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Another group has thrown a set of proposals into the 2007 farm bill debating ring. On the 73rd anniversary of Franklin Roosevelt's signing of the first farm bill, the American Farmland Trust announced a desire to replace "outdated policies" with programs that will reach a greater number of farmers.
At a May 8 news conference to introduce the framework, AFT president Ralph Grossi — flanked by Dan Glickman and Clayton Yeutter, two former agriculture secretaries supporting the plan –– said, "Farmers, ranchers, conservationists and the public are ready to join hands to support a new farm bill that is truly pro-farmer and pro-stewardship and that creates new opportunities for American agriculture to serve local markets and compete around the world."
Titled "Agenda 2007: A New Framework and Direction for U.S. Farm Policy," AFT's policy guidelines focus on paying farmers for environmental protection at the expense of direct commodity payments. Among the report recommendations:
• "Green payments" to create greater incentives for farmers to deliver environmental benefits. This would shift some $5 billion a year of crop subsidies to conservation.
• A financial safety net and tools to manage the risk of natural disasters and dramatic swings in prices and yield.
• Revenue-based risk management programs to replace counter-cyclical programs.
• A $1 billion grants program to foster innovative enterprises, markets and regional food systems.
"The clock is ticking for U.S. agriculture," said Yeutter. "Our farmers and ranchers can and should control their own destiny by taking the lead on farm policy reform. The alternative is to risk World Trade Organization (WTO) challenges that may impose reforms on us that we would prefer to avoid — like the reforms that have already occurred in cotton. Either way the stage is set for major policy changes. If we handle them skillfully and creatively we can eliminate our WTO vulnerability while still serving U.S. farmers well."
AFT's proposal is the "right formula for converting a potential policy train wreck into an unprecedented opportunity for a new generation of farmers and ranchers," added Glickman. "These recommendations will recognize and reward farmers for stewardship of our nation's resources and improve the nutrition of our citizens through expanding access to specialty crops and fresh, locally grown food. This vision will rebuild public confidence in federal agriculture spending."
However, the speakers all said implementing the plan would take a toll. "There would be farmers who got less direct support from government," said Grossi. "But (in AFT meetings) farmers told us that they'd rather have their income from the marketplace. So some of that money will be used to reinvest in new market opportunities, some will go to green payments. You have to think about these programs in a comprehensive fashion…
"There would be reallocations of funding. There…are winners and losers anytime you make a major change in public policy. We need to talk about that upfront. What is the proper transition?...For those who won't come out with as much money as they've gotten in the past, (how do we make the) transition smooth?"
The men said the push to simply renew the current farm bill is a bad idea.
"We don't believe that's feasible," said Grossi. We don't believe that 10 years from now farm programs will look like they do today. If you accept that — that change is on the horizon, is inevitable — then the earlier you start…the easier it is to make changes, the less traumatic the change and transition will be. And the more likely agriculture will play a role in designing that change. So the strategy is to put good ideas on the table and not accept the status quo."
Having served in Congress for 18 years as a representative from Kansas, Glickman is well aware of how politics work. "I know this won't be the easiest thing…because most members of Congress will naturally want to protect their local, home-grown constituencies. That's as much a part of the American political process as anything else.
"But the politics of doing nothing or just (going with) an extension bring fewer and fewer players into the political mix. One of these days someone will take this from the forces of agriculture and will run a program through that isn't in agriculture's best interest."
Referencing his work as a former U.S. trade representative, Yeutter believes extending the current farm bill would be a major mistake. "We want to get all the market access we can from the Doha rounds to couple with the environmental energy benefits emphasized (in the AFT report). The only way to do that is at the negotiating table. We'd do (current negotiators) no favors by, in essence, pulling the rug out from under them through a short-term extension…That would be a major, tactical error."
Queried on support for the current farm bill based on region, Grossi admitted that is a factor. However, "there's a large (agricultural) segment — about two-thirds — that doesn't get direct support from the current farm programs. (That segment) has very pressing needs they want addressed. They have legitimate demands as they come to the table. This is in the livestock, specialty crop and niche farming areas.
"I think it's going to be a lot harder to write a farm bill with, at best, a stable baseline but, possibly, a shrinking baseline with many more needs at the table. It might be easier if you start with a different framework than trying to piecemeal the old framework. That's our approach…"
Proponents say the AFT proposal won't require any taxpayer funds over what's already being spent on agriculture. "We actually believe that it's well under the current baseline," said Grossi. "That really depends on which revenue-insurance options we decide to implement…We also believe it fits within the October proposal the (Bush) administration made in the Doha round in terms of 'amber box.'"
Currently, the United States has a trade proposal that would reduce amber box subsidies substantially. If that proposal holds "then we'll need to make appropriate changes in (2007) farm legislation," said Yeutter. "This plan provides the opportunity to do that with a lot less trauma than might otherwise be the case. What (AFT) has put together in new carrots in the environmental area…is really imaginative in responding to what…might emerge from the Uruguay round. That's something that hasn't been sufficiently (covered) thus far."
If the Doha round fails, "every one of our existing commodity programs is likely to be challenged in the WTO," said Yeutter. "We may win some and lose some. But to operate in that kind of environment is very risky, indeed. If I was an American farmer, I wouldn't want to run that risk…Irrespective of what happens in the Doha round, we need this debate."
Despite the sluggish movement of the WTO negotiations, Yeutter said it's not time to throw in the towel. "It's much too early for that. Having been involved in about as many negotiations as anyone in the country, I can tell you there's a lot of ebb and flow. We shouldn't write off the Doha rounds by any means…"
If the worst comes to pass and WTO countries begin retaliating against the United States, "it would begin to bring non-agricultural industries into the making of farm policy," said Glickman. "That hasn't happened yet, but it could…That's something we'd probably like to avoid."
Will the AFT framework add to the sense that the 2007 farm bill debate will be commodities versus conservation?
"It's not about conservation versus commodity," insisted Grossi. "It's about old programs versus programs for the 21st Century. It's about old programs versus investing in the strengthening of agriculture…where we can help maintain our competitive position in the global economy."
According to its literature, AFT is committed to protecting U.S. farmland. To see the entire AFT proposal, visit http://www.farmland.org/programs/campaign/default.asp.
e-mail: [email protected]


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Scrip Code: 532443 / CERA
CMP: Rs. 2,532.50 ; Market Cap: Rs. 3,293.74 Cr; 52 Week High/Low: Rs. 2,780.00 / Rs. 1,709.95
Total Shares: 1,30,05,874 shares; Promoters : 71,20,639 shares –54.75 %; Total Public holding : 58,85,235 shares – 45.25 %; Book Value: Rs. 323.71; Face Value: Rs. 5.00; EPS: Rs. 75.98; Dividend: 180.00 % ; P/E: 33.46 times; Ind. P/E: 35.08; EV/EBITDA: 18.85.
Total Debt: Rs. 35.08 Cr; Enterprise Value: Rs. 3,269.43 Cr.
CERA SANITARYWARE LIMITED: Cera Sanitaryware Limited was incorporated in 1980, and is headquartered in Kadi, India. The company was formerly known as Madhusudan Oils and Fats Limited and changed its name to Cera Sanitaryware Limited in November 2002. Cera Sanitaryware Limited manufactures and sells Sanitary Ware and faucet ware products in India. The company offers sanitary ware products, including EWC's, kids range products, wash basins, urinals, cisterns, seat covers, sensors, and bath accessories; special needs products consisting of cranes, shower chairs, wall mounted and U shaped rails, wall mounted inverted rails, and corner and wall mounted grab bars; and faucets, such as fittings, basin mixers, showers, bath tub spouts, flush valves and cocks, angle cocks, taps, and accessories. The company announced its bonus shares last July 2010 in ratio of 1:1. It also provides wellness products comprising steam shower rooms, shower rooms and cubicles, shower partitions, indoor swimming pools, bath tubs, shower panels, and pressure pumps; kitchen sinks and mirrors; and personal care products comprising hand dryers, perfume sprayers with remote control, automatic soap dispensers, and hair dryers, as well as wall and floor tiles. Cera has emerged as the third largest player in the sanitary ware industry in India. The company enjoys 24 % market share in the organised segment. It has installed manufacturing capacity of 2.7 mn pieces p.a. in sanitary ware and 2,500 pieces per day in faucet ware in Kadi (Gujarat). As of May 2016, Cera has 1,000 distributors - dealers, 14,000 retailers and 12 major stock points across India. CERA's subsidiary includes Madhusudan Industries Ltd; Madhusudan Holdings Ltd; Madhusudan Fiscal Ltd; Vikram Investment Co. Ltd; Cera Foundation; Swadeshi Fan Ind. Ltd. CERA SANITARYWARE is locally compared with Kajaria Ceramics, Grindwell Norton, Acrysil India Ltd, La Opala RG, Asian granite India Ltd, Euro Ceramics, Hindustan Sanitaryware India Ltd, Morganite Crucible India Ltd, Murudeshwar Ceramics, Nitco tiles Ltd, Orient Bell Ltd, Regency Ceramics, Restile Ceramics, Somany Ceramics, Kisan mouldings Ltd, and Globally compared with China Ceramics Co Ltd of China, Ziyang Ceramics of China, Topps Tiles of China, China GengSheng Minerals Inc of China, INTL DE Ceramica Com of USA, EGE Seramik of Turkey, Dynasty Ceramics of Thailand, Ceramica San Lorenzo, CARBO Ceramics Inc of USA, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. of USA, Compagnie De Saint Gobain SA of France, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc of USA, Arab Ceramics Co of Saudi Arabia, Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Ceramics Co of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipes Company of Saudi Arabia, General Comapany for Ceramic and Procelain Products SAE, Forage Orbit Garant Inc of Canada,Ceramika Nowa Gala Sa of Turkey, Usak Seramik Sanayi As of Turkey, Dvarcioniu Keramika AB of Lithuania, Goh Ban Huat Berhad of Malaysia, Chang Yih Ceramic JSC of Vietnam, Royal Ceramics Lanka Ltd of Sri Lanka, Konoshima Chemical Co Ltd of Japan, Roy Ceramics Se of Germany, Troax Corp Publ AB of Sweden, Expedit AS of Denmark, Exel Composites Oyi of Finland, Royal Ceramic Industry Public Co Ltd of Thailand, CMC Joint Stock Co of Vietnam, Shabir Tiles & Ceramics ltd of Pakistan, Onex Corporaion of Japan, Sapura Industrial Berhad of Malaysia, Nansin Company Ltd of Japan, Masonite International Corp of USA, Owens Corning of USA, Nci Building Systems Inc of New York, Masco Corp of USA.
Investment Rationale:
Cera Sanitaryware incorporated in the year 1998 is a pioneer in the sanitary ware segment in India. Cera Sanitaryware Limited, India's fastest growing company in the sanitary ware segment in India. It has an extensive product portfolio that includes high end showers, steam cubicles, and whirlpools, besides sanitary-ware and faucets, such extensive product ranges has made CERA the primary choice of customers looking for stylish products in a contemporary lifestyle. It's also the first sanitary ware company to use natural gas, for its commercial needs, Cera has been on the forefront of launching a new and versatile colour range and introducing the bath suite concept. CERA's constant innovations have given several path breaking contributions to the industry. Some of its innovations have become benchmarks for the industry- like water-saving twin-flush coupled WCs, 4-litre flush WCs, and one-piece WCs. Advanced technology has been the forte of CERA. Its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant has been following the highest standards of quality with an emphasis on sustainability since its inception in 1980. The total size of the Indian sanitary ware and bathroom fittings industry is at Rs. 9,500 Cr in FY16, of which the sanitary ware accounts for roughly Rs. 3,500 Cr and is growing at an average rate of 20 %. The remaining Rs. 6,000 Cr is attributed to bathroom fittings, also growing at an average rate of 18 %. The outlook for the industry is robust on the back of country's very low sanitation coverage, housing shortage and potential for the replacement market. The contribution from the replacement is very low at 8 % in comparison to 80 % in the developed economies. In the sanitary ware industry, the organized market is 65 % while the unorganized market is about 35 % and in the bathroom fittings, the organized market share is around 45 % and the unorganized market is about 55 %. According to the report on world health statistic by World Health Organization (WHO), the sanitation coverage in India is very low at 36 %. This in itself shows the growth potential for the industry in a country which has a population of over 121 Cr and is expected to grow to 135 Cr by 2021, as per census 2011. Further, the growth would be boosted by the government initiatives such as affordable housing, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and development of 100 smart cities. In Union Budget for 2015-16, the finance minister has announced 100 % sanitation by October 2019 with a provisional amount of Rs. 3,625 Cr, including Rs. 1,000 Cr for urban sanitation. It has also allocated Rs. 10,025 Cr for rural housing and Rs. 4,150 Cr for Urban housing with an objective of providing housing for all by 2022. In the recent union cabinet meeting, the government has approved development of 100 smart cities along with the new urban renewal mission with a planned outlay of Rs. 100 lakh Cr. The Indian tile Industry is expected to witness better days over the medium-term. This optimism is based on important realities. Over the last two decades, India's urban population increased from 21.7 Cr to 37.7 Cr and this is expected to reach 60 Cr, or 40 % of the population by 2031. By then, India is expected to have 68 cities with population of more than one million – driving housing demand. India is one of the few countries with a third-quartile median age of 27 years, which represents a younger, ambitious and forward-looking population. As the internet penetration deepens, consumption is seen to increase. The proportion of people employed in the country's workforce will continue to rise. By 2030, India is expected to constitute 28 % of the world's workforce with the worker-to-dependent ratio expected to be 2.1 (14 in 1990). Besides, steady urbanisation will graduate labour markets from low paying agricultural jobs to better-paying manufacturing and service engagements. India's sanitaryware and bathroom fittings industry is undergoing a transition phase. The consumers are now moving from low-end basic product to middle and high end premium segments. This is in conjunction with the growing urbanization and ever increasing middle-income segment. As per the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the middle-income segment has grown from 1.1 Cr households in 2001-02 to 3.1 Cr household by 2010-2011 and is expected to grow to 5.3 Cr by 2015-16 and 11.4 Cr by 2025-2026. This shift will benefit the industry players in terms of higher margin and ability to pass on the cost increase to the consumers. The recent reduction in interest rates augurs well for the housing sector. Beside, declining commodity prices are expected to reduce inflationary pressure on the Indian economy, creating a foundation for further interest rate reduction. This should improve housing demand. Reduction in international crude prices should optimise the energy bill strengthening business profitability. Cera in the sanitary ware segment has strong positioning and over the years has gradually increased its market share in the sanitary ware from 18 % in FY09 to 23 % in FY15. The company is also growing higher than most of its peers and industry. The company started the faucet business by trading activity and today it has built-up huge capacity to encash the opportunity in the under-penetrated faucet ware market. The revenue contribution from the faucet business has increased from 14 % in FY13 to 17 % in FY17E, with the increasing capacity the contribution is expected to increase further. Recently, the company has also expanded its business activities in the tiles business through contract manufacturing with the unorganized players. The products launched by the company in the tiles business have been widely accepted and as a result, the contribution from the tiles business has also increased from just 2 % in FY13 to 13 % in FY15. The diverse product offering has helped the company to achieve higher revenue growth, even when the economy and the industry were under pressure. Lately, the company is also evaluating opportunities for entering into a joint venture for the manufacturing of sanitary ware and Tiles. Faucet ware industry size at Rs. 6,000 Cr is double the size of sanitary ware, showing huge growth potential going forward. The contribution of the organized market is 45 % and is growing rapidly. The company already supplies to the industry in the mass segment through outsourcing but now the company is targeting the premium segment and in this direction, the company has increased its production capacity by 166 % to 24.3 Cr pcs p.a i.e approx. 6,658 pcs. per day from 91 lakhs pcs p.a i.e 2,500 pcs per day. The plant located at kadi, Gujarat is further expandable to 10,000 pcs per day. Currently, jaguar has dominating in this segment with almost 40 % market share. The company is going aggressively on branding and expects to garner 3 % market share in the near future. Meanwhile, CERA has also expanded the sanitary ware production capacity from 27 lakhs pcs p.a to 30 lakhs pcs p.a in FY15. The company is also planning to increase the sanitary ware capacity to 33 lakhs pcs by FY16E. In the last couple of years, the company has reported healthy growth in its sanitary ware business and has gained market share from 18 % in FY09 to 23 % at the end of FY15. The industry has huge opportunity as the organized sanitary ware market is growing faster than the unorganized market and now account for 65 % of the total industry size of Rs.3,500 Cr. For the additional capacity, for both faucet ware and sanitary ware, the total capex is approx Rs. 100.30 Cr, which would be funded from the amount raised through preferential issue and remaining from internal accruals. Recently, the company has raised Rs. 70.6 Cr by way of preferential allotment of 3,51,000 equity share at Rs. 2,011.5 per shares. The company has been using full utilization of its existing capacity and post expansion, and is expected that the company to make full utilization of its increased capacity in the due course. Company's Brand loyalty and strategic marketing network have paid dividend to the company in terms of robust revenue growth of 36 % CAGR in the last four years. The company has strong pan India presence with 1400 dealers and 14000 retailers targeting both its retail and institutional customers. And to supplement its network the company also has 20 stock points across the country. The company has also initiated touch and feel experience to its customers by setting up bath studios. In order to target premium and luxury customers, the company has exclusive display centre, cera style studio which are located in the prime locations across the major cities. Cera style gallaries are the display and sales touch points owned and managed by its trading partners. Cera style centres are the display centres targeting smaller trade retail parners. The company has increased its Cera style studios from just one at Ahmedabad in FY06 to ten by the end of FY15. The company is also fast growing its Cera style gallaries and expects to touch 200 gallaries in the near future. With cera style centres, the company is penetrating into the tier 2 cities such as North-East and West Bengal. In South, the company has dominant position in Kerala and is now building up its positioning in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The Sanitary ware industry is generally growing at average rate of 14 % to 16 %, annually. The FY 2015-16 was exceptionally subdued due to various economic reasons more for the entire realty and construction industry across pan India with growth percentage coming down drastically. Despite this, 'CERA' during FY 2015-16 registered top line growths of around 13.63 % amidst subdued business conditions. The efforts are on not only to sustain CAGR last 3 years but also to improve upon. The industry structure remains unchanged viz. Indian manufacturers in organized and unorganized sectors; International brands with or without manufacturing in India and imports from countries like China. The growth of the Company has been much above the market growth and is largely on account of its continued efforts in leveraging the high brand value and product optimization besides deeper penetration in tier 2 markets. These efforts are further fortified by strong and structured marketing efforts, good product quality and after-sales service, and backed by a very loyal distribution network across India. CERA has been growing despite of the threats like international brands and slowdown in housing construction. The demand in mid-segment housing is less affected and the Company's ability to pitch in the mid-segment will help maintain the growth rate. The announcement by Central Government about launch of 100 smart cities across India, can give a boost to construction industry and thereby for demand for sanitary ware. Another significant action plan by Central Government, "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan", can also be a booster to sanitary ware in general. Also, the newly introduced real estate regulatory authority bill is likely to help streamline the housing construction activities.
Outlook and Valuation:
Cera Sanitaryware is a complete building solution provider and have raised itself from a provider of single sanitaryware product in the 1980's to now vast range of product portfolio and today it has become a complete building product solutions provider by offering products like sanitaryware, faucetware, wellness & allied products and tiles. In the sanitaryware segment, the company has strong positioning in the mass segment which accounts of almost 60 % of the organized sanitaryware market. The company has in-house manufacturing facility for sanitaryware and faucetware at Kadi, Gujarat. Launched in 1980, 'CERA' is a pioneer in the Sanitaryware segment in India. The first Sanitaryware Company to use natural gas, 'CERA' has been on the forefront of launching a versatile colour range and introducing the bath suite concept. It also launched innovative designs and water-saving products. In 2011-12, the company ventured into commissioning its state-of-the-art faucet ware manufacturing facility where only quality products, new designs and innovation are the focal points. During last quarter of FY 2012-13, 'CERA' forayed into ceramic, vitrified and digital tiles for floor as well as for walls. Company's initiative to provide touch and feel experience to its customers through its CERA Style Studios, has paid off well. CERA Style Studios are located in up market locations in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata. CERA Style Galleries, display and sales touch points of CERA, owned and managed by its trade partners, are increasing month after month. For smaller trade retail partners, CERA encourages display in the form of CERA Style Centre. This will help further penetrate into smaller towns and outlets, thereby increasing the visibility of brand CERA. CERA also launched CERA Style Studios on Wheels, a novel concept to take CERA products to the doorsteps of key decision makers like architects, developers, etc. The Company also strengthened CERA Care, its after-sales division with induction of technicians for taking care of its services in all key cities of the country. Currently, the facility has an installed capacity to produce 3 million pcs of sanitaryware and 2.34 million pcs of faucetware. The company is also engaged in contract manufacturing for sanitaryware and faucetware and outsourcing activities for wellness & allied products, Vitrified and Ceramic Tiles. Over the years, the company has built-up strong marketing network to promote and sell its products. As on March 2015, it has 1400 dealers and 14000 retailers. All the products of the company are sold under single brand 'CERA', and it enjoys strong positioning in the mass segment. It has strong positioning in the southern market, with 40 % of its total revenue coming from south. Over the years, it has gradually increased its market share in the sanitaryware from 18 % in FY09 to 23 % in FY16. The company is also growing higher than most of its peers and industry. The company started the faucet business by trading activity and today it has built-up huge capacity to encash the opportunity in the under-penetrated faucetware market. India's sanitaryware and bathroom fittings industry is undergoing a transition phase. The consumers are now moving from low-end basic product to middle and high end premium segments. This is in conjunction with the growing urbanization and ever increasing middle-income segment. As per the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the middle-income segment has grown from 1.1 Cr households in 2001-02 to 3.1 Cr household by 2010-2011 and is expected to grow to 5.3 Cr by 2015-16 and 11.4 Cr by 2025-2026. This shift will benefit the industry players in terms of higher margin and ability to pass on the cost increase to the consumers. The total size of the Indian sanitaryware and bathroom fittings industry is at Rs. 9,500 Cr in FY15, of which the sanitaryware accounts for roughly Rs. 3,500 Cr and is growing at an average rate of 20 %. The remaining Rs. 6,000 Cr is attributed to bathroom fittings, also growing at an average rate of 18 %. The outlook for the industry is robust on the back of country's very low sanitation coverage, housing shortage and potential for the replacement market. The contribution from the replacement in this sector in India is very low at 8 % in comparison to 80 % in the developed economies. In the sanitaryware industry, the organized market is 65 % while the unorganized market is about 35 % and in the bathroom fittings, the organized market share is around 45 % and the unorganized market is about 55 %. According to the report on world health statistic by World Health Organization (WHO), the sanitation coverage in India is very low at 36 %. This in itself shows the growth potential for the industry in a country which has a population of over 125 Cr and is expected to grow to 135 Cr by 2021, as per census 2011. Further, the growth would be boosted by the government initiatives such as affordable housing, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and development of 100 smart cities. In Union Budget for 2015-16, the finance minister has announced 100 % sanitation by October 2019 with a provisional amount of Rs. 3,625 Cr, including Rs. 1,000 Cr for urban sanitation. It has also allocated Rs. 10,025 Cr for rural housing and Rs. 4,150 Cr for Urban housing with an objective of providing housing for all by 2022. In the recent union cabinet meeting, the government has approved development of 100 smart cities along with the new urban renewal mission with a planned outlay of Rs. 1 Trillion. Cera maintains a strong market position in the mass market segment, because of its 'value for money' proposition and a wide brand appeal. Currently, the company derives bulk of its sanitary ware revenue from these segments. Competitive intensity is also relatively lower in these segments because of the lower presence of foreign players. Led by various government schemes, such as affordable housing, and the shift in consumer sentiment towards organised players, and is expected this segment to grow at a steady pace. The company did not have a second brand to cater to the premium market, and the mass-market perception associated with the CERA brand limited its ability to compete with the leading domestic and premium brands. Although the segment accounts for only 10 % of the sanitary ware market, it is one of the fastest growing. The company has addressed this concern through its marketing-and-distribution agreement with the Italian company, ECE Banyo, manufacturer of the luxury sanitary ware brand, ISVEA. Cera is currently in the process of a pan-India launch of ISVEA's products, the company's ability to gain a substantial market share in this highly competitive segment characterised by the presence of several domestic (HSIL and Parryware) and international players (Kohler, ToTo, Duravit and American Standard) - is a monitorable. Apart from the tie-up, Cera has also consciously taken efforts to premiumise its product portfolio, by gradually launching products with innovative designs and importing high-end products. This has reflected in the steady increase in the company's realisations of self-manufactured products and share of imports. We believe premiumisation of its product portfolio is a key positive, as it is expected to provide a fillip to revenue and aid margin expansion. The government plans to make the Goods and Service Tax (GST) effective from June 2017. The Ministry of Finance has finalised a four-tier rate structure – 5 %, 12 %, 18 % and 28 %. Mass consumption goods are expected to fall in 5 %, and luxury goods, tobacco, etc. to fall in 28 %, whereas most other goods and services are expected to fall in the 18 % category. Some of the key benefits of GST for building products players are highlighted below: The current effective indirect tax rate for most building product companies is in the range of 22 %-29 %, and it does not allow a set-off of tax paid on services. After GST implementation, the effective tax for these companies is expected to go down to 18 % to 20 %, as the base rate comes down and also as companies will be entitled for set off benefits. This is to be margin accretive for building product players. Currently, building product companies set up additional depots, employ more C&F agents in different states to bypass CST. With GST, it is expected that there will be rationalisation of warehouses and an effective inventory/supply chain management. This is also expected to reduce the logistics cost for companies owing to better turnaround time and consolidation of warehouses. Currently, the unorganised sector accounts for 30 % to 35 % of the industry. The GST is expected to accelerate the shift towards the organised segment, as the law is expected to reduce/eliminate tax sops enjoyed by unorganised players, leading to higher compliance. This will create a level-playing field and benefit organised players such as Cera. The company's balance sheet quality is robust, driven by an efficient working capital management, low leverage and a healthy cash balance. Working capital days remained at 45-55 days during FY11-16, one of the best in the industry. The efficient working capital management has enabled it to consistently generate positive cash flow from operations and maintain a cash-rich balance sheet. Its leverage declined to 0.1 times in FY16 from 0.3 times in FY11; making Cera almost debt-free. A strong balance sheet provides additional headroom for growth and makes the company less vulnerable to external shocks. While soaring aspirations has been an important ingredient for increasing offtake, the primary trigger has been the significantly enhanced tile availability. This has worked towards making the product more affordable. Hence, what was once considered a rich man's foot-step luxury has now transcended into an Indian's regular wall and flooring solution. While this change remained concentrated in metros and urban India in earlier years, this transformation is currently sweeping Tier II and Tier III towns in India. The Indian tile industry is poised to experience significant growth over the coming year. This optimism stems from the important realities that are expected to catalyse tile demand pan-India. Going ahead, the business landscape appears promising because of passing of GST Bill. OROP; Normal monsoon; a 25 bps cut in interest rates by the RBI are expected to increase disposable income in the hands of the average Indian leading to increased discretionary spending. And this is just the beginning. India's 'Housing for All' programme proposes to build six crore houses by 2022 - four crore of them in rural and two crore in urban India. On financial side, Revenue is estimated to increase at a CAGR of 19.3 % over FY16-19 to Rs. 15.2 bn, driven by the faucet and tiles segments. Tiles segment is expected to grow 30 % over FY16-19E, followed by the faucet (20% CAGR) and the sanitary ware (18 %) segments. Consequently, the share of the sanitary ware segment is expected to decline to 57.9 % in FY19 from 62.3 % in FY14. EBITDA margin is expected to expand 110 bps to 16.5 % over FY16-19, driven by: a higher share of in-house manufacturing facility for tiles; premiumisation of the product portfolio, post-marketing arrangement with ECE Banyo and launch of high-end faucets; lower power and fuel costs, following the installation of solar panels and wind turbines, as well as lower crude oil prices; and growth in realisation, once demand recovers in FY18. Adjusted PAT is expected to grow at a three-year CAGR of 26 %. Sturdy growth is expected to stem from healthy revenue and EBITDA growth. RoCE is expected to improve to 33.6 % in FY19 from 29.1 % in FY16, driven by healthy EBITDA and low leverage. RoE is expected to increase to 24.0 % in FY19 from 21.1 % in FY16, because of strong PAT margin and faster asset turnover. At the current market price of Rs. 2532.50, the stock is trading at a PE of 31.57 x FY17E and 25.29 x FY18E respectively. The company can post Earnings per share (EPS) of Rs. 80.20 in FY17E and Rs. 100.10 in FY18E. CERA is confident of sustaining its growth in coming years with its business strategies of continuously upgrading product basket, leveraging on strong brand image, optimizing product potential capacity utilization and distribution network with all backed up by well-structured sales & marketing plans.
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This is a personal blog and presents entirely personal views on stock market. Any statement made in this blog is merely an expression of my personal opinion. These informations are sourced from publicly available data. By using/reading this blog you agree to (i) not to take any investment decision or any other important decisions based on any information, opinion, suggestion, expressions or experience mentioned or presented in this blog (ii) Any investment decisions taken if any would be his/hers sole responsibility. (iii) the author of this blog is not responsible.
As a Disclosures I Confirm that :
I confirm that I shall not deal or trade in securities mentioned in this article within thirty days before and five days after the publication of this article. I also confirm that I will not deal or trade directly or indirectly in securities mentioned in this article in a manner contrary to the ideas put forth in the article. I have not received any financial compensation for writing this article.
This post first appeared on BHAVIKK SHAH's BLOG, please read the originial post: here

subset: commoncrawl


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By Jill WhalenPosted Friday, September 17, 2004
A question on many Webmaster's minds these days is whether or not they should bother with optimizing their site to rank high in the search engines. We've discussed this in previous articles, and it always seemed to come down to a big "it depends." However, I'm starting to realize that for many clients, good search engine rankings can actually make or break a business.
While putting together my presentation for a conference in Amsterdam back in Jan. 2001, I decided to base my speech around one Web site we had recently worked on for a client. The site in question was the Bariatric Institute of Kentucky in Georgetown, Kentucky. Dr. Randall Bolar performs gastric bypass surgery on morbidly obese patients so they can lose weight and lead happier, healthier lives.
Do you have money to burn?
The work we did for this site lead to a very successful optimization. Dr. Bolar had originally let his Web design firm handle his site submission and, as he put it, he "might as well have taken the $1,000 out of his pocket and lit it on fire!" When we began work on the site, it had nearly no presence in the search engines and directories. After our optimization, it had achieved the desired top-10 results in most of the search engines and directories, for a number of relevant keyword phrases. Traffic had increased substantially, and users were finding the site through the intended keywords. Since those are the metrics I look for when determining our success, this appeared to be quite a successful optimization, indeed!
However, I realized that I had never actually asked Dr. Bolar how effective the Web site had been in attracting new patients to his office, which of course, is the bottom-line. So I dashed off an e-mail to Dr. Bolar, asking if he had received a lot of new inquiries and new patients over the past few months since the rankings had taken hold. Within a half hour, and on a Sunday no less, Dr. Bolar called me to answer my questions. Here's what he told me:
Before their optimization, they were getting approximately 2 - 4 new patients a week through their Web site. Once the rankings kicked in, these numbers jumped to a whopping 50 - 70 new patients a week! Dr. Bolar told me that he went from having a struggling practice that nearly went bankrupt and closed down, to a thriving practice. He's currently in the process of looking to hire another surgeon. Nearly all of his new patients have found him through the Web site. He even had one patient who drove 7 hours to his office and has gotten numerous other patients from out-of-state. The very next day, in fact, he was seeing 11 new patients, all of whom had found him through the Internet. (Update 2004: Dr. Bolar's Internet presence has enabled him to move from being a very small clinic -- Georgetown Surgical Clinic -- to a much larger institution -- the Bariatric Institute of Kentucky!)
All I could say was, "Wow!"
Was it just a fluke?
This startling revelation made me wonder how some of our other clients' businesses may have been impacted by being easily found in the search engines, so I dashed off a few more e-mails and eagerly awaited the responses. Again, each one had nothing but great things to say about the effects of good search engine placement for their bottom line.
Joe Tedesco of JE Brown told me that his company had spent thousands of dollars on advertising at the same time they did their optimization. Their results were good, but not compared to their total outlay. They decided to lay off the advertising and re-think their marketing strategy, but when they stopped the advertising, they realized that it had little to no effect on their bottom line. The majority of their visitors were coming through the search engines! Joe says he's a big believer in Search Engine Optimization because of the "little to no work that's involved once the rankings are achieved."
I also heard back from Kathy Drewien, from Atlanta Relocation. Most of Kathy's clients find her services through her Web site, so search engine visibility is extremely important to her. Kathy told me that in1998, before her Web site optimization, she had 14 Internet transactions that grossed $100,000 in commissions. In 1999, after a successful optimization, those numbers increased to 22 transactions for $121,500 in gross commissions. Again in 2000, she had 22 transactions for a total of $165,939 in gross commissions.
Content is still king
It's important to note that simply being found in the engines isn't always enough. Once found, your Web site still has to sell its products or services. I believe that a big reason why our optimized sites end up getting so much new business is because we increase the overall appeal of a Web site when we work on it. That is, we write great, professional marketing text, and suggest other changes that may give the site a more professional appearance. These things are just as important to the bottom line, as getting the high rankings in the first place.
It's true that not all businesses will achieve the same kinds of return on investment from a successful optimization as the sites discussed here. However, when you consider the low cost of SEO compared to other forms of marketing, your bottom line may increase substantially. Just make sure you find the right specialist for your needs. All Search Engine Optimization consultants are NOT created equal!
About the Author
Contact Jill Whalen by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Jill Whalen of High Rankings is an internationally recognized search engine optimization consultant and host of the free weekly High Rankings Advisor search engine marketing newsletter.
She specializes in search engine optimization, SEO consultations and seminars. Jill's handbook, "The Nitty-gritty of Writing for the Search Engines" teaches business owners how and where to place relevant keyword phrases on their Web sites so that they make sense to users and gain high rankings in the major search engines.


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Lucknow: Police today recovered a huge cache of explosives from Mohaba district here.
Seven sacks containing 2018 dynamite rods, 3000 detonators and wires were recovered during a vehicle inspection exercise by the police, a statement from the DGP`s office said.
Acting on a tip-off that heavy explosives are being transported into the city, a vehicle was intercepted near Modari road railway crossing in Kulpahar area, it said.
The occupants of the vehicle containing the explosives escaped on seeing the police, leaving behind the vehicle, the statement added.


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What we learned
Not a whole lot, overall, other than LSU still has a lot of very talented players on its roster despite losing 11 early to the NFL draft. Six projected starters like Jermauria Rasco and Elliott Porter didn't see action Saturday. Same for a number of other key players, like running back Alfred Blue and place-kicker James Hairston. The offense and defense were total vanilla extract, too, each operating out of a couple of basic formations.
Trending now
Les Miles didn't want to name names, but freshman quarterback Anthony Jennings appeared to position himself to grab the No. 2 quarterback spot. He was a modest 8 of 21 passing but showed the mobility Miles craves and that LSU can feature each game with an option package. Think Ryan Perrilloux in 2007 without the off field baggage.
Final thoughts
The Spring Game is viewed as a defining moment, but for this LSU football team it is merely a break in the action. Like halftime, if that. Injured players need to heal, freshmen need to be added to the mix and several key position battles have to be ironed out before a definite picture of the 2013 Tigers comes into focus. If you're looking for a Spring Game grade call it a B, but really LSU's course work is incomplete.
Scott Rabalais


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Yes, you may purchase your own modem from the list of TWC/Spectrum tested and approved modems. If you choose to purchase your own modem, the monthly Internet Modem Lease charge will be waived.
If you choose to purchase your own modem from the approved list, you can be confident that the equipment will support the current features and speeds that are part of your Internet package. Keep in mind that one of the risks associated with purchasing your own modem is that it may become obsolete and/or unable to support new features or speeds that are introduced.
For a list of approved cable modems that can be used with TWC/Spectrum Internet service, please visit our Approved Customer Device List page.


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Bobby Hull
Manager, Corporate Quality Assurance
Weaving superior protection
BGF creates early-warning system to monitor data, production trends
With SAS® Enterprise BI for Midsize Business, BGF Industries created a cost-effective, easy-to-use and successful early-warning system that helps the materials firm stay ahead of its competition on quality and productivity. Data is available in minutes instead of hours.
BGF, a small–to-medium business (SMB) with more than $200 million in annual revenue, manufactures specialty woven and nonwoven materials made from glass, carbon and other strong, heat-resistant fibers. The company's products can be found in hot-air filtration systems, aircraft and automotive parts, ballistic vehicle armor, bullet-proof vests, movie screens, electronic circuitry and surfboards. Many of the markets BGF serves are globally competitive, while others are in the defense arena. With each type of customer, improving the quality of its high-tech materials and its manufacturing processes is critical to the company's ongoing success.
"SAS allowed us to create an early-warning system that constantly monitors data and production trends so we can keep our quality high and our customers satisfied,'' said Bobby Hull, BGF's Corporate Quality Assurance Manager.
BGF has always prided itself on minimal quality issues and a quick response when one emerges. "This just gives us another tool to respond quicker, faster and more accurately and that turns into dollars for us,'' Hull says.
Prior to using SAS, the company was gathering plenty of data. "In our lab testing area alone we had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4.5 to 5 million data points that we had collected over time," Hull said. It was just tedious to analyze.
"The problem was getting it from our business systems to statistical software or Excel. It took about 30 minutes just to get the data out,'' explains Bill Green, a manufacturing engineer. Like so many manufacturers, BGF runs a lean operation, so delays and manual work took time away from problem solving. "We can focus away from the mundane now,'' says Tom Good, Corporate QC Manager.
SAS helped us reach our vision of being three clicks away from the information that would give us the answer to any question we asked.
Bobby Hull
BGF has used SAS on a limited basis since 1982. When SAS changed its business model to sell into the small/midsize markets with value-added resellers (VARs), it became more realistic for BGF to use additional SAS products. Through a reseller, BGF invested in SAS Enterprise BI for Midsize Business. "We're so happy you have this new VAR channel that makes SAS products and services more available to businesses like us,'' Hull says.
Green particularly likes the fact that he can develop his own applications without needing a programming background – or a programmer. "I was surprised by how easy it was,'' Green says.
Going forward
BGF is eager to do more with SAS. Green is working with other BGF manufacturing sites to introduce the solution and wants to get more workers on the shop floor engaged. Hull is looking at adding forecasting. "The solution covers so much breadth that I'm sure we could utilize the software a lot more than we do. Right now, we're still sort of cutting our teeth,'' Hull says.
Hull adds that SAS gives BGF a common language. "Without common data, everybody speculates. Now we are sure that the information we have in front of us is correct. SAS helps us have a shared language and a means of asking common questions that help us get to the root of a problem quickly.''
BGF needed to spot and track quality issues quickly with a solution that was economical for a midsize business.
SAS® Enterprise BI for Midsize Business allowed BGF to establish an early-warning system that constantly monitors data and production trends, and is accessible by 20 business users across four separate locations. Nonprogrammers can develop their own applications.
BGF can finish in minutes work that once took hours. Decisions on how to address an issue are based on data, not hunches.
The results illustrated in this article are specific to the particular situations, business models, data input, and computing environments described herein. Each SAS customer's experience is unique based on business and technical variables and all statements must be considered non-typical. Actual savings, results, and performance characteristics will vary depending on individual customer configurations and conditions. SAS does not guarantee or represent that every customer will achieve similar results. The only warranties for SAS products and services are those that are set forth in the express warranty statements in the written agreement for such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. Customers have shared their successes with SAS as part of an agreed-upon contractual exchange or project success summarization following a successful implementation of SAS software. Brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.


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We were excited to see that today's issue of the New York Times featured an article on Alex and Ani!
The piece, entitled "A Company Aims to Put Good Karma and Energy Close at Hand", is written by Mark Oppenheimer and featured in the Beliefs section. The article discusses the meaning of our products and what makes them resonate with people worldwide.
Check out the article below to learn more about our positive energy!
Article courtesy of the New York Times.


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Sign up for My Trips and start creating your own sharable itinerary
The Cape Cod Baseball League has a long, storied history as a pathway for the best talent on its way to Major League Baseball. This year, the connection between the Cape League and Major Leagues is even stronger than usual!
Not only are John Farrell and Mike Matheny, the managers of the Red Sox and Cardinals, both alumni of the summer league, but there are also a number of players and members of both rosters who spent time playing ball on the Cape before they appeared this October on baseball's biggest stage.
Here's a rundown of the Cape Cod League alums taking part in the 2013 World Series:
John Farrell, Boston Red Sox Manager: pitched for the Hyannis Mets, now the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, in 1982.
Brian Butterfield, Boston Red Sox Third-Base Coach: suited up and played for Wareham in 1976.
Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox Centerfielder: played for the Falmouth Commodores in 2004.
David Ross, Boston Red Sox Catcher: caught for the Brewster Whitecaps in 1996.
Brandon Workman, Boston Red Sox Pitcher: pitched for the Wareham Gatemen in 2008 and 2009.
Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals Manager: caught for the Cotuit Ketleers in 1989.
Derek Lilliquist, St. Louis Cardinals Pitching Mentor: pitched for Cotuit in 1986 and 1987.
John Axford, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher: pitched for Hyannis in 2002 and Cotuit in 2003.
Randy Choate, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher: pitched for Hyannis in 1996.
Joe Kelly, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher: pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2008
Seth Maness, St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher: pitched for the Bourne Braves in 2009.
Kolten Wong, St. Louis Cardinals Infielder: played for the Orleans Firebirds in 2010.
Shane Robinson, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder: played for Hyannis in 2004.
And if you're planning on making a night of the game in Boston tonight, we've put together a convenient graphic to help you land at the right place.
Folks outside the Boston area need not worry, either, as there are also plenty of other spots spread around the state that are ideal for taking in Game 5.
Where will you be watching the game tonight? Let us know in the comments!
TOPICS: Cape & Islands, Sports
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- mexicalijennie
- 4 years ago
- Wedding: February 2015
I'm debating between the three gowns and it's so hard to decide because none of them was in my size when I tried them on and I have a hard time imagining the final product.
I would love to see real brides in these dresses to give me a better idea of what the final product looks like!
Summer (imagine without the stash- didn't like it it's a little much for the dress.. And I plan on wearing two sleeves for the church and strapless for the reception)
Here's Charlie (way too small for me but you get the idea)
And the Quincy ( again, too small )
Sunmer and Quincy are very similar, and I think I like the botom material better on the Summer dress. I'm getting married in Cancun, Mexico, but in a very modern hotel. Not so " tropical" like.
What do you think ladies? I would love to see other real brides in these dresses!
Im also debating whether I should even stick with this shape or try for a more a-line empire waist and see if it's more flatering. Thoughts?
Thanks 🙂


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From St. Louis, Missouri, USA:
I have a friend in Brazil (where I am originally from) who has a child with diabetes, and she heard about a new type of insulin that is supposed to be better than the traditional one. However, Brazilian doctors are still conservative about it, and the Brazilian association has not approved it. She also heard that here in the US, this type of insulin is much more accepted and has been used for a long time. Do you know something about this? She is very concerned she is not giving the best possible medication to her child.
I think that the name of the new insulin to which your friend was referring was probably Lantus (insulin glargine). The principal characteristic of this product is that it is released very evenly over the whole twenty four hours. It is usually given at bedtime with the dose calibrated to the morning fasting blood sugar levels. It cannot however be mixed with other insulins. Usually, it is also part of a diabetes regulation program that includes using a very short acting insulin like Humalog or NovoLog given just after meals so as to account of appetite, the premeal blood sugar and the 'carbs' actually consumed. Another advantage of Lantus is that it seems to reduce the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia.
[Editor's comment: At the present time [early 2003], Lantus is only available in Germany, the US, the UK, and Ireland. It should be more widely available later this year. WWQ]
Original posting 18 Feb 2003
Posted to Insulin
|Return to the Top of This Page
Last Updated: Tuesday April 06, 2010 15:09:42
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.
This site is published by T-1 Today, Inc. (d/b/a Children with Diabetes), a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, which is responsible for its contents. Our mission is to provide education and support to families living with type 1 diabetes.
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Privacy Policy.
© Children with Diabetes, Inc. 1995-2018. Comments and Feedback.


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The loading screen im talking about is the picture above but incase if it didnt work the url is: http://www.techwarel...ogo-loading.gif
Now the computer was working perfectly for the past 2 days and today when i tried to turn it on it started normaly then got to the loading screen and just kept loading. I have left my computer on for about a half an hour now and it is the same thing. Nothing has changed it just keeps loading. I restarted my computer to see if i could start it normally since that was one of the options when i turned it on. When i tried to go to safe mode or any of the options given to me it would not let my because the keyboard was not working. So i let it go for the 30 seconds to see if it would start up. Same thing happened and it just stayed at the loading screen. I then checked to see if the keyboard was plugged in and it was so I turned ont he computer and pressed DEL to see if the keyboard was connected. It worked and the keyboard was able to work so i exited the setup and it started to restart. I then got back to the loading screen and was hoping that it would work but it wont. So if anyone can tell me anything of what may be wrong then could you help me, because my only other option would be to take it to the shop and have everything rebooted which i dont have copies of because i have not been able to get on the computer to pull them off the hard drive.


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Tenants in Mumbai Will Endure a Lot For an $8.50 Flat
Why Sojatwala Family Stayed In Rent-Controlled Digs After a Building Collapse
MUMBAI -- When four floors of his building caved in last month, killing three of his neighbors, Uttamchand K. Sojatwala refused to leave his two-bedroom, rent-controlled apartment. When the city then cut off his electricity and water and threatened to arrest his wife, he still wouldn't budge.
Mr. Sojatwala, owner of a thriving textile business, and 58 other tenants hunkered down in a building the city has declared too dangerous for habitation....


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Gawler Funeral Services Since 1865
Wholly owned and operated by the same local family since 1865.
Reduce your Stress as we help people through difficult times with
- Reliable and experienced male and female funeral directors
- Appointments in your home
- Local facilities
- Cremation or burial chapel & refreshment lounge
- Ethical members of a professional association (A.F.D.A)
- Bereavement aftercare and referrals for grief counseling
- Affordable prices
Currently owned by the 5th generation, Mark & Gizelle Forgie.
And 6th generation Claire Forgie.
Our Commitment to you…
"My Family has helped bereaved families for over 150 years, with reliability and understanding. Your family will always receive the very best attention and value."
- Mark Forgie
From: J.A… "In all my dealings with your company I have only been shown support and compassion. I was given lots of time which I needed. I will never forget your kindness."


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December 15, 2004 – The Center and the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection filed a petition to protect the Tucson shovel-nosed snake under the Endangered Species Act.
July 29, 2008 – Almost four years after our petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally announced that the Tucson shovel-nosed snake warrants federal protection. The agency began a one-year status review.
March 30, 2010 – More than five years after the Center's petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the Tucson shovel-nosed snake warranted protection as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act — but that such protection was precluded by listing of other higher-priority species.
July 12, 2011 – The Center reached a landmark agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service compelling the agency to move forward in the protection process for 757 species, including the Tucson shovel-nosed snake.


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May 19, 2011
The HSUS Recognized With 2011 Telly Award for Outstanding Dogfighting Video
The Humane Society of the United States is proud to receive a 2011 People's Choice Telly Award for the video "Stallone: The Face of Dogfighting." This video recounts the heart-wrenching story of a dog suffering from a lifetime of physical and mental abuse, forced to fight and clinging to life. Following a massive dogfighting bust, Stallone was taken to a temporary shelter, where he displayed a love and gratitude unimaginable to the team fighting desperately to save his life. The video was awarded a Silver Telly, the highest honor given at these awards.
In 2009, Frank Loftus, senior video producer for The HSUS, followed The HSUS Animal Rescue Team as they assisted federal, state and local authorities in the unprecedented rescue of hundreds of dogs from multiple organized dogfighting operations. Of the many hundreds of dogs rescued, Stallone's was one that left a powerful impact on the entire rescue team and Loftus meaningfully reveals his story for all to see in this award-winning video.
"We wanted to tell Stallone's heart-breaking story of neglect and cruelty while also showing that his final moments were full of love," said Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting investigations for The HSUS. "This Telly award is a great tribute to Stallone's life and the work we are doing at The Humane Society of the United States to end dogfighting nation-wide."
In addition to receiving a 2011 Telly Award, this video also played a key role in The HSUS winning the Pepsi Refresh Challenge grand prize of $250,000. The video was featured on the challenge's website and money from this award has already been used in three rescue operations, including a large hoarding case in Alabama. Thanks to Stallone and the award money from this video, the rescue team has saved 2,397 animals so far in 2011.


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This is an old revision of the document!
A stack is a collection data type where the primary operations are
push which adds an element and
pop' which removes. It is a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) data structure, the last element pushed must be the first one popped.
===== Array Based =====
An array implementation uses an simple array and items are added and removed from the end of the array. In a language without dynamic arrays, the stack would keep track of the number of items and the available space, when the stack runs out of space the array would be reallocated to provide more space. In Javascript the array'' data structure is dynamically resized and the stack implementation is very simple.


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Gratitude begets humility which begets God's grace.
We Need Messy Churches
The son of a gay dad and lesbian mom on how to think about LGBT people at our churches.
Is My Husband Gay?
My husband, former Exodus International president, has gay attractions — but he's attracted to me most.
10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Arminianism
Do Arminians and Calvinists actually disagree as much as we think?
How Christians Should Respond to Gender Dysphoria
What if we found meaning in all of our reality (including suffering) that is in need of redemption?
When I Was Pardoned
I went from drug dealer to committed Christian — and used my second chance for good.
Kurt Cobain and Sufjan Stevens: A Shared Suffering
Both artists authentically respond to suffering — one with grace and one in despair.
4 Profound Lessons I Learned From My Dogs
God can use all of His creation to teach us about life, love, and grace.
5 Important Lessons for Christians in "Grace of God"
Let this modern-day feature film remind you of the truths of the Ten Commandments.
Does God's Grace Really Cover Your Sin?
A Q&A with Lee Strobel on God's grace — who it extends to and why we have trouble accepting it.
10 Myths About Evangelicals Debunked
Let's address some widespread misconceptions about what it means to be an evangelical.
5 Lessons from St. Joseph's Ordinary Life
The foster father of Jesus is largely ignored. Here's why he shouldn't be.
10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About the Gospel
A professor of New Testament lists 10 key points on the heart of the Christian message.
10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Reformed Theology
Is Calvinism the cold, rigid approach to Christianity it's made out to be?
Finding Grace in My Stroke
A massive stroke should have left me wallowing in my body. But it pushed me into my soul.
5 Churchy Phrases Millennials Want to Hear
We know what scares off Millennials, but what will keep them coming back?
Living with Grace in the Shadow of Death Row
Reflections on "I Am Troy Davis" and the famous death row inmate from a minister who visited him in prison for years.
In Disfigured Man, Pope Francis Saw Jesus
In his embrace with a disfigured man in St. Peter's Square, the pope saw more than we might initially realize or understand.


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November 06. 2012 12:39AM
Let the voting begin: It's a tie in Dixville Notch; Democrats carry Hart's Location
By BOB HOOKWAY and SARA YOUNG-KNOX
Special to the Union Leader
Dixville Checklist Supervisor Donna Erwin reveals the election results early Tuesday morning in Dixville Notch. President Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney tied. (COURTESY)
Dixville Notch voters split their vote just after midnight, casting five votes for President Barack Obama and five for Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
A handful of residents in this remote corner of New Hampshire's northernmost county, Coos, have prided themselves since 1960 on returning the first results to be announced in the nation for presidential voting.
They traditionally cast their ballots within a minute after the polls open, just after midnight on Election Day.
There was a new voting site in Dixville Notch this year, however. With work under way at The Balsams, the now-closed grand hotel in the North Country, voting took place across Route 26 at The Balsams Wilderness Ski Resort.
Dixville Town Clerk Rick Erwin and Town Moderator Tom Tillotson oversaw the process at the lodge, about a mile-and-a-half from the hotel.
In the congressional race, Dixville Notch voters favored Republican Charlie Bass over Ann McLane Kuster 6 to 3, awarding Libertarian Hardy Macia one vote.
In the governor's race, the GOP's Ovide Lamontagne got seven votes to Democrat Maggie Hassan's three.
Hart's Location
The voters of this Crawford Notch town bundled up and came out to town hall to vote at midnight, giving President Obama 23 votes. Republican challenger Mitt Romney received nine votes, Libertarian Gary Johnson one.
Democrat Maggie Hassan got 22 votes in her bid to win the corner office, with Republican candidate Ovide Lamontagne getting the support of nine voters. Libertarian John Babiarz received two votes.
In the congressional race, the GOP's Frank Guinta got nine votes to Democrat Carol Shea-Porter's 23.
Election Day 2012 Blog
NH polling places, town by town
2012 Voters Guide
2012 Candidate Debates


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Joan Calabrese by Mon Cheri 116373
- Brand: Joan Calabrese for Mon Cheri
- Style #: 116373 - Quick Delivery*
- Availability: In Stock
Sleeveless satin, tulle and pearl tea-length A-line dress, satin bodice encrusted with hand-beading and pearls, plain satin keyhole back bodice with pearl buttons, wide beaded natural waistband, scattered pearls and beading cascade down full gathered multi-layer tulle skirt with wire edge.
Quick Delivery:
- White: 6X, 6
*Sizes and colors marked Quick Delivery indicates that a style is NOT IN OUR STORE. Only the color and size highlighted with a sales tag are in our store to be be tried on. Quick Delivery items usually can be ordered for delivery in less than 1 week, but always call us first to confirm that an item can be here for you to try on before you come to our store. (214) 823-6873


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MIAMI - A wayward manatee seen on Cape Cod last month has arrived in Florida after being flown on a transport jet after being rescued from murky waters near a New Jersey oil refinery.
MIAMI - A wayward manatee has arrived in Florida after being flown on a transport jet after being rescued from murky waters near a New Jersey oil refinery.
Ilya left Atlantic City International Airport Thursday. Miami Seaquarium was the ultimate destination.
The sea cow was pulled from a creek at the ConocoPhillips oil refinery in Linden and had been recuperating at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.
Federal wildlife authorities kept the rescue a secret, fearing a crush of media and well-wishers could stress the manatee.
Ilya needed to be rescued because New Jersey's waters are too cold for him to survive for long. He's been migrating as far north as Massachusetts for the past decade, but dithered too long in the Garden State this year.
Last month, Ilya was sighted at Sesuit Harbor in East Dennis and was also seen in Rock Harbor.
Last year, a manatee was spotted in several locations around Cape Cod, particularly in Sesuit Harbor. After he showed signs of cold stress, rescuers had stepped in to try to get him into warm waters. That manatee, dubbed Dennis, died Oct. 12 near the end of a trip in a van from East Dennis to Sea World in Orlando, Fla.


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New Polling Feature on its Way
One of the foundations of our Diabetic Connect community is the belief patients have valuable knowledge to share about their condition.Tips for day-to-day living. Insights on treatments and navigating the healthcare system. Information that empowers you to take control of your condition.
So, with that in mind, we're always on the lookout for new ways to let you share that knowledge. Our latest feature in the works is community polling. The polls will be an easy and quick way to compare your experiences and opinions with other community members'. They'll act as a spark for community discussion and sharing. And they should be fun, too!
Watch for the polls; they'll be coming soon!
24 replies
Isn't this what we are already doing, but in a general way?
Sounds great but before we get more new things shouldn't some other things be fixed first? This friending/following thing? Be able to deny someone following you even? The dislike feature working? I like this new idea! But would like the other things fixed first.
The dislike feature was never meant to "dislike" someone's post or comment as that would be very hurtful. The dislike button was created for the circumstance of accidentally clicking the "like" button, and wanting to unlike it. There are no plans for a dislike button in the terms you are talking about.
I agree with you, once again. I don't think they really plan to do anything with what you mentioned and will just leave it as is or it would probably have been fixed by now. I wonder what mess this new polling will bring up? I'm sure the idea behind it sounds good, but hmm…
Christy, I believe you can block someone by going to their profile ad down toward the bottom and to the left (in very light print beneath the badges.) it says "block/report [screen name]" so if you have problems with someone you can block and or report that person.
I think she means to be able to block a person without reporting them?
However, if you would let us know why you are blocking them so we can keep an eye on things. Usually there is a reason to block a person. I know I have reported without blocking, in case my report turns out to be non problematic. So if you would tell us, that will help us.
You already can do that. Go to the bottom of their profile and you will see a link that says report/block (name of member) Just click on that and click the block box and you are done. No following, no friend. It has existed from the start. It was just not easily found.
That sounds good as long as it is easier to know which polls you replied too. Also maybe we should add in a Love Button! Or a star rating? just a few thoughts to add in.
back before you came on here, Temi DC did have a star rating system which (as I remember) was replaced by the thumbs up thumbs down function.
Oh man what fun!! Can members offer poll topics?!!
We would like you to suggest poll topics. I started a discussion so you can offer ideas: http://www.diabeticconnect.com/discussions/14...
Next Discussion: What to expect »


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This morning was a cup and tea and moved to the rhythm of a slow jazz riff. Don't you love those mornings? Let's do a little jig to two jazzy videos from youtube for this installment of poetry on the interwebs. Relax, feel a little somber with Langston, feel a little ecstatic with Jack.
Best wishes,


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All Films.All Above Board.NOW INCLUDES TV SHOWS & TV LISTINGS
Christie Malry (Nick Moran) is a put-upon accountant who works for a London sweet factory. One day, fed up with the petty humiliations he is forced to endure to earn a wage, he decides to apply the double-entry system of book-keeping to his own life, balancing every aggravation received with a recompense delivered. Soon, however, things get out of control, and Christie's acts of revenge begin taking on greater and greater proportions, to the point where he plans to blow up the Houses of Parliament.


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Cute sleeping dogs17 Images 2856 Views
If you are a dog owner you know that they love to take naps. Very often. And they look so cute when sleep catches them unexpectedly. Below I found some random trivia facts about dogs.
- How many hours does the average dog slee...
Created: Friday 19, December 2014


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Alexis Bledel & Vincent Kartheiser: Red Carpet Couple Debut!
Alexis Bledel and boyfriend Vincent Kartheiser make their red carpet debut as a couple at Annie Leibovitz' Macallan Masters of Photography Series event on Wednesday (October 10) at The Bowery Hotel in New York City.
The 31-year-old actress played the mistress of Vincent's character Pete on Mad Men for three episodes last season.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Alexis Bledel
Over the summer, the couple was spotted smooching on a cross country flight, according to Us Weekly.
10+ pictures inside of Alexis Bledel and Vincent Kartheiser walking the red carpet together…


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What is the daily spectrum of your thought? If you want to trip someone ask them that. If you want to trip yourself really explore the question. Personally I think too much, a trait likely shared by all artists, or dare I say human beings. We think too much and it's what makes us exceptional and let's face it exceptionally malleable. In exploring our malleability one can come across upsetting revelations, like realizing one was immersed in unproductive shallow or angry thoughts for a long time. Exploring introspection, whether of self or society, can be upsetting because we face our shadows and our ego. We come upon the realization that so many things we thought were correct were entirely wrong.
Our own personal problems are our own of course, no matter how they reflect the lives and situations of our peers. Society's shadows are something we all share and exploration of these collective shadows can be just as, if not more upsetting and insulting, and revelatory, as any personal exploration. What is the spectrum of our collective thinking? This question is a great place to begin exploration of out collective character.
In exploring this question from the United States I see the biggest problem in the U.S. is our near total apathy. Apathy to war, apathy to the nuclear experimentation, petrolithic destruction including coal, oil and natural gas, genetic modification of our plants and animals, and all out toxic practices indifferent or murderous to all but economic equations. We are apathetic to our collectively sh*tting the bed. We are apathetic to totally environmental destruction. Individuals now yield authority to the institutions, like those united who once came together, now just differ to literal economic equations or policies based on as much.
As a collective we are apathetic, institutionalized and steered. The difference can abstractly be understood in the difference between being from the United States or being from America. The United States of America says it, right there. We are the United States and we are of America. There is no other United States, given, but there is North America, Central America and South America. Believing and stating one is from America is like saying one is from Asia. It's vague at best and in the case of defining the United States or America it takes on a whole different value system, one recognizing unity the other not so much.
We are apathetic to even the greatness we hold, our ability to unite. We allow economic institutions to steer us in their direction toward economic growth, regional poisoning and destruction aside. How could we be so apathetic to war on humanity and destruction of Earth Mother? How could our spectrum of thinking have been so reduced as to only contemplate materialism and ignore destruction of all life? And why the hell, with all the other disorders on the psychiatrick radar, with all the new disorders in their recent updated manual (including, thank the lord, Marijuana Withdraw Disorder, which too many people suffer from -legalize!) would they not explore our complete apathy to reality, to environmental destruction of our planet?
Perhaps those in the psychiatrick industry are under the guidance of our collective shadows, our collective ego just as much as anyone else. If there were a scheme to train us and steer us to apathy so much that we are further apathetic to considering our apathy, the conditioning would have to start early. It would have to be part of our emotional and psychological makeup so completely as to be ubiquitous and almost unnoticeable. It would have to be part of something that we all celebrate so as to reinforce that no one question it. It would have to be done at a time when we were most impressionable. The greatest societal manipulation in the United States that could result in our total apathy, which suggests if not proves psychiatry is liquid science at best, is the Santa Clause story attached to Christmas.
Santa Clause as we know him in the U.S. is used to inspire economical equations. However a possibly unintended result of the buildup of emotional attachment and subsequent let down and heartbreak that the entire world lies to you, is that we avoid addressing lies in the future, even evil adult lies. When we are most impressionable, we are immersed into the Santa Clause story, the greatest destroyer of innocence and curiosity, so detrimental as to require its own psychological label; Santa Clause Syndrome.
Say no more to being a Saturnalia scapegoat, check out Santa Clause Syndrome, just in time for (saving you from) the holidays: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYTVX9K


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first time on here and i hope that you can help.
I have Windows XP with SP3.
I was running my usual clean up programs - ADsGone, Avast and Spybot.
I also ran in error a Canon printer exe update driver file that was used when i went to SP2.
I don't know if this caused my problem.
My problem is, i keep getting the error message:
Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissios to access the item.
I'm getting this whenever i try any exe file OR anything in the control panel.
I've searched the web for 2 days now any nothing seems to help.
I can't even re-trying to add SP3 as it wont run the exe file. Even Start>run>regedit wont work.
any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


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I read this article last night in a magazine we got at the health food store. William Davis, a cardiologist, wrote the book titled Wheat Belly. What I didn't know and found very interesting is that:
Wheat today has been crossbred to multiply yield and in the process, there has been a major change in a protein called gliadin, which is a component of gluten. The gliadin in today's' wheat is a very powerful stimulant of appetite, so much so that the typical person who consumes wheat eats, on average, between 440 and 800 calories per day. Gliadin acts as an opiate and it stimulates appetite in people with normal digestion of gluten. However, most gluten sensitivity is really a gliadin sensitivity. You may or may not be sensitive to gluten in its totality, but you are likely sensitive to the gliadin component of gluten.
When we eat wheat, the gliadin gets broken down into polypeptides, which are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and bind with certain opiate receptors. Because of the nature of these opiate receptors, gliadin doesn't cause pain relief or euphoria, it causes addiction and appetite stimulation. It's a very unique kind of opiate.
The kind of addiction that gliadin causes is an increased appetite for carbohydrates. Dr. Davis goes on to say:
Nearly all people who say "I have a terrible sweet tooth," are really addicted to wheat that stimulates their desire for sweets. Almost always, people who eliminate wheat lose that desire and their sense of sweetness is amplified. Things they used to think were tasty are now so sickeningly sweet, they can't eat them.
I really didn't know any of this and I thought I'd pass along this eye-opening information. I don't eat wheat any more due to painful reactions in my neck and head. Now I'm glad it's out of my diet! I wonder if organic wheat flours have this same gliadin in them? Let me know what you think.


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This is a Simple tutorial for Beginner on how to use Visual C++ for first time for creating Hello World!, who are not familiar with its interface.
For First time user, there might be problems in creating programs.
Download Visual C++ FREE form MSDN.(http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/products/2010-editions/visual-cpp-express )
Register your product and start with tutorial.
Some of you might have used turbo C++. But it is not supported in full screen mode in Vista and Window 7.(For more info http://www.whitehatandroid.com/2010/09/dosbox-run-turbo-c-in-windows-7vista-in.html )
One my readers asked
How to run Turbo C++ in Windows Vista ?
My friend has this problem with her new Laptop. She cannot use Turbo C++ on the Windows Vista OS.
Can anyone suggest a solution for this ?
Open Visual C++ and create a New project.(ctrl+Shift+N)
Select Empty Project From Installed Templates
Right Click "Source File" and add a New Item.
Select C++ File(.cpp)
Create Your program. Here is Simple code to display "hello Word!"
Right Click and Compile.
Select Release From Drop Down and click on Run
Hello Word! Successfully Created.
I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial,please do comment!


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Concert pianist and artist Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen hosted a private party at her SoHo loft to unveil her new paintings plus dresses by designer Duc Hung and furniture by BoConcept. The multitalented hostess — known to pals as Coco — even provided entertainment at her grand piano and whipped up Vietnamese snacks. "In addition to being a great pianist, she's an amazing cook," exclaimed a guest describing the shindig as "East Meets West." Laurent Tourondel provided a cocktail creation called "River of Diamonds" after the English translation of Nguyen's name. Guests included Liliana Cavendish, Michele Gerber Klein and Elaine Sargent. After nearly becoming a Hollywood wife to überproducer Brian Grazer, Nguyen, "doesn't miss Malibu . . . because it was so isolated," a spy said. "She loves New York . . . she hates to leave."
Brian Grazer ex Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen not missing Malibu
By PageSix.com Staff
April 26, 2013 | 4:00am


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This blog is about my passion for the Alberta I love. I am a moderate, centrist and inclusive Albertan.
Friday, April 15, 2011
I Love Alberta
They have told me they want a long-term vision for Alberta; not just for the next election or to grab a headline, but for generations to come. They have told me they want government and leadership that will build a solid long-term plan around that vision as well. And they want political leadership to actually make it happen.
In my campaign, I have brought these issues from the majority of Albertans – rural and urban – to our Party. Those voices reflect a clearly moderate, centrist and inclusive Alberta and Canada.
I've also had the opportunity to recently meet with several senior members of the Alberta Party, who told me that many of my fellow Alberta Party members find it distasteful, even offensive, that I do not (in their opinion) respect the Party's policies and philosophies by coming out with definitive statements that "put a period at the end of the sentence". They have also suggested I should not bring up issues that have not been raised through the "Big Listen" process. I've been told that the Leader of our party is to simply listen, and is not to attempt to shape policy in any way.
With all due respect – If we are not prepared to "put the period at the end of the sentence" on ending Aboriginal poverty; on ending industrial wastewater and emissions; on eliminating illiteracy; on demanding stable, publicly funded healthcare and educational systems – then, yes, my campaign is clearly at odds with the philosophies and policies of The Alberta Party.
A couple of weeks ago, Jeff Blodgett (one of President Obama's organizers) inspired us with many things, but particularly that "leaders needed to be authentic and genuine". But during the past couple of weeks I have been asked several times by Party people to "tone down" the fact that I'm an energy CEO, and to "soften" the message that I've been in the energy industry for 28 years. I had hoped that my energy sector knowledge would be seen as a benefit to the Party. I had hoped it would be seen as an opportunity to build bridges and help move Alberta forward into a long-term vision of energy and the environment. Instead, I'm told this is a bad image for the Party.
To be authentic and genuine, I want to make this clear (again): The energy industry needs to make positive change. It needs to change its practices with regard to industrial wastewater and emissions. It needs to continue to improve its methods of environmental response. It needs to take a long-term view of wealth creation, and long-term capital infrastructure investment for all Albertans. I was very clear on these issues during my campaign. And I also want to be clear that I am very proud to be part of the energy industry and the new generation of professionals that are determined to bring balance to that industry.
Many Albertans have asked me to make a statement on the "power line" issue. I have held off making such a statement, as it would have been definitive, and not in keeping with the Alberta Party policy process. But it needs to be definitive, particularly for a leadership candidate. This has a dramatic impact on all Albertans, as well as the energy industry. We need to take an immediate and courageous stand on this issue. But, as a Leadership Candidate for The Alberta Party I cannot make a definitive statement because, to many in the Party, this would not respect the policy process.
I want to express my sincere, heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have encouraged me in the campaign. Your support, encouragement, thoughtful and heartfelt discussions about real issues that really matter to you, your families and your communities is what always made my day.
However, I cannot continue to run a campaign that offends the Party, including some of the Board, and causes them to say I don't respect the Party's policies and processes.
All of my platform issues and comments have always been within the clear context of Alberta Party policies. And, to be true to myself and not hypocritical, I will continue to "put the period at the end of the sentence" with respect to poverty, illiteracy, sustainable funding of healthcare and education, wastewater and emissions, an Alberta-first agricultural strategy, and other issues. I will not, as was suggested to me by a senior Party member, "embrace the ambiguity".
I am a moderate, centrist and inclusive Albertan. At the 61st Annual Canadian Oilmen's Executive Association Governors' Ball, which I attended a few days ago, several senior energy executives told me they found such a notion appealing. But they would only support strength, not ambiguity.
Here is my video: http://bit.ly/fy1eDW
I will continue my efforts strenuously to bring a moderate, centrist and inclusive long-term vision and strategy to Alberta. I have listened to Albertans, and I have heard what they've said. And I am prepared to act on what they tell me.
Many of you know I'm on a journey to lose 50 lbs by 2012. You've shared your personal stories and congratulated me. I've talked about it a lot, thought about it a lot, and consulted with my doctor about it. I thank all of you who've given me encouragement. And I haven't lost a single pound. In fact I've gained a few. This morning I woke up, got on the exercise bike, and had a healthy breakfast.
2 comments:
- Mark said...
Hi Chris,
I'm sorry to hear that you're withdrawing from the Alberta Party leadership race. I think you have a lot to bring, and I hope you'll continue to be involved in the party.
To me, this raises a larger question; to what extent should a leader place their "stamp" on a political party? It is, of course, exceedingly undemocratic for a single person, even if elected, to make the decisions about where the policy of a party stands. On the other hand, leadership is needed, because even the members of a small party will never agree on issues as wide-ranging as land use and health care. I don't have any answers to this question, and I hope the Alberta party can strike a balance between allowing the members to make decisions on policy, and leadership in crafting policy that all Albertans will find appealing.
However, if there are any Alberta Party members who think that the party can have any success without understanding the energy industry, then they need to radically re-think their position. There are certainly environmental issues that must be addressed about the industry, and we in this province need to have a debate about the long-term future of the industry and our province, and what, exactly, we want it all to look like. But I think the energy industry is here to stay, and it remains the economic engine of this province. If experience in the energy industry is bad for the party's image, then I fear it isn't a party that will connect with the many, many Albertans who work, directly and otherwise, in that industry.
I wish you luck on your next goals!
- April 16, 2011 at 10:25 AM
- dale f galbraith said...
Hello Chris
I recently came across your leadership bid and your blog through a link from one of the many politically astute Albertan's and after reading about your dilemma, I felt compelled to ad my comment.
Although my political affiliation does not coincide with the Alberta Party, I am, non-the-less, an avid supporter of democracy as expressed through the strength and view points of all political parties.
It is under this guise that I find the response from your party executive somewhat troubling and in my opinion, represents a rather short sighted view of open democracy.
I find the reasoning for your approach to the leadership bid sound and transparent, and particularly relevant given today's seemingly dysfunction political arena particularly at the federal level.
In support of your expressed views, I would like to present an excerpt from a letter (presented in a similar situation), which emphasizes the importance of political transparency at all levels;
"I am confident you will agree that the unity and strength of any organization, more often than not, comprehensively depends on the quality and integrity of its members. As history has so often proved, there are few organizations that depend more attentively on those facts (to their success or in many cases their detriment) than those whose members unanimously form the basis of a political association, no matter their stripe."
All of us involved in political parties should continue to reflect on the "why" of our political meaning, particularly those who wish to establish a formidable Political Association.
All the best to you in your future political aspirations no matter their stripes !
- April 17, 2011 at 11:39 AM


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I have avoided this for months, and it's time – I believe – to finally relent and do that which I should have done weeks ago.
I am not a terribly "hard" person, contrary to a lot of what my followers see me tweet. So, I suppose that to some who are under this misapprehension, my announcement will come as a surprise.
It has been a very difficult season for me personally, which is why this decision has been so long coming, I suppose.
So, rather than beat around the bush, I will just "cut to the chase", as the Americans have it.
Today, at 1100(GMT), I am lifting my office moratorium on Christmas music. It wasn't an easy decision to make. I thrive on tension and angst. But, I think it was the right decision, and one in which I will have your support.
Many thanks for reading, listening, and for your ongoing support during this difficult, but courageous time in my life.
Kind regards,


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About Sifu Mark Chen
Mark Chen is a 20th-generation lineage holder in Chen Family Taijiquan, and a formal, rumen disciple of 19th-generation grandmaster Chen Qingzhou () of Xulü Village, Henan Province, China. Mark has been teaching Taijiquan for well over twenty years. He holds an instructor's credential (quan shi rank) from the certification board of the Wen Xian International Taijiquan Conference (), the official accreditation body for Chen Family Taijiquan instructors in China. He is also a certified senior instructor in the Chen Qingzhou Martial Arts Association ( , accredited under China's Ministry of Education) and the public relations director for the National Neigong Research Society (NNRS).
Grandmaster Chen Qingzhou (left) with Mark Chen
Mark began Shaolin training in 1973 under the renowned master Guo Lianyin (, 1895–1984) , who was considered by many to have been one of the greatest martial artists of the twentieth century. In 1979 he progressed to Yang Style Taijiquan under Master Bill Gee, and in 1996 began studies in Chen style Taijiquan with Master Zhang Xuexin () of San Francisco (preferring the more vigorous, martial orientation of the Chen system). The following year, he met Grandmaster Chen Qingzhou (, 1934-2015), a disciple of the great 18th-generation grandmaster Chen Zhaopi ( , 1893-1972). Mark became a student of Grandmaster Chen at that time, and was granted disciple status in 1999.
Mark is the author of Old Frame Chen Family Taijiquan, published by North Atlantic Books.
(Play button at top left corner.)
Ken Gullette talks with Mark Chen, author of \"Old Frame Chen Family Taijiquan\" and a formal, rumen disciple of the late Grandmaster Chen Qingzhou. Mark Chen is a certified senior instructor in the Chen Qingzhou Martial Arts Association. He has also trained under Master Guo Lianyin, Master Bill Gee, Master Chen Youze, and Master Zhang XueXin. In this 90-minute interview, Mark talks with Ken about his martial arts journey, including the pain and benefit of studying under the strict gaze of \"traditional\" Chinese teachers: