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Here's what you need to know this evening:
- The ASX200 and the All Ords both rallied above 5000 points
- The dollar rises to $US1.0337, 96.2 yen and 76.9 euro cents
- The Nikkei slumped 1.2%, the Kospi rallied 1.6%, Chinese markets closed
- Spot gold was flat at $US1649.83, while WTI oil was lower at $US97.63
- Wall Street futures are minimally higher, while FTSE100 is 0.1% lower
- CommBank posts record first-half result
- Leighton back in black after troubled projects done
- Stockland reports $147m loss in 'soft' market
- Struggling Boral a work in progress, chief says
- Earnings season - all the results
- Eurozone industrial production December; est: 0.2% m/m
Tomorrow's earnings (and estimates)
- Downer EDI; est: $81.98 million
- Dexus Property Group; est: $367.80 million
- GPT Group; est: $216.10 million
- Mirvac Group; est: $186.63 million
- Paladin Energy; est: $29.5 million
- Rio Tinto; est: $3.06 billion
- Wesfarmers; est: $1.28 billion
All earnings are interim results except for Rio Tinto, which is a full-year report. The estimates are courtesty of S&P Capital IQ.
The ASX200 has not closed above 5000 points since April 2010, while the All Ordinaries has not closed above 5000 since since April 2011.
While a string of positive profit results helped along today's rise, many other index heavyweights are yet to report, CMC Markets senior trader Tim Waterer notes.
''For the market to consolidate and get comfortable above 5000, we need to see a trend and some follow up acts from some of the other key blue-chip stocks,'' he says. ''CBA had a great result but ANZ might come out on Friday and have a sub-par result.''
Here's how the big companies that reported today closed:
- Ansell: -5.7% to $15.94
- Boral: +1% at $4.92
- CBA: +2.4% to $67.11
- Computershare: -0.2% to $10.05
- Carsales.com: -4.55% to $8.40
- Leighton: +11.2 to $23.14
- Oz Minerals: +3.6% to $7.47
- Stockland: +5.2% to $3.66
- WorleyParsons: +1.8% to $25.82
For an overview of today's earnings scroll down to 9.47am. And for full coverage, click here.
The Australian dollar rallied sharply from four-month lows today, aided by some upbeat domestic data and strength in domestic shares and global commodity prices.
The Aussie was last buying $US1.0349, rebounding from $US1.0227 touched overnight, its lowest since mid-October.
Yet the dollar trimmed gains on the yen, falling to 96.17 yen from a high of 96.87 yen on Tuesday, after a G7 official voiced concerns about excessive movements in Japan's currency.
"Positioning was the main driver," said a trader at a European bank in Singapore. Many in the market had been short of the Aussie given it had been slipping for more than two weeks.
Among the major sectors, materials rallied 1.2 per cent, financials jumped 1.4 per cent - driven by gains in CBA - and industrials added 1.2 per cent.
Gold stocks lost 0.4 per cent and IT was down 1.3 per cent.
The market has managed to close above 5000 points. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index jumped 44.7 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 5003.7, while the broader All Ords index rose 43 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 5024.5.
Despite today's rally, investors aren't getting carried away by the ASX200's gain, instead exercising a fair bit of caution as they dip their toes back into the equities market, JBWere executive director Mike Kendall says:
- It's a question of balance. People are getting a bit more confident so they are putting a bit more money back in the market. But I think most investors have their feet firmly planted on the ground and are playing their cards very carefully at the moment.
- [Investors] are putting a little bit in and then standing back and watching. I don't think there's anyone running around being a wild cowboy in this market. I think there has been to many lessons in the past three or four years.
- The increasing level of confidence about reduced risks in the global economy has led investors to move some of their money away from low-yielding returns such as cash and bonds.
- The start of the earnings season so far has also shown that Australian companies are delivering fairly solid levels of profitability in the main.
If the trading patterns on the ASX for Monday and Tuesday were timid, today was anything but, says CMC Markets trader Tim Waterer:
- The bumper CBA profit effectively signalled a buying green light for traders today and the result was an emphatic push through the 5000 mark by the ASX200.
- The buzz stemming from the CBA numbers seemed to proliferate into the broader market with investors buoyed by the profit achievements of one of our banking pillars.
- And while many traders had been anticipating a solid dividend increase the actual amount announced by CBA could be classed as a considerable over-deliverance. As a consequence, none of the big four banks were short of buying attention today.
- So while there was seemingly nothing but blue skies on the Australian market today, it is prudent to remember that we are still awaiting profit results from many other index heavyweights.
The major banks are all continuing to struggle with achieving the satisfaction results that they are seeing from their personal customers, says Roy Morgan Research director Norman Morris.
''Despite four official reductions in the cash rate over the last 12 months, business customers of all banks are less satisfied than they were a year ago,'' he notes.
The satisfaction of Westpac business customers increased to 67.9% in January 2013 (up from 67.7% in December 2012) while the satisfaction with the other three majors declined. This increased Westpac's lead over its nearest Big Four competitor, the CBA on 63.5%.
These are the latest findings from the Roy Morgan Business Single Source survey which conducts over 30,000 interviews with business decision makers every year.
During his State of the Union address, US President Barack Obama called for talks on a far-reaching free trade agreement with the 27 nations of the European Union, throwing his weight behind a deal that would encompass half the world's economic output.
The United States and the EU already have the largest economic relationship in the world, and one of the most complicated. A pact would unite the United States, the world's largest economy, with four other countries in the top ten: Germany, France, Britain and Italy.
Faced with slow growth on both sides of the Atlantic and rising competition from China and other emerging economies, the long-time allies in late 2011 began looking at ways to build on their existing relationship.
While most of the attention has been on the sharemarket today, the dollar has quietly risen a cent.
Noni B is confident of an earnings turnaround and will continue to open new stores, despite a drop in first half profit and aggressive discounting in the retail sector.
The women's retail fashion group on Wednesday reported a net profit of $1.9 million for the first half of its financial year to December 30, down from $2.4 million in the previous corresponding first half.
Noni B opened a new store each in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth in December and closed one unprofitable store.
Joint managing director David Kindl said greater revenues would be recorded as the stores notched up sales.
Shares are up 3.9 per cent to 80.5 cents.
So we've been looking back at the history of the ASX a lot today and thought we'd include one more interesting graphic whichs tracks the ASX since its inception.
Some more on CBA: CEO Ian Narev's strategy demonstrates he is prepared to sacrifice some market share in order to win back some margin, Elizabeth Knight writes:
CBA is the largest of the Australian banks and beats its three major competitors on a range of measures including the all important return on equity.
However, the CBA has posted below average growth in both retail deposits and home loans, rather than become too immersed in intense competition with NAB, Westpac and ANZ.
The CBA is not the price maker in the sustained grab for deposit funds. Its loans to customers are already 63 per cent funded by deposits.
More importantly, the recent fall in the cost of wholesale funding means it is now a vastly cheaper source of funding than deposits.
The funding mix is part of the reason the intensely scrutinised margin between the cost at which CBA borrows and the cost at which it lends - the net interest margin - has improved over the previous six months.
The bullish ASX is a consequence of money flowing back into the equity market - where you "get the best bang for your buck", says EL & C Baillieu Stockbroking director Richard Morrow:
- It's a classic re-weighting of the relationship between the investment returns available through fixed interest, and the investment returns available through the equity market.
- Ten-year bond yields in Australia fell to a low of about 2.6 to 2.7 per cent in June and July of last year. And the market's rallied since then.
- Today, months later ... the bond yields have got back up again, the yield curve has turned positive, and 10-year-bonds are yielding about 3.4 per cent.
- Equities, especially high-dividend paying blue-chip equities like banks - the dividend yields are just becoming very desirable because of the relative rate of return, especially on an after-tax basis.
Mal Maiden on today's share rally.
ASX hits new heights
The S&P ASX 200 index touches 5,000 points for the first time since April 2010.
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With Barack Obama in the middle of his State of the Union address, we thought we'd give you some interesting market news from the US.
USA TODAY markets reporter Matt Krantz answers a different reader question every weekday, here's a good one from a couple days ago.
Q: Are gun stocks good investments now that the government is trying to limit weapons?
A: Guns have become a public enemy ever since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. But on Wall Street, they're winning more friends than ever.
Shares of gun stocks continue to move higher this year, extending their rallies in 2012, as investors expect revenue to soar as gun owners stock up.
Shares of Smith & Wesson (SWHC) are up more than 8% this year and have doubled over the past year.
Meanwhile, shares of Sturm Ruger (RGR) have added 17% this year and are up more than 28% over the past 12 months.
Investors are piling into the gunmakers' shares despite the proposal of tighter gun control laws, which call for greater scrutiny of gun sales, in addition to a ban on highly profitable assault rifles.
The reason: The specter of tighter rules is prompting anyone who thought they might buy a gun to get it now. And the gunmakers are certainly getting a short-term bump due to the spike in gun demand.
Revenue at Smith & Wesson jumped 48% during the October 2012 quarter, the latest available, and revenue at Sturm Ruger rose 47% in the quarter ended September.
Investors, though, should be careful about jumping in.
While the stock looks cheap based on its current clip of sales, investors need to remember consumers' mad dash to buy guns may be temporary and might actually be stealing away future sales.
It should come as no surprise, but Bell Potter is crowing over the ongoing strength in CBA's share price, and also the dividend hike today, since it was one of the few - if not the only - broker willing to call the stock a 'buy' ahead of today's results, while also tipping a higher payout.
''For the last $20 CBA has rallied, our positive stance has been countered by endless analysis pointing to CBA's expensive valuation. We consistently said we disagreed,'' the broker's commentator Charlie Aitken told clients in a note earlier today.
''When you run through the $3.7 billion of cash profits CBA made ... and you look at the drivers of them it becomes even clearer that NPAT growth and dividend growth will continue.''
Commonwealth Bank chief executive Ian Narev has conceded that some people will see the bank's latest profit result as excessive, after lenders' refusal to pass on recent cuts to the cash rate in full to borrowers, writes BusinessDay's Clancy Yeates.
The country's biggest lender said cash earnings grew by 6 per cent to $3.78 billion profit in the latest half, helped by a strong performance in its flagship retail business that offers home loan and deposit accounts.
Profit margins also widened over the six month to December, as wholesale funding costs fell and it passed only part of the 0.5 percentage point cut in interest rates.
Shares are up 2.4 per cent to $67.11.
The ASX200 has reached its highest point since September 2008, writes BusinessDay's Max Mason, but it has a way to go before it reaches pre-GFC levels.
From May 2008 to September 2008, the ASX200 dropped more than 900 points. By March 2009 it had fallen to a low point of 3145.5.
It's currently sitting just above 5000 points, and is more than 1800 points off its all time high of 6828.7, which was reached in November 2007.
The graphic below puts the market's numbers into perspective a bit ... though that's not to try and take anything away from this latest surge.
Staying overseas, with Barack Obama about to deliver his State of the Union speech, here's a good comparison by Businessweek of what's changed in the US (and what hasn't) since Obama's first auguration in 2009:
For more on the State of the Unione address, click here.
With things settling down on the local market, here's how the rest of the region is doing (some major markets are still closed for the Chinese New Year celebrations):
- Japan (Nikkei): -0.4%
- Hong Kong: closed
- Shanghai: closed
- Taiwan: closed
- Korea: +0.4%
- Singapore: +0.6%
- New Zealand: -0.1%
Leyland Private Asset Management senior portfolio manager Rohan Schmidt says he expects the ASX to continue in bullish territory for the rest of the week.
He also reckons the other big banks will follow in Commonwealth Bank's footsteps.
"I am certainly of the opinion that if Commonwealth Bank can pull out a result such as this, the other banks will follow and it's going to be a good feeling for the market," he says.
He says while the market is not pleased with some of the other results reported today, such as those from Ansell and Domino's Pizza, they did not have as much of an impact on the local market as Commonwealth Bank.
Another sector faring well is mining services, he says: "There was a lot of concern coming into the reporting season about mining services companies.
"[But] with the iron ore price recovery, and encouraging results from Bradken, the first major one out of the block, we are seeing a follow-on yesterday and today in the general mining services sector."
Rio Tinto's Gove alumina refinery will stay open, the Northern Territory government has confirmed.
Chief Minister Terry Mills says the mining giant has agreed to keep he plant open.
''Commitment by Rio Tinto to continue operating the refinery follows this week's decision by the Northern Territory government to supply enough gas to keep the operation open for 10 years,'' the statement said in a statement. He said a $1.2 billion project was now likely in the Northern Territory.
After all the bullish comments on today's earnings, good time for some caution, courtesy of Motley Fool's Scott Phillips:
If you're in the housing or building trade, today's earnings reports tell you what you already know – that things are tough when it comes to new homes.
Bank earnings back that story up, with Commonwealth Bank's (ASX: CBA) cash profit growing only in the mid-single digits.
Building materials company Boral (ASX: BLD) and home builder Stockland (ASX: SGP) both reported results this morning, underscoring the lacklustre state of the Australian housing market. Boral had already announced plans to lay off 700 workers, and turned in a net loss of $25 million for the first half of the fiscal year.
The company that is the housing bellwether in Australia is our largest developer, Stockland. The tale was somewhat similar, with a reported loss of almost $150 million as the company wrote down the carrying value of some of its housing stock, in the middle of stagnant house prices.
Looking ahead:
Focal point for #ASX200 post Big Wednesday is what investors do with divs frm CBA & TLS next week. Reinvest in yield or go cyclical? #ausbiz
— Ben Le Brun (@benlebrun) February 13, 2013
While there have been some earnings disappointments today (eg Ansell), overall investor sentiment has been bolstered by a strong earnings season so far.
"We're starting to see the patterns in earnings revisions so far have been in favour of domestic stocks like banks and retail," says Damien Boey, equity strategist at Credit Suisse.
"If we continue to get those sorts of surprises," especially on the resources sector, the market may stay over the 5000 resistance mark.
Some economic data just in: personal finance loans were up 0.2 per cent in December, to $7.475 billion, from an upwardly revised $7.464 billion in November.
Total commercial loans in December rose 8.6 per cent to $31.884 billion, from $29.347 billion in November. Lease finance was down 15.3 per cent to $449 million, compared with $531 million the previous month.
Housing finance for owner occupiers fell 2.7 per cent to $13.498 billion, from $13.876 billion the month before.
Here's another snapshot of how the companies that reported today are faring on the sharemarket. Apart from OZ Minerals, which has extended its gains, and Ansell, which has trimmed some of the losses, no massive changes to the early prices.
- Ansell: -5.7% at $15.94
- Boral: +0.8% at $4.91
- CBA: +2.2% at $66.99
- Computershare: +2.1% to $10.28
- Carsales.com: -3.1% to $9.98
- Leighton: +5.7% to $21.99
- Oz Minerals: +2.4% to $7.38
- Stockland: +0.6% to $3.50
- WorleyParsons: -2.6% to $24.71
For an overview of today's earnings scroll down to 9.47am. And for full coverage, click here.
Stockland's new chief executive Mark Steinert wasted no time in clearing the decks with a writedown in assets values in its residential business, commercial property editor Carolyn Cummins writes.
That has led to a statutory loss for the first half was $147 million, down 148 per cent. The drop was also impacted by asset sales and a change in approach to capitalised interest.
Steinert and senior management are now undertaking a thorough review of the whole business, which may see the end of the current focus on the three R strategy of retail, residential and retirement. He added that there was a softening of the policy to sell commercial and industrial assets until the review is completed.
''There are no sacred cows in this review ... the outcome of which will be revealed in the May investor update,'' he told a media briefing today.
Writedowns had been anticipated by analysts so market reaction has been slight with the share price down just 2 cents to $3.46.
Maybe the understatement of the day:
From Mar 10, 2009, the #gfc low, the #xjo is now up 60.22%. Been an interesting 995 trading sessions in between #ausbiz
— David Scutt (@David_Scutt) February 13, 2013
It's been a huge start to the day's trading session, with a raft of companies reporting, including Commonwealth Bank (which has reached a record high and pushed its market cap up over $108 billion), Ansell, Boral, Stocks and Leighton Holdings.
Results have been mixed, but positive results from some the bigger companies helped the ASX200 breach 5000 points for the first time since April 2010.
So just a quick heads up. Tomorrow is sure to be just as busy with Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers and Mirvac reporting, just to name a few. We'll be launching Markets Live at 8am to catch all of the action.
Commercial property writer Carolyn Cummins reports that construction giant Leighton Holdings says it has put the worst of its troubled projects behind it and continues to rebuild after returning to a $450 million full-year profit.
A string of profit downgrades over the past two years due to hefty cost blow-outs on key projects like Brisbane's Airport Link and the Victorian desalination plant wiped out the contractor's profits on some 400 other projects.
Both projects have since been completed and handed over in the past two months, and chief executive Hamish Tyrwhitt said the company was keen to demonstrate to investors that it had resolved its legacy issues and was rebuilding for the future.
''Last year was always about Airport Link and [Victorian desalination plant],'' Mr Tyrwhitt told BusinessDay. ''It's really great that people are asking about the future.''
Investors reacted positively to the lack of bad news, with shares up by as much as 5 per cent, to $21.94, in early trade.
Leighton's footprint across Australia and Asia could hold it in good stead. Photo: Bloomberg
Jamie Elgar of Burrell Stockbroking says the CBA result has been the catalyst for a strong rise in bank shares.
''That result from CBA was what was needed really to push those banks further on,'' he said.
''An in-line result would have caused a bit of profit taking, but they came out and smashed the estimates, and I wouldn't be surprised if that pushes the banks further now.''
If investors begin to buy into resources stocks, the ASX200 index could break the 5000 point barrier again on Wednesday, Mr Elgar said.
''There could be enough in it today, particularly if the likes of BHP and Rio start to go up,'' he said.
''They've kind of lagged the banks over the last couple of months, so that's probably where the next push will come from.''
If you've just tuned in, the benchmark ASX200 today hit the 5000-point mark for the first time since mid-April 2010. It has since retreated to 4997, but is sitting on a strong early gain of about 0.7 per cent, which is well ahead of pre-market expectations. With another huge day of earnings results tomorrow, there's a chance it could rise above the mark more decisively then. But, the opposite is also possible.
Here's a chart showing today's performance of the ASX200, and the moment when hit 5000:
A resurgent sharemarket and happier consumers. What does it mean for sentiment inside the RBA board room? Here's one view:
If consumer sentiment is a lead indicator on spending & #stocks a lead indicator on the economy, #rba won't be easing any time soon #ausbiz
— David Scutt (@David_Scutt) February 12, 2013
Today's major bit of economics news is out and it shows the mood among consumers is brightening. Consumer sentiment surged ahead in early 2013, accompanied by rallies on local share markets and an improved outlook of family finances.
The Westpac/Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose by 7.7 per cent to 108.3 in February, following a modest rise of 0.6 per cent in January.
A reading above 100 indicates that positive sentiment outweighed negative sentiment among respondents.
Westpac chief economist Bill Evans said a rally on local sharemarkets and better economic news from overseas may have helped boost sentiment.
''Sentiment may have been buoyed by a strong start to the year for financial markets,'' he said. ''News from offshore has also been broadly supportive.''
We'll take a quick look now at some of the blue-chip stocks and how they're faring in early trade:
- Rio: +0.21%
- Westpac: +2.36%
- Newcrest: -0.04%
- Woolies: -0.61%
- Harvey Norman: -2.15%
- Myer -0.93%
- JB Hi-Fi: -1%
- Telstra: +0.54%
BusinessDay's Clancy Yeates reports that earnings estimates across the banking sector are likely to be upgraded after the Commonwealth Bank's $3.78 billion half-year profit this morning, Deutsche Bank analyst James Freeman says.
The result, a 6 per cent increase compared with the same half last year, was 2.5 per cent higher than what brokers were expecting.
"While consensus upgrades are likely for CBA, the result shows strong underlying trends which should be reflected in other banks' results," Freeman says.
That's helping to drive the strong gains in bank stocks today.
Today marks the first time the ASX200 has topped the 5000 mark since April 2010, when it closed at 5001.9, before stumbling to 4222.10 on 5 May, 2010.
Before that, the ASX200 was last closed above 5000 on 22 September 2008 as it was falling to the post-GFC low of 3154.5.
But almost like it's unsure of the rarified atmosphere up there, the ASX200 has retreated again to about 4994.3. Just taking rest before mounting another challenge?
The ASX200 has now topped 5000. Loud cheers, applause. Will it hold onto those gains to close above the mark?
Some more analysis on the CBA result. Morningstar head of banking research David Ellis called "a cracker".
He says CBA ''did not disappoint first half $3.76 billion cash profit" CBA's interim dividend 20 per cent higher than last year's first half. Latest dividend of $1.64 per share fully franked, and a more positive outlook. The profit exceeded consensus of $3.7 billion.
"Australia's largest bank continues to prosper due to better margins, higher trading income, a recovery in wealth management and productivity improvements," Ellis said.
Signs of mortgage pricing power swinging back to banks as net interest margins increased 4 basis points to 2.10 per cent due to loan repricing and hedging. CBA shares open up 2.4 per cent at $67.07.
A voice of reason on a morning filled with good vibes - or as stockmarket types call it, positive sentiment:
Dont believe all the hype playing out 2day Ansell down 6% Worley Parsons -3%. Godman Fielder & Car Sales -2% on earnings numbers.#ausbiz
— Ben Le Brun (@benlebrun) February 12, 2013
Not sure the celebration at Markets Live will be this extravagant, but it is a moment, no doubt:
#ASX closing in on important milestone of 5000 points. Just hit 4994. I'm expecting streamers to drop from studio ceiling when it happens
— Brooke Corte (@brookecorte) February 12, 2013
The CBA gold dust is drifting onto the other major banks. In all, the financials sector on the ASX200 is leading the market higher with a gain of 1.29 per cent, which has been the driving force behing the All Ords rushing past 5000 in opening trade.
Here's how the big four are faring early on:
- CBA is 2.44% higher to $67.12
- ANZ is 1.45% higher to $27.96
- NAB is 1.83% higher to $29.46
- Westpac is 1.8% higher to $28.25
Here are the early share price moves of the major companies which have reported profits this morning:
- Ansell: -7.2% to $15.70
- Boral: +0.6% to $4.90
- CBA: +2.6% to $67.19
- Computershare: -2% to $9.87
- Carsales.com: -1.8% to $8.64
- Domino's: -0.9% to $10.21
- Leighton Holdings: +4.4% to $21.73
- OZ Minerals: +0.7% to $7.26
- Stockland: flat
- WorleyParsons: -3.4% to $24.55
The All Ordinaries has breached the 5000 mark as the Australian share market opened more than half a per cent higher.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 32.1 points, or 0.65 per cent, at 4991.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index was up 30.2 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 5011.7.
On the ASX 24, the March share price index futures contract was up 22 points at 4948, with 7503 contracts traded.
CBA shares are surging in early trade - up 2.7 per cent, taking the value of the company to $108 billion.
Leighton Holdings has reported a net profit of $450 million for 2012, a big turnaround after recording a net loss for the previous year.
The construction group changed its balance date from June 30 to December 31 last year.
Leighton declared a final dividend for the 12 months to December of 60 cents per share, 50 cent franked.
Stephen Jones, Leighton Holdings' chairman, said 2012 was an important year for the company, with its board and management working together to "restore shareholder value".
"The result was at the top end of our market guidance and the balance sheet was substantially deleveraged in the second half of the year," Mr Jones said, adding that the board had approved a lower target gearing range of 25 to 35 per cent.
Here's Evan Lucas from IG Markets on the CBA result:
Narrative from the CEO looks quite upbeat, suggesting it sees improving consumer and business confidence domestically, in a backdrop where the global financial markets are stabilising. While the comments were upbeat, they were hardly a revelation to investors and traders.
All-in-all a solid set of numbers and while there are areas of weakness such as institutional and corporate margins, on the whole the result should be taken well and should see the stock supported ahead of going ex-dividend next week.
Commonwealth Bank scales new high for bank profits. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones
Evan Lucas at IG Markets says local shares are likely to rise in early trade, but the gains will not be of the blockbuster variety.
Having reached 4981 points in the first hour of yesterday's trade, will Australian reporting season see us breaking through our short-term target of 4986, the 50% retracement of the 2007 high compared to the GFC low in 2009? Our feeling is likely yes, however with so many companies reporting today, the likelihood of some disappointing the market is very probable. Even if CBA produces a solid result, weight of numbers could actually hold us back and possibly drag us lower.
Moving to the open, we are calling the ASX 200 up 11 points to 4970, as investors and analysts alike digest the results ...
The market reaction to this morning's flood of profit reports is going to be fascinating, in particular the CBA result. Here's one view on it:
The bears won't like today's CBA result, even though it isn't perfect, its far from disappointing & outlook is surprisingly pretty bullish.
— Peter Esho (@PeterEsho) February 12, 2013
Fifteen minutes before the ASX opens for a session which could see Aussie shares move past the 5000-point mark, here's a quick recap of this morning's earnings results:
- CBA: $3.66 billion net profit in 6 months Dec, up from $3.62 billion
- Computershare: $94.6 million net profit for 6 months to Dec, -15.2%
- Noni B: net profit of $1.9 million for 6 months to Dec, +19%
- Stockland: net loss of $147.1 million for 6 months to Dec, -148%
- Ansell: net profit $55 million for 6 months to Dec, -15.3 %
- Boral: first half net loss of $25.3 million, down from +$153m same period last year
- CSL: net profit of $504 million for 6 months Dec, +25.4%
- Domino's Pizza: net profit of $14.5 million for 6 months to Dec, +15.7%
- WorleyParsons: net profit of $155 million, +2 per cent
A bit more on CSL. The company has re-announced the appointment of Paul Perreault, who will take over the reins from Brian McNamee as CEO in July.
Mr McNamee is one of the country's longest serving chief executives and leaves the company with a record first-half profit.
Paul Perreault is currently president of CSL Behring, the company's blood plasma subsidiary that comprises the bulk of CSL's revenues.
"I think Paul has a lot to do," Mr McNamee said.
Some links now for the full stories on some of today's profit reports:
WorleyParsons has reported a net profit of $155 million, an increase of 2 per cent from the previous corresponding period.
The engineering company declared an interim fully franked dividend of 14.5 cents per share.
"The group has delivered a sound financial result for the period, having achieved robust aggregated revenue growth with the hydrocarbons and minerals, metals and chemicals sectors being the primary driver of this growth," WorleyParsons' chief executive Andrew Wood said.
"Geographically our businesses in Canada, the US, China, Brazil and eastern Australia were the key contributors."
The company also said this morning it had been awarded detail engineering work for the Fort Hills mine in Canada, with total revenue to WorleyParsons estimated at $140 million.
Goodman Fielder has reported a doubling in its statutory net profit after tax for the first half of 2012-13, to $35 million, after booking gains from the sale of its Integro fats and oils division to Graincorp, but normalised earnings fell 4 per cent.
Australia's largest breadmaker, which is mid-way through a turnaround and faces headwinds from intense discounting by major supermarkets, reported a 9 per cent revenue drop to $1.2 billion and a 17 per cent drop in normalised earnings before interest and tax, to $95.3 million.
The drop was blamed on lower volumes and pricing in the troubled baking division.
Domino's Pizza has reported a net profit of $14.5 million for the six months to December, a rise of 15.7 per cent from the same period the year before.
The Australia-based pizza maker declared an interim fully franked dividend of 15.5 cents per share.
"We have recorded a strong performance for the first half of the financial year, particularly in Australia and New Zealand where we were rolling over very strong numbers from this time last year," Don Meij, the chief executive and managing director of Domino's Pizza, said.
The company said the growth of its online business has seen more than half of its internet orders place via mobile devices in the Australia and New Zealand markets.
Mr Meij added that Domino's Pizza was acquiring 15 New South Wales and ACT stoes from franchisee Nick Knight. Mr Knight would join Domino's as a corporate operations manager.
Computershare has reported a $94.6 million net profit for the six months to December, a drop of 15.2 per cent from the previous corresponding period.
The share registry group declared an interim dividend of 14 cents, franked to 20 per cent.
The company said its positive earnings stemmed from its specialised loan servicing, serviceworks group and shareowner services acquisitions, from its Indian and Russian businesses, its UK plans business and its legacy US registry business.
But its Hong Kong, Irish and Canadian registry businesses reported weaker earnings, the company said.
With the ASX posied for another run at 5000 today, Arab Bank's David Scutt says the CBA result will help, but probably won't be enough to do it on its own:
If #xjo gets to 5000 today it'll be reliant on investors using #CBA as a proxy for the other listed banks. Materials should support #ausbiz
— David Scutt (@David_Scutt) February 12, 2013
We have a one-stop shop for all of this season's earnings news. Click here for full coverage of the results, the reports, the meetings and so on. Or add it as a bookmark if you want to catch up on things at the end of each day or week.
Here's the full story on Commonwealth's record profit.
We'll being updating it as news comes to hand, and we'll be publishing analysis of the result once we've sifted through the numbers and the implications.
Noni B has reported a net profit of $1.9 million for the six months to December, a 19 per cent increase from the previous corresponding period.
The retail fashion group declared a fully franked interim dividend of 2.5 cents per share.
Noni B's joint managing director David Kindl said the company was continuing to focus on the profitability of each store.
"Second half revenue will include contributions by new stores that give us access to new customers in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane," he added.
Mr Kindl said the outlook for the women's fashion market remained challenging and the retailer would maintain a conservative approach to inventory levels and the company's balance sheet and cash position.
More on CSL. As well as reporting a 24 per cent rise in first half profits, the company expects to lift its full year profit by about 20 per cent.
Chief executive Dr Brian McNamee said that while global business conditions remain mixed, CSL re-affirmed its upgraded profit outlook.
''We continue to anticipate fiscal year 2013 net profit after tax to grow by approximately 20 per cent at constant currency,'' he said in a statement on Wednesday.
''Earnings per share growth will again exceed profit growth as shareholders benefit from the ongoing effect of past and current capital management initiatives.
Stockland has reported a net loss of $147.1 million for the six months to December, a sharp fall of 148 per cent from the same period the year before, which the company said was largely due to an impairment of the residential book.
The property group reported an underlying profit of $255 million, a 26 per cent drop from the previous corresponding period.
It said the fall was due to the "persistent challenging conditions in the new housing market, the impact of asset sales and a change in approach to capitalised interest".
"Stockland's disappointing first half result reflected the difficult operating conditions we faced and the impact of the group's portfolio transition," Stockland's managing director and chief executive Mark Steinert said in a statement.
"In this challenging environment we remain focused on optimising our performance and positioning the business for future growth."
The company declared a interim dividend of 12 cents per stapled security.
Stockland Highlands residential development at Cragieburn in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne. Photo: Erin Jonasson
More on the CBA. Commonwealth Bank's first half net profit is up one per cent to a record $3.661 billion.
CBA's net profit in the six months to December 31 was up from $3.62 billion in the same period in the previous year.
The bank's cash profit, a measure of its underlying performance, rose six per cent to $3.78 billion, from $3.58 billion.
Analysts had expected Australia's largest home lender to post an interim cash profit of about $3.7 billion.
More to come.
Ansell reported a net profit of $55 million for the six months to December, a 15.3 per cent drop from the same period the year before.
The gloves and condom maker declared a dividend of 16 cents per share unfranked.
Ansell said the first-half results were softer than expected, but was keeping its full-year guidance unchanged.
"[I]n a difficult economic environment, H1 results, as foreshadowed at the AGM in October, were below expectations," Ansell's chairman, Glenn Barnes, said.
He added that the three acquisitions and sales and marketing investments the company had made in that period were "all providing the basis for significant future growth and returns".
The CommBank numbers are arriving:
- $3.78 billion cash profit
- dividend - $1.64
- cash profit - 6% growth
In all, a bit better than expected.
Boral has suffered a first half net loss of $25.3 million and says it expects conditions to remain challenging in the building products market.
Boral's net loss for the six months to December 31 compared to a net profit of $153 million in the previous corresponding period.
The latest result was dragged down by $77 million worth of significant items, including impairment charges relating to the suspension of clinker production at Waurn Ponds in Victoria and first half restructuring and redundancy costs.
Those costs were partially offset by a gain on the divestment of the Asian Construction Materials businesses. The company announced 700 job cuts in January as it reduces costs to deal with a prolonged housing slump.
CSL has reported a net profit of $504 million for the six months to December, a 25.4 per cent increase from the year before.
The pharmaceutical company declared an interim dividend of 50 US cents, unfranked.
"It's been a very productive half year during which we have successfully strengthened our presence in emerging markets," managing director Brian McNamee said.
At the same time, CSL announced the appointment of Paul Perreault to its board as an executive director.
The first bit of earnings news has arrived and it's from OZ Minerals, which has reported a net profit of $152 million for the six months to December, a 44.6 per cent slump from the same period the year before.
The copper miner declared an unfranked dividend of 20 cents per share.
Aussie stocks are expected to climb following a solid session on Wall Street, which sent benchmark indexes to five-year highs, as earnings topped estimates and investors awaited President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 0.2 per cent.
''This market is front-running better economic and earnings news,'' John Augustine, who helps manage $27 billion as chief market strategist at Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp.
''We all think of a correction coming in February. Guess what, we probably won't get a correction in February. This market has got upward momentum.''
About 74 per cent of the 354 companies in the S&P 500 that have released results during the earnings season have exceeded profit projections, and 66 per cent have beaten sales estimates, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
For a comprehensive look at this morning's business news, check today's need2know. Here are this morning's key markets numbers:
- SPI futures are 6 points higher at 4932
- The $A is lower at $US1.0303
- In recent trade in New York, the S&P500 was 0.174% higher at 1519.55
- In London, the FTSE100 rose 0.977% to 6338.38
- China iron ore last traded at $US155.10 a metric tonne
- Gold rose $US1.45 to $US1651.15 an ounce
- WTI crude oil rose 44 cents to $US97.47 a barrel
- Reuters/Jefferies CRB index fell 0.04% to 300.60
We've got a huge day of earnings ahead, with the first half results of Commonwealth Bank sure to dominate headlines early. We'll be paddling hard to keep up with the reports as they come in. All the major releases will come through the Market Live blog, with commentary and share market reaction, so stay tuned throughout what should be an action-packed day.
But CommBank is not the only major player reporting today. Here's a list of who else is due to report:
- Stockland, Goodman Group, WorleyParsons, Boral, Noni B, Leighton Holdings, Dexus Property Group, Ansell, CSL, Computershare, The Reject Shop, Carsales.com, Gindalbie Metals first half results
- OZ Minerals full year results
- Platinum Asset Management quarterly update
Good morning everyone. Welcome to the Markets Live blog for Wednesday.
Contributors: Thomas Hunter, Jens Meyer, Max Mason
This blog is not intended as investment advice
BusinessDay with agencies


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Broadway.com has your first look at Jessie Mueller and company singing one of Carole King's biggest hits, "I Feel the Earth Move," in rehearsal for the pre-Broadway run of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
This real-life story of Carole King, who went from Brooklyn girl to pop icon, is wowing audiences on Broadway. Learn more about this well-loved hit!
February 4, 2015Beautiful Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller joins the ranks of Broadway greats to be honored with a caricature at the legendary theater district restaurant Sardi's.
January 27, 2015Broadway.com's Paul Wontorek headed to Ripley Grier Studio for an open call to meet dozens of Broadway hopefuls who dream of playing the great Carole King in Beautiful.
January 20, 2015Beautiful Tony winner Jessie Mueller asnswers your questions on everything from Sondheim to "Bustle Fluffah."
January 16, 2015Beautiful Tony nominee Jessie Mueller scolds us about a question that's"not appropriate" and reveals which Tony winner she's always up againt for roles.
May 30, 2014Beautiful Tony nominee Jarrod Spector reveals his secret talent, the rudest thing said to him at a stage door and what happened that time he was not professional.
May 29, 2014Beautiful Tony nominee Anika Larsen reveals her sweet Tony dream date and offers up some advice she received from a famous Aussie.
May 25, 2014In a return visit to Show People with Paul Wontorek, the Tony-nominated star of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical talks about her rising career.
May 9, 2014Beautiful's Jarrod Spector and Anika Larsen answer your questions about music icons, what makes the perfect pizza and what's on their bucket list.
April 18, 2014See Jessie Mueller and the cast of Beautiful record the title song from the Broadway show. The CD is already available for download on the Sh-K-Boom label and will be in stores May 13.
April 11, 2014Time flies when you're hanging out with Carole King! In her last Beautiful vlog for Broadway.com, Jessie Mueller's co-stars make us love her more than ever. Oh, Jessie! One fine day, we're going to want you for our vlogger again!
March 21, 2014It's Jessie Mueller's penultimate vlog, so settle in and listen up because the star answered your questions backstage at Beautiful! Yay!
March 7, 2014

subset: commoncrawl


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Oct, 2009
Hmmm… If you're guessing it's a chip package, you're right – got it in one. Well done! OK, so what type of package is it? If you're thinking it's a silly question as you don't know anything about the package, other than I've told you its black - that was a hint that it's an encapsulated plastic part by the way - you'd be right. You'd need me to tell you if it had leads, and if so on how many sides … Read More
Thermal Guideline, CFD, Chip Package, Thermal Standard, FloTHERM.PACK, IC Packaging


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Harper Stripe Fuzzy Stroller Blanket
- Overview
An everyday essential, this stroller blanket offers a cozy and tailored layer of warmth.
- 30 x 40"
- Made of a Jacquard-woven acrylic/cotton blend.
- Yarn dyed for vibrant, lasting color.
- Machine wash.
- Imported.
- Dimensions & Care
- Woven of 80% acrylic, 20% cotton.
- View our nursery bedding safety tips.
- Yarn-dyed fabric has incredibly rich color that holds its vibrancy over time.
- Machine wash in warm water; gentle cycle.
- Use only nonchlorine bleach, if needed.
- Tumble dry on low heat; remove promptly.
- Warm iron as needed.
- Shipping Info
Please allow 5-7 business days for delivery. Delivery estimate includes monogrammed and gift-wrapped items.
To confirm delivery time frames in your area, please call 800.993.4923.


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For status updates, visit lucyburns.org.
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Quick Links
Shop All Jewelry
NL10804 In Stock Absolutely No Delay on Personalization!
For a really cool and unique intial necklace, try this Flamboyant medium stainless steel intitial round tag pendant. The interesting style of this intricate font is perfect for anyone who enjoys a little taste of the extravagant. Custom engraving will personalize the 1 inch stainless steel round tag with any intial to create the perfect intial necklace. Perfect for any age, this specialized font can be worn on an 18, 20, or 24 inch stainless steel beaded chain that is great for any casual look. Engrave it online to see what magic can be created!
Eve's Addiction.com wants you to be a happy customer. We want you to be completely satisfied with the sterling silver jewelry that you receive from us, as we only sell high quality silver and cubic zirconia cz jewelry. We do understand that you may not like your purchase for some reason.
You may return or exchange your jewelry within 60 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with it. The jewelry must be returned in its original condition for a refund or exchange. Engraved, personalized, photo, monogram, name and initial, chocolate and clearance items are not returnable or exchangeable. To return jewelry to EvesAddiction.com, please follow the steps at the following link.


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Jacqueline MooreC.J. Durbin-Higgins
(903) 868-1806
Ask questions, get information
Four young women from Austin, TX who are in Washington, DC to compete in the National History Day Competition visited our offices to discuss their impressive project that explores the origins and sustaining impact of the pivotal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Voting rights have been under attack in state legislatures across the country for more than a decade and there are no signs of it letting up in 2013. Indeed 2013 could be a year that sets back voting rights more than all of the attacks of the past decade combined.
Great news today for all Texas voters. A U.S. Federal District Court found that the Texas voter photo identification law violates Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. National League President Elisabeth MacNamara remarked, "The importance of this case cannot be overstated: It is a landmark decision for voting rights in America and helps ensure America's elections treat all citizens equally, and are free, fair and accessible."
Therese Hansen is a member of the LWV of Seattle-King County
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Focuses on a specialized area of health law. Limited to students in the Graduate Program in Health Law. Tutorial must be approved by the program director.
Last updated 7/6/2011 8:00:50 AM


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Stress echocardiography is a test that uses ultrasound imaging to show how well your heart muscle is working to pump blood to your body. It is mainly used to detect a decrease in blood flow to the heart from narrowing in the coronary arteries .
Echocardiography stress test; Stress test - echocardiography
This test is done at a medical center or health care provider's office.
A resting echocardiogram will be done first. While you lie on your left side with your left arm out, a small device called a transducer is held against your chest. A special gel is used to help the ultrasound waves get to your heart.
Most people will walk on a treadmill (or pedal on an exercise bicycle). Slowly (about every 3 minutes), you will be asked to walk (or pedal) faster and on an incline. It is like being asked to walk fast or jog up a hill.
In most cases, you will need to walk or pedal for around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your level of fitness and your age. Your doctor will ask you to stop:
If you are not able to exercise, you will get a drug such as dobutamine through a vein (intravenous line). This medicine will make your heart beat faster and harder, similar to when you exercise.
Your blood pressure and heart rhythm (ECG) will be monitored throughout the procedure.
More echocardiogram images will be taken while your heart rate is increasing, or when it reaches its peak. The images will show whether any parts of the heart muscle do not work as well when your heart rate increases. This is a sign that part of the heart may not be getting enough blood or oxygen because of narrowed or blocked arteries.
Ask your health care provider if you should take any of your routine medicines on the day of the test. Some medicines may interfere with test results. Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have taken any of the following medications within the past 24 hours (1 day):
DO NOT eat or drink for at least 3 hours before the test.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the test.
Electrodes (conductive patches) will be placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the heart's activity.
The blood pressure cuff on your arm will be inflated every few minutes, producing a squeezing sensation that may feel tight.
Rarely, people feel chest discomfort, extra or skipped heartbeats, dizziness, headache, nausea or shortness of breath during the test.
The test is performed to see whether your heart muscle is getting enough blood flow and oxygen when it is working hard (under stress).
Your doctor may order this test if you:
The results of this stress test can help your doctor:
A normal result means that blood flow through the coronary arteries is probably normal.
The meaning of your test results depends on the reason for the test, your age, and your history of heart and other medical problems.
Abnormal results may be due to:
After the test you may need:
The risks are very low. Health care professionals will monitor you during the entire procedure.
Rare complications include:
Boden WE. Angina pectoris and stable ischemic heart disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 71.
Connolly HM, Oh JK. Echocardiography. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 15.
Fihn SD, Gardin JM, Abrams J, et al. 2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(24): e-44-e164.
Mahajan N, Polavaram L, Vankayala H, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging and stress echocardiography for the diagnosis of left main and triple vessel coronary artery disease: a comparative meta-analysis. Heart. 2010;96(12):956-966.
Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.
For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
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text: GALLERIES Pussycat Dolls Bette Midler Bette Midler Brooke Valentine Brooke Valentine Kristin Chenoweth Kristin Chenoweth The Donnas The Donnas Coming Next OR 0 42 Back to Top ▲ Pussycat Dolls Pussycat Dolls Pussycat Dolls Pics AskMen Editors Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 0 Shares Having gotten their start as a celebrity-laden rock burlesque troupe, the Pussycat Dolls are now getting attention as a pop-showgirl hybrid. On the strength of their hit single "Don't Cha," they are positioning themselves to reinvent the girl group as we know it. Continue reading Pussycat Dolls's profile. Next Page gallery Comments Show Comments More Like This Promoted Around the Web Special Features


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This distinguished ring is crafted in quality 14 karat white gold with a sleek satin finish, and is part of our Noire collection. Five round black sapphires, at approximately .82 carat total gem weight, are channel-set to add class and sparkle to the design.
Order now for delivery on or before
Thursday, March 12, 2015
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Overall, my strategy for Driver was excellent. Anyway, thre's one tip that I forgot to mention which got me through a lot of missoins: If you have a cop on your tail when you reach your target point and you have to lose him, simply come to a stop, let him rear-end you, then back into him repeatedly. You won't take much damage, but he will, and as soon as that cop's out of commission, you'll hear some sweet words: "We lost him." Mission accomplished!
This is a superb technique. It's especially nice for those missions where it seems as if the cops never leave you alone at the very end (but isn't that like, all of 'em?).
Minecraft is one of those games that may be off-putting at first but once you dive in, it's hard to get away. This shouldn't come as a surprise considering how incredibly immersive the title is. Of course, it also shouldn't come as a surprise that it's a bit off-putting to some as it's not exactly the best looking game on the market. In fact, when the game originally launched in 2009 many thought it would fail. Notch, the game's creator, released Minecraft in an era where beautiful visuals reigned supreme. Games like Call of Duty and Halo were largely dominating the scene with high definition visuals and high paces gameplay.
Lucky for Notch and Mojang (the company spawned from the creation of Minecraft) the game went on to be a success. People were enthralled by the immersive gameplay, endless possibilities and the chance to let their imagination run wild. However, despite being a quite popular game if you're just getting into it, you're going to need some guidance to make sure you're able to make it through the first night.
Gather Your Tools
When you first start Minecraft, you have nothing but your bare hands. Luckily, using your bare hands you can chop (or punch) down a tree. From here you will be able to use the wood to make an immense amount of things. However, there are several things you're going to need to make sure you get through the first night. First and foremost you're going to need a pickaxe. Despite not being very good for defense a pickaxe will allow you to mine more valuable materials. Once you get a pickaxe, you are then free to make both a regular axe and a sword. From here you'll have virtually everything you need to at least survive the first night. Getting excited? Seeing how you can try Minecraft for free, you should be waiting for nothing.
Make a Home
Following the creation of your tools, you're going to need shelter. There are several ways you can go about doing this; some which will take a short amount of time and others a long amount of time. The easiest way to create a shelter for your first night is within a mountain. Simply find the closest mountain and dig yourself a cave. You're going to make sure you leave a space for a door at the entrance of the cave. Having a door will ensure that all baddies are kept out overnight so you can stay safe and sound.
While it's not a complete necessity, you can also create torches if you find coal (which is very easy to find). This will allow you to illuminate your dwelling making it easier to create better gear.Survive The Night
If you have a home, chances are you'll be pretty safe throughout the night. However, you're going to want to make good use of the night to ensure you have enough power to adventure the next day. To do this, it's best if you collect a surplus of materials before calling it a night. This will allow you craft additional items such as a better sword, a suit of armor, better tools and even materials to build your first real home.
Ensuring you have enough tools, resources and a proper shelter should be good enough to survive the first night. From here you're free to progressively create better tools and prepare yourself for your first home. If this sounds like fun to you but you're still unsure whether you should take the leap, what do you have to lose? You can try Minecraft for free and see if you like it before hopping in.
This season's latest Minecraft games have already entertained their patrons with their recent offerings. Off all the games, here are the three most popular minecraft games designed to thrill the gamer and let the players' imagination can go wild.
The Story behind the game: Mario, the original inhabitant of Mushroom kingdom was brought to the Minecraft city during the 1st half of August 2014. He has an ordained task of protecting the Princess Peach from the clutches of a group of violent radicals who usurp her while strolling in a forest surrounding her castle. This duty brings him to the Minecraft world where she is imprisoned in a dungeon. The aim of Mario is to save her in the Minecraft world and take her back to the Mushroom kingdom.
Mine Blocks 2
The aim of the player of Mine Blocks 2 is to provide the Minecraft lad with a beautiful house in the small Minecraft world. Currently homeless, without any acquaintances they player provides assistance to this guy, by mining resources such as trees, twigs, leaves, and the like. Mining these will bring the player close to other basic resources like wood, rock, coal, and more.
This game has 2 modes: Survival Mode and God Mode. The player should select either the Survive option or the God Mode option, as a primary step. Selecting the God Mode will provide the player with innumerable blocks to build his own world on the map. In contrast, is the player selects the Survive mode, mining blocks is possible by destroying trees and the ground further to allowing the Minecraft guy travel through these blocks to acquire them. Keeping in mind the availability of limited lives in the Survive mode, moves of the game should be in line to survive until end for a guaranteed victory.
Cloud Worlds
Cloud Worlds is a new game which has been developed along the lines of Minecraft. It too works with the basic idea of building blocks which are provided to the player as resources. But unlike Minecraft, this game offers a more creative environment to the player. There are no set Objectives - players decide what they want to do, no Obstacles and no Rules!!
Players are free to use the resources or blocks to create their own 'World' – they can create houses, buildings, castles and any other structure they fancy. In fact players can create an entire city of their dreams – their own little world in the Clouds!
Tools to Achieve the Objective
Regular keyboard keys are used to navigate the way –upward, downward, and sideways and jump from one spot to another, to change tools and dig out the blocks.
Inspired by Minecraft, Mine Blocks is an entertaining 2D online mining game played on Flash, with an intention to mine, build, craft and explore one's new world. To get started with life in a new world, it is pertinent to start collecting wood.
Designed by Zanzalanz, Mine Blocks is an adaption of most of the features of Minecraft's games, which allows the player to do anything depending on his creative instincts. Hence this game is regarded as a perfect arena for imaginative players who are at their best when building structures.
An "Out of World" Experience: Creation of the Player's Own World
Mine Blocks makes use of inbuilt materials, building tools, armors, stones and hammers. Creating the player's world is the result of using these materials in conjunction with activities like exploring, discovering, mining, farming and crafting, which can be performed on randomly generated worlds. Amongst many other things that can be done, the player can collect diamonds, wage wars against monsters by defeating the ender dragon boss, design the red stone and also explore the nether.
Being a part of the journey itself to create one's world provides unparalleled excitement to the player in the form of hunting and adventure escapades. Mining of resources and discovering land in Mine Blocks is in line with the player's motive to building a house or a mansion. Freedom to work through the building plan will be fostered by emancipation of perils caused by monsters.
Instructions – The Mine Blocks' 1.26.5 version is the latest offering from Minecraft.
Players should be informed about the content and features of Mine Block items. It is advisable for players to take notice of materials, crafting tools and building structures. Travelling through the route map, the idea is to accumulate inventory which will be helpful in mining various available blocks. Inbuilt instructions can be used to collect resources to create building tools. Placing the created structures in line with an imaginative forethought will result in the final layout of the player's world.
Mining Materials – The First Step to Creation
Positioning of the red cursor to target the item to be mined is done by moving the mouse. Then, clicking and keeping the mouse button till the block pops off will craft the block, when it is displayed. Dragging around blocks in the inventory is possible by clicking followed by pressing and holding down the SHIFT key. The CTRL key helps in opening the inventory. Dragging the blocks in the crafting area will enable the player to see what he can make. The following connotations for selection of wood are listed below:
The player can then choose to come out of the inventory to place blocks like crafting table on the map. Holding the SHIFT key, placing the GREEN cursor on it followed by CLICK + SHIFT will place the block at the designated spot. Begin playing now!


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Pablo Francisco - Mexican Music
by Metacafe Affiliate U (09/01/06) 27,240 views
Pablo Francisco Talks about mexican music
Ownage Pranks called a guy who was selling his Acura TSX. He absolutely hates getting low offers for his car.
This is how you smash a plugged-in TV... in super-slow motion.
Here at Epic Meal Time, we take pizza seriously. So seriously, in fact, that we're looking to provide pizza with the beautiful life it deserves.
Furious Pete gives you some step-by-step instructions on how to enjoy In-N-Out.
Ownage Pranks posted an ad as a rich businessman looking for an assistant to do some odd jobs. A pregnant ex-stripper was the first to respond.


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Today we have released a brand new Pingdom Android app. Like the iPhone app we released a short while ago, the Android app is completely reengineered from the ground up. With a new design and added functionality, the app puts more information about your website monitoring checks in your pocket. Whenever you receive an alert on your Android smartphone we want to help you get to what's wrong as quickly as possible, then allow you to dig deeper.
The new app is available today from the Play Store. It's of course free, so there's no reason why you shouldn't download it right away.


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Custom Engraved Apple iPad 2 Smart Cover - Engraving only
Price: $24.99 to $12.00
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Outfit your iPad with a Smart Cover from Apple - the smart way to protect your iPad. Make it even smarter with custom laser engraving the Smart Cover! The polyurethane covers laser etch frosty white, and the leather covers laser engrave with a rich, dark color.
Choose what to laser, your logo, text, graphics, symbols - almost anything, and send your Smart Cover to us for the engraving. If you want us to supply the Smart Cover, order online here.


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quote:I'm thinking about putting a link in the OP to ABC's video player site where you watch full episodes for free online just so people can catch up on old episodes. Would the fine admins of TD allow that?
quote:Also, the video speech at the end was badass!
quote:It was ok, but no lasting power. No way they can keep this going.


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Seats, once mounted, cannot be returned. Returned seats must be in like-new condition with no evidence of wear or mount marks. Be careful to check fitment before mounting your new seat. When checking fitment of seat, place a cloth under seat, do not bolt down seat. Carefully set seat on bike and check fitment. Returned seats showing any signs of wear or mount marks cannot be accepted. Please be careful when checking fitment.


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The Greensboro Montessori School enrolls children from the age of 18 months through the 8th grade. GMS is a dynamic, progressive school committed to the educational theory and practice established by Dr. Maria Montessori over 100 years ago, and which continues to be supported by the latest brain research and educational best practices.
We are currently accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. If you would like to learn more about the Greensboro Montessori School and the Montessori method, please contact Rhea Egbert to schedule a tour, email@example.com, 336-668-0119.
Weekly Group Tours on Wednesday mornings at 9am
Next Open House is Sunday, March 29, 1-3pm
Upcoming Events Calendar
At the Greensboro Montessori School, learning is a journey. Our mission is to nurture children to be creative, eager learners as they discover their full potential and become responsible, global citizens. Our teachers and curriculum inspire a joy of learning, academic success, intellectual excitement, creativity, and emotional well-being in each of our students.
Our school is accredited by the American Montessori Society, The Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, now known as AdvanceEd. We offer the opportunity to share more about our school and invite you to visit during our monthly Open Houses to learn more.
Fri Mar 06 @12:00AM School Closed for Parent Conferences (CASA available) |
Fri Mar 13 @12:00AM School Closed for 2015 AMS Teachers Conference (CASA Available) |
Fri Mar 20 @ 9:30AM - 11:00AM Mommy/Daddy & Me Storytime |
Tue Mar 24 @ 4:30PM - 06:00PM Board of Trustees Meeting |
Sat Mar 28 @ 1:30PM - 04:00PM Community Garden Workday |
Sun Mar 29 @ 1:00PM - 03:00PM Open House for Prospective Parents |
Fri Apr 03 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Sat Apr 04 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Sun Apr 05 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Mon Apr 06 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Tue Apr 07 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Wed Apr 08 @12:00AM School Closed for Spring Break |
Alexandria, 14, is a freshman at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts. This weekend, though, she will experience being a professional musician. She is in New York City to play in the Honors Performance Series, which includes the performance at Carnegie Hall. The group's performance will include the finale of Symphony No. 1 by Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story Overture.
As her bandmates pounded out a rocking waltz rhythm behind her, 15-year-old Natalie Frontera strummed an acoustic guitar while singing an emotionally intense song.
"He hits you; you scream," she sang. "But I don't hear a thing."
Read more...


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quote:your team wasnt good to begin with. and you didnt just drop. you free falled.
quote:2011 has little relevance to 2012
quote:your pitching sucked
quote:ryan howard killed you
quote:4th best bat going into the season was Brennan Boesch
quote:and im reading the thread now, you begged me to rank you and even agreed with being in the 10th spot
quote:it's a keeper league
quote:was in my lineup for 3 weeks, he destroyed me
quote:1st in QS, 2 in Whip, top half of the league in K/9 and Saves
quote:him not being in your lineup killed you after trading for him(horrible trade btw) thinking he would play sooner than he did
quote:and you were counting on him, why? lol
quote:anyone can compile QS. where were you in games started?
quote:my trade of nothing for Howard killed me? that makes no sense
quote:i wasn't
quote: somehow my shite pitchers made an abnormal amount of starts and finished 2nd in whip. crazy
quote:you'll probably win louie, lester had the best team
quote:it killed you because you were counting on him as your 3rd best hitter
quote:o i thought you kept boesch
quote:3rd best. and my team was hurt all year and i didnt plummet out of the playoffs. lulz
quote:I was?
quote:i did
quote:you traded for him and kept him. So yea. Its ok to admit it was a bad mistake
quote:so you kept boesch but you werent counting on him. And you werent counting on Howard either, but you kept him too.


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quote:Tobias: I know you're the big marriage expert around here... oh wait, I'm sorry, I forgot, your wife is dead. Ha!
quote:Not a quote, but makes me crack up EVERY time. The episode where gob sleeps with the ugly Indian woman and the old woman bc he thinks Michael wants them. The Indian calls him and Michael says don't answer it. Gob goes "who is s. Ranjagupta? Better take this one. Hello?" the facial expression and noise he makes after makes me absolutely lose it.
quote: tobias's analrapist card shown


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Polymyositis is a rare inflammatory disease that leads to muscle weakness, swelling tenderness, and tissue damage. It is part of a larger group of diseases called myositis.
Polymyositis affects the skeletal muscles. It is also known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be related to an autoimmune reaction or infection.
Polymyositis can affect people at any age. It most common in adults between ages 50 and 70, and in children ages 5 to 15. It affects women twice as often as men. It is more common in African Americans than Caucasians.
Polymyositis is a systemic disease, which means it affects the whole body. Muscle weakness and tenderness can be signs of polymyositis. A rash is a sign of a similar condition, dermatomyositis.
Common symptoms include:
You may also have:
Tests may include:
People with this condition also must be watched carefully for signs of cancer.
The main treatment is with corticosteroid medicines. The dose of medicine is slowly tapered off as muscle strength improves. This takes about 4-6 weeks. You will stay on a low dose of a corticosteroid medicine after that. Medicines to suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate and azathioprine, may be used for people who do not respond to corticosteroids.
Intravenous gamma globulin has been tried, with mixed results. Biologic drugs also may play in part in treating this condition but it is too soon to know.
If the condition is associated with a tumor , it may improve if the tumor is removed.
Response to treatment varies based on the complications. The 5-year mortality rate can be as high as 1 in 5 patients.
Many people, especially children, a period when no symptoms are present and recover. For most other people, immunosuppressant drugs can control the disease.
In adults, death may result from:
The major causes of death are cancer and lung disease.
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder. Seek emergency treatment if you have shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing.
Nagaraju K, Lundberg IE. Inflammatory Diseases of Muscle and Other Myopathies. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2012:chap 85.
Miller FW, Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 277.
Ariel D. Teitel, MD, MBA, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc., Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, Stephanie Slon, and Nissi Wang.
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.
For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
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http://www.sanuk.com/womens-sidewalk-surfers/donna/SWF1002.htmlWomen's Donna
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Walking all day in these classic Sanuk style will leave perma-smile on your face. Now available in an array of delightful colors options and herringbone textures.
Additional Information
- Super Soft, High Rebound, Molded EVA Footbed featuring AEGIS Antimicrobial additive
- Happy U Outsole
- Handmade Canvas or Poncho Upper with Frayed edge detail and Textile Liner
- Vegan and Vegetarian
Product Reviews
by PowerReviewsPros
- Comfortable (90)
- Stylish (84)
- Versatile (69)
- Durable (57)
- Cushions impact (34)
- Poor arch support (12)
- Stains easily (12)
- Wears out quickly (4)
- Poor cushioning (3)
Best Uses
- Travel (73)
- Casual wear (67)
- Beach wear (51)
- Going out (51)
- School (51)
- Sizing:
Feels full size too small
Feels half size too small
Feels true to size
(66 reviews)
Feels half size too big
Feels full size too big
- Width:
Feels too narrow
Feels true to width
(87 reviews)
Feels too wide
- Reviewer Profile:
- Comfort driven (41), Style driven (17), Stylish (15), Conservative (8), Trendy style (3)
Reviewed by 94 customers
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- Breathes Well
- Comfortable
- Cushions Impact
- Durable
- Poor Arch Support
Best Uses
- Beach Wear
- Casual Wear
- Going Out
- School
Comments about Donna:
the shoes do not look like they would be comfortable but they really are. they are also stylish. the only negative is arch support
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Width:
- Feels true to width
- Breathes Well
- Comfortable
- Cushions Impact
- Durable
- Good Arch Support
- Stylish
- Versatile
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
- Going Out
- Travel
- Work
Comments about Donna:
these are wonderful.....never disappointed!!!!!
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Width:
- Feels true to width
- Breathes Well
- Comfortable
- Versatile
Best Uses
- Casual Wear
Comments about Donna:
I bought a pair beginning of Summer and I haven't wore anything else. I should have two different colors arrive today in the mail. Words can't explain these shoes, It's better than wearing slippers all day long. Everyone in my family wants a pair. Christmas shopping will be easy this year.
- Sizing:
- Feels true to size
- Width:
- Feels true to width
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I don't like dark rooms –it's probably because I've lived in California most of my life so I've gotten used to having lots of ambient daylight. My heart sinks when I walk into a room in the middle of the day and it's darker than a cavern. The guys in the office always know when I'm in the building because I flip the light switches as I walk through the building. Now let me make this clear… I don't turn on the lights when there's plenty of sunlight and I always turn the lights off when I leave the room (that is if I'm the last one leaving the room).
Anyway, the lighting fixture in our living room can fit three 100W lights and over the weekend one of the light bulbs unceremoniously fizzed out. Not a big problem because normally all I have to do is go to my trusty supply cabinet in the kitchen, find the right light bulb and replace the dead one. Unfortunately, we didn't have any 100W light bulbs anywhere in the house– I had conveniently forgotten that the European Union had put a ban on the manufacture and import of them. You can't find any of these contraband lights (including the 75W ones) in the shops although you can still buy them online (at least until the supplies run out).
I understand why the EU is pushing consumers towards more energy efficient alternatives.These light bulbs which have been lighting our homes for 100 odd years aren't the most energy efficient. But I'm not a huge fan of those fluorescent low-energy lights (the light just doesn't look right and they flicker). So it's a good thing that there are other alternatives – among them LED lights. The useful life for an LED can range from 6,000 hours to more than 50,000 hours. To put that in perspective, good ol' incandescent bulbs have a life of 2,000 hours. But LEDs run pretty hot; therefore, thermal issues need to be considered and dealt with during the design process. If I understand it correctly, 75% to 85% of the energy used to drive LEDs is converted to heat and therefore must be conducted from the LED die. As the leaders in thermal simulation, we have many customers who use simulation in their LED design efforts. Among them is a Belgian engineering consulting firm named Voxdale. The team at Voxdale have designed several LED lights for their customers and have gotten the design process down to an art-form — they solve power LED thermal management problems in just one day!
In a conversation with the president of Voxdale, Koen Beyers, he mentioned that one of their customers, a lighting system manufacturer, built a prototype of a new design and discovered that the temperature of the LED rose above its maximum operating temperature rather quickly. Because the manufacturer wanted to get their product to market quickly, they didn't have the time to optimize the thermal design the traditional way (modify and test the prototype multiple times). So the team at Voxdale solved their problem in under one day. Considering how quickly the LED market moves, any time saved in the product design process is an advantage. Anyway, if you'd like to read more about how Mr. Beyers' team solved this LED thermal problem, please click here.
And if you'd like to learn more about solving thermal issues of LEDs, please download a copy of this whitepaper: Solving the System-Level Thermal Management Challenges of LEDs This white paper describes the use of CFD for LED lighting products. CFD simulation helps manufacturers optimize the design of heat sinks and other parts of the luminaire to produce low-cost, high performance products. Happy reading!
Until next time,


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If you want to see more of the other shops you can visit Kim or Nedra. And speaking of Nedra, we got to meet in person! She caught me right as I was getting ready to leave after cutting and assembling kits for a couple of hours. I have always thoroughly enjoyed reading her blog and she always leaves the kindest, most encouraging comments. So great to meet you in person, Nedra!
Each of the 15 stores in the 'shop hop' create a free block to giveaway and every store has to make a quilt using all the blocks. This year the theme was "All Around the Town." Here is the quilt that our talented store owner, Amy McClellan, put together. I think it took forever, but turned out SO cool.
Amy is also a talented designer of wool patterns. The nativity above is hers and these monthly blocks below. Also the stockings and tree skirt in the last photo. You can see more of her things here.
And check out this adorable vintage-reproduction puppy quilt. Made with American Jane fabrics! It's another Amy McClellan original.
And there's Mr. Roboto to the right. And speaking of Mr. Roboto, the kits are gone! Thanks to everyone who expressed interest. We will get those kits shipped on Monday. It was really fun to talk to some of you in person. A couple of other people came in the shop this week who also read this weird little blog and were so kind. Thank you! It's really fun to put live people's faces and voices in the context of something that feels so annonymous sometimes.
It has been a crazy week here. I am pretty much over-saturated with cutting fabric. (I wasn't sure such a thing could ever happen.) Throw in a husband in Chicago for 3 days and a sick 3-year-old and not a lot of the other stuff I had planned for this week got done. Like the Mr. Roboto tutorial. Sorry, I feel like such a flake. Hopefully a lot of pictures of pretty quilts will placate you until the beginning of next week when the tutorial will appear. Thanks for your patience.


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DIY: Darn it!
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Regions:Dover/Somersworth -Great Bay - Rochester - Portsmouth | |
Berwick Eliot Kittery North Berwick Lebanon South Berwick York | |
Go Mobile: http://mobile.fosters.com Football Dream Team: Clippers' repeat is a Seacoast gridiron highlight
Friday, January 18, 2013
DOVER — The Seacoast was the place to be during championship season. The local area was blessed with no fewer than three high-school football teams playing for state titles. Player of the year
RYAN MONETTE Coach of the year
"Brett Gerry practices and plays as hard as any player I have ever coached," Rotsko said.
"Eric has been a very durable player for us over the last three years," Dover coach Ken Osbon said. "He is an excellent linebacker who finds a way to make plays all the time. Over the years he has developed into an outstanding blocking tight end. Our success running the football has everything to do with his abilities and effort." DEFENSE
DARREN GLORE, Somersworth (Sr., TE/DE) — A second-team all-state D-V selection, Glore made 68 tackles with two sacks and two fumble recoveries. DONOVAN PHANOR, Portsmouth (Jr., QB) — Ran for 639 yards and five touchdowns, passed for 793 and eight touchdowns and was key in the Clippers' championship-game victory. KURTIS MICHAUD, Somersworth (Sr., RB/LB) — A second-team all-state selection, the senior had 47 tackles and two sacks with a fumble recovery. As a running back, he ran for 650 yards on 111 carries with 10 touchdowns. JAKE BECKER, Portsmouth (Jr., RB/LB) — A first-team D-III all-state selection, Becker was a menace to the opposition on both sides of the ball. He scored a pair of touchdowns for the Clippers in the state championship game. DILLON CROSBY, Portsmouth (Sr., RB) — Ran for 724 yards and eight touchdowns and averaged 25.5 yards per catch. He filled in at quarterback in a key win over Milford. COLIN MACDONALD, Portsmouth (Sr., WR) — An experienced receiver, MacDonald overcame injury to earn first-team D-III all-state honors and caught six passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the state championship game.


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Brain Quest® - 3-4 years
No longer available
- Overview
Perfect for the preschool crowd, more than 300 questions and answers, look-alikes, ABCs, word associations and number games nourish your child's growing intellect.
- 2" wide x 2.5" deep x 8" high
- Includes 300 questions and answers.
- Ages 3 and up.
- Shipping Info
Please allow 5-7 business days for delivery. Delivery estimate includes monogrammed and gift-wrapped items.


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Lance Armstrong's bullying image on trial
January 18, 2013
A confession of doping isn't all Lance Armstrong needs to offer in his television interview with Oprah Winfrey to be screened today, according to those he attacked over the years for doubting him.
Whether Armstrong can counter his image as a cheater who bullied doubters into silence could be a key factor in his rehabilitation in the public's eyes.
Daniel Borochoff, founder and president of charity watchdog CharityWatch, said potential donors to Armstrong's Live-strong cancer foundation were turned off not only by the fact of his doping but also by his efforts to impugn his accusers.
"Some of his attacks (were) against people who were just telling the truth about what was going on with the doping. If he's admitting that now, then that's going to be hard for people to come to grips with," Borochoff said.
Among those targeted as Armstrong enemies was Betsy Andreu, wife of his former team-mate Frankie Andreu.
Digital Pass $1 for first 28 Days
She says Armstrong painted her as "vindictive, bitter, vengeful and jealous" when she testified that she heard Armstrong tell doctors treating his cancer in 1996 that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.
"I would like for him to come out and admit the hospital incident did happen," Betsy Andreu told ESPN this week, after it was learned that Armstrong admitted to doping in his interview with Winfrey.
From Emma O'Reilly, an Irish massage therapist who testified to the US Anti-Doping Agency about drug use on Armstrong's team, to USADA chief Travis Tygart, no Armstrong accuser was let off.
In the buildup to the Winfrey interview, Armstrong has offered apologies to Livestrong staff and reportedly to various figures in cycling and journalists who have crossed swords with him.
Some have already demanded more than words, however. Insurance company SCA, sued by Armstrong when they withheld a $5 million bonus after his sixth Tour win in 2004 because of doping allegations, now wants that money back.
The Sunday Times newspaper is also suing for the return of a settlement that Armstrong gained in a libel case after the British newspaper printed doping allegations in 2004.
Former team-mate Floyd Landis, who accused Armstrong after himself losing his 2006 Tour de France title for doping, was dismissed as a cheater with "zero credibility".
Former team-mate Tyler Hamilton told authorities he felt threatened by Armstrong after Hamilton agreed to testify before a US grand jury convened to probe doping in cycling, with Armstrong a primary focus.
At the time Hamilton had gone public with accusations against Armstrong on CBS television's 60 Minutes.
"Would you feel threatened if someone said to you, 'We're going to destroy you on the witness stand and we're going to make your life a living hell?' " Hamilton's lawyer Chris Manderson said.
Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, an Armstrong critic who acknowledges that the problem of doping extends beyond his compatriot, said Armstrong's tactics were particularly damaging to the sport.
"There's a major difference between a guy like Ivan Basso (who was banned for two years for doping) and Armstrong," LeMond said in 2010. "Basso doesn't threaten people!
"When it comes to manipulating people, Armstrong is the undisputed champion."
Armstrong said yesterday viewers could judge for themselves how candid he was in the interview.
"I left it all on the table with her, and when it airs the people can decide," he said in a text message to the Associated Press.


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Drug Notes
UPMC Patient Education Materials
Calculators and Assessment Tools
Anatomy Navigator
Conditions Navigator
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis . The condition can include:
Lung disease - rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid nodules
Lung problems are common in rheumatoid arthritis. They often cause no symptoms.
The causes of lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. Sometimes the medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, especially methotrexate, may result in lung disease.
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease include:
The doctor may hear crackles (rales) when listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. Or, the patient may have decreased breath sounds, wheezing, a rubbing sound, or normal breath sounds.
The following tests may show signs of rheumatoid lung disease:
Many people with this condition have no symptoms. Treatment is aimed at the health problems causing the lung problem and the complications caused by the disorder. Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system are sometimes useful.
The outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease. In severe cases, lung transplantation can be considered.
Call your health care provider right away if you have rheumatoid arthritis and you develop unexplained breathing difficulties.
Corte TJ, duBois RM. The lungs and connective tissue diseases. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al., eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:chap 58.
Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.
For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
© UPMC Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com


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This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=2/3. Sequence is a rhythm/RPG hybrid, featuring full voice acting and a soundtrack by Ronald Jenkees. Ascend the Tower and uncover the mystery surrounding the girl tracking your every move.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.
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About Us
Wanderlust was created by three friends with a long and deep relationship: the 20+ year husband-and-wife duo of Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant, and their mutual friend (and Jeff's business partner of over a decade), Sean Hoess. We all met back in college during the dark ages of the late '80s. Long before Wanderlust existed, we loved to throw a good party, and that hasn't changed much.
But Wanderlust is more than a party. While it's a great time, from the beginning we wanted to infuse it with meaning – to create an event that is fun but also based on underlying ideals, where attendees are actually participants, and where people left feeling better than when they came. We dreamed of an event that could be at least a good time and – at best – personally transformative.
Finding a clear purpose is a process both for a business and an individual. It's very hard to distill, and it can change. For Wanderlust, our core purpose is to create community around shared values, and it has been incredibly gratifying to see such a large community grow around the pillars of mindful living – yoga, the arts, personal spirituality, environmentalism, organics and conscious consumerism – and to know that Wanderlust is becoming a central gathering point for this community.
The cauldron of talent at Wanderlust never ceases to amaze us, and while we continue to seek out diverse and gifted teachers, speakers and leaders – it often feels like the festival is equally shaped by the power of its participants. The pop-up scholars, performers, acroyogis, hoopers, and artisans that have organically integrated into the event create an exchange of ideas and energy that could never be replicated by any traditional festival or concert experience.
Wanderlust continues to evolve to include a broader range of experiences, from hiking, biking, running and other outdoor activities to a more diverse array of lectures, expanded food and wine events, dance and photography workshops, and even a community garden project. Wherever possible, these new activities will involve interaction and interactivity, so our attendees can learn and create as part of the event.
Wanderlust 2014 will be bigger and better than ever. There's a lot to do, and many more locations to do it at. We hope you can come take advantage of all of it, but don't plan too much. Always allow yourself wander, because life's most beautiful moments come in the spaces.
~ Jeff, Sean & Schuyler
Interested in joining our team? Take a look at our Jobs page.
And just because…