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Adam Kelly's retirement plan is in surprisingly good shape for a worker who's only 24 years old. He diverts 5 percent of his salary to his company's 401(k) plan, dividing his contribution equally between two stock funds, one that invests in small, fast-growing companies and another that focuses on larger companies that also have good growth rates. Kelly, a digital color specialist for BFS Business Printing, a commercial printer in Boston, knows if he keeps it up he could have 150 percent of replacement income when he retires in 41 years, assuming, of course, that equities reproduce the average annual return of 15.4 percent that they have achieved during the past 20 years.
What makes Kelly act more like a 44-year-old than someone 20 years younger? His employer spends $20 annually to provide Kelly with a personalized report that suggests an optimum savings rate and asset allocation model. Then, Roxanne Fleszar, a certified financial planner with Peabody, Massachusetts-based Financial Resources Management Corp., visits BFS twice a year to help Kelly and the company's 94 other employees choose appropriate plan funds to achieve their goals. "Without the report, I wouldn't be saving as much or knowing where to invest," he says.
Adds John Merrill, CFO and treasurer of BFS: "We have to provide enough information to explain to employees that unless they save, they are going to have to work all their lives. And most of our employees take it seriously."
Like BFS, a growing number of plan sponsors feel compelled to provide investment advice, not just generic education, to 401(k) participants. "Employees seem to need this," says Lisa Crosby, benefits manager of Fujitsu America Inc., in San Jose, California. "We try to give as much education as possible, but employees come back and say, 'I've read through everything, and I still don't know enough to diversify the way I should.'"
Last year, Fujitsu bit the bullet and brought in 401k Forum Inc., an online third-party advisory service based in San Francisco. Crosby rolled out the service to most of Fujitsu's 17 American subsidiaries in January. "With 17 different companies in different locations, there is always the chance that an employer representative might answer the question, 'How would you do [it] if you were me?'" she says. With 401k Forum, the representative can respond, "I can't answer that for you, but here is a site where you can find the answer."
Today, 14 percent of plans offer access to advisory services, according to technology research firm Forrester Research Inc., in Cambridge, Massachusetts. An additional 62 percent of human-resource executives say they would consider providing unambiguous, direct- investment advice. "You can't pick up a newsletter or magazine without reading about advice," says Kathy Guthormsen, benefits and risk manager for Autodesk Inc., a $617 million software company based in San Rafael, California. "We, as plan sponsors, feel that ultimately we face more liability if we don't give people advice than if we do."
Many sponsors aren't so sure. In 1996, the Department of Labor (DOL) clearly warned that anything beyond generalized education could turn the plan sponsor into a fiduciary for plan performance–a potential legal liability most sponsors are loathe to assume. Sponsors and their plan providers and educational firms can illustrate generalized asset-allocation models for different investor types, such as investors close to retirement and investors with years to spare. But they can never recommend individualized asset-allocation plans or endorse specific funds to buy.
Unfortunately, education often doesn't work. "Every piece of research we've done shows education is a waste of time," says Lou Harvey, president of Dalbar Inc., a financial services research firm in Boston. "Corporations have spent billions of dollars for nothing."
A determined sponsor can safely provide advice by hiring a financial adviser with no links to either the sponsor or the plan provider. But that kind of personal advice is costly, usually starting at $250 per employee. "Advice has been a cost-benefit problem," says Harold Fethe, senior vice president of human resources for Alza Corp., a $464 million Palo Alto, California-based pharmaceuticals company now piloting an online program for Financial Engines Inc., also in Palo Alto. "To get good advice that's more than a nice seminar has been prohibitively expensive."
Several developments now make it more affordable:
- Online 401(k) information has evolved from a record-keeping and transaction vehicle to a computerized modeling tool that can provide individualized investment advice at a fraction of the cost of a personal financial planner. Most online investment advice can be economically distributed by a telephone representative, so that all employees have access to the service.
- A 401(k) advisory industry has emerged, populated by both start-up enterprises, such as 401k Forum and Financial Engines, and established asset managers, such as TCW Group, The Vanguard Group, and Fidelity Investments.
- The DOL has declared its willingness to promote participant advisory services, as long as advisers meet strict standards. The DOL has issued several prohibited-transaction exemptions to providers that can demonstrate that their recommendations do not involve self- dealing. In other words, providers aren't allowed to push participants into funds with fatter fees.
Even if sponsors are ready to plunge in, the choices aren't easy. Advisory products vary greatly. Financial Engines, for instance, simulates how mutual funds in the plan and those held separately are likely to perform in future years, and suggests investments accordingly. Fidelity's program simply takes Morningstar historical data and creates a model portfolio based on investment style, not projected future performance.
A Court Date in 30 Years
Unlike defined benefit pension plans, which are managed by investment professionals, 401 (k) plans are managed by their holders, who are more likely to get their investment advice from an uncle or a co-worker than from an expert. That can have dangerous consequences. From 1982 through 1997, defined benefit plans returned an average of 2 percentage points more than defined contribution plans, most of which are 401(k) plans, according to a study by consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide. The reason: Individual investors make greenhorn mistakes. They move too slowly into promising investments and jump out too fast when the market shifts.
These blunders will have profound ramifications at retirement. For an employee who contributes 6 percent of an annual salary of $30,000 starting at age 35 and receives a 50 percent employer match, that 2 percentage point gap would result in a 28 percent difference in replacement income at age 65, according to Watson Wyatt.
Plan sponsors fear that if participants outlive their savings, they'll argue that employers should have warned them that they weren't investing correctly. That is a distinct possibility whether or not the recent turmoil in the stock market proves to be the start of a prolonged downturn, say industry experts. "Thirty years from now the liability will fall on the corporation," says Brian Roehl, a partner at investment-education firm Educational Technologies Inc., in Troy, Michigan. "Sooner or later, the attorneys will grab hold of this, and it will be just like the tobacco lawsuits."
Many sponsors provide some advisory services out of a sense of responsibility, not fear. Since 1994, IBM Corp., in Armonk, New York, has contracted with Merrill Lynch and American Express Financial Services to offer financial- planning advice to employees, at a cost of $200 to $1,000 per person, according to Don Sauvigne, director of retirement programs. IBM doesn't pay for the service outright, but permits employees to use a $250 annual Life Planning Account to help cover the cost. Some 25,000 out of 130,000 IBM employees in the United States have pursued that option over the past four years, he says.
"I'm satisfied with what we have, but I think it's appropriate to look at the next cycle [of advisory services] to encourage employees to improve their investment behavior," Sauvigne says. No adviser, however, would be hired without a prudent review of the adviser's capabilities and compliance with DOL regs, he says.
The bigger the employer, the less likely it is to participate in this first wave of advice. And some are less than impressed with what outside advice providers have to offer. Says one benefits manager at a Fortune 500 company: "The providers aren't there yet. I am not going to spend my political capital at this company to bring them in."
Pioneers, however, think they're already reaping ample benefits. Says Fujitsu's Crosby of 401k Forum: "What I like best is their quick response in a situation of volatility. They have been the voice of reason during the market's turbulence." The service sent E-mail to all participants, coaxing them to stick to their plan. "They described the situation in a way that employees could relate to," she says. "They said, if you start a long trip and find out that your car needs an hour's worth of service, you don't cancel the whole trip."
Who's the Fiduciary Here?
The thorniest question for plan sponsors is whether they are assuming fiduciary liability when they bring in an advice-giver. "Hiring an independent adviser is ideal," explains Roberta Casper Watson, an ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) attorney with Trenam, Kemker, Scharf, Barkin, Frye, O'Neill & Mullis, in Tampa. Using providers that have received the prohibited-transaction exemption from the DOL helps as well, she says.
Starting in 1993, the DOL has issued those exemptions for a number of 401(k) plan providers. The first to qualify were Prudential Mutual Fund Management, Shearson Smith Barney, and PaineWebber. Last year, the DOL issued exemptions for Wells Fargo Bank and TCW Group. The DOL's director of exemptions, Ivan Strasfeld, says the department is working on several exemption applications now, including those of Dreyfus, Bank of Oklahoma, and 401k Forum. He also makes clear that the department does not endorse any program or judge the quality of the advice given.
Watson warns against using providers that do not have the exemption. "If you have a service that might be construed as a prohibited transaction and everyone makes a lot of money, no one will challenge it," she says. "The challenge will come when someone is unhappy with the decisions that were made and starts looking around for someone to sue." The consequences can be severe, she says. If there is a loss, the fiduciary has to make it up, and there is a possible penalty tax as well.
With the exception of TCW's, the exemptions were granted based on the applicant's willingness to level the expense fees charged for different plan options. TCW's strategy was a little different, and it is one that other providers are expected to follow: Hire a third- party to issue the advice on TCW's funds. (Los Angeles based TCW is the parent of Trust Company of the West, which manages more than $50 billion in assets.) TCW chose Ibbotson Associates, a Chicago-based advisory firm that provides analytical and forecasting tools to the pension industry.
Two of the biggest names in the 401(k) advice business today–Fidelity and Vanguard–have not applied for a DOL exemption. Both outfits claim it isn't necessary. Fidelity says its product offers only suggestions, not specific recommendations, so it really isn't offering advice. Vanguard says that because it sets fund expenses at cost, not for profit, there's no self-dealing involved.
Fidelity is busy selling its online PortfolioPlanner product, even without a DOL exemption, saying its program provides education, not advice. The subtlety is lost on some PortfolioPlanner-using plan sponsors that use the terms "advice" and "education" interchangeably.
That's not the only confusion. "I know this program has been approved by the DOL," says Marvin Adler, assistant vice president, finance, of human resources at Turner Construction Co., a $3.2 billion general contracting firm in New York, which has only Fidelity funds in its 401(k). Told that Fidelity doesn't have a DOL exemption, Adler says nonetheless he didn't see any evidence of self-dealing during Turner's six-week beta test last spring. "Our analysis didn't reveal that most people had switched into the international funds, which charge the highest fees." Turner now is implementing PortfolioPlanner for all of its 3,000 employees.
Another PortfolioPlanner user, Amdahl Corp., a computer maker in Sunnyvale, California, with $460 million in 401(k) plan assets, has only two Fidelity mutual funds–Magellan and a money-market fund–among its eight available funds. Since the program started in April, both Fidelity funds have lost market share as PortfolioPlanner has encouraged participants to accept higher risk for higher returns. Pete Apor, savings manager for Amdahl, says, "There is no sales pitch to lure investors in."
Not a Lot of Protection
Autodesk's Guthormsen has no qualms about using Vanguard's online Navigator Plus software, because Vanguard remains a fiduciary even without a DOL exemption. "We wanted whoever provides the advice to become a fiduciary and indemnify us. In reality, it doesn't give us a lot of protection if we're named in a suit. But it shows we chose our provider prudently," she says.
Vanguard's product clearly is considered advice, notes Jim Norris, a principal with Vanguard, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. But he sees no reason to apply for a DOL exemption, because Vanguard isn't engaging in a prohibited transaction. "It comes down to our corporate structure," he says. Vanguard is mutually owned–that is, owned by the shareholders of the funds it manages. Therefore, it provides its services at cost and seeks no profits. "We don't have an incentive to recommend one fund over another, because we are an at-cost provider," Norris says. "Whether you are in Windsor or a money- market fund, each is operated at cost."
The all-in-one bundled approach that combines asset management, record-keeping, and a low- cost advisory service can be particularly appealing to smaller companies seeking to simplify plan administration and keep costs low. Vanguard assesses no fee for its program, and Fidelity's per-participant charge "is considerably lower" than the $20 typically charged by an outfit like 401k Forum, says Jane Jamieson, executive vice president of Fidelity.
The DOL's Strasfeld stresses he hasn't seen either the Fidelity or the Vanguard program, but says, "There are people who are doing similar things who do not have the same level of comfort and have come to the department for an exemption."
A June 1998 Forrester Research report found that two-thirds of sponsors surveyed would sign on for advice from a provider, while 17 percent would use an independent software firm. But Forrester predicts bundled advice won't ultimately dominate the market. "Providers that build in-house products will stumble," states the report. "Providers with proprietary advisory products like Fidelity won't be able to overcome concerns about bias, and they will frustrate users by offering souped-up education when users want unambiguous advice."
But whether a plan sponsor is exposing itself to undue risk won't be known until the first court case rolls along. "The difference between defined-benefit and defined- contribution liability is visibility," says Gregory Metzger, director of the defined contribution practice at Watson Wyatt in Los Angeles. "If there is a loss in a 401(k) plan, it is immediately visible." And plan sponsors won't have any place to hide.
———————————————– ——————————— How Advice (Supposedly) Works
While a number of 401(k) advisory products are now available, all seek to align participants' investment objectives and time horizons with an optimum mix of assets. Most services keep them aligned by rebalancing their portfolios at regular intervals to take into account changes or declines in value. Most are also available online and offer backup telephone support for employees without computer access. The cost is either a fixed fee ranging up to $50 annually per participant, or up to 95 basis points added to the annual charge levied against net assets. Despite their similarities, there are some distinctions in approach. Here's a rundown:
Funds of funds. The simplest advice is offered by so-called lifecycle funds, which allow participants to buy a single fund based on their time horizon and risk tolerance. To match those characteristics with the proper mix of assets, a fund of funds allocates a participant's money among other funds, eliminating any need for the participant to select asset classes. The participant simply gets help in choosing which fund of funds most closely matches his or her goals. "Every time you incur a decision or an action step for an employee, you lose him or her," says Sherrie Grabot, senior vice president of Los Angeles based TCW Group, which has formed seven such funds of funds and won an exemption from the Department of Labor's rules against offering both fund management and investment advice by using an outside pension advisory firm for advice.
Repeating history. TCW's service and that of some other advisers depend on historical, rather than projected, returns, which may appeal to sponsors that worry that projections might encourage participants to time the market in their fund choices. Historically based advice is also available from such firms as Vanguard Group, 401k Forum Inc., and Fidelity.
Crystal ball. Other 401(k) advisers use projected returns instead of historical ones. The typical approach here is known as Monte Carlo simulation, in which firms try to assess the most likely performance of various asset classes in every conceivable market condition. Financial Engines Inc., of Palo Alto, California, uses a Monte Carlo simulation in combination with asset allocation recommendations based on modern portfolio theory, which holds that returns can be maximized with minimum risk through proper diversification. "The question is, Which funds will get you to your goal with a degree of certainty?" explains Jeff Maggioncalda, Financial Engines president and CEO.
Of course, projections may be no better than history at predicting future performance, and there could be legal as well as financial consequences for getting it wrong. Yet advice that avoids sophisticated analysis of either kind may offer no protection, either. "There will be legal challenges," predicts Francois Gadenne, president and CEO of Rational Investors Inc., in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which markets its service to providers rather than sponsors and characterizes its advice as somewhere in between simple and complex. "If the analytics are too trivial, you will get slammed. If it is too theoretical, a black box that no one understands, what do you think the jury will do?"


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Asian-Pacific FDI Contributions to U.S. EconomySeptember 17, 2009
Aaron Brickman has been with the International Trade Administration for over seven years. He currently serves as the Director of Invest in America; and is responsible for management and coordination of foreign direct investment promotion and related activities of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
As the director of Invest in America, the primary U.S. government mechanism to manage foreign direct investment promotion on the federal level, I'm currently conducting foreign direct investment (FDI) seminars and presentations in Taipei and India. The long flight from Taiwan to India is a great opportunity to provide an update on the growth of FDI from Asia to the United States.
Invest in America (IIA) recently published a paper detailing the important role of Asian-Pacific direct investment to the U.S. economy. The report, "Asian-Pacific Foreign Direct Investment in the United States," focuses on 10 countries and geographic areas that have a large FDI presence in the United States: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Did you know that Asian–Pacific companies currently employ more than 788,000 U.S. workers? That number is equal to the combined working population of Boston and San Francisco. The jobs are high paying, offering on average $68,000 in annual compensation. These firms spend $4.6 billion annually on research and development in the United States and generate $61 billion in U.S. exports. Our report predicts that Asian–Pacific FDI will increase in the United States during the next 10 years, with China and India likely to be significant contributors to that trend.
Companies invest in America because we represent the largest fully-developed single country economy in the world and because our labor pool is one of the best educated, most productive, and most innovative in the world. We are a global leader in science and technology and a center for innovation. We reward creativity and we safeguard it by a strong intellectual property rights protection and enforcement regime.
To learn more about Invest in America, global FDI trends and resources or to obtain a copy of the report, visit the office's Web site at www.investamerica.gov.

subset: commoncrawl


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In a landmark decision years in the making, the Supreme Court yesterday ruled by a vote of 5–4 to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), finding that the mandate requiring individuals to purchase health insurance or face a penalty is constitutional.
To help shed light on the ruling and the subsequent breakdown of health care coverage—and any penalties that employers may incur—under this act, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) hosted a webinar this morning, led by Jennifer Kraft and Leon Sequeira.
Both Kraft, an Employee Benefits attorney, and Sequeira, a Labor and Employment attorney, practice at Seyforth Shaw LLP and helped draft the NRA's amicus brief for the Supreme Court hearing.
While Sequeira and Kraft warn that the ACA is likely to go through many changes over the coming years—especially depending on the November presidential and congressional elections—employers need to go "full steam ahead" to prepare for changes this year and in 2013.
One of the most notable changes forbids group health plans to impose an annual dollar limit on any essential health benefits, which include items like preventative care, emergency services, maternity care, and prescription drugs.
The ACA also extends the nondiscrimination requirements—which previously only applied to self-insured plans—to insured plans, meaning that health care plans can no longer discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
"You tended to see these types of insurance arrangements frequently if you had only management employees that you thought would be interested in insurance coverage," Kraft says, noting that this rule won't go into effect until the IRS issues further guidance on how to design plans so they're not discriminatory.
If employers wind up having options that discriminate, they will eventually be forced to pay a penalty of $100 per day per non-highly compensated employee.
In addition, employers will now have to offer Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBC), a four-page form in which the group health care plan is laid out, describing coverage and how the insurance will apply to certain situations. If employers fail to provide summaries, the fee is $1000 for each violation, with a possible additional penalty of $100 per day per effective participant.
By far, one of the biggest pieces of this legislation—and the one that may come to most heavily affect employers—is the employer mandate, which is slated to go into effect in 2014.
This mandate requires employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to provide affordable minimum essentials coverage to all full-time employees, or risk facing penalties.
"A number of employers have not focused on this piece yet because they were busy implementing the other aspects of the Affordable Care Act and waiting to see how things checked out with the Supreme Court decision," Kraft says. "But since we have the decision now, I think employers should really start looking ahead as to how the employer mandate would impact them and whether they want to implement some design changes to minimize any potential penalties."
Under this mandate, there will be two possible penalties. First, if an employer fails to provide any coverage at all and at least one of its employees receives a tax credit or subsidy from a state-based Health Insurance Exchange—a marketplace for health insurance buyers—it will have to pay a fee of $2000 for each full-time employee.
The second penalty, known as the "free-rider penalty," is enforced if employers offer some degree of health coverage, but a plan that is not considered affordable.
"Affordable means the cost of coverage to the employee is no more than 9.5 percent of the employee's household income," Kraft says, noting that the coverage also needs to provide minimum value, what equates to 60 percent of the value of health costs.
Employers who fail to meet this standard will be forced to pay the lesser of two options: $2000 times the number of full-time employees or $3,000 times the number of full-time staff that receives a credit or subsidy through an exchange.
"If you have coverage that most of your employees are able to elect into and you have a few folks who just decide to opt out and they don't decide to go to the exchanges at all, then you may not end up paying any penalty," Kraft says. "Or if one or two of them go to the exchanges and receive a credit or subsidy, then you may be paying the penalty just related to those people, so $3,000 for one person or $6,000 for two."
Organizations like the NRA and The National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) have spoken out heatedly against the ruling, predicting that the decision will have costly and dramatic effects on the restaurant industry.
The NRA will host another webinar on July 19 to discuss how the health care law will directly affect the restaurant industry and what companies should do to prepare for ACA implementation.
By Mary Avant


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May 28, 2016
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Contour Palettes
(Vous parlez français? Cliquez ici!)
I love the highlight powders, the finish is luminous without being too frosty! They aren't glittery like the True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminators either, which is a good thing in my book.
They aren't frosty like BECCA's Shimmering Skin Perfector Powders so you might not like them if you prefer a metallic highlight on your cheeks, but they are good for a natural everyday makeup!
The contouring powders aren't highly pigmented and they could be less dense, but they are great for makeup beginners.
By the way, the brush is interesting but I prefer to use my Real Techniques contour brush. This brush is the perfect size for these palettes and the bristles are firm enough to pick up the contour powders even if they are a bit dense.
As far as staying power goes, the contour and highlight powders last more than 8 hours on me!
813 Light will look good on light to medium skin tones (NC25/NW20 or lighter).
The contour powder is a grey taupe, it won't turn orangey on very fair skin tones.
The highlight powder is a light golden beige, the formula can look a bit powdery but nothing a good makeup setting spray can't fix!
814 Medium is a good choice for light to medium skin tones, especially if you want to warm up your complexion.
The contour powder is a peachy brown and isn't very pigmented, so it's not my favorite duo.
I love the highlight powder though, it's a beautiful champagne beige!
815 Deep will look best on medium to tan skin tones. In fact, I prefer this one over the 814 Medium shade because the contour powder show up better on my skin tone and is less warm toned.
The highlighter is gorgeous, although it's more like a luminous blush on me!
The contour powder is a pink based brown with a luminous finish, but not too shimmery either. I like to use it as a bronzing powder too!
The L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Contour Palette retail for $19.99 CAD for 7g.
(I received these products in order to evaluate them and give my opinion, but rest assured that my comments are always honest and impartial.)
16 comments:
Ooh. Thank you for this review!! I've been super curious about these palettes, and now I think I'll be picking up the Light one ;) A good, non-orangey contour is a rare find from the drugstore!ReplyDelete
That light contour palette looks awesome, I can't wait to try mine out! Plus it's always nice to see more than one shade option--I know high end brands that don't even have 3 contour shades...ReplyDelete
I've been waiting for these to go on sale, the Light contour shade looks absolutely gorgeous but $20 is a bit steep for the drugstore!ReplyDelete
I love how the light contour is cool-toned, this would be perfect for me!ReplyDelete
$20 bucks for these sounds crazy to me, although I always stop and look at them when I'm in the drugstore. I'm still unsure of the products themselves and if they are worth it.ReplyDelete
Krystal // embraceandignite.blogspot.ca
Such pretty colours. I know they're supposed to be used for contouring, but dang, those would make some pretty eyeshadows and blushes!ReplyDelete
Great review. I like the combo of highligher and contour in the same compact. The cool tone of the light palette is hard to find and looks great.ReplyDelete
I love how there is a picture on the packaging as well!ReplyDelete
I've stopped to look at these at Shoppers, but the price tag is a bit steep for drugstore :/ Love the combos though!ReplyDelete


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The announcement of global 3DS price drops and free eShop games might have you confused, which is why we've put together this FAQ to help you make sense of the issues. This FAQ is a work in progress and we'll update it when new information comes in.
If you have questions, post them in the comments below and we'll do our best to answer as many as possible.
Run this 3DS Ambassador program past me one more time.
Anyone who bought a Nintendo 3DS console and registered it in the Nintendo eShop before 12th August 2011 automatically entered the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. That's because 12th August was when the 3DS price drop came into effect.
Ambassadors are eligible for 20 free downloadable games — 10 from the NES and 10 from the Game Boy Advance — as a "make good" package.
Oh yes, I remember now. But how will I know if I'm a 3DS Ambassador? Will there be a notification?
It's likely you've already downloaded your free NES games but if not there is a special section in the eShop for the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador certificate, a device for Nintendo to tell you about the Ambassador program.
What games are on offer to 3DS Ambassadors?
The NES games are:
Super Mario Bros.
The Legend of Zelda
Ice Climber
Balloon Fight
Donkey Kong Jr.
Wrecking Crew
NES Open Tournament Golf
Mario & Yoshi (the European name for Yoshi)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
The Game Boy Advance games are:
F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Metroid Fusion
Wario Land 4
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames
When can I get these games?
The NES games will launch from 1st September. The GBA games will be made available from 16th December 2011.
I don't want those games. Can I choose something else?
Unlike the Wii Ambassador programme, it appears you will not be gifted with store credit, so don't expect to have free choice.
Are these 3D Classics games?
No, they're running under the Virtual Console banner so will appear as they do on the NES and GBA.
The press release mentions 'updated versions of these games will be available after launch'. What gives?
OK, so here's the deal. 3DS Ambassadors get basic versions of these NES games early — there are no digital manuals here and no cross-platform multiplayer, just run of the mill NES games.
Later on these games will be updated with digital manuals and multiplayer.
3DS Ambassadors will be able to upgrade to these 'enhanced' versions for free once they're available. Nintendo has not yet announced when these new version will be available.
Will these games have VC Suspend or Restore Point functionality?
A complicated question, and once that has its own dedicated post. Find out more official details of Nintendo 3DS Ambassador scheme.
How long do I have to download them?
We don't know yet, but don't worry, Nintendo doesn't expect every 3DS owner to download them immediately.
I bought my 3DS after 12th August — am I still eligible?
If you bought or registered your 3DS after 12th August, you are not eligible for these free games. These are for customers who purchased and connected their console before that date.
I can still buy those games myself though, can't I?
Well, yes and no. The NES games will be available to buy in the eShop at a later date — Ambassadors get them early, and for free.
We do not have any price information for NES games on 3DS Virtual Console. However, they're likely to come in around or just above the price of standard Game Boy games.
The Game Boy Advance games, however, are only be available to those who registered before 12th August: Nintendo says it has "no plans" to make the GBA games available to all users.
Won't 10 GBA games completely eat up my memory space?
Not necessarily — you can transfer most eShop downloads to your SD card and load them straight from there. Besides, the maximum size of a GBA game is around 32MB, so the included 2GB card should be fine for most; if not, just upgrade it. Simple!
Club Nintendo questions
Do I have to register my 3DS on Club Nintendo?
No, this is not a stipulation of the entry. By all means go for it, but it's not compulsory.
Will I get 200 coins from downloading those 20 games?
Yes, Nintendo has confirmed the 20 free games are eligible for Club Nintendo coins for users in North America.


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Our Story
The Black Boy Inn, set deep in the evocative Royal Borough of Caernarfon, has been a welcome retreat for weary travellers for centuries. Built circa 1522, it is one of the oldest inns in North Wales.
Formerly the 'King's Arms' and the 'Fleur de Lys', one landlord bought the other out and created the Black Boy Inn as it is today. Prior to 1828, the 'King's Arms' was known as the 'Black Boy'.
Located in Northgate Street, the Black Boy Inn is one of the few remaining free houses owned by an independent family business in the United Kingdom. It has load bearing walls of up to one and a half metres thick, and four exterior signs each showing a 'black buoy' on one side and a 'black boy' on the other.
There are at least three theories to explain the origins of its name. One relates to a black boy brought into the country on a ship, another suggests it is related to a navigational buoy which existed in the harbour in the early days of the Inn, and the third refers to the nickname given to Charles II by his mother and the fact that Royalists met here secretly at that time.
Northgate Street
In days of old, Northgate Street was at the centre of the town's red light district and known as 'Stryd Pedwar a Chwech' in Welsh, which translates as 'Four and Six Street'. 'Four and six' means 'four shillings and sixpence' – about 22 pence in today's money. Allegedly, for that not-too-princely sum, one could get a room complete with a bottle of gin and the services of a young lady for the night!
From this street there is a good view of the town's sentry wall, towers and well-preserved stone stairs which have the effect of doubling the wall's thickness. It is hoped that eventually it will be possible to walk this section of the wall as far as the Eastgate gatehouse.
The archway at the end of Northgate Street is a 19th century addition to help facilitate the flow of traffic in and out of the old town, and was not part of the original town wall design.
Archaeological Interests
In the 1990s, excavations were conducted nearby and an old woman's skeleton was found. The archaeologists concluded that she had been buried there to save the expense of a funeral. More recently during restoration work at the Black Boy Inn, workmen uncovered a range of items underneath the dining room floorboards including a child's shoe, clay pipes and, unusually, animal jaw bones.
For those with an interest in archaeology, there is a continuous programme of archaeological digs being carried out within the town walls by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.
Another interesting feature of the Black Boy Inn is the reported presence of the ghost of a nun seen passing through the Inn to the nunnery, which at one time was at the rear of the Inn.
Eastgate Gatehouse
This gate was the main entrance to the old walled town and therefore the most carefully guarded. Originally built at the same time as the Castle with an external barbican and wooden drawbridge, this was subsequently replaced by a fixed six-arched bridge-way.
The rooms above the gateway served to accommodate the Exchequer in 1284, as the administration and financial centre for the counties of Caernarfon, Anglesey and Merioneth. The town's curfew bell was also originally housed here. Any inhabitant not inside the town wall by 8pm was locked out till 6am the following morning.
At one time, a large gas-light illuminated clock with four faces was housed within its high tower. This had to be removed owing to it misleading sailing vessels trying to negotiate their way into the harbour at night. In the 1830s it was also used as a lock-up and watch house.
In 1767 the upper floors were adapted as a town guild hall. Other alterations in 1833 and 1873 are commemorated by a slate tablet set into the archway entrance. There are now plans afoot to convert the old gatehouse into a heritage site and town museum.


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Moderator: Community Team
Mr. Squirrel wrote:pmchugh wrote:BUMP- one more fool needed
One fool reporting for duty!
colton24 wrote:Ok so say the mafia godfather is lynched. The mafia can't talk right? Can the mafia still kill?
carlpgoodrich wrote:Ok, I still have absolutely no idea what a mafia game is. How does it have anything to do with playing a CC game? I must be missing something but I believe the original post doesn't mention anything about it.
Iliad wrote:The upside of calling everyone scum and making 1000 predictions is that statistically you should get a few right.
Some7hingCLEVER wrote:hey i have a question about a roles
if something says one shot does that mean they can only do it once or that they can kill one person?
StorrZerg wrote:dat 4 year old bump
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text:
I would like to create a PDF document in TeX with a form. Some of the fields in the form will be calculated based on the values of other fields.
Here is a MWE, thanks to Victor Ivrii on the pdftex mailing list back in 2005:
\TextField[maxlen=40,keystroke={AFNumber_Keystroke(2, 0, 1, 2,
\TextField[maxlen=40,keystroke={AFNumber_Keystroke(2, 0, 1, 2,
\TextField[maxlen=40,keystroke={AFNumber_Keystroke(2, 0, 1, 2, true);},
calculate={AFSimple_Calculate("SUM" , new Array ( "alpha" , "beta" )
;)}, align=2,height=10pt,width=45pt,name=gamma,readonly=true]{Gamma}
The resulting PDF has three fields, and the third is supposed to automatically update to be the sum of the first two. If I compile the document and open in Acrobat, I can edit the first two fields (
alpha and
beta) but the third (
gamma) does not update. No JavaScript errors are thrown.
If I examine the properties of the field
gamma in Acrobat, I can see that its
calculate property is set to be the sum of the to fields
alpha and
If I select "Pick...", I'm shown a dialog with the three fields, and
alpha and
beta are selected. If I deselect and reselect those fields and accept, the form now works as desired (Acrobat-altered document at scribd). The
diff command tells me the PDF file has changed but not how.
I have found some discussion about this on the pdftex mailing list, in the above referenced thread and again here. Ralf Uterman apparently posted a patch as a result of the second thread, but as far as I can tell the issue persists. I have tried the
eforms package from the AcroTeX bundle as well, but the author writes in the manual that "Calculate works correctly when drivers
dvipsone, or
dvipdfm are used." (
pdftex is not listed).
Yet I cannot get this to work under any driver. If I use the
dvips driver to compile to DVI, then
dvips to convert to PostScript, then convert to PDF using either Acrobat Distiller, I get the same non-functioning form as with
pdftex. If I use the
dvipdf driver, then
dvipdf to convert to PDF, all the form elements are unrecognized and ignored.
This document is going to be stamped over a scanned PDF so I really need no other output except the form and some basic marks. So I'm flexible as to engine, driver, etc., but so far I'm not getting anything to work without manual intervention via Acrobat. I'm aware of the related question " hyperref: how to format text in a forms text-field " but I can't get the calculations to work in the accepted answer there, either.


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Across the Canadian border, massive dams generate a seemingly endless supply of hydroelectricity — a source of power that could help New England replace its closing coal and nuclear plants while cutting greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. But there's a big problem: getting it here.
At least five major transmission projects — some estimated to cost more than $1 billion to build — have been proposed to connect New England to this plentiful power source to the north. The projects, however, are not only spurring opposition in the communities where the lines would cross but also a broader debate about the region's energy policy and the role hydroelectricity should play.
That debate flared again last week as New England governors met with the leaders of eastern Canadian provinces in New Hampshire to discuss energy and economic issues. Opponents of a hydro transmission project that would cross wilderness areas in New Hampshire, the so-called Northern Pass, staged protests; so did opponents of a proposed pipeline to transport natural gas from shale fields in Pennsylvania and other nearby states across Massachusetts.
These protests underscored the challenges policy makers face as they try to balance growing demand for energy against increased urgency to slow the pace of climate change, which scientists attribute to the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. While solar, wind, and other renewables are certain to play larger roles in the region's energy mix, they remain intermittent power sources without the scale to easily replace the more than 4,000 megawatts of generating capacity, or enough to power 4 million homes, that will be lost over the next few years with the shutdown or planned shutdown of three coal-fired plants in Massachusetts, a nuclear plant in Vermont, and other facilities in New England.
With ISO New England, the region's grid operator, forecasting potential shortages by 2017, policy makers are looking to Canadian hydro — and so are utilities hoping to profit by transporting the power south. The proposed transmission projects include:
■ Northern Pass, a $1.4 billion, 187-mile transmission line pushed by Northeast Utilities that would bring power from Canada's Hydro-Quebec into Southern New England.
■ The New England Clean Power Link, a $1.2 billion, 154-mile project that would run from the Canadian border under Lake Champlain to Ludlow, Vt.
■ The Northeast Energy Link, a joint project of National Grid and Bangor Hydro that would build a 230-mile line from Orrington, Maine to Tewksbury, to bring power from Canada and Maine.
■ The Green Line, a 350-mile cable that would transport wind power from Maine and supplementary hydroelectricity from Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes.
■ And the Grand Isle Intertie, a 60-mile line that would bring wind power from northern New York, under Lake Champlain to Vermont, and supplement it with hydro from New York and possibly Canada.
It's unclear which projects ultimately will be built.
"Hydro is a very critical part of the plan," said Barbara Kates-Garnick, undersecretary of energy in Massachusetts. "It's clean, it's available, and there are hydro projects being developed."
Hydroelectricity accounted for just 7 percent of New England's net electricity generation last year, according to the US Energy Department, compared with nearly 50 percent for natural gas-fired plants. But hydropower remains controversial.
Political and environmental leaders have struggled with whether to classify large-scale hydroelectric operations as clean sources of power, since their dams inundate large swaths of land, eradicate natural landscapes, and disrupt or destroy both land-based and aquatic ecosystems.
Environmentalists also worry that easy access to low-cost hydroelectricity will undermine the competitiveness of emerging alternative energy technologies and slow or derail their development. Hydropower, including maintenance, operations, and other costs, runs about 2 cents per kilowatt hour, about one-third the price of electricity generated with natural gas, according to a 2010 study by Navigant Consulting of Chicago.
Peter Shattuck, director of market initiatives at the advocacy group Environment Northeast, said policy makers must think beyond what may seem quick fixes to energy and climate challenges to support emerging technologies that could provide long-term solutions.
"You need to hit the pause button and say we recognize the need to look at the alternatives, " Shattuck said.
Such concerns have increased as New England states consider legislation to give large-scale hydropower projects clean-energy preferences similar to those for wind and solar. Connecticut already has adopted a law that allows utilities, in certain cases, to count electricity from large-scale hydro projects toward state mandates for acquiring power from renewable sources.
Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering similar measures. One bill would require the state's investor-owned utilities to buy 2,400 megawatts of clean energy, which, for the first time, would include hydropower. State Senator Barry Finegold, an Andover Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, said the goal is to become less dependent on natural gas.
"Whether it's hydro, wind, solar, we want to have more diversity," Finegold said.
New England power plant owners, however, say the bill would give unfair preferences to Canadian hydropower. They say the costs of building transmission and related projects would quickly overwhelm the lower hydropower price. "It's an irresponsible use ofonsumer dollars," said Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association, a Boston-based trade group.
Still, as Massachusetts and other states race to meet goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the opportunities appear big for hydropower. In Ayer, National Grid's Sandy Pond transmission station already connects to hydro projects in Northern Quebec.
Mary Ellen Paravalos, National Grid's director of strategy and business performance, said New England needs to build more transmission to meet electricity demand, whether it comes from hydroelectric dams, wind farms, or other resources. She noted the three generators that have or will soon shut down: Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon, Vt., scheduled to close later this year, and two coal plants, Salem Harbor in Salem, which shut down in June, and Brayton Point in Somerset, scheduled to close in 2017.
"Those are closing right now when we're thinking about how to get more power to the region," she said. "You have to assess the options. You need a pipeline of projects."
TDI New England, which is developing the Clean Power Link from Canada to Vermont, hopes to start construction by 2016. Donald Jessome, TDI's chief executive, said he expects the project to benefit customers by providing access to lower-cost energy.
"We're already talking to multiple hydro providers in Canada," Jessome said. "We're actually talking to wind providers as well.'"
Any new transmission should integrate solar, wind, and other renewable energy into the power grid, said Seth Kaplan, vice president for policy and climate advocacy at the Conservation Law Foundation, a environmental advocacy group in Boston. As policy makers pursue a bigger role for hydro, he said, they must maintain commitments to alternative technologies.
"New England is only going to build a relatively limited number of these transmission lines — that's just a reality —
Erin Ailworth can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @ailworth.


text:
Researchers have discovered the fundamental biology of calcium waves in relation to heart arrhythmias.
The findings published this month in the January 19 edition of Nature Medicine outlines the discovery of this fundamental physiological process that researchers hope will one day help design molecularly tailored medications that correct the pathophysiology.
Heart arrhythmias cause the heart to beat irregularly, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness and fainting, or in severe cases, sudden arrhythmic death. While many factors contribute to the development of arrhythmias, including genetics, scientists know that a common mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias is calcium overload in the heart, i.e. calcium-triggered arrhythmias that can lead to sudden death. The underlying mechanism of these calcium-triggered arrhythmias has remained a mystery for decades.
Using a combination of molecular biology, electrophysiology, and genetically engineering mice, scientists at the University of Calgary's and Alberta Health Services' Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (Libin Institute)have discovered that a calcium-sensing-gate in the cardiac calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor) is responsible for initiation of calcium waves and calcium-triggered arrhythmias.
Utilizing a genetically modified mouse model they were able to manipulate the sensor and completely prevented calcium-triggered arrhythmias.
"The calcium-sensing- gate mechanism discovered here is an entirely novel concept with potential to shift our general understanding of ion channel gating, cardiac arrhythmogenesis, and the treatment of calcium-triggered arrhythmias," says SR Wayne Chen, PhD, the study's senior author and University of Calgary- Libin Institute researcher. "These findings open a new chapter of calcium signaling and the discovery fosters the possibilities of new drug interventions."
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of Calgary. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
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Information on Gums And Teeth
Gums and teeth, just how much are you aware about the subject. That you should learn more concerning the stated condition here are the fundamental info on gums and teeth. Gums and teeth or even more known within the medical world as periodontal disease. It's a chronic inflammation and infection from the gingiva or generally known as as gums. Gums and teeth is among the main reasons for loss of tooth among adults.
Recent reports have develop more information on gums and teeth. Further studies demonstrated that microbial plaque (a sticky, without color film that forms on the top of teeth) may be the primary reason for gums and teeth. Additional studies regarding info on gums and teeth reveal that specific gum illnesses can and therefore are connected with specific microbial types. If your specific plaque isn't removed, it'll accumulate and can solidify into calculus (more referred to as tartar). Toxins which are created through the microbial plaque may cause irritation towards the gums and can make the introduction to the attachment fibers store the teeth towards the gums, hereby, creating pockets round the teeth. These pockets will progressively contain more toxins.
The Academy of General Dentistry released more information on gums and teeth proclaiming that, genetics is a factor of gums and teeth. The data on gums and teeth that Academy of General Dentistry makes public also claims that people who have a minimal in diet diet can lessen ale your body to battle infection. Individual that smoke cigarette or those who use spit tobacco are more inclined to experience irritation around the gum tissues than non-smokers and tobacco users.
The data on gums and teeth which was just lately released recommends that patients should visit their dental professional more often when they experience any discomfort on their own gums. They advised the general public to not disregard any minor gum discomfort. Some gum illnesses are painless and frequently take years prior to the usual signs and signs and symptoms of gums and teeth appear or felt.
Find Out More Info: http://reverserecedinggumdamagenaturally.mystrikingly.com/
How do we prevent gums and teeth? Stopping gums and teeth really is easy. It just takes to workout regular oral cleanliness. Plaques can be taken off by brushing the teeth completely a minimum of two times each day. Flossing daily can prevent formation of plaque on difficult to achieve areas. Rinsing the mouth area with antibacterial mouthwash will give you additional protection against gums and teeth. Go to your dental professional regularly or at best once every six several weeks to watch and keep the wellness of the gums.
If you wish to know a lot of gums and teeth, go to your dental hygienist or dental professional. They provides you with all the details you will have to know regarding gum problems or gum illnesses. Take good proper care of your gums to possess a beautiful smile.


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- Travel
- Where the Locals Go
Anne's Fairbanks
Photographer, writer, and music industry publicist Anne Kristoff splits her time between New York City and wherever her husband, a Blackhawk pilot, happens to be stationed. Living in Fairbanks (her hubby is at Fort Wainwright) and blogging about Alaskan art and culture on AK vs AK has been a nice change of pace. One thing she loves about Fairbanks is that it makes you stronger: "I can now say: 40 below? No problem." Learn more about Anne on her website and on Twitter @AnneKristoff.
Fairbanks is My City
When someone comes to visit me, the first place I take them is for a ride along the Chena River from Pioneer Park all the way through downtown and over to the Fort Wainwright Army Installation.
Summer is the best time to visit my city because it's dark and 40 below zero in the winter.
You can see my city best paddling down the Chena or from high above on Chena Ridge.
Locals know to skip overtly touristy attractions and check out the local arts scene instead.
The Alaska House is the place to buy authentic, local souvenirs.
In the past, notable people like painter Bob Ross and football star Daryn Colledge have called nearby North Pole home.
My city's best museum is UAF Museum of the North because it provides a great history of art and culture and gives you a sense of past and present ways of life in Fairbanks. It also has a very unique design and sits high atop a ridge on the west side of town.
If there's one thing you should know about getting around my city, it's that you need a car in winter. Biking in summer can be fun. All in all, it's an easy place to get around.
The best place to spend time outdoors in my city is hiking Angel Rocks or Granite Tors (if the bears are not out), paddling the Chena River, or berry-picking on Murphy Dome.
My city really knows how to celebrate summer because there are 24 hours of daylight!
You can tell if someone is from my city if they just get it done and don't complain.
For a fancy night out, I go to dinner at Lavelle's downtown and probably a concert put on by the Fairbanks Concert Association.
Just outside my city, you can visit Denali National Park.
My city is known for being rough and tumble, but it's really a mecca of pragmatism, and a place of ideas and interesting people.
The best outdoor market in my city is Tanana Valley Farmer's Market.
Sam's Sourdough Cafe is my favorite place to grab breakfast, and the Hawaiian cheesesteak cart on Old Steese is the spot for late-night eats.
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read The Daily News-Miner.
My city's biggest sports event is Ice Dogs Hockey. Watch it at the Big Dipper Ice Arena.
When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I catch a free movie at the Morris Thompson Center.
To escape the crowds, I take a ride across Goldstream Road.
If my city were a celebrity it'd be Frances McDormand because it's not frilly, but really good.
The dish that represents my city best is moose or salmon and Silver Gulch beer is my city's signature drink.
Immaculate Conception Church is my favorite building in town because it has a ton of history, it's on the banks of the Chena River downtown, and the walls and ceiling are pressed-and-painted tin. It evokes the Deniro/Penn film We're No Angels.
The most random thing about my city is that most of its streets are dead ends.
The Blue Loon is the best place to see live music, but if you're in the mood to dance, check out Rock n Rodeo.
- Nat Geo Expeditions
Baseball under the midnight sun could only happen in my city.
In the spring you should watch out for the "break-up" (when all the ice finally melts and everything turns to mud).
In the summer you should stay up all night to chance seeing a rainbow at 3:00 a.m.
In the fall you should grab the last bit of outdoor activity that you can – a bike ride on Farmer's Loop, a hike through Creamer's Field.
In the winter you should suck it up and deal with the sub-zero temperatures. When else can you see the aurora borealis?
If you have kids (or are a kid at heart), you won't want to miss the ice-sculpture competition in February and March.
The best book about my city is poems by Robert Service or John Haines.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes.
In 140 characters or less, the world should heart my city because there are pockets of amazing things and people to marvel at around every turn.


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Check out our featured provider
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Just Energy in Upper Arlington offers electricity and natural gas rates that enable consumers to secure a stable-rate, allowing them to pay the same amount per unit of energy for up to five years. These rates are great for a customer who prefers stability. Under a plan such as this, customers will not become vulnerable to the changing costs of supply while under the term of their contract. They can rest assured they will pay the same supply price, no matter how often or how widely market prices fluctuate.
Just Energy notes on its website that most energy is produced through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. These fossil fuels create pollution that has contributed to environmental issues such as rising temperatures, increased smog levels and higher water levels. To keep this from getting any worse, Just Energy has developed many green energy initiatives.
According to its website, along with providing customers with stable energy supply rates, Just Energy, in Upper Arlington and elsewhere, strives to promote a sustainable future. It does this through various efforts, including green options for its customers, green products, accountability and renewable energy educational materials. On its website, customers of Just Energy can learn why it is important to produce energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydro, as well as purchase green products such as the SmartStat thermostat and even add green energy products to their electricity or natural gas plan.
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Shopping around for electricity or natural gas rates on supply is a hefty task. The amazing thing about deregulated energy markets is that there is a variety of competition and alternative rates from the numerous companies that serve the area. The not so amazing thing is that, with so many options, exploring what's available can easily get overwhelming. OhioGasCompanies.com has taken on some of the work by detailing many different suppliers that serve the Upper Arlington area. Browse our site to begin your research. If you're interested in finding out more, give us a ring and we will try our best to find a plan that matches what you are looking for. Don't sleep on your opportunity to find a plan that works for you!
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The ThermalRight Ultra 120 Extreme Cooler is a large kit that expands on the quality of ThermalRight Ultra 120. When you open the box, you'll find the quite large Ultra 120 eXtreme unit, along with mounting hardware. As with most of Thermalright's products, the Ultra 120 eXtreme is developed to be used in combinations with just about all of Intel and AMD's recent models, including Intel's new LGA 1366 socket to support Intel Core i7 965XE/940/920 processors. If you own an AMD AM2 board, you will have to make an extra purchase of the AM2 back metal plate. Remember that it's best to check the motherboard compatibility list before making a purchase. From the bottom to the tip of the heat pipe, the Ultra 120 Extreme stands 16.3cm. Being a huge cooler, it is best to also measure from the socket to where you will attach the case side panel, to ensure there's enough free space before purchasing.
A great function of the Ultra 120 eXtreme is its ability to mount in many different positions, such as facing up, down, to the right or left of the motherboard. This gives you the flexibility to mount it in a way that you can direct the warm air out of the case. ThermalRight's Ultra 120 and Ultra 120 Extreme do not come with a fan included. This can be a good thing because some users like to purchase a specific fan for their particular needs. Your results can depend on the fan you choose, though, therefore consider selecting a high-end model to match the high-end cooling system. One excellent option that was tested with this cooler is the Scythe S-Flex 800 RPM. The fan, in combination with ThermalRight's Ultra 120 eXtreme, performed well enough to get within 1 degree Celsius of Thermaltake's best cooler that was running at 1250 RPM.
The ThermalRight Ultra Extreme 120 is a very impressive cooling system when the right fan is selected. The cooler may be considered pricy since it sells for $60 before buying the fan, but it will be well worth it for many users due to its low-noise and solid performance.


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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an e-ticket and how is it beneficial?
E-ticket stands for electronic ticket. It confirms your reservation for flight without the requirement of the actual paper ticket. The e-ticket has all the details of the flight you are boarding. Your reservation record will also be available in airlines computer?s data. So, you will never have to worry about losing your ticket. All you require to do is just carry a copy of confirmation e-mail sent by Hoodaki, a valid passport and head straight to check-in-desk at the airport. After your details have been checked and verified, your boarding pass will be issued.
How can I be sure if my booking is confirmed? Do I need to reconfirm my booking?
Once you have completed your booking with us by submitting your credit card details, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail shortly afterwards. The confirmation e-mail you receive will have the details of the booking which includes the price of your order and your reference number. You need to quote this reference number when you get in touch with us for any further queries. The reference number is important as it will help us to identify your booking order. In case you do not receive the confirmation e-mail, it simply means your booking may not have been confirmed.
When will I receive my tickets after my booking is confirmed?
You may receive your ticket within four days from the date when your booking gets confirmed. If your departure is within seven days from the date of confirmed booking, you will receive your ticket within 24 hours. To receive the registered mail (within UK) or courier, a signatory is needed to be present at the delivery address at the time of delivery. In case there is no signatory, a delivery card will be left there which will provide you the location of the local depot from where you can collect your ticket. You need to carry your identification proof with you for the collection.
How can I make changes in my booking?
After getting your tickets booked, if you want to get some changes done in your travel schedule, you can contact us for the same and we will try our best to make the booking as per your new requirements. You will have to give the instructions for the amendment in writing to us. Besides, you will also have to pay the amendment fee applicable. In case while making the amendment, if we incur any cost such as charges that may be levied by the airlines or hotels, you must pay that to us. Before getting a booking done it is important to know, that there are some travel arrangements that cannot be amended. And alteration request in this case can incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% for that part of the arrangements.
How can I get my ticket/flight cancelled?
The booking for the flight can be cancelled at any time by the person who made the booking. The cancellation request should be communicated to us in writing and it needs to be received prior to the departure of the flight. And in case, we haven?t received any payment by you within 72 hours of the booking, your ticket will be cancelled automatically. Unless stated, all tickets are issued on a non-refundable/ non-endorsable basis. All the conditions under which a cancellation can be done are explained in our booking terms and conditions.
How much is the allowance for my Baggage/ Hand Baggage/ Cabin Baggage?
Since every airline has their own set of rules and regulations in regard to baggage allowance, so you can either check out with your Travel Consultant or the airline directly.
How can I have Financial Security?
Hoodaki.com (Benz Travel) holds ATOL number 3448, which ensures that you would be refunded and/or repatriated in the unlikely event of our insolvency. Note however that if a valid scheduled ticket is dispatched by the end of the working day following day of booking then this would constitute a "ticket provider" sale and therefore not be covered by our ATOL.
Your passport normally needs to be valid for at least another 6 months after the date you leave your destination and if you?re traveling to the USA you must have a machine-readable passport. Also don?t forget to check whether you require a visa for any part of your journey.


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cloud technology
The New Paradigm in Direct Sales Management
The Le-Vel Cloud Management system is the most state of the art, most efficient, and the most lucrative operations infrastructure system ever. It allows Le-Vel to operate with the lowest corporate overhead and yet have one of the fastest response and problem solving operating systems in the market. It allows for efficient manageability with fast paced growth solutions.
From Employees to API Integration
Many brick and mortar Direct Sales Companies are bloated with enormous costs: buildings, w-2s, managers, hiring, firing, staffing, real estate, secretaries, middle managers, utility bills, etc. This adds up to significant overhead and a high cost of operating, resulting in lower commissions for Promoters. A huge percentage of overhead is eliminated at Le-Vel and replaced with Cloud Technology. Because of our Cloud, we operate more efficiently and with less staff and provide consistent and dependable result.
We are saving money and putting it where it needs to be…our LV Rewards Plan. When it comes to state of the art efficiency, speed, stability and scalability, no other infrastructure beats our Cloud Technology. No one beats Le-Vel.
Le-Vel Cloud Technology – A solution for large scale, large growth infrastructure:
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Door Hinge Repair Brantford
Door Hinge Repair in Brantford
Door Hinge Types
Each Door has a pivot which permits it to rotate or turn. The segments of a pivot are the leaf, knuckle, pin, and sleeves. Despite the fact that there are various sorts of pivots due to the different size Doors accessible, they all element comparative segments like these. The sort of pivots which are utilized will rely upon the kind of Door that you have. For instance, private and business front section Doors are made distinctively and require various sorts of pivots. Besides, there are the inside Doors of a property which have their own extraordinary pivots also. These incorporate room Doors, yet additionally bureau Doors as well.
Each time an individual opens and shuts an Door, it puts a tad of weight on the pivots. After numerous long periods of every day Door use, the segments of the pivots will undoubtedly come free or break inside and out. If somebody somehow happened to break-in the Door because of a robbery or some other explanation, the whole pivot would probably sever the edge totally. At that point you would have no real option except to supplant the whole pivot and every one of its segments.
Our Services:
Private Door pivot fix
Business Door pivot fix
Broken Door pivot substitution
Establishment of new Doors or edges
Supplanting Broken Pivot Hinges with A Continuous Hinge
Numerous business Doors have rotate pivots introduced on them. There might be 2 or 3 turn pivots utilized on every Door and no more. The issue with utilizing turn pivots is that they are more powerless to loosening up and coming. When utilizing turn pivots with private Doors, it is not a problem on the grounds that those Doors are regularly produced using a lighter weight material. Business Doors are frequently made of metal or steel. This makes them a lot heavier and it puts significantly more weight on the turn pivots.
Hence, on the off chance that you actually have broken rotate relies on your business Door and you have to get them supplanted, you would be in an ideal situation supplanting them with a ceaseless pivot. The advantage of a ceaseless pivot is that it runs the whole length of the Door start to finish as opposed to having 2 or 3 rotated regions. Accordingly, the Door's weight gets dispersed uniformly onto the pivot with the goal that it can uphold it better. Consistent pivots generally remain useful for quite a long while and seldom exhausted. The main thing that can risk a consistent pivot is defacing.
Fixing Stripped Screw Holes for a Door Hinge
At the point when you have a more established Door with turn pivots, the screw openings are at a more serious danger of getting stripped. You will know when this happens once the screws become free and begin jumping out of the openings. At that point your pivots will tumble off in light of the fact that nothing is holding them onto the door jamb any longer. You can't simply screw the pivots back on either since you have stripped openings. The main arrangement is to fix up the openings with dowels and afterward place new screws into them.
Fundamentally, you would simply bore through the stripped openings so you can fit poplar dowels into them. After the dowels are introduced, you will utilize a bore (3/8 crawls in width) to make new tighten openings the dowels. Presently you can take a stab at reattaching the pivots onto the door jamb.
Staying or Sagging Doors? Understand This!
The principal sign that your pivots are giving you inconvenience is the point at which your Doors start to hang or stick. On the off chance that you promptly make a move, you can fix this issue essentially by fixing all the tightens the pivots. Sometimes, you may need to change the pivots first to make them more lined up with the Door. Additionally, you have to guarantee that you have since quite a while ago made sure about fastens the supports which go through the outlining toward the rear of them. The most dire outcome imaginable is you should sand the edges of the Door on the off chance that you find that they are not smooth enough.
Door Hinge Adjustment
Here and there an Door pivot change is all you require to get your Door working easily once more. The top pivot is the main one to change since it is exposed to more weight from the Door's weight. In the event that the top pivot was initially introduced with short screws, at that point they will rapidly pull away as you keep on utilizing the Door. This will bring about a drooping Door that is hard to close. To fix this, you have to utilize longer tightens the top pivot and wood pillar. This will appropriately change the Door so it tends to be utilized with no droopiness.
Issues with Mortise Hinges
Before a pivot can be introduced, the wood should be etched away with the goal that it tends to be put there safely. This region of the wood is known as the mortise and it should be made at the perfect profundity, while not being excessively shallow or profound. Most Doors are made with machines in an industrial facility which implies you will probably have the privilege measured mortise as of now. Be that as it may, in the event that the mortise was handmade, at that point you could pursue into certain issues you introduce the pivot. A profound mortise will make a major hole in the edge and make the Door harder to close. On the off chance that your mortise is too shallow, the pivot basically won't fit and will make the Door and edge tie together.
Supplanting Door Hinges
The normal Door has 3 pivots. In the event that you are having issues with only one of the pivots, you don't have to eliminate the whole way to supplant it. You can basically eliminate the screws from the terrible pivot and take it off. At that point you simply screw in another pivot in its place. The other 2 pivots will have the option to hold the Door fine and dandy as you are doing this. Obviously, attempt to try not to utilize your Door as you are supplanting a rely on it. Likewise, be certain that your new pivot coordinates the size measurements of your old pivot. You may choose for utilize longer screws on the off chance that you discover the wood to be excessively old.
Door Hinge Installation
The vast majority can deal with putting in new Door depends on a current Door section. In any case, in the event that you are supplanting your current Door chunk, at that point putting in new pivots onto it will be a more confounded assignment. It is smarter to buy another Door which as of now has the pivots Pre introduced. Else, you should etch or process the mortise zones into your new Door piece so the pivots can be introduced in them. Since the profundity of the mortise zones should be 100% great, it is smarter to have an expert contractual worker do this for you.
Door Hinge Repair
Beside just supplanting your Door pivots, you may possibly need to rearrange or grease up them in the event that they are giving you issues. All the opening and shutting of an Door will wear out its pivots. In the long run, you may see your Door making a ton of noisy commotions or it might get more earnestly to utilize. On the off chance that there are clamors, this is an indication that grease is required on the pivots. On the off chance that the Door is more diligently to utilize, take a stab at rearranging the pivots and fixing the screws. In the event that this doesn't work, at that point your screw openings might be excessively stripped for an acclimation to fix the issue. All things being equal, you should fix the stripped openings by introducing dowels first and afterward screwing the relies on after.


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What is IFTA(International Fuel Tax Agreement)?
Who Must File IFTA?
Any vehicle is considered to be a qualified motor vehicle if it is used, designed, or maintained for the purpose of transportation of persons or property and has a registered gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds. Also, any vehicle with 3 axles or more is considered to be a qualified motor vehicle regardless of weight. Finally, if the combined weight of all of its parts is greater than 26,000 pounds, it is also considered to be a qualified motor vehicle.
How Does IFTA Work?
The state or province in which the vehicle is registered is considered to be its Base Jurisdiction. IFTA must be filed with the vehicle's respective jurisdiction each quarter. Each state or province has a different rate and those rates can change each quarter. Every driver must keep a trip log of how many miles are traveled in each state or province, as well as how much fuel was purchased in each state or province.
The Purpose of IFTA
According to the International Fuel Tax Agreement, its purpose is "to promote and encourage the fullest and most efficient possible use of the highway system by making uniform the administration of motor fuels use taxation laws with respect to qualified member vehicles operated in multiple member jurisdictions." When an IFTA form is filed with its appropriate jurisdiction, The Fuel Tax Report is then used to determine the tax amount due as well as the refund due. It is also used for redistributing collections from the jurisdictions that received IFTA payments, and the jurisdictions that deserved some.
One of the reasons for the Fuel Tax is to ensure that a vehicle pays taxes to all deserving jurisdictions. For Example: if a vehicle travels through a state, but buys no gas while in that state, then there was no fuel tax paid to that state through the purchase of gasoline. Part of their tax would then be redistributed to the state that received no fuel tax through the purchase of gasoline.
Organizing IFTA
Since the data required filing IFTA is so incredibly detailed, many people receive Audits of their IFTA information. The sadness of this is that this can be prevented by better record keeping. ExpressIFTA, along with providing a terrific service for other Fuel Tax needs, will perform an internal audit of your IFTA information for you. In this internal audit performed by Express IFTA Tax, it will check for basic mistakes and discrepancies, as well as perform a state adjacency check and an abnormal MPG audit. They also provide online trip sheets for drivers to keep accurate records that can be accessed from any computer, anywhere! If you can prevent an audit due to simple mistakes on an IFTA return, it makes no sense not to let Express IFTA help you get it right the first time.
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JIM VERTUNO, AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas fired defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on Sunday, less than 24 hours after one of the worst defensive performances in the history of the program.
Longhorns coach Mack Brown announced that former Longhorns defensive coordinator and Syracuse coach Greg Robinson will take over the job.
"Our performance on defense last night was unacceptable, and we need to change that," Brown said.
BYU ran for 550 yards, the most ever allowed by Texas, in a 40-21 victory against the Longhorns on Saturday night, putting a potential breakthrough season on the brink of another big disappointment if the Longhorns can't fix their defensive problems. Texas (1-1) plays No. 25 Mississippi (2-0) at home on Saturday.
Brown hired Diaz after Texas finished 5-7 in 2010 and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp left to be the head coach at Florida. The hire was a surprise considering Diaz had been defensive coordinator just one season at Mississippi State, but Brown called him a rising star in coaching who brought energy and new ideas to his struggling program.
Aside from a blowout loss to Oklahoma, Diaz's first season was a success as Texas matured into the best defense in the Big 12. But the unit regressed into the one of the worst in program history in 2012. As the season wore on, players complained that teammates weren't lining up correctly or playing hard every game.
Texas hid some of those problems with a 9-4 finish and a bowl victory and Brown shrugged off questions if Diaz would be replaced. But after the loss to BYU, Diaz's tenure was being measured in minutes.
Television cameras during the game showed Brown huddled with Diaz and defensive backs coach Duane Akina seemingly pleading with them to find a way to stop BYU's marauding rushing attack.
Brown refused to say in his postgame news conference if he planned to keep Diaz on the job, and by Sunday afternoon announced that he will be reassigned within the athletic department. Diaz makes more than $600,000 a year.
Brown knew he was taking a chance on Diaz when he hired him. Diaz, who once worked at ESPN and thought he wanted a career in sports journalism, was inspired to pursue coaching after helping cover a Bill Parcells news conference.
Diaz's career took him from graduate assistant role at Florida State to North Carolina State and Middle Tennessee. He was defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee for four seasons before taking the same job at Mississippi State. Diaz hadn't applied for the Texas job until Brown called him.
In Robinson, Brown gets a coordinator with NFL experience who has rescued the Texas defense before.
Robinson spent one season with Texas in 2004, helping guide the Longhorns to an 11-1 finish and a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan and was notable for his fiery personality on the sideline. Robinson left Texas to be the head coach at Syracuse, where he spent four dreadful seasons, going 10-37. He served as Michigan's defensive coordinator under Rich Rodriguez in 2009 and '10, and then returned to Texas in July as a football analyst.
"He knows this place, did a terrific job in leading our defense before, and I'm excited to have him back on the field," Brown said.
Robinson also spent 14 years in the NFL, most notably as defensive coordinator when the Denver Broncos won consecutive Super Bowls in 1997-1998.
"This is a tough deal for everyone involved, but I love the University of Texas and coach Brown has been wonderful to me," Robinson said in a statement released by the team. "I'll do anything I can to help him."


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What a fun Halloween weekend we have had so far and it's not over yet. Having kids makes holidays like Halloween so much more awesome.
Yesterday, Jeremy and I took the boys to pass out little pumpkin magnets at the nursing home. Earlier in the week, I cut out a stack of pumpkins from orange paper and my oldest boy used a black marker to decorate them with jack-o-lantern faces. Then I laminated them and stuck a magnet to the back. It was a meaningful way to add a lesson on serving others to the regular candy-filled festivities, and I'm now on the hunt for more ways to add projects like that to our routine. My only regret is that I didn't get a single picture of him making the pumpkins or delivering them. Hate that.
After getting to visit with my sister and brother-in-law, my mom watched the baby while Jeremy and I took the big boy to our local Halloween festival. We played Plunko, ring toss, and a few other carnival games before heading home to fix a spooky supper for the grandparents. I loved every minute of yesterday!
Somewhere in the middle of all of that my sister painted my nails with the cutest candy corns. I'm not usually very adventuresome with nails, but how fun is this? She did a great job.
And now that we're home from church and a delicious gumbo lunch at my mom and dad's, we're hopping in the car to visit my other sister and her family. We'll be spending the next few days with the cousins, trick-or-treating, and catching up.
Sometimes I worry that these are the best days of our lives and they're slipping by so quickly.
So I'm holding on to every minute.
So I'm holding on to every minute.


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Sunday, December 27, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Santa & His Assistant . . . Holiday Tags 2015 . . .
I'm a little late with this years printable holiday tags... but there's still a week to go... so, if you haven't wrapped and labeled yet - my Santa and his Alligator assistant might help!
• click on the image
- it will open in its own window
at high resolution (300 dpi)
• copy that to your desktop.
• print as many as you'd like in any size you'd like:)
Happy wrapping and labelling:)!
and if you don't think these will do the job... well... check out the previous year's tags:
Posted by orange you lucky! 40 comments:
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Wild & Free . . .
I've been away for a long long time... and have a ton of catch-up to do on blog side of things... I'm going to start with this new print I made "Wild & Free".
Posted by orange you lucky! 43 comments:
Labels: illustration, print, wolf
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Home Sweet Home . . .
You can get one here:).
Posted by orange you lucky! 46 comments:
Monday, October 26, 2015
my scandinavian dream . . .
A bit of an avian floral with a touch of Scandinavian to show you today. Summer ran out on me... but the colours are still here:).
Posted by orange you lucky! 8 comments:
Monday, October 12, 2015
happy thanksgiving . . .
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! I'm really thankful that you are still visiting my blog... since I've totally dropped the ball in September and had failed to pick it up in October. But, I'm going to make it up to you... by posting regularly from now on... and I have a lot to show you:).
Posted by orange you lucky! 10 comments:
Labels: cards, illustration, thanksgiving
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
When Mischief Came to Town . . .
Working on this cover has been a pleasure! My heart was fully in it as I've read the book to my girls before starting the work and we loved it to bits! It really was a good read and I like how the cover turned out.
When Mischief Came to Town could be preordered on amazon.com...
When Mischief Came to Town could be preordered on amazon.com...
Posted by orange you lucky! 9 comments:
Labels: book, cover, illustraion
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
love & balance . . .
Two hearts that beat as one and stay in balance... a healthy dose of hot pink and sweet love in this little illustration ...
Labels: illustration, love
Saturday, August 15, 2015
new abstract . . .
Posted by orange you lucky! 13 comments:
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Be Brave . . .
New print to show you today:). Hope it brightens your day.
Posted by orange you lucky! 11 comments:
Labels: illustraion, prints
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
New Paper Goods from Roger la Borde (a). . .
It is such a pleasure to hold the final product in my hands and to know that it is done right and the quality is good and that people will enjoy it... I love the way Roger la Borde put together the "Enchanting Forest" Letter set. It makes me want to write a couple of letters. I will blog the rest of the new Roger la Borde work shortly... but you could see it all here.
Posted by orange you lucky! 24 comments:
Labels: cards, Roger la Borde, Stationery
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Tiger Dream . . .
I've got a new print to show you today! I hope it brightens your day.
Posted by orange you lucky! 5 comments:
Labels: prints.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Birds of Summer . . .
They start singing at 4:30 in the morning... just as I'm trying to fall asleep... and yet, I still like them. It means summer is still here:). They even made it into my latest pattern.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
a Blooming Mind . . .
A new print to show you. Inspired by summer thoughts. Warm and happy thoughts that bloom like the summer flowers.
Posted by orange you lucky! 2 comments:
Labels: prints
Monday, July 6, 2015
Southern Bloom . . .
Posted by orange you lucky! No comments:
Thursday, July 2, 2015
black lines in the garden . . .
Posted by orange you lucky! 2 comments:
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
What Kind of Bird are You? . . .
Labels: prints
Sunday, June 21, 2015
June Watercolouring . . .
It's been a very dense June so far. When it's sunny I procrastinate (watercolouring, drawing, sitting in a swing) in a day time and work like a maniac at night (sleeping is a morning activity). I think this is my favourite month.
Posted by orange you lucky! 1 comment:
Labels: watercolors
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
a little LOVE print . . .
Posted by orange you lucky! No comments:
Labels: illustration, prints
Sunday, June 14, 2015
FLOW - colouring book . . .
Coloring is for everyone! I liked it 35 years ago... and I like it still:). Thanks to Flow magazine I got to collaborate with my friend and fellow illustrator Carolyn Gavin on a very fun and different colouring book (that is now available via Flow web shop).
Posted by orange you lucky! 5 comments:
Labels: collaboration, colouring book, illustration
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