text:
Buffett dips into ketchup business, buys Heinz
NEW YORK (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett, the most closely watched investor in America, is putting his money in ketchup, agreeing to buy H.J. Heinz Co. for $23.3 billion in the richest deal ever in the food industry.
For his money, the Oracle of Omaha gets one of the nation's oldest and most familiar brands, one that's in refrigerators and kitchen cupboards all over the U.S.
The deal is intended to help Heinz accelerate its expansion from a dominant American name into a presence on grocery shelves worldwide. The Pittsburgh-based company also makes Classico pasta sauces and Ore-Ida potatoes, as well as a growing stable of sauces suited to regional tastes around the world.
American, US Airways announce $11 billion merger
DALLAS (AP) — US Airways CEO Doug Parker has landed the big merger he sought for years. Now the soon-to-be CEO of the new American Airlines has to make it work.
Planes need painting. Frequent flier programs have to be combined. And the new airline will still be weak in Asia and need to win back business travelers who have been drifting away to other airlines.
The two airlines announced an $11 billion merger Thursday that will create the world's biggest airline, with some 6,700 daily flights and annual revenue of roughly $40 billion. It's a coup for Parker, who runs the much smaller US Airways and has long pursued a deal like this one with the strong belief that airlines will have a better shot at consistent profits if they bulk up through mergers.
Sharp fall in US jobless claims boosts outlook
WASHINGTON (AP) — The outlook for the U.S. job market is brightening after a government report showed a sharp drop in the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits.
Weekly applications fell 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 341,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Outside a few weeks last month affected by seasonal distortions, that's the lowest level in nearly five years.
The four-week average, which smooths week-to-week fluctuations, stayed near a five-year low.
Eurozone recession deepens as Germany falters
BERLIN (AP) — It was only a matter of time. With many of its debt-ridden euro partners in recession, Germany could only swim against the tide for so long.
Figures Thursday showed that output in Germany, Europe's largest economy, contracted by more than anticipated in the last three months of 2012. And it was the German drop that lay behind a deepening recession across the economy of the 17 European Union countries that use the euro.
Eurostat, the EU's statistics office, said the eurozone's economic output shrank by 0.6 percent in the final quarter of 2012 from the previous three-month period. The decline was bigger than the 0.4 percent drop expected in markets and the steepest fall since 2009, when the global economy was in its deepest recession since World War II.
IRS website overrun by refund-seeking taxpayers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service has a message for taxpayers eager to learn the status of their tax refund: Please don't check the IRS website every five minutes — once a day is enough.
The IRS says its "Where's my refund?" website and smartphone app are being overwhelmed by eager taxpayers. The agency says its systems are only updated once a day, usually overnight, and the same information is available on the website, the IRS2go smartphone app and IRS toll-free phone lines.
To avoid delays, the agency says the best time to check on refunds is evenings and weekends.
GM turns 2012 profit despite losses in Europe
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors has strung together a tidy three-year run of profits by making big dollars in its backyard.
Now the question is whether its U.S. operations can keep making enough to carry the company and cover widening losses in Europe.
General Motors Co. on Thursday posted a profit of $4.9 billion for 2012, down 36 percent from a year earlier, when it made $7.6 billion. Its net income fell because of European losses and a truckload of one-time accounting gains and losses in both years. Last year's pretax profit, which excludes the one-time items, still dropped, but only by 5 percent to $7.9 billion. Revenue for the year rose 1 percent to $152.3 billion.
PepsiCo 4Q results top Wall Street's expectations
NEW YORK (AP) — PepsiCo's net income rose 17 percent in the fourth quarter as it raised prices and sold more of its snacks and drinks around the world.
The company's earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates. It also provided an annual earnings outlook in line with Wall Street expectations and raised its quarterly dividend by 5.6 percent.
The results mark the end of what CEO Indra Nooyi said would be a "transitional year," with the company embarking on a cost-cutting program and stepping up investment in its flagship brands. PepsiCo's brands include Frito-Lay, Gatorade and Quaker.
CBS 4Q results fall short of expectations
LOS ANGELES (AP) — CBS Corp.'s revenue and earnings grew in the final quarter of the year, but the results fell short of analysts' forecasts, sending shares down in after-market trading.
Advertising revenue grew 3 percent, CBS said Thursday. The company pointed out that last year's licensing revenue bump from the sale of CW network shows to Netflix and Hulu wasn't repeated. Local broadcasting revenue grew less than expected and the Simon & Schuster book publishing business declined faster than analysts thought.
Net income in the three months through Dec. 31 was $393 million, or 60 cents per share. That's up from $370 million, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier.
Merck settles investor suits on cholesterol drugs
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Merck & Co. has agreed to pay $688 million to settle two long-running lawsuits brought by investors who alleged the drugmaker delayed releasing bad news on its blockbuster cholesterol drugs to prevent a drop in sales.
Merck, the world's third biggest drugmaker by revenue, said Thursday that it agreed to the settlement because it's in the best interest of the company and current shareholders. It is taking a charge of nearly a half-billion dollars against 2012 earnings.
The delay in releasing results of a study that was meant to bolster sales of pricey cholesterol drugs Zetia and Vytorin triggered criticism from analysts, investors, some scientists and the media — and ultimately a congressional investigation.
US rate on 30-year mortgage steady at 3.53 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) — The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage was unchanged for a second week, remaining near historic lows. The average rate on the 15-year mortgage also stayed the same. Low mortgage rates are helping to strengthen the housing recovery.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the rate on the 30-year stayed at 3.53 percent. That's near the 3.31 percent level reached in November, which was the lowest on records going back to 1971.
The rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage stayed at 2.77 percent for a second week. The record low is 2.63 percent.
By The Associated Press(equals)
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 9.52 points to close at 13,973.39. The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up 1.05 to 1,521.38. The Nasdaq composite index rose 1.78 to 3,198.66.
In New York benchmark crude rose 30 cents to finish at $97.31 per barrel. Brent crude, used to price oil that many U.S. refineries buy to make gasoline, rose 12 cents to end at $118 per barrel in London.
Wholesale gasoline rose 8 cents to end at $3.12 a gallon. Heating oil was up about half a cent to finish at $3.22 a gallon. Natural gas futures fell 14.3 cents, or 4.3 percent, to finish at $3.16 per thousand cubic feet.


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What are the laboratory tests for lupus?
Many different laboratory tests are used to detect physical changes or conditions in your body that can occur with lupus. Each test result adds more information to the picture your doctor is forming of your illness.
First, some basic facts about diagnosing lupus:
- Lab work alone cannot diagnose lupus.
- 97 percent of those with lupus will have a positive antinuclear antibody test (ANA).
- It's common for positive lab tests to come and go over time. If this happens, it's less likely that you will receive a lupus diagnosis, although it remains possible.
- It's very common to get somewhat different results at different labs. However, if a person has active lupus, the ANA will likely be positive at most laboratories most of the time. Other autoantibodies will also be present.
97 percent of those with lupus will have a positive ANA test.
However, it is also helpful to remember that, with lupus, nothing is set in stone. If you continue to have symptoms, seek further medical help to find out what may be causing your health issues.
Routine Blood Tests
Usually, your doctor will first request a complete blood count (CBC). Your blood is made up of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets and serum. The complete blood count measures the levels of each. In cases of lupus, these blood tests may reveal low numbers.
- Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
- White blood cells (lymphocytes and others) help the immune system protect the body against foreign invaders. The white blood cells called T cells and macrophages are directly involved in this protection. Other white blood cells called B cells are indirectly involved by producing antibodies to the foreign substances.
- Platelets form in bone marrow; they go to the site of a wound to begin the blood-clotting process.
- Blood serum is the fluid portion of whole blood from which certain substances in the clotting of blood have been removed.
Antibody Blood Tests
The body uses antibodies to attack and neutralize foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. The antibodies your body makes against its own normal cells and tissues play a large role in lupus. Many of these antibodies are found in a panel or group of tests that are ordered at the same time. The test you will hear about most is called the antinuclear antibodies test, referred to as the ANA test.
Antinuclear antibodies connect or bind to the nucleus or command center of the cell. This process damages and can destroy the cells. While the antinuclear antibody is not a specific test for lupus, it is sensitive and does detect the antibodies that are present in 97 percent of people with the disease.
The ANA can be positive in people with other illnesses or positive in people with no illness. Test results can also fluctuate in the same person. However, lupus is usually the diagnosis when these antinuclear antibodies are found in your blood.
In addition to the ANA, doctors trying to diagnose lupus often look for the following specific antibodies:
Antibodies to double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA)
These antibodies attack the DNA, the genetic material–inside the cell nucleus. Anti-dsDNA antibodies are found in half of the people with lupus, but lupus can still be present even if these antibodies are not detected.
Antibodies to histone
Histone is a protein that surrounds the DNA molecule. These antibodies are sometimes present in people with lupus, but are more often seen in people with drug-induced lupus. This form of lupus is caused by certain medications, and usually goes away after the medication is stopped.
Antibodies to phospholipids (aPLs)
These antibodies can cause narrowing of blood vessels, leading to blood clots in the legs or lungs, stroke, heart attack or miscarriage. The most commonly measured aPLs are lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibody, and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I. Nearly 30 percent of people with lupus will test positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Phospholipids found in lupus are also found in syphilis, and the blood test cannot always tell the difference between the two diseases. A positive result to a syphilis test does not mean that you have or have ever had syphilis. Approximately 20 percent of those with lupus will have a false-positive syphilis test result.
Antibodies to Ro/SS-A and La/SS-B (Ro and La are the names of proteins in the cell nucleus)
These antibodies are often found in people with Sjögren's syndrome. Anti-Ro antibodies in particular will be found in people with a form of cutaneous (skin) lupus that causes a rash that is very sun-sensitive. It is especially important for your doctor to look for the Ro and La antibodies if you are pregnant, as both autoantibodies can cross the placenta and cause neonatal lupus in the infant.
Neonatal lupus is rare and not usually dangerous, but it can be serious in some cases.
Antibodies to Sm
These antibodies target Sm proteins in the cell nucleus. Found in 30-40 percent of people with lupus, the presence of this antibody almost always means that you have lupus.
Antibodies to RNP
These antibodies target ribonucleoproteins, which help control chemical activities of the cells. Anti-RNPs are present in many autoimmune conditions and will be at very high levels in people whose symptoms combine features of several diseases, including lupus.
Other Blood Tests
Some blood tests measure levels of proteins that are not antibodies. The levels of these proteins can alert your doctor that there is inflammation somewhere in your body.
The name of a group of proteins that protect the body against infections. They work by strengthening the body's immune reactions. Complement proteins are used up by the inflammation caused by lupus, which is why people with inflammation due to active lupus often have low complement levels. There are nine protein groups of complement, so complement is identified by the letter C and the numbers 1 through 9. The most common complement tests for lupus are CH50, C3 and C4. CH50 measures the overall function of complement in the blood. Low levels of C3 or C4 may indicate active lupus. A new combination blood test is using a subset of the C4, called C4d, to help physicians "rule in" lupus and "rule out" other diseases and conditions.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
A protein produced by the liver, and high levels of CRP in your blood may mean you have inflammation due to lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or "sed" rate)
Another test for inflammation. It measures the amount of a protein that makes the red blood cells clump together. The sed rate is usually high in people with active lupus, but can also be high due to other reasons such as an infection.
Blood Clotting Time Tests
The rate at which your blood begins to clot is important. If it clots too easily, a blood clot (thrombus) could break free and travel through the body. Blood clots can cause damage such as a stroke or miscarriage. If your blood does not clot quickly enough, you could be at risk for excessive bleeding if you are injured.
Prothrombin time (PT)
Measures blood clotting and can show whether you may be at risk for not clotting quickly enough at the site of a wound.
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Also measures how long it takes your blood to begin to clot.
Modified Russell viper venom time (RVVT) platelet neutralization procedure (PNP), and kaolin clotting time (KCT)
Other, more sensitive blood-clotting time tests.
Urine Tests
Urine tests are very important because lupus can attack the kidneys -- often without warning signs. The kidneys process your body's waste materials. Testing a sample of urine (called a "spot urine" test) can reveal problems with the way your kidneys are functioning.
Lupus can attack the kidneys without any warning signs so urine tests are very important.
The most common urine tests look for cell casts (bits of cells that normally would be removed when your blood is filtered through your kidneys) and proteinuria (protein being spilled into your body because your kidneys are not filtering the waste properly). A collection of your urine over a 24-hour period can also give important information.
Tissue Biopsies
A biopsy procedure involves removal of a small bit of tissue that the doctor then examines under a microscope. Almost any tissue can be biopsied.
- The skin and kidney are the most common sites biopsied in someone who may have lupus.
- The results of the biopsy can show the amount of inflammation and any damage being done to the tissue.
- Further tests on the tissue sample can detect autoimmune antibodies and determine whether lupus or another factor such as infection or medication is responsible.
Medically reviewed on July 08, 2013
This article was published by the Lupus Foundation of America Office.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The end of the stimulus has not rattled the markets. In fact, the stock market has rocketed to record highs this year. To hear more about why the market has been surging and what it says about the economy, and what it might mean for the year ahead, we're joined by Jeremy Siegel. He is a professor of finance at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He joins us from member station WHYY in Philadelphia.
Professor Siegel, thank you for being with us.
JEREMY SIEGEL: Happy to be here.
WERTHEIMER: So this stock market does not seem to be discouraged by anything. What do you think is pushing it up?
SIEGEL: Well, I think there's three big negatives that have now really been pretty much removed from the market. Looks like there will not be a battle over the debt ceiling early next year, which could threaten a default. That seems to be off the table. The two hotspots in the Middle East, Syria and Iran, are less hot. Most experts say it has cooled off; a chance of a military strike has been greatly reduced by the diplomacy.
And perhaps most important is that the taper, the market...
WERTHEIMER: That is the Federal Reserve tapering a number of bonds that it buys.
SIEGEL: Exactly. They had a mild taper, but at the same time they said we're going to keep short term interest rates low for even longer than we earlier anticipated and combined with some very strong economic data in the last two or three weeks, I think has certainly given good reason for why the stock market is going up.
WERTHEIMER: Do you think the economic outlook is seriously getting better at a level where people will really feel it, people who are not the market?
SIEGEL: I think so. Well, first of all, we have brought down the unemployment rate pretty considerably this year. GDP growth has been disappointing. I think, again, the clouds are parting. We've had restoration of consumer's balance sheets. They're not quite as fearful of being laid off as they were before. I think all that will restore a more normal recovery than what we've experienced over the last two or three years.
WERTHEIMER: Well now, as you point out, one of the great lessons of 2008 is that what goes up will also come down. You want to take a crack at when or why the surging stops?
SIEGEL: Well, if I could do that I would probably be as rich as Warren Buffett. I still think we have a good 10 percent rise left in this market. I do not think that this is a bubble at all. Of course, the last bubble was really in real estate, not so much in stocks. Sub-prime mortgages have all but disappeared, so the real estate market is on much sounder footings. So 2014 might finally be the year where we have a good recovery, at least that's what a lot of market analysts believe now.
WERTHEIMER: And you?
SIEGEL: And I think they're going to be right.
WERTHEIMER: Jeremy Siegel is a professor at the Wharton School of Business. He joined us from member station WHYY in Philadelphia. Jeremy Siegel, thank you for speaking with us.
SIEGEL: Happy to do so. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
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1.Glabridin has depigmentation and lightening properties. It inhibits the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for the colouring of the skin;
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Luo Han Guo Extract is used as a natural sweetener, contains few calories;
Luo Han Guo Extracts are often used as a substitute for sugar by the beverage and food industry;
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Turmeric Extract,Curcumin, a substance in turmeric, may help to reduce inflammation.
Product name:Turmeric Extract Active Ingredients: Curcumin Appearance: Orange-yellow powder Assay: 95% Part used:Root of Turmeric Test method:HPLC Molecular...
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Lower blood pressure, blood clotting, weight loss; Preventing atherosclerosis and thrombosis and other cardiovascular diseases; Immune function and inhibitory effects on cancer cells; Sterilization and anti-virus, anti-allergy; Product Name: Green Tea Extract...
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Zero Calories, Zero Carbs, Zero Sugar, Zero Glycemic Non-GMO, Not Irradiated, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian/Vegan No Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Preservatives Diabetes friendly 130-280times sweet than sugar
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Product Name: Sophora japonica quercetin Supplier: World Well-being Bio-tech Part of used: whole herb Odor: Characteristic Appearance: Yellow powder Quercetin CAS NO.: 117-39-5 M.W.: 302.23 M.F.: C15H10O7
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Red rice yeast Lovastatin With the function of lowering blood pressure and total cholesterol and triglycerides;《br/> Red rice yeast Lovastatin With the function of improving blood circulation and benefiting stomach; 3.Red rice yeast Lovastatin Antioxidant,...


text:
How Nike's 'Just Do It' Slogan Grew Up
Rocket Film, 3 days, 15 hours
Agency In-House Production: Just a Novelty?
Lee Films, 4 days, 14 hours
Bacardi's First Person Viewpoint Zombie Cocktail Film Will Get You Thirsty for Nightmares
BBDO North America, 9 hours, 15 minutes
Super-Smooth Switch Guarantee Guy Returns to UK Screens
Partners Andrews Aldridge , 9 hours, 28 minutes
Fortnight Lingerie | 'Super Sexy CPR'
Rooster, 3 years, 3 months
Broad City's "Period Pants"
Humble + Postal, 1 year, 5 months
LBB Editorial, 9 hours, 39 minutes
Dolmio - Battle of Dinnertime
LBB Editorial, 9 hours, 59 minutes
Build your own personal news stream. Discover the latest work created that interests you, share your favourite stories and follow your favourite people and companies
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BRONZE £500 per annum (you upload your news to the)
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text: i wanna wipe my hard drive and i was thinking of using boot and nuke, but isnt there something i can use to do a zero fill on the drive so that it will be back to the way it was when i bought it? is this what most hd wiping utilities like autoclave do? the autoclave web page just says that it "completely erases everything" but does it do a zero fill on all of the sectors? also, if i did a zero fill would the drive have to be low level formatted again? i've heard it's impossible to do a low level format on your own: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/LLF.html is that right?


text:
Documenting outcomes
How and when pharma companies should develop comparative effectiveness information on new drugs was the focus of the annual meeting of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) in Washington last month. With $50,000 to $100,000 price tags on targeted therapies for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other critical diseases, payers are looking to limit prescribing to those patients most likely to benefit based on biomarkers and diagnostic tests. In addition to implementing step therapy, prior authorization, and tiered formularies to control drug outlays, payers seek outcomes studies, comparative effectiveness research (CER), and targeted clinical trial designs to document product value.Not surprisingly, there were dozens of posters at ISPOR analyzing the costs of alternative treatments for cancer patients, relevant healthcare expenditures, and the value of new oncology medicines in the United States and overseas. Health technology assessment (HTA) agencies emphasized risk-sharing and patient access schemes, and some experts acknowledged explicit end-of-life treatment criteria. There was great interest in how accountable care organizations (ACOs) specializing in oncology and other innovative delivery programs can offer treatment pathways and bundled payment methods to manage care and drug expenditures.
So far, payers and insurers in the United States have been willing to cover costly new cancer therapies because the number is relatively small and many target small patient populations, explained Thomas Bramley, vice president of Xcenda, the consulting arm of AmerisourceBergen. But now plans are looking for more convincing cost-effectiveness data and budget impact models, along with companion diagnostics able to direct treatment to those patients most likely to respond. Drug "affordability" has gained currency, as payers realize that there are limits on patient acceptance of high co-pays.
Marketers are more open to consultation and collaborating with payers and health plans to avoid launching new products that will be rejected in the market. Sean Tunis, president of the Center for Medical Technology Policy, described the Green Park Collaborative, which hopes to develop guidance on effective research designs to meet the needs of payers and HTA agencies, starting with an Alzheimer's disease pilot. Newell McElwee, head of outcomes research at Merck, agreed that industry is talking more to payers about what evidence they require for a positive reimbursement decision, adding that collaboration is preferable to obtaining 10 different research recommendations from 10 different payers.
Yet, some analysts questioned whether all the budget impact analysis from pharma companies is useful in deciding reimbursement. There's skepticism about such calculations on both sides, and payers seem to prefer models for how patients do long-term on a treatment, noted Kathy Hughes, vice president of Avalere Health. Marketers feel that a budget analysis is necessary to gain market access, but recognize that its usefulness may be limited to certain types of drugs and therapeutic areas.
Payers can offer helpful advice on designing clinical trials to produce useful CER—and sometimes to support a company's decision to kill a development program not likely to yield a marketable product. However, it's not clear whether marketers can discuss research methods and outcomes claims with payers prior to approval without violating off-label marketing restrictions. Pharma companies also are unsure of the rules for presenting outcomes information that touches on off-label uses to payers and formulary committees and have petitioned FDA for clarification.


text:
2000 - 2013
Gus was our one and only dog, and he was one of a kind!! Even though he was 115 pounds and had long legs, he thought he was a lap dog. Every morning, he would come into our bedroom right before the alarm would go off and cuddle between us.
We took him to Northern Wisconsin every year for 12 years, where he swam every day and then was treated like a king when we would pull Gus in a carrier behind us when we went for a bike ride. It was fun trying to pull Gus up the big hills on the trail! His favorite thing was to play ball, and was always looking for a willing playmate. Gus would often make the rounds, and visit the neighbors nearby to get his daily treats. We made many new friends in our neighborhood when Gus introduced us!! He was our best buddy, and he will be greatly missed! - The Wein Family


text:
Monday, May 13, 2013
Before: CGA, CYD, CTIB, EDG, HPJ, ITRN, NAT, CEL, PERI, PNTR, SARA, MOBI, SSYS
During: AU, MACK
After: SVN, ANTH, AUGT, CCXI, CPA, LONG, EGL, HMIN, III, INFU, IOC, LGP, LGL, NTI, POST, PDII, RENN, SANW, SUMR, TTWO, KOOL, HTM, VELT, WX, ZBB
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Before: AEY, AM, AMS, PATH, AMAP, CACH, CAK, CAAS, GFN, GSOL, TREE, MRCC, PAAS, RGDX, SYPR, TAM, VAL
During: BRD
After: CRMB, A, ATHX, CCSC, DCIN, EXP, XONE, GSB, HSKA, LSG, LFL, NLST, PRMW, REED, TXCC, VOXX
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Before: ACAT, CSC, DE, EJ, AG, GLOG, JST, M, OXF, VIP, VSCP
During: CNTY, IOT
After: ACXM, ANW, ADAT, BLIN, CSCO, COGO, CEP, EXE, IIJI, JACK, LWAY, NTES, NQ, ONP, QTWW, SB, SAPE, VRML
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Before: BRC, IMOS, DSCI, FLO, JCP, KSS, PBH, SOL, WMT
During: -
After: VNET, AMAT, ARUN, ADSK, BRCD, HOLI, ITI, JWN, XUE
Friday, May 17, 2013
Before: DCI, ISS, SSI
During: -
After: CRESY, FNBN
Note: All economic numbers and earnings reports are in line with those compiled by Briefing.com. Occasionally changes will occur that are made after the posting of this column and some companies have not confirmed their time, so always double check when taking positions overnight during earnings season! (?) = Not yet confirmed at the time the list was compiled.


text:
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - NASCAR will return to NBC in 2015, ending its eight-year partnership with both ESPN and Turner Sports.
NASCAR announced a 10-year deal with NBC on Tuesday that gives the network the final 20 Sprint Cup races of the season, and the final 19 Nationwide Series races.
NBC will share the 38-race NASCAR schedule with Fox, which extended its contract with NASCAR last year. Turner currently has six races on the schedule, and ESPN carries 17 events. ESPN picks up its portion of the schedule this weekend at Indianapolis.
NBC shared the television contract with Fox from 2001-06 in the first national TV deal for NASCAR. ESPN picked up that portion of the schedule in 2007.
NBC and its NBC Sports Network now have rights to NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One.


text:
After three days of sidestepping the issue, U.S. military leaders are tentatively addressing the desertion controversy surrounding a freed American prisoner of war whose case has sparked a tide of anger from service members and war veterans who question the circumstances of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's capture by the Taliban five years ago.
Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, posted a statement on his official Facebook page Tuesday, an apparent reaction to the backlash the Obama administration faces in its handling of Bergdahl's release. The sergeant from Idaho was freed in exchange for the transfer of five senior Taliban members to the government of Qatar.
Here's Dempsey's Facebook post:
In response to those of you interested in my personal judgments about the recovery of SGT Bowe Bergdahl, the questions about this particular soldier's conduct are separate from our effort to recover ANY U.S. service member in enemy captivity. This was likely the last, best opportunity to free him. As for the circumstances of his capture, when he is able to provide them, we'll learn the facts. Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty. Our Army's leaders will not look away from misconduct if it occurred. In the meantime, we will continue to care for him and his family. Finally, I want to thank those who for almost five years worked to find him, prepared to rescue him, and ultimately put themselves at risk to recover him.
However, some military commentators say, the Obama administration and U.S. commanders waited too long before addressing the desertion question, and now look as if they're in damage-control mode.
The reaction to Dempsey's Facebook posting, published early Tuesday morning, is indicative of the divisions among military ranks about how to handle the case of a young soldier who, according to several credible accounts, left his unit after a guard shift and walked off post before being captured by the Taliban and held as an apparent hostage for nearly five years.
By 9:30 a.m., Dempsey's post had more than 900 Facebook "likes" and nearly 450 "shares." However, the comments section was filled with more than 100 posts, including several that openly challenged the general's take on the case.
Here's one comment, by Facebook user Paul McClester, summarizing the views of the camp that seeks more transparency about the case and possibly even punitive measures once Bergdahl is repatriated:
"Any soldier, sailor, or marine who is unauthorized absence after 30 days is considered as having deserted. Any other person would have been placed in custody upon his return, not reunited with their family. The statement being made to all of the other young troops is that it is okay to lay down your weapon, walk away from your post and join the enemy and you will be treated as a hero in Landstuhl upon your return."


text:
Ball, Sir Robert Stawell
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About this Item
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Title: Star-Land
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text:
Imm Living
Based in downtown Toronto, imm Living comprises several young designers handpicked for their diverse backgrounds, locales, and perspectives. The studio creates whimsical home accents and tabletop items that playfully address themes from the past and present. Each design strives to remind the viewer that culture evolves through experiences lived and shared.
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sandell Asset Management Corp., owner of approximately 2.5% of Compuware Corp (NASDAQ: CPWR), announced today that it communicated last week with Mr. Robert Paul, Chief Executive Officer of Compuware, and its Board of Directors that Sandell desires the Company to act with greater urgency to maximize shareholder value as Compuware currently trades at a significant discount to its sum-of-the-parts valuation.
In addition to the filing of the Covisint IPO, which is expected imminently, Sandell asks that the Company take immediate action to 1) rationalize its cost structure, bringing margins in-line with peers and 2) sell or spin-off its APM, Mainframe and other segments to better operationally and financially align employees and shareholders with each business unit.
To this end, Sandell sent the following letter to Compuware's CEO and Board of Directors this morning and has made public the White Paper that it sent to Mr. Paul and Compuware's Board of Directors last week. A full copy of the White Paper can be found here: http://www.sandellmgmt.com/news/Immediate_Value_Maximization_at_Compuware_CPWR.pdf
|December 4th, 2012
|Robert C. Paul
|Chief Executive Officer
|Compuware Corporation
|One Campus Martius
|Detroit, MI 48226-5099
|cc: Board of Directors
Dear Mr. Paul,
As you know from our prior communication with you, we are shareholders of Compuware, owning approximately 2.5% of shares outstanding, and have invested because we believe the Company is substantially undervalued with over 80%+ upside in your shares. We had hoped that the Board and management would take action to realize that potential value, but are discouraged by the lack of urgency.
While we appreciate your recent comments at the Credit Suisse Technology Conference on November 28th, we challenge you to actually follow through on these opportunities. In addition to the "imminent" IPO filing of Covisint, the Company must take action to 1) rationalize its cost structure and 2) spin-off or sell its remaining businesses in order to maximize shareholder value in the most tax-efficient manner.
Management has the tendency to over-promise and under-deliver. You are already off-track in accomplishing your financial projections for FY-2013 presented nearly a year ago at your December 2011 Investor Day. The Company has been plagued by failures of execution, most recently in poor sales performance in the APM Europe segment, resulting in a reduction in FY-2013 earnings guidance and a 12% drop in the stock. Furthermore, the Company has lagged its peer group for the past five years, underperforming the S&P North American Technology-Software Index Fund and the S&P 400 Midcap Software Index by 20% and 60%, respectively.
As we are sure you would agree, the sum-of-the-parts valuation of the Company substantially exceeds the current stock price, and a separation of these businesses would significantly enhance stockholder value. We also believe that the current conglomerate structure significantly increases the risk that the Company will not be able to retain and motivate its sales force – a risk that could undermine future growth in the APM segment. In addition, we believe there are abundant opportunities to reduce legacy costs and increase employee productivity, and in turn the Company's profitability.
We believe there are several opportunities to immediately narrow the valuation gap:
- Covisint IPO – Management has recently commented that the S-1 filing is imminent with a completion of the IPO still expected in FY-2013. Any slippage of this timing will only further damage management's credibility.
- Cost rationalization –LTM operating margin (GAAP) is 60% and 30% below its mainframe and broader software peer groups, respectively. Management can improve profitability via redundant personnel and facility elimination and providing long-term compensation incentives for management based on unit level profitability targets.
- Sell / Spin-Off APM – The recent acquisition of competitor OPNET by Riverbed Technology at 4x EV/revenues highlights the strategic value of this business. Based on our industry discussions, the Gomez-dynaTrace APM business should command a premium valuation to OPNET. A sale or spin will ensure that key management and sales people at APM stay financially motivated to grow the APM business.
- Sell Mainframe and remaining assets – Compuware should sell Mainframe to financial or strategic parties to maximize the unit's significant free cash flow generation. An LBO of Mainframe could comfortably generate a 20% IRR. We believe that Uniface, ChangePoint and the Professional Services unit are also better suited with third parties.
We implore management to capitalize on these opportunities as investors can no longer sit around and simply listen to management comment about how they can improve the Company's valuation. It is time for action, not more empty statements of intent. Should you fail to promptly take steps to increase stockholder value, we would favor a change to the Board composition at the next annual meeting.
|Thomas E. Sandell
|Chief Executive Officer


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A friend forwarded an e-mail from a member of a group of high school students on a service trip in Uganda. The e-mail describes how they helped build a primary school in the Mbale region.
The writer, an adult sponsor on the trip, also gave her impressions of the country, including the "long, long, long horned cows, roosters, trash fires, goats, mud huts, laundry and all that makes Uganda, Uganda."
Besides helping build the school, the teenagers also donated funds to improve the housing of "families headed by children." The writer notes the appreciativeness of residents living in mud huts with clothing that "would never make the rag bag. This is definitely another world that looks at life with a different reference point — the research says they are far more satisfied with their lives than Americans," said the writer, a teacher back in the United States. "We certainly don't use the same logic."
Her statement seems to highlight the dilemma the world faces in dealing with countries like Uganda, many of whose citizens are among the 800 million who exist on less than $1 a day.
That is, how do you improve the lives of people, who despite their seeming happiness with their "bucolic" lifestyles, are only one step removed from famine or disease.
The World Agricultural Forum is trying to address that question by holding its first World Congress outside the United States. The Republic of Uganda will host the 2009 event in Kampala next Feb. 24-26.
The WAF, based in St. Louis, aims to provide all countries with an equal voice for the discussion of agriculture policies and strategies. Its previous congresses have attracted agricultural experts from around the world.
The organization believes it made the right choice for its first international meeting. "The world's attention to Africa continues to grow, particularly with humanitarian concerns," said James Bolger, former prime minister of New Zealand and current chairman of the World Agricultural Forum Advisory Board. The WAF is under no illusions about the challenges, says Ray Cesca, president of the World Agricultural Forum and a former executive with McDonald's. "When we go to Africa, it will be to stay," he said. "We expect to be there for years to come."
A group of agricultural economists recently said completing the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization was the second most important task the countries of the world could complete to do the most good for the people of the world (providing vitamins to children was the first).
I'm not so sure that's the case given the WTO's track record in handling such issues as the cotton case Brazil brought against the United States. (The WTO's arguments for allowing Brazil to take retaliatory measures against U.S. exports are dubious at best.)
The better approach may be to focus on countries such as Uganda and to improve the lives of its people one village at a time.


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Product Description
Focus on fashion.
New to BoxedArt? This download, and thousands of other website design, print design, graphic design, presentation, and multimedia products, can be downloaded for free after you have purchased a membership to our website!


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Advantus has announced that they intend to discontinue the use of the Cropper Hopper brand when their license to use it expires in December 2013.
After what the company describes as "a lengthy transition period that will extend into at least mid-2014," Advantus will no longer represent the Cropper Hopper brand. The brand will revert back to the control of Cropper Hopper founder Scott Smith, from whom they've licensed the name for the past 10 years.
According to the announcement, Cropper Hopper items may continue to be ordered as usual by the company's customers, and there will be no interruption in customer service during the branding transition. The company says it plans to continue to continue carrying "the majority" of the products that are currently in the Cropper Hopper line, under a rebranding that will be launched at the Craft & Hobby Association 2014 show in January.
"We know Scott will continue to do great things in the industry, and we wish him all the best. We appreciate our customers' continued support of our product lines and look forward to introducing our new storage brand at the CHA show", said Kevin Carpenter, President of Advantus.


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Vulture Ranks Twenty Awkward Louie Dates on the Shame Meter
From a checkout lady to a male sheriff, three seasons of "romantic" moments from Louie C.K.'s show, ranked on the shame meter.
This piece originally ran in July 2012. We are re-running it after last night's date/non-date episode "So Did the Fat Lady."
"I'm 41 and I'm single. Not really single, just alone," rang the heavy first note of Louie back in 2010. Tonight's conclusion of the two-parter "Daddy's Girlfriend," which features a riveting turn by Parker Posey as Louie's newest object of affection, makes it abundantly clear that Louis C.K.'s fictionalized version of himself isn't as good at submitting to his loneliness as his brazen stand-up tends to imply. The show has presented a series of failed romantic interludes, and the first five episodes of this season all hinge on thwarted attempts to nurture some type of companionship. Vulture examined every single one of Louie's encounters with love, romance, and being a hapless, solitary fortysomething, and brought you the twenty most interesting ones.BEGIN SLIDESHOW


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Counting Out Rhyme
Silver bark of beech, and sallow
Bark of yellow birch and yellow
Twig of willow.
Stripe of green in moosewood maple,
Colour seen in leaf of apple,
Bark of popple.
Wood of popple pale as moonbeam,
Wood of oak for yoke and barn-beam,
Wood of hornbeam.
Silver bark of beech, and hollow
Stem of elder, tall and yellow
Twig of willow. – Edna St. Vincent Millay
I should be in the woods at this time of year. Instead, because of the unusually warm winter and heavy rains that have left the ground saturated and soggy, rather than frozen and covered with snow, and because I managed to do something to my shoulder chopping wood. (I turn forty this summer, and my assumption is that the two different minor injuries I sustained in about two weeks were the official "the warranty on your body has expired and it will all go to hell now" notice.) I mostly haven't been, but they call me. This is the season of trees on a farm.
In the dark of January and February, when the ground is hard as stone (normally) and the weather is cold, cutting wood, hauling downed braches by sled, harvesting bark for baskets and medicinal use and pruning trees are the natural works of the season, and I really enjoy them. We don't cut most of our own wood – when we first moved here we assumed we would take all our own wood from the property, but what we found was that firewood and hay are the two most common ways for our rural neighbors to make a living, and in the end, we'd rather have the time for other things and enrich our neighbors, so those are two jobs we don't do a lot of. Still, we put up some hay by hand every year, and we cut some of our own wood. The depredations of the hurricanes this fall mean that we've got a large supply of fallen wood – plenty for many years to come, so I expect I'll do more soon.
One cuts wood for the following winter – 9 months or a year to season is a minimum, and a bit longer is better. I don't use a chainsaw, because, frankly, I'm afraid of them – I have always been more than a little clumsy, and I like my limbs attached. The Bucksaw and the Crosscut saw are slower, but also quieter and much less likely to keep going without me if I make a mistake.
In a good year Eric and I find time to go out in the woods together – the two person cross-cut saw is an art and a pleasure to use, and it is good for a marriage. Until you master it, it can be bad for marriage too, but once you learn one another's motions it can be deeply satisfying. Most of the time, though, it is just one of us that go into the woods to make piles of firewood that will then be sledded out.
There has been no sledding this year – in fact the pussy willows have catkins and today is supposed to hit sixty degrees. My daffodils are up and the world is convinced that spring is nigh – whether it is or it isn't, it makes the woods harder.
Harvesting small wood for bentwood (one of Eric's hobbies), hurdle making, basket making (which I do incredibly badly, but I try) and pruning the fruit trees are less tough on my shoulder, so most of the time I spend with wood of late is around the house. The goats and the rabbits are delighted when I bring them the trimmings from the peach and apple trees, and I the quince prunings I set in glasses of water to force into bloom.
I found pruning intimidating at first, not really grasping what it was that I was trying to do. A friend who is an old orchardman simplified it for me – he taught me to imagine what the tiny growth of this year will look like in ten, drew me pictures, and then showed me what it would look like if I made different choices – all of a sudden the idea penetrated and I was able to look and see what I wanted my trees to look like – more or less. I still pay some price for my years of not fully grasping things, but it gets better all the time.
Our property has more willow than anyone would want to shake a stick at – it is a wet piece of land, and willow grows abundantly here. We have encouraged the goats to cut back on the sumac and willow in certain areas, and we coppice the willows behind the barn – in fact, this year I'll take our second harvest after the cutting we did 7 years ago. We have only just finished burning the willow – not great firewood, but old dry willow make a good starter – that we took off the trees the first time.
Thorny locusts are wonderful fence posts and great firewood if you can cut it – we lost two big locust trees to the hurricanes, one right by the barn, the other behind the house, and the goats and calves quickly denuded them, eating their high protein leaves. In a few weeks, after the calves are gone to the butcher, I'll need to cut up the locusts, but it must wait until I take the fence that encloses it down.
We're out of "tree hay" at this point – mostly locust and willow that I put up and dry on old shipping pallets for winter. The rabbits, goats and calves love it, and it is an infinitely renewable resource for us. Over time, I hope to cut more each summer to feed our herd. To do so, I also have to keep planting trees – I want plenty, and of course, we also sell some trees in the nursery business, so I check on the little dormant nursery, and then harvest willow to make willow water for rooting cuttings in late winter.
The sap is already starting to rise in the trees because of the unseasonable warmth – soon enough we'll put up our little mite of syrup – our sugar bush is tiny, and we do it in the simplest possible way, with buckets and homemade taps, but it is a sign that winter is winding down. Ordinarily the beginning of February doesn't mark spring at all, but simply the time when northern people and critters start to dream of spring, but this year all is early, and everything feels ready.
I still hope for some snow and ice yet – it is too early for things to move forward, and while it saves on heating fuel, it isn't good for birds and plants to be so out of synch. Moreover, I still hope for some time in the woods yet when my shoulder mends and the sound of chickadees and the crosscut saw are the only songs in a wintry silence. If I don't get it, though, the trees and I still have plenty to do.
This coming week is Tu B'shevat, the Jewish holiday that marks the "new year" of the trees – the date that one counts tree birthdays from. It is traditional to celebrate with the fruits of trees, mostly out of season here, but a pleasurable luxury that reminds us of days to come when we will devour piles of peaches and apricots, process baskets of apples and quinces into jars, when the fruit of trees will pour upon us in abundance, asking little, giving much. Now, in the quiet season of winter in the north, it seems that trees give little – unless of course, you go into the woods and see what there is to receive.


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product description
Related Products:
Henckels - Miyabi 3000SP
Finish - Satin
Japanese/Asian Knives
Mosaic Pins
Stainless Steel
Maker: Henckels (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 89424
Blade length: 4.00 in.Cutting edge length: 3.50 in.Total length: 8.00 in.Blade height (at heel): 0.85 in.Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.05 in.Item weight: 2.45 oz.Shipment weight: 6.56 oz.Blade: Zwilling formula stainless steel, hardened to 57 RchHandle: D-shaped handle of black micarta with mosaic pin
Description: Miyabi knives blend the tradition of Japanese bladesmithing with the excellence of German engineering. Made in Japan from exclusive German Zwilling formula stainless steel, this 90mm Kudamono - or sheepsfoot paring knife - combines the sharpness and geometry Japanese knives are famous for with the easy care and durability typical of German blades. A perfect choice for detail work or delicate cutting -- from taking the eyes out of potatoes to cutting the heads of strawberries and the veins out of bell peppers, the Kudamono is a great knife to grab.
The edge is hand-finished with the traditional 3-step Honbazuke method, meaning each blade is honed by an artisan to an angle of between 9.5 and 12 degrees per side. This acute angle, in combination with the Honbazuke method results in unbelievable sharpness.
The authentic D-shaped handle made from black linen Micarta has a wood-like appearance and feel, with the durability of synthetic material. The timeless elegance is enhanced by a mosaic pin.


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Recall Details
These vehicles are being recalled because a software concern with the antilock brake system (ABS) could cause the brake system to perform less efficiently than expected during light brake pedal application on rough roads. The resulting increased stopping distance would increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will reprogram the ABS to correct this concern.
Our Quick Take
Braking distance may be longer that expected during light brake pedal application on rough roads.
What Should You Do?
As of this writing, Nissan has not released a notification schedule for this recall. If you feel your vehicle should be included, please contact your dealer for further instruction. They may ask for your vehicle identification number (VIN), so please have it handy when you call.


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NEW YORK (AP) — Nordstrom Inc. reported a 15 percent increase in third-quarter net income, fueled by strong demand of men's shoes, men's clothing and children's fashions.
But the upscale retailer's profit results missed Wall Street estimates, as the company invested more money in enhancing its rewards program for shoppers. Investors pushed down shares by 3 percent in after-hour trading, extending the decline in regular trading. The company released its results after regular trading closed Thursday.
Still, Nordstrom's solid quarter is encouraging news as the upscale retailer heads into the holiday season. Sales have rebounded since late 2009 for Nordstrom and other luxury retailers as the affluent have spent more. The question, however, is how Superstorm Sandy, which disrupted businesses and households in the Northeast, will affect consumers' future spending.
Nordstrom closed the books on the quarter two days before Sandy pummeled the densely packed Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. Many shoppers are dealing with problems ranging from transportation to power outages to more serious issues like property losses.
Nordstrom is also grappling with new demands from shoppers armed with smartphones and tables. That's pushing the high-end merchant, long known for service, to come up with new ways to cater to shoppers.
"We aspire to continually improve the customer experience," Blake Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom, told investors during a conference call. "There's no finish line when it comes to this subject as our customers have access to a growing number of choices with expectations increasingly centered on speed and convenience."
Last year Nordstrom started offering free shipping on all online purchases with no minimum dollar amount. Previously customers had to spend at least $200 to qualify. Return shipping is free too. The company is also giving sales associates devices that let them check out shoppers anywhere in the store.
Nordstrom has also partnered with Arcadia Group to launch shops under the British company's Topshop and Topman brands in 14 of its 117 full-scale departments this fall. Company officials said they've been encouraged by the results.
Nordstrom is also looking for growth beyond the U.S. and announced in September that it was heading to Canada, starting in 2014. It's teaming up with Canadian mall developer Cadillac Fairview to open four stores; in Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Cadillac Fairview operates shopping centers across Canada.
Nordstrom earned $146 million, or 71 cents per share for the three-month period ended Oct. 27. That compares with $127 million, or 59 cents per share, in the year-ago period.
Total sales rose 14 percent to $2.81 billion. Revenue at stores opened at least a year was up 10.7 percent. Its online business increased 38 percent for the quarter compared with a year ago.
Analysts, on average, expected 72 cents per share on total revenue of $2.75 billion, according to FactSet.
Nordstrom, based in Seattle, narrowed its full-year profit outlook to a range of $3.45 to $3.50 per share, from previous guidance of $3.40 to $3.50 per share issued in August.
It also expects revenue at stores opened at least a year to rise 6.5 to 7 percent. In August it forecast growth of 6 to 7 percent.
"While this guidance considers the impacts of Hurricane Sandy, there remains uncertainty and we will continue to monitor trends in the affected areas." Mike Koppell, Nordstrom's executive vice president and chief financial officer told investors.
Shares fell 3.2 percent, or $1.85, to close at $55.40 in regular trading. In after-hour trading, they lost another 2 percent, or $1.05, to $54.35.


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Drive away crickets
Ultrasonic alternative to poison sprays
I have seen lots of praise for ultrasonic devices for pest control, but it seems to come from manufacturers and dealers. I have not been able to find an independent testing source that recommends these products for control of insects such as crickets and roaches; the reports I have seen are negative. I favor more conventional methods of control, but I would like to hear from any readers who have tried ultrasonic devices.
Unfortunately, getting rid of crickets in a basement can be a complex process. For one thing, there are several types of crickets, and different types behave differently. From your description, yours appear to be house crickets. Chemicals used outside the house, spread by licensed exterminators around the perimeter, can help prevent new invasions. Good sanitation outside, such as raking up leaves and debris regularly, can also help. Possible entry points, such as cracks under doors, should be sealed.
Frequent vacuuming of areas where crickets are spotted can be an effective means of control. Traps that catch roaches with sticky materials can be placed in infested areas; they are sold at some home centers, supermarkets, and hardware stores.
Keep the basement as dry as possible, using a dehumidifier if necessary; crickets like damp, dark places.
For more information on crickets and their control, check out the Web site www.bugspray.com.
Dear Gene: Our house is several hundred years old, according to town records, and has a brick foundation. Some of the mortar around the bricks needs to be replaced. Can I just use a lime-based mortar around the bricks?
You definitely should not use a store-bought, bagged mortar on a house this old. Antique houses were mortared with soft lime mortar that could easily absorb movement in the bricks. The mortar sold at home centers these days contains significant amounts of cement and dries quite hard; it could put stress on the bricks that might damage the walls. There are many recipes for soft lime mortar, often one part hydrated lime to two or three parts sand, but your best bet is to try tracking down a brickmason in your area who has experience with old houses and can reasonably duplicate the existing mortar.
Dear Gene: The wood post at the front end of our fence was broken off at ground level by a car. How can we fix this? We will have to do the work ourselves.
There are at least two ways to do this, and both require some digging. One way is to dig around the stump of the old post with a spade until you have removed enough earth to wiggle the stump and pull it out (most wood fence posts have about 24 inches underground). You can then put a new pressure-treated post in the hole and replace the fill around it, using some concrete at ground level for extra strength. Detach the rest of the old post from the fence (you don't say what kind of fence it is) and attach the fence to the new post.
Another method is to leave the stump in the ground and dig a new hole directly in front of it or beside it, using a post-hole digger (about $20 at home centers, or rent one at a tool-rental agency). Put a new pressure-treated post in the new hole and fill around it with concrete mix, making sure the new post is plumb by using a level on two adjacent sides. Attach the old broken post to the new post with two or three short wood cleats. Screw the cleats securely to both posts.
If the post is in a position where it gets in the way of cars, attach some red plastic reflectors to it to warn drivers. Reflectors are sold at most auto-parts stores.
Send questions and comments to Gene Austin at email@example.com or 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.


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September 26, 1986
To: All SJSU Administrative Employees in Unit 4 -
Academic Support Deans, Directors, Associate Vice Presidents
From: President Gail Fullerton
Subject: Performance Evaluation Procedures and Criteria for Employess in Unit 4 - Academic Support
This presidential directive supersedes all earlier directives from my office or others on campus dealing with performance evaluation proce?dures and criteria for all employees in Unit 4.- Academic Support except those specifically classified as "Academic-Related."
I. Background
Article 18, Evaluation, of the Memorandum of Understanding with Unit 4 - Academic Support, states that: "Performance evaluation procedures shall be determined by the President." On July 18, 1984, I approved a set of performance evaluation procedures and criteria for all employees in Unit 4, which had been developed by administrators and discussed with Unit 4representatives.
Subsequent discussions with Unit 4 employees and with the Faculty and Staff Affairs Office of the California State University system led to a decision to involve the Academic Senate of this campus in the development of procedures and criteria for employees in Unit 4 in positions classi?fied as "Academic-Related." Such a policy was developed by the Academic Senate during the 1985-86 academic year and, after revision, was accepted by me and issued as University Policy F85-8, effective on September 15, 1986.
Effective this date (September 26, 1986), the following performance evaluation procedures and criteria will be in effect for all employees of Unit 4 - Academic Support except for those in position classifica?tions designated "Academic-Related."
II. Scope and Purpose
The following procedures are designed to implement Articles 14 (Pro?bation and Permanency/Tenure) and 18 (Evaluation) of the Agreement between the Board of Trustees of the California State University and the United Professors of California, Unit 4 - Academic Support except for those members of Unit 4 who are in position classifications designated as "Academic-Related."
The procedures elaborated below for evaluation for retention and tenure will be applied to administrative (that is, all those not classified as "academic-related") employees in Unit 4, probationary and temporary with appointments of six months of more. Temporary employees with appointments of six months or less may be evaluated at the discretion of the President.
Performance evaluation of administrative employees in Unit 4 shall consist of an administrative review. In addition to documenting effectiveness in performance, other important purposes of evaluation are to identify areas of the employee's strength, to identify areas where improvement is required, and to stimulate improvement in the employee's future performance.
III. Criteria For Probation and Permanency/Tenure
The primary emphasis in the evaluation of administrative staff in Unit 4 - Academic Support will be an assessment of the employee's effectiveness in his or her professional assignment. The evaluations should provide written evidence attesting to the candidate's professional growth and achievement during the period for which the candidate is being evaluated. Appropriate criteria for evaluation include but are not limited to:
- Knowledge of Work
- Work judgments
- Planning and organizational skills
- Communication skills
- Quality of relationships with students, faculty and staff
- Acceptance of professional responsibilities
- Observance of appropriate work hours
- Initiative and creativity
- Cooperativeness and dependability
- Other criteria, where appropriate, such as:
- Leadership and supervisory ability
- Fellowships, honors, etc.
- Service to the University: e.g. University committees, special University projects, etc.
Additionally, the reviewers may develop specific criteria for the evaluations that are unique to the functions performed by the candidate being evaluated. Such unique criteria should be developed in discussion with the employee.
IV. Procedures For Performance Evaluation
The evaluation will be conducted by the immediate non-bargaining unit supervisor or manager to whom the employee is accountable. This supervisor will inform the employee, in writing, that a performance evaluation will take place and will meet with the employee at an early date to discuss the procedures to be followed and the criteria that will be used In the evaluation.
The supervisor may solicit information about the employee's performance from appropriate segments of the campus and external sources with whom the employee and the employee's staff have dealings. If the supervisor considers it appropriate, it is permissible to involve a group or committee to assist in obtaining information about the employee's performance, but this action in no way relieves or diminishes the responsibility of the supervisor with respect to the evaluation.
- Evaluation during the probationary period
An administrative employee can be separated any time during the probationary period. Title 5, Section 43585, stipulates the amount of "notice" to be given an administrative employee who is not being retained.
Administrative employees shall be evaluated at least three times during the probationary period, which is normally two. years.
- First performance evaluation:
- The first formal evaluation shall occur during the sixth month of employment following appointment to the position and shall include the supervisor's recommendation for continued employment.
- Second Performance Evaluation:
- The second formal evaluation shall take place during the employee's twelfth month of employment following appointment and shall include the supervisor's recommendation for continued employment and the granting of the employee's Merit Salary Award (MSA) if appropriate.") Denial of an employee's MSA requires reconsideration of the decision in three (minimum) to twelve (maximum) months at the discretion of the supervisor.
- Third Performance Evaluation:
- The third and last formal evaluation during the probationary period shall occur during the employee's twenty-second month of employment. This evaluation will determine the employee's permanent retention by the University and the granting of the employee's NSA (if appropriate).
- Evaluation following the Probationary Period
Following the successful completion of the probationary period and the granting of permanent status to the employee, periodic performance evaluations will be conducted as follows:
- Annually approximately 45 days prior to the employee's salary anniversary.
- Every three years following attainment of the top step of the salary range of the employee's classification.
- Optional Evaluations
Nothing precludes a supervisor from conducting a performance evaluation of an administrative employee's job performance at more frequent intervals than required by this procedure.
- Performance evaluation forms for this purpose may be requested from the Personnel Office. If such performance evaluations are made, the form(s) will be forwarded to the Personnel Office for inclusion in the employee's official personnel record.
- All evaluations must be signed by the employee and by the supervisor.
- Documentation, Decision, and Appeal Procedures
- All times specified for evaluation of the employee's performance during the probationary period, as well as after the attainment of permanent status with the University are minimum standards. The University Personnel Office is responsible for requesting that an evaluation take place and for maintenance of the performance evaluation forms in the employee's official personnel record.
- Upon completion of the evaluation, the supervisor will make a written record of the performance evaluation and a written recommendation regarding retention permanency or MSA, as appropriate. The employee shall be provided with a copy.


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New noise abatement approach trajectories for conventional transport aircraft have been tested in flight by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR). The trajectories under consideration promise ground-noise reduction along most of the flight path by relocating and concentrating high noise levels into selected areas. A new, high-precision autopilot for automated flight operation was installed onboard the test aircraft and operated in flight. These tests were accompanied by a dedicated noise measurement campaign to record the noise impact along the ground track of each flight procedure. In addition, the integration of the new procedures into conventional air traffic management was monitored from the airport's control tower. The campaign was organised and operated by DLR in close cooperation with the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrt; ILR) at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen University, and the German Air Traffic Control Service, Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS).
At DLR, a new simulation process was established for the environmental analysis of aircraft configurations. The process was applied to develop new approach trajectories for ground-noise reduction. A helical flight segment was implemented into a conventional approach path. Due to its shape, the new trajectory is referred to as a 'Helical Noise Abatement Procedure' (HeNAP). The flight path prior to the helical segment is shifted to higher flight levels; hence noise impact on the ground is reduced. High noise levels are relocated and concentrated within the area under the helix. Obviously, this limited area is exposed to increased noise levels. The noise concentration under the helical flight segment effectively reduces ground noise levels along the entire preceding flight path.
Flight test of the new autopilot along selected approach trajectories
The flight tests were operated with DLR's 'Advanced Technologies Testing Aircraft System' (ATTAS). The flight control system onboard ATTAS allows for easy implementation and flight-testing of experimental flight control procedures. A new high-precision autopilot from the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics (Institut für Robotik und Mechatronik) was installed onboard to evaluate its behaviour in flight. This autopilot allows for fully automated and highly accurate tracking of flight trajectories, including HeNAP. Helical Noise Abatement Procedures are very challenging flight procedures even under constant wind conditions. Therefore, this application is a benchmark test of the autopilot's performance. The dedicated ground noise campaign was organised by the DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology (Institut für Aerodynamik und Strömungstechnik) in close cooperation with ILR at RWTH Aachen University. The necessary technical equipment for the noise measurements was provided by ILR. The air traffic controller workload and the air traffic integration of the new procedures were monitored by DFS.
Validation of the predicted ground noise distribution along the helical approach path
Three approach trajectories were flight tested and evaluated. The test program was made up of conventional, steep and helical approaches. The new autopilot worked very well and was able to keep the aircraft precisely on the desired flight path, despite strong winds and turbulence. Initial analysis of the noise data confirms the predicted relocation and concentration of high noise levels along only the helical flight segment. Along the flight path prior to the helix, the anticipated ground noise reduction was achieved.
Due to the helical flight segment, fuel consumption and flight time would increase to some degree. Obviously, a trade-off between a significant noise reduction and increased fuel consumption and flight time becomes inevitable.


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text: Now you are somewhere near the Mexico border and you picked up a hot looking little thing.. only to find out the only thing that she wants from you is the blood pulsing through your veins when you find out she is a vampire! As if zombies were not enough.. looks like this place is crawling with vampires to.. you get saved by pretty police officer named Jaqueline. You can choose to play her as a character in this shooter defense game where you will have to survive waves of zombie and now vampire attacks with only the weapons you pick up from their cold dead bodies. Use the powerups that fall to the ground and more importantly: Don't forget the TEQUILA!!!


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This light blue colour always gives me happiness, probably because I connect it with the most beloved box: Tiffany's one. Try to imagine how much I can love this Chanel vintage small bag that my best friend found and then decided to exchange with me, of the same colour 🙂 And also try to imagine my smile when I came accross this website where they sell tshirts and tops which are perfect for people like me, addicted to this brand!
Questo colore azzurrino mi dona il buon umore, sicuramente perchè lo collego alla scatoletta più amata in assoluto: quella di Tiffany.Immaginate quindi quanto posso adorare questa borsettina vintage di Chanel che aveva trovato la mia migliore amica ed ha poi deciso di scambiare con me, dello stesso identico colore 🙂 Ed immaginate anche il mio sorriso quando girovagando su internet ho trovato questo sito dove vendono le tshirts e canottiere perfette per le drogate di questo marchio quale sono io!
I love this Tiffany colour photos, I was wearing Tiffany bracelets, Tiffany top ,Tarina Tarantino skull ring, Tiffany blue key necklace and Chanel bag.
And then I decided It was the right time to write a post with some of the things I like, some are new and some are old, but they looked pretty here 🙂 Hope you'll enjoy this!
These are some H&M rings I recently bought that I'm in love with.
A feathers belt from Zara that I still have to wear
My marc jacobs box necklace, bought in Chicago, but I guess you haven't seen it here before!
My new American Apparel velvet body and my vintage skull necklace that I adore!
My new studded headband, from Rossella Carrara, a shop in Milan.
My favourite skull necklace ever: a silver and handmade one I bought last September
My favourite pair of Marc Jacobs shoes and my favourite pair of Melissa ones (in collaboration with Vivienne Westwood), with my grandma's vintage pearl necklace, a bow necklace from Sweet&co and a flower necklace from London.
One of my favourite photo with my pillow and my favourite bedspread, the Cristopher Columbus one 🙂


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Find Our Latest Video Reviews on YouTube!
If you want to stay on top of all of our video reviews of the latest tech, be sure to check out and subscribe to the Gear Live YouTube channel, hosted by Andru Edwards! It's free!
MSN South Korea Website Booby Trapped
Posted by Kristin Wenzel Categories: Internet,
Microsoft had to scramble to clean their South Korean portal recently and admitted the site had been hacked and booby-trapped to capture unknowing users passwords. The site has been declared safe and clean once again, but they are unsure how many users may have been affected. As always, Microsoft is at the forefront of the security scene!
Read More | Wired News
Xbox Keyboard and Mouse Adapter
Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Accessories, Video Games,
Who says the Xbox is a computer in a box disguised at a video game system? Apparently, Brando's shop does. So go ahead, and buy this: unplug the keyboard in front of you, unplug your mouse, plug this adapter in, plug your keyboard, then plug in your mouse. Now get to fragging.
Read More |I4U
Read More |Playfeed
iPod photo Update To Include Tetris
Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,
The iPod photo update, rumored to be version 1.2 for now, will likely include Tetris and other games. Also, they will update the software with a few more add-ons like slideshows for your images and even games for your photos. The slideshows will likely include several visual effects such as fades, wipes, mosaic, and cube effects. No word yet when apple intends to release the update.
Read More | Apple Insider
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Xbox Keyboard and Mouse Adapter
Posted by Edwin Soto Categories: Accessories, Xbox,
I can't tell you how many times I've encountered whiners that say they can't play Halo against me because they lack a keyboard and mouse. Complain no more my newbies: Brando's shop is offering this gem for you to take 'em to school for a reasonably priced $25. It even comes pre-configured for the most popular best selling games out right now. Time to look like a complete dork at the next Xbox LAN party, so bring it on.
Purchase Info |Brando.com
Granny To Attempt Q*Bert World Record
Posted by Charles Leake Categories: Retro, Strategy,
Doris Self, of Fort Lauderdale, may be a grandmother in her 80's, but she is not giving up on her quest to regain the world highest score in Q*Bert. In fact, she is trying to regain her throne, which she held until 1985. Her quest to regain the world highest score started when champion video game player Billy Mitchell called her up and offered to loan her a Q*Bert video game machine to break the record. Doris jumped at the chance to regain her titles and has given up bridge and poker to practice day and night to claim her place in history. "I was sad when I lost the title I had held for twenty years," laments Doris. "Then I got a call from gaming legend Billy Mitchell, who offered to loan me a Q*bert machine to practice on and win back my title. Billy made me promise that I would give up poker and practice Q*bert everyday." With Mitchell support, Doris plans to break the Q*Bert record by June 5, during an annual gathering of classic gamers at Funspot in Weirs Beach, NH.
Read More | TwinGalaxies
DVD Kids Remote Control
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Home Entertainment,
What we appreciate about this particular piece of gadgetry is the simplicity by which the target market can use it. Not all younglings are as tech-minded as mine (he is 17 months old, and can turn on anything, unlock any cell phone, and hates all "toy versions" of expensive electronics), which is why the DVD Kids Remote Control is a winner. Just the shape alone pretty much guarantees that the child will point it in the right direction, saving hours of frustration and tantrum throwing. DVD Kids will be putting out special DVD's for use with the remote that will allow children to interact with the characters on the screen.
Read More | Pasta and Vinegar
Vestax Portable Turntable
Posted by Troy Categories: Portable Audio / Video,
Well we just found out that they do make portable turntables - who woulda thunk it? Special thanks to Ryan Matthew for his comments on the "Converting LP To MP3" article.
Read More | Vestax
A Little Inspiration
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Planning,
While this isn't directly related to online business, I think it's always good to have goals to work towards, even if it's an outlandishly priced yacht or home. Forbs has compiled several lists of 2005's most expensive statements of success and a few other things to blow your hard earned money on:
Homes of the billionaires
Most expensive yachts
Most expensive hotels
Most expensive cosmetics
Coolest concept cars
Mind Control Spray
Posted by Troy Categories: Misc. Tech,
To the best of our knowledge this doesn't actually exist yet, but it seems scientists are getting closer every day. Researchers at the University of Zurich had volunteers inhale the peptide oxytocin before investing in a faux transaction. The group that took the oxytocin turned out to trust the fake investment bankers more than the group with a placebo, proving oxytocin's ability to enhance trust in human relationships.
Read More | Washington Post
Xbox 360 Faceplate Contest Ends
Posted by Andru Edwards - Categories: Announcements, Xbox 360,
You know, I enjoy giving away items on Gear Live and Playfeed. Of course, there are those who are just in it for purely selfish reasons who can't imagine that things may sometimes get in the way. Of course, these are usually the young-un's. Nonetheless, we have a winner. We don't like to post results until after we have contacted the winner, and heard back from them. The reasoning behind this is that many people sign up for giveaways using fake email addresses. How, then, are we to contact you to send your prize? I digress. The winner, after 2 unsuccessful attempts to contact the original winner, is one Phil Kefer. Enjoy the faceplate with which you will have nothing to affix to for the next six months.
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Maine medical marijuana user sues staffing company for not hiring her
SKOWHEGAN, Maine (AP) � The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and the McKee Law firm are suing a staffing firm they say refused to hire a woman because she legally uses medical marijuana.
ACLU Maine said the lawsuit against Adecco Group North America seeks back wages and reinstatement for Brittany Thomas, of Pittsfield.
Thomas said she previously worked through Adecco at a plant assembling smoke detectors.
When more work became available, she told Adecco she would fail a drug screening test because she used medical marijuana to relieve severe back pain. When she failed the test, she was told she could no longer work for Adecco.
Thomas said medical marijuana wouldn't have detracted from her job because she would never use it while on duty.
An Adecco spokesman wasn't immediately available for comment.


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Finding the right footwear can be a tricky style conundrum here in S.F. But the naysayers who believe fashion and function don't go hand-in-hand are majorly mistaken — and have obviously never stepped into a pair of Swedish Hasbeens. The cool clog company fuses sleek, architectural elements into attractive, yet wearable soles that have quickly become a favorite for Bay Area babes (heels and hills aren't always enemies, you guys!). So, it makes sense that for its latest campaign the Swedish shoe brand tapped one of our lauded local bloggers to do a little real-girl modeling.
Erin Hagstrom of Calivintage put her best (and well-heeled) foot forward for the fall '12 campaign and the results are an impeccable intersection of Hagstrom's retro style and Swedish Hasbeens' traditional-meets-quirky aesthetic. "I have long been a fan of Swedish Hasbeens, so I was delighted when they asked me if I'd style a few looks for their fall catalog," says Hagstrom. "Especially given the outdoorsy theme of the collection. These photos were shot in and around Mount Tam in Marin, one of my favorite weekend spots!" Yeah, we're digging the earthy hues and rainy-day snaps — the shoes don't hurt either. See the pretty oh-so-autumn pics for yourself after the jump!


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SAUGET, Ill. -- Wisconsin-Platteville took the lead in the sixth inning, and Greenville College was unable to muster a comeback, losing 5-2 on Thursday at GCS.
Kenny Trager was hot from the plate for Greenville College . Trager went 2-4 and drove in one. He tripled in the first inning and singled in the sixth inning.
Adam Theis got the win for Wisconsin-Platteville. He allowed two runs over seven innings. Theis struck out one, walked none and gave up seven hits.
In the bottom of the first, Greenville College grabbed the early lead, 1-0. A triple by Trager, scoring Tim Osbourne started the inning off.
Wisconsin-Platteville didn't relinquish the lead after scoring five runs in the sixth inning when it scored on two singles and two bases loaded walks.
"Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved."


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|From its beginning, the mission of the SOA has been to train soldiers to protect the interests of multinational corporations and maintain the economic status quo for the few rich and powerful in the US and their cohorts in Latin America. Labor leaders and union organizers have always been among the primary targets of SOA violence.
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Doobs is playing the long game. He may not be the talk of the CB radios now, but he's a reliable hole, and still will be in 20 years, long after Peterman succumbed to the GRID. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3693657&forum_id=2#33927033)
but peterman's fuckhole is getting blown out at a record pace. he'll never give it up because the flying j is his life now but he'll always be the cheap last resort for the ornery trucker with the bulging, engorged sack just off an 18-hour haul with no outlet for his spunk. it'll be a sloppy hole but it'll do.(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3693657&forum_id=2#33927090)
Peterman: RG3(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3693657&forum_id=2#33929845)
doobs is a seasoned pro. he takes a dozen cocks inside of his puckered ginger cum slot every night, but it's just a job for him. he's a whore for men's cocks. he knows that. it's a living.
peterman thinks these guys love him, LOL.(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3693657&forum_id=2#33929882)
jfc at my existence(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3693657&forum_id=2#34206460)


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Art Theft Hits La. State Penitentiary
ANGOLA, La. (AP) — Investigators are looking into the theft of a painting of Magnolia Mound Plantation from an inmate artist at Sunday's Angola Prison Rodeo.
Mike Williams tells The Advocate the painting was one of three of the Baton Rouge landmark painted by inmate Marlowe Parker. Williams said he and his wife are friends of Parker.
Williams says Parker was exhibiting the painting at the arts and crafts area of the rodeo arena.
He said the painting was still on display about the time the rodeo performance concluded and may have been taken as spectators were leaving the arena.
Williams said he wanted the theft publicized in case someone tries to sell it to an unsuspecting buyer.


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As an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, Ashley Fry said that she wanted to study statistics in the Department of Food and Resource Economics in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) because of the plethora of career opportunities it would provide.
Now, as a master's student studying counseling in higher education in the College of Education and Human Development and working as a graduate assistant in the CANR Office of Academic Programs and Student Services, Fry said that she has her career choice set on working in higher education.
Fry, who graduated in 2010 and also minored in math and business administration, said she hadn't figured out what she wanted to do with her future until her senior year as an undergraduate, and that the activities in which she participated outside of the classroom fostered her interest in working in higher education.
"I was really involved on-campus as an undergraduate student," said Fry, who worked in the Admissions office, as a Blue Hen Ambassador tour guide, as a student admissions officer during her senior year, as a new student orientation leader for two summers, and as an Ag Ambassador.
Convinced that she wanted to make a career in higher education, Fry started looking into graduate programs that were related to the field.
She credits Kimberly Yackoski, assistant dean of student services in CANR, and Latoya Watson, undergraduate services coordinator in CANR, for guiding her to graduate school for studies in university administration.
Yackoski suggested that Fry do a discovery learning experience—a requirement for all undergraduate students—in her office.
The experience went so well that Yackoski asked Fry if she would be interested in continuing in the office as a graduate assistant.
"Ashley epitomizes the perfect colleague," said Yackoski. "She's got an amazing work ethic, is forward thinking, and thoughtfully juggles all the roles we play in the office each and every day."
Said Fry, "I got really lucky that I got to essentially blend my new experiences in my grad program and apply them to the office here, in the college that I had already had such a strong feeling for."
Talking about her day-to-day routine, Fry said that her main role in the CANR office is that of academic advisement and support. Working in the office has taught her to balance a lot of different projects at the same time, something that she relishes. "On any given day, I could be meeting with a student, I could be in a meeting with people from this office (CANR) or other offices around campus, I could be doing a presentation, or I could be sitting here answering emails."
Fry said one of her goals in the office is to strengthen the partnership between CANR and the University's Career Services Center. "I think that they offer so many wonderful services for students that I really want to make sure that we're promoting to our students to take advantage of."
If class and working at CANR weren't enough of a workload for Fry, she also has an internship at the counseling center as part of her graduate program where she mainly does career-based counseling for clients. So a typical day for her can involve any mix of class, work at the counseling center or work at CANR. "I'm just going back and forth all the time," she said.
As she prepares to graduate in May with a master's degree in counseling in higher education, Fry said she is looking forward to starting her professional career, but will also miss CANR, a college with which she had strong ties since before she even stepped foot on campus as a freshman.
"Being a prospective student in high school, I remember calling up my future adviser, Dr. (Tom) Ilvento," said Fry. "And Dr. (Steve) Hastings was the first person I met here so, even from just being a high school prospective student, I started building relationships with people in the college which have only strengthened and become more meaningful to me through my undergraduate experience and beyond. I'm just really thankful for everything they've done for me."
Article by Adam Thomas


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Sun promises agenda-free MySQL development agenda
Version 5.1 yearns to be bigger
MySQL User Conference MySQL owners past and present opened the annual user's conference to re-assure them Sun Microsystems has no hidden agenda for the open source database.
Sun chief executive Jonathan Schwartz and software executive vice president Rich Green pledged it's not just business as usual for MySQL - they'll also commit Sun's engineering resources, sales and global support.
Tackling concerns of a Sun agenda, given the company's systems background and existing support for Postgres, Schwartz said the "secret plot" is simply to figure out how to serve the community. Green, speaking moments before, said: "The plan is the plan until there's a new plan - there is no plan."
Former MySQL chief executive Marten Mickos said MySQL is "better off" with Sun through work on performance and scalability, and highlighted integration with Sun's open source Java application server and Java Enterprise Edition reference implementation, GlassFish.
He cautioned, though, changes would not come immediately.
"There's an enormous breadth and depth of engineering skill in Sun to make the database work faster - threading, memory management, I/O. It will take time - those things don't happen over night. It will take a year or two or three," Mickos said
It's the first MySQL user show since Sun's $1bn acquisition. Opening the event, Mickos proclaimed he's loving the acquisition and work at Sun. Mickos is now Sun's database group senior vice president, in charge of the company's work on Postgres. Postres is regarded by many developers as better on performance and scale - relieve terms - than MySQL, but generally weaker on ease of use.
"Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon period," Mickos said. "This is a $1bn vote for the LAMP stack."
Announced at the show was the MySQL 5.1 release candidate, featuring a number of bug fixes and bread-and-butter database features targeting enterprise deployment.
MySQL 5.1 is expected by the end of June, instead of the first quarter. The company feels the features in this qualify the product for a version 5.5 or 6.0 label, but is sticking with the 5.1 iteration.
Mickos told the conference his team is being "much harder" on themselves as version 5.0 hadn't reached their quality standards. MySQL took flack for version 5.0 for bugs and poor features.
Version 5.1 includes a number of major improvements, although there are some limitations in certain areas.
There's table/index partitioning but partitioning is not parallel and the partitioning key has to be numeric. Also, there's row-based/hybrid replication but the company said this doesn't work so well with non-deterministic functions, which is one reason why MySQL has introduced both mixed or hybrid replication as the default - so the system will chose the best approach to take. These are issues MySQL has promised to fix in future versions.
Also announced was a visual-based, drag-and-drop database design tool for modeling, build and change management called MySQL Workbench 5.0. Capabilities include the ability to synchronize databases, HTML and text reporting, and the ability to reverse engineer code - important features particularly when dealing with undocumented, legacy code.
The tool is available in two editions, Community and Standard Edition, with the latter charged under a $99 annual subscription for Windows. Linux and OS X versions are in development, although there was no word on delivery. MySQL Workbench is intended to replace the need to write MySQL scripts.®


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NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are edging lower in early trading on Wall Street after the Japanese market took another plunge.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 18 points, or 0.1 percent, to 14,975 in the first few minutes of trading Thursday.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell a point, or 0.07 percent, to 1,611. The Nasdaq composite was down three points, 0.1 percent, to 3,397.
In Japan, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index slumped 6.4 percent as doubts grew that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic turnaround plan will succeed. The Japanese market is down 20.4 percent since May 22. It's still up 44.9 percent over the past year.
In the U.S., H&R Block fell 80 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $27.83 after reporting earnings that fell short of analysts' expectations.