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Mr. W.B. "Bill" Evans was my friend, even though we never met face to face. I met him through his writings in The Lancaster News.
What a beautiful spirit and soul he had. His words encouraged me to give my opinions on things. You could tell he loved Lancaster and the USA.
I will miss my friend. I will miss his spirit and his love of life. He touched a lot of people, made our lives better and put smiles on our faces with his "Remember When?" columns.
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. W.B. Evans' passing. I looked forward to reading his "Remember When?" columns.
Jo Anne Broughton
W.B. Evans was one of the best storytellers Lancaster has had. He inspired a lot of people as he did me, and he will remain in our hearts.
Mr. Evans is a legend here for his stories. He is telling his stories about Chesterfield Avenue to Jesus now.
W.B., we love you. God bless you, your family and your Lancaster News family.
Carl M. Miles
Lancaster Police Department Sgt. Dustynn Burlingame deserves public praise for the courage and restraint he demonstrated by not discharging his weapon at a suspect who presented a handgun while being detained.
Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Carroll also deserves credit for assisting Sgt. Burlingame in the apprehension of the subject.
Their actions shortly after midnight on Sunday, June 26, brought to mind a saying I heard years ago: "We sleep peacefully at night because brave men and women are patrolling our streets and protecting our homes."
Revolutions must be popular because they have happened so often. In the Third World, revolutions are almost a national sport.
Those revolutions are actually tyranny taking over another tyranny. Every revolution in history has always claimed to be carried out in the name of the people, but the people never get to run things.
E Pluribus Unum or out of many, one.
This 13-letter phrase became an official part of the Seal of the United States by an act of Congress in 1782. It was the de facto motto of the United States until Congress officially made In God We Trust the national motto in 1956.
I want to thank all who were in the Charlesboro's July 4th parade. Thanks Kenny Hinson and Johnny Arant for the flags on the posts, and everyone else who helped.
The music was provided by the Sims family. Thank you to them and all who provided food, nice and drinks. And I want to thank Stacy Faile for a beautiful fireworks display.
Nancy Vincent
Editor's note: Carl Miles, a frequent contributor to this page and a general uplifter of spirits, was severely injured by an intruder several months ago. We're happy he has recovered enough to begin writing again.
About two months ago, I was lying on my couch about 1 o'clock in the morning. Someone knocked on my door, and I opened it.
A guy who must have been on dope was there. He said, "Do you have any money?" I replied, "No."
Copyright © 2016
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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Put a Spring in your step and into your wardrobe with feminine florals and romantic detail. This peter pan collar top in an on trend peplum design is perfect for livening up your workwear or as a base for a chic city look with white shorts and a satchel.
Product Code: 276281819
100% Polyester.
Look after me, love your planet. Wash at 30 degrees.

subset: commoncrawl


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The president announced Sylvia Mathews Burwell as his nominee to be the next Health and Human Services secretary Friday.
The agency overseeing the system says it's turning a proposed cut into a slight payment increase for Medicare Advantage plans.
A new CDC report finds that coverage for tobacco cessation treatment is lacking in state Medicaid programs.
A simple attestation is all it takes to sign up for coverage after March 31.
The administration Wednesday released a long list of loopholes to the enrollment deadline.
Some 30 percent of seniors in the Medicare program get health insurance through the private option.
One of the health care law's biggest cost-cutting efforts is under fire.
Anyone who lost their plan and has no new coverage—about 500,000, according to the administration—will receive an exemption from Obamacare's obligation to be insured.
Website fixes, spike in sign-ups may signal a turnaround for the law.
Here's a guide to understanding what's going on with Obamacare, who wants to delay what — and whether any of it would have an impact.
A step-by-step list for separating facts from flacks.


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English legal system doctrine that protects against arbitrary exercise of power by ensuring fair play. Natural justice is based on two fundamental rules: (1) Audi alteram partem (Latin for, hear the other side): no accused, or a person directly affected by a decision, shall be condemned unless given full chance to prepare and submit his or her case and rebuttal to the opposing party's arguments; (2) Nemo judex in causa sua (Latin for, no man a judge in his own case): no decision is valid if it was influenced by any financial consideration or other interest or bias of the decision maker.These principles apply to decisions of all governmental agencies and tribunals, and judgments of all courts, which may be declared to be of having no effect (ultra vires) if found in contravention of natural justice. See also natural law and natural rights.
Use natural justice in a sentence


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how do you cope with anxiety? while going out in public or work?How do you cope when you have to go out in to a public place or when u have to go to work?
Category: Social Anxiety 4 years ago
Follow Us
We are a community of people struggling with mental health issues, you are not alone!


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Main Road, Vepagunta, 530029 Painters' Tools & Equipment Ravi TradesVISAKHAPATNAMAndhra Pradesh
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I am pretty much a noob on WordPress. I have searched and not really found a clear answer.
I have the mainpage showing all the latest posts, that is good. Is there a possible way to get the posts to show up on an individual page also? For example, we have a page Coaches Blog. When they post to the Coaches Blog, it shows on the mainpage, but can it also show on the Coaches Blog page so users can click on an individual page to just see those posts?
Any help is greatly appreciated.


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Poster ID: CL50673
Original Title: Blockade
English Title: Blockade
Year of Poster: 1970s
Category: Movies
Actor/Artist/Director: Yuri Sotomin, Irina Akulova, Yevgeni Lebedev, Lev Zolotukhin, Vladislav Strzhelchik, dir. Mikhail Yershov
Studio: Lenfilm
Country of Poster: East German
Country of Film: Russian
Size: 22 x 14 inches = 56 x 36 cm
Condition: Very Good
Price: $160
Available: Yes
Notes: Original, official, deleted, and with totally different and individual design (seen only on this official East German poster!) promotional poster: 22.8" x 16.1" | 58cm x 41cm
Produced in extra very (!) limited amount on behalf of East German national film distributor ("Progress FilmVerleih") during the Cold War for movie promotion only in East Germany, most of them were thrown away after movie screenings, only a few 'survived', there are no reprints or repro
|Add to Cart
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Bipolar Disorder: Managing Mania
Hypomania and Mania in Bipolar Disorder
In this article
Bipolar mania, hypomania, and depression are symptoms of bipolar disorder. The dramatic mood episodes of bipolar disorder do not follow a set pattern -- depression does not always follow mania. A person may experience the same mood state several times -- for weeks, months, even years at a time -- before suddenly having the opposite mood. Also, the severity of mood phases can differ from person to person.
Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Hypomania is a mood that many don't perceive as a problem. It actually may feel pretty good. You have a greater sense of well-being and productivity. However, for someone with bipolar disorder, hypomania can evolve into mania -- or can switch into serious depression.
Recommended Related to Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder Online Community
WebMD's Bipolar Support Group Living with bipolar disorder? Share your tips on coping with heightened feelings of well-being and depression, as well as common medication and treatment options. Depressed & Bipolar Kids: Family Support Does your child suffer from depression or bipolar disorder? If so, you both need support from family and friends. Join other parents and family members here to discuss treatments and challenges of raising a child who has depression...
Read the Bipolar Disorder Online Community article > >
The experience of these manic stages has been described this way:
Hypomania: At first when I'm high, it's tremendous ... ideas are fast ... like shooting stars you follow until brighter ones appear... All shyness disappears, the right words and gestures are suddenly there ... uninteresting people, things, become intensely interesting. Sensuality is pervasive, the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible. Your marrow is infused with unbelievable feelings of ease, power, well-being, omnipotence, euphoria ... you can do anything ... but somewhere this changes.
Mania: The fast ideas start coming too fast and there are far too many ... overwhelming confusion replaces clarity ... you stop keeping up with it … memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened ... everything is now against the grain ... you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped.
If you have periods of unusually high energy and high mood along with three or more of the following mania symptoms most of the day -- nearly every day -- for one week or longer, you may be having a manic episode of bipolar disorder:
- Needing less sleep in order to feel rested
- Talking very rapidly or excessively
- Distractibility
- Fast thoughts
- Tendency to show poor judgment, such as impulsively deciding to quit a job
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity -- unrealistic beliefs in one's ability, intelligence, and powers; may be delusional
- Reckless behaviors (such as lavish spending sprees, impulsive sexual indiscretions, abuse of alcohol or drugs, or ill-advised business decisions)
Some people with bipolar disorder become psychotic when manic or depressed, hearing things that aren't there. They may hold onto false beliefs, and cannot be swayed from them. In some instances, they see themselves as having superhuman skills and powers -- even considering themselves to be god-like.
WebMD Medical Reference


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Definition of methanal in English:
Systematic chemical name for formaldehyde.
Example sentences
- It is manufactured by heating methanal with ammonium chloride.
- As has already been stated oxidation yields the aldhyde methanal, but further oxidation of this will yield the carboxylic acid methanoic acid.
- A particularly important reaction is with the aldehyde methanal.
For editors and proofreaders
Syllabification: meth·a·nal
Definition of methanal in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.
= trending


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Microsoccer Rules of the Road is a brief guide to how Microsoccer is structured, organized, and administered, and contains a small number of operational rules.
Rules of the Road (2014)
Provides guidance for players who are younger than the recommended age for participation
Underage Waiver Policy
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The College of Letters and Sciences is pleased to host this year's Campus Diversity Forum. The chosen theme of this year's forum, Diversity, Justice, and the Environment, invites a space for innovative interdisciplinary inquiry among all of the disciplines on campus. By fostering opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas among faculty, staff, and students, this year's forum will allow us to examine the environmental impact of materials sourcing, overconsumption, human population explosion, and climate change on the most vulnerable human communities among us. In the process, we will have the opportunity to "fast forward" in time to connect the more immediate and profound environmental effects experienced by at-risk communities back to all of us. By working together to address the environmental privations and harms faced by communities on the frontlines, we will ultimately be helping ourselves.
Effects of climate change in Bhola Island, Bangladesh
Photo by Gary Braasch/ http://www.braaschphotography.com/
Renowned guest speakers—Dr. Antwi Akom, Dr. Patty Loew, and Dr. Joni Seager—as well as our very own faculty will be leading us in discussions on the impact of varied environmental practices on a wide spectrum of communities:
1. Neighborhoods in the urban United States;
2. Wisconsin's Native American communities;
3. Canada's First Nations in proximity to the Alberta Tar Sands;
4. Gulf Coast populations ten years after Hurricane Katrina;
5. Climate refugees in the South Pacific;
6. Women and children impacted by global climate change.
In addition, one session will feature poster presentations showcasing UW-W students' research and creative projects related to the forum.
Please join us for these timely, informative, and enriching investigations.
Children playing soccer during a severe drought in Fu Luo Village, northern Guangdong Province, China
Photo by Gary Braasch/ http://www.braaschphotography.com/
Calendar of Events
Monday, Nov 2: RACE AND URBAN ECO-JUSTICE
Dr. Antwi Akom, From Urgency to Action: Ecojustice, Tech Innovation, and Community Revitalization, 7:oopm in the Young Auditorium
Watch Dr. Akom's TEDx Talk, Innovation Out of Poverty, here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvrLFgikLZQ).
Tuesday, Nov 3: WISCONSIN AND NATIVE AMERICAN CONCERNS
Dr. Patty Loew, Robert Mann, and Matt Dannenberg, Seventh Generation Earth Ethics, 3:30pm-5:00pm in the UC Ballroom
Film Screening: Tipping Point: The Age of the Oil Sands (2013), 6:00 - 7:15 pm in Summers Auditorium
Wednesday, Nov 4: A DAY FOR UW-WHITEWATER RESEARCHERS
Student Poster Presentations, 3:30pm-4:10pm in the UC Ballroom
C. Holly Denning and Maggie Alario, Katrina @ 10: Resilience and Restoration in Gulf Coast Communities, 4:15pm-5:00pm in the UC Ballroom
Film Screening: Sun Come Up (2010), 6:00pm-7:15pm in Summers Auditorium
Thursday, Nov 5: GENDER AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Brown Bag Lunch for UW-W Faculty and Staff with Dr. Joni Seager, 12:00pm-1:00pm, in Laurentide 4219
Dr. Joni Seager, What Does Gender Have To Do With It?: Making Feminist Sense of Climate Change, 3:30pm-5:00pm in the UC Ballroom
For more information, contact Elizabeth Kim, Chair of 2015 Diversity Forum Planning Committee, at email@example.com.


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- Report: #56347
Report - Rebuttal - Arbitrate
Complaint Review: NEXTCARD
NEXTCARDNORCROSS, Georgia U.S.A.
NEXTCARD AKA CARD MEMBER SERVICES ripoff, misled NORCROSS Georgia
Ripoff Report
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SUNNYVALE, California
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 05/09/2003 02:22 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/NEXTCARD/NORCROSS-Georgia/NEXTCARD-AKA-CARD-MEMBER-SERVICES-ripoff-misled-NORCROSS-Georgia-56347. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report.
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- Only search one name at a time if Company has many AKA's.
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.


text:
Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort - Now Open! Splash back to the 1950s and 60s for endless family fun at the remarkably retro Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort, opening early 2014. From the moment you arrive, you will be taken back to the iconic beach resorts of the era. Go for a swim or relax in the lazy river, grab a burger and a milkshake or take the family for a game or two at the bowling alley. Take a road trip to Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and enjoy exclusive theme park benefits.
24-hour front desk
Accessible facilities
Accessible parking
Adjoining rooms
Air conditioning
Bus parking
Car rental desk
Child programs
Children welcome
Coffee shop
Connecting rooms
Dry cleaning
Exercise gym
Exterior corridors
Food and beverage outlets
Free high speed internet connection
Front desk
Game room
Hair dryer
Handicap rooms
Hearing impaired services
Housekeeping - daily
Housekeeping - daily
Ice machine
Interior corridors
Ironing board
Lobby coffee service
Movies in room
Non-smoking rooms (generic)
On-Site parking
Onsite laundry
Outdoor pool
Parking lot
Poolside snack bar
Private bath or shower
Public area air conditioned
Ramp access
Room service - limited hours
Room service - limited menu
Transportation services - local area
Wheel chair access
Standard Room:
Interior corridors, TV
Poolside Room:
Interior corridors, TV
Courtyard Family Suite:
Exterior corridors, TV
Courtyard Family Suite Poolside:
Exterior corridors, TV
Universal Studios
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Reserve Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
You are just a click or two away from the comforts of Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort.Upon arriving at the hotel the concierge or other Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort employees should have a wealth of local information. Ask for their suggestions and opinions about the Orlando attractions you plan to visit.
We provide you with our most current hotel photos and property information plus lists of all the amenities and services provided at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Also for your convenience, we will give you detailed maps and directions to 6550 Adventure Way, Orlando as well as many other helpful details.Finding the right hotel when visiting Orlando, Florida should be as easy and simple as possible, and besides, hotel reservations should be the least of your worries. So, while you're visiting Florida you concentrate on having fun and let us take care of shopping for the best hotel deals. It really is traveling simplified.
Orlando Group DiscountsFind special group rates at the best hotels in Orlando Florida for your business meetings, sports team events, family reunions, or wedding party.Have fun & safe travels!
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- Report: #355122
Report - Rebuttal - Arbitrate
Complaint Review: Payday Loan Yes
Payday Loan Yespayday-loan-yes.com/ Nationwide U.S.A.
Payday Loan Yes Company lied, hung on customer, and cursed customers Virginia Nationwide
*Consumer Suggestion: read the fine print
*Author of original report: Harrasement Continues...
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Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
I then immediately called back and got a tim person saying he was the manager and that if someone had done that he would have heard them that their office is small enough he hears all. I explained very calmly as i could at that point that after dealing with her getting the runaround from tim that i would never deal with his company again and i would let everyone i know as well not to deal with them... i explained i do not owe anymore, they have already gotten all of their money plus more and i have put a stop on my bank account.
moneta, Virginia
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 07/24/2008 10:14 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Payday-Loan-Yes/nationwide/Payday-Loan-Yes-Company-lied-hung-on-customer-and-cursed-customers-Virginia-Nationwide-355122. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report.
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Payday Loan Yes
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:Search Tips
In order to assure the best results in your search:
- Keep the name short & simple, and try different variations of the name.
- Do not include ".com", "S", "Inc.", "Corp", or "LLC" at the end of the Company name.
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- Only search one name at a time if Company has many AKA's.
#1 Consumer Suggestion
read the fine print
AUTHOR: Vaporize - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, July 28, 2009POSTED: Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
#2 Author of original report
Harrasement Continues...
AUTHOR: Rmcdonald - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, July 28, 2009POSTED: Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Recently as of July 2009!!! I received a call from Payday Loan Yes saying they were calling to collect on money owed and all the interest and late fees have added up past 600 now. They were told they were no longer to contact me and to contact my lawyer!!!
2years in counting and still harassing over something that was paid off within 2 weeks!!!!!!
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.


text:
NYC Parks Events Calendar
Get up, get out, and do something! Just about any day of the year, you can find something fun, informative, and healthy to enjoy at an area park. Feel free to browse the listings below, or use the search tools to find an event that matches your interests and location.
Viewing 10,581–10,590 out of 16,100 events
from February 25, 2013 (x) to April 25, 2026
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Tai Chi
at Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
These classes offer the opportunity to learn the Taoist method, improve one's health, relax, and exercise in an outdoor setting among changing exhibitions of contemporary sculpture.
Category: Fitness, Waterfront, Outdoor Fitness
Plein Air Paintings of the Bartow-Pell Gardens
at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Paintings created outdoors capture the changing light and atmospheric mood of the historical landmarks and hidden treasures of the Bartow-Pell gardens and grounds.
Category: Art
Saturday Sculpture Workshops
at Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens
12:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Participants will work with a different artist each week, exploring innovative art mediums and a variety of subject matter.
Category: Arts & Crafts, Education, Art, Best for Kids, Waterfront
Wish You Were Here: Vintage Postcards of Pelham Bay and City Island
at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tour bygone places and spaces of the east Bronx through hand-colored postcards, dating to the turn of the 19th century.
Category: Art, History
Faces of Cuba: Opening Reception
at Poe Park Visitor Center (in Poe Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Mr. Pofeldt offers a presentation and discussion about his trip and what inspired him to do the Faces of Cuba.
Category: Art, Talks
Hands on History: Fly a Kite
at King Manor Museum (in Rufus King Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Learn to fabricate cool kites and watch them flutter in the big backyard at King Manor.
Category: Arts & Crafts, Best for Kids
Ed Center Open Hours
at Environmental Education Center (in Brooklyn Bridge Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Get to know Brooklyn Bridge Park with our 250-gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10'-scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and much more!
Category: Arts & Crafts, Education, Nature, Best for Kids
Herbal Medicine Workshop
at Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum (in Fidler-Wyckoff House Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
In this hands-on medicine making class, we will focus on creating a home first-aid kit for summer maladies.
Category: Education
Historic New York: Colonial Life
at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center (in Fort Greene Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Learn about the traditions, dress, and games of the colonial people and Native Americans who lived in Fort Greene centuries ago.
Category: Education, Games, History
Community Rowing
at Hunts Point Riverside Park, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Explore the south end of the Bronx River in one of Rocking the Boat's handmade wooden boats.
Category: Nature, Tours, Kayaking and Canoeing, Waterfront
Pages:< Prev1…1056105710581059106010611062…1610Next >
Related Information
- Get information on upcoming events directly in your inbox by signing up for our Email Newsletters.
- Know about an event that's not on the calendar? Send us a tip!
- Planning an event and considering hosting it in a park? Make sure to read our Planning an Event page.


text:
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A player suing ex-major leaguer Jose Offerman for a bat-wielding attack at a minor-league game in 2007 said Offerman has repeatedly failed to show up for depositions to provide testimony as the case heads to trial.
Ex-Bridgeport Bluefish catcher John Nathans, a native of Warwick, N.Y., objected in court papers Monday to a move by Offerman to remove a default against him, saying Offerman has willfully failed to defend the case.
"It would seem that despite the fact that he is in default status, he has shown no interest in actually defending the case," wrote Nathans' attorney, J. Craig Smith. "Quite simply, in the five years since this case was filed, Jose Offerman has not taken a single material step to respond to the complaint or to legitimate discovery requests."
Offerman's attorney, Frank Riccio II, said scheduling a deposition has been difficult because Offerman lives in the Dominican Republic. He said he intends to submit to a deposition and defend the case.
A default is a finding that a defendant has failed to comply with court rules. If the default is kept in place, Offerman will not be able to challenge his liability but only the amount of damages, lawyers for both sides said. A trial is set to start next month.
Offerman was playing for the minor-league Long Island Ducks in August 2007 when he was hit by a pitch and charged the mound during a game against the Bluefish in Bridgeport. Nathans and pitcher Matt Beech were both hurt.
Nathans suffered a head injury that ended his career and Beech broke the middle finger on his non-throwing hand. Nathans filed a $4.8 million lawsuit against Offerman and the Long Island Ducks, which denies any responsibility for Offerman's attack.
Offerman said last year while living in the Dominican Republic he was not trying to avoid the federal lawsuit.
Riccio's father, Frank Riccio, who died last year, withdrew from the case in 2010, saying Offerman refused to discuss the case with him and hadn't paid him.
Location, ST | website.com


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Mis Guapas!! Salud, to Your Beauty!
This month, I'm thinking about the natural gorgeousness of the women that surround me. First, it was J.Lo. To see the boricua queen in person, it's impossible to imagine that anyone ever told her she needed to change her body. But as she shares with us inour cover interview (p. 80), her own manager thought she didn't look good enough back in the day! I was so impressed that, despite the pressure, her measurements have basically remained the same over the years. What a huge lesson....
I remember how proud I was about 15 years ago when I first put $3,000 together in a savings account. At a college party (and a little tipsy), I randomly bragged about it to some dude next to me. "Good," he said, not missing a beat. "Now you can finally afford a nose job." I stood there, stunned, while he laughed and walked away. Obviously he was an ass, but that didn't stop me from feeling terrible for days and actually considering it! It's made me think a lot about plastic surgery, which is on the rise for Latinos (it has increased threefold in the past decade!). In our report, we examine the pros, cons, and emotional fallout (p. 106). I never got that nose job, and I can't help but think about where we would be if J.Lo had lost that bodacious booty before it came into style — and all the women who would not have been inspired by our icon. What do you think? Tweet me @MHMWriter or @Cosmoforlatinas!


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The base tee is officially for sale. Pretty excited to be dipping a toe into the apparel world. As mentioned before and to be mentioned proudly a lot more in the future, these are made in The United States. 100% 60-S Cotton. A versatile basic tee.
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American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)
Q4 2011 Earnings Call
February 2, 2012, 11:30 a.m. ET
Keith Jensen – SVP
Carl Henry Lindner – Co-President and Co-CEO
Craig Lindner – Co-CEO
Ryan Burns – Macquarie
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
Matthew Rohrmann – Keefe Bruyette & Woods
Good morning. My name is Tina and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the American Financial Group 2011 Fourth Quarter and full-year Earnings Conference Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. (Operator Instructions). Thank you.
Mr. Keith Jensen, you may begin.
Keith Jensen
Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to American Financial Group's 2011 year-end earnings conference call. I'm joined this morning by Carl Lindner III, and Craig Lindner, Co-CEOs of American Financial Group. If you're viewing the webcast from our website, you can follow along with the slide presentation if you'd like.
Certain statements made during this call are not historical facts and may be considered forward-looking statements and are based on estimates, assumptions, and projections, which Management believes are reasonable, but by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and/or financial condition to differ materially from those suggested by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed or identified from time to time in AFG's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; including the annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We do not promise to update such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in assumptions or other factors that could affect these statements.
Core net operating earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure, which sets aside significant items that are generally not considered part of ongoing operations. These include net realized gains or losses on investments, the effect of accounting changes, discontinued operations, significant asbestos and environmental charges, and certain other non-recurring items.
AFG believes this non-GAAP measure to be a useful for analysts and investors analyzing the ongoing operating trends, and will be discussed for various periods during this call. A reconciliation of net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings is included in our earnings release.
Now, I'm pleased to turn the call over to Carl Lindner III, to discuss our results.
Carl Henry Lindner
Good morning, and thank you, for joining us. We released our 2011 fourth quarter and full-year results yesterday afternoon. Despite a challenging year for the entire insurance industry, Craig and I are pleased to finish the year with solid profitability.
Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter were up $0.03 a share from the comparable 2010 period. Full-year Core net operating earnings per share were $3.53 per share in line with our guidance. With estimated insured catastrophe losses for the industry, toping $100 billion, we're pleased that our catastrophe losses were only 2 points in our combined ratio for the year, and actually were lower than CAT losses recorded in 2010.
In addition, we acknowledge the impact that the continued low interest rate environment has had across all of our businesses. At the very least, these economic conditions, plus the continued global economy uncertainty, require that our underwriting and product pricing continue to be highly focused.
We thank God and our talented management team and employees for a successful year and for the financial strength that positions us to take advantage of opportunities going forward.
I am assuming all participants on today's call reviewed our earnings release and supplemental materials posted on the website. I'll review a few highlights and focus today's discussion on key issues. I'll also briefly discuss our outlook for 2012.
Let's start by looking at our 2011 results, summarized on slides three through five of the webcast. Net earnings per share were $1.10 for the quarter, including realized gains of $0.32 and a noncore charge of $0.28, representing a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets associated with losses in our Lloyd Syndicate.
Full-year earnings per share were $3.33, realized gains were $0.45 per share included gains from sales of a portion of a remaining interest in the risk analytics during the year.
Core net operating earnings for the fourth quarter were $106 million or $1.06 per share compared to the prior year's results of $111 million or $1.03 per share. Core net operating earnings per share for the year were 10% less than our 2010 results.
Lower underwriting profit, lower investment income, in specialty property, casualty operations, partially offset by increased earnings in our Annuity and Supplemental operations, and the effect of our share repurchases.
Core operating return on equity for 2011 was approximately 9%. Annualized average return on equity on a comparable basis over a five-year period was approximately 13%.
Now one of our important strategic objectives is to deploy our access capital in a way that enhances shareholder value. We repurchased 9.3 million shares of our common stock during 2011 at an average price of $33.93 per share, or approximately 90% of year-end 2011 tangible book value per share.
During the year, we've returned capital to shareholders through $316 million in share repurchases and $68 million in dividends. We feel this remains an effective means of increasing shareholder values.
As of February 1, 2012, there are approximately 3 million shares remaining under our repurchase authorization. Management intends to recommend an increase in this authorization at the next board meeting. In addition to share repurchases and dividends, we continue to seek other alternatives for the deployment of our capital. We'll invest excess capital and healthy profitable organic growth, by introducing new products and services. We're also always looking for opportunities to expand our specialty niche businesses through startups or acquisitions where it makes sense.
Our specialty Property and Casualty business, we recently acquired Employers Comp Associates, a leading provider of employer's primary indemnity coverage for employers that opted out of the Texas workers' comp system, an occupational accident coverage for independent owner-operator, truckers.
Growth from National Interstate 2010 acquisition of [inaudible], another example of the opportunistic approach that's contributed to our success over time.
Now as you see on slide four, AFGs book value per share excluding appropriated retained earnings and unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturities, increased 7% during 2011 to $40.23. Tangible book value on a comparable basis was $37.84 at year end, also up 7% from a year ago.
Our capital adequacy, financial condition and liquidity remain strong and are key areas of focus for us. We've maintained capital on our insurance businesses at levels that support our operations and are in excess of amounts required for rating levels. We are pleased that during the fourth quarter, Moody's changed the outlook on great American Insurance Group companies from stable to positive.
At the end of the year, our excess capital was approximately $785 million, which included cash at the parent company of $415 million.
Additional details about our core operating results can be found on slide five. On slide six, you'll see our summary results for our Specialty Property and Casualty operations. Our Specialty Property and Casualty operations turned in another strong period, recording a underwriting profit of $231 million during 2011, generating a combined operating ratio of 92%, 4 points higher though than the prior year.
Lower favorable reserve development, core results in some of our program business, and lower profitability in our crop operations, were offset somewhat by improved results in our excess surplus lines businesses.
Gross and net written premiums increased in line with our guidance. Gross written premiums were up 14% for the year, net written premiums were up 15%. Gross written premiums in 2011 included higher premiums in our property and transportation segment, particularly our crop and transportation businesses.
Gross and net written premiums also reflects the impact of a third quarter 2010 reinsurance transaction in our specialty financial group. I'm really pleased that more than half of our specialty property and casualty businesses achieved rate increases during the fourth quarter of 2011. And for the first time in almost two years, we can say that overall renewal rate momentum was positive for the quarter. Although the overall market remains competitive, we're pleased with these trends.
The decline in gross investment income related to our Property and Casualty operations was consistent with our expectations. Again, due to decreased holdings and higher yielding investments, and generally lower reinvestment rates as we've discussed in our prior calls.
Now if you'd turn to slides seven and eight, I'd like to talk about a few highlights from each of our specialty business groups. Property and Transportation group, our largest segment, recorded a underwriting profit of $113 million during 2011, about 19% lower than the previous year. Most of the businesses in this group produced solid underwriting margins for the year. We're pleased that catastrophe losses in this group were lower than in 2010, and service to offset the client's profitability somewhat.
Results in our transportation and property crop and the marine businesses were down slightly for the full year.
Weather conditions, as everyone knows, for American farmers were problematic throughout the 2011 growing season. Heavy spring rain delayed planting and resulted in preventive planning claims. Excess heat at the critical pollination period for Midwest corn raised yield concerns for that crop.
Finally, late season dryness was feared to have impaired soybean pod fill. Despite these circumstances, our agriculture operations performed well. Crop profitability in 2011 was lower than in the prior year, but it was better than our most recent expectations.
Average renewal rates for the Property and Transportation group during 2011 in the fourth quarter were up 1%. That's the first positive pricing quarter in five years that we've seen. Our Specialty Casualty group reported a underwriting profit of $39 million in 2011, about $8 million less than in 2010. Core results in our program and international businesses were substantially offset by higher profitability in our excess and surplus businesses.
Many of the businesses in this group produced solid, excellent underwriting profit margins during 2011. We are pleased to see more business opportunities in this segment, especially in the latter part of 2011, as there is some indication of markets hardening, as well as growth in lines of business read through our international operations.
Average renewal rates for this group during 2011 were up about 2% in the fourth quarter. That's the highest quarterly increase that we've achieved since early 2006. Most businesses in this group achieved some rate increase during the fourth quarter.
Specialty financial group reported underwriting profit of $61 million for 2011 compared to $112 million in 2010. Lower prior year favorable RBI Reserve Development and higher catastrophe losses in our financial institution business impacted 2011.
Almost all the businesses in this group produced strong underwriting margins during 2011. Average renewal rates for this group for the year were flat compared to the prior year period.
Now I'd like to move on to a review of our Annuity and Supplemental Insurance group on slides 9 and 10. Annuity and supplemental insurance group reported core operating earnings before income taxes of $65 million for the 2011 fourth quarter, compared to $52 million in the 2010 period.
Full-year 2011 core operating earnings were $224 million, up from $202 million for 2010. Higher core operating earnings in 2011 due to growth and our fixed annuity operations, higher medical, medicare supplement earnings were offset by higher mortality in the company's run-off life operations. The impact that the decrease in the stock market had in our variable annuity line of business, and the impact of lower interest rates on our fixed index annuity block.
AFG conducts loss recognition testing and a review of major actuarial assumptions to determine the need for any changes or other adjustments. These reviews take place at least annually, generally in the fourth quarter. Assumptions include management's expectations of future lapses, claims, morbidity, rate increases, annuitization and reinvestment rates.
The adjustments related to these reviews were immaterial in 2011. Results for the fourth quarter of 2010 included a net pretax charge of $25 million related primarily to the fixed annuity business.
If you exclude this charge, full-year 2011 results were comparable 2010. Statutory of premiums of $723 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 were comparable to the 2010 fourth quarter, as increases in sales of single premium, fixed index annuities were offset by lower sales through our bank channel.
Full-year 2011 premiums were a record $3.5 billion, a 29% over the prior year. This increase is largely attributable to increase sales of fixed index annuities and single premium annuities sold through banks. Both increases are primarily a result of adding new products and agents.
AFG sales of annuities through banks have grown substantially since entering this market in 2007. The bank annuities have recently comprised nearly one fourth of annuity and ENS premiums.
AFGs fourth quarter 2011 bank sales float considerably. As the recent exceptionally low interest rate environment, a fixed products less attractive, and also AFG adhered to it's pricing discipline. Bank sales are expected to increase when the interest rate environment improves, with the introduction of new bank fixed index annuities, and as more banks offer AFG annuities.
Now, if you'd please turn to slide 11 for a few highlights regarding our investment portfolio. During 2011, AFG recorded net realized gains of $45 million, comparable to the amounts recorded in the prior year period. During the year we recorded pretax realized gains of $76 million on sales of a portion of our remaining interest in risk analytics.
We continue to hold 3.2 million shares with an unrealized gain of approximately $120 million. Debt unrealized gains on fixed maturities were $436 million, an increase of $110 million since December 31, 2010. A vast majority of our investment portfolio is held in fixed maturities with approximately 89% rated investment grade, and 96% with a designation of NAIC 1 or 2.
Investment income and our Property and Casualty operations was down approximately 13% in line with expectations for the year. As we discussed last quarter, the continued to run-off and disposition higher yielding securities in our non-agency RMBS portfolio, as well as generate lower reinvestment rates, resulted in continued pressure on investment income at our Property and Casualty businesses. We have provided additional detailed information on the various segments of our investment portfolio and the investment supplemental on our website.
Now I'd like to cover our outlook for 2012 on slide 12. Our 2012 Core net operating earnings guidance is a range of $3.30 to $3.70 per-share. Our goals and our expectations is to maintain adequate rates in our specialty, Property and Casualty operations because of our strong underwriting culture. And we expect to achieve a combined ratio between 91 and 94.
We expect net premiums in our specialty, Property and Casualty operations to be 1% lower to 3% higher. If you exclude crop, that would be about 1 to 5% growth. The property and transportation group is expected to produce a combined ratio in a 91 to 95% range. Guidance assumes normalized crop earnings for the year, and the impact of the RMA premium rate methodology changes, which I'll discuss shortly.
Guidance also assumes that current corn and soybean prices hold through the February discovery period. We expect this groups net written premiums to be in the range of down 5 to down 1%, mostly the result of lower spring commodity prices and the impact of the RMAs premium rate methodology changes.
In December, 2011 the risk management agency of the USDA announced changes to its existing rating methodology for corn and soybeans. These changes were made in recognition of a positive loss experience generated by these crops in recent years. Positive loss experience is primarily the result of improved farming practices and hybrid seed genetics that increase their crops tolerance to drought, test, and certain herbicides. It's estimated that these great reductions will reduce the industries gross written premium by approximately 6%. Our impact will be slightly greater because of our business specks.
The impact of these changes – impact that these changes will have on the potential profitability to each company writing crop insurance will vary, based on the geographic location and a crop mix within their book of business. We believe these changes will negatively affect the industries potential profitability by approximately 7%. We expect the specialty and casualty group to produce a combined ratio in the 93 to 97% range. We anticipate net written premiums will be up 4 to 8% based on indications of market hardening and continued growth in our targeted markets, and international operations.
We expect Specialty Financial group's combined ratio to be between 85 and 89%. We project net written premiums to be in the range of down 2 to up 2 in this group. And we expect Property and Casualty2012 investment income to be approximately 5% lower than 2011 results, due primarily to the continued run-off of higher yielding securities, and generating lower reinvestment rates.
Based on recent market conditions and trends, we expect 2012 full-year for pretax operating earnings in our annuity and supplemental insurance group to be 10 to 15% higher than in 2011. These 2012 expected results exclude the potential for significant catastrophe and crop losses, significant adjustments to asbestos and environmental reserves, large gains or losses from asset sales or impairments, and significant unlocking adjustments in the annuity and supplemental group.
Now, we'd like to open the lines for any questions, thank you.
Question-and-Answer Session
(Operator instructions). Your first question comes from Ryan Burns, Macquarie. Ryan, you line is open.
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Hi. Good morning, everyone. Just my first question is with the specialty causality I guess loss ratio. You mentioned in the press release that it was due to I guess lower results on some program business. Can you just talk about, I guess which types of programs are – I guess saw the increase loss ratio? Thanks.
Carl Henry Lindner
We had numerous programs that came from a number of our operations that we really discontinued pretty much, a lot of them stopped writing and now we've had some unfavorable development on those various programs. That's kind of a good news/bad news. The good news is, we're not writing much program business at this point. The bad news is, what we did write didn't produce the kind of profitability that we wanted.
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
And it wasn't focused on any certain line? I'm just trying to think of workers' comp or anything like that, those programs weren't focused on…
Carl Henry Lindner
The program business would be a mixture of package comp, general liability, you know, …
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Okay, great. And then just quickly, just shifting to workers' comp, I just want to see what kind of trends you guys are seeing in the fourth quarter in terms of rate increases, what kind of rate increases are needed to get adequate returns and how lost-cost trends are going over there? That's a bunch of questions there.
Carl Henry Lindner
Yes, most of our – well, let me start with – to put in perspective, we're less – we have less workers' comp business generating, you know, as a percent of our total premium than most at this point. And the biggest portion is related to our California business. Our California business, you know, we achieved between new business pricing, renewal pricing, you know, roughly 80% last year and price because as far as what I think we need – I think we need another 10% in price in order to get to 104 combined ratio or a 12 to 14% return on equity or range. So we have – there continues to be more of a competitive market than I would have thought with industry results at 130 in 2010 and probably I would think the industry might still be 125 if I were to put a guess on 2011 accident year.
Republic always runs better. We're probably running at 114 would be my guess in 2011. But yeah, we're still good. On top of that 80% overall net rate we got last, we probably could get another 10% plus in order to get back to that kind of returns.
On our business outside, for the last quarter or so, we've been seeing rates move up also and our strategic – one of our key businesses, you know, outside of California Comp, strategic comp business in the quarter, prices were up 6%.
Again, less than 10% of our business mix is comp. So I think sometimes when you compare, you know, the size of our price increase to others, other have a much higher percent of comp and comp seems to be leading the way in the industry pricing increases.
Did that answer your question about workmans' comp?
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Yes, that did. That did.
Carl Henry Lindner
And the other part of that question about…
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Yes, lost-cost trends. I just want to see medical inflation or really that…
Carl Henry Lindner
Again, you know, California probably would be the biggest indicator for us. [Inaudible] pretty much the – if you look out over the last – on average over the last four years, frequency might be up 3 to 4%. Severity is really pretty benign or pretty flat over the last three years. So there's nothing there that really concerns us. We feel our reserves are adequate on our California workers' comp business.
I think the encouraging thing is when you take a look at – and we're pretty tough pricers and you know, we're about making an underwriting profit. Republic, in the last two quarters, our premium has increased in, you know, kind of a high single-digits. It's increased for the first time in six years. So that's a good indicator. I think also in our – the other part of our business outside of Republic in California, we seem to be seeing more market opportunities particularly on some of the more difficult loss rate types of workers' comp, larger workers' comp counts that our strategic comp, you know, unit excels at. So I think we're seeing some more opportunities there.
Did I get all the …
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Yes. That was very helpful. Thank you. And then I guess I'll ask one more and then I'll let others. Just going to the crop book, I just wanted to clarify that you said that the new Farm Aid changes will lower the crop profitability 7%. I was just wondering to see if that was for AFG or that as for the industry as a whole? And then also I just wanted to see if you guys could break out what kind of combined ratio you actually wrote in 2011 crop returns or I guess, ballpark.
Carl Henry Lindner
We don't really break that out. I think 7% probably is a pretty good number for us as well as the industry.
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Carl Henry Lindner
It could be – and again, you know, the guidance we're giving you, we're really kind of basing what our – those changes in our estimate for crop in the – you know, if you look at our combined ratio range and crop range transportation, our crop estimate you know, is also baked into that range.
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Okay, thank you.
Your next question comes from J. Cohen, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Thank you. A couple question as well. Maybe I'll first follow up on something Ryan had asked about and that's the specialty casualty business. And you mentioned some of the profitability issues here and some discontinued programs, but if I look at your results for the fourth quarter, it looks like the accident year loss ratio, excluding development, was about at least 10 points higher than it was in the first three quarters of the year and I'm wondering what explains that because that's not – that's X the reserve development.
Carl Henry Lindner
Well, you know, our international business didn't have a good quarter also. I think, you know, those two things – the program business development, the international business didn't have a good quarter. Keith, do you have any perspective on a quarterly accident here?
Keith Jensen
You're exactly right, where we took the largest loss year over year in specialty casualty was in the [inaudible] international business that quarter and that delta was, you know, it was north of $20 million. I wouldn't overreact, you know, to any quarterly change here or there.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
It certainly seems as if your guidance contemplates a number closer to what you were doing the first part of the year and certainly does not suggest that the fourth quarter number is kind of the run rate? That's fair?
Keith Jensen
That's – again, our guidance really gives you our best expectations, you know, for how we think we're going to do this year.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Okay. Second question, it looks like the excess capital as you defined it increased during 2011 despite the buybacks and the dividends, obviously you made some money as well. At the end of the year, were you surprised by that? Would you have expected at the beginning of the year to eat into some of this excess capital given where your stock had been trading?
Keith Jensen
We did accept [inaudible]. If you think about the excess capital and just [inaudible], company cash plus official borrowings that we can take on and stay with a leverage commitment in the major market. So if you look over the last two or three years, we've been generating a lot of capital and each year, at the beginning of the year, we make an estimate that will come out of excess capital by means of dividends, by means of share buybacks, by means of deployment. We have talked consistently about keeping pattern [inaudible]. We talked about that in the 200 million to 300 million type of range. So to the extent that we don't make business acquisitions that are in line with what we made at the beginning of the year, that's going to affect where excess capital is. But this number, in terms of what we expected [inaudible] for the calendar year 2011, that's very close to the ballpark where we thought it was at that point.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Carl Henry Lindner
We probably ended up repurchasing, you know, a bit under kind of what our, you know, repurchasing shares maybe a little bit less than what we thought we were going to do. Probably one positive thing, you know, that would risk stock prices intended to partner really well and we – for instance, we probably wouldn't have had that in our financial model. All those things kind of impact things in that. And ask Keith mentioned, we would have hoped to maybe have done at least another one more transaction than what we did, or found a few more opportunities.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Got it. But it sounds as if going into 2012, you clearly have as much financial flexibility as you had a year ago?
Carl Henry Lindner
Yes. That's fair. That's for sure. And again, you know, there's still the – the economy is still kind of slowly coming on and I think the industry went through a tough time this year. Craig and I like where we're positioned. We like having a little extra capacity both for opportunities and as you think – if you think rates continue, you know, rate traction, pricing traction continues to move up, you want to have capital – you want to have the capital necessary to take advantage of opportunities to [inaudible].
Keith Jensen
One of the ways to think of it, Jay, if we've got 750 in excess capital in the beginning with 200 of it as a minimum we want to have in terms of [inaudible], we've got 550 if we [inaudible] a little last year, which is what we indicated we're looking at, that would be 300. If that 300 could be turned into share buybacks or business acquisition, that's an opportunity. We look at it was [inaudible] in excess of 500 million cap available for deployment.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
It seems special dividend doesn't really come up as an option.
Carl Henry Lindner
We're always looking at and considering anything that we think is a good decision for shareholders long term. At this point, we feel that share repurchases are a better value in creating value particularly where our stock is traded. You know, which has been under book value and even at a discount in a lot of cases, tangible book value. We're always looking at all the options.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Got it. And then one last question, more of a number's question. The other line, other pre-tax have been running 15 to 18 million a quarter. This quarter was 26 million. Is there anything unusual there?
Carl Henry Lindner
Not really. Nothing significant. There's two or three relatively minor items that hit that quarter.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Okay. Can you offer any sort of guidance as far as that line item because it does jump around a bit, what a normalized number might be for us?
Carl Henry Lindner
I would think, you know, you talked about 15 compared to – I think 15 to 20 is a reasonable rate.
Jeffrey Cohen – BofA/Merrill Lynch
Okay, that's great. Thank you.
Your next question comes from Rob Bothman, Capital Returns.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
I had a couple of questions. The – I think specialty casualty, I assume your professional liability business is in there and I was wondering if you could talk, Carl or whoever, about rate actions there of late as compared to maybe the last year or so.
Carl Henry Lindner
Sure. I'd be happy to. Our book of business, again, in our D&O and professional liability is a little bit different than just, you know, small private business, you know, non-profit, Canadian and smaller accounts make up a much bigger part of the business and Fortune 500 risks. That said, we're pleased that we're getting some rate increase, you know, on our business and it's mainly, I think in the fourth quarter we probably got around 3% price change and we did achieve an increase for the year there. We're pleased with the trends.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
Plus three in the fourth quarter, I'm sorry, when you said an increase for the year, do you mean a volume increase or how did the 3% compare to the third or the second quarter?
Carl Henry Lindner
It's, you know, we kind of started the year kind of soft where, you know, rates where down a little bit and moving into the last half of the year our rates when positive in that area. So we've – we like the trend.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
Okay. I want to follow up on the first – I forgot who it was, the first questioner and you were talking about workers' comp and you said – I think you were only talking about California, you know, you think you need another 10 points of rate to get down to like a 104 combined and then I think you provided sort of an ROE pair in effect that I think you were sort of saying in a 104 combined, the ROE would be a certain level. But I'm surprised that the ROE you cited was so high given where new money rates are. So if I heard you right, it didn't make sense to me.
Carl Henry Lindner
Rob, you've got a longer tail on that business. You still have the capital portion of what you're riding at your existing portfolio rates, it's, you know, the new cash, cash from the new premium gets [inaudible] at lower new indicated money rates and that's – that's why I gave you a range, you know, a range, 12 to 14%.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
And I've not done the math, but I mean, writing at a 104 combined and putting new money to work at, I don't know, 3%, you can get a double digit – albeit 10, you can get a double digit ROE?
Carl Henry Lindner
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
In workers' comp with that combination?
Carl Henry Lindner
That's what our financial guys tell me.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
Okay. I trust Keith.
Keith Jensen
[Inaudible] of it as an issue around the tail and you know, when we look at new money rate when you're investing, you're not going to invest your long tail money rate at a short term return.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
I'm sorry, Keith, I didn't under – I had trouble hearing you. Could you say it again slower?
Keith Jensen
All I'm saying is that the return is somewhat of a function of what the duration is on the reserves, either long duration reserves which means you're going to invest in a longer-term rate than a money market rate and our average across the [inaudible] assets so we've been in new money in the 3 ½ range. But it is very much an issue around tail.
Rob Bothman – Capital Returns
Okay. Thanks a lot.
Your next question comes from Matt Rohrmann, KBW.
Matthew Rohrmann – Keefe Bruyette & Woods
Carl, Keith, good morning. Just one quick question going back to crop real quick. Your friends at [inaudible] of the day said you know, pricing was up nicely in wheat, you know, relative to where corn and soybean were at and expect it to go. Is there any opportunity there? I know you guys are more corn/soybean heavy.
Carl Henry Lindner
Well, yeah, we write – we don't – we write – we have wheat exposures too and you know, if it looks like, compared to 2011 base prices they're right, it looks like it's up about 9%. Yeah, we have to see where the corn and soybean discovery prices kind of go to to really kind of see where we're going to end up. Right now, corn is down 4%, soybeans down 10%, so you know, we're heavier corn and soybeans mix than maybe some others in that. So maybe it doesn't quite impact us as much.
Matthew Rohrmann – Keefe Bruyette & Woods
Is it possible to say if you thought that wheat was a better opportunity to switch a material amount of your business to that crop as opposed to corn and soybean?
Carl Henry Lindner
Well, I think it would be more a matter of whether we retained, you know, whether we put it in the bucket where we retained more of the wheat business in a given year versus seed more to the government.
Matthew Rohrmann – Keefe Bruyette & Woods
Got you. Okay, great. Thank you, guys.
Carl Henry Lindner
Yeah, I think that's – it's really more of our decision around that, how much we have – we have flexibility in how much we retain year to year.
Matthew Rohrmann – Keefe Bruyette & Woods
You have a follow up question from Ryan Burns, Macquarie
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Hi, guys. Just one quick one. Last week a large private DNO underwriter noted that they had started seeing I guess increases in employment practices in crime claims and kind of adjusted their lostics. I just wanted to see if personally, you guys write that type of business as well and if you are seeing any kind of increase claim activity on those two lines?
Carl Henry Lindner
We do write some [inaudible] and crime. We are seeing some increase, not dramatic but there's definitely directionally an increase in the claims level.
You're talking about private equity?
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
No, no, they were noting – well, I thought they were noting just in their private and non-profit book that they were seeing increased employment practices and crime claims.
Carl Henry Lindner
The answer is, yes, we're experiencing some but not dramatic.
Ryan Burns - Macquarie
Okay. Great, thank you, guys.
There are no further questions at this time.
Carl Henry Lindner
All right. Thank you very much. We appreciate you joining us and we'll look forward to vising with you again when we report the first quarter.
This concludes today's American Financial Group 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full earnings conference call. You may now disconnect.
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text:
Written Opinion and Order signed on 12/27/2011 Granting Trustee's Application for Entry of an Order Regarding Disinterestedness of the Trustee and Counsel to the Trustee . (related document(s)45)
Judge Glenn Opinions
In Re: 11-10614-mg Borders Group, Inc. 2011-12-22
Written Opinion signed on 12/22/2011 Sustaining Tenth Omnibus Objection. (related document(s)2025)
In Re: 11-02790-mg MF Global Inc. 2011-12-20
Written Opinion signed on 12/20/2011 Granting Trustee's Motion to Assume and Assign an Unexpired Lease of Real Property. (related document(s)644)
In Re: 11-15059-mg MF Global Holdings Ltd. 2011-12-14
In Re: 11-10614-mg Borders Group, Inc. 2011-12-14


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Do they have a state of the art sewage plant as well ? Do they collect the rainwater and uses this instead of being just another water consumer ? Where is all their laundry done and where is the sewage going ? Are they composting their garbage that can be composted and making sure the rest is recycled ? I hope that they are aware that guests are not allowed to help teaching anything to anybody as that would be a violation of their tourist visas ....has this whole idea been thought through or is it all just a media stunt trying to get their rooms filled ?
Posted by Sailor on April 7, 2014 11:54
Nice to see a positive report, well done Phuketwan.
Posted by Kirkdale Boy on April 7, 2014 12:55
Editor Comment:
We are always positive, KB, especially when highlighting Phuket's problems. We usually also point out the solutions.
Monday August 29, 2016


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text:
I LOVE Rock !! \m/ mostly listen to metal but don't mind any type of music
- love Slipknot & Avenged Sevenfold, still waiting for a London concert :')
#live simply, so others can simply live #life is short, smile while you still have teeth
Good luck to all you aspiring writers <3
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text:
- Report: #393957
Report - Rebuttal - Arbitrate
Complaint Review: FAIRFIELD NKA WYNDHAM RESORTS
FAIRFIELD NKA WYNDHAM RESORTSNationwide U.S.A.
FAIRFIELD NKA WYNDHAM RESORTS ANNOYING PHONE CALLS Nationwide
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Here are the numbers of 3 that I received in a little over a week.
1-813-935-8613 Super Timeshare
1-813-930-9625 Tampa Florida
1-561-938-4417 Jupiter Florida
They have called at least 4 times this week and every time I answer they are computer generated calls and nobody picks up until today.
On all the calls I receive I tell them I've never owned a Timeshare and do they check the DO NOT CALL LIST. They immediately hang up.
Several years ago I contacted via email Fairfield resorts and told them to stop the phone calls. But they are still coming.
ASHTABULA, Ohio
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 11/22/2008 10:52 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/FAIRFIELD-NKA-WYNDHAM-RESORTS/nationwide/FAIRFIELD-NKA-WYNDHAM-RESORTS-ANNOYING-PHONE-CALLS-Nationwide-393957. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Today over at Project Nursery, I am sharing my assistant, Andrea's adorable nursery! Andrea created a sweet and sentimental space for her little sweetheart, Linnea. Can you guess what my favorite element of the room is? The pink fabric flag bunting, of course!
She also made my Kate an adorable cupcake apron for her birthday...I'll be sharing soon!
View more photos and all of the details HERE on Project Nursery!
While you're there, be sure to check out the adorable photos from her baby shower, too!
Photos courtesy of Session Nine Photography ~ Phoenix, Arizona


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On April of 2011,ticket number 342475 part of case in which i was speeding and there was narcotics in vehicle case number 1101014052
Criminal Defense Attorney
First, contact the lawyer to find out why he did not appear and if it was an innocent mistake. If you are not satisfied with the answer you can contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel if you want to make a complaint. But first, talk to the attorney. And, of course, get a refund.
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text:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has adopted legislation to allow for the commemoration of aspects of our history and culture that are of provincial significance. The establishment of a Provincial Historic Commemorations Program allows us to better recognize, honour and interpret our cultural and historic treasures. Designation through this program is also distinct for its recognition of the intangible aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador history and heritage – the customs, cultural practices, traditional skills and knowledge that define the province and its people.
This program gives Newfoundlanders and Labradorians an opportunity to nominate aspects of this province's culture and heritage that they feel are provincially significant and worthy of recognition.
Nominations fall under the categories of:
Applications should demonstrate that the nomination influenced Newfoundland and Labrador's history, culture and way of life, and that its impact is recognized as significant province-wide.
Go to http://commemorations.ca .
This interactive website has an inventory of all commemorations to date - each with its own e-plaque. Each e-plaque includes photos, audio-visual galleries, educational resources, and more.


text:
Edgard López
From BR Bullpen
Edgard Roberto López
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 8", Weight 170 lb.
Edgard López got over 1,000 hits in Nicaragua's amateur leagues and has often played for his country in international competition.
López was 12 for 19 with two triples, four runs, three walks, two RBI and a steal in five games for a 1-4 Nicaraguan entry in the 1998 Haarlem Baseball Week. He led the event in average and OBP and tied Shinnosuke Abe for 7th in slugging; he led in triples and was second to Carlos Tabares in hits. He outshone numerous stars like Orestes Kindelán, Omar Linares and Antonio Pacheco.
In the 1998 Baseball World Cup, the 23-year-old hit .452/.500/.786 with 3 homers and 12 runs in 10 games. His 19 hits tied Jenrry Roa and Robelquis Videaux for the most in the event. He won All-Star honors at shortstop, one of only three non-Cubans chosen (Chin-Yuan Chen and Jurriaan Lobbezoo were the other two). Among those he beat was Tomohiro Nioka. He was only 1 for 5 from the leadoff spot in the Bronze Medal game but Nicaragua still took home the Medal by topping Italy 5-1.
López hit .308 in the 1999 Pan American Games, leading Nicaragua's attack for the third straight event. In the 2001 Baseball World Cup, the little infielder batted .258/.281/.452 with 7 RBI in 7 games. He was 8 for 29 in the 2003 Pan American Games. During the 2003 Baseball World Cup, Edgard eked out a .216/.293/.351 batting line; 5 of his 8 hits were doubles. He missed the next few major events his country was involved in - the 2005 Baseball World Cup, 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games and COPABE qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics.
López was 4 for 11 with three runs in the 2007 Pan American Games as one of Nicaragua's top performers. He hit .222/.344/.407 in the 2008 Americas Baseball Cup to help his country win a spot in the 2009 Baseball World Cup.
[edit] Sources
- All-time hit leaders in Nicaragua
- 1998 Haarlem Baseball Week
- Defunct IBAF site
- Baseballdecuba.com
- Defunct Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League website


text:
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August 2, 2013 by jazzyphae
Kroger's website is easy to use and like how you can download the coupons right to your card with out the hassle of paper coupons.
This content was created by a BzzAgent, a member of BzzAgent.com who receives free or discounted products and services, then shares their opinion about them with friends.


text:
Hello there,
I'm setting up a download store with WooCommerce (for PDF sheet music), and would love to know if there's a way for some products (that are free) to also have a 'download now' button that does not add them to the cart?
I currently have the products set at £0.00 and customers can certainly go to checkout and get them no problem, but it would be great to cut out the process of customers filling in unnecessary billing details, if they only want to download the free stuff.
(Let's face it, that's probably most of them... ;o))
Thanks in advance.


text: It's that time of the week again folks - time to hit the polls. This week's question is one that'll allow you to express what you think an Android handset should let you do in terms of customization, modification, and other various tinkering (think rooting, custom ROMs, kernels, etc). Basically, we want to know how important it is for you, as a consumer, that your next phone be easy to customize.Read More


text:
Available formats: epub mobi rtf lrf pdb txt html
An Earth Bound Soul inhabiting The Ghostly World...
A former method actor working mainly in the horror movie genre and whose notoriety was guaranteed through a final scene stealing role playing the wolf man.
Valentine is also a writer of short ghost stories one of many authors frequenting The Ghostly World of Jonathan Harker.
Previous works include the ghost story The Cemetery Cottage , The Ghost at Dawkins & Booth


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- Report: #874086
Report - Rebuttal - Arbitrate
Complaint Review: Morgan Communities
Morgan Communities2 Lakeview Drive Peekskill, New York United States of America
Morgan Communities Hudson View Estates Terrible parking, broken laundry facilities, and will charge you for bogus repairs when you leave Peekskill, New York
*UPDATE Employee ..inside information: Bogus claim
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anyone, and never had a issue with the apartment itself.
What I can say is - You don't have control of your heat (so
you bake upstairs and freeze downstairs).
If you get a one bedroom that means you get one parking
spot. Two bedroom, means you get two parking spots. Don't even think about
having anyone come over to your house, since the guest parking is pretty much
camped out in by people, like me, who had only one spot and two cars. I figure
since it is not the 1950s anymore, both my wife and I could have a car.
Oh yeah, the water bill is the same every month. Doesn't
matter how much you use or don't use cause they will charge you the same amount
ever time. Honestly, I wouldn't know how much I used cause the bill never had
any readings, and it didn't say it was an estimated reading either (don't know
how that works). All I know is, the last 30 days I was there, I only was
actually living in the apartment for about 26 of them, and my water bill was a
$1 cheaper (go figure).
All that said, I enjoyed my stay at the apartment for the
most part. People kept to themselves, and had great eat out options and stop
and shop locally was OK.
But let me tell you, if you do rent from Morgan Communities,
and you pay your bills on time, and take care of the apartment, they will still
try and take more money from you when you leave. I left my apartment in
excellent condition, from the carpets, walls, doors, bathroom, and kitchen. Yet
I still got a bill totaling around $300 saying there was a pet odor or urine
stain, their story changed by the day, and a dirty stove. I politely sent them
a letter outlining that the apartment was left in good condition, and even
though they violated my rights as a tenant and entered the apartment when I was
not there without my prior permission, that I would not be paying this bill.
They proceeded to send me to collections, nice huh? Well, thats okay, cause
what am I going to do? I don't need my credit rating hurt, and don't need the
long drawn out legal battle for $300, but I do hope that karma comes back to
Mr. Richard Calore (the property manager) and Morgan Communities for their bullying
tactics and taking advantage of small families like mine.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 04/26/2012 06:48 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Morgan-Communities/Peekskill-New-York-10566/Morgan-Communities-Hudson-View-Estates-Terrible-parking-broken-laundry-facilities-and-wi-874086. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report.
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#1 UPDATE Employee ..inside information
Bogus claim
AUTHOR: Morgan - ()
SUBMITTED: Sunday, September 29, 2013POSTED: Sunday, September 29, 2013
In response to the bogus claim from Tatiana Godinho. It is shameful that when a resident blatantly breaks their lease by having an illegal pet and destroys the apartment by having pet urine all over the carpet, how the story quickly changes to the landlord is evil. Versus the truth that the former resident lied for 2 years and had a pet that they did not pay for as per the lease they signed. Then when they vacant and get charged for damages from that pet, now the landlord is unjust. Really. Tatiana Godinho. I agree. I'm sure Karma has been treating well.
Are you an owner, employee or ex-employee with either negative or positive information about the company or individual, or can you provide "insider information" on this company?
Advertisers above have met our
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text:
Only hotels in 21902 zip code are listed below. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates in Perry Point, MD for your upcoming leisure or conference / group travel. We list the best 21902 hotels and motels so you can review the Perry Point hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. Hotels in Cecil county and area code 410 are also listed.
Enter your stay dates and any discounts you qualify for to see 21902 rates found only on HotelPlanner!
How should we direct your call?


text:
Brand Strategist
- Recruiter
- Royds Raphael
- Location
- Central London
- Salary
- £50k-£60k+negotiable!
- Posted
- 04 May 2012
- Closes
- 14 May 2012
- Ref
- br/Strategist
- Business Type
- Agency, In-house / Client-side
- Specialism
- Copywriting, Digital, Planning & Strategy, Sales & Business Development
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
Brand Strategist
Creative brand agency working with some of the most successful companies worldwide is looking for a Brand Strategist to join their talented team. Their business is branding – from strategy and conceptual development through to design and communication anywhere in the world.
Working with global clients ranging from media, entertainment, retail, social networking to telcoms, airlines and energy.
To join their team of talented brand strategists you will need to truly understand brands and have a strategic sense of how brands grow, and get excited about making them into cultural icons.
You will need tip-top writing skills to bring brands to life, a lively imagination, be plugged into popular culture and inspire those around you.
You should be adept at building strong relationships with clients, keeping everything simple, clear and slick, and really involve them in the process. You have to find ways for old brands to become newly relevant, to stand for something unique and exciting, and find new ways to grow. You will also be good at planning work, running internal teams and contribute to winning new business too.
This brand agency's Brand Strategist will be:
- smart, an original thinker with bags of energy
- good at sparking and owning the conversation
- able to take concepts from ideas to reality
- quick to get to the guts of a job
- happy to do the big things and the little things
- good at presenting ideas
- inspiring to work with
We are looking for a brand strategist with 3+ years experience, ideally worked with a recognised brand agency and worked on famous brands. Strong writing skills are essential together with a passion for creative and innovative brand design.
Apply now! CV to email@example.com quote ref br/Strategist
Royds Raphael specialising in placing permanent & contract staff in the branding, design, creative, communications & media industry


text:
Out of some 1,300 Palestinians killed in Gaza, Israel claims that it can name more than 700 of the dead who were Hamas fighters. Claiming precise knowledge of their targets, Israeli officials insist that their attacks were judiciously planned so as to minimize harm to civilians. No matter how cautious Israel is, though, any attack on its enemies will result in civilian casualties.
Today on Public Ethics Radio, we discuss the role that civilian casualties play in assessing the justice of war.
For a war to be just, it must satisfy what is known as the proportionality principle. In a disproportionate war, the harms caused by going to war are so evil that they outweigh the benefits of an otherwise worthy goal. Considerations of proportionality are also relevant to the assessment of particular tactics undertaken in an ongoing war.
To help us understand how this weighing of harms and benefits works, we spoke to the distinguished just war scholar Jeff McMahan. McMahan is a Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers University. He has published widely on just war theory and defensive violence, and many of his articles are available through his website. His recent views on proportionality are discussed in, among others, his essay, "Just Cause for War."
Click here to download the episode (28:17, 12.9 mb, mp3), or click on the online media player below. You can also download the transcript.
The ad I mentioned at the top of the show, showing missiles attacking New York, was taken out by the Anti-Defamation League. Their campaign is online, here.
Casualty figures
- 4 Israelis killed by rocket and mortar attacks prior to 12/27/2008: The Israel Project, List of Deaths Caused by Qassam Rockets and Mortar Fire.
- ~1300 Palestinians killed since 12/27/2008: AP, First War Tally (scroll down for a second, higher, estimate from the Health Ministry).
As Christian noted, Alan Dershowitz called the Israeli assault "perfectly proportionate" in the Wall Street Journal.
Christian also mentions that proportionality has a long philosophical history. It's much too long to even attempt a summary here, but interested readers might find Brian Orend's entry on war in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy a useful starting point.
Many have made the claim that casualties caused by Israel shouldn't be equated those caused by Hamas because the latter is intentionally targeting civilians and the former is not. For a good example from the present comment, see an interview with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni wherein she claims:
We are trying to avoid civil casualties, even though it's not easy, while Hamas is targeting our civilians as a target. … I have to say that I can't understand what is the nature of proportionality which is needed. I mean, they targeted last week a school in Beersheba, in Israel. Do you think that the proportionate action is to target a school? We are not going to do this. They are targeting civilians. We are not going to do this.
Christian noted Jeff's belief that proportionality is related to (more accurately, premised on) just cause. This view is explored in Jeff's excellent "Just Cause for War," Ethics & International Affairs 19, no. 3 (2005). Jeff claims that "not very many" Israelis have been killed by rockets (and presumably mortars) fired by Hamas and Hezbollah. The precise numbers are almost certainly up for debate, but the following should give you a rough idea. The Israel Project puts the number of deaths from rockets and mortars at 23 since 2001. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs also maintains a list of all "victims of Palestinian violence and terrorism since September 2000." And for an overview of Hamas rocket activity in general, see this page from GlobalSecurity.org (wherein they claim 3,278 rockets and mortar shells landed in Israeli territory in 2008).
And finally, at the very end, Jeff mentions the precautionary principles. These principles, generally speaking, tell us how to deal with uncertainty. Applied to just war theory, they refer to the principles, proportionality included, that urge restraint in the face of an otherwise just cause.


text:
Riot – A form of civil disorder characterised by disorganised groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people.
It is the 1st of March. The months ahead will see the next wave of neo-liberal assaults on civil society. For huge numbers of people life will become[…]
by Dan Iles, World Development Movement
Banks like Goldman Sachs are seriously addicted to gambling. But unlike the bloke in Ladbrokes betting on the football scores, the horses, or the arrival date of the royal baby, investment banks are gambling on hunger.
And while the Ladbrokes gambler is often the loser at his[…]
Save our Homes: Haringey has called for support in its campaign to stop the Metropolitan Police throwing a community of 21 homes onto the street. With austerity cuts, the Met faces a short-fall in funding from the government of £500 million. This is part of a wider assault of cuts, austerity and privatisation that the[…]Read more →
by Imad Gibbs
As I learn more about fracking my views become more and more strongly inclined against it. Obviously anyone with half an environmentally-conscious mind will soon realize, after learning more about it, that it is a hideous and sinister way of extracting energy for our modern lives.
Fracking stands for Hydraulic Fracturing, essentially[…]
The Occupy London general assembly is a safe space open to all to discuss current issues and events.
This week's assembly will be held at Colorama2 –
Lancaster Street 44-50; SE1 0RY
London, United Kingdom
7:00pm – Welcome, Agenda and Format
7:15pm – Open Discussion on "The People's Assembly" organised by Coalition of Resistance.
The global economic system demands exponential growth to survive rather like a bicycle which falls over if forward momentum ceases. It is underpinned by the interest based money system which demands expanding debt to provide sufficient money to pay the interest on pre-existing debt.
Growth in the US, UK and other countries has, for the[…]