text: Sepang showdown - f1 malaysian gp race report Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 10:30 All-important points for Lotus amid a taut on-track thriller The drama came thick and fast today, as the second round of the 2013 FIA F1 championship took place at the Sepang International Grand Prix circuit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Lotus gained vital early-season points in a race that finished with Romain Grosjean in sixth and iceman stablemate Kimi Räikkönen in seventh place. With Kimi starting in P10 and Romain P11, both battled hard from the off in an assault that saw them slice their way up the grid. Tense wheel to wheel grappling and sure-footed dicery made for some gripping moves on what was a slippery surface during the first half of the race. The team retains its second position in the constructors championship, with Kimi also second in the drivers standings. Kimi Räikkönen, P7, E21-03 "Although the car felt very good on Friday, yesterday and today have been pretty difficult. Since Saturday morning it has not been behaving as we expected for some reason, especially in the wet where we really struggled for grip. It was a tough race and I lost part of my front wing at the start which didn't help, but at least we scored a few points which is better than coming away with nothing. If we can get the car back to how it was in Australia then I'm sure we'll be at the front again." Romain Grosjean, P6, E21-01 "I think we can be quite happy with the result today. It was a tough race, starting wet and finishing dry, but that's what you expect in Malaysia. I spent a lot of time stuck behind Felipe [Massa] in the middle phase of the race and I'm sure if I could have passed him earlier then I would have stayed ahead, but by the end my tyres were finished so it was best just to let him through. It's not the result we would have wanted at the beginning of the weekend, but at the end of the day it's more points for the team and we'll try to come back stronger in Shanghai." Eric Boullier, Team Principal "It's not been the best day for us, but when you take into account our qualifying positions and the difficult start for both drivers I think the points we take for sixth and seventh is a solid result. Unfortunately with the conditions today we didn't see the full potential of the car, and the time we lost at the start was always going to be difficult to catch up. To finish within a reasonable distance of the leaders was a good effort from both drivers and also the team in terms of our strategy. With a normal weekend I'm sure we can expect some stronger results."


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He's in Russia, he got shot with a flare gun.
(Rut and Adam are here for the next little while to hang out and take over the site. Adam is holding me hostage and making me type. I'm scared. I've been assured that I'm ok if I don't make spelling mistakes. I don't buy it. - T.O)

subset: commoncrawl


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Wheat declined for a third day in Chicago before a government report that may project ample world supplies even as drought damages U.S. crops.
Global wheat stockpiles may be 185.74 million metric tons at the end of the 2014-15 season, about 0.5 percent less than a year earlier, according to a Bloomberg survey that included a range of forecasts higher and lower than the prior year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to release forecasts at noon in Washington today. The Agricultural Market Information System estimates world inventories will be 1.1 percent higher than the prior year, according to a report yesterday.
"Next year's outlook doesn't look half bad," Vyanne Lai, an agribusiness economist at National Australia Bank Ltd., said by phone from Melbourne. "Overall there isn't any strong impetus to drive grain prices higher."
Wheat for July delivery fell 1.1 percent to $7.275 a bushel at 7:07 a.m. on the Chicago Board of Trade. Prices are still up 1.6 percent this week and 20 percent this year after U.S. crop conditions worsened and amid tension in Ukraine. Milling wheat for November delivery fell 0.5 percent to 206.25 euros ($284.34) a ton on Euronext in Paris.
Dryness expanded last week in the U.S. High Plains, with about 36 percent of area experiencing moderate to exceptional drought as of May 6, the U.S. Drought Monitor said yesterday. Spot prices for U.S. hard, red winter wheat at the Gulf of Mexico were about $364 a ton as of May 7, compared with French prices in Rouen at $288 a ton, according to the International Grains Council in London.
U.S. Prices
"Current U.S. levels are now priced at a $40-$80 a ton premium to other origins, depending on grade, and look well overpriced in the eyes of any importer," David Sheppard, a managing director at Gainsborough, England-based Gleadell Agriculture Ltd., said in an e-mailed note today.
Corn for July delivery declined 0.3 percent to $5.15 a bushel, trimming this week's gain to 3.1 percent. Soybeans for the same delivery month rose 0.1 percent to $14.71 a bushel.
Global soybean stockpiles may total 69.74 million tons at the end of this season, before climbing to a record 79.68 million tons by the end of 2014-15, according to the Bloomberg survey. Corn inventories were estimated at 158.11 million tons at the end of this season and 162.2 million by the end of the next marketing year.


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The National Park Service says most roads in Yellowstone National Park closed for the season Monday.
The agency closes roads to most of the park's popular tourist destinations so workers can prepare the roads for commercially guided snowmobile and snow coach travel, which starts Dec. 15.
The road in the northern part of the park that travels from Gardiner, through Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley to Cooke City remains open to wheeled vehicles all year.
The agency says the Yellowstone General Store, Post Office, medical clinic, campground and Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs remain open all year.
However, temporary travel restrictions can occur at any time due to winter weather, and mud and snow tires or chains may be required.


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Bang & Olufsen, the company responsible for not only making great sounding products but designing some insane concepts, is pulling out of the mobile phone market.
Best known for its upside down effort with Samsung, the only things you'll be able to find from the B&O brand in the near future will be TVs and sound systems. Boring.
Bye bye DVD
So that's goodbye to not only mobile phones, but DVD players and recorders, and all the other things we never bothered to look at in the catalogue, but now wished we had before it was too late. Sob...
The company is also planning to axe around 300 jobs in a bid to save cash in readiness for the economic troubles, but still plans to continue its expansion into the likes of China and Russia, which are still potential growth markets for the company.
But the good news, according to the Czech site idnes.cz, is the company is not going to stop cooperating with Samsung, though on what projects we still don't know.


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Recent News
The Board of Directors of National Insurance Corporation (NIC) is concerned that the general public may have been misinformed by certain statements in the public domain in connection with a request by the Government of Saint Lucia to NIC for a bridging finance facility.POSTED Jul 27, 2018
Category: Announcements
NIC Hosts Regional Internal Auditors Social Security Workshop
(Castries, October 24, 2014) – Twenty eight internal auditors, accountants and other social security professionals from eleven countries met in Saint Lucia this week, to enhance their skills and learn more about international best practice in internal auditing.
The October 23 to 24, 2014 Regional Internal Auditors Social Security Workshop was hosted by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and was held at the Bay Gardens Hotel.POSTED Dec 12, 2014
Category: General
NIC Recognized by Toastmasters International as St. Lucia Hosts International District Conference
The National Insurance Corporation (NIC) has been awarded for its continued support of the Toastmasters Program.POSTED Oct 20, 2014
Category: Announcements
NIC Sports and Social Club Brings Relief to Elderly Fire VictimThe National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Sports and Social Club is ensuring that an elderly fire victim has adequate food and personal supplies this year.POSTED Jan 8, 2014
Category: General
Circular to all Employers
Dear Employer
The National Insurance Office has observed that some employers continue to deduct National Insurance from bonuses paid to employees.
We have advised against this practice in the past, but it still continues.
We wish therefore to remind employers that payments made to employees as:POSTED Oct 25, 2012
Category: General
Time for Claiming BenefitsThe National Insurance Regulations No 22 of 2003, Section 98 stipulates the time for claiming benefits offered by the National Insurance Corporation.POSTED Aug 23, 2011
Category: General
National Insurance Registration CardThe National Insurance Corporation (NIC) wishes to inform members of the public that effective July 1, 2011, the green NIC Registration Card (R4) became obsolete.POSTED Jul 13, 2011
Category: Announcements
Buy Your Piece of Treasure Now - Emerald Development
The National Insurance Corporation(NIC) would like to inform the public that sale of lots at the Emerald Development has resumed. Secure your piece of the treasure here.POSTED Feb 14, 2011
Category: General
C3 Form RemindersEmployers: Please ensure that you are registered and your contributions reach the National Insurance office by the 7th of the following month.POSTED Jan 26, 2011
Category: General
NIC Act / Regulations
Please Download the NIC Act/Regulations - Jan 2012
Explore NIC
© Copyright 2011-2020 St Lucia National Insurance Corporation


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Health Services
Health Services is closed when the University is closed.
Health Services is located at 501 Park Avenue
Phone - 508-793-7467 Fax - 508-751-5947
Open: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are no medical services during the summer or school vacations. There are limited administrative hours during the summer and school vacations. View a map showing the location of Health Services.
Health Services is a contracted service through UMass Memorial Medical Group. As a primary care setting, Clark University Health Services provides acute illness care, gynecological and contraceptive services, as well as health counseling and education. The professional Health Services staff includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses and part-time physicians. Students are also referred to a number of excellent specialists from an extensive referral network.
By law, Clark cannot release information about your health or health records without your authorization—even to your parents. Please be sure to give Health Services your permission each time before your parents call us.
Whenever you have a health-related problem, an appointment with the Health Services staff will help you identify the problem and give you the information needed for you to make the best choice for treatment. Clark Health Services also provides information for international students as well as information about insurance and health forms.
What is the Clark University Health Service and how does it work?
The Clark University Health Service is a primary care outpatient clinic who will collaborate with your primary care physician offering a variety of services and programs including:
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute and sub-acute episodic illnesses and injuries
- Ongoing and follow-up care of pre-existing chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, colitis, etc.
- Diagnostic laboratory testing
- Contraceptive counseling and gynecological services
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD) health education
- Immunization to prevent diseases
- Sports medicine
- Stress reduction
- HIV/AIDS education
- Eating disorders
- Basic nutrition advice
- Smoking cessation
Clinical Services are provided by nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and support staff. Physicians affiliated with the major teaching hospitals in the Worcester area are present in the Health Service every day.
Read more frequently asked questions about Health Services


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ASTM D4632 Geotextile Grab Test
This grab test is used for geotextile fabrics to determine the breaking load (grab strength) and elongation (grab elongation). The grab test is a tensile test where the central part of the specimen's width is tested in the grips, establishing the "effective strength" of the fabric. The effective strength is the strength of the material in a specific width, together with the additional strength of adjacent material.
The specimens are cut to 101.6 mm x 203.2 mm (4 in x 8 in), with attention to the fabrication machine direction. The specimen is loaded into the grips leaving a 75 mm (3 in) separation between the jaw faces, and jaw faces must be 25.4 mm x 50.8 mm (1 in x 2 in) with the longer dimension being parallel to the direction of the load. The test speed is 300 mm/min (12 in/min). The required test results are load at break and total elongation.
Geotextile materials tend to have coatings that may make it difficult to test without slippage or jaw breaks. Instron's pneumatic side acting grips provide an easy, repeatable, high throughput gripping solution. Pneumatic grips allow the user to adjust grip clamping pressure, while the performance of manually operated grips will vary depending on the operator.
The challenges of testing to this standard are:
- Rapid data capture rate
- Jaw breaks
- Specimen slippage
- Rapid data capture rate in Bluehill® software allows data peaks and valleys to be captured accurately
- Instron pneumatic side acting grips enable rapid adjustment of the grip pressure and easy grip face changes for testing different types of specimens, all while maintaining high throughput
It is important to review ASTM D4632/D4632M-15 in order to fully understand the test setup, procedure, and results requirements.
2712 Series Pneumatic Side Action Grips (2712-041, 2712-042, 2712-045, 2712-046)
Instron® 2712-04x Series Pneumatic grips, packed with features to enhance gripping performance, usability, and operator safety.
- Products
- 5/16/2019
5900 Series Premier Testing Systems Brochure
5900 Universal Testing Systems are engineered for precision, built for durability, and offer the flexibility for changing requirements. They are designed with standard and optional features that increase testing efficiency and improve the testing experience for the operator. A wide range of models are available for testing capacities from < 100N up to 600kN.
- Products
- 1/22/2019
3300 Series - Affordable Testing Solutions
Instron 3300 Series Universal Testing Systems for Tensile, Compression, Bend, and other material property tests.
- Products
- 6/19/2017
Bluehill® Universal Software
Bluehill Universal Software is built from the ground-up for touch interaction and an intuitive user experience. Discover simpler and smarter testing with features such as pre-loaded test methods, QuickTest in seconds, enhanced data exporting: and Instron Connect – a new feature that provides a direct communication link to Service. Users of previous versions of software such as Bluehill 2 and Bluehill 3 can easily upgrade to the newest version of Bluehill.
- Products
- 2/26/2017


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For Immediate Release, July 10, 2012
Contact: Brent Foster, (541) 380-1334
HOOD RIVER, Ore.— To protect salmon and preserve broad public access to the Columbia River, opponents of a controversial waterfront project planned by Portland developer Robert Naito announced today they intend to sue the development company and the city of Hood River. Friends of the Hood River Waterfront has been joined by the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the nation's leading advocates for endangered species, in filing formal notices of intent to sue under the federal Endangered Species Act to save salmon runs at risk from the new construction.
Through his development company NBW Hood River, Naito is seeking to build a sprawling waterfront development that includes a 50,000-square-foot Hampton Inn, 20,000 square feet of commercial space and a 230-space parking lot. Naito also wants to build a motorized wakeboarding park that would include large crane-like structures and a network of metal cables in a section of the Columbia River known as the "boat basin." This is the first such project planned in Oregon's waters. In addition to affecting 11 runs of threatened and endangered species, including Chinook and steelhead salmon, the 10-acre wakeboard facility, which would be regulated under the state's amusement park regulations, would shut out kayakers, windsurfers, triathlon swimmers and standup paddle boarders who currently use the area.
"The city of Hood River approved this project last night without any real look at what the storm-water pollution from the parking lot or impacts on wetlands would be," said Hood River resident Linda Maddox, co-chair of Friends of the Hood River Waterfront. "When you have fishing families struggling with low salmon runs and millions being spent on salmon recovery, it's frankly embarrassing to see the city have such a cavalier attitude toward salmon."
"The city and the developer have gone forward as if the federal Endangered Species Act and the critical habitat designation for the Columbia River did not exist," said environmental attorney Brent Foster, who filed the notice with Portland attorney Erin Madden with Cascadia Law P.C. "I don't think anyone would try a project like this in Portland, and they shouldn't get away with it out in the Gorge either."
"It's incredible that a developer who likes to talk about green development would propose putting such a major development in important salmon habitat without even the most basic protections for water quality or fish," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "The idea that you could put up a new commercial building in a key salmon area in the Columbia River isn't realistic."
Go back


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If you're the parent of a child in elementary school, you are likely very familiar with the concept of the "classroom party". As a mom of three, I spent many years helping to plan and organize these festive events for squirming, giggling kids. And I loved every single minute of it!
And then after my kids got older, I was working as a Paraprofessional in our local school district, so I was able to enjoy the magic of holiday parties for a bit longer. At least 3 times per year, the kids would be treated to games, treats, drinks and a whole lot of laughs. And I can tell you as a parent assigned to the "cleanup crew" and then later as one of the teachers, these parties left a HUGE mess and created a lot of trash.
Think about it: each child would receive at least one plate, plus a cup, plus at least one napkin, plus plastic flatware, plus a treat bag of some kind filled with more plastic goodies. Sometimes, we used tablecloths for the treat table and there were lots and lots of paper towels used in the cleanup.
So let's do the math: 5 items per kid (if not way more) x 20 kids per classroom = 100 items per classroom x 36 classrooms (6 classrooms in our school for each of the Kindergarten thru 5th grade classrooms) = 3,600 items x 3 parties per year = 10,800 items for the landfill. Wow!! Don't even get me started on the decorations!
And that does not include extra cups because someone's got knocked over, or all the cupcake wrappers, or the candy wrappers from the treat bag, or extra forks and spoons, or paper towels, etc. And that is one itty bitty school here in the Midwest. And we do this all over the country year after year after year. Mind boggling, isn't it?
That is why I was SO excited when I found a company that creates eco-friendly party products. The company is called Green Party Goods (visit them at http://www.greenpartygoods.com) and their mission is Planet Friendly Products for Any Celebration. Brilliant!
They have biodegradable cupcake liners for all types of occasions (parties, showers, weddings) and even eco cupcake towers. Instead of plastic straws that will end up in a landfill, why not try biodegradable soy ink straws that have been approved by the FDA?
If you are looking for napkins, you can choose from biodegradable and recyclable napkins or paper napkins. One of the things that I love about Green Party Goods is that they have partnered with companies that replenish the trees that were used to create the pulp for the paper. This is a very green, responsible business practice.
Looking to "dress up" your party? No need to worry. You can choose from recycled table covers, biodegradable, crepe paper garlands, reusable banners, and (get this) biodegradable balloons! No matter what color you choose for your theme, you'll feel good knowing that you're green.
Green Party Goods also offers a line of tableware made from sugarcane fiber, from tapioca fiber or from bamboo. The sugarcane tableware is plant friendly and biodegradable. The tapioca line has its fiber "baked", rather than coated in plastic, and the plant is not destroyed during the harvesting, so it's a renewable source. And, the tapioca line is allergen free. The bamboo line is made from the bamboo stalks, which means that the plant is not affected. Talk about sustainable!
Green Party Goods also carries eco-friendly toys that do not require batteries (don't even get me STARTED on how many batteries we dispose of each year) and they come in eco-friendly, recycled packages. You'll also find gifts, party favors, bird houses, glassware and more. Coming across this store was like hitting the jackpot!
If you are a person who loves a good party, shower, backyard BBQ, picnic or just a weekend celebration that won't leave you with a lot of dishes to wash, Green Party Goods can help you celebrate with style, while maintaining environmental integrity. Right now, there is a giveaway event happening that you can participate in. Visit http://ecocupcakestand.com/shabby-vintage-chic-giveaway/. If you win, you could celebrate Valentine's Day in style. Only a couple days left though so hurry to sign up! You may also visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyGoods.
And just so you know, I was not paid in any way, shape or form to promote this company. I'm just a mom with a lot of experience with kids and a HUGE passion for eco-friendly practices. When I learned of them, I felt it was too important not to share!!
To your health, happiness and upcoming party plans,
Penny at Green Moms and Kids
Photo Credits: http://www.greenpartygoods.com
Views: 37
You are so welcome. I'll bet you'll be making LOTS for Valentine's Day. You'll have to post pictures!! Make sure you tell Carole at Green Party Goods how you heard about her company. Happy cupcake baking!!
Hey Penny! Love the biodegradeable cupcake liners (I make a lot of cupcakes!) Thanks for the tips and the link! :)


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Veterans may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking into the possibility that more than 700 patients at the Buffalo VA Medical Center may have been infected with the HIV and hepatitis virus due to the improper reuse of insulin pens.
During a routine inspection back in November, VA officials discovered insulin pens intended for individual patients were found without patient labels on them. Although disposable needles are used with the pens, individual pens intended for one patient could have been used with multiple patients.
"Because of that, there very remote small chance that some bodily fluids could have backed up into the insulin open from one patient and therefore potentially been injected into another patient. So for that reason, the fear that there was a very, very remote but possible chance that someone was or could have been infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV," said Congressman Chris Collins.
Collins says he received a memo from the Department of Veterans Affairs about the investigation. VA Officials say about 716 patients may have been exposed over a two year period and about 570 are still living.
"The VA believes based on the fact no needles were reused, that the chance of passing the infection would be very, very slight," said Collins.
YNN reached out to the VA for comment. Their spokesperson released a statement which reads in part, "Once this was identified, immediate action was taken to ensure the insulin pens were labeled and only used according to pharmaceutical guidelines. VA is committed to ensuring Veterans receive the care they earned and deserve, and to assuring high quality, patient-centered care is our top priority."
VA officials say all veterans who were prescribed the insulin pen during inpatient stay from October 19, 2010 to November 1, 2012 will be notified to come in for testing.


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In this lesson, students learn about the different forms of violence of western Dakota in the 1880s and the conditions that led to them. The following activities will help them apply what they have learned.
Activity 1: Photograph Analysis
Photographs provide a very different perspective on the past than do written documents. Depending on their subjects, they may reveal a great deal about material culture, social relations and individual and cultural values. We live in a visually-oriented society, so photographs also provide a very accessible way for students to study the past.
Use any of the photographs in the lesson to do this activity. Use the Photo Analysis Worksheet to examine the chosen photographs and then write a caption for the photo. Then share with the class what has been learned. In addition, students could pretend to be a newspaper reporter accompanying the photographer and write a newspaper story about the subject.
Students can then use the skills learned with the worksheet to study old family photos or current photos in newspapers or magazines. How much does the photographer influence the viewer's perception of an event?
Activity 2: Compare the violence of Dakota to other western cowtowns. How does it compare to the image created by Hollywood?
Use the following websites to study violence in other cowtowns and then compare them to Medora in 1883. Or do your own internet search to discover other sites that deal with violence in the Old West.
Violence on the Western Frontier
Activity 3: The Myths and Legends of Medora
The founding of Medora by the Marquis de Mores and Roosevelt's entrance into the Badlands of Dakota has made the Medora area one of the largest tourism sites in the state of North Dakota.
Discuss how the perpetuation of the myths such as duels and hangings adds to the tourism aspect of the area. What is our responsibility to history in telling these myths and legends? Students may write a short essay or perhaps form a debate on the pros and cons of using myths and legends to attract tourism.
1/8 miles W and 1/8 miles S of
Medora Chimney Park -
west edge of Medora
De Mores Memorial Park -
downtown Medora, ND 58654
Get Directions
The Interpretive Center is open year round
Winter: Labor Day-Memorial Day
9 a.m.-5 p.m. MDT, Tuesday-Saturday, with the last tickets sold at 4 p.m.
Summer: Memorial Day-Labor Day
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily with the last tickets sold at 4:30 p.m.
The Chateau is open May-October, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Please call to verify.
Chimney Park and DeMores Memorial Park open year round.
Contact Chateau de Mores:
phone: 701.623.4355
fax: 701.623.4921
Contact SHSND:
phone: 701.328.2666
fax: 701.328.3710
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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February 13, 2012 in Lifestyle (E)
[prMac.com] Mississauga, Canada - Announcing that Bartsoft Inc., a Canadian based company, has published new Valentine cards and frames for both versions of the application, eCard Express for iPhone and eCard Express HD for iPad. This new update includes both nice classical and humorous cartoon style cards and frames for existing application categories like Love & Friendship, Frames, Thank You, Happy Birthday.
All of these new cards are free of charge for current eCard Express users. And now the total number of cards for each application exceeds 250!
eCard Express application enables users to create and customize greeting cards with high quality stickers, frames, and their own photos or images from the iPhone / iPad photo library. The app also allows users to save their creation to "My Cards", which is essentially an in-app library of all user-saved creations and a very convenient way to put together eCards for iPod users on the go, since it does not require a network connection until actually sending the cards.
While it may seem complicated, eCard Express is very intuitive and straightforward even for a novice iPhone user. With a very well designed user interface and Retina display graphics it makes the creation process significantly more enjoyable.
Device Requirements:
* iPhone, iPod touch, iPad
* Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Pricing and Availability:
eCard Express for iPhone and eCard Express HD for iPad are available in the App Store worldwide in the Lifestyle category for only $1.99 (USD) each. Press release created by AppShrink.
BartSoft is a creative multimedia development company based in Mississauga, Canada. We provide internet and mobile application development (iOS, ASndroid, Blackberry) web design, animation, and game programming for small and midsize businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, top agencies, production facilities and creative professionals from all over the world (Canada, United States, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, and others). Copyright (C) 2012 BartSoft. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.


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Traveling, my golden retriever, anything pasta, Julia Child
Why I Practice
It makes me happy. It grounds me and gives me perspective on my life.
Why I Teach
Giving the gift of yoga to someone else is a gift in and of itself. I love empowering people to make yoga a part of their everyday life. Teaching fulfills the deepest part of me and brings joy to my life.


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Closer - Banking Business Insights
Banking Business Insights is a MIS Dashboard that provide a whole set of predefined metrics and KPIs allowing to easily identify issues and trends to take intuitive and faster actions in this area.Entrar em contato com o parceiro Assistir vídeo
- Gold Application Development
- Silver Cloud Platform
- Silver Data Platform
Most existing Management Information Systems have severe limitations:
- Volume and complexity of information to be handled is growing "exponentially";
- Multitude of data sources making it virtually impossible to create consensus about which is the right one / the official;
- Difficulty to separate data from information and insight; huge amounts of data often generate very little or timely insight;
- Inappropriate formats (dense paper based reports and/or complex to navigate systems); In most cases reports / analysis are static and do not allow for root cause investigation;
- Virtually impossible to compare with peers in a timely and seamless manner;
- Very significant investment required and too long development, set-up, and installation cycles.
Having this in mind, Banking Business Insights (BBI), a MIS Dashboard, was conceived in order to provide a whole set of predefined metrics and KPIs allowing to easily identify issues and trends to take intuitive and faster actions in this area.
BBI addresses all of those who are familiar with at least one of the following quotes:
- "We struggle with too much data and less information. Thus, we lack insights, especially what is really important to manage the bank";
- "The links between different banking channels are missing. Real time net costs of funding or measuring the effectiveness of guarantees for credits are examples. What are the sector benchmarks to compete against is necessary as well";
- "We have too many people in our data resources. Time and machine input for IT is not efficient. I'm supposed to cut costs, but the demand is growing".
BBI is:
- All critical and updated information you need about your bank, peers and industry;
- Consistent information, automatically adjusted;
- Low and predictable set-up and maintenance cost;
- Distinctive and intuitive user experience;
- All of that on a strict and secure infrastructure.
BBI provides:
- Most relevant and constantly updated performance indicators for your bank(profits, volumes, revenues, operating costs, impairments, clients, transactions);
- Granularity on segment (e.g. mass, affluent) and sub-product level (e.g. term deposits, mutual funds, credit cards, insurance);
- Long term historical trends on a daily, monthly and yearly basis;
- Benchmark against peers (industry average, same size, same geography, best practices).
Key features:
- Totally scalable & secure;
- Presents state-of-the-art interface controls;
- Entirely cloud based;
- Allows to search & drilldown;
- Customizes metrics & KPIs;
- Drives expertize & insights;
- Points out where to focus on;
- Accessible collaboration anywhere;
- Real time information.
BBI in numbers:
78 KPI's on absolute term;
+ 236 Performance ratios;
+ 78 Market shares;
= 392 KPI's.
Deseja se tornar um parceiro Power BI?
Parceiros certificados são uma parte importante da equipe! Encontre novas oportunidades comerciais, faça contatos e compartilhe os talentos e experiência de sua empresa com usuários do Power BI pelo mundo todo.Inscrever-se
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Oral Medications
Showing La-Co Industries items. Remove Filter
Goat & Sheep
- Castration & Dehorning
- Equipment
- Fencing
- Fly & Lice
- Health Care
- Hoof Care
- Needles & Syringes
- Nutrition
- Show & Grooming
- Vaccines
- Wormers
- Shop All Goat & Sheep Categories
- Castration & Dehorning
- Equipment
- Fencing
- Fly & Lice
- Health Care
- Hoof Care
- Needles & Syringes
- Nutrition
- Show & Grooming
- Vaccines
- Wormers
- Castration & Dehorning
Corid 9.6% Oral Solution Coccidiostat (Amprolium) for use as an aid in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in calves. Can be used as either a drench or in the drinking water. Treatment: 16 oz. to 100 gallon water for 5 days. Prevention: 8 oz. to 100 gallon water for 21 days.
Corid 9.6% Oral Solution Coccidiostat for Calvesby HuvepharmaAs low as:$17.99
Used in treatment of acetonemia or ketosis in cattle and as a source of carbohydrates. Dosage: 50 cc to 100 lbs body weight IV.
Dextrose 50%by AgriLabsPrice:$4.49
Use Zinpro 40 with zinc methionine complex as a nutritional aid for preventing and treating lameness and foot rot. This patented feed additive is not a drug. It causes no side effects and leaves no milk or tissue residue. Helps increase milk production. Zinpro 40 improves performance in beef cattle and is essential for proper growth, skeletal soundness, tissue repair, wound healing, sexual maturity, reproductive capacity and immune response in poultry, swine, sheep, goats and horses as well. For dairy and beef cattle mix 2 lbs per 100 head daily. Swine: 2.5 lbs per ton. Sheep & Goats: 1 lb per 360 head daily. See label for other concentrations.
Zinpro 40 Feed Ingredient for Livestockby ZinproPrice:$82.99
Give one tube within 6 to 12 hours prior to calving. Give another tube within 6-12 hours after calving. Source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Do not give to cows that are unable to swallow. Requires 3-tab dosing gun for administration.
C.M.P.K Gel Nutritional Supplement for Dairy Cattleby AgriLabsPrice:$6.79
Solution of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and dextrose. For use as a supplemental nutritive source.
Oral Cal MPKby DurvetPrice:$7.49
Contains poloxalene to control bloat caused by eating alfalfa and other legumes. Give by drench or stomach tube at earliest signs of bloat. Dosage is 1 oz. for calves under 500 lbs. and 2 oz. for mature animals.
Therabloat Drench Concentrate for Cattleby Zoetis Animal HealthPrice:$12.79
Treatment for mastitis infection. Proven to reduce Somatic cell count in milk by up to 50%. Treat one animal or the entire herd. Spray on nose or add to water for at least 10 days. Give cows 2 ml twice daily, sheep or goats 1 ml twice daily. Natural formula. No milk withdrawal. 8 oz. provides treatment for 6 cows, 12 sheep or goats.
MastoBlast for Mastitis in Livestockby HomeoPetPrice:$34.95
3-tab dosing gun is used to administer oral paste or gel from standard 300 gram tubes. Gun features a lock pin that allows you to deliver a 5, 10 or 15 gram dose. Appropriate for use with Probios, Vets Plus, Respond, Lacto Gel, Vita Charge and other standard tubes.
3-Tab Dosing Gunby Vets PlusPrice:$27.95
As an aid in the prevention of ketosis in dairy cattle, feed at the rate of 4 oz. per head daily at calving and continue for 6 weeks. Mix with feed or drench.
Propylene Glycol for Animal Useby AgriLabsPrice:$19.49
The Mega CMPK Bolus provides a supplemental source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium for cattle, sheep, swine, and horses. CMPK Bolus disintegrates within five minutes of consumption to deliver quick, therapeutic levels of minerals to the bloodstream. Provides 4.4 gm calcium, 3.7 gm phosphorus, 1.5 gm potassium, 1.4 gm magnesium, and 50,000 IU vitamin D3 per bolus. Mega CMPK Bolus may be given orally, crushed and sprinkled on the daily feed ration, or given as a drench by mixing with water or milk. Supplemental dosage for cattle and horses: 1 to 2 boluses daily; sheep and swine: 1/2 to 1 bolus daily.
Mega CMPK Bolusby KaecoPrice:$32.79
Emulsified treatment for frothy bloat in cattle and sheep. Administer entire contents of twelve ounce special dosing container orally to relieve bloated conditions in average size mature cattle. Administer as drench or by stomach tube. Adult cattle - 12 oz. Young cattle, sheep, and goats - 6 oz..
Bloat Treatment for Animalsby AgriLabsPrice:$5.69
Organic Iodine Salt provides a nutritional source of iodine for cattle. Equivalent to 9.2% EDDI (ethylenediamine dihydroiodide); 40 grains EDDI per oz; 41,760 mg EDDI per lb. Organic Iodine Salt may be mixed with cattle ration or salt. Typical ration is 1 lb Organic Iodine Salt mixed with 260 lbs of salt. Then feed 1 oz of salt mixture per head per day and offer continuously.
Organic Iodine Salt 40 grain (EDDI)by VedcoAs low as:$8.79
An all-natural diuretic paste which aids in the excretion of body fluids to drop the animals weight. No withdrawal period. For cattle use 1 tube daily. Pigs, sheep and goats use 1/3-1/2 tube daily.
Sullivans Lite-Aidby Sullivan SupplyPrice:$16.50
Sulfadimethoxine 40% injectable for IV use in cattle. Use to treat bovine respiratory disease complex, bacterial pneumonia, foot rot, and calf diphtheria.
Di-methox 40% for Use in Animalsby AgriLabsPrice:$29.49


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August 23, 2012
A man charged in connection with the murder of his estranged wife Sunday Blombergh was sentenced this afternoon.
Theo Conoly was charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Prosecutors say Conoly plead guilty this afternoon in a Tift County courtroom and was sentenced to ten years in prison and must testify against his mother Ruby Evans.
Conoly's step father, Herman Evans, has already been sentenced to life for Blombergh's murder in April, 2010. Conoly's mother has a September 24th court date. Prosecutors say Herman Evans, shot Blombergh in the head, and then stabbed and strangled her.
Herman Evans has already pled guilty to murder and is serving a life sentence.
There is still an indictment pending against Conoly's mother, Ruby Evans, for felony murder, aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit murder.
Ruby Evans' court date is set for September 24th.
Conoly was also fined $3,000 and cannot have any contact with Blombergh's young daughter.


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- Urology Clinic at Eastside Specialty Center
- 3100 Northup Way, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Getting Here | Map It
The Urology Clinic at Eastside Specialty Center offers complete urology care to patients from throughout the region by nationally recognized doctors. Urology disorders can be among the most uncomfortable, inconvenient and embarrassing of health issues. However, many urological disorders can be helped by awareness and prevention.
Managed early, many problems can be treated non-surgically or with minimally invasive techniques. New methods and tools constantly improve outcomes and the patient experience. We help patients make informed, sound lifestyle and medical choices about their urological disorders.
The Urology Clinic health-care professionals include urologists and nurse practitioners who are able to diagnose and treat a variety of urologic problems. The clinic includes two multidisciplinary clinics -- the prostate oncology center and the urogynecology clinic -- a variety of specialized urology clinics and a general urology clinic. Specialized urology clinics include the stone clinic, the cancer clinic for patients with kidney, bladder and testis or penis cancer, an infertility clinic and a clinic for sexual problems including erectile dysfunction.
The general urology clinic is for patients with urinary voiding infection problems and urologic pain problems.
In many cases the urologists in charge of these clinics also are involved in cutting-edge research which can be merged with clinical experience and skills to offer superior patient care.
To fax documents, please use the clinic fax number: 206.598.6797


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All four episodes of John Berger's Ways of Seeing are available on UbuWeb:
Ways of Seeing was a BBC television series consisting of visual essays that raise questions about hidden ideologies in visual images. The series gave rise to a later book of the same name written by John Berger.
About UbuWeb:
UbuWeb is a completely independent resource dedicated to all strains of the avant-garde, ethnopoetics, and outsider arts. All materials on UbuWeb are being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights belong to the author(s). UbuWeb is completely free.


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This module introduces the basic concepts of variance (sampling error) estimation for NHANES data. You will learn how the complex survey design of NHANES and clustering of the data affect variance estimation, which methods are appropriate to use when calculating variance for NHANES data, and how to calculate degrees of freedom and construct confidence limits for NHANES estimates.
Task 1: Explain Variance Estimation Within NHANES
This first task describes the importance of accounting for the complex sampling structure of NHANES when estimating variances. In general, using statistical weights that reflect the probability of selection and propensity of response for sampled individuals will affect parameter estimates, while incorporating the attributes of the complex sample design (i.e. differential weighting, clustering and stratification) will affect variance estimates (estimated standard errors and thereby test statistics and confidence intervals).
Task 2: Describe Methods for Variance Estimation Used in NHANES
The second task briefly describes the method used to calculate variance estimates with NHANES data and the sample design parameters required.
- Key Concepts about Variance Estimation Methods in NHANES
- How to Use the Method for Variance Estimation in NHANES with SUDAAN
- How to Use the Method for Variance Estimation in NHANES with SAS Survey Procedures
- Download Sample Code and Dataset
Task 3: Calculate Degrees of Freedom for Performing Statistical Tests and Calculating Confidence Limits
This third task will discuss calculation of degrees of freedom using SUDAAN and SAS Survey procedures. The accurate determination of degrees of freedom is important for performing statistical tests and calculating confidence limits.
- Key Concepts about Degrees of Freedom for Performing Statistical Tests and Calculating Confidence Limits
- How to Perform Statistical Test and Calculate Confidence Limits with Degrees of Freedom
- Download Sample Code and Dataset
Contact Us:
- National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Rd
Hyattsville, MD 20782
- 1 (800) 232-4636
- email@example.com


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Print, Share, or View Spanish version of this article
All children and youth, including those with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), have questions about physical changes in their bodies and emotions and feelings they experience during puberty and as they grow up. It is important to help children and youth understand these changes and to talk with them early and often about sexuality.
Talking about these issues may make parents feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. Your child's pediatrician can help. This is an important topic; sexuality is healthy and normal and a key part of being an adult.
Teens with ASDs have curiosity about their own bodies and the changes they are experiencing in adolescence. Like other teens, they see and hear about sexual behaviors on TV and in movies and other media. All teens need to be given information about sexuality in a way that they can understand. Parents of children or youth with ASDs need to start discussing sexuality with their children as part of growing up. During visits with your child's pediatrician, discuss your concerns about your child's sexual development and consider the following issues:
All children and teens have the right to privacy. You and your child's pediatrician should respect that privacy during physical examinations. For example, at some point it will become inappropriate for you to accompany your child during the physical examination. You can join your child and the doctor for a discussion after the examination is complete.
Your child's pediatrician can teach you about the typical phases of puberty. That way, you can be aware of changes in your children and how those changes might affect their bodies and behavior.
As children enter puberty, they will have to learn new ways to clean and care for their bodies. These new skills should be taught in steps. Children with ASDs may require special training and extra time to learn these new skills.
Many youth with ASDs may not have the same social opportunities to learn and practice relationship skills as children with typical development. Youth with ASDs may not often go to school dances, summer camps, or trips to the mall with their friends. However, appropriate social behaviors can be learned, often with practice, repetition, and reward, until the skills become natural.
Youth with ASDs may need help in learning basic social skills, such as how to meet and interact with others, how to display good manners, and what is OK and not OK in social settings related to sexual language and behaviors.
Children and youth with disabilities, including ASDs, have an increased risk of being sexually abused. This risk may decrease when they know the difference between what is appropriate and not appropriate in their own behaviors as well as in those of the people around them.
All children receive sexuality education as part of the general education curriculum in school. However, students with ASDs may need sexuality education to be offered in different settings or with special teaching materials and may require frequent reviews of the information. Topics of sexuality education should include changes in body parts that occur during puberty, hygiene, medical examinations, and information about periods (for girls). Also, appropriate behaviors and etiquette should be taught. Make sure you know when sexuality education occurs in your child's school; it may begin at a younger age than you expect. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the IEP should specify any needed modifications and accommodations to the general sexuality curriculum.
Some girls with ASDs struggle with hygiene related to their periods. Talk with your child's pediatrician about options to control how often and how long periods might occur. Gynecologic examinations can be very stressful for some girls and require special arrangements.
If there is a genetic explanation for your child's ASD, talk with your child's pediatrician about the risk of your child or his siblings having a child with an ASD.
Dealing with the changes of growing up, going through puberty, and being a teenager is not easy. It may be more difficult for youth with ASDs. As parents, you can help and support your child by talking about puberty and sexuality on a regular basis and in a matter-of-fact way. There is no reason to be embarrassed, and it helps to have a good sense of humor! It is also important to respect your child's privacy and encourage independence. Talk with your child's school about sexuality education classes. Remember that your child's pediatrician is also there to help you with any questions about your child. It is important to be aware of any risk of sexual abuse. Teaching your children about their own sexuality will ensure that they will protect and respect their bodies.
American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org: www.HealthyChildren.org
Diverse City Press, Inc offers teaching videos: www.diverse-city.com
Down Syndrome NSW, resources for girls and women with Down syndrome: www.dsansw.org.au/downloads/LibraryPWDS.pdf
Future Horizons, a world leader in ASD, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder publications: http://fhautism.com
James Stanfield, a publishing company with sources describing sexuality education: https://www.stanfield.com/family-ed-other.html
Parenting Press offers books for parents and children: www.parentingpress.com
Sexual Health provides sexuality information, education, support, and other resources: www.sexualhealth.com
Teach-a-Bodies distributes anatomically correct dolls useful for teaching youth with developmental disabilities such as ASDs: www.teach-a-bodies.com
Family handout from Autism: Caring for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Resource Toolkit for Clinicians, 2nd Edition, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Children With Disabilities Autism Subcommittee (ASC).


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Fast Lane
This story appears in the June 1998 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
It's an Ed-Mcmahon-at-the-door kind of moment for us. This
is the time, every year-the fourth in a row, for those keeping
track-when we announce the 100 hottest new small businesses in the
country. With help from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), the
world's leading research-based business information provider,
we comb the national commercial landscape to determine the
entrepreneurial equivalents of sweepstakes winners.
Or maybe not, on second thought. For while sweepstakes winners depend on pure, unadulterated luck, successful entrepreneurs realize that luck is only a byproduct of pure, unadulterated hard work. Factor in pure, unadulterated passion, and you've got as near a formula as exists for running a thriving business.
"Small-business owners really have a passion for what they do," says William F. Doescher, senior vice president and chief communications officer for D&B. "Every one of these hot 100 [companies' owners] have this type of attitude-or they wouldn't be successful."
Not that we measure attitude in this listing. What we do measure-based on D&B's mammoth database-is company sales growth from the year of inception. The criteria we use includes the following:
- The founder must be actively involved in daily operations and
must control at least 51 percent of the business.
- The business must have been founded no earlier than 1995.
- Annual sales must have exceeded $1 million in 1997.
- Companies must meet the SBA's definition of a small
business, based on the number of employees and sales figures.
(These numbers vary according to industry.)
Of special interest this year is the presence of Internet firms in our ranking. "This is the first year our list has included small businesses making a living off the In-ternet," observes Doescher. "It's just further evidence that small businesses [and consumers] are migrating to the Internet. [In fact,] 47 percent of small-business owners now have access to the Internet."
Access to a booming economy is obviously another plus for our entrepreneurial sweepstakes winners. Consumer confidence is high; small-business confidence is even higher. Ironically, however, the latter situation may be more a reflection of the participants themselves than of any economic indicators. "I'm not sure [entrepreneurs] pay an awful lot of attention to whether the stock market continues to grow or whether the economy is in good shape," Doescher says. "They just want to start their own businesses. They want to be owners of their own destiny."
On that note, prepare to meet a few of these owners of their own destinies in the profiles included on the following pages. These are people for whom pure, unadulterated hard work and luck aren't just concepts-they're a way of life. These are people whose entrepreneurial dreams were not only realized, but were realized at a speed that probably even took them by surprise.
But such is the nature of dreams, we suppose. They can-and often do-come true. "The great American dream today is [to launch] your own business," says Doescher. "And the wide variety of companies in the Hot 100 underscores the fact that anyone can pursue this dream."
And that just reaffirms our initial feelings: This is an Ed-McMahon-at-the-door kind of moment.
About Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), with the world's largest business information database, tracks 49 million companies worldwide, 11 million in the United States alone. Businesses use D&B's services to find new customers and evaluate their creditworthiness, identify potential suppliers, and collect overdue receivables.
Through face-to-face and telephone interviews and public-records searches, more than 200 million financial transactions are added annually to D&B's files in the United States alone. D&B updates its information base continually-more than 750,000 times each business day.
When businesses are entered into the D&B database, they are issued D-U-N-S numbers (similar to Social Security numbers for companies). The U.S. federal government requires companies to have this number to bid for government contracts. Also used by the United Nations and the European Union, the D&B D-U-N-S number is quickly becoming the universal standard for identifying businesses on the World Wide Web as well.
For more information about D&B, call (800) 234-3867 or visit the D&B Web site at www.dnb.com. To register for a D-U-N-S number, call (800) 333-0505.
Dressed For Success
By Laura Tiffany
John Paul Beltran and Richard Hirsh have shown both entrepreneurial and fashion flair with John Paul Richard Inc., their Chatsworth, California, women's apparel company-so much flair, in fact, that they landed the No. 1 spot in Entrepreneur's Hot 100 ranking with revenues of $46.5 million in 1997, their first full year in business.
The founders joined forces after working together at Melrose, a women's apparel manufacturing company Hirsh had founded in 1974. Hirsh sold the company in 1986 and, after spending 10 years working for the new owner, he and Beltran found the corporate life less than fulfilling. "We decided we'd had enough of the corporate environment," recalls Hirsh. "We wanted to get out and start our own business."
Their experience in the apparel industry proved to be their key to success. With $1 million in start-up capital culled from personal savings, they secured $1.6 million in loans and created a relationship with Heller Financial Inc., a Chicago-based international commercial finance company. This helped them garner $25 million in factor loans (loans backed by outstanding invoices and current orders) last year to purchase raw materials and keep the company above water while it grew. "[Heller] was the financial engine behind our colossal growth," says Hirsh. "It was critical in making [funding] available."
"Heller took a big chance on us because of our extensive industry experience," says Beltran. With these resources, the partners had no problem gathering an experienced staff from industry contacts. They were also able to land accounts with such national retailers as Macy's, Mervyn's and Sears almost immediately.
"Giving a start-up company like John Paul Richard [space] in the stores was not so far-fetched because these were people we'd had tremendous experience with over the years," Hirsh explains.
But most important, the partners' familiarity with the market and cus-tomers helped them discover an unfilled niche: fashionable misses' clothes. "We fill a gap in the department store business," explains Bel-tran, 44. "The misses' department is filled with traditional merchandise. We bring in merchandise that is more fashionable and still very reasonably priced."
"We understand our market and each individual player we deal with," adds Hirsh, 45. "And we have a keen understanding of what will sell at what price point."
Not content to stop with just one clothing line, Beltran and Hirsh are ready to conquer other departments with their fashions. "I think the next [thing to do] is to seek more accounts," says Beltran. "In the future, we'll go after the petite-sized and large-sized customers, [markets] we have barely touched on so far."
With plans to double its astounding first-year revenues this year, John Paul Richard's success shouldn't wear out any time soon.
Hot Wired
By G. David Doran
In the real world, a newcomer to the retail computer ac-cessories market like AMT Component Inc. in Irvine, California, would have a very slim chance of successfully competing with established megastores like Comp-USA and Fry's Electronics. But in the virtual world of the Internet, AMT, which sells more than 35,000 computer products, ranging from printer ink cartridges to network routers, through its Web site, has become a force to be reckoned with. It posted sales of $2.1 million in only its second year of operation, helping to earn it the No. 83 spot in Entrepreneur's Hot 100 ranking.
Alex Chen, 24, started AMT in 1996 with a little help from his savings and his parents' credit status, selling computer peripherals such as monitors and hard drives through ads in computer magazines and a small Web site.
As the number of people purchasing goods and services through the Internet grew, so did AMT, allowing Chen to add more products to his database until the number of offerings began to rival that of the mega-stores-only Chen doesn't have the high overhead of a large retail location or a sales staff.
Chen, who moved to the United States from Taiwan in 1986, nursed the fledgling company along by putting every penny of profit back into the operation and building strong relationships with customers. Paraphrasing Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, Chen asserts that customer satisfaction should be the first priority of any online business.
"When you fail to satisfy a customer at a retail store, he'll tell 10 people," says Chen. "But if you [upset] a customer at an e-commerce site, that person will tell 6,000 people by posting his complaint where everyone on the Internet can see it."
The news that Egghead Computer had closed all 80 of its retail locations in February to concentrate its efforts on the Internet was no surprise to Chen, who believes e-commerce will eventually revolutionize the way business and consumers interact in the marketplace.
Power Broker
By Jessica Goins
They say that in Texas, everything is big . . . and Cheryl Thompson-Draper's company is no exception. In 1995, she started Warren Electric Telecom & Utilities, a wholesale distributor of telecommunications and utilities products. Since then, the company that ranked No. 19 in Entrepreneur's Hot 100 has been growing at lightning speed, bringing in $8.25 million in revenues for 1997, with more than $12 million expected this year.
Thompson-Draper's Houston company is roping up a sizable portion of the Lone Star State's telecommunications and utilities products markets. How does she do it? By distributing almost every kind of product used by the power companies and by Southwestern Bell, all the way up to the outlets in the wall, says Thompson-Draper-no small feat in an industry that's been traditionally male-dominated.
"The utilities side is still very male-dominated," says Thompson-Draper. "The telecommunications side is not. The telecommunications industry is very blind to which sex they're dealing with, and they really don't care. It's a new enough industry that it doesn't have any hang-ups from the old days."
Not that Thompson-Draper, 47, was a novice when she started her telecommunications and utilities company. She also owns Warren Electric, the 79-year-old industrial electric company owned by her family that she gained control of in 1993. Her experience turned out to be a big help when she was seeking $2 million in financing for her new company. The banks looked at her track record with Warren Electric, which boasted a Texas-sized $200 million in sales; needless to say, she got the loans. Laughs Thompson-Draper, "I guess I was a good risk." That's a big deal anywhere.
Talk Of The Town
By Michelle Prather
Comedians often target the South as redneck heaven, but Deborah R. and Jim Ford Jr., owners of Entrepreneur's Hot 100 No. 35-ranked Grits Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama, make it their business to create a positive image of the place they call home. Their affection for Southern traditions has blossomed into success worth millions.
The husband-and-wife team found its niche in the gift and apparel industries by putting phrases that exemplify Southern traditions and upbringing (such as "Southern Girls Don't Sweat-They Glisten") on mugs, wine glasses, pillows, apparel and more. Their story dates back to August 1995, when native Alabaman Deborah, now 45, screen-printed a phrase she's heard most of her life, "Grits: Girls Raised In The South," onto her volleyball players' T-shirts at the junior high school where she taught and coached. A few months later, she met Jim, now 47, who saw dollar signs in the catch phrase. With an extensive background in sales and marketing, he told his soon-to-be-wife he thought she was sitting on a gold mine. Deborah then applied to trademark the "Grits" phrase and thought up 25 more Southern sayings, such as "PMS: Precious Moody Southerners" and "Southern Girls Know That Friends Are Forevah."
When they sold $65,000 worth of embroidered goods, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, at the Atlanta Apparel Mart's July Gift Show in 1996, the now-married couple decided to quit their jobs and take on Grits full time. "At the next show, we did more than $100,000, and at the next show, we did more than $150,000," says Jim.
The days of relying only on trade shows for visibility are long gone. No strangers to the word "expansion," the Fords have increased their warehouse space three times, and for good reason: They now have 1,620 active accounts, including Lebanon, Tennessee-based restaurant chain Cracker Barrel and 500 Hallmark stores. And this year's Atlanta Gift Mart will see the premiere of a voice chip-enhanced book and stuffed animal series geared toward youngsters.
Success didn't come without some hurdles, however: The Fords encountered theft early on-$50,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from one of their warehouses-and their $4 million-plus sales figures for 1997 could have been close to $5 million if they hadn't suffered an $800,000 loss in revenue due to vendor shipping delays. But a booming business makes it easier to recover. Jim attributes their overwhelming success to their distribution network, the strength of their trademark, their devoted staff and recent CFO addition Doug Johnson.
With Deborah's flair for color, style and catchy sayings, and Jim's knack for running a business, these dynamos are making millions embracing-and marketing-the South. The Fords project sales of $8 million for 1998 and hope to expand nationwide.
High Rollers
By Jesse Hertstein
Randolph and Kathleen Bobe seem to have hit the jackpot with their $11 million food distribution service for Atlantic City, New Jersey, casinos. However, theirs is not a story of luck so much as a history of hard work. After receiving a bachelor's degree in food marketing in 1980, Kathleen, 39, worked her way up from assistant director of food service for a hospital to food buyer at Tropicana Hotel & Casino before collaborating on the opening of Chispanic Enterprises Inc. in 1996.
Randy, 49, has always been an entrepreneur: At 10, he caught and sold pigeons to Chinese restaurants and poultry markets in New York City and used the profits to buy women's shoes and clothing to sell from the trunk of his father's car. He rolled cigars for his grandmother, attended the Food and Maritime School, became apprenticed in a butcher shop, and now works as general manager of a major meat supplier-while also serving as vice president of the partners' Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, company, ranked No. 7 in Entrepreneur's Hot 100 ranking.
From the start, the Bobes have drawn no salary from the company, and they do all the work themselves. This hands-on approach has kept Chispanic ahead of the competition. "We're a very small company where we answer the phone, we don't have voice mail, and we're in tune with what customers need," says Kathleen. "If there's a problem, we address it immediately."
But this steadfast patience isn't always easy. "Find what you do best, stick to that, and perfect it," Kathleen advises budding entrepreneurs. "Don't grow faster than you can afford to." With plans to expand their product line as well as sell to the newest casinos in Atlantic City, the Bobes hope their winning streak continues.
Listings 1-10
Research by Adrienne S. Coehlo and Liza Potter
1. John Paul Richard Inc., Chatsworth, CA
Women's apparel manufacturer
John Paul Beltran, Richard Hirsh
Began: 1996 w/18 employees; 68 employees
Initial investment: $1M from savings
1997 sales: $45.68M
2. Telephone Company of Central Florida, Lake Mary, FL
Local & long-distance telephone services
Elder N. Ripper III
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 64 employees
Initial investment: $1.5M from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $33.82M
3. Heritage Gas Services LLC, Tulsa, OK
Natural gas services
Dave Presley
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 38 employees
Initial investment: $500K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $23.63M
4. Energy Alloys Inc., Houston, TX
Steel distribution & inventory management
Samuel D. Warren, Ralph Mullens, Robert G. Pond
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 29 employees
Initial investment: $60K from savings
1997 sales: $21.93M
5. Prologix Inc., Horsham, PA
Integration of radio frequency systems
Paul Speese, Terrence O'Neill, David Gulian
Began: 1996 w/8 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment: $300K from savings
1997 sales: $14.5M
6. Dudley Barrett Construction Co., Roswell, GA
General contracting & commercial construction
David Barrett, Jeff Dudley
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 42 employees
Initial investment: $130K from savings
1997 sales: $21.43M
7. Chispanic Enterprises Inc., Egg Harbor City, NJ
Wholesale food distribution
Kathleen J. Bobe, Randolph T. Bobe
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $76K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $11.59M
8. Kay Construction Inc., Cherry Hill, NJ
Construction mgmt. & general contracting
Lorraine Kay, Tom Viviano
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $14.45M
9. Shonfeld's (USA) Inc., South Hackensack, NJ
Gourmet gift products
Boaz Shonfeld
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $1.3M from friends/family
1997 sales: $14.1M
10. Kompass Food Trading Int'l., River Edge, NJ
Packaged frozen fruits & vegetables importing
Brad Koshar, Jack Simon
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $250K from friends/family, priv. Investors
1997 sales: $9.06M
Listings 11-20
11. Sunkota Construction Inc., Sioux Falls, SD
Contruction & construction management
Robert A. Fraser, Jeanette M. Fraser
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $8.17M
12. Angel Produce Inc., Torrance, CA
Yukio Bito
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $70K from friends/family
1997 sales: $11.39M
13. Digital System Technology, Irwindale, CA
Digital television systems
John T. Duggin Sr.
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $15K from savings
1997 sales: $10.11M
14. High Point Solutions Inc., Sparta, NJ
Communications equipment distribution
Michael T. Mendiburu, Thomas T. Mendiburu
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $1K from credit card
1997 sales: $6.7M
15. Ariston Technologies, Huntington Beach, CA
Computer memory systems
Lazaros Bountour
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $140K from savings
1997 sales: $9.88M
16. Flooring Systems Inc., Fenton, MO
Commercial flooring subcontracting
Ron K. Komlos, Sandra K. Komlos
Began: 1995 w/15 employees; 60 employees
Initial investment: $50K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $9.67M
17. Switch Manufacturing, San Francisco, CA
Snowboard bindings & boots
Erik Andersen, Jeff Sand, Tony Guerrero
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $45K in equity, $500K from loans
1997 sales: $9.19M
18. SCS America, Foster City, CA
Software consulting services
Michael A. Ober
Began: 1995 w/9 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $200K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $8.4M
19. Warren Electric Telecom & Utilities, Houston, TX
Utility & telecom-datacom products
Cheryl L. Thompson-Draper
Began: 1995 w/10 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $2M loan from previous business
1997 sales: $8.25M
20. Organic Ingredients Inc., Aptos, CA
Organic foods
Joseph J. Stern, John Battendieri
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $300K from savings, $1M from line of credit
1997 sales: $5.32M
Listings 21-30
21. Synergistic Computer Solutions, Haleiwa, HI
Hardware & software systems
John Varel
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $50K from credit card
1997 sales: $7.8M
22. Midland-Frantz Construction Group, Park Ridge, IL
General contracting
Larry Ressler, Dan McHugh
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $75K from bank loan, priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $7.8M
23. H. Greenblatt & Co. Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Textile printing
Howard Greenblatt, Toni Payne
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $450K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $5.18M
24. Hyneman Companies LLC, Biloxi, MS
Residential construction
Rusty Hyneman, Fay Mitrenga
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $75K from savings
1997 sales: $7.71M
25. Allstar Pipe & Supply Co., Jonesboro, GA
Water & waste-water distribution
Norman L. Gillson, James A. Sowersby
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $117K from friends/family
1997 sales: $5.11M
26. U.S. Medical Inc., Denver, CO
Medical devices
Carson & Roesener families
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: None
1997 sales: $4.76M
27. Technoquip Co. Inc., Houston, TX
Wholesale manufacturers' representative
Angel E. Santiago
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family, bank loan, credit card
1997 sales: $4.74M
28. rs-unix.com, San Francisco, CA
Computer systems integration services
Jeff Medeiros
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $15K from credit card, savings
1997 sales: $4.46M
29. Apex Design Technology Inc., Anaheim, CA
Hydraulic, pneumatic & electronic systems
David J. Reiniger, Todd M. Gallagher, Harsoyo Lukito
Began: 1995 w/12 employees; 65 employees
1997 sales: $6.66M
30. Showcase of Homes Inc., Piedmont, SC
Manufactered home sales & real estate brokerage
Tim W. Revis
Began: 1995 w/8 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $140K from savings
1997 sales: $6.66M
Listings 31-40
31. Magnum Staffing Services Inc., Houston, TX
Staffing services
Caroline Brown, Darrel O. Brown
Began: 1996 w/108 employees; 365 employees
Initial investment: $70K from friends/family
1997 sales: $4.16M
32. Hired-Hand Green Inc., Bremen, AL
Commercial greenhouse manufacturer
Steven Crider, Grant Crider, Shawn Crider
Began: 1996 w/17 employees; 38 employees
Initial investment: $250K from bank loan
1997 sales: $4.06M
33. International Security & Trading, Miami, FL
Security equipment
Augusto Perez, Jesus Gonzalez
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $25K from savings
1997 sales: $6.04M
34. National Service Solutions, Moorestown, NJ
National facility management services
James H.B. Hoff
Began: 1996 w/10 employees; 15 employees
Initial investment: $300K+ from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $4.03M
35. Grits Inc., Birmingham, AL
Southern-themed embroidered goods
James C. Ford Jr., Deborah R. Ford
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $100K from priv. investors, credit card, savings
1997 sales: $4.02M
36. Sente Financial Corp., Sacramento, CA
Mortage lending services
Marc Ely, Susan Ely
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 60 employees
Initial investment: $400K from savings
1997 sales: $5.96M
37. TERRA Constructors Ltd., Denton, TX
Geo-technical contracting
George Koelling, Dennis Collins, Chris McGhee, Virgil Jarnagin, Rick Graves
Began: 1996 w/20 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $600K from savings
1997 sales: $3.95M
38. DMR & Associates Inc., Sacramento, CA
Staffing services
David H. Waldschmitt
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $150K from savings
1997 sales: $5.81M
39. Curbs Plus Inc., Rossville, GA
Roof curbs & accessories
Marc Brower, Ken Herrick, Steve Jensen, Jon Steed
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 50 employees
Initial investment: $425K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $3.83M
40. CNG Communications Inc., Tucson, AZ
Telecommunications products & services
Paul Bishop
Began: 1995 w/25 employees; 78 employees
Initial investment: $150K from savings
1997 sales: $5.74M
Listings 41-50
41. Summit Industrial Construction, Lawrenceville,
Industrial construction & maintenance
Michael T. Ballard, Mark W. Bryan
Began: 1996 w/12 employees; 35 employees
Initial investment: $50K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $3.52M
42. Business Alliance Capital Corp., Princeton, NJ
Commercial financing
Theodore Kompa, Jeffrey Goldrich
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $6.1M from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $5.21M
43. Tactica Technology Group, Dallas, TX
Business & technology consulting, software products
Rene Larrave, Kevin Albright, Eddie Mayfield
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: $400K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $3.46M
44. Lakeshore Staffing Inc., Chicago, IL
Temporary & permanent staffing services
John P. Johnson, Scott C. Allen
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $5.17M
45. Steele Solutions Inc., Waukesha, WI
Custom mezzanines
Richard G. Kuchler, Terry E. Young, Micheal J. Thelen, Bill D. Benning
Began: 1996 w/7 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $80K from savings
1997 sales: $3.36M
46. Sams Data Products Inc., Annapolis, MD
VAR of computer products & services
John D. Soderberg
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family
1997 sales: $5.02M
47. IXC Marketing Inc., Anaheim, CA
Long-distance services reseller
Mohamad Hassan, Mazda Begum
Began: 1996 w/10 employees; 35 employees
Initial investment: $60K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.34M
48. Rankserve, Newbury Park, CA
Copier products
Tim J. Marr
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 3 employees
Initial investment: $5K from savings
1997 sales: $3.25M
49. Fastener Link Inc., Houston, TX
Industrial fasteners
Nick Hasegawa
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $3.24M
50. Consignment Plus Home Furnishings Inc., Walnut Creek, CA
Home furnishings/accessories, art/jewelry on consignment
Patti Evans
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $78K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.16M
Listings 51-60
51. RAScom Inc., Salem, NH
Open system remote-access servers
Mark Galvin
Began: 1996 w/29 employees; 65 employees
Initial investment: $17.77M from friends/family, priv. investors, venture capital
1997 sales: $3.14M
52. Aztech Professional Services Inc., Phoenix, AZ
Information technology services
Kent E. Dicks
Began: 1996 w/22 employees; 70 employees
Initial investment: $75K from friends/family, credit card
1997 sales: $3.14M
53. Software USA, San Diego, CA
Software distribution
James Clelland
Began: 1996 w/45 employees; 75 employees
Initial investment: $1M from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.12M
54. ASA Solutions Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
VAR for Lawson Software, periphonics
David Atkins, Steve Arnold, Tom Schollmeyer
Began: 1995 w/27 employees; 34 employees
Initial investment: $66K from savings
1997 sales: $4.52M
55. Curtis-Straus LLC, Littleton, MA
Laboratory testing services
Jon D. Curtis, James E. Lewis, Isidor Straus
Began: 1996 w/11 employees; 22 employees
Initial investment: $300K from credit card, savings
1997 sales: $2.83M
56. Rehab Medical Inc., Santa Fe Springs, CA
Medical supplies & equipment
Mario Rea, Jose Cava
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 3 employees
Initial investment: $70K from savings
1997 sales: $2.8M
57. PC Solutions Inc., Pompano Beach, FL
Network systems integration
Paul A. Stern, Stuart R. Cantin
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $30K from priv. Investors
1997 sales: $4.1M
58. SightLine Studios Inc., Starke, FL
Custom designs/displays for entertainment/educational industries
Dennis MacDonald, Leonard Weinbaum, Andrew Kunzie, Joel H. Garrett
Began: 1996 w/20 employees; 73 employees
Initial investment: $25K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $2.67M
59. Fine Furniture Leather/Sleep Gallery, Waukee, IA
Retail leather furniture & sleep products
Eric C. Polson, James G. Sanders
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $40K from friends/family
1997 sales: $4M
60. DBI of North America, Joliet, IL
Construction/mining equipment
Paul Dillon
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $25K from savings
1997 sales: $2.63M
Listings 61-70
61. National Structures Inc., Syracuse, NY
General contracting & construction management
Dominick Madia, Robert Milne
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $40K from savings
1997 sales: $2.59M
62. Simple Network Communications, La Jolla, CA
Web site hosting services
Robert Bingham, Mark Hopperton, Tim Traver
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 24 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family, credit card
1997 sales: $2.51M
63. Alliance Telecom Services Inc., Miami, FL
Long-distance services reseller
Hugo Vizcarra, David Guerra
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $200K from friends/family
1997 sales: $2.49M
64. Bird Co., Palo Alto, CA
Commercial print sales & production
Patrick J. Bird
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 1 employee
Initial investment: $25K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.49M
65. Control Solutions Inc., Lexington, KY
Industrial control system designs
Tracey Holder, Jim Graham, Earl Camic, Roger Cox, Gary Bomar
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 20 employees
Initial investment: $30K from savings
1997 sales: $2.45M
66. Bri-Mar Manufacturing Inc.,Chambersburg, PA
Hydraulic dump trailers
Brian Wise, Marcus Blank
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 25 employees
Initial investment: $36K from friends/family, savings
1997 sales: $3.66M
67. Telecom Labs Inc., Seattle, WA
Voice & data network systems
Doug Graham, Bruce Shelby
Began: 1996 w/15 employees; 23 employees
Initial investment: $350K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.44M
68. Rick's Uptown Market, Sacramento, CA
Grocery store
Rick Miller
Began: 1996 w/12 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $100K from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $2.44M
69. Dascom Systems Inc., St. Paul, MN
Videoconferencing systems/educational services
Dan Takkunen, Scott Apfelbacher
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 11 employees
Initial investment: $120K from savings
1997 sales: $3.59M
70. Next Generation Health Services, Gilbert, AZ
Health-care business/technology services
Matthew A. Nielsen, John Nielsen
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 50 employees
Initial investment: $15K from owners' capital investment
1997 sales: $2.36M
Listings 71-80
71. PathNet Institute, Van Nuys, CA
Cancer testing & research
Alan Kaye
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 58 employees
Initial investment: $46K from savings
1997 sales: $2.32M
72. Priority Logistic Services Inc., Columbia, TN
Transportation brokerage
Timothy Bartels
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment from friends/family, bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $2.31M
73. Crosslink Inc., Boulder, CO
Wireless data systems
Gary A. Zarlengo, Gordon E. Hardman, Michael D. Carpenter
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 39 employees
Initial investment: $12K from savings
1997 sales: $3.45M
74. Seaway Marine Inc., Toledo, OH
Boat sales & services
Chandrakumar Sinnadurai
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $50K from savings
1997 sales: $2.28M
75. Fire Sprinkler of Nashville LLC, Nashville, TN
Fire protection systems
Patrick J. Stella, Wayne Dorr
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: $250K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $3.41M
76. J.P. Rivard Trailer Sales Inc., North Chelmsford, MA
Trailer sales
Joseph P. Rivard
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $50K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.4M
77. Deron Products Int'l. Inc., Chula Vista, CA
Frozen seafood importer & equipment exporter
Geok S. Lee, Hiang J. Lee
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 3 employees
Initial investment: $150K from friends/family, priv. Investors
1997 sales: $2.23M
78. Essential Eight Communications Inc.(E8C), Oklahoma City, OK
Telecommunications equipment
LaJuana Celestine, Juana Tubbs, Linda Pinkerton, Arlene Pinkerton
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 9 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family
1997 sales: $3.34M
79. Duggan Contracting Corp., Saint Peters, MO
Commercial contracting
Patrick Duggan
Began: 1996 w/30 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $150K from selling real estate assets
1997 sales: $2.22M
80. Studio Tech Supply Inc., Dallas, TX
Professional audio systems sales & services
Al Priest, Barbara Hicks-Priest
Began: 1995 w/5 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $40K from savings
1997 sales: $3.25M
Listings 81-90
81. Bite LLC, Redmond, WA
Golf footwear
Dale Bathum
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 10 employee
Initial investment: $1.6M from friends/family, priv. Investors
1997 sales: $2.14M
82. Davocom One Inc., Miami, FL
Computer & telecommunications systems
Luis Rodriguez, Jesus Pena
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $80K from friends/family, bank loan, credit card, savings
1997 sales: $3.18M
83. AMT Component Inc., Irvine, CA
Online computer superstore
Alex Chen, Pi Pao Chen
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 10 employees
Initial investment: $10K from friends/family
1997 sales: $2.1M
84. Broadbent Selections Inc., San Francisco, CA
Wine importer
Bartholomew Broadbent
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 4 employees
Initial investment: $200K from savings
1997 sales: $2.1M
85. ServiCentre Mortgage Inc., San Carlos, CA
Mortage brokerage
Donald R. Douglass, Robert B. Brown Jr.
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 6 employees
Initial investment: $60K from savings
1997 sales: $2.08M
86. AdComm Inc., South Hackensack, NJ
Wireless telecommunications equipment
Allen S. Cohen
Began: 1996 w/5 employees; 41 employees
Initial investment: $250K from savings
1997 sales: $2.03M
87. DataChoice Network Services LLC, Littleton, CO
Telecommunications services
G. Kelley Allen
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 3 employees
Initial investment: $250K from savings
1997 sales: $1.99M
88. Texatronics Inc., Richardson, TX
Assembly of electronics
Tung Nguyen
Began: 1995 w/15 employees; 40 employees
Initial investment: $100K from savings
1997 sales: $2.93M
89. Brothers Technology Inc., Miami, FL
Computer hardware & software sales
Alexi C. Daher Jr. & Marconi Naziazeni
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 4 employees
Initial investment: $18K from savings
1997 sales: $1.95M
90. Commercial Business Solutions, Durham, NC
Office automation products & services
John C. Bland
Began: 1996 w/6 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $20K from savings
1997 sales: $1.93M
Listings 91-100
91. IQuES, Northville, MI
ISO-certification training company
Robert C. Wilson
Began: 1996 w/3 employees; 18 employees
Initial investment: $200K from bank loan, savings
1997 sales: $1.89M
92. Page One Construction Inc., Chino Valley, AZ
General contracting
Johvonn J. Zito
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 28 employees
Initial investment: $66K from savings
1997 sales: $1.89M
93. Sunlight International Inc., Miami, FL
Computer components importer
Chi-Hsun Sun
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $41.4K from savings
1997 sales: $1.89M
94. Engineous Software Inc., Morrisville, NC
Software engineering design optimization & integration products
Siu S. Tong, David J. Powell
Began: 1995 w/4 employees; 57 employees
Initial investment: $5M from priv. investors, savings
1997 sales: $2.83M
95. Illinois Process Equipment, Schaumburg, IL
Fluid-handling products distributor
Greg Rossi
Began: 1996 w/4 employees; 7 employees
Initial investment: $35K from savings
1997 sales: $1.86M
96. Lighting Management Consultants Inc., Houston, TX
Lighting & electrical products & services
Timothy J. Carnes
Began: 1995 w/6 employees; 48 employees
Initial investment: $54K from savings
1997 sales: $2.79M
97. Kidstuff Inc., Asheville, NC
Children's novelty items
Z. Ben Biber
Began: 1996 w/1 employee; 35 employees
Initial investment: $50K from loan
1997 sales: $1.85M
98. Showcase Systems Inc., Carthage, TX
Material-handling systems in plastic bottle industry
Vincent Vernon
Began: 1996 w/2 employees; 5 employees
Initial investment: $45K from savings
1997 sales: $1.83M
99. Stahla Homes Inc., Norfolk, NE
Manufactured home sales
Ray Stahla, Julie Stahla
Began: 1995 w/2 employees; 8 employees
Initial investment: $15K from friends/family, bank loan
1997 sales: $2.65M
100. Top of Texas Inc., Hereford, TX
Custom feed meal equipment manufacturer
Matthew J. Collier, Kathleen J. Collier
Began: 1995 w/3 employees; 30 employees
Initial investment: None
1997 sales: $2.59M


text:
CHARLESTON – The Sunday morning meeting of the Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Marcellus Shale has been cancelled.
"Because some concerns were raised about our Sunday meeting potentially interfering with inaugural activities, we have cancelled it," House Chairman Tim Manchin said. "To help make up some time, we will start our previously scheduled Monday morning meeting an hour earlier."
The committee is now scheduled to meet 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in the Senate Judiciary Room. The committee also remains scheduled to meet 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the House Judiciary Room.
Links to the legislation under consideration, summaries prepared by a committee attorney, previously adopted amendments and pending amendments are available on the Legislature's main web page at www.legis.state.wv.us.
There is also a link to the Legislature's Live Page ( http://www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm ), which will stream audio of meetings.
|Senate News Releases |
|House News Releases


text:
Monocle on Design
Home truths
00:00 / 00:00
11 July 2017
Episode 300
30 minutes
Photo: Alamy
Never mind the tight squeeze, London's Isokon building offers a lesson in clever housing that today's architects and developers should heed; we preview a new exhibition celebrating its most famous resident and founder of the Bauhaus School, Walter Gropius. Plus: how Denmark's Ole Lynggaard brings a shine to jewellery design and a view from Ljubljana's Biennial of Design.
11 July 2017
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text:
Weekend Winner
It's an easy prediction. Drew Barrymore's directorial debut opens on Friday and, without significant competition, riding the wave of positive buzz, calling on the "Girl Power" collective, Whip It should win at the box office this weekend.
I've not seen it yet. I did however note the remarks of my colleagues back at TIFF that while Whip It is nothing in the way of groundbreaking, it is certainly "destined to be a crowd pleaser". A Friday night treat, can't wait.
Here's the cast, led by Drew, on the carpet at the premiere last night. As you can see, Drew has cut off the inch of black, a shorter look. I like the length, I hate everything else. The slick style, the dress, the vamp…
It ages her. At first glance I thought it was Sharon Stone. See?
Drew was supported last night by Steven Spielberg – a refreshingly feel-good Hollywood ending. Steven of course directed Drew in E.T. And Steven showed up for Drew now that she's a director too. Drew screened Whip It for Spielberg and described the experience:
"It was terrifying for me. But he gave me great notes. In the end, I followed every single one of them. But it was a long process of getting there. You just don't want to do what somebody says - even if it's Steven Spielberg."
Cute, non?
Oh yeah, and Ellen Page owns my heart. Love her SO MUCH.
Photos from Flynetonline.com and Wenn.com


text:
A step-by-step guide on how to draw the Pantheon building in a comic book art style.
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


text:
Best of 2009: Blanchett BitchFace
Somehow Megan Fox ended up front row at Armani in Paris. It was revealed later that she is the brand's new underwear spokesperson. Photo Assumption says that that decision doesn't seem to have been very well received by longtime Armani fan Ms Cate Blanchett, a style icon who has worn Prive on many major occasions, and who was seated next to the Fox during the show.
Our Cate is too classy to throw it down. But her BitchFace was epic – a wonderful combination of disdain, impatience, and also… boredom. Like, I've seen a thousand of you, kid, and no one remembers any of them.
This I believe is the most challenging BitchFace to master – not the angry kind, not the hateful kind, but the dismissive kind. Shoulder to shoulder with Cate Blanchett, as you can see, Megan Fox knew she was nothing. And couldn't even fight back.
Thanks Cheryl!
Photos from KCSPresse/Splashnewsonline.com


text: Having offered numerous exclusives and imports while being run by multiple companies over the years, the official Star Wars Shop website is closing for business next week. This link has the details. Orders are still being taken, so if you missed out on the great Concept General Grievous (now $10.99) or other great items, this may be the best time to get them.


text:
- You can create a - Layout, Card, Canvas, Mini Album, Mixed media, "Off the Page" creations
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Friday, June 9, 2017
Challenge 92 - Different Shape and Folds
Challenge 92 - Different Shape and Folds
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9 comments:
Great all the different awesome work fom the DT!ReplyDeleteReplies
Hi Nancy, thank you for your lovely comment and entry.Delete
Have a great week
Awesome cards from the DT and guest DT, had fun playing along!ReplyDeleteReplies
HI Emily, thank you for your lovely comment and entry.Delete
Have a great week.
Fabulous inspiration by the DT. I'm a new follower by email. Thanks for a lovely challenge. xxDReplyDeleteReplies
fantastic work DTReplyDelete
gr karinReplies
Hi Karin, thank you for your lovely comment and entry.Delete
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text:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A Memorial Day to forget!!!
5 comments:
I think Manuel doesn't even see the road. I don't think he has seen an eye doctor since he won Manager Of The Year for the White Sox back in 2000. It's time to upgrade the prescription on those glasses.ReplyDelete
While on the topic of prescriptions, I really wanna know Warthen and Shines' combined prescription. Why not throw Manuel in there? I would venture to say between the 3 of 'em - it's close to 3,000. Seriously.ReplyDelete
Great stuff, as usual!ReplyDelete
Love these west coast trips. Nothing like trying to stay up til 1am and then do a drawing about losing!
I am so, so impressed with your dedication and work. This blog is a real treasure.
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