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Wal-Mart 10-Q 2017
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2017.
For the transition period from to .
Commission file number 1-6991
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (479) 273-4000
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý
The registrant had 2,987,201,643 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 29, 2017.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended July 31, 2017
Table of Contents
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
See accompanying notes.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
See accompanying notes.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
See accompanying notes.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
See accompanying notes.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See accompanying notes.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Walmart" or the "Company") and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been included. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and the accompanying notes, are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") and do not contain certain information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017 ("fiscal 2017"). Therefore, the interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with that Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are based on a fiscal year ending on January 31 for the United States ("U.S.") and Canadian operations. The Company consolidates all other operations generally using a one-month lag and based on a calendar year. There were no intervening events during the month of July 2017 related to the operations consolidated using a lag that materially affected the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company's business is seasonal to a certain extent due to calendar events and national and religious holidays, as well as weather patterns. Historically, the Company's highest sales volume and operating income have occurred in the fiscal quarter ending January 31.
Receivables are stated at their carrying values, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts. Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from:
The Walmart International segment offers a limited number of consumer credit products, primarily through its financial institutions in Canada and Chile to customers in those markets. The receivable balance from consumer credit products was $1.3 billion, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of $87 million at July 31, 2017, compared to a receivable balance of $1.2 billion, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of $79 million at January 31, 2017. These balances are included in receivables, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market as determined primarily by the retail inventory method of accounting, using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for substantially all of the Walmart U.S. segment's inventories. The inventory at the Walmart International segment is valued primarily by the retail inventory method of accounting, using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The retail inventory method of accounting results in inventory being valued at the lower of cost or market, since permanent markdowns are immediately recorded as a reduction of the retail value of inventory. The inventory at the Sam's Club segment is valued using the LIFO method. At July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the Company's inventories valued at LIFO approximated those inventories as if they were valued at FIFO.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. While management continues to evaluate the impact of this ASU, it is not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet or cash flows. Although not material, the ASU will impact the timing of recognition of revenue associated with the unredeemed portion of Company issued gift cards, which will be recognized over the expected redemption period of the gift card rather than waiting until the likelihood of redemption becomes remote or waiting for the gift card to expire. Additionally, management continues to evaluate certain contracts to determine whether gross presentation will continue to be appropriate under this ASU and is still
evaluating the required disclosures. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective approach, which will result in a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lease assets and liabilities to be recorded on the balance sheet. Certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required, as well as retrospective recognition and measurement of impacted leases. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2019 and is implementing new lease systems in connection with the adoption. Management is evaluating this ASU and expects it will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Management is still evaluating the effect on consolidated net income, cash flows and disclosures.
Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall (Topic 825), which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2018. Management is evaluating this ASU and expects it to primarily impact the Company's accounting for its investment in JD.com ("JD"). Subsequent to adoption, changes in the value of the Company's investment in JD will be recorded in consolidated net income.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses (Topic 326), which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2020. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet, cash flows and disclosures.
Stock Compensation
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which is intended to simplify accounting for share-based payment transactions. The ASU changed several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. Management adopted this ASU beginning February 1, 2017, with an immaterial impact to the Company's consolidated net income and cash flows.
Note 2. Net Income Per Common Share
Basic net income per common share attributable to Walmart is based on the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the relevant period. Diluted net income per common share attributable to Walmart is based on the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the relevant period adjusted for the dilutive effect of share-based awards. The Company did not have significant share-based awards outstanding that were antidilutive and not included in the calculation of diluted net income per common share attributable to Walmart for the three and six months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to determine basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to Walmart:
Note 3. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table provides the changes in the composition of total accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended July 31, 2017:
(1) Income tax impact is immaterial.
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for derivative instruments are recorded in interest, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, and the amounts for the minimum pension liability are recorded in operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Note 4. Long-term Debt
The following table provides the changes in the Company's long-term debt for the six months ended July 31, 2017:
(1) Total repayments of long-term debt excludes $0.8 billion of premiums paid to extinguish debt.
Debt Issuances
Information on significant long-term debt issued during the six months ended July 31, 2017, is as follows:
As described in Note 6, these issuances of foreign-currency-denominated long-term debt are designated as a hedge of the Company's net investment in Japan.
Maturities and Extinguishments
The following table provides details of debt repayments during the six months ended July 31, 2017:
(1) Represents portion of the principal amount repaid during the six months ended July 31, 2017.
In connection with extinguishing debt, the Company recorded a loss of $0.8 billion which is included in loss on extinguishment of debt in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company also repaid other, smaller long-term debt as it matured in its non-U.S. markets.
Note 5. Fair Value Measurements
The Company records and discloses certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an ordinary transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. The fair value of a liability is the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using the fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company holds derivative instruments that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values are the estimated amounts the Company would receive or pay upon termination of the related derivative agreements as of the reporting dates. The fair values have been measured using the income approach and Level 2 inputs, which include the relevant interest rate and foreign currency forward curves. As of July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the notional amounts and fair values of these derivatives were as follows:
Additionally, the Company's available-for-sale securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. Changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The cost basis and fair value of the Company's available-for-sale securities as of July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, are as follows:
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company's assets and liabilities are also subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. The Company did not record any significant impairment charges to assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three and six months ended July 31, 2017 or for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
The Company records cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings at cost. The carrying values of these instruments approximate their fair value due to their short-term maturities.
The Company's long-term debt is also recorded at cost. The fair value is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on the Company's current incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt as of July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, are as follows:
Note 6. Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates, as well as to maintain an appropriate mix of fixed- and variable-rate debt. Use of derivative financial instruments in hedging programs subjects the Company to certain risks, such as market and credit risks. Market risk represents the possibility that the value of the derivative financial instrument will change. In a hedging relationship, the change in the value of the derivative financial instrument is offset to a great extent by the change in the value of the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to a derivative financial instrument represents the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the terms of the contract. The notional, or contractual, amount of the Company's derivative financial instruments is used to measure interest to be paid or received and does not represent the Company's exposure due to credit risk. Credit risk is monitored through established approval procedures, including setting concentration limits by counterparty, reviewing credit ratings and requiring collateral (generally cash) from the counterparty when appropriate.
The Company only enters into derivative transactions with counterparties rated "A-" or better by nationally recognized credit rating agencies. Subsequent to entering into derivative transactions, the Company regularly monitors the credit ratings of its counterparties. In connection with various derivative agreements, including master netting arrangements, the Company held cash collateral from counterparties of $279 million and $242 million at July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively. The Company records cash collateral received as amounts due to the counterparties exclusive of any derivative asset. Furthermore, as part of the master netting arrangements with each of these counterparties, the Company is also required to post collateral with a counterparty if the Company's net derivative liability position exceeds $150 million with such counterparties. The Company did not have any cash collateral posted with counterparties at July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively. The Company records cash collateral it posts with counterparties as amounts receivable from those counterparties exclusive of any derivative liability.
The Company uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging its exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks and, accordingly, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria are recorded using hedge accounting. If a derivative financial instrument is recorded using hedge accounting, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness is immediately recognized in earnings. The Company's net investment and cash flow instruments are highly effective hedges and the ineffective portion has not been, and is not expected to be, significant. Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change.
Fair Value Instruments
The Company is a party to receive fixed-rate, pay variable-rate interest rate swaps that the Company uses to hedge the fair value of fixed-rate debt. The notional amounts are used to measure interest to be paid or received and do not represent the Company's exposure due to credit loss. The Company's interest rate swaps that receive fixed-interest rate payments and pay variable-interest rate payments are designated as fair value hedges. As the specific terms and notional amounts of the derivative instruments match those of the fixed-rate debt being hedged, the derivative instruments are assumed to be perfectly effective hedges. Changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded in earnings, but are offset by corresponding changes in the fair values of the hedged items, also recorded in earnings, and, accordingly, do not impact the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. These fair value instruments will mature on dates ranging from October 2020 to April 2024.
Net Investment Instruments
The Company is a party to cross-currency interest rate swaps that the Company uses to hedge its net investments. The agreements are contracts to exchange fixed-rate payments in one currency for fixed-rate payments in another currency. All changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, offsetting the currency translation adjustment of the related investment that is also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. These instruments will mature on dates ranging from July 2020 to February 2030.
The Company has issued foreign-currency-denominated long-term debt as hedges of net investments of certain of its foreign operations. These foreign-currency-denominated long-term debt issuances are designated and qualify as nonderivative hedging instruments. Accordingly, the foreign currency translation of these debt instruments is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, offsetting the foreign currency translation adjustment of the related net investments that is also recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. At July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the Company had ¥180 billion and ¥10 billion, respectively, of outstanding long-term debt designated as a hedge of its net investment in Japan, as well as outstanding long-term debt of £2.1 billion and £2.5 billion at July 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively, that was designated as a hedge of its net investment in the United Kingdom. These nonderivative net investment hedges will mature on dates ranging from July 2020 to January 2039.
Cash Flow Instruments
The Company is a party to receive fixed-rate, pay fixed-rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the currency exposure associated with the forecasted payments of principal and interest of certain non-U.S. denominated debt. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk related to payments on the non-U.S. denominated debt. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The hedged items are recognized foreign currency-denominated liabilities that are re-measured at spot exchange rates each period, and the assessment of effectiveness (and measurement of any ineffectiveness) is based on total changes in the related derivative's cash flows. As a result, the amount reclassified into earnings each period includes an amount that offsets the related transaction gain or loss arising from that re-measurement and the adjustment to earnings for the period's allocable portion of the initial spot-forward difference associated with the hedging instrument. These cash flow instruments will mature on dates ranging from April 2022 to March 2034.
Financial Statement Presentation
Although subject to master netting arrangements, the Company does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative instruments with an unrealized gain are recorded in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either current or non-current assets, based on maturity date, and those hedging instruments with an unrealized loss are recorded as either current or non-current liabilities, based on maturity date. Refer to Note 5 for the net presentation of the Company's derivative instruments.
The Company's derivative instruments, as well as its nonderivative debt instruments designated and qualifying as net investment hedges, were classified as follows in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Gains and losses related to the Company's derivatives primarily relate to interest rate hedges, which are recorded in interest, net, in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts related to the Company's derivatives expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income during the next 12 months are not significant.
Note 7. Share Repurchases
From time to time, the Company repurchases shares of its common stock under share repurchase programs authorized by the Company's Board of Directors. The current $20.0 billion share repurchase program has no expiration date or other restrictions limiting the period over which the Company can make share repurchases. At July 31, 2017, authorization for $4.8 billion of share repurchases remained under the current share repurchase program. Any repurchased shares are constructively retired and returned to an unissued status.
The Company considers several factors in determining when to execute share repurchases, including, among other things, current cash needs, capacity for leverage, cost of borrowings and the market price of its common stock. The following table provides, on a settlement date basis, the number of shares repurchased, average price paid per share and total amount paid for share repurchases for the six months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016:
Note 8. Common Stock Dividends
Dividends Declared
On February 21, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the fiscal year ending January 31, 2018 ("fiscal 2018") annual dividend of $2.04 per share, an increase over the fiscal 2017 annual dividend of $2.00 per share. For fiscal 2018, the annual dividend will be paid in four quarterly installments of $0.51 per share, according to the following record and payable dates:
The dividend installments payable on April 3, 2017 and June 5, 2017 were paid as scheduled.
Note 9. Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in a number of legal proceedings. The Company has made accruals with respect to these matters, where appropriate, which are reflected in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For some matters, a liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore an accrual has not been made. However, where a liability is reasonably possible and may be material, such matters have been disclosed. The Company may enter into discussions regarding settlement of these matters, and may enter into settlement agreements, if it believes settlement is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.
Unless stated otherwise, the matters discussed below, if decided adversely to or settled by the Company, individually or in the aggregate, may result in a liability material to the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
ASDA Equal Value Claims
ASDA Stores, Ltd. ("ASDA"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is a defendant in over 10,000 "equal value" claims that are proceeding before an Employment Tribunal in Manchester (the "Employment Tribunal") in the United Kingdom ("UK") on behalf of current and former ASDA store employees. The claimants allege that the work performed by female employees in ASDA's retail stores is of equal value in terms of, among other things, the demands of their jobs to that of male employees working in ASDA's warehouse and distribution facilities, and that the disparity in pay between these different job positions is not objectively justified. Claimants are requesting differential back pay based on higher wage rates in the warehouse and distribution facilities. The claimants are also requesting higher wage rates on a prospective basis as part of these equal value proceedings. ASDA believes that further claims may be asserted in the future.
On March 23, 2015, ASDA asked the Employment Tribunal to stay all proceedings and to "strike out" substantially all of the claims because the claimants had not adhered to the Tribunal's procedural rule for including multiple claimants on a the same claim form. On July 23, 2015, the Employment Tribunal denied ASDA's requests. Following additional proceedings, on June 20, 2017, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled in favor of ASDA on the "strike out" issue and remitted the matter to the
Employment Tribunal to determine whether the improperly filed claims should be struck out. On July 12, 2017, claimants sought permission from the Court of Appeals to appeal this ruling.
As to the initial phase of the Equal Value claims, on October 14, 2016, following a preliminary hearing, the Employment Tribunal ruled that claimants could compare their positions in ASDA's retail stores with those of employees in ASDA's warehouse and distribution facilities. On August 31, 2017, the Employment Appeal Tribunal affirmed the Employment Tribunal's ruling. Claimants are now proceeding in the next phase of their claims. That phase will determine whether the work performed by the claimants is of equal value to the work performed by employees in ASDA's warehouse and distribution facilities.
At present, the Company cannot predict the number of such claims that may be filed, and cannot reasonably estimate any loss or range of loss that may arise from these proceedings. The Company believes it has substantial factual and legal defenses to these claims, and intends to defend the claims vigorously.
FCPA Investigation and Related Matters
The Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company has been conducting an internal investigation into, among other things, alleged violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") and other alleged crimes or misconduct in connection with foreign subsidiaries, including Wal-Mart de México, S.A.B. de C.V. ("Walmex"), and whether prior allegations of such violations and/or misconduct were appropriately handled by the Company. The Audit Committee and the Company have engaged outside counsel from a number of law firms and other advisors who are assisting in the on-going investigation of these matters.
The Company has also been conducting a voluntary global review of its policies, practices and internal controls for anti-corruption compliance. The Company is engaged in strengthening its global anti-corruption compliance program through appropriate remedial anti-corruption measures. In November 2011, the Company voluntarily disclosed that investigative activity to the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ") and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Since the implementation of the global review and the enhanced anti-corruption compliance program, the Audit Committee and the Company have identified or been made aware of additional allegations regarding potential violations of the FCPA. When such allegations have been reported or identified, the Audit Committee and the Company, together with their third party advisors, have conducted inquiries and when warranted based on those inquiries, opened investigations. Inquiries or investigations regarding allegations of potential FCPA violations were commenced in a number of foreign markets where the Company operates, including, but not limited to, Brazil, China and India.
As previously disclosed, the Company is under investigation by the DOJ and the SEC regarding possible violations of the FCPA. The Company has been cooperating with the agencies and discussions have been ongoing regarding the resolution of these matters. As these discussions are ongoing, the Company cannot currently predict the timing, the outcome or the impact of a possible resolution of these matters.
A number of federal and local government agencies in Mexico have also initiated investigations of these matters. Walmex is cooperating with the Mexican governmental agencies conducting these investigations. Furthermore, lawsuits relating to the matters under investigation have been filed by several of the Company's shareholders against it, certain of its current directors, certain of its former directors, certain of its former officers and certain of Walmex's former officers.
The Company could be exposed to a variety of negative consequences as a result of the matters noted above. There could be one or more enforcement actions in respect of the matters that are the subject of some or all of the on-going government investigations, and such actions, if brought, may result in judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions, cease and desist orders, debarment or other relief, criminal convictions and/or penalties and the shareholder lawsuits referenced above may result in judgments against the Company and its current and former directors and officers named in those proceedings. The Company expects that there will be on-going media and governmental interest, including additional news articles from media publications on these matters, which could impact the perception among certain audiences of the Company's role as a corporate citizen.
In addition, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur costs in responding to requests for information or subpoenas seeking documents, testimony and other information in connection with the government investigations, in defending the shareholder lawsuits, and in conducting the review and investigations. These costs will be expensed as incurred. For the three and six months ended July 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred the following third-party expenses in connection with the FCPA investigation and related matters:
While the Company believes that it is probable that it will incur a loss from these matters, given the on-going nature and complexity of the review, inquiries and investigations, the Company cannot yet reasonably estimate a loss or range of loss that may arise from the conclusion of these matters. Although the Company does not presently believe that these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, given the inherent uncertainties in such situations, the Company can provide no assurance that these matters will not be material to its business in the future.
Note 10. Acquisitions, Disposals and Related Items
The Company completed certain e-commerce acquisitions during the three and six months ended July 31, 2017, which were immaterial, individually and in the aggregate, to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following significant transaction primarily impacts the operations of the Company's Walmart U.S. segment:
Jet.com, Inc. ("jet.com")
In September 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of jet.com, a U.S.-based e-commerce company. The integration of jet.com into the Walmart U.S. segment is building upon the current e-commerce foundation, allowing for synergies from talent, logistical operations and access to a broader customer base. The total purchase price for the acquisition was $2.4 billion, net of cash acquired. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price includes $1.7 billion in goodwill and $0.6 billion in intangible assets. As part of the transaction, the Company will pay additional compensation of approximately $0.8 billion over a five-year period.
The following significant transactions impact the operations of the Company's Walmart International segment:
In April 2017, one of the Company's subsidiaries sold Suburbia, the apparel retail division in Mexico, for $1.0 billion. As part of the sales agreement, the Company is also leasing certain real estate to the purchaser. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $0.7 billion, of which $0.4 billion was recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 in membership and other income, and the remainder was deferred and is being recognized over the lease terms of approximately 20 years.
Yihaodian and JD
In June 2016, the Company sold certain assets relating to Yihaodian, its e-commerce operations in China, including the Yihaodian brand, website and application, to JD in exchange for Class A ordinary shares of JD representing approximately five percent of JD's outstanding ordinary shares on a fully diluted basis. The $1.5 billion investment in JD is carried at cost and is included in other assets and deferred charges in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The sale resulted in the recognition of a $535 million noncash gain, which was included in membership and other income. Subsequently, during fiscal 2017, the Company purchased $1.9 billion of additional JD shares classified as available for sale securities, representing an incremental ownership percentage of approximately five percent, for a total ownership of approximately ten percent of JD's outstanding ordinary shares.
Note 11. Segments
The Company is engaged in retail and wholesale operations located in the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom, as well as countries located in Africa and Central America. The Company's operations are conducted in three business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club. The Company defines its segments as those operations whose results its chief operating decision maker ("CODM") regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources. The Company sells similar individual products and services in each of its segments. It is impractical to segregate and identify revenues for each of these individual products and services.
The Walmart U.S. segment includes the Company's mass merchant concept in the U.S. operating under the "Walmart" or "Wal-Mart" brands, as well as digital retail. The Walmart International segment consists of the Company's operations outside of the U.S., including various retail websites. The Sam's Club segment includes the warehouse membership clubs in the U.S., as well as samsclub.com. Corporate and support consists of corporate overhead and other items not allocated to any of the Company's segments.
The Company measures the results of its segments using, among other measures, each segment's net sales and operating income, which includes certain corporate overhead allocations. From time to time, the Company revises the measurement of each segment's operating income, including any corporate overhead allocations, as determined by the information regularly reviewed by its CODM. When the measurement of a segment changes, previous period amounts and balances are reclassified to be comparable to the current period's presentation.
Net sales by segment are as follows:
Operating income by segment, as well as operating loss for corporate and support, and interest, net, are as follows:
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Walmart," the "Company" or "we") is engaged in retail and wholesale operations in various formats around the world. Through our operations, we help people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores or through our e-commerce and mobile capabilities. Through innovation, we are striving to create a customer-centric experience that seamlessly integrates digital and physical shopping and saves time for our customers. Physical retail encompasses our brick and mortar presence in each of the markets in which we operate. Digital retail is comprised of our e-commerce websites and mobile commerce applications. Each week, we serve over 260 million customers who visit our more than 11,600 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. Our strategy is to lead on price, invest to differentiate on access, be competitive on assortment and deliver a great experience. By leading on price we earn the trust of our customers every day by providing a broad assortment of quality merchandise and services at everyday low prices ("EDLP"). EDLP is our pricing philosophy under which we price items at a low price every day so our customers trust that our prices will not change under frequent promotional activity. Price leadership is core to who we are. Everyday low cost ("EDLC") is our commitment to control expenses so our cost savings can be passed along to our customers. Our digital and physical presence, which we continue to integrate, provides customers access to our broad assortment anytime and anywhere. We strive to give our customers and members a great digital and physical shopping experience.
Our operations consist of three reportable segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International and Sam's Club.
Each of our segments contributes to the Company's operating results differently. Each, however, has generally maintained a consistent contribution rate to the Company's net sales and operating income in recent years other than minor changes to the contribution rate for the Walmart International segment due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Our fiscal year ends on January 31 for our U.S. and Canadian operations. We consolidate all other operations generally using a one-month lag and on a calendar year basis. Our business is seasonal to a certain extent due to calendar events and national and religious holidays, as well as weather patterns. Historically, our highest sales volume and operating income have occurred in the fiscal quarter ending January 31.
This discussion, which presents our results for periods occurring in the fiscal year ending January 31, 2018 ("fiscal 2018") and the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017 ("fiscal 2017"), should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three and six months ended July 31, 2017, and the accompanying notes included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended January 31, 2017, the accompanying notes a


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2014 News & Media Releases
Doing Business Abroad Pays Dividends for Toronto's Financial Services Sector and Canada's Economy
Toronto is commonly ranked among the top financial centres in the world and its global presence remains strong, according to the Conference Board of Canada report, Performance and Potential: Toronto's Financial Services Sector 2014. In the companion report, Going Abroad: Examining the International Footprint of Canada's Financial Services Sector, also released today, close to 40 per cent of Toronto's financial institutions surveyed reported that one-quarter or more of their revenues comes from overseas; meanwhile, more than half of the survey respondents operate in 11 or more countries.
View Release
Mitacs and Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education Address Labour Market Needs
Mitacs and the Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education (CoE) are partnering to help financial service institutions firms bridge the gap between the supply and demand of talent for the sector. The partnership aims to increase the access to talent in Canada by linking top researchers enrolled in graduate and postdoctoral programs across Canada through Mitacs' Accelerate and Elevate programs to Toronto's financial services sector.
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How P3s Plug Infrastructure Gaps
Whether it's the internationally recognized expertise of Infrastructure Ontario, the provincial government agency running P3 projects in health care and transportation; the global thought leadership of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships; or the growing international reputation of our major pension plans as savvy investors in infrastructure projects, we have an asset that we should leverage more for the benefit of not just Toronto, but for the country as well.
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Janet Ecker at the Empire club on The Importance of P3's
P3's are working: The role of the financial sector in successful infrastructure projects and why you should care.
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Yuan trading-hub status a major win for Canada
'This is a significant development and a major win for Canadians, for our nation's financial industry and for Toronto, where the financial sector is headquartered. Why? Because China is one of the world's largest economies and our second largest trading partner. As it seeks to make its currency more international, it is looking for partners around the world. Its choice of Canada will now give Canadian companies, including our financial industry, a competitive advantage.'
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TFSA Welcomes Agreement to Establish Canada as the Renminbi Hub for the Americas
The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) welcomes and applauds the agreement announced today to establish Canada as the first trading hub in the Americas for the Chinese currency, the Renminbi (RMB). "We are very pleased that the federal government recognized the importance of this initiative to Canada's economy and worked with the financial industry to help make it happen," said Janet Ecker, President and CEO of the TFSA. The TFSA was instrumental in starting the initiative, almost two years ago, bringing together industry and government officials to explore its feasibility.
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Taking Our Relationship with China to the Next Level by Establishing a Renminbi Trading Hub in Canada
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a report "Doing More Business with China: Why Canada Needs a Renminbi Hub." The report highlights four key advantages to the Canadian economy that could come from the establishment of an RMB trading hub.
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GFCI 15 Published Today
The latest Global Financial Centres Index, GFCI 16, covering 80 financial centres, was published on September 22 by the London based Z/Yen Group. Toronto moved up three spots in the rankings, and remains one of only 11 financial centres judged by GFCI to be a "global leader," owing to the breadth and depth of its financial services industry. As a sub-sector, Toronto's investment management capabilities placed it among the top ten centres in the world, according to GFCI 14. GFCI joins The Banker, The Economist, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PwC in ranking Toronto highly as an international financial centre, a place to do business and a place to live.
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Transportation infrastructure is key to attracting more financial services head offices to Toronto
Toronto should focus on improving its transportation infrastructure, including roads and transit, if it wants to keep growing as a centre for financial services headquarters, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released today.
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TFSA welcomes ratification of Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA)
The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) welcomes the federal government's decision to ratify the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA)."Canada and China have a strong and growing economic relationship which includes the financial services sector," said Janet Ecker, President and CEO of the TFSA. "Some of our financial companies have been involved with China for literally decades and these business relationships are growing."
View Release
Canada seeks to become Renminbi (RMB) trading centre for the Americas
The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) and AdvantageBC today announced they would work together, with officials from the federal, Ontario and BC governments, and the financial industry, to promote Canada as a trading hub for the Chinese currency, the Renminbi (RMB).
View Release
We Need your Assistance to Make Toronto a "Top Ten" Global Financial Centre
Twice a year the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), ranks the top global financial centres using both data analysis and survey responses from global financial executives. The process for the September ranking has just begun. Whilst Toronto has cracked the "top ten" in previous reports and did well in sections of the last report in March, overall it slipped to 14th slot - which we do not believe is a true reflection of the standing of Toronto's position as an International Finance Centre.A critical element of the GFCI is the survey so your opinions, and the opinions of your financial colleagues working around the world really can make a difference. We know from analysis that responses from executives who work offshore are given extra weight in the scoring, so can you please encourage your global financial colleagues, to participate. All it takes is for you and your global colleagues to take five minutes of your time to complete the survey.
Take Survey
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Toronto Ranked as the Most Tax-Competitive Major City in the World
A report released last week by KPMG ranked Toronto as the world's most tax-competitive major city. The report, Competitive Alternatives 2014: Focus on Tax, ranked Toronto first overall among the 51 major international cities studied.
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2014 Ontario Election Debate on Importance of Financial Services Sector
On June 6th, 2014, The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA), with eight other financial services industry associations, hosted a provincial election debate at Toronto City Hall. Representatives of the three major political parties expressed their views regarding the importance of the financial services sector to the regional economy. Representing the three parties were: Hon. Charles Sousa, the Ontario Minister of Finance and the Liberal candidate for Mississauga South, Vic Fedeli, the Progressive Conservative candidate for Nipissing, Michael Prue, the New Democratic Party candidate for Beaches -- East York.
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Ontario Election Debate Discusses Importance of Financial Services Sector: Consensus and Divergent Views on Key Issues Highlighted
Toronto, June 6, 2014 - The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA), with eight other financial services industry associations, today hosted a provincial election all-candidates' debate at Toronto City Hall. Representatives of the three major political parties expressed their views regarding the importance of the financial services sector to the regional economy. View Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtmOP6p_DWw
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TFSA Newsletter - May 2014
Check out our May newsletter for industry news and to see what we've been up to!
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Toronto Financial Services Alliance Concerned Provincial Budget Not Meeting Deficit Targets; Welcomes Critical Infrastructure Investments
The Ontario Government announced today in its budget that it is adjusting deficit targets in the short term. The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) is disappointed that original short term targets will not be met, although the government says it remains committed to balancing the budget by 2017-18.
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TFSA Mourns Loss of Jim Flaherty
The Toronto Financial Services Alliance (TFSA) is greatly saddened by the news of former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's passing. "Canada has lost one of its best finance ministers and the Toronto region's financial sector has lost a strong supporter," said Janet Ecker, President and CEO of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance at the news that the former minister passed away.
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Why Canada's Stock Market is Among the Best in the World
Check out Kevan Cowan's, President, TSX Markets and Group Head of Equities, article in the Globe and Mail.
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Excelian Increases Global Presence with New Office in Toronto
Janet Ecker, President of TFSA stated "We are pleased to welcome Excelian to our growing financial technology market here in Toronto. The financial services industry is facing many regulatory and economic pressures which technology solutions like this can address. This company is an excellent example of the kind of technology and business support we are attracting to support our financial sector."
View Release
Janet Ecker on BNN
Janet talks about Jim Flaherty's legacy and his replacement, Joe Oliver.
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Flaherty's Departure a Great Loss for Canada and Toronto's Financial Services Cluster
Toronto, March 18, 2014 - Canada has lost one of its best finance ministers and Toronto region has lost a strong advocate, said Janet Ecker, President and CEO of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance at the news that Canada's Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty has stepped down.
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Runway Expansion Will Help Toronto Fly
The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has become a world-class gateway for Toronto and Ontario for both business and leisure travellers - particularly for the financial services industry, one of Toronto's most important economic drivers. The debate now swirls around a proposal to introduce jet service...
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TFSA Podcast Series: Episode #5 Release
The Toronto Financial Services Alliance is pleased to release episode #5 of our new podcast series. CSI globalVcard: A Toronto Success Story with Dave Disque from CSI globalVcard. This podcast will focus on the reasons why CSI globalVcard decided to expand into Toronto.
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Department of Finance of Canada : Minister of Finance Welcomes Findings of the IMF's Financial Sector Assessment Program and Staff Report Confirming Effectiveness of Canada's Economic Stewardship
The FSAP (Financial Sector Assessment Program) report, prepared every five years, lauds Canada's financial system for successfully navigating the global financial crisis, while remaining resilient in the face of outside risks. The report also points to the strength of the Canadian economy and fiscal position, a well-functioning and collaborative financial sector regulatory infrastructure, effective and efficient supervision, and well-capitalized and profitable financial institutions as key to the sector's ongoing success.
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2014 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
Toronto Financial Services Alliance
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Save The Date! Seminar on Business Opportunities in the U.S. Financial Technologies Market
For Canadian Financial Technology (FinTech) companies: Join this luncheon seminar to learn more about business development opportunities in the U.S.Featured speakers to include David Furlonger of Gartner and other Financial Technology industry leaders from Canada and the U.S. Key areas of focus will include security, compliance, mobile, risk, wealth management and analytics.
Download Document
Check out our new Success Story! globalVcard Inc
When CSI Enterprises began planning for expansion into Canada, it didn't take long to identify Toronto as a prime location for its Canadian office.
View Document
Province Expanding Opportunities in South American Market
Ontario is opening its newest International Marketing Centre (IMC) in São Paulo, Brazil. The new office fulfils a key commitment of Ontario's Going Global Trade Strategy and the official opening will be marked during a business mission to Brazil led by Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, from January 22-24. Ontario's network of 11 International Marketing Centres provide an on-the-ground presence in high-potential markets, helping Ontario firms to grow their exports while promoting the province as a destination for investment.
View Release
Jul 30, 2018
How Canada can close the cybersecurity talent gap
Jul 27, 2018
WAIFC – New global strategic alliance to facilitate cooperation and economic growth
Jul 4, 2018
New report introduces innovative framework to grow Canada's cyber talent supply
Sign up for our free email newsletter. Every quarter we'll send you important news and information about the financial services industry in Toronto. See past issues.

subset: commoncrawl


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 1: GM Styles (Explicit Warning) Show Notes (0:32) Coy refuses to sit down and talk like a human. (3:51) Coy makes a weird joke. (4:20) Josh misremembers a story from "Of Dice and Men" by David M. Ewalt as an episode of another podcast. (6:30) D&D might have flaws. (11:00) We turn off the explicit filter. (13:50) Josh's thoughts on The Monkeys Paw trope. (17:20) Josh arbitrarily decides that there are only 3 types of Gamemastering. (23:40) White Room Writing (28:30) Josh played in a Star Wars game run by (bleep) that went sideways after two years. (31:52) Josh bought his players special dice for Monte Cook's Cypher System which nobody liked. (34:00) Give the players what they work for. (36:00) We hate on pre-written adventure modules for a while. (39:00) Fear the Boot (my favorite gaming podcast) and their Box Canyon concept. (42:39) Adventure Hooks @NaturalZeroes @CriticalCoy Music: "Burning School" by Free Piece of Tape "Goodwill Cowboys Ride Again" by Michael Chapman & The Woodpiles "Adventure, Darling" by Gillicuddy


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Panama City Beach, FL (PRWEB) February 15, 2013
Cox Pools, a leading contractor in commercial & residential swimming pools and spas in Northwest Florida, recently provided consumers with key information about the benefits of using hydrotherapy to relieve winter aches and a wide variety of other conditions. The swimming pool & spa installation company has an extensive selection of portable spas and hot tubs that are uniquely designed to loosens stiff muscles, increase flexibility, reduce inflammation, heal injured tissues, and relieve stress.
"Time spent in our hot tubs is like having your own personal masseuse," said Danielle Raffield of Cox Pools. "Hot tub therapy is beneficial for such a wide range of conditions and we are pleased that so many of our customers not only enjoy our hot tubs and spas, but use them for hydrotherapy to relieve their symptoms."
Hydrotherapy has also been known to reduce joint pain by reducing inflammation and increasing blood flow for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, hydrotherapy reduces the effects of stress by increasing endorphin production, improving sleep and preventing headaches. Hot tub hydrotherapy is also reported to improve blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, lower blood pressure, and reduce symptoms for individuals with multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome and bursitis.
In those with upper respiratory infections, asthma, colds, influenza, bronchitis, and pneumonia, hot tub sessions help to open airways and help white blood cells circulate to the affected areas, promoting healing and increasing respiration. For more information about the benefits of hydrotherapy in a Cox Pools hot tub or to view their wide selection of spas, hot tubs and swimming pools, visit the company's website at http://www.coxpools.com.
About the company:
Cox Pools is a family owned business that has been serving northwest Florida for more than 50 years. They will not only help the customer design a pool, they will also help them with a choice of pool accessories, from chlorine generators to automatic pool cleaners to mood-setting pool lights. Call them today for more information on their custom swimming pools and swimming renovation services or click the Pool Wish List on http://www.coxpools.com to start designing a pool online right now.


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Bad Voltage Live and The SpazmaticsSubmitted by Jono Bacon on Tue, 2017-02-07 10:14
People of SCALE, have I got some rocking news for you.
For the last few years the Bad Voltage team (a podcast all about technology, open source, Linux, and anything else we think is fun), have delivered a live show at SCALE. This has always been a great time, but this year, well, it is time to turn up the volume with an incredible party sponsored by our friends at Ticketmaster and Linode.


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Explosion proof ATEX equipment is our expertise!
Ex-Machinery is specialized in manufacturing industrial, explosion proof HVAC equipment and WiFi systems. Our company has over fourteen years of ATEX experience and knowledge at its disposal. This allows us to take our product one step further; we offer free advice to help gain insight into your explosion safety needs. Furthermore we are able to manufacture bespoke machinery, when a special solution is required. We look forward to ensuring explosion safety in your hazardous, gas or dust, potentially explosive zones.
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The N-Exus Pulse is an explosion proof alarm system, approved for Zones 2 and 22. Suitable for both gas and dust explosion hazardous areas.
For quick and successful evacuation of all workers in case of fire, escape of toxic gases…


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B.S. Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology Concentration
This program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Program overview
The EMET program enables graduates of electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and similar associate degree engineering technology programs to complete their bachelor's degree in Applied Science with a major in Engineering Technology, and an Electro-Mechanical concentration.
Courses for the EMET program are offered at Miami University's regional locations in Hamilton and Middletown and also via distance learning at 10 selected college partner locations in Ohio.
Curriculum overview
The curriculum focuses on electro-mechanical instrumentation and process control. This field incorporates elements of both electrical and mechanical engineering technology.
The electrical component of the curriculum includes course work in areas such as
- computerized instrumentation
- data acquisition, and
- electrical control systems.
The mechanical component consists of traditional engineering sciences including
- fluid mechanics, and
- dynamics.
See Miami University's General Bulletin for core program requirements for this degree.
Integration of the electrical and mechanical components takes place through courses that emphasize the development and control of automated industrial systems through the use of artificial intelligence, graphical user interface, and electro-mechanical systems design.
Upon successful completion of the program the student will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science degree with a major in Engineering Technology.
Career possibilities for graduates
Graduates of the program are engineering technologists prepared to fill industrial positions in areas directly related to process control, electronic instrumentation, testing, manufacturing, sales, and service. Typical engineering technologist's duties may include analysis and design of process control equipment, laboratory testing services, product sales and service, applications engineering, and the development of systems that require a hardware/software interface.
Course Flow Diagram
Course flow diagram helps the students to establish a pathway toward graduating, by showing the courses that need to be taken, pre-requisite courses, the semesters that courses need to be taken, and additional information. To get a latest copy of the course flow diagram, please contact Prof. Mert Bal.
EMET Course List
Please check our course list page.
Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes
View educational objectives and student outcomes for the BS-EMET major.
Advisor assignments
See the list of academic advisors.
How do I get started?
Choose one of the options below and start on your pathway to success!
If you are new to Miami Regionals, request information from The Office of Admission or Schedule a visit.
If you are a current Miami Regionals student, schedule an advising appointment.
Ready to apply? Apply Now!


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Welcome to the
River Valley Artisans
Art & Wine Tour
Saturday & Sunday
September 8 & 9, 2018
11:00 - 5:00
If you hover your cursor over a photo (mac or PC), you will see the artist's name. If you click on the photo, you will go to the artist's gallery.
All photos on this website are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any way.
Visit us on Facebook.


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What Are Your All-Time Favorite xoVain Articles?
It's gonna get sappy up in here.
There are two types of people: those who wash their hair every day or two, and those who wade in their own filth, relying on that satanic shower-in-a-can that is dry shampoo.
Nine times out of ten, when you see a girl with an elaborate headband covering her roots with her exposed hair in a braid, she's anywhere between day-four and day-five hair. They are hyper-conscious of their effortless-chic hair, hiding behind the guise of a "woke up like this" minimalist aesthetic. In this way, they think they are invincible, like they have a secret you don't know.
The Gods of Hair Washing used to tell us to wash our hair every second day; cut to ten years later, and now going so much as three days is considered high-maintenance. This mimics the trajectory of the discourse surrounding the low-fat vs. low-carb diets: the scientific literature is at odds with itself and there will never be a definitive answer.
I can't help but refer to my own experience in order to determine the frequency of my shampoo sessions. Before I read women's magazines, I was very intuitive when it came to beauty. I didn't throw my hair into a shower cap, but instead, I vigorously assaulted my scalp. I put my biceps into it. I even shampooed my ends. (Can you believe it?)
The result was hair that grew like a weed, consistently moisturized from root to tip. Whether I can trace this to my regimen or genetics has yet to be determined.
I've heard every line in the book as to why I shouldn't be as diligent about washing my hair as I am with, say, brushing my teeth: Shampoo robs your scalp of its natural moisturizing mechanisms; dirty hair is easier to work with; sulfates are bad for you.
But that feeling of just-washed hair? It's irrefutably the best.
Still, I tried following the new rules of infrequent washing.
Wet hair against my naked back is the most uncomfortable sensation I can think of, but that's not the only reason I gave diligent hair washing a break. I buy into any mentality that validates laziness, whether it's the idea of rest days at the gym or the health benefits of mental vacations.
As for the results of the hair-washing hiatus? No discernible differences to report besides a drop in confidence, anxiety about hugging people taller than me (I'm 5'2, so my scalp is a makeshift chin rest; on day-four hair, let's just say it wouldn't belong in the Chanel line of fragrances), and hair that took on a somewhat spaghetti-like stringiness.
Nothing about it was appealing, besides the part about having a bunch of time to dedicate to admiring my stringy blowout.
I went into this essay wanting to champion my allegiance to daily-ish hair washing, since I've been skeptical about the beauty dogma as of late, but I fear my plight to normalize frequent hair washing is futile. There's really no going around the fact that minimizing your hair's contact with detergent will save the cuticle from prematurely abrading.
Not to mention, you'll have a couple extra bucks to spoil your surreptitiously filthy hair with a long-lasting (if not stringy) blowout.
How often do you wash your hair?


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Words that end in agornskii
Found 1 words that end in agornskii. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words that end with agornskii. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play! Related: Words containing agornskii
- Scrabble
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- Crossword


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DIA: Digital Arts
DIA 207: Digital Media: History and Theory
An introduction to historical and theoretical issues in digital media. Following discussion of basic concepts in studying digital media, the course focuses on examining the history of computer technologies, and their theoretical implications and cultural ramifications in the present. This course is offered as ARH 207 and DIA 207.
3 credits
DIA 396 - H: Video and Computer Game History
The course examines video/computer games as historical artifacts while studying the processes of writing/documenting the history of videogames. Students will engage with histories of gaming companies and platforms, game designer memoirs, fiction, criticism, game analysis, theoretical writing, descriptive historical accounts, preservation practices, and ephemeral forms of historic documentation. Students will also have hands-on access to various console games from the 1970s to the present. This course is offered as both CCS 396 and DIA 396.
Prerequisite: CCS 101 or ARH 207/DIA 207; Satisfaction of DEC B or DEC D
3 credits
DIA 397 - H: Video and Computer Game Culture
The course critically examines videogames within cultural, social, and political contexts. It will showcase the interaction between technology and culture and society by examining videogames in terms of play and game play, racial and gendered representation, racism and sexism, games in a global context of online play, power-relations between gamers, violence and moral panics, and military propaganda. This course is offered as both CCS 397 and DIA 397.
Prerequisite: CCS 101 or ARH 207/DIA 207; Satisfaction of DEC B or DEC D
3 credits


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Holly Henderson is a British glamour model probably most famous for her romantic relationships with athletes.
Her birth name is Jeanette Worthington. Holly Henderson has appeared on the porn channel Bluebird TV, as well as magazines such as Loaded. She's also appeared on the show "Celeb Come Dine With Me."
Her measurements are 34DD-24-35. However, she has been quoted saying, "I am not a friggin' porn star!!!"
She found fame after dating athlete Mario Balotelli and then starring on the Channel 4 reality show "Sex, Lies & Rinsing Guys," where "glamour girls use their charm and beauty to get gifts from men." She said the show "failed to show the real me and my comic side – they made me look like a real cut-throat, hard-faced bitch and I'm really not."
Related: The MLB's Hottest WAGs
Holly Henderson has been romantically linked with footballers Mario Balotelli and Paul Wood. Just days after she moved in with Paul Wood, he broke up with her. Holly received "threats from the 'Rugby wives' banning me from 'match days.'"
Related: MLB's Hottest WAGs
Holly has a Twitter account, which was briefly protected after she became the victim of Twitter abuse after her romance with a married Paul Wood came to light. She said, "Couples break up all the time, just because we have different jobs, people think they have the right to send vile uneducated tweets."
Regarding her relationship with Mario Balotelli, she claims they never really dated. According to a few news sources, though, he broke up with her after he accused her to talking to the media about their relationship in order to boost her profile. She told loaded.co.uk, "There are a group of women that are known to like footballers and their [phone numbers] are passed around between the players."
Related: Which Country Has the Hottest Women?
Holly Henderson has some sexy tattoos and her navel is also pierced.
Holly said for the past few years she has been studying Forensic Psychology at Liverpool University. "I have two sides to me – I love the industry, but I'm intelligent and I want to feed that. I'm not going to do this forever and I want to make the kids proud." She added, "I'm struggling to get work, doing a degree and being a parent."
Holly Henderson lives in England.


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This game is awsome and the way you ended the game leaves the possiblity of a sequel!
@utley: you need to find all the artifacts (6 at around every depth interval of 50) to backtrack to their planet of origin to complete the game.
Log in to save your medals! Don't have an account? Create one for free!
This game is awsome and the way you ended the game leaves the possiblity of a sequel!
@utley: you need to find all the artifacts (6 at around every depth interval of 50) to backtrack to their planet of origin to complete the game.
I believe this is the best mining game I've ever played. Thinking back on my experience playing it, I find no glaring issues with the game. The game play is great, and the plot is delightfully mysterious and suspenseful (especially the ending). Please make a sequel as soon as you can.
I enjoyed the game, finished it and got all upgrades/achievements.
Making the higher level upgrades might have been tedious but I wrote a script to tell me exactly what I have to mine and build to get the upgrade, so I could just go straight through the cargo bay making the required quantity of each item instead of having to backtrack. Worked great.
However, I do wish that there was one last quest after getting all upgrades, so I can test the capabilities of my fully upgraded vehicle. I got the last 5 upgrades all at once and never used them. It would be nice if the final planet was actually a mining trip instead of just a video.
Kesuli wrote:
warning: dont play this game, its just a cheap rip off of the minecraft and megaminer game!
WTF does this have at all do to with minecraft? That POC is nothing like this game. Did you even play it?
Megaminer? garbage compared to this. And even that was a rip-off of Motherload.... WHICH THE AUTHOR GAVE CREDIT TO!
Back to Glean,
This was awesome and a tribute to the motherload theme. I really hope you make another. I love these kinds of games.
I really wish you would add a (mix all) button or (mix 10) or (mix 100) button. I think I must have made about 300 screws by the end, and near the end I was making batches of 50 at a time.
I also found it frustrating getting some of the recepies, and I found the ending rather weak... like you were setting up for a chapter two but didn't finish it.
Anyway, loved it. Please make another.
I thought this was a great mining game! I preferred that rigorous research/crafting of parts to the regular 'get the better mineral to upgrade further'. And the planet hopping was a nice touch too! I must insist on more!
I will say the items for fuel refills/auto repairs were a little redundant since you could just build a teleporter and pop up and refill/repair at no charge (and that wasn't very often mind you, basically whenever my inventory was full)


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Keep up with your fitness routine while enjoying the fresh air and sights of Washington DC with inspiring views of the Capitol and monuments. Stay motivated with our hotel's RunWESTIN program, and take advantage of running maps and more.
Please inquire with our front desk for more information.
Running Routes
We offer maps designed and certified by New Balance for Washington D.C. running routes around the hotel. Maps are available at the concierge and feature 3 and 5 mile jogging/walking routes from our hotel.
New Balance Gear Lending
Pack light and stay fit with New Balance Gear Lending. We offer New Balance clothing and shoes for Westin guests to use during their stay for just $5.
Simply dial Service Express® and request your shoe and clothing size and they will be conveniently delivered to your guest room. Shoes come with brand-new socks and apparel is provided fresh and clean. Upon departure, simply leave the items in your room in their carryall.
WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio
If you prefer to exercise indoors or need to work out after hours, our 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio is the perfect option. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, WestinWORKOUT® provides you with everything you need to keep up your routine while on the road.
Access to the facility is complimentary for guests of The Westin Washington Dulles Airport.
Our RunWESTIN Program
Watch the video to the right to learn more on how to combine your workout routine with fresh air and local scenery with our RunWESTIN program.
We've teamed up with New Balance to provide three- and five-mile routes through the city, along the beach or into rural landscapes.
Runners of all levels are welcome to join a group run with our Run Concierge at many locations, or grab a running map and take off on their own. Either way, you'll be welcomed back with a fresh towel and cold bottled water.


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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hard, sad, emotional and expensive times in Afghanistan
First of all I would like to thank the good men of 3 Troop for volunteering me to write this blog! I had never even heard of a blog until today. Bear with me and I will try to keep this interesting. Can I also just say what every soldier wants to say in things like this: 'HI MUM!'
Now let's get started. I am a Lance Corporal in the Royal Engineers serving out in Afghanistan. I used to be a Plant Operator Mechanic but upon my posting to Ripon last year, like everyone else in the squadron, our jobs soon changed drastically. A vigorous training program commenced about a year prior to our deployment. Although fun at first, the lads were soon bored with training and couldn't wait to get out here and put their newly acquired skills into action on a real playing field. My job for this tour of duty was to be a Searcher. I was duly trained and my new skills were honed and confirmed on a six week exercise overseas in November.
Now my whole life revolves around searching, constantly training, keeping my eye on the ball. I have been out on the ground only once thus far but there are plenty more missions planned to keep things exciting for us. Searchers work in small teams, like a close family unit. We know everything about our team mates and I mean everything! So it's fun being a part of this. Within 3 Troop there are lots of shiny new bits of kit such as huge vehicles, weapons and brand spanking new gadgets to help out the searchers. It is a tough job with all this heat and carrying the necessary weight, but there is a great sense of job satisfaction, I love it.
I am due some rest and relaxation for a couple of weeks in the not too distant future. I've planned to fly to Canada and surprise my wife Ariel in the rocky mountains. Now, don't tell her, okay?
Things out here on Operation HERRICK 12 have worked out alright for my Squadron so far. There is a lot of training for missions, and now that we have settled in and everyone has fallen into line the bosses are starting to give us some slack. There have been hard, sad, emotional and expensive times. Most recently there were two strong characters from the Regiment taken away from us, so the whole Regiment was stood to attention at the military repatriation service the other night saying their goodbyes.
On a lighter note, there has been a lot of mail posted out to the men in 3 Troop. If you were not aware, ten letters or five parcels in a single day is a 'crate-able' offence. Which means you have to buy all the others guys a drink. So there are always fizzy drinks being dished out by my team commander Corporal 'Pogo' McKernan as well as some of the other guys. If you never hear from me again it's because I was sacked from writing a blog. If not, I will start writing more about what I am doing out here, how the men of 3 Troop are holding up and how the tour is going. If there is anything that you would like to know don't hesitate to ask. Until next time, take care.
6 comments:
Great stuff! Hope you get to have a brilliant time in Canada with your wife Ariel, you guys are doing a fantastic job out there, as always!ReplyDelete
The public do support each and every one of you and I know everyone wants you to have a safe tour of duty, (in what are the most horrendous conditions sometimes) Safe searching!
- kissequestrian.co.ukMay 21, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Just like to say, total admiration for the job you are all doing out there......take care everyone.ReplyDelete
Good post! Stupid question from me: what exactly does a "searcher" do? I can make a guess but it would be good to know for sure.ReplyDelete
- SylviaJune 3, 2010 at 5:01 PM
....A Searcher, surely that was someone in a sixties group.....or would that be your dad??? Sorry, too flipant....good luck guys/girls you do a wonderful job, and hopefully you'll all be home soon.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 12, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Nice Blog Jay boy, well thats the tour over now mucker. To answer your question Philip, as a search team it is our job to find Improvised explosive devices (IED's) or as you may know them, roadside bombs. Once we have found them we destroy them.ReplyDelete
- james atkinOctober 28, 2010 at 2:48 AM
well said pogo, see you back at work next week!ReplyDelete


text: Works on Windows 95 and 98. Unzip the file, go to your device manager and select the sound device, choose to update or reinstall the driver, then point the computer towards the file you just unzipped...way to go, you're a winner now. By the way, Aztech IS NOT producing any drivers that will work for Win 2000 or XP. Send them Hate mail...just kidding...the card also has the following markers on it azfin, azf3328. aztechpci168. 800-h45039-a30. acsc10800245.


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Nords International is Europe's leading manufacturer of CNC turned and milled fittings in stainless steel and other alloys. The focus since its inception in 1904 is on quality, delivery and continuous development. Our products are manufactured in environmentally friendly processes and are fully recyclable.Read more about the company
Nords International manufactures and stocks a wide range of fully CNC-milled and turned threaded fittings, unions, tube clamps and collars, everything in the highest quality and in different market standards. The standard products can be modified according to customer needs. Our products are designed for use in corrosive environments where high reliability is required.Read more about our products
This product group benefits from our large production of standard products and long experience in customization of standard products. We have invested in advanced equipment for CNC milling and turning of custom made products and we welcome your inquiries.Contact us with your specifications
+46 (0)553 311 00


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Well to date the mixture of sun and rain we have had has been great for the Miscanthus and it is all looking very well, in fact it stands out as a sea of vibrant green amongst the golden corn fields. The areas that we were not able to cut due to the ground being too wet to hold the cutters are now continuing to grow at the same rate as the rest of the field, with the new cane growing up through last year's crop.
This leads me on to this month's topic of the issues, problems and challenges we have had with our Miscanthus. We planted our first field 10 years ago, using the Energy Crops Scheme for planting which all helped with the input costs and at that time we did this in conjunction with Bical.
One of the main issues we have with our crop is that due to the type of planters that were used 'back then' which were converted trailers with a belt system to take the rhizome down the to be planted, very Heath Robinson. At times these blocked and if the blockage was not picked up and cleared quickly, then gaps were left. These gaps have become known as 4×4 gaps where you have enough space to park a 4×4 and in places a 4×4 with a trailer!
These gaps present a number of issues:
- They reduce your crop yield and as this crop is planted for 20 years this becomes more significant over time.
- It allows weeds to grow in these patches due to the lack of leaf cover to suppress them and they also compete for water and look untidy. I am led to believe that the method and technology for planting has moved on significantly in the last 10 years and that Precision hand planting is now the more favoured method.
One way to fill in these gap is to 're-generate' the crop and there are a number of ways to do this. We ripped up the existing crop with a deep tine cultivator, power harrowed it twice the 2nd time at 90o to the first, this was then followed with a heavy roll to push the rhizome back down. You have to ensure that the rhizome is not left on the top as the UV light will kill it, so rolling or using a press behind will help. The drawback of doing this is that the crop reverts to being a first year crop and you will lose the following season's harvest. Therefore you have to weigh up one seasons loss against the volume you are losing over the lifetime of the crop.
In the first couple of years hares and rabbits can cause significant damage to the 1st year's growth, so it becomes important to control them or at least to consider fencing vulnerable fields. After the first year they do not seem to present the same level of threat to the crop. In fact, I have been surprised just how many hares I have seen in ours. I think that this is partly due to the fact that while we grew grain we were a prime target for local dog men who wanted to have a run on a hare. Due to the timing and the way in which Miscanthus grows there is little opportunity for them as once we get to late April the crop is too high for them to see a 'run' and so they don't come around.
The biggest challenge we had was Bical folding in 2007 and we are still reminded of this as that year's crop was not collected from the farm and the remains of rotten heaps are still visible. The following year's crop sat in stacks for 12 months and essentially we ended up sending 2 years together to Eley power station.
We survived these difficult years and still feel that for us it was the right crop at the right time. As for the market for biomass, well that is only set to grow with the introduction RHI and the use of biomass in plastics to aid biodegradability. There are also now a number of established companies buying miscanthus for bedding and biomass fuel, International Energy Crops and Terravesta to name but a couple.


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Z is for Zzz
Posted on Wednesday, 30 April 2014
We made it! Can you believe it?! We survived the challenge! We're so proud of ourselves :D
We thoroughly enjoyed taking part and hope you enjoyed reading our posts. We've learned lots about our blogging style and made tonnes of new friends in the process. Blogging will resume as normal from now on.
And after all that blogging, it's time to catch up on some well deserved Zzz's. Goodnight!
We're joining the Wordless Wednesday blog hop today!


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1 pack contains 5 rolls of 50 cotton flags - sewn along a string to be hung horizontally.
1 roll has 10 flags
5 mantras – 2 x success, 2 x long life, 2 x prosperity, 2 x peace & 2 x knowledge
5 colours – 2 x white, 2 x yellow, 2 x red, 2 x blue & 2 x green
1 flag measures 110 mm x 125 mm
Approx length of 1 string - 130 cm
Buddhist belief is strong in the power of these sacred flags. The colours of a prayer flag and the symbols printed on it create a prayer or an offering that the wind distributes to the world each time it brushes against the flag. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags along side the old.
Old flags should be left until they go white and then replaced.
Tibetan Prayer Flags are an excellent gift as they offer a positive message, are bright & colourful, inexpensive, light and help support small community craftsman.


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BY Victoryu On Jun 13, 2018 Interior
Interior marvelous design tall dining tables opulent ideas table wood and chairs round with chairstall. Interior tall dining table ikea 28 inch andairs patio sets seats eight with leaf 3 piece. Interior tallg table with bench ikea patio and chairs sets chairstall. Interior tall dining table photo perfect with a traditional feel for 28 inch and chairs.
Interior tall wood dining table and chairs with leaf bench sets. Tall patio dining table and chairstall plans wood chairs with bench. Interior tall diningle photo and chairs height set 4 with leaf patio.
3 piece tall dining table and chairsith leaf sets room setstall 28 inch. 28 inch tall dining table and chairs wood room woodworking planstall with leaftall benchtall. Tall diningle photo interior rustic high room ideas patio and chairs with bench round.
Victoryu is the social media editor. When she's not writing about the latest viral trend, she's probably out shoe shopping, eating dessert before dinner, or surrounded by puppies (sometimes all 3 at once)
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With the BMW M4 Coupé, you receive support both on the road and on the racetrack from a wide range of innovative technologies. These provide greater comfort and safety, while setting new industry standards. You can record all relevant driving information in a fraction of a second and enjoy fully networked communication. All the latest information and entertainment services can be found onboard at the highest level. Driving pleasure has never been so connected.
Operating the vehicle's Infotainment system is now even easier, clearer and more informative. The driver can reorder the six tiles representing navigation, media, communication, ConnectedDrive, My Vehicle and messaging. The tiles are displayed in a live view instead of a static menu view.
A BMW M4 Coupé is more than a car – it represents a challenge for drivers who wish to better themselves. This is why the BMW M Laptimer app and GoPro app were created: for the best lap times, the best accelerations and the most cherished driving memories.
Using the BMW M Laptimer app, driving information from the racetrack can be recorded accurately and then analysed. The recorded information can be shared as a snapshot on social media while the data, including accelerator position, steering angle, G-force and best lap time, can be sent via email. A GoPro interface is also incorporated.
Use of the GoPro app enables an attached GoPro video camera to be operated via the Control Display in the BMW M4 Coupé. In this way, you have a convenient means of controlling images and video recordings with the iDrive Controller. It's also possible to switch the camera on and off, configure it and check the battery level via WiFi.
Apple CarPlay® Preparation allows the wireless use of a selected iPhone® functions in the vehicle. This allows smartphone content and functions such as music, iMessages/text messages, Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging, Siri and selected third-party apps to be displayed and operated via the vehicle's user interface and via voice control.
The optional full-colour BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific functions projects all information relevant to the journey directly into the driver's field of vision. With the press of a button, the driver can switch to the M-specific display, which includes a gear indicator, the rpm as a dynamic range curve as well as shift lights indicating the optimal moment to shift.
Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging includes a wireless charging dock and additional USB ports. A roof aerial connection improves mobile reception. Two mobile telephones and an audio player can be connected simultaneously via Bluetooth. Also included are: Bluetooth Office and the technical capacity for a WiFi hotspot.
BMW Connected facilitates mobility in everyday life. Information such as recommendations for the optimum departure time is available remotely via iPhone® or Apple Watch® and can be seamlessly transferred to the car.


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Under Olive Trees: The Odyssey of a Palestinian-American Family
AuthorHouse, 2010 - Biography & Autobiography - 516 pages
When Israel attacked Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, and Syria on June 5, 1967, husband and wife, Sally Bahous and Delmas Allen, knew that to ensure their safety they must soon leave Beirut, Lebanon, which had been their home for the last four years. With their three young children Carrie, Jimbo, and Sudie they boarded the USS Exilona bound for the United States. At that time more than forty years ago, author Sally Bahous didn't realize she would never return to Beirut. Based on letters Sally and Delmas wrote to their parents during the four years they lived in Beirut, this memoir vividly conveys the richness of Palestinian family life, history, and culture before and after Israel took possession of Palestinian lands, the political forces that originated and sustained Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands, and the injustice to the people that followed. Through a detailed portrayal of the daily lives of Sally's family in the Palestinian community already in exile in Beirut, Under Olive Trees describes the events and attitudes that led to that exile. Interwoven throughout are easy to- follow memories of life in Palestine before the exile to Beirut. Bahous paints a beautiful portrait of a life enriched by family and friends.
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.


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For those of you in the Boston area and who have a sweet-tooth, come on by to the first ever Cupcake Camp Boston! It will take place Thursday April 15th at 7:00pm at PA's Lounge in Somerville, MA. Come by to enjoy cupcakes from well-known bakeries around Boston as well as homemade ones from cupcakes lovers… like me!
Click here for more information and to register. Click here for the main Cupcake Camp site.
What better way to celebrate (or console yourself) on tax day! Hope to see you there!


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3 step guide to email-friendly MEGA-GIFs
TL:DR – This article is about creating silky-smooth awesome GIFs with a tiny file size 🙌🏼
Even though we're taking brave steps into things like CSS & SVG animation, you still can't beat a solid GIF for cross-platform animation support.
It may have just celebrated it's 30th (Yes, thirtieth) birthday, but you'd be surprised how much you can still squeeze out of a GIF with a bit of optimisation. It's totally possible to make something outlandish like a 10 second GIF running at 25 frames per second (FPS) that weighs in at 1MB instead of 20MB.
Sophie's top email designs for February
Stand out email campaigns from the past month.
Want to provoke emotion in the inbox? Use Emoji's
Receiving emoji's in your subject lines – love it or hate it?
According to Litmus, the use of emoji's have skyrocketed 777% year on year – increasing in popularity at such a rate, Oxford Dictionaries named an emoji 'Word of the Year' in 2015.
Thanks to the emoji, subject lines are able to become a lot more expressive. The likes of 😍 and 👻 are creating a whole new language within the digital world…
4 Key Design Principles for Emails in 2016 & Beyond
1. Hierarchy
Email is a communication channel, the number one aim is to get a message across clearly, correctly, and cleverly.
Clearly – Can I read it? Do I understand it?
Correctly – Does it make sense? Is it appropriate? Is it the right image/product/offer?
Cleverly – Does it make me think? Does it engage me? Is it interesting?
What we've learnt from randomly testing #EmailWeekly
If you receive the #emailweekly regularly, you have been subject to innovative/ridiculous designs, delayed sends, obscure subject lines and the odd error here and there. Some of these were on purpose, others weren't. I guess you could say we've kind of learnt something from each one.
We like to think of the weekly as a playground for email code so we thought we would bare all for the eyes of our subscribers. Here is what we've found from AA/AB testing/sending the email weekly so far:


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ELIZABETH — According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes that develops during pregnancy — usually at the 24th week — is estimated to affect 18 percent of pregnancies. The nature of gestational diabetes, how it occurs, and how it is treated will be the subject of a talk being given by Dr. Orli Langer Most, Director of Obstetrics and Perinatal Services at Trinitas Regional Medical Center.
The public is invited to attend the talk, "Perinatal Care: Heightening Awareness of Gestational Diabetes during Pregnancy," on Wed., May 22, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, at the Trinitas Regional Medical Center CORE Building, 1164 Elizabeth Ave., in midtown Elizabeth. Dinner is included. Advance registration is necessary by calling 908-994-8939. Parking is available in the Municipal lot next to the CORE building on Elizabeth Avenue.
Based at the Trinitas Perinatal Center, Dr. Langer Most brings a full range of perinatal services to the community. The Trinitas Perinatal Center offers invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling as well as non-invasive maternal serum screening. Genetic and diabetic counseling services are also offered. Dr. Langer Most is skilled in providing specialized ultrasounds and conducting fetal surveillance during pregnancy.
Board Certified in both Obstetrics Gynecology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Dr. Langer Most received her residency training at NY Beth Israel Medical Center. She underwent a Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship at New York University Medical Center. She also holds a Masters in Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Biological and Physiological Sciences from Touro College, Barry Z. Levine School of Health Sciences. She attained her MD degree from Technion Israel Institute of Technology.
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Experience a vacation paradise while enjoying Trout Lake's spectacular views from the waterfront cedar hot-tub, exploring the natural beauty of the 1,600-acre state forest surrounding the lake, swimming, paddling, or cruising the lake in a motorized pontoon boat. Enjoy fishing for rainbow or lake trout, large-mouth or small-mouth bass, perch, or rock bass.
There is a safe, sandy swimming area, raft to swim out to, waterfront hot tub, 17' pontoon boat with 8 hp motor (12' x 7' deck with 4 chairs,1 bench), 3 kayaks, stand-up paddle board, barbecue grill, telephone, and satellite TV/DVD, high speed wireless internet.
Great day trips include visits to St. Lawrence University (about 20 minutes), Alexandria Bay and Clayton in the Thousand Islands (about 60 minutes).
St. Lawrence River (about 45 minutes) with boat tours of Thousand Islands, Bolt Castle, Singer Castle; Lake Placid (Olympic village and home of White Face Mountain ski resort) in the Adirondacks (about 90 minutes).
Guests must provide their own sheets and towels, unless they make arrangements for us to provide sheets and/or towels from a local linen supply.
Pets are allowed--there is a pet fee of $50 per pet.


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Retailer Coby is gearing up to release a sorta, kinda, Netbook, that they don't want to call a Netbook, but will be called the PoqetMate. Not only is the 7 incher (there's also a 9 inch model in the works) a small device with a full QWERTY keyboard, but Coby is looking at a sub $100 price for the tiny device that they want to call a Midget PC.
Saying the Midget PC will be smaller than Netbooks but not that much, Coby is also supposedly working on handhelds that will fold up like a hankerchief and fit in your pocket, that will fit in a suit or pants pocket.
Coby's outlets for distribution are discount marketing channels and their products appear in RiteAid, OddLots and some grocery chains. It will be interesting to see how consumers react to this come spring.
Arkansas IMC via Engadget