text:
A Texas
man who endured severe electrical burns has received the first full face
transplant in the United States, and is ready to go home to his family after
months of recovery.
Wiens, 26, was injured in November 2008 while volunteering at his church. While
painting the church, his head came too close to the high-voltage power line
above, and electrical burns caused him to lose nearly his entire face. He was in
a medically induced coma for 90 days following the accident, where doctors
performed several surgeries on Wiens.
survived the burns and was able to leave the intensive care unit, but needed to
regularly seek treatment from Dr. Jeffrey Janis of Parkland Hospital and the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
then contacted Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, who is the Burn Unit director at Brigham and
Women's Hospital in Massachusetts. Pomahac has previous experience with
patients like Wiens, having performed a partial face transplant in the past.
But never before had he performed a full face transplant.
In fact,
a full face transplant had never been accomplished in the United States at that
point. The closest example would be Connie Culp from Ohio, who received a
transplant of more than 80 percent of her face in December 2008 after her
husband shot her in 2004. In 2005, the first partial face transplant occurred
in France, and in 2010, a patient referred to as "Oscar" received the
first full face transplant ever in Spain.
mid-March, Wiens underwent a 15-hour full face transplant, marking the first ever full face
transplant in the U.S. He received a donor nasal structure, nose, lips,
forehead and facial skin as well as muscles and nerves for movement and
feeling. His face did not look the same as it once did, and it did not resemble
the donor either due to the shape of Wiens' skull and the addition of skin, fat and muscle, but Wiens was happy to have facial features
and certain senses again.
I woke up, and I was able to feel I had features again -- eyes and a nose and a
mouth -- I even said out loud that this could not be medically possible,"
said Wiens. "But here I am today."
now, Wiens can feel pressure on his face. As time goes by, he will gradually be
able to start moving his lips and face and feel light on his facial skin. Janis
notes that this may take about six to nine months. Wiens is also able to speak
a little bit, but this will improve over time as well.
More good
news for Wiens is that his facial skin is capable of growing facial hair.
Before the electrical burns, Wiens' signature look included a goatee. So even
though his face does look different, he can feel more at home in his new skin
with the goatee he's always had.
But to
Wiens, the most important outcome of this procedure was to regain feeling in
his face so that he could feel his 4-year-old daughter, Scarlette, kiss him
again. Scarlette was Wiens' main motivation while undergoing such a pioneering
surgical procedure, and after she saw him with the new face, she confirmed for
Wiens that the lengthy process was worth it by telling him he was handsome.
For the
time being, the only sense Wiens cannot obtain is sight due to the lack of
technology. But Pomahac noted that this could change in the future and that he
expects a large amount of growth in this area of the medical field.
In fact, there is another patient waiting to undergo the same procedure as
Wiens via a Department of Defense grant, which paid for Wiens' surgery.
Wiens now has to take medication for the rest of his life and still see Pomahac
and Janis for follow-ups, he is glad to have had the opportunity to change his
life, and is now ready to go back to Texas to spend time with his daughter and
continue his education.


text:
Along with the many other fiduciary obligations owed by RIAs, firms also owe a duty to seek best execution of clients' transactions. In particular, RIAs violate Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act if they fail to seek best execution for their clients. RIAs must seek to execute securities transactions for clients in a manner that the client's total cost or net proceeds in each transaction is the most favorable under the circumstances. Price is not the only factor governing best execution. The crucial factor is whether a transaction represents the best qualitative execution for the managed account.
SEC's Advice Regarding Best Execution
In its document entitled Information for Newly-Registered Investment Advisers, which can be found in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Information, and online at:
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/advoverview.htm, the SEC said this:
"As a fiduciary, you are required to act in the best interests of your advisory clients, and to seek to obtain the best price and execution for their securities transactions. The term "best execution" means seeking the best price for a security in the marketplace as well as ensuring that, in executing client transactions, clients do not incur unnecessary brokerage costs and charges. You are not obligated to get the lowest possible commission cost, but rather, you should determine whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution for your clients. In addition, whenever trading may create a conflicting interest between you and your clients, you have an obligation, before engaging in the activity, to obtain the informed consent from your clients after providing full and fair disclosure of all material facts."
The SEC's guidance urges RIAs to consider the full range and quality of services provided by the broker-dealer. The price for executing transactions is just one aspect of best execution. RIAs must also evaluate a broker-dealer's:
- ability to execute, clear, and settle trades;
- ability to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts, such as wire transfers and check requests;
- access to investment products and expertise;
- speed of execution;
- confidentiality;
- the value of research provided;
- commission rate;
- financial responsibility; and
- customer service.
As we will discover in the next chapter, an RIA may determine that it is reasonable for clients to pay higher commission rates for obtaining certain products or services from a broker dealer. These products and services are usually referred to as soft dollars.
SEC staff members have said that an RIA may aggregate or bunch orders on behalf of two or more client accounts, as long as the bunching is done for the purpose of achieving best execution. Furthermore, no client should be systematically advantaged or disadvantaged by the bunching. If an RIA does not aggregate orders for client accounts, the firm should disclose this fact in Form ADV and the impact it has on best execution.
When clients limit how an RIA may execute securities transactions on their behalf, such as directing the firm to exclusively use a specific broker-dealer, RIAs must disclose the adverse impact this limitation may have. Figure 15-1 is an example of the type of language some RIAs used in disclosing the complications of allowing clients to direct broker-dealer executed transactions:
Figure 15-1. Form ADV Broker-dealer Disclosure
"In limited circumstances, and at our discretion, some clients may instruct our firm to use one or more particular brokers for the transactions in their accounts. If you choose to direct our firm to use a particular broker, you should understand that this might prevent our firm from aggregating trades with other client accounts or from effectively negotiating brokerage commissions on your behalf. This practice may also prevent our firm from obtaining favorable net price and execution. Thus, when directing brokerage business, you should consider whether the commission expenses, execution, clearance, and settlement capabilities that you will obtain through your broker are adequately favorable in comparison to those that we would otherwise obtain for you."
*Used with permission from National Compliance Services, Inc.
Many registered representatives of broker-dealers start or join RIAs, so they can leave the brokerage field behind and offer truly objective investment advice. Other registered representatives, however, start or join RIAs without cutting their ties to a broker-dealer. Best execution is more complicated when an IAR is also a registered representative of a broker-dealer. Dually-registered representatives may be forbidden from conducting securities transactions away from their broker-dealers without authorization to do so. Therefore, these representatives are usually limited to conducting securities transactions through that particular broker-dealer.
An IAR that is also a registered representative must disclose that the broker-dealer may charge higher transactions costs and/or custodial fees than other brokerage firms. Furthermore, they must disclose on Form ADV that they receive commissions in their capacities as registered representatives for that broker-dealer. They must also disclose a potential conflict of interest in that there is an incentive to effect securities transactions for the purpose of generating commissions. Registered representatives must disclose that they may not be able to accept certain clients if they are unwilling to utilize their broker-dealer.
Figure 15-2 shows how some RIAs' Form ADVs address the issue of best execution when representatives are dually registered.
Figure 15-2. Form ADV Dually-registered Representative Disclosure
Persons providing investment advice on behalf of our firm, who are registered representatives of a broker-dealer, will recommend that firm to you for brokerage services. These individuals are subject to applicable rules that restrict them from conducting securities transactions away from the broker-dealer unless the firm provides the representative with written authorization to do so. Therefore, these individuals are generally limited to conducting securities transactions through that broker-dealer. It may be the case that the broker-dealer charges higher transactions costs and/or custodial fees than another broker charges for the same types of services. If transactions are executed though this broker-dealer, these individuals (in their separate capacities as registered representatives of the brokerage firm) may earn commission-based compensation as result of placing the recommended securities transactions through the broker-dealer. This practice presents a conflict of interest because these registered representatives have an incentive to effect securities transactions for the purpose of generating commissions rather than solely based on your needs. You may utilize the broker-dealer of your choice and have no obligation to purchase or sell securities through this brokerage firm. However, if you do not use the broker-dealer, we may not be able to accept your account. Please see the "Fees and Compensation" section in this Brochure for more information on the compensation received by registered representatives who are affiliated with our firm.
*Used with permission from National Compliance Services, Inc.
If clients read dually-registered firms' Form ADVs, they will be fully apprised on the extra costs that may be incurred.
The Big Picture
A one-time evaluation of best execution is not enough. RIAs must periodically evaluate the execution performance of broker-dealers used to execute clients' transactions. Forensic tests can be used to analyze the quality of brokerage executions. These tests can help an RIA evaluate whether the firm is fulfilling its duty of best execution.
It is not just fiduciary duty that should drive an RIA to pursue best execution for clients. Unintended transaction costs and poor execution can have a negative impact on the performance of clients' portfolios. Furthermore, higher transaction and execution costs will adversely affect the overall investment performance of an advisory firm. If clients' investment returns are negatively impacted by these costs, they may choose a different RIA to manage their portfolios. An RIA that hopes to advertise the performance of accounts it manages for clients will be adversely affected if those returns suffer because of higher brokerage fees and other expenses. We will discuss performance advertising in Advertising Advisor Services and Credentials.
An RIA's policies and procedures should spell out how the advisor seeks best execution. These policies and procedures should be consistent with the firm's advisory agreement, as well as its Form ADV disclosure brochure. It is imperative that advisory personnel adhere to those procedures. Securities examiners evaluation of an RIA's efforts to achieve best execution may be influenced by whether the investment advisor receives soft dollar credits from clients' commissions.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
US Ambassador Jenkins visit to INTERPOL focuses on cooperation in global threat reduction
LYON, France – Identifying areas for closer cooperation between the US and INTERPOL in combating the threat of weapons of mass destruction was the focus of a visit by Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins to the world police body's General Secretariat headquarters.
Ambassador Jenkins, the US State Department Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs, met with INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble and was updated on the work of INTERPOL's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Terrorism Prevention Programme.
With the US Cooperative Threat Reduction Program addressing issues including biological and chemical security; enhancing border security; interdicting illicit trafficking; and preventing nuclear and radiological terrorism, INTERPOL's global tools and international law enforcement network were highlighted as key elements which could support these efforts.
"INTERPOL brings together the global law enforcement community and given the global nature of the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction there is a clear interest in identifying ways in which we can collaborate," said Ambassador Jenkins who is also the Department of State lead on the Nuclear Security Summit, which in its 2012 Seoul Communiqué encouraged greater information-sharing with INTERPOL to combat illicit trafficking in nuclear material.
One of the projects highlighted during the visit was INTERPOL's Operation Fail Safe which provides a new capability to police around the world to track individuals involved in the trafficking of radioactive or nuclear material, primarily using INTERPOL's system of notices.
"As the world's largest police organization, INTERPOL is ideally placed to assist its member countries in their efforts to address the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism which has transnational consequences," said INTERPOL Secretary General Noble.
"The visit by Ambassador Jenkins and her team is recognition of our ongoing efforts and we look forward to working closely with the US and all member countries," added the INTERPOL Chief.
Under Fail Safe, law enforcement officers at border crossings or other key locations will be able to instantly query INTERPOL's databases to verify if an individual is the subject of a Green Notice. Green Notices are issued in order to warn member countries about a person's criminal activities if that person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety.
A match will trigger an alert containing details of the country location and identity of the individual at INTERPOL's 24-hour Command and Coordination Centre (CCC) at INTERPOL's General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France which will then notify the CBRNE Programme.
This alert and notification process, coordinated by the INTERPOL CBRNE Programme as part of its ongoing outreach and development efforts, will allow law enforcement agencies to detect the movements of known individuals and better cooperate and coordinate their actions for combating nuclear smuggling worldwide.


text:
75-Year Anniversary for CitizensFirst Credit Union
The Wisconsin Credit Union League has honored CitizensFirst Credit Union of Oshkosh for providing 75 years of continuing financial service to its members.
"For 75 years we've kept in mind that our members and our communities come first," said CitizensFirst CEO Kevin Ralofsky. "As a nonprofit institution we're also proud to provide competitive financial products and services that focus on value."
Originally organized in 1937 as Wisconsin Axel Credit Union, CitizensFirst today ranks in the top five percent of credit unions nationally, with two out of every five residents of Winnebago County counted as members. Its 75th anniversary was previously honored by the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce,
CitizensFirst Credit Union has more than $370 million in assets and serves nearly 29,000 members at five branch locations in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac.


text:
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.
Domestic Violence Teaching Package, 1955-1964 (ICPSR 5702)
Principal Investigator(s): Markus, Gregory
This study contains a subset of the World Handbook of Political and Social Indicators II data on national attributes and domestic violence for 136 nations in the period 1955-1964. The teaching package is intended to provide data for examining current theories of domestic violence and to introduce students to a number of topics in quantitative aggregate analyses. Data are provided in five-year periods for the economic, political, and social characteristics of the nations. Economic variables provide information on the gross national product (GNP), energy consumption per capita, sectorial income inequality, land inequality, and calories intake per capita. Political variables provide information on government sanctions, political executions, deaths from political violence, armed attacks, anti-government demonstrations, riots, political strikes, and the relaxation of government restrictions. Variables on social characteristics include population density, literacy rates, and the number of physicians per one million population.
Access Notes
This study is intended for instructional use, and may be subsets of the original data. Variables and/or cases may have been removed to facilitate classroom use.
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions. Please log in so we can determine if you are with a member institution and have access to these data files.
Study Description
Markus, Gregory. Domestic Violence Teaching Package, 1955-1964. ICPSR05702-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 1998. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR05702.v1
Persistent URL: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR05702.v1
Export Citation:
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- EndNote XML (EndNote X4.0.1 or higher)
Scope of Study
Subject Terms: civil disorders, economic conditions, instruction, instructional materials, internal political conflict, political violence, protest demonstrations, revolutions, riots, social protest, violence
Geographic Coverage: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China (Peoples Republic), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Global, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Soviet Union, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Upper Volta, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam (Socialist Republic), Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- 1955--1964
Universe: A total of 131 nations in the period 1955-1964.
See also the related collection, CROSS-NATIONAL DATA ANALYSIS LEARNING PACKAGE (ICPSR 5701).
Taylor, Charles L., and Michael C. Hudson. WORLD HANDBOOK OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL INDICATORS. New Haven, CT. Yale University Press, 1972.
Original ICPSR Release: 1984-05-04
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text:
Navy Federal Books More than $1 Billion in Mortgage Loans In October
October was a record month for housing finance at the 4.2 million member, $51.6 billion Navy Federal Credit Union which saw the nation's biggest credit union book over $1 billion in mortgage loans. The credit union said that the total boosted its year to date housing finance lending to more than $8.3 billion.
"Having ample products, competitive rates and specials like offering to pay up to $2500 in closings costs are a must in matching members to mortgages that suit their budget. But by far, being able to offer a "no money down" option is a difference maker," said Jack Gaffney, executive vice presiden for lending at the credit union. The credit union said it is one of the few lenders in its markets still offering a 100% financing alternative for purchasing a home and the credit union projected near $10 billion in total mortgages booked by year-end.
For us, huge mortgage success means that we've put thousands of families in new homes or placed them securely in their current ones," said Gaffney, "and, that we're doing absolutely everything we can to find the exact right mortgage or refinance option to fit our members' needs. Making homeownership possible is a privilege."


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The new face of hope in Guatemala
I spent last week in Guatemala, leading a group of eight bloggers to visit the work World Vision is doing there and witnessing how that work brings hope to the children, families, and communities we serve. And it was amazing! These kids are amazing. Their passions for Jesus and for music are all but tangible and contagious. But these passions come from somewhere: a history steeped in violence and loss.
Between the 1970s and early 1990s, political violence in Guatemala led to guerrilla warfare, which in turn led to civil war. The violence of these conflicts tore the country apart, but more significantly, it abducted an entire generation of men. Of fathers. Whether off to fight, killed in the fighting, or fled from the fighting, the effect on their families was the same: The fathers of that generation disappeared. Since the war's end, the story has been similar. Without fathers during the war, that generation of children took to the streets and formed gangs, and this form of violence is the one that pervades Guatemala today. Outside of active war zones, Central America in general is one of the most violent regions in the world, mostly a result of gang violence. Again, violence is stealing and killing and chasing away the fathers of this next generation, leaving single mothers who have to work multiple jobs to support their families. In effect, the children of this generation are abandoned, orphaned even if their parents still live, growing up in the absence of their parents' love. What does this abandoned generation do? Exactly what their fathers and by now probably grandfathers did: They take to the streets, forming brotherhoods to replace the families they don't have. They form gangs. Some of World Vision's most important work around the world, in my mind, is in child protection: fighting child labor, child trafficking, and violence against children. This is true in Central America, too. Personally, I don't see the point of improving a child's nutrition (for example) if tomorrow he or she will be forced into slave labor or killed by a rival gang. So we combine our efforts holistically, working to address all of a child's needs together. Child exploitation is the area that angers me most; it's also the focus of World Vision's work that I find most inspiring. What child protection looks like in Guatemala, where gang violence has abducted children, is this: We provide a new source of love (Christian witness) with child protection (getting kids off the street), as well as with education and training, so the children can learn skills that will enable them to build a life outside of the gangs (while receiving access to clean water, hygiene, proper nutrition, etc.) This kind of practical education empowers children to retake control of their lives. It gives them a dream, and through World Vision, that dream becomes hope.
So when a 12-year-old plays a Bach suite for cello, or a 7-year-old wins a national violin competition, or an 18-year-old earns a coveted seat in Guatemala's national orchestra, it isn't just a success story. It isn't just talented kids -- though of course their talents are without question! When Hector made the national orchestra at 18, he didn't just get a job; he began a career. That orchestra seat is his for life; what he earned for himself is a career. A different life. A different future. We go to school plays and concerts to see our kids perform what they've learned, showcasing for their families their newly acquired skills, and when we tell them how good they were, their smiles reflect the pride they can take in a job well done. For the music students at World Vision's youth orchestra in Tinamit, when they do well, when they smile, the joy goes deeper than pride in a job well done. Those smiles reflect hope. What these young musicians achieve when they succeed in music is the ability to imagine a better future, knowing that it's possible. They have a dream, a hope, a career path! Having watched their fathers' generation disappear, having been abandoned, what they've worked so hard to earn is a different path, one that leads not to war and death and violence, but life. Hope is a dream made possible. Not only do these child musicians learn discipline and the language of music and fine motor skills and teamwork; they are given a real chance at a new life. They are given the ability to imagine that possibility. And Hector is proof -- a role model to his fellow students -- that this possibility is within reach. And all of this is made possible because of people like you: World Vision sponsors. Yes, your faithful monthly contributions help provide clean water and nutrition and healthcare. But they also fund the music school -- and give the possibility of hope as a gift. And when you send them cards and emails and gifts, the children's relationship with their sponsors helps fill in that void of love that this violence created. More than anything else, children need love. And children need hope. Be a child's hope today. Show them that they are loved. Consider sponsoring a child in Guatemala.
See what our other Guatemala bloggers are writing: Roo Ciambriello: "Mental Buffering" Caleb Wilde: "A Woman Warrior Fighting Death" Micha Boyett: "Because this matters" Shelby Zacharias: "Confucius is wrong. Leave your heart behind" Zack Hunt: "Visions of Guatemala" Follow the Guatemala bloggers as we continue to tell the stories of the children, families, and communities whose circumstances have been changed for the better by World Vision's sponsorship programs.


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Looks like there is still interest in Calderon.Aldridge: Bobcats were in the mix to trade for Calderon today
by David A. Arnott on Aug 11, 2010 5:52 PM EDT 5 comments
NBA.com's David Aldridge reports that the Bobcats were in the heat of negotiations that would have involved them in today's four-way trade between the Nets, Raptors, Pacers, and Rockets, but things fell apart and they were left out.
A league source says the Charlotte Bobcats wanted to get involved as well, using the non-guaranteed contract of center Erick Dampier to try and get a point guard. Under one scenario, Dampier would have gone to Indiana, the team that originally drafted him in 1996, with T.J. Ford going to Toronto and the Raptors sending guard Jose Calderon to Charlotte. (The Raptors had agreed to send Calderon to the Bobcats earlier this summer in a deal that would have sent center Tyson Chandler to Toronto, but the deal was scotched at the last minute by Charlotte owner Michael Jordan.)
But in the end the four existing teams decided to move ahead with the trade. They all had their reasons...
link: http://www.nba.com/2010/news/feature...s=iref:nbahpt1


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An Alabama woman gave birth in a hospital's parking lot after a bomb threat forced an evacuation.
Tessa Kilgore was in active labor at Walker Baptist Medical Center in Jasper when the threat was called in to 911 on Friday, according to the Daily Mountain Eagle.
Hospital staff covered her in blankets and took her outside, where she gave birth to a baby girl, Kylie, 30 minutes later.
"It was just crazy," the 21-year-old Kilgore told the Daily Mountain Eagle. "By the time she was born, I?didn't care who was around and watching."
An ambulance whisked Kilgore and her baby to a nearby medical facility, where both are doing fine.
"Certain things can't be planned all the time. Birth is one of them,"? Dr. LoRissia Autery told the Daily Mountain Eagle.
Kilgore gave birth underneath an oak tree in the parking lot.
A pink ribbon now decorates the tree with a tag attached that reads "Tree of Life," Birmingham TV station WIAT reported.
It also has the baby's name and the day she was born written on it. Family members hope to have Kylie's first birthday party there.20897734
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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This is the camera that mounts to a helmet and captures video in two directions simultaneously, displaying footage in a split screen. Mounting to any ATC-compatible helmet, the camera's twin lenses record in opposite directions and each swivels 180� manually for the desired angle (one tilts up/down while the other pans left/right) each providing a 110� field of view while cycling, canoeing, or skiing. A sliding bar pushed with the thumb or forefinger records video without the need to fumble for a button or take one's eyes off course. With built-in auto-exposure and white balance that provide high-quality footage, both cameras capture 720p resolution high-definition video at 30 fps when the vertical split screen option is chosen; horizontal split screen option records at 640x480 VGA resolution. Video is stored onto a microSD card (required); supports up to 32GB microSD cards. It connects to a computer with the included microUSB cable for downloading video or charging; its lithium-ion battery provides up to two hours of operation from a two-hour charge. 4 1/2" L x 1 1/2" W x 1 3/4" D. (6 oz.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Dual Direction Action Camera comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at email@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Shipping charges noted in parentheses apply in addition to our standard shipping & service.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available. Please call 1-800-395-7006 for Premium or Express delivery rates.
Oversized items scheduled for expedited delivery (Premium or Express) may incur additional shipping and services charges because of their unusual size. Please call 1-800-321-1484 for an estimate of S&S charges. International callers, please call 1-513-860-3397.
We're sorry, but gift wrap is not available for oversized items.
Shipped via truck and may require customer assistance upon delivery. You will be contacted to make an appointment for delivery.
We're sorry, but gift wrap and gift cards are not available.
GST still applies and will be charged upon processing. For complete shipping & service charges please call Customer Service at
May we recommend:
COPYRIGHT © 2018 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W109147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


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Microsoft's Xbox 360 was the first to market in the
"next generation" console race and is leading in total sales so far.
Nintendo's Wii has been selling at a breakneck pace in the United States, but
the Xbox 360 has held a comfortable lead over
the Sony PlayStation 3.
Furthermore, Microsoft has a rather palatable portfolio of
titles for gamers to choose from along with its robust Xbox Live online
service. Microsoft has even reached out to the community with its XNA Game Studio
Express developmental software.
But there is one pitfall that Microsoft has not been able to
get away from with regards to the Xbox 360: the infamous Red Ring of Death
(RROD). The RROD has been the perennial thorn in the side of the Xbox 360.
In September of 2006, Microsoft offered free repairs to
customer that purchased Xbox 360 consoles manufactured before
01/01/2006. Microsoft noted that the reason for the generosity was due to
"higher than usual number of units coming in for repair."
Three months later in December 2006, Microsoft decided to boost the Xbox 360's
warranty to a full year. Customers who had already paid for repair service
were mailed checks for the full repair costs by Microsoft. "Customer
satisfaction is a central focus and priority for the Xbox 360 system,"
said Jeff Bell, corporate VP of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive
Entertainment Business at the time of the announcement.
Despite Microsoft's best efforts, Xbox 360s afflicted with
the RROD continued to roll in for service. In April 2007, the company decided
to bulk up its
warranty services by offering free shipping for consoles in and out of
warranty. Microsoft also announced that customers who sent in consoles under
warranty would receive an additional 90 days of warranty service -- in addition,
consoles that were sent in for service when out of warranty would be returned
with a fresh one-year repair warranty.
At the time, the company also announced faster repair times
for consoles (within five business days) and the addition of more staff to
handle customers' needs.
All the while, Microsoft remained mum as to the actual
problems with the Xbox 360 and declined to give a
failure rate for the console. In May, Microsoft's Peter Moore said that "I
can't comment on failure rates, because it's just not something -- it's a moving target. What this consumer
should worry about is the way that we've treated him. Y'know, things break, and
if we've treated him well and fixed his problem, that's something that we're
focused on right now."
Most had speculated that the problems related to Xbox 360s
becoming afflicted with the dreaded RROD was because of lead-free solder joints
on the GPU and poor cooling within the case. Xbox 360 consoles with upgraded cooling
hardware began appearing in Europe in early June. Microsoft responded with
"no comment."
Earlier this week, DailyTech
reported that the failure rate for the Xbox 360 was as high as 33 percent
according to some retailers -- Microsoft had previously stated that the failure rate for the Xbox 360 was in the three to five percent range. "The real numbers were between 30 to 33
percent," said former EB Games employee Matthieu G. "We had 35 Xbox 360s at launch. I know
more than half of them broke within the first six months (red lights or making
circles under the game discs). Two of them were dead on arrival."
The RROD problem is so bad that some companies
have even refused
to repair the console. "This problem is endemic on the
Xbox 360 console and the volume has made this repair non-viable," said Micromart, a UK-based game console repair company. "The work we had done to the console lead us to believe that
basically it was a fault with the motherboard and not something that could be
resolved easily. And it wasn't going to go away," continued Micromart's Jeff Croft.
Although it doesn't appear that Microsoft has made any
changes to stop the Xbox 360 from coughing up the dreaded RROD, the company
announced today that it will
set aside $1 billion USD to fix "an unacceptable number of
"This is just one of those things that happens when it
happens," said Microsoft entertainment and devices division president
Robbie Bach. "We reached our conclusion early this week and because it's a
financially meaningful issue we had to announce it immediately."
Peter Moore
remarked that "The majority of customers who own Xbox 360 consoles
have had a terrific experience from their first day, and continue to, day in
and day out." He was also humble enough to admit that "Some of you
have expressed frustration with the customer experiences you have had with Xbox
360; frustration with having to return your console for service after receiving
the general hardware error message on the console."
As a result, Microsoft is extending warranties of Xbox 360s
afflicted with the RROD to three years from the date of purchase. The company
will also retroactively reimburse repair costs for anyone that sent in their
Xbox 360 for the RROD.
"In doing so, Microsoft stands behind its products and
takes responsibility to ensure that every Xbox 360 console owner continues to
have a fantastic gaming experience," said Moore. "If we have let any
of you down in the experience you have had with your Xbox 360, we sincerely
apologize. We are taking responsibility and are making these changes to ensure
that every Xbox 360 owner continues to have a great experience."
Microsoft's generosity is commendable, but until the actual
cause of the problem is identified and taken care of, this may all be for


text:
Rasual Butler
- below NCAA standards for spot up shooting CLANG! below average passer. Does not really show indication of desire or ability to explode to the net against even an average defender.
- I suppose they brought him in to be a stopper. He has his moments but you see him get lost on assignments like when the took Jose of DWILL and put him on, Butler was no better
- this guy cant leave town fast enough. How can I put it... he is hard to watch. I am not going to dump on BC for getting him because this season was all about the draft and getting minutes for young players. A really bad season could mean Raps 2nd round pick is a top PG which would make the memory of Butlers contribution fade quickly.
James Johnson
To date he has played 111 games (1,760 min) which for all intents and purposes makes him barely a sophomore. By contrast DeRozen has played 167 game (4700 mins). He shows some explosiveness and mismatch ability which appears promising at times, even very promising.
On the other hand his shot is inexplicably pudrid. His setup, release, set position right on down the line he doesn't even look like a pro who he gets a decent look.
A superb defender. Naturally athletic great anticipation. Block on Iggy last night was made to look easy.
If James spent as much time in the offseason on his shooting mechanics and reps as he did his ridiculous hair styles it would seem like he would be on track for trending his career up. He didn't and he although he may not shoot/brick his way out of the league his is rapidly developing a reputation player who should be the 5th option on the floor in an offensive set. (Ben Wallace... or will he put in the work??).
Linas Kleiza
far more accomplished scorer than either of the other two. With any luck Butler will be a fixture on the bench next to Johnny Davis upon his arrival. From distance or on the block Kleiza's offensive game will be a welcome addition.
-Before his surgery he as among the weakest perimeter defenders in the league. I suspect little will change however the team is playing better collective defence so it may not be as pronounced.
Drafting Harrison Barnes or Michael Gilchrist would be nice.


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Phils' system headlined by pair of intriguing hurlers
Lefty Biddle, righty Martin could be close to making impact at big league level
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
The future success of every Major League team lies largely in its Minor League pipeline. With that in mind, MLB.com is looking at each team's farm system, from the Top 20 Prospects to under-the-radar types.
The Phillies, a team built heavily on starting pitching in recent years, may be ready to replenish their supply. Two names -- left-hander Jesse Biddle and right-hander Ethan Martin -- stand out from the pack in Philadelphia's farm system, and both could be close to making a big league impact.
Phils director of player development Joe Jordan said that he liked the balance and depth of his farm system, which also boasts a potential plus offensive catcher in Tommy Joseph. But if the team is going to get a shot in the arm sometime soon, it may have to come from Martin or Biddle.
Martin, who came over from the Dodgers in last season's Shane Victorino trade, has already seen time against upper-level hitters in Double-A. Biddle will get his first shot against advanced hitters this season, and Jordan said that he's earned a promotion by making consistent progress.
"For me, the story on Biddle is he's going to have four pitches," said Jordan. "His pitchability improved last year. It's all going to be about executing and making pitches. He's going to have a really good mix. He's a very competitive kid. If he stays healthy, he's going to have a long career."
Health hasn't been a problem thus far for Biddle, who's made more than 20 starts in each of the past two seasons. Jordan said that he would like to see more consistency out of Martin, but the 23-year-old went 5-0 with a 3.18 ERA in seven starts after joining Philadelphia's organization.
"Ethan, for me, was phenomenal," Jordan said. "The command has been a question as far as industry wide, and we didn't see a lot of it when he was here with us. But at times, he's got power with three or four pitches. We're very excited about what's going to happen in his first full year for us."
Joseph, acquired from San Francisco in a trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Giants, gives the Phillies some balance. The 21-year-old batted just .260 combined between two Double-A affiliates last year, but Jordan said that Philadelphia is confident in the youngster's ability.
"He's got a chance to be an offensive catcher. It's hard to find," he said of Joseph. "The thing I like the most about him -- when you get past the physical ability -- is that I think the kid has a lot of pride. I think he wants to be a good player. I think he wants to be a good defensive player, which is very important. And I believe in the guy's offensive ability. He's going to be a hitter."
Top 20 prospects
The Phils may have unearthed a special offensive player in outfielder Larry Greene, and Jordan is also enthusiastic about shortstop Roman Quinn. Jordan said that Quinn, who has game-breaking speed, may profile as a switch-hitting leadoff man by the time he makes the Majors.
"If all the stars align and if you just said, 'Every guy in your system is going to maximize their physical ability,' this guy would have more than any of them," Jordan said. "He's young and he's got a lot to learn. Last year was his first year of switch-hitting and playing shortstop. ... He can impact the game in more ways than any other guy in our system. We've just got to keep the development train moving."
Philadelphia has a pair of interesting talents in third basemen Cody Asche and Maikel Franco. Asche, a former fourth-round Draft pick, broke out by batting .349 for Class A Clearwater and .300 for Double-A Reading last year, while 19-year-old Franco hit 14 home runs for Class A Lakewood.
There's also upper-level pitching depth for Philadelphia in Jonathan Pettibone and Adam Morgan, two arms with a chance to be mid-level big league starters. Austin Wright had a big year for Class A Clearwater last season, giving the Phillies another left-handed arm to pin their hopes on.
The Phils may also get relief help from finished products like Phillippe Aumont and Justin De Fratus, two guys who have had brief runs of success against big league batters. Aumont and De Fratus are both on the fringe, and they'll both be trying to make a statement in Spring Training.
Under the radar
You might not know his name yet, but Kenneth Giles may be on the verge of a breakthrough. Giles, a seventh-round pick in 2011, struck out 118 batters in his first full season as a professional, and Jordan said he has the kind of arm that can make a difference at the upper levels.
phillies' top prospects
|Jesse Biddle
|Ethan Martin
|Tommy Joseph
|Jonathan Pettibone
|Roman Quinn
"He's got the best arm in our system and he made as much progress on the mound last year as any pitcher," said Jordan. "He's got back-of-the-game stuff. He hasn't had any physical problems, but if we can keep him healthy and on the mound, it's the guy you run out there in the ninth inning."
Kelly Dugan, a former second-round draftee, had a huge year for Lakewood last season, batting .300 with a .387 on-base percentage and 12 home runs. Dugan split time between right field and first base, and his bat is going to have to carry him to greater heights at the next level.
Pitcher of the Year
It's hard to pick against Biddle, who hasn't shown much adversity in his odyssey through the lower levels of Philadephia's organization. The southpaw has struck out more than twice as many batters as he's walked (325 to 140) in the Minors, and he's been both durable and consistent.
Hitter of the Year
Greene is just beginning to scratch the surface of his considerable skills. The left-handed hitter had a rough transition to the pro game last year, but Jordan loved the way he competed for Class A Williamsport and thinks he may be ready to explode for average and power this year.
"It was his first full season as a pro. It was a challenge early, to say the least," said Jordan. "It was a challenge because he needed to learn what it meant to be a professional in many ways. He didn't know what kind of physical shape to come into camp in, and we needed to build a base for him. I felt that when he went to Williamsport, Larry Greene took total ownership of his game. I was really proud of what he did -- the doubles, the walks. The power is the least of our concerns. I have no question about the fact that this guy's going to hit for power, but I love that he went up and tried to be a hitter."
Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Tornado in Oklahoma: World Vision Responds
Posted on by Matthew Brennan in Disaster Relief
Updated! As World Vision responds to the deadly tornado in Oklahoma, we rely on your continued prayers and support. Walk with us as we stay informed of what's happened, what's happening now, and what World Vision is doing in the devastated communities.
Make a one-time donation to our U.S. Disaster Response Fund! After a powerful storm unleashed devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma and North Texas, World Vision relief teams are launching a response to deliver pre-positioned supplies -- food kits, hygiene supplies, clean-up kits, blankets, and more -- to help families and children hardest hit by the disaster.


text:
Of all
the F-35 Lightning II variants currently in testing, the most troubled has been
the F-35B STOVL fighter. The aircraft has had recurring issues with
sub-components that are failing at higher than expected rates leading to
problems and delays in the flight program.
The F-35B fighter was also dealt a blow when the program was recently put on a 2-year
probationary period. Lockheed is still hard at work on the F-35B and the
aircraft has shown some progress recently. Defense News reports
that the aircraft has had a series
of five vertical landings over the last eight days that have come off
without a hitch.
The vertical landing tests were performed between January 6 and 13. The five
successful landings are part of the 42 that must be completed before the
aircraft can be tested at sea on an amphibious assault ship. When the remaining
tests will happen is unknown; so far the 2011 flight test schedule has not been
"I think it does [signal that the program is getting back on track]. This
program has never been quite as troubled as many critics thought. I think it's
probably progressed more smoothly than other fighter development program with
the possible exception of the F-16," said Loren Thompson, an analyst at
the Lexington Institute (Arlington, Virginia). The F-16's development proceeded
so smoothly because of the simple nature of the original version of that
aircraft, he said.
Thompson also notes that the issues the F-35 has faced so far are common
teething problems that can be found in new aircraft programs. By comparison,
the issues that the F-22
Raptor faced were much worse.
Group analyst Richard Aboulafia said that the challenges left in the F-35B
program can be addressed in the 2-year probationary period.


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The world's first true mass-produced
hybrid, the 2010
Prius is a third generation design. It is powered by a 98
hp 1.8 L I4 engine and an 80 hp electric motor. The car
received disc brakes in the rear, as opposed to the drum brakes on
the previous generations. And many weight reductions were made,
including cuts of 20 percent to the new inverter, motor and
transaxle, allowed a terrific EPA estimated gas mileage of 51
highway/48 city.
The Prius is priced at $21,750 for the base
model, Prius I. We received a Prius V, which featured such
perks as a navigation system and back-up camera (more on that
later). The Prius V retails for approximately $27,350.
the Prius out for a test spin, one thing that was noticeable was that
the acceleration was much more energetic than the second generation
models. The car handled great on the highway and handled well
over turns on city streets.
The suspension was also quite good
and absorbed the potholes in Detroit's rutty city streets quite well,
causing minimal jarring to the passenger. The car was also
pretty quiet.
Turning to the gas mileage, we unfortunately did
not exhaust the entire tank, so we were forced to a crude estimate,
but according to some rough number crunching we managed approximately
50 mpg, a bit better than the EPA combined fuel economy. For
those who haven't driven a Prius its a pretty incredible experience
to see a gas-engine vehicle getting those kind of numbers.
made rather heavy use of the EV mode in stop and go traffic.
The EV mode is something available on Toyota's hybrids that we didn't
get time to cover in the Lexus RX 450h piece. Basically the
mode turns your vehicle into an electric vehicle, utilizing your
stored charge. It takes a bit of getting used to because you
can only go up to around 20 mph before shutting off and it also shuts
off upon sudden acceleration. However, we quickly picked it up
and found it to be an efficient way to save gas during stop and go
traffic on the morning commute.
As much as we loved the great
gas mileage and EV mode, we did encounter a couple of disappointments.
First, the navigation screen was not backlit, which made it harder to
read than the display on the Lexus RX 450h. Further, when
decelerating from highways speeds in stop-and-go traffic, the new disc brakes
give a rather jarring deceleration and it doesn't have a firm
incremental feel. While the vehicle was very capable of
braking, this was a bit unsettling at first.
The vehicle's LED
display was nice, but it would be even nicer to see metrics on the
average fuel economy that the car was getting (that would have saved
us from making crude estimates). The LED headlamps, part of the
Prius V package were terrific illuminating the road very well.
backup camera we have mixed feelings about. On the one hand we
found it could be helpful under certain situations. However,
ultimately we found ourselves not using it, and instead mostly
looking over our shoulder to survey the scene. The key reason
is that its hard to back up without views of whats at your vehicle's
sides, especially if you're turning out of a space. Thus the
camera view was rather distracting and if used solely could even be
dangerous (a warning mentioning some comment of this nature is
Finally turning to the inside look and feel, the
car was relatively well-appointed. The seats were firm, but not
overly hard. The back seat featured a decent amount of
passenger space and the trunk was quite large, thanks to the
hatchback design.
We liked the 2010 Toyota Prius -- a lot, in
fact. Even someone who can appreciate big cars or trucks might
find themselves having fun with the Prius, saving gas on their weekly
commutes and saving their larger vehicle for weekend outings.
Once you get over the car's less-than-sexy curves and realize its
utility, you'll start to appreciate it. The Prius did have some
rough spots still, but overall it shows the polish of a third
generation design.


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Vote for Edgar – He's in the Top Ten!
If you're reading my blog, please show support not with money or comments, but with something much easier – click on this link and vote for my dog. Edgar is competing to be the new spokesdog for Lassie Natural Way dog food. He's currently #6 and if he ends up in the top two, I'll get a year's supply of dog food, and he'll have a chance to be in a commercial and on a dog food bag. You can vote once a day until the contest ends on Monday. With the support of Cardinal Nation, I am confident this little dog who looks like Whitey Herzog can be a star!


text:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The cause of a headache can be difficult to determine. The doctor will ask about the frequency and pattern of your headaches. To help provide answers, keep a diary of:
- When your headaches start and end
- What you were doing at the time
- What you did to try to relieve pain and how effective the treatment was
- Family members with the same condition
- Triggers that you are aware of
- Where the pain is located and where it spreads to
- Other symptoms associated with the pain
Tests to determine the cause of headaches include:
Neurological exam to assess:
- Muscle strength
- Coordination
- Reflexes
- Sensation
- Mental status
- Cranial nerve function
- Blood tests—Blood tests may be done to exclude other causes of your headache. These include blood glucose, a complete blood count looking for anemia or infection, as well as other studies to potentially look for evidence of inflammation.
- Lumbar puncture —During this procedure, spinal fluid is collected to look for bleeding, infections, or cancer. The opening pressure may also be measured.
Imaging tests are used to evaluate internal structures for abnormalities. Some tests may use contrast material to make structures easier to see. These may include:
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Rimas Lukas, MD
- Review Date: 09/2017 -
- Update Date: 12/20/2014 -


text:
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26+9 against the Jazz, and that's all
26+9 against the Jazz, and that's all
The third quarter defense was pretty good by the starters. It was like the first quarter of the Cleveland game. But defense isn't why we lose games, it's the fact that we can't do anything right when it matters. 4th quarter rebounding and scoring and defending and pretty much everything against Sacramento. Then last night we could have taken the game late in the third but DD inexplicably stepped out of bounds with 2 seconds left, and Jazz hit a three right after. That changed the whole momentum of the game. Then, 4th quarter where Bargnani and DD didn't start. So we had no offense apart from Weems scoring random points which were pretty useless.
The defense has to do with fatigue. We do remarkably (for the Raptors :P) early, then slowly get tired and lose towards the end. Or we play pretty decent defense when our offense is clicking. Especially when we have momentum...
I could live with barg's lack of defense and rebounding if he came off the bench.
Looks like Andrea reads RaptorsRepublic.com. Team leading 9 rebounds last night. The team still lost. I still don't think his rebounding is causing losses. People need to start coming up with other ways to blame it all on him just in case he finds his stride on the glass.
Last edited by Apollo; Thu Nov 4th, 2010 at 08:58 AM.
Your about as stupid as midget who glues a dildo on his head and has porn stars ride him. NO one agree's with you and you really have no clue that a basketball is round. Stop making a fool of yourself trife. You can go to a vietnamesse/thai restaurant and order Trife. its a rubbery, tasteless meat that they add to soups and it reminds me of you. Bargni 26 points 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Remember the team has to be ready to be a playoff team before andrea leads the team to the playoffs. Right now the team isn't mature enough to be a playoff team and your analysis is crap
So where are the freeze frames of 'Drea denying Cousins twice? How come we aren't looking at how he was forcing Cousins into taking a couple bad shots in the post, or using shot fakes to get him into foul trouble? What happened to Cousins' borderline pathetic defense on Bargnani out on the perimeter (so terrible they had to bring in Dalembert and let Cousin's take a breather ie. guard Reggie)? Is it because, ultimately, the Raps lost? (...because Casspi got ridiculously hot)
Was he terrible on these two plays? Oh God yes, these breakdowns on the defensive end are what make him so frustrating and actually make me dislike him overall as a player. Does he deserve a one-sided attack that doesn't take into consideration all the good things he did in the game - especially after a decent performance on the defensive end? I don't think so. This would have been so much more poignant after any number of games last year when he actually deserved heavy criticism - after the Monday night though it just seems petty.
Last edited by Apollo; Thu Nov 4th, 2010 at 03:33 PM.
Alright, every team in every sport should either be moving up or moving down. BC signed a number of vet players to try to compensate for Bosh's loss. It's clear that Colangelo wants to be moving up. If you trade your team's only offensive threat, you are moving down. Is that what you want?The only logical option is to trade him and try and find a team is entranced by his offensive skills.
The current numbers suggest, much like Bosh last season, that the only good and positive thing about this ball club right now is Bargnani. His ORTG-DRTG is +10, meaning the Raptors are winning when he's on the floor. Raptors getting significant time right now who have a negative in the aforementioned category: Kleiza, Calderon, Jack, Barbosa. In other words, the players getting the most time on the perimeter are hurting the team by their lack of production. Weems is about even after last night, and DeRozan is +13. Raptors getting significant playing time who have negative win shares: Jack, Calderon, Barbosa.
This team needs to finally do something about the disastrous wing players and point guards. Jose Calderon has fallen off a cliff. He's gone from top 10, to average, to now barely good enough to justify being in the league.
Reggie Evans is top 5 in the league in rebounds right now are we going to say he's a top 5 PF ? See how that fails ?
and nothing diminishes calderon anymore than the fact he was overrated to begin with and Raps fans and mgmt drank the kool aid...evidence is 2010-2011 and not being able to keep a starting job...
Calderon at best was a top 15-20 PG in this league....absolutely nobody who knows basketball placed him higher than that,clearly you could see he didnt have top PG skills to be in that category...
Played in all 82 games
5th in assists
5th in assists per game
10th in effective field goal percentage
5th in assist percentage
2nd in offensive rating
10th in offensive win shares
In 08-09
1st in Free Throw percentage
6th in assists
4th in assists per game
9th in true shooting percentage
10th in effective shooting percentage
4th in assist percentage
3rd in offensive rating
Your logic regarding Evans in flawed because he's only done what he's done for 4-5 games while Calderon had done what he did over 2 seasons.
And please do show me the video, I'd like to see it.
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Source: thescoreDwane Casey on Jonas Valanciunas: At the worst, were getting Joakim Noah
Raptors coach Dwane Casey was on Prime Time Sports yesterday to talk about the season and his thoughts about the Raptors savior, Jonas Valanciunas. He said pretty much what youd expect about Andrea Bargnani that hes impressed by his scoring and his ability to play defense when motivated, but that hes gotta do a better job of going after rebounds and he had encouraging words for Jose Calderon and DeMar DeRozan. But his money quote was his response to a question about Jonas Valanciunas potential:
I saw him last summer with the Lithuanian national team and the Euro games in the championships big-time energy, runs the floor, rebounds. At the worst, were getting a Joakim Noah from Chicago a guy who mans the middle, challenged a little bit in terms of scoring in the paint but as far as of pick-and-rolling to the basket, he has great hands to roll and finish. He hasnt developed that consistent outside jumpshot at the elbows yet, but something that you cant teach and I do know that its an NBA skill is each every time he walks on the floor, hes gonna hit people, hes gonna play with energy, hes gonna play hard, hes gonna bring an energy to the court that is an NBA skill. And being seven-foot, thats a plus when you can have your big man with that type of energy and that type of aggression.
Clearly, Casey sees the same things many of us have witnessed over the past 10 months. Ive tended to waver between comparing him to Noah and Tyson Chandler, but with the potential for more offensive polish than both of them. I dont think Valanciunas has Noahs ball-handling or passing skills yet, and hes definitely not the defensive force that Chandler is, but the comparisons are far from a reach.
In terms of when we can expect Jonas to take over the starting center role for this team, Casey referred to his old-school values when it comes to young players needing to earn their spot in the starting lineup:
At some point Now to say that hes gonna come in here and take over the starting position early I want him to earn it Someday, hes gonna be our starting center I dont know if Day One, I dont know if Aaron Gray hopefully, Aaron Gray, well re-sign him as a free agent, or Amir Johnson playing the five, those guys may start out that way. But sooner or later, hes got the talent and skill and ability to be our starting center. And I hope that hes improved and he keeps on working this summer so when he comes in, he just kicks everybodys butt, and takes over the starting center position and keeps it from Day One. But in reality, hes probably going to be backing up one of our guys until he earns it and until he learns the nuances of the NBA.
Its worth noting that Casey seems to want unrestricted free agent Aaron White Panther Gray to return next season, and I definitely wouldnt have a problem with that as long as hes relegated to a backup role no later than midway through next season assuming that Jonas doesnt get hurt or show up to training camp in Andray Blatche condition. Gray was the Raptors best rebounder this season and he seems like a decent teammate. As a placeholder while Jonas acclimates to the NBA, you could do a lot worse.


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text:
South Carolina: Palmetto State's Credit Unions on the Move
After a tough spell, the signs now point north for South Carolina's credit unions.
Manufacturing, particularly in the automotive and construction sector, has rebounded, and unemployment figures have declined significantly over the last year, providing some much-needed loan demand and positive revenue for the Palmetto State's credit unions.
Statewide, South Carolina's credit unions earned return on average assets of 87 basis points as of Dec. 31, 2012, slightly higher than the 86 basis points national average. Annualized loan growth of 4% as of 2012 year-end is slightly lower than the 4.6% national average. Membership growth as of Dec. 31 was also just slightly lower than peer, 2.1% versus 2.2% nationally.
That's not bad for a state where unemployment peaked at 12% in November 2009 and that currently ranks 42th in the nation for median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
- SEE the NCUA state-by-state map and more Credit Union Times analysis.
One such credit union feeling the surge is the $64 million Greenville Heritage Credit Union in Greenville, S.C., where big employers like BMW's auto assembly plant, Michelin and General Electric have helped spur a recovery.
"South Carolina was crushed by the recession," said Alan Berry, CEO of Greenville Heritage. "But with manufacturing coming back, the economy is improving each day."
Greenville Heritage's ROA as of Dec. 31, 2012 is a very impressive 3.33% and Berry gives some of the credit to the consultation of Brett Christensen, owner of CU Lending Advice.
"We follow Brett Christiansen's advice in that we reach out to CD-tiered members," he said. "On top of that we're as plain vanilla as you can get and you can see that it's working for us."
Greenville Heritage might be plain vanilla, but its annualized loan growth of 25.34% as of Dec. 31 is anything but.
"Like I said, banks are turning away folks who were hurt in the recession, people who are in the 660-680 (FICO score) range," Berry said. "That leaves a huge part of the population that we are opening up our doors to and saying, 'Come on in and give us a shot'."
Delinquencies are low at 0.69% of total loans as of year-end. Pretty good, considering the credit union is targeting members with comparatively low FICO scores, and the state's 8.4% unemployment rate, which while improved, still ranks 39th nationally.
"We don't say yes to everyone who comes in for a loan, but we talk to the member and figure out if we can help them and do our very best to do just that," Berry said. "I feel sad for some of these credit unions that are still struggling and don't see that these people want to get back on their feet. We're the ones who can help them while helping ourselves."
"The state of South Carolina has followed closely the national trend in unemployment rates," said Meredith H. Siemens, vice president of corporate communications for the $1.3 billion South Carolina FCU.
"However, there are significant disparities among the counties in South Carolina. The metropolitan areas have seen significant improvement in unemployment rate with rates being a full percent below the national average. This is in contrast to the rural areas which are still seeing double digit rate of unemployment. Additionally, the state has a very pro-business climate and has been successful in attracting new industry to our state," Siemens said.
South Carolina FCU, located in North Charleston, reported ROAA of 0.58% as of Dec. 31 and a respectable 3.23% 12-month loan growth. Driving income was an 83.52% loan-to-share ratio, much higher than peer, and robust fee income of 2.64% of average assets. Delinquencies have also improved, down to 0.71% of total loans as of Dec. 31, compared to 1.51% just one year earlier.
"The credit union was able to achieve these results through the combined efforts of all employees to grow our loan portfolio and to focus on efficiencies within their areas in order to control our operating expenses," Siemens said.
"Delinquency rates have continued to decline through solid underwriting, aggressive collections and an overall improving economy," she said. "(Our) loss prevention department stresses early collection on all accounts and uses technology to be highly effective in reaching our members."
South Carolina Federal's positive numbers are reflected in the area it serves. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, due to the fact that the Charleston area continues to benefit from strong tourism and through an active chamber of commerce, attracting new businesses to the area such as Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner manufacturing facility.
"We have continued to focus on developing tighter and deeper relationships with our members," Siemens said. "This past year we completely revamped our checking products to encourage our members to be fully engaged with the credit union. Based on these changes we are rewarding the members that have a strong relationship with higher certificate rates, lower loan rates and benefits such as reward points on their debit cards."
But South Carolinians know that it's going to take a lot more than jumbo jets to turn around their state's economy.
A report, released Jan. 30 by the Corporation for Enterprise Development, points out that the 2013 Assets & Opportunities Scorecard shows that nearly 47% of the residents of this state lack adequate savings to cover basic expenses for just three months if they suffer a loss of stable income. Additionally, the report found that South Carolina ranks 48th overall for the financial stability of its residents.
This resonates with GHCU's Berry.
"I know it's not like it used to be, but if you do the right things, you'll be rewarded," he said. "We are actively seeking business and we are helping people who were kicked out of banks, doing a great job of serving them and for us it's steady as she goes."


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Great read courtesy of Dave from "NBA Roundtable".
Dave discusses two terrifying situations which pertain to the Raptors future:
* Benching Bargnani
* Sign and Trade Chris Bosh
Bench Bargnani
Clearly the front court model of Bargnani and Bosh isn't working. It is on some nights, but for the most part those nights are few and far between. I agree with Dave in that I too feel that cutting back Andrea's minutes will help the team as a whole, but if there are any chances on moving him anytime soon, the less he plays the less his value becomes. So right now, we're screwed if we do, we're screwed if we don't.Firstly, let me get this out of the way, I fully agree that benching Bargnani will make the Raptors a better basketball team. Those whove read my thoughts on Bargnani in the past know why I think that (negatives defensively + rebounding outweigh the offensive contributions). However, while it helps, it becomes one of those situations where the phrase short term gain, long term pain applies.
Andrea Bargnani is a 24 year old seven foot sweet shooting center who scores 18-20 points per game and has potential. While he has serious flaws and while there are many teams who will be turned off those flaws there will always be GMs who see value + upside in a prospect like Bargnani. Seven footers who can score the ball like he can are rare + valuable.
So, as Dave says we're better off playing him as much as possible which in turn will only increase his value on the market if that's a route Colangelo decides to go if he can re-sign Bosh long term which brings us to Dave's second terrifying situation:
Sign and Trade Chris Bosh
So say Colangelo can't retain Bosh long term, who do you think Bryan should be looking at for suitors for not only Bosh but more importantly, for the Raptors?The most terrifying part of a Chris Bosh sign and trade is Bryan Colangelo agreeing to take back long term contracts. Trying to get as much talent as possible and agreeing to take back players like a Luol Deng or a Monta Ellis or whoever in order to say he got the best package available and add the most talent possible to the Raptors squad.
In doing so, another $10+ million contract to a non-elite player when combined with Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, and Hedo Turkoglu will tie the Raptors hands financially ($40+ million for those four players) for the next 3-5 years and make life extremely difficult for the Raptors down the road.
Toronto is better off to let Chris Bosh leave and have the full + instant cap flexibility from that decision rather than accepting back mediocre to poor long term contracts (even a good contract is problematic).
Once again, this is a short term gain (added talent via sign and trade) in exchange for long term pain (lack of a future, tied to mediocrity) situation.
Source - Click here


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The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to email@example.com. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.
Children's Kiva 25th Anniversary celebration
The Children's Kiva Montessori School 25th anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Cortez Elks, 2100 N. Dolores Rd. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. The event's festivities will include dinner, cake, a live and silent auction, a "Paint a tile for the Kiva" project and live music featuring the band, Old North State, who blends elements of bluegrass, folk, rock and roll and punk rock. Auction items will include a "Poco" child carrier from Osprey Packs, a back country tour of Crow Canyon's archeological excavations, locally handmade jewelry, pet care, dinners at local restaurants, salon services, auto care and more. Tickets are $20 for adults and children 10 and over, and $10 for children ages 10 and under; children 3 and under are free. Visit http://childrenskiva25th.brownpapertickets.com to purchase advance tickets or save the service fee, and RSVP by calling The Kiva at 565-8586. Please specify a dinner choice when you RSVP or buy your tickets online. If you are unable to come for dinner, please consider coming after 7:30 p.m. for cake and the auction and music. Admission after 7:30 is free, but donations in any amount are graciously accepted. Hope to see you there!
Methodist Church Holiday Bazaar
Candy and pies and decorations — oh, my! Plan to do your early Christmas shopping from 9 to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Hampton Hall at the First United Methodist Church at 515 N. Park. Ornaments and other decorations, needlecraft, baked goodies and candy, toys and other items will be offered at reasonable prices. A complete lunch that includes a choice of homemade chicken and dumplings or chili, cornbread and pie, and a drink. Pie and beverages will also be available all morning for a donation. For more information, call Karen Bohn at 565-9273 and leave a message if there is no answer (phone will ring 10 times).
An evening with Robby Overfield and trio The Breaks
Join Durango musician, Robby Overfield and his trio, The Breaks, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Millwood Junction restaurant, corner of Hwy. 160 and Main St. in Mancos. Tickets are $12 and are available now at Southwest Sound in Durango, the Millwood Junction Restaurant in Mancos and Rocky Mountain One Stop in Cortez. Robby Overfield blends the art of storytelling and genuine lyrics with a powerful voice to complement an encapsulating listening experience. Stretching his soulful Detroit, Michigan roots, Robby Overfield and his trio have some of the best soul jams you've ever heard. For more info, check out www.robbyoverfield.com or his facebook page, or contact Tami Graham at 759-9716.
SWMH Foundation hosts Fall Dinner Dance benefit
A Fall Dinner Dance benefit for the Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. A delicious dinner will be served at The Farm Bistro, and will be followed by dancing at Come Dance Tonight, right next door. Southwest Health System CEO Kent Helwig will give a brief presentation about current activities and future plans for the hospital. Tickets are $75 and space is limited. Call Foundation Director Susan Thomas at 564-2156 for tickets and more information.
Summit Lake church to host Community Thanksgiving Dinner
The Summit Lake Community Church will host a community Thanksgiving dinner again this year, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening, Nov. 18. The church is located at 36501 Hwy. 184, just across from Summit Lake. The church will furnish the turkey and all the trimmings and drinks, and ask that the members of the community bring a side dish or dessert. This has been an annual event for several years and gives the community a chance to get together and get acquainted with new folks in the area. Everyone is welcome so if you have company, bring them too. For more information, call the church at 882-4144.
Documentary 'I Would Be Called John' screens free at church
The film, "I Would Be Called John" will be shown free of charge on Monday evening, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church Parish Hall, at Montezuma and Market streets. It is the story of Cardinal Roncalli, becoming Pope John XXIII, and his involvement in Vatican II. This is a well-done and informative documentary film of this incredible and historical event in the church and the world. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Judy Sturdevant at 560-2007.
Naturopath discussion on nutritional supplements
A discussion, "Sorting Through Your Supplements — What Do I Really Need To Be Taking?" will take place on Monday, Nov. 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. at The Dolores Healing Space, 102 S. 4th St., Dolores. Dr. Amy Loschert, Naturopath, will be speaking about the most recommended nutritional supplements for your overall health and which ones you likely don't need to keep taking. Come learn which products are important to buy "physician only" brands of and others you can buy from any company and why. Bring your bottles and questions for this discussion that is sure to be educational and lively! For more information, call 676-1011.
Tables available for upcoming Elks Christmas Bazaar
The Cortez Elks Lodge, 2100 N. Dolores Rd., is offering table rentals for their upcoming 17th Annual Christmas Bazaar, to be held on Sunday, Dec. 9. Tables are now available for rent at $25 each; we will provide the table. The deadline to reserve a table is Nov. 20. The Bazaar begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. Entertainment will be at 2 p.m. with the arrival of Santa at 3 p.m. He will visit with all the children who attend. There will be door prizes at least every hour, and food will be available for purchase. For more information call Sally at 739-0616.
Thanksgiving Day Boot Camp Workout
DNR Fitness will offer a Thanksgiving Day workout — Boot Camp style — at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22, outside at the Cortez Recreation Center. The $4 fee will be donated to the For Pets' Sake Turkey Trot that begins at 10 a.m. DNR Fitness will be also do a Trot warm-up animal style, including downward dogs and bunny hops for those who are serious about trotting! Come join the fun and support For Pets' Sake, and work it off before it happens! For more information, call Rayna at 560-3916.
Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk
For Pets' Sake Humane Society will hold its Ninth Annual Cortez Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 22 at the Parque de Vida Pavilion near the Cortez Recreation Center, 425 Roger Smith Avenue. The 1 mile fun run/walk starts at 10 a.m., regardless of the weather. This is probably For Pets' Sake's most enjoyable event of the year! The entry fee is $20 and includes a cool serene green commemorative T-shirt. Costumes for all are encouraged! Prizes will be awarded for fastest people and pets, best and best-coordinated costumes, best pet trick, most unusual pet to cross the finish line, and lots of other categories. All proceeds benefit For Pets' Sake Humane Society and their work for the dogs and cats of Montezuma and Dolores counties. For more information call 565-PETS (565-7387)
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Grace's Soup Kitchen, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, will serve its annual traditional Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone who is hungry or needs some company on the holiday. Deliveries will also be made for the homebound and take-out meals available after 12:30 p.m. (those interested should call ahead and give their name and phone number by Tuesday, Nov. 20). The dinner is free but a $20 gift will help feed a family of 3 or 4. Send contributions to Grace's Soup Kitchen, 110 West North St., Cortez, CO 81321. For more information, or to donate frozen turkeys or your time, please call 565-7865.
28th Annual Holiday Craft Fair
Come by the Cortez Cultural Center's annual Holiday Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Montezuma County Annex, 107 N. Chestnut St., Cortez. Enjoy handmade items, franchise products, and door prizes while supporting the Cortez Cultural Center. For more information, call the Center at 565-1151.
Surgeon presents 'Non-Operative Treatments for Arthritis'
Cortez orthopedic surgeon Doug Bagge, MD, will present "Non-Operative Treatments for Arthritis" on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at the Southwest Memorial Hospital Annex conference room, 20 S. Market St. This free, informative lecture will cover osteoarthritis, injectable therapy, non-traditional treatments, and the benefits of physical therapy and exercise. Light refreshments will be served. No RSVP necessary. Call Susan Thomas at 564-2156 with questions.
FCBA presentation on beam/structural calculations from contractors
Four Corners Builders Association will offer a presentation at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27 to attend a presentation, "Beam and Structural Member Calculations: Information Needed from the Contractor and Sample Calculations." The presenter will be Jeff Greve from ProBuild-Contractors Sales of Cortez. He will provide a summary of what is needed to get the correct finished product when ordering your beams and for your building structures. The public is invited to this free presentation at First National Bank, 2258 E. Main St., Cortez. For more information, call FCBA at 565-1771.
'Sights and Sounds of Christmas' theme of Parade of Lights
The 23rd Annual Four Corners Board of Realtors Parade of Lights will be held Saturday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The theme for this year's Parade of Lights is "Sights and Sounds of Christmas." This year's Grand Marshal for the Parade is the Slavens family, in recognition of their longtime support and involvement in our community. There is no fee to enter a float in the parade, but an entry form must be submitted by Thursday, Nov. 29 to Terry McCabe at Century 21 West Slope Realty. Cash prizes are awarded for the best float in each of 3 categories. The Parade of Lights is held each year on the first Saturday in December, with all prizes supplied by the Four Corners Board of Realtors as their gift back to the community. For more information, call Terry McCabe at 799-4459.
Local author Nealson gives book reading
Local author Christina Nealson will read from her recently released "Drive Me Wild: A Western Odyssey" on Friday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m., at Spruce Tree Coffeehouse, 318 E. Main St., Cortez. More information about the author and the book can be found at christinanealson.com, or call 565-6789.
Annual Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar
The Annual Dolores Community Center Christmas Bazaar will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bazaar already has 40 vendors signed up to display various crafts such as Christmas wreaths, scarves, candles, homemade breads, pies and pumpkin rolls. There will also be handmade aprons, ornaments, quilts, afghans, leather items, toys, artwork and jewelry of all kinds. Come and do your special Christmas shopping. Refreshments are being provided by the Girl Scouts and all proceeds will go to the Dolores Community Center. Contact Ruby Gonzales for more information at 882-7717.
Catholic Daughters' Christmas Bazaar
The Catholic Daughters' Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church Hall, 28 E. Montezuma Ave., Cortez. Breakfast burritos will be served on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. and Navajo tacos will be served from noon to 3 p.m. The Junior Catholic Daughters will serve soup for lunch on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Craft items, gift baskets, baked goods, stocking stuffers, wreaths, Christmas items, and homemade gifts are some of the items that will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit our organization, which in turn supports local, national and global charities. For more information, call Elva at 565-8741 or Lucy at 564-1468.
Science cartoon art show opening reception, dance
Sideshow Emporium & Gallery presents "Adventures in a Blue World," a science cartoon show for all ages written and illustrated by Cathrine Fox, local educator and NOAA Teacher at Sea. The opening reception is Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 11 p.m., with refreshments, dance music from DJ Cannonball, NOAA give-aways, and real scientists! The show will be up through December. Sideshow is at 411 Central in Dolores, call 739-4646 for more details.
Veterans Christmas Bazaar
The American Legion, 320 N. Harrison St. in Cortez, invites all to the upcoming firstl Veterans Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are offering $20 table rentals for crafters and vendors for the event; tables will be provided. The bazaar will also have food available for purchase. All table rental proceeds raised will go to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van fund to help transport veterans to and from medical appointments in the Four Corners area. For more information, or if interested in renting a table, contact Dale Wilson at 882-4531.
Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concerts
Very soon the snow will be flying, and it'll be time to celebrate the season with a Mancos Valley Chorus Christmas concert! This year, in addition to new songs, we'll bring back some of our favorite Christmas songs from the past ten years, including "Sleigh Ride," "I'm Gonna Email Santa," and "Prayer of the Children." Please join us for a "Christmas Past" concert on one of the following dates: Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave. in Mancos; Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 515 N. Park in Cortez; Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.; or Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m., both at Mancos United Methodist Church on 470 W. Grand Ave., Mancos. Hope to see you there! For questions call Carol at 882-0120 or visit www.mancosvalleychorus.org.
Series of Christian conversations
"How You Can Be Part of a Christian Community With Integrity and Not Believe All Those Things You Thought You Had to Believe." On Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m., this series of conversations will continue at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 110 W. North Street (corner of North and Elm). The topic for the evening is "What/who is God for You?" Everyone is welcomed. These gatherings are for folks who can't reconcile what they believe the church requires with their life experience; who don't want to check their minds at a church door; or who just don't want to live in a world they think the Christian church espouses but who might value being part of a community of faith. Questions are required. No answers are promised. Call 565-7865 for information.