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The desire of many people—maybe even some of your clients—to achieve wealth tends to drive many into making decisions based on their emotions rather than logical ones based on reality. Emotional choices usually provide some immediate short-term gain, while in reality most have unfortunate long-term consequences. A prime example of this is many times champion American Quarter Horse exhibitor, Rita Crundwell. The Dixon, Ill. comptroller is charged with embezzling $53 million of public money since 1990 to fund a lavish lifestyle, which most people who knew her assumed was due to her highly successful horse breeding business. As we are now learning, the reality of Ms. Crundwell's 'wealth' is something quite different. Assuming all the charges against her are true, how does someone make such bad emotion-based decisions, all for the desire of short-term greed/perception, rather than the ethical reality that wealth comes from a long-term, patient process?
The same premise holds true in the investing world, where people invest based on their perceptions rather than reality. It seems many investors are continuously looking for the Holy Grail of wealth—since they perceive that the newest trading strategies, market timing trends or the most recently discovered guaranteed investment somehow will create enormous amounts of wealth overnight. Furthermore, we have mass marketing campaigns from large financial institutions that promote the perception that opening an online brokerage account and analyzing some stock charts with buy or sell points will generate that same wealth, instead of just delivering higher commissions for the online brokerage firm or bank. If investing was that quick and easy, wouldn't everyone be rich?
Famous individual investor Jesse L. Livermore said it best about the common investor's desires:
"The average man doesn't wish to be told that it is a bull or a bear market. What he desires is to be told specifically which particular stock to buy or sell. He wants to get something for nothing. He does not wish to work. He doesn't even wish to have to think."
The reality? Investing and creating wealth isn't easy and it never will be. Why, then, do so many people continue to believe, and act, as if the opposite were true? Many basic investors trying to time the market sold out of the stock market around the lows of March 9, 2009, and are still sitting on the sidelines looking for the next big buy signal to get back into the market. They perceive to have "saved" their money from the recent Armageddon, when the reality is they lost more of their money due to selling versus the some +87% market return since then, assuming the S&P 500 range of 2009's low of 667 to 1250 at the end of 2011. The truth is that more investors believe in the perceptions of investing rather than the basic realities, indirectly allowing those perceptions to drive them toward emotional decisions rather than educated ones.
The chart below shows all negative calendar year returns for the S&P 500 TR index from 1926 through 2010. When analyzing the data span of some 85 years, only 24 of those were negative, representing roughly 28%. Of those 85 years, only six had negative calendar year returns in excess of 20% or just 7%. Furthermore, only three of the 85 years had negative returns in excess of 30% or roughly 4%. These fluctuations are to be expected; otherwise it would be a utopian environment if the stock market was never in negative territory.
These calendar year probabilities breathe opportunity, not disaster. While I'm definitely not suggesting everyone should invest in the stock market with 100% of their assets, 50% or at all, the perception most people have of the market is in no way a reflection of the reality based on the data above.
Unfortunately, society is becoming more and more brainwashed with investing perceptions rather than reality. Of course the greed of wealth, as noted earlier, tends to drive some of those perceptions, therefore, not only is our value proposition as advisors to help decode investors' perceptions of investing, but also to educate and explain the realities of accumulating wealth as noted in one of my previous articles entitled "What's Different About the Wealthy? They're Patient" published by Advisor One this past January.
Good luck in your efforts to separate fact from fiction and investing perceptions from reality, because, as you know, most people follow the crowds.


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Supercircuits offers a line of professional grade hard drives that are specifically designed for the continuous recording needs of security applications, delivering the ultimate in performance and reliability in Fairfax, VA. Our video surveillance hard drives are engineered for rigorous 24x7 video surveillance systems offering greater capacity, higher reliability, vibration tolerance and acoustics with improved performance at low power consumption levels for optimized surveillance operations in Fairfax, VA. Video surveillance applications place enormous demands on storage solutions. Our hard drives ensure that the dual demands of reliability and smooth video streaming are met, all while working in a relentless 24x7 operating environment.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to TASH's website. The site is currently undergoing maintenance and will be up and running as soon as possible. Until then, some content such as blog posts may be unavailable.
For questions, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
About TASH
TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization. TASH works to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates. The inclusive practices TASH validates through research have been shown to improve outcomes for all people.
TASH is governed by a board of directors and is supported by a network of members, volunteers, committees and chapter organizations. The TASH membership includes a diverse array of individuals and perspectives, including researchers, professionals, direct service workers, family members and people with disabilities. Together, we share a commitment to quality lives for the people for whom we advocate.
The official name of the organization has gone through several changes since its inception more than 40 years ago. It was first called the American Association for the Education of the Severely and Profoundly Handicapped. In 1980, the name was changed to The Association for the Severely Handicapped, reflecting the organization's broader mission. Again in 1983, the name was changed to The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, although the acronym TASH was widely used. In 1995, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue the full name of the organization as it did not reflect current values. The acronym, TASH, was maintained due to its wide recognition.
TASH is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
As a leader in disability advocacy for 40 years, the mission of TASH is to promote the full inclusion and participation of children and adults with significant disabilities in every aspect of their community, and to eliminate the social injustices that diminish human rights. These things are accomplished through collaboration among self-advocates, families, professionals, policy-makers, advocates and many others who seek to promote equity, opportunity and inclusion. Together, this mission is realized through:
The focus of TASH is supporting those people with significant disabilities and support needs who are most at risk for being excluded from society; perceived by traditional service systems as most challenging; most likely to have their rights abridged; most likely to be at risk for living, working, playing and learning in segregated environments; least likely to have the tools and opportunities necessary to advocate on their behalf; and are most likely to need ongoing, individualized supports to participate in inclusive communities and enjoy a quality of life similar to that available to all people.
TASH has a vision of a world in which people with disabilities are included and fully participating members of their communities, with no obstacles preventing equity, diversity and quality of life. TASH envisions communities in which no one is segregated and everyone belongs. This vision will be realized when:


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Top prospect Bradley eager to learn in first camp
Young hurler seeks to gain knowledge from vets while competing for roster spot
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Archie Bradley is walking a fine line this spring.
The D-backs right-hander and top prospect wants to be accommodating to the media, realizing that it comes with the territory and, because by nature, he is extremely polite.
At the same time, Bradley realizes this is his first camp, and as a young player he would prefer not to get so much attention.
"I don't really like talking about myself, especially here," Bradley said. "I'm just trying to be as quiet as I can in here."
For Bradley, it's a matter of wanting those in the clubhouse who have been doing this for a lot longer than he has to know that he would rather listen to them than talk himself.
"I want them to understand that I respect the veterans," Bradley said. "I'm young, I'm very talented and things like that, but I want them to know how much I respect what they do, how much I respect the things they say. To them, talking to us is not a big deal, but I take everything they say to heart and I listen to everything they say. I try to understand what they've done to be here and what they've done to be successful."
Big things have been expected of Bradley since the D-backs selected him out of Broken Arrow (Okla.) High School, with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.
Bradley was regarded as one of the more polished high school pitching prospects in the Draft, and his arm had also attracted the attention of college football coaches across the country. His beloved Oklahoma Sooners offered him a scholarship to play quarterback, but Bradley eventually chose to sign with the D-backs for $5 million.
While he still loves football, Bradley said he does not second-guess his decision to go with baseball. And why would he? His rise through the Arizona farm system has been swift, and he is ranked as the top pitching prospect in the game on MLB.com's list of Top 100 prospects.
"He's met every challenge," D-backs general manager Kevin Towers said. "He's a pretty gifted young man where I think the skill set is definitely there and emotionally he's pretty strong. Maybe some of that has to do with football, his football upbringing. Calm under pressure. In the pocket, you don't want to have those happy feet. I think he's been preparing for this for some time."
In 152 innings last year for Class A Visalia and Double-A Mobile, Bradley had a combined 1.84 ERA, and his walk rate improved from 2012.
With an overpowering fastball and outstanding curve, the biggest key for Bradley now is to be more consistent with his changeup to give him the three-pitch mix that most starters need to be successful in the big leagues.
"When I got to Double-A, I really learned what pitching takes," Bradley said. "Understanding, I guess, the difference between worrying about your numbers and wins and then understanding it's more important to go deep into games, giving your bullpen a rest, giving your team a chance. Instead of like, 'Well, I went five innings and didn't give up any runs.' But then the bullpen has to go four. But what if I can go seven and give up two, then the bullpen doesn't have to pitch as much. It's just things like that where I've matured. As a high school kid coming into it, all you care about is throwing hard and winning."
Bradley received an invitation to Spring Training this year with the idea that he would compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Those plans changed a few days into camp when the D-backs signed veteran free agent Bronson Arroyo. Suddenly there was no spot open in the rotation, but Towers went out of his way to say that Bradley still had a chance to make the team.
Showing his maturity, Bradley praised the Arroyo signing as something that made the team better.
"Of course, I want to start the year here with the big club," Bradley said. "I'm not going to lie. But my biggest goal in this camp is to learn and prepare as much as I can. I think people hear that and don't really believe it, but that's really true. I'm young I have a lot of time left in front of me and I'm just going to keep preparing, keep learning and just kind of prepare myself for whether it's Day 1 or down the road and they call me and say, 'Let's go.'"


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A Call for Civility
I thought I would try to explain my philosophy of blogging about this stuff so that everyone would understand the kind of conversations I would like to have on these issues.
In short, I blog to learn more about my own beliefs.
Second, I don't believe there is much "at stake" in these conversations. I believe that we are all collections of atoms that stick together for a while and, then, disperse. I don't believe that there is some grand purpose for existence. None of these conversations will result in anything of universal significance.
Why do I bother, then? Simply because I enjoy the process. This is the only life I have to live, and I want to enjoy it. One of my greatest joys is challenging myself and my beliefs.
For me, then, there is very little at stake. I'm participating just because I've got some time to kill.
I have to believe the same is true for most reformed believers. Your god is sovereign; he will save who he wants, he will damn who he wants. I am a little child sitting on his lap and slapping his faith. I can do nothing to harm him or his elect. You are assured of your victory, so it seems there should be no reason for you to get excited or upset. Your arguments, no matter how good, cannot "save" me; only your god can do that. No soul is in danger. The elect will come to your god, the damned will not.
Third, I have a very full life. I'm involved in a lot of things. I have familial obligations, friendships to maintain, a job to give my best to, and school on top of everything else. I simply don't have time for anything that gets me riled up.
Which brings me to my fourth point. I have thin skin. When someone says that I am "ignorant" of something, I don't take it according to its "technical definition"--lack of knowledge in an area. I consider it to be an insult. I have no problem with someone saying, "The way you are expressing your idea of [insert idea] is not what I mean by it or what I read others to mean by it." Sure, it takes a lot more words, but it seems more civil to me.
Fifth, I prefer to engage in talks in which both parties assume certain characteristics of the other party. In fact, I believe it is necessary to assume certain characteristics of the other party in order to have a reasonable debate. Some of those characteristics are: (a) that both parties are intelligent people that have something important to say, (b) that both parties are being honest with the other, (c) that neither party enjoys being made to look stupid, (d) that both parties deserve common courtesy and respect.
I believe these are vital commitments to any reasonable debate. The other day in a dialogue with steve from Triablogue, he wrote, "Quoting you assumes a measure of candor which is absent from your sophistry. You prefer to trade in innuendo." Ignoring my explicit statements to the contrary, steve insisted that I was being dishonest in my attempts to converse with him.
Rational conversation cannot proceed from this point. Someone commenting on that post asked, ". . . why not try to defend the fact that you are neither [a liar or deceiver]?"
How can I? If it is the operating assumption that I am a liar because "my father, the devil" is "the father of lies" (John 8:44), then any "defense" that I give of myself is also a lie.
If there is no trust, there can be no rational dialogue.
I simply don't have any desire to be personally attacked for my beliefs.
Sixth, I don't like the "debate as war" metaphor. I don't like to think in terms of "winning" a debate, or coming up with a debate "strategy," or having "opponents." I prefer to think of debate as an act of clarification. It helps me think through my own beliefs better. I don't want to be "at war" with any of the people that post here. I just want to use their ideas to sharpen my own and, hopefully, they find the conversation beneficial as well.
So, this is my position on blogging here. I would love to engage in clear, challenging, dispassionate dialogue with people who do not share my beliefs. I do not want to be "at war" with anyone. I do not want to "win" the debate (it's pointless anyway, even if I "win" an exchange with one Christian doesn't mean that I've disproven the Christian faith anymore than "winning" an argument with me means that someone has disproven atheism; our worldviews are more than one individual). I don't want to be called names (like I said, even the word "ignorant" hurts my feelings) or attacked personally.
I wrap up with two biblical passages that I hope we can all agree follow:
1) Colossians 4:6--"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
2) 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (emphasis added)--Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. . ."


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We bring you a preview of the upcoming Nike Spring 2010 Zoom Bruin SB Green Leaf. The popular new silhouette in the Nike SB Collection comes in a strong green suede colorway and white outer sole. Look out for a release next month.
More detailed images of the Nike Zoom Bruin SB Green Leaf follow after the jump.
Via Kasina.


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South Africa rights lawyer, judge Chaskalson dies
Arthur Chaskalson, a civil rights lawyer who once helped defend Nelson Mandela and later became South Africa's chief justice, has died. He was 81.
South Africa's presidency confirmed Chaskalson's death Saturday. The state-owned South African Broadcasting Corp. said the late judge had been battling leukemia.
Chaskalson served as one of several lawyers on the defense team that challenged the apartheid government's prosecution of members of the African National Congress for sabotage in the 1960s case known as the Rivonia Trial. Among the defendants was Mandela, who received a life sentence and served part of many years of it on the notorious Robben Island before being freed.
Chaskalson worked on other civil rights cases and later became a judge in the post-apartheid government when Mandela was elected president in 1994.


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With all the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Nintendo's next console, Britain's largest daily newspaper takes a hard look at the facts of the matter and warns the public against an early Wii U purchase. We should all cancel our preorders right away, as The Sun sets us straight: the GamePad is a Vita, the price is too high and it'll be obsolete in a year.
For those of you in America or other places The Sun doesn't shine (hee), Britain's most widely-distributed newspaper (and the 10th most circulated newspaper in the world) has a repuation for being a little bit sensationalist. Just a little bit. It's a tabloid, and so when gaming advice comes to us through its muddy filter I have a little trouble taking it seriously.
The article, "Will you be picking up a Wii U? Here's five reasons not to" makes several points; five of them, in fact. A couple of them are even valid points, and most of them make sense.
1) It'll be outdated within a year
2) Vita masquerading as the GamePad
3) The threat to all consoles - mobile gaming
4) DS + Wii = fail?
5) It's dramatically over-priced
What does it all mean? Is a combination of two of the best-selling game delivery devices of the past decade a bad thing? Is overpowered the same thing as outdated? Is mobile gaming coming to kill us all?
I have no idea. For those answers you'll have to stare into The Sun.
Will you be picking up a Wii U? Here's five reasons not to [The Sun via CVG]


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Vulnerable kids set adrift by the global pandemic are being tutored on a sidewalk in Delhi
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20 November, 2012 | (01 hr)
Sign In to access this Webcast
To view the on demand recording of this webcast, please make sure to login to our website by using the sign in button on the right hand side of this page. You can also use this button to create a free account, which will grant you access to our entire book discussion series!
Join us for our November Book Discussion webcast, featuring Geoffrey Matthews, Vice President, HR Strategy for Merck KGaA, and Linda Holbeche, Ph.D., Co-Director of The Holbeche Partnership, as they discuss their new book, Engaged: Unleashing Your Organization's Potential Through Employee Engagement. During tough economic times, managers are faced with new challenges related to keeping their employees motivated and energized. Engaged provides readers with an easy-to-use guide that offers practical solutions to keep employees engaged, while maximizing job efficiency and productivity.
David Learmond, Senior Fellow, Human Capital at The Conference Board will moderate this important discussion for any manager who wishes to understand the benefits of employee engagement, as well as how to build and measure it within one's own organization.
Audience: Human Capital professionals charged with strategic workforce planning, workforce readiness, diversity & inclusion, talent management, strategic human resources, employee engagement, leadership development or human capital analytics
Linda Holbeche Ph.D.
Linda is co-Director of The Holbeche Partnership (THP), a research-based development consultancy. Linda has a strong interest in helping organisations and individuals achieve sustainable high performance. Her consultancy practice includes strategy and leadership development, the development of hu...Full Bio
Geoffrey Matthews
Geoffrey Matthews is an experienced HR executive with an extensive background in employee engagement, organizational development, rewards, and international HR. He is co-author with Linda Holbeche of "Engaged: Unleashing Your Organization's Potential Through Employee Engagement"...Full Bio
David Learmond
David Learmond is a senior advisor and senior fellow in human capital at The Conference Board. In these roles, he supports the human capital practice, which includes Human Capital Exchange™, research, conferences, webcasts, and other human capital programs.


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A local action group set up the Acción Sierra Norte platform to protect the groups most at risk from the spread of COVID-19.
Projects & Practice
The project made an Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton available to patients in rural areas. This enables community rehabilitation of patients recovering from spinal injuries, strokes and brain injuries.
Helping a new type of rural enterprise that can support a transition towards a green, diversified rural economy. Coillte Sláintiúil provides services to protect, rejuvenate and replace native woodlands.
An investment project that allowed a company to fill the gap in the local supply chain for wood chips in the north-west of Ireland.
Rural coworking spaces create opportunities for cooperation and innovation in rural areas while helping to attract new professionals to settle in the countryside.
A project to address depopulation and attract new settlers in rural areas of the Aragon region.
A start-up company specialising in outdoor sports activities used RDP support to purchase equipment and respond to increasing demand for adventure tourism.
A pilot project to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of using solar energy.
A young female farmer introduced a blackberry plantation into a wheat and barley production area and created added value by developing a new range of products. This was the winning initiative of the 2019 Rural Inspiration Awards in the 'Improving competitiveness' category.
A LEADER measure grant helped purchase film and photography equipment and training for a rural arts festival community project.


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In the first part of the post, we looked at the Sullivan/Northstar results on fees. In this part, we'll look at the results on fiduciary, as well as whether or not a focus on fees and fiduciary is bad marketing.
In the same manner that "fee-based" was negative in the results of the study, doen by the brand engagement firm Sullivan and the market research consultancy Northstar Research Partners, "fiduciary" was just downright confusing. In fact, its 40% "confusing" response rate made it the second most confusing word or phrase of the study, just behind "life stage" at 41% and more confusing than "dollar cost averaging" at only 38%, as well as other common (but apparently confusing) planning words like "concentrated" (35%) and "legacy" (33%).
That the fiduciary concept is confusing for the public probably isn't entirely news—many studies in recent years, including especially the RAND study, as well as the ongoing struggles of both the industry and the media to explain the value and importance of the fiduciary duty—speaks to the lack of consumer understanding about what the fuss for "fiduciary" is really all about.
But the fact that it's actually one of the most confusing words we can use—in a world where most people don't like industry jargon and language they don't understand—implies that frequently talking about fiduciary could actually reduce trust with prospective clients, who are more likely to find you uncomfortable and untrustworthy for using jargon and talking over their heads, rather than being more trustworthy by virtue of your fiduciary duty.
And of course, in many situations, we as professionals then proceed to make the situation worse by trying to explain fiduciary, which as I've noted previously on this blog usually comes out less like explaining to the prospective client why you are good, and more like explaining why everyone else is bad… even though most people are clear that they don't like to work with professionals who bash their competition.
Is A Focus On Fees And Fiduciary Bad Marketing?
Ultimately, what the Sullivan/Northstar research suggests is that actually using words and phrases like "fee-based" (or ostensibly "fee-only") and "fiduciary" are actually less likely to garner clients than not using them, especially given how salient it makes the cost of financial planning. That's not to say that you'll never get a client by mentioning those terms. But it does mean that you're actually setting yourself up for trouble by leading with words and phrases that are viewed with negativity and confusion… giving you a hole you have to dig yourself out of before you even get started.
And of course, if these words and phrases are prominent on your website, it's entirely possible that the client who got referred to you or found you through the internet took one look at your website with all its negative and confusing words and decided to move on without calling you at all. In other words, using language referring to the fact that you charge fees and are a fiduciary may be yet another way that planners lose clients before even meeting them once, without ever being aware that the prospective client was lost.
The point here is not to say that charging fees or operating on a fee model is a bad way to deliver services to clients, nor is it to imply that you shouldn't be a fiduciary. As I've written in the past, the only way advice should ever be delivered is as a fiduciary, period. But the decision about how to operate your business model is a separate matter from how best to market and communicate your value to clients.
From the client's perspective, what matters in the end is not how you're compensated, or the standards you're held to, but the way those realities affect the client. Simply put, prospective clients care about the WIIFM—"What's In It For Me"—message in your marketing and value proposition. And like it or not, "Hey you have the privilege of paying me fees while I use fancy legal terms you don't understand" is not a particularly compelling WIIFM message, to put it mildly.
And perhaps more importantly, in the end your clients will refer you because of the outcomes they enjoyed, not because of how you explained you were compensated or the legal standard to which you were held. In other words, acting like a fiduciary paid via fees that has managed or avoided conflicts of interest to deliver superior results to clients still matters far more than just talking about it, anyway. But even that only matters if your prospective referrals aren't turned off by the negative and confusing jargon on your website.
So what do you think? If you were in your client's shoes, without familiarity of the financial services industry, what would you really think of paying fees or working with a "fiduciary" for advice? Do you have positive feelings about other businesses where you pay fees? Do the other professionals you trust even talk about being fiduciaries, or do they just act like one instead?


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RAP4 Tactical Slings
RAP4 is proud to introduce three tactical slings that are ready to serve in the thick of the action. The RAP4 Tactical Sling is a three-point sling that functions like a harness to strap your full-size marker to your body, leaving your hands free while keeping it at the ready. The RAP4 2-Point Sling attaches to the front and rear of your T68 via the sling attachment points, or to any other marker via the included universal adapters. The RAP4 1-Point Sling attaches to the stock of your T68 or the tank of your tactical marker, giving you a dramatic, simple, and un-encumbering method of carry.
Together, these tactical slings represent the three styles most commonly found in real world use...and offer paintball players and tactical gamers a full range of carry options.
The RAP4 Tactical Sling uses a three-point design comprised of two on-marker attachment points that can attach to any full-size paintball marker of any manufacture, and a high-strength nylon/polymer web strap that secures to your body for the third point of contact. This dynamic strap brings current battlefield technology to your tactical gaming, as it is the preferred hands-free method of carbine carry by US military forces, private security forces, and many police tactical units. By hanging the marker along the strong side of your body, the stock ready to pivot straight into your shoulder pocket to bring the marker to bear immediately, the RAP4 Tactical Sling keeps you ready to return fire in a heartbeat...no matter what other tasks you are performing.
The RAP4 2-Point Sling is the traditional carry strap used for decades. It attaches to the front and rear sling attachment points on your T68, or attaches to the barrel and ASA of your standard paintball marker via the included universal adapters. Drape the sling across your body, and you can carry your marker across your back, across your chest, vertical behind a shoulder, or slung horizontally under your arm. Less sophisticated than the RAP4 Tactical Sling, it balances function with simplicity.
The RAP4 1-Point Sling is the minimalist approach to carrying your marker, keeping it at the ready by virtue of a truly clever design. A single loop of high-strength nylon/polymer webbing drapes across your chest and under your arm, with a single attachment point that affixes to the stock of your T68 or cinches around the ASA of your standard marker. This lets you dangle your marker muzzle-down by your side, with the stock ready to pivot up into your shoulder pocket to bring the muzzle to bear in a flash. While it puts the marker's weight on your opposite shoulder, rather than spreading it across your body like the RAP4 Tactical Sling, it provides the same quick-to-bear function for shorter missions and lighter markers.
The RAP4 Tactical Bungee Sling is a single-point design that consists of a stretchable rubber "bungee" body that attaches to the stock or tank of your marker. Carried the same as the RAP4 1-Point Sling, its main benefit is the elastic body that allows your marker to be easily transitioned from one side to the other, thrust away from the body, and deployed in awkward or non-intuitive shooting positions.
Analyze your playing style, the length of your missions and your personal preferences, and find the tactical sling that's right for you. From the state-of-the-art RAP4 Tactical Sling to the classic RAP4 2-Point Sling and the minimalist RAP4 1-Point Sling and RAP4 Tactical Bungee Sling, Read Action paintball is proud to give you practical solutions straight from real-world innovation.
RAP4 - As Real as it Gets!


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Rapturous: Jospé disc makes miles fly by
Robert Jospé and Inner Rhythm: Hands On
Pop! That's the sound of me pulling my head out of my ass. Seems that I've been so engrossed in my own goings on that I've lost touch with the outside world. (I can, however, draw a pretty accurate sketch of my colon).
But seriously, the last six months have been a blur. Road trip after road trip. Appointments, engagements, family, friends all contribute to the little world I am tightly wrapped in. Busy, busy. This weekend was no exception.
Saturday I decided to make the trek down to Norfolk for the Seven Cities B-Boy Competition at Old Dominion University. The drive was about three hours, so I stopped in Plan 9 to grab a CD for the road. While browsing the jazz section, I noticed a Robert Jospé disc that I hadn't seen before.
Jospé has been playing around town for a while, and I've tried to keep tabs on him since I moved here four years ago. He blew my mind one night at Rapture with the ease with which he could drum the most complex rhythm. He was natural, graceful, and very attentive to the other members of his quartet. Consequently, I was not attentive to my date.
Anyway, there's his most recent disc, Hands On, sitting on the shelf. Without hesitation I scooped it up and hopped in my car. Seventy degrees and a slight breeze. Windows rolled down. Track one, the title track, comes on like spicy salsa, and I'm digging and dipping my chip deep in it.
On "The Night Before," a re-worked rendition of the Beatles tune, John D'earth enters with a perfectly phrased trumpet solo. That sets the stage for Bob Hallahan's dancing fingers on piano. Hallahan, who co-wrote three tunes on the album with Jospé, shines throughout. His keys are a graceful complement to Jospé's drums.
There's chemistry among all the players on the record that's hard to pin down. The collaborators have been playing together in different incarnations for many years, which explains the fluidity in the transitions and the feeling that they can read each other's minds.
Also present on the album are percussionist Kevin Davis, Jeff Decker on saxophone, Royce Campbell on guitar, and Elias Bailey and Pete Spaar on Bass. Spaar and Campbell also contribute original compositions to Hands On.
I was able to listen to Hands On straight through two times before I made it to Norfolk. As I was getting out of the car, I caught a glimpse of the date on the back of the CD jacket. Hands On was recorded in late August 2003.
Where have I been? I must be losing touch. Next time something this enjoyable comes out, will someone please tell me?


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Graduate Studies
Is graduate school your immediate goal after graduation?
For many USC Price undergraduates, the answer to that question is "yes." Many attend the top law, medical, public policy, and urban planning programs as well as graduate programs in related fields. A sample of USC Price graduates going on to graduate school immediately after receiving their degree is listed below.
- Dora Leong Gallo, BS, USC Price 1990; Master of City Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Chief Executive Officer, A Community of Friends
- Brian Hom, BS, USC Price 2002; JD, USC Gould School of Law
Associate, Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
- Jacqui Hood, BS, USC Price 1977; JD, Yale Law School
President, Vermont Business and Professional Women
President Elect 2012-13 Franklin Grand Isle Counties Bar Association
- James Lewis, BS, USC Price 1997; Master of Public Administration, Syracuse University
City Manager, City of Pismo Beach, CA
- Naseema McElroy, BS, USC Price 2003; Master of Health Administration, University of Southern California
Administrative Fellow, Kaiser Permanente
- Lori Meloch, BS, USC Price 1987; JD, USC Gould School of Law
Senior Counsel, State Bar of California
- Jessica Morog, BS, USC Price 2005; Master of Business Administration Candidate, University of Indiana
- Nicole Sharma, BS, USC Price 2010; Master of Education Policy and Management Candidate, Harvard University
- Anthony Taylor, BS, USC Price 1997; JD, USC Gould School of Law School
Attorney-at-Law, Aleshire, Wynder and Sylva, LLP
- Taryn Tarnutzer, BS, USC Price 2009; Master of Communication Management, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- Grace Cainoy Weltman, BS, USC Price, 1997; Master of Public Policy, University of Southern California
Program Director, Community Partners
We work closely with students to ensure they're prepared for graduate school. Some of the resources available to USC students who are thinking about graduate school are listed below:


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|Global Changes and Risk Management
The work of AMCOW here focuses on climate change and variability, as a key development and water issue facing the African continent over the coming decades. Africa has been recognized as the continent most vulnerable to climate change. Adaptation to climate change should be at the core of any development activity and calls for building climate resilience. Given the importance of water resources and water infrastructure in economic and social development on the continent, there should be adequate investment in adapting to climate change to ensure their availability and sustainable use.
The Sharm El-Sheikh highlighted 5 key messages for water and climate change. These messages inform the focus of the workplan:
Reflecting these messages, the workplan unpacks the following key issues:


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Go Back
Why FICO's New Credit Model Won't Boost Your Score
FICO has changed its credit-scoring model by putting less focus on medical debts and will give consumers a break on their score if they've settled with a collections agency. While it's a welcome move, experts say it's unlikely to change credit scores for most people anytime soon.
Fair Isaac Corp. on Thursday announced "a more nuanced way" to assess consumer collection data, bypassing paid collection agency accounts and distinguishing between medical and non-medical collection agency accounts. "This will help ensure that medical collections have a lower impact on the score," the company said.
Consumers with only unpaid medical debts could see a 25-point spike with its latest model "FICO-9," it added. "It seems consumers will be treated more fairly under these new credit score calculations," says Susan Grant, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America.
Medical bills make up around half of all debt collections, says Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO of personal finance site WalletHub, but a 25-point increase on FICO scores — which operate on a scale of 300 to 850 — may be optimistic. "FICO makes it sounds like lenders use FICO and nothing else," he says. The more sophisticated lenders — including all major credit-card companies — are more likely to use their own credit models, "and, therefore, they can use whatever data that they see fit," Papadimitriou adds. "Thus the FICO announcement is a moot point in that regard."
And lenders may be unwilling to accept just one credit score, if they suspect that it doesn't represent the full picture. FICO has now changed the definition of risk by no longer recognizing the entirety of a person's credit history, but banks will stick with their own best methods, says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation of Credit Counseling. "Depending on their business model, lenders may not be able to rely as strongly on solely using the credit score as the guideline for extending credit, but will need to actually review the credit report to discover the full picture," she says.
Because a person doesn't choose to get sick, lenders have already been more forgiving of past-due medical bills, Cunningham says. "Many lenders have also given less weight to a paid delinquency of any kind, particularly if it was many years in the past, she says. "Therefore, the FICO scoring changes may not impact lending standards as much as some anticipate. A person's credit history will remain the same. The score just got a little lipstick."
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau disagrees: A recent CFPB report said consumers may be "overly penalized" for medical debt.
FICO's move appears to be part of a wider trend in the industry. VantageScore, one of the main competitors to the FICO model, introduced "VantageScore 3.0" in March 2013 to exclude all paid collection accounts including paid medical accounts. "The real test of a model's capability is how it performs on each lender's unique portfolio," says Barrett Burns, president and CEO of VantageScore, which is owned by three credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. But VantageScore 3.0 has gained traction among the largest lenders, Burns adds, which could bode well for FICO.
Others say excluding medical debt from credit scores is long overdue. It will bring relief to consumers who have been burdened with impaired credit scores resulting from delinquent medical debt, says Ben Woolsey, president of credit-card advice website CreditCardForum.com. "As the CFPB noted, medical debt is fundamentally different than other types of consumer credit," he says. It's often incurred by non-payment by an insurance and/or poor communication to the consumer prior to it being turned over to collections agencies by hospitals or health-care providers, he adds.
And for those most likely to benefit — people with pristine reports except for medical debt — banks may move slowly. The new scoring system, involving 12 new scoring models across the three national credit reporting agencies, will take years to obtain a critical mass of users, as adoption is expensive and time consuming, says John Ulzheimer, credit expert at financial website CreditSesame.com. "FICO 8," the most current version of the FICO score, was introduced in July 2009 but only recently adopted by most major lenders, he says. "Market availability does not mean immediate market adoption."
Fannie Mae FNMA and Freddie Mac dictate what scoring model versions can be used in their underwriting systems, Ulzheimer adds. "As of today, all Fannie and Freddie mortgage loans are underwritten using FICO scores that are one generation off the most current," he says. "When FICO 9 becomes available [they] will be two generations off."
This means that consumers with medical collections and/or paid collections will still be present on the consumer's credit reports and get no score improvement when they apply for a mortgage, he says.
"There is no one single FICO credit score," says Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org. Consumers who have substantial unpaid medical debt, but who are otherwise up to date on their regular credit accounts, could see a significant increase in their credit score, he adds. But that doesn't mean they automatically will, he says. "The real issue is whether credit grantors will adopt the new way FICO is proposing to figure credit scores," Dworsky says.


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Larry J. Sabato to John W. and Kimberly Shorres, 2020 Minor Road, $311,000.
Victoria J. Doughty to Paul O. Rosner and Gillian L. Shasby, 1320 Early Street, $149,000.
Edward B. and Marjorie L. Stewart to Thomas S. and Patricia L. Humphries, 2003 Hessian Road, $795,000.
Don R. and Sheri A. Church to James F. Gist IV and Joanna M. Krauss, 2508 Willard Drive, $210,000.
Brian Balogh and Kathleen Craig to James M., Rhonda J., and Kye M. Kolar, 1432 Rugby Road, $412,500.
Gloria Jean Cash to Daniel F. Zimmerman and Sevena N. Garcia, 1606 Monticello Road, $185,000.
Laura M. Rys to John R. Lukens, 703 Rock Creek Road, $163,000.
Cyndra and Corven Flynn Jr. and Shawna Crow, Trustees, to Mark E. and Jacquelyn L. Ragland and Timothy P. Carson and Phillip O. Garland, 1501 South Rockland, also known as 1501 Rosa Terrace, $136,750.
Hazel L. Bernard and Debra C. Meade to Ingrid M. and Philip M. Cordano, 15 Mobile Lane, $185,000.
Lauren G. Kyber to Josie Baucom, 714 Graves Street, $237,000.
Philip M. Klop to Adam Easter, parcel on Rockland Avenue, $85,000.
Westwood Associates LC to Jeffrey A. Harrison and Lauren G. Kyber, condominium unit in Druid Hill Residences, 1103 Druid Avenue, $199,500.
Fifth Street Development LLC to Joseph W. Richmond III, 102 Oak Grove Cottages, 211 Fifth Street SW, $207,900.
Curtis L. Naylor to Southern Property LLC, three parcels on Fifth Street SW, 0.897 acres, $550,000.
Suzan E. Gallihugh to Michael A. and Margaret P. Ralph, 2600 Willard Drive, $172,500.
Suzanne M. Turner to Jeffrey L. Drolshagen, 108 Birdwood Court, $127,000.
Forrest DePriest and Mary Kate Czelada to Anne C. Coburn, 1390 Allister Green, RiverRun, $155,500.
Suzanne Turner, Jane T. Quinn, and Vicki T. Morgan to Vincent Derquenne and Andrea Douglas, 916 Old Farm Road, $450,000.
Joseph F. Kett to Shaun McCullough, 19 Ridgeview Circle, Mill Creek, $168,500.
James B. Spence III, trustee, to Julie Hall Ferrier, 5319 Little Fox Lane, Cory Farm, $275,000.
Nelson E. Bickers, trustee, to David S. Campbell Construction Co., parcel in Glenmore, Keswick, $257,500.
Lenwood A. and Ida B. Johnson to Chansuda Wangsrichanalai, unit in Turtle Creek condominiums, 102 Turtle Creek Road, $132,900.
David G. and Sandra L. Anderson to Michael D. and Paige L. Powers, 138 Fontana Court, Fontana, $479,000.
Jackspot Development LLC to Gaffney Homes LLC, lot in Stockton Ridge, $85,000.
Redfields Development Corp. to Craig Enterprises Inc., four lots in Redfields, $230,358.
Barry Meade Homes LLC to Michael B. and Jasmin L. McGinty, 536 Rolling Valley Court, Foxcroft, $289,500.
David M. and Amy R. Dolak to Mark and Joanna Visger, 1345 Earlysville Forest Drive, Earlysville, $229,900.
Karen L. and James R. Rush Jr. to High Point LP, 2.065 acres at 4274 Bunker Hill Road, $165,000.
Patrick A. Woodson to Randall Skeen, 5.0 acres at 1836 Secretary Road, Scottsville, $224,900.
Loretta G. Starkes to Jae W. Pak, 1659 Cool Spring Road, Townwood, $174,000.
Gregory A. and Lyndee M. Breeding to John P. Jurden and Deidra J. Fleming, 972 Grayson Lane, Redfields, $305,000.
Wendy L. Golden Schneider to Bret E. and Michiko Aker, 3.477 acres at 260 Terrell Road, Terrell subdivision, $700,000.
Gregory A. and Shannon C. Connell to Adam M. and Dori D. Bowman, 4644 Briarwood Drive, Briarwood subdivision, $160,000.
Richard O. and Debra L. Aiken to Robin E. Barnett, 219 Barnsdale Road, Camelot, $127,000.
Barry Meade Homes LLC to Francoise D. Burton, 1109 Foxvale Lane, Foxcroft, $287,105.
Drew Boles to James S. and Andrea S. Loffredo, 7051 Porter's Road, Esmont, $182,500.
Richard M. and Lisa F. Little to Alex J. and Tennille J. Checkovich, 1240 Foxvale Lane, Foxcroft, $174,900.
Lee Freudberg and Katharine A. Welch, trustees, to David H. and Elizabeth H. Ferrall, 4.06 acres at 1506 Craig's Store Road, Afton, $225,000.
John T. and Jeanne Regan to Robert A. Sutherland and Jeanette R. Pereira, 29.401 acres at 6710 Scottsville Road, State Route 20, Tollgate subdivision, $795,000.
Kristin A. and Peter H. Wray to Fred W. Powell Jr., 1250 Clifden Green, Riverrun, $172,500.
Weather Hill Homes Ltd. to Douglas A. Burns, 3.013 acres at 2901 Free Union Road, Free Union, $473,000.
Peter J. Licata to Hunt Country Properties LLC, lot in Glenmore, gift.
Hunt Country Properties LLC to Pamela L. King, 1561 Heathrow Lane, Glenmore, $399,000.
Deborah C. and G. W. Newsom III to Terry W. and Sherry C. Cook, 1101 River Oaks Lane, Dunlora, $397,900.
Jimmy Banton to Dennis Neil Rankins and Elizabeth Stark-Rankins, unit in Brookwood Condominiums, 1156 Mill Park Drive Ext., $185,600.
Steven R. and Stella A. Prevost to Lena E. and James A. Braatz III, 710 Caro Court, Earlysville, $360,000.
Donald A. Morse to Helen B. Payne, parcel on Castleberry Court, Palmyra, $158,000.
Wendell W. Gibson Inc. to Leigh Ann and William F. Steigman III, 1436 Cedarwood Court, Redfields, $343,530.
David O. and Andrea E. Bluthardt to David M. and Amy R. Dolak, 5.87 acres at 4346 Watts Passage, $292,500.
Michael A. and Barbara P. Kittel to Steven R. and Stella A. Prevost, 2.5776 acres at 738 Inverness Lane, Loftlands Glen, Earlysville, $430,000.
Frank J. Lauffer to Loretta G. and Arthur L. Starkes, 2426 Huntington Road, Northfields, $247,000.
Scott E. and Renee M. Mandell to Robert C. and Elizabeth H. Beverly, 960 Charter Oaks Drive, Charter Oaks subdivision, $415,000.
John and Doreen Giordano to Kevin M. and Cynthia S. Kirst, 578 Whitcover Circle, Stonehenge, $160,000.
William G. and Marilyn K. Mustain to E. Ernest and Cynthia A. Johnson, 3145 Dane Court, Glenmore, Keswick, $1,035,000.
James B. Spence III, trustee, to Daniel E. Hendricks Jr., 1107 Autumn Hill Court, Western Ridge, $234,000.
P. Kent Harman, trustee, to Curtis F. Peterson, 27.26 acres at 2697 Brown's Gap Turnpike, $695,000.
Marc L. and Mary Lou Bonbrest to Robyn K. Preve, 5363 Windy Ridge Road, Cory Farm, $339,000.
Ralph E. Main Jr., trustee, to Owls Roost LLP, 156.031 acres at 2420 River Ridge Road, $500,000.
Preston O. Stallings to Edward C. and Joan M. McGovern, 1.047 acres at 1652 Gatewick Place, Glenmore, Keswick, $400,000.
William F. Armistead to David L. Spradlin and Kathy A. Hughes, 5.0 acres at 1572 Spradlin Lane, Scottsville, $90,000.
Charles K. and Sheri G. Waddell to Curtis E. and Denise G. Bourg, 3667 Perthshire Court, Glenmore, Keswick, $524,000.
Robert Hauser Homes Inc. to Joseph A. and Vada G. Fallica, 1107 Pike Place, Rivercreek of Dunlora, $399,950.
Robert Hauser Homes Inc. to Gregory G. Degnan and Caroline A. Stone, 2525 Leafton Crossing, Walnut Hills, Earlysville, $649,950.
Zakin Construction Co. to Peter H. and Kristin A. Wray, 2.079 acres at 2825 Cola Woods Lane, $706,000.
Quintin P. and Joan V. Cole to David C. and Mary S. Gilbert, 1135 Trillium Road, Earlysville Forest, $260,000.
Robert Hauser Homes Inc. to Teresa A. Urban, 1057 Bristlecone Lane, Forest Lakes, $217,950.
Kathleen H. and Michael J. Kovac Jr. to David M. and Heather K. Finkel, 103 Bedford Place, Ednam Forest, $475,000.
John H. and Laura W. Carrington to Mark T. Adams, 2300 Rocky Run, Waverly, $465,000.
Elizabeth R. and Robert A. Hamilton III to Carl Glenn and Ryon O. Rainey, 5,351 acres at 3559 Bleak House Road, Fairgrove, Earlysville, $249,900.
Christopher T. and Margaret P. Grubb to Dane A. and Kathy B. Wooley, 1010 Deer Run Drive, Deer Run, Earlysville, $220,000.
Big Deal
William G. Mustain to E. Ernest Johnson, 3145 Dane Court, Glenmore, Keswick, $1,035,000.


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Turkish Scrambled Eggs
4 eggs
1 cubanelle pepper, chopped bite size
4-5 medium sized tomatoes, peeled, cut in bite size
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Place the olive oil and cubanelle peppers in a large pan. Cook for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat. Then add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for another 7-8 minutes over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Whisk the eggs in a bowl, and pour into the pan. Then add the feta cheese. Keep stirring periodically until the eggs are done. Make sure you don't overcook, otherwise it will be dry. Serve with bread.
Labels: Breakfast


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Help the Helper
Un libro in lingua di Kevin Pritchard John Eliot edito da Portfolio, 2012
- € 24,10
- Il prezzo è variabile in funzione del cambio della valuta d'origine
"The real lessons of teamwork don't happen on camera. They happen behind the closed doors of locker rooms and team meetings and practice facilities. Kevin and John open those closed doors. All you need to do is get reading!" —Larry Bird
"Help the helper" is a basketball motto preached by some of the sport's legendary coaches, including Dean Smith and Phil Jackson. All good players know they should support a teammate who's under pressure. But the true greats know how to take it one step further. They fill the gaps left behind when one teammate goes to help another—gaps that are often far from the basket and out of the spotlight. The true greats step up in quiet ways to make sure no subtle holes develop on defense and no opportunities are missed on offense.
Help the Helper will show you how to put this level of teamwork to work in your business, to build a culture that recognizes and rewards those who help the helper—even when they don't have sexy statistics. In the process, it will teach you how to de-emphasize the CEO/quarterback/superstar and effectively redefine leadership. You'll learn, for instance, how to:
- Create a dynasty of unselfishness.
- Manage energy, not people.
- Eat obstacles for breakfast.
- Act like an "unleader."
Consider how it works in the hospitality industry. In a great restaurant you don't have to wait for your server to check on you; your needs are taken care of instantaneously, sometimes before you notice them. Everyone from the busboy to the maître d' has one goal: the success of the team. Such coordination seems complicated for a small eatery, nearly impossible for a large organization. But it's easier than you think.
For a combined forty years, Pritchard and Eliot have focused on building high-performing groups. They've crushed Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000-Hour Rule, logging upward of 50,000 hours studying the factors that create champions and dynasties, from the NBA and Major League Baseball to the Fortune 500. Exhaustive testing, scouting, and evaluating have taught them that truly special teams in all fields have one common denominator: a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the helper.
Drawing on true and inspirational stories from sports to medicine to business, Help the Helper shows what's behind the curtain that fuels great team performance.
Informazioni bibliografiche
- Titolo del Libro in lingua: Help the Helper
- Sottotitolo: Building a Culture of Extreme Teamwork
- Lingua: English
- Autori : Kevin Pritchard John Eliot
- Editore: Portfolio
- Collana: Portfolio (Hardcover)
- Data di Pubblicazione: 27 Settembre '12
- Genere: BUSINESS and ECONOMICS
- Argomenti : Organizational behavior Teams in the workplace Leadership
- Pagine: 241
- Dimensioni mm: 228 x 152 x 0


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Find out why a apsara-arts.comcation is more than a means to a degree.
Records and Registration
大发注册入口The best way to get a feel for Claflin is to visit us.
Claflin students work with the best leaders in their fields.
You'll find endless opportunities here to get involved.
There is always something happening at Claflin!
Claflin is #1 in alumni giving among all HBCUs, thanks to you.
The Middle Level Education program prepares visionary educators to be recommended for South Carolina teacher licensure for grades 6-8.
The Middle Level Education program has specific competencies that are expected of candidates preparing to teach in grades 6-8. It meets the standards of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).
Middle Level Curriculum Sheet
Each step you take while enrolled in the School of Education is carefully outlined to guide your career pathways. Upon completion of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education, you will be able to pursue a career as:
Prospective students interested in applying to this program are encouraged to review specific admissions requirements for the School of Education.
If you are interested in Middle Level Education, please contact:
Dr. Michiko McClary
Assistant Professor of Education
Bowen 105
Office: (803) 535-5286
Email: email@example.com
Fax: (803) 535-5485
大发注册入口View the academic catalog to see all courses and requirements.


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Girls' Pants & Leggings
- Category
- Price: Low to High
- Price: High to Low
- New Arrival
- Top Rated
Size & Fit
full length leggings
cozy leggings
She wears them almost every day... So why not find her a few pairs she really, truly loves? We've got lots of cute, comfy, long–lasting girls' pants that she and Mom can both agree on. Like our pretty, polished trousers—from stylish tie–front, cropped culottes to classic capri pants to slim–fit chinos, all of which are dressy enough for her BFF's birthday party or brunch at Nana's house. Of course, we make plenty of not–so–fancy pants too: Our skinny sweatpants are comfy enough for a weekend on the couch (but still cute enough to wear out and about), while our soft stretch jeans and jeggings are perfect for class (not to mention recess). And don't forget to check out our fun, super famous everyday leggings, which are designed to withstand lots of tumbling—in the wash and on the playground.


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NEW YORK -- Playing a deaf teen on the ABC Family drama "Switched at Birth" has put Katie Leclerc on Hollywood's radar.
"I was acting for about 10 years before I got `Switched,' the 25-year-old actress said in a recent interview. "It was all minor things, nothing of note. And when I went into the audition for `Switched,' I was aware of the potential and that this is something that could really launch me."
Leclerc plays Daphne Vasquez, a teen who lost her hearing as a child after a bout with meningitis. Daphne was switched as a newborn in the hospital with another baby. She grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood while the other child grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother.
Since the premiere of "Switched at Birth" last year, Leclerc has landed roles on "The Big Bang Theory" and "CSI," a sci-fi film, the lead in an upcoming Hallmark Channel movie and a part on a Web series called "Synthesized Life."
She was familiar with American Sign Language before playing Daphne. Her sister has an inner ear disorder called Meniere's Disease that can cause hearing loss and vertigo. Leclerc learned ALS in high school and realized afterward that she also has Meniere's.
For "Switched," she wanted to make Daphne's speech realistic. She sat down with her sister, who teaches ASL, and mapped out an audiogram.
"We figured out where Daphne's hearing loss is very specifically and figured out what sounds she could say and what sounds she couldn't say," she says.
She laughs about the process of getting the accent just right.
"I made my entire family crazy because I wanted it so badly. I did the accent every day for three weeks and by the end my poor boyfriend was just like, `Ahhh!'"
"Switched at Birth" airs Mondays (8 p.m. EDT).
ABC Family is a unit of The Walt Disney Co.
Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciar


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Hollywood tends to move in trends.
Really, really, obvious and demeaning trends.
In a market where film studios routinely invest upwards of 100 million dollars on their high profile projects, it only makes sense that producers would display a preference to go with "whatever works."
This of course results in a lot of studios continually aping each other's films from year to year in hopes of breaking even, or better yet; turning a profit.
In my lifetime alone, I can think of several trends in movies that have come and gone.
Naturally, I have compiled a brief list of said trends:
1. Old TV Show Adaptations
The first genre trend I noticed, even as a child; was the slew of old TV show (and cartoon) adaptations of the 90's.
The Brady Bunch, Dennis the Menace, McHale's Navy, and The Flintstones movies all fell under this umbrella, among a handful of others.
It makes sense, given that Nick at Nite was in the process of becoming an established "thing" at the time; not to mention the fact that a number of the filmmakers of this era were likely of the age group that would've grown up watching a lot of the 60's TV shows.
Y'know, shit like The Addam's Family, George of the Jungle, The Fugitive, The Jackal, and Mission: Impossible.
While I can't say who started actually this trend, or if it was even that profitable; it's managed to stick around long enough to the point in which I doubt it will ever die.
TV shows will always be lovingly remembered by somebody, so as time goes by, it's only natural that some poor deluded fool will pony up the money to make a movie of them in tribute.
Here's hoping we don't see a Seinfeld or Frasier movie 10 years from now.
2. Videogame Movies
As with TV show adaptations, videogame movies were something that sprang up during the 90's, smack dab in the middle of the Super NES era.
While it's hard to call videogame movies a trend in the fullest sense of the word, it's evident that they were intended to be one in the mid-90's.
Following the release of the surprisingly decent Mortal Kombat, videogame movies were stuffed down throats our en masse.
Unfortunately, with releases like Super Mario Bros., Double Dragon, and Street Fighter stinking up the theaters; the trend never really caught on as strongly as I'm guessing it was intended to.
You can thank Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Wing Commander for putting the nail in the coffin of 90's videogame movies:
Despite this, videogame culture has apparently grown exponentially over the years, leading to videogame movie adaptations becoming increasingly regular.
The movies stick suck some serious balls for the most part, but the point is; they have yet to reach a point where they are no longer profitable, and thus they continue to exist.
Truth be told, this "trend" is actually more symbolic of the birth of a new film genre as opposed to a trend, but oh well; it's my blog.
Fuck you.
3. Comic Book Movies
Comic book movies are, as THE INTERNET seems to want me to say; kind of a big deal.
While they've existed in one form or another for quite some time, it wasn't until the release of Tim Burton's Batman in '89 that we really saw them become en vogue.
Richard Donner's Superman doesn't really count, as at the time, it was entirely in a league of it's own; only serving to spawn weak-ass imitators as opposed to profitable blockbusters.
Anyway, Batman served to open the floodgates and give way to the release of countless comic book films, many of which were of course; Batman sequels.
In response to the angsty, MTV culture of the day, as well as the popularity of "less-than-mainstream" comics, movies like The Crow, Barb Wire, Tank Girl, Judge Dredd, The Mask, and Spawn were all cranked out in short order.
While the success of these movies (except for The Mask) was largely scatter-shot, the success of Blade in '98 ushered in the Marvel dominated era of the 2000's.
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past decade or so, you've probably come to realize that Marvel is the flamboyant and insatiable whore of the comic book movie world.
The arrogant bastard that likes to prance about and shove his cock in your face and demand you tell him how amazingly massive it is.
*Ahem!* Not like I've ever had that happen to me or anything…
Routinely whoring out it's intellectual properties from year to year, Marvel rode the success of X-Men and Spider-Man (and a string of critical failures) to take the film world by storm, largely through sheer volume of production.
In the 13 years since the release of Blade, Marvel has released a total of 25 major motion pictures, averaging nearly 3 films a year.
While it's hard to call them rivals these days, (times have changed) DC manages to release, at best; 1 film a year.
The only difference is, DC films have a tendency to win Oscar nominations.
Well, except for maybe Jonah Hex… And Catwoman.
Anyway, for better or worse, strip-mining the previously established characters and events from comic books is kind of the thing to do for Hollywood producers in this day and age; and based on the record-breaking revenue gained from said movies, I'd say it's what the audience is into as well.
Which brings me to the eerie prospect of a 4th trend in films that I would prefer not see come to pass.
Has anybody seen the trailer for Battleship yet?
If not, here yah' go:
Some way, some how, they managed to get Liam Neeson to get on board the Battleship bandwagon, (I'm guessing it involved a free trip to Hawaii…) and in all honesty; I'm just plain confused by it all, aliens notwithstanding.
To my knowledge, Clue is the only other board game movie in existence at this point; and while that has kind of a cult following in some (seriously demented) parts of the world, Battleship just never really seemed like movie material in my mind.
To me, Battleship was always that one game my friend and I could never play without cheating.
Seriously man, after 5 minutes of calling out "Miss" to each other, inevitably someone would peek over the game, find a ship, and basically win the game.
Even the name "Battleship" doesn't seem all that marketable to me.
It's non-descript, it gives virtually zero indication of what to expect in the film outside of maybe a battle or 2 involving ships.
Oh well, goofy military shit is en vogue at the moment, so I'm guessing therein lies to the logic to the production house's gambit.
The really puzzling part in all of this, is the fact that I recall hearing rumblings of a Monopoly movie being in the works.
I heard about the Battleship movie awhile back, but it wasn't until I saw the trailer the other day that I truly realized they were actually going to make it.
What I mean to say is, I really hope Battleship doesn't start a board game movie trend, 'cause I'll tell yah', I'm not an analyst, or anywhere near an expert in these matters; but if this shit comes to pass, we'll be in for some epic-ly shitty over the next several years.
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In case anyone is ever wondering, the two do not mix. Even if the dragon goby is just as big as the eel. It will inevitably wander into the eels turf, and the eel will proceed to tear its entire face off.
Anyone want an eel?
Who is "General Failure" and why is he reading my hard drive?
Did you video feeding time for your eel then?
My therapist says I need a bigger tank . . . . .
Not at all. Came home to a dragon goby with his entire bottom jaw torn off. He was still alive.
Dragon gobies are not aggressive at all. At least not the ones that I have seen. Ouch.. did you euth?
<-- Click for journals
"There is no right way to do the wrong thing." - KingFisher "Only bad things happen fast in this hobby" - Cliff Boo train boo train boo train boo train woohoo
Ouch, sorry didn't realise that was the outcome, guess you put him out his misery?
Sorry to hear that.
Sorry for the late reply, yes I put it down. Right now working on setting up a 75G for just the puffer and eel, as I will not dedicate an entire 225G tank to two fish because they don't play well with others.
I had a dragon goby with my eel for a long while, they did fine together. Even stayed in the same cave together! I guess it just depends on their temperament. :(
"You can never do too much research. The more the better."
55g - 2 Green Spotted Puffers, 5 assorted Platies, 1 Goldfish, 1 Pictus Catfish.
(And my beloved Betta Fish, Crescent and Reginald Maroon Cinco - Both in 5 Gallons alone.)
Past critters: Snowflake Moray Eel, Sengal Bichir, Violet Dragon Goby, Assorted Angels, Baby Whale Fish, Royal Farlowella, African Knife, Assorted Mollies, Lavender, Gold, and Kissing Gouramis.
sorry to hear, ya dragon gobies will not even harm fry unless they are hungry but gtiles can be a gamble. However, if you want to keep the eel in the large thank then there are plenty of options for you. As for bottom dwellers I think only the Columbian catfish or target fish will work but both are very neat fish. Plenty of other people keep scats, puffers, monos, dats and archers with their eels. (check monster fish keepers for examples)
Unfortunatly options for brackish fish are limited compared to fresh and salt water so you would certainly have more options for the 225 if you kept the puffer and gtile in your 75g.
what kind of Eel are we talking about?
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Our two hotels are situated in one of the most beautiful areas of England. We can offer a variety of special breaks offering something for everyone.
To make an enquiry about the availability of any of our special breaks, please contact us.
Our two hotels are situated in one of the most beautiful areas of England. We can offer a variety of special breaks offering something for everyone.
To make an enquiry about the availability of any of our special breaks, please contact us.
You have the choice of staying in one of our two delightful hotels situated on the South Coast of Devon and Cornwall. Both hotels can offer an excellent choice of golf clubs enabling you to enjoy a relaxing break as well as playing a round of golf while taking in the dramatic coastline. The Berry Head Hotel can offer guests 25% off green fees, leisure facilities, and buggy hire at the Dartmouth Golf & Country club. Available upon request from reception. Both hotels are situated on the South West Coastal Path, and enjoy superb sea views. The only choice you now have to make is which hotel you would like to visit.....
Alternatively, why not design a tour based on a stay at both hotels for a selection of nights.
|Churston, Devon
18 hole, 6219 yards, SSS 70, founded 1890. Designed by H.S. Holt.
Downland course, leading to sea and coastline with views over Torbay.
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18 hole, 6185 yards. SSS 69. Founded 1990. Designed by J.Hamilton Stutt.
Parkland Course.
|Dainton Park, Ipplepen, Devon
18 hole: 7191 yards. SSS 74. Stunning views. 9 hole: 2583 yards.
Designed by Jeremy Pern. 1992. Moorland and Parkland Course.
|St Mellion, Cornwall
Old course: for golfers of all abilities: 18 hole. 5782 yards. SSS 68. Par 68.
Nicklaus Course: 18 hole. 6651 yards. SSS 72. Par 72. Spectacular sweeping fairways.
|Dartmouth, Devon
18 hole, 7191 yards, SSS 74 - 9 hole, 2583 yards, Designed by Jeremy Pern in 1992
Moorland and Parkland Course.
|Launceston, Cornwall
18 hole, 6374 yards. SSS 71. Origins back to 1909.
Parkland Course, views of Dartmoor.
|Looe, Cornwall
18 hole, 5940 yards, SSS 68, Designed by Harry Don. Founded 1934.
Parkland Course.
|Tehidy Park, Cornwall
18 hole. 6241 yards. SSS 71. Founded 1922.
Parkland Course.
Two of the most beautiful Counties in England. Steeped in history, mystery and legend from King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to Agatha Christie and Miss Marple.
Coastal and Country Touring Holidays have been designed for those who want to explore the area researching its past of smuggling, wrecking, tin mining, fishing and agriculture, together with tracing the footsteps of its famous seafaring sons.
Exploring the miles of unspoiled coastline on foot (all three hotels are situated on the South West Coastal Path) or by sea.
Discovering the raw beauty of Dartmoor, and Bodmin Moor. Visiting National Trust houses and many beautiful gardens. The Eden Project where you can return again and again.
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Scuba Diving - Dinghy Sailing - Yacht Charter - Deep Sea Angling - Shark Fishing - Windsurfing - Parascending - Water Skiing - and if you can think of anything else, we are sure that we will be able to help. Beginners and Experts alike - we can also arrange Tuition.


text: Honda will reveal a "refreshed" Odyssey at the New York Auto Show next week, though the automaker isn't saying much about the popular minivan.The Odyssey, now in its fourth generation after the last update in 2011, is one of the best vans on the market, often referred to as the benchmark. Honda would only say the 2014 Odyssey uses "innovative features."Honda also said the production version of the 2014 Acura MDX would make its appearance in New York. The third generation MDX, revealed as a concept at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, is expected to keep the same profile, including the jeweled LED headlamps. It will use a 3.5-litre i-VTEC V6 with variable-cylinder management.


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How Japan Can Win Back Chinese Car Buyers
When territorial disputes between China and Japan flared up last year, sales of Japanese vehicles in China shriveled. Janet Lewis of Macquarie tells the WSJ's Deborah Kan how Japan's car makers plan to recover in the world's largest car market.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the ... he's on makers are struggling to regained ground after using winning over territorial disputes a year ago and ever con doing now is a list ... them for a security ... I can ... see ... so ... give it a dispute over the same copies as they call it in Japan the Japanese in China going on for decades said ... were you surprised to see each other at the latest flap really loves impact the Japanese auto makers for so ... I think it's the first time we've actually seen physical this crack destruction of people's cars ... and dealers being torched ... and so I think I aam that's just about the anti Japan sentiment I cried a bit ... a K and I mean going forward you expect things to get better and the rebound of for the Japanese auto makers ... but we've only seen actually quite a considerable rebound and their market share bottomed last October at about seven percent ... and it's back to just over seventeen percent ... of the critical factor going forward will the new model launches ... us starting in September we actually have quite a few new models including the new Honda accord ... the hunted she ... and the about for Fonterra to ... gain the overall picture how dependent are Japanese auto that the automakers especially the big one's ... mind that I'm that grows in China ... Nissan probably has the greatest dependence on the Japanese mine on the Chinese market ... at the end and Honda have actually been a little bit behind ... and both had actually just six months before the ... island dispute had announced new programs to step up the volume of sales in the China market ... those which he railed slightly but here it's the biggest market in the world and if you don't succeed in China ... aam you're going to struggle they have to be that ... said in his UT do we see any of the auto maker's Billy adjusting strategies of the cause of what happened to us for the dispute ... but initially at the actually reacted quite quickly and cut back on their production and that helps big dealers because clearly that dealers were to be under a lot of pressure ... from the lower sales ... um they also did do some delays of product launches ... but they were already in of relative links quiet period in terms of new products and so ... I think that this ... latest rash of new products ... I wish you continued for about the next eighteen months should help them regained some of the sheriff last says Yucatan Cantina AG expect these to continue to grow in terms of sales ... I would be another certainly going to be in the die hard parts of the country where ... they just dont wanna Elena Japanese carp but ... we've seen in anti American is at the feelings when people boycotted McDonald's and KFC ... and so we think that overall that this actual proved to be relatively temporary ... possibly as much as five percent of potential sales could be left on the table but as it's a new models should help to the paper up some of the sky ... that day thanks AmEx Janet visiting us ... for more on that star a pink added Avista dot com and ever ...


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CFO Moves this week include:
|Praxair, Inc.
|Diebold, Incorporated
|Support.com, Inc.
|Sonus Networks, Inc.
|OneRoof Energy, Inc.
|Wells Fargo
|G&K Services, Inc.
|USA Compression Partners, LP
|Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|BNSF Railway
|Analogix Semiconductor, Inc.
|SED International Holdings
|Evolucia Inc.
|Herff Jones
|Wabtec Corporation
|Cognitiv, Inc.
|CTI Industries Corporation
|Options Group International, LLC
|Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.
|SunEdison, Inc.
|Scripps Networks International
|KMG Chemicals, Inc.
|Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|Perceptron, Inc.
|Ingredion Incorporated
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Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX) announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Jim Sawyer, will retire on December 31, 2013, after 28 years of service with Praxair and its predecessor company, Union Carbide. Sawyer has served as Praxair's CFO for 13 years. Matt White currently president, Praxair Canada, will succeed Sawyer as senior vice president and CFO, effective January 1, 2014. Sawyer will serve in an advisory capacity to the company until March 1, 2014. White was appointed president of Praxair Canada in 2011. He joined Praxair in 2004 as finance director of Praxair's largest business unit, North American Industrial Gases. In 2008, he became vice president and controller of Praxair then was named vice president and treasurer in 2010. Before joining Praxair, White was vice president, finance at Fisher Scientific and prior to that he held various financial positions, including group controller at GenTek.
Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD) announced that Bradley C. Richardson, executive vice president and chief financial officer, is leaving the company. Christopher A. Chapman, vice president, global finance, will serve as the company's principal financial officer on an interim basis, effective Nov. 6.
Support.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPRT) announced the appointment of Roop K. Lakkaraju as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his tenure at Quantros, 2Wire and Solectron, Mr. Lakkaraju worked at Safeguard Scientifics, and at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Grant Thornton.
Sonus Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: SONS) announced the appointment of Mark T. Greenquist as chief financial officer. Greenquist was most recently CFO for Siemens Enterprise Communications Limited (recently rebranded to Unify). From 2007 until its acquisition by Ericsson in 2012, Greenquist served as President and CEO at Telcordia Technologies, Inc. Greenquist also served as Senior Vice President and CFO at Telcordia Technologies, Inc. from 2005 to 2007 prior to his promotion to CEO. Greenquist brings additional financial leadership experience from companies including Symbol Technologies Inc. and Agere Systems Inc. where he served as CFO as well as Delta Airlines Inc., Saab Automobile AB, GM Corporation and General Motors where he held a variety of financial leadership positions.
OneRoof Energy, Inc. announced Dan Halvorson has joined the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Most recently, Halvorson served as executive vice president-operations and chief financial officer for DivX, Inc. until its acquisition by Sonic Solutions. Prior to joining DivX, Halvorson held senior finance positions at a variety of technology and pharmaceutical companies, including Novatel Wireless, Inc. as its chief financial officer and Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. which was acquired by Elan Corporation.
Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) named Erin Gore, who was associate vice chancellor and chief financial officer at University of California, Berkeley, as co-head of its Education and Nonprofit Banking group. Gore had been U.C. Berkeley's CFO since 2009. She began her career with the New York City Council Finance Division in 1996 as a budget analyst and then spent four years with Moody's Investor Services as a public finance analyst. Gore joined the former Banc of America Securities in 2001, rising to co-head and managing director of its public finance education and nonprofit team.
G&K Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GK) announced that Jeffrey L. Wright plans to retire as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. To ensure an orderly transition, Wright will continue in his current role until June 2014. Wright has served as G&K's Chief Financial Officer for nearly 15 years, since joining the company in 1999. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in 2009, at which time he was also appointed to the company's Board of Directors. In addition to leading G&K's finance organization, Wright has led the company's direct sale business, GKdirect®, since 2009. In addition, he served the industry as Chairman of the Textile Rental Services Association, from 2008 to 2010.
USA Compression Partners, LP (NYSE: USAC) announced that John D. Chandler joined the Board of Directors of its general partner as an independent director. Mr. Chandler currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Magellan GP, LLC, the general partner of Magellan Midstream Partners, LP. From 2003 until 2009, he served in the same capacities for the general partner of Magellan Midstream Holdings, L.P. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Chandler was Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Director of Strategic Development for a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Chandler held various accounting and finance positions with MAPCO Inc.
Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: FURX) announced the appointment of Sailash Patel to the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective November 15, 2013. Mr. Patel replace Marshall Woodworth, who tendered his resignation to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Patel has been with Furiex since its spin-off from PPD LLC, and currently serves as Vice President of Strategic Development. Previously, Mr. Patel served as Vice President of Strategic Development for PPD.
BNSF Railway announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Hund will retire during the first quarter of 2014. Hund will be replaced at that time by Julie Piggott, currently Vice President, Planning and Studies, and Controller. Hund has been chief financial officer since 1999. Piggott has served in her current role since 2009. She previously served as vice president, Finance, and treasurer since 2006. Piggott joined BNSF in 1991 and has held various positions in Finance, including successive roles as assistant vice president, Strategic and Financial Analysis; assistant vice president, Expedited Services, in Consumer Products; and assistant vice president and assistant controller. Prior to joining BNSF, she was with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young and Corporate BancServices.
KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced that Brian K. Ferraioli has been appointed the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He was previously the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for six years at The Shaw Group. Before joining Shaw, Mr. Ferraioli served in numerous roles at Foster Wheeler AG. He began his Foster Wheeler career in 1979 as an internal auditor and rose through the corporate ranks, ultimately becoming a Vice President and Corporate Controller. Currently, Mr. Ferraioli also serves on the board of directors for The Babcock & Wilcox Co., and Adolfson & Peterson Construction.
Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. announced that veteran technology executive Mike Seifert has joined the privately held company as chief financial officer (CFO). Most recently, he served as CFO of PureWave Networks, Inc. Before that, he served as CFO of Multigig, Inc. until its successful 2012 merger with Analog Devices, Inc. He has previously served as CFO or corporate controller of Virage Logic Corp., Southwall Technologies Inc., SiteSmith, Inc., Compression Labs, Inc. and PMC-Sierra, Inc. Earlier in his career, he also spent 10 years with professional services firm Ernst & Young.
SED International Holdings (NYSE: SED) announced that it has hired Stephen M. Dexter as Interim CFO following the resignation of prior CFO Christopher R. Joe. From September 2012 to May 2013, he provided financial support consulting services to CDC Corporation, a former holding company of CDC Software, and to CDC Software, from June 2010 to August 2012. Mr. Dexter served as Chief Financial Officer of CDC Software, from September 2010 to August 2012, and as Chief Accounting Officer of CDC Software, from June 2010 to June 2011.
Evolucia Inc. (OTC: ILED) announced that its Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Charles B. Rockwood, has resigned from the Company for personal reasons. Rockwood will continue to support Evolucia in an advisory role following his resignation to ensure a smooth transition until a new CFO is appointed. In the interim, Mel Interiano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Evolucia, will serve as the principal financial officer until a replacement is named.
Herff Jones announced that John Pitts has been promoted from his current position as Chief Financial Officer of BSN SPORTS ("BSN") to the same post at Herff Jones, effective immediately. Herff Jones acquired BSN, the largest distributor of team sporting goods and school sports apparel in the U.S., in May 2013. Pitts succeeds Mike Parrett, who earlier announced his decision to leave Herff Jones to pursue opportunities outside the company. Prior to joining BSN, Pitts served as Chief Financial Officer for Horizon Health. Prior experience includes Skylink America, Inc. where Pitts served as Controller.
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) said Alvaro Garcia-Tunon has decided to retire as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2014. He will be succeeded by Patrick D. Dugan, who joined Wabtec in 2003 and has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller, and as a member of the company's Executive Office, since January 2012. Garcia-Tunon will remain with the company as a strategic adviser. He joined Wabtec in 1995 and served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility prior to his appointment as CFO in March 2003. Dugan joined Wabtec as Vice President and Corporate Controller in 2003 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2012. Previously, he served as CFO of CWI International and as a manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Cognitiv, Inc. (OTC: COGV) appointed Michael Hlavsa to Chief Financial Officer and Director. Michael was previously the chief financial officer and a director of Gerova Financial Group, Ltd. and Fund.com Inc. Michael also has served as chief executive officer for SunCruz Casinos, before forming Signature Gaming Management LLC, a consulting firm.
CTI Industries Corporation (NASDAQ: CTIB) announced the appointment of Timothy S. Patterson as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Patterson has been employed by the Company for 10 years, as Vice President, and Senior Vice President – Finance and Administration, and for the past three years, has acted as the principal accounting officer of the Company. Mr. Patterson will retain his office and title as Senior Vice President – Finance and Administration.
Square appointed David Viniar to its Board of Directors, where he will also serve as Audit Committee Chairman. Viniar was most recently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Goldman Sachs, and is currently a member of its Board of Directors. After receiving a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, Viniar joined Goldman Sachs in 1980, where he amassed over 30 years of experience. He became the CFO in 1999 and served in that capacity for over 13 years. He was also the head of the Operations, Technology, Finance and Services Division.
Options Group International, LLC announced the departure of Ike Suri, Co-President and CFO. Mr. Suri resigned from OGI to pursue other opportunities, including launching a merchant bank, Pelican Point Capital Partners LLC.
Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBNT) announced it has named Rafael Torres, CFO of OCZ Technology Group and Ubiquiti CFO Craig Foster to the company's board of directors. Since March of 2013, Rafael Torres has been the CFO of OCZ Technology Group. Prior to joining OCZ, Mr. Torres served as CFO and Vice President of Finance for Capella Photonics. From 2006 to 2008, Torres was the CFO and Vice President of Finance for Power Integrations. From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Torres was CFO and Vice President of Finance for PLX Technology.
SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE) announced that it has appointed former Chief Financial Officer of TIAA-CREF, Georganne C. Proctor, as a new independent member of the Board and as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Proctor most recently having served from 2006 to 2010 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President for Enterprise Integration at TIAA-CREF. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, Ms. Proctor served as Executive Vice President of Golden West Financial Corporation from 2003 to 2005 after an 18‑year career at Bechtel. During her time at Bechtel, Ms. Proctor served in roles of increasing importance including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2002, as well as serving as a company director for three years. Prior to Bechtel, Ms. Proctor was finance director from 1991 to 1994 of certain divisions of global, diversified entertainment giant The Walt Disney Company. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation.
Scripps Networks International, the global development arm of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (NYSE: SNI), announced that Simone Nardi, who served in a lead financial role for NBC Universal's international operations, has been named chief financial officer. Prior to that, he served as vice president and chief financial officer for NBC Universal's business development division in New York. He also served briefly as interim chief financial officer and treasurer at Hulu. Nardi joined General Electric Industrial Systems in 1998 and completed its financial management program before moving to the corporate audit staff in 2001. NBC Universal formerly was an operating division of General Electric.
KMG Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: KMG) announced that John V. Sobchak has resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in order to pursue other interests. Mr. Sobchak has served as KMG's CFO since 2001. To ensure an orderly transition, Mr. Sobchak will continue with the company and perform the functions of a chief financial officer through the release of KMG's earnings report for the first quarter and filing of the quarterly report in December. In the interim, Mr. Sobchak is transitioning his responsibilities to Hank Mullen, KMG's Director of Business Development. Mr. Mullen joined KMG in 2008 following KMG's acquisition of the high purity process chemicals business from Air Products & Chemicals. He also worked for AT&T Microelectronics and its successor companies Lucent Technologies and Agere Systems.
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the promotion of John S. Pallies to chief financial officer from vice president, finance and administration. Mr. Pallies joined Syndax in 2007
Perceptron, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRCP) announced that John H. Lowry, III, Vice President and CFO, plans to retire in fiscal 2014. It is expected that Mr. Lowry will be available to assist in the transition of his responsibilities for a period of time following his retirement.
Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE: INGR) announced that CFO and Executive Vice President Cheryl Beebe has decided to retire due to family health issues. Her retirement will be effective January 6, 2014. The company also announced that Jack Fortnum will become the next CFO. Jack Fortnum joined CPC International (Ingredion's former parent company) in 1984. Fortnum is currently President, North America. Before moving to operational management, he held a wide range of key financial roles including Corporate Controller of Corn Products International from the time the Company was taken public until 2001. At CPC International, he was Vice President, Finance, Canadian Corn Refining business and Director, Finance, Latin American Corn Refining business.
RTT USA announced the appointment of Kevin Piontkowski as its new Chief Financial Officer. His most recent experience includes serving as Senior Vice President of Global Finance at Talascend (formerly Modern Engineering). Mr. Piontkowski has managed the financial structure of many leading organizations, including that of Sandy Corporation and Incat. Prior to joining Talascend in 2006, he was a top financial controller at Giffels.


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Apple: No, the App Store Is Not a Monopoly
Apple has urged a U.S. District Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it has a monopoly over iOS apps, saying it has done no wrong.
At a Tuesday hearing, Apple argued that requiring developers to sell their apps through its iTunes App Store and nowhere else is not an antitrust violation, nor is charging devs a 30 percent cut of their proceeds for distibution. Just because there are no third-party storefronts peddling discounted iPhone apps doesn't mean Apple is abusing a monopoly position over iOS apps. The company doesn't set the price for paid applications.
The plaintiffs in the case brought their suit against Apple in 2011, claiming that their inability to legally buy iPhone apps from anywhere but the App Store was proof that Apple is a monopolist.
But Apple, which has fended off similar lawsuits in the past — specifically one that accused it of creating a music-download monopoly with iTunes — says the sort of vertical integration it has created between the iTunes App Store and its iOS devices is perfectly legal. As Apple attorney Dan Wall said during yesterday's hearing, "There's nothing illegal about creating a system that is closed in a sense."


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DOVER — With flu season seemingly winding down, and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcing a peak in its season, the Granite State says it is hesitant to jump to any conclusions with the announcement that a child under the age of 5 died this month. That brings the total number of Granite State deaths for the season to 35.
Chris Adamski, bureau chief for infectious disease in the N.H.'s Division of Public Health with the Department of Health and Human Services, said there were 13 reported deaths in December and there have been 22 so far this month. The state DHHS says the total number is the highest number recorded since 1997.
Adamski said the department is still urging people to get the influenza vaccine even though it is later in the season, which typically runs through April.
"It's not too late to a get flu vaccine," she stressed. "Even though this may have been the peak and we're not sure, people should still go ahead and get vaccinated. It's still fine to do and it is really still recommended."
The state DHHS reports flu activity in the state remains "widespread" though the number of outbreaks and reports of influenza illness in provider settings has decreased. Adamski referred to the dip in outbreaks as a "downward slope" though she added, "It's still a very active season."
In Maine, CDC Director Dr. Sheila Pinette said the number of outbreaks in the state is more than 10 times higher than last year's state figures, with 132 outbreaks reported so far since Jan. 22. She noted outbreaks are mostly occurring at long-term care facilities though two occurred at a day care facility and a university this month.
Pinette also stated at this point she believes Maine's influenza figures for the season have surpassed the numbers recorded there during the national outbreak of H1N1, commonly referred to as "swine flu," in 2009 and 2010.
She added there have been three flu-related deaths reported so far this month in Maine, though there is no requirement for hospitals to report flu deaths so the number may not entirely be a fair representation of the death toll. There have also been no additional announcements of pediatric deaths since a young child reportedly died in Maine in mid-December.
Both state departments released limited information regarding those juvenile deaths and would not provide where the children lived.
The three most prevalent influenza strains recorded this year are Influenza A, or H3N2, Influenza B and H1N1, all of which are covered by this year's vaccine. The New Hampshire DHHS reports an average of 25,000 people die each year in the U.S. from influenza and states the best way for residents to protect themselves is by getting immunized.
Those with the flu are urged to stay home from work or school and to isolate themselves, to practice good "respiratory etiquette," covering their mouths and disposing of used tissues, and to practice thorough hand washing techniques.