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U.S. News Rankings
|Ranking score and category
Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a public institution. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,518, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 201 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Clarion University of Pennsylvania's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (North), Tier 2. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,090 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $12,304 (2012-13).
More than 90 percent of students at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a public school in the Appalachian Mountain region, are state residents. Females make up slightly more than 60 percent of the student body. Students have more than 130 clubs and organizations to check out, including fraternities and sororities. The Clarion Golden Eagles, NCAA Division II sports teams, are competitors in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
For graduate students, Clarion University confers degrees through its College of Business Administration, Department of Library Science, and Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. Graduate nursing students can register in the Slippery Rock University Department of Nursing. Notable alumni of Clarion University include NFL offensive lineman Reggie Walls and wrestler Kurt Angle, a U.S. Olympic gold medalist.
|School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):
Located near some of the most spectacular scenery in Western Pennsylvania, Clarion University offers students a small-college experience while preparing them for nationally competitive performance in careers in education, business, science, and more and for entrance into top-rated graduate schools. Clarion's commitment to proven excellence is evidenced through its high quality programs that have earned 30 professionally recognized accreditations and approvals, outstanding teaching-centered faculty, and nationally ranked performances by students in diverse fields including accountancy, biology, computer science, debate, management, and theatre.
General Information
|School type
|public, coed college
|Year founded
|Religious affiliation
|Academic calendar
|2012 Endowment
When applying to Clarion University of Pennsylvania, it's important to note the application deadline is August 1. The application fee at Clarion University of Pennsylvania is $40. It is less selective, with an acceptance rate of 76.7 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
|less selective
|Fall 2012 acceptance rate
|Application deadline
|August 1
|SAT/ACT scores must be received by
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Clarion University of Pennsylvania is 17:1, and the school has 21.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Clarion University of Pennsylvania include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Health Professions and Related Programs; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 70 percent.
|Class sizes
|Student-faculty ratio
|4-year graduation rate
|Five most popular majors for 2012 graduates
Student Life
Clarion University of Pennsylvania has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,518, with a gender distribution of 37.5 percent male students and 62.5 percent female students. At this school, 25 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 75 percent of students live off campus. Clarion University of Pennsylvania is part of the NCAA II athletic conference.
|Total enrollment
|Student gender distribution
|Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
|Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
|Collegiate athletic association
Campus Info & Services
Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Clarion University of Pennsylvania also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
|Students who have cars on campus
|Health insurance offered
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 78.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $5,459.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
|In-state tuition and fees
|$9,090 (2012-13)
|Out-of-state tuition and fees
|$12,304 (2012-13)
|Room and board
|Financial aid statistics
* Overview details based on 2012 data


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|Sort by: Article Title
Tying Social Software to Business Metrics that Matter
Many companies are interested in implementing (or already have implemented) social software in an attempt to streamline processes and increase employee communication. Often times, however, the new software is not integrated across the company in a way that makes it useful and lasting.
|John Hagel and John Seely Brown
|Business Software , Internet , Leadership & Strategy , Strategy , Technology
|June 10 2011

subset: commoncrawl


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The Doomsday Clock is an internationally recognized design that conveys how close we are to destroying our civilization with dangerous technologies of our own making. First and foremost among these are nuclear weapons, but the dangers include climate-changing technologies, emerging... Read More
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In this interview, author and New Yorker writer Elizabeth Kolbert talks with the Bulletin's Dan Drollette Jr about her recently published book, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.


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Android 4.4 KitKat brings Android to the masses, introduces a minimal design, and puts Google search in your dialer.
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Strong performance, high-end specs, and an ultra-affordable price make the Google Nexus 5 not just the best unlocked phone on the market, but the best Nexus phone by far.
Android purists will find Google's mid-sized LG G Pad 8.3 more compelling, but it's pricier than the model that's overlaid with LG's skin.
The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition's insanely large size and stratospheric price make the Nexus 5 and Note 3 better options for pure Android power.
With its iOS Maps app, Google sets the standard for what mobile navigation should be and more.
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Google's $35 Chromecast stick is a cheap and easy way to add streaming video and music to your TV, but it still isn't as fully featured as similarly priced Roku boxes.


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---- — As the structure of the federal Affordable Care Act begins to come into focus, a couple things seem clear: the promised emphasis on providing universal health care appears to be for real, as does the emphasis on having everyone contribute at least something for their health care.
Traverse Health Clinic, which since the mid-1970s has offered free primary care and access to specialty services for adults 19 to 64 from Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanau counties, is looking for funding to help make the transition to meet requirements to become a federally qualified health center. That would bring federal funding including enhanced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement. There's a higher designation the clinic subsequently hopes to achieve that would attract additional grant money.
"Right now we are funded through what are called indigent care dollars," said clinic chief executive officer Arlene Brennan. "Local funds are used to obtain matching federal dollars for indigent care programs."
She said major cuts in traditional revenue loom by the end of 2013.
Because — in theory, at least — there won't be people who don't have some type of coverage, funding for them will be diverted to other types of programs. But a "substantial number" will still go uncovered, she said.
As part of its transition funding, the Traverse Health Clinic received a $100,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The clinic has eliminated age restrictions and now sees children and senior citizens, and residency requirements have been lifted; visits could increase 15 to 18 percent in the first year alone.
The clinic already bills Medicaid, but it will institute a sliding fee schedule and expand billing operations. The clinic will hire a nurse health educator and ensure ongoing funding for existing dental and mental health programs.
The Blue Cross funding will go toward the estimated $200,000-plus it will cost the clinic to make the transition so it can qualify for federal funds. The insurer has funded free health clinics like Traverse City's around Michigan for at least the past seven years, a spokesman said.
The aim then was to have a health care "access point" where those in need could get care before they ended up in the emergency room.
Brennan said she hopes other grants come through to help defray further expenses.
Even after the transition, the clinic's underlying role will remain the same, she said.
"(I)f someone is truly indigent, we could never turn them away and that's always been our mission."


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Controversial "right-to-work" legislation covering public-sector employees passed the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law.
The House passed the bill, 58 to 51, as union opponents of the measure booed inside the Capitol and an estimated 12,000 people rallied outside. The state's Senate approved the bill last week.


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 17-year-old in the Edgehill area on Sunday night.
Metro Police charged 20-year-old Marquise Hill with evading arrest, but he was not charged in the shooting or identified as the shooter.
Police said the 17-year-old male victim had been sitting on his motor bike talking to some friends in the 1000 block of Edgehill Avenue when a man walked up and started shooting around 8:50 p.m. The victim was struck in the groin and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
According to the affidavit, an officer searching the area spotted a man who matched the description on the shooter on Hillside Avenue. When the man saw the patrol car, police said he took off running. After refusing commands to stop, the officer was able to take the man, later identified as Hill, into custody.


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Assessing the 2013 outlook for U.S. Treasuries is proving to be a challenge as the year draws to a close. On one hand, short-term government bonds are unlikely to provide much return, but they're equally unlikely to collapse given the Federal Reserve's pledge to keep short-term interest rates near zero. On the other hand, however, yields on longer-term Treasuries are so low that any whiff of inflation or stronger economic growth is likely to weigh heavily on the 10- and 30-year issues. (Keep in mind, prices and yields move in opposite directions.)
How can an investor capitalize on this possibility? One way is to take a look at the iPath US Treasury Steepener ETN (ticker:STPP). The fund has only $7.5 million in assets, which puts it in the bottom 15% of bond exchange-traded products in terms of its size. However, it offers a unique way to bet on the changing "shape" of the yield curve. (The "yield curve" is simply the yield of each bond along the maturity spectrum plotted on a graph, as shown here).
When the yield curve steepens, the gap between the yields on short-term bonds and long-term bonds widens, making the curve appear steeper. An increase in this gap indicates that yields on long-term bonds are rising more than yields on short-term bonds. STPP seeks to take advantage of this by holding a portfolio that is designed to rise in value if the yield on the 10-year note climbs faster than the yield on the two-year note. Conversely, STPP falls in price if the yield curve flattens. That's just what has happened in 2012: the yield on the two-year held steady at the same time as the yield on the 10-year declined modestly, resulting in a flatter yield curve and causing STPP to lose 13.7%.
These results should make it apparent that this fund is a risky proposition that isn't appropriate for everyone. However, for seasoned investors who don't mind some volatility, STPP might prove to be a good choice if Treasury yields indeed begin to rise in 2013.


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Bill Gates Recommends 6 Books That You Should Read This Summer
If you're looking for something to read this summer, I'd recommend any of the books below. I read them all earlier this year and think each one is terrific. Only one, The Rosie Project, qualifies as a typical beach read. But all six are deeply informative and beautifully written. (via GatesNotes.com)


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By Jason Elmquist
Stillwater NewsPress
STILLWATER, Okla. —
With classes beginning Monday on the Stillwater campus, Oklahoma State football players got the day off to focus on the first aspect of their college titles — student-athletes.
"I'm actually looking forward to it. It's my last semester here, so I'm actually ready to get it started," senior running back Jeremy Smith said.
While the upperclassmen know what to expect this first week of balancing practice and classes — with many of them happy to be winding down the final semesters before graduating — for the freshmen, this will likely be a daunting task.
"It's just a little different," defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said. "It's a different kind of tired, a different kind of strain. As opposed to us just getting them up and working them, it's emotional strain. ...
"It takes a couple of days. We always talk to them about that. The first couple of days we're practicing when school starts, it's a grind. I've seen it for 25 years. It happens every year."
For several OSU seniors, however, the start of class is welcomed. For linebacker Caleb Lavey and offensive lineman Parker Graham, the start of school means the beginning of Master's classes — which translates to few hours over the semester.
"I don't have that many classes to take any more — I think it's like nine hours, which is great because I had been taking 15 the past three years," Lavey said. "The thing is, most of mine are online, so I get to sleep in then go to practice around noon. I'm pretty excited about my schedule."
Though much of the classwork will be online, there will also be plenty of offline work to be done for the Master's program.
"It's less burden, but there's more classwork. There's a lot more papers you've got to write, more interviews you have to do," Graham said. "I didn't really realize that. I have a class that I'm required to take every semester and I have to do extracurriculars I wasn't prepared for."
As for advice for the first-year college athletes, Graham said the simplest task can make all the difference.
"The easiest part and the hardest part is going to class. You wake up and do lifting in the morning, practice in the evening, you have to find time to do homework and figure everything out," Graham said. "But going to class is the biggest key to being successful. If you don't go and don't make good grades in your first entry classes, it's really hard to get that GPA up."
And for any players that need proof, they just need to talk to Graham, himself. The Webb City, Mo., native had the firsthand experience of struggling with classwork the first year on campus.
"I remember having calculus I my first week and it was brutal," Graham said. "I had an Asian teacher, who was very hard to understand, and not knowing what's going on in college, not knowing what's going on in the class. I'll never forget that — learning concepts that I could never even fathom knowing."
Home opener set for television
Television plans have been finalized for Oklahoma State's home opener against Lamar on Sept. 14.
The game will kick at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen live in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas on FOX Sports Southwest/FS Oklahoma. In addition, the game will be televised live nationally on FOX College Sports.
Other regional networks that will carry the game live include FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports Ohio, FOX Sports Wisconsin as well as SportsSouth, FOX Sports Arizona Plus, FOX Sports Detroit Plus and FOX Sports North Plus. Areas of FOX Sports Midwest that do not televise the St. Louis Cardinals will also carry the game, as will areas of FOX Sports South that do not televise Atlanta Braves games.
The Lamar game is Oklahoma State's "member institution retained football game" for the season.
Oklahoma State will open the season on ABC against Mississippi State at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 at Houston's Reliant Stadium. The following week the Cowboys will be featured on FOX Sports Net when they travel to San Antonio to face UTSA for an 11 a.m. kickoff in the Alamodome.


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FIFA backs Sierra Leone match fixing inquiry
By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown
FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Isha Johansen SLFA President
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has declared his support for Sierra Leone's inquiry into alleged match-fixing after he held talks with the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) boss Isha Johansen in Zurich.
Dominant Leone Stars defeat Seychelles
By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Freetown
Khalifa Jabbie scores for Leone Stars (Pic: Darren McKinstry)
Leone Stars scored two second half goals to deservedly defeat the Pirates of Seychelles 2-0 in a one-sided match at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown on Saturday to take a step forward of reaching the group stage of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Leone Stars vs Seychelles Match Day Squad
Leone Stars squad vs Seychelles ( Pic: Darren McKinstry)
Sierra Leone match-fixing: Captain Kargbo one of 15 suspended
BBC Sport
Leone Stars captain Ibrahim Kargbo
Sierra Leone captain Ibrahim Kargbo is among 15 players and officials who have been suspended indefinitely over allegations of match-fixing.
Sabella: The final will be extremely difficult
By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Argentine players celebrating after their victory over Netherlands
Argentina Coach Alejandro Sabella says the 2014 FIFA World Cup final match between his side and Germany will be extremely difficult for the two teams.
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- July 28, 2014
- Second Quarter Earnings: Marching Toward a Strong Recovery
It's earnings season once again, and though only a quarter of the Russell 1000 has reported so far, the news is just north of positive. All signs indicate that the market has dusted itself off and is back to its cheerful self after a ho-hum first quarter, which was negatively affected by harsh winter weather.
In the chart below, you can see that 73 percent of the companies that have reported as of this writing exceed their earnings per share (EPS) beat rate. The beat rate, as you might know, is the rate at which companies surpass market analysts' published estimates. The revenue beat rate, meanwhile, sits at 67 percent, a positive surprise above the long-term median of 63 percent.
Included in these figures are a few of the top-performing companies that we own in our All American Equity (GBTFX) and Holmes Macro Trends Funds (MEGAX), such as Facebook, Apple and Biogen Idec. We'll discuss these companies later.
So to what do we attribute these welcome tidings?
Two notable indicators are the significant drop in initial unemployment claims and the jump in U.S. and global consumer confidence.
Americans are heading back to work.
According to last week's data reports, initial unemployment claims fell to their lowest level since 2006, before the Great Recession brought the country to its knees.
Couple this news with the constructive U.S. jobs report, and we're looking at a return to pre-recession labor-market strength. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 288,000 nonfarm payroll positions were added in June alone, bringing the country's unemployment rate to a five-year low of 6.1 percent. Data for July is expected next Friday.
Feeling good about letting go of their dough.
Another sign that the economy promises a strong continued recovery is the modest boost in domestic and global consumer confidence levels.
Information and insights company Nielsen announced that its global confidence index has inched up an overall 1 point to close at 97, the highest it's been since 2007. A 100 mark indicates exceptionally strong consumer optimism.
According to Nielsen, the U.S jumped 4 points from the previous year to close at 104 points, making it come in at 8th place worldwide. India leads all other nations at 128 points, possibly attributable to the recent election of its new prime minister Narendra Modi. At 48 points, Portugal trails the pack.
As you can see in the chart below, there's a 17 percent increase from the same time a year ago in American respondents who feel that now is a good time to spend their money on necessary and discretionary goods and services.
The results of the Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index echoes the buoyancy of the domestic economy. At 81.3, the index is finally stabilizing at pre-recession levels.
Following are some of the top-performing holdings in our funds.
Facebook continues to defy investors' expectations. The social media titan enjoyed a robust second quarter, reporting revenue of $2.91 billion, an increase of 61 percent from the same time last year. More than $2.6 billion was derived from advertising alone. Mobile ads specifically represented about 62 percent of advertising revenue, indicating that an increasingly greater number of users are moving away from traditional portals such as desktops and laptops.
The second quarter, in fact, has seen a 7.3 percent increase from the first quarter of mobile daily Facebook users, from 609 million to 654 million.
"We had a good second quarter," founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. "Our community has continued to grow, and we see a lot of opportunity ahead as we connect the rest of the world."
The tech giant reported that its quarterly profits rose 12 percent to $7.75 billion, bolstered by its iPhone and Mac sales. Anticipation of a next-generation iPhone, expected to arrive in late September, as well as the tentatively-named iTime smart watch, have also excited consumers both domestically and internationally.
In China, the world's largest mobile market, Apple products unexpectedly outperformed Samsung Electronics, the popular South Korean smartphone maker.
"China, honestly, was surprising to us," Apple CEO Tim Cook said. "We thought it would be strong, but it went well past what we thought. The unit growth was really off the charts across the board."
Apple's exceptional performance contrasts dramatically with Amazon.com's report that it lost $126 million in the second quarter. The retail leader has sunk a staggering pile of cash into developing its Fire Phone, made available for purchase last Friday, which has so far received mixed reviews from tech experts, analysts and bloggers.
Partially as a result of the Fire Phone's dubious receipt, Amazon has posted its most disappointing quarterly loss since 2012. The company, in fact, forecast that its operating losses this quarter will fall within the $410 to $810 million range.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Biogen, a leader in developing treatments for neurological and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), reported revenue of $2.4 billion, a 40 percent increase from this time a year ago.
Its blockbuster medication Tecifidera, used to defend against relapsing MS, has generated a jaw-dropping $700 million in 2014 alone—$585 million domestically, $115 overseas.
Other runaway Biogen products include Avonex and Tysabri.
Looking forward to a stronger third quarter.
Good news such as this has been a long time coming.
Although many economic experts and pundits hesitate to admit that the U.S. economy has recovered to pre-recession levels, the second quarter has presented the most convincing signals thus far that we're closer than ever. A greater number of Americans are finding quality employment. Initial unemployment claims are tapering off. Consumer confidence is growing year after year. And with powerful American companies such as Facebook, Apple and Biogen leading the charge, the U.S. has a bright future in store.
Please consider carefully a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a fund prospectus by visiting www.usfunds.com or by calling 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637). Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc.
Stock markets can be volatile and can fluctuate in response to sector-related or foreign-market developments. For details about these and other risks the Holmes Macro Trends Fund may face, please refer to the fund's prospectus.
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. By clicking the link(s) above, you will be directed to a third-party website(s). U.S. Global Investors does not endorse all information supplied by this/these website(s) and is not responsible for its/their content.
This news release may include certain "forward-looking statements" including statements relating to revenues, expenses, and expectations regarding market conditions. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
The Russell 1000 Index is a U.S. equity index measuring the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index consists of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies as determined by total market capitalization. The University of Michigan Confidence Index is a survey of consumer confidence conducted by the University of Michigan. The report, released on the tenth of each month, gives a snapshot of whether or not consumers are willing to spend money.
Fund portfolios are actively managed, and holdings may change daily. Holdings are reported as of the most recent quarter-end. Holdings as a percentage of net assets as of 6/30/2014: Facebook Inc. (2.27% in All American Equity Fund, 2.59% in Holmes Macro Trends Fund); Apple Inc. (2.75& in All American Equity Fund, 2.68% in Holmes Macro Trends Fund); Amazon.com (0.00%); Biogen Idec Inc. (3.33% in All American Equity Fund, 3.34% in Holmes Macro Trends Fund); Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. (0.00%); China Mobile Ltd. (0.00%); China Unicom (0.00%); China Telecom (0.00%).
Share "Second Quarter Earnings: Marching Toward a Strong Recovery"
- July 24, 2014
- Desperately Seeking a Cheaper Kilowatt Hour
Let's imagine that an aluminum manufacturer is eyeing two locations to build a new factory. In location A, an industrial kilowatt hour (kWh) is priced at 4.21 cents, whereas in location B, it goes for 12.67 cents.
The difference is upwards of 200 percent.
It's fair to assume then that, all other considerations being equal—reasonable taxes, a skilled workforce, modern infrastructure—location A will win out.
So how can electric companies lower their prices to attract businesses and industries? Countless factors make an impact. Research and development. Construction costs. Permits. Securing land. Mining, drilling and refining. Operating and maintenance costs. Taxes and fees. Power lines. The risk of changing laws and regulations.
But let's keep things simple. Generating electricity is a lot like investing: to get the most efficacious results, diversification is key. That means a combination of energy sources, from natural gas to nuclear to renewables.
A tale of two states.
In the examples given above, location A is actually Washington State, which offers the lowest price per industrial kWh in the continental U.S. Location B is Connecticut, the most expensive.
To keep prices competitive, Washington diversifies its energy portfolio. The greatest contributor is hydroelectric power, which generates close to 7,700 gigawatts per hour (GWh) annually. Other significant sources of electricity are nuclear (812 GWh), natural gas (290 GWh) and coal (192 GWh). Renewables, which account for 912 GWh, include wind, solar and geothermal. As a result, the state offers electricity at a 35 percent discount from the national average.
Aided by the fact that the Evergreen State doesn't collect a corporate income tax, cheap power has attracted industries that tend to consume biblical amounts of electricity, from aircraft production to software development to aluminum refining. Major companies in these spaces that are either headquartered or maintain a significant presence in the state include Microsoft, Amazon.com, Expedia.com and Boeing.
Connecticut, on the other hand, is not nearly as diversified as its West Coast peer. About half of its net electricity production last year came from the 2,103-megawatt Millstone Nuclear Power Station (48 percent), the other half from natural gas (44 percent). A negligible amount was derived from coal and renewables.
Any industrial company considering Connecticut as its home base of operations must factor in the hefty electric bill, which is nearly 90 percent higher than the national average. Against all odds, the state has managed to hang on to old stalwarts in the manufacturing and technology sectors such as General Electric and United Technologies.
In the hypothetical scenario above, I used an aluminum manufacturer because aluminum requires a notoriously huge amount of energy to produce. The electricity needed to manufacture just one tonne of the stuff eats up over a third of your entire production costs. Fifteen kWh makes only a kilo, or 2.2 pounds, of product.
Meaning: the hypothetical aluminum maker headquartered in Washington will spend about 63 cents per kilo, whereas the one in Connecticut will spend close to 2 bucks to manufacture the same amount.
Granted, at only 5,006 square miles, Connecticut lacks the scale and plentiful natural resources found in states as large and spacious as Washington. The same problem can be found in other small, densely-populated states and territories such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New Hampshire and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Virgin Islands, in fact, has some of the world's most expensive electricity precisely because it doesn't have the means to diversify its energy portfolio. The territory depends entirely on imported crude oil to run its petroleum power plants, and as a result, its energy goes for between 50.8 and 54.8 cents per kWh as of last year. This business-repelling price far exceeds that of countries whose energy is considered steep compared to the U.S. average, namely, Denmark (41 cents per kWh), Germany (35), Spain (30), Australia (29) and Italy (28). This year the Virgin Islands has tried to reel in businesses with substantial tax breaks, but the savings might not be enough to offset the eye-popping electric bill.
It's pronounced "nuclear."
Although people have increasingly distanced themselves from nuclear energy because of catastrophic environmental disasters over the years, there's still a place for it in a country's energy portfolio. Nuclear power plants might be expensive to build, but they're cheap to run.
The question is whether nuclear power helps drive electricity prices down. For some answers, take a look at the following chart.
As the leading producer of nuclear energy, the U.S. has some of the world's cheapest electricity—which for the industrial sector averages between 6.75 cents and 9.33 cents per kWh. These prices are either trumped or competitive with other nuclear power-producing countries such as Russia (11 cents per kWh), Canada (10) and China (8). India, which doesn't quite make it into the top 10, generates 30 billion kWh annually at an average of 8 cents per kWh.
However, a few of the countries on the chart have pricy electricity. Nuclear power accounts for close to three-quarters of France's energy, and yet its electricity is on average 7 cents per kWh more expensive than the U.S. Again, diversification is key. Germany, which already has costly electricity, will soon see its prices soar even higher once it decommissions its nine currently operating nuclear plants, a gargantuan, politically motivated project that's scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Does Iceland have the answers?
Many people are aware that Iceland has the cleanest energy in the world by far. The island-nation generates 100 percent of its electricity from renewables such as hydroelectric and geothermal sources, and it's also flirting with wind power. What those same people might not realize, however, is that this results in some of the cheapest electricity in the world.
Landsvirkun, Iceland's national power company, offers electricity to buyers for as low as 4.3 cents per kWh, which is nearly on par with what can be found in Washington State. Coupled with 20 percent corporate tax rates, the nation's low energy prices have attracted not just data centers, methanol producers, silicon metal producers but also aluminum companies—which, again, consume massive amounts of electricity.
Aluminum production, in fact, has in the last few years outpaced fisheries as Iceland's leading industry.
Alcoa, the third-largest aluminum producer in the world, which we own in our Global Resources Fund (PSPFX), has maintained an aluminum smelter at Reydarfjordur in Eastern Iceland since 2007. Other world-class aluminum producers operating in Iceland include Rio Tinto Alcan and Century.
Diversification in your investment and energy portfolio.
The takeaway here is simple. As is the case in Washington and Iceland, if a state or country has an abundance and availability of natural resources, it should take advantage of them to drive down the price of a kWh to attract businesses. Diversification is especially essential where possible. Without businesses and industries paying to draw power from the electrical grid, the local economy stagnates.
Savvy investors know the importance of diversifying their portfolios. Electric companies need to learn to do the same.
Please consider carefully a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a fund prospectus by visiting www.usfunds.com or by calling 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637). Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc.
Foreign and emerging market investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risk. Because the Global Resources Fund concentrates its investments in specific industries, the fund may be subject to greater risks and fluctuations than a portfolio representing a broader range of industries.
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. By clicking the link(s) above, you will be directed to a third-party website(s). U.S. Global Investors does not endorse all information supplied by this/these website(s) and is not responsible for its/their content.
Fund portfolios are actively managed, and holdings may change daily. Holdings are reported as of the most recent quarter-end. Holdings in the Global Resources Fund as a percentage of net assets as of June 30, 2014: Microsoft (0.00%), Amazon.com (0.00%), Expedia.com (0.00%), Boeing (0.00%), General Electric Co. (0.00%), United Technologies (0.00%), Landsvirkun (0.00%), Alcoa Inc. (2.42%), Rio Tinto Alcan (0.00%), Century (0.00%).
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- July 21, 2014
- The Municipal Bond World, According to John Derrick
As we move into the second half of 2014, the Federal Reserve has continued to reduce its stimulus measures intended to boost the U.S. economy. Just last week we heard rumors from Fed officials that if the job market improves faster than expected, key interest rates may be increased sooner than expected.
While the Fed is gradually reducing stimulus measures in the U.S., other areas of the world are embarking on new monetary stimulus measures. More than ever before, we are feeling the impact of the global economy, with monetary stimulus programs in Europe and Japan taking pressure off of the Fed, and ultimately contributing to the bond market rally we have seen so far this year. The European Central Bank (ECB) recently cut its rates to negative on worries of deflation and on the possibility of slower or no growth in the eurozone.
I sat down with Director of Research John Derrick, who also manages our Near-Term Tax Free Fund (NEARX), to get his thoughts on interest rates, the bond market and what investors should pay attention to as we move into the second quarter of 2014.
After hearing what the Fed officials said on interest rates last week, what is your outlook?
There are a lot of Fed officials with their own opinions, but I think it's important to focus on what the Fed Chairman is saying. Janet Yellen said that rates are not going up, and although we've seen steady labor market improvements, it hasn't been anything dramatic. For these reasons, I think an interest rate increase is still at least a year away.
How will this affect the municipal bond market?
Each time the Fed has announced tapering measures, investors have been fearful. If you look back at each of these instances, though, whenever the Fed took stimulus away, the market rallied due to fear of economic slowing. We did see a solid rally in the bond market during the first half of this year. I think interest rate increases are far enough away to still have a constructive position within the bond market, so to me the outlook is positive moving towards 2015.
How can investors take advantage of municipal-bond benefits?
On a tax-adjusted basis, municipal bonds have a very compelling risk-reward profile, which means the risk-adjusted returns are high. To take advantage of this, I would encourage investors to add exposure to their portfolio by investing in a product that holds high-quality, traditional municipal bonds. These are the type of bonds we look for and hold within the Near-Term Tax Free Fund. Our fund is in the "sweet spot" you could say; not too long, not too short, with some interest rate risk, but manageable for most investors. NEARX has generated consistent, positive annual returns and has been run by the same portfolio manager for 15 years.
For investors that like to sleep well at night, I think the fund is an attractive way to gain exposure to muni bonds. This is not the type of fund where you are going to be surprised with an unusual credit event that causes a significant impact. When choosing investments for the fund, I have a buy and hold mentality, letting the investments benefit the fund over time. The turnover of NEARX is very low and it has performed very well against its peers; take a look at the recent performance. Additionally, the fund seeks preservation of capital, and has a floating $2 NAV that has demonstrated minimal fluctuation in its share price.
How has the situation in Puerto Rico spooked the bond market?
Puerto Rican municipals are an area of the market that nobody really thought could declare bankruptcy, so what happened there didn't help investors' views of the muni market. We still have a small exposure to Puerto Rico within our fund. Our Puerto Rican positions are insured, however, which is important to help mitigate the risk aspect in this type of investing.
Our Near-Term Tax Free Fund has an overall Morningstar rating of 4 stars.* The fund is diversified and invests in municipal bonds with relatively short maturities, seeking to provide tax-free monthly income. If you're looking to add tax-free bonds to your portfolio, with the option of modest allocation to this area of the market, I encourage you to request an information packet and take a closer look.
Please consider carefully a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a fund prospectus by visiting www.usfunds.com or by calling 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637). Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc.
*Morningstar Overall Rating™ among 163 Municipal National Short funds as of 06/30/2014 based on risk-adjusted return.
Morningstar Ratings are based on risk-adjusted return. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted-average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. Past performance does not guarantee future results. For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. (Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages.)
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor.
Tax-exempt income is federal income tax free. A portion of this income may be subject to state and local income taxes, and if applicable, may subject certain investors to the Alternative Minimum Tax as well. The Near-Term Tax Free Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities that pay taxable interest. Income or fund distributions attributable to capital gains are usually subject to both state and federal income taxes. The Near-Term Tax Free Fund may be exposed to risks related to a concentration of investments in a particular state or geographic area. These investments present risks resulting from changes in economic conditions of the region or issuer.
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- July 17, 2014
- Domestic and Indian Gold Rally Points to a Strong Second Half
Earlier this week we reported that gold, defying expectations, is one of the best-performing commodities of the year so far.
And now we've learned that gold bullion imports by India climbed a stunning 65 percent last month after the country's central bank allowed more investors to buy foreign bullion. Imports rose to $3.12 billion in June from $1.89 billion this time last year.
India is the world's second-largest consumer of gold after China, accounting for approximately 25 percent of all gold consumption. Gold is the country's second-largest import item after oil.
This news comes closely on the heels of the recent election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks to loosen import restrictions and other government regulations that tend to stifle economic growth. The rally also coincides with the Indian wedding season, which typically ends on July 7 and 8.
More importantly, what this news could portend is a stronger-than-normal second half of the year for the gold market. Data points going back 35 years confirm the probability of gold gaining strength in the second half, thanks largely to international celebrations such as Diwali, Ramadan and Christmas. This year in particular looks very promising indeed.
Keep your eyes on real interest rates.
Recently I chatted with Daniela Cambone during my weekly Gold Game Film program on Kitco. I pointed out that, with the end of the Indian wedding season, we're historically due for a slight correction in the gold market. But whereas last year saw a huge contraction and liquidation of gold around this time, the gold bullion exchange-traded funds (ETFs) around the world this year actually expanded.
Daniela and I also looked ahead at the gold market in the coming months. One of the points I shared dealt with the strong correlation between gold performance and real interest rates, which you arrive at after subtracting inflation from the nominal interest rate.
If we go back to when gold was at $1,900 [in August 2011], the negative real interest rates were 200 basis points. Then by December of last year, it went to plus 50 basis points. Now it's gone negative again, and gold is rallying. And I think that that's a key factor when we look forward, and I think we're going to continue to have negative real interest rates. So when inflation starts to rise like it did in the '70s, [the Federal Reserve isn't] going to be able to lift rates as fast as the inflationary rate because it will stifle the economy dramatically.
One last point I want to emphasize is our perennial suggestion to investors: 5 percent exposure to gold bullion, 5 to gold stocks, and rebalance each year for an overall 10 percent weighting in your portfolio.
Last year the stock market boomed, whereas bullion disappointed and gold stocks dramatically underperformed. Had investors taken their profits in the stock market and rolled it into gold, they would have done exceptionally well this year.
That continues to be our discipline here at U.S. Global Investors, and the recent gold rally, domestically and in India, substantiates this position.
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. By clicking the link(s) above, you will be directed to a third-party website(s). U.S. Global Investors does not endorse all information supplied by this/these website(s) and is not responsible for its/their content.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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- July 14, 2014
- 2014 Commodities Halftime Report
What a difference six months can make. After a disappointing 2013, the commodities market came roaring back full throttle, outperforming the S&P 500 Index by more than 4 percentage points and 10-year Treasury bonds by more than 6.
Leading the rally was nickel, delivering a 37.14 percent return, followed by palladium (17.70 percent) and gold (10.90 percent). Nickel also saw the largest gain from last year, climbing more than 55 points to settle close to $19,000 per metric tonne. Gold jumped 38 percentage points to $1,327 an ounce, and palladium rose 16 points to $843 an ounce.
At the back of the herd lagged lead, copper and wheat, which was the best performer only two short years ago.
Below you can see the 2014 halftime edition of our periodic table of commodity returns, which has proven to be a perennial favorite among our investors.
That commodity prices often fluctuate so wildly supports the need to have your investments in the resources space diversified and actively managed by an experienced team of professional investors. Simply put, there are far too many worldly factors—some of them political, others acts of God, all tugging and pulling at the market in tandem—for any one person to reasonably keep track of. It's important to have a limber group of managers and analysts with the expertise and diligence to monitor and anticipate the most pressing global trends.
What we know is that now many investors have become bullish on resources. At a conference in New York at the end of last month, Credit Suisse polled 350 investors and found that 42 percent of them were planning to be overweight in commodities in the coming months. For some perspective, when the same question was asked of them the previous year, only 19 percent had a rosy attitude toward commodities.
As I said, what a difference six months—or, in this case, a year—can make. With money flowing back into commodities, the market is finally trying to reverse the downtrend that we've been up against since 2011.
As usual, government policy is often a precursor to change. Nowhere did we see this adage in action more transparently this year than in Indonesia, whose government shocked the market in January by enacting an outright ban on nickel ore exports. Because the Southeast Asian country is the world's second-largest producer of nickel ore, accounting for about a fifth of global supply, any alteration to its export policy was bound to send far-reaching ripples throughout the market.
China, one of the leading importers of not just Indonesian nickel but other global raw materials as well, reacted by stockpiling the silvery-white metal, 75 percent of which is used worldwide in stainless steel production. This in turn encouraged investors to drive prices even higher out of fear of a supply shortage.
A repeal of the export ban is unlikely to happen in the near-term, as both Indonesian presidential contenders, Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, who are both claiming victory in the recent election, favor its continuation. We will keep our eyes on nickel, as a correction might very well come when and if the ban is ever rescinded.
Palladium and Platinum
Prices of the platinum group metals (PGMs) hit three-year highs following the double whammy of a five-month-long miner strike in South Africa and trade sanctions against Russia, the world's leading producer of palladium. Fear of a shortage in PGMs, which are essential to the production of catalytic converters in automobiles, drove prices skyrocketing.
This comes at a time when U.S. auto sales have surged to 16.9 million in June alone, an increase of 9.2 percent over the same time last year. Auto manufacturing is expected to grow 10.3 percent in the third quarter, according to International Strategy & Investment (ISS).
Although the labor strike ended last month, PGM production cannot reasonably resume within the next three to five months. And with a separate strike underway, this one led by the National Metalworkers of South Africa, country leaders fear yet another economic setback that has already threatened a third of South Africa's manufacturing output.
Our Gold and Precious Metals Fund (USERX), rated four stars by Morningstar,* continues to excel because we intimately understand the dynamics of both the Love and Fear Trade in the global goldmarket. We also know how to read and act on China's positive purchasing managers index (PMI), which has recently hit a six-month high of 51. Any number over 50, of course, indicates strong growth in the manufacturing sector. China is already the world's largest producer andconsumer of gold, and because its middle class is swelling in rank—the country is expected to have over 670 million middle class citizens early next decade—gold sales should remain robust.
Besides China, other global drivers of gold consumption at this time include India and the Middle East. Diwali—otherwise known as the Indian Festival of Lights—Christmas and other international celebrations encourage generous giving of gifts, of which gold jewelry is one of the most traditional and popular. Ramadan, scheduled to end on July 28, involves a type of alms-giving called zakat, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Zakat is obligatory for all observant Muslims, who handsomely give precious metals such as gold to those in economic hardship.
As I told Catherine Murray on BNN's Business Day PM back in May:
So we're coming to that trough on a seasonal pattern, and that seasonal pattern is predominated by what I call the Love Trade, where you have jewelry demand, et cetera, coming out of Asia, Middle East and India... And this is the first time that we had what they call the Flash HSBC PMI. And this is very important for job creation and GDP per capita rising, and that's highly correlated with consumption of gold for the jewelry trade. So the second half [of 2014] looks great, and I think it's also very important for all exports of any resources.
Crude Oil
Although not one of the top leaders in the first half, crude oil deserves a shout-out. Its 7.06 percent annual return is closing in on the 7.19 percent return in 2013, when oil was the second-best performer. Because of unrest in Iraq, North Sea Brent crude has set a record for trading between $107 and $112 a barrel for 12 consecutive months, handily beating the 170 consecutive days in 2008 when it traded over $100 a barrel.
In its monthly energy report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that 2015 will represent the highest level of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude production since 1972. Global consumption of oil, driven largely by China once again, is expected to reach 94 million barrels a day (bbl/d) by the end of next year.
Global Resources Fund (PSPFX) portfolio manager Brian Hicks reiterates these points on why we are bullish in light of the current domestic oil production boom:
Within our portfolio, we are investing heavily in the shales through upstream oil and gas companies, oil services companies and equipment companies. Shale is transformational; it is really changing the energy landscape. Almost overnight, companies are developing resources that are long-lived and repeatable. Remember, only five years ago we were talking about peak oil. Now, we're producing roughly 8.4 million bbl/d. That's the highest we've seen since the mid-'80s. It is a trend that is going to continue.
Always Remaining Vigilant
Even though the commodities market has so far exceeded everyone's expectations this year, especially following a lackluster 2013, a correction could occur with little warning. That's why the portfolio managers of PSPFX, USERX and our World Precious Minerals Fund (UNWPX) are constantly looking out for opportunities and threats as well as ensuring that the fund is optimally diversified to protect against changes in the market.
For now, however, it appears as if resources could continue their strong performance for at least the near-term and hopefully much longer.
Please consider carefully a fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a fund prospectus by visiting www.usfunds.com or by calling 1-800-US-FUNDS (1-800-873-8637). Read it carefully before investing. Distributed by U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc.
*Morningstar Overall Rating™ among 71 Equity Precious Metals funds as of 6/30/2014 based on risk-adjusted return.
All opinions expressed and data provided are subject to change without notice. Some of these opinions may not be appropriate to every investor. By clicking the link(s) above, you will be directed to a third-party website(s). U.S. Global Investors does not endorse all information supplied by this/these website(s) and is not responsible for its/their content.
Foreign and emerging market investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risk. Gold, precious metals, and precious minerals funds may be susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory developments due to concentrating in a single theme. The prices of gold, precious metals, and precious minerals are subject to substantial price fluctuations over short periods of time and may be affected by unpredicted international monetary and political policies. We suggest investing no more than 5% to 10% of your portfolio in these sectors. Because the Global Resources Fund concentrates its investments in specific industries, the fund may be subject to greater risks and fluctuations than a portfolio representing a broader range of industries.
The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index is an unweighted geometric average of commodity price levels relative to the base year average price. The HSBC Flash China Manufacturing PMI is published a week ahead of the final HSBC China PMI every month. It analyzes 85-90 percent of the responses to the Final PMI from purchasing executives in more than 400 small, medium and large manufacturers, both state-owned and private enterprises.
Morningstar Ratings are based on risk-adjusted return. The Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted-average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. Past performance does not guarantee future results. For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Ratingä based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. (Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages.)
Diversification does not protect an investor from market risks and does not assure a profit.
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Spotlight on: Minnesota and Colorado
PSN on March 9, 2013 - 2:00pm
(This article originally appeared in the Stateside Dispatch, Progressive States Network's email roundup of the latest state policy news. Sign up to receive the Dispatch in your inbox here.)
Over the past few years, progressives have grown accustomed to the same disturbing pattern: conservatives winning full control of a state's government, then swiftly advancing a destructive anti-worker, anti-middle class agenda. From Wisconsin to Maine to North Carolina, the attacks have come across the nation -- and, as a new study released this week showed, they've promoted a conservative agenda that is often severely out of step with the public.
Perhaps the phenomenon should not be surprising. Unified partisan control of state governments is now at levels not seen since 1952, and conservatives and their corporate backers have long targeted the states as "laboratories" where their views would be shaped, tested, and enacted into policy.
But in contrast to the conservative policies we've seen move in the states over the past two years, 2013 has so far seen at least a handful of states where progressive policies are being introduced and enacted across a range of issue areas. With legislative sessions about midway through, here's a roundup of the policies moving in a couple of those states -- Minnesota and Colorado:
In contrast to many of their midwestern neighbors, Minnesota is seeing a pro-worker agenda advance this session, including a bill that would allow unionization of child-care and home health care workers. [Star Tribune]
Minimum wage legislation is also moving in Minnesota, where a bill under consideration in the state House would increase the rate from $6.15 (below the current federal rate) to $10.55 an hour by 2015. [Pioneer Press]
Both houses in Minnesota gave final approval to health exchange bills this week, with some differences that must be worked out in a conference committee. [Pioneer Press]
A great infographic from Take Action Minnesota on the differences between the two health exchange bills. [Take Action MN]
Gov. Dayton's budget calls for higher taxes on the wealthy, and voters approve. [Star Tribune]
An omnibus election reform bill moved in a Senate committee this week that would include early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. [MinnPost]
Another bill advanced in the state Senate that would increase funding for education in an effort to equalize funding across districts. [MPR News]
The leader of the Minnesota College Republicans this week joined a bipartisan group of legislators, members of clergy, and others who are supporting a marriage equality bill. [Minnesotans United]
Meanwhile, Colorado's landmark ASSET tuition equity bill won final approval from the state legislature on Friday with a bipartisan vote and is now on its way to Gov. John Hickenlooper's desk. [Denver Business Journal]
State Sen. Angela Giron, Chair of PSN's National Immigration Working Group and co-sponsor of the bill: "We are now going to be able to reward young people who have played by the rules. They are now going to be able to give back." [Denver Post]
Mark Kelly, the husband of former U.S. Representative and gun violence victim Gabrielle Giffords, testified in front of a committee in Colorado this week as seven bills to prevent gun violence advanced. [AP]
Gov. Hickenlooper is on record as supporting three of the bills, including universal background checks and magazine limits, and a formal vote is set for Monday. [Denver Post]
A state House committee advanced a civil unions bill this week, one supported by 70% of Colorado voters. [ThinkProgress]
A new joint (and "joint") committee was established this week to craft laws to regulate marijuana in the state, following a constitutional amendment approved last year that directed the state to authorize retail sales. [Denver Post]
@MikeJohnstonCO: The issue that brought me to the capitol: the end of the dream deferred, at last opportunity for all - #coasset passed! pic.twitter.com/2XFRfdONaI


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Lync Server 2013
Topic Last Modified: 2012-10-18
Deployment of Lync Server 2013 communications software includes preparing Active Directory Domain Services, deploying the Front End Servers and other core Lync Server 2013 internal components, and then deploying any additional server roles and features that your organization may require, such as external user access and Enterprise Voice.
This documentation describes three scenarios for deploying Lync Server 2013:
New Deployment of Lync Server 2013, Enterprise Edition
New Deployment of Lync Server 2013, Standard Edition
New Deployment of Lync Server 2013 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition into an existing Lync Server 2010 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition deployment
For information about deploying Lync Server 2013 in an existing Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 or Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 environment, see the Migration documentation.
- Deploying Lync Server 2013
- Deploying External User Access
- Deploying Enterprise Voice
- Deploying Monitoring
- Deploying Archiving
- Configuring Dial-in Conferencing
- Planning and Deploying Video
- Deploying Branch Sites
- Deploying Persistent Chat Server
- Deploying Clients and Devices
- Planning and Deploying Unified Contact Store
- Managing Server-to-Server Authentication (Oauth) and Partner Applications
- Updating From the Evaluation Version of Lync Server 2013
- Deploying Remote Call Control
- Deploying Mobility
- Configuring Integration with Office Web Apps Server and Lync Server 2013
- Health Configuration in Lync Server 2013


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In the Spotlight
BlackRock: The $4.3 trillion force
In the July 21, 2014 issue of the magazine, Fortune takes an in-depth look at BlackRock in an extensive profile of the company.
More BlackRock in the News
Financial Times: "Why geopolitics barely trouble investors" by Russ Koesterich
BlackRock's Russ Koesterich discusses what's behind the historically low level of volatility in the markets and what it means for investors in his byline piece in the Financial Times.
Yahoo! Finance: Russ Koesterich appeared as a featured guest on Yahoo! Finance's "Breakout"
BlackRock's Russ Koesterich appeared on Yahoo! Finance's "Breakout" to provide his outlook for the markets.
Institutional Investor: Student Loan Debt and Its Effect on the Housing Market Recovery
BlackRock's Rick Rieder discusses the impact of student loan debt on the housing recovery in his byline article in Institutional Investor.
Financial Times: Reports of death of EM are exaggerated
BlackRock's Russ Koesterich penned the byline in the Financial Times in which he explained that investors should exercise caution as oppossed to abstinence when it comes to emerging markets.
Financial News: Fink seeks to makes longevity "a blessing"
BlackRock's Larry Fink and Chip Castille are featured in a Financial News piece on how to help investors make longevity a blessing by figuring out how much they need to save for retirement.
PBS: Larry Fink appeared as a featured guest on PBS' "The Charlie Rose Show"
Larry Fink discussed investing in emerging markets, fed policy, job creation, and retirement on PBS' "The Charlie Rose Show."
CNBC: Larry Fink discusses the great rotation in bonds on CNBC's "Squawk Box"
Larry Fink speaks to CNBC on how the "Great Rotation" will be within the bond market rather from bonds to stocks.


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My Party
- 25 guests
- 25 August 2012
- Home / United States
PhotosView all 26 photos →
How does the cow work?
We actually rented the cow from a local rental company. It is called "Milk The Cow Game" and came with two cows so you can compete on who can fill up the bucket the fastest. I have seen this game online in large event pictures so I am sure it is available in other areas, the price was reasonable for rental.
We'd love you to leave a comment, but you need to be logged in.
Party Recap...
Girls had a great time Panning for gold, ring tossing, doing the chicken dance, and milking a cow. We made cowgirl and cowboy paper-dolls that really turned out cute. Party was rained out so everything was moved on the front porch and inside but still lots of fun.


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King Of The Hill
Home > Television > K > King Of The Hill
• 10 Hilarious Cartoons Not Just for Kids
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Summary:Hank, his wife Peggy, their son Bobby, and Peggy's young niece Luanne, live in Arlen, Texas, a cookie-cutter suburban community. Hank often vents his politically incorrect views along with his three best friends Dale, Bill and Boomhauer, who worship the ground he walks on.
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Knoxville — If you don't pay your City of Knoxville parking tickets, your vehicle registration may be withheld.
The Knoxville City Council approved an agreement with the Marion County Treasurer Monday night, which will allow the Treasurer to hold your vehicle's registration renewal until your debts are paid to the City.
Police Chief Dan Losada told the council that the State barred cities from taking people to court for failing to pay parking tickets. With this act also came the provision that cities could work with treasurers on an agreement such as this. The KPD and the Treasurer's Office has informally had an agreement to do this for years, but the County asked for a formal agreement to be approved.
Losada told the council that his department often has a stack of unpaid parking tickets. Since working with the Treasurer in this way, the KPD receives many calls at the first of the month and the majority of parking tickets have been paid.


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Mobilizing African American Communities to Address Disparities in Cardiovascular Health
This report summarizes a full-day workshop (September 2001) of presentations, testimonials and programming recommendations made by over 75 health, housing and social service providers, community health advocates, and public housing leaders and residents of Baltimore City. Cosponsored by the National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Baltimore City Cardiovascular Health Partnership (BCCHP) partner institutions of Morgan State University Public Health Program, the Baltimore Field Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, and the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, the purpose of this activity was to provide the BCCHP recommendations and strategies for implementing culturally and contextually appropriate community heart health education and outreach activities for black Americans living in public housing developments of Baltimore City. 64 pages. NIH Publication No. 02-5069.
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News and notes on the restaurant scene from dining critic Carol Deptolla
Barbecue restaurant to open at iPic Theaters at Bayshore
Big Daddy's Brew & Que, a restaurant serving barbecue, will open at Bayshore Town Center's iPic Theaters in Glendale.
The previous restaurant, Ovation, closed at the end of November, and work on the new restaurant began the same day. It recently began hiring staff.
Emily Madelung, the theater's marketing manager, said the restaurant is expected to open at the end of January or the beginning of February.
She said TVs have been added to the space to make it will feel more like a casual bar.
Big Daddy's will smoke various meats on site and offer them as entrées with a choice of sides, such as cornbread and baked beans, or on sandwiches.
Although the restaurant is next to the theaters, a movie ticket won't be needed to dine there.
Big Daddy's is the latest in a spate of barbecue restaurants that have opened around Milwaukee in the past year, including Smoke Shack in the Third Ward, Ashley's Que in Walker's Point, Atlas in Grafton and Double B's in West Allis.
The restaurant is at 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, off N. Port Washington Road toward the north end of the shopping center.
Tags: Barbecue : Glendale : Big Daddy's
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I was very disappointed in my experience at Big Daddy's. Basically, Big Daddy's is a Hooters. If Hooters had wanted to open in Bayshore, I think management and the community would have objected. Big Daddy's has a very similar attitude toward women workers and food. I hope the Journal Sentinel doesn't overlook the terrible food and demeaning work clothes that the women have to wear.


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My friends recommended getting a waterproof mattress pad (something I've never had) - so I went to a local store and bought a Serta one for approximately $40. Imagine my HORROR the first night we slept on it and found 1) it sounded like we were sleeping on a bag of potato chips and 2) both my husband and I sweated our butts off because of the plastic on the pad. It was HORRIBLE! I returned it the next day and verified with my friend that hers did not do that. I then went in search of a better quality one - but found them to be running anywhere between 80-100. Seemed a bit high, for a mattress pad, so I decided to search the web, and found this little wonder (thanks to other's reviews.) I bought a queen - it arrived in only a couple of days - and we LOVED it the first night. We have a tall mattress, so the extra deep pockets worked great. It fits perfectly - it does NOT sound like a bag of potato chips when you roll over - nor does it cause you to sweat. It also seems to stay in place with no problem. We have not washed it yet (so can't speak to the people who said the sides were thinning) - but we love it. So much so - that today I've logged on to get one for our King, as well. Great find!! Couldn't be happier!
Nice density, comfortable, no problems. Fits our deep mattress nicely, dosen't pop off corners.
Fit is good edges do not pull out when turning mattress
totally satisfied, would recommend to anyone interested
I purchased a 3-in mattress topper and this mattress pad is a perfect companion for it. Together, I am sleeping so much better. Because of both, I do not need a new mattress. Worth the money!
Great purchase for the price. No complaints. We have been using ours for 2 years.
This was my first time ordering any item threw your company and I will continue to use it in the near future when need it. Thank you!
This cover came just as descriibed. Nice and deep sides. Fits easily over my 11" memory foam mattress and will easily cover the memory foam topper I plan to purchase.
We took the product out of the bag, and the skirt was torn. When we pulled on the skirt to stretch it out to fit, it tore like thin paper. This is the last product we will buy from Beautyrest. DO NOT BUY this product!
Since we have a large mattress, we were concerned that the mattress pad might not fit, but it fit just fine, even though we do not have a Beauty Rest mattress. The fabric is very luxurious feeling and very comfortable to sleep on.
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The Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District began two months of testing its all-electronic tolling system this morning.
The system, which will take effect in March, will eliminate 28 toll collectors and save the district $16.8 million over eight years, district officials said.
Cash will still be accepted at the bridge for the next 60 days.
The electronic system will give motorists the option of paying tolls by the existing FasTrak, three Pay-By-Plate options and an in-person cash payment network at locations yet to be established.
The cash payment network system will be tested later in February.
The three Pay-By-Plate options include a license plate account, a one-time payment and a toll invoice.
The license plate account may be opened, funded and maintained with a credit card, cash, check or money order. When the account is opened with a credit card, a "pay-as-you go" toll is charged to the credit card only when you cross the bridge.
When the license plate account is opened with cash, check or money order, the account must maintain a balance equivalent to a single toll. You may add up to five license plates per account.
One-time payments for motorists who make infrequent trips across the bridge or for out-of-state residents may be made by phone using a credit card, or in person with cash at cash payment locations yet to be established, or in person using cash, check, money order or credit card at the Bay Area FasTrak Service Center in San Francisco.
Under the toll invoice option, a bill for the toll is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle that crossed the bridge.
Payments may be made on line or by phone with a credit card, by mail using a check, money order or credit card number, in person with cash at the cash payment locations and in person with cash, check, money order or credit card at the Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center in San Francisco.
The iconic span will be the first toll bridge in the state to switch from manual to electronic toll collections, District spokeswoman Mary Currie said.
"Everything went just as we expected," Currie said about the system test this morning. "We didn't expect any glitches. We'll be testing the hardware and software for the next 60 days," she said.
The tentative date for the all-electronic tolling to begin is March 27, Currie said.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.


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By Joy Hampton
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Want your business to be world famous? It's not what you say, it's not what you do, it's how you make people feel that creates their memory of experience with your company, said Pete Winemiller, senior vice president of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Norman Chamber of Commerce's general membership meeting on Friday.
Based on the quote by poet Maya Angelo, this concept is the key to great customer relations no matter what business you're in, Winemiller said.
Winemiller said when Martin Luther King, Jr. talked about building a new future for all Americans he did not describe a plan or an idea. He described a dream.
Creating a vision for your company that focuses on customer service can be key to improving relations and future business prospects, Winemiller said.
Businesses lose customers for a number of reasons — they die, move away, are influenced by friends, lured away from the competition or are dissatisfied with the product. But the majority, 69 percent, are "turned away by an attitude of indifference on the part of a company employee," Winemiller said.
To change that, Winemiller advocates doing "little things really well consistently."
First impressions are important and it's the little things that can make a big difference he said.
"People don't remember days, they remember moments and moments matter," Winemiller said. "Indifference is the worst thing that can happen to your organization."
He challenged businesses to adopt an "attitude of invitation" through communicating courteously, listening to learn, initiating immediately, creating connections and knowing your stuff.
"We can't control the play on the floor," he said of his approach to guest hospitality at Thunder games. "But we can control how we treat our guests."
Winemiller challenged everyone to pick one small thing to improve on this year by 1 percent as a starting point.
"It's not doing one thing 100 percent better," he said. "It's doing 100 things 1 percent better."
Engage employees in the effort.
"If you want to go fast, go alone," he said. "If you want to go far, go together."
In that spirit of going together, the chamber has made many strides this year.
"We have, right now, the highest membership this chamber has ever known," said Chamber Board Chairman Trey Bates.
Continued leadership development through Leadership Norman, new programs like 35 South, a new initiative that brings Norman issues to Oklahoma City commuters to keep them connected, the micro web site, GoNormanNow.com, and the hiring of Tessa Breder as Government Affairs and Events Manager are some of the positive stride forward the Chamber has made, Bates said.
Joy email@example.com
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2013 Ford Escape
Bummer. I'm just spitballin' here, but isn't the headliner attached to the insulation with adhesive and the insulation is somehow attached to the roof? I ask about the adhesive and insulation because folks on the Focus forum were posting that the glue was seeping through the headliner material. My guess is that you have to remove the plastic trim pieces in the cargo area and very carefully try to separate the headliner from the insulation as far back as needed. Apply a modest amount (so it doesn't seep through) of spray adhesive and try to reattach the headliner. The plastic trim is probably attached with push pins and pull straight out. I believe there are tools for removing interior trim, but you may have to replace the fastening pins if they are ribbed and tapered.
The only time I smoke and the only time I smoke in the car is when I travel on my blue highway road trips. Last year, I had a cig in my hand, was trying to orientate a map and I brushed the cig against the headliner. It melted the fabric instantly and left three small burn marks and a slight stain I can't get out. I looked into replacing the headliner and if I'm looking at the correct part on fordparts.com, it's $645.00 for the fabric headliner alone. I looked online for repair kits and nothing seemed right to me. I'm going to take it to an upholsterer this summer to see if anything can be done to fix it up.
When the dealer told me $200+ just for labor, I decided to take a closer look at the headliner. There are two trim pieces on either side in the rear that appear to hold the edges of the headliner. The rear edge is held in place by the rubber gasket at the top of the left gate. Slipping my hand in there I felt no glue and the headliner and insulation appear to be one piece. So, I'm optimistic that I'll be able to do it myself.
stever YooperlandPosts: 40,006You mean like RockAuto? Lots of sites out there.
What I look for is "real" information, like a real street address that you can use to contact them, "real" information when you search their domain, that sort of thing.
Need help navigating? firstname.lastname@example.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
I am going for 2013 Ford Escape with Stone leather seats. But after seeing forum posts about stained seats (other thread), I am tensed and now in double minds.
Can anyone with "stone leather" seats on 2103 Ford Escape confirm that they too see spots on the seats out of nowhere? Also, water/snow flakes creating stains is also a problem with these "stone leather seats" or is it only with cloth seats?
This is going to be my first Ford car, so a bit nervous. Need to make up my decision in 2-3 days.
kathymcc123 Posts: 8I have a 2013 Escape SE with the grayish cloth seats. Have had it since January 7, 2013 and so far no staining seats and the other day little water from the umbrella got on it.
Like anything else, each car can be different like people. What may happen with some cars, doesn't mean it will be exactly the same for you. Best to check with Ford headquarters in Detroit on the ratings of your local area dealerships as to their quality of service😁. Like a draft pick In sports, dealers with good overall ratings with Ford seem to get first choice cars off production lines
8+ inches of snow in mid Missouri yesterday.
4wd'd into the parking lot at work today through the pile the plows had deposited at the entrance overnight.
From across the lot I saw some snow sticking under the front fascia. Took a look under there and noticed some sort of air intake (???) I guess. It seems to be part of the plastic, under-engine, cover on the passenger side of the center of the lower grill opening and appears to maybe route to the back side of the engine?
I don't think it's an intake for the air cleaner as there appears to be one of those at the top of the grill. It doesn't seem like a vehicle sold as having snow-going capabilities would have something important hanging down there. Any ideas? Turbo cooling? Fresh? air? (I'd think "fresh" air intake would not be located facing the exhaust pipe of the driver ahead of you)
I noticed that 'intake' myself on our Escape and wondered the same thing. So I did a lot of searching, eventually finding a couple of other forums where it's mentioned. It's a cooling duct that routes air to the rear of the engine and transmission area, and is supposedly for the transmission. A couple of people have mentioned having taken theirs off. Nobody has mentioned any issues without it, though I'm still a bit skeptical that there won't be in the future, otherwise Ford wouldn't go to the expense of putting it on in the first place.
pzam Posts: 19I got my Titanium in August and had lots of problems. Sync regularly locked up, proximity sensors failed, dash lights wouldn't dim, GPS was slow to lock, etc. Some were simply bad modules which the dealer replaced. Others were design issues, but I'm happy to say that it appears Ford is slowly knocking them out. Sync 3.5.1 has been much more stable than the prior version. TSB 13-02-01 corrected a bunch of issues, including early indication of low fuel, one button reset of computer functions, and failure of nav to update on the Intelligent 4WD screen. A new GPS module appears to lock much quicker -- like 1 minute instead of 10. I suspect Ford isn't publicizing the GPS fix on a TSB yet, but the new ones were backordered and appear to have fixed my problem. 8 service visits in 6 months kind of sucks, but luckily I have a fantastic dealer who has taken great care of me. Lesson learned: if you buy a vehicle in its first year of production, make sure you get it from a dealer with superior customer service.
escapeti2013 Posts: 9Hi all,
My '13 Escape has the HID headlamps along with the LED running lights, both of which (to me at least) look great with the "pure white" light they emit. However, it seems that the fog lamps are some sort of standard bulbs that emit the more typical off-white light that you'd expect from an incandescent bulb, and it makes it look a little odd when you have the fog lamps on along with the headlamps as the fog lamps and the headlamps are two very different shades of white. I'm wondering if anyone has found any sort of a replacement for the fog lamp bulbs that more closely matches the color of the headlamp bulbs.
mikeqt Posts: 9Picked up my new Escape and drove 16 miles, (26 miles on odometer) and the GPS could not find the street that I was driving on. Quality!! Two weeks have gone by and ford still hasn't found the fix!! I think they don't know.
Then just to add to my frustration the tailgate started to wear a hole through my bumper!!! Talked to my dealers body shop and determined the door is made incorrectly,(too big for the hole it must go in) and they would try to adjust it to fit it better so not rub on bumper. I then checked the other new Ford Escapes on the dealers lot and everyone is the same! NONE OF THE LINES FROM THE REAR FENDER AND TAIL LIGHTS LINE UP TO THE TAILGATE!!!!!
Just called the BBB and started lemon law action.
THIS!!!!, for a car coming from Ford!
I can understand not knowing about the GPS, but how did you not notice the tailgate issue during your walk around and pointed it out before signing the papers or driving the car off the lot? I doubt the tailgate was made incorrectly, they're all stamped from the same die, it's not aligned properly and can be made right through adjustment and the bumper cover can be replaced. I'm not sure you have a lemon law claim, but good luck with that.


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Jeffery Lynn 'Bodean' Norton
- Last Updated on 08:15 AM 06/19/13
Mr. Jeffery Lynn 'Bodean' Norton of 8239 James D. Hagood Highway, Scottsburg died Monday, June 17, 2013, at the age of 46. He was born Sept. 30, 1966 to the late Lewis Norton and Mary Miller Norton and was married to Charlotte Morris Norton. Mr. Norton was a self-employed landscaper, and he was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife of Scottsburg; his mother of Newport, Tenn.; two brothers, Ricky Norton and his wife, Debbie, of Newport, and Randall Lee Norton of Scottsburg; two sisters, Karen Norton Ligon and Pamela Norton Frazier, both of Newport; three nieces; two nephews; and one great-nephew.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Walter Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and other times at the home.
Anyone wishing to give memorials is asked to consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 1891, Halifax, VA 24558.
Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., South Boston.
Online condolences may be made at www.brooksfhinc.com


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(Born November 4, 1938) -- Emmette Bryant received the shock of his basketball life when he arrived in Buffalo. The guard went from the heights of the NBA to the depths.
Bryant played his college basketball at DePaul. It earned him a pick by the New York Knicks in the seventh round, where the odds weren't too good for him sticking around. By the way, the Cowboys also drafted him as a defensive back.
He stuck to football and landed on a Knick team that was just starting to collect good talent. Bryant spent four seasons in New York, but was taken by the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 expansion draft. But he never played for the Suns, going to Boston in a trade for a draft choice.
Bryant spent two seasons with the Celtics, and Boston won championships in both of them. Then in May of 1970, Bryant was picked in another expansion draft - this time by the Braves.
He played two seasons here, remembered in part because of his headband. Bryant averaged more than 10 points per game in 1970-71 for the only time in his career. The guard spent 1971-72 here as well, and his career ended at that point. Bryant moved into teaching until retirement.
--- Budd Bailey


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Reservations are required for Atlanta BeltLine Tours and can be made after the 15th of each month for the following month's tour.
Tours depart from and return to the Inman Park Marta Station with a brief stop in the West End for a bathroom break. There are no bathrooms at the Inman Park Station.
Tours provide access to Bellwood Quarry, the future site of Westside Reservoir and Park. This stop will involve minimal walking.
Water bottles are provided but lunch is not provided - particpants are welcome to bring their own lunch or snacks.
Book a tour here.


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Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala being taken to Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
Is it written in passive ,if yes then where is the verb ?
I want to know type of being usage .
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Pineapple Ricotta Muffins13 Reviews 1 Pic
Prep10 m
Cook20 m
Ready In1 h 30 m
"These muffins take only minutes to put together, require little clean up and are easy enough for even inexperienced cooks to make! I have used white, yellow, and French vanilla cake mix with this. They all turn out well, but the white cake mix is my favorite. These muffins are good when first baked, but they are best when served the next day."
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Adjust Servings
Original recipe yields 18 muffins
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour 18 muffin cups, or line with cupcake liners.
- Crack the egg into a measuring cup, then pour enough vegetable oil to make 1/2 cup. Whisk the egg and oil together in a large bowl with the ricotta cheese until smooth. Stir in the pineapple, then add the white cake mix. Stir until just combined. Evenly distribute the batter into 18 muffin cups.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
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Reviews (13)Rate This Recipe
Great recipe and even for those who don't THINK they fancy pineapple! I didn't do the precise measuring, but just mixed the liquids then added the Ricotta then the cake mix and it came out fabulous. I did add a tsp of vanilla which added a nice little pop of flavor. No need to frost and definitely get the crushed pineapple that's in its own juice not sweetened in any way. Also, use REAL ricotta not low cal or diet. The muffins loose texture if you sub in the fake stuff.
I used a coconut cake mix instead of white cake mix and whole milk ricotta. I also added 1/2 cup toasted, chopped pecans. Outrageously good! This is to correct my previous review. I didn't realize I had checked 1 star instead of 5. Duh.
I just made these this afternoon. I made them exactly according to the recipe, using the white cake mix and they are very moist and flavorful. They were easy to make, and absolutely delicious. Having my second one with a fresh cup of coffee right now. Could not wait for the coffee to be made so had to eat one before I had the coffee. Thanks neesienc, this is a definite keeper. Juneann
Similar Recipes
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Amount Per Serving (18 total)
- Calories
- 198 cal
- 10%
- Fat
- 8.3 g
- 13%
- Carbs
- 27 g
- 9%
- Protein
- 4.4 g
- 9%
- Cholesterol
- 19 mg
- 6%
- Sodium
- 222 mg
- 9%
Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
previous recipe:
Simple Pina Colada Muffins
next recipe:
Delicious Pineapple Muffins


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Buried within this Kickstarter campaign is the product iPhone users really want: a MagSafe-style charging cable.
Search giant announces better-than-expected sales, but it underdelivers on profit. Also, Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora is departing.
There's 400 percent more light in intergalactic space than sources could produce, say researchers. Could dark matter be the cause?
Satoru Iwata is recovering from surgery to remove a tumor but is already handling some work while on the mend.
At a time when ad revenue is increasingly important, the Yahoo CEO reportedly keeps high-level marketing executives waiting for hours because she overslept.