense ratio, though PowerShares has agreed to waive 0.83% of these costs until at least August 2013, in an attempt, we think, to make PXSC more competitive. So while PXSC's market price total return of 9.7% year to date through March 4 is encouraging, the ETF has unfavorable cost factors to S&P Capital IQ. A larger and better alternative, according to Rosenbluth, is the iShares Russell 2000 Index (IWM). IWM rose 8.1% year to date, narrowly lagging PXSC. While this ETF is a more traditional index ETF that is not tied to a benchmark that uses dividends or cash flow analysis, it is a lower-cost, more actively traded option. IWM has $19 billion in assets, and more than 30 million shares change hands daily. “The bid/ask spread is tight and the gross expense ratio is just 0.23%,” Rosenbluth writes. Lastly, he points to RevenueShares Navellier Overall A-100 Fund (RWV) as an example of “where bigger is not better." RWV's NAV is up 13% year to date through March 4, putting it among the 50 top-performing equity ETFs this year. The ETF is tied to an index that aims to identify the 100 highest quality stocks in the U.S. using factors such as earnings growth, free cash flow and return on equity. However, he concludes, there is “only $7 million in assets in this ETF and the average daily volume is just 500 shares. Based on this, it is should be no surprise that the bid/ask spread is relatively wide and the gross expense ratio of 1.42% (net of 0.60% after fee waiving) is above average.” ---- Read S&P’s Stovall: Pleasing Market Tally for 2012, Warning for 2013 by Gil Weinreich on AdvisorOne.	http://www.advisorone.com/2013/03/05/etf-costs-what-to-watch-for?t=the-retiree	2013-05-18T10:23:22	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://media.advisorone.com/advisorone/article/2013/03/05/Stocks_Rising_Finger_MI-resize-380x300.jpg", null ] ]
Northern Trust Baird Nabs Morgan Stanley, UBS Advisors; Securities America Expands Recruiting Group Wealthy Blacks Have Sunnier Outlook Than Most Top 25 401(k)s for NYC-Based Companies: Where Are the Big Banks? T. Rowe Price Approved to Launch Actively Managed ETFs	http://www.advisorone.com/term/northern-trust	2013-05-18T10:13:37	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
November 21, 2010 Hits: 2087 November 23, 2010 Hits: 2108 DocuXplorer® is an industry leading state-of-the-art document management software application designed for organizations of all sizes. November 23, 2010 Hits: 1944 Executive Assistant® is one of the fastest and easiest to learn business applications on the market today with it's intuitive commands, on-screen icons, and a step-by-step tutorial. Your search for the right CRM is over. Grendel eliminates the frustrations that plague advisors with an easy-to-use, lightening-fast, and powerful practice management solution. iChannel is a web browser-based, collaborative document management system. iChannel delivers the means to create, share, manipulate and manage all structured and unstructured information in a simple, secure and cost-effective manner. November 21, 2010 Hits: 1906 Founded in 1985, Client Marketing Systems, Inc. has provided software for the financial services industry for more than 20 years. November 26, 2010 Hits: 1858 Interactive Advisory Software is the industry's leading wealth management software company, serving the specific needs of independent financial advisors and broker/dealers nationwide. November 23, 2010 Hits: 2272 November 26, 2010 Hits: 747 Morningstar Office is our complete practice and portfolio management system for independent financial advisors. This single, all-inclusive platform is designed to support the core aspects of an advisor?s practice. November 26, 2010 Hits: 731 NetDocuments allows you the freedom to access and work on your documents anywhere. Get to the Internet and login to all your documents. Create, edit, share and collaborate with others. November 26, 2010 Hits: 2039 Redtail Technology delivers web-based Client Relationship Management (CRM) solutions for the Financial Professional. October 03, 2010 Hits: 2197	http://www.advisortechtools.com/component/jreviews/tag/targetmarket/wealth-manager/criteria:13/	2013-05-18T10:13:22	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
By Advocate.com Editors Originally published on Advocate.com February 28 2002 1:00 AM ET Variety reports that Strangers on a Train, the thriller by lesbian author Patricia Highsmith memorably brought to the screen in 1951 by Alfred Hitchcock, is gearing up for another foray into the movies. Producers Arnold and Anne Kopelson are developing a new Strangers at Warner Bros., and writer David Seltzer (Dragonfly, The Omen) has delivered a script. The novel tells the twisted tale of a tennis pro awaiting a divorce from his wife who, on board a train, meets a mother-dominated eccentric who proposes the two swap murders. The tennis pro assumes the other man is kidding until the pro's wife turns up dead and the eccentric expects payback. Hitchcock kept the homoerotic undertones of the novel in his film version. Other recent Highsmith adaptations include The Talented Mr. Ripley and the upcoming Ripley's Game. Links: [1]	http://www.advocate.com/print/arts-entertainment/entertainment-news/2002/02/28/remake-highsmiths-ltigtstrangers-trainltigt-rails	2013-05-18T10:34:04	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Man Headbutts Wife in Horrible Ad for Social-Event Website Play on site's name gets lost in translation Here's your daily dose of horrible violence against women in advertising—a Portuguese commercial for a social-events website in which a husband gives his wife a nasty headbutt. Lovely. Adweek's resident Portuguese expert, Nick Mrozowski, who sent us this link about the spot, tells us the attack is supposed to be a play on the site's name: "Vai Bater can translate literally to 'go hit,' but the name of the site is more likely a reference to a heartbeat, as in 'a sua coração vai bater,' or 'your heart will beat,' as in, these events are exciting … and maybe you'll find a better girlfriend there. So, the ad is a play on the double meaning." Needless to say, bashing a woman in the head in service to a pun is a questionable tactic. The tagline is: "Vai Bater! Events close to you. Choose the event. Live the moment!" The woman in the ad is Monica Sofia, a singer and Playboy model. The man is apparently her real-life husband. -	http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/man-headbutts-wife-horrible-ad-social-event-website-140771?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+adweek%2Fadfreak+%28Adfreak%29	2013-05-18T11:02:34	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "/files/AdFreak-newsletter.jpg", "Sign up for AdFreak Newsletters" ] ]
Looks like there's a new vacancy at the Bates Motel. A&E has green-lit the Psycho prequel, announced as a development slate line-item last year. The network will broadcast 10 episodes of the series with no initial pilot order—the showrunner on the project is Carlton Cuse, of Lost fame. The series is set to premiere in 2013..	http://www.adweek.com/news/television/ae-checks-bates-motel-141555	2013-05-18T10:53:23	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
In October when Yahoo launched a slate of original Web videos [1], the company announced that it wanted to be the “broadcast network of the digital age.” It was an ambitious goal for a company whose competition included Google’s YouTube and its $100 million original content project and Hulu, which is backed by some of the biggest actual TV networks.. Among the additions are a fashion series with designer Rebecca Minkoff and a show with entertainment news reporter Michael Yo. Returning shows include Judy Greer’s Reluctantly Healthy, Niecy Nash’s Let’s Talk About Love and Ultimate Surprise, an expansion of Ultimate Proposal hosted by Cameron Mathison. For the shows’ producers, the challenge is adapting TV-quality content to Web viewers’ shorter attention spans. But Bruce Gersh, CEO, and David Beebe, vp and gm, of FishBowl Worldwide Media, which produces Ultimate Surprise, said they’ve found the answer with emotional, relatable stories that get audiences to watch and share content online. “It all goes back to great storytelling,” said Beebe. “We just have to cut it down to five minutes.” Nash said the Web also offers something TV doesn’t: time to grow. On TV, Let’s Talk About Love would have been under pressure to hit certain numbers on day one. But online shows can grow organically and incorporate advertising as the audience expands, Nash argued. Advertisers seem happy. “Yahoo’s women’s slate significantly outperformed the other video programs supporting the 2012 Toyota Camry launch campaign,” said Dionne Colvin, national marketing media manager for Toyota. “Online video tends to be more engaging and offers higher conversion rates than other mediums.” But the space is getting crowded. “Yahoo’s done a great job with developing new content and the way they’ve marketed and positioned it,” said Adam Kasper, evp of digital investments at Havas Digital. “But they’re only going to be facing increased competition in this area.” Links: [1]	http://www.adweek.com/print/139330	2013-05-18T10:33:43	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
◀▶ Aerie French Terry Hoodie Style: 2495-6022 \| Color: 329 $39.50 $3950 Zip into coziness... 80% Cotton, 20% Polyester - • Soft slub cotton French terry - • Slim & sexy layering piece - • Full-zip front - • Shoelace ties at hood - • Split kangaroo pocket - • Jersey cuffs and hem - • Coverstitched side seams Imported, Machine Wash French Terry Hoodie Aerie French Terry Hoodie 23 23 Okay I think this sweater would have been better if it had a little more stretch to it. It was a little tighter than my normal size.. which disappointed me a bit. Nevertheless, I kept it because I loved the color. The strings are cute as well! July 8, 2012 Cheap, Strechted Out and Fraying I bought this sweater in Dashing Teal in size XL. The material at first was cheap and thin, but fine for a lounge hoodie in warm weather. After I washed it, the sweater stretched out compleatly and it shed blue cotton in all the other clothes I washed it with and continued to shed when I wore it. The ends of the fabric statred to fray aswell. If you are intent on buying this hoodie, SIZE DOWN. because it stretches, and be informed that the colours appear differently than the picture. June 26, 2012 Was More of a Hot Pink, Not Red Was excited for this to arrive, had been looking for a cute red hoodie. However the pic online looks red, the sweatshirt arrived and was definitely more pink than red. Also, material is flimsy and cheap. The sweatshirt also runs short. The seaming on the arms by the shoulder makes your torso look wide. It had so much potential from the pic online but will be returning this one. May 12, 2012 Great fit and very comfortable I'm 5'4'', 34B, average build. This hoodie fits perfectly, fitted in all the right places. I also love that the sleeves aren't too short. The material is so comfortable, thin but still warm. I would have given it five stars if the color wasn't so off. This sweatshirt isn't anywhere near the teal depicted in the picture. It is more of a neon green. I'm not in love with the color at all, but I couldn't send it back after loving the fit. May 4, 2012	http://www.ae.com/aerie/browse/product.jsp?productId=2495_6022_329	2013-05-18T10:42:29	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Eager, optimistic visitors from across Australia and New Zealand were ready from the moment doors opened on Sunday to source the latest trends and collections from over 600 companies. This enthusiasm spilled out into the Australian Shoe Fair which sat comfortably alongside the BAGS & ACCESSORIES FAIR & FASHION EXPOSED, giving buyers the chance to discover new footwear brands to add to their offer. The Bags & Accessories Fair showcased trendy high street to intimate boutique accessories in its usual sophisticated style. Attracting great quality exhibitors and thousands of visitors Bags & Accessories was again colocated with Fashion Exposed incorporating Preview and The Shoe Fair. The Bags & Accessories Fair offered a fabulous array of Australian and overseas labels and in the high end precinct; Visitors found collections for every section of the accessories market; from trendy high street to intimate boutique; categories include handbags, luggage, belts, hats and jewellery. Bags & Accessories showcased some gifted designers including,Bags of Oz, Mingk, Milleni, Majique, Susie M, Frou Frou Designs, Jacinta Kyam, Glam Accessories, Her Ego, Junior Drake, Cosmo Couture and Coussinet to name a few . Among the fresh, exciting NEW labels who featured at the Melbourne 2009 Bags & Accessories Fair were Sophie Kyron, MEZI, Zoe Wall Designs, Etiquette by Mindy Mason and many more . View the complete list of exhibitors here Add this Trade Fair to my Outlook Diary	http://www.aec.net.au/lha/pages/index.php	2013-05-18T10:40:52	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Title:Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life Paperback ISBN:0155067966 Paperback Dimensions:8.00'' x 5.50'' - 912 Paperback pages This best-selling anthology offers students an engaging, intellectually challenging selection of readings that address fundamental ethical issues. Students will become acquainted with central ethical theories and learn methods for reasoning about moral issues. Furthermore, the text encourages students to consider their own moral history and character. Christina Hoff Sommers is a resident fellow at AEI.	http://www.aei.org/article/society-and-culture/vice-and-virtue-in-everyday-life/	2013-05-18T10:52:57	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://www.aei.org/files/2009/03/09/0155067966-130.jpg_item_book.jpg", null ] ]
Protest camp of Occupy Frankfurt in front of the European Central Bank, Frankfurt, Germany, November 13, 2011. The Eurozone Crisis and the US Economy: What Has Gone Wrong? Download PDF The United States and Europe are currently embroiled in interconnected economic crises that represent a threat not only to their own citizens but also to the world economy as a whole. Although previous US stimulus attempts have failed, a new stimulus package has been proposed that is likely to have a similar result. In the midst of this economic uncertainty, investors have increasingly turned to low-risk, but low-return, investment options such as money market accounts. These investments serve as lenders to European governments that are currently sharing the large amounts of sovereign debt of southern European countries such as Greece, making them less stable investment options for US investors. There is no easy way to reverse these crises. Key Points in this Outlook Simultaneous economic crises in the United States and Europe have created a serious threat to the world economy. Recent US stimulus efforts have failed to boost the economy, and this pattern is likely to continue with future proposed stimulus plans. Many of Europe's problems stem from its adoption of a monetary union, which has increased shared risk from southern European sovereign debt. No easy solutions to these crises exist; one crucial, but inadequate, step is for central banks and the United States to work together to preempt deflation. The first paragraph of an article on how to save the euro in a recent issue of the Economist captures a significant part of what has gone wrong with the European economy..[1] As we enter the fall of 2011, three years after the Lehman Brothers crisis, Europe and the United States are teetering on the brink of another, potentially more serious, systemic crisis. It is surely fair to ask how we got to this point just a few months after the US recovery had been declared well-established and European leaders had created a fund with resources that were supposed to be sufficient to ensure that Greece, the fulcrum of Europe's debt crisis, would not default on its debt. Figure 1 shows the sharp rise in interest rates on some European governments' debt--especially Greece, Ireland, and Portugal--and a recent jump in Spanish and Italian yields that is emblematic of Europe's intensifying debt crisis. The crisis in Europe is somewhat mirrored and amplified by a parallel sharp growth slowdown in the United States. After last year's second round of quantitative easing (QE2) and extra fiscal stimulus spawned expectations of 3.5 percent growth, actual US first-half growth of only 0.7 percent has changed everything. During the spring, the Federal Reserve began talking about detailed strategy for exiting high levels of monetary accommodation, while during July's debt-ceiling fiasco, US policymakers wrestled with the need to reduce deficits and debt accumulation. In the end, they left the heavy lifting to a congressional "super committee" that is to report back to President Obama by Thanksgiving. But before the super committee could even meet, the president reversed course in the face of the threat of a double-dip recession and proposed nearly a half trillion dollars in additional fiscal stimulus for 2012 that repeated and expanded measures the last Congress passed in December 2010. Americans who follow deliberations in Washington, especially about taxes and government spending, can be forgiven some confusion. During much of the second quarter in the lead-up to the July debt-ceiling debate, which was punctuated by threats of America's default on its debt, politicians loudly touted the benefits of living within our means, which meant cutting the deficit, which in turn meant cutting government spending, raising taxes, or both. As Congress returned from vacation, the president offered up a jobs program costing nearly half a trillion dollars that involves cutting taxes and increasing government spending. Of course, the president followed up his jobs plan with proposals for future tax increases and spending cuts he claimed would provide more than $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the ten years after 2013 "as the economy grows stronger."[2] It seems unlikely, though, that the tax cuts and higher spending that are supposed to make the economy stronger in 2012 will, when reversed in 2013, somehow not cause it to grow weaker. We, and many in Europe, are left to wonder whether it is deficit reduction that is good for the economy or euphemistically named things like "jobs programs" that increase the deficit. It is important to ask how, at the time of this writing in September 2011, Europe has reached an acute sovereign-debt crisis while the US economy simultaneously threatens to contract, exacerbating both its own budgetary problems and Europe's sovereign-debt crisis. What Happened in Europe? Europe's problems, which are probably more acute than America's, spring from a simple cause: an attempt to forge and maintain an impossible currency union. The European Monetary Union, which includes such disparate economies as Germany on the strong side and Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy on the weak side, requires the assumption that monetary policy that is appropriate for Germany is also appropriate for Greece. Europe's adoption of monetary union enabled less credit-worthy countries such as Greece to borrow on virtually the same terms as Germany because both were issuing debt denominated in euros and the European Central Bank (ECB) was treating those debts as being of identical quality. The European Monetary Union was, at first, attractive for all of its members, including Germany. European banks were happy to make euro-denominated loans to government and private borrowers in southern Europe who could suddenly borrow for less, given that the loans were denominated in euros. If a bank lent money to, for example, the Greek government, it acquired a claim on Greece that it could take to the ECB and use as collateral for further borrowing. The terms for that transaction were virtually identical to the terms available if claims on the German government were used as collateral. Easy credit accelerated European growth, not to mention German exports. As inflation and growth surged in southern Europe, so too did borrowing in those countries. Adoption of the euro by countries like Greece and Spain meant that they got a German credit rating that enabled them to purchase more Mercedes--on credit. At first, German exporters were pleased. But now, Germans are being asked to help borrowers in these southern European countries repay these loans. By 2009, some lenders began to notice that Greek budget deficits and government debt were rising rapidly. When Greece revealed late in 2009 that its deficits and debt were substantially larger than previously reported, the first phase of the European debt crisis began. However, the ECB continued to allow banks to use Greek, Italian, Spanish, and any other sovereign debt from the European Monetary Union as collateral for loans. Banks were also not required to hold reserves against their sovereign-debt loans because it was effectively assumed that sovereigns do not default. The solution to the Greek crisis that emerged in the spring of 2010 was essentially perverse. In exchange for additional loans so that Greece could roll over its debts and pay its debt service, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union imposed strict conditions on Greece in the form of higher taxes and sharply contractionary cuts in government spending that caused the economy to slow further, undercutting its ability to service outstanding debt and additional debt. By the second quarter of 2011, it was clear that Greece would require additional funding to meet its debt service obligations, while similar problems arose for Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Ten years of pretending that loans to southern European governments carried as little risk as loans to the German government left Europe's banks with nearly $2 trillion worth of claims on those riskier borrowers. For the purpose of "stress tests," it was assumed that these claims were worth 100 cents on the dollar when the marketplace implies substantially lower values. The large sovereign-debt holdings by European banks pose a threat to the solvency of many of those banks that rises in proportion to doubts about governments' ability to service those loans. Given these conditions, if Greece, for example, defaults on its debts, the possibility of defaults by other sovereign governments in Europe may rise, triggering solvency problems for most of Europe's private banks. Many hope to preempt this disaster scenario by recommending aggressive steps to prevent a Greek default. The problem is that Germany, the country that would have to foot most of the bill, is insisting that Greece adopt additional austerity conditions in exchange for the loan. The austerity conditions, in turn, imply that Greece will be less able to service its debts a year from now, given that the economy is expected to contract at a 5 percent rate if these austerity conditions are imposed. Impact of Europe's Debt Crisis on the United States Americans are exposed to the European debt crisis through money market funds, among other channels. The rapid slowdown of US economic growth, along with the elevated uncertainty tied to July's debt-ceiling fiasco, caused many households to sell stocks during August. Typically, investors move such funds into "cash equivalents" or money market funds, which pay virtually no interest but are meant to be highly liquid should households need to reinvest the funds or to purchase goods and services. As Europe's debt crisis intensified during the summer, US money market funds were, in effect, lending heavily to European banks that in turn were significantly exposed to shaky sovereign-debt issuers like Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. The result was that Americans who wanted to avoid more risk by exiting stocks and entering money market funds were effectively lending to Greece and Portugal. This discovery led money market funds to sharply reduce their exposure to European sovereign debt as depositors began to exit for fear that the funds would be vulnerable to a Greek default and other European sovereign-debt problems. The search for safety outside money market funds drove risk-averse American investors into US Treasury bills, bonds, and notes. As a result, the yield on four-week and three-month Treasury bills was driven to zero or below by late August, while the yield on one-year Treasury bills was driven to an incredibly low six basis points. So desperate were American households, and undoubtedly some firms, for a risk-free cash repository that in some cases they were willing to pay the US government one or two basis points for the privilege of lending to the government for a short period. Those who wanted more yield bought ten-year notes and thirty-year bonds, pushing yields on ten-year notes below 2 percent, even lower than they had been after the Lehman crisis, and yields on thirty-year bonds down to 3.25 percent or below. Other investors seeking safety and expecting higher inflation bought gold, pushing its price over $1,900 per ounce at some points. It is worth commenting on the simultaneous increase in the price of gold and the drop in interest rates on thirty-year bonds. Because gold pays no return, buyers are essentially betting on an increasing price of gold to reward them. If inflation continues to rise, as gold buyers expect, purchasers of thirty-year bonds will be at risk since they will be paid back in dollars with less purchasing power. As a result, the most popular fixed-income instrument, whose returns rival that of gold during 2011, have been US Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). So eager are investors for a safe haven that the real yield on TIPS has been driven well below -1 percent. That means buyers of TIPS are willing to pay the US government more than a percentage point for the privilege of owning a long-term, inflation-protected asset. But why are some investors betting on inflation by purchasing gold while others are willing to bid up prices on long-term Treasuries that would be harmed by higher inflation? The answer may be that the extremely high level of uncertainty in financial markets implies a wide range of possible outcomes, including both higher inflation and deflation. Gold is a somewhat illiquid way to play the inflation scenario, while longer-term Treasuries are a bet on the deflation outcome. Investors who remember Japan's deflationary experience after 1998 and the resulting drop in long-term interest rates to below 1 percent may buy Treasury bonds, while those who fear debasement of paper money may buy gold. Gold buyers are also concentrated in countries like China and India where local-currency, long-term government securities are not available and gold is the preferred safe-haven asset. No Place to Hide The systemic mess the United States and Europe--and eventually, the rest of the world--are facing in the fall of 2011 is greater than the sum of its parts. The US economy slowed down even after substantial monetary and fiscal stimulus had been applied. The slowdown was surprising and also disconcerting to policymakers who had to entertain the notion that the policy levers they were pulling were no longer effective. Just as these disquieting realizations were arising in the United States, the European debt crisis reintensified as Greece teetered on the edge of default and the crisis environment spread to the rest of southern Europe. These conditions raise some serious questions. Why Isn't the US Stimulus Working? The short answer is this: monetary policy is not stimulating the economy because the United States is in a liquidity trap. At first, the Fed's QE2 was followed by higher interest rates as markets expected further growth. But as growth failed to materialize, interest rates came back down, stock markets weakened, and funds went back into cash. Viewed another way, the Fed's QE2 initially induced investors to put more money into riskier assets like stocks, but when growth failed to materialize, the funds left those riskier assets for cash. It was additionally disconcerting that one of the first cash destinations, money market funds turned out to be essentially lending to European borrowers who were even riskier than US borrowers. As a result, funds flowed into the Treasury markets, pushing short-term Treasury yields to zero or below. Those fearing eventual currency debasement and inflation bought gold. The Fed's latest attempt to offer additional stimulusis somewhat bizarre. After its August meeting, the Fed indicated strongly that it would hold short-term interest rates at zero for another two years. That amounts to promising that the economy will not recover for two years because if it did, short-term interest rates would rise as cash balances sought higher returns on investments in the equity markets, which would improve as the economy improves. Those seeking a positive return on investments must bet either on higher inflation and buy gold or on higher growth and buy stocks. The Fed has sought to push down immediate and longer-term interest rates with Operation Twist, whereby it is concentrating its purchases in the Treasury market on ten-year notes and thirty-year bonds at the expense of shorter-term bills and notes for which interest rates are already virtually zero. Lower interest rates--even lower longer-term ones--are not likely to produce much growth in an economy with virtually no demand for credit from qualified borrowers. Fiscal stimulus is not working because the constraints of rising deficits and resulting debt mean that it is by definition temporary and must be reversed after implementation. Last December, the Obama administration announced tempor-ary tax cuts. Enactment boosted incomes, but termination a year later will slow their growth. Obama's early-September 2011 proposal for a $450 billion stimulus package for 2012 was followed in mid-September by another package proposal that promised more than $4 trillion in deficit reduction--nearly ten times the stimulus proposal--over the next decade. The impetus for Obama's 2012 stimulus was the end of the 2011 stimulus, which not only did not work to boost the economy but also will cause a slower economy once it ends. In other words, because the 2011 stimulus did not work, the president is claiming that we need another one in 2012 that will be reversed in 2013. Why Doesn't Europe Either Let Greece Default or Bail It Out? The question of Greek debt has to be addressed very soon. If Greece unilaterally defaults, fears of defaults elsewhere in southern Europe may produce a run on European banks that hold claims on those countries, leading to a full-blown financial crisis in Europe. It probably would be better for the ECB--or the ECB, European Union, and IMF, collectively--to offer unconditional guarantees on sovereign European debt. This would mean the euro would likely end up as a relatively soft currency, so the German government, which would have to fund much of the sovereign-debt bailout, has so far refused to agree to this plan. Given the cumbersome nature of the European Monetary Union and its institutions, it appears likely that an agreement will not be reached and that some kind of Greek default, probably preceded by capital controls, will occur before the end of this year. The fallout, sharply lower European growth and sharply elevated financial -turmoil, will be negative for the United States and the rest of the world. What Should the United States Do? This fall, while Europe is awaiting Greece's impending default, it appears that American policymakers will repeat July's debt-ceiling fiasco: ambivalence about whether tighter or easier fiscal policy is better for the United States (that is, are we supposed to raise deficits or reduce them?) will be rendered moot by the super committee's likely inability to find an additional $1.5 trillion (or more, if any stimulus measures are enacted) in deficit cuts over the next ten years. If that is the case and US fiscal policy essentially continues on its current path through the end of the year, while Europe is in a default mess the United States will be experiencing fiscal drag equal to about two percentage points of gross domestic product, exacerbating any global slowdown caused by a failure to resolve Europe's debt mess. No easy or obvious ways exist to bypass this bad outlook that has grown out of the inability of European and US economic policymakers to make hard decisions over the last several years. The signs that such an outcome is becoming more likely include a slowdown in inflation and a threat of deflation as more households and businesses seek the relative safety of cash equivalents like Treasury bills and rein in their spending in anticipation of substantial financial turbulence and slower growth. That development, coupled with the surge in demand for liquid assets that usually accompanies an acute financial crisis, will require central banks to print a lot more money to avoid a self-reinforcing deflationary disaster that raises the real debt burden at the root of the problem faced by banks and governments in Europe and banks and households in the United States. One encouraging sign is that we may already have seen an initial step towards preempting deflation. On September 15, the Fed, in conjunction with the central banks of Europe, Great Britain, Switzerland, and Japan, arranged to supply dollars to Europe's banking system. The flow of dollars to Europe's banks has dried up as other banks and US money market funds feared their exposure to large quantities of sovereign debt issued by southern European countries. The swap lines, as they are called, will be available to help with year-end funding needs by supplying the dollars European banks need to finance their dollar loans and other dollar liabilities. At the least, this step represents a solid move toward financial coordination among central banks that may help ease what appears to be an upcoming global financial mess. John H. Makin ([email protected]) is a resident scholar at AEI Notes 1. "How to Save the Euro," The Economist, September 17, 2011, (accessed September 20, 2011). 2. White House Office of the Press Secretary, "Fact Sheet: Living Within Our Means and Investing in the Future: The President's Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction," September 19, 2011, (accessed September 22, 2011).	http://www.aei.org/outlook/economics/international-economy/trade/the-eurozone-crisis-and-the-us-economy-what-has-gone-wrong-outlook/	2013-05-18T11:02:04	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://www.aei.org/files/2012/01/10/img-the-eurozone-crisis-and-the-us-economy-what-has-gone-wrong_092614655511.jpg_item_large.jpg", null ] ]
" Select City: department:	http://www.aerosvit.ua/eng/index/usflinfonew/impinfonew/contacts.html	2013-05-18T10:41:43	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Mailing List Store Recent Blog Posts Blog Categories Links Category Archives: Miscellaneous It has been so long! Why, hello there! It has been a good while since I have written last. Those of you who know me personally, know that sooooooo, so many big changes have happened for me in the last year and a half since … YARN CIRCLE If you ever happen to find yourself in the Peachtree community, just outside of Murphy, North Carolina, and you see a sign that has a humorous looking sheep (his name is Maurice in case you were curious) balancing precariously on … Posted in Living the Creative Life, Miscellaneous Tagged color, Fair Isle knitwear, felting, fiber arts, Handmade Books, john c. campbell folkschool, knitting, Martha Owen, Murphy, north carolina, old-time music, puppets, sheep, spinning, yarn, Yarn Circle Comments Off … Posted in Asheville Arts Community, Miscellaneous Tagged Emolyn Liden, knitting, sweaters, travel Comments Off A Quick Introduction Welcome to A. Fain Books and my very first blog entry ever. This will be the place to find out about upcoming workshops, stories and images of good times had in past workshops, art and book related events, to answer … Posted in Miscellaneous Comments Off	http://www.afainbooks.com/blog/category/miscellaneous/	2013-05-18T10:21:13	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
So while the power is still on, heat up this drink and cuddle up on your couch with a cozy blanket and a good book. It is like pumpkin pie in a mug, and way better (and cheaper) than the pumpkin spice lattes peddled at your local cafe. Pumpkin Spice Cafe au Lait Makes 2 16-oz mugs 4 ounces light coconut milk 4 ounces water 16 ounces non-fat milk 8 ounces freshly brewed coffee 1 cinnamon stick 1/4 cup canned pumpkin 2 Tablespoons sugar In a medium saucepan, heat coconut milk, water, milk and coffee over medium heat. Add cinnamon stick and turn down to medium low for 10 minutes. Whisk in pumpkin and sugar until fully dissolved. Serve in two large mugs. The key to this recipe is the cinnamon sticks. They add a depth of flavor not reached when you sprinkle ground cinnamon. I usually add ground cinnamon to my coffee, but it leaves a congealed mess at the bottom, like the soggy crumbs from a chocolate chip cookie drowned at the bottom of a glass of milk. Using the cinnamon sticks gives you the flavor without the soggy fuss. And so you know, we've added a new member to the family! Meet Honey, a 3-year old greyhound rescue who is sweet as can be. If there's any leftover canned pumpkin from this recipe, she'll be glad to eat it. oh lil honey! stay safe and warm! Yeah the hurricane was in full force down here as well. This recipe sounds perfect for a day like yesterday! I have a question - have you tried sprinkling cinnamon in with your coffee grounds and brewing it in? You get a subtle cinnamon flavor without the gunk at the bottom. Try it out and let me know what you think! We loved the coffee, thanks. How was the hurricane?	http://www.afeteforfood.com/2012/10/coconut-pumpkin-pie-cafe-au-lait.html	2013-05-18T10:11:27	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Sonneman Lighting Pioneering the concept of modern lighting — discount Sonneman lights and inexpensive Sonneman lights from Sonneman Lighting For the past 40 years, Robert Sonneman of Sonneman Lighting has been pioneering the concept of contemporary lighting designs, using a full integration of form and function utilizing simple shapes to create structural eye candy in all his Sonneman lamps and other Sonneman lighting fixtures. Though the emphasis is contemporary in nature, Sonneman designs invariably carry wisps of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and of course modernism, collectively creating an incredible continuum of contemporary designs that have received world-wide recognition in magazines, museums and international exhibitions. This is true when you buy Sonneman lights in any style or format Sonneman's ever expanding understanding of contemporary art has created a variety of lighting designs that are constantly forcing people to redefine the contemporary concept. For more on affordable Sonneman lamps, lights, and other products in our Sonneman sale selection, visit ourmodern contemporary lighting section particularly the contemporary table lamps and torchiere floor lamps and receive the best Sonneman lamps prices. Content Courtesy of David Miller	http://www.affordablelamps.com/sonneman-lighting.html	2013-05-18T10:41:24	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://site.affordablelamps.com/n/i/lspoints.gif", "Discount Lighting" ] ]
How to deepen ties with IndonesiaPUBLISHED: 22 May 2012 00:05:26 \| UPDATED: 22 May 2012 04:15:41PUBLISHED: 22 May 2012 PRINT EDITION: 22 May 2012 The Australian Financial Review Relations between Australia and Indonesia will always be challenging given that no two neighbours are more dissimilar in so many ways. It is not surprising that tensions arise over issues such as the slaughtering of cattle, the treatment of drug traffickers and people smugglers, and the stationing of American Marines on Australian soil. Domestic political considerations and misunderstandings can too easily flare up over such controversies. Yet high-level relations between our two countries are in fairly good shape. This partly reflects Australia’s investment in Indonesia through close interactions with its military, police and bureaucracy, as well as its disaster, health and education systems. Indonesia is our largest foreign aid recipient: we are building or extending thousands of schools, in part to boost an alternative to Middle Eastern Islamic fundamentalism. The relationship also benefits from the number of leading Indonesians who have studied in Australia, such as Vice-President Boediono and Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa. Many of them now send their children to Australian universities. There are 18,000 Indonesians studying in Australia. This interaction should be expanded by welcoming more Indonesians to fill our labour shortages. At least 3 million Indonesians earn valuable incomes for their families by working abroad, including as domestic labour in Saudi Arabia and on oil palm plantations in Malaysia, sometimes in poor or shocking circumstances. They would be better served filling our shortages of nannies or aged-care workers. Including this in the broader relationship with Indonesia would benefit Australia while deepening relations with our valued neighbour. We're improving afr.com. Click here to complete our short survey to have your say. The Australian Financial Review WE'RE IMPROVING AFR.COM Complete our short survey to have your say.	http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/how_to_deepen_ties_with_indonesia_JRKYp53rPI6liY0c7C8gVO	2013-05-18T10:33:19	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
More bad news now it is the US thinking about the African Lion being added endangered list This is a discussion on More bad news now it is the US thinking about the African Lion being added endangered list within the Hunting Africa forums, part of the Hunting Forums - Hunting in Africa category; Borrowed this from another forum, sounds like we need some good data sent from the folks who really know the ... More bad news now it is the US thinking about the African Lion being added endangered list Borrowed this from another forum, sounds like we need some good data sent from the folks who really know the status of African Lion, that would be the folks in Africa, Louis better get mine heading home. But seems like a 12 month review but with current POS Obama I can see this going the bad for US hunters. you cannot respond by email or fax, you have to search by doc number as well to see the full report Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:57:09 -0500 Subject: Publication of a 90-day finding on a petition to list the African lion as endangered under the ESA I am writing to inform you that today, November 27, 2012, as endangered is warranted. To ensure that this status review is comprehensive,. Please visit Regulations.gov, Docket No. FWS-R9-ES-2012-0025 to view the 90-day finding, or * Maintenance Under the Act, a species may be determined to be an endangered or threatened species due to one or more of the following five factors: (a) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species habitat or range; (b) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (c) disease or predation; (d) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, and (e) other natural or manmade factors affecting the continued existence of the species. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. -- Amy Brisendine, Biologist Branch of Foreign Species Endangered Species Program U.S. Fish and Wildilfe Service Arlington, VA 22203>Bigun - Member of SCI, PHASA, IPHA - Hunted South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania - Jaco Strauss has no Articles - View Jaco Strauss's Photos This will ruin import into the US, and will cause a major loss of income for outfitters that base their companies exclusively in the states... My bestJaco Strauss Kwalata Wilderness safaris - South Africa [email protected] - Member of SCI and PHASA - Hunted South Africa and Zambia - Spiral Horn Safaris has no Articles - View Spiral Horn Safaris's Photos Good day gentleman I have been in contact with numerous friends who breed lion and as far as we know lions or the hunting of them would not be closing however US Fish and Wildlife will no doubt stop issuing cities permits making it illegal to export lion in to the US. This is not likely to happen next year but I do expect US Fish and Wildlife to stop issuing cities permits on lion within the next two years. This will no doubt be to the detriment of our lion populations none will be effected more so than our wild lion populations plus not being able to export lion to the US will defiantly cause South Africa to cut back on the breeding of lions. The lion bone trade is a very real threat to ALL LIONS! With a constant supply of captive bread lion bones being possibly cut in have at the very least (please note that I do not agree with the lion bone trade nor do I support it but I am afraid it does exist and there is a big market for these bones, we have to be real about it) all the pressure will fall on our wild lion populations. We would no doubt see a lot of lions being pouched all over Africa in Nature Reserves and Game Management Area's! It is a simply questions of supply and demand, the demand is currently there and having less lion bones around will no doubt raise the price of the supply making it worth while for poachers to take the big risk of pouching in our National Parks and other wild areas? To add to the problem poachers do not pouch according to a quota, nor do they care if the animal is mature or not, they would also use methods like snaring, poison and other forms of trapping since they are a bunch of scared spineless idiots! This will also help insure that other animals also get snared, trapped or poisoned just as an example leopards but don't worry those bones will be exported to Asia as well? It is funny how we have had the discussion hunting wild vs captive bread lions for years now. The majority of us could never agree on the topic the irony is, look where we are heading now thanks to standing divided on the topic, lion hunting will no doubt close for our US clients at the very least and the lion populations of Africa will be under pressure more than ever! I am afraid the fact that we as hunters can not even tolerate or respect each others choices has left the door open for the greenies to ensure the the King of Africa will be nothing more than a tame zoo animal and a great memory for the few who were ever fortunate enough to experience hunting a lion be it wild or captive bread? This is very very sad news for hunters and the lion populations all over Africa![SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Louis Van Bergen Spiral Horn Safaris - South Africa Cell:+ 27 76 577 6292 [email protected] AH Member - Joined - Nov 2012 - 19 - Member of SCI, PHASA - Hunted RSA, Zim, Botswana - JacquesvdW has no Articles - View JacquesvdW's Photos This is a very sad story indeed. Our Lions will end up the same way as our Rhinos.Keep the wind in face Jacques van der Westhuizen PH & Hunting Outfitter Jaquandi Safaris - Member of sci int, basc - Hunted zambia, tanzania, zimbabwe, hungary, france, england one poisoned carcass, one pride gone with all the other scavengers included. that wont take long to eradicate lions and a lot of other animals. shame these arsehol.s sitting at their desks dont seem to realise this. - Member of SCI and PHASA - Hunted South Africa and Zambia - Spiral Horn Safaris has no Articles - View Spiral Horn Safaris's Photos This should be a BIG wake up call for all of us as hunters whether your hunting fenced land or an open conservancy we must all stand together an protect the future of wildlife and our hunting heritage! Best Regards Louis van Bergen[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Lou. Twenty-four sub-species classifications have been suggested for modern lions. Some even question the sub-species classification of the Asiatic lion, currently classified as P.l. persica, due to the limited genetic difference (1.1%) to African lions this difference being smaller than those found between human racial groups. The IUCN currently recognizes two extant sub-species of lion: African lion Panthera leo leo (Linnaeus, 1758) Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica (Meyer, 1826 It could be that in the near future if a person from the US wants to hunt Lion it will be a captive breed or a darted and photo entery only and that is sad.Enjoy life now -- it has an expiration date. - Member of sci int, basc - Hunted zambia, tanzania, zimbabwe, hungary, france, england what you have to remember is kenya at the last 3 or so international cites conferences has lobbied for lions to be moved to appendix one of cities. most of the southern african countries along with other countries they brought on side managed to out vote and defeat this proposal. kenya is used as the puppet and funded in this effort by some of the biggest anti hunting organisations who also have accredited NGO status. seems like their propoganda/lobbying is working............. AH Fanatic - Joined - Nov 2011 - 731 - Hunted Norway, Sweden, England, South Africa - Norwegianwoods has no Articles - View Norwegianwoods's Photos I am not interested in hunting Lions myself, but I am totally able to see that if the US hunters can't import Lion trophies, then this is going to be a large threat to wild Lions. I am sure a large majority of Lions hunted are hunted by US hunters. Not only will we get a massive increase in wild Lions poached for the bones, but we will also see many more wild Lions killed because they will have no value for the locals around in Africa anymore. The Lions will just be a danger to their life and their domestic animals and not a source of income. Similar Threads African Lion and Lying AfricanBy TOM in forum Humor, Ridiculous, Shocking Jokes, Stories or PicturesReplies: 3Last Post: 08-31-2012, 07:57 AM White Lion Safari's, My 8th African Safari, My White LionBy The Artistry of Wildlife in forum South Africa Hunting ReportsReplies: 6Last Post: 07-08-2012, 07:03 PM EIGHT NEW COLOURS ADDED TO SPRINGBOK GRAND SLAM - Genetic ManipulationBy BRICKBURN in forum Latest Hunting NewsReplies: 16Last Post: 02-13-2012, 07:17 PM African lion may be added to U.S. endangered species list to curb trophy huntersBy AfricaHunting.com in forum Latest Hunting NewsReplies: 18Last Post: 05-19-2011, 06:54 AM The lion bone trade sad sad news for all!By Spiral Horn Safaris in forum Latest Hunting NewsReplies: 15Last Post: 08-24-2010, 03	http://www.africahunting.com/hunting-africa/9522-more-bad-news-now-us-thinking-about-african-lion-being-added-endangered-list.html	2013-05-18T11:07:02	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Gold Hill is a township in Rowan County, N.C., a township that I was born but left when I was a kid. A few old families still live there. Right now I need to find those of you out there who have people in Gold Hill, for those who came from Gold H ill or was born there, for anyone connected with that rural town, because I have been working on my family tree, and on the history of families. My families include: House, Heilig, Crowell, Cuthbertson, Morgan, Shad. Thank you Joseph AfriGeneas States Research Forum is maintained by Administrator Powered by Tetra-WebBBS 6.22 / TetraBB PRO 0.30 © 2006-2012 tetrabb.com	http://www.afrigeneas.com/forum-states/index.cgi/md/read/id/7852/sbj/nc-looking-for-gold-hill-rowan-county-nc-folks/	2013-05-18T10:21:41	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
African Americans, former slaves, migrated to Illinois to settle. Many were brought to Illinois by their slavemasters and set free. Slave traders would often kidnap them, carry them south, and sell them back into slavery. A 100% profit. Charles Adams, a free black born abt 1790, lived in Illinois with his wife, Maria Adams, a free black born abt 1794. In 1842, Maria and seven or eight of their small children were kidnapped by slave traders. The slave trader, Kuykendall, also kidnapped in Illinois and sold in 1839 a free black named Lewis Adams, born 1824, and died 1930 in Copiah County, Mississippi. 1842 is the same year that my great grandfather, Mingo Adams born 1833, and his brother, Levi Adams born abt 1832, and sister, Sarah Adams born abt 1831, were deeded as gifts by a plantation owner in Copiah County, Mississippi. I do not know if they are Charles and Maria's children. Years ago, my grandfather, Stewart, told me that his family lived in Illinois but were "taken back to slavery". This was one of my reasons for focusing part of my family history research on Illinois during the slavery period. This brought me to getting involved with events in Coles County such as Trial & Tribulations and the play "Three-Fifths of a Man". Click on the link below to read about African Americans in Coles County, Illinois. Ed Adams AfriGeneas States Research Forum is maintained by Administrator Powered by Tetra-WebBBS 6.22 / TetraBB PRO 0.30 © 2006-2012 tetrabb.com	http://www.afrigeneas.com/forum-states/index.cgi/md/read/id/8456/sbj/il-early-african-americans/	2013-05-18T10:22:47	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
13,000 Missouri Home Care Workers Win Final Legal Challenge, Now Set to Bargain First Union Contract by David Patterson \| November 14, 2012 WASHINGTON, DC – In a four-year struggle to have a voice on the job, improve working conditions and strengthen the quality of care for the people they serve, 13,000 Missouri home care workers cleared the last legal obstacle that has delayed negotiations on their first contract with the state. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal to a lower court decision upholding the results of a 2010 election in which the state's home care workers voted to form a union. The ruling represents the legal end of the line for the union’s opponents, who had sought to invalidate the results of the election and obstruct collective bargaining on behalf of workers who provide vital home care to the state’s seniors and people with disabilities. “Since 2008, Missouri home care workers have sought to have their voices heard, only to see opponents tie up their efforts in the courts,” said AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders, whose union represents the home care workers in a coalition with SEIU. “This court decision represents a huge victory for these workers and will now finally allow them to begin bargaining for their first union contract.” The state’s home care workers won the right to form a union after Missouri voters passed the Missouri Quality Home Care Act in 2008 by a resounding 75-percent majority. Home care workers subsequently voted to form their union, and opponents sought to stymie them in the courts. “This ruling is a huge relief to people like me who rely on home care providers to help us live independently and stay out of nursing homes,” said Edna Austin of Crystal City, Mo. “The union will give them the resources they need to improve their working conditions, reduce turnover and provide more security for families who hire them.” Home care workers perform essential services such as cooking, cleaning and emergency response. They are also instrumental in curtailing nursing home costs the state would incur if home care wasn’t available.	http://www.afscme.org/blog/13000-missouri-home-care-workers-win-final-legal-challenge-now-set-to-bargain-first-union-contract	2013-05-18T10:30:52	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Protein-Based Coating Could Help Rehabilitate Long-Term Brain Function Tuesday, July 31, 2012 TAU researchers develop bioactive coating to "camouflage" neutral electrodes Brain-computer interfaces are at the cutting edge for treatment of neurological and psychological disorder, including Parkinson's, epilepsy, and depression. Among the most promising advance is deep brain stimulation (DBS) — a method in which a silicon chip implanted under the skin ejects high frequency currents that are transferred to the brain through implanted electrodes that transmit and receive the signals. These technologies require a seamless interaction between the brain and the hardware. But there's a catch. Identified as foreign bodies by the immune system, the brain attacks the electrodes and forms a barrier to the brain tissue, making it impossible for the electrodes to communicate with brain activity. So while the initial implantation can diminish symptoms, after a few short years or even months, the efficacy of this therapy begins to wane. Now Aryeh Taub of Tel Aviv University's School of Psychological Sciences, along with Prof. Matti Mintz, Roni Hogri and Ari Magal of TAU's School of Psychological Sciences and Prof. Yosi Shacham-Diamand of TAU's School of Electrical Engineering, has developed a bioactive coating which not only "camouflages" the electrodes in the brain tissue, but actively suppresses the brain's immune response. By using a protein called an "interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist" to coat the electrodes, the multi-disciplinary team of researchers has found a potential resolution to turn a method for short-term relief into a long-term solution. This development was reported in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Limiting the immune response To overcome the creation of the barrier between the tissue and the electrode, the researchers sought to develop a method for placing the electrode in the brain tissue while hiding the electrode from the brain's immune defenses. Previous research groups have coated the electrodes with various proteins, says Taub, but the TAU team decided to take a different approach by using a protein that is active within the brain itself, thereby suppressing the immune reaction against the electrodes. In the brain, the IL-1 receptor antagonist is crucial for maintaining physical stability by localizing brain damage, Taub explains. For example, if a person is hit on the head, this protein works to create scarring in specific areas instead of allowing global brain scarring. In other words, it stops the immune system from overreacting. The team's coating, the first to be developed from this particular protein, not only integrates the electrodes into the brain tissue, but allows them to contribute to normal brain functioning. In pre-clinical studies with animal models, the researchers found that their coated electrodes perform better than both non-coated and "naïve protein"-coated electrodes that had previously been examined. Measuring the number of damaged cells at the site of implantation, researchers found no apparent difference between the site of electrode implantation and healthy brain tissue elsewhere, Taub says. In addition, evidence suggests that the coated electrodes will be able to function for long periods of time, providing a more stable and long-term treatment option. Restoring brain function Approximately 30,000 people worldwide are currently using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat neurological or psychological conditions. And DBS is only the beginning. Taub believes that, in the future, an interface with the ability to restore behavioral or motor function lost due to tissue damage is achievable — especially with the help of their new electrode coating. "We duplicate the function of brain tissue onto a silicon chip and transfer it back to the brain," Taub says, explaining that the electrodes will pick up brain waves and transfer these directly to the chip. "The chip then does the computation that would have been done in the damaged tissue, and feeds the information back into the brain — prompting functions that would have otherwise gotten lost." For more neuroscience news from Tel Aviv University, click here. Keep up with the latest AFTAU news on Twitter:. Quick links About AFTAU Upcoming Events About TAU Publications Donate Other recent news	http://www.aftau.org/site/News2/1228235891?page=NewsArticle&id=17021&news_iv_ctrl=-1	2013-05-18T10:43:09	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Swifts Return to the Holy City Monday, April 16, 2012 TAU researcher hosts ceremony to welcome migrating swifts back to Western Wall nesting site Alongside the notes and prayers lodged in its ancient crevices, the Western Wall in Jerusalem has also long been home to the migrating swift, a highly aerial bird similar to swallows that can fly at an average speed of 30 miles an hour. According to Dr. Yossi Leshem of Tel Aviv University's Department of Zoology and Israel's foremost ornithologist, this holy site is one of the birds' oldest nesting colonies. In recent years, approximately 40 pairs of birds have been spotted nesting among the 2,000-year-old stones. In a recent ceremony attended by Dr. Leshem and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, the swifts were welcomed back to their nesting site from their winter home in Africa. Dr. Leshem hopes to make the swift's annual pilgrimage a draw for bird lovers from all over the globe. During their 100-day nesting period, these master aerialists fly high above the city, eating, sleeping, and even mating in the air. The swifts, which weigh in at a tiny 1.2-1.6 ounces apiece, arrive in mid-February and return to Africa in June. TAU, along with the Friends of the Swifts Association and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, are working to protect the swifts, who prefer to nest in man-made structures. The organizations hope to safeguard current nesting sites and build additional sites. "Ever since humans started building cities, the common swift has found our buildings perfect for nesting sites, including ancient holy sites such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, and has become dependent on us," says Dr. Leshem. To preserve this habitat, the birds' 88 nesting sites have been taken into account during work to strengthen the masonry of the Western Wall. For the full story on the returning swifts, see the Jerusalem Post story: For more environment and ecology news from Tel Aviv University, click here. Keep up with the latest AFTAU news on Twitter:. Quick links About AFTAU Upcoming Events About TAU Publications Donate Other recent news	http://www.aftau.org/site/News2/1275852265?page=NewsArticle&id=16453&news_iv_ctrl=-1	2013-05-18T10:33:14	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Burning Calories at the Gym Avoids Burnout at Work Thursday, February 23, 2012 Physical heath. But. Participants completed questionnaires when they came to medical clinics for routine check-ups and had three follow-up appointments over a period of nine years.. For more business and management news from Tel Aviv University, click here Keep up with the latest AFTAU news on Twitter: Quick links About AFTAU Upcoming Events About TAU Publications Donate Other recent news	http://www.aftau.org/site/News2/1456297263?page=NewsArticle&id=16071&news_iv_ctrl=-1	2013-05-18T10:14:16	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Fossilized Pollen Unlocks Secrets of Ancient Royal Garden Thursday, February 16, 2012 Pollen recovered in a 2,500-year-old garden helps reconstruct a paradise of exotic plants, say TAU researchers Artist's rendering of Ramat Rahel site.. For more archaeology news from Tel Aviv University, click here. Keep up with the latest AFTAU news on Twitter:. Quick links About AFTAU Upcoming Events About TAU Publications Donate Other recent news	http://www.aftau.org/site/News2/1793341970?page=NewsArticle&id=16029&news_iv_ctrl=-1	2013-05-18T10:33:03	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
TAU Researcher Says Plants Can See, Smell, Feel, and Taste Monday, July 30, 2012 Unlocking the secrets of plant genetics could lead to breakthroughs in cancer research and food security Increasingly, scientists are uncovering surprising biological connections between humans and other forms of life. Now a Tel Aviv University researcher has revealed that plant and human biology is much closer than has ever been understood — and the study of these similarities could uncover the biological basis of diseases like cancer as well as other "animal" behaviors. have "senses" such as sight, smell, touch, and taste. Ultimately, he adds, if we share so much of our genetic makeup with plants, we have to reconsider what characterizes us as human. These findings could prompt scientists to rethink what they know about biology, says Prof. Chamovitz, pointing out that plants serve as an excellent model for experiments on a cellular level. This research is also crucial to food security, he adds, noting that knowledge about plant genetics and how plants sense and respond to their environment is central to ensuring a sufficient food supply for the growing population — one of the main goals of the Manna Center. Seeing the light Prof. Daniel Chamovitz One of the most intriguing discoveries of recent years is that a group of plant genes used to regulate responses to light is also part of the human DNA. These affect responses like the circadian rhythm, the immune system, and cell division. A plant geneticist, Prof. Chamovitz was researching the way plants react to light when he discovered an group of genes that were responsible for a plant "knowing" whether it was in the light or in the dark. He first believed that these genes were specific to plant life, but was surprised to later identify the same group of genes in humans and animals. "The same group of proteins that plants use to decide if they are in the light or dark is also used by animals and humans," Prof. Chamovitz says. "For example, these proteins control two seemingly separate processes. First, they control the circadian rhythm, the biological clock that helps our bodies keep a 24 hour schedule. Second, they control the cell cycle — which means we can learn more about mutations in these genes that lead to cancer." In experiments with fruit flies who had a mutated version of one of these genes, Prof. Chamovitz and his fellow researchers observed that the flies not only developed a fly form of leukemia, but also that their circadian rhythm was disrupted, leading to a condition somewhat like permanent jet-lag. Plants use light as a behavioral signal, letting them know when to open their leaves to gather necessary nutrients. This response to light can be viewed as a rudimentary form of sight, contends Prof. Chamovitz, noting that the plants "see" light signals, including color, direction, and intensity, then integrate this information and decide on a response. And plants do all this without the benefit of a nervous system. And that's not the limit of plant "senses." Plants also demonstrate smell — a ripe fruit releases a "ripening pheromone" in the air, which is detected by unripe fruit and signals them to follow suit — as well as the ability to feel and taste. To some degree, plants also have different forms of "memory," allowing them to encode, store, and retrieve information. Just like us Beyond the genes that regulate responses to light, plants and humans share a bevy of other proteins and genes — for example, the genes that cause cystic fibrosis and breast cancer. Plants might not come down with these diseases, but the biological basis is the same, says Prof. Chamovitz. Because of this, plants are an excellent first stop when looking for a biological model, and could replace or at least enhance animal models for human disease in some types of research. He is working alongside Prof. Yossi Shiloh, Israel Prize winner and incumbent of the David and Inez Myers Chair of Cancer Genetics at Tel Aviv University	http://www.aftau.org/site/News2/272151947?page=NewsArticle&id=17013&news_iv_ctrl=-1	2013-05-18T10:13:39	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Need Portlet Help? Portlet materials have been updated in the Ag CMS How-To Guide, and a recorded training is available. Portlets are a great and easy way to add some spice to your website! Use the News or Events portlets to display the latest. Easy to set up and no monitoring after that. Got a Facebook page? Have all your Facebook activity and fans display on your site. There are many more portlets to choose from, so see what works best for you. Portlet Resources: One hour recorded training for Portlets Portlets section in the Ag CMS How-To Guide Sonja Fuchs, Web Technology Specialist, (701) 231-6403 Bob Bertsch, Web Technology Specialist, (701) 231-7381	http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/agcomm/lets-communicate/need-portlet-help	2013-05-18T10:31:54	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
We all work hard to protect our valuables. We buy insurance policies to protect our homes from theft or fire and we invest in safes to store jewelry, old coins and birth certificates. Despite this, most of us are not working hard enough to protect one of the most valuable things we own – our good name. Identity theft is on the rise nationwide and is helped along by lenders and creditors who are willing to grant thousands of dollars in credit in mere minutes with little or no proof of identity. In today’s electronic age, an ID thief can easily, and sometimes legally, tap into your personal information with just a click of the computer mouse. A few bits of personal data are a gold mine for information crooks looking to steal your identity. An impostor using personal information like your address, birthdate, Social Security or credit card number, can acquire phony credit cards, private phone lines, siphon money from your checking or savings account, get a mortgage and even give you a criminal record. Identity thieves may rummage through trash searching for discarded account statements, pre-approved credit card offers or credit receipts, search public records for your address, and even rob your mailbox. It may take a few months, but eventually you’ll start getting calls from creditors demanding payment for charges that you never made. A strange bank may call you about an overdrawn account in your name – an account you never opened. Identity theft takes months for you to detect, and sometimes years or longer to unravel. This booklet will help you guard your privacy, protect your personal information and avoid identity fraud. Chapter 1: What is Personal Information and Identity Theft? The Personal Information Trade When we wonder or worry about who might be snooping in our private affairs, we often think about the government, “Big Brother,” watching our homes, telephone calls, or travels; however, today there is another threat to our privacy in the network of commercial databases that keep personal information about each one of us. Personalization The sale, collection, and integration of personal information about consumers are new industries in the information age. There are currently over 1,000 private companies keeping comprehensive databases about individual consumers, a ten-fold increase in just five years. These companies do not engage in the “mass marketing” of products or the researching of general demographic groups. Rather, they focus on gathering as much information as possible about specific people to engage in what is sometimes called “personalization” or “personal marketing.” Technology now allows these businesses to cheaply gather information about consumers, and then sort and categorize the data, sometimes called “data mining,” to isolate specific people for “target marketing” purposes. Personal Information The information possessed by these companies goes far beyond mere demographic data. For example, a privacy lawsuit against a marketing company revealed the types of information contained in its database. Its computer files contained more than 900 tidbits of information on individual consumers dating back more than a decade. One individual’s file was reportedly 25 single-spaced pages and contained information such as her income, marital status, hobbies, medical ailments, her preferred brand of antacid tablets, whether she had dentures, and how often she had used room deodorizers, sleeping aids, and hemorrhoid remedies. The array of information available is limited only by the technology itself. Each electronically recorded transaction – from your use of credit, debit or ATM cards to your payment of mortgage or student loans – provides a glimpse into your private life. When layered on top of one another, these pieces of information create a complete picture of you as an individual. Here are a few examples of the personal information trade: One company maintains a database that operates twenty-four hours a day, gathering and processing information on 95% of American households. For a price, it will sort information based on income, lifestyle (outdoor, mechanic, intelligence, etc.), or even a profile of “ethnics who may speak their native language but do not think in that manner.” Another company offers lists of people with particular medical conditions. In 1999, it offered for sale nearly 50 lists of individuals suffering from different medical ailments. It sells the names and addresses of 427, 000 people who are clinically depressed, 1.4 million women who have yeast infections, and 1 million individuals who have diabetes. It also sells lists of people with Alzheimer’s Disease, birth defects, Parkinson’s Disease, and “physical handicaps.” A New York company offers the names of high school students according to GPA, religion, ethnicity, and SAT scores. A hospital sells the names of its patients who may be eligible for social security insurance to a lawyer. No information appears to be too personal for companies to collect or too insignificant to sell. In 1999, electronic research companies were selling unlisted phone numbers for $49, social security numbers for $49, and bank balances for $45. A company will obtain another person’s driving record for $35, trace a cell phone call for $84, or create a list of stocks, bonds, and securities for $209. This personal data is merged into a consumer tracking and information system that becomes larger every day it is sold to whomever may be interested in buying. Each piece of information gathered, stored, and sorted by these large databases represents an erosion of your right to privacy. The personal information trade also enables a special kind of telemarketing called pre-acquired account telemarketing. Pre-acquired account telemarketing occurs when a telemarketer calls you with the ability to charge your credit card or bank account already in their hand. Unlike most telemarketers, these companies have acquired the ability to charge your account for the product that they are selling before they call you. A typical telemarketing sale, not involving pre-acquired accounts, requires that you provide a credit card or other account number to the telemarketer, or that you send a check or sign a contract in a later transaction. Providing a signature or an account number – like paying cash – is a readily recognizable way for you, as the buyer, to give your consent or assent to a deal. Pre-acquired account telemarketing removes these short-hand methods for you to control when you have agreed to a purchase. Instead, the telemarketer controls the method by which you provide “consent” to the transaction, making the determination whether you have actually consented to the deal. This puts the telemarketer in a privileged position, such that he or she can charge your bank account or credit card in situations where you would never have voluntarily provided your account number to the caller. Identity Theft Identity theft occurs in a variety of ways and has different labels. Two key variations are commonly referred to by law enforcement as “true name” or “true party” frauds and “account takeover” frauds. With “true name” or “true party” fraud, the thief pretends to be you. The thief uses pieces of your identity to obtain new credit cards from banks and retailers, open checking and savings accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility companies, or rent an apartment. The thief can ultimately ring up a tab worth thousands of dollars – all in your name. In an “account takeover” fraud, the thief steals your money and/or assets. The thief obtains enough personal information about you to gain access to existing credit or bank accounts. Thieves impersonating you contact creditors and banks to order additional cards on the account and have the cards sent to their address instead of yours. The thief may also file a change of address with the postal service to divert any newly ordered credit cards or checks into his or her hands. Identity theft is usually more complex than an ordinary case of credit card fraud. Armed with just one or two pieces of identifying information, such as your birth date or address, a thief can assume your financial identity, access your existing accounts, and obtain a wide range of services and benefits in your name. Identity Thieves Interviews with victims of identity theft and experts have revealed a wide range of thief profiles. Thieves may be friends, relatives, co-workers, employees at companies or organizations with personal information about you in their databanks, and, worst of all, total strangers, who gain access to your personal information through any number of means. Victims of Identity Theft Creditworthy consumers with high incomes are the preferred prey of identity thieves, but almost any of us is a potential victim. It is impossible for you to totally eliminate the possibility of falling prey to identity fraud. To lessen the chance of becoming a victim keep a tight rein on your personal information, get off telemarketing lists, stop businesses from sharing your private information, dispose of sensitive documents safely, and closely monitor your finances. Legal Protections Against Identity Theft> Under Minnesota and federal law, a person who knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses an identity that is not the person’s own, with the intent to commit, aid, or abet any unlawful activity, is guilty of felony identity theft. In Minnesota, the maximum prison term and/or fine for violating the identity theft statute varies depending on the number and type of victims and amount of money stolen. Though laws exist to help prosecute identity theft, prevention is better. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on your credit report and requires that your record only be provided for legitimate business purposes. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect overdue bills that your creditor has forwarded for collection. The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. The act provides the most important protection for victims of identity theft. If you notify your card issuer at the address given for “billing inquiries” within 60 days after you receive a bill with an error, the act allows you to dispute the erroneous charge. The Truth in Lending Act limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges on lost or stolen cards to $50 per account. If you notify your card issuer before the thief’s unauthorized use, your liability will be $0. Therefore, if a company tries to sell you a credit card “protection” against unauthorized charges, you don’t need it. The federal law already protects you from significant monetary liability. The Electronic Funds Transfer Act provides protection for all transactions using your debit card or other electronic means to debit or credit an account. It also limits your liability to $500 for unauthorized electronic fund transfers. Your Personal Information Is Not As Safe As You Think Today, personal financial information is widely accessible through a variety of sources. Identity thieves legally obtain much of the information they need. Often, additional information is obtained illegally, but at low risk and low cost. Credit Bureaus The three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and Trans Union – and other credit reporting agencies, produce hundreds of millions of credit reports each year. The reports include a wealth of personal information about you including your date of birth, addresses, social security number, credit account information, public records and employment data. Credit reports are easy for unauthorized people to get. All a thief needs is your name, Social Security number and a current or previous address. Credit bureaus, to their credit, only send reports to the current address displayed on the report. However, thieves anticipate this move by sending a creditor a pre-approved credit offer using your name and the thief’s address. The credit reporting system is designed to automatically update your file, so the report is sent to the thief instead of you. The thief then has all the information they need to steal your identity Easy Access to Credit In the United States today credit is easier to obtain than ever. We expect quick loans, which enable us to grab a surprise bargain or finance an emergency. Easy credit makes for easy crime. The credit approval process often amounts to little more than matching two bits of information on an application – a name and a Social Security number – with a credit report. Social Security Numbers as Universal Identifiers When social security numbers were first issued in 1936, the federal government assured the public that use of the numbers would be limited to Social Security programs. Today, however, the social security number is the most frequently used record keeping number in the United States. Social security numbers are used for employee files, medical records, health insurance accounts, credit and banking accounts, university ID cards, and many other purposes. In fact, a social security number is now required for dependents over one year of age. Computer records have replaced paper filing systems in most organizations. Since more than one person may share the same name, accurate retrieval of information works best if each file is assigned a unique number. Many businesses and governmental agencies believe the social security number is tailor-made for this purpose. Because your social security number is frequently used as your identification number in business and government computer databases, information about you in one database is easily linked to other databases that contain different types of private information. Using your social security number as a universal identifier makes it possible for identity thieves to gain a more complete picture of your financial records and personal information. Private Information Check List What Is a Credit Bureau? A credit bureau is a clearinghouse for credit history information. Creditors provide the bureaus with information about how their customers pay their bills. The bureaus assemble this information, along with public record information obtained from courthouses around the country. Then they turn this data into a “file” on each consumer. In return, creditors can obtain credit reports about consumers who wish to open accounts with their business or organization. There are more than 1,000 local and regional credit bureaus throughout the United States. Most credit bureaus are either owned by, or are under contract with, one of the nation’s three major credit card bureaus – Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. These national agencies maintain centralized databases containing the credit records of more than 170 million Americans. Credit bureaus generate more than a half billion reports per year. What Is In a Credit Report? Credit reports are a gold mine of information about you. The report contains your name, Social Security number, address, credit payment status and employment history. A credit report also contains legal information including liens, bankruptcy and other matters of public record. Federal and state laws restrict who has access to your sensitive information and how it can be used. Anyone with a “legitimate business purpose” can gain access to your credit history, including: those considering granting you credit, landlords, insurance companies, employers and potential employers, and companies with which you have a credit account. Certain pieces of information cannot be included in your credit report: Medical information (unless you give your consent). Negative information, including a bankruptcy that is more than 10 years old. Debts that are more than seven years old. Information about your age, marital status, or race cannot be included in your report if requested by a prospective employer. Experts recommend looking at your credit report every year and before making a major purchase. Every year consumers can get a free credit report from each of the credit agencies — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. The credit bureaus have created a centralized website, toll-free telephone number and mailing address for Minnesota consumers to order their reports. Annual reports may be requested the following way: - Logging on to: - Calling: 1-877-322-8228 - Writing: Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA., 30348-5281 If you have already received your free annual credit report, Minnesota law allows you to purchase another credit report once a year for $3 from each of the credit bureaus, separately. You are entitled to one free copy of your report each year if (1) you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, (2) you’re on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate because of fraud. In addition there is no charge for the report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you request your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. You may use the Credit File Request Form, located on page 23 of this booklet to order your credit report. To do so, contact one or more of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax PO Box 105851 Atlanta, GA 30348-5851 1-800-685-1111 Experian PO Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013-9595 1-888-397-3742 TransUnion PO Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022 1-800-888-4213 What Is Your Social Security Statement? Your Social Security Statement provides both a statement of past earnings and an estimate of future benefits you will receive from Social Security. The statement shows how much you’ve paid into Social Security over your working years. The statement also shows how much you can expect to receive when you retire or if you become disabled. You can also determine from the statement how much your family is entitled to receive if you die. The Social Security Administration recommends that you check your Social Security earnings at least once every three years. After that it becomes more difficult to trace the earnings. A Social Security Statement is available upon request. To get a statement, call the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). What Is on My Driving Record? Driver and Vehicle Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, keeps records on drivers (such as driver license and driver history information), and about vehicles (such as ownership information). Information stored about you includes your name, address, social security number, physical description (height, weight, eye color), date of birth, status of your driver’s license, whether corrective lenses are needed for driving, and if you are an organ donor. In addition, a record is kept of any moving violations that you are convicted of, and whether you have medical conditions that may affect driving. Who Can Get the Information in My Driving Record? The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) enforcers, for use by insurers to investigate claims or fraud, for use by an employer to verify that you have a commercial driver’s license, or for use in legal proceedings. Most of the remaining data in your driving record is less protected. That data can be released without your consent not only to government agencies, insurers, employers and in legal proceedings for the purposes above, but also to: Auto manufacturers, for uses related to auto safety, theft, emissions, alterations, recalls, advisories, market research, and performance monitoring; Legitimate businesses, but only in the normal course of business to verify the accuracy of personal information you submitted so as to prevent fraud or recover a debt; Researchers, to publish statistical reports that do not identify individuals; Towing companies, to notify owners of towed or impounded autos; Toll companies, to operate private toll transportation facilities (if Minnesota had such facilities) Licensed private investigators or security services, for any of these purposes; or Any person who has obtained your written consent. However, if a person or business requests your driving record for a purpose other than one permitted above (by federal law), then DPS will not release your driving record unless you have expressly consented by checking a box on your license or ownership application renewal. Thus, without your consent, no commercial or business firms can access your record to add your name to direct-mail, telemarketing, or survey list. What Is in My Medical Information Report?, medications prescribed, and the results of surgery and other medical procedures. A wide range of people, in and out of the health care industry, may access your medical information. Generally, access to your records is obtained when you agree to let others see them. You probably signed a blanket waiver or general consent form at some point when you obtained medical care. When you sign such a waiver, you allow the health care provider to release your medical information to insurance companies, government agencies and others. The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is an organization that compiles a central database of medical information. Approximately 15 million Americans and Canadians are on file in the MIBs computers. More than 750 insurance firms use the services of the MIB, primarily to obtain information about life insurance and individual health insurance policy applicants. You are entitled to a free medical record disclosure once a year. You can get a copy by calling the Medical Information Bureau toll-free at: 1-866-692-6901. For other questions or to correct your report, write to: Medical Information Bureau P.O. Box 105 Essex Stations Boston, MA 02112 Phone: (617) 426-3660 Businesses and Other Organizations With Information About You It is not just the government or creditors that collect and distribute information about you and your buying practices. Banks, insurance companies, charities and others have personal information about you that you may not want other people to know. You should compile a list of the businesses and organizations that have information about you. When forming new relationships with an organization or company, ask what will be done with your information and who will have access to it. Information is power in our society. Knowing who has what information about you allows you some control over how that information is used. Don’t hesitate to let companies and organizations know you expect them to respect your privacy. Sale of Personal Information by State and Local Governments Public records containing personal information such as homeowners’ documents, police and court records, utility records, and marriage and divorce records have always been available for sale in paper form. With the growing use of computer databases and the Internet, however, it is easier than ever to obtain these records for fraudulent use without leaving behind a paper trail. Public databases can now be accessed directly from many government computers and through commercial database vendors. Identity thieves range from old-fashioned pickpockets to sophisticated theft rings with equipment that can re-encode the magnetic strip on the back of counterfeit or stolen credit cards. In an effort to compile personal information, identity theft rings sometimes enlist cleaning people (who retrieve data from office wastebaskets), corrupt merchants (who sell credit card sales receipts), and employees of financial institutions and brokerage firms who process financial transactions. Next Page: Chapter 2: A Look at Identity Thieves	http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/privacy/guardingyprivacy/GYP_1.asp	2013-05-18T10:32:11	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "../../../Images/Privacy.jpg", null ] ]
Key Bridge Marriott1401 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22209-1201(703) 524-64001 (800) 676-2959 Our special rate is $199 plus tax per night, plus service charges, single occupancy. Register under room block identified as American Gas Association (BECS) “Building Energy Codes & Standards Committee Meeting”. The cut-off date for the special BECS hotel room rate is Monday, April 11, 2011. Reservations made after April 11, 2011 will be subject to availability and existing hotel rates. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. Depending on meeting attendance, the hotel room block may fill up before the published cut-off date, so don’t delay registration. Just 4 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and within 3 blocks of the DC Metro system, the Key Bridge Marriott is the perfect choice among Georgetown hotels. Guestrooms with panoramic views of the nation's capital and hallmark Marriott service make this hotel in Georgetown, DC, a favorite destination. Our convenient location is just minutes from the Rosslyn Metro station, allowing guests easy access to some of the city's most famous landmarks including the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, the Kennedy Center, Georgetown University, the Potomac River and Georgetown. Just 5 minutes from the Key Bridge, the Key Bridge Marriott is the perfect choice among Georgetown hotels in Washington, DC. ©2013 American Gas Association 400 North Capitol Street, NW \| Washington, DC 20001	http://www.aga.org/Events/2011Events/BECS/Pages/HotelInformation.aspx?PF=1&PF=1	2013-05-18T10:53:19	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
On-line registration required. The deadline for registration is Monday, September 5, 2011. Registration will be confirmed by e-mail. Individual Rates: Group Rates: AGA/EEI Full Member Rate: $ 925 AGA/EEI Full Member Rate: $ 825AGA/EEI Associate Member Rate: $1,025 AGA/EEI Associate Member Rate: $ 925Non-Member of AGA or EEI Rate: $1,425 Non-Member of AGA or EEI Rate: $ 1,325 Group Rates – Apply to companies with three or more registrants**Please note: If registering online, you will be charged the individual rate. However, a refund reflecting the group rate will be issued following the meeting to those individuals whose company has sent three or more participants. If you have questions regarding group registration fees, please call Tricia Vanderpool at (202) 824-7251.,2013 American Gas Association 400 North Capitol Street, NW \| Washington, DC 20001	http://www.aga.org/Events/2011Events/FinandAcctSem2011/Pages/RegistrationInformation.aspx?PF=1&PF=1	2013-05-18T11:02:50	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
The ability to store and retrieve natural gas increases the reliability of gas service. Access to storage allows individual gas buyers to acquire lower-cost supplies on the spot market during off-peak periods(such as the summer months) and store the gas in locations near end-users during periods of peak demand (such as the winter months). Storage can also compensate for temporary disruptions in natural gas production. Natural gas can be stored underground in several types of facilities, including salt caverns, depleted aquifers, and depleted oil and gas reservoirs. On average, 15–20 percent of natural gas consumed during the five-month winter heating season comes from underground storage. On a given winter day, 50 percent or more of gas supplied to customers may come from underground storage. As significant holders of storage capacity, natural gas utilities are changing the way they use the supply asset, and continue to improve their storage practices to be more competitive. For example, many utilities use financial tools to hedge summer injections and minimize storage refill costs. In addition, storage capacity is increasingly viewed as an asset that requires critical economic management in order to maximize its value. Approximately 420 natural gas storage fields operate in the United States. Underground storage is a critical link to supplying consumers with reliable, affordable natural gas, particularly during periods of peak demand. Underground storage also links critical new infrastructure development, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, to natural gas customers. It acts as a repository of supply between the times gas is imported and when it is required for consumption. AGA supports the market based growth of this key gas infrastructure. Additional Information: Energy Information Administration () AGA Contact: Chris McGill, (202) 824-7132, [email protected] ©2013 American Gas Association 400 North Capitol Street, NW \| Washington, DC 20001	http://www.aga.org/our-issues/issuesummaries/Pages/GasStorage.aspx?PF=1	2013-05-18T10:53:45	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
On April 23–24 2013 the Association of Cereal Research organised its 9. European Bioethanol Technology Meeting in Detmold. 180 participants visited this Meeting. Read more … Review the 9. Bioethanol Technology Meeting 2013 On April 23-24 2013, after the 9th Bioethanol Technology Meeting, the Association of Cereal Research organized the 64th Starch Convention in Detmold. Scientific and economic areas presented different interesting papers. Read more … Review the 64. Starch Convention 2013 For over 60 years, the Association of Cereal Research Association - in cooperation with the Max Rubner Institute, Detmold - organized the Convention of Milling Technology. Next Convention of Milling Technology: September 11th- 12th 2012 The conference program and registration form can be found below as a pdf-document. You also have the opportunity to register online for the event. Conference program & Application Form Online registration for the conference This conference is intended to provide new insights and focuses on current topics of the milling industry and will be accompanied by a exhibition for milling machinery and equipment. The presentations will be simultaneously translated into English, therefore, in addition to German, foreign participants attend the event in Detmold. Read more … 63rd Convention of Milling Technology with exhibition on September 2012 Page 1 of 2 13. 05. 2013. 25. 04. 2013. 27. 07. 2012. 13.06.2013 13.01.2014 - 07.02.2014 12.05.2014 - 16.05.2014 10.09.2013 - 12.09.2013 08.04.2014 - 09.04.2014 09.04.2014 - 10.04.2014	http://www.agfdt.de/en/news.html	2013-05-18T10:21:21	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Keyword Search Tanga Cement blames “unreliable” rail transport for high cement prices May, 31 2012 (Tanzania) -- Tanga Cement's managing director Erik Westerberg has blamed the unreliable rail transport in the country for causing an escalation in cement prices in the country. “We are relying on road transport to move our products which is very costly,” Mr Westerberg said. “If we were to use rail transport it would reduce the costs of production thereby reduce the final prices," he added. He added that if the cement companies relied on rail transport, the prices of cement in the country would drop. Cement is currently being sold at a price of $9.61 a bag. "There is unreliable rail transport in the country. The increase in the costs of our products is partly due to poor infrastructure," Westerberg said. He also blamed the high taxes and infrastructure costs for the high prices of cement across the country. "We usually pay a lot of taxes which the government reinstated in 2005 while at the same time, we face an acute shortage of power where about 30% of the total electricity required to run the company depends on the company's own production. Partly, this are some of the reasons for the high cement prices," Westerberg said. Last week the company said it would build a second kiln to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2015. By: Rashmi Kalia (ARI-C NEWS) Cement-makers want green status for power generated through waste-heat recovery. More Holcim earns P1.43 billion in first quarter. More More Forums	http://www.aggregateresearch.com/articles/25142/Tanga-Cement-blames-unreliable-rail-transport-for-high-cement-prices.aspx?src=rss	2013-05-18T10:42:27	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Commercial Ship Accident law firms from Georgia Many of experienced law firms from Georgia & with practice area - Commercial Ship Accident. Seek profiles of an experienced lawyers, law firms or attorneys the best in Commercial Ship Accident in such Georgia cities like South Hempstead, Burlington, Austell, Palmetto Bay, Mattapan. - WSAV:Ga. lawyers donate 840,000 pounds of food - Attorney General Sam Olens says Georgia's lawyers have donated the..., 18 May 2013 08:25:25 +0000 - shoppingfun4u:Ad: Accident Attorney -, 18 May 2013 07:13:28 +0000 - MorgeseLawFirm:@JamesMWilsonEsq Thanks for following @MorgeseLawFirm. Its helpful to share local legal news with a fellow Atlanta & Georgia Attorney!Sat, 18 May 2013 02:45:40 +0000 - Alabama_DUI:DUI Attorney In Irvine Releases A Very Helpful Video On YouTube On What To Expect After A DUI Arrest ()Fri, 17 May 2013 22:05:21 +0000 - Alabama_DUI:IIUSA Announces More Speakers, Extends Group Hotel Rate for Annual International EB-5 Forum this June ()Fri, 17 May 2013 21:52:33 +0000 - Alabama_DUI:These People Are Nut Bags...Help? ()Fri, 17 May 2013 20:29:38 +0000 - awjoneslaw:Georgia Bicycle Accidents \| Car Accident Attorney in Marietta, GA, 17 May 2013 18:14:50 +0000 - Pages Random states Random cities	http://www.agh-attorneys.com/law-firms/commercial-ship-accident/united-states/georgia	2013-05-18T10:23:04	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Corn questions for 2013 By: Gil Gullickson 02/14/2013 @ 9:28am - TOP STORIES - MARKET UPDATE - WEATHER-85 $3.29, Gasoline $4.29Support your local product, boys. If you have an E-85 capable vehicle, fill it up and often. And thank the stars there is a competitor to ... Calling all farmer-inventors! By: Jeff Caldwell 05/07/2013 @ 2:44pm Beef producers: MORE tech ... By: Gene Johnston 02/07/2013 @ 1:15pm	http://www.agriculture.com/media-center/photos/other/08_2-25336	2013-05-18T10:42:15	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_893.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_892.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-video.gif", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_891.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-video.gif", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_890.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_889.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_888.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-video.gif", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_886.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_885.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-third-party.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_884.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_883.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-third-party.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_882.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-comment.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_880.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-classified.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_879.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_878.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-user.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_877.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-third-party.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_876.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-video.gif", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_875.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-user.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_874.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-editor.png", null ], [ "/uploads/assets/alist/tn_873.jpg", null ], [ "/images/icon-video.gif", null ], [ "/images/search_spinner.gif", null ] ]
Job OpportunitiesBelow are positions open at gospel rescue missions across North America. Please contact the appropriate organization directly to inquire about specific jobs. Check back often for new available positions. (See below for information on placing ads.) Recent Classified Listings Jacksonville, Florida: Vice President of Development—City Rescue Mission of Jacksonville seeks a vice president of development to “create and execute a strategy for revenue growth at a constantly improving ROI.” This individual will be part of senior leadership team and should be driven by a desire for continuous improvement. Must have five or more year’s managerial experience in fundraising or relational sales with a demonstrated history of managing for results. Bachelor’s degree in related field. Master’s preferred. Send résumé and cover letter to [email protected]. Jacksonville, Florida: Director of Emergency Services and Recovery Programs—City Rescue Mission seeks someone to direct our Christ-centered emergency services and recovery programs. Will be part of senior leadership team and supervise a staff of 47. Should be driven by desire for continuous improvement evidenced by outcomes measurement. Must have at least five years managerial experience with a demonstrated history of managing for results, preferably in a human services environment. Master’s degree in a related field or bachelor’s with related certification. Send cover letter and résumé to [email protected]. Added 5/15/2013 Colorado Springs, Colorado: Graduate Services Program Director—The Springs Rescue Mission is seeking a qualified director to provide leadership and direction to its graduate services program. Email résumé or questions to [email protected]. Added 5/15/2013 Buellton, California: Multiple Personnel—Want to follow Christ’s call to sell all and follow Him? White Stone Ranch offers unique opportunity in Santa Barbara County for people to consecrate their lives to serving the needy in pilot program. Added 5/15/2013 Newark, New Jersey: Director of Development—Goodwill Rescue Mission is seeking an experienced director of development. Responsible for strategic diversity and growth of our fundraising and marketing, including direct mail operations with our direct response agency, foundation grant management, and church and major gift donor relations. Contact Ron Schober at [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Hagerstown, Maryland: Thrift Store Manager—The Hope Center is seeking a qualified manager to manage the daily operations of the ministry's two thrift stores. Email résumé to [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Inverness, Florida: Case Manager—The Path of Citrus County is looking for a male case manager apprentice for its shelter. This is a live-in position, with room and board paid, plus hourly wage. The mission will pay for case management training for the right person. Driver’s license required. Fax résumé to (352)489-8505. Added 5/1/2013 Orlando, Florida: All Things Sweet Manager—Responsible for proactively soliciting corporate sales accounts, securing and working food truck stop locations, and serving as spokesperson for Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s culinary training program. To apply, email résumé to [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Orlando, Florida: Donor Services Coordinator—Responsible for the data entry of donor gifts into PledgeMaker and ensuring timely completion of donation acknowledgments (receipts), reports, and other projects. To apply, email résumé to [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Orlando, Florida: Community Relations Coordinator—Proactively builds relationships and engages community by sharing about Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s work through news coverage, special events, mission fairs, speaking engagements, and other community events. To apply, email résumé to [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Santa Rosa, California: Women’s and Children’s Shelter Staff—Redwood Gospel Mission has an open position in its women’s and children’s shelter. Seeking a woman with a heart for the homeless to join the mission’s team. Candidate needs to be flexible, calm, and have a clean driving record. Previous experience with homeless preferred. Interested applicants should call (707) 573-0490 or email [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Phoenix, Arizona: Program Director—Phoenix Rescue Mission is seeking a program director to provide oversight to their Christ-centered emergency shelter and residential recovery programs for men. Candidates should have extensive experience in providing oversight to large therapeutic community programs for men, women, and families with addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and/or other life-controlling problems. The program director must have good leadership, administrative, and supervisory skills. Candidates must be master’s level and license is preferred. All interested candidates should email résumés to [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 Long Beach, California: Executive Director—The Long Beach Rescue Mission is looking for an executive director. For information please check the mission’s website at, or contact Cindy Pena at (562) 591-1292, ext. 112; via email at [email protected]. Added 5/1/2013 To list a Job Opportunity on the AGRM website: Jobs listed here are first placed in Street Smart, AGRM’s e-newsletter, which is published twice a month. Members of AGRM can place a 30-word classified ad listing available positions in two consecutive issues of Street Smart at no charge; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-members can place an ad for $25 per issue for a 30-word ad; additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. AGRM members can renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. Email desired ad placement to Brad Lewis (subject line: Street Smart advertising). Ads are subject to editing to conform to Street Smart style, and AGRM reserves the right to reject any ads or sponsorships it deems inappropriate for members. All ads are due one week before issue date.	http://www.agrm.org/agrm/Job_Opportunities.asp?SnID=1782714012	2013-05-18T11:06:10	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
AGRM mission memberships are divided into levels based on the mission’s total annual operating expenses*. The following chart shows the annual fees for membership for each level. Each membership level includes a certain number of individual members who have access to member benefits. These individuals are usually mission staff or board members. Additional members beyond the allotted amount can be added for $80 each..	http://www.agrm.org/agrm/Join_Today_M.asp?SnID=267298152	2013-05-18T10:54:28	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "/images/agrm/Images/2013%20Fees-Website.jpg", null ] ]
AGRM Statement of Faith The AGRM bylaws state that subscription and adherence to the following statement of faith is a prerequisite for membership. -. AGRM Code of Ethics While AGRM is not a regulatory enforcement agency, it desires that its members conduct their affairs in manners that are safe, lawful, and God-honoring. In that regard, AGRM asks its members to abide by the standards below. - We agree to treat every individual who comes to us for assistance with the utmost dignity and respect. - We agree to exercise the highest level of integrity in all of our fund-raising and financial management practices. - We agree to adhere to principles of organizational and board governance that will promote realistic accountability to those in authority. - We agree to create and maintain a clean, safe, and courteous environment for clients and staff. - We agree to adhere to all local, state/provincial, and federal codes and laws that apply to our organization. - We agree to show respect toward (and collaborate with when appropriate) other organizations in our area that seek to assist the hungry, homeless, abused, and addicted. - We agree to follow scriptural guidelines when resolving conflicts. Note: AGRM offers a certification program to help member missions eliminate deficiencies and attain the highest level of competence and accountability. Click here for more information about the AGRM Certification Program.	http://www.agrm.org/agrm/Statement_of_Faith.asp?SnID=734246129	2013-05-18T10:13:55	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
ANTHEM - Mountain Pointe emerged from a sloppy first half of play to upset No. 14 Boulder Creek 43-36 in a first-round matchup in the Division I state tournament on Wednesday. While an abundance of turnovers factored into the play of both teams, the defensive effort from No. 19 Pride was the main reason the team will be advancing in the playoffs. After the Jaguars beat Mountain Pointe 54-47 in the first round of the Division I, Section III tournament last week, Pride coach Trevor Neider knew defense would be the key to returning the favor. Defensively, Mountain Pointe came ready to play. "I just thought defensively we played 100 percent better," Neider said. "We didn't shoot much better, but we played defense so we didn't have to shoot as well." The Pride (22-9) had a total of 13 steals, eight of which came from junior Ashley Clubb and sophomore Kaylah Lupoe, both of whom missed time in the first meeting because of illness. No steal was bigger than Caitlyn Hetrick's in the fourth quarter, though. After scoring, Hetrick got in front of the Boulder Creek in-bounds pass and put it up for another quick two points, contributing to her team's decisive nine-point run. To go along with the steal, Hetrick finished with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. After only playing about five minutes in last week's matchup, the 6-foot-1 Lupoe was given the assignment of covering junior Sam Young, at 6 feet 3 inches, of the Jaguars. Lupoe more than completed that assignment, finishing with a triple-double of 10 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and 10 blocks. Most of her blocks came while playing blanket defense on Young, which caused Boulder Creek to go elsewhere with the ball. Young still managed to score nine points and bring down nine rebounds, but the damage could have been worse. "Sitting there, I watched (last week's game) and I saw what I needed to do, so I came in this game and played good defense," Lupoe said. "I needed to shut (Young) down because that would give us a chance." Disorganized play by both sides marred the first quarter. Boulder Creek (23-7) began trapping on defense early in the second quarter, which allowed the team to take advantage of the Pride's mistakes and end the half on an eight-point run with a 20-15 lead. Mountain Pointe's biggest mistakes came on the simplest of techniques: dribbling. Traveling violations kept the Pride from getting much of an offensive rhythm going through the first two quarters. "I think it's just a focus thing," Neider said. "We catch it and we just go out of control. That's something we've talked about all year and we work on it every day." Despite the first-half mistakes, Mountain Pointe came out of halftime a different team, reenergized and confident. "Halftime we just said if we play defense (and) if we hold them under 40, I said I'd be more than happy with that," Neider said. "At some point, we've got to make something. Luckily, we did." The Pride move on to face No. 3 Saint Mary's, the top-ranked team in the nation, on the road on Friday. "It's an honor that we get to play them," Lupoe said. "We're really happy and we're really pumped. Hopefully we have a good game." Chris Cole is interning this semester for the Ahwatukee Foothills News. He is a sophomore at Arizona State University.	http://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/game_day/article_7dd7baa0-5869-11e1-9fb4-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story	2013-05-18T11:03:27	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Only specialized hospitals and doctor's practices have experience providing PEP. A list of names and addresses of appropriate contact points can be found here. The outpatient departments named here are open 24 hours a day. PEP can also be obtained in HIV specialist practices during business hours. If in doubt, you should go to the practice or outpatient department that is the closest. The telephone counseling service of the AIDS service organization in Germany can help with any questions. It can be reached from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm and on Sundays from 12 pm to 2 pm.	http://www.aidshilfe.de/en/protect-yourself/safer-sex-accident/pep/where-can-i-find-pep	2013-05-18T11:02:13	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Thursday, November 17, 2011 It's OK Thursday #16 Hey, hey, it's ok! ...to indulge in some M&M's now, knowing that you plan to make up for your lack of exercise next week during break. ...to opt to go to bed early, rather than staying up to accomplish more. ...to take advantage of a free meal and drag the whole family out. School/community Thanksgiving dinner in the cafeteria tonight? Heck yes we'll be in attendance! ...to be excited that a student has promised to bake a peanut butter pie for class tomorrow. ...to be saddened by the loss of a favorite student to a PCS. Damn you Fort Hood! ...to be more excited about Thanksgiving break than the kids. ...to finally buy those cold weather, long length running tights because there was a 25% off sale. ...to spending working hours thinking about a Christmas card photo. Not sure what DH and I are going to do, although we've talked about both being in uniform (ABUs and ACUs). PDA-laden photos are out of the question, per regulation. I think we'll be left with "loving looks" and regular smiles. :) I'm thinking outdoors, although I'm not sure if we want the background to be a field setting or if we should take a picture in front of the planes on base. We'll see! Posted by Erin at 16:57 1 comment: I haven't even started thinking about Christmas cards yet. Ugh. Why do the days go by so quickly?	http://www.aimhigherin.com/2011/11/its-ok-thursday-16.html	2013-05-18T10:21:31	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_2-rddYi4bZ8/TYkovBSKqTI/AAAAAAAAAok/c1ac8ggSu6M/signature.png", null ], [ "http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif", null ] ]
Long Wait Over for Snecma Silvercrest. According to Snecma, the Silvercrest will burn 15 percent less fuel, emit 50 percent less nitrous oxide (NOx) than the CAEP/6 standard and halve the noise footprint “compared to existing engines in the 10,000- to 12,000-pound class.” The contract with Cessna was signed just a few days ago, Pierre Fabre, Snecma’s chairman and CEO, told an EBACE show press conference. Has his company signed a contract with another business jet manufacturer for the Silvercrest yet? “The only contract we can talk about today is the Cessna one,” replied Fabre. Another hint was he would not say when Silvercrest production begins. The Silvercrest has long been rumored to be selected for the still-under-wraps Dassault Falcon SMS super-midsized jet, which expected to be unveiled next year. Two Silvercrest engines will provide 11,000 pounds of thrust each on the Longitude. Snecma has started running the engine core, and the first full engine is due to go to test this summer at its Villaroche factory near Paris, which also produces large numbers of CFM International engines for Airbus and Boeing airliners. Flight testing of the engine is due to start in the first half of 2013 using a Gulfstream GII (see box) and engine certification is pegged for 2015. Eight engines will take part to the certification effort, said Laurence Finet, the program’s general manager. The first engine is now being assembled after full-scale engine development started in the third quarter of 2010. The Silvercrest’s cold section is made of a 42.5-inch. The bypass ratio is close to 6:1, Finet added. In terms of maintenance, Snecma emphasizes the Silvercrest is a “true on-condition engine,” with no fixed interval. No hot-section inspection will be required. Another feature will be in-flight engine monitoring capability. As the flying testbed for the Silvercrest will be a Gulfstream GII, what about re-engining the venerable business jet? “Why not? We are studying all possibilities,” Laurence Finet, Silvercrest program general manager, told AIN. During the flight tests, the GII will have one of its Rolls-Royce Speys replaced with a Silvercrest. Snecma obtained the GII from sister company Sagem, which had been using it as a testbed for avionics upgrades but no longer needed it.	http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ebace-convention-news/2012-05-14/long-wait-over-snecma-silvercrest	2013-05-18T10:35:42	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
So if you've got any questions for them regarding the future, then please make sure to ask (in this thread). Over the next few days I will be picking some (politely worded) questions from the players to forward for them to answer. Cheers, Nobody This post has been edited by Nobody: 26 March 2012 - 04:53 PM Reason for edit: in this thread!	http://www.aionsource.com/topic/131253-questions-for-gameforge-aion-producers/page__p__2739101	2013-05-18T11:02:44	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Ice drilling teams. Above: a team under Lonnie Thompson carrying equipment up Huascaran, Peru, the world's highest tropical mountain. Bringing ice cores back to civilization, still frozen, was a tremendous challenge. Below: extracting a 6-meter core segment from the drilling apparatus in subzero temperatures at the GISP2 site in Greenland. Photos National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Paleoclimatology Program/Department of Commerce, from NOAA site. Upper by Lonnie Thompson, Byrd Polar Research Center, The Ohio State University. Lower by Kendrick Taylor DRI, University of Nevada-Reno.	http://www.aip.org/history/climate/xdrillers.htm	2013-05-18T10:54:06	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
By Airbrush Artist Colin McKay - Tel: 02380 292354 - [email protected] Home \| Gallery \| About Colin \| Contact Colin \| Prices \| Testimonials Contact Colin on Tel: 02380 292354 Harley Davidson American Indian Theme. This bike has been aptly named 'The Spirit of the Wolf' which has been airbrushed onto the bottom right of the wolf scene.	http://www.airbrushartwork.co.uk/gallery/indianwolfharley.php	2013-05-18T11:02:34	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
- Smarter skiesDiscover five innovations that could help meet industry growth in a sustainable way - The concept plane A380 tour in Latin America The aircraft just landed in Santiago de Chile and will stay for FIDAE between March 26 and 29. - 24 Mar 2012 - Low resolution download (800×548 px, 61.21 KB) - High resolution download (3011×2066 px, 545.73 KB) - Permalink : - © Airbus S.A.S. - Photo by S. Ramadier	http://www.airbus.com/galleries/photo-gallery/dg/idp/23306-a380-tour-in-latin-america/?backURL=presscentre/pressroom/high-res-photos/cache/0/?p=31	2013-05-18T10:22:16	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "fileadmin/media_gallery/photogallery/big/800x600_1332547200_a380tour_taxiing_santiagodechile.jpg", "A380 tour in Latin America" ] ]
- Smarter skiesDiscover five innovations that could help meet industry growth in a sustainable way - The concept plane Airbus Smarter Skies - Berlin’s Humboldt-Box light show 3 >. - 09 Sep 2012 - Low resolution download (800×532 px, 67.14 KB) - High resolution download (2503×1665 px, 820.39 KB) - Permalink :	http://www.airbus.com/galleries/photo-gallery/dg/idp/25917-airbus-smarter-skies-berlins-humboldt-box-light-show-3/?backURL=presscentre%2Fpressroom%2Fhigh-res-photos%2F%3Fp%3D7	2013-05-18T10:32:57	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "fileadmin/media_gallery/photogallery/big/800x600_1347141600_Airbus_Smarter_Skies_Berlin_3.jpg", "Airbus Smarter Skies - Berlin’s Humboldt-Box light show 3" ] ]
Does Air China's frequent flier program cooperates with any other FFP - i.e. miles flown with CA, can they be used for any other mayor program (any Star or OneWorld program). I was not able to find this information from their website. This part was in Chinese only Lufthansa (and soon United) frequent flyers can earn miles on Air China- that's it.[Edited 2003-09-22 18:53:51] Air China was a Northwest Airlines partner but that agreement just ended this past summer. Here's the details from: Earning/Redeeming Miles* Air China operated flights between San Francisco/Los Angeles and Beijing/Shanghai, and codeshare connections from Beijing to Chengdu, Ghangzhou, Qinghao, Shenyang, Xiamen, and Xi'an. Mileage/Class Bonus 500 miles minimum or actual mileage flown. 50% mileage bonus for purchased Business Class or First Class travel. Destinations Air China serves more than 68 cities in China, as well as destinations throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe. *As of June 30, 2003, Air China will no longer be a WorldPerks partner. WorldPerks members may accrue miles on applicable Air China flights through June 30, 2003. Award redemptions on applicable Air China flights must be booked and ticketed by June 30, 2003 for travel to be completed by June 30, 2004. Lounge reciprocity will also be discontinued on June 30, 2003." pilottim747	http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/print.main?id=1203138	2013-05-18T11:05:09	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Hey guys, I monitor flightaware quite often and seem to notice that the 747-200 (although quite rare) seems to always be the fastest airliner on there, often pushing a ground speed of 780mph! I monitor the Northeast Region of the USA, watching planes heading east towards Europe. I know planes heading in this direction have a higher ground speed due to the winds, but why is it that at any given time, if there's a 747-200 (usually with Kalitta Air) in this area, it's always going QUITE faster than anything on the same route. Just to make sure i wasn't crazy, i tracked many 747-400 Cargo flights traveling the same routes and they never seem to reach speeds as high as when the flights are operated by a 747-200. Is there something about the 747-200 that makes it faster than the 747-400 counterpart? Is a ground speed of 780mph normal for this plane? I swear, when there's a 747-200 in flight, there isn't a single plane around it reaching the same speed. Thanks for the input! Please check your spelling (press "Check Spelling" above)	http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/313226/	2013-05-18T10:44:19	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Send Us An Aerial Photo of Stettler Strip Airport Thanks for your interest in submitting an aerial photo of Stettler Strip Airport. Before you proceed, please read the notes below. ABOUT COPYRIGHTS Before you submit the photo, please make sure that you have the rights to distribute it, and that you have the rights to grant AirNav a license to manipulate it and place it on our web site. For most people, if you took the photo and are willing to share it with us that is all it takes. But if you found the image on the internet, scanned it from some paper publication, got it from a friend, or somehow came upon it without knowing its source, please refrain from sending it to us. If you feel you must sent it to us anyway, please attribute the source. If you find a good photo on the internet and want to suggest that we use it, please send us the URL of the page where the photo is found and we will contact the page owner for permission. That is much better than you copying the image from the page and sending it to us. Please treat copyright owners with the courtesy and respect they deserve. ABOUT CREDITS Some authors wish to have their name associated with the photo displayed on AirNav. If you want a specific credit displayed with the photo you send, please note your request in the email you send us with the photo. ABOUT FILE FORMATS We prefer images in JPEG format. However, we can accept many other formats, including PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP and others. Don't worry about image size it doesn't matter much, we will size it to fit. Usually the bigger the better. TAKING PHOTOS OF AIRPORTS Check out our guide with Tips and Techniques for Good Aerial Photos of Airports. READY TO SEND THE PICTURE? If you have read everything above and understand it, especially the copyright information, then go ahead and send us that photo. You can do so by emailing it to us. Please attach your photo as a file attachment. Please indicate whether you want credit for the photo. Tell as the date that the picture was taken. If you are not sure of the exact date, something like "last month" or "summer of 2004" would be better than nothing. If possible, tell us the direction form which you took the photo (from the east, from the northwest etc.) Ready? Just click the button below to start that email. Copyright © AirNav, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Contact	http://www.airnav.com/airports/submitphoto.html?id=II28	2013-05-18T11:05:11	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Sending Natural Gas Abroad. The main opposition comes from chemical and fertilizer companies that are big users of natural gas, and from consumers who fear higher prices. With more gas headed to foreign shores, domestic supplies of the fuel are expected to fall, driving up its price. But prices would still be well below their 2008 levels, and they would rise only gradually, over the course of several years. A second objection comes mainly from some environmental groups that regard fracturing, the technique used to extract gas from deep shale formations, as environmentally dangerous. These concerns are best addressed by much tighter regulation of gas production, not by restricting exports..	http://www.akbizmag.com/Alaska-Business-Monthly/December-2012/Sending-Natural-Gas-Abroad/	2013-05-18T10:12:36	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The experts have spoken, and they’ll continue to speak right up until kickoff time Monday. The authorities on a BCS Championship Game that has the college football world buzzing include three coaches who have won national championships at Alabama or Notre Dame. Former Alabama coaches present a strong case for the Crimson Tide, a 9½-point favorite. Former Notre Dame coaches make more of a lukewarm case for the Fighting Irish, which is 5-1 against Alabama. Gene Stallings, who coached Alabama to the 1992 national championship, picks the Tide to win 24-7. Ray Perkins, who coached Alabama to its only victory over Notre Dame in 1986, picks the Tide to win by two or three touchdowns. Bill Oliver, who suffered through three losses to Notre Dame in the 1970s as an assistant coach under Paul Bryant and later assisted Stallings, sees Alabama winning by as many as three touchdowns. Ara Parseghian, who coached Notre Dame to two national championships (1966 and ’73) and two victories over Alabama (1973 and ’74), laughs when asked if he has a prediction, then punts. Lou Holtz, who coached Notre Dame to its most recent national championship in 1988, picks the Fighting Irish to win but stops short of predicting a score or margin. PICK ALABAMA • Mark May, ESPN: “When you look at the meat-grinder schedule they (Alabama) played in the best conference – without a doubt, nobody will argue – the SEC. … Notre Dame hasn’t played in a championship game since Moby Dick was a minnow. They don’t know how to play under that pressure. … The SEC has won six championships in a row. They (Alabama) know how to win championships. Notre Dame does not.” • Stewart Mandel, Sports Illustrated: “Both teams will struggle to run the ball against the other's front seven. Irish quarterback Everett Golson may be able to pick on the Tide's secondary early, but Nick Saban's team will eventually adjust. Meanwhile, after relying heavily on his tight ends, Alabama's AJ McCarron will eventually connect deep down the sideline with wideout Amari Cooper for a couple of game-changing plays.” Score: Alabama 17, Notre Dame 10 • Sporting News: .” • WhatIfSports.com (computer simulation): “A defensive slugging match was busted open by two third-quarter runs from Alabama's T.J. Yeldon. The first, a 57-yarder, brought the Crimson Tide to within a point of Notre Dame. The second, from 40 yards out, secured another national championship for Alabama and the SEC.” Score: Alabama 16, Notre Dame 13 • EA Sports (computer simulation): Alabama 21, Notre Dame 20 • Sports Illustrated – Alabama 23, Notre Dame 16 • Graham Watson, Yahoo! Sports • Yahoo! Users (71 percent pick Alabama) • Dennis Dodd , CBSSports.com • Seven USA Today pickers, including national writer George Schroeder • ESPN.com • Will Harris, ESPN.com (fantasy college football analyst): Alabama 17, Notre Dame 13 • Phil Steele, PhilSteele.com • PhilSteele.com users (74 percent pick Alabama) THEY ALSO PICK NOTRE DAME • Pat Forde, Yahoo! Sports • Dan Wolken, USA Today • Bruce Feldman, CBSSports.com CBS analyst Gary Danielson expects Alabama to romp. Mark May, Holtz’s counterpart in an ESPN college football studio show, also likes the Tide. And for what it’s worth, two computer-game simulations predict Alabama victories, but by close margins. Here are some of the analyses and prognostications: - Ara Parseghian (Notre Dame coach, 1964-74; 1966 and 1973 national championships): “It’s going to be a low-scoring game, because both of them have good defenses, and generally in championship games, teams play it a little closer to the vest. … You’ll see both teams attack the vulnerabilities that they see in film study. … I was surprised that Georgia ran well against Alabama. If Notre Dame can establish a running game, because stopping the run seems to be a strength of Alabama’s defense, the chances of winning are enhanced.” … Notre Dame QB Everett Golson “has improved dramatically since the start of the season. He started out slow. About midseason, you could see him get the confidence and handle the offense. His ability to handle the audibles are vastly improved.” Prediction: “Yeah, I have a prediction. I’m going to enjoy watching that game.” - Gene Stallings (Alabama coach, 1990-96; 1992 national championship): “Alabama’s got the best football team. If they play to the best of their capabilities, they’ll win. The best football team doesn’t always win, but it wins most of the time. If Alabama can run the football the way they’ve been running it, and they can play defense the way they’ve been playing it, it’s going to be hard for Notre Dame to have a whole lot of success. The magnitude of the game, it’s not like Alabama hasn’t won a national championship in the last two or three years, but it’s the first time Notre Dame has played for a national championship in a while. Notre Dame is going to be pumped up as well as they can be. … Notre Dame is going to be thinking national championship. Alabama is going to be thinking it’s the next game on their schedule.” Prediction: Alabama 24, Notre Dame 7 - Lou Holtz (Notre Dame coach, 1986-96; 1988 national championship): “The fact that you have a quarterback that can run in Everett Golson … gives them problems. In Theo Riddick you have a young man who was a wide receiver for three years, now plays tailback. You have (tight end) Tyler Eifert, could have went to school on a basketball scholarship. You can split him out, throw the alley or three wide receivers because of what Theo Riddick is going to do. A lot of people don't think Notre Dame has a chance. They match up very, very well in this football game. If (coach) Brian Kelly is smart, he'll be able to do some different things that will surprise Alabama a little bit.” Prediction: On a Dec. 2 ESPN show, he picked the Fighting Irish but didn’t give a score or margin. “There’s something special about Notre Dame.” - Ray Perkins (Alabama coach 1983-86; defeated Notre Dame 28-10 in 1986): “In spots, it’s going to be a pretty good game, but I don’t think Notre Dame has played a team quite like Alabama, meaning a team that is stronger than Alabama. They’ve got the power, the superior passing game, and they’ve got the best defense. … I saw a replay of the Notre Dame-USC game the other night. I wasn’t that impressed, to be honest with you. I was trying to get fired up about SC’s team, but I couldn’t do that, either. They’ve got a lot of good players, but I still think it comes down to, have they played one of the top-echelon teams in the country, a top 5, or top 6 or 7 team? I don’t think they have. To say they played an Alabama or an LSU or a Florida or Texas A&M, I don’t think they have. It could turn out totally different, because this game of football can be a little surprising sometimes. Even if Alabama has a little bit of an off game, I still think they win the game.” Prediction: “People down here (Hattiesburg, Miss.) ask me how I think it’ll turn out. I tell them I think we’ll win by two or three touchdowns.” - Bill Oliver (Alabama assistant coach from 1971-79 under Paul Bryant and from 1990-95 under Gene Stallings): “I just think we’ve got more speed. We’ve got more people that have been there, and being there makes a lot of difference. The experienced quarterback should make a difference, and maturity with the offensive line. … Defensively, I think we match up well, even though they have some versions of the spread. All in all, we’ll have to earn everything we get. … Their front seven, technique-wise, is very good, but they have not played against an opponent like they’re fixing to face. That’s big.” Prediction: “We’ll beat the line, by far – maybe three touchdowns – but don’t ever, ever bet on what an ex-coach – or present-day coach – says.” - Gary Danielson (CBS analyst): “Both teams are used to handling big games. Alabama has a superior team. They should win convincingly. They’re stronger, and they’re faster. They have more experience at quarterback. I don’t think Notre Dame will sneak up on them. They’ll be focused for the game. I’ll be surprised if it’s close. There is a way Notre Dame can make it a close game, and it’s a way that college football always seems to present itself. There is a star player on the field that probably in other sports would already be playing professionally, and that’s (tight end) Tyler Eifert. If he was a baseball, hockey or basketball player, he would already be in the professional ranks. Notre Dame could create a pressure point with him, much like Johnny Manziel did where his individual brilliance forced Alabama to react and morph their defense to stop him, and it produced openings on other places on the field. … In the big games this year, (Alabama QB) AJ McCarron has not played his best. I think he’s due a great game, like he played a year ago. … It’s very normal that teams that try to repeat talk after the process of how mentally drained they were during the middle of the season, the middle of the marathon. That’s what happened to Alabama. … They’ll be a very refreshed, ready team.” Prediction: Alabama 28, Notre Dame 10.	http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2013/01/experts_insight_reflects_why_n.html	2013-05-18T10:13:08	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "https://blog.advance.net/static/common/img/blank.gif", "Trophy-Hunt.JPG" ] ]
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Is the national championship at stake Saturday in Starkville? Will someone hand Gene Chizik or Dan Mullen a crystal football afterward to hoist above his head? Um, no. What about the SEC championship? Will the Tigers or the Bulldogs tote one of those giant cardboard conference logos around the stadium while confetti falls from the sky? Oops. Wrong again, although there will be cowbells. Is a state championship at least up for grabs? Sorry. Each state has its own prize, and as everyone knows, the Iron Bowl crushes the Egg Bowl in terms of gravity. Since Auburn actually has won a state, league and national title under Chizik, it’s simply unscientific to categorize the second start and conference opener of his fourth season as the most important game of his tenure. For example, it’s mathematically possible that Auburn could lose to Mississippi State to fall to 0-2 and win the rest of the games on the schedule to finish the regular season 10-2. Not probable. Not likely on any planet inhabited by intelligent life. But possible. OK. Now that the disclaimer’s been stated and the lawyers have left the room to grab some coffee, let’s get real. This one’s big. Real big. As big as the second game of the season and the conference opener gets when you’re not projected to compete for the state, league or national titles. As Gene Stallings might say, if you don’t think this game is big, go ahead and lose it and see what happens. That goes for Chizik and Mullen. They’re an interesting pair. Their tenures began at the same time, and neither of them has earned tenure, but the scale between them is decidedly unbalanced. Chizik is 3-0 in their head-to-head matchups, but two of the three games have come down to State having a final drive to tie or win the game. The Bulldogs failed on each occasion, once against one of the best teams in Auburn history, the other time against one of the most mediocre groups of Tigers. Mullen wanted Cam Newton, having coached him as an assistant at Florida, but Chizik got him. As a result, the Auburn coach won state, SEC and BCS championships in 2010. Chizik has that one monster season in the bank. Mullen has one good year on his resume. It’s hard to tell where either program is headed this season after Auburn opened with a tough, close loss to a quality opponent in Clemson and State began with an easy victory against overmatched Jackson State. Auburn’s loss won’t sting as much if it beats State, and State’s win won’t mean a thing if it loses again to Auburn. If Mullen falls to 0-4 against Chizik, it’ll be one more reminder that the Mississippi State coach hasn’t beaten anyone in the SEC West except woeful Ole Miss. That’ll be a good thing for Chizik, but if you’re Auburn, State isn’t a measuring stick. It’s a minimum yearly requirement. You beat State on what you hope is the way to bigger and better things. You lose to State and, well, you don’t lose to State. Not without some explaining to do. For Chizik, losing to Mississippi State for the first time after losing to Clemson for the second straight year would change the discussion from micro to macro, from his team to his program. The doubt that’s already crept into the minds of neutral observers and some Auburn supporters alike would only grow. There are bigger games and better opponents ahead for the Tigers. For starters, see LSU in Auburn Sept. 22. There are revenge games all over the map for a team that lost five times last season, and there’s a state championship game at the end. There is one serious question, though, staring Chizik and his team straight in the face this week. If they can’t beat Mississippi State, who are they going to beat? For all of those reasons, Chizik is about to lead his team into the most important game he’s coached without Newton at quarterback. Because without Newton at quarterback, Chizik is 16-11. That gap is too close for comfort. Things could get really uncomfortable if it narrows even more this weekend. Drop a civil comment below. Write Kevin at [email protected]. Follow him at. Listen to him weekdays from 6-10 a.m. on the Smashmouth Radio Network on ESPN 973 The Zone.	http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2012/09/welcome_to_gene_chiziks_bigges.html	2013-05-18T10:23:17	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://media.al.com/auburnfootball_impact/photo/11518052-large.jpg", "chizik-clemson-2012.jpg" ] ]
Book Review Tom Zillner, Editor Information Architecture for the World Wide Web by Louis Rosenfeld and Peter Morville. Sebastopol, Calif.: O'Reilly, 1998. 202p. $29.95 (ISBN 1-56592-282-4). Information Architecture, published in 1998, is a relatively old book. In Internet time, that's at least a couple of generations ago. I think it's worth attention because it's a classic volume that will help anyone interested in designing a Web site from the ground up or attempting to fix a Web site that is not as usable as it might be. This is a book by librarians (although they've migrated into the field of information architecture) but it is not a book that is primarily for librarians. The language of the librarian creeps in a bit, most notably when the authors discuss controlled vocabulary, but the real meat is not masked by librarian-speak. Rosenfeld and Morville are subtler than that. They present important concepts that are familiar to librarians but couched in plain language that uses plenty of examples. The book hits the ground running. Rosenfeld and Morville recommend that the people who will be building a Web site get together in what they call "Consumer Sensitivity Boot Camp," in which they air both the things they hate and like about the Web. Ultimately the goal is to produce lists of things that work and don't work and use this as a background for the actual design and production of the site. The book then pulls back from an active start to describe the role of the information architect and some suggestions for who might take on this role. Because many people are unfamiliar with information architecture and architects, it is a good idea to provide some coverage of these terms as well as contrasting the role of the information architect with the roles of others on the design team. It's important to note that this book targets both the large commercial project where information architects might be part of an outside consulting firm and the smaller project consisting of just a few people and a miniscule budget. Creating a Web site starts with determining an organization scheme. An example of a organization scheme is the alphabetical arrangement of a telephone book or the layout of a supermarket. These are two very different schemes, suggestive of the wide range of possibilities. It should ordinarily take some time to determine the best organization scheme or schemes for a Web site. A different but related task is looking at possible organization structures for the site. An example of an organization structure is the hierarchy, the most commonly used structure in site design. Other examples of Web site organization structure include hypertext, where there are "content chunks" connected via links. There are pros and cons to each structure and these are well covered by Rosenfeld and Morville. An interesting aspect of the discussion of organization structures is a seeming bias toward a relational database model. Although one can glean some of the benefits of such a model from the discussion of database implementation, it's not clear that the author's explication of this model provides a solid rationale for its use. If this all sounds a bit complicated that's because it is, but it's important to have a grounding in organization schemes and structures before taking any further steps in the design process. The next step is to consider possible navigation systems to employ. Hierarchical navigation systems are the norm, starting out at a home screen and filing down to subsidiary pages through the use of top-level links. Rosenfeld and Morville point out that this sort of navigation is often of limited use and other navigation methods should be considered, such as global navigation, where it is possible on any given page to navigate via tools similar to navigation bars. Local navigation is the use of additional tools for a sub-site of the larger site and it is a complement, not a replacement, for global navigation. The authors also address labeling systems. It really takes a librarian (or an information architect who has a librarian's training) to appreciate the importance of labeling systems. There are many species of labels within Web sites, but they should all be consistent and clear with each other and fit into a cohesive whole. While such a directive may sound vague and unclear, the authors do a good job of explaining the importance and application of labeling systems within a Web site. In this chapter, they discuss controlled vocabularies and thesauri and the value of their use in selecting appropriate labels. The authors even mention Library of Congress Subject Headings, although they point out that given its goal of describing "the universe of knowledge," the subject headings are wildly inappropriate for use as a thesaurus. The key is to find a narrowly focused thesaurus specific to the information the Web site will carry. Other types of tools to construct labeling systems are also covered. All in all, this chapter well deserves the twenty-five pages devoted to it. Similarly, there is a comprehensive chapter on selecting indexing and searching systems. While most of us tend to throw in a search engine that's linked from any page and performs a simple search on the entire site, this isn't necessarily desirable. In fact, the chapter starts with a discussion of instances when you should not make your site searchable. Following are sections discussing searching behavior and search interface design. The important point of this chapter is that indexing and searching are not one-size-fits-all propositions; real work is required to determine how people will use your Web site and to construct a scheme that matches their behavior. In these beginning chapters, which account for a good portion of the book, emphasis is placed on the foundation pieces of information architecture. The authors then move from these foundation pieces to actual practice. The first step in creating a Web site is research. It's important to stay with this process rather than leap into construction. This is a common mistake, particularly where budgets are small or where there is a rush to get "something" up, no matter how ill thought out that something might be. Research must include face-to-face meetings. Other types of communication just don't work when discussing and working on an inherently visual medium. Rosenfeld and Morville recommend that the first item on the agenda for the first meeting be a critique of existing Web sites. This critique cannot effectively take place via phone or e-mail. What the participants say is partly a matter of consensus reached through exploration rather than just a yea or nay vote. The critique also is an ice-breaker, getting the members of the team better acquainted. If there is just one person responsible for the site, that one person should put together a team of people who have a vested interest in the site's content, whether they are colleagues in other departments of the same institution or users from outside the organization. The meetings should include the definition of goals, intended audience, and content. All of this is easy enough to understand from most people's experience and the clear explication of the authors. Content inventory completes the first stage of the design and implementation process. This inventory is developed from wish lists and a setting of priorities regarding information to be included on the site. The next steps in the process fall under the heading of conceptual design. As with the rest of the book, the reader may find these activities are covered in extensive detail, but as usual the devil is in the details. Rosenfeld and Morville discuss the respective merits of high-tech white boards that capture what's written for subsequent viewing and printout versus flip charts with a bit of levity. The authors' state, "We're guessing many of these gadgets are more trouble than they're worth. Sorry for the skepticism, but what do you expect from librarians?" Metaphor exploration is also examined. I am skeptical of the heavy-handed use of metaphor in our computerized and netted life. The desktop metaphor is useful, but it's unclear if we will ever escape it to something that better suits our increasingly Internet-centric lives. Categories of metaphor are presented and one example provided is of the Internet Public Library's (IPL) reference center (). The center is graphically represented as a room in a library, with the friendly librarian behind a desk and books labeled with hotlinks to various subject areas. This mainly works well, but the addition of a link to a multi-user object oriented environment (MOO) results in a possibly jarring addition of a sign pointing to another room. Unlike the authors, I think this metaphor works just fine. But we've all seen plenty of cases where metaphor clutters a site with graphics. Judicious use of graphics in the service of a metaphor that assists the user in navigating the site is wonderful, but metaphor is easily abused. Scenarios are presented as another part of the conceptual design process. They are simply descriptions of how various sorts of users would use the site. I say "simply," but the construction of realistic scenarios can be a daunting task. For one thing, if you don't have enough outsiders working with you to put together the site plan, it is very easy to make ill-conceived assumptions about users. Perhaps the most common tendency is to assume that users are very much like oneself, but other equally suspect assumptions may be made. This is the stage where relative outsiders may ask hard questions that result in a better set of working assumptions underlying scenarios. One thing that Rosenfeld and Morville underemphasize is the involvement of users at some early point in the process of design and construction. Scenario building is a great place to begin user involvement, but even earlier is better. Users often traverse and utilize a site in ways never envisioned by architects and designers. Next in the process are architectural blueprints. This is the point at which the information architect puts together a high-level diagram of the site. The high-level blueprint "shows pages, components within pages, groups of pages, and relationships between pages." Sounds more like a detailed blueprint, but that will be even more in depth and occurs at the last design stage. Prior to this the graphic designer comes forward with page design ideas leading to page prototypes and then templates. Both the high-level blueprints and the page design need to be approved by the committee formed at the project's beginning. At the prototype stage the graphic designer comes to the fore and mounts pages for evaluation and critiquing. This is one of the first of the tangible "deliverables," and it can dazzle. As Rosenfeld and Morville suggest, this is a time when esthetics take center stage. But its important to look at the prototype with something of a jaundiced eye. The graphics can play an important role in complementing the content or they can overpower or confuse the user. It's best to use a graphic designer with Web experience instead of breaking in someone from the print world. It's also important to not spend an overly long time on this phase. I have been involved in a corporate identity project where weeks were spent getting interested parties to agree on a logo. I am sure this same phenomenon can rear its ugly head in Web prototyping. Try to get participants to focus on how the graphics work for the site and worry less about the esthetics of the graphics themselves. As mentioned previously the production stage is the point for detailed blueprints, as well as content mapping and a Web page inventory. For a small site this is fairly easy to put together, although small sites tend to have fewer staff committed to the project. For large projects there needs to be a small cadre of people dedicating much of their time to the site's planning and production. It's a lot of work. And then there comes the actual production of pages. Templates can help, but it's still hard work. Information Architecture for the World Wide Web is certainly worth a read. It's a few years old, but has aged more gracefully than many others of its ilk by concentrating on the essentials. Anyone who creates a site is an information architect whether they know it or not. It's better to make choices consciously rather than unconsciously. I think that a weakness of the book is a failure to explore user testing more extensively, but this is something that is missed by most books in this category. All in all, a book to read in its entirety and use as a guide along the way.	http://www.ala.org/lita/ital/21/2/books	2013-05-18T10:45:52	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Dreamland Restaurant TuscaloosaView all Tuscaloosa dining Dreamland is eminently known for barbecue ribs. The original Dreamland Cafe is located about two miles from the intersection of Hwy 82 and Interstate 59 just south of Tuscaloosa in an area known as Jerusalem Heights. In the years since Mr. John "Big Daddy" Bishop first opened his store, little has changed. The roads have been paved much the same as they were back in 1958. The décor inside is warm and dark. The dining room is small with a big bar, a few tables, booths and a pot bellied stove. Beer signs hang from the oak beams and Christmas lights hang from the walls year-round. It isn't fancy, but then again the ribs are the main attraction anyway. The atmosphere is casual down-home. You may rub elbows with somebody famous while you sit at the bar; and people come from all over to enjoy the ribs. The point is that it doesn't matter who you are. At Dreamland everybody is special and everybody is there for the same reason – the ribs. The ribs, service and atmosphere are also available in our other locations. In addition to the legendary ribs and sauce, the menu has been expanded to include such items as baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, banana pudding, salads, pork sandwiches and barbecue chicken. 5535 15th Ave. E. Tuscaloosa, AL 35045 - Not provided	http://www.alabama.travel/places-to-go/dreamland	2013-05-18T10:53:29	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
ABC's "This Week"—Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. ——— NBC's "Meet the Press"—Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-Va.; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich. CBS' "Face the Nation"—Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and Elijah Cummings, D-Md.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. CNN's "State of the Union"—Robert Gibbs, adviser to President Barack Obama's re-election campaign; Ed Gillespie, adviser to Mitt Romney's campaign; Al Cardenas, former Florida Republican Party chairman. "Fox News Sunday"—Gillespie; David Axelrod, adviser to the Obama campaign.	http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_21765619/guest-lineups-sunday-news-shows	2013-05-18T10:41:26	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Credit for this recognition goes especially to Matilda Stepovich, wife of Michael Stepovich, and Father Lawrence Nevue, S.J. A debt of gratitude is also owing to Father Francis Mueller, S.J., Professor Paul H. McCarthy, Mr. Lee Linck, and Mr. Lawrence S. Gordon. Now it remains with the good parishioners and all interested donors to maintain the site as the Federal Government requires. The “little church” was built by the Father Francis Monroe, S.J., in 1904. Its first location was at Dunkel Street near Front Street, situated across the Chena River from its present site and some four hundred feet upstream. Fairbanks was established as a trading post by Captain E.T. Barnette, in the late summer of 1902. His chartered vessel, “La Velle Young”, had come some twelve miles up the Chena River, a tributary of the Tanana River, when the water became shallow hindering further progress of the vessel. So the captain hurriedly unloaded his cargo and set to work building cabins from trees felled on the spot. So the town came to be….. The first name given to this small campsite was Barnette’s Landing. Barnette, wishing to attract Judge Wickersham to set up the District Courthouse in his own, offered to name it Wickersham. The judge made no promises as to the location of the courthouse, but he did say it would please him to have the new place named Fairbanks, after the judge’s good friend, Charles Warren Fairbanks, who became Vice-President of the United States in 1905. Barnette agreed, and the town was named after Wickersham’s friend – Fairbanks. Prospectors were attracted to the trading post, and they chose it as the base of their operations. When Felix Pedro discovered gold in some quantity twelve miles from the post, the news spread rapidly. People from Dawson, Fortymile, Eagle, Circle, and other camps converged on the new town. Many of the prospectors were Catholics. The Prefect Apostolic for Alaska, the Very Rev. Father Joseph R. Crimont, S.J., notified Father Francis Monroe that he should come to Fairbanks and build a church for the residents and prospectors. In June of 1904, the two priests arrived at the post, which by this time was teeming with people attracted by the discovery of gold. Father Monroe set about the task of gathering funds for the new church by begging from gold camp to gold camp. He sought the men of the town to help him build the church. When $3,000 was collected, Father bought a site for the church. The site he found was located on the east side of the town, on the road which led to the camps. The building was hurriedly begun before the winter set in. The roughly structured building hardly resembled a church, but, it was suitable for services, and it could be used as a library and reading room, giving the miners a place to assemble. After managing to raise about $5,000 more, Father Monroe cleared the debt, and was able to purchase books for the library. In 1906, the town’s people decided that a hospital was very necessary. A committee of men was drawn up, headed by Mr. Dan Jonas. These men approached Father Monroe and asked him to take on this task. Money for the project was quickly raised, and the work began. There were several drawbacks to the project. One was the San Francisco earthquake, which made supplies slow to come in from the “outside”. Another was a serious fire that occurred in the business section of Fairbanks. This fire financially ruined many of the original subscribers of the hospital project. Eventually the necessary funds were raised through a loan, and the building was continued and completed. The hospital was opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1906. The hospital administration passed through several hands. In 1910, the Sisters of Providence of Montreal, Canada, took over the task of staffing and administering Saint Joseph’s Hospital, as it was finally called. The hospital was remodeled and rebuilt several times. The last such remodeling occurred in 1951. In the late 1960’s Saint Joseph’s Hospital was closed. The old building stood during the 1970’s more or less an eyesore to the community. In the early 1980’s it was gutted, leaving the strong framework, which became the basic structure for the bank and office building which stands behind the church today. The hospital had been built near an old sawmill on the north side of the Chena, near Cushman Street. The church was on the south side of the Chena, and some distance to the east of the hospital. The disparity in locations caused a difficulty for the priests attending the sick at the hospital and offering daily Mass in the Sister’s chapel. It was decided to move the church from its old place on Dunkel Street to its present location close to the hospital. The intrepid Father Monroe engaged contractors, and the building was moved from Dunkel Street to the bank of the Chena River. The contractors suggested building a bridge on which to transport the building to the other side of the river. Father decided that this would be too expensive. He dismissed the contractors and continued with his own idea. First Father Monroe cleared away debris from the old sawmill site. Then he excavated for a hall basement, upon which he would eventually place the church. When the hall foundation was ready, Father proceeded to the task of bringing the other structure across the river. The river was only about six feet deep and the ice was strong enough to support horses, so Father Monroe proceeded with his plan. He drew lines on the ice about thirty feet apart, running diagonally across the Chena. Then about every eight feet he inserted poles into the ice, hammering them down into the mud at the river bottom. They were supported in such a way as to remain upright, then were left there to freeze in. With the onset of the extreme cold the poles were set. Then they were trimmed evenly to about two feet above the surface of the river. Planks were balanced on them for the four hundred feet which the building would have to be rolled to the other side of the river. It was quite an event when the church was moved. Bets had been placed as to its success or failure (with the odds moving toward failure). Everyone in town turned out to watch! The movement across the ice was very simple. However, when the spot where the church was to rest was reached, there was a distance of some twenty – five feet to lift the church up the bank. A roadway was cut out of the bank with a somewhat steep grade. Then there was the added lift to the foundation. Father Monroe took the precaution of adding another cable to the building to give it support up the grade and on the lift to its foundation. Some thought that this was as unnecessary expense. It turned out that Father was wise in his decision, for just as the church was to be placed on the prepared foundation, the old cable broke. The new cable held and saved the church and workers from harm. In the spring of 1912 Father Joseph Cote, S.J., arrived in Fairbanks and did the necessary electrical wiring in the church. He also began the work on the water plant. A residence was added to the church and the downstairs hall was finished. In 1914, the roof of the church was changed, and the ceiling was raised five feet. A choir loft was added, and a belfry was erected in the front part of the church. Later the walls were covered with decorative tin, in a fleur – de – lis pattern. This pressed tin work added a special beauty to the church and has a certain charm today because of the singleness of its use in the North. The installation of this tin embellishment was carried out by Father Monroe, Brother Thomas Callahan, S.J. and a young miner, who later became Brother Stephen Karpinski, S.J. In 1926, Father Patrick O’Reilly, S.J., enhanced the beauty of the “little church” by the installation of its exquisite stained glass windows. In no other church in Alaska are such windows found. It was also Father O’Reilly who looked to the landscaping of the property around the church, adding trees, shrubs, and flowers. Under Pastor Father John Hayes, S.J., the back stairs to the building were installed, and one of the upstairs resident rooms was pressed into service as the “baby room”, with glass front and loudspeaker in place. When it was named as a historical monument, a complete face lift was done on the church, together with a paint job according to federal regulations. Our Lady’s statue, which stands over the front door of the Immaculate Conception Church, adds for us, who are Catholic, a poignant religious charm. She welcomes all to quiet reflection with her Son, Jesus Christ, and she smiles out at his people enjoying the resful beauty of Golden Heart Plaza, which graces the banks of the Chena River. A special thanks to: James P. Doogan Sr., Father Louis L. Renner, S.J., Hugh Doogan, Sr. Mary Claire McLaughlin, C.S.J., Kerry and Ivar Halvarson, Stu Rothman, and the University of Alaska Archives.	http://www.alaska.net/~icc/history.html	2013-05-18T10:20:25	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
What a weekend. My daughter's soccer team competed in a 3-day tournament, so I spent lots of time at the fields cheering on the girls. We got to bed late last night, and I was looking forward to sleeping in this morning . . . taking the day easy . . . recovering from our hectic schedule over the last few days. But our septic tank had other plans for me, and woke us up bright and early with the blaring horn of its warning system. Looks like we're in for a day of messing around with sewage. Yay! I'd rather be sitting in my folding chair at the soccer game. Dinner last night: spaghetti 8 comments: It's always something, isn't it? Hopefully whatever is wrong is a quick fix. Sorry. :( Lovely. Hope you get everything taken care of. Oh no, not sewage. I'm sorry!!! Yuck! It is fancy that you have an alarm system though. Around here people mostly just wait for visual clues or smells. We have one of those grinder pump systems and touch wood it has not sounded the horn yet. Our neighbor had to had their pump fixed twice because their kids throw things down the toilet and it costs a $1,000 a pop to get it fixed! I guess your daughter will be watching England vs USA in the World Cup tomorrow? Good luck with the sewage ..... yuck ...... Eeeewwwwwww!!!! I'd definitely choose the soccer game too!	http://www.alaskim.com/2010/06/wiped-out.html	2013-05-18T10:41:23	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Saturday, December 17, 2011 SEATTLE -- As Ricardo Lockette sat on the Seattle Seahawks' private plane with his teammates Friday, waiting for it -- and his career -- to finally take off, he was asked to explain his thoughts at that very moment. And after a long, deep breath, he somehow found the words. "It's just ... it's just been a long ride, man ..." Lockette told The Herald before trailing off. "And I hope it's only the beginning." Folks back home in Albany hope so too. Lockette, the former Monroe and Fort Valley football and track star, had been waiting for the call all season ever since being signed to a three-year deal by the Seahawks in July -- and Tuesday it came during, of all times, a dentist appointment. "Once I got that news, man, my life ... I can't explain it. Best day of my life," the 6-foot-2, 211-pounder said of the news he got from Seattle GM John Schneider that he was no longer a practice squad receiver, but instead had been called up to the team's active roster for today's 1 p.m. showdown with the Chicago Bears. Lockette, the 22-year-old former NCAA Division II 200-meter national champ who surprisingly was not selected in April's NFL Draft -- despite posting one of the most jaw-dropping workouts at the combine that saw him run the fastest 40 time of any receiver, and fourth-fastest overall -- admittedly teared up on the spot after finding out his dream was about to come true. After all, he wasn't sure if the call was ever going to come following inconsistent play in the preseason that saw him haul in just one catch for 16 yards, then promptly being placed on the practice squad, where he's been for the last four months. But Lockette never gave up hope. "In the NFL, you have to have a short memory and you can't live in the past. I didn't think about (what happened that got me put on the practice squad), only what I could do to make it back on the team," he said. "It hasn't been too tough because every day I wake up feeling privileged just to be here in this position -- being from a small school like Fort Valley among the USCs, Miamis and Auburns -- and just having a chance to play on the big stage. The last two weeks, I didn't have a single dropped pass in practice -- I think I had something like 350 straight catches -- and the coaches saw that my football knowledge was finally catching up to my athletic ability." Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll certainly noticed. In fact, Carroll spent nearly three minutes of his weekly press conference with reporters talking about just how far the kid they call "The Rocket" had come. "We have filled a vacancy. Ricardo Lockette has been moved up. The Rocket is coming up and we're happy to make that move," Carroll said. . And we kind of set our sights on him and said, 'Let's see if we can get this guy.' "And then we nailed him (down). We thought it was a pretty special (signing)." Lockette, who only tallied 23 catches for 262 yards and one touchdown with a 24-yard kick-return average during his senior year at FVSU, said Friday it was the support of his teammates that helped keep his spirits high and thoughts positive during his extended time on the practice squad. "Man, within 20 minutes of (getting the call up), almost everyone on the offense started calling me and texting me because I've really developed friendships with these guys, and they've been pulling for me," said Lockette, who then paused as some of his teammates sitting near him on the plane began cheering for him in the background. "Guys were congratulating me left and right, like (starting quarterback) Tarvaris (Jackson), (starting running back) Marshawn (Lynch), (starting receiver) Mike Williams and one of my best friends here, (starting receiver) Doug Baldwin. It's really felt like a coming out party." Now, Carroll said, it's time to see what Lockette can do. "When we got him here, we found out he could really catch the football. He's got very natural hands (like a receiver should)," said Carroll, who then added that Lockette, however, is still a work in progress. "He's still got a long way to go to get connected to the game on this level. It's taken us a while (working with him) but he's getting closer and doing a lot of good things. He makes plays all the time in practice. And he's kind of one our favorites ... we're real excited to give him that chance to get that much closer to playing." Lockette will be the sixth receiver on the depth chart today against the Bears, as well as the backup to kick returner Leon Washington. But the Rocket said if his number is called, he'll be ready. "I'm not quite sure about my playing time (today). We'll just see how the game goes," he said of the road contest against Chicago, which has lost three in a row, while Seattle has won four of its last five. "I just know they're bringing me into a big pressure situation and I have to be ready -- and I will be. "Everything you do is about confidence. If you believe you can do it. I honestly believe that now." Lockette said he's left practice every day recently feeling like he was close to getting the call. "I've been playing a role up until now, and that's OK," he said. "I've just been getting my reps in and hoping I'd be fortunate enough to get the call. And I knew that when the time came, I needed to be ready to take advantage of it." Carroll said the Seahawks' organization is "fired up" to see Lockette play. "(Ricardo) is real excited and I know the team is fired up for him because he's tried so hard and given such a great effort to get here," the coach said. "He's really been a great prospect for us -- a guy we've been excited about since we first saw him. He's come miles and miles to get to this point." When Lockette suits up today, he'll be the third Albany native currently playing in the NFL, joining fellow Monroe grad Deion Branch (New England Patriots) and Dougherty High alum Darryl Smith (Jacksonville Jaguars). Lockette said he plans to make his city proud -- and live up to the Rocket nickname that he hopes will strike fear in NFL defenses once they get a glimpse of his speed. "It's stuck with me this far so I don't have a choice but to live up to it," he said. "And while I'm on the field, I want everyone back home to know I'm gonna go out and represent Albany and Monroe High School to the best of my abilities." ----------------------------------------------- Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. More like this story - Albany's Lockette cut from Seahawks ( September 2, 2012 ) - Monroe's Lockette signs with 49ers ( September 24, 2012 ) - Monroe’s Lockette catches first NFL TD, but Seahawks lose in overtime to Cardinals, 23-20 ( January 1, 2012 ) - Monroe alum Lockette gets call up to Seahawks’ active roster ( December 18, 2011 ) - Seahawks lock up Lockette ( July 27, 2011 ) Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content. Or login with: OpenID	http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2011/dec/17/monroe-alum-lockette-gets-call-up-to-seahawks/	2013-05-18T10:14:53	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
As of Saturday, November 10, 2012 Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car in the forest of Compiègne, France on Nov. 11, 1918. The fighting officially ended at 11:00 a.m., the eleventh hour in the eleventh month on the eleventh day. In no particular order, here is a look back at a variety of facts about World War I. • More than 65 million men from 30 countries fought in WWI. • Nearly 2/3 of military deaths in WWI were in battle. In previous conflicts, more deaths were due to disease. • There were over 35 million civilian and soldier casualties in WWI. Over 15 million died and 20 million were wounded, according to most estimates. Reader poll What role did Walt Disney play in World War I? a) food preparation b) machine gun operator c) dog handler d) ambulance driver - a 0% - b 0% - c 0% - d 100% 2 total votes. • Russia mobilized 12 million troops during WWI, making it the largest army in the war. More than 3/4 were killed, wounded, or went missing in action. • British tanks were initially categorized into “males” and “females.” Male tanks had cannons, while females had heavy machine guns. • “Little Willie” was the first prototype tank in WWI. Built in 1915, it carried a crew of three and could travel as fast as 3 mph. • Dogs were used as messengers and carried orders to the front lines in capsules attached to their bodies. Dogs were also used to lay down telegraph wires. • Big Bertha was a 48-ton howitzer used by the Germans ..” • Tanks were initially called “landships.” However, in an attempt to disguise them as water storage tanks rather than as weapons, the British decided to code name them “tanks.” • Woodrow Wilson’s campaign slogan for his second term was, “He kept us out of war.“ About a month after he took office, the United States declared war on Germany (April 6, 1917). • To increase the size of the U.S. Army during WWI, Congress passed the Selective Service Act, which was also known as conscription or draft, in May 1917. By the end of the war, 2.7 million men were drafted. Another 1.3 million volunteered. • During the war, people of German heritage were suspect in the U.S. Some protests against Germans were violent, including the burning of German books and the killing of German shepherd dogs. • percent. • World War I was also known as the Great War, the World War, the War of the Nations, and the War to End All Wars. • While the first military submarine (named the Turtle) was first used by the Continental Army during the American Revolution, submarines only made a large military impact during WWI when Germany launched its fleet of U-boats. From 1914-1918, 274 German U-boats sank 6,596 ships. • German trenches were built to last and included bunk beds, furniture, cupboards, water tanks with faucets, electric lights, and, in some cases, doorbells. • During the war, the U.S. shipped about 7.5 million tons of supplies to France to support the Allied effort. That included 70,000 horses or mules, as well as nearly 50,000 trucks, 27,000 freight cars and 1,800 locomotives. • During WWI, the Germans released about 68,000 tons of gas, and the British and French released 51,000 tons. In total, 1,200,000 soldiers on both sides were gassed, of which 91,198 died horrible deaths. • The French had what German soldiers called the Devil Gun. At 75 mm, this cannon was accurate up to 4 miles • During U.S. involvement in WWI, more than 75,000 people gave about 7.5 million four-minute pro-war speeches in movie theaters and elsewhere to about 314.5 million people. • . • Even though the U.S. government didn’t grant Native Americans citizenship until 1924, nearly 13,000 of them served in WWI. • Edith Cavell (1865-1915) was a British nurse who saved soldiers from all sides. When she helped 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium, the Germans arrested her and she was executed by a German firing squad. • Croix de Guerre, and a gift of 400 acres of good farmland. •. •. More like this story - Looking Back Aug 29 2012 ( August 25, 2012 ) - Veteran official: WWII soldier a dying breed ( November 10, 2009 ) - LookingBack Nov. 21 ( November 20, 2010 ) - Looking Back 1 July 2012 ( June 30, 2012 ) - MCLB honors our servicemen ( September 9, 2011 ) Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content. Or login with: OpenID	http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2012/nov/10/looking-back-nov-11/?sports	2013-05-18T10:34:43	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
As of Wednesday, March 13, 2013 VATICAN CITY — Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, taking the name Francis I and becoming Jubilant Argentines poured into churches, some crying and praying, after the announcement at the Vatican. “This is a blessing for Argentina,” one woman shouted on a Buenos Aires street. “I hope he changes all the luxury that exists in the Vatican, that he steers the church in a more humble direction, something closer to the gospel,” said Jorge Andres Lobato, a 73-year-old retired state prosecutor. The election was enthusiastically welcomed elsewhere in Latin America too. “We’re happy because we have a new pope and because the choice of a Latin American shows that the Church is opening, is now focused on the entire Church. It’s not just a church only focused on Europe,” said Leonardo Steiner, general secretary of the national conference of Brazilian bishops. was born into a middle-class family of seven, his father an Italian immigrant railway worker and his mother a housewife. Replacing Pope Benedict, who resigned last month, he overturned one of the main assumptions before the election, that the new pope would be relatively young. on March 19. U.S. President Barack Obama said the election of Francis “speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world.” ‘PRAY FOR BENEDICT’ In brief remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s, Francis called on the faithful to pray for Benedict and said the Church was setting off on a “journey of fraternity, of love, of trust”. It seemed the cardinal electors “went to the end of the world” to find him, he said. The Vatican said Francis would visit Benedict soon at his temporary home in the summer papal residence outside Rome. tens of thousands in the square cheered even more loudly when Francis appeared, the first pontiff to take that name. “Viva il Papa (pope),” they chanted. Front runners. The decision by cardinal electors sequestered in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel came sooner than many experts expected because there were several front runners. RIVAL TO RATZINGER IN ’05 nearly a decade after losing a lung to respiratory illness. ) - FACTBOX: The Conclave ( March 12, 2013 ) - White smoke billows from Sistine Chapel ( March 13, 2013 ) - Pope Francis to redirect the church ( May 9, 2013 ) Sister_Ruby 2 months ago Whassappp, Pope? chinaberry25 2 months. Or login with: OpenID	http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2013/mar/13/pope-francis-announced/	2013-05-18T10:32:42	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Ruby faces one year jail sentence An Egyptian court has convicted Egyptian controversial singer/actress Ruby to a one year jail sentence and a fine of one thousand Egyptian pounds for not paying taxes overdue. Ruby had received a sum of one million Egyptian pounds for her role in the recent film “Al Waed” (The promise), which she starred in alongside prominent Egyptian actor Mahmoud Yasin and actor Aser Yaseen, and failed to pay taxes for the amount she received. It is said that she owed the taxation department 200 thousand pounds but failed to pay them and so she was prosecuted and convicted. Ruby did not make any public statement regarding her jail sentence. It is said that she will attempt to make mends with the taxation department and pay all the taxes she owes in return of having all charges dropped.	http://www.albawaba.com/latest-news/ruby-faces-one-year-jail-sentence?quicktabs_accordion=0	2013-05-18T10:42:35	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://cdnlive.albawaba.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/article_headline_node_big//sites/default/files/im/entertainment_arabic/00Ruby9.jpg", "Ruby Ruby" ] ]
Man executed by public hanging in Iran An Iranian man was publicly flogged and then executed by public hanging on Sunday afternoon in the city Kashan, Iran. The hanging brings the total number of reported hangings this year in Iran to 61. The man hung, 26 year old Esmail Hashemi had been convicted of raping several women. Scores of people reportedly viewed the hanging, according to IRNA. At least 159 people were executed by hanging in Iran in 2004 according to Amnesty International, ranking Iran as second worldwide in the number of hangings after China. In addition to rape, capital offences in Iran which are punishable by hanging include adultery, prostitution, apostasy, blasphemy, repeated sodomy, treason and espionage and murder. EDITOR’S CHOICE 1 - 4 OF 12	http://www.albawaba.com/news/man-executed-public-hanging-iran?quicktabs_accordion=1	2013-05-18T11:03:37	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
A suicide bomber rammed an ambulance packed with explosives into a security headquarters on Wednesday, killing 13 people and wounding over 60. Another suicide bombing attack in a nearby town killed two others and injured a top provincial official. The first blast took place in Baquba, capital of Diyala province. It targeted an office of the Force Protection Service (FPS), the agency responsible for securing government buildings. The explosion also damaged nearby buildings, including the al-Batool women and children's hospital, AFP said. About 90 minutes later in the nearby town of Ghalbiyah, a suicide bomber blew up his explosives-filled car in the midst of a crowd of Shiite pilgrims, killing two and injuring 16 other people, an official in the provincial security command said. Among the wounded were Diyala deputy governor Sadiq al-Husseini and three of his bodyguards, and two media employees of local satellite channel Diyala TV. These attacks come a day after a some 50 people were killed and up to 150 wounded in a bombing attack in Tikrit. Links: [1]	http://www.albawaba.com/print/main-headlines/iraq-15-killed-some-80-wounded-two-bombing-attacks	2013-05-18T11:06:41	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
• Children's Books • July 31, 2009 July 31, 2009. December 24, 2012 Families..	http://www.albertmohler.com/tag/childrens-books/	2013-05-18T10:53:08	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Los Cabos Villa Wedding Alec and T Photography March 9, 2012 by T. Thompson Filed under Destination weddings, Los Cabos weddings, Photography in Mexico, Uncategorized, Villas Thinking about a villa wedding in Cabo? Check out this one beautiful romantic Cabo wedding. Wedding planning by: Be That Bride Events. Thank you, Yarai!! This was a wonderfully coordinated Cabo San Lucas event. Wedding hair and makeup by Los Cabos makeup artist Suzanne Morel. And last, but not least, Matter of Taste Catering who dressed in beautiful grey dress shirts to match the event. The day was beautiful. This bride Abby was–is–extremely special to me. When we first started to chat, she had originally wanted Esperanza, and then Las Ventanas, for her destination wedding ceremony. Both venues already had bookings so we decided the best wedding venue for this very intimate and romantic wedding would at a villa…and then one villa ended up to be three villas, and the weekend was set. Beautiful villas provided by our dear friends at Cabo Villas, a.k.a. Earth Sea and Sky. Cabo Villas has almost all the villas in Cabo San Lucas that rent for events. Abby I loved from the very start. If you look at the photos you will see she is so full of love, it just cannot be contained. An extremely smart and detailed bride that was on top of everything. I loved working with her and will miss our phone calls. The wedding weekend started with a beautiful rehearsal dinner at Edith’s Restaurant, then the wedding day was at Villa de los Suenos, followed by a farewell brunch the next day. I am looking forward to seeing Abby and Omar very soon! And to the mother and father of the bride, Becky and Gus, you both will be long-lasting friends. Dinner in Cabo is a must for all of us. This event was truly a day that will stand out in our minds forever!! Love, blessing, and joy~ T Start planning your Cabo wedding contact us today We built a stage on the hot tub, it made the world of difference. The Bride and Groom looked like they were on top of the world Alec and T…I love you both! Not only did you do an AMAZING job of capturing our day (I can’t wait to see the rest of the photos!!!), but you captured all of our hearts. Working with you both, Yarai, Lola, Julianne, and Deena was truly a blessing…and fun! Not once over the weekend did I ever feel stressed! I love, love, love, LOVE the pictures. You are both amazing…and are an incredible example of love shining to any bride and groom lucky enough to get to work with you. Thank you! Can’t wait to see you both next time we’re in Cabo. So much love, Abby WHAT A GORGEOUS WEDDING, BRIDE, GROOM AND FAMILY!!! IT WAS A TREAT TO SEE THESE FABULOUS PICTURES! XOXO, ANNE ABNEY	http://www.alecandt.com/blog/?p=9268	2013-05-18T10:12:12	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
For this wedding, I had the pleasure of second shooting with the world renowned Gene Higa. Gene is one of the top photographers in the world that I highly look up to and that made capturing this wedding an awesome experience for me. The day started out with the traditional chinese door games and tea ceremony which is always a great start to the day. We also got some beautiful photos at Stanford where it felt like wedding central with a ton of bridal parties there for portraits. I look forward to hopefully working with Gene again soon! One of my favorite shots of the day. Gene putting the boutonniere on the groom The first challenge was to take turns following some yoga poses The goal of this challenge was to empty the box full of balls by shaking them out. The bridesmaids always get a kick out of the chinese door games! The groomsmen help the groom serenade the bride. The bride is enjoying the serenade. The bridesmaids collect the lucky money envelope from the groomsmen and find a battery! Their photobooth was a big hit and had long lines the whole evening!	http://www.alexhophotography.com/blog/tag/restaurant/	2013-05-18T10:40:13	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4972632391_edb97af778_b.jpg", "bride walking down the aisle with parents Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4973245664_b9db667d61_b.jpg", "gene higa putting on the boutonniere on the groom 4973245664 b9db667d61 b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4973245760_75e1489112_b.jpg", "groom and the groomsmen groom and the groomsmen and gene higa" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4973246000_123be891a7_b.jpg", "yoga pose for the chinese door games 4973246000 123be891a7 b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4973246150_1498d831b7_b.jpg", "another yoga pose for the traditional chinese bridal party game another yoga pose for the traditional chinese bridal party game" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4973246362_da363d5b70_b.jpg", "more chinese door games 4973246362 da363d5b70 b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4972630869_114f0db30c_b.jpg", "bridesmaids enjoying the chinese groomsmen games 4972630869 114f0db30c b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4973246638_0e78c720be_b.jpg", "groomsmen and groom serenading the bride 4973246638 0e78c720be b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4972631197_61a0092a3c_b.jpg", "bride enjoying the serenade 4972631197 61a0092a3c b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4972631475_06e02e8826_o.jpg", "the bridesmaids collecting the lucky money envelope from the groomsmen 4972631475 06e02e8826 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4972631639_64e2f993d2_o.jpg", "peaking for the groom and groomsmen 4972631639 64e2f993d2 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4973247400_cb9786eee7_o.jpg", "groom trying to squeeze his way in 4973247400 cb9786eee7 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4973247582_a134d1dec2_o.jpg", "jimmy choo wedding shoes 4973247582 a134d1dec2 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4972629917_b5b06c7db0_b.jpg", "ring shot 4972629917 b5b06c7db0 b Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4972632059_a2ec6c7047_o.jpg", "tea ceremony 4972632059 a2ec6c7047 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4972632255_007d3572a4_o.jpg", "floral bouquet for the bride 4972632255 007d3572a4 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4973248176_cbe7be365b_o.jpg", "fighting pose 4973248176 cbe7be365b o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4972632739_3392b0ed21_o.jpg", "shoes 4972632739 3392b0ed21 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4972632947_1789c9a31f_o.jpg", "bride and bridesmaids 4972632947 1789c9a31f o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4973248814_ee73e38877_o.jpg", "bride and groom at stanford for portraits 4973248814 ee73e38877 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4972633565_4036eddea5_o.jpg", "newleywed portraits newleywed portraits at stanford church" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4973249094_a90ebdb41d_o.jpg", "bride and groom at stanford 4973249094 a90ebdb41d o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4972633885_51c7b39621_o.jpg", "the groomsmen walk 4972633885 51c7b39621 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4972634227_f0bc80c15b_o.jpg", "bridal party walk bridal party walk stanford palo alto" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4972635465_0cfb248de0_o.jpg", "details of flower and cake at the reception 4972635465 0cfb248de0 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4972634389_9e85c242e5_o.jpg", "photobooth pictures 4972634389 9e85c242e5 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4972634717_8d0b24b053_o.jpg", "kids at the reception 4972634717 8d0b24b053 o Cynthia and Henry Wedding at St Marys Church and Dynasty Restaurant" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4972634971_90753e9377_b.jpg", "bride listening to the speeches bride listening to the speeches" ], [ "http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4972635241_59b1a34617_o.jpg", "cake cutting toast cake cutting toast dynasty restaurant second shooting with gene higa cupertino" ] ]
November 9, 2006 Relax …listen …info about the music “Nunc Dimittis” is a movement from my “Evensong Suite,” and the term literally translates to, “now you are sending away.” Fitting for the fleeting light that creates space for the moon’s lovely glow. A November twilight for you from southern California. I don’t need to write anything more today. veronique said, November 10, 2006 @ 7:55 pm Ahhh, so that’s what sunset looks like…	http://www.alexshapiro.org/blog/?p=125	2013-05-18T10:41:03	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://www.alexshapiro.org/blog/blogpix/NovemberSunset.jpg", null ] ]
Learn more about the challenge >> Order your signed copy today >> Algalita Youth Solutions Timeline >> LA County Teachers - FREE Debris Science Education Kit >> STUDENTS! Click here to enter the Get to Know - RIvers to Oceans Art Contest >> Plastic Pollution Conversation Tour >> Beth Terry: Plastic Free - How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too >> Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending Algalita’s Cheers for Change Fundraiser in Long Beach. There I was able to meet more of Algalita’s team, and had the great honor of meeting Captain Moore. It was a truly wonderful and gratifying experience to see supporters come out, and I’m told that the silent auction [...] read more... Become a fan! AMRI Blog Latest from Algalita Follow with RSS Really Simple Syndication Research \| Education \| Restoration \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Videos \| Store \| Support Us \| News \| Calendar \| Links Site design by macdonald design.	http://www.algalita.org/index.php/research/donate/restoration/media-center/about-us/blog/blog/store/store/merchandise.html	2013-05-18T10:53:20	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. — John F. Kennedy, Speech, June 25, 1963 What was true in the New Frontier era is even more accurate a half-century later: Change is accelerating and is doing so in every element of our lives. Public affairs and communications are not immune from this reality. The challenge is to manage change; to make it work for us, not overwhelm us. My goal as a consultant is to help clients do just that – blending experience and innovation to forge strategies that work. This is not about reading crystal balls. It is using analytical and strategic expertise to look beyond an immediate crisis and focus on long-term objectives. What's your goal? What's your message? What are your priorities? Sound planning concentrates on core issues and recognizes that the social, economic, technological, and political context in which you work will constantly evolve. An effective consultant works with you to analyze your needs and find the answers you demand. Because "going forward" shouldn't just be a rhetorical flourish. It's a strategic imperative.	http://www.algordon.com/	2013-05-18T10:40:47	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "files/at_sign.jpg", "@Communications" ] ]
Competitive Beaker products from all over the world such as China (Mainland) Beaker,India Beaker,United States Beaker are provided. Please view them and select the most helpful info for you. Products > Measurement & Analysis Instruments > Lab Supplies > Beaker: 1,220 Products found Region: More - (865) - (267) - (9) - (44) Cancel Sort by: View: List View Gallery View Order Quantity Haven't found the right supplier yet ? Customized Sourcing Tell us what you buy, Alibaba's Industry Sourcing Specialists will help you match the right suppliers. Post Buying Request Now >> Want product and industry knowledge for " Beaker " ? Trade Alert Trade Alerts are FREE updates on topics such as trending hot products, buying requests and supplier information - sent directly to your email inbox! - Do you want to show Beaker or other products of your own company? Display your Products FREE now! Place of Origin - China (Mainland) (814) - India (163) - Pakistan (7) - Turkey (3) - Iran (Islamic Republic of) (2) - Germany (2) - United Arab Emirates (1) - Taiwan (1) - More..	http://www.alibaba.com/Beaker_pid82602	2013-05-18T10:42:24	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
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The US government has sued to block telecoms giant AT&T's $39bn purchase of T-Mobile USA, citing concerns it will harm competition in the wireless market and lead to higher prices. The surprise move by the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Wednesday was the biggest antitrust challenge yet by the Obama administration. If successful, it would end AT&T's move to unseat Verizon Wireless as the number one US mobile carrier. DoJ officials warned that allowing AT&T, the country's second largest wireless carrier, to buy up the number four carrier would be disastrous for consumers. "Were the merger to proceed, there would only be three providers with 90 per cent of the market, and competition among the remaining competitors on all dimensions, including price, quality and innovation, would be diminished," James Cole, the deputy attorney general, said. The lawsuit came just five months after the deal was announced and, despite the timing, one source close to the case told the Reuters news agency it was a real attempt to halt a "fundamentally flawed" deal, not a tactic to wring big concessions from AT&T. Justice department officials said they were willing to consider proposals to alleviate their concerns, but they expected the fight to shift to federal court. The court case could take months and cost millions of dollars. They [the mobile carriers] would have to give up "so much" to win approval, the source, who wished to remain anonymous, said. Legal response weighed AT&T quickly indicated that it would not abandon the transaction, and together with T-Mobile is considering a legal response to challenge federal regulators. In a statement, T-Mobile's owner, the German company Deutsche Telekom, said it is disappointed by the DoJ's action and "will join AT&T in defending the contemplated merger". AT&T has several incentives to take up a legal fight with regulators. In court, the burden is on the DoJ - not AT&T - to show that the combination would harm competition. If the deal does not go through, the company will be forced to pay T-Mobile a $3bn break-up fee and give it some wireless spectrum rights. AT&T said it will ask for an expedited court hearing "so the enormous benefits of this merger can be fully reviewed". Morgan Reed, executive director of the trade group, Association for Competitive Technology, said AT&T has at least one key fact on its side: Deutsche Telekom has said it does not plan to continue to invest in upgradingthe T-Mobile network to deliver faster wireless. That means, "T-Mobile is not a competitor anymore", Reed said. "T-Mobile has already stepped away from the table. We're at three nationwide wireless carriers no matter what." The association, which represents more than 3,000 small and independent application developers, believes the merger would benefit the wireless broadband industry. However, the lawsuit used some of T-Mobile's own documents describing its role in the market to explain why the merger should not take place. In those documents, the company calls itself "the No. 1 challenger of the established big guys in the market and as well positioned in a consolidated 4-player national market.'' AT&T and T-Mobile compete nationwide, in 97 of the largest 100 cellular marketing areas, according to the suit filed in US District Court in Washington. They also vie for business and government customers. What lawsuit says The lawsuit says the acquisition would eliminate a company that has boosted competition with low pricing and innovation. Democrat Herb Kohl, who heads the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights, said the suit was an effort to protect consumers "in a powerful and growing industry that reaches virtually every American". AT&T and T-Mobile Federal Complaints Commission and the Obama administration. But the DoJ said AT&T could "obtain substantially the same network enhancements ... if it simply invested in its own network without eliminating a close.	http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/09/201191103417854880.html	2013-05-18T10:33:40	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
A diplomatic row has erupted between India and Italy after two Indian fisherman were shot dead in a confrontation between an Italian oil tanker and their fishing boat in waters off the sourthern Indian coast. Indian police have detained the entire crew, including Italian navy officers, over the killings, while Italy's ambassador in New Delhi was summoned to the foreign office. An Indian coast guard official said the naval guards aboard the Enrica Lexie appeared to have mistaken the fishermen for pirates. "I think they have erred in their judgment. Innocent fisherman should not be fired at, even anywhere, there is no doubt," said Surinder Pal Singh Basra, inspector general of India's coast guard. Basra said the Italian vessel violated international protocol by not sending any distress signal, which is considered standard procedure during pirate attacks. He said the incident had occurred on Wednesday in waters off India's southern state of Kerala, and said Indian coast guards had done their duty by bringing the Italian ship to port and detaining its captain and crew. A murder case has been registered against the crew, said a senior official at a police station in Neendakara Coastal police station, where surviving fishermen sought help. A foreign ministry official said Italy's ambassador was asked to ensure the crew of the ship co-operated with Indian authorities. The Italian navy in a statement said on Thursday that the fishing boat had behaved aggressively and had been warned on several occasions by the naval officers aboard the.	http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/20122179218361438.html	2013-05-18T10:13:57	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Labradors love going on journeys and finding new places. They love the fresh air of the countryside and the new smells in the city. Take some time to read the following and then you too can take your labrador on the trip of a lifetime! Travelling by car is the most popular form of travel. Usually a blanket is placed on the back seat for the dog to use. The blanket is often more comfortable than the material the seats are made of. For labradors who are trained the blanket will also represent their designated area for the duration of the journey. There are those dogs that get very excited are that enjoy a good nap. For these labs a car seat or even a seat belt is a great product to buy. There are plenty of great products you can buy for your lab. Pet Travel has also become quite popular up in the skies. Pet Air Travel has become very easy to arrange. You will be able to find a number of airlines that are more than happy to book your labrador on the flight. However, due to their size it is highly unlikely that a labrador would be allowed in the cabin area. Smaller dogs would be allowed as long as they remained below the passenger seat and in a travel box. Labradors though, are too big and would have to be checked into the hold. Finding a Pet Friendly Hotel is also becoming a lot easier. There are many hotels around the world that are opening their doors to pets. Please try to make sure that your dog is well behaved before trying to take him on holiday with you. Before you make any bookings for flights or for hotels be sure that your labrador will alright. Have a look at our checklist for a short list of items you may need to take with you when you are travelling with your labrador. Hopefully this information will be helpful to you on your next holiday. Good luck and have a great holiday. Return to top	http://www.all-about-labradors.com/pettravel.html	2013-05-18T10:32:00	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
- 127Recommend It! - 2,519views Multiple Reviews Louie Records: swingd and time share The brightest development in jazz and new music in the United States and throughout the worldis the regular emergence of players and recording labels who are not bound by notions of commerce and mass appeal, but rather reflect the fact that the music continues to attract people who find new things to do with it. Louie Records from Oregon has showcased thoughtful players from the Northwest who, as on these recordings, have taken standard formats and rethought them. Drummer Dave Storrs (he also plays keys) is the common thread on both of these quartet recordings and he is also the founder of the label. Both recordings are from 2005 and both beautifully complement the expanding catalogue of the label..	http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21655	2013-05-18T10:44:01	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
- 315Recommend It! - 8,895views CD/LP/Track Review King Crimson: The Collectable King Crimson Volume One (2007) In 1973-74, King Crimson was not just a powerful progressive rock group capable of navigating guitarist Robert Fripp's most challenging writing to date. It was also a potent improvising unit, able to shift on a dime from elegant simplicity to visceral crunch. The expansive The Great Deceiver (Live 1973-1974) demonstrated how exciting this group was. The Collectable King Crimson Volume One allows those without deep pockets to hear the music for themselves, and it also offers something new to those who own the four-CD box. Discipline Global Mobile's mail-order King Crimson Collector's Club has been releasing live shows of varying sound quality from all Crimson lineups for some time. This double-disc set is the first of a series intended to make some of the best KCCC shows more widely available. It collects a March, 1974 performance in Mainz, Germany where Crimson's at an improvising peak, and one of its last dates, recorded in Ashbury Park, New Jersey. Both are superb, but the latter is especially notable. Some of the material from the June 28, 1974 show can be found on USA, released in 1975 and reissued in remastered and expanded form in 2006, but both versions had problems. First, technical problems rendered violinist David Cross' parts unusable. Cross was fired soon after the show, so Fripp brought in keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson to overdub parts after the fact. Second, both an extended "Easy Money" and free improv called "Ashbury Park" were cut nearly in half and faded out. Continuity was also compromised by altering the running sequence. Thanks to modern technology, it has been possible to restore Cross' parts. The Collectable King Crimson makes this show available on CD for the first time, restored to its proper running order with complete versions of all the tracks. This set of material ranges from the symphonic "Exiles" to the jagged metal edge of "Lark's Tongues in Aspic: Part II" and the mind-numbing guitar pyrotechnics of the complex "Fracture." What's immediately obvious here is that Jobson may have been a better musician, but that's no substitute for the chemistry that evolves from having performed nearly two hundred shows together. USA is a good record, but the restored performance is a great one. The Mainz set is incomplete, but it demonstrates that while Crimson may not have possessed the language of jazz, it certainly had the spirit. "Easy Money" evolves into an open-ended and dynamically shifting improv that neatly segues into a (sadly faded) "Fracture." Three other improvs, including two that bookend the idiosyncratic "Dr. Diamond" (never released on a Crimson studio album), find the group in even stronger synchronicity. The sound source and quality are provided for both shows, with Mainz listed as "Very Fine" and Ashbury Park "Excellent," though it's hard to hear any significant difference. An auspicious beginning to a new series, The Collectable King Crimson Volume One will help keep the ever-evolving Crimson in the public eye while fans wait for a new album from the group's latest lineup. Track Listing: CD1 (Ashbury Park): Walk On...No Pussyfooting; Lark's Tongues in Aspic: Part II; Lament; Exiles; Ashbury Park; Easy Money; Fracture; Starless; 21st Century Schizoid Man. CD2 (Mainz): Improv: The Savage; Dr. Diamond; Improv: Arabica; Exiles; Improv: Atria; The Night Watch; Starless; Lament; Improv: Trio; Easy Money. Personnel: David Cross: violin, mellotron, electric piano; Robert Fripp: guitar, mellotron, electric piano; John Wetton: bass guitar, vocals; Bill Bruford: drums, percussion. Record Label: DGM Live Style: Fusion/Progressive Rock	http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=24661	2013-05-18T10:57:13	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://www.allaboutjazz.com/coverart/2008/kingcrimson_2.jpg", "King Crimson: The Collectable King Crimson Volume One King Crimson: The Collectable King Crimson Volume One" ] ]
- 218Recommend It! - 2,835views CD/LP/Track Review Jake Fryer / Bud Shank: In Good Company (2011) Young British composer/alto saxophonist Jake Fryer joins forces with veteran bopper Bud Shank and his favorite West Coast rhythm section, to form the Jake Fryer / Bud Shank Quintet for In Good Company. It's a lively and engaging album, a mix of standards and Fryer originals that brings the two alto saxophonists together for a recording date full of spontaneity, mutual respect and enjoyment. Sadly, it also proved to be the 82 year-old Shank's valedictory recording, as he was not in good health and died on April 2nd 2009, the day after the session took place. In his liner notes, Fryer refers to In Good Company as "a first takes album." This approach ensures that the recording has the excitement and fun of a late night jam session. Sure, there are occasional imperfections and minor errors, but their appearances are few and do nothing to disrupt the Quintet's swagger and swing. Shank may not be at the height of his powers, but he can still blow. The two saxophonists have distinct but complementary tones: Shanks has the tighter, "alto-going-on-soprano" sound; Fryer the mellower, "alto-going-on-tenor" sound. The three rhythm section playersbassist Bob Magnusson, pianist Mike Wofford and drummer Joe LaBarberaare reliable, solid, and tight; but, above all, swinging. The quintet opens with Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington's perennial favorite, "Caravan." After Magnusson's slinky introduction, Shank storms into his opening solo with verve, and Wofford and LaBarbera swiftly settle in behind him. Fryer's own tunes, six in all, carry on with this high energy bebop approach. "Bopping With Bud," written in tribute to the veteran player, gives the two altoists a chance to trade phrases and solos in friendly competition, while "Tip Top and Tickety Boo" races along merrily, with both Fryer and Shank delivering some fluid and complex lines. Fryer wrote "The Time Lord" expressly for LaBarbera, who repays the honor with inventive and driving percussion. The band eases down a little for Lerner and Lowe's "Almost Like Being In Love," its smoothly low key performance the most overtly romantic on the album. Fryer, who also heads up the London Bebop Collective, achieved an ambition when Shank agreed to join him for this date. In Good Company gives little indication of Shank's problems. It is, by contrast, an affirmation of life: a joyous blast of a performance, a worthy epitaph for the veteran saxophonist and a strong musical statement from Fryer and the Quintet.ussson: bass; Joe LaBarbera: drums. Record Label: Capri Records Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream	http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=38521	2013-05-18T10:57:07	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://www.allaboutjazz.com/coverart/2010/jakefryer_budshank_quartet_ingoodcompany_jk.jpg", "Jake Fryer / Bud Shank: In Good Company Jake Fryer / Bud Shank: In Good Company" ] ]
EYEMARK Entertainment takes a fresh approach to daytime syndication's most established genre - creating a talk show that offers solutions - with its national launch of the daily series Dr. Joy Browne on September 13, 1999. The new hour will air primarily in daytime and early afternoon on stations in 150 markets, representing more than 90 percent of the U.S. Dr. Joy Browne is hosted by the licensed clinical psychologist and best-selling author whose daily radio talk show, syndicated to 300 U.S. and Canadian stations, is the longest-running, most-successful program of its kind. Burt Dubrow, the multi-award-winning producer recognized as the driving force behind television's most innovative and successful talk shows, is Executive Producer. "I'd really like to put a new spin on what we all recall as the beginnings of modern talk television," explains Browne. "The early series did something wonderful, because they let us know these problems - ones that we were never able to admit - really existed. You didn't have to be ashamed, you weren't alone. Back then, you felt like you knew the people who appeared to discuss personal issues or you would like to know them by the end of the episode. Their problems could have been your problems. And what we add, which makes this concept more relevant for today, is that their solutions can be your solutions." In the classic talk format, each episode of Dr. Joy Browne will explore a single personal topic - with subjects covering relationships, family, workplace and life changes - through the real-life stories of diverse people confronting them. The series is distinguished from other talk shows, however, in two significant ways. According to Dubrow, "First and foremost, the goal of each episode will be to fix problems, not create them. Also, many shows feature a segment where the host talks with an expert, to offer some insight into a day's issue. In the case of Dr. Joy Browne, our host and expert are one and the same. From the very first question she raises with a guest, Dr. Joy has the credentials and ability to cut to the heart of the issue, drive a person to understand what he or she is really confronting and help evaluate the options." A licensed clinical psychologist who has hosted issue-driven talk radio for 20 years, Browne has a daily radio program currently syndicated in the U.S. and Canada through WOR. Commended by the media as "classy and consistently sensible... the radio psychologist for people who thought they hated radio psychologists" and "(with a) cut-to-the-chase but fundamentally kind style, she's outlived imitators," Browne has received high-profile recognition for her work. She was recently honored with the American Psychological Association's first-ever President's Award for her contributions to the profession; named "Top Female Radio Talk Show Host" by the National Association of Talk Show Hosts for 1996 and 1997, and selected as a member of Vanity Fair magazine's "Hall of Fame" in 1996. Prior to WOR, she hosted talk shows on WITS (now WSSH) Boston; KGO and KCBS, both in San Francisco, and WABC New York. Browne is equally prolific and recognized in the publishing world. Her sixth book, "The Nine Fantasies That Will Ruin Your Life" was published in Fall 1998 by Crown Publishers Inc. as part of a two-book deal with Random House. Winning a five-star review from Amazon.com, the book has sold more than 53,000 copies and has been released as an audiocassette as well. Browne's seventh book, "It's A Jungle Out There, Jane" - which she describes as a survival guide for understanding the male animal - will be released in Fall 1999. She is a licensed clinical psychologist on the board of the American Psychological Association, listed in the National Register of Healthcare Providers.Dr. Joy Browne is produced in New. Y. Joy Brown. Joy Browne for appearances, speaking engagements, endorsements/spokesperson, appearance fees, booking agency contact info, biography of Dr. Joy Browne, Contact an artist booking talent agent find a speakers bureau that can book Dr. Joy Browne, speaker booking agency for Dr. Joy Browne, list of similar speakers and celebrities for hire, what is the cost to book a top 10 motivational speaker, musician, comedian or famous athlete.	http://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/Dr.-Joy-Browne/3658	2013-05-18T10:53:01	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
LINK TO US Link to Us Thank You for choosing All Around Moving Services Company as a link partner. Please follow the link exchange instructions as given below. Basic Text Link All Around Moving Services Company - We offer to arrange local and long distance moving services. Moving boxes, packing supplies, storage facilities, international shipping and other moving matters. Copy & Paste the following HTML Code (Control + C, then Control + V): Banner Link Copy & Paste the following HTML Code (Control + C, then Control + V): Email us at [email protected] the link to the page where you've put the link to our website, along with the HTML for your link. We will reciprocate by putting the link to your website on our Links Page.	http://www.allaroundmoving.com/link-to-us.html	2013-05-18T10:21:50	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "/images/banner_88x31_01.gif", "all around moving services company" ] ]
Go to Page: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · \| Next>> Sort by: [Top Matches] [Best Selling] [Pub Date] [Title] Recent Book Searches: ISBN-10/ISBN-13: 0816620318 / 978-0816620319 / Public Sphere and Experience: Toward an Analysis of the Bourgeois and Proletarian Public Sphere (Theory and History of Literature) / Oskar Negt, Alexander Kluge, Peter Labanyi755 / 978-0816618750 / End of the Cold War: European Unity, Socialism, and the Shift in Global Power / Bogdan Denitch 0816618798 / 978-0816618798 / Postmodern Education: Politics, Culture, and Social Criticism / Stanley Aronowitz, Henry A. Giroux 0816618836 / 978-0816618835 / Welfare (Concepts in Social Thought) / Norman Barry 0816618852 / 978-0816618859 / Revolution and Counter-Revolution (Concepts in Social Thought) / Peter Calvert 0816618909 / 978-0816618903 / Channels of Desire: Mass Images and the Shaping of American Consciousness / Stuart Ewen, Elizabeth Ewen 0816618976 / 978-0816618972 / The Education of a Public Man: My Life and Politics / Hubert H. Humphrey 0816619034 / 978-0816619030 / The Integral Feminist: Madeleine Pelletier, 1874-1939 : Feminism, Socialism and Medicine (Feminist Perspectives) / Felicia Gordon 0816619069 / 978-0816619061 / Red Lake Nation: Portraits of Ojibway Life / Charles Brill 0816619190 / 978-0816619191 / Film Hieroglyphs: Ruptures in Classical Cinema / Tom Conley 0816619301 / 978-0816619306 / Technoculture (Cultural Politics) / Penley Constance 0816619352 / 978-0816619351 / Excavations at Nichoria in Southwest Greece: The Bronze Age Occupation (Excavations at Nichoria, South West Greece) / William A. McDonald, Nancy C. Wilkie 0816619425 / 978-0816619429 / A Survey of Agricultural Economics Literature: Agriculture in Economic Development, 1940s to 1990s (Survey of Agricultural Economics Literature) / 0816619484 / 978-0816619481 / Reading the Body Politic: Feminist Criticism and Latin American Women Writers / Amy K. Kaminsky 0816619506 / 978-0816619504 / North Writers: A Strong Woods Collection / 0816619549 / 978-0816619542 / Making Sense in Life and Literature (Theory and History of Literature) / Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht 0816619689 / 978-0816619689 / Flowers for Northern Gardens / Leon C. Snyder 0816619816 / 978-0816619818 / Belated Modernity and Aesthetic Culture: Inventing National Literature (Theory and History of Literature) / Gregory Judanis 0816619980 / 978-0816619986 / Megalopolis: Contemporary Cultural Sensibilities / Celeste Olalquiaga 0816620237 / 978-0816620234 / Voyage to the Other World: The Legacy of Sutton Hoo (Medieval Studies at Minnesota) / Calvin B. Kendall 0816618801 / 978-0816618804 / Postmodern Education: Politics, Culture, and Social Criticism / Stanley Aronowitz, Henry A. Giroux 0816618968 / 978-0816618965 / American Refugees / Jim Hubbard 0816619182 / 978-0816619184 / Thinking Clearly About Psychology: Essays in Honor of Paul E. Meehl / Dante Cicchetti 0816619263 / 978-0816619269 / Strategies of Deconstruction: Derrida and the Myth of the Voice / J. Claude Evans 0816619344 / 978-0816619344 / Travel As Metaphor: From Montaigne to Rousseau / Georges Van Den Abbeele 0816619573 / 978-0816619573 / Shadows of Race and Class / Raymond S. Franklin 0816619646 / 978-0816619641 / Reading the Postmodern Polity: Political Theory As Textual Practice / Michael J. Shapiro	http://www.alldiscountbooks.net/_Gene_Gurney_Books_a_.html	2013-05-18T10:23:17	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
- Drive up to Knoll Lake or Solider and Long Lakes to canoe or kayak your way through the day. - If you need to rent a canoe or Kayak stop by Summit Divers and Water Sports. - Go to Mormon Lake for some water activities that are close to Mormon Lake Lodge, where you can rent canoes. Where should I go for Flagstaff kayaking or canoeing? If you’re looking to hit the water with a paddle and a friend then here are some places for you to do just that. Solider and Long Lake If you’re looking for a spot with variety, drive to this area where there are two lakes. - Location: Drive south for 50 miles on Lake Mary Road. Then take Forest Road 211 for 8 miles to Forest Road 82 for 12 miles until you find Long Lake. - Seasons: Open year round. - Marina/Boat Launch: There are two boat ramps along the lake. - Boat Restrictions: On Solider Lake you can only have a boat with one motor; there are no boat restrictions for Long Lake. - Camping: The nearest campground is Blue Ridge Campground and is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. - Fishing: You’ll find Bass, Trout, Catfish, Bluegill and Walleye at the two lakes. Knoll Lake This lake might be a bit of drive from Flagstaff but the water activities allowed here make it worth the time. - Location: Drive south for 55 miles on Lake Mary Road until Clints Well. Take a left there on Highway 87 until Forest Road 96 and turn right. Then drive six miles to Forest Road 96 until Forest Road 321. Take a right and drive 10 miles to Forest Road 300 and then go east for four miles until you reach Forest Road 295E. - Seasons: Open year round. - Marina/Boat Launch: There is one boat ramp. - Boat Restrictions: Boats can only have a single motor. - Camping: The nearest campground is Knoll Lake Campground, open from May until September. - Fishing: You’ll find Rainbow, Brook and Brown trout for you to wrangle in to your canoe. Do I need a permit or license for my kayak or canoe? You do not need a license or registration for non-motorized water vehicles. I am looking for a canoe or kayak guide If you’re looking for some tips on these activities there are a few places in town that can help. See the listings on this page.	http://www.allflagstaff.com/summer_recreation/canoe_kayak.php	2013-05-18T10:41:18	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "http://cdn.allflagstaff.com/images/content/20777_a4BrJ_Flagstaff_Arizona_Kayaking_md.jpg", "Flagstaff Arizona Kayaking" ] ]
Pre-need Insurance Pre-need insurance was once referred to as "death insurance" and is a type of life insurance. A funeral can be a large financial burden to the family and loved ones left behind after a death. By setting up a type of pre-need burial insurance, you can help offset these costs. It is important to check with your local government since each State has its own laws governing burial insurance. Find out if your insurance can be transferred to another state if necessary. Be careful not to leave any blank spots in the contract that might be filled in after your death and make sure to deal only with a licensed insurance company or individual. Both funeral directors and insurance brokers sell burial insurance that are written to include all the services and products you require or want. These can include: - The casket or urn - Embalming if necessary - Grave liner or burial vault - Hearse - Flowers - Digging and filling the grave - Grave marker - Cemetery plot Pre-Need Trust Account A trust account is a pre-payment for funeral services that is deposited with a trust company or in a bank. Banks are federally insured by the United States government, making the funds 100% secure. Larger, pooled trusts can earn higher rates of interest as well. Be sure to check with your funeral director about the regulations regarding trusts in your state as they can vary from state to state. The main advantage of putting money into a trust fund is that it can be paid to the funeral director immediately upon death. These accounts can earn a higher return rate than pre-need insurance accounts, but unlike pre-need insurance programs, trusts are also taxable. Another trust option is called an irrevocable trust that is not counted as a financial asset. These funds are designated solely for funeral services and cannot be otherwise spent. If you ever need to apply for social services such as Medicaid, irrevocable trusts are a great option. Be sure to talk to your funeral director to find out which program best suits your needs. Tax advantages of Pre-need Insurance - Most pre-need insurance plans are not taxable - Pre-need funeral policies do not negatively affect eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid - Most policies can be transferred between funeral homes and states - Some policies will even leave money behind for the survivors after funeral services have been paid	http://www.allfuneralhomes.com/faq/pre-need-insurance	2013-05-18T10:22:08	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
The Netflix rental service really revolutionized the way to rent DVD movies. Instead of driving to a store, looking for something you want to watch, waiting in lines, and dealing with due dates and late fees, people can now enjoy the convenience of online DVD rentals at a low-cost thanks to Netflix. Click for Netflix Free Trial Netflix DVD Rental ServiceAs the world's biggest online DVD rental service, with millions of subscribers, Netflix has a lot to offer its members. They have a huge selection of 85,000 different DVD titles to choose from, as well as thousands of full-length movies and TV shows that can be watched via computer. Shipping is free both ways, and it is fast since Netflix operates many distribution centers around the country. There are no due dates, late fees or other hassles—there is just a flat, low monthly fee that offers movie lovers a tremendous value. With over 85,000 different DVD titles, there is a huge selection designed to satisfy eveybody. In fact, there are over 200 different genres that are all neatly categorized to easily browse. Chances are that your local DVD rental store has just a tiny fraction of these, and may often not have anything you want to see. With all these choices, you will have a nearly endless supply of different movies you want to watch. With all these different titles, some may wrongly assume it is hard to find the good titles that match your interests. On the contrary, it is very simple and there are multiple ways to browse the DVDs. You can take a look at the new releases, top 100 and critics picks, to get a constantly changing view of hot titles to watch. You can also browse by the aforementioned 200+ genres to find all kinds of DVDs in your areas of interests. Netflix also makes movie recommendations based on the past ratings you've made combined with the ratings of other members that share a similar taste in movies. In addition, friends lists can be use to share ideas with others. Each tile typically has a picture of the DVD box, a short synopsis, a list of the director, stars and other pertinent information, and ratings from Net Flix members. In fact, there are billions of ratings from members, which can really help determine which movies are best. Netflix.com also has Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs. This means that if you have an HDTV (and an HDDVD or Bluray disc player) you can enjoy hi-def movies in your home theater. Fans of high definition will really enjoy this now, and others will want this for the future because prices are coming down on high def TVs and Blu-Ray / HD-DVD players, so more and more people will be jumping on the high definition television bandwagon. They do not rent video games. With Net Flix there are no due dates, late fees or shipping charges. There is just a low monthly subscription fee. Plans start for as low as $4.99 per month. This budget plan allows you to rent just 2 DVDs per month, plus 5 hours of movies instantly on PC, which means you can see 5 movies a month for just five bucks. Next for just $8.99 you get unlimited dvd rentals, with 1 DVD out at a time. Pay a little more for unlimited plans offering 2, 3 or 4 out at a time. The most popular plan is the 3 DVDs out at a time plan for $16.99 per month. They operate many shipping centers, so customers generally receive DVDs with 1 business day delivery. However, if you happen to be without a DVD when you want to watch a movie, you can go to Netflix.com and watch a film or television show on your computer instantly. It means that you always have entertainment options available. Sign up for a free 2 week trial, so you can try them out and see all they have to offer. If for any reason you aren't satisfied, they allow for hassle free cancellation 24 hours a day. Try them out now with the Netflix Free Trial. Go to Netflix.com to get more information on the service, browse their selection, compare the plans or subscribe to become a member. Read Netflix Reviews – Submit a Netflix Review, Rating or Comment. The main other DVD rental service is Blockbuster Video, but Gameznflix.com and DVDAvenue.com are other worthy choices. Those last services actually offer video games in addition to movies. These are great choices if you are a gamer in addition to being a fan of cinema. We provide information to help gaming enthusiasts compare game rental services. When you want to buy games, we help you find game stores that offer discounts and cheap prices on videogames. We appreciate you taking time to visit this site for information on the Netflix rental service. Please take the time to read the reviews or post one of your own. These personal and unbiased reviews really help people compare services to find the best company. Netflix Ratings Overall Selection Availability Value Features Shipping Speed Based on 10 user ratings Rate Netflix Read Netflix Reviews	http://www.allgamerentals.com/netflix.php	2013-05-18T10:12:53	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Lake Erie Country Club Map & D irections Just a 30 minute drive from the Quad Cities! Take I-88 towards Chicago and you are there! Lake Erie Directions Lake Erie Map Lake Erie Country Club is just a short drive from the Quad Cities. Take I-88 Northeast towards Chicago. Upon reaching Exit 18, take a right on to Highway 13 (Albany Rd). Follow Albany Road to Erie and take a left onto Moline Rd. Follow Moline Rd to the edge of town, taking a left onto Lakeside Drive. Follow that road all the way to the end until you reach the course. Back to Lake Erie Main Page	http://www.allgolfqc.com/lake_erie_country_club_map.htm	2013-05-18T11:02:20	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Goddess of Democracy Revealed 30th May, 1989 (Tue) "Let's arrest some troublemakers" Beijing public security officers arrested eleven members of the "Flying Tiger Squad", a motorcycle club that played an important role in the demonstrations, carrying messages to and fro within the city and Tiananmen Square. They were arrested for disturbing public order. Three leaders of the Autonomous Workers' Union were also arrested. Several hundred people attended a rally outside the police station to protest the arrest. More about : The Goddess of Democracy	http://www.alliance.org.hk/english/Tiananmen_files/890530.html	2013-05-18T10:11:34	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "image/64diarypic/wpId8487.jpg", null ] ]
Distinguished. - Genres - - Active - 1959 - 2001 - Born - October 29, 1935 in Norbiton, Surrey, England, UK by Sandra Brennan biography	http://www.allmovie.com/artist/peter-watkins-p116082	2013-05-18T10:54:13	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[ [ "/images/no-image-person-250.gif", "Peter Watkins" ] ]
9 reviews) 100% of respondents would recommend this to a friend. Pros Cons Purchase Reason Reviewed by 9 customers sort by Displaying reviews 1-5 Back to top Previous \| Next » Satin Smooth By Jimwalmann from St. David Arizona Wrapped carefully, smooth as satin, glued perfectly to a flat painted door with Elmer's spray contact glue... sprayed both surfaces Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend Images shared by Jimwalmann First of two posters Tags: Picture of Product Was this review helpful? Yes / No - You may also flag this review happy By rusty from shawnee,kansas used to cover back of 4 drawer file cabinet. too small to fill and doorway, good deta By johnnnytherock from Canada great poster, but too small for entryway door. Door poster By Kate from London I was disappointed that it wasn't wider but it looks great on my son's bedroom door as the surrounding wall is a stripped brick effect. Makes quite a conversation piece. (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful) Does not cover the entire door By Anglophile mom from New York, NY This was well made on good paper but we expected it to cover the whole door which it did not. Otherwise a good.	http://www.allposters.com/-sp/London-Telephone-Box-Posters_i8088683_.htm?aid=999354	2013-05-18T11:07:50	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Skips & Jumps lyrics Album: This Illusion Sound Society in a mess Reflecting all the skips and the jumps in my head Look at me, do my best I'm doing when the doing is doing in my head Sweet unknown, make me blessed The distance from this place to your door is my test Looking at me, looking at you Looking for the missing piece of treasure that I need to be true A little understanding A bit of faith and all that stuff You'll be amazed how much it all works out You open up your window I'll open up my door to you You'll be amazed how much it all works out All works out Submitted by Guest	http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/pomegranate/skips_jumps-lyrics-1028096.html	2013-05-18T11:03:56	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Freaky Girl lyrics Verse High heels gosh you look sexy I'd steal a touch if you let me I'm just dyin' to kick it with you girl Hey boo show me you're ready Lips looking juicy like cherry I can almost taste your flavor girl hook But it seems like you're the wrong type Don't you ever get upset girl I'd like to see you sweat It just feels like you're too uptight Girl you're too conservative and that ain't how I wanna live chorus I wanna a freaky girl somebody just like me Someone who understands just what a player needs Ain't with those perfect girls that shit don't click with me A very naughty girl that's what I need verse Handcuffs can you get freaky How far will you go to please me Whips and chains girl are you down with that Strange places searching for pleasure I want you to meet me wherever Wearing just an overcoat and hat hook Or was I right you're the wrong type You don't ever get upset I ain't never seen you sweat It just feels like you're too uptight Girl you're too conservative and that ain't how I wanna Comment Freaky Girl	http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/shaggy/freaky_girl-lyrics-14578.html	2013-05-18T10:54:25	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
Well Christmas Fans, it's that time of year again when we start getting ready for the rush of the Holidays, and make sure that we're all set up on the forum for the new Christmas Season! You'll notice (as is tradition) that the really, really long threads have been restarted. This will help our load time, and is much less scary for newbies to jump into the conversation! A few other things as well, the Christmas Media forum is now called "Christmas TV & Movies", this makes lots more sense. The Christmas Traditions and Christmas Recollections forums have been joined together, another smart move, since neither were that busy all by themselves. I've also changed the Christmas Recipes forum to include Crafts, so we finally have a place to talk about all those projects we love! Also new this year is our Pinterest Board which I'll admit doesn't have much on it - yet - but in the coming weeks I'll be taking ideas from the forum, and around the web, and start sharing them on the board, which should automatically post on our Facebook Page (and therefore our Twitter), so you can stay updated with lots of great Holiday ideas! As always, let me know if you have any questions! :D	http://www.allthingschristmas.com/forum/threads/6492-Fall-Cleaning-2012?p=89713&mode=threaded	2013-05-18T10:56:16	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]
“If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one beauty product you’d take with you?” It’s one of the most overused, cliché questions in the beauty industry. I mean, honestly, who ever gets stranded on a desert island? And if you were, wouldn’t you be more concerned about running from smoke monsters or finding a secret hatch of supplies? (Maybe I watched too much Lost). But researchers might have discovered one woman who actually had a desert-island beauty product: Amelia Earhart. This week, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) found remnants of what they think is an ointment jar from the early 20th century—on the same Pacific island where Earhart is presumed to have died. The jar, which resembles Dr. C. H Berry’s Freckle Ointment, might clear up at least part of the mystery surrounding Earhart’s death in 1937. "It's well documented Amelia had freckles and disliked having them," TIGHAR researcher Joe Cerniglia told Discovery News. Other recovered items resemble women’s products, including a three-ounce bottle that could be Campana Italian Balm, a hand lotion from the 1930s. The researchers will be analyzing the artifacts at a conference in Virginia this month. It will be interesting to see if cosmetics can solve the 75-year-old mystery—and even more interesting to know what other emergency products Earhart packed in her makeup bag on that fateful day. RELATED LINKS: Daily Beauty Reporter: Mysterious Benefactor Spreads the Gift of Beauty Daily Beauty Reporter: Girl Doesn't Age: Might Be The Key To Fountain of Youth Daily Beauty Reporter: How to Deal with Freckles PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES	http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2012/06/cosmetics-might-be-the-clue-to.html	2013-05-18T10:54:09	CC-MAIN-2013-20	1368696382261	[]

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