text:
Rei R&R
Range - Mid
Kill - Yes
Steal - No
Terrain - Plain Field
Bio: Hijikata Mamoru (updates in my profile page)
Post your bio and I'll start :silly:
gold in sig
update earth a rank anf fire s rank
Behold my newly invented fire technique, KATON!..
Standing in front of you at mid-range, I start by forming some quick handseal and then send some of my chakra to infiltrate your chakra system and disrupt it. I make you see a huge, immense fireball falling from the sky and heading towards you, its heat is intense and can be sensed from meters before reaching the target.
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage Points:N/A
Description: The user casts an illusion where the opponent sees a huge ball of fire descending from the sky and enveloping its target.
Having caught your attention to the sky, I stealthly send my suiton chakra underneath your location creating a gushing water to emerge from underneath you. It immediately forms into a water bubble that imprisons you inside of it.
Rank: B
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short - Mid
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: N/A
Description: The user creates a flow of gushing water under the opponent which traps them in a sphere of water. The user can perform an attack while the opponent is trapped. This jutsu is similar to Water Prison Technique, though the user doesn't need to keep his arm in the sphere of water.
Note: Technique creates its own water source
As soon as the water begins to surround your body, I quickly focus some lightning chakra to my mouth an release a single spear of lightning towards the water bubble. When in contact, it will electrocute everything touching the water.
Rank: B
Type: Offense
Range: Short/Long
Chakra Cost: 20
Damage Points: 40
Description: The user emits a spear of lightning from their mouth. The spear can then split apart to strike multiple enemies.
Last edited by Tsūki; 02-14-2013 at 11:53 PM.
Reason: typo
I would notice a fire ball aim at me from the sky with hestation I started I would focus my body in a sturdy spot focus my doton chakra while perform Ram → Dog → Rat I would then comprese the chakra in my hand slam it down on the ground release the compresed chakra I held up ausing a circular arena to surround myself it began to riseing portecting me.But as 2 two second went by he notice nothing happen he began to ponder he would then start to hear a gushing sound water comeing from ground try to trap him
I would then gather fuuton chakra release great about wind on the water burst me throught my earth done that would then be l the destroyed the earth and bruiseing my body a bit. As I rised in the air where the water cannot reach me then see lighting spear head toward me. Focus my chakra inside of my body and perform Rat → Dog → Tiger spill out a fireball it would roll all the way to near you lighting that would ingnite with lighting over power if as conjuntion to head near you if hit it will erupted and expolde into ash.
(Doton: Tetsu Keimusho no Jutsu) - Earth Release: Iron Prison Technique
Rank: B
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short - Long
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: After first performing the required hand seals Ram → Dog → Rat the user then places their hand on the ground and causing a circular arena to surrend the user with a total distane of 15 meters away from the user and the walls standing up to 4 meters high. If these walls are damaged in any way, they disappear in a puff of smoke.
Fūton: Gōkūhō) - Wind Release: Great Vacuum Cannon
Rank: C
Chakra Cost:15
Damage Points:30
Description: The users gathers his Fuuton chakra into the lungs to blow out a sphere of air at his target that can blow backwards the opponent and small objects around him.
(Katon: Zukokku) - Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work
Rank: A
Type: Offense
Range: Short/Mid
Chakra Cost: 30
Damage Points: 60
Description: The user after performing the required hand seals Rat → Dog → Tiger fires a small fireball that erupts into a giant fire-storm after making contact with a surface, causing widespread destruction to the area. Since the flames travel along the ground, and cover such a wide area this is a difficult technique to evade. When combined with Wind Release: Pressure Damage, this technique is amplified to the point of being able to evaporate a large amount of water in an instant.
Forum Rules


text:
High-Fiving Strangers
One reason I absolutely love going to baseball games is because it's one of the only places where it's acceptable to high-five strangers. And last night, at the end of the most incredible baseball game I've ever experienced in the flesh, I was doing a lot of that!
My voice is gone and I'm short of words to describe the experience thus far, but my heart rate tells me: we're just gettin' started.
8 Comments
Wish I could be there to enjoy the fun with you. Go Cards!!
Pingback: RSBS Post Number 1,597
mortally mortared mortgage morticed mortices mortised mortiser mortises.
adult adunc adust adyta adzed adzes
aecia aedes. subpubic subraces subrents subrings subrules subsales subscale subsects.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Caseron Porteno
Caseron Porteno, Tango Guest House in Buenos Aires.
An oasis in the city of tango, Caseron Porteno offers daily tango lessons, warm hospitality and charming accommodations in a tranquil garden setting. With only 10 rooms (all of them with private bathroom), this B&B located in Palermo neighborhood offers breakfast, free internet access, maid service and tango lessons.
Caseon Porteno has 10 rooms in total, 5 suites and 5 standard rooms. The suites have air conditioning, TV and fridge, facing the garden. The standard rooms have private bathroom but outside the room, ceiling fan and they face the street.
Advice about arrival time.
Pay cash on arrival.
Check in time at 12pm
Check out time at 10am
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
B&B Facilities & Policies
- Air Conditioning
- Airport Transfers
- Free Breakfast
- Cable TV
- Card Phones
- Ceiling Fan
- Cots available
- Credit Cards Not Accepted
- Free Internet Access
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- House Keeping
- Late check-out
- Luggage Storage
- Non Smoking
- Outdoor Terrace
- Reception (limited hours)
- Safe Deposit Box
- Taxes included
- Towels Included
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Caseron Porteno is located in Palermo neighborhood, one of the nicest and safest in the city. We're just 2 blocks from Cabildo Avenue, where there are plenty of buses, supermarkets, restaurants, shops, banks, etc. We're also 4 blocks from Olleros subway station, which takes you in about 25 minutes to downtown.
Located Near
Caseron Porteno is located close to Palermo Hollywood and Las Canitas, two of the fanciest areas for nightlife in our city. There a huge variety of restaurants, pubs and bars can be found.


text:
Art Farmer was my mentor and was one of the wisest and kindest men I've ever met. My years under his tutelage were an invaluable part of my education. Art was my finishing school, and I'm profoundly grateful to him for how generous he was with his time, sharing his wisdom about music and life.
Art taught me what to value in this craft of jazz: the importance of taking risks and challenging yourself, yet never losing the fundamental primacy of playing in tune with a mature tone above all.
He would say, "Fill that horn with air! It doesn't matter how hip you can play if you don't maintain a good sound." And he really walked the talk, developing a tone so rich, round and warm, it has become the gold standard for anyone who is serious about the big horn.


text:
The Chicago Booth Entrepreneurial Roundtable provides educational programs and seminars for business owners and their advisers as well as those who are interested in acquiring or starting a business. Founded more than 25 years ago for the alumni of the Chicago Booth School of Business (formerly, the Chicago GSB), today the Roundtable is open to all.
Programs feature successful entrepreneurs or experts in growing businesses speaking on topics such as ideas for new businesses, building a management team, locating financing, developing a market and growing through acquisition. Attendance fees for these professional events are quite modest.
http://www.stonecliffproductions.com/index.html You can also click on the "Events - Recent" tab to find links to the videos AND the and Power Point slides and still images for various events.
Thank you for your interest in the Entrepreneurial Roundtable. We welcome your participation and your ideas!


text:
All Categories
- 9:30 Club
- Arena Stage - DC
- Birchmere
- Black Cat
- Charles E. Smith Center
- DAR Constitution Hall
- DC9 Nightclub
- EagleBank Arena
- Echostage
- FedExField
- FedExField Parking
- Fords Theatre
- George Mason Center For The Arts
- Howard Theatre - DC
- Jiffy Lube Live
- more
- Kennedy Center Concert Hall
- Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
- Kennedy Center Family Theater
- Kennedy Center Opera House
- Kennedy Center Theater Lab
- Lincoln Theatre DC
- Lisner Auditorium
- Maryland Stadium
- Music Center at Strathmore
- National Theatre
- Nationals Park
- Prince Georges Stadium
- Rock and Roll Hotel - DC
- Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
- Sixth & I Synagogue
- Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
- The Fillmore Silver Spring
- The Maryland Theatre
- U Street Music Hall
- Verizon Center
- Verizon Center Parking
- Warner Theatre - Washington D.C.
- Weinberg Center For The Arts
- Wolf Trap Farm
- Xfinity Center - MD
- fewer
We're sorry, but we currently have no tickets available for this event.
Check out our full selection of tickets or sign up to be notified when tickets for this event are available.
Avalon Theatre - MD Ticket Information
Attend upcoming events at Avalon Theatre - MD with the help of the Vivid Seats marketplace. Use the various on-page filter options to sort Avalon Theatre - MD tickets according to specific criteria such as category, time of day, day of the week, and month. Once you've settled on an event, press "Tickets" to view the Avalon Theatre - MD seating chart displaying the anticipated layout for the event (subject to change). Browse the full offering of Avalon Theatre - MD tickets, or filter by price, section, row, or quantity until you find the listing that meets your needs. To proceed to checkout, click the "Buy" button. Once logged in, you'll be able to complete fields for payment and shipping before verifying that all details of the Avalon Theatre - MD tickets order are accurate. Purchases must first be confirmed by the seller before they can be finalized and prepared for delivery. Contact us with questions by calling 866.848.8499 or connecting to Live Chat.


text:
Protect Your Capital: Never Chase High Yield
by Donald Cassidy
While several versions of the so-called efficient market hypothesis (EMH) have lost many adherents in recent years, the opposite proposition—that the market is definitely not totally stupid—is clearly valid. This is crucial for investors to remember when investing for yield.
Higher current yield reflects greater risk. This is true across asset types and among securities within the same type. Investors who chase yield are gambling, knowingly or naively, that the market is wrong and that their principal will not be significantly impaired. In the current artificial low-yield climate, risk to capital is real but is being ignored more than usual, as investors seek to replicate the income streams available pre-2007.
This article covers several income-oriented asset types: high-yield bonds, preferred stocks, so-called hybrid preferreds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), master limited partnerships (MLPs), closed-end funds and utility common stocks. While the capital soundness differs by asset type, one key caution is equally true for all: High yield means high risk.
In this article
- High-Yield Bonds
- Preferred Stocks
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs)
- Taxation-Risk Issues for REITs and MLPs
- Closed-End Funds
- Utility Common Stocks
- Conclusion
Share this article
Unfortunately, some securities salespeople gravitate to high-yield offerings since they are an 'easy sell' to clients, who seldom ask penetrating questions about attendant risks. Such pitches should be refused, as they are clues to the offerers' character. The aftermarket, readily accessed via numerous screening tools, can be just as dangerous for do-it-yourself investors without a salesperson making titillating offers.
High-Yield Bonds
Wall Street avoids use of the unappealing term "junk," but it is appropriate. Rating agencies have had some bad press lately, and their calls are sometimes backward-focused. But when a security is already assigned a lower grade, the rating should be heeded. Other bonds are unrated, and in such cases their yield will signal likely danger.
There is almost never any free lunch in terms of high yield. Issuers, whether corporate or sovereign, do not issue bonds with high interest rates because they feel generous or kind. High coupon rates exist because the market has demanded them (think Greece versus Germany). When an issuer's credit quality deteriorates, prices must fall as the apparent yield demanded by savvy buyers and holders rises.
Over several decades and business cycles, roughly 5% of outstanding junk bonds default in a typical year. Some will go to zero in bankruptcy, while others (after considerable delay) may pay back some or all of principal and/or interest. In the tech-bubble recession, corporate junk-bond defaults hit 12% for two years running.
A study by fund rating firm Lipper showed that the total return on high-yield bond funds was only 0.25% higher than that on all U.S. government bond funds (for the 20-year period ended in 1995). Surely that was inadequate premium income for the risk taken! The so-called risk premium above Treasury rates was well below average as of May 2013, because the economy has been improving and because investors are reaching for yield.
Historically, junk bond prices follow stocks rather than quality bonds because lower-quality issuers are more economically sensitive. An individual investor must be an exceptional analyst of economic and corporate trends (including the future trends) to choose junk bonds successfully.
Preferred Stocks
Two major types of straight (nonconvertible) preferred stocks exist: traditional preferreds and so-called hybrid preferreds. An excellent free website covering details on publicly traded preferred stocks is QuantumOnline (www.quantumonline.com). It not only summarizes key information such as callability and redemption dates, but in many cases it allows users to click through to an electronic copy of the original prospectus—a rare and often elusive document. [QuantumOnline.com requires visitors to register, but registration is free.]
Hybrid preferreds have extremely thick prospectuses because they are highly complex. Most pay notably above-market cash yields—that itself should be a flag. Often there are automatic-conversion provisions that will turn your holding into common stock and end the high preferred-dividend stream. The conversion usually creates not only a reduction of income, but also a loss of capital, unless the shares of the common stock have risen by a huge percentage. Also, the complex structure of these hybrid issues means they produce interest income (taxable at the holder's full marginal rate) rather than qualified dividends. QuantumOnline indicates the tax status of income. The high apparent yields offered by hybrids should warn investors to avoid the group.
Conventional preferred stocks stand below bonds and above common stocks in terms of claims on the issuer's assets and income stream. While preferred stock carries an indenture, its promise is weaker than that of a bond. Preferred stock dividends must be declared by a corporation's board of directors each quarter. While preferred stock dividends do come before any common stock dividends, they are by no means automatic or guaranteed. Prudence says to look closely at the earnings and dividend records to sense how strong the preferred stock dividend may be.
As to ratings, the aforementioned comments regarding bonds apply equally here. In the present low-yield climate, an investor must also beware of call dates. Most creditworthy issuers are calling preferreds when possible for two reasons: Issuers can refinance at lower cost; and debt interest (presently very low) is tax deductible, while preferred dividends are not.
Carefully calculate the overall net yield-to-call date, using the bond yield-to-maturity formula, on any preferred stock you are considering or already hold. [Yield to maturity measures what you will earn from all possible cash flows. The calculation can be complex, but several websites offer free yield-to-maturity calculators, such as Fidelity.com at https://powertools.fidelity.com/fixedincome/yield.do.]
A high cash yield for a preferred stock in an otherwise low-yield market indicates a risk of a near-term call and/or low quality. The market is not stupid, so expect that what seems too good to be true to be exactly that.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
A REIT is a special corporate structure under the IRS code. Qualifying companies pay no federal corporate income tax provided they pass through to shareholders essentially all their otherwise taxable income and capital gains each year. Therefore, REITs tend to yield more than other common stocks. In the reach for yield during recent years, REITs have become quite popular, and many mutual funds, ETFs and closed-end funds have been created to own them, further raising demand and thus lowering yields.
REITs fall broadly into two major types: equity (owning properties) and debt (making loans on real estate or holding realty-backed debt). Both types use leverage (as homeowners do in buying a house), but the debt-type REITs carry leverage to levels that in some cases would make now-failed banks blush. With both types of REITs, investors must look at the distribution rate as definitely not being guaranteed and in no way comparable to that of a bond or even a preferred stock. Dividends are declared every quarter based on business outlook and the ability to pay.
Fortunately, the low interest rates in recent years have allowed all creditworthy REITs to reduce interest cost (both from corporate bonds, if any, and mortgages on property held), so debt coverage has improved. Nevertheless, an investor should look carefully at debt-to-capital ratios and debt-maturity schedules before buying a REIT. Compare to those for comparable REITs—ones in the same type of business.
Type and location of property also affect risk. For example, a firm owning warehouses is at greater risk of tenant vacancy or default than one that owns and operates storage-garage facilities. You as an investor must balance your sense of relative business risk (which may change over time) in light of the relative yields offered by the REITs.
Generally, I resolutely require that a REIT raises its distribution at least once a year, or I will look elsewhere in the population of about 200. A rising payment stream has two advantages: It not only shows that the business is in improving health, but it also creates an automatic annual-review date for shareholders. If a REIT raises its dividend each fourth quarter, for example, an annual signal of whether things are still fine is established.
Mortgage or debt-holding REITs pose special issues and must be regarded with extreme caution at present. If you have any doubt about a REIT's assets, a quick check of its corporate website, or the online corporate profile offered by many financial sites, will give you the important figures. Another excellent clue is the yield on its shares. Anything in or near double digits should be a red flag.
Mortgage REITs are special favorites of investors who grab for high yield without understanding the accompanying risks. Do not be self-deluded! A typical mortgage REIT owns paper yielding about 5% on average, with its higher-rate loans being paid off as creditworthy homeowners refinance. How can its stock pay a yield of 10%, 12% or more? Through the "magic" of leverage. If the REIT borrows enough money at today's short-term rates (plus or minus 1% in late April 2013), it can create a positive spread between its asset returns (5%, in this example) and the cost of its capital.
Two things can go wrong: Short-term rates eventually will stop being held low by the Federal Reserve, or long-term rates will rise due to inflation or a healthier economy. Both could also happen. When short-term rates do rise, the REIT will have reduced earnings per share and the dividend will be reduced. Shares will fall in price, giving holders a capital loss. A third thing could go wrong, too: The underlying mortgages go into default. (This was viewed as being unthinkable until 2008.)
A long-term chart history of the largest mortgage REIT, Annaly Capital Management Inc. (NLY), is something every investor should examine before considering any mortgage REIT's stock. The dividend you get at any time from this or any REIT is not guaranteed, as Figure 1 shows. Do not think of an REIT's dividend like bond interest! I expect further reductions in common dividends here and from other mortgage REITs, as interest rates move as described above. Your income will fall, and your principal will shrink.
I recommend BigCharts.com (www.bigcharts.com) for analyzing prices and dividend history, though other good sites may be available. Using the advanced charts feature on Big Charts, you can plot earnings per share and dividends for 10 years or more, right under the stock price chart.
Get our weekly AAII Investor Update newsletter FREE!
It's packed with insights, education and guidance on stock and fund investing. PLUS you'll get a FREE copy of "Profitable Retirement Planning," our comprehensive 45 page guide to generating income and making your money last in retirement.
A final note about REITs (which I like, but which are not the simplest assets): Many investors enjoy the distribution stream from their REITs because typically a large portion of the payment is considered a return of capital for IRS purposes and therefore not taxed under current tax laws. As with any investment, return of capital decreases the owner's cost basis. So upon sale, there is a capital gain to be taxed. And politics will determine future capital gains rates. Many investors prefer to own REITs in their tax-deferred or tax-free (Roth IRA) accounts to lower their current tax liability.
Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs)
There are broadly two pure MLP types: One primarily harvests assets (oil, gas, timber), and a second acts as mainly a transporter (pipeline). But there is a third variety that performs a mix of functions. Those that harvest assets have higher risk and potentially higher reward, since their profits and probably their distributions will vary with the quantity of product produced and the price of a product. These typically trade at higher yields than the pipelines, which are mainly toll collectors. Within the asset-harvesting types, proven reserves and their locations will be major drivers of perceived desirability and therefore price and yield.
Generally, an investor can expect a steady or gradually rising distribution pattern from the pipeline type of MLPs. Their profit fluctuates mildly with the overall economy, and demand for energy has tended to rise over time. Here, I would apply my rule of requiring an annual increase in payments as a criterion for buying or holding, as there are competitors available that do pass the test.
The same is not true for the resource-owning MLPs, however. They hope not to cut dividend rates, but a prolonged period of low prices or falling production may force unfavorable action by directors. In both cases, fortunately, significant non-cash charges such as depreciation or depletion create cash flow beyond reported earnings, possibly cushioning payouts during slack times.
The market factors in all these uncertainties and generally demands a higher cash yield from MLPs whose business models are more risky—those that produce resources. So an investor should not assume the latest distribution rate represents a future guarantee. The degree of debt financing can also affect the dependability of payments. Either business prudence or contractual loan terms can sometimes force cuts in distribution rates if business goes soft. The more leverage, the greater the risk. The bottom line for investors is, again, that high yield has a meaning and one should reach for it only after having carefully studied and decided to accept the attendant risks.
As with REITs, distributions from MLPs usually include significant returns of capital and the cost basis is reduced accordingly upon sale. Also, MLPs generate K-1 tax documents with mild resulting filing complexity, rather than 1099 income as from a REIT, and reporting often runs well into March or later, creating stress and a last-minute rush in filing taxes. This is one reason many investors and some institutions avoid MLPs, creating an inefficient (low-demand) market, which raises yield. There is one other important tax warning regarding MLPs: The IRS code imposes an unrelated business income tax on qualified retirement accounts that earn $1,000 or more in reported K-1 income, and losses do not offset gains. For this reason holding MLPs in an IRA or similar vehicle is risky; consult your personal tax adviser!
Taxation-Risk Issues for REITs and MLPs
Washington is looking for revenue, and anything that focuses on higher-income households seems a target as a "loophole." Thus, REITs and MLPs might be at risk for a change in taxation, with taxes imposed at the corporate level.
In at least the near term, it will be argued by strong lobbies that changing the rules would cost jobs, and assets would be priced down because distribution rates would be reduced. That scenario played out in Canada in 2011 when (less long-established) royalty trust tax rules were repealed.
In a balanced-power Congress, I believe the worst fate for REITs and MLPs might be a grandfathering of the present tax rules for existing entities, and reduced or eliminated tax benefits for any newly created entities. However, watch the 2014 election polls in advance: If the president's party were to win both houses of Congress, the odds of getting comprehensive tax reform legislation passed improve.
Closed-End Funds
Most recently issued closed-end funds (CEFs) at least begin their lives with "managed" or flat-distribution policies, typically offering the investor about an 8% annual cash return. This structure helps Wall Street market new closed-end funds, and the high yields tend to cushion the prices from falling sharply in the aftermarket. The problem is that underlying securities in the funds cannot dependably pay 8% (or more, before expenses).
There are two ways to continue high distributions: Use leverage as REITs do (although much lower rates are allowed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules for closed-end funds), or pay out more than is being earned.
Excess distributions by nature reduce assets per share in a fund. Such a process becomes increasingly untenable over multiple years. Imagine a fund earning $0.60 per share on a starting $10 asset base, but paying $1.00 annually. The net asset value (NAV) per share is depleted by $0.40 per year, making it increasingly impossible to earn the starting amount, and raising the unearned deficit over time. The eventual likely outcome is a cut in payments, which will also slash the market price, a double whammy.
Once again, reaching for high yield is a recipe for high risk and probable loss. The website CEF Connect (www.cefconnect.com) is an excellent resource for data on closed-end funds; one figure that is updated quarterly and can signal likelihood of future trouble is found under the Distributions tab at a fund's page: undistributed net investment income per share (UNII/share).
Utility Common Stocks
As with other investments providing current yield, utility stocks have risen in price and declined in yield in recent years as investors have sought alternatives to government bonds, whose yields are now negative after taxes and inflation. Here again, the temptation is to reach for the higher-yielding utilities, but, predictably, this means taking on the risk of a dividend cut. Many analysts advise watching the payout ratio (dividend rate divided by latest earnings per share) of utilities as a good warning device. My caution would be that utility earnings can vary considerably across all types because of regulatory lags regarding allowed rates, and earnings of gas and electric companies can fluctuate notably with the weather.
The rubric of requiring at least an annual dividend increase is important. It shows the firm is still healthy in directors' eyes, and it provides a scheduled "annual checkup" as a signal for investors. Dozens of utilities pass this test, and while they trade at lower percentage yields (less risk) than those with flat dividends, they are safer and more likely to provide future price appreciation driven by rising dividends.
One utility group in particular is of major current concern: telephone stocks. The phone business is commoditized and subject to price wars. People eventually can spend only a limited amount of hours (and money) texting, downloading and grabbing songs. The time limit may be reached soon. Check out the available stock list: Most are losing money, and those with positive earnings per share are paying out more than they earn, or nearly all [e.g., AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)].
Get our weekly AAII Investor Update newsletter FREE!
It's packed with insights, education and guidance on stock and fund investing. PLUS you'll get a FREE copy of "Profitable Retirement Planning," our comprehensive 45 page guide to generating income and making your money last in retirement.
This spring's casualty was CenturyLink Inc. (CTL), whose earnings have declined despite economic recovery. Its board cut the annual dividend from $2.90 per share to $2.16 per share. A wise investor could see it coming: Why would CenturyLink yield over 7% while AT&T and Verizon returned 4.5% to 5%? CenturyLink's stock dropped from $42 to $32 on the news. A nearly 25% capital loss wipes out many years of approximately 2% higher yield!
Here is another example: Since 2010, Frontier Communications Corp. (FTR) has twice cut its payments—from $1.00 per share to $0.75 per share—and now pays $0.40 per share annually. In five years its stock has fallen from over $12 to $4 recently. The high yield (still 9.8%!) was only apparently as high as the numbers said. Once again, the market is not stupid. Investors playing the yield-reach game got burned.
Relative quality, and therefore income and capital safety, can also be seen in local pairs of electric companies. Look at 10-year charts, including dividends, for NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE) and TECO Energy Inc. (TE) in Florida, and UNS Energy Corp. (UNS) and Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (PNW) in Arizona. Relative yield always tells the tale of risk.
Table 1 summarizes the key considerations and strategy for each security type covered here.
The market, while not reliably efficient, is not dependably stupid. Income vehicles trading at higher yields within their asset classes do so because of greater risk—of reduced income payments and the underlying asset price.
|High-Yield Bonds*
|• These correlate with stocks
|• Sell/avoid
|• Best bought when economy has been in recession a while
|• Not long-term holds
|Preferred Stocks*
|• Closely watch call dates
|• Don't pay more than two dividends over par
|Hybrid Preferreds*
|• Adverse auto-convert rules
|• Sell/avoid
|REITs: Mortgage*
|• Mortgage REITs' dividends ends will be cut if short-term rates rise
|• Avoid the tempting high-yield trap
|REITs: Equity*
|• Annual dividend growth is a MUST
|• Selective buy/hold
|• Annual dividend growth is a MUST
|• Selective buy/hold
|• Producers reflect oil and gas prices
|• Depends on opinion of energy prices
|Telecommunication Utilities*
|• Commoditized; high payouts
|• Avoid
|Electric & Gas Utilities*
|• Annual dividend growth is a MUST
|• Avoid when rates rise
|Closed-End Funds
|• Discounts will widen as short-term rates rise or stocks fall
|• Don't pay premiums
|• Managed distributions not sure bet
|• Avoid most
|*Considerations and actions also apply to exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds of this type.
It is tempting but very risky to reach for yield. In some future business downturn, companies seeming to offer higher yields now are most at risk of reducing or skipping their payouts. Unless an investor is unusually prescient and adept at selling or has proven skills at finding lasting bargains among depressed securities, yield chasing is a losing game.
If you need more income than the present rate environment allows, accept lower yield with safety and growth, and sell off a couple of percent of assets annually as an income supplement. Always avoid yield chasing.
James Vanek from AZ posted over 3 years ago:
Excellent article! Sorry to say there are
no free lunches.
Fernando Robles from FL posted over 3 years ago:
Many valid points in the article, unquestionably. However, regarding T's dividend, a look at its free cash flow seems to indicate that the dividend is well-covered. The key is nimbly to get in and out when appropriate in all situations because long-term holding is a killer of returns.
Fernando Robles from FL posted over 3 years ago:
Many valid points in the article, unquestionably. However, regarding T's dividend, a look at its free cash flow seems to indicate that the dividend is well-covered. The key is nimbly to get in and out when appropriate in all situations because long-term holding is a killer of returns. Interesting that the writer is the author of "It's When You Sell That Counts".
Erik Rosaen from MI posted over 3 years ago:
Interesting that T is an AAII dividend pick.
Kenneth Smith from NJ posted over 3 years ago:
Good basic article. I agree that Quantum on line is a very valuable resource. I have used it many times to find preferred stocks and it has kept me out of some potential disasters (some RBS preferred shares three years ago).
Robert Albers from IL posted over 3 years ago:
I truly applaud you for the reasoned research that went into this article. I have copied it out to my collection of materials on income investing in general. One thought: If you take the word "current" out of "current yield", then a certain type of dividend growth investing (with a concentration of the growth part)would result in a higher income each year one held the asset. Thus, the income goes up, and really, most income oriented investors would be OK with this. The catch is that they have to start with 3%-3% yields, and work higher over time. If someone has the time, then this is a way to reach for yield, but not "current" yield
Robert Albers, dividendgrowthinvesting.com
Robert Hardy from MI posted over 3 years ago:
i have invested in 10 MLP Pipeline over the last 15 years and have found them to be an excellent investment. Pick the best. Tax are paid on about 20% of the mony received and 80% is return of capital.....
David Fulcher from KY posted over 3 years ago:
I have made good money on preferred stocks and have been investing in them for years. I only invest in investment grade stocks and never pay over the call price. They have taken a hit lately but most was priced well above the call price.I just collect the dividends and hold on.
Mary Niedermeier from WI posted over 3 years ago:
How do you feel about the 5- and 10-year stats for NLY? Can it be looked at longer term?
Ryan James from AL posted over 3 years ago:
What about BDCs like MAIN, TCAP, ARCC, and HTGC?
Henry Hanau from NY posted over 3 years ago:
I've always been fearful of Preferred Stocks, not because of call features, but the fact that they have the longest maturities of any fixed income instrument.
M Hinnant from GA posted over 3 years ago:
An excellent article. I hold all of these instruments with the exception of High Yield Bonds, Hybrid Preferreds, and Mortgage REITS which I have avoided for exactly the reasons given. CEFS (Muni & Corp) have been on a declining price trend since talk (May) of Fed tapering began. I think these could be attractive in the next couple of months.
Patrick Calby from IL posted over 2 years ago:
Good basic summary of different kinds of yield producing investments, but a rather short sighted view of how to invest in them. Not much help for the average investor on how to access these types of investments or how to invest in them. They are like most any investment you get involved in. You need to understand it and the risks, buy at good prices, cut back or get out if the prices get too high or they decline more than your tolerence, and in general stick with high quality and good management. Either be a good analyst or have a trustworthy advisor.
You would be hard pressed to tell anyone who has been invested in MMP for the last 10 years or O and OHI between 2009-2013 that MLPs and REITs are high yield traps. AMLP has been a good investment since it was started in 2010. T and VZ were also very profitable for and pay nice dividends while you are waiting for price appreciation. JNK had a very long run of dividends plus appreciation and the only mistake would have been to sell it. I've been watching junk bonds for going on 20 years and there have been only a few short periods where investing in them would have created a substantial loss. Preferreds have also been an excellent place to invest the last five years. High yield investing can be very profitable investment style and especially for retirees or others with specific income goals. As always the investments need to be monitored and higher yield may may need to be monitored more closely due to potentially higher risk. Risks may be different for these assets now in a rising rate environment than in the long declining rate environment, but to suggest they should be avoided is misleading. High yield definitely has a place in a diversified portfolio. Like any investment style, too much of it can be a problem.
This is a typical surface type review article that doesn't really offer any meat other than a vocabulary review.


text:
Innovation and Improvement
Striving Readers
- The Striving Readers Program aims to:
- Raise middle and high school students' literacy levels in Title I-eligible schools with significant numbers of students reading below grade-levels.
- Build a strong, scientific research base for identifying and replicating strategies that improve adolescent literacy skills.
Striving Readers Applications
- FY12 Striving Readers Continuing Application
- FY11 Striving Readers Budget Amendment
Illinois State Comprehensive Literacy Team Members(3/11)


text:
On this day: September 24
Published On: Sep 23 2012 04:39:49 AM CDT Updated On: Sep 24 2016 01:00:00 AM CDT
America's first National Monument is declared, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is launched, we say goodbye to Dr. Seuss, and Nirvana hits it big with "Nevermind," all on this day.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.


text:
SI500 - Sound Clarity Sound Isolating In Ear Earphones w/Linx Audio and Remote/Mic - Copper
The SI500 Sound Clarity Noise Isolation In-Ear Headphones with Mic/Remote from Able Planet provide lifelike sound in a compact and lightweight design. The headphones have a triple-element architecture with 15mm and 7mm neodymium drivers and magnetostrictive Linx Coils to provide clear audio with a wide frequency response. They also have the patented and award-winning LINX AUDIO technology,...
Telemax Brain Acid Earbuds (Pink/White)
Brain Acid in-ear buds deliver a bigger, badder listening experience. Their small 9mm driver delivers clear detail and balanced tonal range, while the flexible ear cushions fit in a variety of different ears. They sit securely in your ear while blocking external noise


text:
Police: Woman's blood-alcohol content was 0.37 percentSeptember 12,2013By Patrick McArdle
Staff Writer
BENNINGTON — A Readsboro woman is facing criminal charges after police said she assaulted a Vermont State Police trooper who came to check on her welfare Sept. 5 and found she had a blood alcohol content of 0.37 percent.
Jenny Girardi, 37, was arraigned Monday in Bennington criminal court on misdemeanor charges of simple assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. She pleaded innocent to the charges and was released without bail.
In an affidavit, Trooper Lauren Ronan said she went to Girardi's home around 6:45 p.m. Sept. 5 after getting a call from the father of Girardi's 3-year-old daughter. The father said he was concerned about his daughter because when he spoke to
Girardi, she sounded "very intoxicated."
Ronan said when she arrived at Girardi's home, Girardi was "slurring her speech and was not making sense." Ronan said Girardi first told her that her daughter was with Girardi's father but when Ronan asked if she could check the child's room, Girardi "began pulling blankets and sheets off of the bed" and "acted surprised" when the child wasn't there.
During her arraignment, Jeffrey Rubin, the attorney who represented Girardi said that activity may have been "sarcasm" on his client's part.
Ronan said Girardi's boyfriend arrived at the home while she was there and told her that while Girardi drinks alcohol he had never seen her "that bad."
In the affidavit, Ronan said she became concerned that Girardi was going to hurt her (Ronan), herself (Girardi) or her boyfriend, who she was blaming for Ronan's presence.
According to Ronan, Girardi agreed to provide a breath sample but became agitated and assaulted Ronan when Ronan attempted to obtain the breath sample. Girardi also resisted when Ronan attempted to put her into handcuffs, Ronan said.
After Girardi was placed in Ronan's cruiser, she gave the breath sample which tested at 0.37 percent for Girardi's blood alcohol level, more than four an a half times the legal limit of 0.08 percent for driving in Vermont.
From the Vermont State Police barracks in Shaftsbury, Ronan was able to confirm that Girardi's daughter was with Girardi's father.
Rubin didn't deny that Girardi had been drinking but said she had allowed herself to indulge because she "had a rare day off from work" and didn't have her child in her care on that day.
Judge Nancy Corsones, however, expressed strong concerns about the alleged level of intoxication and what it could mean for Girardi and her future appearance in court.
"The ultimate failure to appear is death and we don't want that to happen at all," Corsones said.
Corsones also urged Girardi to "open up her eyes" to the possibility that she had an alcohol problem.
email@example.com IN This Just InMONTPELIER A new report from a commission that studied the cost, availability and quality of... Full StoryVermont fish hatchery changes focus, looks inland
BETHEL, Vt. Full StoryHONOLULU (AP) A group of Hawaii musicians and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant provided... Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed


text:
Posts in this category
- Current State of Exceptions in Rakudo and Perl 6
- Meet DBIish, a Perl 6 Database Interface
- doc.perl6.org and p6doc
- Exceptions Grant Report for May 2012
- Exceptions Grant Report -- Final update
- Perl 6 Hackathon in Oslo: Be Prepared!
- Localization for Exception Messages
- News in the Rakudo 2012.05 release
- News in the Rakudo 2012.06 release
- Perl 6 Hackathon in Oslo: Report From The First Day
- Perl 6 Hackathon in Oslo: Report From The Second Day
- Quo Vadis Perl?
- Rakudo Hack: Dynamic Export Lists
- SQLite support for DBIish
- Stop The Rewrites!
- Upcoming Perl 6 Hackathon in Oslo, Norway
- A small regex optimization for NQP and Rakudo
- Pattern Matching and Unpacking
- Rakudo's Abstract Syntax Tree
- The REPL trick
- First day at YAPC::Europe 2013 in Kiev
- YAPC Europe 2013 Day 2
- YAPC Europe 2013 Day 3
- A new Perl 6 community server - call for funding
- New Perl 6 community server now live, accepting signups
- A new Perl 6 community server - update
- All Perl 6 modules in a box
- doc.perl6.org: some stats, future directions
- Profiling Perl 6 code on IRC
- Why is it hard to write a compiler for Perl 6?
- Writing docs helps you take the user's perspective
- Perl 6 Advent Calendar 2016 -- Call for Authors
- Perl 6 By Example: Running Rakudo
- Perl 6 By Example: Formatting a Sudoku Puzzle
- What is Perl 6?
- Perl 6 By Example, Another Perl 6 Book
- A shiny perl6.org site
- Creating an entry point for newcomers
- An offer for software developers: free IRC logging
- Sprixel, a 6 compiler powered by JavaScript
- Announcing try.rakudo.org, an interactive Perl 6 shell in your browser
- Another perl6.org iteration
- Blackjack and Perl 6
- Why I commit Crud to the Perl 6 Test Suite
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 5: Implement Str.trans
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 8: Implement $*ARGFILES for Rakudo
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 6: Improve Book markup
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 2: Fix up a test
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 9: Implement Hash.pick for Rakudo
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 11: Improve an error message for Hyper Operators
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 - Lottery Intermission
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 3: Write supporting code for the MAIN sub
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 1: A website for proto
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 4: Implement :samecase for .subst
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 10: Implement samespace for Rakudo
- This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 7: Implement try.rakudo.org
- What is the "Cool" class in Perl 6?
- Report from the Perl 6 Hackathon in Copenhagen
- Custom operators in Rakudo
- A Perl 6 Date Module
- Defined Behaviour with Undefined Values
- Dissecting the "Starry obfu"
- The case for distributed version control systems
- Perl 6: Failing Softly with Unthrown Exceptions
- Perl 6 Compiler Feature Matrix
- The first Perl 6 module on CPAN
- A Foray into Perl 5 land
- Gabor: Keep going
- First Grant Report: Structured Error Messages
- Second Grant Report: Structured Error Messages
- Third Grant Report: Structured Error Messages
- Fourth Grant Report: Structured Error Messages
- Google Summer of Code Mentor Recap
- How core is core?
- How fast is Rakudo's "nom" branch?
- Building a Huffman Tree With Rakudo
- Immutable Sigils and Context
- Is Perl 6 really Perl?
- Mini-Challenge: Write Your Prisoner's Dilemma Strategy
- List.classify
- Longest Palindrome by Regex
- Perl 6: Lost in Wonderland
- Lots of momentum in the Perl 6 community
- Monetize Perl 6?
- Musings on Rakudo's spectest chart
- My first executable from Perl 6
- My first YAPC - YAPC::EU 2010 in Pisa
- Trying to implement new operators - failed
- Programming Languages Are Not Zero Sum
- Perl 6 notes from February 2011
- Notes from the YAPC::EU 2010 Rakudo hackathon
- Let's build an object
- Perl 6 is optimized for fun
- How to get a parse tree for a Perl 6 Program
- Pascal's Triangle in Perl 6
- Perl 6 in 2009
- Perl 6 in 2010
- Perl 6 in 2011 - A Retrospection
- Perl 6 ticket life cycle
- The Perl Survey and Perl 6
- The Perl 6 Advent Calendar
- Perl 6 Questions on Perlmonks
- Physical modeling with Math::Model and Perl 6
- How to Plot a Segment of a Circle with SVG
- Results from the Prisoner's Dilemma Challenge
- Protected Attributes Make No Sense
- Publicity for Perl 6
- PVC - Perl 6 Vocabulary Coach
- Fixing Rakudo Memory Leaks
- Rakudo architectural overview
- Rakudo Rocks
- Rakudo "star" announced
- My personal "I want a PONIE" wish list for Rakudo Star
- Rakudo's rough edges
- Rats and other pets
- The Real World Strikes Back - or why you shouldn't forbid stuff just because you think it's wrong
- Releasing Rakudo made easy
- Set Phasers to Stun!
- Starry Perl 6 obfu
- Recent Perl 6 Developments August 2008
- The State of Regex Modifiers in Rakudo
- Strings and Buffers
- Subroutines vs. Methods - Differences and Commonalities
- A SVG plotting adventure
- A Syntax Highlighter for Perl 6
- Test Suite Reorganization: How to move tests
- The Happiness of Design Convergence
- Thoughts on masak's Perl 6 Coding Contest
- The Three-Fold Function of the Smart Match Operator
- Perl 6 Tidings from September and October 2008
- Perl 6 Tidings for November 2008
- Perl 6 Tidings from December 2008
- Perl 6 Tidings from January 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from February 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from March 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from April 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from May 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from May 2009 (second iteration)
- Perl 6 Tidings from June 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from August 2009
- Perl 6 Tidings from October 2009
- Timeline for a syntax change in Perl 6
- Visualizing match trees
- Want to write shiny SVG graphics with Perl 6? Port Scruffy!
- We write a Perl 6 book for you
- When we reach 100% we did something wrong
- Where Rakudo Lives Now
- Why Rakudo needs NQP
- Why was the Perl 6 Advent Calendar such a Success?
- What you can write in Perl 6 today
- Why you don't need the Y combinator in Perl 6
- You are good enough!
Wed, 19 May 2010
This Week's Contribution to Perl 6 Week 3: Write supporting code for the MAIN sub
Permanent link
For this week's contribution to Perl 6 we ask you to write some Perl 6 code that parses command line arguments, and might end up in the code base of a Perl 6 compilers.
(Introduction to this series of challenges)
In Perl 6 you can write a sub MAIN that is automatically called when the script is run, and it handles command line parsing for you.
So for example if you write
sub MAIN($filename, *@rest, :$verbose) { ... }
And you call the script as
perl6 create_many_copies.pl --verbose=2 /etc/password pw1 pw2 pw3
The parameters are automatically set to
$filename =
'/etc/password', @rest = ('pw1', 'pw2', 'pw3') and
$verbose =
What you can do
Write a subroutine in Perl 6 that takes an array of command line arguments, and a hash of option names that are declared as Bool, and returns an array of positional arguments, and a hash of named arguments
sub process-cmd-args(@args, %boolean-names) { ... return @positional-arguments, %named-arguments; }
It should separate the named arguments (options) and the ordinary,
positional arguments. For example a command line argument of
--myname=23 should be result in a hash entry
%named-arguments{'myname'} = 23. If a named option is declared as
Bool, then
--myoption foo is turned into
%named-arguments{'myoption'} = True, @positional-arguments =
'foo'. Otherwise it is taken as
%named-arguments{'myoption'} = 'foo'.
The specification describes the various syntax forms in detail, but you are very welcome to implement only parts of them. For example it's recommended to ignore the negation forms, short names and spaces inside options.
We will then use the separate positional and named arguments to call the MAIN routine.
If you need some more background on how to write Perl 6 code, I recommend to start with a book that is currently being written (you can find a fairly up-to-date PDF version here.). See also our documentation overview.
Your program should run with the current Rakudo Perl 6 compiler - bonus points if you also provide some tests.
Please send your submission to the email@example.com mailing list, and set me (firstname.lastname@example.com) as CC, because the mailing list sometimes has a large delay.
Update:: patrickas has submitted one implementation to this github repository. Instead of starting your own implementation, you can also contribute to this one (ask on #perl6 for commit access), and of course you're still eligible for winning a cool Perl 6 or Rakudo t-shirt.
If you have any questions, please ask the mailing list, me or (preferred) on our IRC channel, #perl6.
I will try to integrate the best submission into Rakudo (though it might not happen before the upcoming release on Tuesday).


text:
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/190977
- Title
- A qualitative ventilation model for prototype cavity structure
- Author(s)
- Chawynski, G.; Naser, J.
- Abstract
- Creating a physical model structure that is able to simulate different ventilation scenarios is essential for improving the understanding of passive designs that are both sustainable and environmentally acceptable. The purpose of this investigation was to build a physical prototype model that could be heated from both the outside and inside to duplicate an occupied structure during the morning hours. This model was then used to provide information for two Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models to firstly compare and then validate results obtained from experimental data. A sample of computational findings was initially presented in . This paper presents the experimental sections used to validate numerical simulation in and incorporates findings from . The experimental component consisted of approximately 80% of the overall investigation. The findings enabled a better scientific understanding of how a structure's thermal performance can be improved by mechanically forcing air (to simulate outside wind) inside to both lower and create an overall uniform internal air temperature distribution in a cavity enclosure. A chart-based model is proposed to qualitatively gauge the temperature inside a cavity enclosure for different ventilation scenarios.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences
- Source
- Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology, Vol. 26, no. 5 (Sep 2011), pp. 629-648
- Publication year
- 2011
- FOR Code(s)
- 0905 Civil Engineering; 0914 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
- Keyword(s)
- Natural ventilation; Passive cooling; Prototype cavity ventilation model
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- 0886-7798
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Peer reviewed


text:
An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed-out driver on a busy street. Suddenly the light turned yellow just in front of him. The first driver did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating driver behind him hit the roof and the horn at the same time. He shook his fist at the first driver while screaming in frustration that he had missed his chance to get through the intersection. He was still in mid-rant when he heard a tap on his window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered him to exit his car with his hands up. The officer took him to the police station where he was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell. After a couple of hours, another policeman approached the cell and opened the door.
The man was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with his personal effects. The officer said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, shaking your fist at the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. So, naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."
I would hope that none of you think that the moral to this story is simply just don't put any Christian symbols on the back of our car. I think that the better solution would be to drive as though Jesus were always sitting right beside you. What makes us think that we can hide something from our omnipotent God anyway? God sees the things that we do right as well as the things that we do wrong. And although God does not like the bad stuff, God is very forgiving, especially when we meaningfully repent and do those bad things no more. What that says is that God cares about what we do and what we say. And what we have to remember is that as Christians everything that we do, in some way, reflects on Him.
The issue is that it is not just God who watches; many people observe us to see what a Christian will do. Sometimes they watch just to confirm their suspicions and sometimes they really want to learn how to act. So no matter what we do and no matter how we react, it is always as a witness--good or bad. And it is not just other adults; children probably follow our actions more closely than either our friends or our enemies do. Therefore when we step back to take a good look at ourselves, how do we answer these questions, "What am I really teaching?" and "Is that what God wants me to teach?"
Highly stressful times, as when there are more bills at the end of the month than there is money, or when the plane is stuck on the tarmac, or when the guests have all arrived and the meal is nowhere near ready, or when it has been a bad day and the store with twenty check-out lanes only has three open, or when someone driving in front of us will not do what we want them to do--those can be the best occasions to teach. I know that it is not easy, but perhaps that is the best time to truly consider what you are teaching by your actions. It could just be the best classroom you can ever have to teach about the love of God.
God's Peace, Pastor Randy
Deuteronomy 11:18-19: You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
Worship services at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 409 N. Wilbern in Runge begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Special events this week are the Runge 2013 Graduates Bunco Party and the Runge Faculty and Staff Appreciation Hoopla. Ladies' Bible Study is Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Monecke's home and Wednesday night Bible Study at the church begins at 6:30 with focus on Jesus' Parables. Come and see - you are welcome.


text:
What is in this article?:
- Corn prices — don't look a gift horse in the mouth
- Time to make decisions
- It's decision-making time for those marketing corn, grain analyst Richard Brock says. Look for a combination of crop insurance, hedge-to-arrive contracts and call and put options.
- Rapidly improving corn genetics have kept corn yield respectable through several years of unfavorable weather. If there is ever a year when everything goes right, yields could respond in a big way.
- The Midwest is setting up for a good year if the weather cooperates. The region has ample soil moisture and fertilizer applications have been made.
More About:
There are three factors to watch in the corn market over the next five months, said grain analyst Richard Brock — planted acreage, corn yield potential and feed and residual use.
Brock, addressing producers at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show in February, believes that the latter should be decreasing in the next few months because USDA is projecting more corn being crushed for ethanol, therefore allowing for more substitution of DDGs, which would reduce the feed and residual number. Feed and residual use for 2010-11 is currently estimated at 5.2 billion bushels, but Brock said it could be as low as 4.9 billion bushels. "That would be a reduction of 300 million bushels added to the carryover."
Brock estimates that corn ending stocks will increase from 675 million bushels in 2010-11 to 979 million bushels in 2011-12. "That's still reasonably tight, but if you add 300 million bushels from feed and residual, that takes you to 1.279 billion bushels."
Brock believes corn acreage will fall between 91 million and 92 million acres this season. He pegs corn yield at 166 bushels, a number which might be too low, especially if favorable growing conditions allow corn genetics to reach their full potential.
Brock believes that rapidly improving genetics have kept corn yields respectable through several years of unfavorable weather. But if there's ever a year when everything goes right, yields could respond in a big way.
The Midwest is setting up nicely for such a year, he says. "I have never seen better soil moisture and conditions in prior to spring planting. In 2009, we had the worst fall we ever had. It was wet and it was long. Farmers were still harvesting corn in January. There were cartoons going around of a combine running through the field with the corn planter right behind it."
That was followed in 2010 by the earliest harvest in history. That led to timely ground preparation for this season's crop. "We had the heaviest fall fertilizer application we've ever seen. Now the big question is how big is the opening for planting going to be this spring."
If it all comes together, yield pushing 172 bushels per acre "is not out of the realm of possibility," Brock said. "Obviously, you can't count on that until you get the crop planted, but if you get this crop planted and get to the middle of June without any major crop problems or heat issues, we could really ramp these yields up.
"If U.S. growers plant 92 million acres of corn and produce a yield of 172 bushels per acre, carryover jumps to 1.6 billion, and you're looking at a corn crop that's $2 a bushel overpriced.
"The bulls will argue that we have a tight stocks-to-use ratio and if we have any delays getting planted or weather problems in May and June, we could blow the top off the market. But I think that's a tough bet. I can build a fundamental argument for bearish scenarios in corn, cotton and soybeans. All it takes is one good crop. But we have to get them planted."


text:
A control arm holds your wheels and tires to the frame of your car and allows the wheels to go up and down when hitting bumps while staying straight and perpendicular to the road. It is often a V-shaped component, which is why it has obtained the informal name of "car wishbone." The control arm attaches to the front wheel and knuckle assemblies of a vehicle to the support frame. Wear and tear will inevitably cause the control arm's bushings to deteriorate causing movement and noises in the suspension and steering while the vehicle is driving. This can be clunking, knocking sounds, or high speed vibrations.
A vibrating control arm can cause much stress to you and your vehicle while driving, so if you recognize that need a replacement, order online before your part's poor condition becomes a real problem.
Shopping for a discount upper control arm? lower control arm?
-New control arms at the lowest prices? You don't have to give up quality or customer service! Prime Choice Auto Parts is your online control arm factory outlet store offering the best in customer service, quality, and price. Check out what our customers are saying about us.
Do you want the lowest priced control arm for your truck or car? Buy a quality control arm with confidence by purchasing directly from the auto parts manufacturer. We are not an auto parts store; we are an auto parts wholesaler with factory outlet prices.
Our new control arms are quality built and we ensure the highest manufacturing specifications for every control arm we sell. All Prime Choice Auto all control arms are inspected before they are shipped from our 100,000 square foot state of the art auto parts warehouse to ensure you receive the highest possible quality control arm for the right vehicle.
We understand that you are purchasing a control arm, upper control arm, lower control arm today because you need them today. Most Prime Choice Auto Parts control arm orders include free shipping and are packed and shipped the same day. Prime choice auto parts is a fully owner operated car parts factory outlet store that sells control arms factory direct to the consumer. Over 30 years in the automotive industry. We are proud to offer high quality, direct fit, aftermarket control arms for your car or truck from our warehouse to your doorstep at the lowest possible price.
Prime Choice Auto Parts – Your Source For Quality Control Arms
A control arm secures your wheels to the frame of your car and allows movement when hitting bumps, while keeping your wheels straight and perpendicular to the road. The control arm attaches from the front wheel assemblies of a vehicle to the support frame. Wear and tear will inevitably cause the control arm's bushings to deteriorate, causing movement and noises in the suspension and steering while driving. This can be clunking, knocking sounds, or high speed vibrations felt in the steering wheel. When experiencing these symptoms, its best to look in to control arm replacement.
Quality Parts At A Quality Price
At Prime Choice, we carefully ensure all our parts are manufactured to precision OEM fitments. Each order is hand inspected before leaving our state of the art warehouse to ensure the highest degree of accuracy and quality. You can count on the experts at Prime Choice to supply you with the perfect fit for your vehicle.
Shop Factory Direct And Save!
Our prices on control arms and other auto parts can save you up to 70% over our competitors. This is because Prime Choice is not just a retailer, but a manufacturer and a wholesaler. Our access to factory direct pricing means the savings are passed on to you, directly from us, the manufacturer. Shop for control arms with confidence when you purchase from Prime Choice!


text:
An Arizona woman was shocked to find a razor blade at the bottom of her Burger King salad.
Jennifer Ashley immediately told a manager at the restaurant in Flagstaff about the find last week, Phoenix TV station KTVK reported.
Apparently, the blade fell off a shelf in the kitchen and into a giant vat of lettuce.
According to Burger King, razor blades are not supposed to be in or near food preparation areas.
The employee involved has been fired. As for Ashley, she received a refund and a free salad.
She does not plan on pressing charges.


text:
RSBS Undercover: Jeff as a Yankees Fan, Day 5
Oh, man, these last few days living the life of a bonafide Yankee fan have been some sort of trip! Jeesh, the amount of work that goes into it… it's just… staggering.
But overall, the sense of entitlement, inflated ego and blabbering-slandering mouth I've picked up have helped me transition.
Just to prove my ability, if you haven't noticed, the Yankees still have 27 trophies. Still have iconic pinstripes. Still tout the achievements of the Babe.
we won Game 1 of the ALCS. Ha! Jesus may be on Josh Hamilton's side,
but underneath that purple robe and thistle crown, Jesus flashes
pinstripes. Believe that!
Of course, not everything about being a
Yankee fan is easy… which is why I want to share with you my biggest
test yet: enduring Suzyn Waldman.
Jeff as a Yankees Fan, DAY 5:
7:30 a.m.
Yankee posse overloads me with a heavy ear workout, forcing me to
listen to the worst broadcasters ever known: Chip Caray, Hawk Harrelson,
Joe Buck. My coaches insist this is necessary. I have to build up my
tolerance. Because I won't have the option of turning off the radio,
even though I will most certainly want to.
9:50 a.m.
ears, sore as can be, can't take another minute of awful announcing…
so I am forced to endure a thousand papercuts on each lobe instead.
1:00 p.m.
lunch time. I'm starving. And instead of a good healthy meal full of
the necessary proteins and vitamins I will need before game time, I am
presented a platter of fatty, fried foods. "What's this?" I ask.
"Standard pre-Yankee game meal, Jeff" says the chef. "We gotta get you
full of s*** so you fit in tonight."
4:15 p.m.
I take a nap. I have a dream. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former Yankees and
the sons of former Red Sox will be able to sit down together at a
table of brotherhood and —– what the — damn, that was a stupid dream.
8:05 p.m.
Game time. I f****** HATE the Rangers. Go Yankees!
8:06 p.m.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Suzyn Waldman's voice… it's… at
game time it's even worse than… no… three more hours of… I gotta
listen to this crap for three more —
9:45 p.m.
Are we winning? Are we losing? I can't stop my ears from bleeding. Damn you, Suzyn Waldman. Damn you!!!
11:15 p.m.
It's all over now. It's been over. We won. But wow… it was not
easy. I never thought I'd say this, because I find him to be a perfect
example of everything that's wrong with modern day broadcasting, but
thank the baseball gods for John Sterling…
Now, does anyone know a good ears, nose and throat guy?
– – –
To be continued…
10 Comments
I know the postseason and late 2010 season was rough on all your loyalties, but Jeff this is disappointing to me.
Not because I am not a Yankee or Northern type of guy,but I would think you have more in common with a Texas or Phillie fan than become a tag-team member of the pinstriped band-subway car.
But I guess it could bw worse, you could also be a closet Dallas Cowboy fan.
Rays Renegade
I have a question. Since Suzyn Waldman makes your ears bleed, why aren't you watching the games on TBS?
I understand that there are some perverse actions that people do, roles that people play, just to get that thrill, be it adrenalin or sexual satisfaction they seek, who knows half the time, but you, I think are a secret masochist, who will stop at nothing to involve as many people as you can in your role playing love game… I can tell you now, Albert will not stoop to your levels, he will not come running like the super hero you want him to be…. it can only be a dream…
I like the picture of you on the floor cluthcing your ears. It looks like a typical case of Suzynusyphillitis. I recommend undergoing a complete Yankeeotomy as soon as possible.
RR — Cowboys? I gotta draw the line somewhere man.
Jane — My handlers say I need the full NY experience, thus Suzyn.
Matt — Wish I had Roy Halladay money at my computer.
Peter — At this point, I'll take the dream.
Prince — Me TOO.
Steve — I hear those procedures aren't reversible, so no thanks for me.
Jeff, I hope your ears have recovered after yesterday's off day! And here I thought listening to Tim McCarver was torturous.
Jeff, when will this end? I know Albert's kind of lonely and is saving a pew at his church for you. Not to mention Tony's got a rescued dog with your name on it (now that's he's back for 2011, take it while you can!). Your Cards jersey is calling – it's crying, for Adam's sake!
And, remember, it gets better!
– Randy
Sue — Just barely… but it's gonna come back and haunt me again tonight!
Randy — Adam's sake? Adam Wainwright's sake? I'm in!


text:
Critical Thought and Social Consciousness through Film
Fall 2014 quarter
Taught by
Social consciousness isn't just about issues, but about seeing other points of view. It's about your approach to humanity and how you see it.
-Laura Bickford, Oscar nominated producer of "Traffic"
Film can revolve around complex issues found in society and offer different perspectives on human and societal behavior. Students in the all level class will view and analyze a minimum of 20 films from the big screen, small screen, and documentary categories. The class will be divided into four topical areas: race relations, corporate influence and impacts, LGBT community issues, and a miscellaneous category. Examples of films that may be included are: Crash, Milk, American History X, Wall Street, Grand Torino, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days, Traffic, Two Spirits, and How to Survive a Plague. Students will review critiques of the films, participate in seminars, use organizing techniques to identify concepts, and review competing and historical perspectives. In addition, students will analyze each film's individual perspectives, techniques, and impacts. Students will produce reflections and/or film analysis, a final term paper that is a comparative analysis within one of the categories, deep reflective questions for each film, and research work associated with each film category. They will learn to apply critical modes of questioning to issues in their own communities. They will understand the meaning of social consciousness and the value of significant dialogue. Students should be prepared to enter into difficult discussions with civility and respect. Students can expect to examine their own beliefs in light of differing perspectives. Students can expect to receive credit in film analysis, critical thought, and social consciousness or justice.
NOTE : students in this program must be prepared to view films that offer controversial subject matter and perspectives and may be rated R.
Program Details
Fields of Study
Preparatory for studies or careers in
Location and Schedule
Campus location
Offered during: Day
Online Learning
|March 11th, 2014
|New opportunity added.
Registration Information
Credits: 16 (Fall)
Class standing: Sophomore–Senior
Maximum enrollment: 25
Course Reference Number
Go to my.evergreen.edu to register for this program.
Need Help Finding the Right Program?
Contact Academic Advising for help in answering your questions, planning your future and solving problems.


text:
Related Articles
Are PHP and MySQL the Perfect Couple?
So you need to build a database application that will be delivered over the Web. Your users have the browsers, you've got the web server and application software, but you need a database. What are your choices?
There are the desktop choices -- Microsoft Access and Foxpro, dBase, FileMaker Pro -- but they're nowhere near powerful enough. Then there are the big guns -- SQL-Server, Oracle, Informix, IBM DB2, Sybase -- but who can afford the $5,000-$50,000 fee just to get them on the development server? What do you do? If you're like many developers, you'll probably turn your gaze toward the open-source community. While there are several open-source databases (see sidebar), one of the most powerful and most popular, particularly for web-based database applications, is MySQL.
Other popular open-source database tools include:
PostgreSQL is the most advanced open-source database tool. It offers object support, transactions, triggers, a procedural SQL language, and a number of other high-end features.
mSQL (also known as MiniSQL) is less sophisticated than MySQL, but is extremely fast with a small footprint. It also has a standalone scripting language (Lite) as well as web-oriented scripting (www-mSQL).
GNU SQL is the db offering from the core open-source organization. It's aimed more at client-server applications and C programming than web database development. It's also in the late beta phase, so is probably not ready for production environments.
Beagle is another beta open-source database platform that currently is far from finished. But it does have great historical documentation of what it's like to build a database tool.
The fundamental reason that an estimated half million servers around the world run MySQL is that it provides an incredible amount of database power at a cost that is zero in most cases, and a few hundred dollars in others. But another strong reason that MySQL is chosen to power web-based database applications is PHP. As Jason Gilmore discusses in the companion article, PHP is a powerful web scripting language that has strong ties to the MySQL database. Both tools are powerful in their own right, but together they can compete with any web-database tool on the market.
MySQL was developed by Michael (Monty) Widenius at the Swedish company TcX DataKonsultAB in the mid-1990s. In some ways, it was developed to provide functionality that was missing from mSQL, one of the few open-source databases available at the time. But the underlying goal was to provide a solid platform for delivering web-based applications. The initial tool was developed in May of 1995 and later released to the open-source community. Since that time, MySQL has been ported to a wide range of operating systems and been the focus of an intensive community development process that has resulted in a number of related tools and applications.
The latest stable version of MySQL is 3.22, though the alpha 3.23 release is in its 17th iteration at this writing and probably close to full release. Binary distributions are available for Red Hat (RPM), Windows, OS/2, Unix variants for MacOS X, HP-UX, Intel-optimized Linux, FreeBSD, SGI Irix, and Alpha-based Linux. There are also user-contributed versions for a wide range of operating systems and full source for building MySQL for an arbitrary operating system.
Just because MySQL is basically free (see sidebar on page 1) does not mean that it has a fundamentally limited feature set. MySQL is an excellent database for mid-range web database applications. Existing installations currently handle dozens of databases, thousands of tables, millions of records, and tens of gigabytes of data, which covers the majority of web applications.
In all honesty, it is missing a few significant features compared to its high-end competitors (discussed in the next section), but the original design goal of producing a fast, robust, and easy to use database has governed the decisions about what features to include and omit. More importantly, users have a strong voice in which features get added to MySQL, as well as the ability to add the functionality themselves.
MySQL was designed from the ground up as a multi-threaded database engine, an excellent architecture for both multi-user environments (like the web) and multiprocessor servers. The database engine is written in C and C++. Database files use B-tree disk tables with index compression and are accessed using ISAM (indexed sequential access method). While these features need not directly concern you, they add up to very fast database performance as well as a high degree of reliability.
For the hacker, its good to know that MySQL is developed using GNU Automake, Autoconf, and libtool for portability. The source, a C compiler, these tools, and the desire to add a feature is all you need to customize MySQL to your own specifications. Extensive version histories and planned enhancements are available at the MySQL web site.
Regardless of how good the guts of the database are, the quality of the SQL implementation is what's really important. While there are a series of SQL standards, database vendors tend to pick and chose a subset of the functionality in the standard when they implement it. Vendors also typically add their own extensions specific to the needs of their users.
The folks at TcX, in an effort to provide a fast and robust database, have focused on the core functionality used by the majority of users and added a few tricks of their own to speed up common tasks. Basically, MySQL offers the core functionality of ANSI SQL (SQL2) within certain limits:
Most plain vanilla SQL should work fine in MySQL. Deeply nested clauses and esoteric functions are the most likely points of failure if you are porting SQL code from another database to MySQL. And, of course, proprietary extensions from other languages will fail. But in my experience, translating SQL from routine applications built in other database to MySQL is a fairly painless process.
Speed always demands a performance price in most computer applications, and MySQL is no exception. Two of the most fundamental high-end database features missing from MySQL are transactions and stored procedures (including triggers). Both of these features, particularly transactions, require an amount of database server overhead that can noticeably impact performance. In the interests of speed and robustness, these features have been omitted. It's worth noting that some high-end database features other than transactions and stored procedures are also missing; for instance, Oracle's ability to calculate dates in Roman numerals.
Some other, more germane features that are missing in MySQL (and currently near the top of the TcX TODO list) are:
Some of the missing features may be ones that you consider crucial -- if so, MySQL won't work for you. You may consider rearchitechting your application to leverage what MySQL can do. Or you may want to check out PostgreSQL. You may even need to grit your teeth and buy a high-end tool. But for the rest of us, MySQL is a powerful database.
MySQL is open-source software, but it's not technically freeware in all cases. There are a small, but clear set of conditions where you need to buy a $200/server license for MySQL. Basically you need to buy a license if: you make money from selling MySQL or charging to install or maintain it.
TcX also currently requires that you buy a license if you use the Windows version to help defray the additional costs of porting to the Windows platforms. You are also obligated (though not strictly required) to buy one of the support packages if MySQL is part of your mission-critical operations.
Since these costs are orders of magnitude less than commercial counterparts, there's no excuse for not contributing to the development effort through licensing and support packages.
MySQL is an excellent general-purpose database, and includes native APIs that can be used to develop applications that incorporate native MySQL functionality. Web applications can certainly be written using one of these APIs, but can also be built using tools and APIs developed by others in the open-source community. While there are a number of combinations of tools, there are four major types of MySQL web database development:
The bottom line is that there is a way to use MySQL with virtually any major web application platform. While I can't recommend PHP enough as a companion to MySQL, I've also personally had good luck with ColdFusion and Perl.
MySQL is a solid, low-cost, high-performance platform for both building and deploying web database applications. It scales to fairly large and busy sites with ease and is suitable for a number of web application development tools.
It's not the right platform for a transaction-intensive financial system, nor is it the right system if you deal with terabytes of data. It may also not be the right system if you've got a few Oracle DBAs already on staff. But for projects ranging from personal hacking to dynamic news sites and search engines, it can provide all the power you need at the right price.
John Paul Ashenfelter is president and CTO of TransitionPoint.com, a technology development and analysis group focusing on web database applications.
Discuss this article in the O'Reilly Network Forum.
Return to the O'Reilly Network Hub.
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


text:
This star rating is the opinion of the property owner only. A Self-Rated hotel has not been assessed by the AA or Visit Britain, whose official star ratings we use across LateRooms.com.
Hanoi Grand3 Self rated
26 Hoi Vu Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, 10000
Price FromView Rooms
This hotel doesn't have any reviews yet.
About the hotel
Hanoi Grand Hotel was designed and built with high architectural standards. It is among the Hanoi Old Quarter`s luxurious hotels and has an excellent view of Hanoi. The Hanoi Grand Hotel provides you with a comfortable and relaxing accommodation in well appointed rooms furnished with the latest facilities.
Our hotel is serviced by an elevator and all 32 spacious rooms have wooden floors, windows, view or city view and are equipped with wood furniture in modern and luxurious style. Also all our rooms have safety box,private PC, IDD telephones, LG 32" HD LCD TV, DVD player, modern air-conditioning, mini-bar, luxurious bathroom All rooms included breakfast with many choices, fruit juice and tea and coffee for free all day for guests staying in the hotel. Hanoi Grand Hotel`s friendly staff will be glad to advise you on the local places of interest and help with any tours or travel arrangements you may require. Hanoi Hotel is great choice for all discerning tourists & business travelers. Come to our hotel you will be very satisfied with our outstanding services and the hospitality provided by a team of professional staff and management.
Read MoreLess
Unfortunately this hotel is currently not open to bookings through LateRooms.com
Facilities Show/hide
- Main
- Air conditioning in rooms, 24 Hour Reception, Cots available, Smoking allowed in public areas, Smoking allowed in bedrooms, Safety Deposit Box, Tea/Coffee making facilities in each room, Hairdryer in each room, Minibar in each room, Telephone In Each Room, 24 Hour Room Service, Laundry/Valet Service, Wake Up Call Available, Currency Exchange, Interconnecting rooms available, Doctor on call, Porter, Ground floor bedrooms, Lift to all floors, Public Air Conditioning
- Parking
- Airport Shuttle
- Business
- Wi-Fi Available, In-room Modem Hook up, Translation Service
- Dining
- Restaurant, Lounge Menu, Bar, Breakfast to go
- In Room Entertainment
- Video/DVD Player, TV, Satellite TV
- Leisure
- [Channels] News, [Channels] Sky Sports, [Channels] Movies (Free), [Channels] Foreign (European), [Channels] Foreign (Other), [Channels] Music, [Channels] Childrens
Useful Info Show/hide
- 14:00 23:00
- 12:00
- Up to 8 years old
- The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are not allowed
Customer Reviews
Our reviews are from genuine LateRooms.com customers. We verify that the customer has stayed before leaving a review.
No reviews yet


text:
Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.
UPDATE (6/17): An IURC dismissal order was issued on June 16, 2011.
In Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) Cause No. 43851, Liberty Green Renewables, LLC is requesting that the IURC decline jurisdiction over the construction, ownership and operation of a proposed electric generating facility in Scottsburg.
Liberty Green Renewables filed testimony and exhibits with the IURC on March 19, 2010.
On August 13, 2010, Liberty Green filed a motion to suspend the procedural schedule on an interim basis. The case's formal parties jointly filed a status report with the Commission on September 24, 2010 and anticipate filing another status report by October 24.
An IURC public field hearing was held on May 26, 2010 in Scottsburg. The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) issued a May 11 news release announcing the hearing and inviting consumer comments.
For more information on the regulatory process, please see the OUCC's Guide to State Utility Regulatory Proceedings.
Liberty Green Case-In-Chief:
Liberty Green Renewables, LLC has filed the following documents with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) in Cause No. 43851. These documents are hosted on the IURC Website, are in PDF format and will open in new windows.
To view the IURC's public file for this case, click here and enter docket number 43851.
This page will be updated as warranted.


text:
Learn more about WebMD's back pain expert Michael W. Smith, MD.
Most Popular Questions
- 1 How can I relieve low back pain from standing all day?
- 2 When should I see a doctor about my back pain?
- 3 Would a back brace help protect my back?
- 4 Why do I wake up with back pain that goes away during the day?
- 5 Why does my back hurt after a workout?
- 6 I enjoy gardening. How can I avoid back pain from picking up heavy soil?
- 7 Is massage good for back pain?
- 8 Does good posture help keep your back from aching?
- 9 How should I carry my child to avoid back pain?
- 10 How should I sit at my desk properly to avoid pain?