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BYRON — Sponsorships and business marketing opportunities are available for the Byron Community Revitalization annual "Pot of Gold" draw-down fundraiser.
The event starts at 6:30 p.m. March 1 at PrairieView Golf Pavilion, Route 72 and N. German Church Road. A business may donate money to sponsor prizes, games or the grand prize, or they may donate prize items or gift cards.
Tickets: $100 for 2 guests.
For information: Donations, Floski 815-871-0859; Donations, Buck 815-985-9391
Location, ST | website.com


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SAN FRANCISCO — Apple on Tuesday bowed to investors' demands to share more of its $145bn cash pile, while posting its first quarterly profit decline in more than a decade.
The new expanded capital plan includes issuing debt for the first time to fund $100bn in share repurchases and higher dividends until the end of 2015. That doubles the amount from a programme set up last year and makes Apple the largest dividend-paying company in the world.
The company's shares, which last week closed below $400 for the first time since December 2011, rose briefly. But they retreated after CEO Tim Cook told analysts on a conference call that "some really great stuff" was coming in the fall and 2014. That suggested Apple would have no new products in the market for the next few months.
Apple relies heavily on new product launches to drive revenue growth. It last refreshed its offerings in October, unveiling the 7.9-inch iPad mini and an updated full-size iPad.
The new capital plan came as Apple's second-quarter profit slid 18%. While revenue rose 11%, it slowed sharply from 2012 and previous years.
Mr Cook also acknowledged that Apple's once stratospheric growth had tempered but stressed that the company's position remained strong.
"Though we've achieved a credible scale and financial success, we acknowledge that our growth rate has slowed and our margins have decreased from the exceptionally high level we experienced in 2012," he said, in an unusually frank admission of the company's less upbeat circumstances.
In the past couple of years demand for Apple's iPhones and iPads has tended to ebb ahead of expected launches, which analysts said would hurt its profit for the current quarter.
Apple is forecasting revenue of $33.5bn-$35.5bn this quarter, lagging Wall Street's average projection of $38.2bn.
Once considered a near sure-fire bet by Wall Street, concern about slowing growth and narrowing margins has made Apple's shares among the worst performers this year.
Since hitting a record close of $702.10 last September, the world's largest technology company has shed 44%, losing more than $280bn of market value — or more than the entire market capitalisation of Google.
A maturing Apple
While Apple is still growing, its pace of growth has slowed as high-end smartphone adoption approaches saturation in the developed world and it goes head-to-head with increasingly aggressive rivals in developing countries such as China and India, where cheaper models are more popular.
It sold a better than expected 37.4-million iPhones in the March quarter, and 19.5-million iPads. But that was after many analysts had lowered their forecasts over the past month, responding to reports of delays in shipments and production, as well as decelerating consumer demand.
In the Greater China region, which Mr Cook again stressed on Tuesday was a market with massive potential, Apple chalked up 8% revenue growth to $8.2bn — the second slowest expansion of any region reported, after the US.
The collapse of Apple's stock price has incensed investors, spurring many, including Greenlight Capital's David Einhorn, to call on the company publicly to dole out more of its cash directly to shareholders.
The tech giant's expanded plan unveiled on Tuesday marks a $55bn increase to a programme unveiled just a year ago.
"This positive development represents a more shareholder friendly capital allocation policy and demonstrates the conviction of Apple's management and board in the company's future," Greenlight said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Apple earned $9.5bn, or $10.09 per share, in the quarter, down from $11.6bn, or $12.30 per share, a year earlier.
The company reported better than expected second-quarter revenue of $43.6bn, beating Wall Street's average forecast for $42.3bn, according to Thomson Reuters IBES, as iPhone and iPad sales surpassed investors' lowered expectations.
But Wall Street zeroed in on Apple's industry-leading margins, which it fears are under pressure as Samsung Electronics and other Google Android software adopters flood the market with lower-priced models.
Gross margins came in at 37.5% in the second quarter, while expectations were for 38.5%.
Apple's shareholders will now get an annual dividend of $12.20 per share, making Apple one of the highest dividend-paying companies. With about 940-million shares outstanding, Apple will return $11.5bn to shareholders over 12 months, an amount that exceeds the market value of 200 other corporations in the Standard & Poor's 500 index.
In a rare move, the company also said it planned to raise debt for the expanded programme but did not provide any details.
Investors have urged the company to borrow rather than repatriate money from abroad, where much of its cash is parked, to avoid incurring heavy taxes.
Some investors cling to the hope that Apple will come up with a revolutionary product again this year, with speculation ranging from a "smart-watch" to some form of television format that can up-end the industry.
Apple remains steadfastly mum on its product pipeline.
"It's a transitional quarter," Destination Wealth Management's Michael Yoshikami said. "The new products are all coming out next quarter and China still hasn't kicked in."
"Given the fact that the whisper was for them to not even hit the lower number (on revenue), given the fact that they hit the midpoint numbers, this slight beat is actually very positive."

subset: commoncrawl


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Comerica Bank's fourth quarter earnings increase on fees, loan growth
Dallas-based Comerica Inc. reported this morning a 35 percent increase in fourth-quarter on higher fees and loan growth.
Net income for the three months ending Dec. 31 was $128 million, or 68 cents per share. That's compared with $95 million, or 48 cents per share, in the same period in 2011.
For the full year, net income was $515 million, up from $389 million in 2011.
"In this slow growing national economy, we continue to benefit from our position in growth markets and industry expertise," said Ralph W. Babb Jr. chairman and chief executive officer.
Total average loans in the fourth quarter was $44.1 billion, up from $41.5 billion a year ago.
Noninterest income rose to $204 million, from $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Net interest income fell to $424 million in the fourth quarter, from $444 million a year ago.
Banks earn net interest income from the spread between interest paid out on deposits and interest earned on assets. Financial institutions have been operating in a low rate environment for several years.


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Different social media platforms have different guidelines and sizing that's why we always find ourselves looking for the correct sizing for our Google+ cover pic, Facebook timeline Cover size or the appropriate sizing for the branding and text in the background of your new Twitter profile. Fortunately, the guys at Luna Metrics got our backs with a one stop shop for all for all of our social media sizing headaches – just go ahead and right-click save this bad boy into your documents and never get stuck with pouring through search results for the correct Facebook cover photo size again.
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This paper furnishes a comparison of the results obtained from three observations made on an atrophic infant in which the absorption of fat was determined. Each observation lasted for three days, during which time the fat in the food and feces was determined.
For twelve days immediately preceding the first observation the infant was fed exclusively on human milk and the first observation succeeded this preliminary period without interruption. There was an interval of four days between the first and second observations and an interval of three days between the second and third observations.
During the first observation the infant was given 840 c.c. of breastmilk daily. During the second observation he was given 840 c.c. daily of a mixture of cows' milk containing approximately 3 per cent. of fat, 6 per cent, of milk-sugar and 1 per cent, of protein.
During the third observation the infant was given
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Month: May 2011
Rethink your performance plan
Tweet this: @PGopalan: Rethink your performance plan http://wp.me/pXBON-2y6 #prodmgt #career
Two plans for 1 measure
The prevailing managerial approach in corporations to promote, measure and reward employee growth primarily consists of two plans – a performance plan and an individual development plan – 2 plans for 1 measure i.e. growth. Every year, employees fill out a performance plan against which they are measured and rewarded e.g. with an annual bonus, at the end of the year. Then there is a second plan called the individual development plan that has things you want to do in the long term but are not tracked, measured, and rewarded or penalized if you miss, with the same zeal as the performance plan. It simply remains a wish list. In other words, it is ok to miss development goals. You wonder why?
Here's an idea to rethink this disconnect between individual performance and development in the corporate setting. Because these two are interdependent and key drivers for growth, shouldn't they be in the same plan? And if they are indeed in the same integrated growth plan, how should the plan be structured? To answer these questions, let's look at insights from successful corporate strategy.
Insights from corporate strategy
Enduring companies balance their portfolios in a 3 horizon approach – operate successfully in the short term, develop the vision and incubate technologies, products or services for the long term, and build for executing in the middle term. A good way to think of this is how Apple approached the market with iPod, iPhone and iPad products less than 10 years. Apple had the right product marketing mix for the iPod when it came out, worked on the iPhone while iPod was still bringing a lot of cash, and made plans for the iPad much before any competitor even thought of a mass market touch tablet. Many even questioned if a touch tablet with a form factor between a smart phone and laptop would ever succeed in the market. What we know now is a different story. This meticulous 3 horizon planning isn't unique to a consumer electronics gadget maker like Apple alone. In The Alchemy of Growth, Mehrdad Baghai, Steve Coley, David White and Stephen Coley write about a 3-Horizon approach for corporate strategy in building the enduring enterprise, citing examples from many industry verticals. If enduring corporations plan their growth in 3 horizons, and have management processes to measure and reward growth in 3 horizons, shouldn't employees too have the same 3 horizon growth plan for themselves? Why would growth for an employee be any different from growth for the corporation?
How to model a 3 Horizon individual performance plan
So, what would be your considerations for a 3 Horizon individual performance plan? Three things come to mind. First, figure out what would be a 3 Horizon timespan for your business. For example, if you are in information technology, it is probably a shorter timespan than a mature industry vertical. Second, determine what priority or reward percentage you would allocate to each horizon in that timespan. You could come up with many models for determining this priority (more posts on this in the future). You could have a 70-20-10 mix if the business needs all the momentum now, or a 50-30-20 if you already have the momentum going on (e.g. a blockbuster product or plan for the current operating term) and most growth opportunities for the company are in the medium and long term. Finally, identify drivers in each horizon and how these align your individual growth plan (development needs) to corporate growth opportunities. For employees this gives true opportunities of growth within the company and for companies there is no better way to retain employees than prepare them for future growth from within.
Innovative companies like 3M, Google, Atlassian give employees the choice to spend their time on projects not necessarily in their job description or performance plan. As Scott Berkun points out, it is more of an attitude and culture at these places than a rule with a manager tracking how much an individual spends time on his projects. But the underlying idea is simple and clear – to build enduring corporate growth, let your employees grow the same way as you'd want the company to grow. Counting hours on a timesheet worked for the factory age. It doesn't work for knowledge workers.
I would love to hear from readers on what kind of management processes their companies have that reflect the managers' interest in the long term growth of not just the corporation, but also the long term growth of the employees.
– Prabhakar
Tweet this: @PGopalan: Rethink your performance plan http://wp.me/pXBON-2y6 #prodmgt #career
Guest Post: Product Marketers, Where Do You Belong?
NOTE: The following is a guest post by Jennifer Doctor. If you want to submit your own guest post, click here for more information.
Do you work in product marketing? Have you ever tried to explain what you do, to someone who isn't familiar with product development and management? Ever want to pull your hair out after the conversation? It probably goes like this:
"I'm in product marketing."
"Oh, so you develop those flashy ads we see all over?"
"No. Product marketing, not advertising or marketing communications."
"Oh. So what do you do?"
"I make sure that the messaging of my product is something the market will understand, and then work to communicate that to people who want to buy my product."
"Oh. So you create the sales leads?"
"No. I create the product positioning, work on the launch strategy and help the rest of the marketing teams do their job better."
"I get it. You're in marketing."
"No. I am on the product team."
It is established that product marketing is a vital and necessary role within any product organization. (I'd go as far as to defend that means that it is necessary in EVERY organization since every company is selling some sort of product.) Yet, too often, product marketing is forced to explain its own value. And, this starts with needing to justify its role and what it is that you do.
Start with understanding what you do
Taken at its core, the basic level, product marketers work to get the "products off the shelf." … The role works with product managers who are about getting the product on the shelf.
And, product marketing is a partner to marketing services, who drive the lead generation and marketing communication who design the various artifacts that support the product. Yes, these are very basic definitions, but they do separate the responsibilities. There are defined lines that are distinct.
Here is where the challenge comes though. It makes sense, in the majority of organizations, to have the marketing services and marketing communication in the same organization. They are dependent upon each other. And product marketing? Both of these teams depend on the product marketing team effort to do their jobs.
So, some put the product marketing team within the marketing organization. Bad idea.
When you put the product marketing team with the marketing team, the role is challenged to deliver on its true value. Instead, the role becomes one of a tactical delivery vehicle responsible for data sheets, webinars and sales training.
It's about adding the right value
In an ideal world, the role of product marketing should be aligned in the same team as the role of product management. The two are inseparable since they are both about the product first. Both of the product roles require an outward view to the market at large. Both roles need to work together on the product roadmap.
There are differences too. Product management listens to the market. Product marketing talks to the market. Product management is about getting products ready to be available to the market. Product marketing needs to understand how to position the product so that the buyer is interested. Both teams add significant value to the product. Both teams are necessary to the success of the product. True, together, the work they perform flows to the partnership formed with their marketing brethren. But, separation from product management means splitting the product's market voice.
Looking in from the outside, where product marketing sits as a role within the organization matters. It matters a lot! If you are seeking to add product value, then align the role to where it has a fighting chance. If you are depending upon the role to deliver a market voice about the product, then align it with the product.
Tweet this: Product Marketers, where do you belong? http://wp.me/pXBON-2zH New post by @jidoctor #prodmktg #prodmgmt #leadership
Jennifer Doctor, a strong advocate of ProductCamps, is an independent product marketing and management consultant, working with companies to help them understand their markets, buyers and how to better enable sales teams to deliver results. She maintains her own blog – The OutsideIn View – and can be reached at Jennifer dot doctor at gmail dot com.
How can Win/Loss Analysis help you find untapped markets?
This week had a very smart CEO pose a great question to me:
What are we missing in terms of opportunities where we aren't even considered? Frankly I worry (like all paranoid startup CEOs) that this may be the biggest opportunity for growth. Do you have any hypothesis on how to dig in to that category of clients that have not heard of us?
One of the problems with Win/Loss Analysis is the focus on accounts where your company is already engaged. Can this analysis help you find untapped markets, or accounts where you are not being considered?
This is a crucial question for anyone concerned with product or corporate revenue – investors, product managers, sales VPs, marketing VPs.
I give my answer below, but first, here is a quote from Donald Rumsfeld that explains the problem more fully. Rumsfeld took a lot of heat for this quote, and perhaps it was overly obtuse or intellectual for the press. But if you listen to what he says, it's remarkably insightful:
In marketing / sales terms, here's what Rumsfeld is describing:
- Known knowns: These are accounts that you know how to go after. This is your sweet spot in the market. Hopefully you have one or more of these!
- Known unknowns: If you are paying close attention to your company's deal flow, there will often be deals that are outside of your sweet spot. Even by accident, your customers will use your product in ways that you hadn't imagined. You have to be paying close attention to notice these, but when you see one, you should take note of it and dig in to their business need, how they found you, and whether they need any additional capabilities. These accounts present a potential opportunity to expand your market. When you profile these accounts, pay very close attention. Once you notice them, you can use their profile to size the market, and if it appears attractive enough, create a pilot marketing/sales program to go after a short-list of these accounts.
- Unknown unknowns: These are the potential opportunities that you and your customers haven't thought about yet. Are these potential accounts buying your competitors' products? Perhaps your competitors have discovered them before you, or maybe they are just struggling with a problem that you could solve, but no one has put two and two together.
Back to the CEO's question: How do we find the Unknown unknowns, the untapped markets?
I call these markets "hidden market segments". So how do we find these hidden segments? Here are my suggestions:
Pay attention to patterns in your deal flow
One possible difference between #2 and #3 above is that in #2, you are paying attention, and you notice the anomalies in your deal flow. It takes an intuitive person to notice such anomalies. But it should be a priority for everyone paying attention to the deals. If you need to get started, Win/Loss analysis is a great technique. Unfortunately many people don't do a good job of win/loss analysis. (I wrote about some bad techniques earlier. Steve Johnson covers his views on Win/Loss here. ) You need to ensure that you are studying the whole buying process, speaking directly to buyers, not accepting the reasons given by sales. Too often companies note just the final reason for a win or a loss, but you need to avoid that temptation and look at the whole buying process.
What about the Unknown Unknowns?
The problem with the bucket #3, customers that you don't know about, is a bit circular! Philosophers would call this an episemological problem … it is an unknowable thing.
While it is difficult, much of the difficulty can be solved in two ways:
- Turn #3 into #2 by consistently profiling your wins and your losses. See above. (If you need help, contact me. I do this for a living.)
- Look for hunches: If your deal flow is too large to profile consistently without huge sampling bias, start by interviewing people internally. Look around for hunches. Frame the question as I have done above. Start by profiling your sweet spot, and find some really smart, market/customer-centric people inside your company. Explain to them that you are looking for people outside your sweet spot. Once you find some potential anomalies, start your Win/Loss analysis with accounts similar to the anomalies. With 5 wins and 5 losses, you'll have a good start.
- Look at your competitors successes: Are they winning outside your sweet spot? Are they attending tradeshows or hosting events for use cases that you hadn't considered? Can you find lost accounts in your past that represent cases like these?
- Brainstorm and Sell: What are the potential uses for your product in markets where you've never (knowingly) won a deal? Can you put together a pitch deck identify 5-10 sample accounts, and go after them with a SWAT team? You need BD-type people, not sales-types for these markets because you are breaking new ground.
In the end, it all boils down to finding a new profile of customer. You need detective skills, market knowledge, buyer knowledge, and sometimes good luck, but it can be done.
– Alan
The Product Management & Product Marketing Backlog
Will a backlog drive strategic thinking and provide clarity?
It's my hypothesis that product management and product marketing teams can be more effective, increase strategic actions and build cadence when they identify, prioritize and build a backlog focused on their roles.
From a Historical Perspective
Whether you work in an organization where Agile or Lean principles (SCRUM, Kanban, etc.) have been adopted, I'd bet most of your product management and product marketing thinking is still list or task-driven or formulated on-the-fly.
And forget about priorities. They change with the whim of the organization or the latest Flying Monkey.
Most product management practices, training and tools are focused on non-iterative actions. While their tenants and intentions are good, it's been my experience that product management and product marketing mask their organizations engineering process and it cascades into their thoughts, actions and focus.
The Hypothesis
My hypothesis was to test this with a diverse group of product professionals (preferably ones I didn't know) and together surface where we're spending our time and build a backlog of new thinking.
I attended the DFW Product Camp and led a session of 26 people. The session was represented by the following categories:
- Product Management (8)
- Product Marketing (4)
- Marketing (8)
- Those leading Product Management and/or Product Marketing (3)
- Other (Included a CEO and consultants) (3)
The Exercise
With limited time, we decided to choose Product Management to test the hypothesis. In a PowerPoint-free zone, (thanks Seth Godin) we began by identifying four themes that included:
- Planning and Strategy
- The Now Product
- Communications
- Tools and Process
In each of these areas, I asked the group to identify and write down topics where they spent most of their time and post them under the themes.
It's no surprise that topics such as; Crisis Management, Tools Implementation, Sales Demos, Customer Issues and Product Features surfaced most often. The picture below represents the number of items that appeared.
I then asked the group to think about and prioritize the areas they would (and should) spend more time. From the image to above, it's evident that more strategic areas focused on Strategy and Planning, as well as The Now Product were desired.
The highest number of votes included:
- Strategy development and alignment
- Market definition
- Clarify strategic vision
- The Compelling Why
- Market Research
- Keep your backlog simple
- Define both strategic and tactical areas
- Prioritize your backlog (The most important is where you start)
- Select one to three items to focus and work on
- Infuse these in your daily schedule (If you have to block time, do it)
- Look to peers for knowledge and help
- Infuse your strategic actions into your culture
The Results
While the hypothesis is yet to be validated in a live organization (I'd like to hear from the attendees in the future), it shared consistent ideas and challenges. Product Camps are a great place to gather input and test ideas like this. Have you committed to attend a PCamp in 2011?
As a product professional, would a prioritized backlog improve your thinking and execution?
I welcome any experiences as well as comments. If you'd like to post this on Twitter or LinkedIn, please share:
Tweet or Link this: The Product Management & Product Marketing Backlog a new post for #prodmgmt #prodmktg #leadership http://wp.me/pXBON-2yK


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Slingshot announced their brand new product line this morning, calling 2015 "The Year of The Rider". (We sure liked the sound of that). Here's a sneak peek of what's to come, filmed and edited by Patrick Wieland.
Home / Industry News / Slingshot for All
Tagged with: 2015 gear Gear Reviews industry news patrick wieland rally slingshot slingshot for all


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On top of training your bird, you can also teach her how to talk.
Want a great way to train your parrot? Use games! Here are 7 games you can play with your bird that will help train her at the same time.
1) Peek-A-Boo
Everyone knows this game, but it can be a great way to interact with your parrot. Plus, it gets your bird used to being handled in a towel.
How To:
Many parrots learn this game after a few times and some will actually create their own games using the words.
2) Towel Acrobat
Once your parrot is used to playing in a towel, you can use it as a play prop. She can climb up it and you can gently swing her. Do this over a bed in the beginning, in case she decides to let go. You can also have her go from one hand to the other using the towel as a tightrope. Raise one hand until she gets to it and then raise the other one so she will go back and forth. This towel exercise really helps a baby bird learn her balance skills.
3) Real Estate Agent
Take your parrot on a tour of the house, and enthusiastically talk to her about such things as the décor and the furniture. It really doesn't matter what you say, but she will enjoy you pointing out various aspects of each room. This game gets the parrot used to new adventures and changes in the house.
4) Warm Potato
This is a great game to get your parrot to accept handling from everybody in the family.
Note: If the bird starts to get too stimulated, the game can be discontinued until she calms down. The best way to have a parrot bond with everyone in the family is to continue to play this game throughout the bird's life.
A great way to train your bird is to play "Real Estate." In this game, you take your bird around your house, using a happy, excited voice to show her new things.
5) Picnic Time
Place a sheet on the floor and place some toys on it. Sit down with the parrot and play with her toys almost like you would with a puppy. If the parrot starts to move beyond the sheet, call her back and praise her when she comes to you. This game teaches a parrot boundaries when she is on the floor and if you establish a cue for her to come to you, it can also teach her to come to you when you want her to.
6) This Little Piggy & Eagle Boy
Making a fun game of playing with your parrot's toes can make her toenails a lot easier to groom. You can also lift her wings and say "Eagle Boy/Girl" to get her used to having her wings handled. Once she learns this game, it can also be used as a distraction to change negative behaviors into a positive behavior.
A variation of this game that I play with my African grey, Whoodee, is what I call "raspberry delight." I taught him to raise his wing so I can give him a raspberry on his side. I ask him the silly question, "Do you want your air sacs cleaned?" and he lifts his wing for a raspberry. Even if he is in a grouchy mood, this helps him get over it pretty fast.
7) Gonna Getchew
Some parrots have never been sprayed with water, and they don't like it. I think it is because it seems as if the spray bottle is on "stun" and the birds are sprayed too directly. I find that they actually don't mind a fine mist sprayed indirectly to their side. This gets them used to the bottle and being sprayed. My grey, Bongo Marie, hated being sprayed, but gradually got used to it and "gonna getchew" became her favorite game. I came up to her with the bottle and she leaned forward and said, "Gonna getchew." Then I shot a stream of water onto her chest and she exclaimed, "Oh, oh ya' got me."
These are just a few ideas of ways to teach and socialize your parrot through games. You can think of your own games as long as they are safe. With many parrots, you may have to go slowly at first until your bird realizes that you are playing a friendly game. Once you start playing games, you and your parrot will probably come up with games to play with each other. Just make sure when she makes up a game that you understand the rules.
Like this article? Want more tips on how to train your bird?Pet Bird Training Tips For OwnersRight On Target: Target Training For Pet
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Poppy Parker
Cheerio! Poppy is off to jolly old England for her latest modeling assignment. She will be accompanied by her best friend Darla and her sweetheart Chip. Chip's parents are coming also to chaperone. She's sure that they will all have a jolly good time!
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For the safest operation, Roku recommends only the use of the original power adapter provided with your Roku player model, or a power adapter by Roku that is specifically designed for your Roku player.
Roku replacement power adapters can be purchased here.
Note: Roku will not be responsible for any damage incurred as a result of using a non-Roku manufactured power adapter with your Roku player.


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What do you need to know as the calendar turns to summer? Read on to learn about the Summer Solstice and sun related facts.
Summer Solstice: What you need to knowUPDATED 11:17 AM EDT Jun 19, 2015
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Montreal's auditor-general has uncovered irregularities in construction of several residential developments on Nuns' Island.
The report was obtained by the Journal de Montreal.
It says a faulty system for processing permit requests, lax enforcement and cozy relationships with city managers allowed real estate developers to bend the rules.
In one case, construction of a highrise started before the proper permits were issued. That tower ended up being three storeys higher than originally approved and its footprint on the site was illegally large.
Another complex was supposed to have an underground parking garage but the structure was eventually built above-ground.
"Any of the insinuations need to be seen in their contexts to understand how they evolved," Samuel Gewurz, the president of Proment, one of the developers mentioned in the report, said.
"We went to get permits, we worked fully under the law. During the course of construction the city determined one part of regulations had to be adjusted, as a result we were off pace for a certain period of time, but everything that we have built conforms to the law," he said.
The report was written last year and is now in the hands of anti-corruption investigators.
Gewurz says they have not contacted him.
The Verdun borough will be holding a press conference on the issue at 1 PM Monday.
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Andy and the Alien (Sweet Valley Kids #29)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Andy Franklin has heard that UFOs have been seen at Secca Lake, and he thinks it might be true. His classmates don't believe in UFOs, and they won't stop teasing him. But when Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield follow Andy into the woods during a school trip to Secca Lake, they see some very mysterious things. Could Andy be right? Are there aliens at Secca Lake?
The Best Thanksgiving Ever (Sweet Valley Kids #34)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield's parents want them to help them serve Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter for the homeless, but their friend Suzie Nichols tells them it's a horrible place. How does Suzie know so much about the shelter? Is there something she's not telling the twins?
The Big Race (Sweet Valley Kids #37)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield can't wait to build and race their own cars in the upcoming soapbox derby. Ken Matthews keeps bragging about how great his car is, and the twins are determined to beat him. They know they can do it if they work together -- but they have a big fight right before the race. Can the twins make up in time to win? Don't miss any of the books in this exciting series!
Bossy Steven (Sweet Valley Kids #18)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Steven is being really bossy, but the twins have no one to blame other than themselves... After all they're the ones that made a bet that if he won at the Science Fair then they'd do all his chores for a week! Steve wins at the Fair, fair and square and now they have to do his chores. Then they come up with a brilliant plan... The twins and Steven are each making a birthday cake for their father and if Jessica and Elizabeth's cake tastes better, the first bet would be off, and if not, then they would have to continue doing chores for Steven...
Caroline's Halloween Spell (Sweet Valley Kids #33)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Elizabeth Wakefield is scared! Halloween is only a few days away, and Elizabeth suspects that Caroline Pearce may be a witch -- a bad witch. When Caroline catches Elizabeth spying on her, Elizabeth really starts to worry. Is Caroline truly a witch? And if she is, is she going to cast a nasty Halloween spell on Elizabeth?
The Case of the Alien Princess (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #7)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
The Sweet Valley Gang is whisked off to the planet Venn to find the missing Princess Zari before the evil Nards can take control over the planet.
The Case of the Christmas Thief (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #4)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield and their friends in the snoopers club have to catch a holiday thief! It's December, and the second graders have set up a special display of their favorite holiday objects.
The Case of the Hidden Treasure (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #5)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
When Elizabeth and Jessica see a woman behaving strangely at the beach, they are convinced that she is searching for buried treasure in the sand.
The Case of the Magic Christmas Bell (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #2)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield and their friends in the Snoopers Club have uncovered their most difficult case yet! The bell that helps Santa's reindeer fly has fallen off the sleigh. If the Snoopers don't find it, Santa won't be able to deliver any presents this Christmas. They have to work fast, though, because a bad elf named Fritzi is looking for the bell, too. Will the Snoopers be able to save Christmas?
The Case of the Million-Dollar Diamonds (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #6)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield and their friends in the Snoopers Club are on the trail of a diamond thief. They saw him in the mall jewelry store just before the precious gems were stolen. With the Snoopers' help, store guards catch the thief, but he has no diamonds! The Snoopers are determined to find them before the thief gets away with the million-dollar jewels. Will they catch him in time?
The Case of the Secret Santa (Sweet Valley Kids Super Snooper #1)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are members of a mystery-solving group called the Snoopers Club and Jessica has found their first case. She thinks Mr. Kringle, the new custodian at school, looks just like Santa Claus. She sees him checking over a long list of names. Is it his gift list? Jessica and Elizabeth and the other Snoopers uncover a number of convincing clues. Mr. Kringle couldn't really be Santa Clause, could he?
Cousin Kelly's Family Secret (Sweet Valley Kids #24)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield can't wait for their cousin Kelly Bates to visit. They're going to have a triple-good time, because Kelly looks enough like them to be their sister. When Kelly arrives a few days before Thanksgiving, she seems sad about something. Jessica and Elizabeth want their cousin to be happy, but how can they help Kelly if she won't tell them what's wrong? What is the big secret Kelly can't share with her cousins? Don't miss any of the books in this exciting series!
Crybaby Lois (Sweet Valley Kids #11)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica Wakefield wonders why her twin sister Elizabeth is so friendly. Lois is always scared of everybody, but Elizabeth wants to be her friend. Will she be able to transform scaredy-cat Lois into a braver Lois?
Elizabeth and Jessica Run Away (Sweet Valley Kids #31)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield expect guests for the weekend. But after Eric and Wesley Nelson arrive, things run into rough weather for them and the only way out is to run away from home.
Elizabeth Hatches an Egg (Sweet Valley Kids Super Special #5)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Elizabeth wins an Easter egg in a school contest. She is amazed when the egg hatches and decides that she must save her new pet, Sneeches, from being sent to a farm.
Elizabeth Meets Her Hero (Sweet Valley Kids #28)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Elizabeth Wakefield can't wait for the next class trip. She's going to get to see a taping of her favorite TV show, Dr Snapturtle's Animal Hour. The trip is a lot of fun until Elizabeth overhears Dr. Snapturtle yelling at his trusty dog, Duke. Then she doesn't know what to think. How could her hero be so mean?
Elizabeth's Broken Arm (Sweet Valley Kids #35)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
When Elizabeth Wakefield breaks her arm, she starts getting a lot of attention. This makes her twin sister, Jessica, so angry that she votes against Elizabeth in an important class election. Now Elizabeth is upset. Is this the beginning of the twins' biggest feud ever?
Elizabeth's Piano Lessons (Sweet Valley Kids #45)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
[From the back Cover) "Identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield are taking piano lessons. Jessica loves them. Elizabeth hates them. They can't stop fighting about it. Elizabeth is doubly mad because Jessica bullied her into taking the lessons. Now the twins are supposed to play a duet at a recital. The better Jessica plays, the worse Elizabeth does. Will Elizabeth get her revenge by ruining Jessica's big day--on purpose?" Bookshare has over a hundred more books about the Sweet Valley twins Jessica and Elizabeth from their elementary school days through their college years.
Elizabeth's Super-Selling Lemonade (Sweet Valley Kids #9)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield's second-grade teacher is getting married, and the whole class is invited to the wedding. The twins and all their friends pick the perfect present for Mrs. Becker, and everyone decides to help pay for it. Elizabeth and Jessica set up a lemonade stand to make money. First, Elizabeth does all the work. Then Jessica spends all the money! Will they be able to replace the money in time to buy the wedding present?
Elizabeth's Valentine (Sweet Valley Kids 4)by Molly Mia Stewart
Identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield can't wait until Eva, the new girl in their second-grade class, arrives from Jamaica. When Elizabeth is picked to show Eva around school, the two become friends, and Jessica begins to feel left out. After all, she and Elizabeth are supposed to be best friends. To get back at her twin, Jessica ignores Elizabeth and pretends to keep secrets from her. She even pretends she has a new best friend. Elizabeth can't understand why Jessica is being so mean. Everything's a mess, and it's up to Eva to help Elizabeth and Jessica become friends again!
Elizabeth's Video Fever (Sweet Valley Kids #36)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
After Elizabeth Wakefield buys a video game called Goin' Wild, her whole personality seems to change. She starts failing behind on her homework, and she practically ignores her twin sister, Jessica. All Elizabeth cares about is getting the highest score on her game. Will Elizabeth ever be her old self again? Don't miss any of the books in this exciting series!
Ellen Is Home Alone (Sweet Valley Kids #39)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield go into action to help their friends, Ellen Riteman and her brother, adjust after their mother decides to go back to work, leaving her children to become latchkey kids.
Fearless Elizabeth (Sweet Valley Kids #15)by Molly Mia Stewart
Elizabeth Wakefield can't wait to try out for the Sweet Valley Soccer League. She and her friend Eva practice every afternoon, and Elizabeth's brother, Steven, gives them tips. But there's only one thing that's bothering Elizabeth. Once when she was playing goalie, she was hit with the ball. Now she's afraid the same thing will happen again. How will Elizabeth overcome her fear before the big tryouts?
Get the Teacher! (Sweet Valley Kids #46)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Is Mrs. Otis leaving the second grade -- and being replaced by a student teacher? Not if Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield have their way. They plan to have everyone in class make life miserable for Ms. Kovac so she won't want the job. And the plan works! Then Jessica finds out that Ms. Kovac won't be teaching ever again because she can't seem to handle kids. Now Jessica feels terrible. But can the class help Ms. Kovac -- without losing Mrs.Otis?
The Halloween War (Sweet Valley Kids #62)by Molly Mia Stewart Francine Pascal
Jessica Wakefield is in big trouble! She told all her friends at school that the Wakefield's house was haunted. Now everyone wants to see Jessica's ghost. Jessica's twin sister, Elizabeth, comes up with the perfect plan they'll have a party with a special appearance by a make-believe ghost. But Halloween party is even scarier than the twins expected. Have Jessica and Elizabeth been outsmarted? Or is the Wakefield house really haunted?
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A group on the art site deviantART dedicated to the idea of human-animal hybrids. It was created by in-viv-sible in July 2012, and is forever growing. The group is set around the idea that every hybrid lives in the fictional town of Sandiord, and they attend George Harrison School. The many hybrids include Louis Strike, Twitch Allens, Nicole Brooks, Skyler Ride, Damon Rye, Kinasha Adams, Lighte Marco and Nova Levitt. Every member of the group has their own hybrid(s) and will commonly roleplay them, whether this is on the group chat or separately.
Random Guy: Dude, what's that group called again? The one with those half-animal half-human things?
Hu-Hybri member: Oh, you mean Hu-Hybri?
Hu-Hybri member: Oh, you mean Hu-Hybri?
by CO98 July 25, 2012
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


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Errors in Table and Text in: Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Persistent Pain Following Breast Cancer Surgery
Published online November 21, 2012
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Don't let it get away!
Keep track of the stocks that matter to you.
Help yourself with the Fool's FREE and easy new watchlist service today.
Now that the federal government has been shut down since Tuesday, are we beginning to see any impact on the economy in general? What about GDP, or the Federal Reserve's outlook on scaling down its bond-buying program? And perhaps most importantly for us Fools, what does it all mean for investors?
While I can't give you exact numbers -- and I doubt anyone can -- we do know that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) lost 185 points, or 1.21%, last week. But can we attribute that drop to the shutdown? After all, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC ) index lost a mere 0.07% during the past five trading days -- and the Nasdaq actually rose 26 points, or 0.69%. So far, investors don't seem to be getting too worked up over what's going on.
Furthermore, history shows that economists just aren't very good at estimating things like GDP rates, unemployment figures, or Fed tapering actions. So when you see an article telling you to brace for doom and gloom, just remember that those types of predictions tend to be notoriously wrong.
What we do know is that consumer-goods stocks may not see a drop in demand, thanks to a bill the House passed yesterday to provide back pay once the shutdown ends for the 800,000 federal workers who are currently furloughed. Now instead of toughing it out at home, we may see some of those workers and their families head to the malls.
But others may still lose a paycheck because of the shutdown, including private-sector workers whose companies contract with the government. United Technologies' (NYSE: UTX ) Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary, which makes Black Hawk helicopters, just today reversed a decision to furlough 2,000 workers, after the Pentagon moved to bring most of its own furloughed employees back to work. That means the defense inspectors Sikorsky relies on will be back on the job. Without them, Sikorsky couldn't have moved forward with production.
That reversal is a reminder that it's difficult to predict how everything will ultimately be affected by the shutdown. Rushing to sell your shares of Procter & Gamble or Wal-Mart -- simply because someone says GDP is expected to fall, or hundreds of thousands of workers won't be getting a paycheck next week -- would be a really small-"f" foolish thing to do.
Here at the Fool, we focus on the long term. Even if some businesses take a hit from the shutdown, this is a short-term problem, not a long-term issue damaging those businesses. If anything, take this opportunity to watch for stock-price dips and buy into some solid companies that other investors are selling because of their shortsightedness.
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Personal Description:
Judy Ann Medler Knutson, beloved mother and wife, was born in Portland, Oregon on May 1st, 1939. She was raised in her favorite place in the world, San Diego, CA, where she met her wonderful husband.
Six months after her heart attack, we were all shocked by a diagnosis of late stage ovarian cancer, but she simply asked, "OK, so what do we do to beat it?" And "Mom" did beat her "nasty tumor" for almost two years, spending her time in remission living life to the fullest and "in the moment."
She loved traveling and eating out with friends and family, and photo-chronicling all of life's events. Most important to her, though, was just being with family (including her cherished dogs!). To all of us Mom was the strongest, bravest, most positive person we've ever known. Her smile and cheer always lit up the room. Just like her beautiful photos, our love for her will endure.
We love you always Mom. You are missed.
Your family – Gale, Kirsten, Erika, Joel, Lars, Fennis, Moose, and Kjartan
In memoriam, Judy Ann Medler Knutson, August 25, 2008.
Last updated on: 08/30/2008
Our condolences go to Gale and the family. We will always remember Judy and her famous smile.
Ken and JoAnn Olivier – 09/02/2008
We send our deep sympathy to Gale and family. May the good life that Judy had be of comfort to all of you.
John and Elena Biale – 09/09/2008
Erika, now I know where you got your smile from. Deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Theresa Sheldon – 09/11/2008
Erika, my prayers go out to you and your family. May God give you the strength to walk through this very diffilcult time.
Becky Berube – 09/12/2008
Erika, You and your family are in my prayers. Stay strong and know she is not hurting anymore.
Jennifer Lacefield – 09/12/2008
Judy was a wonderful friend. She was my college sorority "big sister" and after that, in so many ways, became the sister I never had. We had such good times together through the years. I can still see her smile and hear her laugh. No matter what adversity she faced, including health challenges, her attitude remained positive. She was kind, caring and compassionate. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and it was her family that gave her the greatest joy. I know your beautiful spirit lives on, Judy, and I want you to know that I will always love you and I miss you so much. Peace and much love to you and your family.
Lisa Bruk – 09/18/2008
That's a mold-berkaer. Great thinking!
Jaundalynn Jaundalynn – 06/02/2011
The info. about the phase 1 vaccine cianlcil trial made the OCNA chat board today and I am so interested. I was dx 7/10 w/ovca stage lllC. I am in the GOG-252 and will end it 12/21/11 with very few side effects. I will talk to my gyn/onc Dr. Peter Johnson (WI) and would appreciate more info. on the trial.Thanks,Marty Sorensen
Ali Ali – 09/03/2012


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Herman Miller (Nasdaq: MLHR ) reported earnings on March 20. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 2 (Q3), Herman Miller missed estimates on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew. Non-GAAP earnings per share increased significantly. GAAP earnings per share increased.
Margins grew across the board.
Revenue details
Herman Miller booked revenue of $423.5 million. The four analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $437.7 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.9% higher than the prior-year quarter's $399.8 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
EPS details
EPS came in at $0.32. The four earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.28 per share. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.32 for Q3 were 23% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.26 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.28 for Q3 were 12% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.25 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 34.1%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 6.5%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 3.9%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $448.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.35.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.78 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.37.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 121 members out of 133 rating the stock outperform, and 12 members rating it underperform. Among 46 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 44 give Herman Miller a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Herman Miller is outperform, with an average price target of $29.00.
Looking for alternatives to Herman Miller? It takes more than great companies to build a fortune for the future. Learn the basic financial habits of millionaires next door and get focused stock ideas in our free report, "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich." Click here for instant access to this free report.
- Add Herman Miller to My Watchlist.


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Collect 200 points
Simply enter your Nectar card number when prompted. Your points will be credited 30 days after you return from your trip.*Offers may apply
One of the top hotel in Nottingham and surrounding area (4 star boutique hotel). According to Good Hotel Guide, our hotel is City Hotel of the year 2007. Award winning for its contemporary architectural design. Hart's hotel has 32 comfortable rooms, including 2 hart's signature suites. It has a stunning views overlooking the "Park" and private car park. Located in city center location. A contemporary, private owned boutique hotel with 30 rooms and 2 suites. A quiet location 5 minutes walk from the city center. The hotel has a quiet garden with glorious views over the city and beyond. On site car park.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hart's HotelStandard Hill Park Row Nottingham England NG1 6FN
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- Total number of rooms - 32
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CBS (9-11 p.m. ET)
Glenda Jackson is marvelous in this riveting account of the Oscar-winning actress's recovery from the 1965 strokes (she was pregnant at the time) that left her paralyzed and unable to speak. Dirk Bogarde is superb as her author husband, Roald Dahl, who badgered her with his own therapy system into a remarkable two-year rehabilitation and an eventual return to acting.
Picks and Pans Review: The Patricia Neal Story
updated 12/07/1981 AT 01:00 AM EST
•originally published 12/07/1981 AT 01:00 AM EST


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From the Liver Diseases Section, Digestive Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
*David Wright, PhD, was also an author on this paper.
Acknowledgments: The authors thank Drs. Humberto Fernandez and Gordana Kosutic from ICN Pharmaceuticals for their advice and assistance and the nursing staff of the Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, for invaluable patient care.
Grant Support: In part by ICN Pharmaceuticals, who provided the ribavirin capsules, placebo capsules, serologic testing reagents, and fellowship support for Dr. Mahaney; and by Innogenetics, who provided reagents for the genotyping of hepatitis C virus RNA.
Requests for Reprints: Jay H. Hoofnagle, MD, Building 31, Room 9A 23, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Current Author Addresses: Dr. Di Bisceglie: Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, 1402 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63104.
Dr. Conjeevaram: Liver Study Unit, Section of Gastroenterology, M454C, University Hospital and Clinics, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60627.
Dr. Fried: Division of Digestive Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, P.O. Drawer AL, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Drs. Sallie and Park: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Liver Diseases Section, Center Drive, Building 10, 9C306, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Dr. Yurdaydin: Ankara Universitesi, Tip Fakultesi, Cebeci Hastanesi, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey.
Dr. Swain: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
Dr. Kleiner: Division of Cancer Biology, Diagnosis and Centers, National Cancer Institute, Center Drive, Building 10, Room 2N206, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Dr. Mahaney: Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, DC 20007.
Dr. Hoofnagle: Building 31, Room 9A 23, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Dr. Wright: Westat, 1650 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850.
Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
Objective: To evaluate ribavirin, an oral antiviral agent, as therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Setting: Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, a tertiary referral research hospital.
Patients: 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received oral ribavirin (600 mg twice daily) for 12 months and 29 controls with chronic hepatitis C who received placebo for 12 months.
Measurements: Effects of therapy were evaluated by measuring serum aminotransferase and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels before, during, and for 6 months after therapy and by histologic examination of liver specimens before and at the end of treatment.
Results: Patients treated with ribavirin had a prompt decrease in serum aminotransferase levels (54% overall) compared with levels before treatment and levels in controls (5% decrease). Serum aminotransferase levels became normal or nearly normal in 10 patients treated with ribavirin (35% [95% CI, 18% to 54%]) but in no controls (0% [CI, 0% to 12%]). Aminotransferase levels remained normal in only 2 patients after ribavirin therapy was discontinued (7% [CI, 1% to 23%]). Serum HCV RNA levels did not change during or after therapy. Liver biopsy specimens showed a decrease in hepatic inflammation and necrosis among ribavirin-treated patients whose aminotransferase levels became normal.
Conclusions: Ribavirin has beneficial effects on serum aminotransferase levels and histologic findings in the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis C, but these effects are not accompanied by changes in HCV RNA levels and are not sustained when ribavirin therapy is discontinued. Thus, ribavirin alone for periods as long as 12 months is unlikely to be of value as therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
In the left panel, closed circles denote complete responders and open circles denote partial responders. Among responders, the mean histology activity index score decreased by 4.3 ( = 0.0039, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Among nonresponders, the mean histology activity index score decreased by 0.3 ( = 0.64).
Levels decreased significantly among ribavirin-treated patients but not among placebo recipients (repeated-measures analysis of variance). To convert U/L to µkat/L, multiply by 0.01667.
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DALLAS (AP) — The state's private vendor for specialty license plates has more than doubled the cost of some one-year tags.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board in mid-2010 approved the higher prices. The increases took effect in December. Recent renewal letters from the DMV have drawn attention to the hikes.
The president of My Plates, Steve Farrar, has said the increase is meant to entice drivers into longer agreements, in which the overall annual cost is cheaper than yearly renewals.
The annual price of the white-background plate with custom lettering is now $195, up from $85. The other plate that's been increased, to $155 from $95, has an offset "T" and colored background options.


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Gadget Flushes Your Embarrassing Bathroom Sounds
Back when electronics weren't the sleek, multifaceted definitions of modern culture, my friends and I (12-year-old, mischief-making boys) loved going to Spencer Gifts in the local mall and pressing every button on every one of those noise-making gizmos. Our unanimous favorite was the fart remote which trumpeted out multiple octaves of flatulence.
BLOG: Who Invented The Toilet?
DNEWS VIDEO: Gadgets and Gizmos
Now that our devices can, among other things, stream movies, the novelty of sound makers has long been silenced. But alas, a new one has risen from the bowels of obscurity. While it doesn't necessarily release digital toot tones, what it does do is cover up the real ones you make while you're in the bathroom.
Is your loo right off your dining room like mine? Holding a dinner party with five bean chili as the main course? Well, thanks to the Eco-Otome, you won't have to open your restroom door all red-faced to a bunch of cringing dinner guests.
Eco-Otome gives you 25 seconds of white noise to do your business under a veil of audio that gives new meaning to the phrase, "Cover me, I'm going in."
A pointless, unneeded gadget? Next time you're on a plane take a gander through Sky Mall's catalog or peruse Harriet Carter's inventory, then get back to me.
However, I fail to see the worth of a device who's function can easily be replicated with an extra flush or a running faucet, especially when the device's noise sounds exactly like those more practical options.
BLOG: Tweets From The Bathroom
But Eco-Otome's white noise also sounds like one of those rain sticks, so as long as you imagine that, maybe it's worth it. Unless of course you have a rain stick taking up valuable Feng shui real estate in a corner. If so, heck, just move it to the bathroom an let the rains take a dump when you gotta do the same.
Just don't invite Gary Busey over for your dinner party unless you want the night to take a really weird turn.


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Due to an ever-increasing number of frivolous malpractice cases being filed as well as the increasing size of jury awards, medical malpractice insurance has become a dominant problem for healthcare providers in the United States. The public ¡ ¦s misconception of the severity of the impact on doctors and hospitals prevents them from seeing the bigger picture. The lack of media coverage on the subject has made the public grossly unaware as to how serious this problem has become. The rise in medical malpractice insurance not only adversely affects doctors and hospitals, but the quality of care available to patients as well.
Recently medical malpractice premiums have skyrocketed. ¡ §The cost of malpractice insurance for specialists has risen more then 10 percent in recent years and could increase by an average of 20 percent or more this year. States without limits on non-economic malpractice damages are experiencing the sharpest increase ¡V 30-50 percent. ¡ ( ¡ §HHS Calls for National Malpractice Legislation ¡ ). This actually may be severely underestimated.
¡ §By some estimates, as many as 86 percent of medical malpractice claims filed in the state of Texas are dismissed without payment to a patient. Yet doctors and insurance companies must spend millions of dollars defending themselves against baseless claims ¡ (Gov. Perry, Rick). Adding to this are the multimillion-dollar awards that are given out by juries, which drive up the premiums. Those awards force insurers out of the malpractice insurance market. The insurers that stay in the malpractice market are forced to raise rates in order to try and protect themselves in the future. The St. Paul Cos. is said to be ¡ §the nations second medical-malpractice insurer ¡ , yet it withdrew from the malpractice market because the company found it was paying ¡ §$1.80 in defense costs for every $1 collected in premiums ¡ , causing the company to lose


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About Domaine Dujac
The story of Domaine Dujac began with the ambition of Jacques Seysses, the son of a biscuit manufacturer. Jacques never wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, however; his sights were set on making wine.
2007 Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin
Producer: Domaine Dujac
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type: Pinot Noir
Origin: France
Region: Burgundy
Appellation: Cote de Nuits
90(+?)? Points | Stephen Tanzer's IWC - March/April 2010
($180) Medium red. Reticent aromas of red fruits lifted by spicy oak and a note of rose petal. Tactile and pliant but a bit simple and inexpressive today. Offers enticing sweetness but this is closed and in need of patience. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins.


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Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Vaccines: Are You REALLY "Green?"
That said, even many "crunchy" parents who are not parents of children with autism choose not to vaccinate. They do so with the intent of removing as many harmful chemicals as possible from their families' lives and with overall health of their bodies and the earth in mind.
Perhaps it is not my place to do so but I sometimes feel compelled to provide people with unsolicited information regarding vaccines that they most likely will not have been given otherwise by their pediatrician or have come across on their own. My friend's Facebook post was one of those compelling moments. Before you get all snappy with me though, let it be known that I was tactful enough to send it to her in a Facebook message rather than post it as a comment. Give me some credit, already!
Knowing what I, myself, have learned through this process of going green and buying organic and removing chemicals from our own home, I also know that we are constantly having "a-ha" moments when we discover we have missed a detail here or there and we find something that should be removed. For example, air fresheners are one of those things people do not think about a whole lot but studies have shown they can cause hormonal disruption.
A lot of people probably think nothing of turning on their faucet and getting a drink of water. After all, if you are reading this, you probably reside in a civilized country - not some third world country - and the water is clean here, right? Or is it? The CDC estimates more than 60% of U.S. households on public water receive fluoride in their water. That sounds like a good thing until you consider the fact that fluoridated water has been linked to cancer. The CDC claims there is "no credible evidence" of a link between the two but the CDC also puts out a lot of things I do not agree with - for instance, I should have my child vaccinated for chickenpox. It's chickenpox, folks! Kids get it and they get over it and their immune systems are stronger afterwards. My kids do not need a shot of aborted human fetuses or MSG or antibiotic (Neomycin) (see Varicella) just to ensure that they might not contract chickenpox. Aside from all that and back to the issue of water, none of what I mentioned is even considering all the heavy metals, disposed medications, and other toxins people receive by drinking tap water. Not all water is treated, ya' know. And what cannot be treated gets dumped right back into the water supply. Mmm, Mmm! Makes me thirsty just thinking about it!
As is often the case when I write very late at night or incredibly early in the morning, I have gotten off on a tangent. Bringing us back now...
Vaccines are one of those areas I feel few people probably consider when they decide to go green and so here is the message I sent my friend with a few personal details removed, of course...
"In addition to going "green" I noticed you mentioned you are going organic as well. Knowing what I know now with our situation and everything we have learned along the way with autism and going green and eating organically, I thought I would suggest that you consider looking into what is in the vaccines children receive today. Although pesticides cannot be washed off 100% effectively, and going organic is a great idea, a lot of people don't realize their children will receive more toxins over the full course of vaccinating than they will receive if they still choose to eat non-organically.
Before you blow me off and think I am one of those anti-vaccine crazed autism parents, let me explain that I am not anti-vaccine. I am anti-toxin. As in, I am against doing any further injections of proven toxins into my children. Since nearly every vaccine out there contains PROVEN harmful chemicals, it's worth knowing what is going into our children.
I don't tell people NOT to vaccinate their children (it's none of my business!), I simply ask that they educate themselves because the fact is, most people DON'T know what is in vaccines. They blindly trust their pediatricians and even many pediatricians do not know what is in vaccines if you ask them. Believe me, I know this from experience now. I wish I had known to ask before....maybe we wouldn't be where we are now.
That said, here are some things to know about vaccines:
*Children whose pediatricians follow the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) vaccine guidelines now receive 36 vaccines by the age of five years old (by six years, for some). That number will soon jump to 42 vaccines. When you and I were younger, the guidelines called for a total of TEN vaccines.
2010 CDC Vaccine Guidelines
You will notice, a number of vaccines given to children are given several times (one initial shot and then "boosters"). One question many of us who no longer vaccinate ask is, if vaccines are so effective then why do children need so many "boosters?" Another question to ask is, "Does my child really need ______ vaccine? While some vaccines are meant for diseases with high death rates, many of them are for "diseases" that are very mild in their effects and few people die as a result of contracting them. For example, how many people do you know who have died from chicken pox? There wasn't even a chickenpox vaccine when we were children....kids got it, they got over it, no big deal. And an added bonus is their immune systems became stronger because of it.
*Many "outbreaks" of diseases occur involving individuals who ARE fully-vaccinated. Even the government owns up to this fact. So again, if vaccines are so effective, then why are individuals who are fully vaccinated coming down with some of these diseases?
*Many vaccines contain aluminum, formaldehyde, and thimerosal (mercury) - all of which have been proven to cause neurological damage and are also linked to cancer cell growth in laboratory rats. HERE is the ingredients list. Something to consider when your child is being injected with these toxins over 30 times.....
*Vaccines can legally be marketed as mercury-free/preservative-free even when they contain "traces" of mercury in them. Those "traces" have been shown to be anywhere from 1-60 times the amount of mercury proven to cause neurological damage.
*Vaccines can and do harm SOME individuals. At the very least, they can come with a whole host of side effects. However, your doctor won't tell you this and you won't know unless you read the vaccine inserts, which you are usually not given unless you ask for them. The government owns up to the possibility of vaccine injury as well with their vaccine compensation program.
*If you still choose to vaccinate, ask THESE eight questions before doing so.
*Finally, and most important to know, you are NOT required to vaccinate your child for him/her to be allowed to attend school. You DO have a choice - make it an educated one!"
4 comments:
- Betsy said...
Great post! When we lived in DC they would have these very intimidating commercials that simply said in bold letters "No shots, No school!!!" Ridiculous!
- August 3, 2010 at 6:25 AM
- Josh said...
Hi, hope it's OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway search engine: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh
- August 3, 2010 at 10:48 AM
- Trish said...
Thank you for writing this. I am on the other side of this - I have stopped vaccinations and some other things like tap water and fluoride, but realize that I still have a lot to learn about other environmental toxins in our diet and household.
- August 3, 2010 at 9:13 PM
- McKinney Clan said...
Perfectly said Pam!!! My husband told me I need to carry around disclaimer cards in case someone even mentions the word "shot". :)
- August 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM


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Here's a storyline you don't hear every day: Research In Motion's (NASDAQ: BBRY ) PlayBook tablet may be outselling Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL ) iPad. Specifically, we're talking about unit sales only within the U.K. and comparing RIM's PlayBook only with Apple's newest and most expensive iPad model.
According to recent estimates from market researcher Context, the Canadian company shipped 160,000 tablets during the last two months of 2012, enough to best the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display and its estimated 113,000 in unit shipments. A major contributing factor to that beat was that the PlayBook is significantly cheaper and targets lower-end markets. The tablet retails for 129 pounds, just a third of the 399 pound starting price for the iPad.
However, if you take a step back and look at the bigger picture and include all of Apple's iPad models, this comparison proves rather specious.
How about some context?
When you include all iPads, Apple's total jumps to 203,000, easily beating RIM's figures. Within the lower-end market, the iPad Mini starts at 269 pounds, while the older iPad 2 starts at 329 pounds.
One of the only reasons why the PlayBook is now seeing some demand is because RIM had to slash its price in order to move units. Demand was so low after the company launched the tablet in 2011 that one local reseller compared it to a "dog with fleas" at the time.
Additionally, if you look at total unit shipments throughout the PlayBook's time on the market, there really is no comparison.
This chart shows iPad and PlayBook shipments only for the quarters that RIM has offered the device. During that time, RIM has shipped a hair under 2 million PlayBooks over seven quarters. In comparison, Apple shipped 83.4 million iPads during the same time, or nearly 42 times as many tablets. That doesn't even include the 37.6 million iPads that aren't included in this chart.
Overall, RIM's PlayBook is not outselling the iPad. Not by a long shot.
Apple's growth story is far from over, and the company still has massive opportunities ahead. We've outlined them right here in The Motley Fool's premium Apple research service, and it may give you the courage to be greedy when others are fearful. If you're looking for some guidance on Apple's prospects, get started by clicking here.


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Homeland Coupon Policy * Country Mart Policy It's official!! Homeland and Country Mart stores will be accepting coupons that state "redeemable at". An email has been sent to all the store… read more...
Homeland coupon policy
Homeland and Country Mart Now Accepting "Redeemable At" Coupons!
Find more in : Country Mart, homeland deals, Oklahoma Deals, Queen Mum
Homeland's Stand on Manufacturer's Coupons With Other Stores Logos etc.
There have been a lot of questions lately on what Homeland's stand is on manufacturer's that state "redeemable" at or "redeem at" Wal-mart etc. (with or without store logo) and… read more...
Find more in : homeland deals
New Homeland Policy Change!!
Coupon Policy - Catalinas - Unadvertised Deals While teaching our coupon class in Norman last night I had a chance to talk with Homeland Corporate and received a heads up… read more...
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Snyder v. Phelps: A Slice of the Facts and Half an Opinion
Deana Pollard-Sacks
Texas Southern University - Thurgood Marshall School of Law
April 12, 2011
Cardozo Law Review De Novo, p. 64, 2011
In Snyder v. Phelps, the Supreme Court reviewed only the picketing aspect of the case, and found that the First Amendment precluded tort liability. The Court declined to consider whether tort liability for the online "epic" that targeted the Snyders personally was constitutional. Snyder v. Phelps is a very narrow opinion and adds little to the debate about whether tort liability for invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress arising from speech is constitutional.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 3
Date posted: April 14, 2011
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