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Staying Relevant in a Smartphone Dominated World
Leo is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
It's hard to find any investors who are bullish on GPS manufacturer Garmin (NASDAQ: GRMN) these days. Garmin, which once dominated the market for dedicated GPS devices, has seen its market share crumble over the past five years ever since smartphones took center stage. Since late 2007, Garmin has lost over 70% of its market value, as the company struggled to keep its technology relevant. However, the company refuses to throw down the towel, and continues to produce a wide variety of products aimed at preserving its share of the GPS market. Can these efforts succeed, or is Garmin merely postponing its inevitable demise?
Fundamentals first
Before we check out Garmin's upcoming devices, we should see how the company has fared financially. Last quarter, Garmin's revenue declined 4.4% year-on-year to $532 million, and its adjusted earnings fell 11.11% to $0.40 per share. The company topped analyst estimates on the top-line but missed on the bottom-line. However, the company managed to decrease its advertising and SG&A (selling, general and administrative) expenses significantly, although operating expenses rose.
From this chart, we can see that although expenses have declined considerably, but they are decreasing in line with the shrinkage of its top and bottom lines. In other words, Garmin is still getting smaller, albeit in a controlled, step-by-step manner. Sales of its bread and butter PNDs (personal navigation devices) slumped 8% from the prior year quarter to 2.5 million units. By comparison, 216.2 million smartphones were shipped in the first quarter of 2013, according to NPD.
Garmin's direct competitors, TomTom and Magellan, haven't fared much better. Over the past five years, shares of TomTom, headquartered in Amsterdam, have declined 74%. Meanwhile, Magellan is now a subsidiary of Taiwanese company MiTAC, which also produces Mio PNDs. Shares of MiTAC have fallen nearly 50% over the past five years, which indicates that all of these hardware GPS manufacturers are stuck in the same sinking boat.
Two half-baked ideas...
Garmin's first line of defense was to produce its own Microsoft Windows Mobile and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android smartphones, with the help of Taiwanese PC manufacturer Asus. Between 2009 and 2011, Garmin released six Garmin Nüvifones, which ran on Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.53 and Android 1.6. This brand eventually evolved into the Garminfone, a low-end Android device that has failed to find an audience due to its lackluster specs and clunky design.
Garmin's second line of defense was to start rolling out apps for Apple iOS, Android, Windows Phones and BlackBerry. On iOS and Windows Phones, users can download Garmin's full-featured StreetPilot app for $50 and $40, respectively. However, all of Garmin's free and paid apps face the same problem - Google Maps already offers turn-by-turn directions for free, making Garmin a clumsy and inferior choice.
Google Maps, which is tightly integrated into both iOS and Android, is simply a better choice for most smartphone users, since Google's location-based rating services are increasingly powered by crowdsourced reviews and data. Google's recent purchase of popular crowdsourced map company Waze, which has 47 million active users, confirms that Google intends to be the de facto map service across mobile devices, completely replacing the need for PNDs. For most users, an average experience with Google Maps is also more seamless than the jarring transition to an old-fashioned GPS interface that Garmin's phones and apps provide.
And a third half-baked idea
Since those two ideas didn't quite pan out, Garmin recently came up with another bizarre idea - a heads-up display (HUD) for cars that costs $130. The product replicates a popular feature in higher-end cars, where basic navigation data is directly reflected onto a transparent film attached to the windshield. The data includes the current speed, the local speed limit, and upcoming turns to the destination. The hardware synchronizes to a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone running Garmin's StreetPilot and Navigon applications on Android, iOS or Windows Phone 8, and directly projects the data onto the windshield.
Although that idea sounds marketable to drivers who think that looking down at a smartphone GPS while driving is dangerous, a simple smartphone mount, which costs approximately $20, could solve that dilemma quite easily. In addition, many vehicles already offer Bluetooth-synchronized connections to smartphones. Garmin recently signed a deal with Mercedes-Benz to bring similar technology to its vehicles. This means that with the HUD, Garmin could be producing yet another redundant piece of hardware that could be dead on arrival.
Garmin reported a 10% slide in its auto and mobile PND business segment last quarter, and projects a 20% decline in global sales volume in the sector, and it seems unlikely that its new HUD product will do much to turn around the business. Those businesses currently account for nearly half of Garmin's top-line.
Finding strength in other niche sectors
The rest of Garmin's top-line is generated by aviation, fitness and marine navigation products. Garmin has shown some strength in aviation and fitness products, which reported 10% and 2% growth, respectively. Sales of marine navigation products, however, fell 10%.
If Garmin plays its cards right in these niche sectors, where smartphones cannot be practically mounted and used (aircraft, bicycles, boats), their sales and profit growth could help offset losses in its auto and mobile PND segment. In fact, Garmin's aviation segment actually contributed 26% to the company's total operating profit, up from 19% in the prior year. Meanwhile, its auto and mobile segment's income contribution declined from 25% to 20%. This is a positive sign that Garmin can slowly back out of its auto and mobile PND business and focus on other markets.
Spending heavily to keep growing
Although Garmin's growth in aviation and fitness is encouraging, the company has spent heavily to keep improving its navigation systems to stay on par with Google and other competitors. Operating expenses rose from $193 million to $196 million, with double-digit increases in research and development costs in its marine and outdoor segments.
As a result of this research, Garmin recently released new products, such as golf navigation watches and dog tracking systems, which could also help it diversify away from its auto and mobile PND market.
The Foolish Bottom Line
Garmin has its work cut out for it in the coming year. It needs to prove that it can stay relevant in a smartphone-dominated world. Unpopular hardware, paid apps and HUDs aren't going to cut it anymore. Garmin should focus on its core growth areas - aviation and fitness products - and avoid a direct confrontation with Google altogether. If Garmin manages to help these segments thrive, it could actually stand a decent chance of growing its top and bottom lines again.
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Wars, presidents and popularity: The political cost(s) of war re-examined
AbstractExtensive research demonstrates that war casualties depress incumbent popularity. The present study argues that analyses of the political costs of warfare should also account for the financial toll of wars since a) financial costs of wars are substantial, b) these costs are publicly observed and understood and c) fiscal policy affects incumbents' approval ratings. Empirical evidence based on US data for the 1948-2008 period supports this theoretical claim: pecuniary costs of warfare either directly affect presidential popularity (e.g., in the Korean War) or their inclusion affects the predicted political cost of war casualties (e.g., in the Korean and Iraq/Afghanistan Wars). Interestingly, the adverse effect of war-spending is strongest under favourable economic conditions (i.e. low unemployment). -- Umfangreiche Forschungen zeigen, dass Kriegsopfer der Popularität des Amtsinhabers schaden. Die vorliegende Studie liefert Argumente dafür, dass Analysen der politischen Kosten der Kriegsführung in die Berechnung der finanziellen Kriegsausgaben miteinbezogen werden sollten, da a) die finanziellen Kosten von Kriegen beträchtlich sind, b) diese Kosten von der Öffentlichkeit wahrgenommen und verstanden werden, c) Fiskalpolitik die Umfragewerte des Amtsinhabers beeinflusst. Basierend auf US-Daten über den Zeitraum 1948-2008 wird dieser theoretische Anspruch empirisch unterstützt: pekuniäre Kosten der Kriegsführung haben entweder direkt eine Auswirkung auf die Popularität des Präsidenten (z. B. Koreakrieg) oder deren Einbeziehung beeinflusst die vorhergesagten politischen Kosten durch Kriegsopfer (z. B. Korea- und Irak/-Afghanistankrieg). Interessanterweise sind die negativen Auswirkungen der Kriegsausgaben am stärksten, wenn die wirtschaftlichen Bedingungen günstig (d.h. niedrige Arbeitslosigkeit) sind.
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Bibliographic InfoPaper provided by Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB) in its series Discussion Papers, Research Professorship & Project "The Future of Fiscal Federalism" with number SP II 2009-11.
Date of creation: 2009
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:zbw:wzbfff:spii200911
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Related researchKeywords: Presidential approval; War; Casualties; Military spending;
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- Arne Risa Hole, 2006. "Calculating Murphy-Topel variance estimates in Stata: A simplified procedure," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, StataCorp LP, vol. 6(4), pages 521-529, December.
- Peltzman, Sam, 1992. "Voters as Fiscal Conservatives," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, MIT Press, vol. 107(2), pages 327-61, May.
- G. William Schwert, 1988.
"Tests For Unit Roots: A Monte Carlo Investigation,"
NBER Technical Working Papers
0073, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- Schwert, G William, 2002. "Tests for Unit Roots: A Monte Carlo Investigation," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 20(1), pages 5-17, January.
- Schwert, G William, 1989. "Tests for Unit Roots: A Monte Carlo Investigation," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 7(2), pages 147-59, April.
- Fox, Gerald & Phillips, Earl N., 2003. "Interrelationship between presidential approval, presidential votes and macroeconomic performance, 1948-2000," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 411-424, September.
- James W. Hardin, 2002. "The robust variance estimator for two-stage models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, StataCorp LP, vol. 2(3), pages 253-266, August.
- Murphy, Kevin M & Topel, Robert H, 1985.
"Estimation and Inference in Two-Step Econometric Models,"
Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association,
American Statistical Association, vol. 3(4), pages 370-79, October.
- Murphy, Kevin M & Topel, Robert H, 2002. "Estimation and Inference in Two-Step Econometric Models," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 20(1), pages 88-97, January.
- Benny Geys & Jan Vermeir, 2008.
"Taxation and presidential approval: separate effects from tax burden and tax structure turbulence?,"
Public Choice, Springer,
Springer, vol. 135(3), pages 301-317, June.
- Geys, Benny & Vermeir, Jan, 2007. "Taxation and presidential approval: separate effects from tax burden and tax structure turbulence," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Market Processes and Governance SP II 2007-09, Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB).
- Pagan, Adrian, 1984. "Econometric Issues in the Analysis of Regressions with Generated Regressors," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 25(1), pages 221-47, February.
- Colaresi, Michael, 2007. "The Benefit of the Doubt: Testing an Informational Theory of the Rally Effect," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press, vol. 61(01), pages 99-143, January.
- Braumoeller, Bear F., 2004. "Hypothesis Testing and Multiplicative Interaction Terms," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge University Press, vol. 58(04), pages 807-820, October.
CitationsCitations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
Cited by:
- Michael Berlemann & Sören Enkelmann, 2012.
"The Economic Determinants of U.S. Presidential Approval -A Survey-,"
CESifo Working Paper Series
3761, CESifo Group Munich.
- Soeren Enkelmann & Michael Berlemann, 2013. "The Economic Determinants of U.S. Presidential Approval - A Survey," Working Paper Series in Economics, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics 272, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
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Lincoln and Zero Dark Thirty, does Hollywood set America's agenda? Or is it the other way around? http://t.co/fJReQ5W9kV #Oscars
Lincoln vs. Argo: Which will win #BestPicture? Or will Life of Pi steal the show? #Oscars
Six actors who won #Oscars for portraying historical figures: Will Daniel Day-Lewis join them with Lincoln?
New trend in #Hollywood: Oldsters are cool #Oscars
In 14 mass shootings since 2000, high capacity magazines were used in all: #Guns in America:
15% of American households have bought a gun in the past three months: Guns in America: #Guns
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Questions no one knows the answers toWell thes are a bunch of random questions that no one really knows the answers to. When you think about it alot of these questions are really quite literally smart, and what i want to knowis why havent people asked these questions before? by the way QM means quiz maker. ~ the hippie
Did you like this quiz? Make one of your own!


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George Bush: Climate Change Is a Threat
September 03, 2014
Too bad the rest of his party won't admit it.
Deported Without Seeing A Judge: One of the Worst Parts of the Immigration System
April 14, 2014
Over three-quarters of deportees didn't see a judge in 2012.
Why Is Robert Gates Angry?
February 25, 2014
Robert Gates was one of the most effective secretaries of defense in recent history. He was also one of the most restrained—until now.
How Many People in Your State Are Dying From Downwind Air Pollution?
December 09, 2013
This map estimates the toll.
Don't Compare Obamacare to Bush's Medicare Part D
November 19, 2013
Obama's health-care reform was designed to pay for itself.
Obama Proposes Another GOP Idea That Republicans Will Probably Oppose
August 22, 2013
With much fanfare, President Obama today announced a new set of proposals to rein in the cost of higher education, the most eye-catching of which is the creation of a ranking—based on metrics such as affordability, graduation rates, and recruitment o
How Obama Undermined the War on Terror
May 01, 2013
When Obama took office, he promised not to expend "the rule of law" for "expedience's sake." He did, and now we all face the consequences.


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This is a good, solid recipe. We used 7 small poblanos, 3 serranos and vegetable broth in place of the water. We sauteed everything together and then boiled. A handheld blender allows the soup to come together quickly. Skipped the squash blossoms and used queso fresco.
Corn Soup with Roasted Poblanos and Zucchini Blossoms
tara31 Posted: 07/15/10
HalcyonSeaFarms Posted: 07/22/09
I've made this soup several times for friends. I always serve it chilled. It's a delicious summertime dinner served with salad. Instead of zucchini blossoms on top, I use edible flowers purchased at the grocery store - makes the dish beautiful when plated.
WhitneyMaass Posted: 10/31/11
Didn't really get a great product out of this recipe, it just wasn't a winner. I also skipped the squash blossoms because I couldn't find a place that carried them.
shellyjcall Posted: 07/12/13
My sink is full of dirty dishes and my back aches from making this soup. While it is good, it is not exceptional, it only made a little over a quart. Not worth the time and effort.
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Own the Live Shows on DVD or VOD!
There's a lot of bad stuff out there, and unfortunately we can't watch it all. That's where you come in! Vote for your favorite terrible movies from the choices below, and we'll use the top-voted awful movies as a basis for an upcoming feature article on our site. (Note that we won't necessarily be riffing these; But who better than you, the RiffTrax audience to tell the world which is the worst movie ever!)
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A. Kahn Design ended 2011 with a bang in the shape of a tuning package for the Ferrari California , and it looks like they are starting 2012 in the same way with an upgrade package for the Ferrari 458 Italia . The Ferrari 458 Italia Editions were dressed up in either a triple Pearl White or a Rosso Corsa Red exterior paint finish, both combined with different exterior and interior elements.
The Rosso Corsa Red Ferrari 458 Italia by Kahn is toned down with a matte Pearl Gray finish for the roof, side skirts, and front and rear bumper sections. A. Kahn Design then added a new sport suspension and 9×21" front and 12×22 rear alloy wheels finished in a matte Pearl Gray with yellow brake calipers serving s a small highlight. Inside the Rosso Corsa 458 Italia, Kahn has added a leather interior, a leather central tunnel, Crema Daytona lights, an Electro Chromatic interior, a yellow rev counter, leather headlining, and carpets and stitching in Bordeaux.
The Triple Pearl White 458 Italia by Kahn gets the same wheels associated with the red model, as well as the new sport suspension. The brake calipers are switched from yellow to red. Inside, the 458 Italia receives black Nero leather electric seats, a yellow rev counter, leather headlining, upholstered rear bench seat wall, white stitching, and black carpets.
The list of standard equipment for both Ferrari 458 Italia models includes an AFS light system, a carbon fiber driver zone including steering binnacle, F1 paddle shifters, an instrumental surround with LED's, iPod connectivity, electro chromatic interior and exterior mirrors, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, front and rear park assist, a high power HiFi with JBL speaker system, Ferrari Scuderia shields, and dual zone climate control.


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Read the book and you'll be fine. She tells you exactly whats gonna be on the test and what she expects of you. Unless you tried you couldn't fail this class.
She's direct and she tells you what she expects from you. She understanding but don't come up to her with no BS, because she laid her cards down on the table. Do your work, come to class, and try to study and you'll do well
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Of all the dark trends ushered in by the Ronald Reagan's Great Leap Backwards, the economic model based on "private profit, public risk" is among the most alarming. High on Reagan's free market kool aid, federal regulators began a systematic process of spreading financial and environmental risk to the public sector while private enterprise reaped record profits. George Bush carried on the tradition, pushing public risk to its natural endstate: widespread public losses.
Our motivation was simple: we wanted to get the word out to the leaders in DC that loan modifications have been slow. We wanted to let people hear the voices of housing counselors. HAMP is not working! Housing counselors are the foot soldiers in the battle against foreclosures.
CRA-NC took more than 50 North Carolina housing counselors on a bus to the nation's capital in November. We met with two North Carolina Congressman as well as policy leaders from HUD, Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the OCC.
This post includes a link to a documentary of that day.
It is always a treat to hear from Congressman Miller and tonight he sent out an email entitled, "I've Been Working. Honest." Although he took a little break from emailing updates to all his constituents after the elections, he wants us to know that he's been on the front lines working for us all.
Although most of the banking and securities industry denied for the longest time that there was anything to worry about, we've known for a couple of years that we would have a bad problem with foreclosures. I introduced legislation a year and a half ago to close a special interest loophole in the bankruptcy law that exempted home mortgages from court modification. Home mortgages are the only kind of debt that a bankruptcy court can't touch. Closing that loophole is now part of the Obama Administration's plan to address the foreclosure crisis.
Data from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts shows that the pace of foreclosures continues to increase. In the first five months of 2008, there were 23,507 foreclosure filings. That is an increase of 3,495 relative to the same period last year in North Carolina.
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OHW? returns with their latest collection for Spring Summer 2013 with a variety of colorways and materials. This made in China brand takes the idea of 'made in China' to a different level by focusing on high quality and traditional craftsmanship. Look out for full grain leathers, suedes, oiled nubucks made with hand stitching and individually signed pieces by their maker. It's all about the detailing like the pyramid tread soles and vegetable tanned leather collars.
OHW? Shoes Spring Summer 2013 Collection
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The Lake2Lake Ride For Rwanda is a two-day fully supported ride stretching over 220km in BC's stunning Okanagan/Shuswap.
Funds raised by cycling the Lake2Lake will impact 70,000+ children, their teachers, and their wider communities, through Wellspring's Ignite48 initiative in 48 Rwandan schools.
Win a Trip for Two To Rwanda*
Watch Cycling with the brakes on
Ericka Taylor rode in our 2012 Lake2Lake and had a fantastic first day. Day 2 however was a different story. Listen to Ericka share about her experience of riding on the second day and how it relates to Rwandan students trying to succeed in their schools in light of the obstacles they face.


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Baby farm animal, polka-dot, plaid and striped prints make this Trend Lab bib set an adorable addition to feeding time. In green/blue/multi.
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Could it soon become Tebow Time in Arizona? A photo of the popular NFL quarterback working out at Paradise Valley Community College was posted on TMZ.
It's stirring rumors that he's not happy in New York -- and the quarterback situation as-is with the Cardinals is not great.
We want to know what you think. Does he have a future with the Cardinals?
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CAR On The Verge Of Collapse, U.N. Says
October 30, 2013 by UPI - United Press International, Inc.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (UPI) — There's been a complete breakdown of public order in the Central African Republic, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
OCHA Director of Operations John Ging said the situation in CAR is deteriorating quickly toward state failure.
"There has been a complete breakdown of law and order and the first priority is protection and the restoration of security and stability," he said in a statement Tuesday. "The atrocities against civilians are indescribable."
The rebel Seleka coalition, which toppled the government this year, is suspected of committing war crimes in the country, prompting the International Criminal Court to investigate.
Ging said there's a "new dimension" to the crisis affecting one of the poorest nations in the world.
"We see incitement of religious communities against each other," he said. "This is sowing the seeds of a profoundly dangerous development."
Interim Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye told the U.N. General Assembly last month the war-torn country was on the verge of collapse.
A United Nations resolution backed in October by former colonial power France outlined a new peacekeeping force in CAR and called on the interim government to stick to plans for elections in early 2015.


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Administrative Leave
All employees (Career Service, SES and SMS) may take administrative leave with pay for a variety of reasons with approval from your supervisor. Your pay for administrative leave time does not count toward overtime pay and is limited to the amount necessary to bring you to the full pay status for the work period, regardless of how much administrative leave is initially granted.
Your supervisor may ask for documentation to justify your use of leave for any of the above situations. Check with your agency HR office for more information on the use of administrative leave.


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Coyotes for 12th pick or trade for Keith Yandle.. We need offence!!!
Sign up for Yardbarker's daily Top 10 newsletter, the Morning Bark! Customize to get news on your favorite sports and teams.
Found June 30, 2013 on Fox Sports:
PLAYERS: Nathan Horton, Tyler Seguin, Phil Kessel
TEAMS: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs
TEAMS: Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs
It was already reported on Saturday that Nathan Horton is on his way out of Boston. If the right offer comes along, Tyler Seguin could be joining him. The Bruins are listening to trade offers for Seguin, according to CSSNE.com. Joe Haggerty reports it would take a "king's ransom" for Boston to trade its 21-year-old star. A top-10 pick would have to be part of the deal. Bob McKenzie of TSN also reports that Seguin's name has been brought up in trade talks. The Bruins drafted Seguin No. 2 overall in the 2010 draft with a pick they received from Toronto for Phil Kessel. Seguin struggled during the 2013 playoffs, scoring eight points with just one goal. The Bruins are attempting to maneuver around the NHL's new salary cap.
Original Story: http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Ty...
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Reports: Tyler Seguin's Name Discussed in Bruins Trade Talks for Top 10 Pick, More
Rumor: Tyler Seguin could be moved by the Boston Bruins
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text:
Accenture ends Woods sponsorship deal- 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00
World number one golfer Tiger Woods has lost his first sponsorship deal in the wake of revelations of adultery after management consultancy firm Accenture ended its long-standing association with the player.
Accenture announced that it would no longer be represented by Woods with immediate effect with the statement reading that the golfer is 'no longer the right representative'.
Woods has been engulfed in a media storm since a disturbance outside his house two weeks ago. He has since admitted being unfaithful to his wife.
The world number one has since announced that he is taking an indefinite break from golf to try to save his marriage.
'For the past six years, Accenture and Tiger Woods have had a very successful sponsorship arrangement and his achievements on the golf course have been a powerful metaphor for business success in Accenture's advertising,' the company said in a statement.
'However, given the circumstances of the last two weeks, after careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising.'
Although the first to end its association with Woods, Accenture is not the only sponsor to have changed their marketing approach in the wake of the scandal.
Gillette has already said it would cut back Woods' role as a brand ambassador while the US phone firm AT&T has said it is 'presently evaluating our ongoing relationship'.
However his primary sponsor Nike said it was standing firm and offered him its 'full support'.
The 33-year old Woods is one of the attractive sports stars in the world to sponsors and he is believed to be the first athlete to have earned $1bn.


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Hormone replacement therapy was at the heart of the reason behind Nate Marquardt being pulled from the UFC on Versus 4 main event on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Marquardt revealed the news when appearing on the 'MMA Hour' on Tuesday.
Following the events from the weekend in which Marquardt was pulled from his scheduled fight with Rick Story and subsequently released from the UFC, he spoke candidly about the situation.
According to Marquardt, he was feeling moody and tired and after seeking a doctor's medical advice, he was diagnosed with low testosterone and started therapy in August 2010.
Marquardt stated that in March 2011 when he fought Dan Miller in New Jersey that the athletic commission there allowed him to fight after filing papers for a medical exemption for the testosterone replacement therapy.
The therapy continued for Marquardt following the fight and his levels of testosterone spiked. Essentially, leading up to the weigh-ins on Saturday, he was still not cleared because his tests were still coming back too high.
More MMA
Since the weekend, Marquardt stated that his testosterone levels have continued to drop and as of a test on Tuesday he believes he's met all the requirements necessary to file the paperwork with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission to have his suspension lifted.
Executive Director Greg Sirb told MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday stated that they are still reviewing the information.
"We are still in the review process," Sirb stated. "There is a lot of info to look thru and we want to make sure everything is picture perfect."
The situation surrounding Marquardt escalated on Saturday when he still hadn't met the requirements. UFC president Dana White, shortly after the weigh-in, released him via a video released via Twitter.
Marquardt's manager, Lex McMahon, found out about the release from the message and then passed along the information to his fighter.
Marquardt said he 'half expected' to be released following the situation, but he was hopeful to get a second chance with the promotion at some point in the future.
Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
Follow @DamonMartin on Twitter or e-mail Damon a question or comment.
Follow MMAWeekly.com on Twitter and Facebook.
So, that's how they call juicing now – hormone replacement therapy.
Marquardt & Sonnen have come up with a new name for old, dirty shit!
so, if Dana was aware of his "hormone therapy" why was he soo shocked and discusted?? i get moody and irratable once a month.. guess i need hormone therapy.. well we all know roid users become angry and Rage .. what about that WWE superstar riod freak who murdered himself and his family.. roid rage… none of the public believe your BS Nate..
A pre-meditated murder suicide that takes place over a 2 to 3 day period does not constitute as "roid rage". His despicable actions probably had more to do with the fact that his brain resembled an 80 year old Alzheimers' patient's due to the punishment it took from the entertainment business that the ignorant call "fake".
Everyone is quick to point fingers at "steroid users" when most people don't even understand the advantages, disadvantages or how many professional athletes take some sort of performance enhancing drug. You are blind if you think that the handful of guys that have been busted for it are the only ones on it. I'll promise you that a good majority of your and my heroes are doing the exact same things.
Hey, dude, it's not like anybody cares what any of us on here actually say, but at least get your shit straight. Chris Benoit (the WWE Superstar you're referring to) was exhumed so his brain could be examined, and it was proven his brain was very badly damaged due to years of unchecked head injury.
If you really and truly believed Satan (or whatever you believe to be like that) was coming for your family and the only way to save them was to kill them (and I mean you really believed it, like you believe the sun will rise tomorrow), you can't say what you would or wouldn't do. That's what brain damage is all about.
One thing I don't understand is why he was juicing up while cutting weight? Roids typically increase the muscle mass, don't they?
And another thing is, how the hell did he pass the juice test 3 times since he allegedly started his "therapy'???
New Jersey was aware he was on it. As long as his testosterone levels fell within the acceptable range he was good to go.
I doubt he was tested in Texas or Germany. I wonder if he let the Texas commission know he was on it though.
Things are starting to make sense now. He juiced up till February or March, had his fight in March and then stopped juicing as he needed to drop weight. That's why his levels were not extremely high.
I listened to the interview and he painted a pretty plain picture. I think he left a lot the details out.
On a side note, it is interesting that he fought three times (Palhares , Okami and Miller) while on this "therapy" and that Zuffa was aware he was on it. I wonder if Texas tested him or if he made them aware he was on it. He said the UFC was in charge of testing in Germany but I didn't hear if he was tested or not. And New Jersey ok'd him and even made him go through an additional battery of tests (post fight) and he fell within the levels necessary to be authorized HRT.
It seems like HRT is not an uncommon practice and the only time we hear about it is when someone makes some sort of error in it's administration. I wonder how many other fighters are on it. I've long heard rumors that Couture was on it.
We'll likely never know who is/was on it because of the privacy laws regarding medical records.
Gotta admit, I'm just confused by this now… I'm guessing Dana et al didn't think the treatment was a good idea, because this could happen, and that's why they're so pissed?
Cuz if they were all for him getting the treatment, and this is like an unfortunate thing that's happened, I'm not sure that's entirely fair.
And now, just to completely prove my ignorance; isn't testosterone, the male hormone, the one that makes you moody? Wouldn't you prescribe someone feeling moody estrogen (the female hormone) to calm them down? Or, when it says he was feeling 'moody', does it mean mood-swingy? Lots of waterworks over nothin'??
I think some of you are missing the point here, what Marquardt did WAS NOT illegal. Marquardt went through the proper channels to get the "increase testosterone" injected into his system, like Sonnen did b4 the Silva fight, you have to disclose all informations in regards to whatever treatments you are on, taking or have taken which will show up in their bloodwork. Had Sonnen filed the proper paper work b4 the Silva fight, he wouldnt of been suspended, which is why he only got 6 months for not filing proper documentation & NOT b/c of using "roids", like alot of you fools ASSume.
The UFC knew what Marquardt was doing & they were fine with it, but I think the reason… well (IMO) I believe the UFC/Dana are so pissed off b/c Marquardt knew 6 weeks prior to the fight that his levels were high, but he didnt do enough, soon enough, to fix the high levels. I guess Marquardt ASSumed he would be fine come fight night & well he wasnt, so maybe thats the reason why Dana was so pissed off, b/c the whole situation was "preventable" had Nate attempted to bring the levels down sooner, rather than later. Thats what I gather from all of this!
Who knows for sure?!?
Though I've seen some fighters do ALOT more than this & they never got fined, let alone suspended. Just goes to show that the UFC/Dana White has his favorites & he has no problem(s) helping them out, any way he can.
good read until the end. I dont get your conclusion about Dana's favorites.
Nate messed up the main event due to his stupidity, thats why he got fired.
Buddy, you are making a big ASSumption here saying he did everything legally. Legal intake won't take your testosterone level through the roof. It is supposed to restore healthy levels if they appear to be low. Marquardt simply used his doctor as a cover-up. This is very common amongst athletes.
Hey Damon, do we know if Nate took a urinalysis that was administered by the Pa. athletic commission? I think that's what this whole thing is about. I think Nate refused to take the urinalysis for the commission and that's why they suspended him indefinitely and why Dana canned him.
Listening to Nate's interview with Ariel today, Nate referenced several tests he took to measure his "levels". He said his levels were slightly above the authorized amount on weigh-in day and would have dipped into an acceptable range on fight day. He never said who administered the tests.
Yesterday Gregory Sirb (executive director of the PA. AC) said that Nate did not fail a drug test. He also said that Nate was licensed about a week prior to the fight and the only thing he still needed to do was pass the all the requirements of the medical exam and he'd be set to compete.
Only way for him not to fail a Pa. commission drug test when (by his own admission) his levels are high would be for him to not take the test. Not taking the test = indefinite suspension.
In addition. Not taking the test = indefinite suspension that can be reinstated upon taking and passing the test. Taking the test and failing = 1 year suspension.
Exactly what I'm thinking.
I remember Nick Diaz going AWOL a year or 2 ago when the CSAC was trying to get him to take a urinalysis. The whole thing eventually blew over but he ducked out because he couldn't pass the test.
That's immediately what came to mind for me too
Well from my understanding when I talked to Greg Sirb, Nate just needed to submit the proper documentation supporting the fact as we know now that his testosterone levels were back in line within range for the fight. The testing he did that week still showed elevated levels so he was not able to be licensed. It wasn't really about a pre-fight drug screen…I believe PA only requires tests for things like HIV and Hepatitis in regards to blood work for pre fight testing. The reason PA was requiring this info was because the NJ commission notified them due to his status in that state. I did contact Texas to find out what they were told, and they are looking into it and I should have an answer on Wednesday.
Thanks for the feedback.
I appreciate the fact you are following up and doing due diligence. Great journalism and I am eager to hear what you find out.
Just seems like we're missing something here.
your just a punk. plain and friggin simple. you gotta free chael simble? he didn't only use roids and got caught but was guilty of all kinds of other illegal stuff. at least he would take the piss test. every fighter in the ufc and any other organization has to pass a urinalisis before and after every fight. nate was a pussy and bitched out. thats it no argument. bj penn will wiegh in at 168 and put on a show without cutting anything. nate is a punk and i'm glad he's gone from the sport. same as cheal cuz he's a fuckin punk to….poser….
Pretty sure Bus was using that pic for his avatar long before Sonnen's issues came along, cuz I remember wondering what Chael needed to be freed from. Turns out Bus was just psychic.
Nate wasn't "a pussy who bitched out", whatever the fuck that actually means, he knew he wouldn't pass, so he didn't do it. Makes sense. He knew the consequences, too, and seems to be accepting those.
The only issue left, to me at least, is whether it's fair to fire the guy – and that, to me, depends on what the UFC knew and had endorsed prior. I've got no doubt White thinks he's in the right, you can tell that from the video.
was a pussy and didn't take the test. yes he messed up and couldn't cheat to pass it and decided to just not take it. if you would like me to use another word other than bitch than gimmie one. i will substitute. he should be fired and is a very bad black spot on a sport that does everything it can to make it acceptable to the very same people who are gonna jump on this…sorry i used profane language..
Someone forgot to take their meds. LOL
Run along and let the adults have their conversation.
Its not as if testosterone injections is a bad thing anyway, at least in regards to ones health. For the rules, obviously its an issue, but it seems as if he had the proper paperwork to be able to get them. All the quotation marks around "levels" and "therapy" isnt all that necessary. Men have low testosterone levels and the common treatment for that is indeed….testosterone injections and therapy. Is that much of a surprise? Its quite common in the medical field. Even females take them sometimes to increase sex drive. More people then you think get these injections so to pretend like he's taking them to gain some kind of athletic advantage is rather humorous to me, unless you call a deeper voice and hairier chest an advantage in MMA.
Now that I think about it…Forrest Griffin is one hairy monkey…and he's pretty good….hhhhmmm, maybe we're on to something!
Just read an article that had some info from Nick Lembo (NJSACB legal counsel). He says Nate failed a NJ test in June (3 months after he fought Dan Miller) so they (New Jersey) elected to deny his therapeutic use exemption (retroactively). New Jersey then forwarded the test results and exemption denial to the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission.
It also said that Nate was getting his levels tested every day at a Pa. area hospital and voluntarily submitted the results to the PAC, who told him that he would not be allowed to fight if the levels exceeded the commission's cutoff.
On the day of weigh-ins, Marquardt was still over the limit, and Sirb made the decision to not clear him medically.
OMG I can't believe nate tried pulling that BS move that its medical. Ask any doctor what is the quantifiable amount is to concluded having low testosterone. There answer will be there is none right now on the books. Nate saying he had low testosterone is about as legit as Nick Diaz saying that he needs medical cannibus to combat his adhd. If you don't believe me go to an anti aging doctor and tell them you have mood swings. They will take a sample of your blood show you a chart and say that there going to prescribe hormone therapy to correct the imbalance. Its a load of shit. All nate was doing was doping semi legally. Are you really going to stand there and tell me a top ranked cage fighter has low testerone
Does this mean the Miller fight will be ruled a no contest?
This subject is making my head hurt.
Nate Marquardt is a nice guy and a decent fight but his last few fights have been forgettable. Add to this situation that this stunt ruined a main event fight the day prior to the event, and I tend to think just about any promoter, no matter how charitable, would be pissed. Plus, there are three sides to this particular story; Nate's, Dana's, and the truth.
This hormone replacement therapy is just another way to cheat that the athletic commissions haven't closed the loop on yet. I'm not saying there aren't legitimate cases of fighters needing it, but when an otherwise healthy athlete in his mid 30s is getting it, it points directly towards previous steroid use. Basically, right now fighters are allowed to walk around with elevated testosterone levels throughout training (which should give them an edge) but just need to be within the limits at fight time. Doesn't that sound strange?
Nevada is supposed to resume their "off season" testing program. They initiated the program a year or two ago but ran out of money. The program just got additional funds.
"I'm not saying there aren't legitimate cases of fighters needing it, but when an otherwise healthy athlete in his mid 30s is getting it, it points directly towards previous steroid use."
I think you're right.
© 2011 MMA Weekly All Rights Reserved.


text:
Categories > Celebrities > My Chemical Romance > Hugs
Most weird place on Earth2 Reviews
Oh god, here we go. Two very varying but mostly immature (yet racy) boys in 'that' place...
We'd been hugging, my hair being stroked and smelt for 10 minutes. My drowsiness caught up with me and I fell limp in Gerard's arms, trsuting he'd keep me up. I was so tired my vision got blurred.
"Mmm, I wanted to sleep in your room Frankie. Joe is still fast alsleep, I'm sure." His breathing down my neck slowed and his chest heaved upwards. His clutch tightened on me.
"You and Mikey are my favourites." he whispered. Favourites as in...?
"C'mon, lets try my door." I suggested lazily, then yawned. I closed my eyes for longer than I had expected to yet again. "You could carry me there..." I joked.
"Arms around my neck then." Gee offered. His serious tone and odd suggestions are sometimes too unreal though I'm never one to pass being carried around. Wanting to travel in style I linked my arms around his neck while facing him, pressed right up against his 'sensitive' area of course.
Gerard picked me up straight away to my surprise.
He held under my thighs, tilting me back to push my hips into the dips above his.
It felt comfy but strange as I travelled backwards, bobbing up and down. I could see Gerard's face get redder and redder, an occasional sigh escaping his mouth.
I nuzzled his cheek happily, dozing off already. He stopped at my room door and kicked it to get Mikey's attention.
"Hmph... G and Frank... Crash here, I don't care."
"You will care and you'll be quiet. Frank's tryn'a sleep."
Gee laid me down on the bed and I sighed. "Nnngh..."
Gerard kissed under my ear, "Stop Gee." I wanted to sleep, more than anything.
"No." he replied playfully, positioning himself above me, licking up my jawline, trying to get me to do something to quence his no doubt raging thrist I had cast up from within him. He's a sucker for hip grinding. Gerard soon gave up and sighed unhappily.
For a while he curled my hair around a finger, idly lulling me into blissfull sleep.
I'd take 100 bullets for him and he fucking knew it. He knew I couldn't go a day without needing to see him.
If I had known what Gerard did as soon as I had drifted off I might've givin him a lecture or giggled at his expense. He hoppped off the bed and Mikey got up to see what was wrong.
"Nothin', just... Toilet." Gee explained, making sure to keep his back to Mikey, desparate not to let his erection show. That would give him a weakness if Mikey had seen it like that in that situation. Gerard ememerged a little flushed only minutes later into a room of two peacfully sleeping boys, side by side. He stooped over Mikey to run his hadns through his soft hair, kissing randon strands and took his place beside the already dreaming me.
That night was scorching hot, being sandwiched between two guys.
GERARD: I awoke to a feeling similar but different to those of a wet dream. It wasn't yet morning, and I was awoken by another drop of something landing on my PJ pants in exactly the wrong place. It was Frank. In laziness, I rolled him over to Mikey.
-What Gerard missed-
Mikey pulled him over to have Frank lie across him, his head near Mikey's ears. At home Mikey used to be quite the sleepwalking-acrobat, once or twice getting out the house. He hardly remembered doing things but gradually it occured less and less so pulling someone wasn't really too odd for him to be doing.
Mikey was now half awake and Frank shifted to remain on Mikey's cheek. Mikey turned his head and his parted lips touched with Frank's. Frank was still drooling and Mikey was made pretty much awake by saliva dropping into his mouth at an odd angle.
MIKEY: I was jolted awake by some odd liquid oozing onto my face. It was Frank, was he kissing me?! I puckered my lips to his, taking my chance. His lips acted on mine. He slid his tongue briefly inside my mouth but withdrew it quickly. I was glad, there was no way I'd let him do this to big brother. Gerard would kill me for a start, and he'd kill Frank too. I only really want him as a friend so it wasn't fair I was experimenting my sexuality on him. I pushed him off, feeling a little defeated.
"Whaaat? Geez..."
GERARD: Had Frank only just noticed I'd rolled him over? He got hold of one of my arms. "Fine. 'Night." he grumbled unhappily, cuddling in so tight I thought my arm would fall off.
MIKEY: I now felt so guilty; I let Frank kiss me and kissed back, let alone that phone call! I hoped neither would be mentioned again, to anybody. I also felt a bit sad: we were going home after a 'mystery activity'. Another museum?
I checked my watch and nudged Frank. I nudged him again, harder.
"Ow!" he cringed and nudged Gerard, whom he was lying beside.
"Get up guys!" I turned the lights on.
"No, you get up." Frank sounded disgruntled.
"Gerard, go." he put up little argument and went.
Frank and I carried out our morning routine - clean teeth, dress, make bed. We also packed our suitcases. It was a nice sunny day. Like it's supposed to be in Florida. Surprisingly, Gerard was down for breakfast before us! "Gee!" Frank gave him a very public hug.
FRANK: very little of us had any idea where we were heading or why we had to be ready earlier than normal.
Mike sat with us and used the spare seat for my rucksack(hoodie, wallet, camera etc.). I really liked the way the coach's seats were laid out, two seats facing forward then two facing back at you. So you sat in squares of four almost. I let Mikey mess around with my camera. He pulled various faces, from freaked-out to perplexed as he looked through the library of my photos, but I didn't mind.
He took sweet shots of us all. Including one of each of us pretending to lick the camera lens. Don't ask why, I had nothing to do with the idea.
40 minutes into the journey Mrs Buckley, seeming stressed and on-edge, told us our destination: Disneyland! Fucking, Disneyland! I mean, what are we? 5?
Most were pleased yet bemused but some were bummed out. It's a theme park anyway so us 3 were happy enough. But I had no IDEA what to expect. I'd never been to a theme park, only the carnival with Gerard.
When we got there, through the turnstiles and main gates onto 'main street' I was so excited, it was so different to anything I had seen before! We had to stay in our groups and Joe was happily fitting in with the girls. Gerard had to physically restrain me from jumping through windows of crazy colourful candy stores. I felt like and was happy to act like a kid. And Gerard and Mikey were the unlucky babysitters.
All the merch and bright scenery! People dressed up as foamy random characters.
MIKEY: Frank was such a 4 year old at Disney. He was really sweet and I bet he knew how vulnerable and easy it made him look? Yes I mean easy, he was dangeroously clingy with Gerard, clutching onto his arm and giggling away.
GERARD: Frankie was just too cute!! He gasped at all the candy buffets and things going on, but only half genuinely. It was one of my favourite acts by him, the innocent, easily impressed kid. So irresistable!
"Wait." he ordered sternly. "Gee, I'm getting a balloon?" he asked sweetly in a still serious tone, almost his normal voice but that hint of childishness made me reach for my wallet to pay for it. I rolled my eyes and got him a purple one. It didn't matter that he only really wanted one for his little act, I had to pander to such sweet needs.
The first ride we came to on our long tour was the 'Haunted Mansion'. Frank had to wave off the balloon though. On the queue in there were gravestones and angels, staring questioningly into space.


text:
Johnny J. Holdcroft – Victim of Shooting
13232 Clay Avenue – Largo
Alicia D. Hornak – Victim of Aggravated Assault
13189 Clay Avenue – Largo
Deputies say Hornak is suspect's girlfriend
Tommy "Buzz" Preston – Suspect
13189 Clay Avenue – Largo
What: According to deputies, Preston threatened Hornak with a loaded gun and shot Holdcroft in the left hand following a dispute over the attention Holdcroft was reportedly giving Hornak – Preston's girlfriend.
Deputies say the group had been drinking. Preston fled the scene after the shooting, possibly on a motorcycle. Holdcroft was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with non- life threatening injuries. All three persons were known to each other, and were neighbors.
When: Deputies received the call just after 6:00 p.m., October 13, 2012.
Where: The shooting occurred at 13232 Clay Avenue
How/Why: Deputies recovered the gun – a 44 caliber revolver – in the suspect's residence.
The investigation continues.


text:
I would totally go to this if I lived in NY
Posted 3 years ago with 8 notes
The Rapha Cycle Club will close its Manhattan doors come October and we'll be joining our friends at the closing party on September 30. Ride the emotional rollercoaster thataccompanies most farewells by alternately slamming local beer from Kelso Brewing and Stumptown Coffee served up by Third Rail. DJ Bryce Rackford will keep things moving along faster than a Shimano Sora crankset. It's sad to see a good thing go, but we know how to make it fun and so does Rapha. In their own words, "Let's burn this mother down."
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I would totally go to this if I lived in NY
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CARACAS, VENEZUELA: A woman prays and smokes tobacco at the tomb of Ismael Sanchez, the leader of 'Los Santos Malandros' (Holy Thugs), a criminal collective from the 1960s and 1970s who have since become regarded as saints by some Venezuelans. Hugo Chavez's social programs did little to alleviate his country's security problems, and many Venezuelans pray to figures such as Ismael to keep them safe. Legend has it that Ismael would steal food and supplies and redistribute them amongst the poor in his neighborhood.
From The Legacy of Venezuela's Bolivarian Liberator, by Alvaro Ybarra Zavala
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AGMC International Inc.
99 C.Raymundo Ave.
Brgy. Cañiogan
Pasig, Manila 1606
ph: +6329648198; +6325717896
fax: +6325717896; +6327218750
alt: +6327218750
Message from the Chairman
We at AGMCII aim:
Quitting his job as a department head of the government owned and controlled corporation – National Irrigation Administration (NIA) during the time that unemployment is a widespread problem, is one of the tough decisions Engr. Antonio G. Marfori has made in fulfilling his dreams. While ordinary people considered it as a risky step, he thinks otherwise. For him it is a gigantic leap towards success.
His entrepreneurial spirit guided with his vision of greater service to people propel him to put his own firm in 1979. Even if the competition is so tight, his hardwork, perseverance and excellent managerial ability paved his way into the construction industry.
A.G. MARFORI CONSTRUCTION started as a small firm with very limited capitalization in 1979. But this does not prevent the owner, Engr. ANTONIO G. MARFORI from working so hard to become a "AAA" CONTRACTOR under the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) with hundreds of million of assets, as of 1992. From a small-subcontractor, he emerged as a top builder which diversified into General Engineering & General Building contractor
Continuous expansion speaks the phenomenal growth of A.G. MARFORI CONSTRUCTION, INC. with 15 years. While others are contented with their technology at hand, A.G. MARFORI CONSTRUCTION, INC. spend considerable time, effort and capital to keep updated with the most modern technology, equipment and methodology. This maintained Engr. ANTONIO G. MARFORI's reputation as a world class engineer-contractor. . Another key factor are the highly experienced foreman and highly scholastic engineers who earned their technical and management knowledge from the prestigious universities of Metro Manila .At present the company has international negotiations with other countries such as Malaysia and Brunei.Thus, engaging in a new venture of food productions locally and internationally.
Engr. Antonio G. Marfori founded AGMC INTERNATIONAL thru the help of his wife in early 1979. He started with sub-contracted projects from private corporations who believe in his ability, knowledge and dedication. His first venture which is a high-cost residential housing merited him an impressive record. This was followed by some other projects which he completed par excellence. He maintained this record continuously from one project to another.
In less than two (2) years, sub-contract offers started to pour-in. Among the foremost, are residential houses in Class "A" subdivisions. In 1981-1986 two (2) big corporations- Carlo, Inc. & Juver Enterprises contracted their services to build a multi-million projects such as developing a total community with 889 units low-cost housing, 35 units Junior staff housing & 10 Senior Staff housing, clubhouse, chapel, roads, bridges, helipads & parkways, port and dams. All of these projects were completed on time to the satisfaction of the owners.
To cater for a wider perspective of service, they formalize their existence in the construction industry on July 1986 by registering their firm with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). They started with a Class "B" category which eventually grew to Class "AAA" in a short span of seven years. They joined the prestigious organizations such as National Contractors Association of Philippines (NACAP) and Central Luzon Contractors Association.
In pursuit of excellence, AGMC International Inc. was at several times awarded as Outstanding Nation Builder of the Year. He also received citations from various organizations for his exemplary contribution to the countryside development and rural industrialization programs.
The capability the company developed from the experienced from the multi-million worth of projects completed from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) since 1986 to date, roosters of qualified technical men, complete line of construction equipment and huge capitalization, helped to be classified by the Inter-Agency committee as "LARGE B" Contractor – the highest classification the Philippine government is giving to any contractor. This qualifies the company to projects more than 50 million with no upper limit. This enlivens them to the level of top contractors of the Philippines.
The splendid performance of Engr. ANTONIO G. MARFORI and his firm made them the top choice of key players in the construction industry as their Business Partners. An international corporation – THE ZENITAKA CORPORATION OF JAPAN and the well known F.F. CRUZ & CO., INC. (FFCCI) offered him to construct one of their biggest projects in 1989 – The WESTERN BARRIOS IMPOUNDING IRRIGATION PROJECT which compose of four (4) earth dams, road networks, concrete spillways and various appurtenances. This project is funded by the JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) and supervised by the Japanese consulting firm NIPPON GIKEN . AGMC International completed this project which will irrigate some 1,500 hectares of land from 2 provinces in one year – two (2) months ahead of schedule.
Other top caliber contractors who in one or another worked with AGMC as Joint Venture are CARLLO INCORPORATED, JUVER ENTERPRISES, BENGUET CORPORATION and DIZON MINES, all of which have been in the business for more than 25 years. The fact that AGMC is just a young member of the industry did not undermine the numerous offers for joint ventures. From companies who have full competence in the contracting capability of Engr. Antonio G. Marfori.
AGMC International Inc.
99 C.Raymundo Ave.
Brgy. Cañiogan
Pasig, Manila 1606
ph: +6329648198; +6325717896
fax: +6325717896; +6327218750
alt: +6327218750


text:
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Gilgamesh may refer to:
- The recurring character.
- The enemy from Final Fantasy IV.
- The monster name from Final Fantasy XIII-2.
Gilgamesh was the fifth king of Uruk, modern day Iraq (Early Dynastic II, first dynasty of Uruk), placing his reign ca. 2500 BC.
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text:
Voter Center
Get Involved
Voter Guide
General Election Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Oberlin City Council
Issue# 15 PROPOSED MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX RENEWAL
Issue #1: SALES AND USE TAX INCREASE FOR LORAIN
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES - 100 word limit per answer
1. What suggestions do you have to increase the tax base and job opportunities in Oberlin? How would they be funded? How can the City use its connection with the Clinton Climate Initiative to further those goals?
2. In light of the decision by the County Commissioners not to seek funding for public transportation, do you perceive a need for such transport options for Oberlin? If so, what priority would you give to public transportation in our community and what solutions can you offer to meet and fund transportation needs?
David R. Ashenhurst
Age: 59
Occupation: sometime consultant and scholar, community activist, civic monitor
Answers to questions:
1. Frankly, I don't have many suggestions in this area, and I don't believe it's something Council can do much about. I think Council can request, and require, the City Manager and his staff (notably those responsible for economic development, for business attraction and retention) to do their jobs to the utmost in keeping our Industrial Park and commercial districts full, and to the extent this can be implemented through or because of the Clinton Climate Initiative, so much the better. The "tax base" will only grow if sustainable commercial and residential development continues, and this will mostly be privately financed.
2. Transportation remains an acute concern. While Oberlin can't declare its own "public" transportation, we can perhaps develop "community" transportation alternatives to supplement what's still available from the County. We can investigate pedi-cabs. We can coordinate use of church vans. We can see whether Oberlin Seniors can provide services (like they did a generation ago), or Oberlin Community Services and Zion Community Development Corporation can team up on something. There's NOACA money for nonprofits to supply community transportation; if the County can't, we may end up working with the College and local groups to do as much as we can ourselves.
H. Scott Broadwell
Age: 57
Occupation: Painting contractor – Broadwell Painting
Answers to questions:
1. The best way to increase the tax base is by drawing new businesses while not forgetting our current employers and the need for job retention. The Oberlin Industrial Park, because of its location and available space is an excellent spot for attracting new jobs. Working with Oberlin's Economic Development and Planning Departments and the Oberlin Community Improvement Corporation, we need to continue to pursue high tech businesses that will add tax revenue to the General Fund. With the State's elimination of the Estate Tax and drastic reduction in the Local Government Fund, next year's General Fund will be severely impacted.
2. In the last few years County voters have twice defeated levies to support public transportation. With the lack of funding coming from the County, Oberlin has had to turn to private donors to support public transportation for two days a week. This support, along with rider fees, provides about $25,000.00 of the $29,000.00 needed, with the City picking up the remaining $4,000.00. Lorain County is the only county in the state that does not have a dedicated funding source for public transportation. Until the county voters agree to provide the necessary funds, public transportation options in Oberlin will remain limited.
Bryan L Burgess
Age: 34
Occupation: Self Employed Education: BA Business, New Mexico State Univ., 2001 Qualifications for Office: Member, Oberlin City Council 2010 – Present, Climate Action Committee 2012, Central Lorain County Ambulance District 2011, Resource Conservation and Recovery Commission 2005-2010 including one year as Chair, Public Utilities Commission 2007-2010 including one years as Chair
Answers to questions:
1. Oberlin's transition away from coal and towards carbon-neutral sources of electricity will be largely complete by the end of this next Council term. And while the opportunity for attracting "green" businesses to Oberlin certainly exists, the reality is that more than two-thirds of our tax base is comprised of the FAA and Oberlin College. By focusing on quality of life issues, I hope we can successfully attract people to live, as well as work, here. The best way to experience Oberlin is to buy a home and live here.
2. Transportation is a difficult issue both in terms of funding and utilization. So long as gasoline is inexpensive, public transportation will be largely inadequate to serve the needs of a sprawling semi-rural place like Lorain County. On a list of the County's funding priorities, public transportation is near the bottom of the list. That's a shame but really does reflect the dire straits of the budget resulting from the ongoing recession. Oberlin's provision of public transportation two days a week is less than ideal but will need to suffice until funding priorities and availability changes at the County level.
Elizabeth J. Meadows
343 South Pleasant St, Oberlin
Anthony J. Mealy
Age: 69
Bio Info: Anthony J. Mealy is a retired Immigration Inspector with the U.S. Department of Justice and Corrections Counselor/Supervisor with State of Ohio. Mr. Mealy came to Oberlin 48 years ago as an Air Traffic Controller after 4 years duty in U.S. Air Force. Mr. Mealy served on City Council 1986-1987, 2006-2007.
Answers to questions:
1. Anthony J. (Tony) Mealy would like to grow our local economy to create jobs by supporting existing businesses with lower taxes, which should increase our overall tax base in time. Mr. Mealy supports additional BioMedical and Clean Green Energy job creation in our Industrial Park and feels that the City must continue an aggressive push for energy efficiency as we shift to more carbon neutral power sources to abate global warming. Tony Mealy feels that we can promote these developments by maintaining a highly educated workforce, ensuring reliable utilities, reducing energy cost and encouraging more incubator businesses into the city.
2. Mr. Mealy places a high priority on maintaining transportation services within the Oberlin community. Lorain County Transit (LCT) in cooperation with the City has continued to provide demand-response transit service through the Oberlin Connector which is sponsored by the City of Oberlin, Oberlin College, NACS, Drug Mart, LNB, Ben Franklin, LMHA, Welcome Nursing, Oberlin Community Services, Mercy Allen Hospital, Kendal and the Kendal Residents Association. If LCT were to cancel services entirely, Mr. Mealy would support the reestablishment of the Oberlin Shuttle service that was in place for many years prior to the creation of LCT in the late 1970's.
Sharon Pearson
Age: 45
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: I was employed by the City of Oberlin for 25 years. During that time, I served as Acting City Clerk on occasion. I served on the Board of Directors for various Oberlin community organizations and on the Visit Lorain County Board.
Answers to questions;
1. The City and non-profit organizations should partner with LCCC and LCJVS to develop a model that supports and attracts new businesses. The City should consider SILOTs (services in lieu of taxes) as a method to increase the City's tax base Individual institutions should provide basic training related to jobs within their organizations and for their construction projects to local under-served residents, in lieu of paying taxes. The City's 2012 Climate Action Plan is the connection with the Clinton Climate Initiative. The strategies in that document should be carefully reviewed to determine other methods to increase our tax base.
2. The poverty level in Oberlin is 28% and the community is striving to reduce carbon emissions below zero. These issues indicate that transportation is a priority. The City should adopt a Complete and Green Streets Resolution to promote biking and walking. The City should research the use of local buses and vans to develop a community transportation system, supported by the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program. The City should continue to advocate for public transportation supported by a dedicated portion of the sales tax because this is a county-wide issue and not just an Oberlin issue.
Kristin L. Peterson
Age: 62
OCCUPATION: Retired teacher (LCJVS, 35 years) Owner, The UPS Store
Answers to questions:
1. Business friendly policies and codes could support City administration and staff in attracting and maintaining businesses. Filling Artino Street to capacity would be helpful. Connections with the Clinton Climate Initiative should be pursued by City officials, in conjunction not only with the College but also along with the support of elected officials at the local, state and national levels.
2. There is most definitely a need for public transportation for Oberlinians, both in and around town and around the county. There are currently limited options, funded by several local groups collaboratively with the City. I support a more comprehensive system of public transportation, and would continue my active involvement with county, state and federal offices and agencies, to research and secure available funding options. The loss of the formerly available LCT routes impacts many people on many levels, and is a significant priority to have such service reinstated.
Ronnie J. Rimbert
Age: 59
EDUCATION: Graduate of Oberlin City Schools
Answers to questions:
1. I believe bringing in new businesses to Oberlin. In order to bring new businesses to Oberlin we must have a sound Technological Infrastructure. Also, we need to work harder on retaining the businesses that Oberlin has, this is just as important if not more. We need to attract businesses that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
2. The Commissioners did put a levy on the ballot for public transportation and it was defeated by the citizens of Lorain County. For the last 3-4 years the City of Oberlin, with the assistance of local Merchants has been able to fund a "Dial-a-Ride" that operates twice a week for a cost of $29,000/year. With public transportation you have to have numbers (people) using it in order for it to be successful. We also have to have the entire County to take an interest in our transportation needs in order to have a strong public transportation system.
Sharon Fairchild-Soucy
Age: 70
OCCUPATION: Worked in Adult Literacy Education at Lorain County JVS for 25+ years
Answers to quesetions:
1. Oberlin hired an Economic Development officer to search for new businesses for our Industrial Park as well as to focus on retaining those businesses already located in Oberlin. This year the City received an award for business retention based on the Synapse Corporation's decision to remain in Oberlin. That business hopes to expand local employment opportunities. The Economic Development officer is funded within the City budget, and that work is ongoing.
2.The Oberlin Connector currently serves Oberlin's public transportation needs. It functions mostly as a Dial a Ride. The cost is approximately $29000 a year of which the City funds $4000. Ridership is 190 a month, and the City recoups $150 or so a month. The Connector is supported by a range of businesses and organizations including Ben Franklin, NACS, Kendal, Oberlin Community Services, Oberlin College and others. Currently the service operates on a limited schedule, for example only on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. ID cards allow some residents to ride at a reduced rate. Maintaining this service is a high priority. Until the City receives additional support from the county, service will remain limited.
OBERLIN SCHOOL BOARD - Elect 3 to a 4-year term
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES - 100 word limit per answer
1. Some people advocate school policies not only to punish bullying where it is determined to have occurred, but also to prevent bullying from occurring in the first place. Do you agree? And if so, what measures in that proactive direction would you see as possible and desirable to implement within the Oberlin public school system?
2. The present School Board seems committed to a single campus on property near the High School for all grades. What is your opinion on this proposal? What would you advocate? How will the school district pay for this or any other reconfiguration and/or upgrade of school facilities?
Albert Borroni
Age: 50
Occupation: Director of Educational Technology at Oberlin College
Answers to questions:
1. Bullying can be proactively prevented in many cases. However, in order to do so one must understand the extent to which bullying occurs, where it occurs and why? Therefore, the first step is to assess the community: students, staff, parents. Have they observed bullying? Was it between 2 similarly aged students or other combinations? Where did it occur? Was it repeated or a single incidence? The answers to these questions can inform how you set up spaces and even scheduling. They can also assist in establishing whether what you are doing is helping by providing a baseline.
2. If we explore all the options in front of us, it is very clear that a single new campus is the most financially and pedagogically viable. This option gives teachers the capability to coordinate curriculum across grade levels. Older students can assist in teaching and motivating younger children. A new building provides a better learning environment through better lighting, heating and potentially a cooling system! The financial benefits of not having 4 cafeterias, kitchens and boilers will be substantial. Furthermore, we will be able to draw upon state support and we will pay the least amount in taxes.
Rosa Gadsden
Age: 40
Occupation: Home Daycare Provider contracted through ODJFS
Answers to questions:
1. Bullying is a serious issue nationwide. Thousands of students commit suicide every year, perhaps half of these can be attributed to bullying. Hundreds of thousands avoid school as a result of bullying. Bullying must have consequences. However, it is far better to prevent bullying in the first place. The root causes of bullying must be addressed in our schools. Our schools must continue their bullying prevention programs. They must also continue to evaluate the success of these programs and adjust them as appropriate.
2. The schools must take advantage of the cost savings that come with having a single, modern school building. We must design the new school to reduce energy costs and be conducive to educating the entire student body while maintaining some separation of age levels. The administration has identified a million dollars in annual cost savings that will come from having a single campus. We must hold them to this commitment. Saving a million dollars a year will go a long way toward the cost of financing a new building
Heather Hougland
Age: 36
Occupation: After school Program Aide, Massage therapist
Answers to questions;
1. I agree that there should be policies on bullying. Bullying usually occurs in lunch and recess. It think when it is determined that someone is bullying they should have both taken away immediately. They should eat lunch alone and watch a video or take a class on the effects of it. And they should miss recess to understand the seriousness.
2. I think it would cost too much money and the buildings that we currently have would be wasted. We should spend the money to improve what we have. I also believe kids should stay with their own age groups.
Anne Schaum
Age: 42
Occupation: Nonprofit manager
Answers to questions:
1. Bullying has no place in the schools. It is clearly a priority for school leadership because of their ongoing attempts to curb bullying in all schools. I was personally involved in one session several years ago when the district purchased a widely hyped program called Challenge Day. Though I understand it had limited impact, it did provide me with the assurance that our district is taking the problem seriously. Action is necessary, especially with the addition of cyber-bullying that is not as visible. A proactive, anti-bullying campaign is necessary.
2. Though I am still open to ideas, the PK-12 school makes sense to me for the long-term health of the district. With fewer than 1200 students enrolled, maintaining 4 aging schools plus the Pleasant Street school is counterintuitive. I understand that this is the recommendation of the facility committee and has been widely discussed in the community. We will find out in the spring if we qualify for OSFC funding, but we will need to come to the community for tax support.
Kenneth Yancey
Age: No response
OCCUPATION: Retired Union Electrician
Answers to questions:
1. I do not agree. Installing some sort of pre-emptive punishment for perceived future misdeeds evokes images of big brother, and of Tom Cruze as a pre-crime detective in Minority Report.
2. I am vehemently opposed to any such project. I am not at all convinced of the need for the demolishing and rebuilding of existing buildings. As for what I would advocate, it would be to first examine the buildings for myself. So far the ones beating the drums for this loudest are the ones who stand to gain from it.
OBERLIN MUNICIPAL COURT - Elect one. Unopposed
Thomas A. Januzzi
Age 57
Occupation: Judge
Answer to Question:


text:
Sign up for Yardbarker's daily Top 10 newsletter, the Morning Bark! Customize to get news on your favorite sports and teams.
Found May 01, 2012 on Fox Sports Midwest:
PLAYERS: Ian Cole, Alex Pietrangelo, Barret Jackman, Brian Elliott, Davis Payne, T.J. Oshie
TEAMS: St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings
TEAMS: St. Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings
ST. LOUIS It was a scene St. Louis Blues fans hadn't experienced in quite some time. Cheering sarcastically because the first period was almost over. Booing even louder when the visiting Los Angeles Kings scored yet another goal just before the end of the period. But when it was all said and done and the painful remaining seconds had finally run off the clock, the Blues found themselves in a position nobody had expected 48 hours earlier. The Central Division Champions, winners of a franchise record 30 games at home, skated off the ice at a silent and mostly empty Scottrade Center wondering if they'd be back to play another game in front of their home fans. The final damage was a 5-2 Los Angeles win, putting the Blues in an 0-2 hole in the Western Conference semifinals as the series moves west for games three and four later this week. "This was a huge game for us," said rookie defenseman Ian Cole, who saw his first action of the playoffs due to an injury to Al...
Original Story: http://www.foxsportsmidwest.com/05/01...
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Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2 Prediction: Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues
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text:
Hey Jude Flow Chart
When I was little, my grandpa had an electric keyboard that played the instrumental version Hey Jude. Other than the obvious "hey Jude" parts, I didn't know the lyrics… so I made up the rest myself. I can't remember all the words I came up with, but I do remember the beginning was something like this:
Hey Jude
What is your name?
I don't know it
So you should tell me
The DNV would like to request that you refrain from disposing pianos in the outhouse.
(Source: justintang)
stop that right now cats. you may be dexterous and agile but you lack the aesthetic sense and opposable thumbs and saintly patience necessary to be a professional photographer. and you, models, what do you think you're doing? this is just ridiculous. baby kittens don't need a pram they have tiny little paws for running around on. all of you stop it. and don't come crying to me when the flash goes off and you get scared.
Audrey Hepburn
(via kingkabuz)
(via tronswan)
Click to enlarge


text:
Publications by topic:
The FastICA algorithm[This is probably the most widely used algorithm for performing independent component analysis, a recently developed variant of factor analysis that is completely estimable unlike classical methods, and able to perform blind source separation]
FastICA package for Matlab and other systems
A. Hyvärinen.
Fast and Robust Fixed-Point Algorithms for Independent Component Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks 10(3):626-634, 1999.
A. Hyvärinen and E. Oja.
Independent Component Analysis: Algorithms and Applications.
Neural Networks, 13(4-5):411-430, 2000.
A. Hyvärinen and E. Oja. A Fast Fixed-Point Algorithm for Independent
Component Analysis.
Neural Computation, 9(7):1483-1492, 1997.
gzipped PostScript
A. Hyvärinen. New Approximations of Differential Entropy
for Independent Component Analysis and Projection Pursuit. In
Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 10 (NIPS*97), pp. 273-279, MIT Press, 1998.
gzipped PostScript
Related TechRep: Postscript
gzipped PostScript.
E. Bingham and A. Hyvärinen
A fast fixed-point algorithm for independent component analysis of complex-valued signals.
Int. J. of Neural Systems, 10(1):1-8, 2000.
A. Hyvärinen. One-Unit Contrast Functions for Independent
Component Analysis: A Statistical Analysis. In Neural Networks
for Signal Processing VII (Proc. IEEE NNSP Workshop '97, Amelia Island,
Florida), pp. 388--397, 1997.
gzipped PostScript
A. Hyvärinen. The Fixed-Point Algorithm and Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Independent Component Analysis. Neural Processing Letters, 10(1):1-5.
A. Hyvärinen. Gaussian Moments for Noisy Independent Component Analysis.
A. Hyvärinen and U. Köster. FastISA: A fast fixed-point algorithm for independent subspace analysis


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Marisa Abrajano – Latinos and the 2008 Elections in California
Listen above to the Research Seminar given by Marisa Abrajano on January 12, 2010. We also encourage you to subscribe to our CCIS Podcast and listen to all of our research seminars for free!
Similar to the outcomes in both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, California was expected to be a solidly blue state in the 2008 presidential race. What makes this presidential election distinct from previous ones, however, is the significant role that California played in the democratic nomination process. For the first time in the modern day presidential nomination process, the state's fastest growing share of the electorate, Latinos, were given the opportunity to express their political preferences in a meaningful and important way. This paper examines the factors influencing Latino vote choice in the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential primaries. Can Latino vote choice be explained in the same manner as non-Latinos? Do potential distinctions in the information they receive (e.g. political ads, the media) affect their vote decisions in any way? In the months that followed California's primary election, Latino voters remained in the spotlight, though not with respect to the presidential race. Instead, the importance of capturing the Latino vote turned to Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would amend the California constitution to ban same sex-marriage in the state.
Paper co-authored with Fernando Guerra, Professor of Political Science at Loyola Marymount University
Marisa Abrajano, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego; CCIS Visiting Fellow
Marisa Abrajano is an assistant professor in the department of political science at the University of California, San Diego. She received her Ph.D. in politics from New York University in 2005. Her research interests are in American politics, particularly in the areas of campaigns, mass electoral behavior, Latino politics, and racial/ethnic politics. She is the author of two forthcoming books: Campaigning to the New American Electorate: Television Advertising to Latinos (Stanford University Press) and New Faces, New Voices: The Hispanic Electorate in America (with R. Michael Alvarez) published by Princeton University Press. Her other work has been published in The Journal of Politics, Political Research Quarterly, American Politics Research and Political Behavior.


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$2.00 off Alive! Multi-vitamin
I recently tried the gummies of this brand and was surprised how yummy they were! Glad to see there is a coupon! Head over and print this new $2.00 off Alive! Multi-vitamin coupon while it is available. Remember, this coupon can be stacked with a store coupon to save even more.
Be sure to check out the current Store Coupon Matchups for all the latest deals including FREEBIES. Coupon Expiration Date: March 30, 2014
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Don't forget to check out the Coupon Database for all available coupons. This site uses affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.


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2011-03-30 / Events & Calendar
Hospice Care Network needs volunteers
Hospice Care Network (HCN), one of the largest hospice organizations in New York State that serves more than 400 patients and their families daily in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties, is looking for volunteers.
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Great looking knives Randy.
Calling them dramatic might be an understatement.
Printable View
Great looking knives Randy.
Calling them dramatic might be an understatement.
Thanks Mark, I think?!?!?
Made some progress on these! :happymug:
Heres the specs. These are approx 8" OAL High Carbon damascus blades, Basket weave pattern. Bronze bolsters and musk ox horn handles.
Im honored to be making these..The man who commissioned the knives is planning on giving one to his Father, One to his brother. One to his son and one for himself. These will also come with presentation boxes and sheaths. I imagine they will be passed down from generation to generation in there family. Which makes them and this project even more special in my opinion.
They will either be heirlooms in the family or they are planning for an interesting drunken Thanksgiving dinner
Absolutely stunning set Randy!
I just reviewed the images and thought this one is just to cool not to post!!
As always...beautiful work Randy!!
And please feel free to include my name in the upcoming list! (pant, pant, droooool)
Put my stuff up on the list too Randy! I want to see what everyone else is getting; it gives me ideas :)
OK, Here are the last photos before the final pictures with boxes and sheaths! Getting ready to start on 2 hunting knives, One is Feather damascus and the other is Elmax. :)
Ill try and get some images as the knives are born!
pretty much every time I click on one of your threads I am Amazed by what I see. Keep up the good work.