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AvenEx Energy Corp. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Results
By: Marketwired .
Nov. 14, 2012 09:03 PM
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/15/12 --
AvenEx Energy Corp. ("AvenEx" or the "Company") (TSX:AVF) is pleased to announce the financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 and to announce they have filed the complete Management Discussion and Analysis and the unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain selected financial and operational information is set out below and should be read in conjunction with AvenEx's unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Management Discussion and Analysis. These filings will be available on the Corporation's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the three months ended September 30 ------------------------------------ (in thousands of $ except for per % share amounts) 2012 2011 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Revenue $ 311,586 $ 281,797 11 Funds from Operations (FFO)(1) $ 9,926 $ 12,115 (18) FFO Per Share(1) - Basic $ 0.18 $ 0.23 (22) Dividends $ 5,700 $ 7,211 (21) Dividends Per Share - Basic $ 0.105 $ 0.135 (25) Dividend Payout Ratio(2) 57% 60% (5) Net Income (Loss) $ 7,214 $ 14,592 (51) Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.27 (52) Total Assets $ 451,419 $ 479,756 (6) Working Capital deficiency(3) $ (64,417) $ (31,338) (106) Mortgages (assets held for sale) $ 3,017 $ 5,451 (45) Wtd. Avg. Shares Outstanding - Basic 54,281,954 53,356,576 2 Shares Outstanding 54,296,362 53,433,980 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the nine months ended September 30 ------------------------------------ (in thousands of $ except for per % share amounts) 2012 2011 Change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Revenue $ 902,173 $ 731,062 23 Funds from Operations (FFO)(1) $ 29,626 $ 38,745 (24) FFO Per Share(1) - Basic $ 0.55 $ 0.73 (25) Dividends $ 18,667 $ 23,868 (22) Dividends Per Share - Basic $ 0.345 $ 0.45 (23) Dividend Payout Ratio(2) 63% 62% 2 Net Income (Loss) $ (10,382) $ 27,323 (138) Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic $ (0.19) $ 0.52 (137) Total Assets $ 451,419 $ 479,756 (6) Working Capital deficiency(3) $ (64,417) $ (31,338) (106) Mortgages (assets held for sale) $ 3,017 $ 5,451 (44) Wtd. Avg. Shares Outstanding - Basic 54,106,419 53,034,857 2 Shares Outstanding 54,296,362 53,433,980 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Funds from Operations ("FFO"), FFO per share are not recognized measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" at the end of this press release.
(2) Dividend Payout Ratio is calculated by dividing the monthly dividends by the FFO.
(3) Working capital deficiency excludes (a) assets held for sale and (b) risk management assets and liabilities.
The Corporation's third quarter 2012 results were ahead of expectations largely on the strength of increased crude by rail business in the Elbow River Marketing Division. Funds from operations though were down 18% from third quarter of 2011 due to the impact of lower oil and natural gas prices and lower production volumes in the Oil & Gas Division. For the quarter ended September 30, 2012, the Corporation had net income of $7.2 million, funds from operations of $9.9 million and dividends of 57% of funds from operations. This dividend payout ratio is slightly ahead of our 60% dividend to funds from operations payout target. In the third quarter of 2011, the Corporation had net income of $14.6 million, funds from operations of $12.1 million and dividends of 60% of funds from operations. Of the third quarter 2012 funds from operations, the Oil & Gas Division provided 45%, with 55% coming from Elbow River, 1% from Real Estate and the Corporate Division used 1%.
The Oil & Gas Division's third quarter 2012 production averaged 3,745 BOE/D, relatively flat compared to a rate 3,834 BOE/D in the second quarter of 2012. This production level was however down 23% from the 4,888 BOE/D in the third quarter of 2011 with oil and NGL's down 10% and natural gas down 33%. Oil and NGL production was down from third quarter 2011 due to natural declines. Natural gas volumes are down due to declines and shut-ins as no new capital has been directed to natural gas projects over the past nine months. Quarterly production volumes were split 51% oil and NGL and 49% natural gas. Third quarter oil and NGL prices were $76.52 per Bbl, down 3% over the same period of the previous year. Natural gas prices were $2.89 per Mcf, down 29% from the third quarter of 2011. During the quarter natural gas prices recovered slightly from second quarter, from ten year low prices, and oil differentials narrowed in the latter half of the quarter increasing pricing over the prior quarter. Compared to the third quarter of 2011, operating netbacks decreased due to the lower crude oil and natural gas prices to $19.40 per BOE versus $21.73 per BOE. This was however an increase over the $17.25 per BOE in the prior quarter of 2012. With the higher oil and natural gas prices, quarterly net operating income for the Oil & Gas Division increased about $665,000 or 11% over the second quarter of 2012 despite recognizing a $375,000 third party prior period processing adjustment on a non-operated property.
The total capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2012 were $3.3 million with the capital program being limited to non-operated Viking projects in south west Saskatchewan and an operated Cardium well in Pembina. Capital expenditures, restricted for the balance of the year to Oil & Gas operating income less Oil & Gas dividend contribution, are forecast to total about $22 million for the full year 2012. For the remainder of the year, AvenEx will continue to focus on oil development programs in the core areas of North Randell and East Pembina, targeting the respective Slave Point and Cardium formations through horizontal drilling. With this level of spending, AvenEx is forecasting the oil and natural gas liquids production to remain flat at third quarter levels for the balance of 2012. With no natural gas development activity, the Oil & Gas Division expects natural gas production to continue to decline at about 5% per quarter.
The Elbow River results were well ahead of third quarter 2011 results with funds from operations of $5.4 million versus $4.3 million in the same quarter of 2011. The quarter benefited from strong crude oil and bitumen by rail shipments as Elbow River was able to take advantage of wide WTI/Brent differentials and continued market volatility. Heavy fuel oils were well above expectations while LPG sales were consistent with expectations and the prior year's LPG sales levels. Refined products were slightly behind the previous year's levels. The third quarter of 2012 will also mark Elbow River's initial physical asset ownership with an investment in a rail handling facility in north west Alberta. The facility, which began operations in August, has enabled Elbow River to initially ship up to 2,000 Bbls/d of heavy crude by rail. A phase two expansion of the facility is underway in the fourth quarter to potentially allow the handling of upwards of 10,000 Bbls/d if demand continues and rail cars can be sourced. The initial rail handling project is expected to pay off its cost in less than one year. The quarter's net income included unrealized gains on financial instruments of $10.8 million on Elbow River's hedged forward sales as a result of changes in the underlying product commodity prices. The gains impact net income but not funds from operations as the gains or losses reverse in the next period when the physical transactions occur. A portion of this gain can be attributed to the reversal of second quarter unrealized losses once the product was physically sold. The fourth quarter, traditionally one of Elbow River's strongest quarters, is expected to be very solid with results ahead of the same quarter of 2011 due to continued strong forecast demand for crude by rail. Further propane upside to 2011 levels is possible if we experience higher cold winter demand than the unusually warm 2011. Crude oil is now expected to be Elbow River's largest product sales segment, passing butane as the traditional sales leader.
During the quarter, the Corporation continued with the disposition of its real estate portfolio in order to focus on its energy related divisions. The Kelowna theatre property was sold in late August for net proceeds of approximately $2 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2012 the final Investment property was sold for net proceeds of approximately $5,800,000, which was used to discharge the $3 million outstanding mortgage and reduce the Oil & Gas Division's bank debt.
AvenEx sold its investment in EnerVest Diversified Income Trust units during the quarter for $4.1 million, with the net proceeds applied to reduce the Oil & Gas Division's bank debt.
We continue to see the benefits of the diversification of an energy marketing company, together with a traditional junior exploration and production company especially as the oil and gas industry deals with continued low natural gas prices and wide crude oil pricing differentials to WTI. However, given the continued low stock price and high trading yield management continues to review the value of its respective divisions to determine whether other structural alternatives may provide greater value to the AvenEx shareholders.
Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $7.2 million, less than the net income of $14.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 as a result of lower realized natural gas prices, a decline in both oil and natural gas production volumes and the recognition of a $2.8 million unrealized loss on Oil & Gas Division's hedge position versus a $4.5 million unrealized gain in the third quarter of 2011. Weaker results in the Oil & Gas Division translated into lower funds from operations of $9.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, down from funds from operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 of $12.1 million.
AvenEx declared dividends of $5.7 million ($0.105 per share) for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 which is down from the $7.2 million ($0.135 per share) distributed for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The third quarter 2012 payout ratio was 57% of funds from operations compared to 60% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and in line with the Corporation's long term target of 60%. The nine month dividend payout ratio as at September 30, 2012 of 63% was similar to the 2011 comparative of 62%.
As of September 30, 2012 AvenEx had approximately 54.3 million common shares issued and outstanding. The common shares of AvenEx trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") under the trading symbol "AVF".
AvenEx Energy Corp. INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As at September 30, December 31, 2012 2011 (in thousands of dollars) $ $ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Current Marketable securities - 4,182 Accounts receivable 99,153 130,739 Prepaid expenses 3,881 3,038 Inventory 39,168 29,735 Risk management assets 4,530 9,489 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 146,732 177,183 Assets held for sale - Real Estate 6,486 10,517 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 153,218 187,700 Exploration and evaluation 34,630 35,500 Property, plant and equipment 195,901 202,914 Intangibles and other assets 10,469 11,428 Goodwill 28,603 28,603 Deferred income taxes 28,598 25,135 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 451,419 491,280 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Bank indebtedness 97,403 102,608 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 107,316 120,170 Dividend payable 1,900 2,406 Risk management liabilities 7,360 3,023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 213,979 228,207 Liabilities of assets held for sale - Real Estate 3,179 3,258 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 217,158 231,465 Decommissioning liabilities 31,883 31,630 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 249,041 263,095 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shareholders' equity Share capital 259,122 254,500 Contributed surplus 6,565 7,545 Deficit (63,309) (34,032) Accumulated other comprehensive income - 172 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 202,378 228,185 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 451,419 491,280 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AvenEx Energy Corp. INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS For the Three months Nine months ended ended September 30 September 30 2012 2011 2012 2011 $ $ $ $ (in thousands of dollars) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVENUE Oil and gas revenue 16,311 21,634 51,144 71,678 Royalties (2,390) (3,613) (7,378) (12,661) Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments (2,813) 4,467 882 4,357 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total oil and gas revenue 11,108 22,488 44,648 63,374 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elbow River revenue 289,433 247,972 867,074 644,932 Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments 10,769 10,684 (10,179) 21,793 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Elbow River revenue 300,202 258,656 856,895 666,725 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gain on sale of marketable securities 179 442 179 442 Interest and other revenue 97 211 451 521 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total revenue 311,586 281,797 902,173 731,062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXPENSES Oil and gas operating 6,681 7,622 20,142 22,968 Oil and gas transportation costs 555 631 1,604 1,797 Elbow River operating 279,862 240,466 840,510 628,040 General and administrative 6,706 5,064 17,709 13,991 Share-based compensation 364 463 1,691 2,215 Bad debt expense (recovery) (19) (308) (16) (1,105) Finance costs 1,388 587 4,538 1,515 Capital taxes 83 93 263 261 Exploration and evaluation expense 413 161 1,176 695 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 5,953 7,135 18,276 22,909 Impairment - - 8,219 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 301,986 261,914 914,112 693,286 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax 9,600 19,883 (11,939) 37,776 Income taxes: Current income tax expense - (317) - (317) Deferred income tax recovery (expense) (2,404) (5,175) 2,392 (10,518) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2,404) (5,492) 2,392 (10,835) Net income (loss) from continuing operations 7,196 14,391 (9,547) 26,941 Net income (loss) from discontinued operations 18 201 (835) 382 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) for the period 7,214 14,592 (10,382) 27,323 Other comprehensive loss: Change in fair value of marketable securities, net of tax (98) (749) (172) (973) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other comprehensive loss (98) (749) (172) (973) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comprehensive income (loss) for the period 7,116 13,843 (10,554) 26,350 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) from continuing operations per share Basic 0.13 0.27 (0.18) 0.51 Diluted 0.13 0.27 (0.18) 0.50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per share Basic and diluted 0.00 0.00 (0.01) 0.01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income (loss) per share Basic 0.13 0.27 (0.19) 0.52 Diluted 0.13 0.27 (0.18) 0.51 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AvenEx Energy Corp. INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 2011 (in thousands of dollars) Number $ Number $ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Share capital Balance, beginning of period 53,475,546 254,500 52,783,690 250,337 Exercise of options 649,600 3,673 650,290 3,909 Settlement of RSUs 171,216 949 - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, end of period 54,296,362 259,122 53,433,980 254,246 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed surplus Balance, beginning of period 7,545 6,144 Exercise of options (1,837) (1,502) Settlement of RSUs (952) - Cash settlement of options (122) (235) Share based compensation capitalized 240 - Share based compensation expensed 1,691 2,551 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, end of period 6,565 6,958 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deficit Balance, beginning of period (34,032) - Net income (loss) for the period (10,382) 27,323 Dividends (18,895) (24,003) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, end of period (63,309) (3,320) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accumulated other comprehensive income Balance, beginning of period 172 1,241 Change in fair value of marketable securities, net of (172) (973) tax ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Balance, end of period - 268 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
AvenEx Energy Corp. INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three months ended Nine months ended For the September 30 September 30 2012 2011 2012 2011 (in thousands of dollars) $ $ $ $ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) from continuing operations 7,196 14,391 (9,547) 26,941 Add (deduct) non-cash items: Share-based compensation 364 463 1,691 2,215 Non-cash general and administrative 252 252 755 755 Exploration and evaluation expense 413 161 1,176 695 Depletion, depreciation and amortization 5,953 7,135 18,276 22,909 Impairment - - 8,219 - Accretion of decommissioning liabilities 467 451 1,372 1,323 Unrealized (gain) loss on financial instruments (7,957) (15,151) 9,297 (26,150) Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign exchange 704 (977) 420 (924) Deferred income tax expense (recovery) 2,404 5,175 (2,392) 10,518 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Funds from continuing operations 9,796 11,900 29,267 38,282 Funds from discontinued operations - Real Estate 130 215 359 463 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9,926 12,115 29,626 38,745 Asset retirement expenditures during period (145) (269) (1,288) (769) Net change in non-cash working capital (267) 18,801 19,315 21,954 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash provided by operating activities 9,514 30,647 47,653 59,930 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Issue of shares, net of issue costs 59 1,914 1,864 2,269 Cash settlement of options and restricted share units (9) (141) (124) (235) Dividends (5,700) (7,211) (18,667) (23,868) Increase (decrease) in bank indebtedness 2,395 (10,395) (5,205) 9,484 Real estate repayment of mortgages (42) (61) (124) (183) Net change in non-cash working capital 58 (95) (1,496) (2,540) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash used in financing activities (3,239) (15,989) (23,752) (15,073) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Oil and gas property acquisitions (6) (136) (61) (9,285) Oil and gas property disposals - 139 47 186 Oil and gas evaluation and exploration, net of divestitures 2 (5,007) (555) (7,147) Oil and gas development expenditures (3,338) (9,338) (16,977) (26,552) Elbow River rail terminal development expenditures (1,274) - (1,542) - Purchase of other assets (30) (114) (85) (423) Real estate dispositions 1,933 - 1,933 - Real estate development expenditures - (33) - (33) Net change in non-cash working capital (3,520) (158) (6,568) (1,663) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash used in investing activities (6,233) (14,647) (23,808) (44,917) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase in cash during the period 42 11 93 (60) Cash, beginning of period - - - - Change in cash within assets held for sale (42) (11) (93) 60 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash, end of period - - - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplemental information: Cash taxes paid 120 71 1,737 331 Cash interest paid 1,223 329 3,503 1,777 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
An electronic copy of this press release may be obtained on AvenEx's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
AvenEx Energy Corp. was created to provide stable, sustainable dividends to shareholders while providing modest growth. AvenEx is focused on energy with two distinct business units, namely Oil & Gas development and production and crude oil and LPG marketing and logistics.
AvenEx trades on the TSX under the symbol AVF. For further information on AvenEx please go to our website at: www.avenexenergy.com.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction. The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein including, without limitation, financial and business prospects and financial outlook, the effect of government announcements, proposals and legislation, plans in its Oil & Gas Division regarding hedging, wells to be drilled, drilling and completion plans, expected or anticipated production rates, suspension of development of the Corporation's gas properties, timing of expected production increases and results, the weighting of production between different commodities, expected commodity prices, exchange rates, production expenses, transportation costs, operating costs and other costs and expenses, maintenance of productive capacity, capital expenditures, focus of the Oil & Gas Division on oil development in the core areas of Randell, Cranberry and East Pembina; plans in the Elbow River Marketing Limited Partnership ("Elbow River") business regarding plans for its ongoing Liquefied Petroleum Gas ("LPG") business, anticipated results in Elbow River in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first part of 2013 ; terms of investment in and capacity of the rail handling facility; expected pay off of cost from initial rail handling project; expected propane upside for Elbow River; Elbow River's largest expected sales segment; plans in the Real Estate Division for the timing and completion of selling assets (and proceeds to be received from such sales), repayment of the mortgages on the assets and the nature of capital expenditures; the timing and method of financing these businesses; anticipated target payout ratios and dividend policy may be forward looking statements. Words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "potential", "continue", "targeted" and similar expressions may be used to identify these forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward looking statements involve significant risk and uncertainties.
A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements including, but not limited to, risks associated with oil and gas exploration: development, exploitation, production, marketing and transportation, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers and the inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; risks associated with its Elbow River business including, but not limited to, counterparty risk in default, operational risks, hedging, access to credit, competitor risk, seasonality and impact of the global recession on overall economic activity; risks associated with the Real Estate Division including, but not limited to the impact the overall economy has on valuations, future delinquencies, access to mortgages and impact on interest rates; as well as the risks associated with AvenEx's incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions; delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; and the risk factors outlined under "Risks and Uncertainties", elsewhere herein, and in AvenEx's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2011 which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The recovery and reserve estimates of AvenEx's reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although AvenEx believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because AvenEx can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which AvenEx operates; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of AvenEx to obtain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; divisional results; the ability of operators to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of AvenEx to obtain financing on acceptable terms; field production rates and decline rates; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas reserves through acquisition, development of exploration; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of AvenEx to secure adequate product transportation; future oil and natural gas prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which AvenEx operates; and the ability of AvenEx to successfully market its products, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates and stock market volatility, credit risk and the ability to realize on collateral in the event of default, failure of counter parties to perform on contracts, fluctuation in the value of real property, failure to produce income or revenue from real estate, failure of tenants to meet lease obligations, increase in property taxes and mortgage, maintenance, insurance, operating costs and decreases in occupancy and rental rates, and fixed costs in relation to variable revenue streams. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhausted.
Forward looking statements and other information contained herein concerning the Oil & Gas Division, Elbow River's business, the Real Estate Division and AvenEx's general expectations concerning these industries are based on estimates prepared by each Division's management and from using data from publicly available industry sources as well as from reserve reports, market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of these industries which AvenEx believes to be reasonable. However, this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics. While AvenEx is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, these industries involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.
These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and AvenEx assumes no obligation to update or review them to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by applicable securities laws.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Funds from continuing operations, funds from continuing operations per share, funds from operations, funds from operations per share, net back and working capital (deficiency) are not recognized measures under IFRS. Funds from operations is calculated by taking cash provided by operating activities on the statement of cash flows adjusted for the effect of changes in non-cash working capital and asset retirement costs incurred. Working capital (deficiency) is calculated by taking current assets less current liabilities excluding balances relating to assets held for sale. Operating netbacks per BOE equal total petroleum and natural gas revenue net of transportation expenses and realized gains on commodity contracts per BOE less royalties per BOE and operating expenses per BOE. Operating netbacks as used in the MD&A do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable with the calculation of similar measures of other entities. Operating netbacks are a useful measure to compare AvenEx's operations with those of its peers). Dividend Payout Ratio is calculated by dividing the dividends by the funds from operations. Management believes that these measures are useful supplemental measures to analyze operating performance as they demonstrate AvenEx's ability to generate the funds from operations necessary to fund future dividends and capital investments. AvenEx's method of calculating these measures may differ from other issuers, and accordingly, they may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. Investors should be cautioned that these measures should not be construed as an alternative to net income, cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS.
"BOE" means barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 Bbl of oil. BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf to 1 Bbl based on an energy equivalent conversion method primarily applicable at the burner top and does not represent a value equivalency at the well head. In addition, given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly difference from the energy equivalency of 6 to 1, utilizing a conversion on 6 to 1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.
The TSX Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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Editor's note: The Giving Spirit has been an annual feature in The Record during the holiday season for almost two decades.
Editor's note: The Giving Spirit has been an annual feature in The Record during the holiday season for almost two decades.
The stories focus on local nonprofit groups and other agencies that help those in need in our community. Over the years, the series has taken on several forms.
This year, we're doing something different. We asked nonprofit leaders to tell the story of their agency's work in their own words.
Contact: (209) 898-6911
Website: breadoflifestockton.org
History: Bread of Life originated in Stockton and dedicates itself to the service of those in desperate need of grocery aid who have financially collided with today's economic crisis.
Twenty years ago founder and president Gina Valadez began to pave a road that would ultimately lead her to Bread of Life. By feeding the homeless and demonstrating the love of Jesus to addicts, prostitutes and the hopeless, Valadez realized her purpose was to help others.
Several years ago while driving through Stockton she noticed an alarming rate of house foreclosures. An idea was planted in her heart to help those struggling just to survive. With the support of her pastor, James Byrd, and her church, in April 2008 Valadez's desire to help families in need became real with the start of the first food giveaway as a ministry of the church. As the number of families looking for assistance grew, demand for supplies became massive. In order to fill the demand for the community, the ministry needed to become its own charity. On Sept. 16, 2010, Bread of Life was born and is now a resource for families in San Joaquin County.
Mission: The mission statement at Bread of Life is to bring hope to families in times of need by providing generous amounts of nutritious supplemental groceries to all who come regardless of race or religious affiliation, teaching people to give by showing love and kindness to everyone that comes for food.
Our service goals are:
� Provide large amounts of groceries to families the third Saturday of every month at the Stockton, Lodi and Tracy locations.
� Mobilize Bread of Life to the inner-city areas by working together with different agencies within the community to pride vast amounts of groceries for the people who do not have means of travel every second Saturday of the month.
� To create a warm and welcoming environment so those receiving groceries don't feel like they are standing in a food line.
� Collaborate with other agencies to provide community resource services on sites such as educational opportunities, employment information, HIV testing and counseling, and health care services.
� Create a team of volunteers with diverse backgrounds and cultures. Including the grocery recipients allows everyone to be part of the community serving the community.
� Sponsor missing children by placing fliers with pictures inside of the grocery bags that are given out.
� Provide refreshments such as coffee, juice, cookies and breakfast items while the people are waiting in line.
The donation needs are always food items, specifically proteins such as meats and eggs and all dairy items. The organization also needs basic toiletries such as toothpaste, soap and toilet paper, etc. The group is currently operating a 1974 GMC box truck that does not have a lift gate and has several mechanical problems. There is a desperate need for a newer commercial boxed truck with a lift gate. The group needs warehouse space in the Stockton area. It uses thousands of brown paper grocery bags monthly and would gladly accept any donations of this sort. The group is an all-volunteer organization, however it takes a vast amount of funds to keep this operation running and all monetary donations of any size are welcomed and much appreciated. Thank you for your support.

subset: commoncrawl


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ROLLINSFORD — The man charged with the vehicular manslaughter of newlywed Leah Fonda Preiss in July is facing 14 Strafford County Superior Court indictments.
ROLLINSFORD — The man charged with the vehicular manslaughter of newlywed Leah Fonda Preiss in July is facing 14 Strafford County Superior Court indictments.
Matthew Tsopas, 44, of 266 County Farm Road in Dover has been handed several indictments for his involvement in the crash that led to the death of the out-of-state honeymooner on July 20 at the intersection of Portland Avenue and Old Mill Lane.
The first indictment states that Tsopas "did commit the crime of manslaughter, in that he did recklessly cause the death of another, Leah Preiss by driving an Infiniti automobile on Route 4, a fifty five mile an hour undivided highway, in the wrong lane of travel, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, controlled drug, prescription drug or any combination thereof, causing a collision with a Kia Spectra being operated by Brian Preiss in which Leah Fonda Preiss was a passenger."
The manslaughter offense is listed as a special felony with a 30-year penalty.
Tsopas is also being indicted on a charge of three counts of the Class B felony of aggravated driving while intoxicated which led to serious bodily injury of Brian Preiss in the crash, including fractures to his skull, a subdural hematoma and a fractured wrist. Each count carries a 3 � to 7-year penalty.
There is also an indictment for a Class B reckless conduct felony carrying another 3 � to 7-year penalty for swerving frequently into the oncoming lane of travel on Roberts Road preceding the crash.
Also separate from and before the actual collision, Tsopas received three indictments for the Class A misdemeanor of simple assault for striking three individuals and throwing a drink at one. He also received one count of attempted simple assault for swinging a stick at one of the individuals.
Tsopas was also handed four indictments for conduct after an accident, Class A misdemeanors. The charges relate to Tsopas' actions in the Rollinsford American Legion parking lot some time before he drove onto Portland Avenue and became involved in the fatal crash. The indictments state Tsopas was knowingly involved in an accident that resulted in damage to a Toyota Prius, a Toyota Corolla, a Chevy Blazer and a Chevy pickup truck, as Tsopas was leaving the Legion parking lot. It says he failed to stop at the scene to provide his information or report the accident to the police.


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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Aug. 8, 2012) – With the start of the 2012 ETSU volleyball season set to begin in less than three weeks, the Buccaneers opened preseason camp with their first team practice on Wednesday morning inside Brooks Gym.
"The first practices of the season tend to have the players a little nervous, but overall I was pleased with their effort and focus this morning," said head coach Lindsey Devine. "In our team meeting prior to practice, the coaches and returning players talked about last season and how the team thought we underachieved; despite having a lot of freshmen on the court in key positions. With that being said, the approach to this new season is "Taking care of the unfinished business."
The Bucs, who made their fifth straight appearance in the Atlantic Sun semifinals in 2011, return eight letterwinners and four starters from last season's squad. With the Blue and Gold graduating seniors Kiley Tamblyn (Torrance, Calif.), Jamie Stancliff (Advance, N.C.), and McKayla Barber (Columbus, Ind.), Devine and her staff were busy on the recruiting circuit as they brought in five new faces – Khadijah Wiley (Columbus, Ga.), Hailey Pennington (Plainfield, Ill.), Jessica Schafer (Dekalb, Ill.), Ashleigh Shain (Geneva, Ill.), and Laura Lawman (Cleveland, Tenn.).
"We have some holes to fill with the graduation of our seniors, so the freshmen have to be ready to play," said Devine. "These freshmen who have joined our program are more athletic and come in with a high level of volleyball IQ."
Of the eight letterwinners returning, junior Megan Devine (Kingsport, Tenn.) and sophomore Meredith Hardy (Kingsport, Tenn.) look to build off their all-conference seasons in 2012. Devine, a First Team All-Atlantic Sun and Atlantic Sun All-Tournament Team selection last season, played in all 31 matches and set the ETSU single-season record for kills per set (4.16). In addition, Devine also posted the second highest school marks in kills (503) and attack attempts (1,358), while ranking 34th nationally in kills per set and 54th in points per set (4.51). Meanwhile, Hardy was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team, and ranked sixth in the A-Sun (first among freshman) in blocks per set (0.84) and 10th in the A-Sun (third among freshman) in hitting percentage (.246).
Joining Hardy in their second year with the Bucs and looking to build off impressive campaigns are sophomores Jamie Rutledge (Kingsport, Tenn.), Bethany Gesell (High Point, N.C.), Ivey Rice (Johnson City, Tenn.), and Katie Muey (Alexandria, Ind.), along with senior Kayla Williams (El Paso, Texas). Williams and Rutledge both were among the top-10 leaders in the A-Sun in assists per set, as Williams ranked fourth (9.36) and Rutledge was eighth (8.28).
"We have a lot of returning faces and we will be more experienced this season than we were in 2011," Devine said. "The core of our returning players are stronger and they also hit some personal records in our physical testing."
Wednesday marked the first of 20-plus practices for ETSU as the Bucs prepare for their season opener on Friday, Aug. 24 against UNC Asheville in the Gamecock Invitational.
For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.


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No Doubt Announce Album Release Date
Good news, No Doubt fans! The wait for their new album is officially almost over."Hi everyone! We are the band No Doubt," Tony Kanal said, set to the tune of 'Underneath It All' and screaming archived fan footage. The rest of the band introduced themselves, because, hey, it has been a while. "We've been sharing a lot of information with you, but there's one piece of information we've held back," Kanal said. "But today might be the day to tell you that."
Stefani finished Kanal's thought — sort of. "Our record is coming out on September 26th," she said, giving her signature red-lipped, gummy grin. Her announcement was followed with some finger wags, giggles and canned applause. "I mean, September 25th!"
The band previously bummed fans out when they revealed in September 2011 that their album wouldn't see the light of day for a while. In a statement on NoDoubt.com, the 'Just a Girl' rockers wrote, "Ideally our new record would be coming out this year but it's just not ready yet. We don't want to rush this album just to get it out. This collection of songs means everything to us and our only priority right now is to make sure that it's the best album we can possibly make. There is still more work for us to do."
In March, No Doubt celebrated their 25th anniversary in the studio. The as-yet-untitled new record will be the band's first since 2001′s 'Rock Steady.' Since then, the guys and Gwen have all started families, with their famous frontwoman also releasing two acclaimed hit solo albums.
We guess all that work they had to do is done!
Watch No Doubt Talk About Their New Album Release


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There are times when I wish that I had been kinda sassy and brave enough to stand against what I was being told to do when I was a younger woman and started attempting to write before life became complicated, like adult life generally is.
Instead of going to teachers college I wish I had tried to write novels like the ones I would lose myself in for hours at a time instead of doing my assignments. I wish I hadn't listened to the university lecturer who told me point blank that writing for children was the hardest form of writing, that only the very best should ever attempt it and decide there and then that it wasn't for me.
And yet, if I'm honest with myself, when I look back to the works I wrote, they lacked depth, understanding and mostly it lacked soul. If I hadn't travelled the journey that has brought me to this place in my life, I think that my dream of becoming a published author would be nothing but a pipe dream, or maybe not a dream at all.
What truly matters is that I think the dream is worth striving for even now. Even when I think it's beyond reach; that I've lost the chance to be what I believe God has designed me to be, I believe it's worth continuing to try.
I just wish that there were more hours in the day to devote to the striving. More hours…? Or more productive hours? Hmm… not sure I like what that line of thought is suggesting.
Oh that imaging the stories and putting them down on paper didn't cause me to struggle and work as they do. I long for the day that the writing comes effortlessly. I wish that I didn't need outside validation as much as I still do. That when I read a piece of work created a few years ago I didn't cringe and think… "Oh, that's baaaad!" but rather that I saw the talent that is within me.
But it's OK. Even when rather than sassy self belief, there are long weeks of self-doubt, when the writing just doesn't come at all, its all part of the journey.


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Dick Chazal popped in at the 130th anniversary celebration of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church on Sunday afternoon and mused about all the changes that have taken place since he was a boy. A lifetime member, Chazal, who turned 88 on Monday, still serves with outreach programs and is a minister of the Eucharist at Sunday masses.
Dick Chazal popped in at the 130th anniversary celebration of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church on Sunday afternoon and mused about all the changes that have taken place since he was a boy. A lifetime member, Chazal, who turned 88 on Monday, still serves with outreach programs and is a minister of the Eucharist at Sunday masses.
He said the early gatherings were held in different locations before the church was named Blessed Trinity.
"Back in the 1930s, when I was a boy, we only had about 100 Catholics in the whole county," Chazal said. "The county was 90 percent Protestant. We were a minority. Most of the people would look at us and say, 'What in the world is a Catholic?' It's so different now. We have seven masses on the weekend."
Chazal said the first Catholic church met in downtown Ocala, a few blocks from City Hall. Named St. Philip Neri Church, it started as a mission of St. Monica's in Palatka.
"My mother and daddy used to go to that one," Chazal said. "The next one was on Silver Springs Boulevard. That's the one I went to most of my life. I was an altar boy. It was a lovely stone church that seated about 100, and it had a balcony. The choir was always above you. The altar was much simpler. I liked it because there wasn't a distraction."
In 1922, 135 parishioners built a new sanctuary and changed the name to Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. The 17th Street facility was built in the early 1970s. Over the years, between the congregation's generosity and occasional fundraisers, Blessed Trinity was able to build an elementary school, a gymnasium, a memorial garden and several auxiliary buildings at the 17th Street location, plus a high school on 55 acres on Shady Road, primarily under the direction of the Rev. Patrick Sheedy.
Also under Sheedy, the church added such ministries as Angels in Arms Child Care, an elder care facility and an adoration chapel that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sheedy said it is one of his favorite additions.
"It's probably the smallest addition, but the most influential of all of them, because it affects every one of the ministries," Sheedy said. "It's been there 20 years now, and people drop in and out. It's a place of refuge and a quiet place."
Considered Ocala's oldest Catholic parish, Blessed Trinity started local missions in Citra, in the Ocala National Forest and on State Road 200, plus a Hispanic mission on State Road 40. The church established a sister parish, Blessed Trinity Nalweyo, in Uganda. Blessed Trinity also was instrumental in establishing other Catholic churches that became separate parishes, including Queen of Peace and Our Lady of the Springs in Ocala, St. Theresa's in Belleview and St. John the Baptist in Dunnellon.
A primary outreach program is Brother's Keeper, which operates a thrift store and soup kitchen, and gives assistance to needy families.
Sheedy said when he came here nearly 25 years ago, Blessed Trinity's congregation had more than 2,000 families. That number has grown to more than 4,000, he said.
For Sunday's celebration, Bishop John Noonan of the Orlando Diocese came to say the 11 a.m. Mass. Also present was the Rev. Frank Smith, who led the construction of the 17th Street sanctuary.
Sheedy said Smith wasn't prepared for all the changes that had taken place since he retired.
"He said he didn't know the place," Sheedy said. "The school had tripled in size. Lots of things had happened, and he said he couldn't find his way around."
Dubbed "Diversity," Sunday's celebration included a color guard of flags honoring many of the 60 countries represented by the church's diverse congregation. Josephine Leyte-Vidal, who organized the program, said the Mass was held in the gymnasium because it can seat 900 people.
"It was standing room only," said Leyte-Vidal. "They were lined up along the walls, three deep."
Following the Mass, activities on the grounds included children's games, food vendors, entertainment and an arts and crafts exhibit.
Leyte-Vidal said the entire program was put together by parishioners.
"I had 10 committees," she said. "There's a huge amount of talent in this church. That's why it's so amazing to put something like that together. You pull someone out of the woodwork, and it's amazing the talent you find."


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Engaged in activities that created bonding experiences such as hiking, swimming, preparing food, camping, snorkeling, and sailing together, the eighth graders took ohana into their soul lives. The eighth grade students also learned a life lesson: each of us must take ownership of our world, that it takes each individual to care for our planet and its resources, that we must consider each other and the earth itself as one big ohana, for a family loves, and with love comes compassion.
Mahalo, Hawaii Outdoor Institute. Mahalo, DWS Classof 2013 (for the honor of being your teacher). Mahalo, Hawaii.
We are ohana.


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Big Sam's Funky Nation
Exciting Urban Funk
- Date:
- Friday, Jun 29, 2018
- Time:
- 7:00pm
- Cost:
- $35-30
- Category:
- Ticketed
Big Sam's Funky Nation Media
- Website:
- bigsamsfunkynation.com
About Big Sam's Funky Nation
Big Sam's Funky Nation is a driving force of urban funk. Led by trombonist/vocalist Big Sam Williams, the Funky Nation's signature Noladelic Powerfunk sound masterfully combines a rock sensibility with jazz improvisation and the horn-heavy front section that's the hallmark of big band funk.
After playing trombone for only three years, Big Sam was picked up by New Orleans institution the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, a job he took when he was 19 years old. Sam learned the brass band tradition as quickly as he learned the horn itself, and set out to put his own twist on the music.
Sam has not only taken over the New Orleans scene: the Funky Nation is a festival favorite across North America and in Europe. Sam anchored the horn section for Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello for their "River In Reverse" record and tour. Sam has also appeared with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Dave Matthews, Ozomatli, and Widespread Panic.
What Other People Have Been Saying...
"the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz… Williams turns the trombone into a brass machine gun, sputtering rapid-fire bursts against the big, fat grooves the band supplies." -San Francisco Chronicle
"He's got the chops of Louis, the charisma of Dizzy, the oomph of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the understanding that it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing… and a whole lotta funk." -Rachel Levitin, welovedc.com


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A recent Cook County court ruling makes it possible for transgender people in Illinois to correct the gender on their birth certificates without undergoing genital surgery, but advocates say there's more work to do and that the current law still requires surgery that can be dangerous, expensive or unwanted.
"It certainly is a step forward," said June LaTrobe, vice chair and public policy director for Illinois Gender Advocates, about the drop in the genital surgery requirement. "However, there are a number of reservations [the trans community has] about it."
Previously, in order to change the gender on an Illinois birth certificate, transgender men and women had to prove they had undergone surgery on their genitals. After last week's ruling, people who'd like to correct their gender need to prove they've had surgery of some kind. The change came about as the result of the petition of three people represented by the ACLU of Illinois.
John Knight, director of the LGBT project of the ACLU of Illinois and one of the attorneys working on the case, said in 2005, the state began requiring that people who asked for changes to the gender on their birth certificate show proof that they had undergone genital surgery. The lawsuit that resulted in the recent change was filed in May 2011.
"That's great for a lot of people. That's what we asked for in this case," Knight said. "It doesn't fix the entire problem, from our perspective. There will be a future need for some legislative or a court case."
That's because the state of Illinois has a specific law on the books, the Vital Records Act, that requires surgery to get gender changed on a birth certificate. So the law would have to be changed in the state legislature, LaTrobe said.
"We are well aware that to change a statute you need a new statute," she said. "It's legitimate to look at the act and bring it up to date. That's a priority, frankly, for the [transgender] community going forward."
The reason for that is simple, advocates like LaTrobe say: Gender reassignment surgery can be complicated, undesirable or unobtainable for many trans men and women. She said male-to-female surgery can cost $30,000, and female-to-male genital surgery can be three times that amount.
LaTrobe also said some trans people have medical complications that prevent them from being able to get any surgeries safely.
"It's financial reasons, health reasons and then it is a case of ... it's putting a tremendous emphasis around a certain part of your anatomy to define who you are," LaTrobe said.
The requirement to have genital surgery to get an amended birth certificate put Illinois at the back of the pack nationally in terms of transgender rights, said Lisa Mottet, transgender civil rights project director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"The policy requiring genital surgery very specifically actually made Illinois one of the worst states," she said, calling the old regulation "absolutely, completely burdensome and out of step with most states in the U.S. It was a very backward policy."
Mottet said a survey of transgender people in the U.S. found that 60 percent of them have not had any surgery at all. Even fewer, about 20 percent of trans women and 2 percent of trans men, have had genital surgery.
Even with the removal of the genital surgery requirement in Illinois, she said, "that still does not leave [Illinois] in great company" in terms of transgender rights. "There is a movement to get rid of surgery-based rules."
The ideal regulation, say advocates like Matt Wood, staff attorney for the Transgender Law Center, would be based on rules the State Department has for getting a passport, or ones like the law California recently passed. California requires merely that "clinically appropriate treatment for the purposes of gender transition" be undertaken. What those clinically appropriate steps are would be up to the transgender person and his or her doctor.
"We do believe it's a decision best made by the person and their doctor," Wood said, pointing out that traveling, employment and driving can all be challenging without proper documentation. A law that forces trans people to jump through surgical hoops, he said, "forces a person for the rest of their lives ... [to] always have a document that doesn't match who they are. And that has consequences"
LaTrobe said any potential changes to the Illinois law would likely not come down the pike until next year at the earliest, but she and other advocates say the fix will be necessary as society grows in its understanding of trans people.
"The whole notion of telling people that they have to have a particular kind of medical care is itself based on a misunderstanding of what it means to be transgender," Knight said. "What really matters for someone's sex and gender is what their brain tells them ... not what their genitals are. I think that's something we really have a lot of education to do" on.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.


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Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is entering the final year of his contract and he thinks that he's going to get ample opportunities to bump up his asking price this season.
Maclin thinks that he is going to have a bigger role in the offense this season with Chip Kelly as head coach than he did when Andy Reid was on the sideline. Maclin explains that Reid's offense prioritized getting the ball to DeSean Jackson, which he believes explains why he has yet to cross the 1000-yard mark in any of his first four seasons.
"I'm going to be honest, the last offense was geared to the position that D-Jack played," Maclin said, via Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com. "That's just what it was. That's just what it was. So the fact that I was able to personally accomplish what I accomplished, I think as far as the position I was playing, I think that's above what that guy normally does. D-Jack and I were able to complement each other, and it worked well. But that's just how the offense was tailored."
Maclin hasn't put up gaudy totals of receiving yards, but he's scored more touchdowns than Jackson and measures up well with other receivers like Hakeem Nicks and Dez Bryant who were drafted around the same time. If Maclin winds up playing as big a role in this offense as he believes, the chances of a breakout year look pretty good and he could find himself garnering the kind of Pro Bowl consideration that those NFC East rivals have enjoyed recently.


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As an aspiring horror writer, living in a small town could be considered to be, in some ways, ideal.
As an aspiring horror writer, living in a small town could be considered to be, in some ways, ideal.
Some of the best horror stories I've read seem to take place in small towns. Stephen King's IT, Peter Straub's Ghost Story, as just two examples. This is true sometimes of movies, as well. The reason this is, I think, is that there's just something about small towns.
For one, a small town is a personal place. Not too many places to go, plenty of people who you either know well or have met before--the familiarity of a small town, like Mount Shasta, is both beautiful, comforting, and when used correctly or looked at in a different sort of light, it can be just as haunting. Which is, I must add, also beautiful and comforting, in some ways!
Although Mount Shasta isn't haunted, at least not to my knowledge, it certainly provides that great atmosphere that comes along with a great and in some ways idyllic small town, and even sometimes inspiration. Admittedly, I've even wished or pretended for the sake of the feeling and emotion and for my writing, while walking through it in the emptying hours of the evening (as Mount Shasta seems to grow empty as evening progresses, giving it a quiet and sometimes eerie sort of feeling that can be, in some ways, sort of exciting), that it is haunted, or holds some sort of inexplicable secrets of that nature. Mount Shasta is certainly a perfect setting for a ghost story, in some respects I think, and I've always been intrigued enough with the paranormal to all but actually wish that it were a haunted town. It would be different, and probably exciting or at least interesting, in addition to being potentially terrifying.
There is of course that belief in being surrounded by spirits and paranormal energy at all times, and being a somewhat spiritual person as well as being a writer, I don't debate these sorts of things much although I do a lot of thinking about them, I find that there is a lot to be said about energy, and atmosphere, and history. Some places, for example, are better for creativity and for being open in those sorts of emotional ways, while some aren't. There's energy in the air, and the air of a small town like Mount Shasta is so peaceful, so quiet and lovely, and when looked at in just the right way, can be pleasantly eerie. Especially in winter, or autumn. I like to go on walks with music such as the theme from William Peter Blatty's classic, The Exorcist, and build upon those feelings and the atmosphere, and though I of course do these things for the sake of my writing, I also do them for my mind, and for the sake of doing them, which I think is an important thing in life. Walks are important, because they could be considered symbolic of allowing yourself to slow down, take a break, let yourself be out somewhere with just yourself and nature.
As for the idea of a haunted small town though, it's a scary idea, great and traditional towards the concept of a great horror story, and I think that it's just as wonderful of a thought as a normal small town, which in itself could be haunting. A person can look at life through any lens they wish, and what some would call the "darkness" can be just as beautiful as anything else, I think. Well...sometimes!


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New York, NY, June 18, 2006 - MidOcean Partners, a New York and London-based private investment firm and ACI Capital, a New York-based private investment firm, today jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell weight management firm Jenny Craig to Nestle in a transaction valued at approximately $600 million. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.
Jenny Craig is one of the largest weight management firms worldwide with over 3,000 employees and over 600 centers in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Jenny Craig offers a comprehensive program that helps clients lose and maintain their weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building an active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living. Since being acquired by MidOcean Partners and ACI Capital in May 2002, Jenny Craig has grown its revenues and profits substantially by investing in its people and operations and reinvigorating its brand.
Rob Sharp, a Managing Director of MidOcean Partners, said, "We have enjoyed working with our partners at both ACI Capital and Jenny Craig to implement our shared strategic vision for the company. Working together, we expanded the company's product offerings and enhanced its delivery channels, positioning Jenny Craig for continued success in the rapidly growing weight loss sector. We are proud of our track record of bringing significant value and improvements to our portfolio companies." Kevin Penn, a Managing Director of ACI Capital, added, "We are very proud of our association with Jenny Craig, which exemplifies our strategy of partnering with talented managers to help grow businesses. Through our collaboration with the Jenny Craig team and our partners at MidOcean, we increased profitability and implemented a number of new strategic initiatives that position the company for future growth. We are confident that Jenny Craig has tremendous opportunities ahead as an integral part of Nestle."
Patti Larchet, Vice Chair and CEO of Jenny Craig, said, "Partnering with ACI Capital and MidOcean was a great opportunity for us to further develop our business. Their contributions on both a strategic and operational level have been invaluable in helping position us for continued growth. We are excited to be partnering with Nestle Nutrition and believe Jenny Craig will ?t nicely into, and in fact complement, their portfolio of branded nutritional products and services. We also believe being a strategic pillar within the Nestle organization will provide us with technical, scientific and nutritional resources to further develop our program and continue to enhance our client experience and results."
In May 2002, MidOcean Partners and ACI Capital acquired Jenny Craig in a take-private transaction. Sid and Jenny Craig. the company's founders, invested alongside MidOcean and ACI in the acquisition.
About MidOcean Partners
MidOcean Partners is a premier private equity firm focused on the middle market. Based in New York and London, MidOcean is committed to investing in high-quality middle market companies with stable market positions and opportunities for growth. MidOcean brings significant management expertise, depth of experience and an international presence to the middle market. Close coordination between its London and US offices affords MidOcean the ability to compare the relative value of investments across regions and the flexibility to capitalize on regional industry trends. Targeted sectors include consumer and leisure, media and communications, business and financial services and select industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.midoceanpartners.com
About ACI Capital
ACI Capital is a leading private investment firm with nearly 50 years of history leading middle-market management buyouts and growth capital investments throughout North America. ACI Capital makes equity investments in market leading public and private companies, partnering with management to increase the value of their businesses. Areas of focus include consumer and lifestyle businesses, franchising, direct marketing and business services. Current ACI Capital portfolio companies include the Sundance Catalog Company, Healthy Directions, Excel Polymers, Accent Energy and Cornhusker Energy Lexington. For more information, visit www.acicapital.com.
About Jenny Craig
The Jenny Craig Program is an effective Food/Body/Mind approach that helps clients manage their weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building an active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living. Jenny Craig provides individualized, safe and effective weight loss and embodies the philosophy of the company's founders, Sid and Jenny Craig. The company leverages the expertise of its highly regarded Medical Advisory Board, comprised of renowned experts in the fields of medicine, psychology, nutrition, exercise, physiology and lifestyle change. Jenny Craig was started in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia and began its U.S. operations in 1985. The company is now headquartered in Carlsbad, CA and has over 3,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.jennycraig.com.


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Inspiring and motivational track featuring piano and orchestra. Created for coporate use and for scoring uplifting commercials or various presentations and video projects.Can also be used as an audio logo.
Mp3 file included.
Not quite what you need ? Browse my collections and you will surely find a fit for your project !


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Jills First Bi Experience
We had been dating a quite a while, every since college. I met Jill at a football game along with one of her friends, Tara. We hit it off right from the start. She loved sports and I had played wide receiver when in high school. Although, I certainly was not college caliber, we did enjoy going to games and enjoying the college life. We certainly had a good time party and having sex while trying to get a degree.
After college we grew apart and I took a job in Texas and she went back to Kansas. We did not see each other for about 6 months. Then out of the blue, she told me she wanted to come and live with me. Of course this was fine with me. Besides, I missed her sweet pussy and great blowjobs. Jill has no inhibitions when it comes to sex, she will try anything once.
While dating I introduced her to the fine art of erotic porn. Jill thought I was a pervert to watch hot porn. I must admit I enjoyed watching a good fuck and suck scene. At first she was rather prudish. But I did catch her peeking into the room when I would be sitting there in my shorts stroking my cock watching a hot bitch take a cock in the ass and one in her mouth. Jill did enjoy the raging hard the flicks helped me achieve. I would watch a hot movie and then fuck her eyes out. Then one day, she told me she was going to watch a porn movie with me from beginning to end. Just so happened I had rented a hot flick named Dinner Party. This is fabulous ?erotic? art in my opinion. It has a super girl on girl scene. As we watched, my cock got brick hard and I noticed Jill squirming around on the sofa. Finally I asked her if she liked the bi scene and she then proceeded to tell me about her bi experiences. Sometimes, it?s amazing what you don?t know about someone you have spent several years with.
At first she just wanted to give me just a tease about what happened, but I was persistent. It started when she was a junior in college. Jill proceeded to fill me it. She was in a marine biology class that required the class to make a field trip to marine lab on the gulf coast. Due to cost constraints, she had to bunk with another person, which happened to be her instructor, which was a female. Jill told me that Carol was only 30 and she thought she was real cool for an instructor. The first night, the two of them went out to a restaurant and had dinner, with wine. According to Jill, right much wine. Later they returned to the hotel and Jill put on her pjs. Then Carol came out of the bathroom in a sheer baby doll-sleeping gown. Very revealing according to Jill, you could see her nipples and the fact that she shaved completely. Jill said she had drunk too much and her head was spinning. Soon Carol asked Jill if she minded if she shaved. Jill, assuming that meant under her arms and legs, but boy was she wrong. Carol went to the bathroom and emerge with shaving cream and a razor. Then she stepped out of her sheer French cut panties and told Jill she was going to shave her pussy. Jill told me she stunned but could not help but watch. When Carol finished, she looked at Jill and asked her did she shave her ?kitty.? Jill still in a daze, answered no, but did tell Carol that she trimmed regularly. By this time I had my cock in my hand and Jill proceeded to tell me that Carol asked her if she wanted her to shave her kitty for her. Dazed and confused, Jill answered, yes. Carol jumped over to Jill?s bed and started to slide Jill?s pj bottoms off. Carol was a bit surprise to see the Jill had no panties on, and exclaimed, on my, what a gorgeous kitty you have. Carol lathering her up and starting shaving her pussy. Jill told me she just laid there as her head continued to spin. Carol finished and started to towel Jill?s freshly balding pussy. The Carol told her, when its first slick like this, it deserves a kiss and she leaned over and kiss her freshly shaved pussy right where the slit starts. As a reflect action, Jill told me she slightly spread her legs, to this Carol asked her ?are you inviting me for more? With that, Jill said all she could do was moan, and that was Carol?s key. She took the tip of her tongue and started to lick down the slit, kissing Jill?s swollen pussy lips as she proceeded. The her tongue found Jill?s erect clit and Carol started licking it feverishly for what Jill thought was an eternity. Jill told me finally she was twisting and turning and exploded with a mind-blowing orgasm.
By this time I was going crazy and asked her what else happened. She told me that Carol then straddled her face and she tasted her sweet pussy as Carol started again licking her. After two more orgasms, Jill told me she felt Carol?s body start to shudder and then felt warm pungent liquid start to flow into her open mouth. Carol was cumming into her mouth and she was licking it up as fast as she could. She told me that it started to run down her chin and out the side of her mouth. Then all of a sudden she felt Carol spin around and kiss her, plunging her tongue deep inside her mouth. Jill said they made love all night long.
After hearing all this, I was out of my mind stroking my hard cock. I stood up and jerked off all over Jill?s face and asked her if it was hot as Carol?s.


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Sooner or later, South American beans will be available for shipment. The Brazilian crop is expected to reach a record 83.5 million tonnes. Argentina is bouncing back from a drought-reduced crop and is expecting a 28% jump in its crop, to 51.5 million tonnes. The market should be amply supplied.
The March crop report estimated global ending stocks at 23% of usage, compared with 21.5% last season and 27.7% in 2010-11. Not large enough to get too bearish over, and low enough to leave the market vulnerable to the performance of the upcoming 2013-14 US crop.
Some estimates for U.S. soybean acreage are substantially higher than the USDA's Outlook 77.5-million-acre estimate. Charts 1, 2, and 3 show that new-crop soybean prices lost ground to cotton, but, more importantly, maintained their strength throughout the entire planting planning season against wheat and corn. So it would be a surprise if acreage did not come in near the higher end of estimates.
Stand aside, but stay tuned.


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Sunday, June 23, 2013
Salon Int. de la Maison de Poupee
27 comments:
So glad you found an apartment. I am in the process of making apricot jam, but I am thinking maybe I should have just bought some Bonne Maman. I don't mind the work, but I think I picked an inferior recipe or maybe I am just impatient.ReplyDelete
Bear was right! What a show!ReplyDelete
Your aquarelle..:)as a very young girl..Bécassine..was one of my favorite heroines:)ReplyDelete
I loved her..and you just brought back a flood of memories..must go Google what she has been up to:)
I do love miniatures..still have our daughters 2 dollhouses in the attic w/ some furnishings and even a small dollhouse in my kitchen..on top of the cupboards..should refresh it:)
Those miniatures are all such beautiful works of art..
We must do a housewarming for you when you move!
Bear looks positively huge beside the minis..(sshhhh.. don't repeat this..it's all in the perspective of things:) )
It was a pleasure to meet you today. And of course bear! I love the photo with the aquarelle and the cherry in the basket. What a great idea Carol!ReplyDelete
Bear..I know that..that is why I said it was the perspective..ReplyDelete
You are perfect..just the way you are..if I was in a house of miniatures..I would be the Friendly Giant.
Truly Bear.. x
Plus you are dressed to the nines in Paris w/ your black and white..and stripes.
Je t'aime.
Oh my gosh...I would have given anything to have been there!!!-ReplyDelete
The wicker and the trunks...my favorites!!!
Love the wicker and the trunks---but the cherry in the basket, is definitely the best!ReplyDelete
That cherry/cerise needs to STOP eating French patisserie. It could barely fit into the petite pannier ;((Delete
- Anonymous9:48 AM
I think etsy is how I discovered you. You have inspired me to have my chef aka my husband become a great maccaron maker:)ReplyDelete
What a smart cookie!Delete
- Replies
I believe so LynnDelete
You'll have to check the site SIMP
Oh, I'm glad Bear made you go! He has such great ideas.ReplyDelete
What wonderful miniatures. I love the puppet theatres and the bear musicians, but oh the boulangerie!! Hope you gave in to temptation and bought something. After all, they are miniatures, so they won't be hard to move!
I bought one teeny tiny radish (2€)ReplyDelete
See above bottom right


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Today's Meditation
Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
-1 Timothy 4:14 (NRSV)
My father loves roses. Once after he moved into a new house, he planted 12 rose bushes. To celebrate, my sister and I each sent him a gift. I sent a green plastic bucket to hold kitchen scraps until he could put them on his compost heap. She sent a crystal bud vase.
Our gifts tell something about each of us. My sister is elegant; I am practical. But Dad assured us, "Both of your gifts are equally needed and equally welcome."
Our heavenly parent is like my dad. God does not expect the same from all of us. Because God made us and made us different, God delights in us just as we are. God wants each of us to offer the gifts that best express who we are and what we have to give.
Patricia H. Sprinkle
(Georgia, USA)
Prayer: Dear God, lead us to discover the gifts you have planted within us so that we can give our best to you. As Jesus taught us, we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."*
Thought for the Day: God made us and loves us as we are.
© 2009-2018 Spencer Evening World, Inc. | Privacy Policy
No commercial reproduction without written consent.
Electronic reproduction of any kind forbidden without written consent.


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Super-Cool School Supplies
These back-to-school tools rule! Stock up now and watch 'em beg to do their homework in September.
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Clip Art
Secure her schedule with this fashion forward clipboard that's made from 100% recycled paperboard!
Sustainable Earth Pink Zebra Clipboard at Staples stores , $5.99
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This cute as can be tape dispenser will make doing homework a little sweeter.
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Even PB&J looks good in this insulated stretchy neoprene bag.
La Fonda Lunch Purse, at builtny.com , $45
- Jon Whittle
Zip It!
This vibrantly colored pencil bag is machine-washable—perfect for kids who forget to cap their pens and markers.


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When your teen comes home slurring, swaying and smelling of alcohol, here's a research finding that will help you pinpoint whom to finger as the major "bad influence" in the kid's life. First, a couple of hints: It's not that rowdy gang of boys your son hangs out with, and it's not those girls who wear too much makeup that your daughter's fallen in with. It's also not the new love interest in your kid's life, either (well, not precisely).
In fact, a new study finds the most potent change agent upon your kid's risky drinking behavior is his new girlfriend's group of BFFs, or her new boyfriend's entourage of guys.
That's right. Her love interest's guy friends appear to set the drinking standard that your daughter is most likely to emulate. And the girlfriends of the girl he likes are the major influence on how your son's habit of drinking -- and binge drinking -- changes.
Complex? Yes, but this is teen world we're talking about here, and no one ever said it would be simple.
This finding emerges from a clever and diabolically complicated study published in the American Sociological Review this week. To reach this conclusion, researchers tapped into data collected by the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which in the 1994-95 school year, went into 132 U.S. middle and high schools and conducted in-depth surveys of students' health, health-related behaviors, school-related activities and family, friendships and romantic relations. In 1996, follow-up interviews and questionnaires helped paint a detailed portrait of teens' lives.
Sociologists Derek A. Kreager of Penn State and Dana L. Haynie of Ohio State University took that information and "mapped" the complex, interlocking, overlapping web of relationships of 449 adolescent couples and 898 "friends" from 94 different schools. They lined up those friendship and romantic ties alongside a child's individual history of drinking behavior to see how, and where, they converged over time.
When it came to a kid's likelihood of binge drinking (consuming five or more servings of alcohol in a single sitting), his or her own friends clearly mattered: A friend's recent history of binge drinking increased a child's likelihood of doing the same (over and above his or her established drinking patterns) by 30%. And romantic partners mattered too: If the guy or girl your kid likes has recently gotten blasted, your kid was 32% more likely than he or she already was to binge-drink too.
But overwhelmingly kids' drinking patterns seemed to follow the lead of their love-interest's friends. If his entourage had a history of binge drinking, your daughter was 81% more likely to follow suit. If her posse of girlfriends were in the habit of getting wasted, your son was 81% more likely to join in that behavior.
(On the whole, girls drank less -- and less often -- than boys, so while drinking patterns changed equally for both boys and girls, they started at different base lines. Also, only heterosexual couples were included in this study, because too few gay or lesbian couples identified themselves to make a representative sample.)
Why were his or her friends so influential? The authors surmised that a girl or boy looking to cement a romantic relationship will naturally adjust his or her risky behavior to match that of her or his potential mate's buddies. Your child likely calculates that befriending those important people will make him or her more appealing to the person he or she has a crush on. And, in fact, in cases in which the crush was one-sided, the influence of a potential mate's friends was even more powerful.
Importantly, Kreager and Haynie note that this indirect pattern of influence may be an important route by which drinking behavior "diffuses" through high schools, spreading among cliques, jumping between groups of girls and boys, and generally spreading across disparate populations of adolescents. The girl who crosses from her girl-group to party with the guys, and the guy who leaves his friends to drink with his girlfriend's girls is a "bridge" that carries norms and customs from one cluster of kids to another.


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Food Allergy
Talk to Us about Your Food Allergies and Diet Needs!
We take pride in sourcing wholesome ingredients, preparing recipes accurately and providing nutritional analysis and ingredient statements through our online menus and nutrition calculator. We are all passionate about serving students. From general manager to front line servers, we work diligently to address students' specific needs, especially those with food allergies, Celiac disease, or special diet needs.
A team approach led by you, our educated consumer, is the best preparation for a safe school year free of allergic reactions. We want to meet one-on-one with all of our customers who have individual dining needs to ensure that your dining experience is safe, delicious, and social. If you have a food allergy/special diet concern, please call or send us a note using the feedback form.


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Jamile McGee
Jamile McGee, who lived in Maryland when he auditioned for "So You Think You Can Dance," placed third on the first season of the dance competition. He stated on the show that he had suffered from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and that doctors had told his mother he would be wheelchair-bound, but he fought back and became a dancer. ***McGee has enjoyed a successful career as a dancer and choreographer since finishing third during the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance." He spent time touring with Wayne Brady and has shared the stage with Rihanna, Beyonce and Chris Brown. Read more coverage of "So You Think You Can Dance."
Handout photo by J. Viles
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meet the team
Joshua Oreman
Traveling Team
Los Angeles, CA
Harvard Westlake School
Grade: Senior
computer programming, reading, tinkering with electronics, law, occasional creative writing
Mock Trial, Duke Moot Court, math club, robotics club
AIME qualifier 2006-09, Gold division competitor in USACO (computer science olympiad), National Merit Scholar, JHU Study of Exceptional Talent, 2008 IPhO gold medalist
I was born on January 17, 1991, and lived the first five years of my life in Glendale, California; now I live in Pasadena, about ten miles away. For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated by any complex logical system in which I can immerse myself; I have something of a knack for visualizing the overall structure and understanding how laws/theorems/concepts fit together. My love of math, physics, and computer science stems from this basic interest. I'm also very active in Mock Trial at my school, and I think it provides an excellent counterpoint to math and science: much of the same logical thinking is involved, in a completely different environment.
I have been rather accelerated in mathematics ever since a very kind fourth grade teacher gave me a pre-algebra book from which to work. I finished the AP Calculus curriculum in ninth grade, and since then have taken elementary multivariable calculus, linear algebra, number theory, and abstract algebra. As far as math goes, I tend to be more interested in powerful abstractions than in solving contest-type problems.
My computer science experience is almost opposite: a decidedly practical bent without much theoretical underpinning. I started programming in 2001, and ever since then my overarching goal has been to figure out how technological things work. By and large I've been self-taught; my first formal instruction was AP Computer Science AB last year. I've written a simple operating system kernel, tried to design a CPU architecture (didn't turn out so well), and made significant contributions to the open-source projects Mondo Rescue and iPodLinux. In summer 2006 and 2007 I had the chance to work with robotics researchers at Caltech; in 2008 I worked on computer vision software at JPL. This summer I'll be developing Wi-Fi support for the Etherboot network booting firmware under the auspices of Google Summer of Code; if I manage to make the traveling team, I'll have an extremely busy summer ahead of me!
Though my enthusiasm for physics isn't as new or surprising as it was last year, it's still a passion for me. Getting deep into a maze of twisty problems (all alike?) is great fun, especially when you're finally able to solve them. Thanks again to my parents, physics teachers, and especially the Physics Team coaches from last year---without you I couldn't have made it this far.
Disclaimer: Information in Physics Team profiles is provided by the Team members and is in no way a reflection of AAPT's opinions or views.


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I'm now the proud owner of a Canon EOS 450D (or EOS Digital Rebel XSi). Like last time, it's my Dad's old camera – he's upgraded to an EOS 600D and so he's passed his 450D to me. In turn, my old EOS 300D will be going to Christine who presently has a small Nikon point-and-shoot camera.
So far the main benefits have been higher resolution images – 11 megapixels, rather than 8 – more intuitive use of advanced features like adjusting the focal length (since it actually makes decent use of the LCD screen), larger LCD screen, lighter weight and use of the more ubiquitous SD cards rather than the big old CompactFlash cards.
I've taken a few photos with it but with it being winter and therefore generally rubbish weather they're not the greatest pictures. I'll link some tomorrow though.


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The LP2985-N low noise linear (LDO) regulator delivers up to 150-mA output current and
only requires 300-mV dropout voltage of input to output. Using an optimized vertically integrated
PNP (VIP) process, the LP2985-N delivers unequaled performance for all battery-powered designs. The
LP2985-N device provides 1% tolerance precision output voltage with only 75-µA quiescent current at
1-mA load and 850 µA at 150-mA load. By adding a 10-nF bypass capacitor, the output noise can be
reduced to 30 µVRMS in a 30-kHz bandwidth.
The LP2985-N is designed to work with a ceramic output capacitor with equivalent series
resistance (ESR) as low as 5 mΩ. The device is available with fixed output voltage from 2.5 V to
6.1 V. Contact Texas Instrument Sales for specific voltage option needs.