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A round-up of the most significant science stories from the year 2010
World's Largest Particle Betting Pool Nearing Conclusion
Scientists at the World's largest Particle accelerator (The Large Hadron Collider, LHC) recently announced that they were closer than ever to finding an eventual winner of the world's largest betting pool concerning elementary quantum particles.
"We're all getting really excited about the eventual discovery of the 'God particle'" says leading physicist Professor Brian Delacour. 'The pool's been running since before the collider was built, but since then both the theory and the technology have really come along drastically, so we have been able to really expand the number of eventual candidates for the ultimate particle and really flesh out the betting pool.
According to most scientists, the particle that gives rise to mass, the aforementioned 'God particle', is the Higgs Boson, although this is yet to be conclusively proven. It is this proof that many of the largest particle accelerators are attempting to discover. When asked about this, Professor Delacour said 'of course, the Higgs Boson is the most likely candidate, but that option was picked out of the hat by a San-Franciscan at a conference in 2003. He's not even a physicist, he's a conservationist or something, but you know how pissed people can get at conferences, nobody had a clue at the time. So now we're hoping to discover the most elementary particle is not the Higgs, but something a bit more exotic again. Anything so that jammy bastard doesn't walk away with the prize fund"
When asked whether this was the noblest aim for experiments using equipment costing billions, Professor Delacour was surprisingly frank. "Of course it isn't, but then to be honest, we probably stopped finding out generally useful things sometime in the mid-80's, so now gambling and spite are the main motivators for us carrying on. I'm not optimistic about my chances, I'll be honest. A few of my colleagues have drawn things like types of quark or neutrinos as the most fundamental components of matter. What do I get? Odd socks! That would help iron out some issues in the whole missing-matter problem, but I reckon it's a long shot. My co-investigator got Styrofoam pellets, and there's a Swiss quantum theorist lecturer who got potpourri. We all had a good laugh and that, but we're not really feeling as motivated as we once were, and that's a fact'.
When asked when he expected a winner of the pool to be announced, Professor Delacour was noncommittal. "Knowing this thing, it could be anytime from tomorrow to twenty years from now", he said, before vigorously thumping the section of the LHC he was stood beside for emphasis. "We've got to keep it at close to absolute zero. Every time it suffers a glitch we have to reboot the whole bloody thing, and that takes about 14 months. It's like Windows Vista, but colder.
When asked, Professor Delacour revealed that the prize fund for the particle betting pool currently stands at 458 Euro (£391). "It's the biggest in the world, but that's not saying much given the subject matter. Hah! 'Subject Matter'! I'm writing that down!" He then ran off to find a pencil.
Ancient humans "not quite as Genocidal as first thought" say Palaeontologists
Although assumed to be responsible for the untimely extinction of every species to suffer such a fate, recent discoveries by palaeontologists suggest that one of the more famous extinct species, Woolly Mammoths, may have died out as a result of its own incompetence.
Doctor Michael Lalsow, Head of Prehistoric Studies at the Institute for Anthropology in Inverness, welcomed the findings. "It seems to be taken as read that ancient humans were savage insatiable killers and all other creatures were noble, wise beasts, perfectly in tune with nature. However, research now suggests that primitive humans were weedy half-formed idiots and other animals were lumbering vacuous morons that evolved themselves into unsustainable predicaments".
Recent research has revealed that mammoths died out as a result of the depletion of grasslandsfollowing the end of the ice age, rather than excessive hunting by contemporary humans. "It's ironic when you think about it, people complain about deforestation in order to raise cattle, but it was reforestation that killed off even bigger grazing quadrupeds, so if anything the forests are just reaping what they sew. That's an agriculture joke there, by the way, so it works on two levels" Dr Laslow reassured us.
Dr Laslow also admitted to always being sceptical about the original overhunting hypothesis. "You ever seen a mammoth? About 7 tons of angry orange fur and giant tusks. It'll take more than a dimly aware primate waving a stick to bring one of them down, let alone ALL of them. They're not like Pandas; they wouldn't need round-the-clock attention just to make sure they don't shit themselves to death after eating the wrong kind of twig. If they hadn't been so dependent on grass they would still be around today. My mother always said, 'stay away from that grass! It'll be the death of you!' I used to think she meant the 'grass' as in drugs, but then she was massive with orange hair as well, so maybe it was racial memory.'
However, not everyone is so eager to dismiss the overhunting philosophy. A contrasting view was put forward by Buck McChickford, professional hunter and president of the Sarah Palin Fan club (Wyoming chapter).
"My great-grand daddy brought down at least 5 o' them woolly mammoths in the winter of '38 using nuttin' but his old colt and a fishin' pole. Had to build a bigger cabin just to mount the heads." When asked how this could be true when mammoths largely died out around 10,000 years ago, Mr McChickford laughed and pointed out that this 'were plum stupid, boy! God only gone done made the world some six 'hunnerd years ago'. This argument continued, but the rest was unintelligible. When asked if he'd ever killed a mammoth himself, Mr McChickford replied by saying "You callin' me a Queer?" before scratching his unfeasibly large and suspiciously sock-like genitals.
Brain Scans Reveal Direct Link between Enthusiasm for Brain Scans and Scientific Incompetence
Recent studies have shown that the more impressed a researcher is by brain imaging techniques, the more likely they are to produce studies and data that are about as useful as a rice-paper catheter. A metastudy conducted on a substantial body of recently published papers revealed an inverse relationship between a), a researcher's reliance on impressive brain scanning techniques in their research, and b), their ability to make even the vaguest sense of all the cool flashing lights they're looking at.
This came as no surprise to many experts in the field of Neuroscience. Doctor James Van Johnson, head of Cerebrology at the Maidenhead School of Brain Biology, explains.
"The technology to study living, functioning brains was a very important breakthrough in neuroscience. However, it's important to remember that it's a painfully complex process requiring extensive analysis and data collection before we can even achieve results beyond that offered by random guessing". However, many recent studies have reportedly used neuroimaging techniques to link certain behaviours and traits with specific brain regions. When asked if he took issue with these studies, Dr Van Johnson responded by swearing profusely. When he had calmed down (which took 73 minutes, including coffee breaks), the following conversation occurred.
"Do you know what an active brain looks like?" asked Dr Van Johnson. Our reporter suggested that it was probably a warmer, leakier version of an inactive brain, which is reminiscent of a dense grey blancmange trying to impersonate a walnut.
"Fair point yes" agreed Dr Van Johnson, "But I meant on an imaging scanner? It depends on the technique you use of course, there are several, but it's generally all over the place. That whole thing about us using 'only 10% of the brain' is complete bollocks, we use all of it all the time, and that's reflected in a scan. To find a significant level of activity in a certain area in response to a certain process, that takes substantial time and effort. But some people just see the cool flashing colours that represent someone's thoughts and they assume it must be like reading a book. Not even a proper book with normal words, but some sort of brightly coloured Fisher-price book, about the alphabet or a monosyllabic story about a dog. An inflatable one that you can take in the bath, at that. Well, it's not, it's a damn sight more complicated than that. I have a PhD in this sort of thing, I would know."
Other researchers, however, disagree with the findings of the metastudy and intend to pursue the use of brain imaging techniques in studies linking bits of brain with hard-to-define abstract behaviours. Recent papers have linked enlarged amygdalas with expanded social circles, political views with differing brain structures, meditation with an above-average sized hippocampus, and a more densely-innervated Shatner's Bassoon with a love of dark satirical comedies.
"It's a whole new paradigm" said Doctor Terence 'Moonbeam' Gustafson, a researcher in Neuroholistic tendencies at the University of Omnicultural Research (online only). "With this technology we can see directly into the mind, into the psyche, and eventually, into the soul. We are morally obligated to use this technology to take science beyond the crusty neo-fascist restrictions of the established institutions and into the realms of spirituality and oneness". When asked if he believed the use of scanning technology could 'bring Phrenology into the 21stcentury', Dr Gustafson said "Yes! Yes exactly! That's precisely what we're doing here". When it was pointed out that phrenology was based on scientifically unfounded theories and widely discredited during the 19th century, he added "except for that bit".
Other researchers also object to Dr Van Johnson's views. Professor Harold Wyszynski, of the Brain Imaging Centre for Investigative Studies in Detroit, wished to give his views on why brain imaging techniques are both crucial and informative for research. In order to demonstrate this effectively, he insisted that the interview be conducted from an MRI machine and that we derive the answers to the questions from the images produced by his brain. When asked why he felt brain imaging techniques were so useful, his answer was BLUE FLASH-GREEN FLASH-YELLOW BLUR-RED FLASH-BLUE SPLODGE SHIFTING INTO GREEN SPLODGE-LARGE DARK GREY STRIPE-BLUE SPIRALLY THING-GREEN FLASH-ORANGE PULSE-BLUE FLASH-LOCALISED BLUE FLASH. He then sneezed and the scanner needed to be recalibrated.
Moon Landing Conspiracy Gets Even More Elaborate
More than 40 years after the original conspiracy to convince the world that man had landed on the moon was initiated, NASA continue to add yet more layers of complexity and detail to this ludicrous but far-reaching notion that humans are capable of travelling to Earth's natural satellite.
The most recent addition to the vast body of fabricated data that supposedly supports the possibility of a moon landing is the 'discovery' of large bodies of water 'on the moon'. Professional moon-landing debunker Keith Armstrong stated that "this is just yet another example of the elaborately concocted fiction by NASA in order to perpetuate the myth that humans are somehow capable of travelling to the moon". When asked why he thought it was that numerous international scientific bodies not affiliated with NASA or the US government were treating the information as genuine, Mr Armstrong stated that "That's exactly how they do things. They buy off all these scientific groups and bodies so they'll back up their lies. That way NASA gets to keep their budget". When it was pointed out that NASA's budget wouldn't even come close to enough for bribing that many international scientific bodies, Mr Armstrong pointed out that "they're cunning, you see. They planted that water on the moon in order to fool the scientific community into supporting their agenda".
When asked about the logical paradox behind the contention that NASA went to the moon in order to perpetuate the myth that they went to the moon, Mr Armstrong accused our reporter of being 'one of them!' and ejected them from the premises. Further attempts to contact him for a quote proved unsuccessful, possibly due to a combination of his tin foil hat and poor phone signal in his mother's basement where he lives.
Other sources take a more optimistic view of the alleged findings. Doctor Nathaniel Price, Conspiracologist at the Centre for Bizarre Beliefs (Surrey), suggests that there is great potential in the claim of discovering water on the moon.
"The nature of the moon-landing conspiracy means it has endured for some considerable time, despite the limited material available from the 60's and 70's for effective debunking, which has been repeatedly assessed countless times over the intervening decades and is in danger of growing stale. This new development could lead to a much more extensive volume of claims and data to refute. Moon bases, established communities on the lunar surface, regular transit of the Earth-Moon distance, structures that would be clearly visible from the Earth's surface with any decent telescope, there are so many possibilities offered by this latest development for conspiracy theorists to vociferously deny in the face of considerable evidence. This 'discovery' could breathe new life into the moon-landing debunkers conspiracy, and fire up a great deal more interest and investment for the 21st century. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have the New World Order on the other line…"
Rationalists Suffer Side Effects after Poorly Judged Alt-Med Protest
Alternative medicine practitioners claimed vindication this week after a large group of skeptic protestors were discovered to have suffered serious side effects after a coordinated mass-overdose of homeopathic remedies back in January. The original point of the protest was to demonstrate that the mass-produced alternative medications have no active ingredients and thus cannot lead to overdose or side effects, but pro-homeopathy experts now claim that the protest has backfired.
"The argument that they have no harmful side effects is only valid in terms of accepted medical definitions. However, as homeopathy is clearly an alternative medicine, then logically it would have ALTERNATIVE side effects that differ to standard medicine" claims professional alternative medicine proponent Harrison Ford (no relation). He then went on to detail the significant alternative side-effects suffered by the protestors.
"An excess of homeopathic remedies can have dangerously powerful soporific effects. As such, it's highly likely that nearly 100% of the protestors will have experienced prolonged periods of unconsciousness, around 7-9 hours on average, within 24 hours of their overdose. In many cases, this can be compounded by some form of minor respiratory obstruction, resulting in excessive noise production of a nasal/throaty sort during the unconscious period. This is most commonly experienced in males"
Mr Ford also pointed out that the benign, alternative mode of action of alternative remedies meant the side-effects occur outside the usual time frames. "Unlike harsh, dangerous traditional medicines, alternative medicines have a more subtle action, and as such most ill effects will take a while to occur, which is why it only looked like they didn't happen to the impatient protestors. For example, the positive energies resulting from homeopathic remedies mean the immune system is less active and so becomes sedentary, and this means that the protestors will have become more susceptible to viruses. I'll be many of them suffered some form of cold or similar infection between 0 to 2 or 10 to 12 months of their overdose. But not so much outside their time frames. Outside of those times, the homeopathic remedies will have built up in the skin cells, so they would have, around 6-8 months of the overdose, found the skin on their arms and faces to be browner/redder than normal. The areas of skin normally covered by clothing won't have been affected as much because of science".
"Women in particular may have found themselves suffering serious ill-effects for several days every month since the overdose. They may claim that this had been occurring for many years before the overdose, but this overlooks the fact that homeopathic remedies work retroactively; they cure illnesses you suffered before taking them, which means they didn't happen at all. That's how good they are"
"In extreme cases, a homeopathic overdose has been known to lead to an insatiable desire to appear on radio talk shows and other media outlets in order to criticise homeopathy. This is because their bodies are subconsciously rejecting to the presence of homeopathic agents but do not know what to do about it"
Several sceptical activists were contacted for comment, but all of them just laughed at our reporters. Renowned Placebologist and raconteur Dr A. A. Alan was also contacted via email, but declined to answer any questions. He did, however, wish us a happy new year and assured us he would 'be back in the office on January 3rd'.
"I am not playing God!" insists bearded, thunderbolt-wielding Scientist
Despite claiming to have created the world's first synthetic organism and the subsequent backlash, Dr Craig Venter insisted that he is in no way playing God, in an interview conducted while Dr Venter was dressed in white robes and sat on a large golden throne.
"The accusations being thrown at me are ludicrous" he asserted, "Granted, I have created a completely novel life form, this life form would definitely not exist without me, so therefore I gave it life, and if it were to develop in complexity to the point where it could think and reason then it would be unsurprising if it eventually came to recognise me as its creator and worship me accordingly. I certainly didn't have this in mind when I performed this 'Genesis', if you will, but if it should come about then I certainly wouldn't interfere, because that's not how science works".
Periodically, when confronted with a question he didn't like, Dr Venter proceeded to shock the interviewer with his fingers, using a nearby Van de Graaff generator to create 'lightning'. When asked how he responded to accusations that these synthetic life forms could be dangerous, Dr Venter was dismissive.
"Yes yes, old news. Every possible scientific advance has led to the old 'possible dangers' accusation, and it's always people themselves who are the deciding factor in whether something is harmful or not. Now these life forms I've created, they won't do anything deliberately dangerous". It was asked if this was due to the fact that they are single-celled organisms currently confined to a Petri dish. In response, Dr Venter became visibly uncomfortable and adopted an expression that could be described as 'vengeful'.
"For now" he admitted, portentously. "But these life forms could develop to unprecedented levels of sophistication. But there's nothing to worry about, if it turns out they display dangerous behaviours, I'll instruct them to resist their natural tendencies. See, what's God-like about that?"
Following an awkward pause, Dr Venter continued "The potential of these life-forms in astounding. We could create medical breakthroughs that are unthinkable to modern science. We could take a damaged organ and they could synthesise a new one, no matter how complex. An eye for an eye, and all that. There's nothing God-like about what I'm doing here, although I'll wage war on anyone who tries to copy me. No others other than me, that's my motto. Anyway, God doesn't exist, and I do, so if anything I'm better than God."
When asked if he had any advice for people who were still worried about the potential dangers of his synthetic life forms, Dr Venter gave us a set of crucial instructions for the safe use of his discovery. He urged us to tell everyone about these instructions, despite the fact that they were carved into large stone blocks. He then kicked us out of his elaborate garden.
Dr Venter would like us to point out that his original request to conduct the interview via flaming shrubbery proved unworkable.
Celebrities in "Knowing absolutely piss-all about anything Scientific" shocker
Recent revelations have shocked the scientific community to its core in no way whatsoever by showing that many celebrities hold views that are not only unscientific, but are barely consistent with reality on the most basic of levels. Some of the more wacky celebrity theories and views include wearing bracelets that improve strength and fitness, reabsorbing sperm to improve combat prowess, eating charcoal to mop up 'toxins', and worshipping a zombie carpenter who existed 2000 years ago. None of these things have any basis in science, but then neither do the majority of celebrities.
"It's hardly surprising when you think about it" says Professor Eugene Schmembly, head of optically-compromising widespread data at the Devon University of Humanology (DUH). "Your typical celebrity is someone who's paid extravagant sums to knock a ball about in some specific fashion, which doesn't really encourage much rational thinking, or get's paid extravagant sums to convincingly pretend that a situation or occurrence which demonstrably isn't real actually is real, and that actively discourages rational thinking. Of course there are also the celebrities who are famous for willingly revealing oversized body parts, but if you rely on them for important information then you deserve everything you get, frankly. If I want medical advice, I go to a qualified doctor, but if you'd rather consult the woman who was in Grease 30 years ago, a coronation street actor or some mindless thug with a thyroid problem who's only famous for marrying a woman with so many silicone implants she probably qualifies as a cyborg, then be my guest. But don't expect me to mourn your removal from the gene pool"
Given the relative scarcity of celebrity scientists and the seeming abundance of celebrities who hold unscientific views, is there something about celebrity itself that promotes unscientific thinking? Professor Schmembly believes that there may.
"I'm not a celebrity myself so can't speak from a completely informed viewpoint, but from what I've seen and heard, most celebrities are overly pampered vacuous airheads who get paid ridiculous fees for doing nothing of consequence and are constantly surrounded by people agreeing with whatever they say for fear of them ever being told they're wrong about something. But again, that's just my opinion. In these circumstances, it's understandable that you'd end up thinking that your own opinions are significant enough to alter the fabric of the universe in order to accommodate them, rather than what they really are; meaningless guff spouted by someone whose existence has actually depleted from the pool of human knowledge."
Professor Schmembly's application to be in the final series of Big Brother was rejected, and his unicycle act never made it to the live showing of Britain's Got Talent, but he insists he isn't bitter about it.
Bacteria sue NASA for Libel in landmark legal case
In what is sure to be a groundbreaking event in legal history, a group of bacteria from Mono Lake, California, are suing the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) for libel, after misrepresenting them in the mainstream media.
According to preliminary reports, the bacteria in question were "grievously offended" and suffered "considerable mental anguish" after NASA held a press conference and engaged with international media where they claimed that the bacteria in question were able to 'thrive on arsenic', instead of the more traditional phosphorous, which is essential for numerous critical cellular processes.
Although the American legal system does not have any provisions for allowing a federal institution to be sued by single-celled organisms, the fact that the press coverage was international allowed the offended bacteria to take advantage of English libel laws, which are notoriously complex and archaic, to the point where they take into account periods before multi-cellular life occurred.
A spokesman on behalf of the law firm representing the bacteria (Carter-Ruck) made the following statement.
"Our clients were grievously offended by the accusation that they thrived on the poisonous chemical arsenic, which as most scientists have realised, is incorrect. They were not permitted any opportunity to put their own views or claims across, they were not consulted as to this veracity of this statement, they did not give their express consent to be removed from their natural habitat and studied extensively but incorrectly before arriving at the erroneous, slanderous conclusion. By making the aforementioned claims, our clients have found themselves ostracised from every other known life form on Earth. They have even struggled to find legal representation, but thankfully Carter-Ruck have never shied away from representing poisonous, subhuman claimants".
A spokesman for the campaign for libel reform had this to say, "The fact that this case can be brought before the courts at all reveals how badly the English libel system needs to be overhauled. In order to be more in-keeping with modern society, it should be limited to Eukaryotic organisms at the very least."
(All Science News Updates can be found HERE)
Most of the above never happened. It's an attempt at satire. Just so you know.
E-mail: humourology (at) live.co.uk
Twitter: @garwboy


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And we're off...
Victor Cruz CUT by the Giants.
NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reported Monday the Giants have released the veteran wide receiver, per a source informed of the decision. The Record first reported the news.
Cruz has spent his entire seven-year career with the Giants since entering the league as an undrafted free agent. His breakout 2011 campaign -- where he caught 82 passes for 1,536 yards -- greatly contributed to the Giants' Super Bowl XLVI win over the New England Patriots.
Great memories helping this team win that last Super Bowl trophy. Best of luck in the future Cruz, unless you play for the Eagles.


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Palladium Books® Weekly Update – September 1, 2011
By Kevin Siembieda
We have been dynamos this past week, making real headway on getting new books in the pipeline closer to release.
Wayne Smith has been busy editing Robotech® New Generation™ and pulling together The Rifter® #56.
Alex Marciniszyn has been editing Robotech® New Generation™ and working on other projects.
Matthew Clements has finished his second draft of Rifts® Black Market and has started work on Rifts® Northern Gun.
As for me, I have been juggling a number of things (as usual), but my main focus has been editing and tweaking Robotech® New Generation™. As soon as I'm done with New Generation, I dive into Lemuria, which I expect to be this weekend.
UPDATE: Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook. The book is completely written, 90% has gone through final editing, and half of the text has been sent to Harmony Gold this week for approval. The rest will follow immediately after the Labor Day holiday. As soon as we get approvals, I will assign the artwork. If approvals by Harmony Gold are quick, the book should hit its October release date without difficulty. On a personal level, I love this book. Apollo's cover rocks and I feel Irvin Jackson was spot-on capturing the feel and excitement of Robotech® New Generation™. Hopefully, the folks at Harmony Gold agree.
NO more manga size. We've decided to stop doing manga-sized Robotech® books. Starting with the Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook, all future Robotech® supplements will be our usual 8½ x 11 size and format. If and when we sell out of the existing manga-sized books, we will reprint them in the larger, standard format. The manga size was a noble experiment, but the overwhelming majority of gamers (75%) have pleaded for our return to the standard size. Well, we've heard your pleas and that's what we're doing. Let the rejoicing begin. ;)
UPDATE: Rifts® Lemuria will go into final production in the next few days. ALL artwork is done. The book has undergone a preliminary editing and tweaking, now I make the final pass. I'm very excited about this book, the ideas are great and I think I can get through it quickly. We'll be working hard to have Rifts® Lemuria released by the end of September. Like I said in the last Weekly Update, we are committed to getting the next four new books (including The Rifter® #56) out by the end of October.
UPDATE: Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook is next! A hefty 80% of it is written and waiting for me to finish. 60% of the art is done too. All we need to do is wrap this bad boy up and send it to the printer for an October release.
UPDATE: The Rifter® #56 is entering into its final production phase. Now that Wayne has made most of his selections, I'll be assigning artwork while he, Alex and Matthew do final editing.
UPDATE: Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Three. I'm hoping for an October release, but it's probably more likely to be November.
UPDATE: Rifts® Megaverse in Flames™. I want this book out no later than December, but I'll be shooting for a November release. This is a big, 160-192 page extravaganza jam-packed with amazing ideas, new magic, menaces and drama, so it might take a bit longer to finish than others.
MEANWHILE, Rifts® Chaos Earth™: First Responders Sourcebook and another Robotech® Sourcebook are in final development and we are tentatively working to see at least one of those released by the end the year (November and December). I have several manuscripts coming in over the next few months, and Matthew and I have several titles planned to start 2012 off with a bang.
UPDATE: Megaversal Ambassadors Game Master support kits are still pending. Sorry. Getting books finished has taken precedent, but they are coming. Promise. They're in Wayne's hands now. These G.M. kits will be made available for free to Megaversal Ambassadors, but will also be made available for a small fee on DriveThruRPG.com as PDFs for Palladium G.M.s and gamers who might also want to use these helpful Game Mastering aids. Each set of G.M. tools is game specific, the first of which is for Rifts® and the second for the Palladium Fantasy RPG®. Both should be available within a week or two. G.M. tools for other world settings are also coming.
Megaversal Ambassadors are volunteer Game Masters who run Palladium gaming events at local conventions, stores and special events. If you are interested in joining this elite crew, contact us, or Zachary Houghton or James Brown. There is more information about the Megaversal Ambassadors on the Palladium Website under "Community." We encourage those of you who love to run games to contact the people running this volunteer force of super-gamers and spread the Palladium role-playing experience.
UPDATE Kevin's Online Store. Alex has been busy rebuilding my online store. The store offers toys and collectibles from my personal collection. This week Alex has added a large number of toy listings – mostly Star Wars and Marvel superhero action figures, toy weapons and vehicles. More toys will follow. Next week there should be some Palladium collectibles as well as rare prints, select books and other odds and ends. We'll be adding new items for sale every week for the next several weeks. Most toys are listed at below average prices. You can check it all out at: http://stores.ebay.com/kevinstoys-artandcollectibles
UPDATE: Palladium online sales. It was another up and down week of sales. Just as we thought we were going to have a very good week, sales plummetted for a day or two. I seem to recall holiday weekend sales are usually low, but I'm hoping otherwise for this weekend. Orders continue to come in for Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ as do pre-orders for Robotech® New Generation Sourcebook, Rifts® Lemuria, Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook, and Megaverse® in Flames™. Pre-orders are smart as we do not charge your card until the book is close to shipping and it guarantees that you are one of the first to get a copy. We ship pre-orders the same day the new title arrives to our warehouse. Of course, UPS is your fastest shipping option and takes 1-4 days to arrive at most locations. Media Mail is the least expensive, but takes 3-16 days to arrive.
Watch for Sneak Previews of Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™ and Lemuria as FREE PDFs from DriveThruRPG.com in the weeks to come. The Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ Sneak Preview is available now. Sneak Previews of Armageddon Unlimited™ and Rifts® Thundercloud Galaxy™ are also available. To get any of the free PDF downloads, go to DriveThruRPG.com. It is easy to create a free account and only takes a couple of minutes. DriveThruRPG.com is a good resource for getting the Hades & Dyval Map Pack, The Rifter® Number Zero, The Rifter® #1-48 and to fill in your RPG library with first edition copies of Rifts®, Palladium Fantasy®, Heroes Unlimited™, and other game lines, as well as books such as Nightbane® Book Four: Shadows of Light™ and both versions of the The Mechanoids® RPG (1985) and The Collected Mechanoid Invasion® Trilogy (1981-1983).
UPDATE: Back in Print: Just a reminder that the following books are back in print and available now.
Available Now:
- Rifts® World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion™
- Rifts® Coalition Wars® Book 1: Sedition™
- Rifts® Coalition Wars® Book 2: Coalition Overkill™
Note: All six books in the Coalition Wars/Siege on Tolkeen series are in print.
The following titles are also recently back in print and ready to ship:
- Rifts® Free Quebec™
- Rifts® Book of Magic
- Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan™
- Rifts® World Book 13: Lone Star™
- Rifts® Dimension Book™ 6: Three Galaxies™
UPDATE Alex. He continues to do well and feel better. Alex has been in better spirits, enjoys being back home and has even been writing up ideas for various upcoming releases, including the Rifts® Black Market book.
UPDATE Convention Appearances. Convention news is located toward the end of the Weekly Update. Palladium's next convention appearance is at the Detroit FanFare in September.
UPDATE Palladium Open House – May 4, 5, 6, 2012 (May 3 is VIP Night). I am pleased with the level of excitement by Palladium gamers about this very special event. I want to make it the best Open House yet. Placing orders now helps us plan and prepare for the event months in advance, so if you're coming, place those admission orders.
Halloween Store – QueenofGhouls.com – Kathy Simmons has been a dynamo cranking out more new killer clowns, a scary nurse, a sinister circus ringmaster, a new type of crawling zombie and has a werewolf, Mad Doctor and more zombies in the works. Halloween is only 60 days away.
Kathy's life-sized Halloween props include killer clowns, mad doctors, zombies, witches, wizards, executioners, werewolves and monsters. The Queen of Ghouls is something of a fun extension of Palladium Books because Kathy is a beloved staff member and I help her paint and tatter clothing for many of these unique Halloween decorations. If you are looking for a standout Halloween item for your front lawn, one of these will do the trick. And they look sooo much better than the photos. WARNING: Once you see one of Kathy's ghouls in person and get rants and raves from everyone who visits your home on Halloween, you may find yourself buying a new one every year.
Check out her Halloween store at QueenofGhouls.com. Her creations are durable and can be used year after year. Gamers have loved the ones we've had at the Palladium Open House and Gen Con – they are truly awesome. Halloween is just around the corner.
Labor Day Weekend. This is generally seen as the last weekend of Summer. To those of you going to Dragon Con: I'm jealous. I LOVE that convention. Have fun. To the rest of you, have a safe, fun weekend. I might even take Sunday or Monday off to see a movie, read and relax a little.
In the last Weekly Update, I gave a shout out to the many wonderful and talented people who work so hard on the games and sourcebooks produced by Palladium. Designing games, writing and illustration are hard work – they are more demanding and difficult work than you might imagine. But it's also fun and rewarding in unexpected ways. For the Palladium staff, it is a joy to come to work. Sure there are business issues, deadline pressures and things that are a pain in the neck, but there are also camaraderie, friends, shared inspiration and exciting challenges. We love what we do and enjoy the people we work with, but we also have the rare privilege of creating product for people we like: Gamers. Gamers are some of the nicest, smartest and most special geeks and nerds on the planet. They tell us what they think, and share their excitement and joy over our work. How lucky we all are to have jobs that require unleashing our imaginations, spinning stories, and building new worlds of adventure for the greatest fans in the Megaverse. It's awesome! Just this morning, Matthew Clements exclaimed, "God, I love this job." Amen.
Alright, we've got books to write, so I'm signing off for now. Keep those imaginations burning bright and game on.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher
NEW! Rifts® World Book One:
Vampire Kingdoms™, New Revised Edition
– Available now
Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™ is in our warehouse waiting for your order. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Order yours today.
For centuries, Mexico has been considered the realm of monsters best left alone. A land dominated by packs of Wild Vampires and rumored to be home of Vampire Kingdoms in the south. Most of the northern civilizations have stayed away, but over the last 20 years, a growing number of heroes, vampire slayers and adventurers have been waging something of a secret war against the undead. As that battle escalates, stories of heroes, vampires and entire human populations enslaved by the undead or penned, raised and slaughtered like cattle, are starting to leak out. Come see for yourself if the rumors are true and join the battle for humanity in Mexico.
- Vampire Hunter O.C.C.s, all new.
- Vampires: Their strengths, weaknesses and powers.
- Vampire strategies and plans for conquest.
- Vampire minions, henchmen and protectors, all new.
- Rifts vampires, how they think, behave, fight and kill.
- Different types of vampires, their Master, and the Vampire Intelligence (the deific creator of the undead).
- Hero Vampire and Deluded Vampire R.C.C.s as player characters.
- 40+ vampire abilities, vampire weaknesses and combat notes.
- Vampire combat and the weapons and techniques of vampire slayers.
- Who can be turned into vampires and who cannot.
- Chupacabras and other monsters and riding animals.
- Reid's Ranger O.C.C. and the observations of Doc Reid, all new.
- Vampire fighting weapons, silver bullets, wooden stakes and more.
- The city-states of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez described. Updated and expanded.
- Town creation tables and rules. All new.
- Vampire ruled towns and the hold they have over them. All new.
- Wild Vampires and the secret behind their presence in northern Mexico.
- Overviews of the Vampire Kingdoms, with expanded material on vampire society, hierarchy, their psychology, behavior, human cattle and servants, vampire dominion over the villages and towns of Northern Mexico and much more.
- The presence of Archie Three, Lemurians and the Splugorth.
- Ideas for adventure throughout.
- Updated and revised to 109 P.A.
- Cover by E.M. Gist.
- New artwork by Mike Wilson, Mike Mumah, Nick Bradshaw and Kent Burles, plus the best of Kevin Long and Tim Truman from the original book.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda. Additional text and ideas by Matthew Clements and Braden Campbell.
- 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 802-E. Available now. Order yours today.
NEW! The Rifter® #55
– Available now
The Rifter® is your doorway to unlimited imagination and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new heroes, powers, weapons, magic and adventure for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider.
The Rifter® #55: Looks fantastic. Packed with adventure and game ideas for your campaigns.
- Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms®: Sneak preview by Kevin Siembieda.
- Palladium Fantasy RPG®: Source material that expands upon the Quorians, by Travis Guerrero.
- Palladium Fantasy RPG®: Ancestral Mystic™ who derives special abilities from his ancestors. By Paul Herbert.
- Nightbane®: Dark Day™ Chronicles, Volume Three, a short story and character stats by Jeremy Hutchins.
- Rifts®: The original Triax O.C.C.s updated by Brandon Aten.
- Rifts® Thundercloud Galaxy™: More on the CCW by Braden Campbell.
- Rifts®: Black Crusade™ Two: Info on the Methodeans, their syndicates and secret organizations, history and adventure ideas.
- News and coming attractions.
- Fiction and more.
- Cover by R.C. Aradio.
- $11.95 retail – 96 pages – Cat. No. 155. Available now.
NEW! Rifts® World Book: Lemuria™
– Ships September, 2011
The power, secrets and magic of the underwater realm of Lemuria revealed. Player characters can use symbiotes, magic and technology to breathe underwater and spend time below the waves.
Lemuria is more than an underwater civilization of aquatic beings. They can trace their lineage as far back as the Atlanteans and can survive on dry land as well as underwater. In fact, their greatest secret is that there is no one resting place for the Lemurians, their great cities are always moving. Learn about the people of Lemuria, new Biomancy magic and weapons, Biomancy engineered riding animals, sea herbs, new powers of healing, sea monsters, and more. Epic adventure awaits.
- The Lemurians, their race, history and society.
- New O.C.C.s including the Serpent Hunter, Shriekers, Oceanic Guardsman, Aquatic Biomancer and others.
- The Stone Guardians of Easter Island and other mysteries.
- Biomancer Gardens and Aquatic Biomancy.
- Biomancy armor, weapons and equipment.
- Symbiotic creatures and constructs; some that enable air-breathers to survive underwater, indefinitely.
- New psionic abilities.
- Sea Serpents, Sea Dragons, monsters, and riding animals.
- New dangers, new challenges, adventure ideas and more.
- Written by Greg Diaczyk.
- Cover by John Zeleznik.
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 885. Final page count and price may be subject to expansion and increase. September release.
NEW! Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™
The Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™ will expand upon old material from the original Vampire Kingdoms World Book as well as much completely new material. Trouble is stirring in the Vampire Kingdoms as ambitious vampire lords, ladies and misanthropes seek to expand their power to dominate more mortal life forms. This sourcebook will be every bit as exciting and packed with cool stuff as Rifts® Vampire Kingdoms™.
- Vampires of the Yucatan, the dark god Camazotz and more.
- Vampires and Werebeasts of the Yucatan.
- Expanded overview of the Yucatan.
- Doc Reid and key Rangers, plus Fort Reid described.
- Magic based Vampire Hunters and human strongholds.
- Techno-Wizard weapons and gear. Plus more non-TW vehicles and gear.
- Vampire Hunter "exterminators." Mortal assassins who serve the vampires by hunting and destroying Vampire Hunters and other enemies of the Vampire Kingdoms.
- New info about the Vampire Kingdoms, adventure ideas and more.
- Cover by Michael C. Hayes. Interior art by various artists.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda, Braden Campbell and Matthew Clements.
- 128 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 884. October release.
NEW! Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook
The battle for the liberation of Earth starts here. For the first time in its history, the Earth has been invaded and occupied by alien invaders – the Invid. The Invid think they have won, but Freedom Fighters, UEEF soldiers and other heroes continue to fight. This is the first sourcebook to combine ALL generations of Robotech® into one epic setting.
- A setting in which Battloids, Veritechs, power armor and technology from all eras of Robotech can come together.
- Kit-bashed mecha and rules for jury-rigging and combining parts from different generations of Robotech® mecha.
- O.C.C.s include the Freedom Fighter, Patcher, Urchin, Pathfinder, Invid Protoculture Experiment and more.
- The Resistance and how it works.
- New weapons, vehicles and mecha.
- Adventure and adventure ideas galore.
- Written by Irvin Jackson. Additional text by Kevin Siembieda.
- Cover by Apollo Okamura.
- A standard, 8½ x 11 sourcebook.
- 96 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 554. Final page count and price may be subject to change. October 2011 release.
Note: With any luck, there will be a companion Robotech® sourcebook released by the end of the year.
NEW! Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames™
The Minion War spills across Rifts Earth, where demons and infernals hope to recruit allies and use the Rifts as gateways of destruction. Their influence shakes things up across the planet, especially at locations where demons and Deevils already have a strong presence. More details to follow, but for now, 'nuff said.
- Soulmancer and Blood Magic.
- The Seven Deadly Plagues.
- The Demon Plagues across the globe.
- Battleground: Earth – as demons and infernals amass their legions.
- Rifts Calgary – also known as Hell's Pit; the kingdom described.
- Ciudad de Diablo, Harpies' Island and other notable Hell holes on Earth.
- Lord Doom, Pain and other demonic leaders.
- Horune treachery, Dimension Stormers and other villains.
- Global chaos and the places most dramatically affected by the Demon Plagues.
- Notable demonic generals, mercenaries, people and places.
- Many adventure ideas.
- Written by Carl Gleba.
- 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 876. November release.
NEW! Rifts® Chaos Earth™ Sourcebook: First Responders
Data about the chaos and madness of the early days of the Great Cataclysm, and the brave men and women who tried to stem the tide of destruction and save lives, the First Responders.
- Apocalypse Plagues: Strange diseases, symbiotes and mutations that transform, torment, harm and kill Earth's survivors.
- First Responder O.C.C.s, skills and special equipment.
- Civilian O.C.C.s, skills and orientation.
- Notable rescue vehicles, robot drones, and technology.
- New weapons, vehicles, mecha and more.
- Character modification and enhancement rules.
- Creatures from the Rifts and adventure ideas galore.
- Written by Jason Richards & Kevin Siembieda.
- 96 to 128 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 665. Coming in 2011.
Rifts® World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion™
Earth is home to thousands of alien species from beyond the Rifts, but one of the strangest and most dangerous is the Xiticix. A danger nobody seemed to realize until the sprawling Hivelands began to encroach on the territories of other people. Armed with new breeds of aggressive warriors, new weapons and legions of insectoids willing to fight to the death, people are beginning to wonder if they are the next threat to humanity.
- 9 different types of Xiticix, their hierarchy and society.
- Xiticix Hive Cities, defenses and plans for expansion.
- Xiticix powers, abilities and weapons.
- Psi-Stalker Tribes fighting the Xiticix. The Psi-Stalker R.C.C. revisited.
- Heroes and Hardcases: groups and 15 Non-Player Characters.
- Plots against the alien invaders by the Coalition States, Lazlo and others.
- Fort Barron of the Coalition Army, mapped and described.
- Adventures, maps and many adventure ideas.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda and Wayne Breaux Jr.
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 838. Available now. Order yours today.
The "complete" Coalition Wars® Siege on Tolkeen™ Series
Magic vs Technology. All-out war between the Coalition and the Magic Kingdom of Tolkeen. Even if you don't play the war, the series offers fantastic source material: magic artifacts, Spells of Legend, Techno-Wizard war machines, maps, cities, towns, monsters and scores of NPCs you can drop into any campaign. All six titles are in print.
The Books in the Siege on Tolkeen Series: All are available now.
- Book 1: Sedition – New spells, TW weapons, Iron Juggernauts & more.
- Book 2: Coalition Overkill – Daemonix, Coalition Forces, NPCs, adventure & more.
- Book 3: Sorcerers' Revenge – Shadow Dragons, more Iron Juggernauts, 25 NPCs & more.
- Book 4: Cyber-Knights – In-depth look at the Knights, sub-classes like Crusaders, Rogues & more.
- Book 5: Shadows of Evil – People, places, NPCs, defenses & more.
- Book 6: Final Siege – Tolkeen mapped, 42 NPCs, TW weapons, dragons, monsters, adventures & more.
- Series written by Kevin Siembieda and Bill Coffin.
Coalition Wars® One: Sedition
The Coalition Army is in place and waging war on Tolkeen, a Kingdom of Magic. This sourcebook lays the groundwork for an epic conflict and ongoing campaign. If you don't want to play out the war, it provides all kinds of valuable stand-alone source material, magic items, magic spells, magic weapons, TW Iron Juggernauts, monsters, villains and adventure ideas.
- Magic vs Technology: Coalition anti-magic devices and tactics.
- 70+ Techno-Wizard weapons and devices.
- 10 Spells of Legend, 6 fabled magic artifacts, 11 maps.
- Techno-Wizard Iron Juggernauts – giant robot-like war machines powered by magic.
- Techno-Wizard vehicle construction rules plus 12 specific types of vehicles.
- Tolkeen's war plans and strategies, plus a Tolkeen time-line of events leading to war.
- Tolkeen combat formations and monster allies.
- Notable places like the Great Skelebot Graveyard, City of Solomon, Camp Fatale, and others.
- Ley Line Magic, key people and more.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda and Bill Coffin.
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 839. Available now. Order yours today.
Coalition Wars® Two: Coalition Overkill™
The war escalates on both sides. A new breed of Coalition officers begin to come to the forefront, and with them cruelty, murder and genocide. The Coalition Army is ruthless, but Tolkeen has a few tricks up its sleeve, like an alliance with a race of ancient demons known as the Daemonix.
- Introducing the Daemonix demons.
- 40+ NPCs, Coalition combat squads and operations.
- Coalition Flying Leviathan Stratocarrier.
- Tolkeen strategies and tactics.
- The Coalition's campaign of revenge.
- Bounty Hunters, mercenaries, adventure ideas and more.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda and Bill Coffin.
- 112 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 840. Available now. Order yours today.
Rifts® Book of Magic
– Back in Print – Available Now
This is the ultimate guide to magic on Rifts Earth. All the magic spells, magic tattoos, Techno-Wizard items, magic weapons, equipment, body armor, restraints, parasites, symbiotes, magic items, Automatons, Iron Juggernauts, and more from Rifts® World Books 1-23, Sourcebooks 1-4, and Siege on Tolkeen 1-6, collected into one big reference. This is a great reference book. Kevin and all of us at Palladium use it and the Rifts® Game Master Guide constantly.
- 850+ spells of great variety.
- 370+ magic items, weapons and devices.
- Elemental Magic, Temporal Magic, Ley Line Magic, Cloud Magic and Necromancy.
- Tattoo Magic, Nazca Line Magic, Nature Magic, Whalesongs and Ocean Magic, and more.
- Magic Songs, Chants, Biomancy, Magic Herbs, and Iron Juggernauts.
- Techno-Wizard weapons and devices, Rune Weapons, Millennium Tree wands and other magic items.
- Magic herbs, plants, components and symbiotes.
- Shamanistic magic, Fetishes, Talismans and more.
- Comprehensive index of Practitioners of Magic.
- Designer notes, comments, tips & hints for running magic characters.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda and others.
- 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 848. Available now.
Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan™
– Back in Print – Available now
This fan-favorite sourcebook is filled with high-tech wonders, magic and monsters. There are 20 O.C.C.s (Occupational Character Classes) that range from the traditional ninja and samurai to power armor, giant robots and cyborgs.
- 20 O.C.C.s including the Mystic Ninja, Ninja Cyborg, Ninja Juicer, Cyber-Samurai, Ninja Techno-Wizard, Japanese Demon Queller & more.
- 12 suits of power armor including Samurai SAMAS and Glitter Boys.
- 9 giant robots.
- Cyborgs of Japan, including Dragon Cyborgs and other bionics.
- Advanced weapons, melee weapons and other gear.
- Mystical powers and martial arts.
- Enchanted weapons and items including the Living Samurai Sword.
- 11 notable demons, goblins and dragons of Japan.
- Kyoto Millennium Tree, visions, wands and weapons.
- Overview of Japan, its people, magic and technology.
- Written by C.J. Carella.
- 216 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 818. Available now.
Rifts® World Book 13: Lone Star™
– Back in Print – Available now
The Coalition State of Lone Star is a wild and woolly place of contrast and conflict. The Coalition States claims the entire State of Texas as their own, but they only control a small corner of it. It is here, at the Lone Star Complex, that the CS engages in genetic engineering and creates the famous Dog Boys and a host of other mutants. The rest of the state is held by the Pecos Empire – an empire of bandits, outlaws and rebels. The perfect companion to Rifts® New West™, Rifts® Spirit West™ and Rifts® Machinations of Doom™.
- 19 R.C.C.s, many of which are mutants.
- A few new O.C.C.s.
- Dog Boys – an in-depth look at how they are designed, bred and trained.
- Dog Boy armor and CS weapons.
- CS Death Wing assault armor.
- Hover cycles of the Lone Star state.
- Notable characters in the region.
- Overview of Lone Star and the Pecos Empire.
- Overview of the Lone Star Complex and the mad doctor who runs it.
- A wealth of background material and adventure ideas.
- Written by Kevin Siembieda.
- 176 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 825. Available now.
PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com
This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We've made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads fromDriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include.
- Splicers® RPG
- Beyond the Supernatural™ RPG, First Edition Rules.
- Boxed Nightmares™ for BTS, First Edition Rules.
- Nightbane® Book Four: Shadows of Light™.
- The Mechanoids® RPG and The Mechanoid Invasion® RPG Trilogy.
- Palladium Fantasy RPG®, First Edition Rules and select 1st Edition sourcebooks.
- After the Bomb® RPG and sourcebooks.
- The Rifter® issues 1-48.
- The Best of The Rifter®
- Deluxe Revised RECON® RPG and Advanced RECON® Sourcebook.
- And more – go to DriveThruRPG.com and check 'em out.
2011 Palladium Releases
2011 New Releases & Back in Print
- Rifts® World Book 1: Vampire Kingdoms™ – New – Available now!
- Rifts® Dimension Book™ 14: Thundercloud Galaxy™ – New – Available now!
- Armageddon Unlimited™ – New – Available now!
- The Rifter® #53 – New – Available now!
- The Rifter® #54 – New – Available now!
- Aliens Unlimited™ – A Heroes Unlimited™ sourcebook – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® World Book 20: Canada – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Dark Conversions™ – Back in print – Available now
- Palladium Fantasy RPG® – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Game Master Guide – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® World Book 5: Triax & The NGR™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Bionics Sourcebook – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® China One – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Megaverse® Builder – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Baseball Cap – Back in stock – Available now
- Rifts® Dimension Book™ 6: Three Galaxies™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Black Vault™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Mercenaries™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® World Book 13: Lone Star™ – Back in print – Available now
- Rifts® Book of Magic – Back in print – Available now
June 2011 Releases
- Rifts® WB 23: Free Quebec™ – BACK IN PRINT – Available now
July 2011 Releases
- The Rifter® #55 – New – Available now
- Rifts® Coalition Wars® Book One: Sedition– BACK IN PRINT – Available now
- Rifts® Coalition Wars® Book Two: Coalition Overkill – BACK IN PRINT – Available now
- Rifts® World Book 23: Xiticix Invasion™ – BACK IN PRINT – Available now
August 2011 Releases
- Rifts® World Book 1: Vampire Kingdoms™, New Revised Edition – New – Available now
September 2011 Releases
- Rifts® World Book 32: Lemuria – New – in final production
- Heroes Unlimited™: Mutant Underground™ – coming back in print
- Rifts® Chaos Earth™: Rise of Magic – coming back in print
October 2011 Releases
- The Rifter® #56 – New
- Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™ – New – in production
- Robotech® New Generation™ Sourcebook – New – in production
- Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Three – New
- Another new title may be added or substituted
November 2011 Releases
- Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames (Minion War™ crossover) – New
- Rifts® Chaos Earth™ Sourcebook: First Responders – New
In the Pipeline
- Robotech® UEEF Marines and other Robotech® sourcebooks.
- Rifts® sourcebooks
- Rifts® Chaos Earth™ sourcebooks
- Palladium Fantasy®: Mysteries of Magic™ Two & Three
- Palladium Fantasy® other sourcebooks
- Warpath™ Urban Jungle RPG
- And other good stuff. Lots of other good stuff!
Recently Back in Print
Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®
- 336 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 450.
Rifts® World Book 20: Rifts® Canada™
- 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 835.
Rifts® Dark Conversions™
- 192 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 852.
Rifts® Game Master Guide
- 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 845.
Rifts® Bionics Sourcebook™
- 112 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 850.
Rifts® World Book Five: Triax & the NGR™
- 224 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 810.
Rifts® World Book 8: Rifts® Japan™
- 216 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 818.
Rifts® World Book 13: Lone Star™
- 176 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 825.
Rifts® World Book 24: Rifts® China One
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 857.
Rifts® Dimension Book 7: Megaverse® Builder
- 96 pages – $16.95 retail – Cat. No. 859.
Aliens Unlimited™ – For Heroes Unlimited™
- 208 pages – $24.95 retail – Cat. No. 515.
Rifts® Dimension Book™ 6: Three Galaxies™
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 851.
Rifts® Adventure Sourcebook: The Black Vault™
- 48 pages – $9.95 retail – Cat. No. 855.
Rifts® Mercenaries™
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 813.
Rifts® Book of Magic™
- 352 pages – $26.95 retail – Cat. No. 848.
Rifts® World Book 23: Rifts® Free Quebec™
- 160 pages – $20.95 retail – Cat. No. 837.
New Books in Development
(listed in alphabetical order):
Beyond the Supernatural™: Arcanum
Beyond the Supernatural™: Tome Grotesque
Beyond the Supernatural™ Sourcebook
Chaos Earth™ First Responders
Chaos Earth™ – Zombie Apocalyse Rifts-style during the Great Cataclysm.
Heroes Unlimited™ – Had two people who were supposed to be working on a pair of books, but they disappeared on me, so we are looking for folks to write a couple HU2 sourcebooks.
Nightbane® – An as of yet untitled project, and looking for more.
Palladium Fantasy® – Mysteries of Magic 2 & 3
Palladium Fantasy® – Tombs of Gersidi expanded and new.
Plus I have a few ideas on this front myself to revitalize this line.
Phase World®: United Worlds of Warlock™
Phase World®: Pirates of the Three Galaxies™
Rifts® Antarctica
Rifts® Black Market
Rifts® China Three
Rifts® Deep South
Rifts® New Navy™
Rifts® Northern Gun™ – may be a series of books.
Rifts® Sovietski™
Rifts® Titan Industries™
Rifts® Vampires Sourcebook™
Robotech® Genesis Pits™ adventure sourcebook.
Robotech® UEEF Marines™
Splicers® Sourcebook One – concepts and art by Charles Walton.
Splicers® Sourcebook Two – concepts and art by Charles Walton.
All of the above are being written right now. A few are already finished. Most will be 2012 releases. And this does not include projects I would like to do for Palladium Fantasy®, Dead Reign™, Warpath™: Urban Jungle and new mediums.
The Queen of Ghouls: Life-Sized Halloween Props
The Queen of Ghouls – Palladium's very own Kathy Simmons – is locked in her dungeon, devising new ghouls for the coming Halloween season. Go to queenofghouls.com to see her current selection of life-sized Halloween props. See her zombie doctor and other new zombies, Jack Skellington and Sally, and more. New creations are on the drawing board, and so is a new website. Each Halloween prop is truly life-sized (most are 6 feet or taller – Jack is almost 8 feet) and seems almost alive.
Each is an all-weather, life-sized Halloween prop that can handle rain and snow, and is a one-of-a-kind work of art (no two are exactly the same). Each looks frighteningly "real." All come apart and fold down to slightly larger than a king-size pillow for easy storage. Comes with easy instructions, a plastic storage bag, and the lawn stake to stand it up in your front yard. Indoor stand sold separately.
Types of "Ghouls" include: Zombies (all kinds!), killer clowns, wizards, witches, devils, grave ghouls, scarecrows, executioners, mad doctors, deadly nurses, vampires, werewolves, and more. Kathy's also now offering an array of hand-painted Halloween signs, signs with heads and bodies hanging from them, witch's brewing pots, Halloween centerpieces and more. Best of all, her high quality creations are much more affordable and imaginative than most competitors or mass produced items in a store, making them affordable Halloween fun.
If you think the photos online look good, you should see them in person. A typical "ghoul," as she calls her creations, costs $129-$259. You can see some of her work at her Queen of Ghouls™ Ebay store – queenofghouls.com.
Conventions & Events
Palladium to attend Detroit FanFare, September 24 & 25
We've gotten confirmation of our end cap and are looking forward to seeing gamers and comic fans from Michigan, Ohio and the surrounding area come on down. The event is the Detroit FanFare, September 24 & 25 at Cobo Hall, downtown Detroit.
One of the guests is Kevin Eastman – co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®. So this fun comic book and media convention will be a great chance to get your Ninja Turtles® game books (and comics) signed by one of the creators. Other guests include fan boy favorite actor, Bruce Campbell, and dozens and dozens of comic book guests. Palladium fans may be interested to know Dave Dorman (Palladium cover artist), Tim Bradstreet, and pal, Defiler and Palladium contributor of old, William Messner Loebs will also be attending, among many other guests. I'll keep you posted as we firm up the details.
Click here for more information about Detroit FanFare.
Alliance Trade Show, October in Fort Wayne, Indiana
This is a trade show for retailers, but many hard working store owners and their employees are gamers and Palladium fans. I invite you to bring books for us to sign for your own collections and/or to put in your store as an extra selling feature. We're happy to do it. I, Kevin Siembieda, and Wayne Smith will be present at the event. Also, please drop by to chat and get the latest news and developments at Palladium.
Gen Con Indy 2012
1. Palladium Books will be at Gen Con Indy 2012.
2. We need Game Masters to run Palladium game events. We want Palladium Books to be a much bigger part of the gaming experience at Gen Con Indy in 2012. Toward that end, we're hoping a number of Game Masters will step forward and run "official" gaming events at Gen Con. To do that we need your help.
Let us know if you are planning to run at Gen Con Indy 2012, but most importantly, YOU NEED to contact Gen Con directly and fill out whatever Event Submission form/application and send it in to them BEFORE THE JANUARY DEADLINE. This can all be done online.
Note: Though there are different "rounds" and deadlines for submitting events, it is our experience that submitting in time for the very first deadline is the only way to sure-fire guarantee the event will to be included. So please, let's plan now and get our events entered in the first round, mid-January 2012. Megaversal Ambassadors, please be a vocal and visible part of getting people to run Palladium gaming events for Gen Con Indy 2012. Any and all game settings (Rifts®, Heroes Unlimited, Palladium Fantasy®, Robotech®, Dead Reign™, Nightbane®, Splicers®, Robotech®, BTS, and all the rest) are welcomed. Let's make the halls of Gen Con Indy 2012 ring with Palladium gaming.
2012 Palladium Open House – May 4-6, 2012
The Palladium Open House is three days (four with VIP night) of non-stop role-playing gaming, a chance to meet and hang with the Palladium staff, artists and writers, participate in panel talks, get autographs, and have a blast. Game with the people who make the games at the very place they are designed. YOU are part of Palladium's extended family, and we invite YOU into our home to join us for gaming, fun and more. The Palladium Open House has a fun, family feel and is three days (four with VIP night) of games, fun and opportunity for making wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
● 90+ Gaming Events:
- Rifts®
- Robotech®
- Chaos Earth™
- Nightbane®
- Heroes Unlimited™
- Ninjas & Superspies™
- Phase World®/Three Galaxies™
- Dead Reign™
- After the Bomb®
- Palladium Fantasy RPG®
- Beyond the Supernatural™
- and more . . .
● 40+ Palladium creators under one roof.
● Game with the people who make the games you love, like Kevin Siembieda, Julius Rosenstein, Carl Gleba, and other Palladium creators.
● Enter the Costume Contest and you might win a cool award and prize.
● Enjoy panel talks that are fun and insightful.
● Get autographs and chat with creators.
● Have the time of your life.
● What other game company invites you to game with them at their place?
● We are hosting this event because YOU demanded it. So come on over and join the fun.
Place your order today.
We recommend you RESERVE your hotel now. Your credit card is not charged until the event, but reserving your room early gives you peace of mind and helps Palladium so we can block more rooms if we need them. If necessary, you can cancel your room up to a few weeks before the event.
This may be our last Open House. Having sufficient parking is becoming an issue. While we should be okay for the 2012 POH, the parking situation is likely to prevent future events. So don't miss out.
V.I.P. Thursday (May 3, 2012). Available now. YOU are the VIP. You get in an afternoon early (doors open at 3:00 PM – catered dinner at 5:30 PM) and are the first to play in special game events, participate in special panel talks, purchase items, and enjoy a dinner catered by Kathy Simmons (and those who have been to past VIP nights know how awesome that is). Reserve your place today.
Weekend Admission is Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Reserve your place today. Placing your order early helps us on many levels, and tells us how many people to expect and how many hotel rooms to reserve.
Individual Day Admission might work better for you. If you can only make it one day, that's okay with us. Come on down.
Hotel is the location you love at the same 2009 rates ($69.95 a night). The hotel does not charge your card until a day before the event, so reserve NOW. We are concerned they might run out of rooms at our special price, so reserve your room as soon as possible. Based on the economy, the hotel has not reserved the entire hotel for us as they have in the past. Book your room fast so you know you have a place to stay. The hotel now offers free hot breakfasts and we will have two conference rooms for late night gaming and additional open gaming.
Plan to enter the Costume Contest. Winners get a nice plaque and real prizes. Rifts/sci-fi, fantasy, modern (includes horror) and best of show are the categories.
Click here for more details and to reserve your tickets.
Game Masters wanted for 2012 Palladium Open House (POH). The sooner you notify us that you are running "official" POH games and how many games/time slots, the better. We want to get our gaming schedule up and posted online early this time. We typically need 90+ gaming events. That means we need you. FYI: You can run the same game more than once, I do.
Palladium is in need of Game Masters to run events at the 2012 Palladium Open House. G.M.s who run three or more events get a special discount on product and a gift (typically a T-shirt, but maybe something different this year). Palladium NEEDS your commitment to run and a description of the games no later than January 29, 2012 – SOONER IS BETTER. Our thanks to those of you who have already committed to run. Please let us know what you want to run. Julius Rosenstein already has 7 events scheduled. Be like Julius and let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
© Copyright 2011 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Phase World®, Nightbane®, Megaverse®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural™, Chaos Earth, Coalition States, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, SAMAS, Thundercloud Galaxy, Three Galaxies, Vampire Kingdoms, Warpath, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.
This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.


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Tips and Tricks for Black Friday Shopping
Thanksgiving is a time of fellowship with friends and family, and reminiscing about all the blessings you have. But the day after Thanksgiving has kind of become a holiday in itself. Black Friday has become a culture phenomenon and it's only getting bigger. Everyone is out shopping for the best deal on all of their favorite things. If you're brave enough to face the crazies, you're going to need to have some tricks up your sleeve.
Have a game plan. Look online at all of the sale items and find which store is going to have the items you want for the best price. From there make sure you know exactly where the items in the store are so you aren't just wandering around.
Read the fine print. Retailers do everything they possibly can to get as much money from you as possible. They're especially sneaky on Black Friday. A lot of retailers will only have a small number of items in stock, or will enforce a voucher system.
Use the buddy system. Having a shopping partner with you on Black Friday is definitely the way to go. That way, you can split up the list of things you need to buy, and divide the store into sections. You won't have to be running all over the place battling all of the other shoppers to get everything on your list.
Buy It. If you find what you're looking for, but the color or style is different, buy it anyway. That way you can go back and exchange it for the one you want once the store is restocked but for the same Black Friday price.


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Seychelles Reversible Bottom - Serape/Black
$88 $61
A new reversible swim style. Southwest inspired serape stripes reverse to solid black with print waistband detailing. Functional and flattering brief bottom. Clean lines and full coverage.
- Premium eco-friendly fabric*
- Unique finishing method for long-lasting color
- Quick-dry technology
- Elastic hems and maximum stretch retention
- Fits true to size
- Made in the USA
*Our signature eco-friendly fabric is an innovative blend of recycled polyester from plastic bottles blended with Lycra. A unique finishing method ensures deep long-lasting color and protects against chlorine and salt
Hand wash cold. Line dry.
Model is 59" and wearing a size small.
Worn with Tavarua Top in Serape/Black.
Details & CareComing soon Coming soon This item may be returned with 60 days of purchase in its original condition. If through any fault in construction or material this garment does not give you the greatest amount of comfort and satisfaction, please let us know and well be happy to process an exchange or refund.
For more information about our shipping policies and delivery estimates, please refer here.


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The entertainment lineup also included a little something special for both couples: The Obamas are big admirers of Grammy-winner John Legend, and David and Samantha Cameron are huge fans of Mumford & Sons, a British folk rock band that warmed up the crowd for Legend.
PHOTOS: State Dinner at the White House
Obama, for his part, also is a big fan of "Homeland" actor Damian Lewis, who said on his way in that he planned to ask the president how he ever finds time to watch TV.
Among the 360 people who scored golden tickets to the dinner were actor George Clooney, billionaire Warren Buffett, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, businessman Richard Branson, Apple's Jony Ive and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, a big fundraiser for Obama's re-election campaign.
In fact, more than 30 of the biggest financial backers of Obama's bid for a second term made the cut, according to an Associated Press review of the guest list.
Others who made the list: Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, both of "Downton Abbey" fame, and Rory McIlroy, the new world No. 1 golfer. In advance of the big night, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland was so excited he tweeted a photo of himself being fitted for his dinner suit.
One anticipated guest - at least by the Camerons - was just not to be, a possible mix-up caused by what George Bernard Shaw called two nations separated by a common language.
David Cameron revealed at a luncheon that his wife was thrilled to learn that her favorite movie star was coming.
"I said, 'Is it Ben Kingsley from 'Gandhi' or Peter O'Toole from 'Lawrence of Arabia?'" Cameron said.
"No, it's Chevy Chase from 'Caddyshack,'" Cameron said his wife had told him.
But it turned out the only Chevy Chase on the invitation list was the Washington suburb of Chevy Chase, Md. - the home address of one invitee.
Apparently, a memo went out that blues were the color of the night. Both first ladies and a healthy share of their guests turned up in the color.
Mrs. Obama wore Marchesa, to the delight of Weinstein and his wife, Georgina Chapman, the designer of the first lady's gown. Both pronounced themselves surprised when reporters told them what the first lady was wearing.
"I'm knocked out," Weinstein enthused.
Obama gave the Camerons a sartorial thumbs-up as they arrived, declaring, "They look better than us."
During his dinner toast, Cameron complimented both wives while joking about his Tuesday night out with Obama at a college basketball game in Ohio.
"We have to have a guys' night out because so often we find we are completely overshadowed by our beautiful wives," the prime minister said.
The White House made sure to save a seat at the table for more than 30 of Obama's top fundraisers - the so-called bundlers who each have helped raise at least $50,000 for the president's re-election effort.
A number of coveted seats went to supporters who have raised between $200,000 and $500,000 for Obama, and at least nine went to donors who have raised more than a half-million dollars for his campaign, according to the AP review. They include Weinstein, New York financier Orin Kramer and Miami public policy consultant Joseph Falk.
Kramer and Falk also have given more than $10,000 apiece to Priorities USA Action, a "super" political action committee supporting Obama's re-election bid. Priorities has struggled to raise the kind of big cash flowing to super PACs supporting Republican candidates, although Obama recently encouraged his supporters to donate to the group.
The Obama campaign said it had no comment on the donor-heavy guest list.
Big names sat at the head table, Clooney, Buffett and Lewis included. But also Elaine Brye, an Winona, Ohio, mother of four children serving in the military. Mrs. Obama invited Brye after she wrote to the first lady about her campaign to support military families.
Legend's fiance, model Chrissy Teigen, provided running commentary on the night via Twitter, including, "a salad with some stuff in it I dunno" and "J has already stained himself." She helpfully included a photo of Legend with an unidentified smear on his tuxedo shirt.
After passing through the White house, guests had the option of walking or taking a trolley to the tent on the South Lawn. And this was no ordinary party tent: The giant structure featured a 150-foot-wide glass wall overlooking the White House grounds.
Even the rich and famous feel the "wow" factor of a state dinner: Actor Idris Elba said it was like visiting Disney World, where "you don't know what to expect next." British Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis pronounced herself as giddy as a schoolgirl. Richard Branson, who arrived sans spouse, said his wife was "very jealous" to miss it.
Weinstein, a state dinner veteran, said he was thrilled to attend - and thrilled that Obama's seeking re-election. His only complaint about the president: "He's too humble." The man needs to talk up his accomplishments more, Weinstein counseled.
The entire menu was a U.K.-U.S. blend, featuring bison Wellington, using buffalo tenderloin from North Dakota instead of beef. It also included crisped halibut served on braised baby kale from the White House garden. The salad greens, too, came from the White House backyard.
During an afternoon preview event, Mrs. Obama told schoolgirls from the U.S. and the U.K. that the dinner emerges from a "little-bitty kitchen," but that the chefs would have a little extra elbow room Wednesday with the dinner taking place outside.
One tidbit that didn't appear on the extremely detailed menu: the specifics of the "American wine" selections. Without explanation, the White House stopped listing the wines after catching criticism for serving some pricey bottles at earlier state dinners.
Associated Press writer Jack Gillum contributed to this report.


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Bruce may be too "bound up" at this point to do any strenuous activities....
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U.S. stocks fell Friday, sending the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to its worst January since 2010, as earnings reports at Amazon.com Inc. and Mattel Inc. disappointed investors and turmoil in emerging markets continued.
Amazon slumped 11 percent after the world's largest Web retailer reported profit and sales that trailed analysts' estimates. Mattel Inc. sank 12 percent after a drop in Barbie sales weighed on results. Google Inc. jumped 4 percent, pacing gains in technology shares, after sales topped estimates on growing advertising spending during the holiday season.
The S&P 500 retreated 0.7 percent to 1,782.43 at 4 p.m. in New York. The index fell 0.4 percent over the past five days for a third week of losses, the longest streak since May 2012. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 149.76 points, or 0.9 percent, to 15,698.85, the lowest in almost three months. About 7.8 billion shares changed hands on U.S. exchanges today, 25 percent above the three-month average.
"It seems investors can expect increased volatility and more modest returns as the year unfolds," Terry Sandven, chief equity strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, said in a phone interview from Minneapolis. He helps oversee $112 billion. "We need earnings to drive the market to meaningfully higher levels and to do that you need an improving economy. We'll get a better read on that over the next week."
The S&P 500 fell as much as much as 1.2 percent today to 1,772.26, approaching its lowest level since Dec. 18.
"The bulls are defending their turf," Ryan Detrick, senior technical strategist at Schaeffer's Investment Research in Cincinnati, said by phone. "When you see those December lows start to hold tough, that's the bulls starting to sink their teeth in and defend."
The S&P 500 fell 3.6 percent in January, its first monthly decline since August, as emerging-market currencies slumped amid signs China's economy is slowing. While the benchmark has retreated in January 24 times since 1950, the gauge ended the year lower than its Jan. 31 reading in only 11 of those years, according to data compiled by MKM Partners LLC. A lower start to the year resulted in a full-year decline for the index 58 percent of the time.
Data Watch
The S&P 500 last fell to start the year in 2010, when the gauge rallied 17 percent in the next 11 months to finish the year with a 13 percent gain.
A report today showed consumer spending climbed more than forecast in December even as incomes stagnated. Household purchases, which account for about 70 percent of the U.S. economy, rose 0.4 percent, after a 0.6 percent gain the prior month that was larger than previously estimated, Commerce Department figures showed. Incomes were unchanged, pushing the saving rate to the lowest level in almost a year.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final January index of consumer sentiment fell to 81.2 from 82.5 a month earlier. The median forecast of 68 economists in a survey called for 81 after a preliminary reading of 80.4. Estimates ranged from 79 to 82.5. The index averaged 89 in the five years before December 2007, when the last recession began, and 64.2 in the 18-month contraction that ended in June 2009.
'Bearish, Defensive'
Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve decided to reduce its monthly bond purchases by $10 billion. Three rounds of U.S. monetary stimulus helped the S&P 500 rise as much as 173 percent from a 12-year low in 2009.
"I'm really bearish and defensive at the moment," Daniel Weston, a fund manager at Aimed Capital GmbH in Munich, said by telephone. "Amazon was a big concern because the earnings were a reflection on the consumer. I'm concerned about growth and inflation coming off, continuing to trend lower."
The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index rose 6.5 percent today to 18.41. The gauge of S&P 500 options known as the VIX has gained 34 percent this year.
About 79 percent of the companies in the measure that have posted earnings this season exceeded analysts' projections. Profit at S&P 500 companies probably rose 8.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and sales increased 2.6 percent, analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg show.
Seven out of the 10 main industries in the S&P 500 fell today, as energy producers, consumer-discretionary companies and financial firms led declines. Utilities advanced 0.8 percent for the top gain.
Amazon tumbled 11 percent, the most in two years, to $358.69. The Seattle-based company said after yesterday's market close that earnings rose to 51 cents a share in the fourth quarter, falling short of the 69-cent profit that analysts projected on average. Sales growth slowed outside the U.S., while holiday shipping costs surged. Revenue rose 20 percent to $25.6 billion, trailing the $26.1 billion average estimate.
MasterCard Inc. slid 5.1 percent to $75.68. The second- biggest U.S. payments network reported fourth-quarter profit that missed analysts' estimates as expenses climbed 11 percent.
Mattel sank 12 percent to $37.84. The world's largest toymaker reported that fourth-quarter profit climbed 20 percent to $1.07 a share, missing the $1.20 that analysts had estimated. Sales dropped 6.3 percent to $2.11 billion, compared with projections for $2.37 billion.
Google Inc. climbed 4 percent to an all-time high of $1,180.97. The search provider said fourth-quarter revenue excluding sales passed on to partners rose 11 percent to $13.6 billion, topping estimates of $13.4 billion. Retailers spent more on advertising during the holidays, making up for lower ad prices.
Zynga Inc. surged 24 percent, the most since it started trading three years ago, to a record $4.40. The company, known for its "FarmVille" and casino-style games, will fire about 15 percent of its staff, mostly at its San Francisco headquarters. Zynga agreed to buy U.K.-based NaturalMotion Ltd. for $527 million, according to a statement yesterday.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. jumped 12 percent to $551.96, an all-time high. The burrito chain said fourth-quarter profit rose 30 percent as more customers visited its stores.
Tyson Foods Inc. rallied 8.4 percent to a record $37.40. The largest U.S. meat processor reported first-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates as sales of chicken, beef and pork rose.
Computer Sciences Corp. advanced 9.5 percent to $60.41, the highest since July 2007. The technology company whose clients include NASA and Avis Budget Group Inc. raised its profit forecast after third-quarter earnings exceeded analysts' estimates.
An S&P 500 index of homebuilders gained 2.6 percent, reaching the highest level since May. PulteGroup Inc. added 2.8 percent to $20.32 and Lennar Corp. rose 3.4 percent to $40.16.
JDS Uniphase Corp. climbed 4.5 percent to $13.29. The provider of network analytics forecast sales in the third quarter will be as much as $440 million, exceeding the $427.5 million estimated by analysts.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. added 7.9 percent to a record $217.42. The casino company controlled by billionaire Steve Wynn reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts' estimates as revenue in Macau surged.


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Nothing in this chapter shall affect any rights acquired by any lessee of lands subject to this chapter under the law as it existed prior to August 7, 1947, and such rights shall be governed by the law in effect at the time of their acquisition; but any person qualified to hold a lease who, on August 7, 1947, had pending an application for an oil and gas lease for any lands subject to this chapter which on the date the application was filed was not situated within the known geologic structure of a producing oil or gas field, shall have a preference right over others to a lease of such lands without competitive bidding. Any person holding a lease on lands subject hereto, which lease was issued prior to August 7, 1947, shall be entitled to exchange such lease for a new lease issued under the provisions of this chapter, at any time prior to the expiration of such existing lease.
30 U.S. Code § 358. Rights under prior leases; priority of pending applications; exchange of leases
(Aug. 7, 1947, ch. 513, § 9, 61 Stat. 915.)
Outer Continental Shelf; Jurisdiction of United States; Validation of Prior Leases
Jurisdiction of United States over outer Continental Shelf, grant of leases on submerged lands thereof, and validation of prior leases, see section 1331 et seq. of Title 43, Public Lands.


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Empire Today Tile Flooring in Dennis MA 02638
Empire Today Tile Flooring in Dennis MA 02638
Dennis New Carpets & Flooring - Serving Dennis and surrounding areas. Highly trusted for over 15 years!Call Now! (855) 972-3873
Flooring is used in many Dennis, Massachusetts residences and businesses. The use of resources to shield the ground in any dwelling has been around for thousands of years. Flooring is a common term used in reference to the different materials available today. Let's take a look at some of the earlier items used to conceal the ground in a home.
Older Flooring
Dirt: In Europe, mint was used as a room deodorizer by spreading it across the room. People walking on the mint spread its scent throughout the room. In early North American homes, settlers spread sand on top of the dirt. When the sand became dirty, they would sweep it out of the door and replace it. Other settlers spread peanut and sunflower shells on the dirt. As the shells were trampled underfoot, the oil from the shells would help to settle the dust.
Sand: Sometimes, colored sand was used to decorate the dirt and make it more attractive. Patterns could be made, with some of the designs being quite intricate. In India, this method evolved into a well-known art form called "rangoli," or floor painting. Sometimes, rice powder and flower petals were used as decorations as well.
Stone and Brick: Around 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians developed stone construction techniques. Stone and brick were used to shield the ground in and outside of buildings and homes. One form or another of this method was used by the Greeks and the Roman Empire, who also invented tile-making techniques.
Wood: This material was first used in the Middle Ages, followed by rugs first being used around 400 B.C. Today, four basic materials are used to protect the lower portion of a house or building.
Modern Products
Carpeting: This product is a textile consisting of an upper layer of pile, a raised surface of a fabric, attached to a type of backing. The pile is usually made from fibers or wool. The term "carpet" is often interchangeable with "rug," although carpet can be applied to any covering that is used throughout an entire Dennis, MA house.
Ceramic Tile: A tile is a manufactured piece of material such as ceramic, stone, and glass. It is a common item used to build roofs, walls, showers, and many other objects. Ceramic is a near perfect insulator, being neither cold nor hot.
Hardwood: This product is manufactured from lumber that is made specifically to be cut into planks. Wood is a popular flooring product because of its conservational profile, ability to be restored, and resilience.
Vinyl: Also known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC, vinyl is inexpensive and used in a multitude of buildings, from homes to hospitals and schools. The smooth, tough surface prevents the buildup of dirt, which prevents microbes from forming. This provides a clean, sterile location.
Whatever your flooring needs, contact your Dennis, MA dealership for more information.
[ssyelp location="Dennis MA" term="New Carpets & Flooring" limit="10"]


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Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
I have decided to restore the car back to original and not modify it. I just don't have the heart to change anything on her. I'll let the next owner decide if they want to modify it. After restored back to its original condition I think it will be worth about the same as a base 327 convertible.