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Data isn't sexy, and getting you to think it is takes a lot of work. Infographics—what we call data that's gone to a graphic designer to get all gussied up for prom night—require a level of expertise and resources to make that aren't readily available to everyone with a story to tell and content to create. Enter startup InfoActive, which plans to break infographics wide open and make it simple and easy for anyone looking to present their data in a way that's both visually interesting and interactive.
InfoActive's beginnings came about through cofounder and CEO Trina Chiasson's work in data visualizations in newsrooms as a fellow at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. Her gambit: that she can construct a robust visualization tool that will not only eliminate weeks of design and development work, but also widen the scope of data visualization by supporting both static and live data.
"People no longer need to just see data—they need to explore it," says Chiasson. "We're looking to bridge the gap between companies' existing technology and the data stories they're trying to tell."
InfoActive, then, is a web-based platform that will allow users to connect either static or streaming data and have a customized infographic generated for them, complete with a full suite of analytical tools and supplemental features. It makes use of live data sets uploaded via Google Spreadsheet or CSV with up to 10,000 rows of data to work its magic, with plans to support several other live data APIs and even larger datasets. Users would be able drag and drop charts, text, and maps, as well as filter and search by any parameter in their survey.
If InfoActive works and achieves its funding goal—the company's Kickstarter has just gone live today—then it would undoubtedly be a boon to its intended market of smaller publications that lack the resources to develop a svelte-looking interactive data visualization. The playing field would be leveled, and the kinds of stories writers and researchers would be able to tell would increase dramatically.
You could even whip up an infographic about it.


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Unless Wigan catch an amazing run of form in their final four games, Southampton's Premier League status for next season has been confirmed.
There isn't much reason to expect a radically different starting 11 from Southampton next season. Only Liverpool, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle United have younger squads than the Saints' average age of 26.4 years old. Every player that has played in at least 10 matches is signed for next season.
But if you stand pat in the Premier League, you are probably falling behind. Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese hasn't been shy about splashing cash around to strengthen the squad, as he brought in eight players on transfers this season. No reason to expect that kind of spending spree this season, but certainly a couple of new faces will find their way to the South Coast.
Here's what the starting 11 for Southampton could look like next season.


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In April 2011 the Supreme Court finally put an end to a Judicial Review challenge by banks over the way they were told to assess PPI misselling claims.
Payment Protection Insurance was sold to millions of customers who took out credit cards and loans. Some didn't know they were being sold it, others felt forced to agree to it.
In October 2010 all banks except Santander decided to lodge a court action against the FSA over the handling of PPI claims. For customers it was another blow as it meant all claims were put on hold. The Financial Ombudsman Service became strained under the pressure of dealing with held up claims.
The Court judgment is welcome relief for customers and the banks chose not to appeal the decision. This has now allowed all existing claims to be assessed. There are still millions who haven't put in a claim for missold PPI and it is time to lodge a claim.
It is important to remember that simply because the banks have chosen not to appeal does not mean that victory is an automatic one. Each individual PPI claim will need to be assessed and of course banks may try and reject claims.
If you have been mis-sold PPI, you may be entitled to compensation from your bank or lender. We are a fully regulated claims management company and our experience will help get you the money back on your PPI claim.
Call us on 0845 463 3806 to find out more or just download one of our offer packs.
canadian pharmacy Cefadroxil 250mgRead More


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Robert Ariail by Robert Ariail
- June 05, 2013
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Comments (10) (Please sign in to comment)
Meanwhile, the BHO fans just close their eyes and dream of rainbows.
Go back to Kansas, Bob.
These aren't scandals, by naming them so the left is trying to minimalize them. People are dead, a national election influenced, and (it appears) laws broken. To politicize the IRS to affect an election is a high crime, to spy on the press to affect an election is a misdemeanor, to sit by and watch Americans be murdered and do nothing to help so as to affect an election is profoundly immoral.
These are the people who have power over us. In their minds the ends justify the means. Winning elections is all that matters. Right, wrong, legal, illegal, moral or amoral are irrelevant. Just win so we keep the power. Now they have authority over (almost) everyone's health care. Except, of course, those that can aid them in winning elections and maintain power over those that oppose them.
They are nothing more than power mad, political monsters.
It isn't just a liberal problem, narrowminded. It's also a conservative problem and a problem within the Washington D.C. political sub-culture.
"Fix the problem by voting Republican."You're a fool with a very short memory if you don't think the Republicans wouldn't just fill the time with their own scandals.
"When Dem Libs get caught in the Vortex they plead the 5th"
When Reagan was caught in the vortex, he just kept claiming he couldn't remember.
The legislature does have things in common with tornadoes.
It is unpredictable, it does great damage to republicans and democrats alike, it causes huge waste of capital, it has no heart, and…
It sucks.
to my neighbors, R & D alike, I am
@ onguard – answering your question from yesterday… while I consider myself a progressive moderate, I guess I'm an Independent and I vote in EVERY election. I have missed three local elections since 1976. I voted for Reagan, Bush Sr., and except on one occasion, John Warner, Sen, R from Va until his retirement. I voted for other Republicans prior to 2004 for house, city, and federal posts.
Sadly, I find myself voting AGAINST an individual more than FOR one. Our choices are limited.
In Virginia, we can vote in both primaries no matter what our political affiliation. In some states, people cast spoiler votes to elect the most unelectable to run against "their" party choice. I did that once in the 80s and felt 'dishonorable' afterwards. I voted for McCain in 2008 tho I was supporting Obama, I voted for Romney in 2012, tho I intended to vote against whoever the Republican nominee was. In both cases, I felt those men to be the best choices if the Democrat failed to win, at least over the options we had.
Hope that answers your question.
Would be far more appropriate if the van said "Informed, Alert and Concerned Citizens." This is NOT just a GOP thing. These scandals, per se, should be important to all Americans who understand (or even read) the Constitution and the idea behind a small, limited-power federal government. Ignorance may be bliss in the eyes of some, but ignorance can also lead to enslavement, or worse
Kind of like the Republicans did with that illegal war they lied us into eh? Yes your party is one of such honesty and high moral standing. The GOP is spinning around the drain, the only way to recover is to govern properly or try and take down the other side. Hmm, which are they choosing? I keep seeing all you right wingers on these comment boards calling Pres Obama the worst ever yet you ignore the fact your great conservative icon Ronald Reagan committed treason by selling missles to a war mongering country that was under an arms embargo. Oh wait that doesnt compare to the IRS targeting conservative groups does it. You should all go look up the word hypocracy because from your comments none of you are aware of its meaning.
They deserve to get "nailed" a lot more than that one group of storm chasers last week, who did the job to try to gather information and SAVE lives.
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- To explain what it means to annuitize an annuity,
- To explain the pros and cons of annuitization, and
- To discuss factors to consider if you are thinking about annuitizing part of your portfolio.
- Pay her or her husband until the last dies (a joint and survivor life annuity);
- Pay her until she dies or, should she die before 15 years, pay her beneficiary for the remainder of the 15 years (a life with period certain guarantee annuity); or
- Pay her or her beneficiary for 20 years (a fixed period annuity, a fixed term annuity, or a period certain only annuity).
- The Balanced Portfolio, with no immediate annuity, failed 8.1% of the time after 25 years, 23.7% after 30 years, and 41.1% after 35 years.
- The Growth & 25% Annuities Portfolio (with a $250,000 immediate annuity) failed 2.6% of the time after 25 years, 7.8% after 30 years, and 14.3% after 35 years.
- The Aggressive & 50% Annuities Portfolio (with a $500,000 immediate annuity) failed 0.9% of the time after 25 years, 2.5% after 30 years, and 5.0% after 35 years.
- Whether future average real returns on stocks, bonds, and bills will be similar to these past historical returns, and
- Whether the 9.08% income from the fixed annuity is appropriate for todays investors.
- Your life prospects: Based on your family history and lifestyle (smoker or non-smoker, exercise and eating habits, etc.), are you likely to live a long time? If not, annuitization seldom makes sense.
- The presence of family (or someone else) that will provide any needed additional funds: What is your personal trade-off between your desire to bequest wealth and your desire to have sufficient funds during your lifetime? And, if your nest egg runs low, do you have a family (or someone else) that will provide the additional funds?
- The amount of retirement income from Social Security and employee pensions: Suppose Betty, in addition to her $1 million of financial assets, will also receive a substantial monthly income from Social Security and a company pension. Then much of her wealth—defined broadly to include the value of retirement income—is already annuitized. That is, Social Security and employee pensions are like life annuities in that they provide a lifetime income. If she already has substantial retirement income, then she may not wish to annuitize any of the $1 million.
- The first concerns todays low long-term interest rates. If long-term rates will soon be higher, then it pays to delay.
- The second is that annuitization is an irreversible decision. As with any irreversible decision, you should delay the decision unless you are confident that it makes sense for you.
- The third reason concerns insurance costs. To understand the logic, return to the example where the 81-year-old women pooled their funds. The higher payoff was due to the 19 survivors splitting the $105 of the deceaseds funds. But if the insurance firm charges more than $105 for all 20 original participants, then the participants should delay annuitization, since they would be better off investing their own funds and avoiding the insurance costs.
- You must decide when to annuitize,
- You must decide which insurance firm to buy from,
- You must decide which payout option to select, and
- You must decide whether you want a fixed annuity or a variable annuity.
- Annuitization can greatly decrease longevity risk, the risk that the individual will exhaust his resources before death, but
- It may also decrease the amount of wealth available to beneficiaries.
Allocation During Retirement: Adding Annuities to the Mix
by William Reichenstein
A considerable amount of research has been devoted to the topic of asset allocation and the role it plays in retiree portfolios.
A retirees portfolio is not quite the same as the portfolio of an individual saving for retirement, because typically a retiree is withdrawing from his portfolio. The focus of the research has been how various asset allocation strategies can affect those withdrawals—specifically, which mixes will ensure a withdrawal rate that is both high but also sustainable over the retirees lifetime.
Until recently, most of the research has centered on the basic asset categories of cash, bonds and stock, and some of the more popular subcategories—for instance, small-cap stocks, value stocks, etc.
More recently, however, some researchers have taken a look at the impact annuities may have on asset allocation and the optimal withdrawal rate—and the results are intriguing.
This article builds on that research [if you want to read the original research articles, see the advanced reading list on page eight]. It has three goals:
What is Annuitization?
Annuitization is the exchange of a lump sum of money for a stream of future payments.
Suppose Mary, age 66, has a bank CD that matures worth $250,000. She could buy an immediate annuity—that is, she could buy an annuity and immediately exchange it for a promised payment of, say, $1,600 a month for the rest of her life (a life annuity). Other payout options are possible. Some of these may include the ability to exchange the $250,000 for smaller monthly income streams that:
An annuity is an insurance product. In general, it has two phases—the accumulation phase and the distribution phase. Suppose Jack, age 48, has $100,000 that he wants to invest for retirement. He could invest the funds today in an annuity and at his retirement it may be worth $250,000—the original $100,000 of principal plus $150,000 of tax-deferred returns. This is the accumulation phase. [In the July 2003 AAII Journal, I examined annuities as accumulation vehicles in Retirement Planning: Annuities and When They May Make Sense,] At retirement, Jack is ready to enter the distribution phase. Three of his choices include the following:
First, he annuitizes today by exchanging the $250,000 for a life annuity that provides a guaranteed lifetime monthly income. Annuitization reduces longevity risk—the risk of outliving his assets. But, when he dies, there will be no remaining value for his beneficiaries.
Second, he delays annuitization until later. This option is discussed later in this article. Third, he does not annuitize. In this case, he withdraws as much or as little of the funds as he wishes whenever he wishes. If he does not annuitize, he could exhaust the value of the assets before his death. But if funds remain after his death, they are available to his beneficiaries.
At its most basic level, then, the decision to annuitize involves the trade-off between longevity risk and bequest motive. The major advantage of annuitization is the reduction in longevity risk, while the major disadvantage is that the life annuity has no remaining value at the annuity holders death.
Most investors—perhaps 98%—prefer the flexibility of not annuitizing.
Pros & Cons of Annuitizing: An Example
Betty, age 65, has just retired with financial assets worth $1 million. Her goal is to withdraw $45,000 the first year of retirement and an inflation-adjusted $45,000 each year thereafter. She is considering three portfolios with similar mixes of stocks and fixed income that differ in their use of annuities.
Table 1 presents the three portfolios (which were structured to build on the prior research). The Balanced Portfolio does not buy an annuity. It invests the $1 million in a financial portfolio consisting of 40% stocks, 40% bonds, and 20% cash.
The Growth & 25% Annuities Portfolio uses $250,000 to buy a single-premium immediate annuity and invests the remaining $750,000 in a portfolio of financial assets. (Single-premium means there is one premium payment. Immediate means the funds are annuitized—that is, exchanged for monthly payments that begin immediately or within a short period of time. The single-premium immediate annuity in this example pays a fixed amount each month for the rest of her life.) The financial portfolio contains 60% stocks, 30% bonds, and 10% cash.
The Aggressive & 50% Annuities Portfolio uses $500,000 to buy an immediate fixed annuity, and the remaining $500,000 is invested in a financial portfolio consisting of 85% stocks and 15% bonds.
The immediate fixed annuity can be thought of as a bond in that it provides a fixed payment. In this case, this bond makes payments for the rest of Bettys life, but after her death there is no remaining principal. In this article, the term extended portfolio includes financial assets and annuities, while financial portfolio includes only the financial assets. When fixed annuities are considered bonds (as I believe they should be), the three extended portfolios contain similar mixes of stocks and fixed-income securities.
In this article, I examine the abilities of these three similar portfolios to meet Bettys retirement goal of providing a constant real (inflation-adjusted) income of $45,000 a year for the rest of her life.
|TABLE 1. Three Portfolios with Similar Mixes of Stocks and Fixed Income
|$1 Million Portfolio
|Asset Allocation
|Remaining Financial Assets
|Balanced—No Annuities
|Growth & 25% Annuities
|Aggressive & 50% Annuities
Asset Allocation Excluding Annuities
Balanced: 40% stocks, 40% bonds, 20% cash
Growth: 60% stocks, 30% bonds, 10% cash
Aggressive: 85% stocks, 15% bonds, 0% cash
*Single-premium immediate fixed annuities.
Historical Experience
How would these portfolios have fared over various historical time periods?
Real-Time Returns
The top half of Table 2 presents the real-time experience of the three portfolios over one of the worst time periods for a withdrawal portfolio—year-end 1971 through year-end 2000.
In this example, each portfolio begins with $1 million, but two of the portfolios, the Growth & 25% Annuities and the Aggressive & 50% Annuities, use part of the $1 million to buy immediate fixed annuities. The example assumes Betty retired at the end of 1971 at age 65 and withdrew $45,000 (in year-end 1971 dollars) at each year-end from 1971 through year-end 2000, a total of 30 withdrawals. If the extended portfolio fails to meet the $45,000, her family makes up the difference. All values are inflation-adjusted to reflect year-end 1971 dollars. The portfolios returns reflect the 1972 through 2000 historical returns on the S&P 500, five-year Treasury bonds, and one-month Treasury bills, less a 1% annual portfolio management fee. The immediate fixed annuities provide a 9% annual income, which reflects typical payout ratios available at low-cost insurance firms for this period.
The Balanced Portfolio began with $1 million in the financial portfolio. After five years when Betty is 70 (and at the sixth withdrawal), its real value is $657,000. At the 24th withdrawal when Betty is age 88, this portfolio contained a few dollars short of $45,000. The negative $270,000 after 30 years indicates that Bettys family must provide the last six years of $45,000 real income to meet Bettys intended lifestyle.
The Growth & 25% Annuities Portfolio began with a $750,000 financial portfolio and the $250,000 immediate annuity. The annuity provides a fixed income of $22,500 a year, but this payment does not increase with inflation. Since Betty wants to withdraw a constant real amount of $45,000 each year, the financial portfolio must provide $22,500 of the first withdrawal and a larger amount in subsequent withdrawals. After five years (and six withdrawals), the financial portfolio is worth $526,000. At the 27th withdrawal, the financial portfolio contained about $44,000; it failed on the 27th withdrawal. Although the financial portfolio is depleted, the annuity continues to provide $22,500 each year. Due to inflation, the $22,500 is worth less than $6,000 in 1971 dollars. The family must provide the additional funds. The negative $97,000 after 30 years indicates that Bettys family must provide a cumulative $97,000 in order to meet her intended lifestyle.
The Aggressive & 50% Annuities Portfolio began with a $500,000 financial portfolio and the $500,000 immediate annuity. The annuity provides a fixed income of $45,000 a year. This is all the income in the first year—there is no withdrawal from the financial portfolio. Since Betty needs to withdraw an inflation-adjusted $45,000 each year, the financial portfolio must provide funds beginning with the second withdrawal, and it must provide more funds each subsequent year. After five years, the financial portfolio is worth $395,000. After the 30th withdrawal, it is worth $136,000. The Aggressive & 50% Annuity Portfolio does not fail—that is, it provides the desired funds for the full 30-withdrawal period.
Table 2 provides many lessons.
First, the longer someone lives, the greater is the longevity risk, where this is defined as the probability that an extended portfolio will fail to provide a constant real income each year for the rest of your life.
Second, annuitization reduces longevity risk.
Third, even when an extended portfolio fails to provide the inflation-adjusted $45,000 per year, the burden on the family is smaller with an annuity than without.
Fourth, Table 2 indicates the disadvantage of annuitization—if the annuitant (e.g., Betty) dies at age 80 or younger, the beneficiaries will likely receive a smaller inheritance.
|TABLE 2. Historical Performance of the Three Portfolios: 1972 through 2000
|Value of Financial Portfolio ($ 000)
(No Annuities)
|Growth &
25% Annuities
|Aggressive &
50% Annuities
|Real-time 1972 through 2000
|Reverse-Time 2000 through 1972
Reverse-Time Returns
Nobel-laureate Paul Samuelson is fond of saying history provides one observation, by which he means we have one sequence of returns and it is difficult to say whether future returns will turn out similar. To partially overcome this limitation, it is instructive to look at other possible return sequences. One such sequence is the same 1972 through 2000 returns but in reverse order. The bottom half of Table 2 presents the outcomes from these reverse-time returns. All three portfolios would have provided the $45,000 real income for 30 withdrawals and would have had funds to spare. To examine the advantages and disadvantages of annuitization, consider the values of the financial portfolios at Bettys death. Although Table 2 does not show all the details, with annuitization her beneficiaries would have received a smaller inheritance if she died before age 74 and a larger inheritance if she died after age 74.
The dramatic difference between the real-time returns and the reverse-time returns is due to the sequence of returns. The real-time returns had poor returns early, including the 1973-1974 bear market. By the time the strong 1990s returns occurred, the financial portfolios were too small to derive much benefit.
The reverse-time returns had the strong returns of the 1990s in the early years. The Aggressive & 50% Annuities financial portfolio grew especially fast since the annuity provided all of the income in the first year and virtually all of the income in the early years. After 10 years, all three financial portfolios were similar in size. Meanwhile, the drag of the annual withdrawal was much less for Growth & 25% Annuities and the Aggressive & 50% Annuities due to their annuity income. Although the values of all three financial portfolios decreased between the 21st and 30th withdrawals, the portfolios still ended with large values.
The lesson from the reverse-time returns is that, not only does the average return matter, but the sequence of returns also matters. Although a 4.5% spending rate appears conservative (given the much higher average returns), it proved too generous for the investor with the Balanced Portfolio who retired just before the 1973-1974 bear market. Investors who retired in 2000 or early 2001 have likely found that their portfolio values have fallen sharply. They may need to reduce their withdrawal rate so they will not exhaust their assets during their lifetimes.
Monte Carlo Simulations
The real-time and reverse-time returns provide two sequences of returns. In reality, there are infinite possible future sequences of returns. We do not know whether the future will look like the real-time returns, the reverse-time returns, or substantially different from either sequence. To partially overcome this uncertainty, one study (by Profs. John Ameriks, Robert Veres, and Mark J. Warshawsky in the Journal of Financial Planning) simulated 10,000 possible sequences of future 50-year returns. For each simulation, they used random monthly returns and inflation data from the 1946-1999 historical time period. They assumed the immediate fixed annuity provides a 9.08% annual income to a 65-year-old retiree. They then recorded the results for each portfolio after 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years.
Table 3 reports the failure rates of this study—that is, the probability that Betty will not be able to maintain a $45,000 a year real income for the rest of her life.
If Betty knew she would only live 20 more years, which is the approximate life expectancy for a 65-year-old female, there is little chance of her running out of money with any of these three portfolios.
However, she may live longer. If she lives to age 95, her failure rate is 23.7% if she selects the Balanced Portfolio, 7.8% with the Growth & 25% Annuities Portfolio, and 2.5% with the Aggressive & 50% Annuities Portfolio.
|TABLE 3. The Three Portfolios & Historical Failure Rates at 4.5% Withdrawl
(No Annuities)
|Growth &
25% Annuities
|Aggressive &
50% Annuities
|20 years
|25 years
|30 years
|35 years
|40 years
Based on Monte Carlo simulations [from Ameriks, Veres and Warshawsky (2001)] using historical data from the years 1946 through 1999.
*Assumes a 4.5% withdrawal in the first year and inflation-adjusted equivalent amounts thereafter.
Why Annuities Decrease Failure
There are two reasons for these dramatic decreases in failure rate. First, annuitization provides a natural hedge against longevity risk; by design, the longer someone lives, the higher the annuitys total return.
Second, annuitization allows someone to receive more income from bonds than would be available without annuitization.
Suppose long-term interest rates are 5.5%, and a 65-year-old single female buys $100,000 of new-issue bonds. If she does not annuitize, the only way she can be sure of not outliving the bonds value is to live on the $5,500 a year in interest income; she never consumes the principal.
In contrast, if she sells the bonds and buys an immediate fixed annuity, the $100,000 may provide $7,932 a year for the rest of her life. This higher amount reflects the fact that, after her death, the annuity has no remaining principal. Could she create a do-it-yourself annuity? No—if she withdrew this amount without buying an immediate annuity, the funds would be exhausted after about 20 years. Due to pooling of risk, an insurance firm can guarantee her $7,932 a year for the rest of her life. In essence, the insurance firm uses funds remaining from those who die sooner than expected to pay those who live longer than expected.
This second reason is much misunderstood. So, we illustrate it with another example. The probability that an 81-year-old female will die within a year is 5%. Suppose 20 81-year-old women agree to invest $100 at 5% but only those living in one year will share the remains. On average, the $2,100 will be split among the 19 survivors for a payoff of $110.53 each. Each survivor could have only earned $5 by herself. But the insurance structure allowed each survivor to earn an extra $5.53 because they share in the deceaseds funds. This illustrates why the payoff from the annuity is higher. Also, it explains why the myth that the insurance firm keeps the rest is misleading.
Today Versus History
The prior section presented results based on historical returns. How useful are these results for someone considering an immediate annuity today?
The answer to that depends upon:
Nevertheless, the simulations shed light on the likely merits of annuitization. If future real returns will be lower, as many scholars predict, a 4% withdrawal rate may be advisable today. Nevertheless, annuitizing part of your portfolio should continue to enhance your chances of maintaining a desired standard of living for the rest of your life.
Should You Annuitize?
Not everyone will want to annuitize part of his or her retirement wealth. Each individual should consider their own unique personal factors. Three of the most important factors are:
When Should You Annuitize?
In one of the studies, Moshe Milevsky, a leading annuity scholar, addressed the question of when someone should annuitize.
There are three reasons to consider delaying annuitization, especially today.
Selecting an Annuity Contract
After careful consideration, you decide that you want to annuitize part of your portfolio—whats next?
You still have four decisions to make:
For example, you may wish to delay annuitization until, say, age 75 to 80. If already that age, you may wish to delay annuitization until long-term interest rates rise.
Which Insurance Company?
The next decision is the choice of insurance firm. The insurance firm guarantees the lifetime income. If the insurance firm goes bankrupt, the guarantee is worthless. I would only consider an annuity if the insurance firm carries top ratings from A.M. Best, Moodys, and Standard & Poors. Specifically, I would prefer an insurance firm with ratings of A++ or A+ from A.M. Best; Aaa, Aa1, or Aa2 from Moodys; and AAA, AA+, or AA from Standard & Poors. Retirees are not in position to bear credit risk on a substantial portion of their assets.
Free credit ratings are available from A.M. Best through customer service at 908-439-2200 or www.ambest.com, from Moodys at 212-553-0377 or www.moodys.com; and from Standard & Poors at 212-438-2400 or www.standardandpoors.com.
Which Payout Option?
Another decision is the choice of payout options, some of which were discussed at the beginning of this article. Since the objective of annuitization is to reduce longevity risk, I would recommend a life annuity for singles and a joint life annuity for married couples (with at least 75% and probably 100% benefits to the survivor).
In practice, most annuitants select a life annuity with a period certain guarantee, which provides a lower monthly payment than the life annuity. Most annuitants are willing to receive the lower payment in return for the guarantee that their beneficiaries will receive something if they die early. However, if they die early, their financial portfolio will likely provide that something. The higher payment from the life annuity provides better protection against longevity risk.
Fixed or Variable?
The final decision is the choice between a fixed annuity and a variable annuity. Let us return to the example with Betty. The fixed annuity promises a fixed-dollar amount each month. Through time, inflation erodes the purchasing value of this fixed payment. For example, since consumer prices more than quadrupled in the 30 years since 1971, the fixed-annuity payment lost more than 75% of its purchasing power. If Betty buys a variable annuity, once a year her monthly income will rise and fall with the prior years market returns of the underlying mutual funds. On average, income from a variable annuity invested in a broad stock mutual fund would have risen more than sufficiently to offset the rising cost of living. Consequently, instead of buying a fixed annuity, she might consider splitting the funds between an immediate fixed annuity and an immediate variable annuity.
One study (by Peng Chen and Moshe Milevsky) looked at this issue. Their recommendation is that if your overall asset allocation calls for, say, 55% bonds and 45% stocks, then you should maintain this weight in your annuities and your financial portfolio. For example, in the Growth & 25% Annuities Portfolio, Betty has a 55% bonds/45% stock asset mix when the portfolio is extended to include the annuity. If she were to maintain this mix in a variable annuity, she would split the $250,000 annuity into a $137,500 fixed annuity and $112,500 variable annuity (that contains a broad stock mutual fund) and split the $750,000 financial portfolio into $412,500 bonds and $337,500 stocks.
|Advanced Reading
Here are the major academic articles that have covered annuities in retirement investing:
John Ameriks, Robert Veres, and Mark J. Warshawsky, Making Retirement Income Last a Lifetime, Journal of Financial Planning, December 2001, pp. 60-76. www.fpanet.org/journal
Peng Chen and Moshe Milevsky, Merging Asset Allocation and Longevity Insurance: An Optimal Perspective on Payout Annuities, Journal of Financial Planning, June 2003, pp. 64-72. www.fpanet.org/journal
Moshe Milevsky, Optimal Annuitization Policies: Analysis of the Options, North American Actuarial Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, January 2001, pp. 57-69. http://www.soa.org/bookstore/naaj_archive.html
An annuity can be used to accumulate wealth for retirement or to finance retirement needs. My article in the July issue discussed annuities as an accumulation vehicle, while this article examines annuities as distribution vehicles.
When annuitized, a sum of money can be exchanged for a lifetime monthly income that cannot be outlived.
This article discusses the pros and cons of annuitizing part of your portfolio to provide a lifetime income stream, by examining the ability of three portfolios to satisfy a 65-year-old females lifetime retirement income needs. Two of the portfolios included annuities, and when the annuities are considered bonds in an extended portfolio, all three portfolios contain similar mixes of stocks and bonds. Based on historical returns, the failure rate probabilities for each portfolio were determined. It was found that, in general, the larger the portion of the portfolio that is annuitized, the smaller is the failure rate. However, if the annuitant dies relatively young, there will likely be less in the financial portfolio for the beneficiary.
Of course, these are historical results that do not necessarily reflect todays market prospects. Nonetheless, the research demonstrates the classic trade-off of annuitization:
William Reichenstein, CFA, holds the Pat and Thomas R. Powers Chair in Investment Management at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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NYC Parks Events Calendar
Get up, get out, and do something! Just about any day of the year, you can find something fun, informative, and healthy to enjoy at an area park. Feel free to browse the listings below, or use the search tools to find an event that matches your interests and location.
Viewing 71–80 out of 13,478 events
from May 21, 2013 (x) to December 30, 2017
Friday, November 13, 2015
Exhibition: Alice Austen Everyday: A Photo Series Inspired by Place
at Alice Austen House Museum (in Alice Austen Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Alice Austen's beloved home, Clear Comfort, was her muse and her window onto the world at the entrance to the New York Harbor. The vantage point from Clear Comfort is…
Central Park Tour: Iconic Views of Central Park
at Outside the Dairy Gift Shop (in Central Park), Manhattan
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Some of New York's most iconic sights are found in Central Park, including the fountain at Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge. Join Central Park Conservancy guides for an insider's look.
Category: Education, Nature, History, Tours, Seniors
Seasonal Crafts
at Poe Park Visitor Center (in Poe Park), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Make seasonal and holiday arts & crafts items to take home.
Category: Arts & Crafts, Best for Kids
NYC SPARX: Technology and Dance for Girls
at St. Mary's Recreation Center (in St. Mary's Park), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Girls ages 12-17 will learn coding, tinkering, app building, technology and get homework help and college prep in this free program.
Category: Education, Best for Kids
Central Park Tour: Southern Welcome Tour
at Inside the Park at Fifth Avenue and 61st Street (in Central Park), Manhattan
2:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Travel past the Pond and Gapstow Bridge, and on to the Dairy, with this tour of southern park highlights led by Central Park Conservancy tour guides.
Category: Education, Nature, Tours
Teen PASS
at Faber Park Field House (in Faber Pool and Park), Staten Island, Red Hook Recreation Center (in Red Hook Recreation Area), Brooklyn
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
When school is out, Teen PASS offers FREE, exceptional clubs that focus on the areas of NYC Parks, arts, environmental science and sports that are tailored to the interests and talents…
Category: Education, Best for Kids
3 to 6 Club
at Walker Park, Staten Island
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Walker Park is offering various activities at the 3 to 6 Club, open to children ages 7 through 12 years, including art, literacy and sports.
Category: Best for Kids
Go Girl Athletics
at St. Mary's Recreation Center (in St. Mary's Park), Bronx
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Girls ages 12-17 years are invited to practice and improve their athletic skills by combining cardio and weight training to improve strength and flexibility along with cardio endurance.
Category: Best for Kids, Sports
Green Girls After School Program
at IS 204. 36th Avenue and 28th Street. Long Island City.
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Green Girls is an innovative program that inspires early adolescents to excel as environmental scientists, media artists and stewards of New York City's precious natural…
Category: Education, Nature, Best for Kids
NYC Parks 8-Ball Billiards Championship
at Chelsea Recreation Center, Manhattan
4:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
You are invited to watch NYC's best face off in our 8-Ball Championship! Prizes were generously furnished by Predator Cues, with support from professional pool player Tony Robles.
Category: Best for Kids, Sports
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Related Information
- Get information on upcoming events directly in your inbox by signing up for our Email Newsletters.
- Know about an event that's not on the calendar? Send us a tip!
- Planning an event and considering hosting it in a park? Make sure to read our Planning an Event page.


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Fort Leonard Wood is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States. The population was 13,667 at the 2000 census.
Lmao no power at Fort Leonard Wood I luv Missouri! 🙃
Our Milestone Move to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri is only a week away! There is so much to do.…
My brother posted this picture of my father in 1969 in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri... I had...
August 1997: Basic training graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. One of the happiest &…
Off to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri now. See ya around South Carolina.
Anyone have any info on Fort Leonard Wood Missouri? Looks like we may be sent there for drill. I will have a...
One week from tomorrow I will be in Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 10 weeks then ship to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for 8 weeks.
Jayden and I in front of my favorite jet a A10 thunderbolt II (warthog) at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
Yes Brent in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, PB is in Pre Launch. 2500 Banner Views Free. Pull in Referrals Now.
Friends and family- my ship date is July 26. I will be at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I'll be back just before Christmas.
Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. What did Abraham Lincoln have to say today.
long story😂but I lowkey like the Kenosha one better. And Fort Leonard wood, Missouri
3D printer builds new hand for 4 year-old boy [VIDEO] —
currently accepting care packages and love letters so I don't lose my mind in Missouri . PO BOX 501 Fort Leonard Wood , MO 65473-0501
Attn Jeremy in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Aches and Pains eased. Build your stamina. Free product offers.
For Ericka in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri >> Aches and Pains eased. Free product offers. Build your stamina.
I was in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri with Lori and Yolanda working for the Transportation Section. I was at the...
For Beth in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Matt has it in place. 21 steps brings retirement. FREE to enter and look.
it should be fort Leonard wood Missouri Bc nothing exciting happens here :(
you'll be at fort Leonard wood that's in Missouri
Knoxville today then St. Louis and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri tomorrow.
Marketers love it! >> Rosa from Fort Leonard Wood Missouri is enthusiastic about WomTrader. > Popular community.
I love my future soldier Josh Rodriguez who is in basic in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri as you read this. I am one...
So I have one more day till I leave back for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and I just want to say how…
dad retired from the ARMY at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and still live there
- I just need help getting to missouri asap I can provid food wi...
I've been in Missouri for too long man. Tired of Fort Leonard Wood.
Justin and Aliana have arrived. We are now waiting on luggage. — traveling to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from...
will u give a shout out 2 Our military at Fort Leonard-Wood Missouri here with my daughter for the 4th she is an Army Capt
nothing more American than being at fort Leonard wood Missouri on the 4th of July. Hi chiara
Only 25 days until I ship out to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for Army BCT and the OSUT for Military Police!
my older son went to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
As you all know my son Josh is leaving for Army basic training in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri on July 21st. I...
I know I'll be in fort Leonard wood, Missouri for my 5 months of training though
When I was in Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, I failed the hand grenade throwing test.
On this day june 19 2013 my son jc graduated basic training Fort Leonard Wood Missouri or fort lost in the woods . roll on big red 1
Remembering all our fallen heroes from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
I as a mother with only one son.I think fort leonard wood *** I have been scanning every web sight possible just trying to see a glimpse of my son and...NOTHING!!!...he was enducted 4/13/2015...besides 1 letter with a return address.I've gotten NOTHING!.I would like to see at least a picture of him
RIP SFC Paul Ray Smith. MOH Iraq, KIA 2003. He was sent to Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before...
Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for my Army training.
Missouri experiences more than 30 tornadoes yearly. Fort Leonard Wood was put to the test when a simulated...
yo im doing GREAT!!!AIT here in fort Leonard wood,Missouri.The ppl here chill af!No Drama or nothing!its not allowed
Brig. Gen. Kent Savre, a UW-Stout alumnus and commanding general of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, will be the...
Can't wait ready to fulfill my dream of being an U.S. Army Soldier., next stop Fort Leonard Wood Missouri..
it'll be a while.. I go to Camp Pendleton for a month then to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for 3 more then I hit the fleet.
Leave Monday, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for BCT. Only way I'll be able to contact friends and fam are through letters. Inbox me addresses
AIT at fort Leonard Wood, Missouri what about you bra??
. they are built in Illinois and they move them to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and they pass through Ferguson Missouri
Are you looking for a house around Fort Leonard Wood Missouri? Check this one out, Price has just been reduced!!
Alex Garner said to tell you "good job man' he is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri until December. I am his ESPN news
Graduated from Basic Training today! Leaving for Fort Leonard Wood Missouri tommorow for AIT. only 8 more weeks!
Five more days and I will be leaving Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.
Hello, I will be moving there in a month from Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. I am looking for a 3 /4 bedroom 2 bath...
So in two more weeks I'll be calling Fort Leonard Wood Missouri my new home for about 5 months 🇺🇸
I really miss Fort Leonard Wood Missouri home isn't the same.
On our way home from Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.
Fort Leonard Wood Missouri listen to 790 the ticket on the app
Yesterday I got an opportunity to look over the information I was sent about Fort Leonard Wood Missouri - did you...
10 days and I leave for Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for basic training and will be gone for 5 months I can't wait honestly
I entered the army on the delayed entry program, and left for the regular service in July of 1976. I then headed to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for basic training, after spending 10 weeks there I them headed to Fort Sam Houston Texas for (AIT) advanced individual training. I spent several months there training as a combat medic. I ended my training there in late November and head for my permanent duty station In Germany. I lived of there from 1976-1979. In 1979 I got out of the regular Army and then entered the Army reserve. I spent the next 22 years in the army reserve, retiring in the year 2001.
Well it's finally here. The moment I've waited for for 3 1/2 years. Today is the day I leave home and begin my journey in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. I want to thank all of my best friends who have been there for me and will continue to be there for me. I love each and every one of you and I will see you all when I get back. Stay strong and also drink one for me :)
My dad. I was born at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri army base where my dad was stationed
Finally leaving today to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for my 16 week long training. Gonna be gone all…
well right now I'm in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
Howdy from the Haller family in Saint Robert/Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Nina Sutton Haller
In Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for Brandon Nichols graduation ftom boot camp. Having a bkast with my mom and sister and of course my nieces. So proud of you bubba!
I would proudly wear one of your victory hats around Fort Leonard Wood Missouri when you win.
Well im officially government property now! I ship out in TWO WEEKS!! Come march 18th ill be on my way to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.. Feels good to finally be in!
Great day for a road trip to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri .off to see Ryan graduate AIT with Brandon Rutherford
I ship out Aug 19 for Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Basic and AIT both are being done there.
Watching Grease, I watched this at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri before shipping out for Germany.
A nice winter day here at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and its a warm 13 degrees
that's a long time :/ and he's at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
Happy Veterans Day to all veterans especially my wonderful husband of 41 years and our very blessed son who will graduate from basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri this Thursday. Thanks to all our friends and family for your warm blessings and best wishes on our anniversary yesterday. May God's riches blessings fall on each of you.
Constuct VO Platoon Building at TA244 on Fort Leonard Wood Missouri (Construction of s...
wifi is all week. hes at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.y
Indianapolis. 5 hours in. Fort Leonard Wood Missouri bound. Get me out of this car
Which is the most memorable day you have ever had? — Moving Out of Fort Leonard Wood Missouri to Junction City K...
28 days until I arrive at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for 5+ months
my boy... I'll be going to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for my first duty station O___o
Been up since 2am tryna get from Fort Sill Oklahoma to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri...still got like an hour of travel left maybe more
One week and I'll be home! I survived 20 weeks of Drill Sergeants, Sergeants, Battle Buddies ,Cold Fort Sill Oklahoma winds ,and way too hot temperatures in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Now its time to get back to just right Minnesota! home done and Family CLOTHES!! 12th
I leave on the first to go to Fort Benning Georgia. He leaves in October for Fort Leonard Wood Missouri.
Andrew will celebrate his 21st Birthday on June 25,,,in Missouri :(. I would like to invite everyone to shower him with cards...@ Hollibaugh,Andrew,T 454 Michigan Ave Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, 65473 Thanks!!
My phone in the jungles of Okinawa provides better Internet via hotspot then the army base Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. The Internet at Fort Leonard Wood cost $40 a month and produced "for me" 30 bytes a second... My phone (IN THE JUNGLE) produces 90 kilobytes a second. Good going Fort Leonard Wood, good going.
And the count down begins One week and two days before shipping out to fort Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
So I'm being stationed at the same base I've been training at, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri...so peace out VA for a few years
Bobby Eucker talking about how he was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, made me think of
T'ANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! Drill weekend is over. The last drill. Out to Clark County Armory first thing in the morning to photograph a dental event; back to Las Vegas Readiness Center to photograph the change of command; lunch courtesy of the S-1 captain who wanted to say "thank you" for my 30 years of service; back to CCA to photograph the dental event again, then back to my scriptorium (my room)...and that was it. Weekend drill is now a part of my history. After running a few errands, I stopped to have a beer at the Blue Mule Saloon in memory of weekend drills. And then Farmer Boys or Brothers or whatever, to pick up an order of biscuits and gravy! As I was driving back and forth I reflected a bit on the past 30 years...it was a rainy January night in 1974 and a busload of new recruits arrived at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, and the MPs at the gate laughed at us and shouted, "You'll be sorry!" In-processing lasted well after midnight, we hit the bunks, and two hours later screaming drill sergeants were ch ...
I'm back! Hey everyone! I finished boot camp and I am currently in AIT! Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
This was where I did my basic training Fort Leonard Wood Missouri aka lost in the woods
Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Gotta do AIT there too, which *** Bt seems like yu finished fast.
I am ordered to report for BCT/AIT training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri!!
September 17. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I'll leave sooner if I get my braces off.
This time next month I'll be done with MCT & going to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
A year a go today I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri... I've already lost two friends from there. RIP brothers, I miss you
Fort Leonard Wood Missouri where ill be at bootcamp and AIT
I'm in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri right now for my tech school
Gina who has friends in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri trusts WomMobileDeals. >> Marketers love it! > Surprising website.
Did I just find a camouflage shot glass at Walmart in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri?? Yes I did!! Just add that to my collection
Just an fYI it's only a 7 hour drive from Indianapolis to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and that's better than 9 hours
Hand got a little high on the rib cage there the endless fun Fort Leonard Wood Missouri has to offer!
Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility (TEMF) at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri (Construction of structures and ...
So I'm officially a US Army soldier!! Wooorahhh ready for my basic and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri the 25th of this month so freaking happy :P
Thank you so much Richie and Seymour for coming with me today we sure do have some great memories of today ! Aj is comfortable in his hotel and will be officially sworn in tommorow morning then its off to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Very proud momma!!!
It's Official. My Grandson Landon Miller or should I say, Private Miller is Officially in the United States Army. Private Miller leaves for basic training August 23rd to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri! He sure makes Pap proud. r
Just another day in paradise in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri!!!
Please are there any alternate routes open from New Mexico to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri?
I can't think my bro Sam Atchley Enough for being there for me throat since I don't know him He leaves tomorrow and I just want to wish him the best and I hope to see him at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri when I go up there I know he's gonna do great and I hope we cycle start to start playing because he has been a brother I have always wanted but never had good luck man
Bueno One more day and will be true. Ya mañana camino a Fort Leonard Wood Missouri apenas me voy y ya estoy pensando en como será cuando regrese que emoción aquí en
Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Its gonna be cold! We gotta get lunch or something before I go
Go with Big Louie on a tour through Big Louie's and Chicken Bones Party Bar and Grill in Saint Robert, Waynesville, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
Got letter from matthew. So if you know him, my son is at fort leonard wood Missouri in basic training. contact info: Pv2 MATTHEW CAMPER C CO 2 10th INBN 2nd PLT 495 Iowa Ave Unit Fort Leonard Wood Missouri 65473 and on the back of envelope put 2nd PLT
he is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. How about yours?
My oldest and first child doing her basic at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Preparing to serve this country, what will they do for her when she returns after duty? I LOVE MY CHILD UNCLE SAM!
She is in the Army now! Arrived at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri @ 2100 hours PST. I miss her already.
Road trip down to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri tomorrow! My cousins final graduation from the training is Friday!
Wicked excited bout tonight. Hollywood Undead concert is gna b awesome. Its a great way to start off the last 3 weeks of being an untrained civilian. Man time flew by its crazy 21days nd im off to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri for 147days then home as a member of the 94th MP Company Combat Support Unit.
Please pray for my adopted daughter Pvt. Ashley Roberts. She has been in basic training for Army National Guard in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. She is being medically discharged for some reason. Not sure of details but so very worried about her. I know she is devastated cuz of this. She wanted this so badly.
Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, how about yours? And I haven't even got a letter yet
Iv got 31 more days till I get to see my babyy gosh I can't wait. going to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri baby I hope your ready
Well tht 2 weeks flew by! On my way back to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri ima miss so much
yeah i was at boot camp. Fort Leonard Wood Missouri
I can tell you that your MOS school will be in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, an Army base. & it kinda ***
"So I leave for Fort Sill Oklahoma on March 4th. And then go to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri on May 20" im gona miss my soldier
Prayers appreciated for Trent and I as we travel to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri to attend Zachary's graduation from basic training.
Thomas Flanery, in Fort Leonard Wood Missouri,Basic training for national guard.anyone that want to write letter can drop off at church or i get address and post in morning
Glad my cousin Jalen Kerley made it home safe from Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, I love you and very proud of
21 days til Family Day with Matthew at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. I am so anxious and proud. Keep him in your prayers. His duty station will be Fort Myer Virginia as an MP. Peace and Love to all. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.
Donna and I are going the US Army Military Police Museum at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, to see a picture of my Dad standing guard at bridge in Germany during World War II. I am so proud of my Dad and I miss him so much!
Donald Trump Harry Potter Bob Dylan Philando Castile New Zealand Presidential Medal Black Friday White House Premier League Barack Obama Joe Biden Tom Hanks Max Scherzer Hillary Clinton Jo Cox Manchester United Wayne Rooney Jared Kushner President Barack Obama Megyn Kelly Fantastic Beasts Islamic State New Jersey Mitch Mcconnell Harrison Ford Oxford Dictionaries Senate Republicans Cy Young Award Los Angeles Dakota Access Real Estate Supreme Court Michael Jordan Samantha Bee Electoral College Cy Young Auto Show Daily News Theresa May Carrie Fisher Boris Johnson Anthony Bourdain Best Time Beastie Boys Sandy Hook Steve Aoki Middle East Stephen Colbert Scott Disick Robert Redford General Assembly Nobel Prize Mutual Fund Election Day Mayor Bill Good Song Star Wars Cicely Tyson Black Lives Matter Nocturnal Animals Stephen Bannon Mike Pence Michelle Obama Kyle Hendricks Jon Lester Mose Allison Prince Harry Bruce Rauner Brendan Dassey Chicago Cubs City Hall Stephen Hawking North Dakota International Criminal Court Super Bowl Tom Ricketts Oklahoma City Van Gogh Leonard Cohen Frank Ocean World Tour Finals World Series Trump Tower Chuck Schumer Jurassic Park Bernie Sanders Daniel Craig Southern Poverty Law Center Steve Bannon Amazon Prime Lindsey Graham Roc Nation Ricky Martin Making A Murderer San Francisco Rick Porcello Andy Murray John Oliver Gareth Southgate Kate Upton
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2006 Ford Focus Trend 1.6 from Norway
Very reliable, but somewhat basic
Really, nothing.
Not joking, the only things I've replaced are a couple of light bulbs. The engine is however sweating some oil from around of the base of the dip stick, but not much. Haven't bothered to do anything about it, and the dealer didn't bother to do anything about it either.
General Comments:
Some negatives: Pretty slow with its base 1.6L engine and "old style" 4 speed auto (no DSG, exactly) but that's as expected. Also a lot of tyre noise, unfortunately. I'd give it a 10/10 for running costs, but it's somewhat thirsty considering its engine size.
Positives: 100% reliable and starts even without a hesitation at -27 deg below freezing, and it's fault free. Good heating system, but the A/C is not very efficient if the car has been left out in the sun. And at 6 years, the paint work is almost as good as when it left the factory. No rust whatsoever. Also, the interior keeps up really well, and the car feels very tight and rattle free. Drives very well, and is spacious enough for 2 adults and 2 children, including luggage.
I know it's not exactly a high mileage car, being basically used as a "grocery getter", but still very clean for its age.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th September, 2012


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GLEN FORK - A man facing robbery charges in Wyoming County is arrested.
The Wyoming County Sheriff's Department tells Newswatch Kenneth Aliff, 41, is facing charges after allegedly robbing The D & B Quick Stop in Glen Fork around noon on Wednesday. Aliff reportedly walked into the store and demanded money; police say there was no report of a weapon.
Aliff was arrested after police found him in a wooded area near Glen Fork. The unknown sum of money stolen has yet to be recovered.
He is currently in Southern Regional Jail on $25,000 bond.


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"The time to buy securities is when there are explosions going all around," says Loop Capital's Chris Mier, talking about bargains in municipals thanks to Detroit and Puerto Rico. Nearly $44B has been pulled from muni-bond funds this year, the fastest pace on record, according to Lipper. The average yield on high-grade bonds is 3.13% vs. 2.17% at the end of 2012, and the sale of new muni paper is off 15% from a year ago.
States account for more than $500B of muni debt and 14 carry AAA ratings - just 4 U.S. companies are rated AAA. ""Investors have overreacted and worry that problems may be everywhere," says Eaton Vance's Jim Evans. "There are definitely some difficulties, but the vast majority of credits are in good shape."
See also: Puerto Rico muni prices plummet 6.6% in October, off nearly 25% YTD.
ETFs: MUB, SUB, MUNI, PVI, PZA, SHM, TFI, VRD, HYD, ITM, MLN, PRB, SMB, GMMB, SMMU, RVNU, NY, NYF, PZT, INY, CMF, PWZ, CXA.


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MRP: Rs. 113.75 for 1 strip(s) (10 tablets each)
Report Error
Composition for CITALINCitalopram(20 mg)
food interaction for CITALIN
alcohol interaction for CITALIN
pregnancy interaction for CITALIN
lactation interaction for CITALIN
It can be taken with or without food, but it is better to take Citalin 20 mg tablet at a fixed time.
Citalin 20 mg tablet may cause excessive drowsiness and calmness with alcohol.
Citalin 20 mg tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.
Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.
Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.
Unknown. Human and animal studies are not available. Please consult your doctor.
SALT INFORMATION for CITALIN
Citalopram(20 mg)
Citalin 20 mg tablet is used in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobia.
How it works
Citalin 20 mg tablet works in depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers in the brain that helps in regulating mood.
Common side effects
Nausea, Nervousness, Palpitations, Abnormal dreams, Agitation, Altered sleeping pattern, Memory loss, Anxiety, Impaired concentration, Confusion, Constipation, Decreased libido, Diarrhoea, Dizziness, Dry mouth, Flatulence, Headache, Increased saliva production, Increased sweating, Lack of interest, Itching, Loss of appetite, Migraine, Muscle pain, Joint pain, Running nose, Nasal congestion, Reduced emotions, Ringing in ear, Stomach pain, Pricking sensation, Tingling sensation of extremity, Numbness of extremity, Tremor, Vomiting, Weakness, Fatigue, Weight loss, Yawning
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Top Psychiatrists
- Dr. Kanika MehrotraMBBS
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Expert advice for CITALIN
- Do not use an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) with citalopram as this may cause bruising or bleeding.
- Continue to regularly report any new or worsening symptoms such as mood or behaviour changes, anxiety, panic attacks or even thoughts about suicide while you are using citalopram.
- You may experience increased anxiety/depression in the beginning of citalopram treatment, which will disappear during continued treatment.
- Do not stop using citalopram suddenly unless directed, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking citalopram.
- Do not drive or operate machinery while using citalopram as it may cause sleepiness or dizziness and may impair your thinking or reactions.
Frequently asked questions for CITALIN
Q.What citalopram used for?
Citalopram is used in the treatment of depression and panic disorder
Q.Does citalopram cause weight gain/ high blood pressure/ headaches?
Citalopram may cause certain side effects such as headaches, high blood pressure and rarely rapid weight gain
Q.Does citalopram contain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)?
Citalopram does not contain MAOI. However, citalopram should not be taken if a MAOI inhibitor is taken in the past 14 days, as it may cause dangerous drug interaction.


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To make reservations by phone, dial freephone 0800 221 222 in the UK, 1 800 409 929 in Ireland, or view our regional telephone reservation numbers.
Located minutes away from Kansas City Airport, the Courtyard is a convenient stop on your next business or leisure trip.
Welcome Pedestals
Our state-of-the-art lobby features a new, more personal arrival experience that is sure to delight even the most traveled road warrior.
Queen/Queen Guest Room
Are you in need of more space? You'll find plenty of room to stretch out in our large guest rooms that feature two queen-size beds.
King Guest Room
Enjoy complimentary high-speed Internet access and experience luxurious bedding at our Courtyard with our custom comforters, thicker mattresses and fluffier pillows.
King Suite
Conduct business and get a wonderful night's rest in our king guest suites, all equipped with oversized desk and complimentary high-speed Internet access.
Queen/Queen Suite
Enjoy all of the comforts of home in a clean, spacious suite that offers the perfect balance between business and pleasure.
The Market
An assortment of essentials and goodies awaits you at The Market– open 24 hours for your convenience.
Media Pods
For more privacy, guests can work or relax in one of the comfortable media pods. The pods feature free wireless high-speed Internet access, power outlets (for cell phone chargers and laptops) and a flat-screen TV with personal remote controls.
Our signature GoBoard®, located in our lobby, allows you to access driving directions, view local weather, find a local restaurant, and catch up on all the latest news.
The Bistro
The highlight of our new lobby is The Bistro-Eat.Drink.Connect. Select from Grab N Go options, light fare or full restaurant-style service – the choice is yours.
Healthy Start Breakfast Sandwich
Breakfast at The Bistro features specialty Starbucks coffee and a wide selection of pastries, egg sandwiches, fruit and yogurt parfaits.
Asian Chicken Salad
The Bistro provides high quality, freshly prepared meals and beverages in a quick serve café environment. The Bistro offers a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, hot meals, entrée salads and soups.
Half Dozen Wings
The Bistro provides high quality, freshly prepared meals and beverages in a quick serve café environment. The Bistro offers a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, hot meals and entrée salads.
Indoor Pool & Whirlpool
Whether you're going for a leisurely swim or an invigorating workout, our indoor pool is a great place to unwind.


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Monthly Archives: November 2011
Elvis Costello to Fans – Don't buy
Elvis Costello has been pretty vocal about the issues on Wall Street since the recession started and is continuing his message by telling his fans not to purchase his new limited edition box set "The Return of the Spectacular Spinning Songbook," due to the exorbitant price tag of $225.
Costello wrote in his blog post;
"We at www.elviscostello.com find ourselves unable to recommend "The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook" as the price appears to be either a misprint or a satire."
Costello didn't stop there and surprised everyone by recommending a collection by Louis Armstrong.
"All our attempts to have this number revised have been fruitless so we are taking the following unusual step.
If you want to buy something special for your loved one at this time of seasonal giving, we suggest, "Ambassador Of Jazz" – a cute little imitation suitcase containing ten re-mastered albums by one of the most beautiful and loving revolutionaries who ever lived "" Louis Armstrong.
The box should be available for under one hundred and fifty American dollars and includes a number of other tricks and treats.
Frankly the music is vastly superior."
Costello goes on to explain that the items in the package will be available separately and at a more affordable price at the beginning of the year.
Hats off to Costello!
KVIE PBS Teams Up with Blame Sally
So I was approached by Todd Wagner from Ninth Street Opus to help publicize an upcoming event over at Public Television's KVIE in Sacramento. You see Ninth Street Opus represents a San Francisco all-female group, Blame Sally, who's scheduled to perform at the KVIE TV station on Saturday, December 3rd.
KVIE and Blame Sally are working together to create a pledge program to help raise money for Public Television on a national level. KVIE will be filming Blame Sally during their performance and using the footage to produce a PBS Special, which will ultimately be used in their pledge drives across the country.
I don't think I need to go on about the value of Public Television and what it means for the community as a whole, but I do want to make sure that everyone understands who Blame Sally is and why they were chosen to perform at KVIE.
PBS wants to use Blame Sally as a role model for women everywhere. They are an example of healthy, authentic women, proud of their age and defying the odds by forming a successful rock band in their 40's and 50's. What they have accomplished is an inspiration to women across America.
Blame Sally is a little bit of country, a little bit of rock, a little bit of folk, and a whole lot of heart. They have been compared to the Indigo Girls, Dixie Chicks, and even Radiohead, but forget about all that, because one day some all-female band is going to come along and they will be compared to Blame Sally.
The band is made up of four young women "" alright – Let's say four not-so-young women. They bring a lifetime of love, happiness, disappointment, trials and tribulations and really just a whole lot of life to the table. It shows in their music, especially in their latest album A Speeding Ticket and a Valentine.
A few tracks that really stood out for me on their new album – "Living Without You," a hard-rocking song about a woman uncertain whether to be devastated or exhilarated by a relationships end. "Countdown," with its driving beat and then "Big Big Bed," which you gotta love simply because of the washboard paying in the background.
So who are these women of wisdom and why do they work together so well?
Pam Delgado (percussion and vocals) "" Wishes she still owned the family car from when she was just a kid. It was a Lavender Pontiac Bonneville complete with a Clamshell from Sears.
Renee Harcourt (guitar, bass and vocals) "" She's really the talented one out of the four, but don't tell the others that. She can juggle, ride a unicycle and whistle loudly with or without fingers, but not all at the same time and hopefully not onstage.
Jeri Jones (guitar, bass and vocals) "" I tried to call Jeri but never did get through. All I heard on the other end of the phone was "who the *&$@%# is calling me before I've had my morning coffee!" I did hear she's prone to pre-coffee accidents. Luckily all their performances are late in the day.
Monica Pasqual (piano, accordion and vocals) "" She's started a billion songs and never finished them. Something about being superstitious when it comes to songwriting. She has to have at least two good verses and chorus before she can walk away, otherwise it's a lost cause. All the other songs she's completed? One word "" perfection.
Together these women make up Blame Sally. Granted an odd bunch and not a Sally in the lot, but it doesn't matter as long as they keep pumping out some really awesome tunes.
Get out there and show your support for Public Television and Blame Sally.
KVIE TV Station
2030 W. El Camino Ave Sacramento, CA 95833
Saturday, December 3
7:00-8:30 pm "¦. AND"¦. 9:00-10:30 pm
Regular Admission: Per Show: $25 / Both Shows: $45 150 seats available
VIP Seating: Per Show: $100. Only 50 VIP seats available!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra mesmerized the audience Saturday afternoon at Power Balance Pavilion in the first of two Christmas shows.
For those of you who may not be familiar with TSO, they are a progressive rock band that incorporates classical, orchestral, symphonic and progressive elements into hard rock and heavy metal. They are famous for their series of rock operas and storytelling.
This was a high-energy show with a combination of lasers, lights, pyrotechnics and video screens all synchronized to TSO's music.
Dressed in black, the orchestra made their way on stage while chimes were playing. As they were assembling onstage, there were clips of Martin Luther King Jr. from the famous "I Have a Dream" speech, as well as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and others, with each round of new faces drawing applause and cheers. Once onstage they started playing "Who I Am," with video screens and lights blazing in perfect unison.
The talented storyteller Phillip Brandon started weaving a tale of an angel coming down to Earth on Christmas Eve. Brandon's phenomenal voice, reminiscent of the famous James Earl Jones, drew the crowd into the tale as a hush came over the audience. After the introduction, the orchestra started playing "An Angel Came Down," complete with lights and lasers.
As the orchestra began "First Snow," it actually started to snow in the arena. OK, not really snow, but the pretend kind of snow. You know the
one with tiny bubbles raining down? Couple that with all the video screens filled with snow added to the sensation of real snow. It was quite breathtaking, leaving the audience in complete awe as they listened to an extremely talented line-up of musicians.
One of their screens and lighting units that made a Y shape stretching out above the audience was actually a catwalk. As the show progressed the unit started to descend on top of the audience, leaving people wondering if they should get out of the way. As it slowly made its way down, members of the band ran up it. The catwalk started to rise with band members running towards the back portion of the catwalk providing everyone in the "cheap" seats a prime view of the performance. It was quite impressive.
A new comer to TSO, violinist Asha Mevlana was off the charts rocking it with her purple high tech violin. As she ended a solo routine you could hear the crowd gasp in unison as she grabbed her bow and snapped it in half over her knee, ending the song. This was so much more dramatic than smashing a guitar to smithereens, since it was completely unexpected.
As they wrapped up the story, the orchestra treated the audience to a number of different songs including a mix from one of their albums "Christmas Canon Rock," at which point they brought out founder, composer, and producer Paul O'Neill.
This was my first exposure to TSO and I have to say they left me wanting more, even after a 2 ½ hour performance.
Armed with an arsenal of talented musicians, singers, and special effects, TSO delivers a high energy, phantasmic kaleidoscope of fun. Oh "" and some really good music too.
Ladies Night Out at Thunder Valley Casino and Resort
OMG! I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to write this after the Chippendale's performance at Thunder Valley Casino Resort Wednesday night.
It was only after taking a cold shower and having a glass "" scratch that "" a bottle of wine that I was able to start thinking clearly.
What? No! The water heater went out and a "glass" of wine is how I like to end my day.
My intent on writing this is to warn any unsuspecting women who may decide to take in a show like the Chippendales'. Don't. Seriously, nobody liked the show!
It was quite obvious that every woman in the place, which was around 99.9 percent of the people, couldn't stand the show. I couldn't believe it! I was completely dumbfounded. They were screaming "Get off!" almost the entire show. The Chippendales never got the message. They stayed onstage the whole time!
The strange thing is when they finally ended the show and did get off the stage, all the women started screaming "More, more, more." I know, I find women confusing, too. They say one thing and mean another. (Come to think of it, they may have been screaming "Take it off!")
As for the men onstage, I felt bad for these guys. It appeared to be a little chilly in the room, but that didn't seem to dampen their enthusiasm. All I can say is I was feeling a tad inadequate at this point.
The biggest criticism I have of the show? It was the most disgusting display of pure
animalistic behavior I have ever witnessed. It was really quite a sight to see. None of the women could keep it together. They were falling over in the aisles, standing on chairs, trying to get back stage, onstage, or anywhere close to those big hunks. Now hold on a minute! I'm only referring to them as big hunks because I know that's how women refer to those large glistening bodies of pure muscle and all their gyrating ways.
I will say there was definitely an excitement in the air as the show progressed, but it's difficult for me to explain the atmosphere. I liken it to when I receive a package from FedEx that I have to sign for because I know it's got to be something really cool, otherwise I wouldn't have to sign for it. Well, that's the way all the ladies were acting, but I guess they weren't interested in a FedEx package.
Speaking of packages "" the Chippendales were the complete package, with eight of the most physically perfect male dancers all competing for the audience's attention, all dressed in their trademark bow ties and shirt cuffs with bare torso, at least some of the time.
The opening was quite dramatic with the stage dark and ominous and smoke filling the air. One by one they took center stage with a lone spotlight lighting their muscular curves and superior physique. Is it getting hot in here?
The first few routines found these delectable morsels stripping down to pretty much nothing "" why do I keep writing like this? Delectable morsels? Now I'm starting to worry.
As each layer came off, the decibel levels in Pano Hall rose exponentially. People were gathering outside trying to get a glimpse of the show. Quite the curious crowd.
A couple of times during the show, they danced around the audience, going down aisles and over chairs. One of the Chippendales was looking for someone to give an autographed poster to. He found her when he exclaimed she deserved it for grabbing his penis. Yes "" there you have it. I said it, now it's out there for all to see.
Several people had the opportunity to jump onstage. In one case three ladies were in a game show where they were told to complete a task. The first one had to perform her best lap dance on one of the Chippendales. The second had to demonstrate her favorite position when making love, and the third had to demonstrate her favorite way of putting on a condom. The third won due to her technique and the timely fashion of completing her task. Oh "" I should clarify. She put it on a banana.
This was definitely ladies' night out. There were a few men in attendance, and you could tell which ones were straight. They were carrying a ball and chain and didn't look all too happy. I believe my count was two husbands/significant others in attendance.
The show was so successful that Thunder Valley had to provide additional seats to accommodate the larger-than-expected crowd.
After the show, the Chippendales remained onstage so audience members could have their photos taken with their favorites. I declined. They also announced they would be going to Thunder Valley's Falls Bar for an after-party. [Insert loud cheers here.]
So at the end of the day I feel like I was able to embrace my inner gayness and survive. As I'm sitting here writing this, I'm convinced that I have no lingering side effects from the show.
Well I have to go. I just started to redecorate the house and have to put up these curtains that are simply to die for. And if you think that's something, wait until you see my new landscape design. We can talk about it over the nice gourmet meal that I'm preparing.
To all my gay friends, including my kids god parents – no offense! Next time Dean, your coming with.
Dia Frampton Releases First Single/Music Video
You may remember Dia Frampton as a contestant and runner-up on the first season of The Voice on NBC.
Frampton was selected to be on the team of Coach Blake Shelton. Shelton selected Frampton and said, "When I heard her voice, I started to smile." She made her way to the semi-finals with renditions of "Heartless" and "Losing My Religion." For the season finale Frampton sang "Inventing Shadows," an original song written by Fraser T. Smith.
All the above singles were the highest charting digital songs on iTunes by any of the contestants in the show, with "Inventing Shadows" topping the charts at #1.
Shelton and Frampton formed a special relationship during the show, with Shelton professing that she had become part of the family through their journey together on The Voice. He committed to helping her beyond the show, which he has in some big ways.
Shelton set Frampton up with some songwriter friends, helped her produce her upcoming album "Red," due to be released on December 6th, 2011, and now they will be touring together in Shelton's upcoming tour "Well Lit and Amplified Tour 2012," set to open in January.
Hmmm. I've got to wonder what wife Miranda Lambert thinks about this cozy little relationship. I thought on the show it was getting a little creepy, but now they are actually going on tour together. Only time will tell.
Ahead of her new album and upcoming tour with Shelton, Frampton has released a new single "The Broken Ones." The video Features several of her sisters, including Meg Frampton, who Dia formed a band with back in 2004 and were known as Meg and Dia.
The song is about loving the faults of others. It's a nice tune with just enough country thrown in to appease her newfound country audience.
Frampton has a great voice and a long career ahead of her. I'd like to see her break away from Shelton after the tour so she can spread her wings and have a little bit more of Dia shine through her music. I believe Miranda's in complete agreement with me on that one.
British Invasion Causes Riot at Thunder Valley
Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone played to a full house of old diehard Herman's Hermits fans at Thunder Valley Casino Resort's Pano Hall Sunday night. That's not to say everyone in the audience was old, just older than most.
The Noonatics, those who carry around vinyl albums and old Herman's Hermits 8-tracks, may have known what they were in for, but I sure as bloody hell didn't.
The 64 year old rocker joined the British band as the lead singer (Herman) at the young age of 15. That's "" let me see "" oh forget it, you do the math!
I went to see Herman's Hermits to relax and enjoy some oldies but goodies, so when Noone took the stage and started singing, "I'm Into Something Good," I was thinking, "Ahhhh, this is perfect."
Then the bloody bloke started yapping and from that point on there was no relaxing for anyone. All we could do was laugh at the bugger. He's completely bollocks!
He explained to everyone that a friend told him that Sacramento, Yuba City and Clarksburg were way out in the country and if he wanted to make us happy he had to play some country music. He started singing Johnny Cash's, "Ring of Fire," resulting in the audience laughing throughout the song.
Noone was all over the map, singing songs from Johnny Horton, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, and of course Herman's Hermits hits as well.
At one point, one of the noonatics in the front row pulled out an old vinyl album cover from years and years ago. Noone, the mad hatter that he
is, grabbed the album and stuck it over his face, displaying the old photo of himself. He then started singing and marching across the stage. It was quite comical.
Another rant was about looking like Nick Nolte. He said as he was coming through the casino someone stopped him and asked about the show. They got all excited, screaming as they pointed at him, "Hey! You're Nick Nolte."
In between jokes he actually did sing a hit or two. This guy has a great voice and as soon as the band started up any of their past hits, the audience erupted in cheers and clapping.
Those that could still stand did.
Noone sang most of their hits including "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," "I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am" and "There's a Kind of Hush."
Prior to the show Noone went out of his way to engage people, shaking their hands and saying hi. You could tell he lives for this stuff and thoroughly enjoys it as much as the fans.
After the show, a path was cleared by the ever so diligent security staff at Thunder Valley to make way for Noone as he made his way to the exit. There he started signing autographs and chatting it up with anyone who would listen. The guy just can't help himself "" It's who he is. After all, what do you expect from the son of an accountant!
Peter Noone is the real deal. Not only does he sing, but he entertains too "" with a smile. He's quite the riot.
Cirque Shanghai's Bai Xi
The Cirque Shanghai's Bai Xi put on a breathtaking show Thursday and Friday night at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, playing to a standing room only crowd both nights.
Bai Xi translates to "one hundred amazing acts." However, I only counted 16, but they were 16 amazing displays of physical strength and grace. The show was full of spectacular colors, talented young men, women, and a number of young girls. It was a magical night with some mind-boggling performances and a variety of visually stunning costumes.
As the show opened the performers started in the back of Pano Hall dressed in spectacularly colorful costumes. Working their way through the audience with a winking parade style dragon and waving giant flags, they were saying hi to audience members and shaking hands as they made their way to the stage.
Once onstage they immediately started in with their incredible balancing act with a unicycle riding on top of a red umbrella and then appearing to fall off stage. These guys had everything from contortionists to roller skating, including juggling pottery and even hats!
The contortionists, dressed in yellow, ranged from little girls to young women. They started by arranging themselves in a single file row from front to back, with the smallest in the front as they spread their arms out. They started climbing over each other, bending into unimaginable positions. It was quite the spectacle.
Next up was a number of young men and women balancing on a single ladder. As one man made his way on stage he was balanced on a ladder, wiggling his way to center stage. Once there another man climbed on from behind and made his way to the shoulders of the first man. They finally ended up with four men balanced on the ladder.
At one point a number of young kids came out stuffed in colorful barrels, and I mean stuffed. These kids were very bendable and at one point there was one in one end of the barrel and another in the other end and then they would trade off balancing each other on the one end. Crazy!
There was an awesome hat routine that was very well choreographed. These guys made their routine look deceptively easy, until they called a few audience members onstage to help them out.
That's when I noticed Rachel Steele, lead singer of local country rock band Road 88sitting in the audience. As they were looking for volunteers it
was obvious that Steele did not have her hand up, but one of the men went right to her and insisted she come up onstage. It was funny watching Steele, who is used to leading, having to follow these guys as they directed her, and three other audience members through several routines.
I'm thinking with fellow Road 88 band members Scott Prentice and Billy Haggard in attendance that they somehow had a hand in arranging Steele's selection. Steele was definitely caught off guard.
Steele was doing a great job and you could tell she felt this was in the bag when they had her dancing and clapping her hands above her head, nothing she wasn't used to. However, once they started showing her their hat routine she had quite a bit of difficulty duplicating their moves.
The other two audience members didn't fare any better than Steele, but kudos to the young lady who actually did a cartwheel, much to the audience's delight.
This was a fast paced show with stunning acrobatics, gymnastics, and a whole lot of grace. The only downside of the night was the height of the stage. During several acts the stage was so low that it was difficult to see what was going on. Luckily there were only a few parts where it was difficult to see.
I'm sure they will be back to perform at Thunder Valley again and if they do, you won't want to miss it! I have a feeling Rachel will.
Meredith McHenry – Karaoke Done Right!
This past week I was lucky enough to attend The Sleeter Group's 2011 Accounting Solutions Conference held in Las Vegas, where they talked about all things "" well "" accounting.
Why do I say I was lucky to attend?
First, these accountant types are really nice people. Now I'm not just saying that. It's true!
For example, every single time I purchased something with one of my new found accountant friends, they would let me know how the purchase would benefit me from a tax perspective, or warn me about a possible IRS audit if I were to write it off. Way more information than I ever want to know when buying a 5th of Jack.
Second, and most importantly, I was able to catch a glimpse of 29 year old Karaoke sensation Meredith McHenry as she performed a couple of songs for the pencil pushers. McHenry is best known for her success on ABC's Karaoke Battle USA, taking the West Coast Championship and moving into the semi-finals of the show.
McHenry treated the group of dapper QuickBooks types to a couple of songs including her rendition of "It's a Man's Man's Mans's World," which won her a standing ovation from the calculator toting audience.
That says a lot since a standing ovation from these people is not easy to come by. As McHenry was ending her song you could hear all the laptops, PDA's, and smart phones being shuffled to the side so they could stand, cheer and clap.
"It's a Man's World" also helped win over the judges on ABC's Karaoke Battle USA. Judge Carnie Wilson, of the famous trio Wilson Phillips, told McHenry "Serious, serious, serious singing woman. That was the most commanding, most believable most fantastically fabulous soulful performance."
McHenry has a phenomenal voice with just the right amount of soul, blues and a little bit of jazz. She's a mix between Christina Aguilera and Adele all wrapped into a bubbly and gorgeous package that takes no prisoners once she hits the stage.
McHenry has been entertaining karaoke fans since she was 21 in such places as The Mint in the Castro District of San Francisco as well as Gallagher's in the East Bay, where she qualified for the regionals of Karaoke World Championships USA. She's releasing a new song "Nobody's Fault But My Own." You can get it on Amazon.com
To all the Sleeter attendees "" All joking aside, you're all a great group of people.
As I always say – {{xà ½ (-a "" 8-a2 *a)}, {x à ½ (-a-8-a2 *a)}} + The Sleeter Group = Chunkification done right.
About the Sleeter Group
The Sleeter Group was established in 1994 and is based in Pleasanton, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Sleeter Group has trained over 30,000 accounting professionals in accounting software solutions. The Sleeter Group has built a national reputation for high quality materials and instruction, and in doing so has become the "Graduate School" for QuickBooks and small business accounting professionals.
Sacramento's SactoMoFo 3
UPDATE: The location has changed to the spot of the Sunday Farmers Market on W and 6th Street. While there won't be beer, it's now FREE admission!!! There will have even more local and Bay Area trucks as well. It's still chairty drive for the Sacramento Food Bank and Toys for Tots as well, which could really use the help this time of the year. Thanks to our friends at SactoMoFo for this update!
Who'd have thunk it. Years ago when I was eating off the local roach coach, I never would have imagined these meals on wheels turning into a variety of culinary delights.
Long gone are the microwaved breakfast burritos and the two day old readymade sandwiches. Now trucks serve a cultural hodgepodge of international treats such as South African stew, escargot, and hot dogs wrapped in bacon – My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
They have quite the following too. Patrons can follow their favorite truck via Twitter, Facebook, or websites like sactomofo.com where you can also read up on the latest news about SactoMoFo (Sacramento Mobile Food).
While cities across the nation, including Sacramento, have started restricting trucks to a mere 30 minutes in one location, they are more popular than ever.
Why else would Power Balance Pavilion be hosting 12 of the hottest trucks from Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area?See above for the new location!
And it doesn't stop there! They will also have 30 micro brewery's on tap and 20 of the most popular food carts at the show.
The price is right too! Only $10 gets you in the door, or grab a $25 VIP ticket and get early entry starting at 11:00. Designated driver tickets only $5 and kids 12 and under are free! Save even more money by bringing a food donation and get free parking. Soon you will be able to buy your tickets from your favorite truck.This event is now free with a new location!
So get out there and show your support for SactoMoFo!
SactoMofo HoHoHoliday Brewfest
Saturday December 03, 2011 1:00pm "" 8:00pm (VIP tickets 11:00am to 1:00pm)
Sacramento trucks:
Wicked Wich
Chando's Tacos
Heavenly Dogs
Pizza Guys
San Francisco trucks:
Hapa SF
Bacon Bacon
Chairman Bao
Fat Face
It's Corn Cake
Esther's Cupcakes
Emma's Tamales
Tacos La Piedad
Leila's Lumpia
Open Rice Kitchen
Jimboy's Tacos
El Porteno Empanadas
GWAR Guitarist Found Dead on Tour Bus
Cory Smoot lead guitarist for the heavy metal band GWAR was found dead Thursday on its tour bus following a concert in Minneapolis.
At this point it's unclear what caused Smoot's death.
There's no word yet on how this will impact their current concert tour. They were scheduled to perform in Edmonton and Calgary on Friday and Saturday with upcoming performances in Seattle.
Smoot has been performing with the band since 2002 under the name "Flattus Maximus" and produced their last two albums.
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo themes.


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2014-05-29 06:15:00
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(Longview, WA) -- A Longview man is in custody after being accused of groping his neighbor and dragging her into her house. Robert Frederickson is facing charges of kidnapping, assault, and burglary, following his arrest Tuesday. FOX-12 reports the victim was attacked as she was returning home from a walk. The woman says she fought off the assailant and screamed until neighbors called police.
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Yamaha Rhino Winch Mount [P/N 9055-Win]
Yamaha Rhino Winch Mounting Plate.* Fit Warn 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0* Will fit 4,000 lb winch.* Laser Cut.* Powder Coated.* Tow hooks cut into front.THIS WILL WORK WITH OUR FRONT HEAVY DUTY BUMPER.
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Yes, you read the title right and you probably do not want to make this a weekly staple. Trust me, you are going to want to, but probably not the best of ideas. Now I have made pimento cheese on the blog before and you can get the recipe for my version here. Make the pimento cheese the night before to allow it to set up.
Next you'll want to fry your green tomatoes and the bacon. I like to spread the pimento cheese on the tomatoes while warm so the cheese softens a little. Lay out all sandwich ingredients in order to assemble:
Assemble on toasted bread with mayonnaise, bacon, arugula (or lettuce), and salt/pepper. I also like a couple of dashes of hot sauce.
So today's dish may be less of a recipe and more like combining a couple of southern favorites to make it all come together but you need to make this — really.
Who in RVA is offering this as a lunch special anytime soon? Giddy up!
Who in RVA is offering this as a lunch special anytime soon? Giddy up!
E.A.T. local E.A.T. well


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Stearns PFDs, Life Jackets & Vests
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Event Details
Lorton Volunteer Conservation Task
Wednesday 30 November 2016 10:00 - 15:00
A regular day of practical work at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve restoring habitats important for local wildlife.
Tools, gloves and drinks supplied.
No previous experience necessary, please bring a packed lunch.
Meet at the centre at 10am.
For more information phone 01305 816546 FREE.
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