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You can edit your list as much as you'd like between now and when the contest closes on August 19 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Please, only one entry per person. One grand prize winner (chosen at random) will receive all of his or her wish list items, and your west elm makeover will be featured on CasaSugar. In addition, we'll also randomly choose 100 second prize winners, who'll each receive $25 west elm gift certificates.


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If Selling Is in Your Future, Move Quickly
As a I write this article late in March, I am more optimistic than I was last year about the prospects for the short- and intermediate-term (the next 2 to 3 years) acquisitions market. Market conditions will be strong throughout 2012, and likely will continue that through 2013 and quite possibly into 2014.
After that, the market becomes problematic, as I expect a severe downturn before the end of the decade that will dramatically impact the acquisition and financial markets in the United States, and perhaps the rest of the world. The economic conditions such a downturn will create likely will linger for an extended period of time, potentially and significantly damaging the market value of many U.S. companies.
Why Sell Promptly?
The following are certain reasons why companies looking to sell should consummate a sale no later than 2014, and preferably by the end of 2013.
1) Acquisition pricing is very strong, and I would anticipate pricing to remain strong through the end of 2013.
2) It is certainly possible there will be a second Obama administration. To begin to significantly reduce the deficit, more spending cuts will come, accompanied by tax increases. These revenue-raising measures primarily will focus on increasing taxes on the wealthy—perhaps significantly—including the capital-gains tax, which I expect to increase to at least 20 percent, if not 25 percent. An increase in the tax to 25 percent would reduce a company's net after-tax sale proceeds by 10 percent—a sizeable hit.
3) Numerous private-equity (PE) acquirers have a pressing need to promptly invest capital. Many of these funds received money from their investors in 2008 before the market crashed, and much of that money has sat idle ever since. PE firms are under tremendous pressure from their investors to invest that money, and for certain companies they are willing to overpay rather than risk losing the deal. This produces attractive selling opportunities.
4) U.S. corporations are flush with cash and have extremely strong balance sheets. This makes strategic acquirers very aggressive in the acquisition market, and willing to pay strong multiples.
5) Interest rates are low and should remain so for the foreseeable future. I don't anticipate the Federal Reserve deviating from its stated policy of keeping interest rates low until 2014.
Why a Catastrophic Event Is Likely
Here are reasons why the United States may experience a catastrophic economic and financial scenario by the end of the decade.
1) Europe's economical and financial mess is far from receding. While it appears the European Union is trying to defer the problem, hoping it will go a, that is not likely to happen. The European banks also are in a much weakened condition. This will impact the world economy, as these banks have financial relationships with the world's major financial institutions.
2) The United States faces several long-term challenges, including a huge budget deficit, the economic stimulus still required to get the economy back in a self-sustaining mode, and the gridlock between the warring political parties. This creates a nearly unsolvable problem, but we must continue working to bring the deficit under control during the next three years, without doing anything that would push the economy back into a recession.
3) The emerging markets have driven the world's economy for more than a decade. However, current problems and others on the horizon will diminish the positive impact of the emerging markets on the global economy. Growth in China has slowed. And, its four major banks—all state-owned and supported by the national government —have been propping-up many failing state-owned Chinese companies.
Correspondingly the Chinese financial system is not as healthy as it appears. This will substantially impact all countries, but particularly the resource-exporting countries such as Brazil, which is China's major trading partner. Further, India faces its highest unemployment rate since 1983, its lowest growth rate in two years, and an ineffective and corrupt government. Overall, the emerging markets are not going to be the world's growth engine, which could have a major impact on the economies of the developed world.
4) There are numerous geopolitical hot spots, namely the Middle East, including Iran with its threat of nuclear weapons. This is exacerbated by the potential of an armed conflict between Israel and Iran. There also is the nuclear threat in North Korea.
Planning and Timing a Sale During this Risky PeriodCompany owners contemplating selling within the next 10 years have an opportunity during the next 24 to 36 months to realize a premium transaction price. Miss this window and owners risk that their company's value may be significantly reduced due to events beyond their control. Companies contemplating a sale should retain an investment-banking firm that can properly position the company and wisely guide and time its sale. MF
Related Enterprise Zones: Other Processes
Reader Comments
These warnings sound much like the period prior to the real estate market collapse. Business people talked about it (the real estate bubble) long before it suddenly appeared. Our politicians ignored it until it reached up and bit them in the posterior. I do have a strong sense of agreement with Spilka's propositions. I find it interesting that today's "news reporting" is nearly mute when laid juxtaposed to the ominous views in George's article. We'll all know shortly – my greatest concern is for our children and grandchildren.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wal-Mart Stores announced the appointment of Vicente Trius to executive vp, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Asia, International, effective Feb. 1.
Trius will lead Wal-Mart's retail operations in Asia, which has retail units in Japan and China and more than 82,000 associates. The company also has a joint venture with Bharti Enterprises in India.
Trius joined Wal-Mart in 1996 as vp-operations in the international division and was promoted to president and CEO of Wal-Mart Brazil in 1997. Succeeding him will be Hector Nunez, who will take over the position effective Feb. 1.
"Wal-Mart already has a successful business in Asia," said Trius. "I am looking forward to building upon this success," he added.
Wal-Mart has had operations in China since 1996 with 101 name units and has minority shareholding in Trust-Mart, which has 102 units. The company also operates the Japanese company Seiyu, which has 364 units.


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First Graduation as University Status!
A packed house was on hand at the McKay Center today to honor Utah Valley University's newest graduates during the 68th Commencement, UVU's first as a university. The capacity crowd was reflective of a large graduating class, projected to be the institution's largest ever at 3,743 students, and interest in hearing Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, address UVU's first graduates under the university banner.
Tuition Payment Plus
There is a new system available for tuition payment where you can grant payment access to family members if you desire.Tuition Payment Plus


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Yes, you can find unique gifts for teens
Unique Gifts for Teens
by Patti Chadwick
Related Articles
Great Gift Bucket Ideas
Christmas Gift Baskets for Teens
Christmas Ideas for Teenagers
Tired of giving the same gifts year after year? Are you looking for something unique to give your teens? Check these out!
Clothes in a Bottle - A great way to wrap a clothing item for your teen is to roll it up and put it inside a mason jar. Decorate the flat part of the lid by gluing holiday fabric to it and tie with a matching ribbon. If you want to conceal the clothing, cut a large square of fabric and place it in the jar, then add the gift and lid.
Hackey-Sacks - Cut two pieces of fabric in the shape of an 8 without the holes in the center. The top of one eight should fit along the middle of the second eight. Hand-stitch the eights with right sides together, following the curves, leaving a small opening. Turn the right side out and fill with black-eyed peas or rice. Then, close the opening.
Movie Theater Tickets - You can usually buy presale movie certificates in a book at a discount price. I find this is a favorite among my teens.
Key Chain with Car Keys - Give your older teen their own set of keys to the family car along with a house key on a teen-friendly key chain. They will love this.
Gasoline Certificates - Most gas stations now cell prepaid gas cards. Get some of these for your driving teens.
Clothing Gift Cards - Instead of giving clothes that you pick out, why not give your teens gift cards from their favorite clothing store?
Video/Music Gift Cards - Give gift cards to their favorite video or music store.
Magazine Subscriptions - Buy your teens subscriptions to their favorite magazines. Girls usually like fashion or teen magazines (try Focus on the Family's Brio magazine). Boys usually like sports or video game magazines (try Focus on the Family's Breakaway magazine.)
Good Books - Buy your teen a book from their favorite genre.
Backpacks - Buy your teen a new backpack, purse, or make up bag.
Computer Software - Give your teen some new software for the computer - either educational software or a fun computer game.
Wallet - Give your teen a genuine leather wallet.
Roller Blades or Ice Skates - For your sports-minded teen, why not get a new set of roller blades or ice-skates? While you are at it, pick up a season's pass for the local ice rink.
Privileges - Most kids love getting privileges. Give out certificates good for the following:
- Extending curfew for one evening.
- Driving the favorite family car on a date
- Having control of the TV or computer one evening
- Take a date out for steaks "on the house"
- Receive a double allowance for one week
Toiletries - Fill that Christmas stocking with much needed soaps, shampoos, hair gels and other hair products, deodorants, and acne creams.
Candy - What teen doesn't like candy? It's something you just never seem to outgrow. I'm not a big fan of chocolate, but I feel special occasions deserve good chocolate! The week before Christmas you will find great sales on candy everywhere. Also, if you like to make your own, you will find candy-making supplies at specialty stores and most local grocery stores. For those who don't like chocolate or are allergic, try making carob candy. Check out your local health food store for supplies and details.
School Supplies - Another great stocking stuffer is school supplies. About this time of year, school supplies have either run out, been lost, or are worn out. Fill that Christmas stocking with new pens, pencils, folders, notebooks, and notebook paper
Take the Next Step
- Get more inexpensive Christmas gift ideas.
- Visit our Christmas Countdown Calendar, a 5-week to-do list to help you prepare for Christmas.
- Stick to your holiday budget by saving every dollar that you can! Receive cash back on your purchases when you use one or more of these 14 favorite cash back shopping sites.
Share your thoughts about this article with the editor.


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Mar 10, 2014 Lebanon, Philippines, Qatar
The International Bank of Bob: What its First Year Taught the Author
This is a guest post from Bob Harris, author, adventurer, Kiva super lender, and captain of the incredible Friends of Bob Harris lending team. His book, The International Bank of Bob, was published in March of 2013, and is now available in paperback and Kindle versions.
A year ago this month, my book about my travels to meet Kiva clients all over the world was released.
For me, the result has included every lovely experience that you hope for as an author: strong sales, packed bookstore talks, plenty of media appearances, invitations to speak at Google, Citi, Visa, the European Parliament, and more. If the book had been a novel or some fangless non-fiction about sports or celebrities, this would have been the goal. Hurray.
But this is a book about people coping with difficult circumstances, building businesses, and generating hope, the endless effort that millions must exert just to play their ticket in the birth lottery. So every success is also bittersweet, a constant reminder of my own privileged life. Every time I've been interviewed, I'm always aware that right that minute, the clients whose stories I've shared are likely still working another eleven-hour day. I'm just talking about it, hoping it brings more people more financing, and more good.
Meanwhile, news headlines emphasize new and ongoing challenges for so many of the kind and brilliant people I've met all over the world.
I'll share three, of many.
Lebanon was relatively peaceful at the time of my visit. But last July, a new explosion ripped through the Bir El Abed neighborhood south of downtown Beirut, injuring more than 50 people.
My thoughts rushed to my friends at Al Majmoua, a local Kiva partner that sees the creation of small businesses across every faction of society—Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, etc.—as a key mechanism for peace. When I sat with Alia Farhat, Al-Majmoua's human resources and social performance manager, she was emphatic, marking each word with her hand as she spoke: non-sectarianism is Al Majmoua's "first... core... value."
I wasn't too worried in July, since Al Majmoua is near the city center, and the bombing was farther south, down toward Hezbollah territory.
But two days after Christmas, another, even larger car bomb went off, assassinating Mohamad Chatah, a former ambassador to the United States, killing seven other people, and wounding 70 more. The December explosion was walking distance from my friends at Al Majmoua. It was on a major street, where any of them might have been. Oh, crap. Emails, tweets, you guys okay? I'm glad to report that while the explosion was nearby, nobody at Al Majmoua was injured.
But let's take a second and renew our appreciation for the work they choose to do. These folks are smart, educated and hardworking. Alia was born in France, speaks four languages, attended Harvard business school and has consulted for the World Bank. She has options. She chooses to live in Beirut, work at Al Majmoua, and devote her time to helping clients who live in the shadow of war.
Syrian refugees pouring into the city? Doesn't stop her or her associates. A car bomb just down the street (and an office you find by turning left at a bullet-ridden wall)? Just part of doing work she believes in. Hezbollah and Israel go to war, devastating the lives of numerous Al Majmoua clients as a side effect? When it happened just a few years ago, Alia and her cohorts pressed onward.
There's a whole chunk about Alia, Nadine, Ahmed, and others I met in Beirut in my book. In the year since it was published, when I consider anew the pressures and instability they must often deal with, my appreciation and respect has only grown.
In the Philippines, Typhoon Yolanda was the deadliest storm in the country's history, making landfall last November with sustained winds of 195 mph. Yolanda devastated the islands of Samar and Leyte and caused extensive damage to villages on Cebu and other nearby islands.
Worse, Yolanda came on the heels of a major earthquake, which had already made tens of thousands of people homeless. These people would have had to ride out the storm with minimal shelter.
Before writing the book, these would have seemed faraway tragedies.
But not long ago, I was in Cebu, visiting staff and clients at a local Kiva partner called the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation, riding along with a loan officer named Raymond to meet shopkeepers, craftspeople, and other small entrepreneurs. Their homes and businesses certainly didn't look like they could withstand an earthquake and 195 mph winds.
Watching news reports, I wondered if the clients I met were all still even alive. I tried to imagine what would be needed in some of the towns I visited when a disaster like this rolled in. Clean water, medicine, food, shelter, more.
I emailed Raymond, asking if everyone was okay. They were still suffering aftershocks, he said, but so far, so good. Soon, after the typhoon, I asked again. And sure enough, NWTF was in the process of locating every client, then trying to assess their needs and how best to proceed on a case-by-case basis covering thousands of clients on nearly a dozen storm-battered islands. And Raymond was again positive. When I asked how I could I help, he suggested the simplest thing would be to PayPal a direct relief donation to NWTF and spread the word. Which I did, and just did again.
As with Alia and the folks at Al Majmoua, the latest tragedy was just another thing for NWTF to find a way to handle.
The last headline is from Qatar, but it connects to my trip to Nepal.
I first became interested in Kiva after a trip to United Arab Emirates, one of the oil-rich Gulf states, where I was working as a luxury travel writer. The gap between rich and poor can be stark anywhere, but the difference in the Gulf was more than I knew how to handle. The billion-dollar hotels, stadiums, office buildings, and convention centers that enrich sheikhs and multi-millionaire investors are typically constructed by immigrant laborers who work endless hours in brutal heat while receiving as little as six or eight dollars a day.
The workers come from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and other poorer countries, where they might only be able to make two or three dollars a day. Consequently, as bad as the deal in the Gulf states might be, men from these poor villages sign up, leaving their families for years at a time, living in squalid conditions to do back-breaking labor for years—all just so they can send a few extra dollars home.
Labor conditions are so poor that the Kathmandu airport receives a body or two almost every day. But the men still sign up for this hell—often boarding the very plane which has carried a returning coffin—because they love their families every bit as we love ours (of course), and this is the best that our world can currently offer.
Meanwhile, I was getting paid just to sleep inside the gold-plated palaces and write rote copy confirming that yes, the beds were soft. The brutality of the birth lottery was more than I knew how to take.
But what to do? Improvements would not come only through local reform; there are millions more families in poverty than there are jobs in the Gulf states, so the vastness of the labor pool would keep pay from rising much. The only solution would have to originate in the places they came from—there would have to be some means of improving lives in villages in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and so on. But where could I put my money so that it could help people address their own needs in countries all over the world?
And here we are. Fast forward, the book is written, many good things have happened, and on good days I hope to have put a small drop of moisture into a very big bucket.
But near the end of the book, in the Kathmandu airport, I met a man named Ganesh.
We were both killing time while waiting for a ticket counter to open, and Ganesh decided to break the silence with the few words of English he knew and enough sign language to carry the rest. He was bright, outgoing and friendly. I liked him immediately.
I was waiting to go to India for the book. Ganesh was waiting for a plane that would take him to his new life as a laborer. He was both desperately sad to leave his family and hopeful that his work would give them a better future. I gave him my email address and asked him to please stay in touch, hoping he would be okay and that someday there might be a better way to bridge the ridiculous random inhuman gulf between our destinies.
I've never heard from him since. I'll probably never know how he is.
Ganesh was headed for Qatar, I should add.
Qatar will host the soccer World Cup in a few years, so there are stadiums to build. In conditions so inhuman that the international observers estimate that at least 4,000 workers will die in the process. Nearly all of them, surely, men just like Ganesh. None of whom would need to take these jobs if the economies in Nepal and their other home countries gave them hope.
In Kathmandu, I also met an energetic woman named Urmila Shrestha, the founder of Kiva partner BPW Patan. Urmila has often financed her clients with loans out of her own pocket when funding for her MFI came up short.
A year ago, when my book was published, I thought I had come to fully appreciate what the work of Urmila, Alia, Raymond and so many others at MFIs all over the world.
A year later, watching the world that they work in, I can see I am only beginning to learn.
Some stories in the book
Some stories in the book makes me hate this world but the author's desire to put "small drop of moisture in the big bucket" encourages me. I hope even one day I'll lend through KIVA.
Permalink Submitted by ck Kennedy on Mon, 04/21/2014 - 11:43
Couldn't agree more. I
Couldn't agree more. I started team 'Tipping Point' to find those places where one better off person made things better for several others It's sound economics. It's sound finance. It's sound ecology. Lets all do it together!
Permalink Submitted by Richard on Tue, 08/19/2014 - 19:02
Couldn't agree more. I
Couldn't agree more. I started team 'Tipping Point' to find those places where one better off person made things better for several others It's sound economics. It's sound finance. It's sound ecology. Lets all do it together!
Permalink Submitted by Richard on Tue, 08/19/2014 - 19:02
Couldn't agree more. I
Couldn't agree more. I started team 'Tipping Point' to find those places where one better off person made things better for several others It's sound economics. It's sound finance. It's sound ecology. Lets all do it together!
Permalink Submitted by Richard on Thu, 08/21/2014 - 06:15
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Aurora hails from New England and has a background in communications, systems management and economic development. She first realized her passion for nonprofits leveraging social media while working in web communications at MSF. She is incredibly excited to join the content team at Kiva and explore the juncture of technology and international development more thoroughly. She spent nearly a year working in Tanzania with students and was lucky enough to witness the spirit of small-scale entrepreneurship and how it impacts communities firsthand. She holds a BA from Princeton University where she concentrated in politics and was a member of the varsity swimming and diving team. Aurora is a long-suffering, occasionally jubilant, Arsenal fan and copes with being dog-less by volunteering at the SF SPCA.


text: I don't know which author you're referring to, but that "winblows" attitude is awful. If you need that added layer of protection (and it seems reasonable), what are the odds of forking the module, ignoring the original author and switching to the fork? I hate suggesting that, but I can't think of an option other than "take the module away" and I would be horrified at the latter thought.


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The City Council has approved $40 million for construction of such a stop, at Leimert Park, though officials note it may not cover the full cost of the station stop.
The $1.7 billion Crenshaw Line, connecting the Expo Line in South LA to the Green Line near (but not to) Los Angeles International Airport, is scheduled to begin revenue service in 2018.
A second obstacle also remains. Many residents living near the proposed stop are supportive, but some among them want an underground station. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transporation Authority (LACMTA) estimates the cost of an underground LRT stop to approach $130 million.
But LACMTA officials say they are worried about the price tag, which was originally estimated to be more than $130 million if the stop is put underground.


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Timberlake on His Marine Corps Ball Experience: It 'Changed My Life'
Not only did Justin Timberlake keep his promise to attend Saturday night's Marine Corps Ball in Richmond, Va., but he also wrote a lovely recap of his evening in which he shows humility and respect for his soldier-hosts. It might even make you teary-eyed.
The full write-up is available on Timberlake's blog, but here are some highlights. First, a bit about his date for the evening, Corporal Kelsey DeSantis:
She seemed to me to be so humble and honest... Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. "Are you ok?" she asked 2 or 3 times. "I hope you are having fun. I know you will once my crew of friends get here to the table." I have to tell you, it's not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she's more worried about if I'm having fun or if I'm comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom... Humble, concerned for others before themselves... This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away.
About being there:
I glanced around the room at young men and women, spouses and soldiers... At kids way beyond their years, really... All so deeply entwined. Not just by battle, even though we who have never endured anything remotely close to those experiences and have NO position to comment on... But, by having such life changing experiences through them and to not ever waver in their love and respect for our homeland. That's what I saw... I felt so proud to be there. I felt like I was getting a chance to be among my heroes. It's funny too because a lot of them are SO younger than me.
And a shout-out to the soldiers:
To all of you that serve every day for us... Ensuring our freedom, I say: My deepest gratitude to you. I've met so many of my heroes... From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you. Last night changed my life and I will never forget it.
Good on him! Now he should write a song called "VulnerabilityBack." Or "AttitudeofGratitudeBack." And another called "Tissue in a Box." We'll help him with the lyrics to these numbers—all he has to do is just give us a call.


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Front-row seat for Jay-Z at parade
Former mayor Giuliani, director Lee also in attendance
By Brittany Ghiroli / Special to MLB.com
Rapper Jay-Z, former mayor Rudy Giuliani and director Spike Lee were among the notable attendants on Friday morning, as the Yankees celebrated their 27th World Series championship with a ticker-tape parade down Broadway that kicked off at Battery Place at 11 a.m. ET.
Jay-Z, whose hit rap song "Empire State of Mind" has become an unofficial anthem for the Yankees, stood perched on a blue and white float next to Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. With a "Pride of New York" banner on the front of their vehicle, the pair waved, laughed and took in the moment in celebratory glee. Jay-Z, who later performed his New York-loving single on the stage of City Hall, was wearing a World Series hat and jacket, and prompted A-Rod to flash his World Series championship bling for the raucous crowd.
Meanwhile on the corner of Vesey and Broadway, Lee took photos from atop a stepladder, across from the old St. Paul's Church. A diehard Yankees fan who hasn't missed a home game, Lee wore a cap with years listing all of the Yankees' championships.
"I had an assist from Sanitation and NYPD," he said, as officers beside him laughed and nodded. "We got the best seat. Got some love."
Lee described the feeling on Friday morning in one word: "Exuberance."
"New York is taken for granted, but it's been nine years since we've done this," Lee said. "You shouldn't take it for granted. There's not entitlement in sports. Just because we have the largest payroll doesn't guarantee you anything in sports. There's lots of people who hate us, and we have to overcome that."
Lee walked up and down the celebrated streets before finding the perfect spot at the very end of the parade, where closer Mariano Rivera's float was rolling by. The Yankees' great was waving to each side of the street, and then he saw Lee, who waved at him just like any other fan did. Rivera sort of bowed and then pointed at him, an instant connection of New York icons, a brotherhood.
Giuliani, another face synonymous with the city, rode along several cars behind current mayor Michael Bloomberg, who later handed keys to the city to the Yankees.
While most of the honorees rode standing atop the floats, Yankees legend Yogi Berra and Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson each cruised comfortably in their own classic convertibles, each player a veteran of the Canyon of Heroes jaunt.
Upon arriving to City Hall, Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who cruised in a float with his parents, paid homage to the millions of fans who weren't afforded the luxury of celebratory status.
"You guys definitely did not disappoint us," Jeter said to the crowd of screaming fans, already chanting "28" in anticipation of the next championship, and the next ticker-tape parade.
Brittany Ghiroli is a contributor to MLB.com. Mark Newman contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The Market Grill
525 S. Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia CA 91016 (map); 626-303-4314; The Market Grill on Facebook
Cooking Method: Griddled
Short Order: A new, neighborhood eatery makes fantastic, fresh ground burgers
Want Fries with That? Yes! These hand-cut spuds are delicious in their own right, but added homemade chili and cheese makes them sublime
Prices: 1/3-pound hamburger w/ fries or potato salad, $5.95 (cheese, + $0.50)
Notes: There isn't much I wouldn't recommend at The Market Grill. One tip might be to avoid the lunch rush during the work week as the local office parks make for lines that can snake out the door.
When people ask me what I like about living in Los Angeles, I can rattle off platitudes about the weather, the topography, and the diversity, but the answer that always raises an eyebrow is my affinity just how big the city is. It's not simply that there are a lot of us (there are about twenty million folks in what we call "The Southland"), but also the vastness of our sprawl. It sounds strange even to me. I would be the first to argue that no city should be planned like Los Angeles, but I've grown to love the constant discovery it affords. When you fly into the city the landscape rolls out like credits on a screen, but the movie-sized circumstance of life seen from above looks different up close.
All the glowing lights are real lives filled with hopes and dreams and, when I'm lucky, great burgers. A recent example of my city's vastness leading to greatness first arrived as a tip from my life's love. While poking around the internet in search of a place to lunch while we waited on her Volvo to get a check-up, she found a reference to a new burger spot called The Market Grill in Monrovia, a small town just a little northeast of Los Angeles. Now, I receive burger tips with such regularity that they usually blend into white noise, but when my favorite person talks, I listen and, almost invariably, learn. Of course, when the lesson comes in the shape of a burger, it goes down easier.
The Market Grill is a little more than nine months old, but it has the feel of a place that's been there for years. In some respects I imagine that's because it has. The building has been there since 1924 and has managed to support a convenience store and a food shop that share an entrance since then. The last owner ran a long time greasy spoon that hadn't really offered much more than proximity to the residents of the sleepy residential neighborhood just north of Monrovia's business district. When he left the place in disrepair, Alex and Tracy Ramirez decided to take it over and make something special.
They live just a couple of blocks from the restaurant and decided that they wanted to give their community a local spot that made some simple food very well. While Tracy is a lovely newcomer to the food service, Alex has grown up in the restaurant business. He's only 38-years-old, but has managed to accrue 23 years of professional kitchen experience and it shows. His menu is relatively straightforward, but he manages to make almost everything that hits the plate from scratch.
His burger is the result of months of experimentation which, once you chat with him, isn't much of a surprise. As soon as Alex starts talking about his food his quick smile straightens into seriousness. When I ask about the patties, which are fresh-ground every day, he cocks his head in apology—it's a secret blend. What he does reveal is that each patty is weighed out to an exact 5.5 ounces and that he does all of the grinding himself. The bun is also fresh and also not the result of a purveyor. They are baked in batches through the day and cooled on the windowsill. Lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and Thousand Island are included. Is the Thousand Island from a bottle? Nope; homemade also.
I ordered my first burger with everything and a slice of Joseph Farms cheddar. The bun is the first thing to notice: fresh and just shy of perfectly round so that you know it's made in a kitchen. The veggies and Thousand Island are fresh and excellent. The salad dressing, which is a Southern California burger staple, lacks the cloying quality of that can take hold with mass-produced stuff. The bun has fantastic flavor and is a treat all by itself. My one hesitation in calling it truly great is that it lacks the sponginess that I prefer with my burgers. But really those ingredients are supporting roles to the star: the patty. The superb coarse grind gets a prodigious crust from the griddle and the blend is rich and flavorful. I liked it so much that I tried a second burger that was just meat, cheese, bun, and dressing.
I couldn't decide which I liked better. The first had all of the flavors you'd hope for from a Southern California burger, but the patty can get lost in it a bit. With just the meat and cheese (and maybe a lighter dressing than I had) the burger finds a beautiful balance. I imagine it would be a decision based on mood, but the second version is the one I find myself dreaming of eating again.
The fries are, as you'd guess, fresh-cut. I tried them on their own and with some of the homemade chili and some cheese. Both were excellent, but the second iteration (not usually my preference) were surprisingly good.
That is, perhaps, how I'd describe The Market Grill generally. There isn't any reason to suspect that a little, corner diner would be anything other than ordinary. It had survived that way for years. But for Alex and Tracy Ramirez, "ordinary" means something different—it means making things as good as they can be. This is the gift of living in a place as big as Los Angeles. The city has room for people with dreams they're ready to make a reality and reminds that if you really listen to someone you love, the noise just fades away.


text:
Don't let appearances be deceiving. Although weight-loss coach Charles D'Angelo doesn't look like someone who can relate to the pains of being obese; at age 16, he weighed 360 pounds. "I could have been the king of excuses," he says. "My family was plagued by obesity and its related illnesses." Instead, he made the decision to change, losing 160 pounds in two years—and keeping it off.
Today, D'Angelo is helping hundreds of clients lose hundreds of pounds, and is taking it a step further with his new Show Me St. Louis segment, Transformation Tuesdays. The appearances will present a mix of weight-loss tips and strategies, as well as success stories of people who have worked with D'Angelo. "Sharing success stories can inspire others with what's possible," D'Angelo says, adding that defining where you want to go is one of the first steps to losing weight. "The first step is to get real about where you are. So few people are honest with themselves. People will come in and tell me, This weekend I had three drinks and some ice cream, but that's better than I used to be. The reality is, they're doing the same things they have always done, and it's only going to get worse. If you own up and learn from the things that don't work out, you'll grow immensely."
Being extremely overweight has impacts on every aspect of life, D'Angelo notes—from friendships and relationships to work. "I have clients who haven't been in a picture in six or eight years because they don't like how they look. Pictures and memories are what life is about." He suggests people who are serious about weight loss think about their reasons for making a change—whether it's to look and feel better, build confidence and have more energy at work, or to attract a partner in life. Who do I have to be to have what I want? is a good question to start with, he says.
Once your goals are set, there are three keys to reaching them: eating right, creating an exercise plan, and reconditioning your mindset, D'Angelo says. "With a strategic plan, you eliminate spontaneity. Eventually, eating the right foods and exercising becomes as habitual as basic hygiene, so that it doesn't require all that thought every day." One of the main reasons people don't reach their weight-loss goals is that they allow life to get in the way, he adds. "Most people know what to do—they just have trouble doing it consistently."
More often than not, it's emotional concerns that get in the way, D'Angelo says. "A lot of people think they're coming to me to deal with their weight, but really it's emotional." He adds that his strategy is not a diet—it's much more than that. "When you talk to my clients, few of them talk about a diet and exercise plan. It's more about an attitude and philosophy. So many people walk through the day and hope they'll bump into opportunity. What separates successful people is that drive and burning desire. I think that when you're doing everything in your power to change, God sends even more power to help."
And don't be disappointed if the results don't appear right away, D'Angelo adds. "Everything is progress followed by opposition. You have to overcome that opposition, and then you make more progress." Staying motivated can be the biggest challenge to achieving any long-term goal, so D'Angelo advocates always focusing on what's next. "Make your life a magnificent masterpiece. You have to create the memories—seek them out. Don't let yourself get satiated and bored."


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Guyer wins 4A final 2-1, stops Lady Scots' streak
GEORGETOWN — The Guyer Lady Wildcats added more hardware to the school's growing collection Saturday afternoon.
Guyer held off a late and frantic Highland Park attack for a 2-1 victory over the Lady Scots in the Class 4A state championship game at Birkelbach Field.
The win gave Guyer its first state championship in a girls team sport and snapped Highland Park's unbeaten streak at 49 games. Guyer junior forward Hannah Alspach scored what ended up being the deciding goal and was named the MVP of the state final.
As the Lady Wildcats swarmed around the state championship trophy in the middle of the field, Guyer coach Kenny Blevins grinned as the game ball was tucked beneath his arm. Blevins and his team were able to survive the second half and come away with the win.
"That was the worst [36] minutes of my life right there," Blevins said. "It was exciting. That's what you want from a game. Highland Park wasn't going to go down easy. They fought and fought and fought and fought. It was what I thought it was going to be."
Guyer picked up the Denton school district's third state soccer title. Denton won 4A titles in 2003 and 2004.
The Lady Scots (25-1-5) sent players up the field in the final minutes to try to send the game into overtime. But like it had all afternoon, Guyer defended well when necessary in the second half.
"We came out and knew they were going to come strong, and we just knew we had to battle back," Guyer senior defender Megan Stokes said. "That first five minutes, we lost it there for a little while. But we came back and we had our mindset, and it was just crazy until the end."
Stokes and the rest of Guyer's defenders had the task of attempting to contain Villanova signee and Highland Park forward Katie Martin.
Martin scored her 40th goal of the season four minutes after halftime to chop Guyer's lead in half and put the pressure back on.
"Oh my God," Stokes said. "She's an amazing player. Hats off to her. She's really good. But our defense, we just battled strong until the final whistle blew."
Guyer sophomore forward Brittany Crabtree and Alspach each scored a goal in the state final. They also each earned yellow cards in a very physical game.
Crabtree's three goals in the state tournament gave her 40 for the season.
Crabtree and Alspach's goals were Guyer's only attempts on target Saturday.
"They make each other better," Blevins said. "They thin out the other team's defense so badly. It's very difficult to contain them. I'm surprised we didn't score a goal in the second half."
Guyer (28-1) jumped ahead in the 14th minute when Crabtree won the ball away from Highland Park defender Caroline Gould and sent it into the left corner of the net.
Alspach doubled the lead in the 33rd minute when she streaked down the field and scored on a strike from about 25 yards out.
"We always try to get the first goal," Blevins said. "I think that's the most important goal of any game — the first goal. To get the goal and then to go up two, I mean, it was awesome. It was what we needed to happen."
Head referee Ryan Poole allowed both teams to play a very physical style. Alspach and Crabtree were given yellow cards and Alspach nearly got sent off in the final minutes for a poor challenge. Alspach received a stern warning.
The junior committed as many fouls (six) as the entire Highland Park team.
Alspach said her team came out looking to play a physical game to keep Highland Park unsettled, a tactic she said was fairly effective.
"We had to stay aggressive so they could not be comfortable with us," Alspach said.
Following the game, Alspach proudly clutched the MVP trophy as a state championship medal hung around her neck.
The history-making team posed for pictures as the Denton crowd that traveled to Georgetown roared while the team kissed its medals. The team's vision at the beginning of the season had been actualized.
"I still can't believe it," Alspach said. "All my teammates were crying, and I can't even get in my head what just happened. It's amazing."
BEN BABY can be reached at 940-566-6869 and via Twitter at @Ben_Baby.


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Palestinian unity push angers Israel
Cairo: The United States said it was "disappointed" and Israel convened an extraordinary meeting of its security cabinet to consider sanctions after the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas announced plans for a unity government of the Palestinian Authority, seven years after a violent split created rival governments.
The US State Department said the pact - agreed between the Islamist group Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Palestine Liberation Organisation - could make peace efforts difficult.
"The timing was troubling, and we were certainly disappointed in the announcement," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Washington sends about $500 million to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority each year. Frustrated members of the US Congress, who are generally strong supporters of Israel, said that money could be cut off.
Israel also reacted with anger, cancelling planned peace talks scheduled for Wednesday night.
Even before the deal with signed, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly warned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas: "Does he want peace with Hamas, or peace with Israel? You can have one but not the other."
Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee member Saeb Erekat said it was Mr Netanyahu who did not want peace.
"Mr Netanyahu and his government were using Palestinian division as an excuse not to make peace. Now they want to use Palestinian reconciliation as an excuse for the same purpose," Dr Erekat said. "During the past nine months of negotiations, Mr Netanyahu's government has increased settlement construction, home demolitions, killings, detentions and military raids."
The deal involves Mr Abbas forming a new unity government of technocrats over the next five weeks, in order to prepare for presidential and parliamentary elections within six months. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank responded with scepticism, pointing to several past agreements that had failed.
Soon after the pact was announced, Israel launched an airstrike in Gaza's north, wounding 12 people, local medics reported.
However the attack apparently missed its mark, Reuters reported, with the Israel Defence Forces saying they had carried out a "counter-terrorism operation" in the northern Gaza Strip but that "a hit was not identified".
Three rockets were then fired from Gaza into southern Israel, one hitting the Erez border crossing, an IDF spokesman reported. There were no reports of injuries.
Despite their cynicism over the prospects of a unity deal, Palestinians have long hoped for an end to the hostilities between Mr Abbas' Western-backed Fatah and Hamas, which won the Palestinian Authority elections in January 2006. After a unity government was formed in March 2007, an attempted coup by Fatah in June of that year left it in control of the West Bank and Hamas in control of Gaza.
Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, told a news conference on Wednesday: "I announce to our people the news that the years of split are over."
But, as Mkhaimar Abusada, associate professor of political science at al-Azhar University in Gaza warned, there are no guarantees the agreement will move from paper to reality.
"We don't know if they will be able to agree on the composition of the next government or who will be prime minister," Professor Abusada said.
There was suspicion in the West Bank too, with Ghassan Khatib, the vice-president of Birzeit University and a former Palestinian Authority minister, warning there was no way of knowing whether the unity deal would endure.
"Until now there have been several agreements that have been signed and celebrated by the two sides but none of them moved practically to reconciliation," Dr Khatib said.
"That is why the public here is very cautious – they are saying 'we will believe it when we see it'."
The failure of the renewed nine-months-long peace process with Israel had pushed Mr Abbas to look to other fronts on which he might make progress, such as reconciliation with Hamas, Dr Khatib said.
Predictably, Israel had responded in a "negative and threatening way" to the move, he said.
The US and the EU have designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation, while Australia lists Hamas' military wing as a terrorist organisation.
If the deal does hold, unlike the Doha deal signed in 2011 or the Cairo agreement signed in 2013, there will be benefits for Palestinians trapped in Gaza and suffering daily blackouts and a contaminated water supply.
Along with Israel's all but complete blockade of Gaza, Egypt has also locked down its border with the 42-kilometre-long coastal strip, preventing thousands of Palestinians from studying, visiting relatives or accessing vital medical treatment in Egypt.
"Hamas has clearly reached the conclusion that the Egyptians are not going to ease the relationship with Palestinians in Gaza without a new, reconciled government and that has pushed them to reconcile with the PLO," Professor Abusada said.
"The minute there is a new government the Egyptians will open the Rafah border crossing and ease the restrictions," he said.
Since the overthrow of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-backed president Mohamed Mursi, Egypt's military has tightened its grip on its border with Gaza, viewing the Hamas government as hostile because of its links to the Brotherhood.
"We are already in such bad shape – we are seven years into the Israeli blockade, plus the closure of the tunnels [used to smuggle goods from Egypt] and the Rafah crossing – we hope that this reconciliation can put an end to the daily suffering," Professor Abusada said.
with Reuters
Middle East Correspondent Ruth Pollard has reported on the Arab revolutions, the battle against the Islamic State, tensions in the West Bank and Egypt's power struggle. Her job has taken her to Libya, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia and beyond and in 2014 she won a Walkley Award for her coverage of the war in Gaza.
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12 Days of Holiday Baking Day 10
Want to add a bit of sparkle to your holiday baking lineup this year? Or, maybe you just want to change it up. While traditional Christmas cookies and other favorites will always have their place, this season is the perfect time to spice things up in the kitchen!
We asked some of our favorite bloggers to create holiday recipes using Baker's Secret® bakeware. They whipped up 12 winners, some sweet and some savory, that you and your guests will love! From a fun twist on potpie to "hot chocolate on a stick," these tasty recipes are easy, festive ways to make this holiday season a little merrier.
Lattice Chicken and Sweet Potato Potpie
Sweet potato and spices make this savory pie a delish for a holiday dinner…or the perfect easy weekday meal during those busy days leading up to the holidays. Blogger Erin V. from The Spiffy Cookie shares a lattice crust tip that's both easy and foolproof.
Baked Eggplant
Blogger Lisa S. of Life with Lisa created a simple and elegant roasted eggplant recipe that comes together in a pinch. Perfect on an appetizer tray or served on top of crusty baguette slices with fresh basil and mozzarella, it's sure to be a hit at your holiday get-together.
Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls
Warm and gooey cinnamon rolls kick off Christmas morning (or any morning!) perfectly. Blogger Carrie Fields of Fields of Cake concocted a super-sweet choice with apples and rich caramel, taking decadence to a new level.
Chocolate Pumpkin Mochi Cake
Blogger Just Jenn's Chocolate Pumpkin Mochi Cake, featured on Just Jenn Recipes, is a great alternative to pie and a scrumptious mix of two favorite holiday flavors. It's gluten free, too, so all of your guests can indulge and enjoy.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream
Chocolate and pumpkin deliver a can't-miss flavor combo. With a spicy blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice, Erin's cupcakes, found on her blog, The Spiffy Cookie, are a festive—and addictive—choice for your holiday dessert tray.
Baked Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Warm up your chilly winter mornings with blogger Becca Ludlum's quick and easy oatmeal recipe from My Crazy Good Life. Peanut butter and banana flavors add a fun twist to a hearty breakfast favorite.
Vanilla Cinnamon Pecan Cake with Caramel Cream
A tempting mix of vanilla, cinnamon, pecans, caramel and whipping cream makes for an easy-to-whip-up Bundt cake featured on blogger Connie Ott's MiscFinds4U. Each bite is satisfyingly rich and dense, but you can substitute 3/4 cup water for the 1/2 cup whipping cream if you prefer a lighter, fluffier cake.
Fresh Picked Mini Apple Pies
Blogger Becca from My Crazy Good Life shared a recipe for yummy mini pies made with just six ingredients—a fun and easy alternative to traditional apple pie. Add vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and you'll please any crowd you serve this season.
Caramel Mini Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge, Sea Salt and Bacon Frosting
Get ready for a magical mix of sweet, savory and salty—all in one incredible recipe. Blogger Lisa from Life with Lisa dreamed up extravagant mini cupcakes that'll stand out at any holiday party…you might want to double the batch!
Peppermint Marshmallows
Celebrate the sweet side of the holidays with blogger Lizz's homemade velvety-smooth marshmallows, a recipe she shared on Am I a Funny Girl? Spicy peppermint extract gives this tasty treat a fun and festive twist.


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The Supercross series headed to Canada last weekend. The Rogers Center was host to the 12th round of the series and offered a larger-than-usual layout for the track builders to work with. As a result, the racing action was exciting and as action packed as it gets.
250SX East Coast Class
Levi Kilbarger was the top SCOTT 250SX athlete, earning a solid 14th overall finish in the main event.
Next up was SCOTT athlete Zach Freeburg, who finished just behind Levi in 15th.
Pro Circuit and SCOTT athlete Justin Hill had a rough night. hill crashed hard in the 250SX main event and was unable to finish the race. SCOTT Motosports would like to wish Hill a speedy recovery and hopes to see him back on the line soon!
450SX Class
SCOTT goggle athlete Andrew Short was the top 450SX Class finisher, scoring a hard-earned 9th in the main event.
Next up was Phillip Nicoletti, who continues to improve week after week. Nicoletti finished the 450SX main event in 12th place.
Another rider who continues to do well was SCOTT athlete Justin Sipes, who finished the main event in 17th.
The next round of SX heads to Houston, TX on April 6th.


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YPF Friend, to Yellowstone eNews!
In This IssueEven for long-time Yellowstone visitors and enthusiasts, there is much that occurs within the Park that we may be unaware of. In this issue, we share three behind-the-scenes stories from our favorite Park: The day-to-day operations of the Yellowstone Dispatch Center, the preservation of a little-known, historic room, and a group of volunteers that has come 12 years in a row to perform a major project.
Yellowstone 911: An Inside Look
Investing in the Million Dollar Room
Volunteers Assist Rangers with a Tough Job
Photos: Bison and hot spring by Tom Murphy; Fence-building by Alice Siebecker; All other photos by NPS unless otherwise indicated.
Lake trout suppression is having a measurable impact on imperiled cutthroat trout
Become a monthly steward of Yellowstone and support your favorite Park all year long
YPF meets Park needs by funding projects within six Strategic Initiatives
Please remember Yellowstone in your will
Design by Charity Dynamics


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Wall Street Analysts Blame Apple Earnings Miss on Slow iPhone Release
Jason Mick
October 19, 2011 2:29 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Analysts say Apple should now be back on the fast track to success
Analysts -- for now -- are willing to give the perrenial performer Apple, Inc. (
) a pass for
poorer than expected earnings
. Apple traditionally has
surpassed analyst targets
for unit sales and its balance sheet. But in the recent quarter, while growing, it sold 3 million less iPhones and 2 million less iPads than
(i.e. it grew
than expected).
For the most part analysts blamed the miss on a ripple-effect triggered by a slow iPhone 4S release (and perhaps, by proxy,
co-founder Steven P. Jobs' death
). They nearly unanimously predict Apple will get back on track this quarter.
Goldman Sachs suggests lowered expectations may result in bigger blowouts for Apple:
As consensus estimates are now likely to hug guidance more closely, we expect next quarter's expectations to remain realistic and perhaps even conservative.
Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu remarks:
We are not proud modeling 18.5 million iPhones which turned out higher than actual 17 million shipments but we were materially below consensus of 20 million, not to mention some analysts who assumed as high as 23 million units. It turned out that a concern we raised in our earnings preview (see our 10/12/11 note) that consensus didn't factor in enough of a "product transition" that management talked about was valid (which turned out to be iPhone 4S launching in October).
Likewise Morningstar predicts a big fourth quarter, commenting:
We continue to believe that the capabilities of the new phone, a large base of existing customers ready for renewal, and new price points for existing phones have positioned Apple for tremendous success during the next quarter, which will be 14 weeks long instead of 13 (due to a quirk in Apple's fiscal reporting calendar).
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch attributes the glitch to "pent-up demand" and suggests that the iPhone 4S will be a smash hit, writing:
Apple missed revenue and EPS due to an underestimated pause in iPhone sales ahead of the 4S launch. That said, we do not view this as a sign of softening iPhone demand. In our view, solid pent-up demand, combined with incremental unit sales from new carriers added in F1Q12 (Apple deferred the new carrier addition to F1Q12 because of the iPhone 4S launch) should drive a healthy rebound in iPhone sales. We remain buyers of the stock heading into perhaps the most successful product launch in company history, with the iPhone 4S.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster suggests that some customers are playing the waiting game, hoping to upgrade to an iPhone 5 next summer. But he says a more-bullish-than-usual earnings guidance from Apple for calendar Q4 2011 could point to a blowout quarter. He comments:
We see this as a disappointment, but given the strong start to iPhone 4S sales, we believe it is clear that units were pushed from the Sept. quarter into the Dec. quarter as customers waited for the "iPhone 5"... We believe Apple's Dec-11 quarter guidance is evidence of the company's confidence in iPhone 4S and iPad sales in the Dec-11 quarter.
Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty was similarly bullish dismissing the miss as a "hiccup". She writes:
We believe the Street underestimated the degree to which September was a transitional quarter for the iPhone but with strong iPhone momentum out of the gate in October, we don't see the light iPhone shipments as a cause for concern... [L]ower than expected uptick in iPad shipments was the only real "flaw" [in the quarter].
She predicts the company's stock to rise 14 percent within the next year, reaching around $480 USD/share.
II. Some Analysts are Less Cheerful
A few analysts reacted with a bit more pessimism. RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky suggested Apple was going through a "transitional" state and suggests "strong catalysts ahead". Yet he suggests that Q4 earnings may miss Apple's guidance, unlike many of his colleagues. He predicts Apple to pull in $34B USD in revenue that quarter, versus the guidance of $37B USD.
Alex Gauna of JMP Securities, suggests that investors shouldn't be so quick to write off Apple's "hiccup". He comments:
Although we anticipate widespread dismissal of the miss as a product transition wrinkle rather than a trend, we view the blow to the company's sterling track record as significant and caution investors that, 1) Apple remains a high cost/premium vendor in an economically-sensitive environment, 2) Android is growing share more rapidly owing to a lower cost structure and supports more open development, 3) the company has now had a second stumble right out of the box under new management (the first being the iPhone launch), and 4) the company has a high risk vertical approach to many of its products.
We advise not being too quick to dismiss the iPhone miss on product transition issues, as we believe this is going to be a recurring theme for Apple given the limited scope of variety it offers in the handset and tablet categories. We would also have expected this effect to be more muted in overseas markets that are newer adopters of the devices and the majority driver of Apple growth.
Early reads on iPhone 4S sales are truly impressive, but the device is not so dramatic a departure from the prior generation iPhone 4 as to give us confidence that this device can usher back in sales reacceleration. We continue to expect a 4G iPad refresh to arrive before a 4G iPhone in 2012, although little color has emerged regarding what will make them special beyond being 4G.
The implications of an Apple miss means more than is typical, given the importance of its aura of brilliance in sustaining premium price points and product loyalty. This will likely also add to wellplaced investor anxiety around how the company sustains its momentum under new leadership.
Similarly Collin Gillis of BGC Partners rained on the pro-Apple parade issuing a rare downgrade to Apple's stock. He explains:
We no longer suggest being overweight shares of AAPL and see that near-term downside risk overweighs upside reward. Shares have gained 14% since October 7, and increased 31% year-to-date. With the largest market capitalization for a U.S based company at $391 billion, any hiccup in its growth is likely to provide an opportunity to add to positions at a better price.
The company has to constantly set records just to meet expectations. There is nothing wrong with Apple's business model or execution, but we do see that sentiment is overwhelmingly positive and shares are within 7% of our $450 price target. We believe that it is possible shares pullback below $400, possibly even this week after the earnings report on Tuesday post-market, and we would seek to be buyers at levels below $400. While there is a sea of love in the press for Apple currently, we voice the following notes of caution:
1) Impact of the pending launch of the iPhone 4S on sales in the Sep. quarter. Consensus estimates of 20 million phones sold may prove difficult to exceed given the launch of the 4S phone in the December quarter. While the company did an excellent job at delaying any discussion of a new phone until after the quarter ended, it is worth recalling that this September results have a phone that was at the end of its refresh cycle, not the start of a new one – as has been the case in September quarters in the years past.
2) Education discounts. September quarter margins also run a risk from impact due to education pricing discounts. Cost of revenue last year in the September quarter increased notably from 60.9% to 63.1% sequentially. While this was also driven by the launch of the iPhone4, it is worth mentioning that the September quarter does contain the most impact to margins from educational buying.
3) iPads. Our largest concern is centered around tablets, however. There is limited history of how seasonality and product refresh is going to impact sales of iPads, and consensus estimates of 11.5 million units sold assumes another record shattering. As the iPad is Apple's second most meaningful revenue stream after the iPhone, if the company does not continue to set mindblowing records (iPads sales account for over 10% of worldwide PC sales just five quarters after launch) it is going to be difficult for the other parts of the business to cover the gap.
Finally, low-cost tablets from competitors willing to lose profit to gain market share are going to incrementally hurt sales of the iPad in our opinion.
Investors reacted in a similar bearish fashion depressing the stock $20 or more in trading today (~4.5-5 percent).
Apple is currently grappling with
a leadership transition
and preparing the iPhone 5. To launch next summer, the iPhone 5 is rumored to be the last major project Steve Jobs directed. The device is expected to be a major overhaul of the popular smartphone design.
Apple Insider
"The whole principle [of censorship] is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak." -- Robert Heinlein
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Prediction of stock returns (in Russian)
This essay describes the basics of the stock market analysis, gives a survey of simple methods of searching for predictive patterns in returns, as well as lists empirical evidence of such predictability.
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Volume (Year): (2006)
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Pages: 27-38
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Be advised: This post is not about the true meaning of Easter.
Why yes, we are still in the octave of Easter, and yes, there is a way to celebrate using those three-day old Peeps. It's called [drumroll, bated breath, etc.] Peep Jousting.
Things you need: Peeps, toothpicks, paper plates, a microwave.
The Steps
- Choose two of the hardiest Peeps.
- Give them each a toothpick.
- Set them on a paper plate facing one another.
- Put them in the microwave to duke it out for 15 seconds or so.
- Watch them expand. Cheer them on.
- The first Peep to poke and deflate the other Peep is victorious.
- Will Peep Jousting harm my microwave? It'll destroy your microwave. But only if you leave the Peeps in too long and let them explode.
- Were Peeps harmed in the making of this post? Absolutely.
- Is your willingness to create a Peep Jousting blog post one of the reasons you're still single? Indubitably.


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MLB helps bring baseball to Dominican
Baseballl Tomorrow Fund presents grant to build field for youth
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
Before Thursday's all-Dominican showdown for the Caribbean Series championship at Estadio Cibao, MLB presented a grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to the Dorseys. The money, $68,497, will go toward their efforts to build a baseball field in the small community of El Catey.
The field, slated to be ready in time for the summer, is the latest addition to a community that operates a medical clinic and a small school. By adding baseball, the Dorseys hope that they can add another piece of Dominican culture to an area where they're trying to build hope.
"This will allow us to give them a safe field to play on," Steve Dorsey said, "and also to organize a [youth] league."
Baseball is huge everywhere in the Dominican Republic, where kids can be seen playing on fields as well as on streets. In the northeast area of the island, where the Dorseys have built their facilities, finding a well-maintained field is difficult. Most baseball, Dorsey said, is played on makeshift open spaces, and there's no organized league to keep kids out of trouble. The goal isn't to build a training academy, but to help build productive citizens through sports.
The Dorseys have visited the Dominican for years, but they made the commitment five years ago to pick up their lives and move here to help an impoverished part of the country lift itself out of despair. With Steve a doctor and Julie a teacher, they provided much-needed services with what they initially brought to the area. Julie ran a school out of their house, where Steve also saw patients when he wasn't making house calls.
Eventually, they received the help and funding needed to build full-fledged facilities and an organization they call Del Corazon de Jesucristo, which serves the majority of the nearly 1,500 kids estimated to live in El Catey and the surrounding area.
The facilities include an exercise center and a basketball court. But the longer the Dorseys have been on the island, the more they came to appreciate what baseball means to communities and especially to kids.
"I knew baseball was big," Dorsey said. "I didn't know how big until I met [former Major Leaguer] Junior Noboa and we became friends. It opened up a whole new world. My mentality of baseball changed."
Noboa, a Dominican native who played eight big league seasons through 1994, runs a baseball academy in Boca Chica that is affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dorseys are from Phoenix, so when they were looking for help in expanding their efforts with an eye towards baseball, they turned to Diamondbacks general partner Ken Kendrick, who mentioned the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.
Once they received the go-ahead and finalized their plans, they heard from plenty in the community.
"Baseball really is the most important thing to kids in the Dominican," Dorsey said. "When they heard we were building a baseball field, we heard from parents, police, everybody to say how happy they were."
The project is being overseen by an engineer who is volunteering his services. The grant money will go towards excavation, grading, fencing, sod, dugouts and irrigation. The hope is to have it ready for play by the end of May.
The long-term goal, of course, is to work baseball into the fabric of kids' lives.
"Our goal, Dorsey said, "is that our kids get trained, get educated and come back and lead in their community."
Del Corazon de Jesucristo is a nonprofit organization. For more information or to donate, visit their Web site at www.delcorazon.org. Donations can also be sent to Del Corazon, PO Box 6658, Peoria, Ariz. 85385.
Jason Beck 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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>Gears and Wears>What do you wear under your shorts?
Has been
"I would never die for my beliefs, because I might be wrong."--Bertrand Russell
I ran a mile and I liked it, liked it, liked it. email@example.com
Marquess of Utopia
You might be OK with compression shorts underneath.
Something like this:
You've already tried the stuff I would've recommended (body glide, ...). Cotton undershorts are probably your worst option. I can't imagine that was better than the liner in your shorts.
"The drops of rain make a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling." - Lucretius
Run to Win25 Marathons, 17 Ultras, 16 States (Full List)
Misinformation Officer
Running Dad
By the way, does anyone else think Under Armour is severely over-priced? I can't imagine their compression shorts/shirts are that much better than the stuff I get at Walmart or Target for probably 1/3 to 1/4 the price.
DWARP Marathon Madness Mob
I go commando and just use the liner - I recommend getting new running shorts from a different brand/style.


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You Are Here: AHRQ Archive Home > Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project (HCUP) Procedures in U.S. Hospitals, 2003
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Who are the six most difficult centers to acquire in the NBA at this moment?
Yao Ming (He'll be the best center in the league in a few years)
Shaquille O'Neal (Even if he gets a career ending injury, that's a 30 million dollar expiring contract the Heat have)
Jamaal Magloire (The Hornets' only hope in suriving in the West)
Brad Miller (To me, he's the 4th best center in the league after Shaq, Ming, and Ben Wallace)
Samuel Dalembert (The one guy that can make the Sixers better than the Knicks and can help the Sixers win a championship in the future)
Ben Wallace (I got nothing much to say about him)
The best centers after these three have all been criticized by many of you, yet many of you still proclaim that the Knicks' biggest need now is getting a center.
Some of you say Mohammed can't be the center of the future, yet you still go out an say that another real center isn't a good fit for the Knicks, or wouldn't be a good idea because of his price tag.
If you want one of the better centers in the NBA, you're going to have to overpay, there's just no way around it.
I'm gonna take this time to go by each team in the NBA and name the best center on the team. For some I may name two centers.
Celtics: Mark Blount (Boston has him, and there ain't no way they'll give him up to the Knicks in a trade. They're in our same division, as well as the Sixers)
Nets: Jason Collins, Nenad Kristic (Unless Kristic surprises us, they have worse center depth than the Knicks, no doubt. Now that Martin is gone, their frontcourt should not scare us)
76ers: Samuel Dalemburt (Like I said, they won't let him go, they're not stupid. Unless Dalemburt does something crazy, he ain't going anywhere)
Raptors: Araujo, Bosh (Araujo is unproven but has potential. Bosh overworked himself at the center spot, but did well)
Bulls: Curry, Antonio Davis (Knicks won't acquire Curry and I know you guys think Antonio Davis is too old, and undersized for the center position)
Cavs: Ilgauskas (Some of you guys criticize Ilgauskas. I'd like to have him on the Knicks, but either way, I think the Cavs will re-sign him and Ilgauskas will stay with the Cavs. Cleveland already lost Boozer, I don't see them losing Ilgauskas as well)
Pistons: Ben Wallace, McDyess, Coleman, Cambell (Nothing needs to be said about Ben Wallace. I know you guys don't want McDyess, Colemand, or Cambell because they're all either too old or injury prone for any of you)
Pacers: Jeff Foster, Scott Pollard (Foster would be the best back-up center in the league if Dampier came to Indiana. Pollard is a scrub now, you guys wouldn't want him as the Knicks starting center)
Bucks: Daniel Santiago, Zaur Pachulia, Dan Gadzuric (Our centers are better than theirs so forget them)
Hawks: Jason Collier, Joel Przybilla (Are they better than our centers? Either way, you Knicks fans wouldn't be happy with them either telling from some of your attitudes)
Bobcats: Predrag Drobnjak, Jahidi White (I wouldn't mind either of the two, but most of you wouldn't be happy with them either)
Heat: Shaq, Doleac (Doleac is a quality back-up center, but that's it. Nothing needs to be said about Shaq)
Magic: Kelvin Cato, Tony Battie (Would either of these two make you happy? They would make me happy, but I know some of you wouldn't be happy with them, because some of you guys want a star center that does everything, rather than a descent roleplaying one.)
Wizards: Kwame Brown, Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas, PETER JOHN RAMOS (I'm guessing that Etan Thomas will play PF, backing up Jamison, and I don't know if my man Peter John is ready yet for the NBA. Still, I don't see anyone on the Knicks roster good enough in a trade for any of these guys. Either way, I know some of you guys would have something bad to say about any of these guys as the Knicks' starting center, so I guess we'll have to forget about these guys also right?)
Mavs: Shawn Bradley, Calvin Booth (Yeah, I know you guys don't want any of them as the starting Knicks center. They're not good enough for you guys either, but I wouldn't want Shawn Bradley either. Booth is a descent shot blocker, but he isn't the amazing that you guys want)
Rockets: Yao Ming (I better not see any trade proposals here for Yao Ming)
Grizzlies: Stromile Swift, Lorenzen Wright (They're both better than Nazr Mohammed and Kurt Thomas, so Jerry West has no reason to ever deal them to the Knicks)
Hornets: Magloire, Chris Andersen (They're not giving up Magloire, and Chris Andersen wouldn't be good enough for you guys)
Spurs: Rasho Nesterovic (I wouldn't mind him, but he's probably not good enough for you guys either. Also, I don't know if they'd take Kurt Thomas or Nazr Mohammed for him)
Nuggets: Marcus Camby, Nene, Fransisco Elson (Nope, none of them are going to the Knicks. Either way, you guys probably don't want Camby since you think he's overpaid, Nene is impossible for the Knicks, and Elson is probably not good enough for you)
Wolves: Olowokandi, Ervin Johnson (The Kandiman isn't good enough for you and Ervin Johnson is too old for you)
Blazers: Theo Ratliff, Vladmir Stepania (Even Theo Ratliff isn't good enough for you guys. I know Stepania isn't good enough for you, but he's a descent rebounder)
Sonics: Potapenko, Fortson, Jerome James (Ok, their centers suck, we're better off with ours. Ain't no way I'd ever want Fortson on the Knicks, I hate that guy)
Jazz: Okur, Collins (They got Okur, they'll be good enough. Collins is a descent back-up center. Either way, Okur will not become a Knick and Collins isn't good enough for us)
Warriors: Foyle, Dale Davis (The Knicks won't get Adonal Foyle, but even he's not good enough for some of you. Some of you would think Dale Davis is too old, so we're not going to get him either)
Clippers: Kaman, Wilcox (I put Wilcox, though he's more of a PF. Still, I don't think the Knicks got anyone they could trade for Wilcox. Unless Wilcox asked for big money and we could trade Penny for him. Still, some of you don't want to overpay for a big man, so we can't get Wilcox either. Kaman is still unproven, but he has potential)
Lakers: Divac, Mihm (We could have gotten Divac, but he's too old for some of you. Mihm wouldn't have been good enough for some of you guys)
Suns: Voskuhl, Lampe (Vohskul is a descent back-up center, but that's it. Lampe is still unproven, but has potential. Lampe won't become a Knick in the near future though)
Kings: Brad Miller, Greg Ostertag (The Knicks will not get Brad Miller. We might have been able to get Ostertag but didn't. Either way, I'm sure Ostertag wouldn't have been good enough for some of you as the starting center)
There, I went through every single team and vented out all my frustrations on some of you guys.
I didn't include any free agent centers, but other than Dampier, I'm sure no one else is good enough for you guys either. (Except Rebraca, I know Sling liked him, but I read he's signing with the Clippers for 3.2 million next season)
I want people to talk about centers here. I've mentioned every single one I could possibly mention (I might as well mention Steven Hunter now too, which I wouldn't mind, but he's probably not good enough for some of you guys as well).
My conclusion, the Knicks don't have many good options to find out there for the center spot.
If you want the Knicks to get a good center, he's going to be overpriced, period, there's no way around that in my opinion.


text: I'm 15 years old and i absolutely in love with fanfiction. Just for clarification, I'm 100% a Ron/Hermione shipper!! They are meant to be together no matter what anyone says. I hope you enjoy my fanfics, I love accuracy so you will not find any of my stories to be inaccurate. PLEASE REVIEW!!!


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