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The Independent Investor: Why Banks Won't Lend
Then we'd own those banks of marble, "Banks are made of Marble" by Pete Seeger |
Over the last few years, the Federal Reserve has practically given money away to any entity that calls itself a bank. Individual states are also trying, but so far the banks have just been hoarding this growing pile of cash instead of loaning it out. Why?
Two reasons come to mind: Banks are afraid of taking on lending risk. Burnt by the subprime mortgage debacle, they are now overly cautious on who they lend to in an economic recovery they are not sure is here to stay. Two, interest rates are at historical lows. If rates start to rise, loans made today could turn to losses fairly quickly.
Recently, state Treasurer Steven Grossman of Massachusetts announced a plan to give banks $100 million to deposit into local community banks for the express purpose of lending to small businesses. The money is part of a statewide effort called the Small Business Banking Partnership. The announcement has been met with some resistance within the banking community. Bankers claim it's not needed because small businesses aren't interested in borrowing due to the poor economy.
That's bad news because small businesses employ the vast majority of workers in this country and pay the most taxes. They are the backbone of this country's economy. Over the last year, small business lending has become a political football since the establishment of the $1.5 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative by the Obama Administration. The plan calls for the banking community to pony up $10 in new loans for every $1 of loans by the state government. Since then, banks and their lobbyists have gone out of their way to show how much lending they are doing to small businesses.
For example, in Massachusetts, as in other states, community banks account for as much as 80 percent of small business lending and that trend has increased through the recession, according to the state's banking association. They claim the amount of lending has also almost doubled in the last six years.
What they don't mention is a lot of that recent growth was in picking up old loans that out of state and money center banks had dumped or would not renew due to the recession and heightened credit risk. A recent survey of members of the International Franchise Association contradicts some of the data coming out of the financial lending sector. The survey revealed that 39 percent of the franchisors report that more than half of their franchisees and prospects are unable to obtain needed financing, which is up 33 percent from a survey taken last year.
"There are several businessmen right here in the county who want to open franchises with me but can't get loans from local banks," says a successful fast-food chain entrepreneur in Berkshire County. "The banks sent them packing to the SBA for help."
The bankers' argument that businesses are not growing and aren't applying for new loans is disputed by the small-business owners I talk to.
"What they aren't telling you is the hoops a small-business owner has to jump through in order to get that new loan," says the head of a large excavating company in the region.
"They want collateral and a lot of it. They want you to sign your life away, and none of that matters unless you are making tons of income as well. And once I pass all their risk criteria, I get the privilege of borrowing short term from them at 8-9 percent when the prime rate is 3.25 percent."
Given that most banks are paying under 1 percent for money to loan, one would think that a 7-8 percent spread should bring in plenty of profits. That is one of the main reasons that the Federal Reserve has been keeping interest rates at historical lows for so long. So far it hasn't worked.
And speaking of the Fed and the end of QE II in June, most everyone (including the banks), are expecting interest rates to rise in the second half of this year. Few bankers have the appetite to lend money to a small business when they expect rates to rise. And if they do, they only want to lend for a short period of time.
"That's also difficult for a small business to handle," explains the excavator, "if I have to go back to the bank in three years, I can't do long range planning. I can't even be sure I'll get a new loan and if so, at what price. It makes being a small business owner that much more uncertain."
Grossman plans to come to Pittsfield sometime in May to discuss the state's funding initiative with local bankers. I think it would be a good idea to meet with small-business owners as well. That way he would be able to hear their side of the story before leaving town.
Bill Schmick is an independent investor with Berkshire Money Management. (See "About" for more information.) None of the information presented in any of these articles is intended to be and should not be construed as an endorsement of BMM or a solicitation to become a client of BMM. The reader should not assume that any strategies, or specific investments discussed are employed, bought, sold or held by BMM. Direct your inquiries to Bill at (toll free) or e-mail him at email@example.com. Visit www.afewdollarsmore.com for more of Bill's insights.
Tags: banks, QEII, franchise, lending |


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As the trials and tribulations of year-end closings fade from memory, the mergers and acquisitions community is engaged in the annual ritual of sizing up activity in the prior year. The early returns on 2012 reflect an uneven pattern in terms of deal activity. While an active first quarter increased expectations for a strong year, the second and third quarters exhibited a decrease in M&A activity, primarily as the result of weaker-than-expected results for the U.S. economy and uncertainty in the Eurozone. And although returns are still coming in for the fourth quarter, it appears that deal volume was strong (though perhaps not as strong as anticipated) as buyers and sellers approached the "fiscal cliff" and became increasingly concerned about the specter of increasing capital gains and marginal income tax rates. Much more interesting, however, is predicting how trends from 2012, together with current market, economic and political conditions, might affect the prospects for dealmaking in 2013. In certain respects, the outlook for M&A activity has never been brighter. With deep pools of available capital and a historic interest rate environment, conditions are ripe for buyers to deploy equity capital, leveraged by readily available and inexpensive debt financing. On the sell side, a stabilized economy has resulted in improved financial performance for companies most likely to go to market, and a generation of business owners is approaching retirement and may be looking to monetize its "sweat equity." However, these same conditions existed for most of 2012 as well, and overall M&A activity still took a step back (especially if activity in the fourth quarter is discounted for the effects of the "fiscal cliff"). The critical question is whether these conditions will finally bring about a thriving M&A market in 2013, or will the new year exhibit more of the same uncertainties and ebbs and flows that we experienced in 2012? In December, I attended a seminar sponsored by the M&A Advisor that attempted to address this question, and the consensus was there is no consensus. If the theme of the seminar, "The Long Pause," was any indication, it would not seem that 2013 is a year about which to get too excited. However, there is cautious optimism among M&A practitioners. First, the investment banking community does not expect the new deal pipeline to be depleted more than usual by the rush for year-end closings. Meanwhile, economists predict steady, although not robust, growth in the U.S. economy that should help maintain M&A activity through the middle part of the year. The turn of the calendar also should ease some of the political uncertainty inherent in an election year. We should expect the health care and energy sectors — especially in Northeast Ohio — to continue to be a critical component of M&A activity in 2013. Of particular interest will be major pharmaceutical manufacturers, which will be looking to replace an unprecedented number of drugs coming off patent in the next 12 to 24 months, and the health care payer space, as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act becomes a reality. So while it seems more likely that M&A activity in 2013 will be closer to 2011 than the "glory days" of 2005 through 2007, those that survived the instability of 2008 and 2009 realize that forecast is not all bad. My hunch is that 2013 will be a year of continued recovery, both in the overall economy and in terms of M&A activity, but that 2014 is the year that the M&A community should look forward to.
Guest Blogger
Optimism for M&A builds, but prospects unclear

subset: commoncrawl


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There's a lot of debate these days about the cost of medical care, and the risks. Is a drug for breast cancer patients worth the $100,000 price tag if it only adds a few months to a woman's life? Or should men routinely get blood tests for prostate cancer when the exam could cause more suffering than it prevents?
Well, today, a major medical group issued new ethical guidelines on whether doctors should consider costs when deciding how to treat patients. As NPR's Rob Stein reports, the group takes a provocative position.
ROB STEIN, BYLINE: The American College of Physicians represents 132,000 internists across the country, and they're wading back into this debate over cost and quality of care.
VIRGINIA HOOD: The cost of health care in the United States is twice that of every other industrialized country. We're not providing care to as many people as they do in other places, and we don't even have as good outcomes.
STEIN: That's Virginia Hood, the president of the American College of Physicians. Hood argues that one way to get better outcomes is for individual doctors to think harder about the tests and treatments they use.
HOOD: Every time you prescribe something for a patient or subject them to some kind of investigation, there's a risk of harm. So the concept of doing less is actually a really good concept.
STEIN: That's the reason the new ethics guidelines urge doctors to use the latest cost-effectiveness research to guide their care. That, Hood says, would help all patients.
HOOD: While concentrating on our own patients and what they need, we also have to think on this bigger level - both for their benefit, and for the well-being of the community at large.
STEIN: The new ethics manual is being published in this week's issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine." In an editorial in the journal, Ezekiel Emanuel, of the University of Pennsylvania, praises the idea of cost-effective care. He's advocated this thinking for a long time.
But even experts who agree with this idea have a problem with the new ethics manual. The manual uses the phrase "parsimonious care." And Scott Gottlieb, of the American Enterprise Institute, says that's alarming.
SCOTT GOTTLIEB: Saying that the use of resources should be parsimonious - that implies a whole lot more. I mean, that really implies that care should be withheld.
STEIN: And Gottlieb says that phrase raises fears of doctors withholding care without even telling patients what they're doing.
GOTTLIEB: Parsimonious, to me, implies an element of stinginess, and stinginess implies an element of subterfuge.
STEIN: But Virginia Hood, of the American College of Physicians, argues the manual simply says that efficient care is good care.
HOOD: Parsimonious is a good word, in the sense that it means you use only what's necessary.
STEIN: Daniel Callahan is a bioethicist at the Hastings Center. He agrees that's the way to go, but Callahan says that whenever you begin talking about costs, you raise the specter of rationing.
DANIEL CALLAHAN: If you say certain things will not be cost-effective, they are not worth the money - now, well, that's rationing. That's where it all becomes a real viper's pit, I might say, in one sense.
STEIN: And among the vipers in this pit is the question of whether individual doctors are going to follow the ethics manual's guidance. They're the ones making the tough choices, especially when patients demand that extra test, drug or procedure that they think may save their lives.
Rob Stein, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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9.3. YouTube. By viewing and/or using the YouTube video functionality available on the Moco Properties you agree to be bound by the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy.
10. Fees and Purchase Terms.
10.1. Payment. You agree to pay all fees or charges to your Account in accordance with the fees, charges and billing terms in effect at the time a fee or charge is due and payable. You may need to provide Moco with a valid credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or any other issuer accepted by us) ("Payment Provider"), or purchase order information as a condition to signing up for the Services. Your Payment Provider agreement governs your use of the designated credit card, and you must refer to that agreement and not the Terms to determine your rights and liabilities. By providing Moco with your credit card number and associated payment information, you agree that Moco is authorized to immediately invoice your Account for all fees and charges due and payable to Moco hereunder and that no additional notice or consent is required. You agree to immediately notify Moco of any change in your billing address or the credit card used for payment hereunder. Moco reserves the right at any time to change its prices and billing methods, either immediately upon posting on Moco Properties or by notification to you.
10.2. Service Subscription Fees. You will be responsible for payment of the applicable fee for any Services (each, a "Service Subscription Fee") at the time you create your Account and select your package (each, a "Service Commencement Date"). Except as set forth in the Terms, all fees for the Services are non-refundable and non-transferable. No contract will exist between you and Moco for the Services until Moco accepts your order by a confirmatory email, SMS/MMS message, or other appropriate means of communication. Your access to use the Services may be subject to separate third party terms of service and fees, including your mobile network operator's terms of service and fees, including fees charged for data usage and overage, which are your sole responsibility.
10.3. Subscription Renewal. If you have a subscription, your subscription will continue indefinitely until terminated in accordance with the Terms. After your initial subscription period, and again after any subsequent subscription period, your subscription will automatically commence on the first day following the end of such period (each a "Renewal Commencement Date") and continue for an additional equivalent period, at Moco's then-current price for such subscription. You agree that your Account will be subject to this automatic renewal feature unless you cancel your subscription in accordance with the cancellation process set forth in our Help Page. If you cancel your subscription, you may use your subscription until the end of your then-current subscription term; your subscription will not be renewed after your then-current term expires. However, you will not be eligible for a prorated refund of any portion of the subscription fee paid for the then-current subscription period. By subscribing, you authorize Moco to charge your payment provider immediately, and again at the beginning of any subsequent subscription period. Upon renewal of your subscription, if Moco does not receive payment from your payment provider, (i) you agree to pay all amounts due on your Account upon demand, and/or (ii) you agree that Moco may either terminate or suspend your subscription and continue to attempt to charge your payment provider until payment is received (upon receipt of payment, your account will be activated and for purposes of automatic renewal, your new subscription commitment period will begin as of the day payment was received).
10.4. Free Trials and Promotions. From time to time, we may offer free trials or other promotions (a "Promotion"). As an example, we may offer Promotions that provide a free Subscription to Services for a certain period of time. You must cancel your subscription (in accordance with Section 10.3) before the end of the Promotion period in order to avoid being automatically charged for Subscription Fees. As another example, we may provide you with our virtual currency without charge. Any such virtual currency is subject to the terms of our Terms of Use. Additional Terms applicable to specific Promotions may be provided at the time of enrollment.
10.5 Messeging Fees. In connection with the Services, you may receive SMS, MMS and other messages. Standard usage charges for SMS, MMS and other data charges may apply and may be billed on your wireless service bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. T-Mobile subscribers: Other charges may apply. For help email firstname.lastname@example.com.
10.6 Taxes. Moco's fees are net of any applicable Sales Tax. If any Services, or payments for any Services, under the Terms are subject to Sales Tax in any jurisdiction and you have not remitted the applicable Sales Tax to Moco, you will be responsible for the payment of such Sales Tax and any related penalties or interest to the relevant tax authority, and you will indemnify Moco for any liability or expense we may incur in connection with such Sales Taxes.
10.7. Disputes. You must notify us in writing within seven (7) days after receiving your credit card statement, if you dispute any of our charges on that statement or such dispute will be deemed waived. Billing disputes should be notified to the following address: firstname.lastname@example.com.
10.8. Refunds. Generally, all charges for purchases are nonrefundable, and there are no refunds or credits for partially used periods. We may make an exception if a refund for a subscription offering is requested within fourteen days of the transaction date, or if the laws applicable in your jurisdiction provide for refunds.
For subscribers residing in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, the terms below apply:
You may cancel your subscription, without penalty or obligation, at any time prior to midnight of the third business day following the date you subscribed. In the event that you die before the end of your subscription period, your estate shall be entitled to a refund of that portion of any payment you had made for your subscription which is allocable to the period after your death. In the event that you become disabled (such that you are unable to use the services of Moco) before the end of your subscription period, you shall be entitled to a refund of that portion of any payment you had made for your subscription which is allocable to the period after your disability by providing the company notice in the same manner as you request a refund as described below.
To request a refund:
Please contact customer support by emailing email@example.com with your account name. You may also mail or deliver a signed and dated notice which states that you, the buyer, are canceling this agreement, or words of similar effect. Please also include the email address or telephone number associated with your account along with your account name. This notice shall be sent to: JNJ Mobile Inc., 6 Liberty Sq PMB 96493, Boston MA 02109, USA.
11. Virtual Currency Sales. All sales of Moco Gold virtual currency are final and non-transferable. No refunds will be granted for any Moco Gold purchases, whether or not the Gold is redeemed. Moco Gold does not expire, and will be held in a balance associated with your Account. If your Account is terminated either by yourself or by Moco for any reason, any unredeemed Gold in your Account will be forfeited. Moco reserves the right to change pricing of virtual currency across different payment methods, devices and mobile carriers, to reflect variable processing fees associated with each form of payment.
12. Term and Termination.
12.1. Term. These Terms commence on the date when you accept them and remain in full force and effect while you use the Services, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you used the Services prior to the date you accepted the Terms, you hereby acknowledge and agree that the Terms commenced on the date you first used the Services (whichever is earlier) and will remain in full force and effect while you use the Services, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the Terms.
12.2. Termination. If you violate any provision of these Terms, your Account and these Terms automatically terminate. You agree that Moco may, under certain circumstances and without prior notice, immediately terminate your Account, any associated other accounts, and access to the Moco Properties. Cause for such termination will include, but is not limited to, (a) breaches or violations of the Terms or other incorporated agreements or guidelines, (b) requests by law enforcement or other government agencies, (c) discontinuance or material modification to the Moco Properties (or any part thereof), (d) unexpected technical or security issues or problems, and (e) extended periods of inactivity. If you want to terminate the Services provided by Moco, you may do so by (a) notifying Moco at any time and (b) closing your Account for all of the Services that you use.
12.3. Effect of Termination. Termination of your Moco account includes (a) removal of account access to all offerings within the Service available with a password, including but not limited to Private Messages and images that are password protected, (b) deletion of your password, and (c) barring further use of the Service. Upon termination of these Terms: (i) your license rights will terminate any you must immediately cease all use of the Services; (ii) you will no longer have access to your Account, including Your Content; (iii) you must remit to Moco any unpaid amounts due prior to termination; and (iv) upon termination of these Terms, all payment obligations accrued prior to termination and all provisions of the Terms which by their nature should survive, will survive termination of the Services, including without limitation, ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers and limitation of liability. Further, you agree that all terminations may be made in Moco's sole discretion and that Moco will not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your account, any associated email address, or access to the Services.
13. Copyright Policy. You may not post, distribute, or reproduce in any way any copyrighted material, trademarks, or other proprietary information without obtaining the prior written consent of the owner of such proprietary rights. It is the policy of Moco to terminate membership privileges of any Member who repeatedly infringes copyright upon prompt notification to Moco by the copyright owner or the copyright owner's legal agent. Without limiting the foregoing, if you believe that your work has been copied and posted on the Moco Properties in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide our Designated Copyright Agent with the following information: (i) an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest; (ii) a description of the copyrighted work that you claim has been infringed; (iii) a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on Moco; (iv) your address, telephone number, and email address; (v) a written statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; (vi) a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf. Moco's Designated Copyright Agent for notice of claims of copyright infringement can be reached as follows:
JNJ Mobile Inc.
6 Liberty Sq PMB 96493,
Boston MA 02109
Facsimile: (617) 542-1633
Attn: Designated Copyright Agent
14. Accounts. Moco does not recognize the transfer of Moco accounts nor the rights of multiple owners of an account. You may not purchase, sell, gift or trade any Account, or offer to purchase, sell, gift or trade any Account, and any such attempt will be null and void. Moco owns, or otherwise has rights to all of the content that appears in the Games. You agree that while you own the content you upload to Moco, you have no right or title in or to any Games content, including without limitation the virtual goods or currency appearing or originating in the Game, virtual goods or currency appearing or originating in Moco Live, or any other attributes associated with any Account. Moco does not recognize any purported transfers of virtual property executed outside of the Game or Moco Live, or the purported sale, gift or trade in the "real world" of anything that appears or originates in the Game or Moco Live. Likewise, you may not sell in-game items or currency for "real" money, or exchange those items or currency for value outside of the Game.
15. Limitation of Liability.
15.1. Disclaimer of Certain Damages. YOU AGREE THAT IN NO EVENT WILL MOCO BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF MOCO HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH (A) OUR SERVICES OR THIS AGREEMENT OR THE INABILITY TO USE OUR SERVICES (HOWEVER ARISING, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), (B) THIRD-PARTY TRANSACTIONS, OR (C) YOUR USE OF OUR SERVICES OR ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH OUR SERVICES.
15.2. Cap on Liability. OUR LIABILITY TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF $100 OR THE AMOUNT OF FEES PAID TO MOCO IN THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS. THE FOREGOING CAP ON LIABILITY WILL NOT APPLY TO LIABILITY OF MOCO FOR (A) DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY CAUSED BY MOCO'S NEGLIGENCE; OR FOR (B) ANY INJURY CAUSED BY MOCO'S FRAUD OR FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION.
15.3. User Content. EXCEPT FOR MOCO'S OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA AS SET FORTH IN THE MOCO'S PRIVACY POLICY, MOCO ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIMELINESS, DELETION, MIS-DELIVERY OR FAILURE TO STORE ANY CONTENT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, YOUR CONTENT AND USER CONTENT), USER COMMUNICATIONS OR PERSONALIZATION SETTINGS.
15.4. Basis of the Bargain. THE LIMITATIONS OF DAMAGES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN MOCO AND YOU.
16. Indemnity. You agree to indemnify and hold Moco, its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, and other partners and employees, harmless from any loss, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, Moco (or other Indemnitees) may incur resulting from or arising out of your use of the Services, your actions, Your Content, and/or arising from a breach of the Terms and/or any breach of your representations and warranties set forth above. This provision does not require you to indemnify Moco for any unconscionable commercial practice Moco or for Moco's fraud, deception, false promise, misrepresentation or concealment, suppression or omission of any material fact in connection with any Services provided hereunder. You agree that the provisions in this section will survive any termination of your Account, the Terms or your access to the Moco Properties.
17. Disclaimer of Warranties. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT: YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. MOCO EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. MOCO MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT (I) THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, (II) THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, (III) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE, (IV) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INFORMATION, OR OTHER MATERIAL PURCHASED OR OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS, AND (V) ANY ERRORS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICES IS DONE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOU OR OTHERS. COMPUTER SYSTEM OR LOSS OF DATA THAT RESULTS, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE DOWNLOAD OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM MOCO OR THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICES WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE AGREEMENT. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT MOCO USES COMMERCIALLY REASONABLE EFFORTS TO PROTECT ITS MEMBERS, BUT THAT MOCO DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE SAFE OR SECURE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT MOCO IS NOT LIABLE, AND YOU AGREE NOT TO SEEK TO HOLD MOCO LIABLE, FOR THE CONDUCT OF THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING OPERATORS OF EXTERNAL SITES, AND THAT THE RISK OF INJURY FROM SUCH THIRD PARTIES RESTS ENTIRELY WITH YOU. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER USERS OF THE MOCO PROPERTIES. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT MOCO DOES NOT MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO VERIFY THE STATEMENTS OF USERS OF THE MOCO PROPERTIES.
18. Disputes. Any dispute or claim relating in any way to your use of Moco, or to any products or services sold or distributed by Moco will be resolved by binding arbitration, rather than in court, except that you may assert claims in small claims court if your claims qualify. The Federal Arbitration Act and federal arbitration law apply to this agreement. There is no judge or jury in arbitration, and court review of an arbitration award is limited. However, an arbitrator can award on an individual basis the same damages and relief as a court (including injunctive and declaratory relief or statutory damages), and must follow the terms of these Conditions of Use as a court would. To begin an arbitration proceeding, you must send a letter requesting arbitration and describing your claim addressed as follows: JNJ Mobile, Inc., c/o United Corporate Services, Inc., 874 Walker Road, Ste C, Dover, DE 10094. The arbitration will be conducted by JAMS, Inc. under its rules, including (if applicable) the JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The JAMS's rules are available at www.jamsadr.com or by calling 1-800-352-5267. Payment of all filing, administration and arbitrator fees will be governed by the JAMS's rules. We will reimburse those fees for claims totaling less than $10,000 unless the arbitrator determines the claims are frivolous. Likewise, Moco will not seek attorneys' fees and costs in arbitration unless the arbitrator determines the claims are frivolous. You may choose to have the arbitration conducted by telephone, based on written submissions, or in person in the county where you live or at another mutually agreed location. We each agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than in arbitration we each waive any right to a jury trial. We also both agree that you or we may bring suit in court to enjoin infringement or other misuse of intellectual property rights. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE IF YOU TELL US WITHIN 30 DAYS OF YOUR FIRST DOWNLOAD OR USE OF MOCO THAT YOU WANT TO OPT OUT. IF YOU WANT TO OPT OUT, SEND A WRITTEN NOTICE ADVISING US OF YOUR DECISION TO JNJ Mobile Inc., 6 Liberty Sq PMB 96493, Boston MA 02109. UNLESS YOU OPT OUT OF ARBITRATION, YOU ARE WAIVING THE RIGHT TO HAVE A DISPUTE HEARD BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY, OR OTHERWISE TO BE DECIDED BY A COURT OR GOVERNMENTAL TRIBUNAL. If applicable law precludes enforcement of any of this paragraph's limitations as to a particular claim for relief, then that claim (and only that claim) must be severed from the arbitration and may be brought in court, subject to your and Moco's right to appeal the decision that such claim is for relief cannot be brought in arbitration. All other claims will be arbitrated.
19. U.S. Export Controls. You may not use, export, import, or transfer the Moco Properties except as authorized by U.S. law, the laws of the jurisdiction in which you obtained the Moco Properties, and any other applicable laws. In particular, but without limitation, the Moco Properties may not be exported or re-exported (a) into any United States embargoed country or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Department of Commerce's Denied Person's List or Entity List. By using the Moco Properties, you represent and warrant that (i) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country and (ii) you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties. You also will not use the Moco Properties for any purpose prohibited by U.S. law, including the development, design, manufacture or production of missiles, nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. You acknowledge and agree that products, services or technology provided by Moco are subject to the export control laws and regulations of the United States. You will comply with these laws and regulations and will not, without prior U.S. government authorization, export, re-export, or transfer Moco products, services or technology, either directly or indirectly, to any country in violation of such laws and regulations.
20. No Agency. There is no agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer or franchisor-franchisee relationship between Moco and any Member of the Service.
21. Governing Law. By using Moco, you agree that the Federal Arbitration Act, applicable federal law, and the laws of the state of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, will govern these Conditions of Use and any dispute of any sort that might arise between you and Moco.
22. Headings. The section titles of the Terms are for convenience only and have no structural or legal effect.
23. Waiver and Severability of the Terms. The failure of Moco to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms will not operate as a waiver of such right or provision. Except as provided elsewhere in this agreement, if any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, then that provision will be severed from these Terms and not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
24. Assignment. This Agreement, and any rights and licenses granted hereunder, may not be transferred or assigned by you, but may be assigned by Moco without restriction.
25. Other. The Terms are the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior discussions between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
Supplemental Terms of Service (Moco Live)
Updated as of July 20, 2021
These Supplemental Terms of Service supplement and are in addition to the Terms of Service Agreement that you have already agreed to as a Moco user, and apply only to your use of the Moco Live service (the "Live Services"). In addition to these Supplemental Terms of Service, your use of the Live Services are governed by the Moco Terms of Service Agreement (including, but not limited to, as a component of the "Services"), the Moco Privacy Policy and the MeetMe Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Pursuant to the Moco Terms of Service Agreement, we reserve the right to modify, amend, or change the Supplemental Terms of Service at any time.
You understand and agree that the Live Services will be provided by The Meet Group, Inc., and that by accessing the Live Services you will be viewing content that may be provided by either a Moco or Meet Group user, and that your content may be viewed by either a Moco or Meet Group user.
You understand and agree that the Meet Group, Inc. will act as the provider of the services and as the controller of any data or content that you provide or generate through the Live Services, and as such, except for the purchases made through Moco, you understand and agree Moco will not be liable to you in any way, under any theory of liability, or for any amounts, and any such liability will be governed by the MeetMe Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Because the Live Services are hosted separately, certain of your settings in Moco may not transfer over to the Live Services. For example, hiding your profile in Moco will not hide your profile on the Live Services, and after hiding your profile on Moco you may continue to be displayed on leaderboards on the Live Services, or when you use the Live Services for viewing or streaming.
From time to time, as part of the Live Services, you may have the opportunity to buy "Live Credits". For the avoidance of doubt, such Live Credits are "Virtual Items" as set forth in Section 14 of the Moco Terms of Service Agreement. The Live Credits are usable only on the Live Services, and are not usable on the Moco platform. Use of the Live Credits is expressly subject to the Gifts section of the MeetMe Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. ALL PURCHASES OF THE LIVE CREDITS ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE. UNUSED LIVE CREDITS EXPIRE 180 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
To the extent that you receive gifts as part of your use of the Live Services, the receipt of such gifts and the ability to cash out such gifts are governed exclusively by the MeetMe Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy; for the avoidance of doubt, you agree to look solely to The Meet Group, Inc. to resolve any and all issues surrounding your receipt or cash out of any gifts received.
Please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions regarding the Terms. Moco is a trademark of JNJ Mobile, Inc.


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Wednesday's Highlights
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ended his marathon Senate floor speech at noon when his appointed time ran out.
He concluded his 21-hour-plus session by calling on his fellow Senate Republicans to block final passage of the spending bill the Senate must pass to avoid a government shutdown next week: "Otherwise, if we vote with the majority leader and with the Senate Democrats, we will be voting to allow the majority leader to fund Obamacare on a straight party line vote, partisan vote," he said.
Harry Reid, the Senate majority leader, immediately labeled Cruz's speech a "big waste of time." The Senate then took a procedural vote on the question of whether to move forward toward a debate on the House-passed spending bill. That bill contains the language to defund Obamacare — which the Democratic-controlled Senate is expected to remove.
The result was a 100-to-0 vote to move forward (it needed 60). That vote obviously included Cruz, who surprised many who thought the only logical thing for him to have done was to vote "no."
On the Senate floor, Arizona Republican John McCain castigated Cruz for likening those opposed to the Texan's approach to World War II-era Nazi appeasers. McCain defended Republican senators who were in the chamber in 2009 and 2010 for the initial Obamacare battles for fighting the good fight, but ultimately losing to the majority.
"In democracies, almost always, the majority governs and passes legislation. But I was extremely proud of the effort that we on this side of the aisle made to attempt to defeat a measure we thought was not good for America," McCain said.
What Now?
The Senate's unanimous Wednesday vote kicked off what is essentially a debate-filled 30-hour waiting period before senators take their next vote.
What's Next?
Thursday, Sept. 26: The next vote could come in the evening during which the Senate would vote to proceed to actual debate on the House budget bill itself. Cruz would have another chance then to vote against moving forward. Reid needs only 51 votes to proceed.
Reid is expected to get those votes since he has 52 Democrats — before you even count the two independent senators who caucus with them.
The majority leader is then expected to substitute an amendment to expunge the House GOP provision to defund Obamacare. He is also expected at this point to file a cloture motion to limit debate and to use Senate rules to keep senators from proposing amendments.
Friday, Sept. 27: Debate
Saturday, Sept. 28: This is when a vote to end the debate is expected and Reid would again need 60 votes. The Senate would get a new 30 hours to debate.
Sunday, Sept. 29: The Senate is then expected to vote on two amendments that would only need a simple 51-vote majority. One would remove the anti-Obamacare language; the other would be for a "clean" spending bill or continuing resolution. The Senate would then send the clean CR to the House.
Monday, Sept. 30: The House would have until midnight to approve the Senate version of the CR. If not, come Tuesday it's "Good morning, government shutdown."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Complaint Review: MyPerfectCredit - Internet
- MyPerfectCredit firstname.lastname@example.com Internet U.S.A.
- Phone: 877-469-7373
- Web:
- Category: Credit & Debt Services
MyPerfectCredit unauthorized withdraws from checking account Internet *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
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This company is a rip-off and possibly stealing money from thousand of people personal checking account. They have withdrawn money from my account twice and I have no idea who they are. I have contacted them twice, but always get an idiot on the phone who cannot help me with my problem. They want me to give them their account number for me, but how can I do that if I've never signed up with them. Someone need to get this company shutdown.
Irving, Texas
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.
According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.
If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.
Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.
And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.
Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.
Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
We are Consumer Advocates.
...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
We are a Worldwide Consumer Reporting News Agency
...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/19/2005 01:49 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/myperfectcredit/internet/myperfectcredit-unauthorized-withdraws-from-checking-account-internet-editors-suggestion-135651. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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Gothic Red Floral Bridal Headband with Redstone Beads-Queenly Wedding n Party Accessory
Shipping policy
All orders are sent with PostNL or DHL. A Track & Trace link will be communicated with you by email once your order has been dispatched.
- €3 on orders below €50
- FREE shipping on orders over €50
European Union*:
- €5 on orders below €50
- FREE shipping on orders over €50
Rest of the World:
- €10 on orders below €50
- FREE shipping on orders over €50
* All countries included in European Union:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Return & Refund policy
We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your order to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You will also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
Please, note that the buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
In order to initiate a return, please contact us at email@example.com. We will then communicate with you the steps to follow to return your order. Items returned without noticing us first will not be accepted.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if there is anything wrong (defect, damage, wrong item, etc.) with the received items. This way we can assess the issue as soon as possible and so that we can make it right to you.
Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like perishable goods (such as food, flowers, or plants), custom products (such as special orders or personalized items), and personal care goods (such as beauty products). We also do not accept returns for hazardous materials, flammable liquids, or gasses. Please, get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.
In the case that you wish to exchange products, we recommend that you first request a return for the purchased item, and once accepted, you make a separate purchase for the new item.
We will notify you once we have received and inspected your return, and will let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you will be automatically refunded on the original payment method. Please remember that it can take up to several days for your bank or credit card company to process the refund.
Measuring 15x15x6cm, this accessory is meticulously designed for those with a penchant for the unconventional. The vibrant red theme makes it an impeccable choice for a red-themed wedding, but its versatility doesn't stop there. Whether you're attending a Gothic-inspired party or simply wish to stand out, this headband ensures you do so with a queenly demeanor.
Its soft metal composition allows for dynamic movement and can be gently bent to achieve a form that's uniquely yours. Beyond its structural adaptability, the floral design juxtaposed with tree branches evokes a sense of natural beauty intertwined with Gothic elegance.
Embrace your inner queen with a design that's as individual as you are, and let the world see your unique vision of beauty. Whether for a wedding, a party, or any other event, with this headband, you're not just making a style statement; you're owning it.
What is Gold Vermeil?
Vermeil is a legally regulated term that refers to gold-plated silver pieces of a certain quality standard. In order to be legally called "vermeil", jewelry must meet ALL the following conditions:
- Have a base layer made of Sterling silver.
- Be plated with at least 10k gold (10 karats), which means that it contains at least 41.7% pure gold.
- Have gold plating that is at least 2.5 microns thick. A micron is 1/1000th of a millimeter.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling Silver is an alloy made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal, such as copper. This composition makes sterling silver jewelry a high quality choice.
Furthermore, all CiCi'De Jewelry sterling silver pieces are stamped with the 925 mark and rhodium plated. This process provides an extremely tough and protective layer against tarnishing and makes your jewelry more resistant to scratches, which is ideal for durability.
What is 18K gold vacuum plating?
Vacuum plating real gold is the use of high-temperature vacuum plating technology on parts to plate 18k real gold. This electroplating method involves using glow discharge to shoot oxygen ions onto a target material in a vacuum. The positive ions in the plasma will accelerate towards the target material, causing it to come out and deposit on the surface of the object being plated.
High-quality vacuum electroplating can effectively extend the colour retention life of jewellery, resulting in twice the color retention time of ordinary gold plating.
Yes, we offer gift wrapping for free. Please leave the note when check you for gift wrapping request.
Yes, we offer gift cards in various amounts. You can purchase them online and have them sent directly to the recipient or to your own inbox.
Yes, we offer international shipping to many countries. Shipping fees and delivery times vary based on the destination. Please check our Shipping Policy for more information.
If you receive a damaged item, please contact our customer service team immediately. We will assist you in arranging a replacement or refund. Refer to our Returns & Refunds Policy for more details.


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The S. cerevisiae Reference Genome sequence is derived from laboratory strain S288C. Download DNA or protein sequence, view genomic context and coordinates. Click "Sequence Details" to view all sequence information for this locus, including that for other strains.
BLASTN | Design Primers | Restriction Fragment Map | Restriction Fragment Sizes
A summary of the locus, written by SGD Biocurators following a thorough review of the literature. Links to gene names and curated GO terms are included within the Summary Paragraphs.
Last Updated: 2006-05-09
All manually curated literature for the specified gene, organized into topics according to their relevance to the gene (Primary Literature, Additional Literature, or Review). Click "Literature Details" to view all literature information for this locus, including shared literature between genes.


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Fox is expected to replace former Sonic Craig Ehlo as its Sonics color analyst with Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, who served as a studio host this past season and will work alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro for the first time.(Thanks to Ryan for the tip!)
- - -
Ehlo's two-year contract expired and Fox decided not to renew it, instead opening negotiations with Wilkens, who coached Ehlo in Cleveland and Atlanta.
"I have no hard feelings," Ehlo said from his Spokane home. "I had a great two years. I got to work with Kevin Calabro, who is the best in the business, and every day I learned something from him."
Fox executives declined to comment. But a source at Fox said the network would like to use Ehlo in another capacity, perhaps announcing college basketball games.
Meanwhile, Wilkens, whose contract negotiations are ongoing, will join a long line of sidekicks to Calabro, who since 1997 has worked with Danny Schayes, Billy McKinney, Rick Carlisle, James Donaldson and Marques Johnson, among others.
from the News Tribune
Oh yeah, and here's the official Craig Ehlo highlight reel:


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Welcome to my Mortgage Calculators section. Pleae use the link(s) below to visit on line web sites with mortgage calculators and information. Please be sure to visit this page often as I update the information and links on a regular basis
Click here for our Mortgage Section
If you are buying a home or refinancing a mortgage, many questions are bound to arise. Let these calculators guide you through matters such as whether to rent or buy; figuring the total amount you can borrow; or comparing one mortgage versus another.


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This is the enlarged pfp of emmavre
The Discord avatar has been enlarged. Take a look at the zoomed discord pfp and view the maixmum size. You can download the avatar now. Remember that our Discord pfp viewer is anonymous and nobody know that you have watched a Discord profile picture.
Share this page with your friends!
Answers to frequently asked questions
With Discord-Avatar.com you can enlarge Discord profiles including the avatar and banner. You can even lookup profile colors. After enlarging a profile you can proceed to downloading the avatar or banner.
With our service you can enlarge Discord profile pictures and banners. You can even download them in maximum resolution.
With Discord-Avatar.com you can enlarge and download every Discord avatar in HD. You can also download Discord user-banners with our service.
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You can enlarge and download Discord avatars very easily with our service. All you need is the user-id of the user.
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Discord is a free chat App mainly used by gamers for chatting and talking during gaming. Today Discord is a whole social network with giant communities and millions of users.


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Protect your eyes and reduce your risk for this common eye condition.
Cataracts are probably the most well-known eye condition associated with age. By the age of 80, more than half of all people living in the US either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.
If you notice any unusual or unexplained changes in your vision, contact us right away.
What are cataracts?
Inside your eye, there is a natural lens that is normally clear. Over the years, changes in the eyes lead to the breakdown of the lens proteins, causing them to become cloudy. When viewing things through a cataract, items may appear hazy, blurry, or less colorful.
In general, cataracts develop in both eyes, though not always evenly. Because the cataract in one eye might be more developed than in the other, there could be a marked difference in vision.
In addition to the vision changes noted above, other symptoms of cataracts include:
- Greater sensitivity to glare and light
- Yellowing of colors
- Dim vision
- Double vision that's in just one eye
- Needing more or brighter light for reading and similar activities
- Difficulty with driving, especially at night
- Seeing rings or halos around lights
Who is at risk for developing cataracts?
While cataracts are a common condition associated with aging, there are other risk factors that could increase your chances of developing them or having them appear earlier in your life.
Risk factors include:
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Past eye surgery
- Excessive alcohol use
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Extended use of corticosteroid medications
- Previous eye inflammation and/or injury
- Obesity
There is also a strong genetic factor regarding the development of cataracts. If your parents, siblings, or other family members have cataracts, your chance of also getting them increases.
How do I reduce or prevent cataracts?
While cataracts are a part of the natural aging process for many people, there are still a number of strategies you can implement that could help slow their progression or prevent them from developing earlier in your life.
Stick to regular eye exams
This is the main way to keep your eye health in check. Only during a comprehensive eye exam can your optometrist detect early signs that could point to the development of cataracts. During your appointment, your eye doctor may go over some lifestyle changes that could improve the health of your eyes if there are changes to the eye's lens.
Protect your eyes from the sun
The sun's powerful ultraviolet rays can contribute to the development of cataracts. When you're out in the sun, make sure to wear sunglasses that block UVB rays as well as a hat.
Make positive lifestyle changes
Eating a healthy diet that consists of lots of vegetables and fruits can help you maintain a healthy weight while also providing your eyes with the vitamins and minerals they need. If you drink alcohol frequently or in excessive amounts, cut back or stop altogether. Smoking can also have a detrimental effect on your eyes' health. Quitting can help prevent eye diseases.
How are cataracts diagnosed and treated?
Your eye doctor is the only one who can provide a definitive diagnosis of cataracts. There are several tests that can assist in this diagnosis, including a slit-lamp exam, visual acuity test, and retinal exam.
During the early stages of the disease, the changes in vision associated with cataracts can often be addressed by using prescription glasses. When this strategy to clear your vision is no longer working, surgery is often the next step.
At Community Eye Care, we're passionate about caring for the health of your eyes. Let us help you protect your vision.
Schedule an appointment at one of our conveniently located offices.


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(This post last updated at 8:30 p.m. ET)
An explosion touched off a fire at a Louisiana petrochemical plant, killing at least one person and injuring more than 70 others, officials say.
State Police reported one person dead in the calamity at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, La. The blast also injured 77 other people, Louisiana's Department of Health and Hospitals said Thursday evening, reports The Times-Picayune.
Of those injured, 51 people have already been discharged from care. But six people remain in hospitals, three of them in intensive care, The Times-Picayune reports.
The figures update an announcement earlier today, when Gov. Bobby Jindal said 73 people had been injured.
Here's our original post:
The Associated Press quoted Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman Jean Kelly as saying helicopters had taken three or four people from the plant and ground ambulances took 30.
The fire started Thursday morning at The Williams Olefins plant in Geismar, about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge, says Louisiana State Police Capt. Doug Cain.
The plant can produce 1.35 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene a year, according to the company's website. Both ethylene and propylene are intermediates used to produce other chemical and plastic products.
Update at 3:35 p.m. ET. Governor Says 73 Injured
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal says one person has been killed and 73 injured.
Jindal told reporters that government monitors have not detected dangerous levels of emissions from the explosion.
Update at 2:20 p.m. ET. Police Report At Least One Death
State Police are reporting at least one person has been killed in the explosion and fire, which was put out by late morning. One of the injured is listed in critical condition.
Update at 1:35 p.m. ET. Witness: People Running From Plant
Daniel Cuthbertson, a fuel truck operator, said he witnessed workers scrambling over gates and running from the plant when they heard the explosion, which shook the ground and was followed by a "ball of fire," according to the AP.
The Williams Companies said an explosion occurred at 8:37 a.m. CST and that the flow of chemicals to the fire had been cut off by 10 a.m.
In a statement on its website, the company said it is "focused on the safety and well-being" of its employees:
"Our emergency-response crews are thoroughly trained to respond to these types of incidents and are diligently performing their work with their first priority being the safety and well-being of people in and around the area.
"First responders are on the scene and local routes to the plant have been closed by the local authorities.
"We are in the process of accounting for all personnel. Injuries have been reported, the number and extent of those injuries is not known at this point."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.