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Thank you for choosing Dolly Couture, Lesley! This form should outline all details of your gown order. It is very important to us that the dress you order is the dress we ship you. For this reason, we make it the responsibility of the buyer to confirm all details before purchase. Please consider this description a contract outlining all of the details of your gown.Descriptions of your dress and any customizations noted here represent the final order details and supersede any previous correspondence between yourself and representatives of Dolly Couture. If any information is incorrect, please contact us prior to your purchase so that the adjustment can be made.
Dress: Georgetown $400.00
Custom: Remove ruffle detail on skirt
Size: 12 (40" Bust, 34" Waist)
Color: Pink satin (SAH006) underlay with champagne organza overlay
Additional Measurements: NA
Back of dress: Standard - zipper
Skirt Length: Standard - 27" natural waist to hem length
Petticoat: Standard
Additional items/notes:
RUSH: 6 weeks (fee waived due to slow season)
Price: $400.00
Without fittings we can not guarantee you will not need a few alterations. We suggest searching for a tailor that is local to you and who has reputable on-line reviews. Yelp.com is a wonderful resource. We suggest EVERY bride make an appointment with a tailor in the two weeks prior to her wedding, even when your gown is a perfect fit on arrival. This exciting time can cause weight fluctuation among some brides. Dolly and her team take pride in packaging and preparing gowns for shipping, however, some wrinkling may occur in transit. Pressing or steaming wrinkles (along with alterations) are the responsibility of the bride. Thank you so much for your order!
Maximum number of characters: 50
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- Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building - http://inhabitat.com -
KHR Arkitektur's Atuarfik Hans Lynge School Withstands Harsh Mountain Weather Conditions in Greenland
Posted By Taz Loomans On May 8, 2013 @ 5:20 pm In Architecture,carousel showcase,Daylighting,Design,Gallery | No Comments
Due to the unique topography of the mountains, the school building is particularly vulnerable to strong winds, snowstorms and rushes of melting water [4]. Large eaves protect the building from strong winds, and a long stone gutter captures the melting ice as the weather warms. Carefully angled roofs are designed to carry winds up and over the building, shielding its glass facade from violent gusts.
KHR Arkiteckture used wood extensively for the project to reflect the school's rugged setting. The architecture firm partnered with Troldtekt [5], a company that manufactures acoustic panels, for the interior of the building. Troldtekt's acoustic panels are made with 100% natural wood fibers mixed with cement.
The architects also incorporated large expanses of window walls to draw in natural light, which is so important during Greenland's dark winters. High ceilings at the entrances maintain a light and airy feeling inside the school. Another way KHR Arkitecture tackled the gray skies that are so prominent in that region [6] is by using blocks of color throughout the school – reds, yellows and oranges – to warm up an otherwise neutral and cold background.
The Atuarfik Hans Lynge School will serve as the flagship project for a new masterplan marketplace in Qinngorport. It is being purported as "the center for the future development of the town."
Via World Architecture News [7]
Article printed from Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building: http://inhabitat.com
URL to article: http://inhabitat.com/khr-arkitekturs-atuarfik-hans-lynge-school-withstands-harsh-mountain-weather-conditions-in-greenland/
URLs in this post:
[1] KHR Arkitektur A/S: http://www.khr.dk
[2] : http://inhabitat.com/khr-arkitekturs-atuarfik-hans-lynge-school-withstands-harsh-mountain-weather-conditions-in-greenland/atuarfik-hans-lynge-school-6/?extend=1
[3] Image: http://inhabitat.com/khr-arkitekturs-atuarfik-hans-lynge-school-withstands-harsh-mountain-weather-conditions-in-greenland/atuarfik-hans-lynge-school-6/
[4] melting water: http://inhabitat.com/algae-growth-resulting-from-glacial-melt-could-help-curb-climate-change/
[5] Troldtekt: http://www.troldtekt.de
[6] that region: http://inhabitat.com/bigs-connecting-greenland-air-port-exhibit-proposes-a-new-future-for-greenland/
[7] World Architecture News: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=22494®ion=1
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2011 Inhabitat Local - New York. All rights reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Get More: Punk'd, Full Episodes
We already think Josh Hutcherson did a great job as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games, but the kid's got a lot of work ahead of him still. Catching Fire and Mockingjay are no walk in the park for the baker's boy. So we're very glad MTV and Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale took it upon themselves to help him keep his acting chops in shape by targeting him in last night's episode of Punk'd. Hutch thought he was going out for coffee and lunch with two of his friends, but the friend in the driver's seat realized their car was being followed and soon they found themselves being interrogated in an LAPD station. Through it all, Josh kept his cool in a way that would make Haymitch proud, even if he may have been freaking out on the inside. Here's how we think this whole experience can help him enter the arena once more. (Warning: Spoilers for anyone who hasn't read books two and three.)
1. Josh calmly identifies himself to the 911 operator (Lucy Hale), and doesn't even mention the fact that the mysterious voice coming from a radio in the car has poked fun of his "dirty, one-size-too-small tank top." Peeta is also used to being under surveillance and knows not to lose his cool in front of the cameras.
Read more…


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Updated: 10/10/2012 5:35 AM KSTP.com
(AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Dubai's airport operator says 50 flights had to be diverted from the Middle East's biggest airport after a backup system needed to deal with heavy fog failed.
Dubai Airports says the runways were shut down at 6:45 in the morning Wednesday and are now back open, but it is still working with airlines to clear the backlog as fog lifted across the city. The airport operator blamed a loss of power to a vital runway backup system for the closure.
Flights were rerouted to other airports in the region, including Abu Dhabi, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and the Omani capital Muscat.
Many of the flights listed as diverted or delayed belong to Dubai-based Emirates, the region's largest carrier. The airline says it regrets any inconvenience caused.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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The weekend started with Yoga at the JOE our Baseball Stadium...wish I could have taken more pics, but then I would not have been doing yoga! Lots of people, full moon. Very cool. Yesterday we went paddle boarding. My little guy was determined to paddle. He needs a lot more practice before he will be going on his own board. We did see a TON of dolphins. They swam all around our boards amazing! Woo Hoo! it's fall.. I have to stay I am thrilled. Lot's of fun to come.
Happy Tuesday!
xoxo. dani


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Professional development
Berrien RESA offers a broad range of educational supports and services to area districts in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties, as well as online opportunities to serve students nationwide and internationally.
To view current offerings, please visit our online registration website www.solutionwhere.com/berrienresa.
Berrien RESA also serves as the county sponsor for State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs). Additionally, a partnership with Grand Valley State University allows us to offer SCECH credit as well as College Credit opportunities. Partnerships are in place with Andrews University and Western Michigan University for additional graduate credit options.


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recipe: mediterranean cheese balls
to make the cheese base:
8 oz cream cheese, at room temp
1-1/2 tblsp green onion white parts, chopped
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
to make the flavors:
4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
4 oz cheddar cheese, crumbled or shredded
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 tsp kalamata olives, chopped
to make the coatings:
1/2 C bacon, cooked and chopped into bits
1/2 C parsley, chopped
1/2 C walnuts, chopped
1. In a stand mixer, or in a bowl with a wooden spoon, blend the cream cheese, onions, Worcestershire sauce and pepper until fully combined.
2. Divide cream cheese mixture into three separate bowls. Place blue cheese in one, cheddar and jalapeno in another, and feta and olive in the last. Mix each until combined.
3. Roll into small bite sized balls and coat blue cheese balls in walnuts, cheddar and jalapeno in bacon 'bits', and feta and olive in parsley.
5. Refrigerate covered for 30-60 minutes then serve.
Adam's hints:
—you can really mix these up as you fancy since any flavor combos you like will probably work well.
—and they can be made well in advance. Simply blend the cheese based, roll into balls and pop in the fridge. When ready to serve, roll in the coatings and it's time to party!


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- Filed Under
Mississippi State-Alabama, ppd.
TUSCALOOSA - Friday night's Southeastern Conference game between Alabama and Mississippi State was suspended due to lightning and heavy rain.
The Crimson Tide led 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning when play was halted at 6:58 p.m. The Tide had drawn three walks from MSU starter Caleb Reed and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jon Kelton. The Tide had two outs and two runners on base when play was halted.
The contest is scheduled to be resumed today. However, an official game time will not be announced until this morning. Tide officials hope to complete Friday's game and also play a second nine-inning game. The series finale is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.
LSU-Ole Miss, ppd.
OXFORD - Rain forced postponement of the opener of an SEC series. The teams will make up the game today as part of a 3 p.m. doubleheader. For Game 1, fans should use Saturday's ticket for admission. Friday's ticket will be for Game 2. The stands will be cleared between games.
Mississippi College 7-12, LeTourneau 2-4
LONGVIEW, Texas - Tyler Seaman pitched a four-hitter in the first game and MC exploded for 15 hits in the second game to improve to 31-7 and 13-3 in the American Southwest Conference.
Seaman (9-0) struck out seven and walked three in the seven-inning game. MC starter Ian Underwood (3-0) allowed seven hits and three runs in seven innings in the nine-inning nightcap. Catcher Jarrod Cannette had two hits and four RBIs. LeTourneau fell to 11-28, 2-15.
DePauw 9, Millsaps 6
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - DePauw scored four times in the seventh inning and totaled 17 hits to win in the second round of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament. Jake Mills had four hits to lead Millsaps (25-14).
Belhaven 9, William Carey 8
Belhaven beat William Carey in the opener of a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Smith-Wills Stadium.
LSU-Shreveport 15, Tougaloo 3
Visiting LSU-Shreveport improved to 38-9, 22-7 GCAC. William Walker homered for the Bulldogs (2-43, 1-26).


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If you love something, set it free …
Remember that one? The same advice about letting go in order to hold on could well apply to the Ravens and Ed Reed.
Jamison Hensley at ESPN.com suggests the Ravens would be best served by allowing their Pro Bowl safety to test free agency, citing how they let Ray Lewis see what else was out there in 2009 before re-signing him.
Reed should find suitors at least in New England and Indianapolis, both of which have much more cap space than the Ravens and could offer bigger deals if they wished. Of course, you and Uncle Tonoose probably have more cap space than the Ravens, who are reportedly at about $11 million under.
And a major difference between Lewis' situation and Reed's is you could well argue that Lewis was worth more to the Ravens than he would have been to any other team, but Reed could be a valuable piece for his former defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, now head coach of the Colts, or his longtime admirer with the Patriots, Bill Belichick.
General manager Ozzie Newsome faces the difficult decision, but as Hensley writes:
" Newsome … is the architect of two Super Bowl champion teams because he usually makes the right choice on the tough calls. The Ravens can't invest a big signing bonus to a player who is no longer a consistent playmaker, struggles at tackling and contemplates retirement nearly every off-season (except his free-agent one, of course) because of a nerve impingement in his neck."
For his part, Reed told the NFL Network: "I am a Raven, plan on being a Raven. I couldn't see myself anywhere else. But if it happens, I am a football player. I can adapt to any situation."
Can the Ravens count on a hometown discount? If Reed has proven anything is recent off-seasons, it's that he can be unpredictable.
What will Ed Reed find out there?
If you love something, set it free …


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"Kindred Beings"
Author Sheri Speede joins us to discuss her new novel Kindred Beings: What Seventy-Three Chimpanzees Taught Me About Life, Love, and Connection. Kindred Beings is Speede's powerful story of how she left her thriving veterinary practice in the United States to rescue orphaned chimpanzees in Cameroon, Africa and establish a sanctuary for them. Dr. Speede developed the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center to protect chimpanzees from the illegal ape meat trade. Speede's story is about what we can learn from chimpanzees about love and having the courage to follow your passion.
Dr. Speede's mission to protect these defenseless creatures is captured in this video: ida-africa.org/the-promise-video
- Latest


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A system and method for measuring, analyzing, and tracking the past performance of security analysts' earnings estimates and recommendations. A database containing historical information pertaining to analyst earnings estimates and recommendations is downloaded into the system. Pre-calculated data values are also added to the database including adjustment factors a single or set of analysts based upon their historical earnings estimates as compared to actual earnings estimates over time, and other user-defined performance analysis set parameters and metrics. A weighting factor may also be calculated for a set of analysts based upon factors such as the recency of an analyst's earnings estimates. Using these adjustment and weighting factors and each analyst's actual earnings estimate, a custom composite estimate may be derived. A front-end graphical user interface (GUI) is used to view analyst historical data either as raw data or, by using a data visualization technique, as a graph or chart.
1. A computer-implemented system for objectively measuring security analysts' performance based on historical accuracy of their earnings predictions for one or more securities, the system comprising:
a database of historical data, the historical data including:
(i) individual earnings predictions by a plurality of analysts pertaining to at least one earnings event for a given security;
(ii) revisions made by an analyst to an earnings prediction prior to an actual earnings report date;
(iii) actual reported earnings for earnings events for securities; and
(iv) dates of the earnings predictions, revisions to earnings predictions, and the actual reported earnings;
a user interface for selecting criteria, including one or more of a time frame over which earnings predictions are to be measured; a number of periods over which to measure performance; at least one error metric to be used to calculate performance; one or more securities over which to measure performance; and exclusion criteria by which to exclude certain earnings predictions; and a processor for determining performance based on the selected criteria and the historical data.
2. The system of
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8. The system of
9. A computer-implemented method of objectively measuring security analysts' performance based on historical accuracy of their earnings predictions for one or more securities, the method comprising the steps of:
storing historical data in a database, the historical data including:
(i) individual earnings predictions by a plurality of analysts pertaining to at least one earnings event for a given security;
(ii) revisions made by an analyst to an earnings prediction prior to an actual earnings report date;
(iii) actual reported earnings for earnings events for securities; and
(iv) dates of the earnings predictions, revisions to earnings predictions, and the actual reported earnings;
selecting criteria via a user interface, including one or more of a time frame over which earnings predictions are to be measured; a number of periods over which to measure performance; at least one error metric to be used to calculate performance; one or more securities over which to measure performance; and exclusion criteria by which to exclude certain earnings predictions; and
determining performance based on the selected criteria and the historical data.
10. The method of
11. The method of
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15. The method of
16. The method of
This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.: 09/296,620, filed Apr. 23, 1999, entitled "Security Analyst Performance Tracking and Analysis System and Method," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/082,868, filed Apr. 24, 1998.
The invention relates to a system and methods for managing and viewing historical security analyst data; for measuring, analyzing, and tracking the historical performance of security analysts' estimates and buy/sell recommendations; and using such performance and other information to automatically produce better predictors of future corporate earnings or stock-price performance.
There are many individuals who analyze financial data and financial instruments, such as equity and fixed-income securities. At least some of these individuals analyze such data in an attempt to predict future economic events. Such individuals may include, for example, security analysts and may be known as contributors or analysts, among others. The role of the security analyst is generally well-known and includes, among other things, the issuance of earnings or other financial estimates concerning future economic events and recommendations on whether investors should buy, sell, or hold financial instruments, such as equity securities. Security analyst estimates may include, but are not limited to, quarterly and annual earnings estimates for companies, whether or not they are traded on a public securities exchange.
At least some investors tend to rely on the earnings estimates and recommendations issued by security analysts. Usually more than one analyst follows a given equity security. Analysts often disagree on their earnings estimates and recommendations and, as a result, analysts' earnings estimates and recommendations may sometimes vary.
A number of financial information services providers (FISPs) gather and report analysts' earnings estimates and recommendations. At least some FISPs report the high, low, and mean earnings estimates, as well as mean recommendations for equity securities (as translated to a FISP's particular scale, for example, one to five). In addition, FISPs may also provide information on what the earnings estimates and recommendations were seven and thirty days prior to the most current consensus, as well as the differences between the consensus for a single equity security and that of the relevant industry. Moreover, for some clients, FISPs provide earnings estimates and recommendations on an analysts-by-analyst basis. An advantage of the availability of analyst-level estimates and recommendations is that a client can view the components of the mean estimate or recommendation by analyst. Various drawbacks exist, however, with these approaches and other known techniques.
For example, prior approaches include a software program that displays all current estimates. For a particular fiscal period for a particular security the software provides the ability to simply "include" or "exclude" each estimate (recommendation) from the mean. This is problematic for several reasons. First, commercially available databases of estimates and recommendations contain "current" data on thousands of stocks. Each stock may have estimates from 1 to 70 or more analysts. Each analyst may provide estimates for 1 to many periods. The data may be updated throughout the day. Manually dealing with this volume of information can be time consuming.
A second drawback is that with current techniques, if someone were inclined to determine which estimates (recommendations) should get more weight, and which estimates should get less or no weight, the sheer volume of analysts (over 3,000 for U.S. stocks alone) makes it extremely difficult to know which analysts provide more useful information than others. Current techniques lack sufficient ability to intelligently measure historical analyst performance and beneficially use such measurements.
A third drawback is that it while it is possible to imagine various weighting systems or algorithms, it is difficult to effectively implement or test them. Current systems do not provide the ability to effectively devise new estimate (recommendation) weighting algorithms; nor do they provide the ability to easily test their (hypothetical) historical performance.
A fourth drawback with current techniques is that there are limited or no tools for effectively viewing historical estimates and recommendations as time-series graphs or for overlaying this information over a graph of prices for the securities to understand the relationship between changes in estimates (recommendations) to changes in securities prices. These and other drawbacks exist with existing systems
An object of the invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks of prior approaches and techniques.
Another object of the invention is to measure and use the historical performance of an analyst's past estimates or recommendations to better predict future earnings or effectively use analysts' recommendations.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool to automatically create more accurate composite estimates (predictors) by adjusting one or more analyst's estimates up (down) if they have a historical tendency to under (over) estimate the value of future quantities such as earnings.
Another object of the invention is to automatically create an improved composite estimate for one or more securities by calculating a weighting factor for each analyst's estimate that gives relatively more weight to certain analyst estimates and relatively less or no weight to other analyst estimates, where the weighting factor is based upon predetermined criteria.
Another object of the invention is to objectively measure the historical accuracy of the estimates made by one or more Contributors (analysts and/or brokers)
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool to measure historical accuracy of predictions with the flexibility for the user to specify one or more of the time frame of estimates to be measured (e.g., those estimates 9-12 months prior to actual report date), the number of periods over which to aggregate performance, the error metric used to calculate performance, and the stocks over which to aggregate performance.
Another object of the invention is to exclude from calculation of an automatically generated composite all estimates (recommendations) that do or do not meet certain criteria.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool to automatically identify a cluster, or major revision of estimates (or recommendations), based upon predetermined criteria
Another object of the invention is to automatically create a composite estimate (or recommendation) by excluding (or assigning reduced weight) to those estimates received prior to the beginning of a cluster.
Another object of the invention is to automatically calculate an improved composite estimate or recommendation by both adjusting estimates of earnings by calculating an earnings estimate based upon the adjustment and weighting factors for a plurality of analysts' estimates.
Another object of the invention is to measure the historical performance of a single or plurality of analysts' estimates and to measure the historical profitability of recommendations of either a single or plurality of analysts.
Another object of the invention is to compare the performance of analysts' estimates and recommendations for a particular financial instrument or industry.
Another object of the invention is to enable a user to define the method for measuring the performance of an analyst by allowing for the specification of a number of security analyst performance parameters or metrics.
Another object of the invention is to allow for the creation, storage, and recall of security autoweight models and related estimates where the models automatically assign weights to each analyst's estimate or recommendation based on stored, user-defined criteria.
Another object of the invention is to test autoweight models by applying predetermined criteria.
Another object of the invention is to provide a data visualization technique to allow a user to display simultaneously the estimates of earnings (or other quantities such as revenues) for a single or plurality of contributors using predetermined criteria, along with the actual earnings (or other quantity) corresponding to those estimates and other related parameters or metrics.
Another object of the invention is to provide a data visualization technique to allow a user to display simultaneously time-series charts of estimates of earnings (or of estimates of other quantities such as revenues, or of recommendations) for a single or plurality of contributors using predetermined criteria, along with a time-series of the security's price over the corresponding time interval.
Another object of the invention is to provide a data visualization technique to allow one to display, as either raw numerical data, a chart, or graph, a number of earnings estimate performance metrics for either a single or plurality of analysts, based upon predetermined criteria.
Another object of the invention is to provide a data visualization technique to display simultaneously the numerical representation of a single or plurality of security analysts' purchase recommendations for predetermined criteria, along with the actual change in the value of the security corresponding to the recommendation(s).
These and other objects of the invention are carried out, according to various preferred embodiments of the invention.
According to one embodiment of the invention, an improved estimate of a future earnings event can be automatically developed for one or a plurality of securities by applying a weighting factor to each analyst's estimate. The weighting factor may be based on a variety of factors as specified in an autoweight model such as the relative recency of each analyst's estimate, the analyst's historical performance, or other factors. For example, if an estimate is relatively old, it may get a relatively low or zero weighting, whereas more recent estimates may be given a relatively high weighting. The sum of the weights assigned to analyst's estimates for a particular fiscal period should equal one. Two or more factors may be used in combination. Autoweight models allow for the definition of an arbitrary number of different factors. For example, an analyst may receive a score for her past performance and another score for the recency of her estimate. Using a pre-defined function, these factor scores can be consolidated with the result being a summary weight for each analyst. Using the automatically calculated weights, the estimates and revisions of either a single or plurality of analysts' can be composited for a given fiscal period by calculating the weighted average of estimates such that an improved estimate can be calculated. For example, a custom composite estimate or composite estimate may be calculated by multiplying a plurality of analysts' current earnings estimates for a particular security by their respective weighting factors and then summing over each estimate. Similarly, analyst recommendations at a point in time can be automatically weighted according to different factors to create an improved composite recommendation by multiplying each analyst's recommendation by that analyst's weighting factor.
According to another aspect of the invention, a system and method enable a user to track, analyze, and compare analysts' past performances. According to this embodiment, a database may be provided that contains information about analyst's past performance through the combination of each analyst estimate record in the database has a number of predetermined data fields.
The database may comprise a combination of estimate data comprising raw data regarding estimates and performance for analysts and a pre-calculated values that are calculated and stored in the database for further analysis. The pre-calculated values may be based on the estimate data loaded from a secondary source analyst performance database or maintained on that database from a transaction processing system, for example.
These pre-calculated values may include error metric values for each security, for each historical fiscal period in the database, for each contributor (e.g., analyst/broker pair) is a row in the database. Each row comprises multiple error metrics valued over a range of time periods. For example, if three error metrics were provided, the system may maintain a value for error metric 1 over a 0-3 month time period, error metric 1 over a 3-6 month time period, error metric 2 over a 0-3 month time period, error metric 2 over a 3-6 month time period, error metric 3 over a 0-3 month time period, and error metric 3 over a 3-6 month time period. Of course, a great number of such error metrics may be stored and the number and ranges of the time periods may also vary according to the present invention.
Example fields for the pre-calculated portion of the database may comprise an analyst identifier, an event identifier, an analyst estimate date, a raw error indicator (analyst estimate minus the actual earnings for a particular event), other error metrics, such as the error percent to actual earnings, error percent to consensus, other user-defined error metrics, and the number of days between the estimate of an event and the actual event. This last parameter can provide a significant advantage with respect to aspects of the present invention because, in many cases, a more recent earnings estimate or revision is likely to be more accurate than an estimate made months prior to an earnings event. Estimates made prior to an earnings event may be classified according to Earliness Time Bins, where each Time Bin represents a range of days preceding an earnings event. For example, one Earliness Time Bin may include all estimates made between 0 and 90 days prior to an earnings event.
By using this analysts' past performance database, the invention enables a user to rank, measure, and analyze analysts' historical performances based upon any metric, including a comparison of all or a subset of analysts within an Earliness Time Bin; a comparison of selected analysts across several Earliness Time Bins; scatterplots of percent errors versus number of days early for a single or plurality of analysts; and other comparisons.
According to one embodiment, the invention allows for the rapid visualization and analysis of analysts' estimates or recommendations by creating and maintaining indices for predetermined data relationships, pre-calculating and storing predetermined analyst performance metrics, and calculating, compressing and storing time series estimates and summary measures of those estimates.
According to another aspect of the invention, a front-end graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to facilitate analysis of analysts' prior performance for one or more securities. Preferably, the prior estimates are stored in a database that includes, but is not limited to, fields corresponding to a security identifier for each security; a plurality of earnings events, such as, for example, the issuance of a company's actual quarterly or yearly earnings reports; earnings event dates; an analyst and broker identifier; and predetermined periods of times preceding an earnings event. Other fields and types of data also may be included. The front-end GUI will allow a user to select easily a security, earnings event, event date, Earliness Time Bin, and Contributors for analysis. The retrieved analysis information may be viewed as either raw data or, by using a data visualization technique, as a chart or graph.
According to one aspect of this embodiment of the invention, each analysts' estimates and revisions thereto are displayed simultaneously, along with the actual earnings of the companies they follow. Preferably, each analysts' estimate is plotted on a graph displaying the estimate (in dollars and cents) on the vertical or y axis and time (in days) on the horizontal or x axis. More specifically, each analyst's estimate is displayed as a horizontal line at a level corresponding to the estimate and having a length equal to the number of days that the analyst's estimate was at that level. If any analyst revises that estimate, a new horizontal line is displayed at the new level and the two lines are connected by a vertical line, such that the plot takes the form of a step function.
Other levels of control may be provided including displays of derived time series such as high estimates, mean estimates, low estimates, and/or Composite estimates with or without a simultaneous display of actual earnings. To further facilitate the viewing of such data, each estimate, whether reflecting the determination of an individual analyst or a derived estimate, may be assigned a unique color. A legend box may also be displayed simultaneously with a chart or graph that indicates which color is assigned to which estimate. Selecting an analyst or derived estimate series in the legend highlights (emboldens) the corresponding time series in the chart. The user may show or hide individual estimate series by means of on/off controls in the legend. The user may sort the legend by analyst name, broker name, or other criteria. Advanced navigation techniques include selecting an analyst from the legend and issuing a command (e.g., from a right-click pop-up menu) to jump to a detailed display of historical performance for the selected analyst. The user has the ability to arbitrarily change the scale of viewing and can zoom in to fill the screen with two days of information or zoom out to see five years of information. Optionally, a chart of the selected securities prices can be displayed on a chart below the estimates chart. The horizontal (time) axes of the two chart are synchronized so that zooming one chart zooms. This technique is valuable for understanding the impact on changes of estimates (or derived estimates) on changes in security price. Viewing historical estimates in this fashion may provide context and thus aid in the understanding of an analyst's performance track record and estimate revision patterns. This information can be used valuably when deciding how to appraise changes in an analyst's current estimates. This information can also be used valuably in building understanding of estimate and recommendation changes in general and therefore help the user create more valuable autoweight models.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a user may rank, measure, and analyze the profitability of analysts' recommendations regarding the advisability of purchasing, selling, or holding a particular security at any given time. More specifically, the system allows a user to control, manipulate, and otherwise refine the normalization and translation of the recommendation descriptions of individual analysts to the scales published by FISPs such as First Call or IBES, which are used generally in the financial and business communities. In addition, weighting factors, similar to the ones described above relating to earnings estimates, and/or adjustment factors may be calculated for analysts' recommendations. Therefore, the system enables a user to view an analyst's "corrected" estimate through the use of the adjustment and weighting factor. The system also enables a user to compare and chart the profitability of following the recommendation of one analyst versus that of another analyst or the average recommendation. In addition, users may create portfolio-creation rules to determine when and how much of a security to buy or sell and, furthermore, to track the value and test the profitability of having carried out such rules for a single or plurality of analysts over any given time period.
On an interim basis, which can occur either daily, monthly, or at any other period, a Global Analyst Data Object, containing historical data on analyst estimates, may be transferred or otherwise downloaded, through a telecommunications link or similar method or device, from an Originating Storing Object, such as a commercial database maintained by any one of a number of financial information service providers (FISP) such as IBES, Inc. (IBES) or Fist Call Corporation (First Call), to a Retrieving Storing Object, which will preferably, but not necessarily, take the form of a network server in a computer network such as, for example, a local area network.
The Global Analyst Data Object downloaded from the Originating Storing Object is typically comprised of numerous files and fields relating to historical data relevant to analyst earnings estimates and recommendations. An example of such a historical database is that maintained by financial information services provider IBES. IBES's database, known as the Daily Detail Earnings Estimate History, contains more than ten years of analyst estimate forecasts, compiled from data obtained from more than 200 brokerage houses and more than 2000 individual analysts, for United States companies. These files and fields contain both general and specific information on analyst estimates and related data including, but not limited to, information pertaining to financial instrument type and related identification codes, broker and analyst identification, industry groupings, and detailed information on such variables as the prices of particular securities on specific dates. Importantly, it should be noted that a Global Analyst Data Object may be used which contains analyst data pertaining not only to stocks publicly traded in the United States, but also international stocks and any other type of financial instrument currently in existence or created in the future.
Either during or after the downloading of the Global Analyst Data Object, the database files are manipulated and otherwise processed such that they are restructured according to predetermined data fields, thereby creating a Restructured Analyst Data Object. In this way, each analyst earnings estimate and recommendation is restructured to have a number of predetermined data fields.
As indicated above, the data comprising the Restructured Analyst Data Object will preferably reside on a server in a computer network. Using a computer terminal or other similar input device, a user will be able to access and utilize the application Module comprising the software for the present invention. This Module may or may not reside on the computer terminal operated by the user.
In a preferred embodiment, the architecture of the present invention may comprise various structures consistent with the present invention. Various structures, as depicted in
In a preferred embodiment, historical data accessed from the Originating Storing Object is stored on the Restructured Analyst Data Object in addition to pre-calculated analyst-performance metrics derived from the Originating Storing Object. Because the data acquired directly from the Originating Storing Object may be proprietary of the data provider, the Retrieving Object preferably selectively delivers proprietary data only to those terminals having a license for the proprietary Originating Storing Object data. Also, the Retrieving Object preferably delivers only the pre-calculated analyst performance metrics derived from the Originating Storing Object to those terminals not having a license for the proprietary data. Using such a terminal and application module, a user may access and query the Restructured Analyst Data Object to perform any one of the numerous functions able to be performed by the present invention.
The pre-calculated data may comprise error metrics for each security, for each historical fiscal period in the database, for each contributor (e.g., analyst/broker pair) is a row in the database. Each row comprises multiple error metrics valued over a range of time periods. Error metrics may comprise various metrics including a raw error indicator (analyst estimate minus the actual earnings for a particular event), error percent to actual earnings, percent available (percent of time that an analyst had an estimate or recommendation available in the relevant time frame), error percent to consensus, and the number of days between the estimate of an event and the actual event, for example. Average error metrics may also be stored. Table 1 below provides one embodiment of average error metrics that may be maintained as well as other metrics that may be stored.
The calculations to derive these error metrics are provided in Table 2. Example ranges, analysis of these values and characteristics are provided although other ranges, analysis and characteristics may also be provided.
Additionally, other metrics including leadlag factor, swings, hits, hit percent, and mean time between revisions may be included as metrics. Table 3 below described these metrics, how they are calculated, analysis for these metrics, and a range for these metrics.
These metrics are understood as follows:
Further, a lead lag score may be provided. In calculating the lead lag score, Table 4 represents calculations with the following understanding: C0 represents the consensus on the day of the estimate in question, C1 represents the consensus on the n-th day prior to the day of the estimate in question, and C2 represents the consensus on the n-th day following the day of the estimate in question. These conditions are considered in this order to determine if an estimate is leading, lagging, or neither:
For each analyst, each new estimate or revision made within 24 months of a report date for a fiscal period is classified either as Leading, Lagging or Neither according to the logic above. The LeadLagFactor is the number of Leading estimates minus the number of Lagging over the total estimates. If all estimates were lagging, the LeadLagFactor=−1.0; if All estimates were leading, the LeadLagFactor=+1.0. If all estimates were "neither" or if the number of Leading Estimates equals the number of Lagging estimates, the LeadLagFactor=0.0. Estimates already current at 24 months prior to the report date may not be included.
Based on the information in this database, various other calculations may be derived. For example, based on the historical information for each analyst, an adjustment factor may be calculated. Generally speaking, the adjustment factor represents the analytical "bias" which may or may not be incorporated into each analyst's earnings estimate, for a particular security, over a given period of time. For example, an analyst who has, over a specified time period, issued earnings estimates for a particular company that were, in hindsight, on average too high, might be assigned an adjustment factor of 0.95 for that performance analysis set, such that the analyst's issued estimate over the specified time period is reduced by five percent. Conversely, an analyst who has historically issued estimates over a specified time period that were, in hindsight, on average too low might be assigned an adjustment factor of 1.10 for that performance analysis set, such that his actual reported estimate for that time period is increased by ten percent.
Notably, although the adjustment factor calculated for any given performance analysis set may be stored in the system's database, adjustment factors are typically generated in real time in response to user-defined inputs. As indicated above, the calculation of an adjustment factor will generally be based upon a comparison of the historical earnings estimates issued by an analyst, for a given security followed by that analyst, over a particular time period. A user may also define further analysis parameters and metrics such that, for example, as specified by a user, the determination of an adjustment factor may take into account an analyst's historical percentage error as compared to actual earnings, generally available consensus earnings estimates, custom composite adjusted earnings estimates, or other metric.
One example of a user-defined parameter is the assignment by a user of a scaling factor to be applied in the calculation of the adjustment factor for a given performance analysis set. For example, a user may define a performance analysis set such that, for that analysis set, a particular analyst is shown to have issued estimates that were on average 20 percent greater than actual earnings. The user will then be able to assign a scaling factor, say for example, 0.5, to be multiplied by the 20 percent error such that the effective adjustment factor for that user-defined performance analysis set reflects a 10 percent and not a 20 percent adjustment—i.e., an adjustment factor of 0.9, rounded to the nearest tenth. Thus, in this particular example, the user "discounted" the analyst's earnings estimate bias as indicated by the system's calculations. The formula for the calculation of the adjustment factor is set forth below:
An improved estimate of an analyst's earnings may also be accomplished by the calculation of a weighting factor which is used to provide a weighted average of an analyst's earnings estimate, as compared to other analysts. As with the adjustment factor, this weighting factor may be based upon a variety of user-defined parameters and metrics. For example, a weighting factor for a given analyst, security, and time period may be calculated based upon the relative recency of the issuance of analyst's earnings revision or the historical consistency and/or accuracy of an analyst's adjusted estimates (as compared to actual earnings), or a combination of these or other related factors or metrics. For example, if an estimate of one analyst is relatively old compared to an estimate or revision of a second analyst, the former might be assigned a relatively low weighting factor, (or even zero in some cases), as compared to a more recent estimate produced by the second analyst. This is done based upon the assumption that a more recent estimate is likely to be based upon relatively new and accurate information which may affect a company's earnings potential and, therefore, is more likely to be predictive of a company's actual earnings.
Similarly, a weighting factor for a given analyst, security, and time period may be calculated based upon the relative accuracy of one analyst as compared to another. For example, at a specific point in time prior to an earnings event for a specific security, analyst A might have issued an earnings estimate 25 percent greater than the actual earnings ultimately announced, whereas analyst B may have issued an estimate that was 100 percent greater than the actual earnings. Subsequently, at a later point in time, yet still prior to the announcement of actual earnings, analyst A might have revised his estimate so that it was 15 percent greater than the actual earnings, and analyst B may have simultaneously revised his estimate so that it was 80 percent below actual earnings. Although the average errors for both analysts A and B were 20 percent above the actual earnings, the variance over time for analyst A was much less than that for analyst B. Accordingly, analyst A's estimate of future earnings for this specific security might be assigned a weighting factor significantly higher than that assigned to the estimate of analyst B.
Regardless of how a weighting factor is calculated, based on the number of analysts being tracked, the total value of all weights will equal one. As a result, the weighting factor assigned to an analyst for a given performance analysis set is really a distribution number that is evaluated in the context of a set of a plurality of analysts issuing estimates regarding a particular earnings event for a particular security. Importantly, as indicated above, the weighting scheme employed can be controlled and altered by the user.
The adjustment and weighting factors described above may be used, together with an analyst's actual earnings estimate, to calculate a custom composite estimate to arrive at a more accurate estimation of a company's earnings. A custom composite estimate is calculated by multiplying an analyst's current earnings estimate (for a given security, time period, and other parameters) by its corresponding adjustment and weighting factors for that given performance analysis set. The results for each estimate for each analyst being studied are then summed to arrive at the custom composite estimate. It will be appreciated that the calculation of a custom composite estimate provides investment managers and similar users with a way of better predicting not only the accuracy of an analyst's earnings estimates but also the actual earnings of a company over any given period of time.
As indicated above, a predetermined system database is constructed such that each analyst estimate record in the database contains unique fields related to that estimate. In general, these records contain a combination of data fields present within the Global Analyst Data Object obtained from the FISP and data fields unique to and created within the system of the present invention. Typically, the fields in this restructured database may include an analyst identifier; an event identifier corresponding to a specific security; an event type and date (e.g., Apple, FY-1995 or Intel, Q2-1997); an estimate date; a raw error indicator which corresponds to an analyst's estimate minus the actual earnings for a particular event; other metrics such as the percent error from an analyst's estimate to either the actual earnings or the consensus error; or other error metrics defined by a user.
The typical system database record will also contain an Earliness field which contains the number of days by which an analyst's earnings estimate precedes a particular earnings event, such as a company's quarterly or annual earnings postings. This Earliness field can be employed to group estimates of similar Earliness into like Earliness Time Bins. It will be appreciated that this Earliness field or the usage of Earliness Time Bins will likely enhance numerous aspects of the present invention because, in many circumstances, the accuracy of an estimate made shortly before an earnings event is likely to be more accurate than an earnings estimate made months prior to the earnings event. Specifically, each Earliness Time Bin represents a range of days early such that prior analyst estimates may be classified according to particular Earliness Time Bins. For example, one Earliness Time Bin may include all estimates issued by a specified group of analysts for a given security between 7 and 30 days, inclusive, prior to an earnings event or between 31 and 90 days before such an event. In this way, this unique field will allow users to make meaningful and valuable comparisons between analyst estimates for any number of given time periods preceding a particular earnings event.
Importantly, in addition to the predetermined data fields discussed above, the database of the present invention may also contain and maintain indices for predetermined data relationships and predetermined analyst performance metrics for a plurality of analysts, such as time series estimates and summary measures of those estimates. Accordingly, by utilizing this restructured database, a user will be able to both rank and analyze the performance of a plurality of analysts based upon any metric. Moreover, based on the data contained in the system database, the present invention allows for the rapid visualization of the analyses of analysts' earnings estimates and buy-sell recommendations.
A front-end graphical user interface (GUI) is provided, examples of which are shown in
According to one aspect of this embodiment, the historical earnings estimates of a single or plurality of analysts may be graphed using the GUI shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, a GUI similar to the one discussed above is used except that, in addition to the selection boxes and graphical buttons described above, there are graphical buttons present which allow a user to view a summary of the actual, high, low, and average consensus estimates as derived from the earnings estimates provided by all analysts within the system database. It is anticipated that at least one analyst can be excluded from a calculation using an exclusion function, described further below.
Actuating the GUI display of
It will be appreciated that viewing the historical estimates of a plurality of analysts in the manner described above may often provide a context within which an individual analyst's estimates and revisions can be better understood, such as by providing insight into an analyst's estimate revision patterns and the relative accuracy of those revisions over time as they relate to a company's actual earnings postings. As such, this information will likely be valuable in appraising specific revisions made by an analyst to his current estimates, and in deciding whether to act, or to not act, based upon the revisions.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the accuracy of analysts' estimates over a single or plurality of time periods, for any given earnings event, can be ranked and visually displayed. Specifically, referring to
The information retrieved using the GUI in
Additional information could also be incorporated into such a graphical display. For example, the vertical axis may display a measure of the average percent error, both positive and negative, of the estimate for each analyst displayed as compared to actual earnings. However, the bar representing and analysts estimate also shows, in addition to the percent error of the analyst's issued estimate, the high and low estimates, or percentile errors estimates (e.g., 90th and 10th percentile errors estimates), published by that analyst over the performance analysis set. A black section of an analyst's graphical bar may represent the average error for that analyst. Extending vertically above the black section is a bar segment which ends at a level representing that analyst's high estimate over the performance analysis set. Similarly, extending vertically below the black section of the analyst's bar is a bar segment which ends at a level representing that analyst's low estimate over the performance analysis set. Additionally, an analyst legend box may be displayed for each analyst which may show such information as the number of years an analyst has been providing estimates for the security in question, and the first and last period in which the analyst issued such estimates. In this way, the individual analyst legends may provide further historical context to the historical error performance graph of FIG. 7.
These graphs, such as the one in
Similarly, a visual display may also be generated which illustrates a comparison of analysts' performances over not just one but rather a plurality of time periods, as shown in FIG. 8. Here, the Earliness Time Bins chosen by the user are displayed in chronological order, with the most recent time period beginning on the left. The vertical axis displays a measure of the average percent error, both positive and negative, of the estimate of each analyst chosen by a user for analysis. A bar chart is generated wherein each analyst's percent error is indicated by a different color bar. In this way, a user can track a plurality of analysts' earnings estimates over time so as to determine when individual analyst's estimates are more accurate as compared to others.
The graph shown in
In another embodiment of the invention, a user will be able to construct, store, and recall custom composite earnings models for analysis and testing purposes. Specifically, the system will allow for users to create financial transaction models by inputting specific performance analysis sets, including performance metrics and other user-defined metrics and parameters, such as scaling factors, to arrive at specific custom composite earnings estimates. These performance analysis sets and corresponding custom composite estimates may then be stored in the system's database for later retrieval. In this way, a user will be able to test such models by applying them over any previous time period, thereby essentially creating a "virtual analyst" whose hypothetical prospective performance can be compared with the historical performance of a single or plurality of analysts, or even the average historical consensus estimates for any previous time period. Most significantly, it will be appreciated that by conducting such tests a user may be able to refine a model that can be used to accurately predict the accuracy of prospective, analysts' earnings estimates.
Turning to
By substituting the values shown in
Again substituting the values for the first analyst, an absolute error of 4$T is found. Applying the same analysis to the second analyst leads to a raw error of −2$T which could in turn be used to calculate an adjustment factor. Similarly, because the second analyst consistently underestimated the actual earnings, the second analyst would have an absolute error of −2$T. Because the absolute error of the second analyst is half as great as the absolute error of the first analyst, the second analyst is preferably assigned a weighting factor greater than the weighting factor of the first analyst.
Because analysts start making predictions on a given security at different times, it is possible that a particular analyst will not have made predictions about a particular security for the entire duration over which an error analysis is being performed. In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to make proportional adjustments to various error analysis based on the percentage of time that a given analyst has been tracking a security.
Similarly, because analysts start making predictions on earnings at different times, it is similarly possible that certain analysts will not have made earnings estimates at a time when an unanticipated event lead to a significant error. In a preferred embodiment, the effect of such unanticipated events can be filtered by comparing the analysts predictions to a consensus estimate. Such a comparison is termed a relative error metric. The following equation provides an example of a relative error metric:
In another embodiment of the invention, a user will be able to rank, measure, and analyze the historical accuracy of a single or plurality of analysts' buy-sell recommendations in various ways. As an initial matter, a user will be able to control and otherwise define how recommendation descriptions used by a plurality of analysts are normalized and otherwise translated into scaled recommendation numbers.
Specifically, depending on the employer of an individual analyst, said analyst, when either upgrading or downgrading a particular security, will use varying descriptions to make his recommendation. For example, analysts at the investment firm Alex Brown issue recommendations using the following descriptions, predetermined by the firm: strong buy, buy, neutral, source of funds, or sell. In contrast, analysts at the investment firm Goldman Sachs issue recommendations using the following descriptions, also predetermined by the firm: priority list, recommended list, trading buy, market outperform, market perform, and market under-perform. FISPs such as First Call translate and otherwise normalize the recommendation descriptions of the numerous analysts to a scale ranging from 1 to 5, with the following descriptions: 1 (buy), 2 (buy/hold), 3 (hold), 4 (hold/sell), and 5 (sell). The FISPs then calculate an average recommendation by calculating the mean of all analysts' current recommendations as translated to this 1 to 5 scale.
In the present invention, recommendation adjustment and weighting factors may be calculated in a way closely resembling that described above for analyst earnings estimates. For example, relatively recent recommendation upgrades or downgrades may be assigned a relatively high weighting factor while older recommendations may receive a weight of zero. Similarly, using these factors an improved custom composite recommendation may be determined which more accurately reflects the action (e.g., buy, sell, hold etc.) that a user should take with respect to a security. In addition, a user will have the ability to control the recommendation normalization process, if so desired, to replace the normalization performed by an FISP.
Moreover, using either the FISP generated recommendation scale or user defined scale, a user will have the ability to measure the historical profitability of a single or plurality of analysts' recommendations in much the same way as described above for analyst estimates. For example, using a GUI similar to
Users will also have the ability to create and test portfolio creation rules. Specifically, a user can choose a security and then set up purchase and/or selling instructions that the system will make automatically. For example, a user can instruct the system to purchase a security when a specific analyst issues a recommendation of "2," double his investment if the recommendation is upgraded to "1," and sell all or a certain percentage of the security if and when the analyst downgrades his recommendation to "3" or lower.
Another option available in a preferred embodiment is the ability to exclude at least one Analyst. For example, if a particular analyst had an extreme error during a period of analysis that a user is evaluating, then the consensus error might be too reflective of that individual analyst's error. Accordingly, a majority of analysts could have bias errors approximately equal to zero which indicates that they are outperforming the consensus estimate. If a user wants to filter out an analyst's estimate for this or any other reason, it is possible to exclude the analyst's estimate from a particular metric analysis.
In a preferred embodiment, there are additional metrics which can be used to evaluate how effectively an analyst acquires and reacts to information. One metric that serves to accomplish this task is the leadlag Factor. Preferably, the leadlag Factor is calculated as follows:
Another metric that is useful in predicting how an analyst acquires and reacts to information is the hit percent. A hit percent is an evaluation of the number of times that an analyst successfully revises earnings. In a preferred embodiment, a swing is preferably an estimate that is outside a predetermined standard deviation of the mean of the consensus estimate. In a most preferred embodiment, a predetermined standard deviation of the consensus estimate is approximately 1.5. A hit is preferably a swing in which the analyst's estimate is closer to the actual earnings than the consensus estimate. A hit percent can then be determined by dividing the number of hits by the number of swings, and multiplying the result by 100%.
As discussed above, the system may provide the user with the option of viewing a large amount of information in a variety of different formats.
According to one embodiment, the user may desire to view contributors to see relationships between stocks, analysts and brokers, as for example, shown in
The system may also provide screens through which the user may manage stocks and stock groups against which analysis may be run. The user may do so through stock lists and stock filters. Stock filters may comprise tools for dynamically creating sets that are the result of user defined criteria for picking stocks including security type, country, market cap, P/E, analysts following, and earnings growth.
A model managing tool may also be provided and screens may be provided to enable users to manage these models. Such screens may comprise those depicted in
Also, as shown in
Also, as shown in
A source selector screen may also be provided to enable the user to select sources for performing this analysis. In the analysis, the variables may include the period, start date, price change/consensus change, source, source driving condition, and stock/stock sets to analyze and the sources may include brokers, analysts, clusters, and smart estimates.
A performance module may also be provides that enables users to see past performance at the broker, analyst and ticker level. The user may select the prior periods, performance type and error type to view.
Other views may also be presented as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Accordingly, the specification and examples set forth above should be considered exemplary only. The scope of the invention is only limited by the claims appended hereto.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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text:
As much as I love the revolutionary potential of technology in education, I understand why some of those who care about public education and public universities worry about privatization and plunder.
Where I want to see the potential for intelligent use of data to drive better student outcomes, others see an unnecessary invasion of student privacy driven more by profit motives than quality concerns. I listen to Bill Gates speak about productive uses of educational technology and can't help but be impressed by his turn to philanthropy, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Others seem to see the foundation as a front for corporate and political interests determined to undermine public education and steer profits to private entities, including Microsoft.
It would be easier for me to maintain my optimism if not for some ugly facts, like the recent cynical moves from the Florida legislature. "In 2011, the Legislature made it a requirement for all high school students to complete at least one course online, creating a guaranteed market for online learning services," explains the Miami Herald, and now the other shoe is dropping as the state cuts back per-pupil funding for the publicly operated Florida Virtual School while creating opportunities for private businesses.


text:
Shop Girl
Shop smart and look fabulous with Joy Sewing
Posts filtered on Tag
Will men wear shorts suits this summer?
Maybe Pharrell is to blame for this one. The "Happy" singer showed off his legs in a shorts tuxedo for the Oscars red carpet in March, and now shorts suits are popping up with retailers from J. Crew to the British affordable online site, ASOS.com, according to businessinsider.com. (If you recall, Pharrell also wore a […] [Read More]
Get the Look: Michelle O's outfits in Africa on the cheap
I'm a fan of the First Lady Michelle Obama for no other reason than she's practical. She doesn't have a need to spend a fortune on fashion just because she's the first lady. We've seen her wear pieces from White House Black Market to J. Crew. On her recent trip to South Africa and Botswana, she brought a Jean Paul Gaultier pantsuit […] [Read More]


text:
Legal Studies
The legal studies program provides insight and perspective into the nature and function of law. It is a minor program, open to students with a wide variety of career goals and academic majors.
The program emphasizes legal concepts and institutions as shaping and reflecting substantive values, ethical responsibilities and cultural heritage. The minor, which is distinct from Susquehanna's prelaw program, is designed to be compatible with and complement various major programs, including those which remain traditional foundations for careers in law.
Legal Studies


text:
A group of prominent rabbis has called upon Israeli soldiers to refuse orders to evacuate Jews from Gaza. If the Gaza disengagement plan goes through the Knesset, many soldiers will face a bewildering dilemma, as they must choose between the orders of their commanding officers and...
Let my people go (to Dodger Stadium's new kosher hot dog stand)!
NBA player Omri Casspi says Adelson-funded Israel trip not about politics
Fashion design sketchbook shows less isn't always more
Poll: Trump leads Republican presidential race with 25 percent
A fresh start in Running Springs
Tag: Disengagement Plan
View the most popular tags overall?
Will IDF Soldiers Oppose Gaza Orders?
November 4, 2004 | 7:00 pm
Fate of Sharon, Gaza May Hang on Vote
October 21, 2004 | 8:00 pm
With opposition mounting among settlers and in his own Likud Party, Ariel Sharon's political future and the fate of his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank may be decided in the Knesset next week.
The Israeli prime minister hopes to win a decisive majority in...
Will Gaza Pullout Bring Civil Strife?
September 16, 2004 | 8:00 pm
Sharon Weighs His Options: All Tough
August 26, 2004 | 8:00 pm
Turmoil Could Bring Chance for Progress
July 22, 2004 | 8:00 pm
Backlash Bolsters Sharon's Gaza Plan
May 20, 2004 | 8:00 pm
The Likud Party vote earlier this month against Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan may have been a defining moment in Israeli politics -- but not in the way the ostensible winners, Likud hawks and the Israeli settler movement, had hoped.
Paradoxically, the Likud's rejection of the...
Gaza Withdrawal a Risk for Sharon
February 5, 2004 | 7:00 pm
Showdown Nears in Settlements Battle
January 8, 2004 | 7:00 pm
It would be hard to exaggerate how fateful, how historic is the drama about to begin at the settlement outposts. Here's where things stand:
Within a few months, we will pretty well know if Israel's 36-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza will be on its way out or here to stay....


text:
Guy Stuff
For all things dudes and dude-related
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Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba talks motorcycles, surfing
Punk rock and action sports go hand in hand. while the Warped Tour was the first festival to merge and mainstream the two genres, the marriage doesn't end there. The energy of three-chord punk rock and the fast-paced nature of motor bikes and the rebellious nature of skateboard culture have always been a perfect match […] [Read More]


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Yes, we have the Smallville spoilers: season 9 episode 1 titled Savior. The show is set to air September 24th but if you want to know how this season starts off, keep reading this Smallville spoiler.
Let's see, where do we begin… well, it looks Zod officially appears in this Smallville episode when he arrives at the Luther mansion.
Clark is distancing himself from all of his friends. He tells Jor-el that he wants to begin his formal training but he is told to cut his ties with Lois before he can start. As you know, Clark and Lois became pretty close and have feelings for each other.
Lois comes back and she was gone because of the Legion ring but she doesn't remember being gone for weeks. Chloe questions it… speaking of Legion ring, Chloe begs Clark to use it to bring back Jimmy (Jimmy was killed in the previous episode) but he refuses to do it. As you know, Clark isn't a big fan of the Legion ring to begin with.
Lastly, it looks like John Corben is a new reporter who isn't a big fan of the red and blue blur. He is played by Brian Austin Green. He gets introduced when investigating a crash and he runs into Lois.
I think that's most of the Smallville spoilers for season 9 episode 1.


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DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire women's basketball team returns to the confines of Lundholm Gymnasium as the Wildcats host the University of Vermont Catamounts on Monday, Jan. 20 (7 p.m.).
RADIO: Monday, Jan. 20 - 7:00 p.m. | Wildcat Sports Radio Network
WPKX-AM - 930 - Rochester, WGIR-AM - 610 - Manchester, Live Stream - Stretch - UNHWildcats.com
Jim Jeannotte (Play by Play), Mike Murphy (Analyst)
SCOUTING VERMONT: The Catamounts enter the Monday night showdown with a 5-12 record overall and 2-2 in America East play. Vermont snapped a seven-game losing streak as the Catamounts topped the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers, 63-59 on Jan. 18.
Freshman guards Kylie Butler and Kristina White led UVM with 16 points apiece in the win against UMBC. Junior forward Niki Taylor aided the winning effort with a double-double on 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Junior forward Kayla Burchill leads the Catamounts in scoring with 10.8 points per game. Taylor also averages double-digits per game in scoring with 10.5 per game tally. Butler and Taylor are the top rebounders on the squad with rebound, averaging 6.8 and 6.5 respectively.
UVM averages 64.9 ppg while conceding 73.1 to its opponents this season. Vermont logs a .373 percentage from the field and registers a .313 clip from 3-point range. The Catamounts have defended the floor at a .431 field goal percentage and a .331 clip from beyond the arc. UVM garners 40.8 boards a game and possess a .65 assist/turnover ratio.
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE: New Hampshire is riding a five-game winning streak and stands at 9-7 overall. Furthermore, the Wildcats are 3-0 in conference play and are one of two unbeaten teams remaining in America East play (Albany, 14-3, 4-0).
UNH erased an 18-point deficit in the first half to rally past the University of Hartford Hawks, 61-56 in its last outing (Jan. 18).
Sophomore forward Corinne Coia (North Smithfield, R.I.), led all scorers with 16 points and snagged five rebounds. Senior guard Kelsey Hogan (Nashua, N.H.), starting her 100th game of her collegiate career, chipped in 11 points and served a season-high seven assists. New Hampshire shot 23 of 55 from the field for a .418 percentage.
Coia and Hogan are the top scorers for the Wildcats in scoring with 12.1 ppg this season. Sophomore guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass; 7.1 rpg) and junior forward Kaylee Kilpatrick (Saint John, New Brunswick; 6.3 rpg) lead the rebounding effort. Senior guard/forward Sarah-Marie Frankenberger (Gross Gerau, Germany; 8 of 24; .333) is the most efficient 3-point shooter.
New Hampshire compiles 57.8 ppg while surrendering 55.9 to its opponents this season. The Wildcats have constructed a .393 field goal percentage and a .266 percentage from beyond the 3-point arc. UNH has limited its opponents to a .342 field goal percentage and a .280 clip from beyond the arc. The 'Cats grab 37.7 boards a game and possess a .97 assist/turnover ratio.
WILDCATS ON THE AIR: The Wildcat Sports Radio Network will broadcast a total of 11 UNH women's basketball regular-season games during the 2013-14 season and will air the games of the America East Championships. The Wildcat Sports Radio Network affiliates include:
WPKX-AM - 930 - Rochester
WGIR-AM - 610 - Manchester
Live Stream - Stretch - UNHWildcats.com
Here is the complete schedule:
|Dec. 4
|Jan. 26
|at UMass Lowell
|Dec. 18
|Cleveland State
|Feb. 6
|Dec. 22
|Boston University
|Feb. 16
|Jan. 7
|Feb. 22
|UMass Lowell
|Jan. 11
|Stony Brook
|Feb. 26
|Jan. 20
|Mar. 1
A total of six regular-season games will be televised, including home games vs. Boston University, Stony Brook University, the University of Hartford, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and the University of Maine. Every game of the America East Championships will be on ESPN3. Here is the complete schedule.
|Dec. 22
|Boston University
|WBIN (Comcast 18, Over the Air 50, Fios 6, DirecTV 50, Dish Network 50)
|Jan. 11
|Stony Brook
|Live Well Network (Comcast 288, Fios 466, Over the Air 50.2)
|Jan. 26
|at UMass Lowell
|Feb. 16
|Feb. 22
|UMass Lowell
|FOX College Sports Atlantic
|Mar. 1
|FOX College Sports Pacific
ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST VERMONT: UNH has a 32-40 lifetime record against the Catamounts. The Wildcats have a 21-12 home record in this series and have won three straight at Lundholm Gymnasium.
WINNING STREAK: New Hampshire has won its last five games, marking the first time since the 1998-99 season that the Wildcats have accomplished the feat. In addition, it is the first 3-0 start in America East play since 2004-05. The five consecutive wins is the most that head coach Maureen Magarity has registered in her career at the helm.
CAREER START NO. 100: Hogan started in her 100th game of her collegiate career as a Wildcat in the game against Hartford. The senior guard and three-time co-captain has started in every game but one in her career.
THIS DATE IN HISTORY: The Wildcats are 5-4 lifetime on Jan. 20 and are 4-3 when playing at home.
1,000 POINT CLUB: Hogan is projected to be the 17th member in UNH women's basketball history to score at least 1,000 points in a collegiate career. The senior point guard would be the next Wildcat to reach the honor since Denise Beliveau logged her milestone point on Dec. 3, 2011. In her career, Hogan has accumulated 987 points.
TENACIOUS D: As of Jan. 17, the Wildcats boast the 15th-best scoring defense in the nation by hindering their opponents to 55.9 ppg. Furthermore, New Hampshire ranks 14th in field goal percentage defense, holding its opponents to a .345 clip. Entering the week, UNH leads the America East in scoring defense (56.1 ppg), field goal percentage defense (.341), 3-point field goal percentage (.278), and defensive rebounds per game (27.8). This season, New Hampshire has limited its opponent to less than 60 points in 9 of 16 contests.
COMEBACK KIDS: UNH erased an 18-point deficit in the first half to rally past Hartford, 61-56. The victory is the largest come-from-behind win New Hampshire has earned this season. Previously, New Hampshire's largest rally was eight points against Brown (Jan. 3; 77-74, OT).
CAPTAIN HOGAN: Hogan is co-captain of the 2013-14 UNH Wildcats for a third consecutive season. Last year, she was a co-captain alongside Cari Reed. In the previous year, Hogan was co-captain with Denise Beliveau and started all 30 games. Hogan is a multiple threat in the backcourt – as the quarterback of the offense, she is strong on the dribble and an excellent passer; she is also an accurate jump shooter who led not only the team but the America East conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.446; 41 of 92) two years ago. In the conference opener against Stony Brook (Jan. 11), Hogan netted a career-high 35 points, including eight points in overtime to pace UNH in a 71-68 win. Prior to the game against the Seawolves, Hogan's season-high in scoring was 17 in a 67-60 loss at Bryant (Dec. 1). The guard ranks tied for first on the team and eighth in America East with 12.1 ppg.
CC'S COURT: Coia ranks tied for first on the team in scoring and tied for eighth in America East with 12.1 ppg this season. The 6-foot-4 forward has reached double digits in points in 12 of 16 games this season, a team-high. She leads the team in double-doubles this season with four, most recently in a 15 point 12 rebound performance against Yale. (Jan. 7). The red shirt sophomore matched a career-high 19 points in a loss against Boston University (Dec. 22).
CAREER-HIGHS FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE: The Wildcats have eclipsed 20 free throws converted in back-to-back games against Yale (Jan. 7) and Stony Brook (Jan. 11). Coia recorded a personal best 13 of 17 free throws in a 58-53 win over the Bulldogs. In the overtime win against the Seawolves; Hogan netted a career-best 12 free throws on 14 attempts, including a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the line in extra time. The duo has scored 62 of 80 attempts for a .775 percentage since Dec. 15.
KAYLEE KILLA: Kilpatrick was named a co-captain for the 2013-14 season by head coach Maureen Magarity and leads the Wildcats in three different categories this season. She currently occupies the top rank on the team in blocks (28), and steals (12). Furthermore, Kilpatrick has also raised her free throw percentage by 12 percentage points this season from the previous year. In her collegiate career, the 6-foot-4 forward has compiled a .692 free throw percentage. The junior racked up a career-high five blocks in a win against Yale (Jan. 7; 58-53), tied for the most by an America East player this season. In a road loss at Bryant on Dec. 1 (67-61), Kilpatrick notched a season-high 15 points.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES FOR THE TREES: New Hampshire has recorded a double-double in 6 of 15 games this season. Kilpatrick leads the team with four double-doubles while Coia has garnered the three. The 6-foot-4 forward duo is 4-2 when either of them record a double-double.
E-BOMB: Belanger notched a career-high 20 points with 16 coming in the first half in an overtime win at Brown (Jan. 3). The sophomore also racked up a personal best two blocks in a losing effort against Boston University (Dec. 22). Currently, the guard leads the team rebounds and ranks sixth in America East, averaging 7.1 rpg.
300 ASSISTS: Hogan reached the 300-assist milestone by dishing out three in a losing effort against Cleveland State (Dec. 18; 65-50). Currently, Hogan has tallied 320 helpers in her career as a Wildcat to rank 10th all-time in UNH women's basketball history.
CEDAR POINT: Gaston has eclipsed her single-season high of 3-pointers in just 10 games and has matched a career-high three treys on two occasions. The junior guard recorded a career-high six assists in a win at UMBC (Jan. 15; 60-47). In addition, Gaston is tied for the team lead in assists with 44.
THEY CALL ME GERM: Frankenberger has matched her career-high of 3-pointers in a game with two on three occasions this season. The senior has posted a pair of treys in back-to-back games at UMBC (Jan. 18) and Hartford (Jan. 20). Frankenberger recorded the game-tying shot from beyond the arc in the come from behind win against the Hawks.
SHE'S A FRESHMAN: Freshman guard Kristen Anderson (Greene, Maine) became the first Wildcat freshman to register at least 30 points since Kris Kenney accomplished the feat on Feb. 7, 1986 at home against Boston University. The 30-point performance by Anderson is the most scored by a Wildcat this season.
OVERTIME THRILLERS: UNH played in its first overtime game since January 2, 2013 at Vermont. The Wildcats prevailed over the Brown University Bears in a 77-74 road victory on Jan. 3. It marked the first win in extra time for New Hampshire since it defeated Binghamton on the road 59-52 on Feb. 25, 2012. New Hampshire played in another overtime game just eight days later at home against Stony Brook (Jan. 11). The Wildcats were able to edge out the Seawolves, 71-68.
NO EASY BUCKETS: New Hampshire ranks third in America East in blocks (45) and blocks per game (2.8) this season. Kilpatrick tallied at least one block in seven consecutive games between Dec. 7 to Jan. 11. Furthermore, the junior accounts for 62 percent of UNH's blocks and leads the America East in blocked shots per game (1.8).
PAINT CLASS: The Wildcats are 6-2 this season when UNH has outscored its opponent in the paint. Boston University and Howard are the only teams to defeat UNH this season and outscored by the Wildcats in the paint.
WHEN LEADING AT HALF: UNH has held a lead entering on seven occasions and has won all seven decisions. New Hampshire is 1-1 when the score is deadlocked at halftime.
WIPING GLASS: Belanger, Coia, Gaston and Kilpatrick have recorded at least 10 rebounds in a game this season. As a team, UNH is 5-1 when it controls the rebounding advantage. Belanger has led the 'Cats in rebounding seven times this season.
10-10-10: UNH has had four different combinations of at least three scorers with 10 points or more. Coia (16), Belanger (10) and Kilpatrick (10) all notched at least 10 points in the season-opening win over Worcester State. Hogan joined the duo of Coia and Kilpatrick in double-digit scoring in a one-point loss at Central Connecticut (Nov. 20). Anderson joined the group as she eclipsed scored 11 points off the bench as she was welcomed by Hogan (15) and Coia (14) in a 63-58 win over Colgate (Nov. 25). Gaston posted a career-high 13 points as the guard was accompanied by Hogan (17) and Kilpatrick (15) in a 67-61 road loss to Bryant (Dec. 1).
Coia (15), Hogan (13) and Kilpatrick (10) all reached double figures for the second time as a trio in a 58-53 win against Yale (Jan. 7).
'CATS RECEIVE AMERICA EAST RECOGNITION: Anderson was selected as the America East Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday, Jan. 6. The freshman garnered her first-ever collegiate career. Furthermore, the freshman guard is the first Wildcat to garner the honor since Hogan received the award on Jan. 3, 2011. Anderson tallied a career-high 30 points and eight rebounds, including nine points in overtime to power the Wildcats over the Brown University Bears, 77-74. The performance marked the first time a freshman garnered at least 30 points in a game since all-time UNH leading scorer Kris Kinney notched 33 against Boston University on Feb. 6, 1986.
Hogan was named to the 2013-14 America East Preseason All-Conference Team, announced by the conference on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The lone Wildcat representative, Hogan is the leading returner for the Wildcats in scoring this season, averaging 9.8 ppg in 2012-13. Powering UNH to its first conference semifinal appearance since 2005, the guard hit the game-winning trey as time expired to defeat Stony Brook in the quarterfinals, 49-46. Additionally, Hogan's 3-point buzzer beater was voted amongst the fans as the 2012-13 America East Moment of the Year. The senior captain logged in 32.9 minutes per game and dished out 73 assists last season, a team high.
MILESTONE WATCH: Hogan ranks in the top 10 in 3-pointers made and assists in a career. She reached the 100 milestone Feb. 6, 2013 at home against Vermont. Hogan is also 10th in career assists with 313; she tallied #300 on Dec. 18, 2013 against Cleveland State. The senior guard is also projected to be the 17th member of the 1,000-point club. Currently, Hogan ranks 17th among all-time UNH players with 976 points. In addition, Kilpatrick ranks in the top 10 in blocks in a career. Here is a look at the career lists:
|1. Amy Simpson
|2. Heidi Plencner
|3. Cari Reed
|4. Kelly Karl
|5. Denise Beliveau
|7. Ashley Cerniglia
|8. Julie Donlon
|9. Danielle Clark
|10. Ebony Woods
|9. Michelle Altobello
|11. Melissa Pfefferle
|15. Heidi Plencner
|17. Kathy Sanborn
| Danielle Clark
|1. Denise Higgins
|2. Maren Matthias
| 2000-04
| Jill McDonald
|4. Pam Brandell
|5. Ray Williams
|6. Kris Kinney
|8. Amy Simpson
|9. Aubrey Danen
|10. Kathy Caldwell
BASKETBALL ON THE GO: The America East Conference and NeuLion have collaborated to bring fans complete game coverage of all America East basketball games. The portal, AmericaEast.tv, brings fans exclusive content as well as live events, free of charge on both web and mobile platforms. UNH will be broadcasted on AmericaEast.tv at every home game as well as away contests at conference institutions.
MARKED IMPROVEMENT: Under head coach Maureen Magarity (Marist '03), New Hampshire improved its win total seven games from the 2010-11 (nine victories) to 2011-12 seasons (16 victories) to tie the second-highest margin of improvement in program history. UNH also saw a seven-game improvement from 1998 (12) to 1999 (19), while the highest mark of eight games was from 1991 (10) to 1992 (18).
LEADER OF THE 'CAT PACK: The 2013-14 season marks the fourth season for UNH Wildcats head coach Maureen Magarity (Marist '03), who became the sixth head coach in program history in May 2010 and the youngest coach of a Division I team – men's or women's – in the country. Magarity quickly made a positive impact on the program with a 37-52 record in her first three seasons; in comparison, UNH was a combined 33-87 the four years prior to her arrival. Last season, Magarity led the Wildcats to their first appearances in the America East semifinals since 2005, topping Stony Brook 49-46 on a buzzer beater trey. In just her second year at the helm in Durham, Magarity guided the Wildcats to their second postseason appearance (beyond conference postseason play) in the program's 37-year history when UNH advanced to the 2012 Women's Basketball Invitational. New Hampshire finished the year with a 16-14 overall record to mark the team's first winning season since 2006 and most wins since 2002. In her first season, Magarity led the Wildcats to a 9-20 overall record and they doubled their conference wins from the previous season.
500 AND COUNTING: Now in its 39th year as a varsity program, the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team has an overall record of 520-506 for a .506 winning percentage. UNH recorded the 500th victory in program history Feb. 22, 2012 with a 65-53 win against Maine on Senior Day at Lundholm Gym. Here is a look at the century milestones:
|at Yale
|at Boston U.
|Stony Brook
DUE NEXT: The Wildcats start a season-long three game road trip with a match up against the University at Albany on Thursday, Jan. 23 (12 p.m.). UNH is back in action at Lundholm Gymnasium on Sunday, Feb. 2 (1 p.m.), hosting Binghamton University. For tickets, visit UNHWildcats.com or call (603) 862-4000, extension 5.


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text:
"They may know the perpetrator or victim," said Dick of the colonels. "Most commanders are horrified by this and want to do the right thing. We should not put them in this position [where they have] a conflict of interest."
The Defense Department's Patton said that taking the authority to discipline out of the chain of command would threaten the ability of the military to be effective.
"Removing the disciplinary authorities from a commander's purview would jeopardize the good order and discipline of the unit, and impact unit readiness," he said.
After years of not wanting to talk about her time in the military, McClendon started working with Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group that assists military survivors of sexual trauma, in 2009.
"I don't want another generation to feel like they're alone," McClendon said. "Those serving today, I don't want them betrayed."


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JC used to dread the media circus that awaited him on his press trips to New York City. It wasn't until a quiet conversation with a close friend had introduced him to a discreet telephone number that he started appreciating an aspect of travel he hadn't experienced before.
Kit had taken the job at La Donna Dolce to avoid the pain of heartache and she had become very good at locking down her emotions because of it. But when one night of passion starts to break down those well-constructed walls, will she be able to handle the risk of loving again?
Categories: In Progress Het Stories
Characters: JC Chasez
Unwritten 2.0: None
Awards: None
Genres: Drama, Romance
Writing 101: None
Series: None
Chapters: 4
Wordcount: 12860 - Hits: 2298
Complete?: No - Published: Jul 28, 2012 - Last Updated: Aug 07, 2012 -


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Sarah Jessica Parker Wants a Third SATC Movie — Do You?
Which London SATC2 Premiere Beauty Look was Prettiest?
A Classic Fab Carrie Inspired Look
Brand New Sex and the City 2 Full Trailer — See It or Skip It?
Kristin Davis and New Boyfriend Enjoy Bikini Time in St Barts
Would You Prefer Victoria Beckham or Katie Price in SATC 2?
Link Time!
Sugar Bits — Susan Boyle Is Ready For Tour
Sugar Bits — Chris Evans Wins Big at Sony Radio Awards
Sugar Bits — Mercy's Dad Says Madonna Lacks "Good Morals"
Sugar Bits — Mat Horne Considers Return to Stage Tonight
Link Time!


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Earlier today we told you how BlackBerry showed off Android App integration on the PlayBook, something they announced long ago but first demonstrated today. Well a video of the demo, which occurred at BlackBerry World 2011, just hit our inbox.
Impressed? Unimpressed? Don't really care?
In my opinion it's like saying, "Hey, would you like to eat this bagel yourself or would you like me to do you the favor of chewing it for you and then putting it directly into your mouth?"
Just gimme the bagel.
[Thanks Usman!]
Continue reading:
- Blackberry CEO calls tablets a fad, but proba
- BlackBerry PlayBook updated to version 2.0, A
- RIM Offering Free Blackberry Playbook to Andr
- BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 Update Coming Next
TAGS: BlackBerry PlayBook


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Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives are available for preorder (shipping begins July 17)! These items will be available only through Nordstrom for a limited time this summer. I'm keeping myself on a budget, so I have to decide what to limit my self to. Here are a few neat items that I am looking at (but there […]
You are here: Home / Archives for Bobbi Brown
Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives
Filed Under: Blush, Eyeshadow, Lip Products, Makeup, Palettes and Collections, Promotions, Sale or Promotion Notices, Shopping lists, Stores, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bobbi Brown, Collections, Jane Iredale, M.A.C., Makeup, Palettes, Promotions


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The Wales international was set to make his Bernabeu bow following his world-record move from Tottenham over the summer but was forced to miss the 4-1 win over Getafe after hurting his left leg while taking practice shots at goal.
Bale will undergo tests on Monday but manager Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful he will recover to face rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday, even if he misses a midweek trip to Elche.
"He is very upset at the moment because he was desperate to play his first game at the Bernabeu," said Ancelotti in his post-match press conference.
"I don't think it is a big problem, we have to wait until tomorrow to do a scan to see how bad the injury is. He wasn't comfortable, he was worried and so it was better to avoid problems.
"It is difficult to recover in three days; I am sure he will be ready for the game on Saturday."
A Madrid statement later read: "Gareth Bale felt a tweak in his left thigh during the warm-up and as a precaution it was decided that he should not participate in the match against Getafe.
"The diagnosis is subject to further tests that will take place tomorrow in the Sanitas hospital in la Moreleja, Madrid."
Bale made his debut for Madrid in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Villarreal, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
He also came on as a substitute in the 6-1 thrashing of Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek.


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Cadmium and Lead Exposure Associated with Reduced Growth Rates, Poorer Fledging Success of Little Blue Heron Chicks (Egretta caerulea ) in South Louisiana Wetlands
- S. A. Spahn,
- T. W. Sherry
- … show all 2 hide
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Persistent contaminants in ecosystems are often monitored via organisms that bioaccumulate the pollutant of interest. Several published studies have used colonial wading birds to assess contamination by heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. Using a nonlethal sampling regimen, this study identified chick feathers and guano as tissues that best reflect local contamination. Both cadmium and lead were detected in food samples (0.3–4.3 μg/g Cd, 0.8–9.3 μg/g Pb), guano (0.2–3.2 μg/g Cd, 1.0–9.5 μg/g Pb), and feathers (0.6–25.4 μg/g Cd, 1.2–16.9 μg/g Pb) from little blue heron chicks at levels similar to other studies. Chicks exposed to cadmium had significantly slower growth rates than nonexposed chicks, and exposure to lead was correlated with increased nestling mortality. The appropriate scale of comparison necessary to demonstrate these effects and the usefulness of wading birds as bioindicators are discussed.
- Title
- Cadmium and Lead Exposure Associated with Reduced Growth Rates, Poorer Fledging Success of Little Blue Heron Chicks (Egretta caerulea) in South Louisiana Wetlands
- Journal
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume 37, Issue 3 , pp 377-384
- Cover Date
- 1999-10
- 10.1007/s002449900528
- Print ISSN
- 0090-4341
- Online ISSN
- 1432-0703
- Publisher
- Springer-Verlag
- Additional Links
- Industry Sectors
- Authors
- S. A. Spahn (A1)
- T. W. Sherry (A2)
- Author Affiliations
- A1. Trinity School, 107 S. Greenlawn Ave, South Bend, Indiana 46617, USA, US
- A2. Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, 310 Dinwiddie Hall, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, USA, US


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Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District says they've seen an increased amount of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus have been captured in a Northwest Fresno Neighborhood prompting the District to take action spraying the area.
They sprayed in an area near Spruce and Milburn overnight. They say the spray is not toxic for people or pets and it's similar to the foggers you can buy at a hardware store.
Tim Phillips, manager for Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District, says the drought hasn't hindered the mosquito population. He says instead they're doing more with less. The river running near Spruce and Milburn has been attracting the blood suckers and prompting them to breed. Phillips says combine that with hot temperatures and West Nile Virus in the insects is starting to flourish.
'We've had to repeat treat a lot of things, backyard sources, pools and such," Phillips says.
No one living in the area that we spoke with has heard of anyone getting West Nile Virus, but they are grateful the District came in and sprayed.
Fresno County Department of Public Health says there have been 26 human cases of West Nile Virus this year. The mosquito population will continue to breed until it cools down. To protect yourself from possible West Nile you should wear long sleeves and pants plus repellant when you're out in the morning and evening hours.
Anyone with problems can call the Fresno Mosquito Abatement at (559)268-6565
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