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Don Knotts Greeting Card - WHOLESALE 6-PACK
Why this all occasion greeting card featuring Don Knotts, you might ask? Because Don Knotts, that's why.
Product Information
Orders include card and matching envelope only; decorative items in product photos are not included
All cards are blank on the inside
Greeting cards are professionally laser-printed and machine-scored, cut and folded.
We carefully package each card in-house. Each listing includes one card and envelope.
All cards are printed on quality 80 lb acid-free cover stock, which is 100% recycled and measures 4.25 x 5.5 inches (A2 size).
Matching ivory envelopes are 70 lb acid-free and 100% recycled and measure 4 3/8 x 5 3/4 inches. Red holiday envelopes are 70 lb acid-free and 30% recycled.


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Good: At fan appreciation day in October, Astros fan Bob Choate won a year's supply of free doughnuts from Shipley's Do-Nuts.
Bad: He received 315 coupons for doughnuts and coffee, each values around $3. As with all large prizes, he would have to declare it on his taxes. It turned out to cost him $237, even though as of last month, he had only used eight coupons.
Good: Lawrence Shipley, owner of the Houston chain, has offered to reimburse Choate for his tax hit. In exchange, Choate will donate the same amount to a charity of Shipley's choice. The Astros have apologized for the trouble, giving Choate a Jeff Bagwell signed baseball.
Bad: They also gave him four tickets to an Astros game.
Shipley prize put Astros fan in IRS doughnut hole [Houston Chronicle]
Astros fan learns there's no such thing as 315 free donuts [Big League Stew]
EARLIER: Guy Who Won A Year's Worth Of Doughnut-Shop Coupons From The Astros Whines About The Tax Bill

subset: commoncrawl


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The metals and mining industry encompasses the extraction (mining) as well as primary and secondary processing of metals and minerals. The industry is oligarchic in structure, with a few producers accounting for a lion's share of the output.
Iron and steel commands a major chunk of the global metals marketmore than half the metals industry in terms of volume, followed by aluminum. The iron and steel industry includes metal ore exploration and mining services, as well as iron and steel foundries for smelting, rolling, forging, spinning, recycling, stamping, polishing and plating of iron and steel products.
The precious metal and minerals industry consists of companies engaged in the extraction and primary processing of gold, silver, platinum, diamond, semi-precious stones, uranium and other rare minerals and ores, along with the cultivation of pearls.
The industry is highly cyclical and competitive. Historically, it has suffered from overcapacity (excess of supply over demand). Metal producers are subject to cyclical fluctuations in prices, general economic conditions and end-user markets. The weakening outlook for global economic growth has emerged as a major headwind for the global metal industry. These near-term challenges aside, the group's long-term dynamics appear attractive.
A Detailed Look into Metals: Performance and Outlook
As the major stakeholder in the metals market, the steel industry was severely hurt by the global economic downturn. Recovery, however, was swift and forceful. According to the World Steel Association, world crude steel production was a record 1,527 Mt in 2011, a 6.8% annual jump. In the first quarter of the current fiscal, world crude steel production was 377.3 Mt, and improved further to 388.4 Mt in the second quarter. Moreover, recent data shows that crude steel production for July and August was at 252.5 Mt, trending 0.4% higher than the comparable period last year.
China retained its leadership position among the steel producing countries, yielding almost half of the global output at 48%, growing 2% year over year so far in the third quarter. Japan, the second largest producer, posted a 2% increase. The United States held the third position, producing 14.8 Mt of crude steel, flat annually and constituted 6% of the total global output. Asia improved 2.3% to 166.8 Mt, while production in Europe was a dampener, declining 4.5%.
The automotive and construction markets have historically been the largest consumers of steel. The automotive sector has shown significant promise. Auto sales in the U.S. surged 13% to 1.19 million vehicles for the month of September 2012. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) went up 13.7% to 14.9 million vehicles from September last year, the highest sales rate in the last four years.
Auto sales for the first nine months of 2012 averaged 14.5 million SAAR and grew a promising 15%. The robust growth rate in the sector has been fueled by strong pent-up demand, cheap financing, launch of several redesigned and fuel-efficient vehicles, rebound in consumer confidence, thanks to a growing belief that the housing market is recovering.
The construction sector had been a drag on the steel companies' earnings. However, recent figures suggest a turnaround in the non-residential as well as residential construction sector. According to the American Institute of Architects, the architecture billings index (ABI), an economic indicator that provides an approximate nine- to twelve-month glimpse into the future of non-residential construction spending activity, stood at 48.7, up considerably from 45.9 registered in June.
Even though in the negative territory (since any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings), the index level pointed toward a moderation in the downturn. The momentum picked up in August with ABI climbing back into the positive territory with a score of 50.2 for the first time in five months.
The American Institute of Architects projects a 4.4% increase in spending this year for non-residential construction projects, on the back of increase in demand for industrial facilities so far this year along with sustained demand for hotels and retail projects. The spending is expected to accelerate further to 6.2% in 2013.
As per the U.S. Department of Commerce, housing starts increased 29% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 750,000 in August 2012 compared with August 2011. Building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 803,000, 24.5% higher than the year-ago figure. It is worth mentioning that building permits in July this year had touched the highest level in four years at 811,000.
In a nutshell, record-low mortgage rates, rising rents and reduced prices of properties are luring buyers. These figures provide a glimmer of hope that U.S. residential construction is finally stabilizing and is on the road to a much awaited recovery.
Reflecting on the second quarter results of the steel companies in our coverage ArcelorMittal, United States Steel Corp., Nucor Corporation and AK Steel Holding Corporationwe see revenues were constrained due to drop in average steel prices. This does not come as a surprise, however, as oversupply in the U.S. steel industry and increased steel imports in the domestic market affected steel prices, hurting margins and profits of steel players in the process.
Looking forward to the third quarter, the steelmakers expect profits to be lower than the second quarter due to continued increase in steel imports, decline in average realized prices along with macroeconomic uncertainty and sluggish growth in emerging markets.
For 2012, the World Steel Association provides a muted outlook, projecting a 3.6% increase in global steel usage, a sharp deceleration from 5.6% growth in 2011. This reflects a continuing slowdown in Chinese steel demand and Eurozone debt crisis uncertainties. Furthermore, questions about the U.S. growth outlook also loom large.
After recording a 6.2% growth in 2011, China's steel usage in 2012 is estimated to grow 4% to 648.8 Mt as the economy is entering a less steel-intensive growth phase as a result of the government's efforts to rebalance the economy and restrain the real estate bubble. After a weak performance in 2011, India is expected to grow by 6.9% to 72.5 Mt. Japan's steel usage is expected to drop 0.6% to 63.7 Mt in 2012, due to the impact of exchange rate appreciation despite the reconstruction activities after the March 2011 earthquake.
In 2013, world steel demand is expected to increase 4.5% to approximately 1,486 Mt. China's steel usage is expected to grow 4% to 674.8 Mt from the 2012 projections. India is expected to pick up pace and grow 9.4%, triggered by urbanization and surging infrastructure investment. In 2013, the steel use in the U.S. is envisioned at 99.5 Mt, recording 5.6% growth. Brazil is expected to grow 6.7% to reach 52.5 Mt in 2013. Japan is expected to decline further by 2.2% to 62.3 Mt, comprising 77% of the 2007 level. Europe is, however, expected to record a modest recovery of 3.3% to 155.8 Mt in 2013.
Given the scenario in Europe, ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker in terms of volume and Europe's largest steelmaker, had earlier decided to idle five of its 25 blast furnaces in Europe and announced the extended idling of a number of facilities. The company will continue to align its steel growth projects to match demand situations. To reduce its exposure to Europe, the company recently sold its 24% share in European energy company, Enovos International.
Steelmakers are increasing their consolidation efforts, particularly in China and India, in order to derive economies of scale and other synergies to remain competitive. A major development in this sector was the recent merger of Japan's largest and world's sixth-largest steel maker Nippon Steel Corporation with 27th-ranked Sumitomo Metal Industries to form the world's second biggest steel firm - Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMY). With a combined capacity of 46.1 million tons, it is set to replace China's Hebei Group in the second position, which has a production of 44.4 million tons. The merger is targeted to generate savings in the face of increasingly intense global competition.
To sum up, despite plagued by overcapacity and softening prices, the outlook for the sector is not that bad. The outlook for key end-markets in the automotive, transportation, energy, industrial and agricultural sectors remains favorable. The faltering construction sector is showing signs of a turnaround.
China's recent attempt to bolster its economy by approving 60 infrastructure projects worth more than $150 billion will help lift up the steel sector. Prices could potentially stabilize on the back of a rebound in construction activity in the developing countries, in particular China, India and South Korea.
Furthermore, the sector will also benefit from the Federal Reserve's move to boost the U.S economy. However, the European debt crisis and its potential global impact remain an overhang on the industry.
As per the World Gold Council, 2011 was a milestone year for gold as global demand for the yellow metal grew 0.4% to 4,067.1 tons at an estimated value of $205.5 billionthe highest tonnage level with a value exceeding $200 billion since 1997. The increase was mainly propelled by the investment sector, particularly in India, China and Europe.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2012, gold demand was at 990 tons, down 7% year over year. Increase in demand from central banks was offset by declines in demand for jewelry, investment and in the technology sectors, due to higher prices. Central banks continued to be the primary purchasers of gold, accounting for around 16% of total gold demand, at 157.5 tons. This was a record quarter for central bank, buying more than twice the purchases in the second quarter last year.
In absolute terms, gold demand in the quarter was valued at $51.2 billion, a 1% decline from the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Average gold price in the first quarter stood at $1,609.49, 7% above the prior fiscal's quarter.
Investment demand declined 23% to 302 tons, due to lower demand for ETFs and physical bars, particularly in India and China. Gold demand in the technology sector was 1,112.2 tons, a 5% decline year-over-year due to higher gold prices, weak consumer demand, uncertainty in Europe and substitution to more affordable alternatives.
Jewelry demand dipped 15% to 418.3 tons due to higher price levels. Jewelry demand in India, a major consumer of gold, was down 30%, mainly due to a deprecation in the Indian rupee against the US dollar, which led to record high local prices. Furthermore, slowing GDP growth, domestic inflation, high interest rates and below average monsoon rain also contributed to the decline. Gold in India is currently at an all-time high in rupee terms.
In China, another major market, demand for gold decreased 9% to 93.8 tons as consumers were discouraged by the slowing GDP growth and the lack of clear trend in gold price. However, China is expected to resume its pace as economic growth is expected to pick up as a result of the monetary easing implemented in the second quarter.
Mine production inched up 3 tons to 706.4 tons, up 3% year over year. Adverse weather conditions, interruptions at few operations and slower ramp up of production at few mines affected the production numbers during the quarter. Recycling activity decreased 12% to 363.7 tons, bringing the total supply to 1,059.1 tons, down 6% year over year.
Russia is becoming an important player in the global gold market. The Central Bank of Russia remains a significant purchaser of gold. A healthy domestic economy is driving the demand for gold jewelry in the region, catapulting it to the position of the world's fourth largest gold jewelry consumer. The region accounts for 8% of the total global gold output.
Gold prices in 2011 ranged from a low of $1,310 per ounce to a high of $1,895 per ounce, with an average gold price of $1,572 per ounce in 2011. The record gold price of $1,895 per ounce was attained in September, 33% higher than the 2010 peak of $1,421 per ounce recorded in November 2010. So far in 2012, gold has ranged from $1,540 per ounce to $1,791.75 per ounce, with an average of $1,656.18 per ounce.
Continuing concerns about Europe's financial problems and China's reduced economic growth forecast led to the climb. Furthermore, the announcement of a third round of quantitative easing led to a surge in the price of gold. Given the performance in 2011, and thus far in 2012, we expect this year to be stellar for gold.
This climb in gold prices has not translated into increased revenues at all of the gold miners. In the second quarter, while revenues at Kinross Gold Corporation and Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. benefited from higher average realized price of gold, Barrick Gold Corporation, Goldcorp Inc. and Newmont Mining Corp. could not capitalize from them due to increased cash costs. Moreover, Goldcorp was riddled with production issues at its Red Lake mine.
As prices for gold rise further, gold giants such as Barrick Gold and Goldcorp being unhedged producers of gold will enjoy significant leverage to gold prices. The cost increases need to be controlled in order to rake in profits. On the other hand, gold producers like Newmont and Kinross are slated to suffer from lower ore grades that subdue production levels, increase mining costs and negate the benefits of rising gold prices.
Ironically, rallying gold prices have not had the same effect on the share prices of the gold companies. Investors prefer alternative financial products that allow them to invest in gold, rather than investment in gold companies per se. These companies may be entangled in labor issues, escalating cost and other risks.
Gold remains a coveted asset, given its long-term supply and demand dynamics and influenced by macro-economic factors. The value and wealth preservation attributes of gold continue to attract investors and consumers, and is considered a safe-haven investment. Concerns regarding economic growth in developed countries have made gold an attractive and safe investment option. The European sovereign debt crisis promoted gold as a currency hedge for European investors.
Lingering economic concerns, higher inflation expectations in many countries, including India and China, and the relentless Euro-zone debt crisis will continue to drive gold prices this year, as well. India, which alone consumes nearly 45%−50% of the world's gold, should drive demand for gold along with China. China will likely emerge as the largest gold market in the world in 2012 and Chinese gold demand is expected to double in 10 years.
The aluminum industry is highly cyclical, with prices subject to worldwide supply and demand.
Alcoa, Inc. the world leader in the production of primary aluminum, kicked off the third quarter earnings season with a revenue decline of 9% due to a 17% and 20% year-over-year decline in the realized metal price and realized alumina price, respectively. On an adjusted basis, the company reported earnings per share of 3 cents compared with 6 cents per share earned in the second quarter.
Results were down sequentially due to lower metal prices, seasonal factors and weakness in Europe. Alcoa's results in the past two quarters have suffered because of the decline in realized aluminum prices.
The company has trimmed its 2012 outlook expecting global aluminum demand to go up by 6% this year from the earlier expectation of 7%, due to the slowdown in China. Alcoa believes that the long-term prospects for aluminum remain bright and envisions that global demand for aluminum will double by 2020.
Alcoa's positive long-term outlook notwithstanding, prices have been under pressure, prompting companies to cut back on production. Rio Tinto plc plans to sell its aluminium assets and close its smelter in order to cut costs. In line with this, Rio recently sold its U.S.-based wire and cable business Alcan Cable for $185 million. BHP Billiton Limited is also mulling the sale of its aluminum and nickel operations to exit from its non-profitable projects.
Alcoa is aggressively slashing costs and pursuing strategies to move down its cost curves in its upstream businesses. The company remains committed to achieving its target of moving down the cost curve 10 percentage points in smelting and 7 percentage points in refining by 2015. The company is curtailing 390,000 metric tons of its system smelting capacity to improve its competitive position. Alcoa permanently closed its smelter at Alcoa, Tennessee, and two lines at Rockdale, Texas. Alcoa has completed partial curtailments at La Coruña and Avilés, Spain. The curtailment at its Portovesme, Italy smelter is underway.
This trend will continue until aluminum prices recover. Energy prices and other input costs are expected to pose challenges for the aluminum industry, though oil prices have been trending down lately. In addition to the curtailments, the company will step up activities to reduce the escalating cost of raw materials.
In the medium to long term, aluminum consumption is expected to improve globally. The revival is palpable in the automotive and packaging industries, one of the key consumer markets. The automobile market is also becoming increasingly aluminum-intensive, benefiting from the recyclability and its light-weight properties. The global push to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles is expected to more than double demand for aluminum in the auto industry by 2025.
Further, the surge in copper prices observed earlier this year is triggering a switch among manufacturers to aluminum. Automobiles, air conditioners and industrial components manufacturers are now shifting their focus on more economical metal. In response to the spurt in automotive demand, Alcoa has invested $300 million in expansion projects at its Davenport, Iowa rolled products plant.
We expect aluminum demand to increase over the next three years, outstripping supply growth. As a result, the aluminum market is likely to witness deficits for a prolonged period. This provides a backdrop supportive of high alumina and aluminum prices. China and India are undergoing rapid industrialization.
The China stimulus plan and QE3 announcement will also work as positives for underlying aluminum demand. Leading aluminum producers such as Alcoa and Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, or Chalco should also benefit from the improving demand outlook.
Copper is a major industrial metal, with its price strongly correlated with the outlook for economic growth. The metal's strong cyclical leverage accounts for its nickname "Dr. Copper."
The metal's popularity in industrial usage reflects its high ductility, malleability and thermal and electrical conductivity, and its resistance to corrosion. In terms of consumption, copper holds the third place after iron and aluminum. Construction is the single largest market for copper, followed by electronics and electronic products, transportation, industrial machinery, and consumer and general products.
Copper prices were at high levels from 2006 through most of 2008 as limited supplies, growing demand from China and other emerging economies led to the surge in copper prices and low level of inventories. In December 2008, copper prices dipped to a low of $1.26 per pound, due to reduced consumption, turbulence in the U.S. financial markets and concerns about the global economy.
However, copper prices have since improved, thanks to strong demand from emerging markets and limited supply. In 2011, London Metal Exchange (LME) spot-copper prices ranged from $3.08 per pound to a record high of $4.60 per pound, with an average of $4.00 per pound. In the first quarter of 2012, LME spot copper prices ranged from $3.39 per pound to $3.93 per pound, averaging $3.77.
However, during the second quarter of 2012, LME spot copper prices declined ranging from $3.29 per pound to $3.89 per pound, averaging $3.57 per pound. This drop reflected concerns regarding a slowdown in the Chinese economy, Europe's sovereign debt crisis, and a slowing U.S. economy. The drop in price has affected the results of copper producers like Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and Southern Copper Corp. and Newmont.
Notwithstanding the current volatility in prices, we have a long-term bullish stance on copper. Prices will be influenced by demand from China and emerging markets, economic activity in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, the timing of new supplies of copper and production levels of mines and copper smelters.
Despite the near-term challenges, the long-term outlook for the copper remains positive, supported by its widespread use, limited supplies from existing mines and the absence of significant new development projects. Companies that have a high leverage to copper prices will benefit immensely from the potential demand for the metal in the developing markets.
Overall Industry Outlook
Growth in emerging markets, particularly China and India, was a major driver of metals demand over the last few years. However, of late, demand in China has slowed down as the government cut its 2012 target growth rate to 7.5%, the lowest year-on-year growth projection in eight years. China's recent $150 billion infrastructure has helped improve sentiment and holds promise for the metals and mining industry.
In the developed world, persistent recessionary conditions in Europe will have residual effects elsewhere. The U.S. economy, which looked very promising earlier this year, no longer offers a robust picture. The U.S. Federal Reserve also appears to be actively engaged in sustaining the economy's momentum and its recent announcement of another round of quantitative easing, will hopefully jumpstart growth once again.
This synchronized global economic slowdown is the biggest headwind for the metals space overall at present. That said, the long-term picture remains a lot more promising as the emerging market economies are expected to get back in shape with the help of expected fiscal and monetary stimuli.


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Are the tax advantages of an annuity significant?
Annuity premiums are not tax-deductible. The tax advantage emerges when withdrawals are made (unless you withdraw prior to age 59 ½ and may be subject to a 10 percent IRS penalty). Taxes are deferred until you make withdrawals, even as interest accrues, so it's possible to see a dramatic effect on the growth of your investment. Our calculator can help you see for yourself the potential tax advantages of a fixed annuity.
Please keep in mind that the tax impact on you personally is based partly on factors related to your individual circumstances, which are not captured in this Calculator. Neither New York Life nor its Agents offer personalized tax advice. Please consult your Tax Advisor about the tax-related pros and cons of annuities regarding you. The results and explanations generated by this calculator may vary due to user input and assumptions. For a more detailed financial analysis, complete the Contact an Agent form on the right and a local New York Life agent will contact you.
The results and explanations generated by this calculator may vary due to user input and assumptions. New York Life Insurance Company does not guarantee the accuracy of the calculators, results, explanations, nor applicability to your specific situation. Calculator results are hypothetical, based on assumptions which you choose. We recommend that you use this calculator as a guideline only and you ultimately seek the guidance of an experienced professional.
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Codebreakers unravel second Enigma intercept
M4 Project targets last naval cipher
A distributed computing project has successfully cracked the second of three unbroken Enigma intercepts dating back to World War II. The naval codes resisted the best efforts of allied cryptographers but are beginning to fall to the combined forces of the net community, brought together by the M4 Project.
The second message to yield to the M4 Project fell on 7 March. A translation reveals little more than a routine observation report.
Found nothing on convoy's course 55°, [I am] moving to the ordered [naval] square. Position naval square AJ 3995. [wind] south-east [force] 4, sea [state] 3, 10/10 cloudy, [barometer] [10]28 mb [and] rising, fog, visibility 1 nautical mile. Schroeder
The first message to crack under M4, which fell on 20 February, was far more dramatic. The message corresponds with entries in the war diary of German Submarine U264.
Forced to submerge during attack, depth charges. Last enemy location 08:30h, Marqu AJ 9863, 220 degrees, 8 nautical miles, (I am) following (the enemy). (Barometer) falls (by) 14 Millibar, NNO 4, visibility 10.
So far efforts to break the remaining message have come to naught but project leaders remain confident it can be broken even though they are not certain which type of Enigma machine it was encoded using. A run through the entire search space corresponding to Army and M3 Enigma machines has failed to turn up any results.
Computer users interested in getting involved can download a client onto their PCs which takes advantage of idle processing time to perform number crunching in much the same way as the popular SETI@Home screen saver was used to analyse radio telescope signals from space in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence. The name of the code breaking project, which started on 9 January, comes from the unconfirmed belief that the signals were encoded using a four rotor Enigma M4 device.
The signals analysed by the project were captured in the North Atlantic in 1942 and unearthed by amateur historian Ralph Erskine, who sent them off to journal Cryptologia in 1996 as a challenge to codebreakers. None of the messages are thought to be historically significant but all three set a formidable intellectual challenge to decipher.
The secrets of the intercepts eluded the boffins at Bletchley Park because of the switch from the Hydra (Doplhin) cipher-system to more complex Triton (Shark) cipher-system and the introduction of a more complex version of the Enigma machine at the height of the war in north Atlantic. Wartime efforts to crack the messages tried all combinations available on German army and three-ring Enigma machines but not those used by the more complex four-rotor Enigma M4 device. ®
Sponsored: Webcast: Why you need managed detection and response


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Protect: blocking dangerous pages
Why Yandex Browser blocks infected pages
Hackers distribute malware that interferes with the browser in order to steal, corrupt or delete information. This malware enters a computer through removable media or the internet. The browser protects you against malware that is distributed through the internet by warning you if a page is infected.
How blocking works
Before you open a page, Yandex Browser checks it against a list of infected pages. Addresses of infected pages are stored in a special database compiled by Yandex and our partners. Any page detected in the database is blocked.
If a copy of the uninfected version of the page is stored in Yandex, you can view it. To do this, click the link to the page with full information on the threat, and then click Safe copy.
The page with full information on the threat also provides information on what malware was detected on the page.
You are allowed to ignore the warning and visit a site with dangerous content.
If you must open a dangerous page
Take the following security measures:
- After visiting the page, scan your computer with an antivirus or free utilities.
Note that these actions do not protect against infection, but only make it less likely and help with recovery.
Interaction with antivirus software
The security mechanism in Yandex Browser doesn't conflict with other security applications (anti-virus software and firewalls). If antivirus software is installed in the system, it can detect malware sooner than the browser. In this case, you will see a message from the antivirus rather than the browser.
If Yandex Browser is blocking your site
If Yandex Browser blocked your site because it's infected, delete the malicious code. On the next indexation, the Yandex robot will exclude your site from the dangerous list.
You can use Yandex.Webmaster to speed up indexing. To do this, click the Recheck button in the Security and violations section. We recommend that you regularly repeat the check for several weeks after infection. This will help detect malware if it was not completely removed the first time.
Follow the security rules to protect your site from infection. If you register a site in Yandex.Webmaster, you will be able to get email notifications about infections and view details of infected pages in the Security and violations section.
Disable protection
To disable blocking of dangerous pages:
- Click .
- Go to the Protect tab at the top of the page.
- In the Threat security section, turn off the Run security checks on websites and downloaded files option.
Use a similar sequence of actions to re-enable blocking of dangerous pages.


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May 31st @ The Royals
I can do this one with seven sentences.
There are pages of baseball stats that can be used to show how bad the Kansas City Royals are this season. But, rather than show you them, just trust me when I say they are so bad that they should have Chico's Bail Bonds printed on the back of their jerseys.
Tonight, the non-striving New York Yankees were defeated by these aforementioned Royals.
By the close of the 1st of June, the Yankees could be in fourth place in the American League East.
As crazy as this might sound, the Yankees next game is "must win." I hope the Big Unit realizes this as well.


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Fall-ing in love: Tips for autumn wedding bliss
(NewsUSA) - Caterers, event halls and wedding planners are gearing up for fall wedding season, one of the busiest times of the year for hopeful couples. Fall guarantees exquisite photo opportunities without the heat of summer -- and the wealth of in-season decorations are beautiful and affordable.
In fact, September and October are the most popular and third most popular months for weddings, respectively.
If you're planning a fall wedding this season, read on for some helpful tips:
1. Keep warm. Since outdoor fall weddings have the potential to get chilly, keeping your guests warm is a must. Offer hot cocoa and homey baskets of soft blankets or cozy shawls. Set up fire pits or outdoor heating stations where guests can shake of the chill.
2. Location, location, location. Select a locale that is known for its fall scenery.
3. Incorporate fall colors into the wedding party wardrobe. Chocolate brown compliments a variety of fall color schemes, and it's flattering for most women. But if brown doesn't suit the plans, burgundy is another great fall shade that makes the bridal white pop.
4. Select in-season flowers and decorations. Unless the bride has her heart set on lily of the valley or orchids, there are beautiful in-season flowers to choose from. Dahlias, chrysanthemums, asters, roses, zinnias and sunflowers all create elegant bouquets and floral displays with a lovely hint of fall. Add some crab apples for a playful, non-floral element.
5. Mix and match gourds, pumpkins and squash. Pumpkins can be tacky or a little too reminiscent of Halloween, so class them up by serving pumpkin soup, pumpkin cocktails or tiers of mini pumpkins. Gourds also make eye-catching vases, and all three can be arranged as charming centerpieces.


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Precise and connected.
Saurer Autolab laboratory systems offer you the most modern, highly precise measuring devices with unique technologies and easy to operate.
The Saurer solution for intelligent data collection and analysis includes networking between the Saurer Autolab laboratory system, Saurer machines and mill management system Senses. This means that in addition to being able to display and evaluate the production data of machines from Saurer and third-party providers from across different production areas, the quality data of the laboratory systems can also be displayed and evaluated in a single application.
Find out more about our products. Here we provide you with all the relevant documents for download in PDF format.
Contact us
Should you have questions about our products or require additional guidance, kindly get in touch with your local contact person. As your partner, we pride ourselves in providing expert and swift support.


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While you may be nervous about planting your corn in a timely fashion, the markets aren't worried.
It has definitely been a sluggish spring. Continued cool and wet (even snowy) weather has kept corn planting at a standstill.
As of April 21, USDA estimates 4 percentage points of the U.S. corn crop is in the ground. This compares to 26% planted at this time last year and a five-year average of 16%. Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wisconsin all have virtually no corn planted.
Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, says while he's seen nobody in the fields near his Illinois farm, he knows farmers are ready. "I would say by Sunday or Monday farmers in my area will be going full-speed," he says. "Everything is tilled since last fall was a good tillage time, so everything is ready-to-go."
The concern for many farmers, Gulke says, is that they won't be able to get their entire corn crop in. But, he's not worried, yet.
"Sunlight is direct this time of the year, which really helps dry out soil." he says. "We'll start Monday unless the weatherman tells me it's going to be 30 degrees again."
He has clients in Iowa, Nebraska and other parts of Illinois who are in the same boat. "They have started or are starting this weekend. So, we'll make some progress. I think we'll be surprised by how much we can get done."
Gulke reminds that normal weather in May is warm and rainy. "We have to expect that, and then hit it pretty hard when we have a window of opportunity."
Corn Yield Penalties
This week, Gulke spent some time looking back at planting date and final yield data for corn. From 1990 to 2012 (not including 1988), he says there were only four times where we were not 50% planted by May 12.
In those years where half of the corn crop wasn't planted by May 12, Gulke says the final national yield was around 12 – 15 bushels below the trendline, at that time.
He says that provides some telling perspective. "Besides last year, it was very hard to get below at 10 or 15-bushel drop in yields," he says.
Markets Bet on Timely Planting
Gulke says the grain markets are expecting a lot of corn to be planted during the next few weeks.
"I think the market understands what we've been talking about for months," he says. "We don't need 97 million acres of corn planted and that you don't need 160 bushels per acre. We are planning off of last year's reduced demand. Even 94 million acres planted and 150 bushels per acre is more than enough."
He says the market is fearful that the weather will break and suddenly we get 10 days to plant. "It is hard to find anyone that wants to own corn, when it looks like it's going to go lower by fall."
While planting is still several weeks off for some areas, Gulke believes that by the middle of May, most of the nation's corn crop will be in the ground. "If we get the majority of our crop planted within a reasonable time, there's a really good chance that we'll get a less-than-average crop, but still an adequate crop."
Hear Gulke's full audio analysis:
Have a question for Jerry? Contact him at 815-721-4705 or [email protected].
For More Information
See current market prices in AgWeb's Market Center
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Muir Beach, May 4, 2011
by Norman Fischer | May 04, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Bin Laden is dead. It's a great victory for America and Obama they say and maybe it will help us to recognize that the War against terror should never have been a war and that now we can declare that it is over. Fight terror and find terrorists, but bring troops home from Afghanistan and Iraq. This is good. But it is of course impossible to rejoice over the death of a human being, any human being. I have never shared the feeling of Bin Laden as a devil, as evil incarnate. He was a human being with a powerfully destructive belief system, not Islam, that he came by honestly, through the powerfully negative forces of history. He is us when we are resentful and full of fury over the injustices that have happened to us, when we lash out. Us magnified and twisted beyond recognition.
Interesting column by David Brooks today in which he says that the source of Bin Laden charisma was his piety and gentleness. That in personal matters he was kind, forgiving, and asking for forgiveness when he was less than thoughtful. That he was generous in his approbation of his colleagues. That his handshake was gentle, his gaze benign.
In fact this seems true, judging from photos. Not true of Hitler who looked nasty. Not that Bin Laden was not nasty. Yet it seems he was not a soldier not a killer but a religious idealist. His example shows the power of that sort of idealism, its capacity to inspire others, and it's enormous destructive power. Thomas Merton (courtesy of Joan Halifax):
The most dangerous man in the world is the contemplative who is guided by nobody. He trusts his own visions. He obeys the attractions of an interior voice, but will not listen to other men. He identifies the will of God with anything that makes him feel, within his own heart, a big, warm, sweet interior glow. The sweeter and the warmer the feeling, the more he is convinced of his own infallibility. And if the sheer force of his own self-confidence communicates itself to other people and gives them the impression that he really is a saint, such a man can wreck a whole city or a religious order or even a nation. The world is covered with scars that have been left in its flesh by visionaries like these.
Another recent magazine piece I'm reminded of, in The New Yorker, about Obama's foreign policy, notes that there's a gender split in the State Department (amazing in itself that there could be enough women in the Department with a woman's point of view that there could be a gender split). Hillary and her female allies emphasizing "soft" power, society, culture, poverty, women's issues in particular, with the men emphasizing "hard" power, high level diplomacy, force, states. Maybe the death of Bin Laden will usher in a new era of soft power, which is going to work better in the long run. Something in foreign policy that for a change we can feel good about.
Karma: this is the way Bin Laden wanted to die, the way his actions dictated that he would die. No way he was going to die of old age, peacefully in his bed. His successors will not equal him. They will be warriors, not gentle, ruthless, determined souls. They won't inspire unity of vision and religious inspiration. Al Qaida is mortally wounded.
Norman Fischer


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Former Supermodel/Newly Fired ANTM Judge Paulina Porizkova gave a new interview, and she did not hold back when speaking of Tyra Banks and the Top Model franchise. Paulina accused Tyra of constantly being late to the set, and even accused the show of casting girls solely for the drama and not for their modeling abilities. The best quote of the interview – "Go to Top Model only if you don't want to be a model."
So Paulina is basically saying what we've all been thinking for years, it's safe to say none of the ANTM winners have gone on to become "Top Models." Below are some excerpts from the interview –
What did you think of Teyona's win?
Well, I was there. I had a hand in it. But you know what? Honestly, now that I'm off the show I can actually say it. I didn't vote for Teyona.
Who did you vote for?
Allison. Well, I'm not going to name names. But two of us voted for Allison and two of us voted for Teyona and one of us had to cross the line over to the other one.
Of the three finalists, who do you think is the most likely to have an actual modeling career?
None of them.
Really? That's sad.
I know. I'm really very sorry. But they're not models. Look at the history of Top Model. When has a winner not fallen down into that great big hole where the other sock goes? When? That's because you can't pick models from a TV show. Those tall, long giraffe things that don't really look real are rare freaks of nature. And finding a freak of nature with a personality, that's like finding a double freak of nature. So you'd have a TV show once every 10 years.
You announced this week that you aren't coming back.
I didn't announce that. I announced that I was fired on my birthday—April 9th They timed it beautifully.
Why did they let you go?
Well, they said that Top Model needs to trim the fat. So they cut me. It came as a little bit of a shock. I was a little upset that I was fired roughly four weeks before the new season was starting. I was being told to go have a physical for the show and then I got fired. I think they could have done that better.
Stupid recession.
Actually a lot of my friends from the show got booted, too. Makeup and hair people. And I shouldn't say this because this sounds bitter. But if Tyra came in on time, they would save somebody's salary. If she actually showed up on time for the judgings and they didn't have to pay a lot of overtime, they would save a lot of money.
Do you think you did something to bring this on?
I did get pissy about Tyra being late a couple of times. I said, "I don't think that's right." And they told me I had a big ego. So maybe that had something to do with it.
If they ask you to come back as a guest judge would you go back?
No. I think there's a little too much bad blood. I mean I don't wish them ill. But do I want them to blossom without me? No. I'm not going to lie.
Do you have any advice for future auditioners?
Yeah. Go to Top Model only if you don't want to be a model. These girls want to be models so desperately. And the fact is the show is not even looking for fashion models. They're looking for personalities. It's a Cinderella story. But [many of] the girls who succeed on the show won't succeed [in the industry] because they're not models. I have become friends with some of the models on the show and they actually have lost jobs when it came out that they were on America's Next Top Model, because the fashion industry will not touch those girls with a ten foot pole.
So they have to hide the fact that they were on the show?
Yeah. And if you're a winner you can just flush yourself down the toilet. Unless you marry a Brady, in which case you have a career.
But some of the models, like Ya-Ya DaCosta, have found showbiz success.
Yes. Some of the ones who did not win have done much better than the winners for sure. But none of them have approached top model [status]. Out of the girls that we had this season: I think Aminat might have a future in shows because she's a terrific walker, she has a great body, and she's very tall. But that's the closest anybody's going to get to fashion.
A lot of young girls look up to the show and it really hasn't produced a top model.
They haven't and they won't. And now they're doing the short girls. Like that's ever going to catch on in fashion. It might be terrific TV. But it's not about reality.
What are your thoughts on what Paulina had to say? Do you think the "Top Model" winners stand a chance?


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Yeong-Ja's Heydays is the most important of the "hostess melodramas" that were popular during the 1970s. It is also the debut film of director Kim Ho-seon, who, together with Ha Kil-jong and Lee Jang-ho, infused new life into the declining Korean cinema of the mid-1970s. At the time of its release, Yeong-Ja's Heydays drew the spotlight as a "youth film" rather than as a "hostess film" (the term did not come into use until 1977). It was recognized as the emergence of a new sensibility for a new generation, in that it observed and recorded the lives of the young with a fresh, innovative visual sense. The Weekly Chosun's assessment of the movie as "the story of scary kids, growing freely like weeds" plainly describes this public perception.Directions to Seoul Global Center's Haechi Hall can be found here and here, and more information about the film is here , and the screening, here.
spot the errors
5 hours ago


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I am paranoid about switching on the TV: Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan says he's sick of controversies. So much so that the 47-year-old actor, who was in Delhi on Thursday, reveals that he's decided to stay away from reading or watching newsentertainment Updated: Feb 09, 2013 10:45 IST
Shah Rukh Khan says he's sick of controversies. So much so that the 47-year-old actor, who was in Delhi on Thursday, reveals that he's decided to stay away from reading or watching news. Here's more of SRK's plainspeak.
How do you deal with never-ending controversies, be it an article you wrote or link-up rumours with Priyanka Chopra?
I am very sensitive about my self-respect, even though it may not come across as such, especially when it comes to how my children and family see me. I get six newspapers at home, including yours, but I don't read even one of them now. I've become scared to open a newspaper to see what's written about me. I am also paranoid about switching the TV on, as I don't know what they are going to telecast about me. I am wary of attending press conferences, as I know someone is going to ask something and I am going to say the two words which I hate: 'No Comments'. At home, we are scared of sitting as a family, watching TV. Many a times, my son, daughter, wife or sister switch off the TV as soon as they see some news related to me, thinking it must be some rubbish. It is sad.
Have you decided that now onwards you'll talk or tweet only about films as everything else gets sensationalised?
'Sensationalised' is an understatement. These days it is actually a cool word. We need to understand what information we are giving out. Will it be sifted and understood correctly? And also, how technological tools like Twitter can be interpreted and misused. Now after this comment, may be, people will say I am anti social media. I am not. We are just over informed. Everybody wants to send the plane in the air without bothering to see if it will land properly or not. It's unfortunate for people like me who genuinely want to express or have a discussion beyond 140 characters.
Do you think film stars are soft targets for culture terrorism?
Let me say this: If people spend enough time with film stars, they'll realise we are some of the most secular, the smartest, the brightest, the hardest working brains in the film industry. And right now I am just talking about actors and actresses, not even going to directors and producers who are bigger geniuses. It takes a lot of brains to sing and dance and to make a 100 crore film. Yet we take all this with an attitude ki chalo jo sochna hai soch lo.
'I don't need publicity like this'
Are you going to lecture at the Harvard University, as reports have started doing the rounds that you are braving yourself for yet another controversy?
I have the invitation letter from them but I am shooting. I have not committed or uncommitted to it yet, but yes, we are talking about it. As for controversies, people seem more interested in the peripherals of life rather than life itself. And they are living off the news, which stems from someone who is a public figure. I am not bothered. I don't call up anyone and make a complaint. People say that I played the victim card last time or did something to seek publicity…it's very insulting. I am not like that. The day I'll seek publicity, I won't be working. I am who I am because of the personality and life I lead. It tramples my ego to even hear that I do all this for
publicity, but people won't realise.
Do you ever worry about losing brand endorsements?
I shudder to think of the day when I'm not associated with Tag Heuer, not in terms of money or ambassadorship or publicity, but because of the equation I've had with the brand for over a decade. And the fun stuff they make me do, like launching the Link Lady collection with four beautiful women — Saina Nehwal, Pia Singh, Sara Pilot and Ritu Beri.
Is international rapper Akon coming up with a new version of your team Kolkata Knight Riders' anthem Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re, in IPL season 6?
Akon is a good friend. He has already done two songs for me. How many more songs should he be doing for me? So far we have never discussed it, but if he does something like this, it will be a moment of joy.
Like last year, will we see anything new with the team this time as well?
The new stuff this time would be to win the IPL trophy again, rest everything else is incidental. KKR is a team that has lost awfully. It's a team with character, which had controversies around it, unfortunately, because of me owning it. People have belittled us for not knowing cricket. Not withstanding the Wankhede incident as that is not what my team stands for. That's what I stand for, we have been able to become winners. I still don't think it's a great achievement as I have put everything behind — the good and the bad, including the trophy. We will have a fresh and gentle start to win it all over again. And, whether Akon's song happens or not, new jerseys are there or not, cheerleaders look beautiful or not, SRK's marketing turns out fantastic or bad, is secondary.


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Shares of Boyd Gaming (BYD) are popping this morning, up more than 14% to about $9.40 after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to Overweight and raised its price target to $12 a share.
Morgan Stanley's thesis is that by 2020 online gambling in the U.S. will be as big as a business as today's real-world gambling centers of Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined; New Jersey's approval of online gambling in late February is the first step to the sector really taking off.
The analysts see Boyd as the best play on that trend:
In our base case (now factored into our BYD estimates), we model the legal US online gaming market to be ~$670 million in 2014, increasing to $9.3 billion in 2020 (55% CAGR). Put into context, by 2020, we estimate online gaming in the US to be the same size as the current Las Vegas Strip ($6.2 billion of gaming revenue in 2012) and Atlantic City ($3 billion in 2012) markets. Note the US online gaming market was estimated to be $5.3 billion ($7.5 billion adjusted for inflation) before it was banned in late 2006.
We believe our market estimates are conservative.
They also provide this handy visual of what that could look like:
(Click on image for larger version.)
As for Boyd specifically:
We view BYD as best positioned stock in our US coverage to benefit from the US online gaming opportunity given its positioning and relative size. BYD currently has a $710 million market cap, is 7x levered, and we expect it to generate $634 million of 2013 EBITDA. The other well positioned operator in our coverage for online is MGM Resorts International (MGM) but it has a market cap of ~$6 billion and we expect it to generate ~$2 billion of EBITDA in '13e, making online less of a driver.