text:
Chelan David
International business
In today's global economy, American companies are afforded tremendous opportunities to diversify business risks and capture additional market share. However, there are corresponding risks to the rewards that are associated with conducting business internationally.
Highly volatile, any given currency fluctuates 1 percent during a 24-hour period, points out Gary Loe, vice president at Comerica Bank. This volatility translates into the need to manage the risk of rising or falling foreign exchange rates.
"Identify your exposure and establish a floor or worst-rate scenario," advises Loe. "Protect that rate by using one of your foreign exchange hedging vehicles."
Smart Business spoke with Loe about the basic principles of foreign currency hedging, what the current environment looks like and how to best strike a balance between risk and return.
How does foreign currency hedging work?
A foreign currency exposure is typically created when a company imports, exports or establishes an offshore physical presence. Due to potential valuation change from one currency to another, the result is currency risk. This risk will require active management or risk transfer. Whichever occurs, a currency hedge program should be investigated. Different companies will have a different hedging profile. Hedging is the tool to address currency risk.
What are the different types of foreign currency hedging vehicles?
There are three basic vehicles, although there are variations upon these three.
The first type is a spot transaction, which is the immediate buying or selling of one currency for another. Using the market price today, settlement usually takes place within two business days. A company that only transacts using spot trades is typically accepting the most risk.
The second vehicle is a forward contract. The price is locked in immediately, but settles on a date in the future. Monies do not change hand until that stipulated future date. Theoretically, the forward price can be the same as the spot price; however, the forward price, based on interest rate differentials, is usually either higher (premium) or lower (discount) than the spot price.
Finally, there are option contracts that provide the company the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a specific amount of foreign currency for a specific date in the future. For this right, the purchaser of the option pays a premium which is payable immediately. This cost is determined by many factors including the option strike price, current spot price, forward adjustment (interest rates), market volatility and forward date.
When creating a hedging plan, what strategies should be considered?
First, it is important to note that there is no one best way to create a hedging plan. Each company may determine to use different tools that apply to its individual situation.
However, one consideration that should be taken into account is how much exposure you have. Are you conducting business in U.S. dollar terms or foreign currency terms? Even if conducting in U.S. dollar terms, your company can still be exposed to exchange rate movements if your foreign party is or feels forced to change those terms due to exchange rate movement. Developing a budget or other financial analysis can help identify foreign exchange exposure. Typically, a company will establish a budget or forecast, then choose the vehicles to use and subsequently validate them against the company's appetite for risk.
What does the current environment for foreign currency hedging look like?
Most industrialized countries have freely open markets in foreign exchange such as the U.S. dollar, Euro, British pound, Japanese yen and Canadian dollar among many others. The foreign exchange market is the largest market in the world with more than $1.5 trillion (U.S.) traded daily. This is bigger than all the stock and bond markets in the world put together. Therefore, the market is very liquid.
There are, however, countries where it is very difficult to impossible to physically deliver currency. China is one such place that curbs its money flows. This is due to Chinese central bank restrictions. Regulations in some countries can change constantly so it can be important to stay in touch with your bank's foreign currency adviser.
How can a business best strike a balance between risk and return when hedging in foreign currencies?
Probably the term with more weight is risk. Your company is probably not in the game of foreign exchange speculating. It is most likely buying or producing a product for sale or providing a service for sale. Therefore, it should concentrate on what it does best.
Most companies would be better served by eliminating as much foreign currency risk as possible. However, some business situations cannot completely eliminate risk. In this situation you can try to set a downside floor with the use of such vehicles as options. Setting a floor with an option or leaving an order to buy or sell on a stop-loss basis can also leave potential upside returns on a hedging strategy.
GARY LOE is vice president at Comerica Bank. Reach him at (800) 318-9062 or email@example.com.
Setting a good example
To circumvent such problems, it is important for top management to set a good example. After all, an environment conducive to high ethical standards is good for business. Companies that behave ethically are rewarded in the form of loyalty, honesty and productivity from employees, customers and suppliers.
A company lacking ethical standards is destined to fail, points out Satinder Dhiman, a professor of management at Woodbury University. "Without an ethical framework, business or any kind of exchange is not possible," he says.
Smart Business spoke with Dhiman about the importance of ethics in a business setting.
How should a company go about developing a culture of ethical business behavior?
A company's culture is not something that can be mandated from above; it has to be nurtured. An ethical framework and processes have to be developed at every level of the organization. Although top management can initiate certain processes and provide a clear message about the importance of proper conduct, the culture is determined from the grass roots up.
How important is it for management to align their behavior with their beliefs in regards to ethics?
If there is one way that humanity has discovered, in regards to effectively changing behavior, it is role modeling. There is no other way to affect change in a group setting. People learn more by watching their leaders than by listening to their speeches. It is of paramount importance that employees and staff get a consistent message from the top leaders and that these values are aligned.
How should a company's ethical standards be communicated to employees?
We can use modern technologies like e-mail, we can have bulletin boards, we can have town hall meetings, but what really matters is how a company practices ethical principles on a daily basis. The ethical framework has to be tangible in a company's daily conduct.
Nothing underscores a message as forcefully as when a company takes a stance on an issue that has lasting ethical implications. In this manner, you communicate the message in a way that employees are acutely aware of where management stands. You can have it written all over the walls, but if you don't live it, then it won't be effective.
If a breach in ethics does occur, what steps should be taken to rectify the situation?
This is a question that has been asked many times since the collapse of Enron. The first step would be not to justify or rationalize the breach and to admit there is a problem. The chiefs of Enron kept saying until the end that they had done nothing wrong. If a breach has already occurred, it is important to be honest. They say that when you speak the truth, you don't have to worry about remembering. If you try to gloss over things, it adds insult to injury and worsens the matter. Also, after admitting that there is a problem, it is important to establish a preventive mechanism so that you have early warnings about these kinds of things happening in the future.
How have new technologies affected ethical issues in businesses?
New technologies have impacted business because information is more easily accessible and more universally available. I remember someone saying that it is not that there is more crime today, it is just that there are more reporters. Technology has made news about scandals mainstream and more available to public scrutiny than ever. There is no hiding anymore. New technologies have made things more transparent.
There are also more preventive mechanisms in place. The stock market crash about 80 years ago may not happen today because we have mechanisms in place that warn us early of potential problems. This is the salutatory effect of technology.
SATINDER DHIMAN is associate dean of business and a professor of management at Woodbury University. Reach him at email@example.com or (818) 252-5138.
Trading up
"Trade cycle financing is managing cash flow for a given period of time, and it can be related to an importer or an exporter," explains Tim Murphy, first vice president for Comerica Bank. "It allows a bank to assist customers in managing the purchase and sale of their inventories over a defined period of time."
Smart Business spoke with Murphy about trade cycle financing, what it is geared toward and how a company can benefit from this type of financing.
Who is trade cycle financing geared toward?
It is geared mainly toward importers and exporters, who traditionally have a fairly well-defined period in terms of the financing they need.
We measure the full trade cycle, which is from inventory purchase to manufacturing to collection time. Once we've understood the cycle and understand the client needs, we finance the cycle on an ongoing basis.
Trade cycle financing can also work well for distributors, both domestically and internationally. This method of financing is not geared toward a new company that needs to build inventory.
How can a company benefit from this type of financing?
It is a cost-efficient method of financing. Customers only borrow what they need for a given purchase or for a given supplier.
This keeps their landed costs lower. It also allows them to get a better handle on their international banking charges.
Most companies that use trade cycle financing do not have the goods very long in their possession; some just drop ship the goods and never even touch them.
What payment mechanisms are available?
A number of different financing methods can be used: letters of credit, open account, cash in advance and purchasing or selling on collections. All of these tools can be adapted into trade cycle finance. For example, if you sell on a collection basis, we may be able to advance or discount that collection. Or if you're buying on open account, we may be able to refinance that purchase from overseas.
What role does insurance play with trade cycle financing?
When you're talking about trade cycle financing, there are really two types of insurance. The first is cargo insurance, which covers the merchandise from warehouse to warehouse. This protects both the bank that may be lending on the goods as well as the buyers and the sellers.
The second type of insurance is a policy for commercial and political risk. Some policies allow financial institutions to assist their clients in the purchasing of finished goods or raw materials and shipping to or from their overseas locations. This can be a big advantage because they are able to finance almost all of the costs. Let's say a client needs to buy raw materials for his factory in Mexico. He will submit all of his purchase orders and the bank will finance those purchase orders up to 180 days. This allows him to take the raw material to his plant in Mexico, manufacture the product, sell the product, get paid for the product and then repay the bank. The advantage to the client is that he's only made one advance and his reporting is minimized.
How can a company determine if it is qualified for trade cycle financing?
If a company is truly an importer, exporter or distributor, then it probably qualifies. Most banks would like to have at least three years' worth of financial statements for a new client. What we're looking for is a defined trade cycle where we can determine when the client needs to buy, who they're selling to, and how long the period is. Trade cycle financing is not for the purpose of building inventory.
TIM MURPHY is first vice president for Comerica Bank. Reach him at (562) 463-6530 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Real estate strategy
Corporations that own their buildings might find it advantageous to lease back their real estate holdings. By deploying a sale-leaseback strategy, capital tied up in real estate can be redirected toward an entity's core business.
The current investment climate makes this strategy particularly attractive, given the high demand for corporate real estate. "The outlook for corporate real estate, especially properties leased by credit tenants on a long-term basis, looks extremely good now and for the foreseeable future," says Keith Yearout, a senior associate, investment properties for CB Richard Ellis.
Smart Business spoke with Yearout about sale-leaseback transactions, how companies can benefit from such an arrangement and why the environment for leasing back commercial properties is so favorable right now.
How does the practice of leasing back real estate holdings work?
A sale-leaseback transaction entails the sale of corporate real estate and the simultaneous commitment to a long-term lease, generally 10 years or longer. This strategy allows a company to redeploy the capital that had been tied up in 'sticks and bricks' into the core business. You effectively control the property after the sale, and can even retain the right to buy back the property at a pre-agreed price.
How can a company benefit from such an arrangement?
The biggest benefit of a sale-leaseback transaction is the ability to increase a company's financial flexibility by offloading real estate at attractive price levels and redeploying the proceeds into its core business to yield a higher rate of return than it would otherwise get from owning its real estate.
Another advantage of a sale-leaseback transaction is that it improves the balance sheet by reducing the negative impact of depreciation and interest on your income statement. It also provides off-balance sheet financing, hedges against obsolesence, and may help you avoid or reduce tax liability.
What considerations should be taken into account when deciding if this is a viable strategy?
In determining if a sale-leaseback strategy makes financial sense, a company needs to ask itself the question, 'Is our corporate rate of return on our core business greater than the yield we get from owning our real estate?'
Due to functional obsolesence, most commercial buildings depreciate in value over time so the sale-leaseback strategy makes sense for many companies though it's not without risk.
One potential pitfall includes the possible forced relocation at the end of the initial lease term. At the end of a lease without any renewal options, a tenant may be forced to either negotiate an extension at current market rates or relocate. To prevent such a situation, a company should consider employing a long-term lease or ensuring that the initial lease agreement includes renewal options that allow the tenant to renew at pre-determined rates.
What are the first steps that should be taken if a company decides to lease back its real estate?
Once a company decides to explore a sale-leaseback transaction, the first step should be to request a disposition proposal including an 'opinion of value' from a commercial broker who specializes in the sale of income-producing real estate. My team at CBRE provides this service free of charge, and the proposal includes a detailed sale-leaseback vs. own analysis. This helps the company to determine if it makes sense to continue to own its real estate or invest capital back into the core business.
In addition to engaging a qualified commercial broker, a company should also consult its tax adviser to make sure that any potential tax liabilities generated from the transaction are fully considered. It is possible to defer a considerable portion of the tax liability, and having a tax adviser on the team with specific knowledge in this area is very beneficial.
How does the current investment environment look for corporate real estate?
We are experiencing an unprecedented amount of liquidity in the investment real estate market resulting in record high prices for corporate real estate. Investors seeking income-producing vehicles are being drawn to corporate real estate due to its ability to provide superior returns compared to treasury bills, municipal bonds, corporate bonds and other income-oriented investments including certificates of deposit. With baby boomers nearing retirement age over the coming years, more investors are shifting from capital accumulation mode and reallocating into income-producing investments. As a result, we currently have more capital chasing corporate real estate than we have product available.
KEITH YEAROUT is a senior associate, investment properties for CB Richard Ellis. Reach him at (513) 369-1334 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Leadership abilities
Having effective leadership in place is essential for any business to thrive. Normal day-to-day activities require a leader who conveys a clear vision, inspires confidence, communicates clearly and operates ethically.
The importance of strong leadership is magnified in the event of a crisis. And at some point, every entity will be faced with a crisis of some sort. Being properly prepared to handle the inevitable calamity can make a good leader a great one, says Mark Relyea, adjunct professor at Woodbury University.
"We define our leadership capabilities by our performance in crisis situations," he points out. "Everything that you are as a leader becomes exemplified when you're thrown into a crisis."
Smart Business spoke with Relyea about how to avoid common mistakes that leaders make during crisis situations, how to reduce employee fear and anxiety, and the importance of situational leadership.
What are the first steps that management should take in the event of a crisis?
Long before we ever find ourselves in crises, we should have recognized that we're going to face them and implement processes that are going to help us deal with them.
Organizations strengthen themselves and prepare for critical incidents by instituting sound leadership practices. You want to make sure the people in the organization know they're capable of addressing a crisis, minimizing damage and bringing the incident to a successful conclusion. If you have an organization put together like this, when a crisis comes, you're ready.
What are some common mistakes that leaders make during a crisis and how can these be avoided?
Probably the biggest mistake leaders can make is failing to maintain their credibility. People are watching over us at all times, so it's important to lead by example and do what we say. Perceptions are everything to the credibility of a leader.
Another common mistake is that when leaders are thrown into crises situations, they feel like they have to take an autocratic leadership approach. It's usually a mistake to suddenly hold yourself responsible for coming up with all of the answers if you don't normally do this. During a crisis, the leader needs to make the final decisions, but not excluding the management team that he or she has depended on in the past.
Finally, in times of crises, it's human nature to become frustrated with other people, but leaders need to avoid venting because it doesn't usually help. Instead, these feelings need to be replaced with positive action. You want to replace complaints and blame with sound problem analysis and good tactical communication.
How should communication be handled?
Communication is everything to a leader, especially in a time of crisis. Good leaders are capable of presenting clear, consistent messages. Colin Powell says that good leaders are great simplifiers. Keep it simple, but make sure people understand the message.
Some of the messages can be sent out in writing, but there is no replacement for the spoken word when it comes to motivating people. Spoken words are powerful. A leader needs to be out, be seen and be heard. Also, leaders need to keep their personnel informed about what the problem is and what they're doing to resolve it.
How can employee fear and anxiety be reduced?
It's important to address employee fear and anxiety, because if you can reduce these issues, people will perform better. Every organization is going to have a crisis at some point, so employees should be prepared.
You want to implement practical exercises like walkthroughs. When you're hit with a crisis, you want to frame it as a challenge an opportunity to solve a problem.
One thing you don't want to do, however, is burden employees by giving them tasks that they can't handle. Be positive in your communication and make sure the action plan is being followed. The bottom line is that confidence and being positive is contagious. Team members have to believe that they can handle the problem and they have to see their role as far as the solution goes.
What type of leadership style tends to be most effective in a crisis situation?
The type of leadership that is appropriate is situational and will be determined by the nature of the problem and the people that you are working with. Sometimes, the problem will require that the leader take a directive approach. Other times, the problem will call for creative personnel to be given a long leash.
A leader needs to be aware of what type of leadership is going to inspire the people that he or she is depending upon.
MARK RELYEA is adjunct professor at Woodbury University. Reach him at firstname.lastname@example.com or (909) 709-6887.
Private banking
Each client in private banking has a relationship with his or her own private banker. Beyond credit needs, private-banking clients have available and may draw upon other specialists like securities/investments, trust services, insurance and financial planning.
Smart Business spoke with Mark Nakamaru, a senior vice president and group manager of Private Banking at Comerica Bank, about what types of services private bankers provide, how individuals and businesses alike can benefit and what factors to consider when looking for a private banking partner.
What are some of the services that private bankers provide?
Their primary focus is to address the financing needs of their clients, although in some cases, this extends to the businesses that they are associated with. Service-related companies such as law firms, CPA firms and medical practices are some examples of private banking businesses. Private bankers provide one-stop banking including customized credit facilities, a full array of deposit products, securities investments, asset management, insurance and financial planning. One private banking relationship manager can help deliver all the financial needs for both an individual and his or her business.
How can a company benefit from private banking lending options?
With any business, there is a need for a multitude of services and products. We provide a wide array of services such as traditional depository products, treasury management, merchant services and foreign exchange, to name a few.
Also, a company benefits from a private banker's ability to customize service needs, as well as banking the principals of the company. Private bankers have the ability to underwrite, structure and approve loan requests in-house, providing quick decisions and customized loans for clients.
How do stock option loans work?
Let's say a senior executive of a company has stock options that are coming due in six months. He has a tremendous opportunity today on an investment he wants to take advantage of. We can structure a loan for him today with repayment to come from the stock options he will eventually exercise. There is some risk to this. He may not want to exercise his stock options if the stock price drops below the strike price. But we will look for ways to mitigate this risk and structure this loan for him.
How can a company use a mortgage as collateral for a loan?
We can establish a line of credit for a business using the equity in the owner's personal residence or commercial building as collateral. This may provide a lower interest rate and extended terms on the line of credit. A start-up company, for example, could benefit from this type of loan as it provides additional collateral.
The process to establish this type of loan mirrors the steps one would take to borrow individually for an equity line of credit.
What types of questions should one ask when looking for a private banking partner?
I would inquire about the approval process for loan requests. Does the prospective partner use loan centers for approval or does it have the ability to underwrite and approve loans in-house? There could be advantages or disadvantages with either, depending on your needs. Another key issue is the lending limit of the bank. If it is a small community bank, there are restrictions as to how much money it can lend. A client who is looking for a large credit facility would not be well served by a bank with a house limit that cannot match his credit needs.
The lending experience of your private banker should also match your credit needs. A real estate investor, for example, should ask if the bank actively participates in this market. If so, your private banker should have the real estate experience to help facilitate the real estate loans you require.
Remember, all banks will tell you that they provide great service. Before choosing a bank and/or private banker, have a face-to-face meeting. The candidate should be quite convincing in its commitment to back up its claims.
MARK NAKAMARU is senior vice president and group manager for Private Banking at Comerica Bank. Reach him at (213) 486-6263 or email@example.com.
Workers' compensation
Recent legislative changes in California have altered the landscape of workers' compensation. It is crucial for companies to be aware of these reforms when evaluating current insurance plans.
One way to revisit workers' compensation plans is by conducting a collateral review, which typically centers around collateral on loss-sensitive workers' compensation programs such as large deductible or retrospectively rated plans. "Some of the initial collateral calculations from several years ago do not now reflect current regulatory or credit risk requirements," says Dennis Olsen, area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Smart Business spoke with Olsen about the types of collateral that are available, how often collateral should be reviewed and what should be done to prepare for a collateral review.
What is the basis for carrier collateral requirements?
Typically, these types of programs require collateral for two reasons. One is that the insurance carriers themselves have statutory regulations that require them to collateralize self-funded losses. The other reason that they require collateral, aside from the regulatory requirements, is that they want to avoid a credit risk. Insurance companies don't want to be on the hook for claim payments below the deductible layer.
What types of collateral are available in the market?
The most common form of collateral that is requested by insurance carriers is a letter of credit. But there are many other types of collateral that are used on occasion, such as surety bonds, trust programs and cash.
A trust program provides an alternative to a letter of credit and allows the insured to place negotiable securities into a trust account where the carrier can access the trust assets. The advantage of this option is that the insured is able to earn an investment income on those securities and they don't impact their balance sheet as a letter of credit would. Trust programs also tend to be less expensive, with savings of up to 50 basis points over letters of credit.
Surety bonds, over the last several years, have not been widely used, as the surety bond market has been restricted.
When should collateral be reviewed?
We normally recommend that collateral be reviewed twice a year. When an insured has been on a loss-sensitive program for a period of time, there tends to be a pyramiding of letters of credit. Currently, we're in a market where it's especially important to do the review twice a year because there have been quite a few changes over the last few years. In states like California, where there has been recent workers' compensation reform, the loss development on claims has been dropping rapidly.
How should a business prepare for a collateral review?
The first step is to do a comprehensive claim review and to evaluate individual case reserves, plans of actions and the potential for closing old claims. The second thing we recommend is to do an actuarial analysis and project ultimate losses using current loss development. This should be done in conjunction with the collateral reviews that are done twice a year.
Insured companies that have former carriers holding collateral often will discover that these carriers will only allow an annual claim review. Typically, the second evaluation is going to be done without a claim review, but it is still important to do a real study to evaluate what the estimated loss reserve is for those open cases. That is then used to negotiate with the insurance carrier as to how much collateral you really need to be holding.
What other factors should be considered when negotiating collateral?
In the past, few collateral agreements specified adjustment time frames or even the loss basis for reducing collateral. Some insurance companies are now more willing to define specific security terms, which will greatly ease future collateral reduction negotiations. If you're negotiating collateral with the current insurer, you want to bring the leverage of the pending renewal to the negotiations. In a lot of cases, a reduction in old collateral or waiving collateral requirements on the renewal policy can be negotiated. There is also the potential for replacing older forms of collateral by consolidating letters of credit or by substituting letters of credit with cash or trust programs.
DENNIS OLSEN is area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Reach him at (818) 539-1323 or email@example.com.
R&D checkup
Detecting problem areas at an early stage is essential for a business to succeed. It's also important that, once identified, these problems be fixed judiciously.
In this sense, Positron Emission Topography (PET), a medical technique used for early detection and evaluation of diseases, parallels the business world. As Dr. Mike Phelps, the inventor of PET and the chair of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA says, "It's not just detecting disease earlier, but it's improving the accuracy with which you understand what you're dealing with, and from that, getting more quickly to the right treatment."
Smart Business spoke with Phelps about the technique he pioneered, the spiraling cost of health care and the challenges involved with raising private funding.
How important are innovations such as PET in helping identify medical problems early?
One, treatments have better responses at early stages, and two, the complexity of the treatment both in the treatment itself and the costs expands as the disease progresses.
So it's important to detect a disease earlier from that regard, and of course, the prognosis gets worse for the patient as the disease progresses. It's probably reasonable to say that we can cure greater than 90 percent of all cancers right now if we could detect them when they're truly just a primary cancer they're only in the organ where they originate and they're still encapsulated at that point.
But once they spread beyond that, they start to infiltrate the organ they're in, they start to spread to other organs. The prognosis gets bad, the treatments get complicated and very costly.
In pioneering this technique, what challenges in the research and development phase did you face?
There were a lot of technical barriers to overcome. We were developing a camera to be able to watch and measure the biology and biochemistry of disease in patients that had never been done before. Of course, we also faced a lot of problems in terms of FDA approval and the reimbursement.
At the time that PET came to the clinical world, all the previous approaches to reimbursement and FDA approval had been changed and much more evidence was required. So we had to develop all of the basic science and clinical evidence to show that it would change and improve the care of patients.
How does PET improve medical delivery for patients?
It's well-proven that PET has about a 93 percent accuracy in diagnosing Alzheimer's three-and-a-half years before the conventional approach can make a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's. So it makes that diagnosis early, and with a single test, as opposed to years of repetitious tests trying to make and improve the diagnosis.
Could health insurance premiums decline as diseases are detected earlier?
It's not so much about detecting disease earlier. The question is, can you develop a better way to manage the resources that you have for health care in such a way that you lower costs and improve quality?
Health care is 15 percent of the GNP. It's growing at five times the GNP, and if we're not careful, it's going to become the GNP. The largest expenditures are in the treatment and care of patients, not the diagnosis.
The largest number of mistakes that alter the care of patients and the costs is in the diagnosis.
If you can make the diagnosis quicker and more accurately, then you reduce the number of tests that are being used to make that diagnosis. The quicker you can get to the right answer, the better you can get to the right treatment and the care of patients. In addition to just being earlier, it is important that resources are better utilized.
You are the principal or co-principal investigator of more than $150 million. How do you manage this type of budget?
Very carefully. It illustrates our ability to compete nationally to get funds like that, but managing funds after you get them is quite a different issue. When we get them, we propose something that the review process said was important and worth money.
What follows, though, is how you use the funds to execute not only what you agreed to do, but to motivate people to come up with new ideas constantly.
What challenges have you faced in getting prospective donors on board with your mission?
It is very much like in business when you're starting a new entrepreneurial company and trying to convince investors of the level of your convictions and your beliefs, and that you can execute what you say.
Most of our donors are people who have been through that. They're smart people who have had good ideas and they've been successful.
You try to get them to come to a common place with you to share a belief with you. Even on gifts in a university setting, most often the most important thing that the donor will actually provide is not his money, but his commitment to you, and his ideas.
Dr. Mike Phelps is the chair of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at UCLA. Reach him at (310) 825-6539 or email@example.com.
Feeling the pinch?
The impact of Hurricane Katrina has had a lingering effect on many facets of the American economy.
Certainly, insurance carriers have felt the pinch. As demand for reconstruction projects rose following last year's devastating hurricane, so did payouts often in multiples of what the carriers had expected to pay.
Now, says Deborah Freeland, area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., underwriting requirements are much more stringent. "The days of just picking up the phone and getting true blanket coverage, where a group of buildings is covered with a single limit, regardless of the value stated for the individual buildings, are long gone," she says.
Smart Business spoke with Freeland about demand surge, how a company should go about getting an appraisal and the importance of obtaining valuations from certified appraisal professionals.
Why has there recently been an increased demand for appraisals from insurance carriers?
The tremendous property losses resulting from Hurricane Katrina highlighted the fact that many of the insured properties were scheduled as having values well below what would normally be considered a true replacement cost under normal circumstances. Add the increase in costs associated with the demand surge following the hurricane and resultant flooding, and the carriers were paying out multiples of what they expected to pay to replace these undervalued buildings. Many carriers now require independent verification of building values as a condition to binding coverage.
What is demand surge, and how does this impact values?
Demand surge is essentially post-event inflation. After a disaster affecting a large number of buildings, as insurance dollars roll in for reconstruction, there is much demand for limited construction materials and labor. This drives up building reconstruction costs. The greater the number of buildings affected, the larger the total economic impact and the greater the demand for goods and services that increased the demand surge. Generally, over time, as more of the buildings in an area are rebuilt or repaired, the demand for contractors, laborers and materials begins to drop off, and costs stabilize.
How should a company go about getting an appraisal?
Contract with one of the many appraisal firms or an independent, certified appraiser. A referral from someone you trust, who has used a firm's services in the past, is the best way to find a resource.
If you don't have a referral, the Web site of the American Society of Appraisers (www.appraisers.org) is an excellent reference. It lists certified appraisers by discipline, location and specialties. Costs may be much less than you would think. Right now, however, there is so much demand for appraisal services, it does pay to call several to compare prices.
Also, it is important to note that there are many types of appraisals. Insurance contracts generally cover replacement of the building with one of 'like kind and quality,' so we would usually ask for a replacement cost appraisal and specify that it is for insurance purposes, or request a reconstruction cost appraisal, which includes additional loading costs that might be incurred following a loss.
How do valuations from a certified appraiser differ from those of insurance carriers?
Most insurance carriers do not provide full, certified appraisals. Instead, they use computerized programs that take general building data and develop an estimate of the cost to construct a building. These are a good tool for checking to see whether the values they are given for a building appear to be in the ballpark and flagging out buildings that appear to be undervalued. However, these programs require the user to make certain subjective assessments, and the programs also incorporate generic assumptions that may not apply to a particular building. Often, a more detailed analysis done by a certified appraiser may show that the estimates obtained using these programs are not even close to being correct.
Do appraisals provide an absolute valuation, or are they subject to change?
An appraisal is a snapshot at a particular time, giving the cost to rebuild a particular building and factoring in costs of materials and labor. So, if the cost of materials goes up days or weeks after the appraisal was completed, the appraisal needs to be updated to reflect these changing costs.
Trending figures for updating appraisals are published by different valuation firms. In general, applying these to an appraisal that was conducted within the last five years will give a pretty accurate figure. Most appraisal firms will not trend up an appraisal that is over 5 years old.
DEBORAH FREELAND is area senior vice president for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Reach her at (818) 539-1290 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Business law
The SEC continues to display strong interest in timely and complete document production. Increasingly, important documents reside on computers, e-mail servers and portable drives.
As a result, it is crucial for businesses to be aware of what constitutes electronic document production in this era of rapidly changing innovations to traditional modes of communication.
"Companies need to have an understanding of what type of electronic information exists, which will include essentially anything with an on/off switch such as computers, laptops, backup servers and PDAs," says Kevin Martin, a partner in Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP's Business Litigation Department. "Anything that would be backed up on a server is a potential source for information."
Smart Business spoke with Martin about how the SEC is now responding to companies that fail to provide complete document production, how CEOs can be pro-active in identifying and managing electronically stored information and how a company should proceed if it receives a subpoena.
How is the SEC now reacting to incomplete production?
The SEC has become very heavy-handed in response to incomplete document production by corporate citizens. It has levied stiff financial penalties against companies for failing to fully and adequately respond to government subpoenas. For example, the SEC commenced actions against Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank Securities for failing to produce all of its electronic documents in a timely manner in response to SEC subpoenas. As part of Deutsche Bank's settlement with the SEC, it agreed to pay $7.5 million to the government.
What are the possible ramifications for a company that fails to adequately provide complete documentation?
With respect to the SEC, enforcement proceedings may be brought and stiff penalties levied. In the context of civil actions, one of the major ramifications is that a court could impose spoliation sanctions against the party that has failed to produce all of its documents. With this type of sanction, a court instructs the jury that destroyed documents are presumed to be damaging to the party responsible for the destruction. This severe sanction was recently imposed on Morgan Stanley in 2005.
How can CEOs be pro-active in regard to document production?
The company and CEO should be prepared to demonstrate that they acted with good faith diligence. To this end, CEOs should confirm with company employees that the universe of electronically stored information has been identified.
In addition, CEOs should determine what to retain in accordance with their statutory obligations and company retention policies.
Finally, CEOs should create an infrastructure to manage electronically stored information and train employees on the proper use and storage of electronically stored information.
If companies take a pro-active approach to their discovery obligations, they will be in a position to certify with confidence that they have completed their document production and feel confident that they will not face problems down the road that could have and should have been avoided. For example, one of the major problems that Deutsche Bank faced with the SEC is that it had representated to the government that it had completed its e-mail document production, when in fact it had failed to produce 277,000 e-mails. Obviously, when Deutsche Bank disclosed this fact to the SEC, the SEC was not pleased, and Deutsche Bank lost credibility with the government investigators. The loss of credibility with government regulators can have far-reaching ramifications to companies that are the subject of investigations.
How should a company proceed if it receives a subpoena from government regulators?
Following receipt of a subpoena, written instructions must be sent to employees directing them to preserve documents and not to destroy or delete any data on computers.
Before responding in any manner to the subpoena, it is critical that the company first make an internal assessment of: (1) the potential universe of responsive documents; (2) the difficulty of culling the responsive documents together; and (3) the length of time needed to review the documents prior to production. The company should also assume that it may be called upon to demonstrate good-faith due diligence in responding to document production demands.
Only after these determinations are made will a company be in a position to make representations to the government as to what types of documents will be produced and when. Obviously, companies must not make promises to the government that they cannot keep and must avoid inexcusable document production pitfalls.
KEVIN MARTIN is a partner in Alschuler Grossman Stein & Kahan LLP's Business Litigation Department. Reach him at (310) 255-9055 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
It's a modern-day dilemma: You're in the middle of a fracas. Cops show up. You whip out your cellphone. You hit record. The cops -- worried that you might have caught them in an unflattering actions, afraid you may have gotten their "bad side," or just under lots of pressure in a dangerous job, in ... More >>
Zach Flamberg's prognosis is not good. Since 2009, the 57-year-old has been locked in a bloody cage match with large b-cell lymphoma, and his time is running out. "My fate is sealed, the doctors have told me," he says. "With me now, it's a day-to-day thing." But since losing his job as an IT tech a ... More >>
The Broward Commission unanimously voted down a draft ordinance proposed by County Administrator Bertha Henry to require people to apply for and obtain permits to engage in "expressive activities" at county facilities -- a mandate that many members of the public see as a stab at the First Ame ... More >>
Ron Gunzburger's Facebook PageThis is the fine work of Rob Negron at the Brew Urban Cafe on Himmarshee.Al Qaeda put out a statement on the internet today about Osama Bin Laden's death: "It [Bin Laden's blood] will remain, with permission from Allah the Almighty, a curse that chases the Ameri ... More >>
Bob WolfeWhat do the people in charge of your property taxes do in their free time? One Broward property appraiser likes to tweet right-wing talking points, including his love for Allen West and Ronald Reagan.Juice reader Seth Platt noticed that some of Deputy Property Appraiser Bob Wolfe's tweet ... More >>
Let's start with some fun. Last night's Heat game against the New Jersey Nets provided a real glimpse of the kind of high-flying show this team is going to be. Dunks galore. But none was better than the one above. While the Nets watch helplessly, the towel boy can't repress his ... More >>
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerLooking like an atomic mushroom cloud, a thunderstorm approaches Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerThe Goodyear Blimp hovers over Fort Lauderdale, coming dangerously close to being ensnared in some huge seagrape leaves.
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerRiverwalk, empty on a recent Saturday morning.
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerYellow Tabebuia tree in Fort Lauderdale.
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerCanal bank in Fort Lauderdale.
Flickr: Ron GunzburgerWatch out, boaters. There are plenty of signs like the one to the left, warning you about those adorable manatees, who have a way of wrapping their fat asses around boat propellers. But if you're cruising near the Fort Lauderdale shore you may be faced with a choice between ... More >>
Does Mayor Jim Naugle still know Fort Lauderdale?
Broward Commission, lobbyists ooze coziness
Ron Gunzburger public employee, power blogger can't stay put, politically
Nixon/Agnew '04
For Rodstrom and Dunlap, all's fair in local electoral politics
Weston only the start of hospital district chicanery
The political demise of mayoral candidate Tim Smith heralds a new age in Fort Lauderdale politics
Hollywood lost last fall's referendum by siphoning cash to political cronies, sending out armed cops, and failing to win over the Broward sheriff
Lionel Stewart is honest, idealistic, and experienced. He doesn't stand a chance against the Jenne political machine.
After years of playing political hardball, Ron Gunzburger says he wants to take a softer approach with his nationally known Website
County Commissioner Scott Cowan paid his daughters $10,000 in campaign funds for not working on his campaign. Hey -- it's legal.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Paul F. Murphy: Playing Universally
PFM: Finding a way to draw the connection to the universe and the human spirit and condition.
From left: Paul Murphy, Larry Willis
AAJ: What has helped you understand the universe and the soul to allow you to connect your playing with these things?
PFM: I would say my love of drumming has always outweighed my lust for financial gain and that has allowed me to keep my mind open and clear and sustain a pursuit of knowledge and skill. I have also found that family has become more and more important and influential. I decided long ago that I was going to be far better off studying, playing and recording what I believed in instead of living in a situation where I would have probably ended up dead.
AAJ:Did this decision allow you to pursue and study music and drumming to a higher level?
PFM: My current job as associate director of Georgetown University facility management and operations allows me to live a stable life in an environment surrounded by the study of humanities and technology. It allows me to be as free-thinking and playing as I need to beor want to be. I still practice every day. I still play and record the best of my musical endeavors with my best friend, Lawrence Elliot Willis. And, I teach extremely selectively.
AAJ: The ability to be free and forward thinking is very important. It seems as if that mindset is basically required in order to be a part ofor even conceptualizethe kinds of things you are talking about. And that mindset is always a part of the path to innovation. Being considered a pioneer in music and drumming, what qualities do you believe are necessary to be an innovator?
PFM: An innovator has to do at least one of two things: you can either advance concept or you can advance style. You have to change or move one or both of these things in a new direction. And it takes belief. You have to believe in what you are doing, you have to be determined to do it. Motivation, determination and continuous pursuit are a huge part of success as an innovator and success in general, but success does not necessarily equal innovation. Success often defines commercialismnot all the timebut in order to be new, you have to think new. You have to think and be outside of the box.
I believe, too, that technique is the mother of invention. Technique and the study of techniques are what lead to innovation. It doesn't just happen. You need to have an understanding of all the world's music and what makes them different and the same. In order to advance style, you must have a good functional knowledge about past and current styles and in order to advance concept you must understand past and current conceptual movements.
AAJ: "Technique is the mother of invention." Clear examples of this are players like Jimmy Lyons
PFM: Well, I studied for 11 years with Joseph Levitt, who was at that time, the principle percussionist of the National Symphony and director of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Throughout the years, during my study with Levitt, I was introduced to Gene Krupa, Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones...
AAJ: Not only met but played or studied with.
PFM: Right. I also spent a lot of time playing all different forms of music from symphonic to orchestral to marching to R&B and rock and roll. At the age of 17, I was introduced to bassist Billy Taylor, from Ellington's band who was instrumental at a very important time in my development as a player and the direction I would end up taking in music.
AAJ: What happened in the development of your technique "beyond?"
PFM: Sitting in a parking lot outside the Blair Mansion Inn, where I was playing a society gig with Billy [Taylor] and pianist John Phillips, while sitting in Billy's 1965 Ford LTD, Billy stuck in an 8-track cartridge and asked me, "Do you know who these cats are?" We listened for about 25 minutes. I said no, he told me, "This is Cecil Taylor, Jimmy Lyons and Sunny Murray. These are the cats you need to know. This is what you play."
AAJ: What put you as "one of those cats?"
PFM: My concept of playing time; the way I moved time.


text:
A pretty undersea toile pattern featuring jellyfish, crabs, oysters and of course mermaids.
Check out my project "Fancy Weekly Wallpapers"
Thanks for looking :)
To add items to your wishlist, simply click the "Add to Wishlist" link from any product page.
by Barbra Ignatiev
Collect your choice of gallery quality Giclée, or fine art prints custom trimmed by hand in a variety of sizes with a white border for framing.


text:
Apply for Court Bonds
Download the following applications:
Type (fill in all fields allowed) or hand write application.
Attach a copy of your court order and any special court bond language.
Attach a blank copy of the bond.
Please fax all required forms to (215) 766-1225.
Please call our Court Bond Department at (888) 592-6631 for assistance.
Susan Fine (Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:15:27 -0400): What do you charge for a bond of 95,000- for escheated property in Massachusetts.Marlon De La Barrera (Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:37:58 -0400): How much do you charge for a 20000 traveling abroad for a minor child?Marlon De La Barrera (Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:39:10 -0400): How much does a 20000 dollar international travel for a minor cost? Marlon De La Barrera (Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:39:37 -0400): Bond that is?Vladimir Borissov (Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:39:25 -0400): do you do bail bonds for florida?Eileen Zimmerman (Wed, 14 Aug 2013 17:15:52 -0400): What is the cost of a court surety bond?LaVern Smith (Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:04:43 -0500): What are the requirements for a probate bond in Alabama of $20.000.00? How soon will it be available? Preshaun Coates (Sun, 09 Feb 2014 10:23:56 -0500): I need surety bond for court to make sure my son come to court in PG county md for 75,000JW Surety Bonds (Mon, 10 Feb 2014 09:24:39 -0500): Preshaun, Surety bonds are only purchased if required by another entity. Is anyone requiring a bond of you? If so, who? You may be looking for bail bond; unfortunately our agency does not handle this type of bond.


text:
Marine animal stings or bites
Also known as: Stings - marine animals and Bites - marine animals
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Groin pain, armpit pain
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Paralysis
- Sweating
- Weakness, faintness, dizziness
- Wear gloves, if possible, when removing stingers.
- Wipe off stingers or tentacles with a towel.
- Wash the area with salt water.
- Soak the wound in as hot of water as the patient can tolerate for 30 - 90 minutes, if told to do so by trained personnel.
- Jellyfish stings should be immediately rinsed with vinegar.
- Fish stings should be immediately rinsed with hot water.
- For other types of stings/bites, you may be told to apply vinegar or a meat tenderizer/water solution to neutralize the venom.
- Do NOT attempt to remove stingers without protecting your own hands.
- Do NOT raise the affected body part above the level of the heart.
- Do NOT allow the patient to exercise.
- Do NOT give any medication, unless told to do so by a health care provider.
- Swim near a lifeguard.
- Observe posted signs that may warn of danger from jellyfish or other hazardous marine life.
- Do not touch unfamiliar marine life. Even dead animals or severed tentacles may contain poisonous venom.
Marine animal stings or bites refer to poisonous bites or stings from any form of sea life, including jellyfish.
The majority of these types of stings occur in salt water. Some types of marine stings or bites can be deadly.
Causes include bites or stings from various types of marine life including: jellyfish, Portuguese Man-of-War, stingray, stonefish, scorpion fish, catfish, sea urchins, sea anemone, hydroid, coral, cone shell, sharks, barracudas, and moray or electric eels.
There may be pain, burning, swelling, redness, or bleeding near the area of the bite or sting. Other symptoms can affect the entire body, and may include:
First Aid
Do Not
Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if
Seek medical help (call 911 or your local emergency number) if the person has difficulty breathing, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or uncontrolled bleeding, if the sting site develops swelling or discoloration, or for other body-wide (generalized) symptoms.
Otten EJ. Venomous animal injuries. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 59.
- Review date:
- August 1, 2012
- Reviewed by:
- Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Copyright InformationA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.


text:
SPRING 2014: The Common Reading program will celebrate our 10th anniversary! As part of the festivities we will be reading again one of our favorite, and first, Common Readings - Silas House's novel A Parchment of Leaves. In addition to other events, many of our former Common Reading authors will be revisiting OCTC for a writer's festival, including readings, seminars, and a bookfair, March 19-21, 2014. Participating authors include: George Ella Lyon, Bobbie Ann Mason, Davis McCombs, Joe Survant (former Kentucky Poet Laureate), and Frank X Walker (current Kentucky Poet Laureate). More details coming soon!
Fall 2013 Common Reading: Events have wrapped up for this semester's study of The Namesake. See OCTC Common Reading on Facebook for photos from some of the many events.
FACEBOOK: To get the most recent updates, pictures, and events through Facebook, "like" us on Facebook. Everyone is welcome (you don't have to have a Facebook page to view the page): OCTC Common Reading Facebook
Thank you: Special thanks to the many area donors who are helping us make the Common Reading and other campus initiatives more lasting and vital parts of our community through the NEH Grant efforts.
Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
LIBRARY DISPLAY: Each semester the OCTC main campus Library (LRC/LRE building) has a display of materials related to the book, writer, and theme of each Common Reading. Check it out!
LEND & LEAVE BOOKSHELF: In the LRC, upstairs near the art gallery, is a display of books that you may take and keep, take and pass on, or take and return. You may also bring some used books to leave for others.
MISSION STATEMENT: What is the Common Reading?
Each semester a book is selected as OCTC's Common Reading, with the idea that all participants could read the same material and have common ground for new discussions and mutual interests. While the book choices vary in many ways (different genres, time-periods, subject matters) they are chosen with the intention of expanding the knowledge and perspectives of readers. The background of the selected writers is diverse; however, many Kentucky and regional writers are also included in order to help us appreciate local talent, acknowledge shared concerns, and celebrate our common heritage. All OCTC students, staff, faculty, and interested community members are invited and encouraged to participate by reading the books and attending the related presentations each semester.


text:
Serve as a bridge between clinical, operational, and administrative functions within the healthcare industry and directly affect the quality of patient care!
Widespread adoption of new technologies is fueling a critical need for specialized Health Information Administration (HIA) professionals able to manage electronic health records, analyze health information and ensure the privacy and security of patient data.
The HIA program will uniquely qualify you to take advantage of these opportunities as a health information leader, including professional experience in healthcare settings built right into the curriculum and the ability to sit for a national credentialing exam upon graduation.
Reasons to Discover HIA
- Tradition with a Focus on the Future
With 60 years behind it, HIA is one of IUPUI's most established and proven degrees. Embracing the technology trends of today, students may complete the entire professional program within an online environment.
- Job Growth
The U.S. Department of Labor expects health information jobs to grow by 20%—at least!
- Professional Practice
Expand your skills by participating in voluntary internships and credit bearing professional practice opportunities available within many of our healthcare community partnerships.
- Networking
Build contacts and job leads from more than 600 alumni who are now leaders in the field. Be actively involved in professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
- Impact
Work with clinicians and other healthcare providers towards better patient outcomes and improve the quality of healthcare delivery across the continuum of care.


text:
Submit Review
Campground Search
206576 User submitted reviews online!!
Location :
Dothan, Alabama
Pecan Point RV Park
[ 7/10 ]
A good over night stop. Easy in and out. Hookup worked well. Leveling not an issue. Wi-Fi and cable worked fine. Most of park appears to be long term and the front near the road is for the temporary visits. Not all sites have 50 amp so be sure to specify. Would stay here again.
Montgomery, Alabama
The Woods RV Park and Campground LLC
[ 8/10 ]
Passport not accepted on weekends. Easy to miss sign on highway so be aware. Easy in to spots. Level led with jacks only. Cable very good...lots of channels. Wi-Fi worked well. Fishing available. Good for a night or two. Would stay here again.
Branson, Missouri
Branson KOA & Convention Center
[ 8/10 ]
A nice KOA. Staff very friendly and helpful. Sites are terraced due to topography and need some work and blocks to get level. An aggravation to say the least. Wi-Fi is worthless. Other than that, the park is well kept and accessible for big rigs. Easy access to the strip and other Branson sights. We would stay here again.
Amarillo, Texas
Fort Amarillo RV Resort
[ 8/10 ]
Rate reflects monthly charge. Older campground, but kept up. Many permanent or long term sites but they are well kept. Roads and sites dirt and gravel with picnic table on pad. Some sites have small grass area. Amarillo is windy so does get dusty. Could get level on site. Amenities like exercise room need some updating and new equipment but there are signs of work in park. Sure it is costly to do all at once. Lizzie Mays is an incredible gift store on site. Can walk to Gander Mountain. Convenient on and off and convenient to stores and restaurants. Would stay here again.
Checotah, Oklahoma
Checotah / Lake Eufala West KOA
[ 8/10 ]
Most of the park amenities were closed for season although park is open year round. Friendly staff, very willing to answer questions. Cafe open for breakfast and dinner. Good country food and priced reasonably. Roads and sites are gravel with some grass but may need some leveling. TV reception with antenna is good...no cable. Wi-Fi did not work. Would stay here again.
Fountain, Colorado
Colorado Springs KOA
[ 6/10 ]
Stayed here before with more services; this time no cafe service, pool closed, only playground available for kids, etc. Sites are level and hookups work well. Easy in and out. Not much shade. Gravel roads and sites. Park was not very full. Replacing fence on the outside. Restrooms had been clean, but guests leaving things a bit trashy. Rate reflects a discount with KOA card plus use of some earned points. More and more I am finding KOA overpriced.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe Skies RV Park
[ 7/10 ]
Not far off the highway but no road noise. Roads and sites are gravel, and turns are a bit tight for big rigs. Speed bumps require caution. Could not get level without wood under the tires. Sites have patio and table with room for slides. Nice views all around. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Wifi was unusable for us with delays, etc. No cable, but TV reception on antenna great. I reserve a rating of 9 and 10 for parks with more amenities. Would stay here again.
Caldwell, Idaho
Ambassador RV Resort
[ 9/10 ]
Agree with most of the other reviews. We had no trouble hooking up. Agree stones could be difficult for walking, but sites have paved pad for table and for sitting, so most walking around park is on pavement. Grass area is very nice. Staff helpful and someone leads you to your site. One of the nicest parks we stayed in this season. Would stay here again.
Ferndale, Washington
Cedars RV Park
[ 9/10 ]
Easy access from highway yet far enough back to avoid noise. Sites have privacy hedges and are large. Plenty of room for a big rig and tow. For just one night many tows could be left connected. Staff friendly and helpful. Park kept clean and neat. This is a membership park but membership not required. We have relatives in this area and this is my park of choice for the future.
Hammond, Oregon
Astoria / Warrenton / Seaside KOA
[ 7/10 ]
Campground has about all the amenities KOA is known for, and is very kid friendly. Consideration is given for adult only hour at pool. Staff friendly and courteous but it took 3 tries to get us into a site with 50 amp that was long enough. Many fishermen with boats at sites so this could complicate making turns etc., with a big rig as roads are narrow. Sites are not all level and sewer connection needs sewer gasket to fit. Advertise free pancake breakfast but only pancakes free: coffee, bacon, etc., is a charge. WiFi questionable and cable snowy. Reason for 7 rating despite many amenities: it is a bit rustic and the price. Would stay here again.
Waldport, Oregon
Waldport / Newport KOA
[ 7/10 ]
Nicely kept campground with friendly and courteous staff. Our RV is 43' and turns were tight but site fit coach and tow disconnected. Sites are gravel and raked but can be uneven. We needed wood under one wheel. Nice water view for many sites. Reason for 7 is price is high as are many KOAs, but this campground did not have the amenities of many KOAs. Would stay here again.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Blackwell Island RV Park
[ 8/10 ]
Easy access to park and sites. Hookups worked well. WiFi spotty. Cable limited and reception snowy a lot. Very pretty and well kept park. Workers friendly and helpful. Would stay here again.
Polson, Montana
Eagle Nest RV Resort
[ 10/10 ]
This is a small but great campground. Sites are level. Many are shaded but satellite-accessible spaces are fine. Hookups are easy to access. Table and nice grass at each site. Activities including a daily happy hour encourage you to reach out and make friends. Groups invite others to join them to go out to dinner etc. Pool, hot tub, exercise room, pickleball etc. Wi-Fi a bit slow and you do get kicked off. Cable TV is good. This is a park we will return to whenever we can.
Dillon, Montana
Southside RV Park
[ 8/10 ]
A well groomed park. Owners/hosts are very visible and friendly. Easy in and out off highway - even for a big rig. Sites are very level and have grass with a table for each. Stream runs through property and attractively kept. Train nearby - but moves through very slowly once a day - not bothersome at all. Wi-fi and cable worked well. Good restaurant within walking distance. A great place to stay for a few nights. Would rate higher, but amenities like a pool or exercise room were not available.
Brigham City, Utah
Golden Spike RV Park
[ 8/10 ]
Stayed here overnight in a pull through site. Did not have to disconnect car. Room for slides but if you wanted to put out awning you would hit your neighbor. We were at the back of the park and it was quiet: no road noise. Easy on and off the highway. Near Walmart which is convenient. Great overnight stop with a Good Sam discount.
Fountain, Colorado
Colorado Springs KOA
[ 7/10 ]
Easy access, but a bit noisy as others have said. Pull-through was long enough for our 42 ft with toad. Would be very hot in summer. Pizza and breakfast for sale, but not yet season. Just stayed one night since so pricey.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Campground at Barnes Crossing
[ 8/10 ]
Stayed here overnight. Attractive although uneven site due to the tiered rows. Park is well kept. Hookups easy to access. Convenient to get to off highway. Would stay here again short term.
Amarillo, Texas
Fort Amarillo RV Resort
[ 8/10 ]
Older park but kept up. Nice park area in middle of campground. Amenities - pool, exercise room, playground, -clean but showing age. Sites separated by short fence. Seems to be a lot of long term campers but their sites are kept up as well. Staff friendly and really nice gift shop. Stayed for a week and would stay again.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson / Lazydays KOA
[ 9/10 ]
One of the nicest parks we have stayed in under 40 dollars per night. Rate represents monthly plus rally rate. Sites are easy to get into, hook-ups easy to use, pad with table and chairs, not crowded. Fruit trees at many sites with grapefruit, lemon, oranges for guests. Restaurant reasonable. Pool, spa, exercise room were never crowded (2 of each on site). Restrooms, showers, laundry clean. Help courteous and friendly. Servicing for RVs also on site and they did good work for us. Reason for the 9, is that Wi-Fi was slow and occasionally faded in and out.
Munds Park, Arizona
Munds Park RV Resort
[ 8/10 ]
Park is mostly park models owned by those in for about 6 months or those who come in for weekends plus. The overnight section is relatively small. We stayed for several weeks so we were placed more with the park models; although, the site was fine. Cable and WiFi worked fine. Lots of activities including a Friday night karaoke at the bar/rec room. Food also available at the bar. Pool, spa, exercise area are all well kept. People are friendly but doing their thing, not RVers. Road noise but it is tolerable. ATVs abound on weekends but quiet in evening. Workers helpful and pleasant. Easily accessible to Flagstaff and Sedona as well as several other sites. Would stay here again.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Trailer Village (NPS Campground)
[ 7/10 ]
Park is a bit unkempt: weeds under tables, etc., but elk and deer do wander through. View site before, to be sure tree is not in the way, etc. Hookups worked fine. Room for tow at site but do need to disconnect. No Wi-Fi which is reflected in my overall rating. Friend complained about 3 noisy dogs in neighboring site, and after 2 days they had to move to another site. Dogs stayed put. Showers and laundry in neighboring campground not on site. Best thing is you are right in the park, convenient to shuttles etc.
Jacob Lake, Arizona
Kaibab CampeRVillage
[ 5/10 ]
Quiet and shaded with many trees. Sites can get muddy in rain. Told that 50 amp sites available, but only 30 amp available. Water supposed to be for drinking only. No cable TV or Wi-Fi. Expensive for what you get. Still 50 plus miles to North Rim.
Leeds, Utah
Leeds RV Park & Motel
[ 7/10 ]
Quiet park. Sites are gravel with trees which are trimmed up for motor homes. Hookups worked well, but water requires pressure gauge. Not allowed to wash tow, coach, or even front of coaches. No laundry to be done in coach. Good place for overnight or two. Friends used restrooms and were not thrilled. No picnic tables at site, but a picnic area. Nice pet area. Cash or check only...no credit cards although worker indicated they were coming.
Bryce Canyon, Utah
Ruby's Inn RV Park and Campground
[ 7/10 ]
This is a huge resort close to Bryce National Park. Shuttles to the park have several stops here: very convenient. Pool area very nice. Did not use the laundry and was in bathrooms only once: older and unattractive. Also some distance from this new area where we camped. Restaurants, stores, etc all part of the resort. Expensive and very mediocre. We camped in the new section with little vegetation and a small tree at sites after being assigned another space that was uphill. New section also has sites that are not level as well as level. Length of sites do not allow tow to stay connected, but site is very wide. Cable and Wi-Fi work well in new section. Cable not available in other sections. Hookups easy and very workable. Nice view and very few other sites used in this section. New section needs trash receptacles more convenient, as well as restrooms and showers. Would return.
Springville, Utah
Springville/Provo KOA (formerly East Bay RV Park)
[ 9/10 ]
Nice park. Good access off highway. Pull throughs require detaching tow for the 40 plus motor homes. Sites are paved with some grass as well as adequate for slides, not spacious. Hookups not a problem. Pleasant workers/staff and clean park and pool. Noise was not a problem. Stayed for several days and would return.
Victor, Idaho
Teton Valley Campground
[ 8/10 ]
Stayed here for a week. Agree that the camp workers are pleasant and helpful. They keep the facilities and grounds neat and clean. Pool is small but refreshing and never many or any users. Agree the sites are a bit close; some appear to be more level than others. No problems with hookups. Very convenient to Tetons and Jackson. Enjoyed our stay and would return. Rating reflects the daily cost which was a bit high since we were able to use Passport rates for two of the days.
Caldwell, Idaho
Country Corners RV Park and Campground
[ 9/10 ]
Stayed for two nights. Owners very helpful, friendly, and even keep a garden for guests to pick fresh vegetables. Sites are well kept and hookups work well. Sites are adequate for big rigs with tow; some you might have to disconnect to get off road. Wi-Fi worked very well. TV is limited to antenna or your dish. We would stay here again.
Lynden, Washington
Hidden Village RV Park & Campground
[ 7/10 ]
Easy to miss park since the only sign is right next to the drive. Quiet and shaded park. Sites are side by side so hope your neighbor is compatible. Sewer hookups are difficult since they are on a pad several inches above ground level so uphill battle. Hookups are easier for 5th wheel. Showers and bathrooms get messy after the afternoon pool use. Wi-fi is slow but connection is good. Did not use the laundry. We stayed a week, and if the sewer connection were different, we would stay again.
Kalispell, Montana
Spruce Park on the River
[ 8/10 ]
We stayed here for 17 days and had to move our site once. We reserved for 2 weeks and added the extra days was why. In talking with several other campers, moving sites was not unusual which is a hassle when you are looking forward to staying put. Rest rooms and laundry older but clean. Showers cost but great hot water. Most sites with full hookups are set up for 5th wheelers so this can be a small problem. Privacy can be an issue with tables close to one another but green space left right on the river for campers to enjoy. Most sites have a view; some a peek and others wonderful. Dog walk is also fishing area and seems to work out for all. Workers are pleasant. WiFi at site but hassle signing back in with use. We met several campers who return every year for better part do summer. Shaded sites and views as well as river seem to be the reason. Convenient to Glacier NP. We would return to this park.
Great Falls, Montana
Dicks RV Park
[ 8/10 ]
Old railroad bridge just before entering: 14 foot maximum. Staff friendly and helpful. Sites have room for slide outs and awnings. A few trees but mostly in sun. Some noise from planes and railroad but quiet at night. Wi-Fi worked well as did cable TV. Few amenities. Would stay here again.
Bigfork, Montana
Outback Montana RV Park and Campground
[ 6/10 ]
Park has tiered, shady sites in forest. Roads and sites are gravel. Roads are narrow making big rig maneuvering difficult but possible. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Older park without many amenities, but Wi-Fi worked well.
Copyright © 2000-2013 RVParkReviews.com and CampgroundReviews.com All Rights Reserved
Factory Tours USA
Campground reviews - Campground ratings - RV Park reviews - RV Park ratings
Contact Us
Internet Disclaimer and Terms


text:
Ministry in the Post Modern Generation
Dr. Charles E. Gutenson
During this course of study, this DMin cohort will examine socio-cultural trends of the last 50 years in order to be able to establish a firm foundation for understanding the dynamics of socio-cultural change. From there, the group will explore the contemporary ministry context, with particular attention to the major trends of socio-cultural change that are currently unfolding. The group will pay particular attention to the implications these trends carry for ministry so that we can proactively plan for them. Finally, the group will pay particular attention to matters relating to communicating the Gospel effectively in different socio-cultural settings—how do we frame the message? How is it focused? What are the primary metaphors that connect with the Biblical narratives? How do we help contemporary persons connect their own stories with the biblical stories?
Sign Up Today!
United at a Glance
Contact United
United Theological Seminary
4501 Denlinger Road
Dayton, Ohio 45426
p: 937.529.2201
f: 866.714.4028
Admissions: firstname.lastname@example.com 1.800.322.5817
Email the webmaster: email@example.com


text:
For the last 12 years, U.S. Special Operations forces have repeatedly engaged in fierce combat in Afghanistan against ruthless Taliban allies from Chechnya, who have the same pedigree as their terrorist brethren threatening to disrupt the Winter Olympics in Russia, current and former commandos tell ABC News.
"I'd say Chechens were a fair percentage of the overall enemy population early in Operation Enduring Freedom," recalled an active-duty senior Special Operations officer, referring to the Pentagon's name for the Afghan war, in which he was among the first ground operatives.
Since the U.S. war in Afghanistan began after September 11, elite U.S. troops' border battles with Chechen jihadis based in Pakistan's tribal safe havens have mostly stayed hidden in the shadows of a clandestine conflict. Special Operations missions are classified secret by default and rarely publicized.
Chechens joining the Taliban and al Qaeda-aligned militias stood out for their ferocity and refusal to surrender, operators with considerable experience in eastern Afghanistan revealed in recent interviews.
"Chechens are a different breed," a Special Forces soldier who has fought them told ABC News.
"They fight till they die. They have more passion, more discipline and less regard for lives," said the soldier, who did ten tours hunting high-value targets in Afghanistan. "A few of them could have just given up but decided they needed to die."
As recently as two years ago, NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan reported that scores of foreign fighters including Arabs and Chechens were killed in one major battle with U.S. forces along the border with Pakistan.
Even some of Chechnya's infamous "black widows" -- with an ideological kinship to those Russian forces recently searched for in Sochi -- may have gathered in Pakistan in late 2006 for planned suicide bombings in Kabul, according to an ISAF combat report obtained and released by Wikileaks. No evidence exists that any such attacks were ever carried out, however.
Many Chechens, including veterans of the Afghan fight, are waging war now in Syria against Bashar al Assad's troops, according to experts and jihadi statements.
Numerous U.S. intelligence reports released by Wikileaks said Chechens were serving as trainers and combatants crossing from Pakistan into Afghanistan to fight and die, an assessment sometimes based on intercepts from Taliban radio and cell phone chatter. ( continue reading at Yahoo News, also read the comments)
Hat tip Weasel Zippers, where the comments are very interesting. Be sure to read all the comments.


text:
"I received so many compliments on this invitation. It arrived very fast and was easy to personalize online. I will definitely continue to use Tiny Prints in the future!"
"I picked these invitations for my son's 3rd Birthday. They are adorable! I have ordered invitations from Tiny Prints before and I am ALWAYS satisfied! I will continue to order from this site in the future. The quality of their products is outstanding!"
"Beautiful invites. I ordered these for my 3 year old's birthday party. I selected rounded edges for a more customized effect. The cards are vibrant and beautifully done with very nice card stock quality. I love tiny prints. Consistent quality."
"This invitation is fantastic! I received lots of compliments. The colors and pictures are sharp, and the paper is of great quality. I loved being able to include another picture on the back at no added cost...several guests specifically mentioned that they loved it! My order also shipped a couple of days early, which was really great."
"Great colors, design, clarity, and quality! Such a cute invitation for a truck party. Bright colors and easy to read design make this card a winner in my book!"


text:
Depew >Restaurants >
Pizza >La-Castelana Pizzeria & Rstrnt
5176 Transit Rd, Depew, NY | Directions 1404342.896111 -78.697205
My family and I went to La Caselana last night for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised by the quaint and vibrant atmosphere. we were sat immediately by our server. He did a great job thru our entire meal being very attentive.
The food what can I say.. it was absolutely fantastic! It was very obvious that the food made fresh with that homemade taste. We used a coupon to try it out. The man at the register asked us how our meal was we told him it was outstanding especially the sauce. He subtracted the free meal off the bill and handed back the coupon telling us to use it again next time. That was a kind gesture. I noticed that they were nominated in several categories for Best of City Search . I can see why.
My wife and her friend both ordered the same dish in which the very next day both of them were sick! Her friend went to the doctor's and was told she has food poisoning. My wife has the same symptoms as her and for the two of them to be sick at the same time, we traced it back to the meal they both had.
I then called the restaurant not asking for a refund or to argue but to have them aware of the issue and the dish to look at the ingredients used to prevent other customers being effected. The women on the phone right away began telling me that I am wrong that it could not of occurred at her restaurant. That the two of them must of ate something else together that day or have something other than food poisoning. That they both just want to place blame on the food. She then told me that I was holding up the line and hung up.
I have eaten there and have also had several bad experiences, mostly with the rudeness of the nasty old blonde woman at the cash register (owner?). I finally had enough and now I go to Carmines near Eastern Hills Mall. Food is every bit as good- if not better and never treated with anything but respect and good service there.
Tonight will be the last time this restaurant will recieves my service. I have been to this locally owned restaurant a few times and every time the service has been poor. It hasn't been poor by the young waitress or waiters but by the owner.
The owner today was talking about my family and I as we sat at the table, it was because we the young waitress if we could use a gift certificate that expired. She told us to ask the manager when we go to the front to pay. The waitress ended up asking the owner who then loudly talked about how we should not except that and basically saying we were stupid to ask because it has an expiration date. She continued to talk about us as we sat at the table and then started to judge us before we even got up to ask her in person. Mind you we can hear everything she is saying. We then walked up and said "It sounds like you aren't going to accept this gift certificate and we understand your policy." Let her know we can hear you talking about us and aren't trying to cause a problem. The owner then goes on a rant to us that we should of been more aware of the gift certificate expiration date. We then said to her we understand your policy but from our point of view your restaurant received 50 dollars from our family friend who bought this gift certificate for our family. That 50 dollars was already given and paid to you in which no service was received and given for that money. We again said to her we aren't trying to argue with you and we accept your policy. We weren't still trying to use the gift certificate we were then trying to pay for our bill.
She continued to then talk about it and being completely rude to us when we tried to drop the situation. As she continued to talk and basically tell us we are stupid for asking if they would accept it. We then said to her next time we will ask our friend not to give us a gift certificate at this restaurant and the owner said you can ask for a gift certificate where ever you want. In which we said yes we can but in asking for one not here you will lose that amount of money and service. She the responded, IT'S OKAY WE DON'T NEED YOUR SERVICE OR CARE ABOUT YOUR SERVICE, WE DO FINE WITHOUT YOUR SERVICE. Shocking the couple who was standing next to us trying to pay their bill as well. The owner of the restaurant just said out loud that she didn't care about our service and does fine without our service all because we asked if we could use a gift certificate given by a friend and when said no we put it away and tried to pay for the bill.
Our family has had other more minor problems with the service but this one was the deal breaker for our family and for our recommendations.
Best Italian I Ever Had – La-Castelana is located between Broadway and Como Park. If I have my choice of type of food I usually shy away from Italian EXCEPT when it comes to LaCastelana. They have the best sauce in town.
You will never go wrong with the Eggplant Parm and the Shrimp Diavlo will knock your socks off.
We usually take out because it is always so crowded. Darlene is the best waitress and has endured the rath of the owner and earned her stripes!
Best Sauce in Buffalo – Driving down transit rd the other day looking for a quick bite to eat i stumbled on La Castelana restaurant. I had the Chicken parm with a side of spaghetti. WOW ! It was Fantastic !! With out a doubt the best Sauce in the area. I will be back often to try some of the other dishes they have.
Terrible Hostess – Waited ten minutes before hostess even acknowledged us while she spoke with her friend who already paid for a pickup order. Asked for a window seat but were given a table in the middle of a busy restaurant. The couple behind up got the window seat. Food and waitress were great but the hostess needs a course in basic manners. Staff is intimidated by the old hag hostess and I will be happy to increase her Prozac dose. Went to Mezzaluna in Amherst for 20 years and found this related place in Depew but will never go back again.
Best Lasagne I've ever had – I live within walking distance of LaCastelana and get orders to go frequently. I absolutely love the lasagne. It's the best I've every had, and their sauce is also fantastic. Not too crazy about the meatballs -some days they're better than on others. I also love the mozzarela bread - garlicky and cheezy, and perfect when dipped in the sauce.
disappointing Cabanara – My sister took me here one friday after work and I have to say that it was disappointing. I ordered the Cabanara and the sauce consisted of shredded fried egg and egg shells rather than the velvety sauce I remembered from other times. Instead of pancetta or even just bacon, cold shredded boiled ham was grudgingly shredded over the top.
Not what I'm interested in when paying that much for what was basically a badly done plate of spaghetti.
Real Italian food , best sauce – This place has some of the best Italian food in the area! I have been there several times and the food is always done perfectly. It is a small place and it does get very crowded, but in the summer months they have an outside deck that is very nice to sit on. The BEST sauce I have ever tasted !!!!!!!!
View more Reviews for La-Castelana Pizzeria & Rstrnt
Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Facebook to see what your friends are up to!
Do you have a review of La-Castelana Pizzeria & Rstrnt on your blog? If you include the Citysearch image link (shown below) in your post, we'll automatically link to your review from the business profile page. Here's how our Linkback system works:
The Linkback system is free and automatic. It's really that easy.
To link to our business profile page, copy the html below to your web page.


text:
Got a question? Something on your mind? Talk to your community, directly.
by Adam P. Lesner
by Carl Davis
by William Burke
by Judy Daubenmier
by Michael Tillis
by makdoctrov
by Mike Turner
by Megan Susterich
by Tony
by NFSA - National Fire Sprinkler Association
by Shari Pollesch
by Jean
by Adrienne Lenhoff
by Christina Warren
by Kerrie Augustine
by Kidpreneur
by Matt Skiba
by Mary Kate DeCraene
by Henri Duboise
by Graciela Demerath
by Tom Swift
Find your Patch
Start a Blog


text:
You can view the current or previous issues of Diabetes Health online, in their entirety, anytime you want.
Click Here To View
See if you qualify for our free healthcare professional magazines. Click here to start your application for Pre-Diabetes Health, Diabetes Health Pharmacist and Diabetes Health Professional.
Latest Blood Sugar Articles
Popular Blood Sugar Articles
Highly Recommended Blood Sugar Articles
Send a link to this page to your friends and colleagues.
For many people with type 2 diabetes, diet and medication alone are not successfully treating the disease, researchers announced on March 16 at the Diabetes Health Expo in Miami.
Stacey Bell, DSc, RD, chief scientist of Functional Foods Inc., spoke to attendees at the Expo about the pitfalls of current methods for controlling type 2 diabetes. Bell introduced a new dietary supplement by Functional Foods Inc. called Level Best, a beverage/tablet that combines the nutrients psyllium, fructose, barley, red yeast, rice and willow bark.
The dietary supplement is aimed at providing a mix of nutrients that will help diabetes patients maintain healthy sugar levels and hearts. Taken twice daily, it "will improve blood-sugar and blood-lipid levels," said Bell, adding that Functional Foods is the first company to bring to the market a food product that addresses both conditions.
"Recent advances in our understanding of nutrition can help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels," she said. "Today, research is telling us that there is a role for nutrients that are not typically consumed, even by someone who eats a healthy diet. We also know that people have zero chance of getting the right mix of nutrients," she went on to say.
For more information, call Functional Foods, Inc. at (800) 600-9095 or log onto their Web site at functionalfoodsinc.com.
Categories: Blood Sugar, Diabetes, Diabetes, Diets, Food, Type 2 Issues, Vitamins
Add your comments about this article below. You can add comments as a registered user or anonymously. If you choose to post anonymously your comments will be sent to our moderator for approval before they appear on this page. If you choose to post as a registered user your comments will appear instantly.
When voicing your views via the comment feature, please respect the Diabetes Health community by refraining from comments that could be considered offensive to other people. Diabetes Health reserves the right to remove comments when necessary to maintain the cordial voice of the diabetes community.
For your privacy and protection, we ask that you do not include personal details such as address or telephone number in any comments posted.
Don't have your Diabetes Health Username? Register now and add your comments to all our content.
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.


text:
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/08/1...a-47-boxer-42/Probably the single most exciting poll of the season thus far. Not only does it suggest that one of the most loathsome Democrats in Congress is really, truly vulnerable, but if even Californias in play then retaking the Senate might be doable after all.
Midterm fee-vah catch it!
California Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina has increased her lead over Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer to five percentage points according to a new CBS 5 KPIX-TV poll released Thursday, which also shows gubernatorial candidates Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Meg Whitman in a dead heat
The poll results indicated Fiorinas support was essentially unchanged among men and women, young and old, white and Hispanic while Boxer had lost small ground among men, younger voters, and independents.
The poll also showed Fiorina tripling her lead in the Central Valley, from seven points one month ago to 21 points in this latest poll. ...
This race looks more exciting than one might have imagined.


text:
Rowing is widely acknowledged as one of the best all-around fitness activities, and this super-sturdy Air Rower from Stamina® makes it more comfortable and enjoyable than ever! It's equipped with an oversized seat rail and metal pull-chain for extra strength and durability, along with a padded seat that's especially comfortable during long workouts. Space-saving smart, too! Easy to store, with a foldable steel frame and built-in casters that let you wheel it effortlessly into a closet or corner of the room.
Row, row, row your boat to a fitter you:
Order yours ONLINE today!
Please Note: This item is shipped directly from the factory. To see the expected shipping date, please add to your Shopping Cart. Sorry, no express shipping available. We are unable to ship factory direct items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or APO or FPO addresses.
Join my
Buyer's Club at checkout andinstantly SAVE
$30.00 on this item!
Stamina® Air Rower
You qualify for a free gift. It will be added to your cart automatically.
Shop Similar Items
to find something that we have now or that can be backordered.
If you would like to be notified when we have this item available for sale, click
and enter your email address to receive an email notification.