text:
Alibaba's IPO Filing: Everything You Need to Know
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has lifted the curtain on its plans to go public.
The Chinese online-shopping behemoth's filed paperwork for its hotly anticipated initial public offering Tuesday, a step toward what could become one of the largest public debuts in history.
Founded in Jack Ma's apartment 15 years ago, Alibaba has grown into the largest e-commerce company in the world's most populous country, one that dwarfs its U.S. counterparts. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the combined transaction volume of its Taobao e-commerce marketplace and another Alibaba-run shopping site called Tmall reached $240 billion last year. That's triple the size of eBay, and more than double the size of Amazon.com
We here at MoneyBeat headquarters will be poring through the filing, providing real-time commentary and analysis. Follow along with us in real time.
It's Out!
Alibaba's long-awaited IPO filing is out! Value listed as $1 billion – a nominal amount that's almost certain to go up once pricing starts. Banker estimates are at $15-$20 billion.
Risk Factor: China's Legal System
Alibaba risk factor: "regulatory and legal system in China is complex and developing"
How It Makes Money
How does Alibaba make money? About 84% of the company's revenue comes from its China commerce businesses, such as its Taobao and Tmall sites, according to the e-commerce giant's IPO prospectus. International commerce accounts for 12% of the top line, while cloud-computing and Internet infrastructure represents 1.9%. Alibaba investor Yahoo has disclosed the company's revenue in its own quarterly filings, but the breakdown of revenue among Alibaba's businesses has been a question mark for investors.
Like It's 1999
If you've been saying to yourself, where'd this Alibaba thing come from?, here's your answer: 1999. That's the year Jack Ma founded the company. In tech-company years, therefore, it's already something of an old-timer.
The Underwriters
The filing says Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. will underwrite the IPO and act as joint bookrunners.
That list of banks could expand as the IPO approaches.
Goldman Sachs currently sits at the top of global IPO bookrunner rankings by deal volume, according to Dealogic, followed by Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan. Those three banks hold the same positions on the bookrunner league table for US-listed IPOs.
Goldman tops Dealogic's Asia Pacific ex-Japan IPO rankings year to date, followed by HSBC and CITIC Securities.
Rothschild Inc. acted as Alibaba's independent financial advisor, according to the filing, but is not acting as an underwriter or distributing the deal.
Some Top Risk Factors
Alibaba's risk factors take up nearly 27,000 words. They run the gamut from maintaining its brand trust to depending on the "reliability of the Internet infrastructure in China" to the fact the Office of the US Trade Representative has in the past labeled its cites as "notorious markets." (A label since removed, the filing says.)
The first risk Alibaba displays, which typically means its most important for investors, is the "trusted status of our ecosystem" and the possibilities of issues hampering its operations and health.
"If we fail to balance the interests of all participants in our ecosystem, buyers, sellers and other participants may stop visiting our marketplaces, conduct fewer transactions or use alternative platforms, any of which could result in a material decrease in our revenue and net income," the filing says.
That balancing act includes such decisions as who to charge and how to make money.
And in an echo of Facebook's S1 filing, Mobile is a prominent listed risk as well:
"An increasing percentage of our users are accessing our marketplaces through mobile devices, a trend that we expect to continue. Our ability to monetize our mobile user traffic is critical to our business and our growth. We face a number of challenges to successfully monetizing our mobile user traffic."
Meanwhile, Alipay is listed as a key risk factor. The filing lists possible concerns about Alipay's regulations and security. "Regulators and third parties in China have been increasing their focus on online and mobile payment services, such as those provided by Alipay, and recent regulatory and other developments could reduce the convenience or utility of Alipay users' account."
Started in an Apartment
Alibaba didn't start in a garage, like so many Silicon Valley companies, but in an apartment.
In Jack Ma's apartment, to be specific. "Our 18 founders first gathered in Jack Ma's apartment in Hangzhou in 1999 and founded Alibaba.com," the filing states.
"Our founders and management would go on to launch a number of our core businesses from that apartment, including Alibaba.com.cn (now known as 1688.com), Taobao Marketplace and Alimama, meeting in the same spirit of partnership and with the same goal: to make it easy to do business anywhere."
Employees and Directors
One revelation in the IPO document: Alibaba had 20,884 employees as of Dec. 31 and 7,306 of them were in engineering and data analysis.
Yet the company has just four directors: Founder Jack Ma, vice-chair Joseph Tsai, Softbank's Masayoshi Son and a Yahoo executive, Jacqueline Reses, who will step down ahead of the IPO.
Some Words on Jack Ma's Importance
As a risk factor, Alibaba has what are known as some key men, including but not limited to one Jack Ma, the founder and executive chairman. Here's how he's described for investors worried about what would happen without him.
Our future success is significantly dependent upon the continued service of our key executives and other key employees. If we lose the services of any member of management or key personnel, we may not be able to locate suitable or qualified replacements, and may incur additional expenses to recruit and train new staff, which could severely disrupt our business and growth. In particular, Jack Ma, our lead founder, executive chairman and one of our principal shareholders, has been crucial to the development of our culture and strategic direction.
Meanwhile, the rest of the employees are hot commodities, and the company may have to pay up to keep them.
Competition for talent in the PRC Internet industry is intense, and the availability of suitable and qualified candidates in China is limited. Competition for these individuals could cause us to offer higher compensation and other benefits to attract and retain them. Even if we were to offer higher compensation and other benefits, there is no assurance that these individuals will choose to join or continue to work for us. Any failure to attract or retain key management and personnel could severely disrupt our business and growth.
Importance of Alipay
One point from the prospectus that shows how important Alipay will be going forward to the company is the relatively low mobile gross merchandise value for Alibaba in 2013, at $37 billion, compared to the almost $150 billion in mobile payments processed by Alipay in 2013.
That means likely more than $100 billion of Alipay's mobile transactions in 2013 weren't going to buying things on Alibaba's e-commerce sites. Most of that amount was likely people in China sending money back and forth or using Alibaba's Alipay Wallet application to pay bills or for other services.
That shows that as Chinese increasingly use smartphones, they're finding other ways to spend or transfer money with their phones outside of Alibaba's e-commerce sites. Alipay gives them a broader control over smartphone transfers and that's the reason why a new move to take a stake in Alipay could push up the value of Alibaba as it readies to list.
Read the Filing
The filing is available at this link, by the way.
Chart the Growth
Here's an interesting chart from the filing that shows Alibaba's history, marked again the size of China's Internet population (click for larger version):
Little Info on Ownership Stakes
Alibaba isn't revealing much on its ownership stakes or who intends to offer shares in the offering.
The company also disclosed four ownership stakes: Softbank owns 34.4%, Yahoo holds 22.6%, Jack Ma owns 8.9% and Joseph Tsai owns 3.6%.
No disclosure on how much any plans to sell.
Hacking Risk Factors:
Alibaba's filing touches a lot on the potential damage that could be done if it is hacked or if it inadvertently releases user information. That includes at its marketplaces and at Alipay. The potential damages it warns of are potentially financial, legal and reputational.
Here's one warning:
"Any systems failure or security breach or lapse that results in the release of user data could harm our reputation and brand and, consequently, our business, in addition to exposing us to potential legal liability."
And another:
"As techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to or sabotage systems change frequently and may not be known until launched against us or our third-party service providers, we may be unable to anticipate, or implement adequate measures to protect against, these attacks."
The prospectus also shows the sheer scale of businesses associated with Alibaba. Total payment volume on Alipay in 2013 was $519 billion, more than double PayPal's total of $180 billion in the same year. Through its cooperation with 14 strategic delivery partners Alibaba uses more than 950,000 delivery personnel. It also has more than 980,000 cloud computing customers, most of whom are likely merchants who lease out computing power to streamline the operation of their shops on Alibaba's e-commerce platforms. The company also has more than 342,000 small businesses taking out loans from the company. Alibaba uses its record of vendor performance to distribute loans and last year said it had a loan book of around $2 billion.
Transaction Volume
The size of Alibaba is apparent in metrics in the filing like "gross transaction volume," a measure of the total dollar amount of sales done at its online retail marketplaces. It was $248 billion last year, or 3.2 times the volume of eBay (which weighed in at $76.5 billion, ex-autos.)
Alibaba saw 231 million active buyers on the China retail sites last year. It's the largest online and mobile commerce company in the world by gross merchandise volume, it says, citing "industry sources."
Corporate Structure
Alibaba's initial SEC filing makes clear something that Yahoo discovered in 2011: The Chinese company's corporate structure gives shareholders something less than full ownership of the good stuff. The document describes how licenses to operate its various websites are held by structures called variable interest entities "generally majority-owned by Jack Ma" to comply with Chinese law. The arrangement, the filing notes, "may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership." The structure came into play in 2011, when Alibaba made its e-payment arm Alipay a separate business, triggering a dispute with shareholder Yahoo.
Executive Compensation
And not much of interest or specificity on executive comp. Salary and profit-sharing numbers for the partners are all left blank. The company paid out about $344 million in share-based comp last year. And as of Dec. 31, Jack Ma holds about 2.5 million shares through options and restricted stock grants, most of which are exercisable at $5 a share. Joseph Tsai holds about 2.4 million shares through a similar setup. Other senior executives hold a nonreportable number (so, under 1% of total shares), mostly in options with exercise prices ranging from $5 a share to $18.50 a share.
Risk Factor: Not Much Democracy
In a section labeled "Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure," Alibaba spells out that shareholders actually won't have all that much power.
For one, the Alibaba partnership is going to have the ability to nominate "a simple majority" of the board. Then SoftBank and Yahoo will vote for those nominees each year.
SoftBank will get to nominate a director each year too, which will automatically get the support of Yahoo, Jack Ma and Joe Tsai.
And SoftBank will vote anything it owns above 30% in whatever ever direction Alibaba's Mr. Ma and Mr. Tsai vote.
In sum: "This governance structure and contractual arrangement will limit your ability to influence corporate matters, including any matters determined at the board level."
How could that change? Not easily. Alibaba's partnerships control over the majority of the board will remain in place "for the life of the Alibaba partnership" and can only be amended by a vote of 95%.
If that's not enough protection, the next risk factor lists anti-takeover provisions including the ability of the board to issue special preferred shares at any time, with any rules the board wants, without any shareholder vote. It will also have a staggered board that would prevent the whole thing being removed in one year.
"These provisions could have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control, and could limit the opportunity for our shareholders to receive a premium for their ADSs, and could also materially decrease the price that some investors are willing to pay for our ADSs."
Meanwhile, with all that control, there's also a risk factor that Mr. Ma may have loyalty to other companies he's involved with and can't be sure to act, necessarily, in best interests of Alibaba.
Growing Ambitions
Alibaba's IPO shows the growing ambitions in China and abroad for the company, which was founded in 1999 in the eastern city of Hangzhou by Ma, a former English teacher. Alibaba's first business was a site to connect Chinese suppliers with Western buyers.
Cash Pile
Alibaba had $7.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments, and $4.9 billion in total long-term debt as of the end of last year—important metrics as Alibaba continues an acquisition spree aimed at taking the company into new business areas and bolstering its hand against rivals.
Our main story on today's filing includes this information and more.
Alibaba valued itself at roughly $109 billion in April, based on disclosures in the document about the numbers of shares outstanding and its internal estimate of the value of each share. Including some stock-based compensation and the conversion of certain preferred shares, the valuation is $116 billion. However, the company could seek a higher valuation when it sells shares. Analyst estimates have ranged from $136 billion to $245 billion.
Where Does Alibaba Rank
So where would Alibaba rank among the biggest IPOs on record?
Alibaba said Monday it plans to raise $1 billion, although that figure is widely seen as a placeholder. People familiar with the company have said it could raise more than $20 billion in the deal, not expected until at least later in summer.
Well, here is a list of the 10 biggest IPOs on record:
If Alibaba raises $20 billion, the e-commerce giant would be the fourth largest IPO on record. And where would it rank among tech and Internet IPOS? No.1. Here's the list:
Revenue Growth
The filing shows that revenue growth is outpacing the growth in expenses. Alibaba's cost of revenue, which includes various operational expenses and traffic acquisition costs as well as payment processing fees it pays to Alipay and other financial institutions, increased 33% to 9.9 billion yuan ($1.59 billion) in the nine months through December from a year earlier. The company's product development costs rose 34% to 3.89 billion yuan in the same period. For those nine months, Alibaba's revenue jumped 57%, more than making up for the increase in expenses.
How Alibaba Stacks Up
Here's how Alibaba's $109 billion valuation stacks up against the largest U.S. companies:
Security Name
Market cap (millions)
Apple Inc.
$ 512,013
Exxon Mobil Corporation
$ 440,865
Microsoft Corporation
$ 322,652
Johnson & Johnson
$ 281,524
General Electric Company
$ 262,555
Wells Fargo & Company
$ 258,493
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
$ 251,749
Chevron Corporation
$ 237,899
Procter & Gamble Company
$ 219,535
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
$ 201,877
Verizon Communications Inc.
$ 196,580
International Business Machines Corporation
$ 192,345
Pfizer Inc.
$ 187,849
AT&T Inc.
$ 184,193
Oracle Corporation
$ 182,859
Coca-Cola Company
$ 177,961
Google Inc. Class C
$ 173,729
Merck & Co., Inc.
$ 167,312
Bank of America Corporation
$ 154,896
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B
$ 147,342
Google Inc. Class A
$ 147,191
Walt Disney Company
$ 141,969
Citigroup Inc.
$ 140,832
Amazon.com, Inc.
$ 136,844
Philip Morris International Inc.
$ 134,135
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$ 133,865
Schlumberger NV
$ 131,521
Intel Corporation
$ 130,424
PepsiCo, Inc.
$ 129,425
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
$ 120,428
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$ 117,037
Facebook, Inc. Class A
$ 116,693
Comcast Corporation Class A
$ 111,200
United Technologies Corporation
$ 106,350
Home Depot, Inc.
$ 105,918
Visa Inc. Class A
$ 102,556
China's Impact on Risk Factors
There are several risks to the company's operations in China. (People's Republic of China, or PRC in the filing.)
One likely somewhat unfamiliar to US investors, the company is required to monitor for "content deemed to be socially destabilizing, obscene, superstitious or defamatory, as well as items, content or services that are illegal to sell online or otherwise in other jurisdictions in which we operate our marketplaces, and promptly take appropriate action with respect to such items, content or services."
But "It may be difficult to determine the type of content that may result in liability to us, and if we are found to be liable, we may be subject to fines, have our relevant business operation licenses revoked, or be prevented from operating our websites or mobile interfaces in China."
Then there's the economy. China's economy "differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects." For instance, the government "has implemented in the past certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our services and consequently have a material adverse effect on our businesses, financial condition and results of operations."
The legal system is different too as prior court decisions "may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value."
Takeovers will prove difficult: "PRC regulations regarding acquisitions impose significant regulatory approval and review requirements, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions."
That takeover warning brings us to another risk factor, that of possibly being declared monopoly: "We may receive close scrutiny from government agencies under the PRC Anti-Monopoly Law in connection with our business practices, investments and acquisitions. Any anti-monopoly lawsuit or administrative proceeding initiated against us may result in our being subject to profit disgorgement, heavy fines and various constraints on our business, or result in negative publicity which could harm our reputation and negatively affect the trading price of our ADSs."
And one other, insurance is different there too.
Alibaba, which is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, lists 7 major subsidiaries in its prospectus:
- Taobao Holding Ltd.: Incorporated in the Cayman Islands, it operates the Taobao Marketplace and Tmall
- Taobao China Holding Ltd.: a Hong Kong limited company which is the operating entity of Taobao and Tmall overseas
- Zhejing Tmall Technology Co: Based in China, it provides software and technology services for Tmall
- Taobao (China) Software Co.: Based in China, it provides software and technology services for Taobao
- Alibaba.com Ltd.: Incorporated in the Cayman Islands, it serves as the holding company for China-based units Alibaba.com, 1688.com and AliExpress
- Alibaba.com Investment Holding Ltd: Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, it's a unit of Alibaba.com
- Alibaba Investment Ltd.: Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, it serves as a holding company for Alibaba's "strategic" investments
Here's the full list of subsidiaries under Alibaba Group Holding from the filing's Exhibit 21.1.
Intellectual Property Risks
Another risk factor that comes up in several different ways is intellectual property, or IP.
For one, Alibaba relies on it and operates in China: Intellectual property protection may not be sufficient in China or other countries in which we operate. Confidentiality agreements may be breached by counterparties, and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights in China or elsewhere.
For another, it may face suits from others over IP: We have been involved in litigation relating principally to third-party intellectual property infringement claims, contract disputes, employment related cases and other matters in the ordinary course of our business.
Oh and there's the possibility it gets sued over trademarked or copyrighted material that appears on its marketplaces: Although we have adopted measures to verify the authenticity of products sold on our marketplaces and minimize potential infringement of third-party intellectual property rights through our intellectual property infringement complaint and take-down procedures, these measures may not always be successful. We may be subject to allegations of civil or criminal liability for unlawful activities carried out by third parties through our online marketplaces.
This is where the US has in the past, though not now, listed the company as "notorious markets" for listing of counterfeit and pirated goods.
To add to that, its growing size is drawing a closer spotlight, it warns.
No Current Material Legal Issues
A bright spot among the risks: "We are not currently a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings."
This Is How You Get Around Rules
Because of Chinese rules against foreign ownership of telecommunications properties, Alibaba's had to get very creative in how it structures its operations.
"Due to PRC legal restrictions on foreign ownership and investment in, among other areas, value-added telecommunications services, which include the operations of Internet content providers, or ICPs, we…operate our Internet businesses and other businesses in which foreign investment is restricted or prohibited in the PRC through wholly-foreign owned enterprises, majority-owned entities and variable interest entities."
This chart is what the company called the "simplified illustration" (again, click for larger version):
Interesting note about those variable interest entities: "Our variable interest entities are generally majority-owned by Jack Ma, our lead founder, executive chairman and one of our principal shareholders, and minority-owned by Simon Xie, one of our founders and a member of our management."
'Biggest Marketplace in the World'
"There's no question Alibaba is the biggest marketplace in the world," said Sucharita Mulpuru, retail analyst at Forrester Research Inc., a market research firm. The IPO filing showing the scale of it "is going to open people's eyes and create a lot interest in Chinese e-commerce in the U.S," she added.
Softbank Stake
SoftBank Corp., Alibaba's largest shareholder, will continue to own more than 30% of the Chinese company's shares after the IPO.
Don't Angle for a Dividend
Don't invest in Alibaba if you're angling for a dividend (unless, maybe, you're name's Carl Icahn).
"Since our inception, we have not declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares. We have no present plan to pay any dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business."
So that's that.
Mobile Drives Growth
"The biggest thing I've learned so far is how much mobile is driving their growth, and it seems to be reaccelerating, even though they're already a big company," said Jane Snorek, senior research analyst at Nuveen Asset Management, which oversees $120 billion.
Ms. Snorek said she's looking for more data on user engagement, such as how much time customers are spending on Alibaba's sites and the history of their purchasing activity. "My big thing on any Internet company is, you're growing your users and they're using your site more often," she said.
Speaking of Alibaba's cloud computing business, Ms. Snorek said: "The size of their cloud in revenue and users, I think will be an upside surprise to most people." She added: "They've only just recently been talking about that but it looks like they've been running that for a while and are already breaking out their revenues."
"It's such a huge company, it's just amazing," Ms. Snorek added.
Alibaba and VIEs: A Primer
Inside Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s filing on Tuesday for a U.S. initial public offering are three words well-known to China-focused investors but alien to many others: variable-interest entity. Though it sounds arcane, the legal structure is critical to understanding how the Chinese company works.
Alibaba says the licenses to operate various websites in China are held by variable-interest entities, or VIEs, that are 100% owned by Chinese citizens. Specifically, they are controlled by Alibaba's founder and chairman, Jack Ma, and not owned by the main Alibaba company that's filing for the IPO. The arrangement, it says, is required under Chinese law.
The licenses the VIEs hold are critical to its business, the filing says, and its contracts with the vehicles "give us effective control over each" of the VIEs. That said, Alibaba said it relies on VIE equity holders to perform their contractual obligations to the company. "These contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in providing us with control over our variable interest entities," it says.
You can read more in our primer about Alibaba and VIEs here.
Draw on the Credit Facility
The filing showed the extent to which Alibaba is generating cash, but also consuming resources. Alibaba noted it has "incurred substantial indebtedness," revealing it had drawn down all of the $8 billion credit facility it took out with a group of large banks last year. The company said it drew down $3 billion from that credit line in April.
Alibaba: A Global Company
Alibaba may be associated with China and the Chinese market, but it is an oddly global company: operates in China through a variety of onshore and offshore subsidiaries, incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and – after the IPO – listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Or Nasdaq. They haven't decided which yet.
What Investors Need to Consider
Now that Alibaba has disclosed its plans for what could be the world's largest initial public offering, investors must decide whether to buy the stock.
Put simply, investing in Alibaba is a bet on China, and its continued rapid growth.
WSJ's Rolfe Winkler breaks down what investors need to consider as they evaluate the company right here.
One analyst tells us she was disappointed in the filing's failure to break out more details on the company's main businesses, including seperate results for two main units, Tmall and Taobao.
"What you want to see is some financial metrics on Tmall vs Taobao vs Alipay," said Grace Su, senior research analyst at ClearBridge Investments, which oversees $94.8 billion. "Within the domestic China business, you want to see [disclosure on] those different elements because those do have different economics—just like in eBay's businesses of the marketplace and PayPal, those are very different. The mix of that really will affect the overall margins."
Why Wait for the IPO?
Some Americans, apparently, didn't wait for the IPO to invest in Alibaba. The company says that as of Dec. 31, about 171 million of its 2.3 billion ordinary shares outstanding were held by shareholders of record in the U.S.
Yahoo's Stake
The Journal's Douglas MacMillan did the math and discovered that today's filing reveals that the value of Yahoo's core business is officially getting closer to zero.
Yahoo Shares Up
One indication that investors are liking what they see: Yahoo shares were recently up 1.1% to $36.88 after hours.
Where's the Letter?
One element missing from Alibaba's massive initial public offering prospectus–weighing in at 248 pages before the notes and exhibits–is a letter from founder Jack Ma.
People familiar with the matter had said that some missive was in the works, reminiscent of the letters Amazon.com chief Jeff Bezos or Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin crafted for their IPO filings, to outline their vision for their companies and industries.
Mr. Ma did write a letter – but only to employees – one person with knowledge of the matter said.
Revenue & Profits
If you wonder why Alibaba's IPO is expected to be so big, here are two charts that help answer that question.
Alibaba has been around for 15 years, far longer than Google, Facebook and Twitter had been when they went public. Its hardly surprising then that the largest e-commerce company in the world's most populous country would have revenue and profits that dwarf of those three firms when they went public.
Revenues for Taobao and Tmall?
Wondering why Alibaba didn't break out revenue figures for its Taobao and Tmall websites? Perhaps the answer lies on page 86 of the filing:
Our operating philosophy is to manage our various business units to a single profit and loss, or "P&L," rather than setting compartmentalized P&L targets for each business unit. We believe placing specific financial targets, such as revenue, margin or profit, for individual businesses or managers would create barriers against cooperation, damages the network effects among our marketplaces and negatively impacts the long-term profit potential of our business. We instead ask our managers to be accountable for operating metrics that reflect the health of our marketplaces and the contribution of their units to our entire business. We believe this approach is consistent with the spirit of the Alibaba Partnership as it closely aligns interests, encourages collaboration and focuses leaders on building a sustainable and thriving ecosystem.
The question is will that satisfy investors?
Taxman Cometh
Alibaba's Taobao Marketplace is a veritable bazaar of small retailers, and perhaps not too dissimilar from bazaars of old, many vendors on Taobao probably aren't paying taxes, as Alibaba's filing admits: "A significant number of small businesses and sole proprietors operating businesses through storefronts on Taobao Marketplace may not have completed the required tax registration. PRC tax authorities may enforce registration requirements that target small businesses or sole proprietors on Taobao Marketplace and may request our assistance in these efforts."
The filing notes that Alibaba may be required to provide tax authorities with information on its sellers and that heightened enforcement of taxes on e-commerce transactions could harm many Taobao vendors, and in turn Alibaba itself. Given just about everyone can agree that Alibaba is very big indeed, it seems only a matter of time before the Chinese government makes sure it gets in on the action.


text:
Design, test, refine, win. Sportful produce apparel of the highest quality, used by Team Saxo–Tinkoff and discerning cyclists the world over.
A lightweight jersey that will keep you cool and dry on hot days. Aero Flow Light fabric, as used by Team Saxo-Tinkoff riders, is utilised on the shoulders for aerodynamics.
Key Features:
Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.
You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent.
You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing your account details and following the prompts.
Please allow 10 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries.
It may be advisable to check with your neighbors to see if your delivery has been left with them, check any places it could be left such as: garage, porch, or behind garbage cans if it was too big to fit through your mailbox. Contact your local post office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.
Please see our returns policy.
There are currently no reviews.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Vinton CERF, a Google vice president and computer scientist, recently pointed out what those of us experienced in genealogy have known for a while: We don't know if the information we find is accurate.
He added that knowing whether information is accurate didn't start with the world wide web. " The problem is," he said, "this is true of books and every other medium" in an article in the July/August 2010 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine.
What we've got to do is what he suggested. We must learn to evaluate information. In genealogy, we talk about that in terms of the evidence we find usually evaluating the relative reliability of the source of the information. It's something our hobby (addiction?) requires that we do.
It is also the use of such critical thinking, problem-solving skills which can keep our minds sharp as we grow more experienced (a nicer label for the aging process).
It's the good life!
Filed under: From The Editor | Tagged: Cerf, evidence | Leave a comment »


text:
The Under Armour Sonic T-Shirt comes in bold fits and patterns. Made of HeatGear Sonic fabric, this update to Under Armour's HeatGear fabric offers an amazing close to the skin fit, which is soft, lightweight and comfortable.
This material also wicks moisture to the surface, so it dries quickly and leaves you to focus on performing. The lightweight, 4-way stretch fabric offers a great range of motion and mobility. Anti-microbial technology stops the growth of odour-causing microbes to keep the T-Shirt fresher for longer. - A.D.
Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.
You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent.
You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing your account details and following the prompts.
Please allow 10 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries.
It may be advisable to check with your neighbors to see if your delivery has been left with them, check any places it could be left such as: garage, porch, or behind garbage cans if it was too big to fit through your mailbox. Contact your local post office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.
Please see our returns policy.
There are currently no reviews.


text:
Help:My Wikia
Redirected from Help:MyWikia
124,311pages on
this wiki
this wiki
My Wikia is Wikia's flagship app and is your streamlined, personalized view of Wikia right in your hand. The app is available for the iPad and it provides you with the best Wikia reading experience you can imagine!
In My Wikia, you can:
- Search for communities devoted to creating rich, multimedia content on your favorite topics — ranging from video games, TV shows, and movies to sports, food, and fashion — and add them to your home screen to create your personal view of Wikia.
- Stay up-to-date by searching for and browsing articles by Trending, Popular, or Recent with an effortlessly swipeable interface.
- Read Wikia's constantly evolving, deep content in an elegant, easy-to-read, and customizable format.
- Bookmark and share interesting articles with friends.
You can download the My Wikia from the Apple App Store.
See also
Further help and feedback
- Browse and search other help pages at Help:Contents
- Check Help:Wikia Community Central for sources of further help and support
- Check Help:Contacting Wikia for how to report any errors or unclear steps in this article
- Learn how to use Wikia in Wikia University: short how-to videos for all levels of experience


text:
A Frankford man sustained serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Monday night in Ralls County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol the accident happened at 6:30 p.m. on U.S. 61 at Route A.
A 2007 Toyota Camry driven by 47-year-old Steven W. Yager of Frankford was attempting to turn onto U.S. 61 when it was struck by a northbound 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe operated by 31-year-old Aimie L. Essig of Hannibal.
Yager, who was wearing a safety device, was taken by Marion County Ambulance to Hannibal Regional Hospital.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
After opening their season with a run of lossees, Cankdeska Cikan Community College has turned things around with three consecutive wins.
Just like Lake Region State did last weekend, Cankdeska Cikana defeated Jamestown JV on Wednesday night, 102-92, in Fort Totten.
Kyle Ironhawk led the way for the home team with 46 points, a season high for the guard.
Alvin Whiteshield finished behind him with 22 points of his own, and Terry Herman had 20.
Kyle Langstaff was the only remaining scorer for Cankdeska Cikana, recording 14 points to round out the scoring for the home team.
Cankdeska Cikana will have a few days rest before resuming their schedule this weekend at the LRSC Invitational in Devils Lake.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Waterbury regiment serving in New Orleans
The following article appeared in The Waterbury American on Feb. 6, 1863.
From the 23d Regiment, C.V.
Read more of this story and more!
7-Day Subscribers have FREE access to everything on rep-am.com and our E-Edition.
CLICK HERE to register and activate your access,.
Not a subscriber?
You can purchase a single-day subscription for only $0.75 to read this and access all of our content and our E-Edition.
CLICK HERE purchase a single day subscription.
Become an electronic subscriber to the Republican-American for only $8 a month. CLICK HERE.
Follow Us
Post a reader commentWe encourage your feedback and dialog.
Please be civil and respectful.
If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican.
Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.
Log In
|Register / Forgotten Password?
More stories from Yourpage
- Kent Despite threat of Sandy, Pumpkin Run well attended
- Litchfield Soccer club thanks businesses, people for their support
- Winsted A moving tribute for victims of Newtown tragedy
- Fisher House accepts donation
- Terryville Library group's 'Booktique' continues to thrive
- Waterbury regiment serving in New Orleans
- Kent: Town ensures senior citizens a joyous holiday
- As war rages, some are 'snug and comfortable'
- Washington, Conn. Musical event drew a fine turnout
- Waterbury: Christmas decorations were pleasing


text:
News 12 at 6 o'clock / Friday, Nov. 16, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- That achy, feverish, "feel like you got hit by a truck" feeling is making its way around the CSRA, and it's not wasting any time.
Even people that were vaccinated are getting sick, leaving doctors frustrated and patients searching for relief.
"We've been a little surprised. It came real early in the season this year," said Dr. Mark Newton, chairman of Department of Emergency Medicine at Doctors Hospital.
Dr. Newton says these flu cases are some of the earliest cases he's ever seen and the hospital has the numbers to back it up.
"We checked with the lab because we thought it had been a lot, but we only went back as far as Oct. 22, and there were already over 103 cases that have come through our emergency department," Newton said.
The flu vaccine is created to protect against the three most common flu strains of the season, but Dr. Newton says even people with the vaccine are catching the nasty bug.
"First few times we realized that it's a little disappointing because we know that means there's another strain in addition to the three most common that's out there. It's going around work places, and health care's not exempt, even with flu vaccines," he said.
Newton says unfortunately there's no way to avoid it. The key is to protect yourself and keep it from spreading unnecessarily.
Washing your hands is an easy way to prevent the spread of the virus.
If you have a cough, try covering your mouth with your sleeve instead of your hands, because if you cough into your hands, those germs will go from your fingers to your door handle.
Besides that, Dr. Newton says the shot is still the best way to go.
"The flu vaccine is still the number one way to diminish your likelihood of getting or having a severe case," he said.
If you do happen to catch the flu, it's important to know when to go see a doctor so you can get a prescription.
"Especially when they start running a fever, they're having that strong, harsh hacking cough, that's when they know it's probably time to pay attention, maybe take a day or two off," Dr. Newton said.
Dr. Newton says hydration is another key way to help your body fight off illness.
He says flu season can last all the way through May, and even though many people are just facing bad colds, if you've been exposed to someone who already has the flu, Newton says it's better to go ahead and get tested so you can start feeling better.
Click here for more information on vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


text:
James David and Ella Ruth Rose of Meeker will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a come-and-go celebration from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at Forest Baptist Church, located 6 miles north and ¼ miles west of Meeker.
Ella Ruth Grove and James David Rose were united in marriage Dec. 12, 1963, in Shawnee.
Their children are Wesley Paul Coffey of Meeker, David Wendell Coffey of Guthrie, and Susan Janelle (Rose) Steele of Tulsa.
They have two granddaughters, Sarah Nichole Steele of Stillwater, and Stephanie Rose Steele of Norman.
James is a 1959 graduate of Shawnee High School. He is retired from OG&E.
Ella is a 1955 graduate of Meeker High School. She is a homemaker.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Some of the most innovatively adapted invertebrates belong to class Cephalopoda, Greek for "head-footed." Over 700 species of cephalopods have been identified, and they are divided into the subclasses Coleoidea (cuttlefish, squid, and octopus) and Nautiloidea (nautiluses).
Cephalopods inhabit all of the world's oceans and occur at a wide range of depths, from ocean bottoms (benthic species) to open waters (pelagic species). They are also diverse in size, ranging from the centimeters-long Californian octopus (Octopus micropyrsus) to giant squid (Architeuthis), some of which measure over 18 meters long.
Although cephalopod species have many differences among them, they all share several common features:
All cephalopods inhabit marine environments. There are no freshwater cephalopod species.
Cephalopods are strictly carnivorous. They all possess a hard beak used for defense and tearing prey. Most species hunt for prey, while some are scavengers.
Generally, cephalopods grow quickly and have short life spans. Most live from one to two years, with the exception of the nautilus, which may live more than 15 years.
The basic cephalopod body plan consists of a body, head, and foot. A muscular bag called the mantle contains the cephalopod's organs. The mantle has assumed many of the protective functions served by a shell in other mollusks. The cephalopod head contains the brain and sense organs. The foot, consisting of the grasping appendages, is fixed to the head, (hence "head-footed.")
Cephalopods are famous for the gangly limbs encircling their mouths. Octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish possess cone-shaped limbs studded with rows of suckers and referred to as arms. In addition, squid and cuttlefish brandish a pair of tentacles—long, elastic structures that dart out beyond the arms and are used exclusively for prey capture.
Cephalopods usually have three hearts. Two hearts pump blood to the gills, and one central heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Cephalopod blood is blue because it binds oxygen using a blue, copper-containing protein called hemocyanin. Human blood is red because the oxygen-binding protein hemoglobin contains iron.
Cephalopods have the largest brains of any invertebrate, and species of octopus, squid, and cuttlefish are capable of learning and retaining information.
Cephalopods have two eyes, which, in some species, are highly sophisticated structures similar to our own. Excluding the nautilus, the cephalopod eye contains a lens, retina, iris, and pupil. The resemblance to the human eye results from convergent evolution—human and cephalopod eyes, although similar in structure and function, arose independently, and not through a common ancestor. For another example of convergent evolution, compare porcupines with echidnas.
Most cephalopods are endowed with a small ink-producing gland within an ink sac, embedded in their digestive systems. When threatened by predators, the sac expels highly concentrated melanin to obscure the animal from predators. more
Cephalopod skin can take on wild patterns, colors, and shapes. Tens of thousands of organs called chromatophores form color patterns on the skin similar to the way pixels form images on a computer screen. The chromatophores are controlled by nerves, allowing color change to occur instantaneously. more
When they feel the need for speed, cephalopods propel themselves through the water using jet propulsion. Other methods of swimming involve fins or propulsion with the arms and web. Read more


text:
Men's Nike Air LeBron 2 Elite Slide Sandals
Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store
Created for premium comfort before and after competition, the Nike Air LeBron Slide 2 comes equipped with a contoured Phylon footbed and a Max Air unit for nurturing hard-working feet. The clean lines and sleek look of a dominant hardwood legend stand out, and a durable rubber outsole creates no-slip grip anywhere you go. Style and high-performance features combine in modern form with this lightweight slide, designed for the off-duty athlete during downtime.
- UPPER: Synthetic leather with an adjustable Velcro� strap
- MIDSOLE: Contoured Phylon footbed and Max Air unit in the heel
- OUTSOLE: Rubber outsole with signature LeBron detail


text:
The Denny Hamlin Die-Cast Car is Here!
On May 15, Denny Hamlin piloted the No. 11 FedEx Autism Speaks Toyota at the FedEx Autism Speaks 400. The special paint-out featured a mostly white background overlaid with blue puzzle pieces. Denny was pleased to be racing for Autism Speaks and joining in raising funds for research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism while increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders and advocating the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each die-cast will directly benefit Autism Speaks. You can show your support and order now!
To pre-order your FedEx GROUND AUTISM SPEAKS Die-Casts, please call 800-701-2179, Monday -Friday 9:00am EST to 8:00pm EST. Use promo code number AUTISMSPEAKS to receive your sales pricing!
Vodpod videos no longer available.


text:
The Worrisome Frivolity Of Facebook
"I didn't know what Facebook was, and now that I do know what it is, I have to say, it sounds like a huge waste of time."
–Betty White, "Saturday Night Live"
"Knowledge is power," wrote Sir Francis Bacon. There's little doubt Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg grasped this when he created his vision for social networking eight years ago this month. Whether you consider Facebook a miracle or a monster, there is no doubt it has changed the way people relate to each other. It also made Zuckerberg one of the youngest billionaires in history.
This year, Facebook is expected to garner its billionth user. It already has more than 845 million users, or roughly one-seventh of the world's population.
With billions of dollars in earnings, Facebook has in the works a much-anticipated initial public stock offering. The success of that IPO will do much to determine if social networking and the accumulation of what was once deemed personal information translate into raw wealth.
Regardless of how well Facebook's IPO does, there is one truth about it and other social networks: The members who sign up are giving away their privacy and anonymity.
I find it irritating to watch people obsessing over Facebook. I am in my mid-50s, and I have no desire to share my life with so-called friends who can pass any of my information on to anyone. My wife and I have three children in their 20s who, like many of their generation, are avid Facebook users.
It has been my observation while shopping, walking in the park or driving that multitudes are either reading Facebook posts or updating their statuses. The numbers back me up. Facebook reports that it has 415 million mobile users.
Whether on the laptop at home or on the street with a smartphone, it appears that the principal reason so many people spend so much time on Facebook is to learn and spread gossip.
Evidence that many of my generation are upset over social networking was demonstrated this month when a North Carolina father, Tommy Jordan, responded to his daughter's disrespectful Facebook rant by shooting her laptop and putting the video on YouTube. Jordan's video went viral, receiving more than 2 million views in the first couple of days.
Jordan's daughter had written a long Facebook post in which she complained about her chores. She didn't suspect her dad would find her online tirade, but he did. He was especially upset by his daughter's use of profanity in her post.
"This is for my daughter, Hannah, and more importantly, all of her friends on Facebook who thought her little rebellious post was cute," Jordan said before riddling her computer with bullets.
I don't endorse shooting computers. It is too much like Elvis Presley shooting TVs. I do understand that many older people are angry that our kids seem to give their lives over to their "friends" who number in the hundreds or sometimes thousands on Facebook.
I also realize that Facebook isn't just for young people. Social Media Today reported in April 2010 an estimated 41.6 percent of the U.S. population had a Facebook account.
A friend told me at a Christmas party that he has more than 2,000 "friends" on Facebook. I still can't comprehend that number. I am not sure I have been introduced to 2,000 people in my lifetime.
A wise, old uncle once told me: "If I have three people who are real friends, I am a lucky man."
The New Economy
On Feb. 1, Facebook filed its S1 document with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company filed for a $5 billion IPO, one of the biggest in tech history and the largest Internet offering ever. It is estimated that when the IPO plays out, Facebook will be worth between $40 and $200 billion. While there are a multitude of users, no one can accurately predict what this company will be worth after the silicon settles.
While Facebook earned over $1 billion last year, it may pay out those profits in bonuses to its employees and avoid any Federal taxation. I don't begrudge Facebook legally avoiding taxes, but there is a macroeconomic point most people ignore. As of February 2011, Facebook employed about 2,000 people. The hottest stock to hit Wall Street has an unparalleled ratio of customers to employees. America needs jobs, yet Facebook and the entire social network create little stimulus for the economy.
Then there is the question of productivity. Many companies block Facebook from employee workstations. Those that don't have to contend with workers wasting time checking new postings on their Facebook page.
On the subject of privacy, I had lunch the other day with a young man whom I coached in football more than a decade ago. He went on to win many football awards and earned two degrees by the age of 21. His MBA thesis criticized Facebook and commented on the lackluster way in which people give away their privacy.
He told me, "Since early civilization, people have strived to protect their privacy. In a few short years, such concerns have been thrown to the wind."
How exactly is it that Facebook and other social media sites hurt a member's privacy? I found an explanation from A Nice Guy's View on Life, written June 23, 2010:
Here's where the problem is. Facebook is a company which is trying to make money. Your profile (the collection of all your information) on their website belongs to them. They can market that information to anyone and do whatever they want with it. If you put any pictures on there, then they own those photos too. On top of that, every "application" or service that isn't written by Facebook) knows everything [emphasis in the original] about you and the people you are friends with… which means that if you've decided not to install an application that collects e-mail addresses, but your friend does — then that application knows your e-mail address. Wonderful!
All of this makes me think Facebook is less a wonderful enterprise and more like a useful instrument for big business and Big Brother. That should give you pause before you either join Facebook or update your information on it.
Yours in good times and bad,
–John Myers
Editor, Myers' Energy & Gold Report
Posted in Internet | No Comments »


text:
Bernadette Rainey
Lecturer, University of Cardiff, Faculty of Law
Bernadette Rainey is a lecturer at Cardiff Law School. She teaches human rights law and criminal law, and is the Director of the Cardiff Law School Centre for Human Rights and Public law. Her research interests include human rights and equality law, refugee law and public law. She has published on several areas of human rights law including the right to education, equality duties, and sexual offenders. Bernadette graduated in law from Queen's University, Belfast in 1993. Following this, she was awarded a PhD in refugee law at Queen's University, Belfast in 2003. Whilst completing her PhD, she was employed as a researcher on several human rights projects based in the School of Law at Queen's. Subsequently, Bernadette took up the post of Research Fellow at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. In 2003, she was employed by the School of Law at Swansea University as a researcher. From 2005-2006, Bernadette was a lecturer at Queen's University, Belfast, before taking up the post of lecturer at Cardiff law School in September 2006.
Brian Hutchinson
Senior Lecturer, University College Dublin, Faculty of Law
Brian Hutchinson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Law (University College Dublin) where he has been a member of staff since 1991. A specialist in the fields of Commercial Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution, he has researched and written on Arbitration and ADR, Online Dispute Resolution, Company Law, Commercial Law, Contract Law and Agency, and Information Technology. He is Editor of the Commercial Law Practitioner Law Journal (ISSN 0791-895X), former Editor of Irish Business Law Journal (ISSN 1393-6220), and he is a member of the Editorial Board of the Irish Jurist. (ISSN 0021-1273)
Gavin Barrett
Senior Lecturer, University College Dublin, Faculty of Law
Dr. Gavin Barrett is a barrister and senior lecturer in European law in the School of Law in University College Dublin, where he is also the Director of Doctoral Studies. Dr. Barrett specialises in European law, with a particular interest in the employment law and constitutional law fields. He also has a strong interest in employment law. He is the editor of several books (including National Parliaments and the European Union: The Constitutional Challenge for the Oireachtas and Other Member State Legislatures (Clarus Press, 2008)), the author of numerous book chapters and of articles in a wide range of journals including the Common Market Law Review, the European Law Review (including one article cited by the German Federal Supreme Court in its 2009 Lisbon ruling), the Yearbook of European Law, the European Law Journal, the European Constitutional Law Review, the Industrial Law Journal, the Dublin University Law Journal and the Irish Law Times and the Commercial Law Practitioner.
Ciarán Mac Murchaidh
Lecturer in Irish Language, St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University
Dr. Mac Murchaidh's research interests are in the teaching of Irish grammar and 18th century religious literature. He was awarded a Ph.D. by National University of Ireland, Maynooth. He has edited numerous publications, including a collection of essays on the current state of the Irish language. Cois Life published his Irish grammar Cruinnscriobh na Gaeilge in 2002, a second and enlarged edition of which appeared in 2004. His most recent publication is a bilingual anthology of spiritual poetry from the early Irish to the Modern Irish periods, Lón Anama: Poems for Prayer from the Irish Tradition (Cois Life, Dublin 2005).
Tara Willke
Assistant Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law
Professor at Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania,Tara Willke is an assistant professor of legal research and writing. She also co-created and team-teaches Writing in Law Practice. Additionally, she co-directs Duquesne's summer program in Ireland and serves as faculty advisor to the Military Law Society and Juris; her committee work includes serving on the Curriculum and Technology Committees. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected for membership in the Order of the Coif. After graduating from law school, Professor Willke was a litigation associate, where her practice included commercial, construction and environmental litigation, as well as other types of complex litigation matters.
Kirk W. Junker
Coordinator of International Programs for Duquesne University School of Law
Kirk W. Junker is a Professor of Law at the University of Cologne, Germany, where he holds the Chair in US American Law. At Cologne, he is also Director of the International Master of Environmental Science Program. He acts as Coordinator of International Programs for Duquesne University School of Law. Prior to joining Cologne, he was Associate Professor of Law and Director of International Programs at Duquesne University School of Law. His previous academic career includes teaching both at the Open University and the Queen's University of Belfast in the United Kingdom and Dublin City University in the Republic of Ireland. He was an Assistant Counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, and clerked for the Honorable James E. Rowley of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He received a B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University, a J.D. from Duquesne University, a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, and held a postdoctoral fellowship with the Justice Ministry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He teaches International Environmental Law, Comparative Environmental Law, German Environmental Law, Federal Evidence, US Constitutional Law, Federal Civil Procedure, and Torts.
Robin Connors
Coordinator of Student Organizations, Duquesne University School of Law
Robin Connors is the Coordinator of Student Organizations and the Assistant Director of the Ireland Program for Duquesne University School of Law. She has been with Duquesne University since 2007. Prior to joining the law school in 2011, she worked in the Student Accounts Office for three years. She earned her bachelor's degree in Business and Communications from Duquesne and is currently studying to complete her Masters in Liberal Studies. Ms. Connors facilitates all study abroad inquiries, requests and applications. Her participation in the program last year lends firsthand knowledge and personal experience to share with students. Her experience from working in Student Accounts affords her the knowledge to guide students through the financial aid processes and answer any questions. She is committed to ensuring that the registration process is seamless for all participants.


text:
My Mms Coupon & Promo Codes
Most popular now: Save 10% Off $50+.
Latest offer: 30% Off 5lb Bulk M&M Bags.
Save 10% Off $50+
Exclusions Apply.
30% Off 5lb Bulk M&M Bags
Save 15% Off $100+
Exclusions Apply.
25% Off $275+ Orders
$14.99 Flat Rate Shipping under $200+
15% Off $150+ Orders
Save 20% Off $150+
Exclusions Apply.
10% Off $100+ Orders
Welcome a Loved One's Little Prince and Princess with MY M&M's Candies & Personalized Baby Gifts!
20% Off $250+ Orders
Shop Now and Personalize your M&Ms!
Shop Now for the Personalized Wedding Favors!
Save 25% off $200+
Exclusions Apply.
Sign Up for My M&M's Emails and Receive Exclusive Offers and Latest News
30% Off 5LB Bags
Exclusions apply.
15% Off Your Order
50% Off Football Candy Dish
Exclusions apply.
20% Off All Bulk M&M'S® Bags
Save 10% off Any Purchase
Exclusions Apply.
Friends & Family Sale! 25% Off Everything
Exclusions Apply.
Buy More, Save More! Save up to $20 off
Exclusions Apply.
Save $10 off $50+, $15 off $75+ or $20 off $100+
Exclusions Apply.
$20 Off Personalized M&M's
Save 30% off Bulk M&M'S
Save 20% off All Orders
Check out the Personalized Gifts for Dad, Grandpa and More for Great Deals!
$14.99 Flat Rate Shipping under $200+
Save 15% off $60+
Exclusions Apply.
Save 10% off All Orders
Free Shipping on $100+
All orders shipped to Alaska and Hawaii require an additional $20.00 fee. Additional shipping fee for orders over $500.
Save 15% off $60+
Exclusions Apply.
Coupons.com Exclusive! Save 20% off All Personalized M&M'S
Save 20% off Personalized M&M's
Save 15% off Personalized M&M's
Exclusions Apply.
How to Use My M&M's Coupons
Most M&M's coupons and promotional codes you find are for site-wide savings for your entire order. Enter My M&M's in the Coupons.com search box and you'll see all available coupons and offers. To redeem, enter your promotion code into the "enter promotion code" field, which is on the upper right corner of the homepage. There is only one promotion code per order.
How to Save at My M&M'S
To save at My M&M's, buy in bulk. The more you buy, the more you save. My M&M's also offers holiday and seasonal promotions, such as Mother's Day and similar savings near graduation and Father's Day. Sign up for their email offers for promotions and special offers.
My M&M's Free Shipping Policy
Unfortunately, My M&M'S does not offer free shipping. Chocolate needs the special treatment offered by Fed-Ex delivery, say the folks at My M&M's.
About My M&M's
Personalized M&M's chocolate candies are a great way to customize your wedding or birthday party favors. They are also a great, creative gift. Salute someone's big day with a little piece of your heart. Print your own heartfelt message on My M&M's. With 22 colors to choose from, you're sure to find a favorite hue. So go ahead, put your feelings into words today!


text:
- Destinations
- Hotels
- Vacations
- Tours & Activities
- Special Offers
- Cruise Vacations
Offers valid on new bookings only. Prices shown are per-person, land only based upon double occupancy, except if expressly noted otherwise. Offers are subject to availability at time of booking and may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Blackout dates, minimum night stays, minimum stay requirements on air, seasonal surcharges, resort fees (if any), and other restrictions may also apply. Individual offers may require purchase of Travel Smart Plan or travel waiver. Offers are not valid for Group Travel. Some booking and travel dates may vary. Other promotions and departure dates available which may result in a different rate and/or hotel inclusion. Customer is responsible for hotel taxes and fees on the free night offers, where applicable. For those properties where Classic Vacations has access to dynamic pricing rates, those rates will likely fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and other factors beyond Classic Vacations control. Classic Vacations CST# 2079429-20.
Localita' Querceto
Save up to Value Added
Suite Classica
Suite Magnifica
One Bedroom Classica
Limonaia Suite
One Bedroom Magnifica
Oliveto Suite
Travel from 09/16/2013 through 12/31/2013
Blackout Dates: May Apply
Minimum Night Stay: 3 Nights
Book This Now
Castello di Casole
Hotel Ratings
Insider Tip
- The hotel offers a variety of cultural activities for children including language lessons, pottery classes, art classes, and pizza making classes.
Hotel Overview
What to Expect:
- Perched on a hillside overlooking vineyards and orchards of olive trees, this luxury hotel is set in an historic castle. Blending classic Tuscan charm with modern luxuries, Castello di Casole features indoor/outdoor living areas including private terraces, a central courtyard, and manicured gardens. With a tranquil ambiance and abundant activities, the resort attracts families, couples, and wine enthusiasts.
Amenity Highlights:
- Housed in a former wine cellar, the spa features seven treatment rooms, an outdoor garden, relaxation areas, pools, and steam rooms. Signature treatments incorporate local products such as olive oil, grape seeds, and rosemary. In the evenings, guests can dine alfresco at the on-site restaurant and sip cocktails or wine at the bar. Room service is available 24 hours, and a complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily.
Localita' Querceto
Casole d'Elsa, Siena, 53031
- Chianti
Airport:Florence Peretola Airport FLR
Castello di Casole offers 41 suites located within four buildings. Individually decorated with Italian fabrics and artwork, accommodations feature views of the courtyard or surrounding countryside. Amenities at this Italy hotel include satellite TVs with premium channels, CD/DVD players, and complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include scales, hair dryers, makeup mirrors, bathrobes, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.
Room Amenities:
- Access via exterior corridors
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom scale
- Bathroom TV
- Bidet
- Blackout drapes
- Bottled water in room (complimentary)
- Cable/satellite TV
- CD player
- Child care (in room, surcharge)
- Clock radio
- Complimentary newspaper
- Complimentary toiletries
- Desk
- Direct-dial phone
- DVD player
- Electronic check-out
- Electronic/magnetic keys
- Fax machine
- Hair dryer
- Handheld shower
- Housekeeping (daily)
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- In-room safe (accommodates laptop)
- Internet access - complimentary
- Internet access - wireless
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Makeup mirror
- Massage - available in room
- Minibar
- Multi-line phone
- Pay movies
- Premium bedding
- Premium TV channel(s)
- Rollaway beds
- Separate sitting area
- Separate tub and shower
- Slippers
- Turndown service
- Umbrella
- Voice mail
- Wake-up calls
- Welcome amenities
- Window opens
Property Amenities
This Italy hotel is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees on a 4,200-acre estate. Amenities include a spa, outdoor pool (open seasonally), and a fitness center offering Pilates and yoga classes. At the concierge desk, guests can arrange cooking lessons, language classes, and private wine tours (surcharge). On-site conveniences include 24-hour room service, babysitting/childcare, and complimentary wireless Internet access. A complimentary buffet breakfast is available daily.
The amenities listed below are available on site; fees may apply:
- 24-hour front desk
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Audio-visual equipment
- Babysitting/Childcare
- Banquet facilities
- Bar/lounge
- Beauty services
- Business services
- Cell phone rental
- Complimentary breakfast
- Computer rental
- Concierge desk
- Conference room(s)
- Currency exchange
- Doorman/doorwoman
- Elevator/lift
- Elevator/lift attendant
- Fireplace in lobby
- Fitness equipment
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Full-service health spa
- Gift shop or newsstand
- Internet access in public areas - complimentary
- Internet access in public areas - wireless
- Laundry facilities
- Library
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Massage - treatment room(s)
- Medical assistance available
- Meeting room(s) (small groups)
- Multilingual staff
- Parking (free)
- Parking (secure)
- Parking (valet)
- Poolside bar
- Porter/bellhop
- Restaurant(s) in hotel
- Room service (24 hours)
- Safe-deposit box - front desk
- Sauna
- Secretarial services
- Security guard
- Shoe shine
- Shopping on site
- Spa services on site
- Spa tub
- Steam room
- Supervised child care/activities
- Swimming pool - outdoor seasonal
- Television in lobby
- Tour assistance
- Translation services
- Video library
- Wedding services
Extra person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
There are no room charges for children 12 and younger when staying in the same room as their parents or guardians.
Rollaway beds and cribs (infant beds) may be available and should be requested at the time of booking; fees may apply.
Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in, cannot be guaranteed, and may incur additional charges.
- Small pets considered
Check-in time:
Check-out time:
- Noon
A complimentary buffet breakfast is provided each morning.
Hotel RestaurantElegant restaurant serving homemade pasta and dishes prepared with produce from the hotel's own gardens. Menu features seasonal game such as wild boar, venison, and pheasant. Includes a terrace for alfresco dining.
Bar ViscontiSophisticate bar and lounge with marble flooring, a coffered wood ceiling, and plush banquette seating. Features a courtyard with a covered loggia. Serves wines by the glass, unique cocktails, and gourmet hors d'oeuvres.
PizzeriaCasual restaurant designed with exposed brick, antique light fixtures, and antique tables and chairs. Features a wood burning oven and an espresso bar. Serves pizzas, sandwiches, coffee, and homemade gelato.
This Italy hotel features a swimming pool and a fitness center with cardio machines, free weights, and Pilates equipment. Yoga and Pilates classes are also available. Hiking trails surround the property, and bicycle rentals are available (surcharge).
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Bicycle rentals
- Bird watching
- Hiking/biking trails
- Horse riding/rental
- Hunting
- Pilates classes/instruction
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Yoga classes/instruction
Special Offer Details
Manager's Special3 nights from $1389 per person
Save up to Value Added
What's Included?
- Bella Italia
- FREE entrance into Museum di Casole
- Complimentary bottle of wine in room upon arrival
- Complimentary WiFi
- Daily buffet breakfast for two
Available Room Types:Studio Suite
Suite Classica
Suite Magnifica
One Bedroom Classica
Limonaia Suite
One Bedroom Magnifica
Oliveto Suite
Important Dates:Book from 09/16/2013 through 09/22/2013
Travel from 09/16/2013 through 12/31/2013
Blackout Dates: May Apply
Minimum Night Stay: 3 Nights


text:
Do you want the comfort of pants without all the length, but shy away from shorts? Adding plus size capris to your wardrobe can be the burst of fashion flavor your closet needs! Plus size capris are a great way to stay comfortable and fashionable in the warmer months of summer. Alight's buyers pride themselves on bringing you fashion-forward trends from designers across the globe, letting you fill out your plus size capris wardrobe with name brands such as Angels and Ruby Rox.
Plus size capris are a great addition to any wardrobe. Their length allows you to wear them at times where a pair of shorts may not be appropriate, such as the office, but allows you to keep a more casual style than if you were in slacks or a long skirt all day. In addition, Alight's selection of plus size capris can take you from the gym to the office to the night on the town with a few quick clicks of your mouse. It is really that simple!
Wearing Plus Size Capris
If you've decided to bring plus size capris in as part of your everyday wardrobe, you will want to take a few quick moments to know the different places they can be found. Rather than staying on the playground in denim or at the gym in heavy fleece material, plus size capris are versatile enough to be worn anywhere.
·Plus size denim capris can be dressed up with one of the lovely tunics Alight has to look great in the office on casual Friday or at after work drinks with the girls, or dressed down with a simple tee shirt for running errands around town on the weekend.
·Activewear plus size capris are often far more comfortable than traditional types of workout pants, letting you stay comfortable as you hit the gym or simply walk around your neighborhood with your family.
·Tailored and menswear-style plus size capris allow you to take your fashion-forward approach to the office while maintaining a professional appearance. The cut of these capris is similar to traditional slacks through the waist, but the shorter length allows for a more casual appearance.
No matter what style of plus size capris you are looking for, you should be sure to take note of all the details available to you! Alight has plus size capris with drawstring waist and cuffs, zippered pockets and embellishments, and embroidery accents, each of which will bring a bit of flair and fun to your closet.
In addition to the wide selection of plus size capris, Alight also can fill out the rest of your wardrobe. From jewelry and accessories to a range of beautiful evening gowns, your closet will be filled to the brim with trendy styles at great prices. Unlike some other online stores, Alight has an easy exchange policy and simple returns, ensuring that the clothing you want is the clothing you get. If you come to Alight for plus size capris, be sure to look around at the rest of our selection, and treat yourself to something special today!


text:
March 6, 2013 - Blue Grass Energy has dispatched six of its linemen to Virginia to assist with restoring power after the latest winter storm.
Early this morning, a group from BGEnergy left for Palmyra, Virginia to help Central Virginia Electric Cooperative restore power to its members. Of the co-op's 35,000 members, 6,700 are without power as of this morning, according to the cooperative's Web site.
"We are always willing to help other cooperatives needing assistance. Cooperation among cooperatives is actually one of the principals of BGEnergy", said Robert Farmer, Vice President of Operations. "We know when we need help, one of our sister cooperatives will be here to help us."
Cooperatives help one another in times of emergency. Cooperatives across the country use the same line system engineering standards, which means line crews from any part of the country can quickly help sister cooperatives in restoring power. BGEnergy is one of eleven electric cooperatives from Kentucky assisting in Virginia.
Weather forecasted for the Virginia area is for large amounts of heavy, wet snow with gusty winds. This combination could cause more outages across the region.
A total of 75 line techs and mechanics from 11 different Kentucky electric cooperatives are assisting with the power restorations.
Crews from Jackson Energy, Owen Electric, Shelby Energy, Licking Valley RECC, Salt River Electric, South Kentucky RECC, Kenergy, Nolin RECC and Farmers RECC are assisting.
Crews from Clark Energy and Blue Grass Energy are stationed at Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in Arrington, Virginia, where more than 10,000 customers are in the dark. Outage numbers for Virginia and surrounding states are expected to rise as the storm continues to move through the region.


text:
Molly Saunders – St. Louis, Mo.
My name is Molly and I work in the Digital Marketing department at Build-A-Bear Workshop. You'll probably see that many stories will be written by me. I figured some of you might eventually want to know the person behind the stories, so here is MY story of becoming a bear.
I started with the company as a 12-year-old Cub Advisor to Maxine. I helped in the store as much as I could and worked in the store and Bearquarters throughout high school. I went away to college and realized that I had to write to be happy. I received a degree in journalism from the University of Central Missouri (although it will always be Central Missouri State University to me.) After graduating, like many my age, I was searching for a job. I worked in retail for a year while looking for a position where I could use my skills. As soon as a position opened up at the World Bearquarters I was on it! I've officially been back for two-and-a-half years, and I can't imagine being anywhere else. It's like home. And the best part? I get to be close to, you, our Guests!
I've been a bear for most of my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of such an amazing company that does so much good and helps so many people. I hope you will join me on this exciting new adventure in the digital world! I want you to share your comments and stories and feelings about each post, especially the ones that touch your heart. If you have questions or ideas you'd like us to write about, just let us know by sending an email to email@example.com. Thanks for reading!
Julia Roberts – Atlanta, Ga.
Julia Roberts, a wife, mom, speaker/writer and business owner, she writes a personal blog at Kidneys and Eyes. In 2010, Julia co-founded Support for Special Needs.com, a social network for special needs families. Her kids, Gage and Quinnlin, have a vision disorder, a kidney disease and developmental delays as a result of a new syndrome with three known cases in the world. They've endured kidney failure, dialysis, mental illness and receive a lot of special education services. Married 18 years, she tries to have a sense of humor about life, which is why she and husband Julian joke that the first one to leave the marriage has to take the kids. Quinnlin's story of special needs with Champerina, a Build-A-Bear Workshop bear, is the inspiration for her posts and is told with her input and approval!
New Store www.sliceofcrazypie.com/shop
Networking site for Special Needs www.supportforspecialneeds.com
Personal Blog www.kidneysandeyes.com
Twitter juliaroberts1 and supportSN
Dr. Rus Jeffrey – Newark, N.Y.
About The Original General Sarge
"Comforting Military Families One Furry Friend At A Time"
Dr. Rus Jeffrey and his wife Sandra's son, PFC Benjamin Jeffrey, is currently serving in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Lewis, WA as part of 11B Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Battalion. He's scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan in the beginning of 2012.
At the age of 10 they gave Benjamin a Christmas Gift Certificate for Build-A-Bear Workshop. For as long as they can remember Ben has always wanted to join the Army. So, it really came as no surprise that he named his bear Sarge and dressed him in an Army uniform. On his 18th birthday in August 2010 Ben joined the Army as an active duty soldier.
Before heading for Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA they gave Sarge a new uniform. Ben instantly recognized that Sarge was promoted to General Sarge. Dr. Rus started taking daily pictures of things General Sarge was doing each day and it has now grown into an organization that "deploys" Build-A-Bear Workshop teddy bears to military children.
For more information visit…
Candy Tai – Overland Park, Kan.
Candy Tai currently resides in the Kansas City area and is the Founder of a hyper-local website for families, KCMetroMoms.com and is the blogger behind Mommypalooza.com. She fell in love with the Build-A-Bear Workshop brand and philosophy in the summer of 2010 when she visited the World Bearquarters for a social media and blogging workshop. It was during this trip that she made her very first friend, Aloha Kitty, as part of her visit to the very first store in the St. Louis Galleria.
Candy is married to David – her high school sweetheart – and is passionate about mothering her three boys ages 8, 6, and 2. She is a die-hard fan of college football and enjoys hot summer days. In her (almost non-existent) spare time, she enjoys volunteering at her church, web site design, swimming, travel, watching reality TV, reading non-fiction, and playing on the Wii with her kids!
At Build-A-Bear Workshop we are proud to partner with Candy in 2012. She is one of our official 15 Friends.
Angela Roy – Fort Lewis, Wa.
Angela is a seasoned Military spouse & mom of 2 daughters. In 2007, she stumbled onto social media and blogging, creating her own blog Mommy PR, in spring 2009. Bringing on 3 friends, they have created an online resource of product & travel reviews, giveaways and promotions, spanning over 5,000 articles alone.
Angela first found Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2010. With the travelings of the Military family, they had to say goodbye to many friends. Looking for a way to keep her daughters friendships alive, they began to incorporate Build-A-Bear into their daily lives.
Build-A-Bear has now become a positive staple in their immediate & extended family, and will be joining in their next adventure overseas! Pawsports ready!
Follow Angela on Twitter @MommyPR
At Build-A-Bear Workshop we are proud to partner with Angela in 2012. She is one of our official 15 Friends.
Lee Nadler – New York City, N.Y.
I had an opportunity to work closely with Maxine Clark and the fine folks at Build-A-Bear-Workshop when I was serving as the first Chief Marketing & Interactive Officer of RIDEMAKERZ. I was very appreciative of the Build-A-Bear-Workshop approach to teamwork, perseverance and serving others.
I've enjoyed many other experiences along my 20+ year career Path, including: launching Snapple at ad agency Kirshenbaum & Bond; defining DoubleClick as first head of Marketing; building innovative marketing agency Digital Pulp as CEO; Working on NY/NJ Super Bowl bid; running marketing as CMO of eMusic; and founding Sherpa Marketing – a consulting firm I've run for ten years with clients such as: BMW, CNN, Gilt and Yahoo!
Along the Path, I've made note of unique experiences and people. Maxine is one of those people.
The most dramatic shift in my perspective came years ago in the Himalayas where I met Sherpas, guides who overcome incredible obstacles to reach the world's highest Summit. I found their approach motivating and empowering. I will be on an expedition to Mt. Everest Base Camp in March/April 2012 to learn more about Sherpas and inevitably about myself.
The Sherpa Path shares what I am learning and I hope will inspire others to reach their "Summit of Success."
I invite you to follow at http://www.TheSherpaPath.com/blog and to share by commenting and by inviting your friends onto The Sherpa Path.
onward and upward,
Lee Nadler
Molly Gold – Apex, N.C.
Molly Gold is a pioneer Mompreneur, launching GO MOM!® Inc. more than a dozen years ago. Specializing first in consumer products and now an established and highly sought after brand partner, Molly is widely recognized as the voice of organized motherhood.
Easily found on Twitter and Facebook, Molly shares innovative content through her website, video blogs, and extensive appearances in all forms of media. Molly's effusive warmth and candid manner have made her a favorite of both brands and agencies alike. Well respected by her colleagues, she has become a popular conference speaker and brand favorite for press events, conference partnerships, and ongoing social media consultation creating community engagement and customer centric campaigns.
At Build-A-Bear Workshop we are proud to partner with Molly in 2012. She is one of our official 15 Friends.
Brandy Walleshauser – Huntington, N.Y.
Brandy is a stay ay home mom of 3 kids, all under the age of 8, residing right outside of New York City. She started blogging in 2008 as a staple outside of her life as a mom. It turned into a full-time blogging job, working with brands like Hormel foods, and Build-A-Bear Workshop. When she isn't chasing kids around she is writing at No Time Mommy.
She first found Build-A-Bear Workshop in 2009. After moving around a lot, her children had trouble making new friends, and being able to make their own furry friends made them feel at home. Now 3 years later her family has welcomed 20 more Build-A-Bear friends into their lives.
You can follow her on Twitter @notimemommy
At Build-A-Bear Workshop we are proud to partner with Brandy in 2012. She is one of our official 15 Friends.
Maricris Guadagna – Charlotte, N.C.
Maricris Guadagna is the co-founder and Social Media Director of Lake Norman Tai Chi Center, a martial arts school that embodies her love for everything zen; a philosophy that she applies in her nationally-acclaimed lifestyle blog, ZensibleMama.com. She is a self-professed geek with a comprehensive background in marketing and extensive training in sales and corporate customer service. She is a seasoned international traveler with a new-found personal mission to help homeless children in her community through charitable projects every year.
Maricris, who migrated from the Philippines nine years ago, was introduced to the world of Build-A-Bear during the 2010 Disney Social Media Moms Conference where she met Maxine Clark. Since then Build-A-Bear Workshop has become a part of her charitable causes, her life, her travel adventures and most of all, her family!
Maricris was recently featured as a Mompreneur in the Charlotte Observer and in a nationally-syndicated radio show, Coach Lynn Show. A firm believer of less talk, more work!
At Build-A-Bear Workshop we are proud to partner with Maricris in 2012. She is one of our official 15 Friends.


text:
Go to: Varna Home
Use keys to navigate
Arya and Anushka Shetty in Telugu Movie Varna
Varna is an upcoming Telugu Movie. Directed by Selvaraghavan and produced by Prasad V. Potluri under PVP Cinema banner. Music scored by Harris Jayaraj. Varna is a dubbed version of tamil movie "Irandam Ulagam". Arya and Anushka Shetty are in the lead role.
Please Wait while comments are loading...
Related News
Go to : Wallpapers
Go to : Videos
Box office
Go to: Box office
A Flying Jatt31.95 * Cr
- Un-Indian0.27 * Cr
Happy Bhag Jayegi22.11 * Cr
- Lucchey laffange0.001 * Cr
- Yeh Kaisi Hai Aashiq0.002 * Cr


text:
Report: Global Renewable Energy Experiencing Double-Digit Growth
December 12, 2007
Renewable energy use is growing much faster than 10% per year throughout the world, according to a new report from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). Excluding large hydropower, the global electric generating capacity of renewable energy facilities reached 237 gigawatts (GW) this year, up 15% from last year. That's about 5.5% of the electric generating capacity throughout the world. At 93 GW, wind power provided about 40% of that renewable generating capacity; wind power capacity increased by 25% over 2006. Grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems reached 7.8 GW in capacity, a 56% increase, while the global production of photovoltaic systems reached 3.8 GW per year, a 52% increase over 2006.
Among non-electric renewable energy sources, solar hot water capacity increased by 17% to 121 thermal GW. Global ethanol production increased 16% to 11.6 billion gallons, while biodiesel production increased by a third to more than 2 billion gallons. The REN21 report estimates that global investment in renewable energy will exceed $100 billion in 2007, including $15-$20 billion invested in large hydropower facilities, at least $66 billion invested in other renewable energy facilities, $10-$12 billion invested in manufacturing plants for photovoltaic devices and biofuels, and $16 billion invested in public and private research and development. The full REN21 report will be published in January, but a pre-publication summary has been released in December, in time for the climate conference in Bali. See the REN21 press release and pre-publication summary (PDF 765 KB). Download Adobe Reader.


text:
Your Tireless Research Assistant
Web Searching â" Fed Up with Just a Load of Links?
Using advanced search techniques, DEVONagent takes on all those tedious search-and-review tasks releasing you to focus valuable time on relevant results. Watch a video introduction.
What DEVONagent Does for You
- Using both standard and specialized search engines, DEVONagent intelligently summarizes the results â" fast!
- Alternatively, it shows you an even larger number of search results using its unique graphical topic map (see above).
- DEVONagent archives your search results with a single click or sends them to e.g. your DEVONthink database.
- Instead of letting you repeat actions, DEVONagent performs them for you. Combine search sets, schedule searches, etc. to create your very own personalized search assistant.
Required OS: not specified
Tags: academic , search , engine
4 Opinions
If you do a lot of research on the net, this is superb!
This is an interesting, problematic application. Search the user groups; you'll find comments about how hard it is to get into the logic of the program. Searches sometimes take a long time, and unaccountable results keep popping up. (For example I am continuously told that my search terms do not appear on YouTube!) But when it works, it's amazing. I just can't figure out if the learning curve makes it right for me -- and my demo time is apt to run out before I can answer that -- I suppose that's not a good sign for an application that wants to be simply the best.
A fantastic search tool!! Just add a bookmark editor and I'll never use Safari again.
Indispensable if you do a lot of serieus reaserch.


text:
- About UNK
- Academics
- Admissions
- Students
- Current Students
- Faculty & Staff
- Alumni
- Athletics
Staff Senate addresses topics affecting staff members, as it promotes a better working environment. The Staff Senate acts in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor, the administration, and other University groups.
Together as One: March 28th - April 8th
Together as One is a faculty and staff giving campaign created to benefit students while providing meaningful philanthropic opportunities for the university's dedicated employees. Please consider making a gift to the Together as One campaign. It's an investment in our students and a testament to our collective belief in them, each other, our university and the state of Nebraska.
All gifts will remain confidential and all gifts, regardless of size, make a difference.
Let's stand Together as One with UNK.
You make the choice.


text:
Adding on a penny to your taxes could help alleviate traffic on some of the CSRA's busiest roads. (WRDW-TV / Aug. 11, 2011)
News 12 at 6 o'clock / Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013
EVANS, Ga. -- Voters approved it in July, and now the TSPLOST is hitting you in the wallet. Thirteen counties in Georgia now have a new sales tax to pay for road projects.
Starting Tuesday, you started paying 1 cent more on every dollar you spend, but be patient, because you won't see the roadwork overnight.
Heather Brehmer is spending another day buying groceries.
"Grocery shopping -- should be monthly but seems to be more like weekly," Brehmer said.
She says she didn't realize the extra 1 percent sales tax for the voter-approved TSPLOST started Jan. 1.
"I had no clue," Brehmer said.
It's an extra penny on every dollar she spends.
"My husband and I were just talking about this, and on average, I would say that we spend over $1,300 a month. We have three kids. I have no idea where it goes," Brehmer said.
Brehmer's family is not alone. The USDA says in November the average grocery bill was around $930. That's about $9 more a month, or $111 a year for road projects in the 13-county region.
"We've had some people kind of notice that on things that they've bought and mention it already since Jan. 1," explained Ron Cross, a member of the TSPLOST planning committee.
"My husband's jaw drops every time he sees a grocery bill. Even if it's an extra $10, it's not going to be good," Brehmer said.
The number one project on the list for some is the extension of River Watch Parkway into Evans.
"It's going to put us probably 10 to 15 years ahead of what normally would happen had there not been a TSPLOST, or had it been disapproved," Cross said.
And even though the penny started adding up on Tuesday, leaders say it will take time before you see the work.
"We'll see the first check in March," Cross explained.
The money will have to go to Atlanta and the Department of Revenue before the more than 80 road projects can start.
"It's a real boost to the whole region and I think people that voted for it will be glad they voted for it and the people that didn't, I think, will see the results of something being very positive," he said.
Cross says the DOT is planning to advance some of the money for the River Watch Parkway extension project. They hope to start construction in the late spring or early summer. Each of the 13 counties have projects on the list.


text:
Oct 7, 2011
Feb 5, 2012 9:56 AM
10 Tips to Make 2012 Her Best Season Yet
It's February...the start of a new year when all things seems possible. Whether you are basking in 75 degree California weather or the wintery 20's in Detroit the 2012 softball season will be here before you know it.
As a coach the beginning of a new season is always exciting because every team and every player starts off with a clean slate, with thoughts of championships and .500 batting averages dancing through our heads. And the truth is that phenomenal success for your team or athlete is entirely possible...it really is.
It all gets down to what level of effort, dedication and attitude she brings to her game. After coaching for over a decade and having played ball through college I know that any player can expect to get out of the game exactly what she puts into it. You see the harsh truth is that "the game" doesn't care who wins. The game doesn't care who gets a hit and who makes an error. The game will giveth and taketh away without regard for who the players or teams are. The definable variable for success in a difficult game is personal choice.
Here are 10 surefire ways to turn the new season into a memorable one for your athlete:
1. Inspire yourself and others with your effort. Bring 110% effort each time you step on the field and stand out from the crowd.
2. Work harder than everyone else. Put in the time for more grounders, more swings, more pitches. To be great you have to be willing to want it more.
Give her the gift that will change her game forever!
3. Work equally as hard in your mental skills training. Question your assumptions and beliefs about yourself that may be limiting your performance.
4. Trust yourself more. If you are trying a new position, new hitting or pitching mechanics, or advancing to the next age level be willing to step outside of old comfort zones and embrace the opportunity in front of you with a "can do" attitude.
5. Set measurable goals you can track during the season. When you are tired or mentally fatigued during a game or long practice remember your goals and push a little harder.
6. Understand why you play the game. What motivates you? Find the underlying motive as to why you play and you will unlock the true secret of success.
7. Play the game with passion and joy. Once you know why you play and you trust yourself enough to give 110% have fun playing. Playing with passion brings great energy, focus and joy. Play the game with a pep in your step!
8. Be a relentless student of the game. "ABL" (always be learning). Greatness comes from understanding the game on the path of mastery. You can learn from playing or watching. It is always the little things that make the different between good and great.
9. Focus on your effort not the results. It is easy to get caught up in the results in such a numbers oriented game. However, know the factors you have control over (effort, attitude, focus) and the ones you do not. The irony is if you work hard at the things you can control the results you desire will come!
10. Support her unconditionally. This last point is aimed at parents. Remember that your athlete's journey towards mastering a very difficult game will take time. Be patient with her, celebrate her efforts, and be sure you help her to keep the game fun by keeping her perspective balanced.
Your athlete will get out of this great game what she is willing to put into it, with stellar physical and mental training and effort. She can truly be as good as she wants to be because the game doesn't care; the game does not play favorites. It will give her every opportunity for greatness whenever she is willing to accept the challenge!
I wish you and your family an awesome 2012. If your athlete can embrace these 9 tips (and you the last tip) she will be well on her way towards creating her best season ever!
For over 75 fastpitch softball specific articles on how your athlete can reach her true softball potential visit us at Softball Smarts, where you can also sign up for our weekly FREE Softball Smarts Tips.
Thanks for reading! -- John Kelly
Boost your athlete's game day confidence fast with the Sports Confidence Blueprint program!
For more FREE mental game tips and strategies visit me at: Softball Smarts or my Facebook page.
Like (0)


text:
The "pink" readers will be seeing all through the month of October in Jackson Newspapers is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Pink ads by county businesses and organizations will run on both the inside front and inside back pages of both Tuesday's Jackson Herald and Thursday's Jackson Star News throughout the month.
Breast cancer occurs with staggering frequency, leaving almost no one in the country without some connection to it.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is the most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity; the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women; the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/ Alaska Native women.
In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed among women. Approximately 39,520 women were expected to die from breast cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.
About 2,140 cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among men, accounting for about 1% of all breast cancers.
Jackson Newspapers will donate 10% of "pink" advertising revenue for the month to the Jackson County Relay for Life—a donation of some $500-$600.October 'Pink' is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Topic: Adding UPMC to Hospital list
Hi Rick,
Wondering why UPMC is not on the list of Hospitals? They are a BIG liver cancer center, in fact, they I understand they did the first liver transplants in this country, abd they just did the surgery on my husband that Mayo would not do - Would like to see that Univercity of Pittsburgh added to the list. What do you think? Incidentally, thanks for the job that you do for us - fantastic.